buy custom Qassim Cement Factory essay

buy custom Qassim Cement Factory essay This report has been compiled with the sole objective of showing stakeholders of the Qassim Cement Company the progress made by the company. This is a symbol of their commitment to the betterment of this organization. The company profile is discussed in the first part of this paper. This will help to give stakeholders a brief history of the company as well as the legacy of Qassim Cement. The next section to be analyzed is the vision and the mission of the company, which illustrate the path, which the company would like to take, and provide a revised version of both. Next, the internal and external audit of the company will be considered. In the analysis, the internal factors of the organization are discussed in detail. The reason for including this section is to identify the internal strengths and weaknesses of the company. Following the internal audit there will be the external audit. The external audit is intended to demonstrate the cement industry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and all factors that influence it. In the report, we will also provide a detailed benchmarking for the company to show ways through which the company can get a competitive advantage over its rivals. We will, in addition, establish annual objectives, which will mirror their long-term objectives and help to achieve them, and create a new organizational structure. This will help in fulfilling the objective of this report, which is to create a new strategy. That will be achieved by using various tools including the IFE matrix, the BCG matrix, and the QPSM matrix among others. Through these tools, we will provide professional opinions based on the information available as well as offer recommendations on how to proceed regarding our strategies and the future of the Qassim. 2.Company profile Establishment: The Qassim Cement Company is a cement company with its headquarters in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi company was established in August 1976, in accordance with the Royal Decree No. M/62 on 15 Shaban, 1396H. Two years later, on August 2, 1978, it became registered under commercial registration number 1131001224 on 28 Shaban, 1398, in Buraydah City. The companys principal activity is the production of cement and its derivatives. Location: The company is located at the heart of Saudi Arabia, in the region of Qassim specifically at Buraydah, 330km northwest of Riyadh. Policy: QCC operates on a policy to continuously review the progress of the company through regular audits and other techniques. Purpose: The companys primary purpose is to manufacture and sell cement and related commodities in Saudi Arabia. Italso performs all activities related to the cement manufacturing industry. Shareholders: The companys major shareholders are listed inthe Saudi Stock Exchange Market. This is under the Reuters code3040. Employees: According to a recent survey conducted on the company, it has approximately six hundred and fifty employees representing all departments. Capital structure: The authorized capital ofthe company is SAR 900 million fully paid. This total is divided into 90 million shares. On the other hand, these shares have a par value of SAR 10 per share. Assets: According to the survey conducted in 2010 by the Consolidated Audited Financial Report,Qassims total net operating revenues have declined byapproximately 1.84%.Values were estimated to range from SAR 986,557 to SAR 968,426. On the other hand, the return on equity has decreased from 32.93% to 26.99%. This is the total equity or net income of the company. The total assetturnover in return went from 26.82% to 24. 74%. Thus, the Net Profit Margin (Net Income/Net Sales) decreased from 61.02% to 51.69%. The Debt to Equity Ratio (Total Liabilities/Equity) dropped to critical 9.08% as compared to 22.77% in thelast year. On the other hand, the Current Ratio (Current Assets/Current Liabilities) went from 3.49% to 4.96%. These figures are taken and compared withthe same period inthe previous year. The latest statistics of April 2012 revealed that the last trade was at 83.75 SAR. Products and services: The company manufactures three main types of cement namely: Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC/Type I), which has been produced from the onset of the company. This type was the first to be manufactured by the company in 1976. The other two types are Sulphate Resistant Cement (SRC/Type V) and Limestone Cement - Finishing Cement. The company is a consumer-oriented firm. This means that it controls mining from the quarries to manufacture finished cement. Since then, the Qassim Cement Company (QCC) has held the status of being one of the best cement manufacturers in the continent. Market Targets: The company targets consumers in the Northwest and Central Saudi region. The greatest competitor facing by the company in this region is Yamama Cement. Production: Over the years since its inception, the company has been consistently increasing its productivity. For example, in 1986, the company increased its production capacity from 2,000 tpd to 4200 tpd. In 1996, production capacity was increased to 4,700 tpd, and seven years later the capacity was 5000 tpd. To aid in this development, the company underwent several technological changes. For instance, improvements were made by the France FDB with the objective of reducing dust emissions from plants. Other issues that had been addressed together with technological innovations included the improvement of the energy efficiency of a plant. In 2007, the company made some improvements with the help of the Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Company Limited (IHI) of Japan to increase the production capacity of the plant. These improvements doubled the companys capacity. Because of the increasing demand for cement, the company plans to embark on an expansion project that will lead to the construction of four additional plants. The projected outcome of this is that it will boost production by at least 6million tons. 2.1 Qassim and corporate social responsibility Corporate social responsibility is a very important aspect for any organization. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a way for organizations to give something back to the society for their labor, resources and support. This gives the company a good public image, resulting in a competitive advantage over its competitors. CSR policy acts as a built-in, self-regulating mechanism for QCC, whereby the business is monitored. This ensures that the organization adheres to the law, ethical standards and international norms. Although corporate social responsibility sometimes may appear as if the company adds to its expenses, it pays off in the long-run, since more people in the community will desire to work in the company. In addition, more investors will want to be affiliated with it. The Qassim Cement Company has played a key role in promoting the community. Some of the key areas that have been affected arethe health sector, the education sector and the environment. 2.1.1 Health Health is a key area in the society. A healthy workforce ensures that employees maximize on productivity. One of the most notable contributions initiated by Qassim is a project that is aimed at analyzing the validity, safety and fitness of all types of human food. The project is supposed to be launched in the Burayda city, and it consists of very sophisticated lab work to ensure good quality food for human consumption. Another notable contribution is the establishment of an underage handicapped center. This center is aimed at hosting children with various disabilities. By showing the community that they support them, they win more customers. This acts as a competitive advantage for the firm. 2.1.2 Finance The company is also responsible for the King Aziz women charity foundation, which is a microfinance institution meant to provide microloans for small micro enterprises (SMEs). 2.1.3 Education Qassim has been financing the education sector for years. This money has helped educational facilities accommodate more people as well as afford equipment and books needed for quality education. 2.1.4 Environment The environment is a key component of the community. Thus, QCC has established programs that measure, monitor and improve the environment. The companys environmental policy helps them monitor the progress made in the environment. The company has also gone an extra mile at ensuring that the rate of air pollution from dust has been reduced to less than 30mg/m3. QCC has invested significantly in controlling all pollution sources throughout the years. Furthermore, the company has taken up capital investment projects to help in the reduction of fugitive dust. The company has further built a water treatment plant to treat wastewater. The company also has over 48,000 plants and a vast landscape of approximately 21,000 sq.m. The level of CO2 emissions has also been significantly reduced. Currently, Qassim has been applying a mining system, where advanced management systems are used in quarries to preserve natural resources. 2.2 Company vision The vision of the company is to become a leading regional cement and building materials company that is globally recognized for its customer focus, operational excellence and high quality products. 2.2.1 Revised vision Today, the company worksonattaining a prosperous future in the industry. This is possible by ensuring superior customer satisfaction. Another way of attaining this objective is by consistently providing high quality products that conform to the set standards. 2.3 Company mission The mission of Qassim Cement is to become cement and building materials company that will persist in providing quality commodities in an environmental friendly and efficient way. Another mission is to maximize stakeholders wealth. 2.3.1 Revised mission Today, the company aims to provide quality management systems. This is in order to promote skills, training and knowledge. The company also aims to incorporate the virtue of teamwork in its employees in order to maximize production. 3. Internal factors analysis Internal Audit (INA) of any organization helps the management to understand the various factors within the company that are likely to affect the company. It is important for managers to analyze the internal environment of the business so that to they can be able to strengthen their strong points further as well as eliminate their weak points. In the case of Qassim industry, the company has a very strong labor force, which is a major strength for the company. Below, other internal factors that is likely to influence the company: 3.1Management Qassim Cement is managed by a board of various members. This board is led by a chairman, a vice chairman and a general manager, who is also a board member. This board is accountable for executing and revising the effectiveness of the companys internal control framework as approved by the Board of Directors. In addition, the manager with the backing of the board sets companys ideals and ethical code of conduct that all employees must abide by in order to retain their jobs. Other roles of management in the company include: 1. To implement systems and measures within the company to identify any unconventionality, control and report on major risks facing the company. These risks could be in the form of changes in market prices of raw materials, breaches of the law or regulations, unauthorized activities and fraud. 2. To conduct constant annual reviews aimed at identifying enormous risks facing the economy. This role is accomplished through monitoring through various management committees that have been established to ensure the effectiveness of the companys control framework. This committee also maintains specific oversight of key risks 3. To centralize functional control over all computer system developments and operations in the company. 4. To consult with stakeholders and stockholders on the best market opportunities to exploit. 5. To maintain the oversight of business operations and manage actions to ensure consistency with regulatory requirements. 6. To put systems and procedures for the constant identification, evaluation and management of substantial risks faced by Qassim in place throughout the year. These procedures enabled Qassim to discharge its obligations with the code of conduct dictated by the industry. 3.2 Human resources Qassim operates based on the belief that human resources are the most valuable asset they possess. The company has been continuously developing its value proposition by ensuring that its employees get continuous personal and professional growth. The company operates on a culture, whereby employees are highly skilled with great backgrounds and experience. The company ensures that the working environment is safe and ideal for their workers. To enforce this, they offer their workers health insurance covers with one of the best policies in Saudi Arabia. QCC has swimming pools, recreation centers and playgrounds for employees. The company strives to maintain its employees, since the workforce is the most valuable asset of the organization. To ensure quality, excellence and increased performance, the company urges its employees to get educated. The company has programs that train new employees and the existing ones incase they need to acquire skills that are more advanced. Since the establ ishment of the Qassim Cement Company, the development of a reliable workforce has been a strategy behind the success of QCC. The company has initiated several development programs, which are aimed at developing its employees with special focus on the local workforce. An example of such a program is a professional development program, the target of which is newly graduated engineers. The company attracts them to join this program in order for them to develop and specialize their skills. This ensures that the company has a well-trained workforce that is competent and accountable, hence guaranteeing excellence in the running of the company. Another program that is geared towards developing a reliable workforce is the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF). This program ensures that QCC recruits more than 140 employees from Saudi Arabia. 3.3 Property The company plans to embark on an expansion project that will result in the construction of four additional plants. The projected outcome of this is that it will boost production by at least 6million tons. 3.4 Environmental perspective Qassim aspires to be recognized as a company that promotes sustainability in the environment. Over the years, the company has established several programs that are aimed at protecting the environment by reducing the level of pollution. This can be achieved through reducing carbon dioxide levels released as well as dust waste. Furthermore, the company has programs that are aimed at recycling waste, and conserving water and electricity. The company has tried to create an awareness culture in their staff as well as the rest of the society so that everyone can learn to appreciate and treat the environment with respect. 3.5 Security and safety The Qassim Cement Company management is focused on ensuring the culture of health and safety. The company continuously evaluates and analyzes safety gaps existing to determine means of improving safety measures companywide. The objective of this is to raise employees, contractors, customers and visitors safety perception. To achieve this, the company will have to conduct numerous surveys, risk assessments and benchmarking. To enforce this, QCC management is committed to: 1. Implementing the latest international safety standards within an integrated safety management system. 2. Provide training and creating safety awareness, as well as providing safety tools and equipment. 3. Develop and implementing evacuation and emergency plans. 3.6 Information Technology The company has been utilizing modern technology to improve productivity, as well as smooth out the production process. For instance, because of modern technology, the company can communicate effectively as well as run internal systems properly. The company broadly applies Information Technology to ensure consistency in the quality of products. Another use of Information Technology is to automate the business process as well as to reduce the lead-time. 3.7 Community service and sustainability Qassim, as a company, has over the years become a dynamic and legally responsible company that has over the years incorporated the community into its operations. The company has undertaken several projects focused on promoting the living standards of the people in the community around. 4.Industry structural analysis Industry Qassim Cement functions in the cement and building industry of Saudi Arabia. Since the country became a member of the World Trade Organization, there has been emerging projects of economic cities being built every day. In Saudi Arabia, the cement and building industry is characterized by strength, stability and resilience. The cement industry consists of eight listed companies. Each one of these companies has integrated plants. In total, these companies produce approximately 28.5 million tonnes (mt) and 33.1mt respectively. Presently, Yamama Cement (YCC) is the largest cement company at the present moment. 5. External audit A companys external environment includes factors outside the company's boundaries that significantly influence decisions made in the company. These macro environment factors are in the outer ring and include: 5.1 Societal values and lifestyles The society keeps on changing with time. These changes can be caused by an increased income. This means that the average disposable income of Saudis has increased as a result of economic stability. Thus, they are in further need of better housing. The development of social facilities also leads to an increase in the demand for building facilities. 5.2 Population demographics and geography As the population increases, the demand for housing also increases leading to the expansion of the cement industry. In addition, with an increased choice and easier access and switching, consumers are more demanding than ever before? This has resulted in an increased demand for cement for infrastructure. In the case of Qassim, the company is located in a highly populated area that has been rapidly evolving. The Qassim Cement Company is strategically located giving it a strong geographical advantage. Another notable factor is that it is the company with the lowest cement production cost in Saudi Arabia. This enables it to remain profitable. This creates an ample market for the organization. 5.3 Legislation and regulations The government is responsible for setting up policies that are beneficial to both organizations and consumers interests. The implemented trade laws and other fiscal policies ensure that organizations operate within the set parameters. This protects consumers from exploitation by traders. It also ensures that businesses operate smoothly in a manner that positively impacts the government. 5.4 General economic conditions This issue refers to the state of the economy. For instance, during the period of recession, most organizations lower their production, and the opposite fact is experienced during a boom. When the economy is thriving, more development takes place. This is beneficial for organizations, in this case, Qassim. 5.5 Technology Rapid changes and advancements in ICT are one of the major factors affecting the cement industry. Mainly because it relies heavily on technology, for services it provides, and usually allocates large portions of its budget to obtain and develop reliable technology to smoothly run the company. For instance, today most activities in Qassim are automated. This enhanced consistency in the quality of goods produced. 5.6 Political changes Politics greatly affects the economy of any country. A politically stable country is more likely to attract investors and donors, and hence, it results in the economic growth. Saudi Arabia has experienced political stability that has influenced the development of the country. Furthermore, the country recently joined the World Trade Organization, which has been a major milestone to the cement industry. Qassim cement factory Consolidated balance sheet of December 2011 ASSETS 2011 2010 Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents 244,725,482 19,717,605 Trading investments 412,693,329 468, 579,796 Accounts receivables, net 46,110,418 50,728,168 Prepayments and debit balances, net 7,910,647 9,578,960 Inventories, net 188,903,510 186,635,430 Assets available for sale - - - 6,350,000 Total current assets 900,343,386 741,589,959 Non-current assets: Property, plant and equipment 1,170,180,909 1,222,589,445 Capital work in progress 20,744,559 22,953,521 Deferred expenses, net 32,274.562 35,871,839 Total non-current assets 1,223,200,030 1,281,414,805 Total assets 2,123,543,416 2,023,004,764 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Current liabilities: Trade payables 12,875,008 12,196,335 Accrued expenses 69,153,164 82483,781 Dividends 36,166,545 32,695,875 Zakat Provision 27,463,090 20,752,889 Total current liabilities 145,657,807 148,128,880 Non-current liabilities: Employees end of service benefits 22,215,149 20,269,662 Total non-current liabilities 22,215,149 20,269,662 Total liabilities 167,872,956 168,398,542 EQUITY Shareholders equity: Capital 900,000,000 900,000,000 Statutory reserve 190,546,424 135,256,410 General reserve 376,016,157 376,016,157 Retained earnings 490,394,133 444,584,010 Total shareholders equity 1,956,956,714 1,855,856,577 Minority interests (1,286,254) (1,250,355) Total equity 1,955,670,460 1,854,606,222 Total liabilities and equity 2,123,543,416 2,023,004,764 According to the balance sheet above the companys assets increased considerably from 2010 to 2011. Graphically, the balance sheet for 2011 can be represented by means of the following diagram: NB: The debt to assets percentage is 0.00% The Qassim Cement Company posted net profits of SR 158, 442,456 for the first quarter of 2012. This is an increase as compared to SR 147 176 466 gained in the first quarter of 2011. This shows a 7.65% increase in profits. Therefore, the consolidated gross profit increased by 4.87 %. The consolidated operating profit during the first quarter of this year (2012) is SR162, 195,404 as compared to SAR 151,687,337 for the corresponding quarter in 2011. This demonstrates an increase of 6.93 %. For three months, earnings per share (EPS) amounted to SR1.76 against SR1.64 for the same period in the previous year. This increase in net profit over the same period can be caused by the improvement in sales value. NB: Earnings per share (EPS) are determined for operating income, expenses, and net profit for the year in accordance with theweighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year. Comparative figures should amended by bonus shares. Income statement for 2011 Qassim has shown a sustained performance, outperforming the market in several areas, such as its net profit. The company also deals with the stock exchange market, where the public is the largest shareholder with 51%. The market is showing a positive attitude towards expansion and development. Its increased net profit and decreased operating costs indicate a positive outcome for the company. 7. Michael Porters five forces model The Porters model is used to evaluate the competitive position of a company or an organization. This model is used in strategic planning, since it helps managers and CEOs to understand their company as well as the industry better. The model represents complex concepts using easily accessible formats. The basic idea behind the Porters model is based on five fundamental competitive forces namely: Barriers to entry; Threat of substitutes; Bargaining power of buyers; Bargaining power of suppliers; Rivalry among the existing players. In my analysis, I used the Porters fiveforces model in regard withthe Qassim Cement Company to help me fully understand the competitive environment of the company. In addition, the model provides data that will help the management modify Qassims competitive forces. This will help to boost the position of the company. The information derived from this analysis of the Qassim Company can help the management of the company decide on how to influence or exploit certain aspects of their industry. Graphically these five concepts look as follows: Force 1: Rivalry among existing players: Qassim has been handling the competition rather well. It has been taking advantage of the possibility of growth in the industry among other things mentioned above. The Qassim Cement Company deals strictly with the production of cement. The company has eight key competitors in the country. Since the company commodities are homogenous, competitors are in a position to offer the same product at a cheaper price, and ccan market their products better than Qassim. Some factors that contribute to increasing rivalry in the Saudi cement industry include: The large number of cement companies: Saudi Arabia contains several cement companies, which are considered direct competitors to Qassim. Such companies include Yamana and Saudi Cement among others. These companies are all competing for the same consumers in the market. Thus, just like in any industry the greater the number of competitors, the greater the threats available. Such a factor strongly impacts the strategy chosen by each company. High market growth rate: the cement market in Saudi Arabia has been growing tremendously over the years and it still has massive potential to expand. Today, there are over 8great cement companies in Saudi Arabia, which have branches all over the country to cover the vast demand. Qassim is taking advantage of the market potential and has been setting up investments all over inorder to help it gain a greater market share. Similar commodities being offered: The cement industry is flooded with homogenous products, since cement cannot be extensively differentiated. Thus, the market is flooded with cement from different industries competing for the greatest market share. However, what varies is the companys commitment and ability to fulfill their customers needs. Low switching cost: Since there are many cement companies in the country, customers can easily switch brands and not suffer any losses. Therefore, companies strive to maintain loyal customers in order to increase their sales and remain in business. High exit barriers: The cost of exiting an industry is remarkably high, and most companies cannot leave their current industries because of the risk of losses. Thus, companies are left stuck in industries that do not benefit them. Force 2: Threat of substitutes: As a decision maker, it is crucial for any organization to analyze the likelihood of the commodity getting substituted. In Qassims case, consumers can only change the brand of cement, since cement has no substitute. Managers should determine the switching cost of consumers switching to another brand. The likelihood of consumers switching to another product should be analyzed. Consumers tastes and preferences are not permanent, and in order to address this issue, decision-makers have to be aware of what consumers need and constantly upgrade their commodities. Force 3: Bargaining power of buyers/consumers: In Saudi Arabia costumers have increasing bargaining power over commodities they get. One main reason that backs this move is the availability of options for customers, since there are other cement companies in the country. This means there are many cement companies, all offering similar services. Therefore, the only way, Qassim can maintain its clients, is by creating customer loyalty by providing customized commodities based on consumers needs. The company has to make products that are geared towards consumer satisfaction. This way, consumers will remain loyal to the brand that meets their needs in the best way. Price sensitivity also plays a great part in maintaining consumers. This is because consumers attach themselves to products that give value for their money. Thus, the company must ensure that it is sensitive to the financial status of consumers and arguesfor fair prices for their commodities. Finally, the company should ensure that customers get the right information about their product. This can be achieved through proper advertising and marketing to ensure customers are not misinformed regarding the commodity. Force 4: Bargaining power of suppliers: This force relates to such aspects in the industry that are determined by suppliers. Qassim should establish how strong they are as sellers. In addition, they should establish all available suppliers in the industry and weigh their options. The impact of switching suppliers should be determined. For instance, how switching suppliers will affect the quality of commodities. In addition, switching costs of taking up other suppliers are also important. If switching costs are too high, companies may opt to retain their current suppliers. Another major factor is the threat of forward integration. Force 5: Barriers of entry: New entrants in the cement industry face significant challenges in attracting customers and expanding their market shares. Although there are some concerns around the operation of new companies and their regulation, most firms can achieve necessary regulatory authorization and meet standards set by the bureau of standards. However, we have found that new entrants face significant challenges in attracting customers. This can be a result of the combination of low levels of switching by existing customers, high levels of brand loyalty and consumers' preference for their current providers, whom they trust. These challenges pose a great challenge to new firms in the cement industry in Saudi Arabia. The impact of this is that new entrants get discouraged. This is because they harbor the fear that they may be unable to attract sufficient customers to help them recover start-up costs, grow their market share and maintain successful presence in the market. 8. Financial statement analysis 8.1 Cash Flow Statement Analysis The Qassim Company has a steady cash flow and a constantly increasing net profit. This is confirmed by further analysis. A positive number in Net Cash from Operating Activities is a great indicator of how healthy the companys operations are in generating cash. The annual cash flow of the Qassim Cement Company. (All values are in millions SAR) FY 2010 FY 2011 The cash flow from operations in the period of2010-2011 increased from 547.50 to 690.00. However, the cash gained from investments declined form 130.27 in 2010 to18.46 in 2011. The cash flow from financing activities increased slightly in2011, although values were negative indicating a loss or a deficit. Cash flow statement of the Qassim Cement Company for 2010/2011 Cash from Operating Activities 12/31/201112/31/2010 + Net Income 552.90 500.56 + Depreciation Amortization 90.46 98.00 + Other Non-Cash Adjustments 60.96 -1.62 + Changes in Non-Cash Capital -14.32 -49.45 Cash from Operations 690.00 547.50 Cash from Investing Activities + Disposal of Fixed Assets 8.87 0.58 + Capital Expenditures -16.05 -17.52 + Increase in Investments 0.00 0.00 + Decrease in Investments 0.00 0.00 + Other Investing Activities -11.29 147.21 Cash from Investing Activities -18.46 130.27 Cash from Financing Activities + Dividends Paid -446.53 -472.75 + Change in Short-Term Borrowings 0.00 0.00 + Increase in Long-Term Borrowings 0.00 0.00 + Decrease in Long-term Borrowings 0.00 -199.50 + Increase in Capital Stocks 0.00 0.00 + Decrease in Capital Stocks 0.00 0.00 + Other Financing Activities 0.00 -1.40 Cash from Financing Activities -446.53 -673.65 Net Changes in Cash 225.01 4.12 8.2 Shareholders Equity Statement Analysis Based on the statistics collected in 2003-2010, the total shareholders equity is listed below. 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 1, 054,513 1,105,849 1,187,751 1,405,050 1,651,137 1, 902,345 2,166,600 2,411,686 1,956,956,714 According to the survey conducted on shareholders activities in the Qassim Cement Company, shareholders unanimously agreed to approve an interim dividend of SR 202.5 million for the income gained in the first half of 2011. This value amounts to SR 2.25 per share. It has been agreed that the company should transfer 10% of the annual net income to their statutory reserve. In addition, the general assembly has been given the power to stop such cash transfers in cases, when the total sum of money exceeds 50% of the paid capital. However, this reserve amount can be used as back-up plans to cover any unexpected losses or to increase its capital, rather than distributing it back to shareholders. However, shareholders must consent to this move of the company. Qassim shareholders have established a general reserve from their retained earnings. Another decision made during the last shareholders general assembly is that all dividends recorded in the same year should be approved by the general a ssembly of shareholders. 8.3 Balancing statement analysis Analyzing the Balance Sheet Statement, there are some items that must be discussed which include: The short-term investments of the company have reduced from 468.58 to 412.69 while the companys long-term assets have also reduced. However, the total assets have increased from 2,023.01 to 2,123.54 The companys current liabilities have reduced, while its long-term liabilities have increased. However, the total amount of liabilities for 2011 and 2010 are 167.87 and 168.40 respectively. The share capital and APIC and the total preferred equity have remained constant for the last two years. Retained earnings have also increased significantly, mainly because of the companys recent good business activities, as well as a healthy net income. It is worthwhile noting that the companys share capital increased over the years. 8.4 Income statement analysis: Income statement of the Qassim Cement Company for the period 2010/2011 12/31/2011 12/31/2010 Revenue 1,034.78 968.43 - Cost of Revenue 425.53 411.67 Gross Profit 609.25 556.76 - Operating Expenses 37.49 38.15 Operating Income 571.76 518.61 - Net Non-Operating Losses (Gains) -10.04 -4.26 Income Before XO Items 552.86 500.40 - Extraordinary Loss, Net of Tax 0.00 0.00 - Minority Interests -0.04 -0.16 Net Income 552.90 500.56 - Total Cash Preferred Dividends 0.00 0.00 Net Inc Avail to Common Shareholders 552.90 500.56 Abnormal Losses (Gains) 0.00 0.00 Normalized Income 552.90 500.56 Basic EPS before Abnormal Items 6.14 5.56 Basic EPS before XO Items 6.14 5.56 Basic EPS 6.14 5.56 Basic Weighted Average Shares 90.00 90.00 Diluted EPS before Abnormal Items 6.14 5.56 Diluted EPS 6.14 5.56 Diluted Weighted Average Shares 90.00 90.00 Gross profit and operating income are on the increase. In addition, the companys revenue has increased from 968.43 to 1,034.78 for the last two years. This resulted in an increase in the net income of the company from 500.56 to 552.8. 9. Generating Alternative Strategies Here we will use different matrixes to generate alternative strategies and make recommendations. (Input Stage) 9.1 EFE Matrix Key External Factors Weight Rating Weighted score Opportunity High demand for imported cement in India 0.05 1 0.05 Industry consolidation 0.11 3 0.33 Increased customer demand in Saudi Arabia 0.25 3 0.75 Growth prospects in the Saudi Arabian buildingsector 0.05 1 0.05 Increasing demand forcement in the Sri Lanka and African markets 0.15 3 0.45 Threat Stiff competition with eight core competitors 0.2 4 0.8 Uncertain global market 0.07 2 0.14 Economic downturn 0.15 1 0.15 Increasing prices of key inputs 0.03 2 0.06 Government oversight 0.05 3 0.15 Total 1.00 - 1.90 9.2 IFE Matrix Key Internal Factors Weight Rating Weighted Score Strengths Good contact with raw material suppliers 0.09 3 0.27 Operating their own quarries and workshops 0.12 4 0.48 Supportive employee culture 0.06 4 0.24 Companys strategic location 0.10 3 0.12 Buy custom Qassim Cement Factory essay

Biography of William Lloyd Garrison, Abolitionist

Biography of William Lloyd Garrison, Abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison (December 10, 1805–May 24, 1879) was one of the most prominent American abolitionists and was both admired and vilified for his unwavering opposition to slavery in America. As the publisher of The Liberator, a fiery antislavery newspaper, Garrison was at the forefront of the crusade against slavery from the 1830s until he felt the issue had been settled by the passage of the 13th Amendment following the Civil War. Fast Facts: William Lloyd Garrison Known For: Abolitionist crusaderBorn: December 10, 1805 in Newburyport, MassachusettsParents: Frances Maria Lloyd and Abijah GarrisonDied: May 24, 1879 in New York CityPublished Works: Publisher of The Liberator, an abolitionist newspaperAwards and Honors: Boston has a statue of Garrison on Commonwealth Avenue. The Museum of African American History’s â€Å"Living Legends Awards†Ã‚  recipients are given a replica of a silver cup that was presented to William Lloyd Garrison in 1833 by black community leaders. Garrison has a  feast day  (Dec. 17) on the  liturgical calendar of the Episcopal Church.Spouse: Helen Eliza Benson (m. Sept. 4, 1834–Jan.25, 1876)Children: George Thompson,  William Lloyd Garrison Sr.,  Wendall Phillips,  Helen Frances (Garrison) Villard,  Francis Jackson.Notable Quote: If the State cannot survive the antislavery agitation, then let the State perish. If the Church must be cast down by the strugglings of Humanity to be free, the n let the Church fall and its fragments be scattered to the four winds of Heaven, never more to curse the earth. Early Life and Career William Lloyd Garrison was born to a very poor family in Newburyport, Massachusetts, on Dec. 10, 1805. His father deserted the family when Garrison was 3 years old, and his mother and his two siblings lived in poverty. After receiving a very limited education, Garrison worked as an apprentice in various trades, including shoemaker and cabinet maker. He wound up working for a printer and learned the trade, becoming the printer and editor of a local newspaper in Newburyport. After an effort to operate his own newspaper failed, Garrison moved to Boston, where he worked in print shops and became involved in social causes, including the temperance movement. Garrison, who tended to see life as a struggle against sin, began to find his voice as the editor of a temperance newspaper in the late 1820s. Garrison met Benjamin Lundy, a Quaker who edited a Baltimore-based antislavery newspaper, The Genius of Emancipation. Following the election of 1828, during which Garrison worked on a newspaper that supported Andrew Jackson, he moved to Baltimore and began working with Lundy. In 1830, Garrison got into trouble when he was sued for libel and refused to pay a fine. He served 44 days in the Baltimore city jail. While he earned a reputation for courting controversy, in his personal life Garrison was quiet and extremely polite. He married in 1834 and he and his wife had seven children, five of whom survived to adulthood. Publishing The Liberator In his earliest involvement in the abolitionist cause, Garrison supported the idea of colonization, a proposed ending of slavery by returning slaves in American to Africa. The American Colonization Society was a fairly prominent organization dedicated to that concept. Garrison soon rejected the idea of colonization, and split with Lundy and his newspaper. Striking out on his own, Garrison launched The Liberator, a Boston-based abolitionist newspaper. On Jan. 11, 1831, a brief article in a New England newspaper, the Rhode Island American and Gazette, announced the new venture while praising Garrisons reputation: Mr. Wm. L. Garrison, indefatigable and honest advocate of the abolition of slavery, who has suffered more for conscience sake and independence than any man in modern times, has established a newspaper in Boston, called the Liberator. Two months later, on March 15, 1831, the same newspaper reported on the early issues of The Liberator, noting Garrisons rejection of the idea of colonization: Mr. Wm. Lloyd Garrison, who has suffered much persecution in his efforts to promote the abolition of Slavery, has commenced a new weekly paper in Boston, called the Liberator. We perceive he is extremely hostile to the American Colonization Society, a measure we have been inclined to regard as one of the best means of effecting the gradual abolition of slavery. The blacks in New York and Boston have held numerous meetings and denounced the colonization society. Their proceedings are published in the Liberator. Garrisons newspaper would continue publishing every week for nearly 35 years, only ending when the 13th Amendment was ratified and slavery was permanently ended after the end of the Civil War. Supports Slave Rebellion In 1831 Garrison was accused, by Southern newspapers, of involvement in the slave rebellion of Nat Turner. He had nothing to do with it. And, in fact, it is unlikely that Turner had any involvement with anyone outside his immediate circle of acquaintances in rural Virginia. Yet when the story of the rebellion spread in northern newspapers, Garrison wrote editorials for The Liberator praising the outbreak of violence. Garrisons praise of Turner and his followers brought him attention. And a  grand jury in North Carolina issued a warrant for his arrest. The charge was seditious libel, and a Raleigh newspaper noted that the penalty was whipping and imprisonment for the first offense, and death without benefit of clergy for a second offense. Sparks Controversy The writings of Garrison were so provocative that abolitionists dare not travel into the South. In an attempt to circumvent that obstacle, the American Anti-Slavery Society undertook its pamphlet campaign in 1835. Dispatching human representatives of the cause would simply be too dangerous, so antislavery printed material was mailed into the South, where it was often intercepted and burned in public bonfires. Even in the North, Garrison was not always safe. In 1835, a British abolitionist visited America and intended to speak with Garrison at an antislavery meeting in Boston. Handbills were circulated that advocated mob action against the meeting. A mob assembled to break up the meeting, and as newspaper articles in late October 1835 described it, Garrison tried to escape. He was captured by the mob and was paraded through Boston streets with a rope around his neck. The mayor of Boston finally got the mob to disperse, and Garrison was unharmed. Garrison had been instrumental in leading the American Anti-Slavery Society, but his inflexible positions eventually led to a split in the group. Conflict With Frederick Douglas His positions even brought him into conflict at times with Frederick Douglass, a former slave and leading antislavery crusader. Douglass, to avoid legal problems and the possibility that he could be arrested and brought back to Maryland as a slave, eventually paid his former owner for his freedom. Garrisons position was that buying ones own freedom was wrong, as it essentially verified the concept that slavery itself was legal. For Douglass, a black man in constant peril of being returned to bondage, that type of thinking was simply impractical. Garrison, however, was intractable. The fact that slavery was protected under the U.S. Constitution outraged Garrison to the point that he once burned a copy of the Constitution at a public meeting. Among the purists in the abolition movement, Garrisons gesture was seen as a valid protest. But to many Americans, it only made Garrison appear to be operating on the outer fringe of politics. The purist attitude always held by Garrison was to advocate resisting slavery, but not by use of political systems that acknowledged its legality. Later Years and Death As the conflict over slavery became the central political issue of the 1850s, thanks to the Compromise of 1850, the Fugitive Slave Act, the Kansas-Nebraska Act, and a variety of other controversies, Garrison continued to speak out against slavery. But his views were still considered out of the mainstream, and Garrison continued to rail against the federal government for accepting the legality of slavery. However, once the Civil War began, Garrison became a supporter of the Union cause. When the war had ended and the 13th Amendment legally established the end of American slavery, Garrison ended publication of The Liberator, feeling that the struggle had ended. In 1866 Garrison retired from public life, though he would occasionally write articles which advocated equal rights for blacks and women. He died on May 24, 1879. Legacy Garrisons views during his own lifetime were commonly considered extremely radical and he was often subjected to death threats. At one point he served 44 days in jail after being sued for libel, and he was often suspected of participating in various plots considered to be crimes at the time. Garrisons outspoken crusade against slavery led him to denounce the United States Constitution as an illegitimate document, as it institutionalized slavery in its original form. Garrison once sparked controversy by publicly burning a copy of the Constitution. It can be argued that Garrisons uncompromising positions and extreme rhetoric did little to advance the antislavery cause. However, Garrisons writings and speeches publicized the abolitionist cause and were a factor in making the antislavery crusade more prominent in American life. Sources â€Å"Tidbits About William Lloyd Garrison His Statue on the Commonwealth Avenue Mall.†Ã‚  BostonZest.â€Å"William L. Garrison.†Ã‚  Battle of Lake Erie - Ohio History Central.Goodison, Donna, and Donna Goodison. â€Å"African-American Museum Honors Two Living Legends.†Ã‚  Boston Herald, Boston Herald, 17 Nov. 2018.

Football or Tennis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Football or Tennis - Essay Example Tennis, on the other hand, has its own magical aura and unique charm, but in my opinion, when compared to football, it almost fails to bag the first position when it comes to the popularity of sports. This might be due to the fact that because of involvement of many players, naturally huge interest develops compared to the simplicity related to only two players involved in tennis. The comparison between the two games can be discussed in terms of the state of mind. Decisions have to be made in tennis that does not spare much time for the players. No one can disagree that all those trickiest decisions have to be made in a fraction of second and all this strategy involved in this highly fiddly game require the extraordinary presence of mind. An acute decision at the correct moments is what professional tennis is all about. The point is, all the crucial decisions have to be made single-handedly, that is in huge contrast to football, where teamwork is included and prostrating pressure doe s not have to be faced by only one person. Furthermore, tennis is primarily a one-man show whereas football requires teamwork. Also, the former is played with hands while the latter is played with feet. Summing up, hopefully, this much becomes clear from the above discussion that both games have their huge share in the entertainment world, but it would be unfair to underestimate any one of them. Deficiencies are always there but what matters is how long any game stays in vogue and both games have more or less managed to achieve this position.

History of U.S. up to JFK Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

History of U.S. up to JFK - Essay Example After WWII, United States embraced capitalism at its best. During this time, change was an inevitable factor throughout the country. War bonds worth hundreds of billions of dollars matured, which gave the country the so much needed financial resources to kick start the economy. Using these and other government-provided resources, the country moved towards the realization of an economic boom. People’s quality of life improved, setting a desirable path for social, economic, and political prosperity. With massive investments already executed, the American workforce became the next point of focus. Among the most outstanding actions in this regard was the implementation of the G.I Bill. The G.I Bill accorded war veterans many different benefits, most of which played the role of financing education and training of workers for the realization of a knowledgeable, skilled, and reliable workforce (Chafe 107). Another key observation of the post WWII era was the emergence of labor unions in America. The 1950s marked the peak of labor union membership, and this allowed low-income workers to migrate from the countryside to towns and cities in search of better job opportunities (Chafe 168). By 1960, this migration process had allowed majority of Americans to hold employment positions that were better paying compared to previous couple of decades. Consequently, the growth and development of suburbs became vibrant across the U.S. Most importantly, U.S culture changed significantly between 1945 and 1963. Following the WWII, both the South and the West became important political regions as power shifted away from the Northeast and Midwest (Chafe 119). During this time, U.S had not only addressed major social issues, but also nurtured a cultural and social belief of international control. American people were convinced that they had a primary role to play in maintaining global peace and political order. A critical look at the global political economy revealed that the U.S

Perception of Organized Crime Essay Example for Free

Perception of Organized Crime Essay Organized crime has been defined as illegal acts committed by a criminal organization or group. The NCIS (2005) described organized crime as having 4 salient attributes: (1) organized crime group contains at least three people; (2) the criminal activity the group engages in is ongoing and indefinite in duration; (3) the group is motivated by a desire for profit or power; and, (4) the group commits serious criminal offenses (Lynman Potter, 2007). There are different categories of organized criminal behavior. They include the provision of illicit services, provision of illicit goods, conspiracy to commit crime, penetration of legitimate business, extortion, and corruption. Illicit services are services that legitimate business do not provide. These services include but are not limited to gambling that is illegal, protection rackets, loan sharking, and prostitution. Illicit goods are also not available not available from legitimate businesses. Illegal drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, and heroin are examples of illicit goods. Unregistered guns and stolen property are also examples of illicit goods. Conspiracy is an agreement between two or more people to violate the law. Conspiracy is a vital category of organized criminal behavior. Organized crime members often work together for the purpose of making money. They work together to sell drugs, stolen property, loan sharking, gambling, prostitution and other illegal activities they have going on within their organization. Organized crime organizations have no legal way to spend their profits so they must hide their revenue. They do this by penetrating legal businesses. Many of these crime organizations have businesses such as construction and contractors. Extortion is another category of organized crime. Many organized crime organizations use extortion to infiltrate legitimate businesses. Extortion is the use or threatened use of violence or force to achieve a criminal end (Lynman Potter, 2007). Corruption is also a category of organized crime. Many of these organized crime groups could not  flourish if it wasnt for for the aid of pubic and private figures such as police officers, judges, prosecutors, mayors, bankers, attorneys, and elected and appointed officials. Organized crime groups have different hierarchies. There is the standard hierarchy in which there is a single organized crime group which is led by a single powerful individual. These organizations have clearly defined roles, a readily identified chain of command, and a hierarchy that is designed to provide a strong system of internal discipline. Then there is the regional hierarchy. These hierarchies are tightly controlled groups with strong systems of internal discipline and clearly defined roles and lines of authority. Next theres the clustered hierarchy. This is an organized crime group that involves a number of smaller organized crime groups that coordinate their activities and enterprises. There is also a core group. This is an unstructured group of organized criminal surrounded by a larger network of individuals engaged in serious criminal activity. Finally, theres the criminal network. Criminal networks are loosely organized, highly adaptable, very fluid of networks of individual participants who organize themselves around ongoing criminal enterprise (Lynman Potter, 2007). The perception I had of organized crime is different from what I read in week one. Before this week, I always associated the Mob or the Mafia with organized crime. I think this comes from the movies and television shows that I have watched. I described organized crime as a group of people working for a â€Å"boss† to break the law. I thought that there was one head and people reported to him. I did not know that there were different categories of organized crime. I always associated drug trafficking and murder for hire as organized crimes. The readings have helped me to understand what organized crime really is and who is or can be involved. Before now, I would have never associated corruption or extortion with organized crime. I ultimately believed that this was something that was made up for movies and TV shows such as The Godfather, Scarface, The Sopranos, and The Wire. Before watching The Wire, I only associated Italians with organized crime. The characteristics I believe are associated  with organized criminal behavior varies. First, all members of the organization are expected to live by a certain set of rules or a code. They should protect the organization and do what is asked of them by the leaders. I thought the characteristics of organized criminal behavior were similar to that of a gang. The people involved in organized crime may not wear a certain color or live in a certain area but they have the same goal in mind. Protect the group by any means necessary. They have to be loyal to the group, do what they are told by someone else, and do what it takes to make money or a profit for the group. After this first week of class my views on organized crime has changed drastically. I now have a better understanding of what organized crime is and a more knowledge on organized criminal groups. I can let go of all of the stereotypes I may have had and now understand that organized criminal organizations have one goal in mind, make a profit for the organization no matter if it is financial or political. References Lyman, M., Potter, G. (2007). Understanding Organized Crime. Organized Crime (Fourth ed., pp. 1-38). New York: Pearson Education.

Integrated Cirriculum Research Paper -- Essays Papers

Integrated Cirriculum Research Paper Integrated curriculums are constantly becoming more popular with educators each and every day. It seems that with this increased enthusiasm there should also be an increased activity of integration taking place within the classroom. This, however, does not seem to be the case. Math and Science integration has been widely talked about and supported by educators young and old, but critics state that there is little evidence to show the effectiveness of integration in the classroom. The reasons for the integration of subjects in the classroom are many and easily understood. â€Å"Mathematics and science can easily be integrated given that mathematics is often the â€Å"tool† for doing and understanding science.† (Furner, 1999) â€Å"The idea of connecting subject areas has considerable face validity, because it seems like common sense. In the real world, people’s lives are not separated into separate subjects; therefore, it seems logical that subject areas should not be separated in schools.† (Czerniak, 1999) Supporters of math and science integration want the overall picture to focus on the students. â€Å"Advocates cite the many advantages curriculum integration holds in helping students form deeper understandings, see the â€Å"big† picture, make curriculum relevant to students, make connections among central concepts, and become interested and motivated in school.† (Czerniak, 1999) The last part of this statemen t seems to be the most critical. If we, as educators, can increase student’s interest in math and science (where enthusiasm is usually rather low) then integration would appear to be the way to go. With increased enthusiasm come better grades and attitudes. Integration relates directly to the c... ...tive effectively that is, more students master the objective, learn it more quickly, retain it longer or can apply it in more diverse ways- the integrated strategy is probably a waste of time.† (Hoachlander 1999) This data leaves us with a problem that needs to be resolved. What can be done about math and science integration so that it is effective? The answer may lie somewhere in the middle. A more modest approach to integration would be to continue with separate classes but to integrate mathematics into the science course and/or science into the math course. (Judson 2000) Whatever the answer is that educators come up with for integration in the classroom, it will most definitely have a groundbreaking effect on education as we know it. But as of this moment, we need to integrate our ideas and efforts, so that finding the answer is that much easier!

Paper Critique: “Airavat: Security and Privacy for Mapreduce” Essay

1. (10%) State the problem the paper is trying to solve. This paper is trying to demonstrate how Airavat, a MapReduce-based system for distributed computations provides end-to-end confidentiality, integrity, and privacy guarantees using a combination of mandatory access control and differential privacy which provides security and privacy guarantees against data leakage. 2. (20%) State the main contribution of the paper:   solving a new problem, proposing a new algorithm, or presenting a new evaluation (analysis). If a new problem, why was the problem important? Is the problem still important today? Will the problem be important tomorrow? If a new algorithm or new evaluation (analysis), what are the improvements over previous algorithms or evaluations? How do they come up with the new algorithm or evaluation? The main contribution of the paper is that Airavat builds on mandatory access control (MAC) and differential privacy to ensure untrusted MapReduce computations on sensitive data do not leak private information and provide confidentiality, integrity, and privacy guarantees. The goal is to prevent malicious computation providers from violating privacy policies a data provider imposes on the data to prevent leaking information about individual items in the data. The system is implemented as a modification to MapReduce and the Java virtual machine, and runs on top of SELinux 3. (15%) Summarize the (at most) 3 key main ideas (each in 1 sentence.) (1) First work to add MAC and differential privacy to mapreduce. (2) Proposes a new framework for privacy preserving mapreduce computations. (3) Confines untrusted code. 4. (30%) Critique the main contribution a. Rate the significance of the paper on a scale of 5 (breakthrough), 4 (significant contribution), 3 (modest contribution), 2 (incremental contribution), 1 (no contribution or negative contribution). Explain your rating in a sentence or two. This system provides security and privacy guarantees for distributed computations on sensitive data at the ends. However, the data still can be leaked in the cloud. Because multiple machines are involved in the computation and malicious worker can sent the intermediate data to the outside system, which threatens the privacy of the input data. Even not to this extent, temporary data is stored in the workers and those data can be fetched even after computation is done. b. Rate how convincing the methodology is: how do the authors justify the solution approach or evaluation? Do the authors use arguments, analyses, experiments, simulations, or a combination of them? Do the claims and conclusions follow from the arguments, analyses or experiments? Are the assumptions realistic (at the time of the research)? Are the assumptions still valid today? Are the experiments well designed? Are there different experiments that would be more convincing? Are there other alternatives the authors should have considered? (And, of course, is the paper free of methodological errors.) As the author’s stated on page 3 â€Å"We aim to prevent malicious computation providers from violating the privacy policy of the data provider(s) by leaking information about individual data items.† They use differential privacy mechanism to ensure this. One interesting solution to data leakage is that they have the mapper specify a range of its keys. It seems like that the larger your data set is, the more privacy you have because a user affects less of the output, if removed. They showed results that were really close to 100% with the added noise, it seems this is viable solution to protect the privacy of your data input c. What is the most important limitation of the approach? As the authors mention, one computation provider could exhaust this budget on a dataset for all other computation providers and use more than its fair share. While there is some estimation of effective parameters, there are a large number of parameters that must be set for Airavat to work properly. This increases the probability of misconfigurations or configurations that might severely limit the computations that can be performed on the data. 5. (15%) What lessons should researchers and builders take away from this work. What (if any) questions does this work leave open? The current implementation of Airavat supports both trusted and untrusted Mappers, but Reducers must be trusted and they also modified the JVM to make mappers independent (using invocation numbers to identify current and previous mappers). They also modified the reducer to provide differential privacy. From the data provider’s perspective they must provide several privacy parameters like- privacy group and privacy budget. 6. (10%) Propose your improvement on the same problem. I have no suggested improvements.

My School Essay

School is a temple of learning and a training ground for future citizens. The name of my school is Penang Chinese Girls High School. It was set up in 19-an by a land-lord in our area. He donated land and money for the school. The atmosphere in which our school is situated is very pleasant. It is surrounded by a big field on one side and a small garden with flowers on the other. The school has three rows of big buildings. The name of the school is written on the front building. There are many classrooms in the front building. Other rooms in the back building are used for different purposes such as the Head Master’s Office, Library, the Clerk’s Office, the Science Laboratory, the Teachers’ Common-room, the N. C. C. and etc. There are 80 teacher, a specific teacher for librarians, a clerk and several peons in our school. All the teachers are qualified and experienced. The Head Master is a learned woman,she solved problems of the pupils efficiently. The total number of students of our school is about 20thousand hundred. We go to school in uniform,our school consisits of girls only,therefore girls wear blue skirt and white blouse. The school functions from for 2 sessions. During the recess hour we go to the canteen to relax and savour some mouth-watering food. Some students also go to library and read newspaper there. In games period we play badminton, volley ball, etc. Girl students play ring ball too. The library of our school is a medium one. There are about two thousand books on different subjects; we did not have a library period in our weekly routine,so we borrow books from our library and refund them after a week in our free time. We observe the Republic Day, the Independence Day, the Teacher’s Day in our school. We also hold debate competitions and games and sports every year. The school magazine is published every year. In annual examinations the students from our school show brilliant performance. Many students from this school have occupied glorious position in our state. Our school always holds book fair for students to have a chance to explore the advantages of reading. This year a classical teacher from our school retired formally. The discipline, the study atmosphere and the brilliant academic result of our school attract many meritorious students from distant parts of our state. It is an ideal school in all respects.

Suicide In College Essays

Suicide In College Essays Suicide In College Essay Suicide In College Essay College is a fun exciting time in a person’s life.   It is a new adventure filled with opportunities.   Unfortunately, when people get there they sometimes discover it was not all they had anticipated it to be.   Although college can be a great learning experience, it is also something very different than what most people are used to.   It is the first time living away from parents and can lead to frustration, loneliness, depression, overindulgence, and some mental illnesses become apparent in college years.   In most cases the students either get over the problem, or drop out of school, in some cases; however these problems lead to suicide.   â€Å"Suicide is the third leading cause of death in 15 – 24 year† (AFSP).   â€Å"It is the second leading cause of death in college students† (Naval Academy).   Ã¢â‚¬Å"The person who feels extreme emotional pain is the type of person who may consider suicide† (Kolehmainen, 14).Frustration and loneliness are two of the most common problems experienced when a person is attempting to adjust to college.   For most students this is the first move away from home.   They discover they have to do their own laundry, get themselves up on time, and clean up after themselves.   This can lead to confusion and frustration.   The loneliness sets in when they realize they are miles away from friends and family.   Both of these problems are minor psychological issues and are usually relieved within the first few weeks as the person makes new friends and adjusts to college life.   If they are unable to adjust, the problems can become much worse and usually lead to depression.Depression has two causes one of which is a problem in the brain; the other is caused by bad situations in a person’s life.   Either cause can lead to suicide.   Clinical depression (chemical problems inside the brain) can be treated effectively with medication, once it has been diagnosed.   T he situational depression is one of the leading factors in suicide. This is the kind that loneliness can lead to it happens when something happens in a persons life to make them very sad for an extended period of time.   It can be caused by a beak-up, loss of a loved one, or loneliness or many other reasons. It is quite common in college students, when they realize they aren’t as popular as they were in high school, they can not keep their grades up, or they miss the people they left behind. Some signs of depression include crying, nightmares, withdrawal from friends and family, feelings of hopelessness, not eating, weight changes, anger, lack of concentration, or decreased energy (Horn, 109).   When someone shows any of these symptoms they need to get help.As college is often when people move away from their parents, this freedom often leads to parties, drinking, and sometimes trying illicit drugs.   Some of these things if taken in excess can alter thoughts.   Somet imes they alter the thoughts to make them consider suicide.   These thoughts would often not be acted on if the person was not under the influence of the drugs.   Alcohol is a depressant and thus would increase any depressed thoughts and could be an influence on a student already thinking about suicide. â€Å"Drugs and alcohol reduce inhibitions and increase risk taking behavior, thus reinforcing whatever tendencies towards self destruction people poses† (Rivera).Some college students have mental disorders which cause thoughts of suicide and eventually lead them to act on it.   Schizophrenia is one mental illness that first appears in late teenage years and college. This illness causes people to hear voices at times and have delusions that someone is trying to cause them harm. These thoughts can sometimes manifest as thoughts of suicide.   There are a number of other illnesses such as bi-polar disorder that if properly treated can be managed, but these illnesses are s ometimes not discovered, until the person has acted on the thoughts of suicide.Suicide is considered a permanent solution to a temporary problem. â€Å"Nearly 1,100 suicides are projected to occur on college campuses this year† (Naval Academy).   This indicates there is a problem on college campuses.   Many people, who are inclined to commit suicide, give indications before they actually act on these problems.   Friends and family need to be aware of the signs, which are similar to those of depression.   When people turn eighteen they are not automatically ready to go out into the world alone.   Many are ready, but obviously many are not.   Students getting ready to go to college need to be educated on the options and support available to them.   High school guidance counselors need to prepare young people for what they need to expect in college.   They need to understand it is a big change from high school and the changes are not always good.   Parents need to prepare students for the laundry and cleaning up after themselves as well as for the adjustment to being responsible for oneself.   The more prepared students are, when they enter college, the better they will be able to handle the challenges college presents.   There is no way to prevent suicide altogether, but preparation and watching for signs will hopefully save a number of them.American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, (2007), Retrieved June 4, 2007 from,AFSP: Facts and Figures: National StatisticsHorn, Wade F. and Keough, C. New Teen Book, (1999) Des Moines, Iowa:Better Homes and Gardens BooksKolehmainen, Janet, and Handerk, S. Teen Suicide,(1986) Minneapolis:Lerner PublicationsRivera, Roberto, â€Å"Moods and Worldviews: Suicide on Campus†, Boundless Webzine,Retrieved June 11, 2007 from boundless.org/2000/features/a0000271.htmlUnited States Naval Academy, College and Suicide- Just the facts, RetrievedJune 11, 2007 from, MDC Suicide College Facts

Spider Monkey Facts (Ateles)

Spider Monkey Facts (Ateles) Spider monkeys are New World monkeys belonging to the genus Ateles. They have long limbs and prehensile tails, giving them the appearance of large arboreal spiders. The name Ateles comes from the Greek word atà ©leia, which means incomplete and refers to the spider monkeys lack of thumbs. Fast Facts: Spider Monkey Scientific Name: Ateles sp.Common Name: Spider monkeyBasic Animal Group: MammalSize: 14-26 inch body; up to 35 inch tailWeight:13-24 poundsLifespan: 20-27 yearsDiet: OmnivoreHabitat: Central and South American rain forestsPopulation: DecreasingConservation Status: Vulnerable to Critically Endangered Species There are seven species and seven subspecies of spider monkey. The species are the red-faced spider monkey, white-fronted spider monkey, Peruvian spider monkey, brown (variegated) spider monkey, white-cheeked spider monkey, brown-headed spider monkey, and Geoffroys spider monkey. Spider monkeys are closely related to woolly monkeys and howler monkeys. Description Spider monkeys have extremely long limbs and prehensile tails. The tails have hairless tips and grooves resembling fingerprints. The monkeys have small heads with hairless faces and wide-set nostrils. Their hands are narrow with long, curved fingers and reduced or non-existent thumbs. Depending on the species, hair color may be white, gold, brown, or black. The hands and feet are usually black. Males tend to be slightly larger than females. Spider monkeys range from 14 to 26 inches in body length with a tail up to 35 inches in length. On average, they weigh anywhere from 13 to 24 pounds. Habitat and Distribution Spider monkeys spend their lives in trees of tropical rain forests in Central and South America. Their habitat ranges from southern Mexico to Brazil. Spider monkeys live in Central and South America. Jackhynes / Wikimedia Commons Diet Most of the spider monkeys diet consists of fruit. However, when fruit is scarce, they eat flowers, leaves, and insects. The lead female within a group organizes foraging. If food is abundant, the group feeds together, but it will split if resources are scarce. Most feeding occurs in the early morning hours, but spider monkeys feed throughout the day and sleep in trees at night. Behavior The average spider monkey group ranges from 15 to 25 individuals. The closest bonds are between females and their offspring. Males also group together. Unlike most primate species, it is the females rather than the males that disperse at puberty and join new groups. Spider monkeys are highly intelligent. They communicate using vocalizations, scent marking with urine and feces, and body postures. Reproduction and Offspring The female spider monkey selects her mate from within her social group. Gestation lasts between 226 to 232 days, usually resulting in a single offspring, but sometimes twins. The female has sole care of her young, which she carries with her as she forages. Her offspring tightly wraps its tail around its mothers midsection or tail. Spider monkeys reach sexual maturity between 4 and 5 years of age. Females only bear offspring once every three or four years. Young males sometimes commit infanticide within their group to increase their chance of mating. In the wild, spider monkeys may live 20 to 27 years.They may live over 40 years in captivity. Geoffroys spider monkey with young. Mark Newman / Getty Images Conservation Status All spider monkey populations are decreasing. The IUCN classifies the conservation status of the Guiana spider monkey (Ateles paniscus) as vulnerable. Four species are endangered. The variegated spider monkey (Ateles hybridus) and brown-headed spider monkey (Ateles fusciceps) are critically endangered. Spider Monkeys and Humans Humans are the main threat to spider monkey survival. The monkeys are widely hunted as food and suffer from habitat loss due to deforestation. Some populations live in protected areas. Spider monkeys are susceptible to malaria and are used as research animals in studies of the disease. Sources Cuarà ³n, A.D., Morales, A., Shedden, A., Rodriguez-Luna, E., de Grammont, P.C.; Cortà ©s-Ortiz, L. Ateles geoffroyi. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2008: e.T2279A9387270. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T2279A9387270.enGroves, C.P. in Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2005. ISBN 0-801-88221-4.Kinzey, W. G. New world primates: ecology, evolution, and behavior. Aldine Transaction, 1997. ISBN 978-0-202-01186-8.Mittermeier, R.A. Locomotion and Posture in Ateles geoffroyi and Ateles paniscus. Folia Primatologica. 30 (3): 161–193, 1978. doi:10.1159/000155862Mittermeier, R.A., Rylands, A.B.; Boubli, J. Ateles paniscus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T2283A17929494.

Industrial Revolution in the Late Nineteenth Century Assignment

Industrial Revolution in the Late Nineteenth Century - Assignment Example This plan, therefore, played a significant historical role because it contained communism in Western Europe (Divine G-10). Gulf of Tonkin Resolution The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution took place in 1964, after an American destroyer in the Gulf of Tonkin was attacked by a North Vietnamese. As a result, President Johnson convinced the Congress to pass a resolution empowering him to attack Vietnam through the armed forces. This resolution was not only used by America as retaliation but also heightened its involvement in the Vietnam War. THE ESSAY Industrial Revolution in the Late Nineteenth Century In the late nineteenth century, the American economy marked a complete turnaround following the tremendous industrial revolution that took place around that time. Some of the major factors that contributed to these developments include new innovations in the business strategy and technology. These developments led to new ways of farming and manufacturing and, most importantly, increased the effici ency of these economic activities. Railroad was one of the important breakthroughs during this era of industrial revolution, which enhanced movement of people as well as goods, and stimulated a range of economic activities as well as business strategies in America. This essay will discuss the developments of the industrialization during the late nineteenth century, pointing out their benefits and drawbacks. Following the great industrial improvements after 1815, the market demand for different commodities led to innovation of speedy mass production and standardized methods of production. The first innovation in textile manufacturing was a fully developed factory system. This included invention of spinning machinery and the first cotton mills... In the late nineteenth century, the American economy marked a complete turnaround following the tremendous industrial revolution that took place around that time. Some of the major factors that contributed to these developments include new innovations in the business strategy and technology. These developments led to new ways of farming and manufacturing and, most importantly, increased the efficiency of these economic activities. Railroad was one of the important breakthroughs during this era of industrial revolution, which enhanced movement of people as well as goods, and stimulated a range of economic activities as well as business strategies in America. Following the great industrial improvements after 1815, the market demand for different commodities led to innovation of speedy mass production and standardized methods of production. The first innovation in textile manufacturing was a fully developed factory system. This included invention of spinning machinery and the first cott on mills that used power loom. This technology enabled use of a single factory to convert fiber into cloth. The technology greatly enhanced efficiency in the cloth industry.

Healthy Eating Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Healthy Eating - Essay Example As the problem starts at young age it is best to overcome it at that time. The main motivators for obesity in children include junk foods, video games and television; as children's are mostly targets in the media for these advertisements. Parent's role also plays an important part; they are the ones to encourage their children for sports and exercises, and replace the junks with fruits and vegetables. Eating healthy food full of nutrition and vitamins is important in order to stay healthy, but if the problem increases it is best to consult a doctor, dietitian or a nutritionist. Due to the sudden increase in which America's children are becoming obese, it has been stated that "the current generation of American youth might live less healthy and possibly even have shorter lives than their parents (Bernstein)" if nothing is done about the deteriorating health of children. Obesity is one of the leading causes of health problems, which stays present as a person gets older. Obesity used to be an issue in adults, but today, obesity is something that often starts when a person is in their childhood, and their health worsens the older they get. "America must be getting thinner, right Mc Donald's has stopped super-sizing. Coke has launched its 'half the sugar, half the carbs' C2 cola and it seems like every week a new diet book hits the shelves and the best seller list (Dan Crane, 2009). In April 2005 the sesame street recognized the growing crises of childhood obesity in United States and introduced 'healthy habits for life' a segment in their episodes that featured tips on healthy eating and exercise. Health problems that are associated with obesity include diabetes, heart failure, and various kinds of cancer; unfortunately, many of these can lead to an early death. As aforementioned, the media has played a large role in encouraging obesity; due to the in crease in how many children are obese, the media has since turned around, discouraging the gorging of junk food products, urging children to eat better and to spend more time participating in physical activity. Being aware of obesity problems, a partnership was formed in 2005 by the American Heart association by the name of Alliance for a Healthier Generation with the help of U.S president Bill Clinton and the Nickelodeons. The purpose of this alliance was to protect the life threatening consequences of unhealthy lifestyle habits. They reached kids through vigorous public awareness campaigns. Speaking of his media company's role in the partnership, Nickelodeon Network resident Herb Scannell said, "We want kids to become personally invested in living strong, healthy lives. And if we do our jobs right, kids will believe that being healthy is cool". (2005) furthermore television networks designed mainly for children, such as Nickelodeon and the Disney Channel, have taken it upon themse lves to encourage children to live healthier; there are even a few times a year that the networks shut themselves down for a few hours so that children do not feel as obliged to sit around and watch television, but are encouraged to go outside and