Personal Cultural Identity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Personal Cultural Identity - Essay Example My grandfather David is a German who served as an officer in the U.S. Army during the Second World War. Two years before the war broke out he was teaching economics at a Southern Germany university when his wife died while giving birth to my Uncle Ferdinand. Before the year was over, he left with my baby uncle for England to take up further studies, and they were at Oxford staying with his English wife's family when the war broke out. Like most Germans, he was looked at with suspicion, but because his wife's family trusted him, he was accepted into English society and soon after was taken in as a volunteer by the British Army and assigned to work with the U.S. Army after D-Day. He must have done a good job, because after the war his Army superior invited him over to work and live in America, and he accepted. My then young uncle followed him over. They eventually settled in Eugene, Oregon where my grandfather married a young and energetic woman from northern Spain who was studying there and, together, they raised a family, a rather big one. Back then, people loved having big families, and my grandparents were no exception. They had ten children and my father was the eighth, born in 1955. My father studied engineering in college and to celebrate his graduation with honors in 1976, he and his friends went to France for a one-month vacation. It was while they were getting drunk in Paris that he met my mom, a French accountant who was also celebrating her new university degree. To cut the long story short, they got married a year later and decided to settle down in a little quiet corner of Eugene, Oregon, a place my mother loved as soon as she saw it. I was born there in 1981, the youngest of three. However, we never stayed in one place for long because my father kept on getting promoted and moved, so we went all over the U.S., but since my father came from a large family, it was not unusual for us to find relatives and friends wherever we went. This helped me and my siblings to learn the art of making friends, and it also made us daring to try new things and go to new places. When the time came for me to go to university, I decided to study in Spain. My brother went to a German university, while my sister studied in France, so I wanted to connect to our roots by going to Spain. For some years, my siblings and I were all studying in Europe at the same time, and we would meet each other anywhere for lunch or dinner. On several occasions, my father would bring my mother over and we would have a great feast. What am I Some weeks ago, I had a long conversation with my Uncle Ferdinand as he visited me from London, where he teaches music (he used to be a concert pianist with an American symphony orchestra) and I asked him this question. I knew what his answer would be: "You are as American as all the Americans are. America is a land of immigrants, and even as I was born in Munich, grew up in Oxford and Eugene, my roots are in America, where your grandfather died and where your father was born. Your grandparents were German and Spanish, your dad American and your mom French, which makes you a perfect American" (Interview, 2007). My siblings and I have always felt this way even though we often entertained slight doubts about what we are. Impact on My Role as Teacher There are many advantages in knowing how to speak four languages (English, Spanish, German, and

What Do I Believe About Others Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

What Do I Believe About Others - Essay Example I believe that immigrants get space in our country with due permission and approval of the government, and the government only allows them to share this space with us because their arrival to our land is expected to have a positive effect on our economy. I tend to interact and socialize with others a lot. I know that it can be very emotionally and psychologically demanding at times, as the friends usually keep offending each other in a sarcastic way all the time, but dealing with them makes me learn patience and tolerance. Once I develop that level of comfort talking and interacting with them, such conventionally offensive notions no more bother me, because of the fact that I have developed indifference to them. I believe that while my friends have a lot of negative traits, they also carry several positive traits. I tend to acquire good habits from them while staying away from bad influences. One thing that I particularly take care of is not to offend others while interacting with them. I think use of mockery and criticism just draws people away from you, and presents you as an overconfident person that they become hesitant to interact with. One can expand one’s social network by behaving decently with others and giving them respect. The formula is; treat others just the way that you want them to treat you. Since I desire respect from others, so I give others respect too, and it works for me. However, I make sure that with my patience, tolerance, and nice nature, I don’t become a sweet dish for them that they can eat.

HPE - Tennis Research Assignment Essay Example for Free

HPE Tennis Research Assignment Essay By using my knowledge and understanding of skill acquisition principles, psychology of learning and biomechanics, I have produced a six-week tennis training program. Incorporated in this report are the types of feedback used, the research laboratories carried out, and the design, analysis and evaluation of my coaching program.  Research Laboratories  Three research laboratories (See Appendices A, B and C) were carried out to assist in the development of my coaching program. These laboratories were on different types of feedback, the importance of accurate feedback and the use of feedback in mental rehearsal. The results from these labs provided me with a guide as to which type and the amount of feedback needed for a successful coaching program. Background Overview  Types of Feedback  There are many different types of feedback that can be used to enhance ones performance. Generally, the more precise the feedback, the more accurate the performance will become. (Amezdroz, G., Davis, D., Dickens, S., Hosford, G., 1999, 2001. Queensland Senior Physical Education, Macmillan Education Australia, South Yarra, Australia.) The types of feedback used in my coaching program were: Knowledge of performance-general performance this was used for the early stage of my coaching program when I needed a clear picture in my head to compare my actual performance with, eg. correct stance when serving. This type of feedback was provided to me by the coach, teacher and/or fellow participants in my program. I also watched my performances on video so I actually saw where I was going wrong and could then work on my motor skills. Positive feedback this was given when I successfully completed a task. Positive feedback encouraged me to try again and persevere with the learning. This was used throughout the whole duration of the coaching program.  Knowledge of performance-specific this was used in the later stage of my program. When I completed executing a movement or skill I was told on what I was doing wrong, and what to do to improve on my performance, eg. my ball toss was too low and I would therefore rush to hit the ball or simply miss it. By throwing the ball higher I give myself ample time to raise the racquet to hit the ball. Knowledge of performance gave me more detailed technical information to improve my skills. Concurrent (continuous) feedback this was, as the name states, a continuous form of feedback given throughout the coaching and practice sessions.  Augmented (external) feedback this type of feedback was provided both visually and verbally. I viewed a video of my performance and analysed what I was doing in/correct.  Design and Analysis of Coaching Program  At the beginning of my training I was at the late Cognitive stage of learning. I had little experience and knowledge of the game of tennis. During the six weeks of training I learnt and began to understand the skills needed and the rules of the game. I have now progressed through to the early Associative stage as demonstrated by my ability to effectively serve in both courts. The coaching program was based on distributive practice. This is where I would have short, practice sessions of a skill followed by a short break. For example, after doing 10 serves in both right and left court I was given a 2 minute break. During the break I would visualise in my head, the skills I had just learnt, and then the correct way to execute it. After the rest interval I would then carry out the skills. Improvements could be seen by me placing 50% of first serves and 75% of second serves in court. Whole-part learning was incorporated into the coaching program. This is when I would learn the whole skill at once, then break it down and concentrate on certain components that I was having difficulty with. Eg., learning to serve in tennis:  1. An explanation and demonstration on how to serve the ball was given  2. I carried out the serve like I had been shown  3. The serve was broken down into each skill associated with it that I was having problems with. Ie, stance, ball toss.  4. Each skill was then learnt and completed with success  5. All skills were then put together and a full serve was executed Mental rehearsal was also a very important factor in improving my tennis performance. By zoning out before a training session I would allow myself to block out all factors including spectators, noises, etc., and concentrate fully on the task at hand. An example of one of the main mental rehearsal activities I undertook was bouncing the tennis ball 2-4 times before serving. The research laboratories carried out gave an indication on why the types of practice and feedback I incorporated in my program would be more useful than any others. For example, a lab indicated that the more precise feedback we were given, the greater improvement we made on our performances.

Strengthsquest My Five Strengths English Language Essay

Strengthsquest My Five Strengths English Language Essay StrengthsQuest is an activity that people can do to find out the five major qualities that they posses. This process includes taking a test that requires you to answer questions like, Would you ratherà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦orà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦? And I am more likely toà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦thanà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Answering these questions gives the StrengthsQuest program information to determine what a persons top five themes are and also provides you with a description of each of the characteristics. Some possible products of finding out your strengths might include higher levels of engagement in the learning process, learning to take the perspective of others who are very different from oneself, higher levels of academic achievement, ability to make an informed career choice, or the development of leadership (Schreiner). I agree with Schreiner because once a person knows what their strengths are and what they could possibly do with the rest of their lives, they could really get started on a successful pa th. Another point that she mentioned was that by using this tool, it could help a person to make an informed career decision. This is a very good point because students with an undecided major may need just a little input about what would be right for them, and by doing the StrengthsQuest test they could find what they are really good at and what career pathway would work best for their personality. When I took this SrengthsQuest test, I was very pleased with the results that I received. My five themes turned out to be includer, restorative, communication, woo, and empathy. In the future, I want to become a dental hygienist and I believe that my five strengths are going to help me be very successful in my career choice. Themes Includer. By the definition of StrengthsQuest, being an includer means, Stretch the circle wider. This is the philosophy around which you orient your life. You want to include people and make them feel part of the group. In direct contrast to those who are drawn only to exclusive groups, you actively avoid those groups that exclude others. You want to expand the group so that as many people as possible can benefit from its support. You hate the sight of someone on the outside looking in, you want to draw them in so that they can feel the warmth of the group. You are an instinctively accepting person. Regardless of race or sex or nationality or personality or faith, you cast few judgments. Judgments can hurt a persons feelings. Why do that if you dont have to? Your accepting nature does not necessarily rest on a belief that each of us is different and that one should respect these differences. Rather, it rests on your conviction that fundamentally we are all the same. We are all equal ly important. Thus, no one should be ignored. Each of us should be included (StrenthsQuest). This description of an includer sounds like the kind of person I am. I am always willing to let other people in on what is going on in my life and I feel like this is an important attribute for being a dental hygienist. Dental hygienists need to have an interest in working with people and working as a member of a team (alis.alberta.ca, 2007). For example, if you find that there is something seriously wrong with a childs tooth or mouth when you are working on them, it is important for the dental hygienist to be able to include the guardian of the child and your boss with what is going on. The best option is to include the people around you to find out what is best to do in a situation like this. If you are a person who does not like to include people with what is going on around you, and would rather try to fix it yourself, you could get yourself into trouble by not attempting the right proce dure to fix the problem with the childs mouth. This could cost you your job, so you need to include your boss to receive a second opinion. Being an includer as helped me in the past by always bringing in new faces to my group of friends. By doing this, I have always had a new perspective on what people think or feel. This has helped me bring new ideas to the table, which has made me realize what I really stand for. This has also helped me make sure I am doing the right thing by getting other peoples advice to see what I should do in a serious situation, like I will in my career pathway. If something is needing to be done that is serious enough to hurt my patients health, or my career, I will always ask the patient, patients guardian, or my boss. I feel like I recieved my includer trait from my mother. She always told me to never leave anyone out, and in the long run it is paying off. Restorative. This was my second result from StrengthsQuest. According to StrenghtsQuest restorative means, you love to solve problems. Whereas some are dismayed when they ecounter yet another breakdown, you can be energized by it. You enjoy the challenge of analyzing the symptoms, identifying what is wrong, and finding the solution. You may prefer practical problems or conceptual ones or personal ones. You may seek out specific kinds of problems that you have met many times before and that you are confident you can fix. Or you may feel the greatest push when faced with complex and unfamiliar problems. Your exact preferences are determined by your other themes and experiences. But what is certain is that you enjoy bringing things back to life. It is a wonderful feeling to identify the undermining factors, eradicate them, and restore something to its true glory. Intuitively, you know that without your intervention, this machine, this technique, this person, this company-might have ceas ed to function. You fixed it, resuscitated it, rekindled its vitality. Phrasing it the way you might, you saved it (StrengthsQuest). I would consider myself a restorative because I have never enjoyed conflict. Whenever I see someone or a group of friends fighting, I always love to resolve the problem by talking it out with both sides of the situation. Dental hygienists also need to have the ability to work with people (mhcc.edu, 2010). With my ability to work with people and solve their problems, I can resolve problems in the office. If a fellow employee is discussing some issues that they are having with someone in the office, I will feel like it is my duty to resolve the problems that they are having. I know that other people may think that it is none of my business, but I like to resolve problems. I will feel like I have to solve the issue in order to work in a peaceful working environment. Being a restorative has helped me in the past by almost never having conflict in my group of friends and making my life more positive. I remember I was always being the one to resolve the problems, and I feel like this has helped me out in my past by always having a positive feeling around me so I could concentrate on what I really wanted to achieve. The source for me being a restorative would be myself. I have always felt the need to never have negativity around me so I would always make the initiative to resolve problems. Communication. My number three strength is communication. According to strengthsquest, this is what it means. You like to explain, to describe, to host, to speak in public, and to write. This is your communication theme at work. Ideas are a dry beginning. Events are static. You feel a need to bring them to life, to energize them, to make them exciting and vivid. And so you turn events into stories and practice telling them you take the dry idea and enliven it with images and examples and metaphors. You believe that most people have a very short attention span. They are bombarded by information, but very little of it survives. You want your information-whether an idea, an event, a products features and benefits, a discovery, or a lesson-to survive. You want to divert their attention toward you and then capture it, lock it in. this is what drives your hunt for the perfect phrase. This is what draws you toward dramatic words and powerful word combinations. This is why people like to lis ten to you. Your word pictures pique their interest, sharpen their world, and inspire them to act (StrengthsQuest). Communication has always been the key in my life. I have always believed that the best way to work things out is to talk it out. Communication is going to be a positive attribute when I am a dental hygienist. Excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills are required for being a dental hygienist (alis.alberta.ca). I am going to need to be able to talk to my boss, co-workers, and my patients. Not only am I going to have to talk to them, but I am going to need to be on their level of communication, and my strength in communication will make me very successful in this category. As a dental hygienist, you should possess strong interpersonal skills because you will be working with patients on a consistent basis (dhschools.com). Communication has helped me get through every aspect in my life. Through my good communication skills, I could always ask people questions if I didnt know the correct one, I could get on a persons level and become better friends with them, and I always got along with my parents because I would always tell them what was really going on in my head. Like being an includer, my mom also has also always taught me to communicate with the people around me so there is less unknown and more known. Communication will be my key to success in my dental hygiene career. Woo. Woo is my fourth outcome of my StrengthsQuest test. Woo stands for winning others over. You enjoy the challenge of meeting new people and getting them to like you. Strangers are rarely intimidating to you. On the contrary, strangers can be energizing. You are drawn to them. You want to learn their names, ask them questions, and find some area of common interest so that you can strike up a conversation and build rapport. Not only are you rarely at a loss for words; you actually enjoy initiating with strangers because you derive satisfaction from breaking the ice and making a connection. Once that connection is made, you are quite happy to wrap it up and move on. There are new people to meet, new rooms to work, new crowds to mingle in. in your world there are no strangers, only friends you havent meet yet-lots of them (StrengthsQuest). Woo is an important attribute to posses in a field that I chose. It is important to make sure that people like you at your job, from your boss to y our patients. If you are rude to the people you are around at your job, you could bring down the business of the place because people do not like to be around rude people. Wanting to be liked is a very good quality to have if you desire to become a dental hygienist. With the attribute of wanting to get to know people and more about them, you could really create great relationships with your patients. By doing this, your patients could tell their friends or family about how friendly and comfortable you have made them, and that could bring more business to the office. I have always enjoyed meeting new people and getting them to like me, and I feel this will be a very positive trait for me to have for my future. Empathy. My last result is empathy. Empathy isà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦you can sense the emotions of those around you. You can feel what they are feeling as though their feelings are your own. Intuitively, you are able to see the world through their eyes and share their perspective. You do not necessarily agree with each persons perspective. You do not necessarily condone the choices each person makes, but you do understand. This instinctive ability to understand is powerful. You hear the unvoiced questions. You anticipate the need. Where others grapple for words, you seem to find the right words and the right tone. You help people find the right phrases to express their feelings-to themselves as well to others. You help them give voice to their emotional life. For all these reasons, other people are drawn to you (StrengthsQuest). Empathy is a positive characteristic to have when dealing with patients who might be nervous or scared about coming to the dentist. A dental hygienist should also be caring and compassionate, as well as hard working (dhschools.com). By being able to put yourself in their shoes, you can understand why your patient might be scared, and try to make them understand the process. This might make them less afraid. I consider myself to be very caring and understanding when people talk to me about their problems, and when this happens in my career I feel like I can be successful in making my patients feel more comfortable with going to the dentist office. Conclusion StrenghtsQuest is a great way for people to find out what their strengths are. Sometimes people do not realize what strong qualities that they possess, so just pointing them out can have a great affect on them. Some positive outcomes include higher levels of engagement in the learning process, learning to take the perspective of others who are very different from oneself, higher levels of academic achievement, ability to make an informed career choice, or the development of leadership (Schreiner). Strengthsquest has narrowed my top five strengths to be includer, restorative, communication, woo, and empathy. All of these characteristics have helped me in a positive way throughout my life so far and I believe that all of these attributes will have a positive influence on my career as being a dental hygienist, also.

Bostons Bicycle Commuters Have Their Reasons :: Journalism Journalistic Papers

Boston's Bicycle Commuters Have Their Reasons Professor Jim Ross begins his morning routine just like most people. After slamming the alarm clock a few times, he throws on sweats, eats a wholesome breakfast, and brushes his teeth. As a bicycle commuter in Boston, he is almost ready to go. Ross straps on a helmet, puts his work suit in his backpack, and begins his short commute. Fifteen minutes after he leaves his Brookline home, the Northeastern University journalism professor locks up his bike in front of the gym, where he showers and gets dressed before walking a few blocks to his office. The same commute would take 45 minutes on the T. Bicycle commuters are a common sight on the streets of Boston. With the environmental, health, and monetary benefits, many bicycle commuters wonder why only .4 percent of the Massachusetts workforce ride their bike to work. Riding a bike to work can be faster than taking your car or riding the T. On a bike, a person is able to bypass heavy morning traffic jams, eliminate the time it takes to find a parking spot, and arrive to work refreshed. A bike commuter is multitasking by getting from point A to point B and getting some exercise in at the same time. "I bike because it's faster than the T and, in the city, less frustrating than a car," said Mike Burns, a computer science middler at Northeastern University who commutes 15 miles to campus everyday from his home in Wakefield, Mass. "Basically, I bike because I don't have the patience to commute in any other way." Like other forms of exercise, bicycling can help with weight problems. It lowers cholesterol and the heart rate. It is a mood enhancer, as well, proving it's physical and mental benefits. "You don't have to wait for anything, you don't have to pay for anything," said Travis Farrenkopf, a music industry middler at Northeastern University, who is also a bicycle messenger. "You can go anywhere –- straight to where you want to be. You can't do that on the T." Many people don't consider a cycle commute to work because they are worried about their safety on the road. "I am constantly worried about running into cars, pedestrians, etc." said Ali Gallant, a criminal justice middler at Northeastern University. "I am especially nervous because even if I am biking safely, the actions of others can have an impact on my safety and health. Boston's Bicycle Commuters Have Their Reasons :: Journalism Journalistic Papers Boston's Bicycle Commuters Have Their Reasons Professor Jim Ross begins his morning routine just like most people. After slamming the alarm clock a few times, he throws on sweats, eats a wholesome breakfast, and brushes his teeth. As a bicycle commuter in Boston, he is almost ready to go. Ross straps on a helmet, puts his work suit in his backpack, and begins his short commute. Fifteen minutes after he leaves his Brookline home, the Northeastern University journalism professor locks up his bike in front of the gym, where he showers and gets dressed before walking a few blocks to his office. The same commute would take 45 minutes on the T. Bicycle commuters are a common sight on the streets of Boston. With the environmental, health, and monetary benefits, many bicycle commuters wonder why only .4 percent of the Massachusetts workforce ride their bike to work. Riding a bike to work can be faster than taking your car or riding the T. On a bike, a person is able to bypass heavy morning traffic jams, eliminate the time it takes to find a parking spot, and arrive to work refreshed. A bike commuter is multitasking by getting from point A to point B and getting some exercise in at the same time. "I bike because it's faster than the T and, in the city, less frustrating than a car," said Mike Burns, a computer science middler at Northeastern University who commutes 15 miles to campus everyday from his home in Wakefield, Mass. "Basically, I bike because I don't have the patience to commute in any other way." Like other forms of exercise, bicycling can help with weight problems. It lowers cholesterol and the heart rate. It is a mood enhancer, as well, proving it's physical and mental benefits. "You don't have to wait for anything, you don't have to pay for anything," said Travis Farrenkopf, a music industry middler at Northeastern University, who is also a bicycle messenger. "You can go anywhere –- straight to where you want to be. You can't do that on the T." Many people don't consider a cycle commute to work because they are worried about their safety on the road. "I am constantly worried about running into cars, pedestrians, etc." said Ali Gallant, a criminal justice middler at Northeastern University. "I am especially nervous because even if I am biking safely, the actions of others can have an impact on my safety and health.

The Impact of Charlemagne Upon Europe Essays -- Charles the Great Essa

Charlemagne, or Charles the Great, reigned during a time of much turmoil and upheaval in Europe during middle ages. Charlemagne’s background and family history contributed much to his rise to power. The triumphs of his past lineage prepared him to take on the task of governing the Frankish Empire, and defending it from invaders. Charlemagne accomplished much during his supremacy. He not only brought education back into medieval Europe, but also invented an efficient way to govern his people. His conquests against the many adversaries of the Holy Roman Empire expanded his empire across the majority of Europe. His conquests also formed strong ties between the Catholic Church and the State. Charlemagne’s drive to convert Europe’s primitive and pagan tribes to Christianity nearly effaced the Saxons, whom he battled with for the majority of his reign. The crowning of Charlemagne as Holy Roman Emperor created a turning point in history. Within years after his death, however, his once great empire amounted to nothing. Charlemagne’s reign as King of the Franks and as Holy Roman Emperor greatly influenced the course of Europe during the middle ages. The history of Charlemagne’s family and how they came to power had a large effect on how Charlemagne came to power. In the year 481 A.D, a warrior named Clovis claimed the title of King of the Franks (Abrams 185). He died in the year 511, and each of his four sons received a portion of his small Frankish empire (Abrams 185). Clovis’s death would later allow a clear passage to ensuring Charlemagne’s fate as future ruler of the Franks. Clovis’s sons, not wishing to inherit the task of being a Frankish ruler, then appointed ... ...outh Carolina: BJU, 2007. Print Davis, Jennifer R. Charlemagne's Practice of Empire. Claves, St Ives plc., 2015. Print. Dersin, Denise et al. What Life was Like In the Age of Chivalry. Virginia: Time Life Inc., 1997. Print. Jenkins, Phillips. The Lost History of Christianity. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2008. Print. Phillips, Jonathan. Holy Warriors. New York: Random House, 2009. Print. Online Resources "Charlemagne." UXL Biographies. Detroit: U*X*L, 2003. Student Resources in Context. Web. 5 May 2015. CloudBiography. "Charlemagne Biography." YouTube. YouTube, LLC. 30 May 2012. Web. 12 May 2015. "Charlemagne." DISCovering Biography. Detroit: Gale, 2003. Student Resources in Context. Web. 19 May 2015. "Charlemagne." Myths and Legends of the World. Ed. John M. Wickersham. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2000. Web. 19 May 2015.

Pop squad

SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 07 Novo. 2013. Hospitals are facing numerous amounts pressure to change. Better care has to outweigh more care and until that happens the nation will continue to face care costs issues. Medicare can be added with more choices and protection for beneficiaries. Also reform a tax treatment of health insurance to limit the tax treatment over expensive insurance products.Emanuel, Ezekiel J. â€Å"Health-Care Exchanges Will Need the Young Invincible. † Wall street Journal. 07 May 2013: A. 17. SIRS Issues Researcher. Be. 07 NOVO. 2013. With this health care exchange a lot of Americans will be able to log online and choose their own health care coverage. Also many insurance companies are scared and they are already raising premiums to protect them losses. There will be fewer people purchasing insurance. â€Å"Prescription for Change. † Economist. 29 June. 2013: 61 . SIRS Issues Researcher.Web. 07 Novo. 2013. People are not receiving the proper care that they really should be getting. Doctors are charged a fee every time they gain a patient. It is going to expand Medicaid, more people with Insurance will cause more patients seeking the treatments they need. Many employers have greatly recommended their workers to pay out of pocket to the cost of their health care. Razors, Peter R. â€Å"How Health Care Can Save or Sink America. † Foreign Affairs. July/Gag 2011: 42. SIRS Issues Researcher.Web. 15 Par. 2014. Rising health-care costs are at the core of the United States' long-term fiscal Imbalance. Social Security costs, by comparison, are projected to Increase from five percent of GAP to six percent over the same period. It Is no exaggeration to say that the United States' standing In the world depends on Its success In constraining this health-care cost explosion; unless It does, he country will eventually face a severe fiscal crisis or a crippling Inability to Invest In other areas. Foreign Affairs In this article, Peter R. Razors, former director of the Congressional Budget Office, argues that â€Å"there Is no credible path to reducing the long-term fiscal Imbalance In the United States other than directly addressing high- cost cases In health care. † pop squad By Ill-Bri-Johnson street journal. 07 May 2013: A. 17. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 07 NOVO. 2013. With patient. It is going to expand Medicaid, more people with insurance will cause more the core of the United States' long-term fiscal imbalance.Social Security costs, by comparison, are projected to increase from five percent of GAP to six percent over the same period. It is no exaggeration to say that the United States' standing in the world depends on its success in constraining this health-care cost explosion; unless it does, the country will eventually face a severe fiscal crisis or a crippling inability to invest in Congressional Budget Office, argues that â€Å"there is no credible path to reducing the long-term fiscal imbala nce in the United States other than directly addressing high- cost cases in health care. â€Å"

Problems Encountered in Ojt in Hotel and Restaurant

Research title for hotel and restaurant management: â€Å"PERCEPTION OF CUSTOMERS ON THE QUALITY OF FOOD SERVICES OFFERED BY SELECTED RESTAURANT† The researcher choose bar and grill as a food service establishment that they will use in determining. The service quality it provides because many of the restaurant found in Bulacan is bar and grill. The service quality of some of the bar and grill restaurants found in Bulacan has been observed to be poor and unsatisfying to other customers. The causes must be found on the remedial measures may be done.The researcher will use the SERVQUAL instrument developed by Mr. Eduardo Castro of College of Engineering in Bulacan state University.THE CURRENT BUSINESS STATUS OF THE RECOVERY ROOM RESTAURANT AND BAR : AN ASSESSMENTThis study focused on the analysis of the current business status of the recovery room restaurant and bar. It is primarily to develop innovative management policies and new marketing strategies that should be done and implement to improve the operations management of the establishment.This also aime to improve the current business status of the recovery room restaurant an d bar to achieve customer loyalty, to achieve total customer satisfaction, to boost productivity among their employees, to assume financial stability and to boost sales and beat the competitions. The respondents of the are the recovery room restaurant and bar top management level, personnel and customers. THE ACCEPTABILITY OF DOUGHNUT ON A STICK AS A HEALTHY STREET FOOD OPTIONThe focus of the study was to determine the acceptability of donut on a stick as a healthy-street food option.The respondents of the study were the students of all school level like nursery, elementary, highschool and college. The selection was done at random basis. Other respondents were passer’s by that includes parents, instructors or professor and other individual that were not classified as students to assure how effective and efficient the study was the respondents were also the customers who bought the doughnuts from 10:00 in the morning up to 5:00 in the afternoon which was important in evaluatin g the product.ASSESSMENT OF TRAINEES COMPETENCIES This study focused on the local training fifty students trainees of Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management at Bulacan State University. The aspect to be studied was limited to the competencies of the trainees during their local on the job training. The respondents of the study were fifty students from Hotel and Restaurant Management course at Bulacan State University, City of Malolos, Bulacan batch 2010-2011 who have undergone local training. COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE TECHNICAL SKILLS AND MANAGEMENT COMPETENCIES OF HRM AND NON-HRM GRADUATES EMPLOYED IN SELECTED HOTELS IN BULACANThe study evaluated the technical skills and management competencies of HRM and NON-HRM graduates employed in selected hotel in Bulacan. It examined the amount of training that should be provided in college and industry. The study attempted to learn the responsibility of the school in equipping their students with skill-building opportuinitie s so their students can compete effectively in the hospitality industry.Problems Encountered By The Hotel And Restaurant Management Practicums In Their On-the-Job-Training Customer Service One of the main issues that management has to face in the hotel and restaurant industry is dealing with difficult customers. Dealing with these customers takes patience, finesse, and knowing what steps are possible for management to take. A manager usually has the power to provide a free meal, entree, or even to comp a room for a night for a guest when there is a difficult problem.The manager has to know what is appropriate given the current situation. For example, a customer who finds glass in their food expects that meal to be replaced and to be free. A person may also expect a hotel room to be free for at least one night if there was a problem with the room's plumbing, the reservation or something similar. It is the job of the manager to placate the person correctly and solve the problem withou t giving too many free items away. Maintenance problems Maintenance problems can often arise with hotel and restaurant management.On the job training in a practicum situation may see an issue arise with the plumbing or there may be other issues with regards to maintenance. One would have to figure out how to solve the issue appropriately and quickly to ensure no loss of customers and minimal after effects. * Food and timing The timing of food being ordered and delivered to the table can be a problem that comes up in a practicum because restaurants get busy and the chefs have to keep up. When they do not, or if food arrives at the table cold, a manager has to solve the issue with the employees and placate the customer.

Anchoring Effect Essay

Introduction In real life, decisions made by individual are easily deviated from the judging criteria, showing the behaviors of bounded rationality. Simon indicated that â€Å"the bounded rationality is a property of an agent or a person who makes decisions that behaves in a manner that is nearly optimal with respect to its goals and resources. (Franco 2009) This is because of, firstly human being have limited discernment and cognitive ability, also human are unable to know everything; secondly the environment is complex, when people face the complicated and uncertainty would, information is not complete due to vast uncertainty choice. Moreover, the rationality cannot play a role because of people are likely influenced by different situations. The report would analyze three concepts which are mental accounting, anchoring effect and conjunction fallacy to help to generate a better understanding of bounded rationality. Anchoring effect: Behavioral economics is on the strength of the science of judgmental heuristics that could be to depend on reflexively by people. According to Furnham that heuristics are characterized as an ‘intuitive, rapid, and automatic system’ which ‘reduce the complex tasks of assessing probabilities and predicting values to simpler judgmental operations’ (Furnham 2010)The anchoring effect is one of the cognitive heuristics. Anchoring effect is a bias which people easily rely on the information of first impression as reference frame when making decisions. The first piece of information or previous information, as an anchor, could affect current performance; that information might be not highly applicable to the information judgment or even irrelevant thought. Also personal attributes and characteristic which are more deemed to an anchor are fixed and constant. The other respondent is a salesman in a Sony store. Last week I went to city Sony store, a customer who looks like a student was looking for a brand new computer. Firstly one shop assistant briefly introduces different type and function of computers, the student expresses a strong purchase intention. Then the shop manager came and provide more detailed introduction of computer’s performance. Finally this student made her choice and started  bargaining. Stalemate in their time, the shop manager said he is going to report to their boss to find out whether she can get more discount. After few minutes he walked up and said that is the lowest price, what they can do is offer her some gifts. The student was very satisfied and made payment. At this point, the computer engineer came when started to install the computer, and told her whether  she needs a protection film to protect the screen, otherwise it is easy to scratch, also keyboard cover etc. The student felt make sense. At the end, she not only purchased computer, but also some accessories. This is typically anchoring effect. Customer would feel sensitive if the shop manager promotes those accessories before they purchase computer, they might increase bargaining power and would not easily pay. However after customer paid for computers, they are willing to accept accessories because they feel accessories is relatively cheap compare to the expensive computer, moreover they do need these accessories. In general, the numbers which initially provide would affect consumers’ answer. Experienced salesman always offer a higher price before bargaining, accordingly a higher anchor exists in people’ mind. Seller fetches higher price even that consumer try to bring the price down. There is another example, which is when a business launches a new product, they will carefully discuss the positioning promotion plan, such as which good shelf the products should be placed in. If a new drink is published and placed beside Coca Cola and Pepsi, consumer would accept its high p rice and visa versa. Anchoring effect is everywhere and inevitable. So how to avoid falling into anchoring effect can help consumer become a better financial planner. Firstly, putting forward an affordable price at the start when negotiation, with the purpose of offering an anchor to the seller. Besides buyer should notice that the loss of could not sell products is much more than the loss of a low price deal for seller. However refusing negotiate is a more wise than bargaining when face an unreasonable high price, it helps consumer to build a hopeful reference standard. Mental Accounting: Mental accounting was proposed by Behavioral Science Professor Richard Thaler, he believes, â€Å"mental accounting is the set of cognitive operations used by individuals and households to organize, evaluate, and keep track of financial activities.† (Thaler 1999)In other words, except financial accounting, there is another managerial accounting exist in people’s mind, which called mental accounting, to influence people to make decision in real life. Consumers usually divide any expenditure and income of equal value into different accounts. For example, we usually put salaries into ‘hard to get rich’ account, regard annual bonus as an added gift, and put a winning lottery into ‘pie-in-the-sky’ account. The money in the ‘hard to get rich’ account is expensed precisely and carefully; for annual bonus, we often have relaxed attitude to treat it, for example, we might go to shopping center to purchase an expensive dress as a gift which are reluctant to spend money to buy at ordinary times. The money in the ‘pie-in-the-sky’ account is the most valueless, imagine that people who win five million dollars would become openhanded and extravagant. This is how  mental accounting works. My friend went to a fashion store and took a fancy to a very beautiful dress, but it costs about $320. She thought it is too expensive and gave up finally. But in her birthday party, her husband bought that dress for the birthday gift. It makes her very happy. In fact, her money and her husband money are the family’s capital, but why she feels different with the same money spending according to different reasons. This study finds that the expenditure of mental accounting can be divided to four parts, which are daily necessities expenditures, home contribution expenditures and personal development expenditures, expenditures of emotional connection and recreational expenditures. According to irreplaceable of mental accounting, $320, as daily necessities expenditures, is too expensive to purchase a dress, however, the husband purchase it as a birthday gift which can be treated as expenditures of emotional connection. This amount of money can improve their relationship, so rewards are priceless. Consequently, people are willing to accept gifts  from their family or friends, but they will not purchase for themselves. According to above example, emotional connection and interpersonal relationship is significantly important for human beings, the investment of emotional for people is much more than other expenditures in everyday life. As a consequence, merchants could use these different festivals such as mother’s day, Christmas etc. to gain bigger sales. For example, a beautiful wrapped chocolate in Saint Valentine’s Day, coupons in Christmas, these special offers is negligible for merchants, but it can attract more consumers’ attention. In usual, most of us could be influenced by mental accounting; we have different attitudes to handle the equivalent value of money, hence different decision comes out. From the point of view of economics, there is no any difference among salary, bonus and lottery, but people make three different decisions when spending them. Conjunction fallacy: Tversky and Kahneman believe that the representativeness heuristic is a means of assessing the probability of an uncertain event or the value of a quantity by comparing it to a mental model (Berendsen 2012) Conjunction fallacy is one of the result that causes by representativeness heuristic, which states the declare that there are two independent events, the probability of both events will happen cannot be higher than the probability than one of the events alone will happen. I made 20 questionnaire surveys and handed into Finc6013 lecture. The question is that ‘the probability of healthy man who have heart disease is higher’ or ‘the probability of healthy men who are over 55 years old and have heart disease is higher’. There are 6 students chosen B and only 14 students chosen A. I was surprised that the result of this question is against the results of Linda problem. People think an event with more materials and details is more likely to happen. In fact it was not the case; every added detail makes things uncertainty. Two events can be happened  independent or conjunction, the probability of conjunction events happened cannot higher than the probability of any independent event occurs. However in reality, people sometimes linked probability and quantity together by mistake when making decision, they consider that there is a higher probability of conjunction events. According to the investigation result above, there are three reasonable defenses for conjunction fallacy. Firstly the representativeness heuristic is identified as the cognitive tools valid for evaluating subjective probabilities. The conjunction fallacy is attributed to the representativeness heuristic. It states that if the probability that the event is included in a classification is decided by how representative the event is of include in this classification. Consequently the conjunction fallacy proceed when the combination events is rated as more representative of the aimed classification than either the event alone. Conjunction fallacy can be occurred both in situation whether heuristic is applicable. Hence conjunction fallacy might have no any relationship with the heuristic. Secondly, there is an argument that informant misconception the investigative mission representatively used to study the phenomenon when investigator is doing survey. However it is undeniable that there is value for the investigation, for example some high quality levels of conjunction fallacies are surveyed, and misinterpretations are appropriately controlled in the survey. Thirdly informants are likely to use an incorrect rule to gibe rise to conjunction fallacy happen when associating the probability of single events. There are some experimental results shows those informants assume the probability of conjunctive events is equal to the weighted average of the probability of event alone. Therefore if the probability of even A is rated to be greater than the probability of event B, but lower than the probability of event C, informants might debate that the probability of conjunction event A and B is lower than the probability of event A, however meanwhile they consider the probability of conjunction event A and C is greater than the probability of A. This is regard as conjunction fallacy effect. The reason is informants use an incorrect rule for combining probability. Conjunction fallacy is increasingly questionable, it is common phenomenon though when people making decision in reality. On the basis of the  characteristics of perceptual selectivity, the characteristics of information are more distinct and stimulation is stronger, people are more sensitive to their perception. Moreover, situational circumstances can influence human’s perception. Because decision making is conducted on the basis of human’s perception, the general and specific information and situational circumstances play a significant role on people’s decision making behaviors. (Nilsson 2010) Conclusion: Although science and technology are advancing, and research measures of human being is always improving, to some extent, mental process stays at hypothetical stage up to now. This report discussed three decision making trap which are mental accounting, anchoring effect and conjunction fallacy. No matter which decision people try to make, it is important that they are supposed to search more information to choose the best alternatives, then they are able to gain experience through every decisions. Reference: Berendsen, A., Hadilich, S. and Amersfoort, J. 2012, Looking at â€Å"Linda†: Is the Conjunction Fallacy Really a Fallacy?, viewed 27 March 2014, Franco, R. 2009, ‘The conjunction fallacy and interference effects’, Journal of Mathematical Psychology, vol. 53, no. 5, pp. 415-422, viewed 30 March 2014,ScienceDirect, Furnham, A. 2010, ‘A literature review of the anchoring effect’, The Journal of Socio-Economics, vol.

Design of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems Essay

Water pressure is the energy that powers sprinkler system, so it is very important. Water flow creates pressure which generates energy that moves water through the pipes. Flow is the measurement of water required for the smooth flow of water to perform the required task. But the fire sprinkler requires much needed effort to provide improved fire protection against high challenge fire hazards. A sprinkler gives fast response with great supply water and increases the fire suppression capability. Installation of fire sprinkler system requires certain specific construction, performance installation and operation. For e. g. the discharge coefficient of sprinkler is nominally must be within the range of 13. 5-14. 5, where the discharge coefficient is calculated by dividing the flow of water in gallons per minute through the sprinkler by the square root of the pressure of water supplied to the sprinkler in per square inch gauge. Sprinklers were initially designed to control fire with thirty-foot ceilings In United States, water pressure is measured in per square inch and water flow is measured in gallons per minute. The maximum water supply is depend upon number of conditions such as length of pipe, the place mere fire catch up, the amount of water pressure. The method to measure the water supply depends upon the source of water. The measuring process differs in city water systems, water from tank. Sprinklers were initially designed to control fire with thirty-foot ceilings where flammable stock such as plastics such as plastics is kept 25-foot high in racks. Whereas in some cases available water supplies is not capable of creating that much pressure required for the control of fire, then a supplementary pump can be used to increase the content of water pressure before sprinklers. Therefore, water quantity needed for sprinkler system should be determined according to the suitable method so that waste should not be wasted or misused. REFRENCE Referred to sites: 1. http://www. patentstorm. us/patents/6336509-description. html Low pressure fast response bulb sprinklers 2. http://www. extremehowto. com/xh/article. asp? article_id=60335 Designing a Sprinkler System Jess Stryker Dated 3rd August 2007

A Swot Analysis Of Pyramid Event Sdn Bhd Tourism Essay Example

A Swot Analysis Of Pyramid Event Sdn Bhd Tourism Essay Example A Swot Analysis Of Pyramid Event Sdn Bhd Tourism Essay A Swot Analysis Of Pyramid Event Sdn Bhd Tourism Essay I will make two inquiries from this assignment. First inquiry is event direction and 2nd inquiry was SWOT Analysis. The first inquiry based on how, to set up an event direction and organisation construction. Making a calling in event direction is a good pick. Event organisation involves analyzing the workings of trade name, placing the purpose audience, and organizing the technological facets before truly the mark modes of the planned event. Following, from 2nd inquiry is more understanding about SWOT Analysis and how to utilize it. Based on SWOT Analysis I will questionnaires a local concern owner. These are four elements in SWOT Analysis that I will utilize when interview a local concern owner. Following are the elements of S ( Strengths ) , W ( Weakness ) , O ( Opportunities ) , and T ( Threats ) . This all sort of information s will assist shortly to interview a local concern owner. Assuming that you want to set up an event direction company. Identify the signifier of organisation construction that you would use for your new company and warrant your replies. Event direction is the petition of undertaking direction to the construct and development of festival, an event and meeting. Pyramid Event ( M ) SDN BHD is best event for start an event organisation company. Additional, enters this grazing land has to foremost fall in as a scholar. Event direction is pattern configured based on client s demands. Our squad has at all times been lead with a passion for remaining at the head of the accomplishment that we create that merely prosecute the audience but endure long after the drape have come down. Pyramid Event ( M ) SDN BHD provides shuting stages-to terminal services for meetings, convention every bit good as conferences besides. Events and festivals such as valentines even, have a clang in some communities. It s a line of concern which requires investing with creativeness. Today tonss of shows are present on Television is prepared by event managing. The clients come to the event direction with an ill-defined thought in head it is wholly u p to the event director to work on the thought and turn it into a truth ( Mycen, 2009 ) 1.0 PYRAMID EVENT ( M ) SDN BHD Pyramid Event ( M ) SDN BHD self-control establishes shortly in Penang, April 2011. We try a non halt events direction company that supply the best perform of undertaking direction to the construct and development of originative and out of the box events. Event is a assemblage or a large assemblage of something where possibly people get together. Furthermore, as an event direction concern we scope embrace all originative and proficient of the event depending on the client s demands cognition and budget. Pyramid Event ( M ) SDN BHD will be taking company in Penang by, supplying quality, alone and cost-efficient events to public. Than we steady debut of new tendencies, to incorporate events solutions. As a Pyramid Event ( M ) SDN BHD company that supplies the most first-class pattern of undertaking direction to the formation plus development of originative and out of the box events. As traveling to set up an event Pyramid Event ( M ) SDN BHD range encompasses all original and proficient of the event depending on the client s wants expertness and budget. Furthermore, our mission is to be a Centre of event direction quality where creativeness and category is the prototype and pulse of the organisation and vision is non merely demoing in what we have done but besides in what will administer to fulfill our client. Pyramid Event ( M ) SDN BHD is committed to accomplish success for clients by using the full power of communicating as an extension of concern curiously and executing. As an event direction we have clip and links to do certain the events run appreciatively in future ( REFER FIGURE: 1 ) 2.1 PYRAMID EVENT ( M ) SDN BHD ORGANIZATION CHART ( a ) Director An person or compulsion with the intent of directs one of grouping of people who direct the traffics of a trade or else a individual who is in accuse of the industry event. As a manager of Pyramid Event ( M ) SDN BHD has most of import occupation for the harmonisation, enlargement, planning, finishing every bit good as besides grasp up class of events. Event capturing place at an exact location otherwise may obtain topographic point online or might be a mixture of in cooperation. For illustration, as a manager of Pyramid Event ( M ) SDN BHD, has tactical for identify along with lifting events to back up and spread out in present country represent by member and in original market excessively. Such as, winning release on the aims of this place has a manager clang on the act plus aptitude to convey on auxiliary planned and prepared ends. Furthermore, be supposed to be anticipating to increase accomplishment in direction and docket organisation every bit good as exact managerial facet an d completion of an event. ( B ) Selling Trading as often old in advertisement plus means the indorsement of merchandises sale, as through co-ordinate devising and lifting advertisement, show, along with gross revenues scheme to add to retail gross revenues. The readying caught up in publicizing the right goods or services on the right put, at the point in clip, in the right measure. Promotional sale actions of an advertizer s gross revenues strength, retail merchant otherwise trader every bit good as marketing toward demonstrate a manufactured goods or services in a positive freshness as a consequence so as to it will be purchase by the commercialism community and the intense community. As shortly, we will set up Pyramid Event ( M ) SDN BHD we contain adept in this portion. As event direction company we determination use a plentifulness of equipment such as, computing machine, postings, jerseies, goodie bags, wireless, electricity to make our event direction ( Answers, 2008 ) ( degree Celsius ) Plan Pyramid Event ( M ) SDN BHD will be a good manner for client to interact plus good known their wants. A listing of the order of events and other pertinent information for a public presentation. Programmer normally a set of programs to develop or better something. Pyramid Event ( M ) SDN BHD welcoming public to our event. As an event direction company we do many types of plans. For illustration, we do marrying dinner, canopy services, birthday map, school and public map and excess. To make this programmed event direction will utilize different types of accomplishments. vitamin D ) Cordial reception Pyramid Event ( M ) SDN BHD contains skilled in our employees to demo and do certain every one the client s, VIP s, and representative travel abode by manner of a gay face. This is highly of import for our Pyramid Event ( M ) SDN BHD position. This it self will make up ones mind on how the client self-control hold up us. So far we have likely about 500customer s to the event direction, so we are prepare drinks and daintiness on behalf of our client. Pyramid Event ( M ) SDN BHD has known the stamp to Ananda Bhavan catering services to obtain attention of that. They are to provide us with 2types of drinks along with 4types of nutrient and 1type of fruit s. Pyramid Event ( M ) SDN BHD be charitable gone free balloon s along with ice picks to little kids s. vitamin D ) Venue Venue is the location where a instance is heard. Pyramid Event ( M ) SDN BHD holding this event in topographic point at Centre of City. Generally locales have a specific intent ; though some, such as big bowls, may be used for a figure of different activities. We prefer this site because of its planned location in the metropolis. Furthermore, we polished our clip at 9am until 10pm. It s to do certain that our client has the juncture to make it following they come to an terminal their work. Equally good as we are making it on Saturday and Sunday grounds the bulk of the household would similar to travel out on this twenty-four hours for does their buying. So those, Pyramid Event ( M ) SDN BHD supply them an option of topographic point to see. And we be capable of be certain that they determination include a good twenty-four hours at what clip they visit our event in shortly. vitamin E ) Equipment As an event direction company we use many types of equipment for our events. Such as, picture organisation, chair, tabular array, DVD participant to make our event. These equipments we will utilize for make our Pyramid Event ( M ) SDN BHD. With out these equipments we can non make any events in future. This equipment helps us more for do an event direction. degree Fahrenheit ) Promotion Promotion is the best portion of concern. Pyramid Event ( M ) SDN BHD used 3D signage for attract clients. We will make publicity twice a twelvemonth to inform the clients about our merchandises. Furthermore, we supply and create of unrecorded amusement demonstrate and synergistic action intended for invite clients. We have advertised our Pyramid Event ( M ) SDN BHD Company in Star Sun Metro, Nanban, and Berita Harian newspapers. Other than, our staff distributes circulars to public who base on balls by the route. g ) Official We will ask for VIP Datuk Subramanian for launch the Pyramid Event ( M ) SDN BHD Company. And most of the functionary comes for this event, so we must do certain that everything is done swimmingly by set uping perfect sitting topographic point for them and steer them with our staff. This has to carefully manage due to client s and the VIP s is utilizing the same entryway. As a Pyramid Event ( M ) SDN BHD we like to better our event direction company to international trade. Pyramid Event ( M ) SDN BHD does our greatest to administer an impressive juncture that finding leaves our visitants with unforgettable minute and our consumers with winning steps in future. Furthermore, we make available, in add-on to the ability to trip in Malaysia plus in many other states. Furthermore, an event companies we consider that a long-run feeling is what public support in head the most in add-on to the best of all time. We consider in provided that high quality and resourceful services every bit shortly as it comes to our clients. In arrange to keep up by manner of a more and more competitory market, we supply an extended assortment of services to convert. Question 2 Interview a little local concern owner in your country. Briefly identify the nature of the concern and come up with a SWOT Analysis for the concern. Attach the interview questionnaires with the study. Sea Food Restaurant was formed on 14 April 2010. Owner of Sea Food Restaurant is Mr.Lim. For now, Sea Food Restaurant Operate in Parit Buntar, Perak country merely. Since one twelvemonth Sea Food Restaurant supply good nutrients to clients. In this eating house got seven employees include server, cleaner, and besides cook. Their all so help full to Mr.Lim for run his concern successfully. Mr.Lim runs his Sea Food Restaurant in local country merely. In future he plans to run his concern to international trade. For his concern Mr.Lim used some equipment to run his concern successfully. For illustration, tabular array, chair, fan, and air coned, freezing and some more. The intents of Mr.Lim choose Sea Food Restaurant is foods really of import to all human being. So that, Mr.Lim proud be to set up nutrients to clients. Mr.Lim runs this Sea Food Restaurant concern with his married woman. Mr.Lim gives salary to the employees based on their working accomplishment. For illustration, for cooks his salary and serves salary are wholly different. Since one twelvemonth Sea Food Restaurant successfully run in local. Mr.Lim faced allots of problems to accomplish a successful eating house. Furthermore, working hr to employees is 10am-10pm in weekends. 2.0 WHAT IS SWOT ANALYSIS SWOT Analysis is a considered planning method usage to measure the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats where this strategic planning utilizations for undertaking or in a concern venture. We be supposed to be well-known that when place furthermore sort related factors, the focal point is non in a minute on interior affair, but besides exterior mechanism. Green factor inside to the solid often can be confidential as strengths or failing. Although external to the house cognize how to be off the record while chances or menaces. This all factors are referred as SWOT Analysis. Based on ( S ) Strengths in SWOT Analysis is individualism or property surrounded by the group that is measured to be cardinal to the transporting out plus ultimate success of the undertaking. Next is, ( W ) Weakness. The nonappearance of positive strengths perchance will be position as a failing. An illustration is each is considered as failing is deficiency of patent protection. In some instances, a f ailing may be the impudent side of strength. The 3rd agreement of factor in the SWOT Analysis is ( O ) Opportunities. This classification has to execute with outside elements with the intent of will turn out supportive for income and growing. In SWOT Analysis classifies in last is ( T ) Threats. Here, exterior factors to could intimidate the accomplishment of the undertaking are listed and address alteration in the exterior ecological as good could at that place threats to the solid. This all method called as SWOT Analysis ( Wisegeek, 2003 ) 3.1 WHY USE SWOT ANALYSIS The complete terminal of duty a SWOT Analysis is to help you acknowledge the bulk valuable mark and scheme to follow right now establish on your present fortunes, plus to acknowledge schemes so as to will assist you acquire ready for the chance. In any concern, analysis forces a purpose probe of a company s location via its participant and the market place. SWOT Analysis is an highly capable manner of acknowledge your Strengths and Weaknesses plus of explorative the Opportunities and Threats you face. Transporting out an analysis by the SWOT construction finding aid you to concentrate your behaviour keen on countries where you are physically powerful, and where the greatest chances recline. Your activities into countries wherever you are burly, along with where the maximal asset of fact-finding the Opportunities and Threats you features. Based on these SWOT Analysis had questionnaires a little local concern owner Mr.Lim who is the proprietor of Sea Food Restaurant ( Timethoughts, 2010 ) 3.2 Elementss OF SWOT ANALYSIS I. Strengths Based on strengths I had five questionnaires. First is, Mr.Lim able to be introducing his Sea Food Restaurant by bring forthing different types of nutrients to clients. For illustration, from sea nutrient to nasi goreng, and kweteo basah. Stand out from rivals Mr.Lim good known as possible for how to run his eating house outshine from the rivals. Mr.Lim said some eating house do their concern without cognizing their basic cognition of concern but for Mr.Lim good known to how run his Sea Food Restaurant in local. Following, pool of skilled employees Sea Food Restaurant so far does nt hold any pool of skilled employees. For avoid this sort of things Mr.Lim maintaining good employees determines concern success. Fourth questionnaire I had is morale of the employees is quit high for Mr.Lim eating house. This because, every individual has different grounds for making their occupation. Sea Food Restaurant has different grounds for making their occupation. Sea Food Restaurant has strong trade names to their eating house and nowadays current construct of trade name grew non in of the purchaser packed goods with stronger ( Scribd, 2007 ) II. Failing Based on questionnaires I had asked Mr.Lim said serves skills the employees. Sometimes, the employees will erroneously compose order of nutrients and based on that clients will kick about it. Next is the advertisement range to pull clients but for Mr.Lim Sea Food Restaurant so far no range good advertisement. Not merely that, so far Mr.Lim able to pull clients based on employees faith in direction Mr.Lim said that it was employees during times will make a better working relationship with staff and better productiveness. For Sea Food Restaurant so far wants employees. Mr.Lim said so far his eating house wants more employees to develop his eating house. III. Opportunities Based on, advanced engineering Sea Food Restaurant advanced with it. Mr.Lim eating house got free WIFI connexion for clients. This for attract more clients to his eating house. Furthermore, Mr.Lim have nt yet come in any new markets and he said every bit shortly as possible will come in new market besides. For that client support he needs. Furthermore, Mr.Lim said for develop the concern he faced fiscal jobs. So that, sing to upgrade his Sea Food Restaurant concern Mr.Lim had gone to CIMB Bank. By grow the concern during recession, it takes long clip acquire up and it s a great manner to interact with all his clients in unfastened topographic point. Otherwise, Mr.Lim s favourable circumstance are that, position Sea Food Restaurant beside the seaboard ( Scribd, 2007 ) IV. Menaces Based on menace Mr.Lim faced obstructions. In a peculiar twenty-four hours, his concern will be really low cause of clients volitions neer turn up and besides jealousy by another eating house. Next, based on competition Mr.Lim will function different sort of nutrient based on the yearss. For illustration, largely Chinese making their nuptials dinner in Sea Food Restaurant. So that clip, Mr.Lim will supply different nutrients based on the response. Mr.Lim said if within 3lilometer have a star bucks java near the Sea Food Restaurant means is non cause Mr.Lim s concern. This because Mr.Lim eating house is chiefly about sea nutrient and star vaulting horses is merely a java. For that, he does nt believe so. Mr.Lim do nt confront any environmental effects because Mr.Lim eating house in an unfastened position. At last, Mr.Lim eating house in a market demand. 3.3 QUESTIONNAIRES From these questionnaires Mr.Lim run his eating house concern based on SWOT Analysis. In the small phrase, we perchance will desire to focal point on one or two quarter-circles to obtain advantage of several state of affairss that we soon in forepart of. In using the SWOT Analysis it is indispensable to cut down or maintain off from both failings and menaces. Failings are supposed to be look at in organize to alter them lament on strengths. Similarly, menaces are supposed to be rehabilitated into chances. Last, strengths and chances ought to be coordinated to optimise the possible of a house. Over the long term, we are supposed to incorporate ends from every of the four quarter-circles for equilibrium. Apply successful schemes address four rudimentss of the milieus within which the concern operate. 4.0 Decision From this assignment I had learned how to set up a new event direction company in future and what elements will utilize for that. Following, from Pyramid Event ( M ) SDN BHD does greatest to administer an impressive juncture that finding leaves their visitants with unforgettable minute and consumers with winning steps in future. Events and festivals such as valentines even, have a clang in some communities. It s a calling which requires investing and creativeness Further more, from 2nd inquiry I had learned how and why we used SWOT Analysis. The full point of duty a SWOT Analysis is to assist me sort the chiefly utile marks and schemes to follow right now base on recent state of affairs and to do out schemes that finding aid form for the hereafter. Further more, SWOT placing our Strengths plus Weakness of fact-finding the Opportunities every bit good as besides Threats tat we face. Finally I had successfully my first and 2nd assignment inquiries.

2004 Ethical Issues and Criticisms

Enrons (USA) and Parmalats (Italy) Scandals of 2003/2004 Ethical Issues and Criticisms Introduction The recent global economic crisis left on its wake a number of bankrupt business organisations. These were especially those business organisations that were poorly structured or poorly managed such that they were unable to withstand the effects of the crisis.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Enron’s (USA) and Parmalat’s (Italy) ‘Scandals’ of 2003/2004: Ethical Issues and Criticisms specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More However, there are some organisations which filed for bankruptcy within the same period but whose downfall cannot be fully attributed to the global economic meltdown. Those were for example the firms that were embroiled in financial and other forms of scandals whose effects might have made it hard for them to withstand the crisis. An example of companies or business organisations that reported poor performance and filed for bankruptcy in the 21st century is Enron Corp oration and Parmalat SpA. The former used to operate from Houston, Texas, with more than 20,000 employees. The company filed for bankruptcy late 2001. Prior to this, it was considered to be one of the leading organisations in the energy, communications and pulp paper industries. In 2000, this organisation’s revenues were approximated to be more than 100 billion US dollars. However, the company came crumbling down by the end of 2001 after it emerged that the financial records filed by the management were fraudulent and misleading. This is where the infamous Enron scandal emerged from. This was more or less the same for Parmalat SpA by the end of 2003. Before then, the company was hailed as one of the leading dairy firms in the world. Operating from Italy, the organisation has operations in various cities around the world. Apart from dairy products, the company is also known for its production and distribution of fruit juices through its various subsidiaries and outlets all ove r the world. The organisation has more than 140 production plants scattered all over the world. These (together with the other business operations) engage approximately 36000 members of staff. The collapse of this company and the reported financial fraud associated with the fraud made analysts term this as one of the biggest bankruptcies in the continent. It was likened to the Enron scandal mentioned earlier in this paper, with parallels drawn on how the two organisations misrepresented their financial reports prior to their collapse. In this report, the author will critically analyse the ethical issues revolving around the two financial scandals mentioned above. In the report, the author will set out the main issues and criticisms surrounding the two scandals. The extent to which these scandals could be considered as ethical and legal violations will also be analysed.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper wi th 15% OFF Learn More The author will also analyse the impact of the two events on the general public’s views of business operations in USA and Italy. This is in addition to a critical analysis of the extent to which the two events reflect their respective national contexts. Finally, the author will provide informed recommendations on how such scandals can be averted in the future. The Main Issues Enron’s Financial ‘Scandal’: The Main Issues Enron was established in 1985 and emerged to be one of the largest public investment companies in America. This was before its bankruptcy in 2001 as mentioned earlier. The company had invested in more than 30 products in various economic sectors around the world. It was widely associated with its enormous investment in the profitable energy industry (Petrick Scherer 2003). Enron had operated as a successful company for decades. It was one of the most profitable investment companies in America. Thus, ma ny business persons invested in Enron. The company had employed thousands of employees and collaborated with dozens of American companies in its operations. However, the company operated in a fraudulent and unethical manner. One of the key issues that led to the failure and bankruptcy of Enron was the lack of transparency and the dishonesty of Enron’s key top management team and partners. The accounting, auditing and consulting firm- Arthur Andersen- was implicated in the scandal for its dishonest business dealings with Enron (Cramton 2004). The inflation of accounting book records and assets held by Enron evidenced the greediness of the top management in their attempts to enrich themselves by embezzling the shareholders’ assets. The management was involved in inflation of the value of the company’s assets. They intentionally misled the shareholders to believe that the company had stable assets. This also persuaded more investors to entrust their money with the company. Its financial statements were not transparent at all. They were tampered with and manoeuvred to depict a stable performance even when the company was making huge losses (Jennings Marianne 2002). The illegal and unethical behaviour of the management had significant impacts on the American economy and the global economy in extension. Members of the executive awarded themselves with huge compensation packages that seemed to be targeted at enriching them instead of fairly compensating them.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Enron’s (USA) and Parmalat’s (Italy) ‘Scandals’ of 2003/2004: Ethical Issues and Criticisms specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The compensation in terms of bonuses and stock option for the top management was directly linked to the practice of deal making that disregarded quality accounting practices. This in turn led to a misguided and unhealthy corporate culture wit hin the firm. The employees were encouraged to focus on high, short term returns by the system (Rhode Paton 2002). Parmalat’s Financial Scandal: Main Issues Parmalat was one of the leading multinational food and dairy producers based and founded in Italy before its bankruptcy and collapse in 2003. The company had engaged thousands of employees and thousands of dairy farmers in Italy depended solely on it. Investors had also heavily engaged themselves with the company through the Milan Stock Exchange where it was publicly trading. With its operations in dozens of countries, Parmalat was a major employer and business partner (Coffee 2005). Some of the key ethical issues at Parmalat included the fraudulent financial practices that the company was involved in. Members of the top management team intentionally failed to provide the correct financial information including the status of the company’s debts and losses. The company was making losses and covering them up. The to p management kept it a secret and whoever came close to learning about it was fired including, the chief accounting Officer Fausto Tonna. The cover up, forgery and non-disclosure were directly linked to its bank. Upon its collapse, thousands lost their jobs and investments. The figure below shows the indirect and direct control that one large shareholder (the Tanzi family) had in terms of voting rights. This indicates the extent of unethical control of organisations by some shareholders. The structure provides adequate avenues for a shareholder who was also the chairperson and C.E.O to inappropriately pursue his own interests disregarding those of the other stakeholders. The minority shareholders who had little or no power at Parmalat Corporation were exploited at the expense of the majority shareholder (Melis 2005). Figure 1: Direct and Indirect Control of One Shareholder over ParmalatAdvertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Adapted from: Madsen Vance 2009 Criticisms, Ethical, and Legal Aspects of the Scandals The fall of this Italian giant led to the loss of public confidence on financial reporting. The Italian public and the investing community was largely made to distrust the system of accounting, auditing, and financial reporting that seemed to have worked for ages before. The loss of jobs worldwide made employees of many multinationals to lose confidence and trust of their parent companies. The accounting and auditing professionals all over the world were enormously affected. Ethical questions and concerns were raised as far as their profession was concerned. It is one of the most trusted professions that are supposed to appropriately guide the investors, creditors, members of public, and other stakeholders. But instead, it was implicated in the scandal (Coffee 2005). The Enron scandal brought to fore significant legal concerns. Some of them included the concern whether the banks had enough legal frameworks to prevent the occurrence of such scandals in the future. It also proved that the American investors’ legal protection was not fully effective in this changing market. The legal structures and mechanisms of preventing such scandals were downplayed. This is an indication of the fact that the legal system needs to catch up with the changing markets and investment environment. The state’s role in corporate investigations was also challenged. The state’s failure to put in place enough measures to protect the investors, creditors, and employees made them lose trust in state mechanisms and systems (Wearing 2005). Parmalat and Enron scandals raised major ethical issues touching on marketing and conflict of interest that existed between the companies and their main partners. For example, the illegal collaboration that existed between the Bank of America, Parmalat, Arthur Andersen and Enron in defrauding the investors was unacceptable and unethical. People wh o had trusted these companies with their pension lost everything. The public lost faith in the American and Italian investment markets. The failure of the American and Italian regulatory authorities to prevent the occurrence of these scandals had far reaching implications on members of the public who for years depended on these stock markets as an investment channel (Wearing 2005). Impacts on the Public’s View of Business Behaviour in USA and Italy The American education system- especially the standards set in business, accounting and law schools in teaching ethics- was highly questioned. Ethical concerns were raised on the level, standard, and quality of ethical education and training of business and accounting students. Education- which is highly regarded as the absolute remedy for unfair and unjust business practices- was viewed as having failed. This is especially so given that most of these executives were highly educated and experienced in their respective professions ( Berndt 2000). Key Issues Corruption was endemic at Enron and Parmalat organisations. At Enron, the top management used shareholders’ assets to improve their financial standing. Derivatives and stock option bonuses that the top management provided themselves with were illegal, unfair and unjustified. These are the people who the shareholders entrusted with their assets to protect their financial interests. Instead they were stealing from the company and shareholders’ assets. At Parmalat, the influence of family businesses on voting rights was noted. The ownership and control structure at Parmalat was largely characterised by one major shareholder. This led to indirect and direct control over the company’s financial gains (Wearing 2005). Non-disclosure of the correct accounting records characterised both firms. This lack of disclosure as far as the correct accounting records such as book balances, asset portfolio and balance sheets was concerned misled all the sta keholders. This unethical practice by the executives was intentional and aimed at harming not benefiting the employees, creditors, shareholders, and the investing public (Madsen Vance 2009). Parmalat’s misguiding and misleading information was intended for the shareholders and other stakeholders. The falsified financial information and doctored accounting records made the American and the investing public lose trust and respect for the auditing and accounting profession. These dishonest and fraudulent acts shattered the trust the public had on the American securities’ exchange market as well as the trust of employees and shareholders as far as the protection of their interests by top leadership is concerned (Madsen Vance 2009). Other major ethical issues of concern in the organisations include the relationship with the suppliers, customers, competitors and marketers. Ethical concerns for the customers include the quality and safety of the product. Conflict of interes t and illegal business practices existed in both firms. At Enron, the consulting and auditing firm- Arthur Andersen- was at the centre of the unethical business practices (Crane Matten 2010). According to investigations carried out at Enron and Parmalat, the top leadership had adequate remuneration packages. In spite of this, they used improper mechanisms- such as the use of unfair derivatives and stock options- to enrich themselves using the shareholders’ assets (Berndt 2000). This is an indication of the extent of corporate greed among top managers and leaders. They also supported a greedy corporate culture that focused on short-term benefits. At Enron, the top leadership seemed to support the culture of â€Å"get returns quick, no matter the means, and don’t get caught†. Enron and Parmalat had loyal shareholders and hardworking employees. Top leaders in every organisation are expected to safeguard the interests of these stakeholders. This is vital for the su ccess of the organisation. However, the leadership in both organisations sacrificed shareholders’ interests and employees’ rights for their own personal interests (Melis 2005). Measures to Avoid such Scandals in the Future and Recommendations Internal Investigation and Prevention It is a requirement for every company to have mechanisms such as internal auditing to detect flaws and prevent or correct them on time. However, it is not enough to simply assume that all organisations have proper internal systems. Research has shown that with proper internal mechanisms, companies are less likely to experience fraud, dishonesty and other unethical business practices. It is therefore necessary for organisations to put in place proper internal auditing, accounting and overall business investigation mechanisms (Coburn 2006). Whistle Blowing Whistle blowing is done by the bold and courageous individuals in an organisation. The support and encouragement accorded to whistle blowers at Parmalat and Enron could have prevented the scandals. Whistle blowers could have observed and disclosed the unethical, immoral, and illegal business practices at the organisation at an earlier stage. This could have saved many parties from losing their jobs and investment. Organisations from all over the world should encourage whistle blowing at every level of the business entity. Employees and managers cannot be effective whistleblowers and cannot raise the alarm if they are not accorded proper training in expected organisational ethical practices (Crane Matten 2010). The Amendment and Enactment of Laws National and international laws are vital in regulating the conduct of multinationals such as Parmalat and Enron. The American and Italian laws on unfair business practices, unethical behaviours by the executives and laws on corporate governance were not adequate. Although the concerned parties were legally charged in a court of law- and some of the cases are still ongoing in th e legal system- there is need to enact more laws that properly address key modern unethical and illegal business practices (Coburn 2006). Government policies, measures and laws should be adjusted to include the changes taking place due to globalisation. The American employment laws were questioned after the occurrence of the Enron scandal which left thousands jobless. The American public and workforce lost faith in employee’s protection and rights laws. It was therefore an appropriate measure to amend and adjust some of the key American employment laws. These laws should be updated in tandem with the changing workplace environment especially due to globalisation. The US Securities Exchange and New York Stock Exchange need to adjust to the changing investment environment and the changes in corporate crime and investment frauds (Coburn 2006). The community should play the vital role of rewarding ethical standards. It is the role of the society to embrace acceptable values, stan dards, and behaviour as well as punish the unacceptable ones. As a result of this, individuals such as managers and employees will feel obligated to do what is acceptable and right in their operations. This will help in building communities that are morally and ethically sound, conducive for the mutual coexistence among individuals (Melis 2005). Education and Training Business, accounting, auditing and legal professions are inextricably intertwined with business operations of an organisation. It is important for individuals in these professions to be highly qualified in their field and have adequate business ethics education. The occurrence of the scandals at both Enron and Parmalat does not necessarily mean that the executives did not have enough education on ethics. However, it may imply that although they did have the knowledge of what was expected of them, they decided to be arrogant for their own personal gains. It is therefore critical to introduce courses on ethics at all lev els for employees and managers in an organisation (Giovanni 2005). Ethical decision-making processes should be supported at all levels in an organisation. At Enron, this vital role was supported but was not adequately effective due to top leadership’s structure and secrecy. Employees were hard-working and gave positive results. They also engaged in collective and individual ethical decision making mechanisms. For example, the former vice president indicated that the management had interactive board meetings to solve organisational or departmental problems. However, there were certain issues that these meetings could not address. He cited that he once questioned the fact that he did not have complete access to financial records which was vital in making decisions for the development of the firm (Madsen Vance 2009). Therefore, there was lack of support for ethical decision-making mechanisms. Every organisation should embrace ethical decision-making processes among employees an d managers. It helps create and sustain ethical relationships with key stakeholders. Ethical decisions help an organisation to identify its risks, prevent, avoid and solve them. It enhances accountability, efficiency, and transparency which are necessary in today’s global markets (Crane Matten 2010). Code of ethics in an organisation serves as a cornerstone and check point for ethical standards of behaviour. Every organisation sets its codes of ethics expected to be followed in the workplace. Designing ethically sound code of ethics, implementing them and sustaining them in an organisation is crucial for its success. They should be well communicated to employees and other members of the organisation. Enron had a strong code of ethics and code of conduct. Nevertheless, it did little to prevent the unethical behaviours of top leadership in the organisation (Rhode Paton 2002). Codes of ethics without proper communication, implementation and continued revision can do little in maintaining ethical standards of behaviour. It is everyone’s role in the organisation to understand, implement and translate these codes of conducts and ethics at the workplace (Guorevitch Shinn 2005). Conclusion There is no amount of regulations or legislations that will ultimately prevent or stop executives, managers and employees from engaging in unethical organisational practices. It is the responsibility of individuals to learn and adopt ethics at their respective positions in the organisation. Organisations on the other hand must change and adopt codes of conducts or ethics to act as ethical guidelines. Due to globalisation, various core aspects of organisational business activities have changed. Ethical decision-making processes should be supported to enhance accountability, effectiveness, transparency, and corporate image as well improved relationships among key stakeholders. Enhanced transparency and accountability leads to enhanced overall efficiency and organisati onal performance. It helps organisations to conduct their activities in an ethically acceptable manner that ensures economic stability worldwide. References Berndt, M 2000, Global differences in corporate governance systems: theory and implications for reforms, Harvard Law School, Harvard. Coburn, NF 2006, ‘Corporate investigations’, Journal of Financial Crime, vol. 13 no. 1, pp. 32-38. Coffee, JC 2005, A theory of corporate scandals: why the United States and Europe differ, Oxford University Press, Oxford. Cramton, RC 2004, Enron and the corporate lawyer: a primer on legal and ethical issues, Free Press, New York. Crane, A Matten, D 2010, Business ethics, 3rd edn, Oxford University Press, Oxford. Giovanni, D 2005, ‘Investors trust after Parmalat scandal: the role of corporate governance’, Journal of Business Management, vol. 4 no. 4, pp. 34-49. Guorevitch, PA Shinn, J 2005, Political power and corporate control: the new global politics of corporate gover nance, Princeton University Press, New York. Jennings, A Marianne, M 2002, ‘Primer on Enron: lessons from a perfect storm of financial reporting, corporate governance and ethical culture failures’, Journal of International Business Management, vol. 5 no. 2, pp. 23-39. Madsen, S Vance, C 2009, ‘Unlearned lessons from the past: an insiders view of Enrons Downfall’, Corporate Governance, vol. 9 no. 2, pp. 216-227. Melis, A 2005, Corporate ownership control, 2nd edn, Winter, New York. Petrick, JA Scherer, RF 2003, ‘The Enron scandal and the neglect of management integrity capacity’, American Journal of Business, vol. 18 no. 4, pp. 53-58. Rhode, DL Paton, PD 2002, ‘Lawyers ethics and Enron’, Journal of Business Ethics, vol. 3 no. 2, pp. 34-38. Wearing, R 2005, Cases in corporate governance, Sage Publishers, London.

The Meaning of National Accounts in International Economics

The Meaning of National Accounts in International Economics National accounts  or national account systems (NAS) are defined as a measure of macroeconomic categories of production and purchase in a nation. These systems are essentially methods of accounting used to measure the economic activity of a country based on an agreed upon framework and set of accounting rules. National accounts are specifically intended to present specific economic data in such a way as to facilitate analysis and even policy-making. National Accounts Requires Double-Entry Accounting The specific methods of accounting used in national account systems are characterized by a completeness and consistency that is required by detailed double-entry bookkeeping, also known as double-entry accounting. Double-entry bookkeeping is aptly named as it calls for every entry to an account to have a corresponding and opposite entry into a different account. In other words, for every account credit there must be an equal and opposite account debit and vice versa. This system utilizes the simple accounting equation as its basis: Assets - Liabilities Equity. This equation holds that the sum of all debits must equal the sum of all credits for all accounts, else an accounting error has occurred. The equation itself is a means of error detection in double-entry accounting, but it will only detect value errors, which is to say that ledgers that pass this test are not necessarily free of error. Despite the simplistic nature of the concept, double-entry bookkeeping in practice is a tedious task requiring great attention to detail. Common mistakes include crediting or debiting the incorrect account or simply confusing the debit and credit entries entirely. While national account systems hold in common  many of the same principles of business bookkeeping, these systems actually based in economic concepts. Ultimately, national accounts are not simply national balance sheets, rather they present a comprehensive account of some the most complicated economic activities. National Accounts and Economic Activity The systems of national accounting measure output, expenditure, and income of all major economic players in the nations economy from households to corporations to the nations government.  The production categories of national accounts are usually defined as output in currency units by various industry categories plus imports. Output is usually approximately the same as industry revenue. The purchase or expenditure categories, on the other hand, generally include government, investment, consumption, and exports, or some subsets of these. National account systems also incorporate measurement of the changes in assets, liabilities, and net worth. National Accounts and Aggregate Values Perhaps the most widely recognized values measured in national accounts are the aggregate measures like gross domestic product  or GDP. Even among non-economists, GDP is a familiar measure of the size of the economy and aggregate economic activity. Though national accounts provide a plethora of economic data, it is still these aggregate measures like GDP and, of course, their evolution over time that is of most interest to economists and policymakers as these aggregates concisely present some of the most important information about a nations economy.