Time Periods of Pottery from Ancient Greece

Measuring Performance Example

Essays on Measuring Performance Essay a. Gross Margin is defined as the percentage difference between Revenue and Cost of Sales. Therefore, Gross Margin for the year = (3679 – 2308) / 3679 * 100 = 37.266% Gross Margin for the year 2011 = (5331 – 3594) / 5331 * 100 = 32.583% Net Margin is defined as the percentage of net income of revenue. Therefore, Net Margin for the year 2010 = 91 / 3679 * 100 = 2.473% Net Margin for the year 2011 = 69 / 5331 * 100 = 1.294% Return on Capital Employed (ROTCE) is defined as the ratio of EBIT to the difference between Total Assets and Current Liabilities (Balance Sheet Ratios). i.e. ROTCE = EBIT / (Total Assets – Current Liabilities) * 100 For year 2010, EBIT = EBT + Finance costs = 111 + 7 = 118 Total Assets = 822 Current liabilities = 297 ROTCE = 118 / (822 – 297) * 100 = 22.476% For year 2011, EBIT = EBT + Finance costs = 86 + 15 = 101 Total Assets = 1333 Current liabilities = 581 ROTCE = 101 / (1333 – 581) * 100 = 13.431% On the basis of these numbers in the two years, it can be said that Fresh and Fruity Ltd. has more than decent gross margins in both the years. However, the net margins are quite low. This indicates that the company spends a huge amount on administration and distribution which affects the profitability. It is also observed that the revenue in 2011 is quite high as compared to 2010. However, the gross margins and net margins have reduced from 2010 to 2011. This implies that in generating greater sales, the company is losing on profitability. This could be due to an increase in cost of raw material, increase in distribution expenses or a decrease in the market selling price of its products. The return on capital employed is also significant in both years. However, there is a considerable drop in ROTCE from 2010 to 2011. This is partly due to a large increase in trade receivables and may partly be because of purchase of new long term assets. b. Trade receivables on 30 September, 2010 = 492 Trade receivables on 30 September, 2011 = 822 Average trade receivables for 2010 = (0 + 492) / 2 = 246 (assuming trade receivables at start of financial year 2010 as 0) Average trade receivables for 2011 = (492 + 822) / 2 = 657 The trade receivables’ settlement period is given by the ratio of average trade receivables to sales revenue (assuming all sales are in credit) Thus, Trade receivables’ settlement period in days for the year 2010 = 246 / 3679 * 365 = 24.41 days Trade receivables’ settlement period in days for the year 2011 = 657 / 5331 * 365 = 44.98 days Trade payables on 30 September, 2010 = 266 Trade payables on 30 September, 2011 = 486 Average trade payables for 2010 = (0 + 266) / 2 = 133 (assuming trade payables at start of financial year 2010 as 0) Average trade payables for 2011 = (266 + 486) / 2 = 376 The trade payables‘ settlement period is given by the ratio of average trade payables to cost of sales (assuming all purchases are in credit)(Mayasami 2009) Thus, Trade payables’ settlement period in days for the year 2010 = 133 / 2308 * 365 = 21.033 days Trade payables’ settlement period in days for the year 2011 = 376 / 3594 * 365 = 38.186 days On the basis of above calculations, a few interesting facts come into picture. It is seen that in 2010, the trade receivables’ payment period is greater than trade payables’ payment period but the difference is only about 3 days. In 2011, the equation still remains the same but the difference increases to about 6 days. Fresh and Fruity Ltd is, therefore, paying to its suppliers earlier than it is receiving from its customers. This implies that the working capital cycle is positive and the company has to depend upon a financial lender for its working capital. Secondly, the working capital position of the firm is deteriorating from 2010 to 2011 and therefore, it s financial costs in the form of interests have increased. c. With the proposed contract with the regional supermarket chain, the sales volume increase by 20% but the selling price for increased volume is 95% of the original selling price. Hence, net impact on sales revenue = 20% * .95 = 19% Therefore, new revenue = 1.19 * 5331 (Assuming no other volume growth in 2012) = 6343.89 New cost of sales = 1.2 * 3594 (Assuming that all cost of sales vary with the production volume) = 4312.8 Gross Margin = (6343.89 – 4312.8) / 6343.89 * 100 = 32.016% The gross margin due to the new proposed contract would hence decrease though the sales revenue increases. Thus, the profitability of the company is impacted. This is primarily due to the discount the company is planning to offer to the supermarket chain. Also, the supermarket chain is demanding a credit period of 60 days. This is very high as compared to the current trade receivables’ period of about 45 days. This would further deteriorate the working capital condition of the company and increase its financial costs. However, if the company sees long term benefits of this contract, it must try to offset these expenses by increasing its trade payables’ settlement period through supplier negotiations (Chartered Institute of Management Consultants). References ‘Improving Cash Flow through Credit Management’, Chartered Institute of Management Consultants Maysami,Ramin 2009, ‘Understanding and Controlling Cash Flow’, Financial Management Series, U.S. Small Business Administration ‘Balance Sheet Ratios’, Available on http://www.suu.edu/business/sbdc/pdf/balancesheetratios.pdf February 02, 2012

Jackie Roosevelt Robinson Bridging Blacks and Whites free essay sample

He went to college at the University of UCLA Where he was star in four sports basketball, baseball, football, and track. He is the only bruin to letter in four sports. After college he went to pursue a career in the Army. He Soon became a lieutenant. He Was put on honorable discharge for seating in a white person seat in the Army bus. In 1947, he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers to become the first African-American to play modern day baseball. He won rookie of the year, and was only the begging for the awards he would receive. He later receive MAP, and elected into the Hall Of Fame.He brought many kinds of fans to the game if baseball. His style of playing brought excitement back to the game. As much of the world like to watch him there were some who hated him. He received much hate mail from all kinds of people. We will write a custom essay sample on Jackie Roosevelt Robinson: Bridging Blacks and Whites or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page He received letters threaten to kill him if he was to step on their hometown field with the other white players. A fellow baseball player from the opposing team slid into him putting a big gash in his knee that would take him out of the game. He was not the first black player in the major league baseball; neither was he the first black star athlete.Words cannot describe hat he brought to the game of baseball and the rest of America. His success in baseball proved that blacks and white can coexist, and corporate well together. His importance to the public was more then just playing baseball. Importance continues after his baseball career. After he retired in 1 956, he became active in the NAACP and the civil rights movement. He put forth his baseball career and decade his life to improving African Americans status in society. Many black people looked for to him for help and support.He dint care what people thought of him. Fir example, while he was on the road with his baseball team his refusal to sit in the black section of a hotel resulted in the integration of many white hotels around the states. Robinson was setting the example for the rest of his followers to follow. He would later serve as a special assistant for civil rights Governor Nelson Rockefeller. He also was vice president of a restaurant chain in New York. His achievements were great. Today when you see blacks and whites on the same field or working together thank Jackie for that.

Definition Of A Team Player Essays - Social Psychology,

Definition Of A Team Player Robert C. Meyers English 1301, Definition Essay 3 August 99 A Definition of a Team Player A team player can be associated to any type of profession a person participates in. The dictionary defines team players as a number of people associated together in work or activity. Team players are the type of people with a tremendous personality who contribute and motivate themselves in many areas. They include the military, sports, work, and families. But, there are a few things team players are not. Let us explore these aspects closer. A team player must have an tremendous personality to be successful. A tremendous personality includes being friendly, tactful, and diplomatic. A friendly personality is good to help keep the other players in harmony. It is imperative to have a friendly personality so others will not be afraid to approach the team player with a problem. Being friendly to others will directly effect the tactfulness used in talking with other people. A team player that is tactful will always have the respect of the people around him/her. When a team player has the respect of the people around him/her, it will have a positive impact on any conflict that he/she must mediate when they arise on a team. The diplomatic skills a team player has will help bring any disputes that other players might have with someone to a quick conclusion. This is essential in keeping the team on a successful track. Another attribute of a team player is how he/she contributes to the team. A team player will discuss his/her ideas, give extra time, and sometimes give money, if it will the team as a whole. By discussing ideas, a team player is using participating leadership. This gives the team as a whole the chance to solve problems together and work towards a solution. It will make every member of the team feel important. Giving extra time towards a team goal is also important in the role of a team player. When a team player gives the time to other members of the team, he/she is held in high praise by other team members. This will impact team members putting forth additional effort. Sometimes team players will contribute money if it helps the team reach its goal. All in all, team players contribute their ideas, time, and money to bring the morale of the whole team to the highest possible level. A tremendous personality and contribution will lead to positive motivation on a team. Motivation is the key to why team players try so viciously. A team player motivates the people around him/her by always having a positive attitude. He/she is usually recognized by the rest of the team as the leader and must set a good example for the others to follow. There are two ways a team player can show motivation. They are always striving for mission accomplishment and constantly wanting the team to be successful. A team player strives for mission accomplishment by showing no concern for his/her own individual needs. This will make the team want to work together as one until a particular task is accomplished. As a result, the team will be successful and show great pride and dignity in whatever mission that may arise in the future. Therefore, a team that achieves mission accomplishment and team success will produce many team players where everyone is a leader. Team players can be found in different types of groups. They are in the military service, on sports teams, in the work place, and inside of families. In the military, they are usually the leaders of the unit. For example, a company commander has 100 people under his/her command. If the commander does not show a tremendous personality, contribute to the units needs, or show motivation towards the mission that the unit must accomplish, he/she will fail to bring unit cohesion and the unit will not function properly. On sports teams, a team player will sacrifice personal achievements to help the team keep winning and stay successful. In the working world, a team player gives all of himself/herself in hopes of making more money and keeping a business on top of its particular field. Finally, the family team player

Religious Freedom Research Paper Example

Religious Freedom Research Paper Example Religious Freedom Paper Religious Freedom Paper Essay Topic: Religion Most people living in the United States assume that their first amendment rights, more specifically freedom of religion, are inherent; and they are. Religion has a long history; the first recorded religion was in Mesopotamia around 5000 BCE (Britannica). With more and more countries becoming modernized and recognizing peoples individual rights, however, how many still deny freedom of religion? Is separating church and state an indispensable element in protecting a citizens freedom of religion, or could some laws attaining to religion be beneficial in protecting religious freedom? This essays function is to answer the above questions and give a further understanding to religious freedom around the world. One of the main reasons why pilgrims decided to travel across the Atlantic Ocean to a new world in 1620 was to escape the religious persecution in England (Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War by Nathaniel Philbrick). A lot may argue that this is why religious freedom (and for the most part today, tolerance) is so evident in our country. On the opposite side of the spectrum, however, look at Saudi Arabia. The country formed, in part, due to a holy war, has a monarchial government, and adopted the Islamic holy text, The Koran, as its constitution (BBC). It also prohibits any religion except for a conservative version of Sunni Islam (US Department of State). It wouldnt be accurate, however, to assume that every countrys current-day religious tolerance depends on its foundation. Take Cuba for example: the country was founded by the Spanish, who formed it into a Catholic nation. When Fidel Castro took over power, he made Cuba a totally atheistic nation (NCRonline). The point Im making here is that although some countries with religious tolerance are founded on such beliefs, some are not and gravitate towards a different belief than what was originally intended. The ancient Persians, more specifically Cyrus the Great, founded the first religious freedom law in the 6th century BC. However, you have to understand that freedom of religion, religious tolerance, and freedom of worship are all different and have all varied to some degree in the past. Most countries today allow the freedom of religion, and extremely tolerant countries like the United States or Canada allow the freedom to assemble and worship. On the other hand, you have countries like Sudan. Sudan allows limited tolerance of other religions, but has declared Islam as its national religion and requires all laws be inspired by it. Even to a more extreme, you have China, more specifically the Peoples Republic of China, which allows very limited freedom of religion and expressively disallows the gathering in groups to worship (however, one must understand that because Chinas two main religions, Confucianism and Daoism, dont have gods, its difficult for Westerners to understand this religious intolerance) (US Department of State). Like I stated before, and as many Americans know, the first amendment to the Constitution declares separation of church and state; it expressively declares that no law shall infringe upon or discriminate against any religion. One must ask himself, then, why is every piece of currency in the US engraved with the phrase In God We Trust, or why does the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States include the phrase Under God? These two cases, although controversial, bring up an interesting point. Because this essay is an evaluation essay as apposed to a persuasive work, I will not discuss or imply my positions on these phrases; rather, we must realize that the basis for these phrases foster a more interesting idea: is total separation of church and state in the best interest of the common citizen? In a 100% atheistic government, there would be no law favoring a religion, but at the same time, there would be none protecting the establishment or worship of another (a law protecting this would actually be reversed discrimination, therefore discrimination in itself). In the United States, its illegal to discriminate against an individual because of their religious preferences. Every government has some form of religious law, whether it is favoring a certain religion (like Islam in Saudi Arabia), attempting to separate itself from religion while protecting an individuals rights (like Canada), or acclaiming itself as atheistic (Cuba under Castro). While there has always been religious intolerance in the world, the most recent extreme form is modern day terrorism. For this paper, lets examine the most recent and notable terrorist attacks: 9/11. On the morning of September 11, 2001, Islamic suicide terrorists boarded four commercial jet airlines, flew two of them into the World Trade Centers, one into the Pentagon in Washington, and attempted to fly one in the direction of Washington D. C. Osama Bin Laden, the mastermind behind the deadly attacks, declared a holy war against the United States. In summary, the radical Sunni Islamic sect Al-Qaeda opposes the United States position on separation of church and state and declares that You are the worst civilization witnessed by the history of mankind: You are the nation who, rather than ruling by the Shariah of Allah in its Constitution and Laws, choose to invent your own laws as you will and desire. You separate religion from your policies, contradicting the pure nature which affirms Absolute Authority to the Lord and your Creator, (The Guardian) as stated in Bin Ladens Letter to America. There will always be religious differences in this world, and it cannot be expected that all countries will be as tolerant as the United States is when it comes to a plethora of religions. Is it the United States job to help spread a belief of religious tolerance in this world? How should we go about doing it if so? If not, do we only take a defensive stance toward another terrorist attack like 9/11? Our only option is to sit back and see how the War Against Terror plays out and how other extremist groups respond. Im just glad I live in a country where I get to believe what I want, think what I want, wear what I want, and be myself. In conclusion, there are many different religions in this world, and every country takes its own approach in tolerance. In the United States, we have laws pertaining to the separation of church and state along with laws restricting discrimination due to religion. Terrorism is more prominent than ever, and 9/11 enacted a War Against Terror that still rages on today. Maybe one day, the world will see eye-to-eye on religious tolerance, but until then, lets be glad that we live in a country where we get to worship whatever we want.

Analyzing some of the traditional HRM FUNCTIONS AT nike (EX selection, Essay

Analyzing some of the traditional HRM FUNCTIONS AT nike (EX selection, training; evaluation & compensation) - Essay Example This objective of Nike reflects in its human resource management functions. The company has introduced the educational assistance programs because it is very important to have workers who are willing to learn and who show the interest to develop themselves. Hence, their recruitment policy is to consider only those employees who have an inclination to improve their skills and educational levels. After the recruitment and selection of employees with this kind of specific attitude, the next step of training and development is planned and implemented. The training and development of the workers is done by offering opportunities for general education purposes like, if workers want to learn to read, write and fill any gaps in their early childhood education. In another aspect the company also conducts seminars and workshops for supervisors in factories so that they improve their production and management skills. The main advantage of this policy to give improve the quality of human resourc e is to increase the value of human resources and to create a favorable learning environment in the company which is very essential to grow in the highly competitive globalised economy. The next aspect for discussion is the compensation. At Nike the wages of the twenty thousand employees are based on the qualifications and skills and the policies are designed so that all the hours worked (regular and overtime) are compensated. In addition to this the workers who have shown interest in improving their skills and who have completed any educational program are given promotions and their salaries and perks are increased. The company also has a detailed human resource information system to store all the information about the employees’ profile, education and training, performance. It can be accessed anywhere in the world by a certain group of

Denver art museum Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Denver art museum - Essay Example One of the paintings which attracted me most during my visit to Denver art museum was the images that depicted both the innocence of childhood and glorious beauty of nature simultaneously. It portrayed two cute girls taking the pleasure of a lovely evening in which one girl’s curious activity entertained the other. This was the representation of the innocence of childhood at its best. Another painting which drew my attention represented the act of reading by a lady whose emotional expression was difficult for anyone to figure out. The lady merely read the book without the emotional reflections in her eyes and it showed the act being taken merely to pass time. At the same time, another painting; a lady reading a book with extreme curiosity and enthusiasm was indeed a contradiction to the other one. The comparison between the two paintings very well represented the various perspectives through which the same action is being performed. Works Cited Denver Art Museum. Aslam, M. Apr il, 9, 2010. Web 11 Feb 2011 http://www.buzzle.com/articles/denver-art-museum.html