Word Choice Reluctant vs. Reticent

Word Choice Reluctant vs. Reticent Word Choice: Reluctant vs. Reticent â€Å"Reluctant† and â€Å"reticent† are both adjectives that mean â€Å"unwilling.† They also look similar written down, so it’s no wonder people use these terms interchangeably. But there is a difference between â€Å"reluctant† and â€Å"reticent,† so check out our guide to make sure you can use them correctly. Reluctant (Unwilling or Slow to Do Something) To be â€Å"reluctant† is to be unwilling or hesitant to do something. For example: I was reluctant to leave before the fireworks. You can use this term in any situation where someone is resistant to something, so it has a wide range of possible uses. This flexibility is reflected in the origins of this term, which comes from a Latin word meaning â€Å"struggle.† As such, if we are struggling to bring ourselves to do anything, we can say we feel â€Å"reluctant† about it. Reticent (Unwilling to Speak) While â€Å"reticent† also implies being unwilling or hesitant about something, it applies specifically to speaking or revealing our thoughts and feelings: Tom was reticent about why he left the party. Here, we’re not saying that Tom was â€Å"reluctant† to leave a party. We’re saying he was unwilling to tell us why he left the party. We can also use â€Å"reticent† to describe someone’s character in general: Hannah has been reticent for as long as I’ve known her. Even in this case, though, the word â€Å"reticent† suggests that Hannah is quiet and reserved in particular. It does not mean she is â€Å"unwilling† in other ways. And we would not use reluctant to describe a personal trait like this. Again, looking at the origins of this word can help us understand how it is used in modern English: â€Å"reticent† comes from reticere, which means â€Å"silent† in Latin. Thus, if we are â€Å"reticent,† we are being quiet about something. Reluctant or Reticent? Although some now use â€Å"reticent† to mean â€Å"unwilling† in any context, it would be a mistake to do this in formal writing. So to avoid errors, remember that â€Å"reticent† has a more specific meaning than â€Å"reluctant†: To be reluctant is to be unwilling to do something. To be reticent is to be unwilling to speak or reveal your thoughts. If you can remember this distinction, you should be able to use these terms correctly. But if you want to be extra sure that your writing is error free, you can also submit a document to our outstanding proofreading service.

How the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn Were Named

How the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn Were Named The Tropic of Cancer was named because at the time of its naming, the sun was positioned in the Cancer constellation during the  June solstice. Likewise, the Tropic of Capricorn was named because the sun was in the constellation Capricorn during the  December solstice. The naming took place about 2000 years ago, and the sun is no longer in those constellations at that time of year.  At the June solstice, the  Sun  is in Taurus, and at the December solstice, the sun is in Sagittarius. Why the Tropics Are Important Geographic features like the equator are reasonably straightforward, but the Tropics can be confusing. The Tropics were marked off because they are both places within the hemisphere where it is possible to have the sun directly overhead. This was an important distinction for ancient travelers who used the heavens to guide their way. In an age  when our smartphones know  where we are at all times, its hard to imagine how hard getting around used to be. For much of human history, the position of the sun and stars was often all explorers and traders had to navigate by.   Where the Tropics Are The Tropic of Capricorn can be found at latitude 23.5 degrees south. The Tropic of Cancer is at 23.5 degrees north. The equator is the circle where the sun can be found directly overhead at noon.   What the Major Circles of Latitude Are Circles of latitude are an abstract east and west circle that connects all places on Earth. Latitude and longitude are used as addresses for every part of the globe. On maps  latitude  lines are horizontal, and longitude lines are vertical. There is an infinite  number of latitude circles on earth. Arcs of latitude are sometimes used to define the boundary between countries that lack distinctive geographic borders like mountain ranges or deserts. There are five major circles of latitude. Arctic CircleTropic of CancerEquatorTropic of CapricornAntarctic Circle Living in the Torrid Zone The circles of latitude also serve to mark the boundaries between the geographical zones. The zone between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic  of Cancer is known as the Torrid Zone.  In the United States, this area is more commonly known as the tropics. This area comprises almost forty  percent of the globe. It is projected that by the year 2030, half of the global population will live in this area. When one considers the climate of the tropics its easy to see why so many people want to live there.   The tropics are known for their lush green vegetation  and moist climate. Average  temperatures range from warm to hot year round. Many places in the tropics experience rainy seasons which range from one to several months of consistent rainfall. Incidents of malaria tend to rise during rainy seasons. Some areas in the tropics such as the Sahara desert or Australian outback are defined as dry rather than tropical.

Nitrogen Oxide as an Environmental Pollution Essay

Nitrogen Oxide as an Environmental Pollution - Essay Example with the first section covers the common nitrogen oxides, followed by the sources and potential sinks in the environment, then the chemical behaviour of these oxides, the impacts on human and ecosystem, and finally the prevention and control of these pollutants. Nitrogen oxides mainly consist of nitrogen and oxygen, and the most common nitrogen oxides are nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) (Farmer 2013, p.26; Harrison 2001, p.179). Notably, nitrous oxide and nitrogen dioxide are emitted when nitrogen reacts with oxygen in the air during combustion at high temperatures and this shows that the amount of nitrogen oxides produced depends on temperature of combustion. Another nitrogen oxide is nitrous oxide (N2O) which is a greenhouse gas that has a greater impact on climate change. Nitric oxide is a colourless gas with a sharp and sweet smell, but nitrogen dioxide is a colourless gas with a strong, harsh odour. Of the nitrogen oxides emitted, nitric oxides forms the larger part, followed by nitrous oxide then nitrogen dioxide which is produced in low amounts, and also it is important to note that both nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxides does not have prolonged lifespan in the atmosphere as compared to nitrous oxide. Nitrogen oxides are produced naturally but they are as well produced by various human activities including agricultural activities, transportation and industrial processes and many others. In nature, nitrogen oxides are produced because of bacterial processes, biological growth and decay, forest fires (Lippmann 2009, p.823), volcano, and lightening among others (Hill 2010, p.128). Thunderstorms lead to the production of nitric oxide as a result of high heat of lightening released in the process of breaking down nitrogen molecules. On the other hand, burning of fossil fuels is considered the primary source of nitrogen oxides as part of human activities. Transportation fuels when burned produce nitrous oxide and mostly, motor vehicles and trucks

On The Semiosphere by Juri Lotman Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

On The Semiosphere by Juri Lotman - Essay Example Here, Lotman has successfully put forth an example which could make his complex arguments very clear to even a lay person, through the use of analogy. The allegory is easy to understand for the reader. The overall conclusion that this essay arrives at is that, â€Å"the levels of the semiosphere comprise an inter-connected group of semiospheres, each of them being simultaneously both participant in the dialogue (as part of the semiosphere) and the space of dialogue (the semiosphere as a whole)† (Lotman, 205). Lotman has started his essay by referring to the two major schools of thought in semiotics, one the Saussurian school which focuses on the ‘act of communication’ and the Piercean school which stresses on the ‘sign’, the basic, coded, element of communication (205). Then he moves ahead to point out that both these schools have some thing in common, which is the stress that they give either to a single communication act or a single sign, ie; a sing le, atomic element (Lotman, 206). By describing this background, Lotman starts a logical reasoning process by giving chronological data and putting it as a block in the very beginning of the essay.   He has argued that, in this way, â€Å"the individual act of sign exchange has come to be regarded as a model of natural language [†¦] -as universal semiotic models† (Lotman, 206).In the next step of his rhetoric, Lotman has contested this conventional thought. He has opined that, this kind of reasoning is part of the traditional and flawed scientific thinking., where one is tempted always to move â€Å"from the simple to the complex’, and whereby one gets trapped into attributing a character to the object of study, just because it provided some convenience to make an analysis (Lotman, 206). In this way, Lotman has been applying the method of logos which says that the study of communication, or

A poem which depicts a violent incident Essay Example for Free

A poem which depicts a violent incident Essay TASK: Choose a poem in which there is a dramatic or violent incident. Show how the poet conveys the incident using various poetic techniques. ‘Glasgow 5 March 1971’ by Scottish poet Edwin Morgan effectively conveys a violent incident which occurs on a busy street in Glasgow. The incident captured in this instamatic poem involves a violent attack on a young couple who are pushed through a shop window by thieving youths. The incident is shown vividly through various techniques such as imagery, word choice and structure. Through this poem, Morgan effectively criticises society and our reluctance to help others in need. One of the ways in which Morgan helps us understand the incident is through the use of imagery. The poem begins with a striking metaphor to describe the â€Å"ragged diamond of shattered plate-glass†. The broken glass is being compared to a diamond to help us picture the sharp, glinting edges of the window. This immediately shows how violent the incident is. He goes on to describe the man’s face as â€Å"bristling with fragments of glass†. This metaphor compared the numerous shards of glass on his face to a beard. This again highlights the pain and damage caused to the innocent â€Å"young man†. The serious nature of the injuries is also conveyed by the words â€Å"spurts of arterial blood† which creates the image of blood gushing out of the girl. Her â€Å"wet-look white coat† emphasises the amount of blood and the contrast of red blood on white which creates a strong visual image. The poem then moves on to describe the attackers using effective word choice to convey the lack of compassion shown to the victims. The incident is described as the â€Å"operation† which suggests that this is a purely business-like transaction for these people. There is no emotion. The word â€Å"loot† suggests that the youths’ only care is to grab as many valuables as possible and do it â€Å"smartly†. This highlights the impersonal, business-like manner again, showing a lack of humanity. Again this is done with â€Å"no expression† which shows no concern or care for the couple whose faces show â€Å"surprise† and â€Å"shock†. The word choice used here effectively shows the selfishness of the youths whose only care is to steal with no concern for who gets hurt in this violent incident. . Morgan achieves this by using the present tense, â€Å"a young man and his girl are falling†, â€Å"their arms are starfished†. This creates the effect of seeing the event as a picture rather than an ongoing event. The writer emphasises this with the words â€Å"sharp clear night† which relates to a camera image again. This helps the reader stand back and look at the event objectively without be involved. Morgan is trying to make the point that this is what we do in society when we see violence occurring – stand back and not get involved. This theme of society’s reluctance to help others is shown through the deliberate reference â€Å"in Sauchiehall Street†. This makes it clear that this violent incident took place on a busy street in Glasgow where lots of people would be. He goes on to refer to drivers â€Å"in the background† which again highlights the fact that people do not come forward to help the victims; they â€Å"keep their eyes on the road†. This final line effectively conveys Morgan’s attitude that people turn a blind eye to violence, most likely from fear or lack of compassion. Through presenting this ‘snapshot’ of the incident in â€Å"sharp clear† detail, it makes the reader think about what we would have done in this situation and why people failed to act. In conclusion this poem effectively conveys a violent incident on a busy Glasgow street. Edwin Morgan successfully highlights the lack of concern in our society for others. He achieved this through his instamatic technique, vivid imagery and effective word choice. These techniques helped me visualise the incident well and understand the writer’s message. The poem really made me think about how we treat one another in society as this incident is set in Glasgow in a busy street. It made me wonder if this would actually happen and if people would help or turn a blind eye.

Free Essays on A Dolls House: Money Matters :: Dolls House essays

A Doll's House Essay: Money Matters Henrik Ibsen was born in 1828 to a wealthy family, however, when he was just eight years old his family went bankrupt, and they lost their status in society. Ibsen knew how the issue of money could destroy a person’s reputation in no time at all. Perhaps that is how he makes the characters in his play, A Doll's House , so believable. Nora and Mrs. Linde, the two main female characters in the play, have had the issues of money and forgery ruin their lives. Nora forged her dead father’s signature to get a loan. The play revolves around her struggle with her fear of being found out. Both women’s values change as the story moves along. At first, it appears that Nora values money and the status that it brings. Mrs. Linde values her own happiness, and eventually Nora realizes that the only way she will be able to live with what she has done is to do the same. From the start of the play, we see that Nora’s entire focus is on money. â€Å"Won’t it be lovely to have stacks of money and not a care in the world† (703), Nora asks Mrs. Linde. Almost every conversation she has in the play is related to money in some way or another. When Torvald, her husband, asks her what she wants for Christmas, she tells him, â€Å"You could give me money, Torvald. . . . Then I could hang the bills in pretty glit paper on the Christmas tree. Wouldn’t that be fun† (699)? Her carefree way of handling money exasperates her husband. He wants to make her happy, but he isn’t able to give her what he doesn’t have. He doesn’t know about the loan, at first, and, to him and the audience, it appears that she is just throwing her money away hopelessly. Mrs. Linde, on the other hand, knows what it is like to not have money to spare. She values money, but for an entire different purpose. The looks at it for what it is worth, and how it can help her survive. Her entire life she has had to work hard for anything that she wanted or needed. â€Å"Well, anyway,† she responded to Nora’s remark on having stacks of money, â€Å"it would be lovely enough to have enough for necessities† (703). To survive, she â€Å"had to scrape up living with a little shop and a little teaching and whatever else [she] could find† (704). Free Essays on A Doll's House: Money Matters :: Dolls House essays A Doll's House Essay: Money Matters Henrik Ibsen was born in 1828 to a wealthy family, however, when he was just eight years old his family went bankrupt, and they lost their status in society. Ibsen knew how the issue of money could destroy a person’s reputation in no time at all. Perhaps that is how he makes the characters in his play, A Doll's House , so believable. Nora and Mrs. Linde, the two main female characters in the play, have had the issues of money and forgery ruin their lives. Nora forged her dead father’s signature to get a loan. The play revolves around her struggle with her fear of being found out. Both women’s values change as the story moves along. At first, it appears that Nora values money and the status that it brings. Mrs. Linde values her own happiness, and eventually Nora realizes that the only way she will be able to live with what she has done is to do the same. From the start of the play, we see that Nora’s entire focus is on money. â€Å"Won’t it be lovely to have stacks of money and not a care in the world† (703), Nora asks Mrs. Linde. Almost every conversation she has in the play is related to money in some way or another. When Torvald, her husband, asks her what she wants for Christmas, she tells him, â€Å"You could give me money, Torvald. . . . Then I could hang the bills in pretty glit paper on the Christmas tree. Wouldn’t that be fun† (699)? Her carefree way of handling money exasperates her husband. He wants to make her happy, but he isn’t able to give her what he doesn’t have. He doesn’t know about the loan, at first, and, to him and the audience, it appears that she is just throwing her money away hopelessly. Mrs. Linde, on the other hand, knows what it is like to not have money to spare. She values money, but for an entire different purpose. The looks at it for what it is worth, and how it can help her survive. Her entire life she has had to work hard for anything that she wanted or needed. â€Å"Well, anyway,† she responded to Nora’s remark on having stacks of money, â€Å"it would be lovely enough to have enough for necessities† (703). To survive, she â€Å"had to scrape up living with a little shop and a little teaching and whatever else [she] could find† (704).

External Environment

Chapter 4 The External Environment The Environmental Domain Organization Environment is composed of all elements that exist outside the boundary of the organization that have the potential to affect all or part of the organization. Its domain is the chosen field of action. The environment comprises several sectors or subdivisions of the environment that contain similar elements (ie. industry, raw materials, human resources, market, technology, financial resources, economic conditions, government, sociocultural, and international. Task Environment – includes sectors with which the organization interacts directly and that have a direct impact on the organization’s ability to achieve its goals. oIndustry, raw materials, market sector and hr and international sectors †¢General Environment – includes sectors that might not have a direct impact on the daily operation of a firm but will directly influence it. oGovernment, sociocultural, economic conditions, technol ogy, and financial resources sectors †¢International Context oDomestic sectors can be affected by international events Environmental UncertaintyResponding to the need for information. 2 Ways the environment influences organizations: (1) the need for information about the environment and (2) the need for resources from the environment. Uncertainty applies to sectors that the organization deals with on a regular basis, the task environment, and this must be analyzed along dimensions of stability and degree of uncertainty. †¢Simple Complex Dimension concerns environmental complexity, the heterogeneity, or the number and dissimilarity of external elements relevant to an organization’s operations. ^ in external factors and ^ in # of organizations in that domain = ^ complexity †¢Stable-Unstable Dimension refers to whether elements in the environment are dynamic oIf an environmental element remains the same over a period of months/ years = ^ stability FRAMEWORK FOR AS SESSING ENVIRONMENTAL UNCERTAINTY Environmental Complexity SimpleComplex Environmental ChangeStableLow Uncertainty Low number of external factors Low change Low-Moderate Uncertainty High number of external factors Low change UnstableHigh-Moderate Uncertainty Low number of external factors High changeHigh UncertaintyHigh number of external factors High change Adapting to Environmental Uncertainty Positions and Departments †¢An ^ in complexity and uncertainty in the external environment = ^ in # of positions and departments in the firm, which in turn ^ internal complexity Buffering and Boundary Spanning †¢The purpose of buffering roles is to absorb uncertainty from the environment. Buffer departments (hr, purchasing, finance, legal) surround the technical core (primary org. function) and exchange resources and information between the organization and the external environment. Some firms rid the organization of buffers and expose the technical core to the uncertain environmen t opening up the organization and making it more fluid and adaptable. †¢Boundary-spanning roles link and coordinate an organization with key elements in the external environment. Primarily concerned with exchange of information to: oDetect and bring in to the organization information about changes in the environment, and oSend information into the environment that presents the organization in a favourable light. †¢Business intelligence and competitive intelligence is necessary to analyze large amounts of data and find patterns.Differentiation and Integration †¢Organizational differentiation is â€Å"the differences in cognitive and emotional orientations among managers in different functional departments, and the difference in formal structure among these departments. † †¢When the external environment is complex and unstable, organizational departments become highly specialized to handle the uncertainty in the external sector. †¢High differentiation = difficult to coordinate between departments, so integrators become essential additions. †¢Uncertain environments = high level of differentiation and integration Organic vs. Mechanistic Management Processes Mechanistic Organizational System: ^ stability = ^ Formal structure and control imposed on employees †¢Organic Organizational System: v stability = v Formal structure and control imposed on employees oRules were loosened, free-flowing, adaptive, and decentralized MechanisticOrganic 1. Tasks are broken down in specialized, separate parts 2. Tasks are rigidly defined 3. Strict hierarchy of authority, control, and rules 4. Highly centralized at top of organization 5. Communication is vertical1. Employees contribute to common tasks of the dept. 2. Tasks are redefined through employee teamwork 3. Less hierarchy of authority, control, and rules . Decentralized 5. Communication is horizontal Planning, Forecasting, and Responsiveness †¢Planning and environmental forecastin g becomes necessary in uncertain environments contributing to the organization’s ability to quickly respond to sudden changes in the environment. Contingency Framework for Organizational Responses to Uncertainty CONTINGENCY FRAMEWORK FOR ENVIRONMENTAL UNCERTAINTY & ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSES Environmental Complexity SimpleComplex Environmental ChangeStableLow Uncertainty Few departments No boundary spanning Non integrating roles Current operations orientation, low-speed responseMechanistic structure: formal, centralizedLow-Moderate Uncertainty Many departments Some boundary spanning Few integrating roles Some planning, moderate-speed response Mechanistic structure: formal, centralized UnstableHigh-Moderate Uncertainty Few departments Much boundary spanning Few integrating roles Planning orientation, high-speed response Organic structure: teamwork, participative, decentralizedHigh Uncertainty Many departments Extensive boundary spanning Many integrating roles Extensive planning orientation, high-speed response Organic structure: teamwork, participative, decentralizedResource Dependence Resource Dependence means that organizations depend on the environment but strive to acquire control over resources to minimize their dependence; vulnerability comes from dependence and negative effects on performance can follow with too much dependence on other organizations. †¢Interorganizational relationships present a trade-off between resources and autonomy Controlling Environmental Resources Responding to the need for resources. Two strategies are adopted to manage resources in the external environment: 1. Establish favourable linkages with key elements in the environment 2.Shape the environmental domain Establishing Interorganizational Linkages †¢Ownership – companies/ use ownership to establish linkages when they buy a part of or a controlling interest in another company giving the company access to technology, products, or other resources it doesnâ €™t currently have access to (ie. acquisitions and mergers) †¢Formal Strategic Alliances – when there is a high level of complementarity between the business lines, geographical positions, or skills of two companies, the firms often form a strategic alliance (ie. contracts, joint ventures) †¢Cooptation, Interlocking Directorates Cooptation occurs when leaders from important sectors in the environment are made part of an organization (ie. board of directors) oInterlocking Directorates is a formal linkage that occurs when a member of the board of directors of one company sits on the board of directors of another company. †¢Executive Recruitment – transferring or exchanging executives to establish favourable linkages †¢Advertising and Public Relations Changing or Controlling the Environmental Domain †¢Change of Domain – organizations can change the domains it is in, in each of the 10 domains specified (ie. t can choose which market its in, what relationships to hold, suppliers, and locations, etc. ) †¢Political Activity, Regulation – political strategy can be used to erect regulatory barriers against new competitors or to squash unfavourable legislations †¢Trade Associations – when work to influence the external environment is accomplished jointly with other organizations that have similar interests †¢Illegitimate Activities – when excessive downward pressure leads managers to adopt unfavourable techniques to reach an ends. Organization-Environment Integrative Framework

Company Overview of Domestic Direct Competitors of Sime Darby

COMPANY OVERVIEW OF DOMESTIC DIRECT COMPETITORS OF SIME DARBY (GENTING BERHAD) Genting Berhad (Genting), a holding company for the Genting Group, operates resorts, casino and plantations. It also develops properties, manufactures paper and generates electricity. The company primarily operates in Malaysia. It is headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and employs 36,000people. The company recorded revenues of MYR6,943. 8 million (approximately $1,968. 3 million) during the fiscal year ended December 2006, an increase of 27. 3% over 2005. The operating profit of the company was MYR3,124. million (approximately $885. 7 million) during fiscal year 2006, an increase of 22. 7% over 2005. The net profit was MYR2,242. 5 million in fiscal year 2006, an increase of 23. 8%over 2005. SWOT ANALYSIS Genting is the management and investment holding company of Genting Group. Through its subsidiaries, the company provides leisure and hospitality, cruise and entertainment businesses. Genting also oper ates plantations, develops and manages property, power generation, manufactures and trades paper, explores oil and gas and provides tours and travel related services.The continued success of its leisure and hospitality business, driven by a strong performance from Genting Highlands Resort and its gaming business, has improved overall revenue and profit growth for the company. However, regional competition from new leisure attractions such as Disneyland and Macau's strong position in the gaming business could weaken the company's leisure and hospitality business. Strengths †¢Diverse business portfolio †¢Strong leisure and hospitality division †¢Strong performance of oil and gasWeaknesses Weak performance of property and manufacturing divisions †¢Weak returns Opportunities †¢Growing wealth of Asian population †¢Government initiatives to promote Malaysia †¢Strong outlook for China’s energy sector †¢Rising demand for biodieselThreats †¢Intense competition †¢Natural disasters and epidemics †¢Weakening demand for residential housing STRENGTHS †¢Diverse business portfolio Genting has a diversified business portfolio, which includes the management of casinos and resorts, plantations, property development, paper manufacturing and power generation.Aided by strong growth in most of its business divisions in fiscal year 2006, Genting managed to record an increase of 27. 3% in its revenues over fiscal year 2005. The revenues from leisure and hospitality division increased 20. 9%; power 89. 1%; plantation 10%;and oil and gas 19. 8%. The company is not overly dependent on any one product or business division. Its diversified business portfolio protects it from downturns in any particular division and reduces business risk. †¢Strong leisure and hospitality division The company's leisure and hospitality division has continuously contributed the highest revenues for Genting.The leisure and hospitality divis ion operates the company's hotel, gaming and entertainment businesses. In fiscal year 2006, the division recorded revenues of MYR4,286. 9 million(approximately $1,215. 2 million), contributing 61. 7% to the company's revenues. This increase is mainly due to the higher volume of business from Genting Highlands Resort. For the period 2002-2006, the leisure and hospitality division grew at a CAGR of 12%. The division's strong performance is attributed to the overall success of the company's theme resorts which are becoming Malaysia’s leading tourist destinations.The company's gaming business, which operates its casinos both locally and internationally, has also posted strong results in recent years. Strong performance from the leisure and hospitality division has improved overall revenue and profit growth for Genting. †¢Strong performance of oil and gas Revenues for the oil and gas division of Genting have consistently improved in recent years. Although the division contrib uted just 2% to Genting’s revenues in fiscal year 2006, it recorded revenues of MYR141. 3 million (approximately $40. 1 million), a 19. % increase over the previous year. From 2002-2006, the oil and gas division grew at a CAGR of 29%. The phenomenal success of the division is attributed to significantly higher oil prices and increased production. Genting expects an even stronger growth for the oil and gas division in the future from increased oil production in Muturi (Indonesia) and China. WEAKNESS †¢Weak performance of property and manufacturing divisions Despite an increase of 7. 7% in fiscal year 2006, the property division's revenues have been volatile over the recent years.For the period 2003-2006, the division's CAGR was -6%, the lowest among all the company's business divisions. Despite a 6% increase in revenues, the manufacturing division's profit before tax declined 44% in fiscal 2006 over the previous year. Weak performance of these divisions would affect the o verall growth of the company. †¢Weak returns Genting has recorded weak returns in the last few years. Its return on investments and return on equity for trailing twelve months (TTM) December 2006 were 10. 2% and 13. 5%, respectively, lower than the industry averages of 10. % and 16. 8% for the same period. Weak returns reflect the inability of the management to deploy assets in profitable avenues, and this could result in decreasing investor confidence. OPPORTUNITIES †¢Growing wealth of Asian population Strong economic growth is expected to improve the spending habits of leisure travellers in the Asian region. A number of Asian countries are expected to record a significant CAGR in GDP per capita in the next five years, including: China (10. 1%), India (8. 1%), Thailand (7%), Singapore and Malaysia(6. 6%).Consequently, disposable income in these countries is expected to grow in the next five years. India’s disposable income records the highest CAGR of 11. 1%, Thaila nd, 8. 4%, China, 8. 1%,Malaysia, 5. 5% and Singapore, 5. 3%. Genting's foreign visitors mostly come from these countries. As such, the company stands to profit from the improving economic conditions of these markets. Rising income levels will increase demand for leisure and hospitality services. †¢Government initiatives to promote Malaysia The importance of tourism to the Malaysian economy has grown considerably in recent years.The joint efforts of Malaysia’s Tourism Ministry and Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board (MTPB) to stimulate tourism activities are expected to result in higher tourist arrivals in Malaysia. The MTPB hosts trade, tourism and consumer fairs around the world to promote the country’s culture and tourist attractions. In fiscal year 2005, there were a total of about 15. 8 million international arrivals in Malaysia. Annual targets announced under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (2006-2010) include an increase in international arrivals from 17. 3 million in 2006 to 20 million by 2010.In addition, the Malaysian government recently announced a five-day work week for civil servants, which translate to a greater number of holidays available for Malaysians. Also, the presence of low-fare air travel will boost the leisure and tourism industry in Malaysia. This positive outlook of Malaysian tourism presents the company with growth opportunities. †¢Strong outlook for China’s energy sector Demand for worldwide energy is expected to report strong growth until 2025. Energy demand from China is expected to grow by an average of 3. 2% annually until 2025, to reach a volume of 14. 2million barrels per day (bbl/d).Genting has consistently expanded its oil and gas assets including the acquisition of four power plants in China. China is the world's second largest consumer of petroleum products and the company stands to benefit from the growth in China’s energy sector. †¢Rising demand for biodiesel The European Union has a targe t of replacing 5. 75% of diesel with renewable sources by 2010. In view of this growing European demand for bio fuels, the Malaysian government is encouraging the use of palm oil to the production of biodiesel. The country is also preparing to change from diesel to bio-fuels in the near future.It has stipulated that from 2007, all diesel sold in Malaysia must contain5% palm oil. The plantation division of Genting is involved mainly in oil palm plantations, palm oil milling and related activities. It could therefore take advantage of the new opportunity to improve its revenue growth. THREATS †¢Intense competition Genting's leisure and hospitality division is expected to face stiff competition from new leisure attractions in Asia. Disneyland Hong Kong, which opened in September 2005, has emerged as a key competitor The Disneyland attracted approximately 5. million visitors in its first year of operation and is expected to increase to about 10 million annually. Genting is also fac ing competition from casinos in Macau. Macau has at least fourteen casinos, of which the biggest is the Casino Lisboa. Four casino resorts are scheduled to be launched in the next few years in Macau. Disneyland Hong Kong and casinos in Macau could draw tourists away from Genting's leisure and hospitality locations, which would reduce revenue growth. †¢Natural disasters and epidemics The leisure and hospitality is vulnerable to natural disasters and epidemics.In 2003, the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) adversely affected the Star Cruises operation. Star Cruises was also badly affected by the tsunami in 2004. In 2005-2006, outbreak of bird flu affected the leisure and travel industry including cruises. Natural disasters and outbreak of epidemics such as SARS and bird flu in the future could reduce tourist traffic to resorts, casinos and cruise ships of Genting, which would pull revenue growth down. †¢Weakening demand for residential housing Demand for r esidential properties in Malaysia is weakening.Demand for housing in 2006 was lower than 2005. Moreover, the Malaysian GDP growth for 2007 is expected to be 5. 0% down from 5. 8%in 2006 which could have a corresponding effect on Malaysian housing. The company has a significant presence in residential housing. It has recently launched two residential properties: Asiatic Cheng Perdana and Asiatic Indahpura. Excess supply in the Malaysian residential property market and the consequent fall in property prices would negatively impact the performance of Genting's property division.

Prophetic Portrait Essay

Prophetic Portrait Essay Prophetic Portrait Essay Derrick Greenfield Professor Tyrus College Reading and Writing 18 October 2013 Prophetic Portrait I see an open field full of lost souls looking and searching for a safety zone, not knowing what the world has for them next. They are asking questions and looking for answers, yet no answers have come. They do not know who to look for when they are in a time of need. Who will save them and be their rescuer? God says in Matthew 28:19, â€Å"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.† God calls all of his children to do his work, but only calls a few to the missions field. With his calling comes a great responsibility. Missions is what my heart yearns and cares for deeply about. It is my mind set to follow the calling of God on my life to the missions field. In four to five years I see myself following my calling into the mission field and seeking the lost. Being in the mission’s field, I never really thought about the risks involved in doing God’s work. He neve r wants us to worry about the consequences, but to focus on giving everything we have to him while doing his work. God always guides and places me where he wants me to be. I have imagined God placing me in South America, reaching out in Peru or El Salvador. I will never know what he has planned for me there until I go, but I know that if it is his will then he will move through me to spread his word to as many people as possible. Those people, who are lost without knowing who God is, deserve to be told about his love and his greatness. God says in Luke 9:23 "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." God has given me the opportunity to tell the lost

French and Indian War - Campaigns of 1756-1757

French and Indian War - Campaigns of 1756-1757 Previous: French Indian War - Causes | French Indian War/Seven Years War: Overview | Next: 1758-1759: The Tide Turns Changes in Command In the wake of Major General Edward Braddocks death at the Battle of Monongahela in July 1755, command of British forces in North America passed to Governor William Shirley of Massachusetts. Unable to come to an accord with his commanders, he was replaced in January 1756, when the Duke of Newcastle, heading the British government, appointed Lord Loudoun to the post with Major General James Abercrombie as his second in command. Changes were also afoot to the north where Major General Louis-Joseph de Montcalm, Marquis de Saint-Veran arrived in May with a small contingent of reinforcements and orders to assume overall command of French forces. This appointment angered the Marquis de Vaudreuil, governor of New France (Canada), as he had designs on the post. In the winter of 1756, prior to Montcalms arrival, Vaudreuil ordered a series of successful raids against the British supply lines leading to Fort Oswego. These destroyed large quantities of supplies and hampered British plans for campaigning on Lake Ontario later that year. Arriving in Albany, NY in July, Abercrombie proved a highly cautious commander and refused to take action without Loudouns approval. This was countered by Montcalm who proved highly aggressive. Moving to Fort Carillon on Lake Champlain he feinted an advance south before shifting west to conduct an attack on Fort Oswego. Moving against the fort in mid-August, he compelled its surrender and effectively eliminated the British presence on Lake Ontario. Shifting Alliances While fighting raged in the colonies, Newcastle sought to avoid a general conflict in Europe. Due to changing national interests on the Continent, the systems of alliances that had been in place for decades began to decay as each country sought to safeguard their interests. While Newcastle wished fight a decisive colonial war against the French, he was hampered by the need to protect the Electorate of Hanover which had ties to the British royal family. In seeking a new ally to guarantee the safety of Hanover, he found a willing partner in Prussia. A former British adversary, Prussia wished to retain the lands (namely Silesia) it had gained during the War of the Austrian Succession. Concerned about the possibility of a large alliance against his nation, King Frederick II (the Great) began making overtures to London in May 1755. Subsequent negotiations led to the Convention of Westminster which was signed on January 15, 1756. Defensive in nature, this agreement called for Prussia to pr otect Hanover from the French in exchange for the British withholding aid from Austria in any conflict over Silesia. A long-time ally of Britain, Austria was angered by the Convention and stepped up talks with France. Though reluctant to join with Austria, Louis XV agreed to a defensive alliance in the wake of increasing hostilities with Britain. Signed on May 1, 1756, the Treaty of Versailles saw the two nations agree to provide aid and troops should one be attacked by a third party. In addition, Austria agreed not to aid Britain in any colonial conflicts. Operating on the fringe of these talks was Russia which was eager to contain Prussian expansionism while also improving their position in Poland. While not a signatory of the treaty, Empress Elizabeths government was sympathetic to the French and Austrians. War is Declared While Newcastle worked to limit the conflict, the French moved to expand it. Forming a large force at Toulon, the French fleet began an attack on British-held Minorca in April 1756. In an effort to relieve the garrison, the Royal Navy dispatched a force to the area under the command of Admiral John Byng. Beset by delays and with ships in ill-repair, Byng reached Minorca and clashed with a French fleet of equal size on May 20. Though the action was inconclusive, Byngs ships took substantial damage and in a resulting council of war his officers agreed that the fleet should return to Gibraltar. Under increasing pressure, the British garrison on Minorca surrendered on May 28. In a tragic turn of events, Byng was charged with not doing his utmost to relieve the island and after a court-martial was executed. In response to the attack on Minorca, Britain officially declared war on May 17, nearly two years after the first shots in North America. Frederick Moves As war between Britain and France was formalized, Frederick became increasingly concerned about France, Austria, and Russian moving against Prussia. Alerted that Austria and Russia were mobilizing, he did likewise. In a preemptive move, Fredericks highly disciplined forces began an invasion of Saxony on August 29 which was aligned with his enemies. Catching the Saxons by surprise, he cornered their small army at Pirna. Moving to aid the Saxons, an Austrian army under Marshal Maximilian von Browne marched towards the border. Advancing to meet the enemy, Frederick attacked Browne at the Battle of Lobositz on October 1. In heavy fighting, the Prussians were able to compel the Austrians to retreat (Map). Though the Austrians continued attempts to relieve the Saxons they were in vain and the forces at Pirna surrendered two weeks later. Though Frederick had intended the invasion of Saxony to serve as a warning to his adversaries, it only worked to further unite them. The military events of 1756 effectively eliminated the hope that a large-scale war could be avoided. Accepting this inevitability, both sides began re-working their defensive alliances into ones that were more offensive in nature. Though already allied in spirit, Russia officially joined with France and Austria on January 11, 1757, when it became the third signatory of the Treaty of Versailles. Previous: French Indian War - Causes | French Indian War/Seven Years War: Overview | Next: 1758-1759: The Tide Turns Previous: French Indian War - Causes | French Indian War/Seven Years War: Overview | Next: 1758-1759: The Tide Turns British Setbacks in North America Largely inactive in 1756, Lord Loudoun remained inert through the opening months of 1757. In April he received orders to mount an expedition against the French fortress city of Louisbourg on Cape Breton Island. An important base for the French navy, the city also guarded the approaches to the Saint Lawrence River and the heartland of New France. Stripping troops from the New York frontier, he was able to assemble a strike force at Halifax by early July. While waiting for a Royal Navy squadron, Loudoun received intelligence that the French had massed 22 ships of the line and around 7,000 men at Louisbourg. Feeling that he lacked the numbers to defeat such a force, Loudoun abandoned the expedition and began returning his men to New York. While Loudoun was shifting men up and down the coast, the industrious Montcalm had moved to the offensive. Gathering around 8,000 regulars, militia, and Native American warriors, he pushed south across Lake George with the goal of taking Fort William Henry. Held by Lieutenant Colonel Henry Munro and 2,200 men, the fort possessed 17 guns. By August 3, Montcalm had surrounded the fort and laid siege. Though Munro requested aid from Fort Edward to the south it was not forthcoming as the commander there believed the French had around 12,000 men. Under heavy pressure, Munro was forced to surrender on August 9. Though Munros garrison was paroled and guaranteed safe conduct to Fort Edward, they were attacked by Montcalms Native Americans as they departed with over 100 men, women, and children killed. The defeat eliminated the British presence on Lake George. Defeat in Hanover With Fredericks incursion into Saxony the Treaty of Versailles was activated and the French began making preparations to strike Hanover and western Prussia. Informing the British of French intentions, Frederick estimated that the enemy would attack with around 50,000 men. Facing recruitment issues and war aims that called for a colonies-first approach, London did not wish to deploy large numbers of men to the Continent. As a result, Frederick suggested that the Hanoverian and Hessian forces that had been summoned to Britain earlier in the conflict be returned and augmented by Prussian and other German troops. This plan for an Army of Observation was agreed to and effectively saw the British pay for an army to defend Hanover that included no British soldiers. On March 30, 1757, the Duke of Cumberland, son of King George II, was assigned to lead the allied army. Opposing Cumberland were around 100,000 men under the direction of the Duc dEstrà ©es. In early April the French crossed the Rhine and pushed towards Wesel. As the dEstrà ©es moved, the French, Austrians, and Russians formalized the Second Treaty of Versailles which was an offensive agreement designed to crush Prussia. Outnumbered, Cumberland continued to fall back until early June when he attempted a stand at Brackwede. Flanked out of this position, the Army of Observation was compelled to retreat. Turning, Cumberland next assumed a strong defensive position at Hastenbeck. On July 26, the French attacked and after an intense, confused battle both sides withdrew. Having ceded most of Hanover in the course of the campaign, Cumberland felt compelled to enter into the Convention of Klosterzeven which de-mobilized his army and withdrew Hanover from the war (Map). This agreement proved highly unpopular with Frederick as it greatly weakened his western frontier. The defeat and convention effectively ended Cumberlands military career. In an effort to draw French troops away from the front, the Royal Navy planned attacks on the French coast. Assembling troops on the Isle of Wight, an attempt was made to raid Rochefort in September. While the Isle dAix was captured, word of French reinforcements in Rochefort led to the attack being abandoned. Frederick in Bohemia Having won a victory in Saxony the year before, Frederick looked to invade Bohemia in 1757 with the goal of crushing the Austrian army. Crossing the border with 116,000 men divided into four forces, Frederick drove on Prague where he met the Austrians who were commanded by Browne and Prince Charles of Lorraine. In a hard fought engagement, the Prussians drove the Austrians from the field and forced many to flee into the city. Having won in the field, Frederick laid siege to the city on May 29. In an effort to recover the situation, a new Austrian 30,000-man force led by Marshal Leopold von Daun was assembled to the east. Dispatching the Duke of Bevern to deal with Daun, Frederick soon followed with additional men. Meeting near Kolin on June 18, Daun defeated Frederick forcing the Prussians to abandon the siege of Prague and depart Bohemia (Map). Previous: French Indian War - Causes | French Indian War/Seven Years War: Overview | Next: 1758-1759: The Tide Turns Previous: French Indian War - Causes | French Indian War/Seven Years War: Overview | Next: 1758-1759: The Tide Turns Prussia Under Pressure Later that summer, Russian forces began to enter the fray. Receiving permission from the King of Poland, who was also the Elector of Saxony, the Russians were able to march across Poland to strike at the province of East Prussia. Advancing on a broad front, Field Marshal Stephen F. Apraksins 55,000-man army drove back Field Marshal Hans von Lehwaldt smaller 32,000-man force. As the Russian moved against the provincial capital of Kà ¶nigsberg, Lehwaldt launched an attack intended to strike the enemy on the march. In the resulting Battle of Gross-Jgersdorf on August 30, the Prussians were defeated and forced to retreat west into Pomerania. Despite occupying East Prussia, the Russians withdrew to Poland in October, a move which led to Apraksins removal. Having been ousted from Bohemia, Frederick was next required to meet a French threat from the west. Advancing with 42,000 men, Charles, Prince of Soubise, attacked into Brandenburg with a mixed French and German army. Leaving 30,000 men to protect Silesia, Frederick raced west with 22,000 men. On November 5, the two armies met at the Battle of Rossbach which saw Frederick win a decisive victory. In the fighting, the allied army lost around 10,000 men, while Prussian losses totaled 548 (Map). While Frederick was dealing with Soubise, Austrian forces began invading Silesia and defeated a Prussian army near Breslau. Utilizing interior lines, Frederick shifted 30,000 men east to confront the Austrians under Charles at Leuthen on December 5. Though outnumbered 2-to-1, Frederick was able to move around the Austrian right flank and, using a tactic known as oblique order, shattered the Austrian army. The Battle of Leuthen is generally considered Fredericks masterpiece and saw his army inflict losses totaling around 22,000 while only sustaining approximately 6,400. Having dealt with the major threats facing Prussia, Frederick returned north and defeated an incursion by the Swedes. In the process, Prussian troops occupied most of Swedish Pomerania. While the initiative rested with Frederick, the years battles had badly bled his armies and he needed to rest and refit. Faraway Fighting While fighting raged in Europe and North America it also spilled over to the more faraway outposts of the British and French Empires making the conflict the worlds first global war. In India, the two nations trading interests were represented by the French and English East India Companies. In asserting their power, both organizations built their own military forces and recruited additional sepoy units. In 1756, fighting began in Bengal after both sides began reinforcing their trading stations. This angered the local Nawab, Siraj-ud-Duala, who ordered military preparations to cease. The British refused and in a short time the Nawabs forces had seized the English East India Companys stations, including Calcutta. After taking Fort William in Calcutta, a large number of British prisoners were herded into a tiny prison. Dubbed the Black Hole of Calcutta, many died from heat exhaustion and being smothered. The English East India Company moved quickly to regain its position in Bengal and dispatched forces under Robert Clive from Madras. Carried by four ships of line commanded by Vice Admiral Charles Watson, Clives force re-took Calcutta and attacked Hooghly. After a brief battle with the Nawabs army on February 4, Clive was able to conclude a treaty which saw all British property returned. Concerned about growing British power in Bengal, the Nawab began corresponding with the French. At this same time, the badly outnumbered Clive began making deals with the Nawabs officers to overthrow him. On June 23, Clive moved to attack the Nawabs army which was now backed by French artillery. Meeting at the Battle of Plassey, Clive won a stunning victory when the conspirators forces remained out of the battle. The victory eliminated French influence in Bengal and the fighting shifted south. Previous: French Indian War - Causes | French Indian War/Seven Years War: Overview | Next: 1758-1759: The Tide Turns

Lifespan Psychology And Ageing Module Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Lifespan Psychology And Ageing Module - Essay Example According to Belsky and Rossman (2007), We do not lie in isolation. We need to socialize and bond with someone.   To get a good start, an attachment to one's caregiver is important.   Insecure attachments mean trouble for the short term†¦[but] attachment is not stable" (pp. 49).   Attachment can be important in terms of the spectrum of nursing in which a patient must be cared for by his or her health assistant.   It is of paramount importance that the patient knows that he or she can depend upon his or her health assistant.   Without that establishment of trust, no amount of experience or best practices is going to work well within a health care setting.   The course content obviously has various elements that are more important than others.   However, what is paramount to being a health assistant in a nursing home is that these various concepts can be applied to my own situation and the course content has been helpful in terms of being able to deal with a variety of situations.We need to socialize and bond with someone.   To get a good start, an attachment to one's caregiver is important.   Insecure attachments mean trouble for the short term†¦[but] attachment is not stable" (pp. 49).   Attachment can be important in terms of the spectrum of nursing in which a patient must be cared for by his or her health assistant.   It is of paramount importance that the patient knows that he or she can depend upon his or her health assistant.... experience that, generally, people are very particular about the care they receive—and they like for it to remain a private matter as much as possible. According to Gallagher (2008), â€Å"[W]hile private nursing home care is represented as providing choice to older people and their families and as part of a mixed economy of welfare for meeting long-term care needs, it can also be argued that the reliance on private nursing homes to provide care [is mainly a private affair]†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (pp. 80). Late adulthood can be a particularly challenging time for an adult, particularly if the person in question must sell all their possessions in order to afford nursing home care. They may have difficulties if they are patients who are not able to care for themselves and cannot function in assisted living units. As a health assistant, it has been my experience that there are several and various types of problems which many adults in nursing home care face, including depression, neglect , and/or loneliness. These issues can be serious if they are not addressed. The topic of loneliness will be discussed more in the next section. IV. What I Have Learned from the Material Covered (175 words) What has been learned from the material covered is so priceless that no one can really put value on such knowledge. From the course material, it has been possible to become a more understanding and compassionate individual as a health assistant—now that an overarching picture of the lifespan and its various dimensions have been presented to me. According to O’Brien (2008), her book â€Å"†¦explains lifespan development from conception to old age, and is supported by Irish facts, research, statistics and context. It introduces and discusses key debates within psychology, such as nature vs. nurture and

The adventures of Huckleberry Finn Norton critical edition Term Paper

The adventures of Huckleberry Finn Norton critical edition - Term Paper Example Briden, Jane Smiley and T.S. Eliot are examined. One of the major critics examining Huckleberry Finn is David Carkeet. Carkeet examines Twains story from a number of critical perspectives, but perhaps his most overarching take on the subject examines the various narrative techniques Twain utilizes throughout the novel. Within this context Carkeet pays particular emphasis on the nature of dialectics utilized in the novel. In these regards, he distinguishes between dialectics including: the Missouri negro dialect, the extremest form of the backwoods South-Western dialect, the ordinary Pike-County dialect (Twain, and Colley). Carkeet notes that it is necessary to make this distinction as without it the novel would simply sound alike, however not succeeding. Within this context then, Carkeet examines the various dialectics for their linguistic elements within the context of the novel. In these regards, Carkeet argues that Finns dialectic himself can be viewed as the norm to which other dialectics are then varied upon. In a way then, F inns dialectic becomes the a sort of majority dialectic spoken throughout the novel through which the other dialectics are understood in terms of a prism. It follows then that in differentiating further dialectics, Twain does so as a purposeful means. For instance, Carkeet argues that one of the major predominant dialectical changes is implemented by Twain to distinguish between race. Another factor Carkeet considers is the relation between these dialetics articulated by Twain and the sorts of dialectics implemented in the actual mid-nineteenth century. In considering this last point, Carkeet notes that there are significant divisions between the novel and the real-life dialectic. One major point in these terms is that Finn himself utilizes different variations on his own dialectic throughout the novel,