...Q1. Martha and the Trap-Ease investors believe they face a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. What information do they need to evaluate this opportunity? How do you think the group would write its mission statement? How would you write it? A1. To evaluate some potential opportunity, investors usually use the “Market Opportunity Analysis” method. This method helps in determining the attractiveness and chances of success of that opportunity. To do that, we need to gather information that helps us answer five main questions: 1. Can we clearly express the benefits of our solution to the defined target markets? 2. Can we reach those target markets with media and trade channels? Can we do it effectively cost-wise? 3. Do we possess or can we acquire the resources and capabilities needed to be able to deliver the customer benefits? 4. Can we deliver the benefits better than any current or potential competitor? 5. Will the expected “return on investment” meet or exceed the investor’s required threshold for investment? Regarding the mission, for a company to write a good mission statement, the statement should have some major characteristics. First, it should focus on a limited number of goals. A large number of goals is usually a sign of distraction and a vague vision. Second, the statement should stress the company’s core values and major policies. Third, the statement should provide a long-term view of the future. Forth, the statement should be short and memorable...
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...Insights No. 96 May 2012 The Middle-Income Trap: Comparing Asian and Latin American Experiences by Anna Jankowska, Arne J. Nagengast and José Ramón Perea ♦♦ Chinese Taipei; Hong Kong, China; Korea and Singapore (the East Asian Newly Industrialised Countries or NICs) have been successful in attaining income convergence with high-income countries while Latin American countries remain caught in the Middle-Income Trap. ♦♦ The East Asian NICs pursued export-led growth by targeting strategic industries which facilitated gradual diversification and upgrading into new products that required similar skills and inputs. ♦♦ Comparing the experience of the NICs to Latin American economies reveals that successful diversification and upgrading of a country’s export structure requires coherent and complimentary policies in the areas of education, infrastructure, innovation and access to finance. The experience of Latin American with the Middle-Income Trap has been very different from that of the NICs. While the latter were able to surpass middle-income status in a relatively brief period of time, Latin American countries have remained in the middle-income zone for decades. This contrast can serve as an illustrative basis for comparison for new countries entering the middle-income group. The East Asian NICs’ recipe for income convergence: gradual upgrading towards higher value industries The Asian NICs’ experiences suggest that escaping the Middle-Income Trap is a function of structural transformation...
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...America increased the appeal of looking outward for assistance. By the mid 1970s, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries had successfully organized their control on exports which led to a phenomenal rise in the price of crude oil. Oil shocks such as the one experienced in 1973 when OPEC quadrupled the price of crude oil meant that Latin America would need more money to satisfy its consumption. On the other hand, the OPEC countries had an abundance of petrodollars that they sought to invest. This lead to loan pushing, a technique used by international banks to sell loans to the Latin American and other governments in much the same way that a car salesman would sell a car; it was an eager sale. The banks took an aggressive and systematic approach to selling loans to Latin America with the belief that a government would never default on its loans. This ease in which to get loans, coupled with the intensifying need for them...
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...Nowadays rap has molded into a subgenre called “Trap” originating in the slums of Atlanta. Trap is the new style of rapping that coincides with the increase of drug abuse and distribution in the United States. Trap is mostly rooted in the culture of drug making and distribution, and has reached rappers all over the world, especially in South America and the Caribbeans. The sub genre is mostly focused on rapping about selling crack cocaine, abusing prescription drugs such as, promethazine, codeine, and all the violence and crime that ensues. Although it is a considered an eye opening dark side to rap with very explicit content, what is most appealing about this type of music is the very well produced trap beats, and lyrics. Trap has once again risen the bar to another level. The evolution of hip-hop has taken many directions, but what always stays the same is the art of lyricism, its delivery, and musical composition. “The Culture of Hip-Hop” by Michael Eric Dyson opens up the understanding of the original style of hip-hop and gives context to the then misunderstood genre. I recommend his essay to anyone not familiar with why people...
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...Jackson, and “Harlem” by Langston Hughes they also illustrate the struggle of power and how society of that era were manipulating the minds of Africa Americans into believing that their dreams weren’t worth anything. Imamu Amiri Baraka introduces Lula, clearly a bipolar racist. Lula has a unknown problem witnessing African Americans strive towards a dream, that she feels they don’t deserve. Her motives throughout the book/movie were to become superior or have power by manipulating young African American men. The way Lula behaved was sure to get a rise out of anyone with some sort of sanity. Shirley Jackson also showed the power role by introducing her character in “Lottery”. Mr. Summers was not only manipulating, but he applies a fearsome amount of power over the village, power that seems to have been assigned to him at random. Much like Lula, Mr. Summers now has complete control in determining who dies. The villagers show a type of blind-trust in Mr. Summers which the author never illustrates why their trust is so strong. The village just seems to accept the ritual without a thought of change. That trust was also shown in the Dutchman, how Clay trusted Lula by sharing inviting conversation, and kind gestures. Lula was symbolized in Dutchman as the white devil. Ephesians 6:11; The Trickery of the Devil, “He lies to us, wants to trap us, discourage us and snare us. He will do anything he can do with cunning satanic variety to weaken us and destroy us. He goes to work daily to...
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...once observed, “The saddest part of the human race is we're obsessed with this idea of 'us and them,' which is really a no-win situation, whether it's racial, cultural, religious or political” (Brainyquote.com). The French and Indian War plays an important role in the history of North America. The French and their Native American allies battled against the British and their Native American allies over land. The war solicits many undertones of hate and racism (Levernier). Hawkeye and his band of Native Americans lead the British group through trials and tribulations to Fort William Henry. In the Last of the Mohicans James Fenimore Cooper presents the ideas of nature, identity, and conflict in the French and Indian war through the main characters and settings. The theme of nature is prevalent in the Last of the...
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...very important role in planning of its economy and if the resources are used by the politicians for their “business” then economy is bound to fall flat. Financial crises are attributed to misbehavior of some kind, greed, fraud and cronyism. As is widely known, political influence is very essential to start a business in India. This is a key concern for the Indian markets. Corruption has serious repercussions on India’s businesses and political environment. Every time a scandal occurs it damages the credibility of the government. The following are the implications of corruption on India’s economy and markets: Corruption reduces competition and efficiency in the Indian economy. India ranked 134th out of 183 countries in the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business Index in 2011, a ranking lower than both China (79th) and Brazil (127th). Businesses face constraints in starting a business, dealing with construction permits and enforcing contracts Corruption raises the cost of doing business and adds to the problem of regulatory...
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...accurately depicts the progression of a rich white woman’s understanding of white privilege and the institutional racism that is built into the very inner workings of society. The clash of a woman of high social class and white skin with another man of colored descent and relative poverty brings about a drastic change in this woman’s acceptance of the degradation and condescension with which blacks were treated—the encounter enables this woman to question the dominant discourse of society regarding African Americans. Written during the Civil Rights Movement, this poem’s use of imagery and the contrasts of power not only serve to underscore the great differences in the backgrounds of these two passengers, but also to depict...
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...Case Study-Kidnapped In Colombia 1. The company made a number of mistakes in preparing Melissa and Dan for their trip to Columbia. First off the company should have never let the couple go into such a hostile territory uninsured. Kidnappings were a frequent happening in Colombia; therefore, the company should have provided some sort of ransom insurance in case something was to ever happen. Granted the couple were warned about the political troubles and violence in Colombia, they were never really safeguarded against potential crimes. In addition, the company didn’t prepare the couple for the language barrier in Colombia. Purchasing everyday merchandise or communicating with the locals on a day to day basis was really hard. The company should have either provided a translator who could be at the couple’s service whenever needed, or the couple should have taken some sort of introductory course to help them learn the basics of the language. And lastly, the organization should have provided better protection for the couple as a whole. Did the company make its best effort to put them in the safest possible region in the country? As a valued member of the organization, Dan should have received the best possible protection from the company. 2. Dan and Melissa also made a lot of blunders in preparation for this trip. For one they didn’t prepare themselves. They should have conducted more research on the country and understood the cultural similarities and differences. They based...
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...Should Americans use credit cards? 8/29/10 University Composition and Communication II Lowrie Fawley Axia College of University of Phoenix Why would a person want to induce stress, have financial burdens, and pay more out-of-pocket expense just for using a credit card? There is no need to strap your self into the continuous game that credit card companies like to play. This is why it is best to not use credit cards for any reason what so ever. According to a study published in the journal Social Science and Medicine (February 2000), found that people with a higher level of debt were more likely to have higher stress levels than that of someone who had lower levels of debt. What this means is that people with the money to spend will spend it and not worry about the consequences until a later date. The stress hits after receiving their statement and often leads to depression related to not having the money to pay or having to pay out more money in interest fees. When you worry about money, it affects every aspect of your life. From doing daily chores to even going to work, it can place a burden on your family and quality of life. Furthermore, if you do not manage the stress correctly, you may end up with chronic depression, anxiety attacks, or even contemplate suicide. This stress is most common in students and graduates whom have a higher debt ratio than any other person. Having credit cards fills your life with even more strain as you have to worry about paying the...
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...The Damages of Debt In Tracy King and Ellynne Bannon’s “The Burden of Borrowing: A Proposal for Reducing Student Debt,” they describe the financial difficulties that college students go through. King and Bannon explain the majority of college students accrue large amounts of debt by the time they graduate; the power of the Pell Grant is not what it used to be. “Federal need-base grant aid provides low-income students with access to a higher education. Without this aid, many low-income students take on unmanageable levels of debt burden or forgo a college education altogether (King, 161).” The problem of escalating consumer debt is exacerbated by enticing offers, ease of obtaining credit, retroactive rate increases by credit issuers, and the deceit tactics coupled with rampant consumerism and lack of attention by borrows. Creditor’s see the vulnerability in college students, especially. "I think they try to take advantage of students because they know that they’re kind of scrounging for money," said Benjamin Stewart, a senior political science major. "You have books, you have tuition and parking is outrageously expensive, so it’s easy just to swipe a credit card and put it on there, kind of like magic. But you end up (hurting) yourself in the long run (Students, 1).” Arizona State University campus in Tempe students are constantly pestered with offers to sign up for credit cards. I too, have been enticed by offers of free items just to fill out the application, such as...
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...America is well known around the world for its great wealth and prosperity. Many people from other countries come to America in search of religious freedom, happiness, and in general a better life for themselves. America’s economy is based around the system known as capitalism. Capitalism is a system where means of production is privately ran. Meaning the government does not have control over corporations, or prices of goods. Any American can earn money as they see fit. You can start a business selling books, out of your garage, which may turn into the biggest online retailer in existence. Or you could work in a factory, earning a living with your hands. In many ways capitalism is seen as a great system. The people who work hard, usually reap the rewards of their labor. In the novel The Jungle by Upton Sinclair we follow the story of a Lithuanian immigrant Jurgis, and his family, on their struggles in the early nineteenth century America. Jurgis starts to feel like an outcast in this strange new place. The economic system of capitalism makes Jurgis feel...
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...Goliath Tarantulas Imagine a huge, hairy, vicious looking spider. It has giant fangs and hair all over its body. Surprisingly, there is nothing to worry about. You are looking at the Goliath tarantula. These spiders are not what people say. They aren’t very dangerous whatsoever. If anything, you are no concern of this tarantula if you keep your distance. The largest spider in the world, the Goliath bird-eating tarantula, has a unique lifestyle where it lives in South America fighting for survival so it can achieve its one life goal: mating. The Goliath tarantula is a typical tarantula in the Theraphosidae family. This family has 850 species in it. That’s a lot of different species. This includes Typical and Atypical tarantulas (Trap-door spiders). The Goliath is a Typical tarantula, which is a...
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...United States on September 11, 2001 shook the foundation of the faith that America had in her security. This prompted congressional action on counteractive action to avoid a repeat occurrence of the terrorist attack on US soil. Measures that were taken included the passage of a Congressional Act referred to as the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT) Act of 2001, hereby referred to as the Patriot Act. The passing of the Patriot Act was intended to provide comprehensive anti-terrorism laws that would enhance national security against terrorism, improve on surveillance of terrorist activities, fight money laundering, and terrorism financing schemes, promote ease of flow of information to combat terrorism, and to strengthen criminal laws against terrorism. These measures and provisions under the Act are quite enticing and well...
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...To 550 Class: Please write the second 2+ pages of your essay answering the following: 3. What are your personal reactions to Admiral Zumwalt, as an individual and in his professional career? Comment on some of the key workplace issues that come out in this article, i.e., leadership and personal character, reforming large organizations, the tension between action-oriented-risk-takers vs. risk-avoidance-managers who “keep their heads down,” social changes including ethnicity/gender, etc. 4. Compare and contrast the two readings…what are two or three key learning issues about “people at work,” about the management of people and how organizations are run, from BOTH these two real life situations, that can help us work more effectively today? (Please be prepared to share your responses to questions #3 and #4 in both a small group setting and with the entire class.) In his life of Alexander the Great, Plutarch reminds his readers that he is as interested in character as he is in history. "The most glorious exploits do not always furnish us with the clearest discoveries of virtue or vice in men," he notes. "Sometimes a matter of less moment, an expression or a jest, informs us better of their characters and inclinations." The lives of the famous, he shows, can provide lessons in prudence, as in the case of the Athenian naval hero Themistocles, or in consuming greed, as in the case of the Roman general Crassus. Larry Berman's "Zumwalt" parallels Plutarch's theme, offering...
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