An Essay Sample on the Nervous System

An Essay Sample on the Nervous SystemAn essay sample on the nervous system includes four points. First, the essay should tell how a person understands the mind of another individual. Second, the essay should discuss how an individual thinks. Third, the essay should contain an analysis of how these thoughts are formed in the mind of another individual.The third point is called third person. In this point, the person who is being analyzed must be made to act as the third person. In fact, one should be able to understand the third person and how it would react to an individual given the kind of situation. The first person must then be able to understand the response from the third person. Lastly, the responses from the other two must be able to allow for a true idea.The fourth point in the essay sample is to consider how the emotions come to exist in the brain. This can also include how the brain reacts to certain feelings. The person that gives the emotion must be made to see a logical reason for the emotion and how it would be used to increase the performance of the individual. The analysis in this section is helpful because it explains how one's emotions can be manipulated to help one achieve something. This has to be done with some degree of research and understanding of human behavior.In addition to the points listed above, the essay sample on the nervous system should not be too long. It should not be as long as the maximum allowable length. It should provide some tips that could be helpful in making the topic simple for the person to understand. The different point must be enough for the person to get the meaning of the topic. There are a number of ways to study the same subject but there are only so many points.For people to learn about the nervous system, they need to learn what parts of the brain are related to others. When a part of the brain is part of a group, it will be connected to all the others in the group. Some parts of the brain do not belong t o any group. They are independent and can be used independently to perform different functions. When a group is dependent on another group, they can be used together.Different areas of the brain can work in different areas of the body. When a part of the brain is connected to a particular area, it will react differently to the environment. The nerves, blood, muscles, and even organs can be thought of as a machine and the nervous system is the part of the machine that acts as the engine.The essay sample on the nervous system should show just how the parts of the brain work together to help an individual to have success in life. It will show how each brain can be linked together by the other parts. The essay must also include information about how the different parts of the brain are connected.

Crisis Management at Organizational Level

Introduction Proper emergency management is essential for every organization, town, city or country if it is to protect its crucial assets and members of the public from harmful events like disasters and catastrophes. The aim of proper emergency management is to prevent various disasters from happening and, in case they happen, to minimize the loss of lives and damages to property and infrastructure through, organized, and coordinated response from all parties involved.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Crisis Management at Organizational Level specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Proper emergency management requires planning and anticipation, and ability to respond quickly in the right way if lives and property are to be saved (Haddow and Bullock, 2007). This can only be achieved if all the relevant parties involved in an emergency response like the fire department, the police, emergency medical services and the gener al public is all acting in a well-coordinated manner. Therefore, any city or country must have an emergency management plan that outlines how the input of all these stakeholders is going to be harnessed for maximum productivity. This paper will look at crisis management at organizational level, and the various emergency management systems that can be put in place in anticipation of large-scale events like a tsunami. The Role of Emergency Management Teams Organizations usually face everyday emergencies that can be dealt with effectively without causing any major interruptions to the organizations functions. However, when disasters strike, organizations lose their normal autonomy and are forced into different interactions that are not normal (Burns, 2001). Response to the disaster requires a more coordinated effort from both the public and private sector. Catastrophes have even greater impact as most of the community infrastructure is affected. The community’s everyday function s are interrupted and the community is cut off from other communities, making it hard to even get outside help. An organization or community therefore needs to have in place a proper emergency response plan for any eventuality if it is to survive and rebuild in case of a large scale disaster or catastrophe. Proper emergency management is strategy-based process that is run from the top of any organization. The emergency management team provides guidance and coordinates the different sections of the organization so as to ensure that they are all focused on the same goal. This means that all the emergency plans throughout all the levels of the organization have to be synchronized. In such a setting, the lower levels of the organization rely on getting additional help and resources from the higher levels of the organization to help them manage an emergency (Moore and Lakha, 2006). A good emergency plan is designed to protect the assets of the organization or community. These assets can be classified as living and nonliving things.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More They can also be cultural or economic, and the hazards they face can be natural or man-made. A well-structured emergency management process is usually divided into four general areas for easy management and coordination. First, risk reduction is important and measures have to be put in place to reduce the likelihood of disaster striking. The management process must also have organized ways of mobilizing resources to respond to the hazard. The third component involves responding to the effectively to the actual damage resulting from the hazard and minimizing further damage. This includes measures like quarantine, emergency evacuations and mass decontamination. Lastly, the emergency management team must have in place a plan for recovery that will enable the organization or community to return to thei r normal lives as it were before the hazard incident. Phases of Emergency Management The emergency management processes rely on local economic and social conditions if they are to be successful (Heath, 1998). They involve mobilization of the community’s resources, right from before the disaster strikes, during the disaster, and long after the disaster has passed and the recovery process is underway. The emergency management must therefore put emphasis on public awareness and proper infrastructure if it is to succeed with its plans in the event of an emergency. Proper emergency management is organized into four phases; preventive measures (mitigation); getting ready for any eventuality (preparedness); handling the disaster when it happens (response) and rebuilding after the disaster (recovery). Mitigation Any organization or community faces a lot of hazards. It is upon the emergency management team t find ways of preventing these hazards from developing into disasters. In case the disaster happens, there have to be ways of reducing the impact. The emergency management team must conduct a thorough analysis of the risks and find ways of mitigating them. Financial investments are also protected through insurance. The mitigation process puts a lot of emphasis on long-term measures for minimizing or eliminating the risk, and their implementation form part of the recovery process after a disaster happens. Mitigation involves taking some structural and nonstructural measures. For example, the authorities can build dykes and flood levees to mitigate the effects of floods, or retrofit buildings for earthquakes. Non-structural measures include proper legislation, land use planning and insurance coverage.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Crisis Management at Organizational Level specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The authorities are tasked with providing communication to the public regarding the r isks they face. They also organize for evacuations, and may be forced to carry out forceful evacuations of those who are not cooperating. Even if some of the measures carried under mitigation are not the best, this is still a very affordable way for authorities to handle a crisis (Treece, 2002). In coming up with mitigation measures, the authorities assess the risks thoroughly and evaluate the hazards. The fire and rescue department in any community must be involved in the mitigation programs. They can educate the public on the various safety and evacuation drills to be performed when disasters happen, and their roles during such emergencies so that the public can cooperate with them. Preparedness Preparedness refers to the behavioral changes undertaken to limit the effects of a disaster on people. It is an ongoing process that involves planning, organizing and managing of activities related to prevention, response and recovery from disasters. It requires continuous training, equipp ing, evaluating, monitoring and improving the measure put in place to deal with a disaster when it strikes. Under the preparedness phase, the authorities are expected to come up with plans of action for managing and countering the risks, and to build the appropriate capabilities suitable for the implementation of such plans (Treece, 2002). First, the authorities must come up with communication plans that use terminologies and methods that are easy to understand to avoid creating confusion. The fire and rescue services and other teams that will be involved in case of a disaster need to be properly trained and equipped to prepare them for their tasks. The authorities should also develop emergency population warning methods and evacuation plans, including setting aside emergency shelters. Since professional emergency workers can sometimes be overwhelmed during large-scale emergencies, it is advisable to have groups of trained volunteers among the civilian populations as their help is r eally valuable in an emergency situation. A big part of preparedness involves being able to predict casualties. This entails the prediction of how many deaths or injuries are to be expected in case of a major disaster so that the authorities know what plans to put in place for such an eventuality. Response When it comes to response, all the necessary emergency services that are needed at the disaster site have to be mobilized quickly. The first wave of crucial emergency services to arrive at the disaster zone includes fire fighters, ambulance crew and the police. The military and other specialist rescue teams can also be involved in the disaster relief operation. Such responses ought to have been well rehearsed during the preparedness phase so that there is efficient coordination of the various teams involved in the rescue operation.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Since the vast majority of the victims of a disaster will die within 72 hours after the impact, it is important to start search and rescue efforts immediately (Moore and Lakha, 2006). An organization’s response to a major disaster is based on preset emergency management systems and processes. In an emergency situation, discipline is important in terms of structure, doctrine and process. There should also be some flexibility to allow for improvisation, adaptability and creativity when responding to the disaster. There is also need to form a team of leaders from the various response agencies to coordinate proceedings as more teams come in. The new leadership team must come up with a structured set of response plans that allow for the functional rescue operational process already in place to continue while adapting to new challenges as they arise at the disaster site and beyond. Recovery After the disaster has passed and the rescue operations are over, the affected area will hav e to be restored to how it was before the disaster. The recovery efforts focus on issues and decisions to be made after the response operations are complete. All the destroyed properties have to be rebuilt and the destroyed infrastructure has to be repaired. People also have to go back to their jobs or get new ones. The rebuilding efforts should aim at eliminating or at least minimizing the risks that were there in the community before the disaster struck (Disaster and Recovery Planning Guide, n.d.). This is also an opportunity to implement some of the mitigation measures that might have been unpopular before, as they are less likely to attract any opposition while the recent disaster is still fresh in the memories of the public. Media Coverage and Public Perception and Response The media plays a crucial role in informing the public about the unfolding events when a disaster happens. The manner in which they frame their news coverage has a direct impact on the public’s percep tion of the disaster and will influence how the public responds. The media is therefore encouraged to elicit a public response that benefits the organizations involved and the people impacted by the crisis. It is important that the authorities take quick control of the message whenever a crisis occurs (Polit, 1998). The media can play a crucial role in helping coordinate the rescue and recovery efforts by relaying crucial information from the authorities to the public. Cooperation on a personal level is also important. This cooperation and positive response should not just come after the disaster happens but should start from the initial phases of emergency management. For example, personal mitigation is necessary and involves avoiding unnecessary risks and following the guidelines set forth by the relevant authorities. Individuals are also encouraged to take insurance on their properties and to avoid investing in disaster prone areas. It is important to follow the instructions of t he authorities and to abide by the regulations put in place right from the beginning. There are many emergency response measures that one can take on a personal level, and one can always get more information on this from the relevant authorities and other sources. Tsunami Emergency Management Systems The tsunami disaster that hit Japan in March 2011 killed and injured thousands of people and left tens of thousands homeless. The Fukushima nuclear power plant was also severely damaged and posed a newer risk, leading to the evacuation of thousands of people from the exclusion zone. The impact of this disaster served as a wakeup call to many countries, and measures are already being put in place some countries to help them be ready to deal with a large-scale tsunami. Many programs have been put in place by individual countries and the international community to improve public safety during tsunami emergencies. Some of the programs that have been proposed or are already underway include a global tsunami early warning system and national weather service tsunami programs. Global Tsunami Early Warning System The push for a global tsunami early warning system started after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami disaster and was reinforced by the recent tsunami disaster in Japan. The idea faces several financial, technical and political challenges that have to be ironed out before it is can be put in place (Simola, 2005). Some developed nations have the resources and capabilities to establish their own regional emergency disaster warning networks and have already done so. However, for a truly global tsunami-monitoring network, government policy analysts have been raising technological and national security issues as challenges that have to be overcome first. The U.S. for example fears the open access and sabotage of international communication networks. There is concern that some of the data collected could be deemed sensitive and might reveal methodologies that would compromise the intelligence-gathering operations of the U.S. and other nations. The Global Earth Observing System of Systems (GEOSS) The United States has taken initiative towards a global disaster warning system with the GEOSS project that also provides for building capacity for global tsunami early detection and warning capabilities. GEOSS’s infrastructure will be based on exact environmental data collection platforms, environmental observation systems, telecommunication capabilities and communications lines that are operational around the world. By linking the operations of GEOSS and other systems, the United States would assist other countries in developing a tsunami early warning capacity. The tsunami early detection systems have also been upgraded to make them more efficient. The U.S. is leading in terms of new technologies for tsunami preparedness, for example, the state-of-the art Deep Ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis (DART) buoys that are used for operational detecti on of tsunamis and verification on non-events in the ocean. Tsunami Action Plan for the U.S. The United States, as part of improving its tsunami warning and detection system, has already deployed 32 DART buoys to improve tsunami detection from the Gulf of Mexico, the far Pacific and Atlantic Oceans and the Caribbean Sea. There is also a push by some social scientists for the implementation of proper legislation that will help in protecting the country from tsunamis. There is already a plan underway to train local authorities on local tsunami emergency planning. Interagency resource sharing at all levels of government is also strongly emphasized. The National Weather Service (NWS), through the National Tsunami Warning Program (NTWP) has two tsunami warning centers that monitor, detect and warn of possible tsunamis arising in the Pacific Ocean (George, 2002). The NTWP also has an associate program that concentrates on reducing the rate of false tsunami alarms arising from the Pacific Ocean. There is also the National Tsunami Hazards Mitigation Program (NTHMP) to help states in emergency planning for tsunamis (Robbins et al, 2001). Conclusion Crisis management is an important undertaking for any organization or community. Effective emergency management systems must be put in place if an organization or community is to effectively deal with disasters when they happen. Such systems must first start by taking preventive measures and making preparations before the disaster strikes. This includes public education and properly equipping important organizations like the fire and rescue department whose role in emergencies is crucial. The response to the emergency also needs to be well planned and coordinated between the different authorities involved for the mission to be smooth and successful. Large-scale disasters like tsunamis require planning on a large scale, starting from the international community, down to the individual countries and local communities. The effe cts of large-scale tsunamis have already been seen and felt, and as a result, countries have stepped up their efforts for early detection and warning before a tsunami strikes. They have also put in place measures to be taken and how the public is expected to respond in case of a tsunami emergency. With these measures in place, the impact of the disaster can be lessened considerably. References Burns, N 2001, The practice of Emergency Response, WB Saunders Publications, Philadelphia. George, B 2002, Disaster Theories: The Base for Professional Evacuation, Appleton and Lange, Norwalk. Disaster and Recovery Planning Guide, n.d., A guide for Facility Managers, Fairmont Press Inc, Lilburn, Georgia. Haddow, G D Bullock, J 2007, Introduction to Emergency Management,  Butterworth Heinemann, London. Heath, R 1998, Crisis Management for Managers and Executives, Financial Times/Prentice Hall, New Jersey. Moore, T Lakha, R (eds) 2006, Tolly’s Handbook of Disaster and Emergency Manag ement: principles and practice, 3rd edn, Heinemann Butterworth, London. Polit, D F1998, Disaster Management: Principles and Methods, JB Lippincott Company, Philadelphia. Robbins, S P, Judge, T A, Millett, B Boyle, M 2011, Organizational Behaviour, Pearson, New York. Simola, S K 2005, ‘Organizational crisis management: overview and opportunities’, Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research, Vol 57 No. 3, 180-192. Treece, J W 2002, Elements of Research in Emergency Response, Mosby, St. Louis. This essay on Crisis Management at Organizational Level was written and submitted by user Kobe Hahn to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

10 Tacky Terms

10 Tacky Terms 10 Tacky Terms 10 Tacky Terms By Mark Nichol The English language teems with terminology for referring to ostentation or bad taste, or both. Here are ten words that help readers imagine imagery that they perhaps would rather not think about: 1. Flashy The connotations of this adjectival form of flash are of fleeting, superficial attractiveness and showy, tasteless fashion and/or fashion accessories. 2. Garish The origin of this word meaning â€Å"vivid, bright, flashy† is unknown; it may come from a word meaning â€Å"to stare.† 3. Gaudy This term, with a disputed etymology (perhaps from the Latin word gaudium, meaning â€Å"joy,† or from a reference to trickery from the same source), means â€Å"tastelessly or extravagantly showy, outlandish.† 4. Kitschy The direct borrowing of kitsch from German, as with the acquisition of many other loanwords, met a need: Although other terms are this list are near synonyms of kitsch, it’s difficult in English to capture the essence of kitsch without using the word. The term originated in response to efforts of the German middle class in the nineteenth century to emulate their social superiors through art and architecture; in many cases, they succeeded only in inferior imitation. That sense has persisted intact for 150 years with the additional connotation of consumer items produced under the pretense that they are artistic creations but treated as commodities. (People who embrace the irony of appreciating kitsch and collect kitschy products are in effect partly legitimizing the items as art.) 5. Meretricious This word has an etymological connection to merit, but its meaning is diametrically opposite. It stems from the Latin word for prostitute and, like merit, means â€Å"to earn.† It refers to a relationship based solely on exchange of value, and because of the superficial and ostentatious nature of practitioners of the oldest profession, it has acquired the additional connotation of cheap showiness. Meretricious is also sometimes used as a synonym for pretentious. 6. Purple There’s an interesting line of connotation for this word: Because of the difficulty of obtaining purple dye from a certain shellfish in ancient times, it was reserved for royalty, and later was long limited to use by aristocratic classes. Thus, it came to be associated with those with very high social standing and, naturally, their attendant sophistication. But the resulting association of the color with ostentatiousness led to a connotation of overbearing effort, especially in writing hence, â€Å"purple prose.† 7. Sleazy Two early meanings of this word are â€Å"hairy or fuzzy† and â€Å"flimsy,† but only the latter sense has survived, while still other connotations have come to dominate. The primary meanings now are â€Å"sexually provocative† or â€Å"of low quality,† the latter referring to both character and construction. 8. Tacky This nineteenth-century slang term for a low-class person was extended to describe anything that is ill-bred, shabby, in poor taste, or cheaply constructed. It most often refers to a cheap taste in fashion or decor. 9. Tawdry As is the case with purple, this term has made a downwardly mobile trajectory. According to tradition, Audrey, queen of a kingdom in what is now England, found religion late in life when she surmised that her vanity led to a deadly condition. The Catholic Church canonized her, and at an annual fair commemorating Saint Audry, cheap lace necklaces were sold in her honor. These came to be known as â€Å"’t Audrey’s lace,† later altered to â€Å"tawdry lace.† Now, tawdry is a synonym for cheap or showy. It has, however, also acquired a sense of â€Å"base, low, mean,† as in the clichà © â€Å"a tawdry affair.† 10. Two-Bit This adjective meaning â€Å"cheap† comes from the slang term for a twenty-five-cent piece. The reference originates with the real, a Spanish coin that could be divided into eight pieces (hence â€Å"pieces of eight† in pirate lore). Each bit was worth one-eighth of the coin’s value; transferred to American currency, two bits is worth a quarter. In either currency, two bits ain’t worth much. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:50 Idioms About TalkingConnotations of 35 Words for Funny People15 Idioms for Periods of Time

Coriolis Effect Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Coriolis Effect - Essay Example The first influence of the Coriolis effect is related to the ocean. It can influence the ocean through the interaction with other factors such as temperature and the physical characteristics of the ocean basin. Another important influence is related to the surface currents with broad circulatory patterns referred to as gyres. Basically, the Coriolis effect causes the clockwise movement of the gyres in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise movement in the Southern Hemisphere. Surface currents though do not cross the equator but waters in the equatorial region are affected by the tropical easterlies or trade winds thus producing the Equatorial Current. The Coriolis effect then causes the movement of warm water to the pole while the cool water currents flow to the equatorial region (Gabler and others 2008, p.133). The influence of Coriolis effect is also visible in the atmospheric phenomena such as the wind currents and other air currents and movements such as cyclones. Coriolis effect in relation to the wind currents can be related to different factors such as the force, the friction and pressure gradient. One example is the geostrophic wind which goes parallel to isobars and is affected by the friction and pressure gradient and turns 90 degrees due to Coriolis effect.

Marketing startegy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Marketing startegy - Essay Example Their costs for customer service remained at the same value. They retained the same amount of cash reserve in the end of this period one as period zero. They also did not tamper with any pricing strategy and kept a markup of 49.48% for channel 1 and 2.They kept the same number of sales representatives. They used to have equal distribution for both channels but this year they increased quantities of channel 1 and the weight of the units sold were heavier than channel 2. It must be noted that all products ordered in period zero were sold and disposed leaving no ending inventory for the firm but this was not the case in period 1. No changes in strategies but the firm did not deliver the same results. For Firm 2, the distribution intensity is largely found in channel 2 with a higher markup relative to channel 1 and even to period zero's data. They doubled their production by 37.5% but was not able to sell all. It could be seen that they incurred expenses for R&D for product modifications. Product features were improved.Also they increased their advertising as seen in their increase of 16% in expense. It should be noted that Firms 1,2 and 2 did not invest in Marketing Research Reports. They only had very minimal expenses for such and they were not competitive in this manner because they were not able to connect with the consumers and they were not equipped with what the market needs and demands. They could have increased a feature in their product and still not entice the consumers. Additional promotions and commission expense was incurred. they concentrated in improving customer service and incurring an additional $27,500 outflow. Firm 2 and 3 applied the same strategies. Lastly, Firm 4, the considered most successful implemented various strategies and optimized the changes. Product development is the root of the major edge and advantage of this firm against the 3 others. The values of product features were all improved. The highest average retail price of $ 279.70 for both channels was riveted by this firm.Unlike the previous year, they augmented the production by 5,000 units and still exceeded by 3,710 units leaving no inventories to be transferred. They incurred a net contribution.They had no remaining reserve funds though like the other 3 but increased their budget for the next period by 49.85%. More distribution intensity of sales for channel 1 was realized and that made up 80.4% of the total units sold. Competitive strategy of theirs was to focus on product development and market research. Promotions strategy wise, they diminished advertising expense and affected the pioneering type. Sales promotion bore more bearing this year and results prov e its effectivity relative to distribution channel 1 which obviously they concentrated much on. The results of firm 4 was the positive reverse of firms 2 and 3 and definitely of firm1. The market segmentation is constant with their product positioning strategy . 2.) From the perspective of Firm 2, competition might unfold in this industry and there is potential primarily because this period is considered a trial and error allowance for the firms who is deviating from their norms to explore the market. With this, there are major points and the first would relate to launching a new product. As period ended, only Firm 4 incurred net contribution. They all had the option to adapt a new product at the beginning but no one opted for such. In the coming of second

The Tourism Authority Of Thailand License Tourism Essay

The Tourism Authority Of Thailand License Tourism Essay Background World Travel Services Limited, established in 1947, is Thailands oldest and largest travel agency. We have more than 500 employees and a fleet of more than 100 modern road vehicles. 80 qualified bilingual and multilingual guides speak fluent English, French, Spanish, German and Chinese. Company provides many daily coach tours and 2-6 days tours throughout the country such as River Kwai tours, Phuket, Krabi, Samui, Pattaya, Trang, Hua Hin/Cha-Am, and Chiang Mai and also including many special package tours to Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar (Burma) and Vietnam. The company has its own tour desks in leading hotels at all of Thailands main resorts: 23 hotels in Bangkok, 3 in Chiang Mai, 1 in Chiang Rai, 8 in Pattaya, 4 in Hua Hin/Cha-Am, 3 on Koh Samui and 4 in Phuket. In additional, the company also arranges booking for steamship companies, airlines and rail travel. Through its affiliate Air Transport Service Ltd, it acts as General Sales Agent for United Airlines. It is also a BSP/IATA agent. Vision To be the top of Travel Agent in Thailand Mission Improve the quality of transportations Having more connection with travel agent around the world. Expanding our tour desk to all leading hotel in Bangkok and some other in tourist destinations. Organization Chart SWOT Analysis Strengths Challenging of managing tourism business successfully Rapert and Wren, (1998) discussed about the challenges of managing tourism businesses successful, the company must provide satisfying experiences for tourists and guests while profiting their owners. During the past 60 years, World Travel Service is exists in tourism business which has proved itself about the successful in making business strategy and policy. One of those strategy is serving the guests with most standard service tour throughout the country, our tours are standard because the guests will have the program mentioned by our staff from the tour desks about what are they going to see on that particular tour and how many stop that the tour are going to make and they will know about the time that the tours will finish and what time they should be back at the hotels. The tour guides are not allowed to sell any other programs that doesnt mentioned on the tours. All above about standard service is related to Laws (2004) which mention as Standard Service Quality in tourism is ve ry important, The level of service which management team sets might be higher (or lowers) than the clients anticipation of service standards and the Quality Systems might not control services standards in ways which matter to clients . Quality of Staff GÓmez-Mejà ­a et al (2004) discuss on choosing the right person for a job can make a tremendous positive difference in productivity and customer satisfaction. Sharpley (2005) described selection is very important recruitment and selection procedures that identify potential employees who will not only have a natural disposition towards service provisions, but who will also fit in with and respond to the organizations service culture. So, these above 2 ideas are related to the way how World Travel Service selects and recruits their employees. Currently, most of tour guides graduated from Fine Art Department, Silapakorn University, who know information about Thailand very well. Some other graduated from abroad can speak English fluently which make our tour guides become one of the most standard tourist guides of the country. Focus on premium and luxury tour Eleri Jones and Claire Haven Tang (2005) explained that trend of the luxury market have been raising and it will become the most important part of tourism industry. Now, World Travel Service does their marketing strategy on high-end market which focused on premium and luxury tour by providing extravaganza trips around Thailand. And it is more valuable than mass tourism which having only quantity but no quality of customers. Weaknesses Centralized Management Pieniazek (2007) explained that power being consolidated at the top of the organization, risk is high if the top of the organization becomes incapable of leading the organization (death, illness, or massive organizational size causing a weak span of control) Employees also will feel less motivated to perform for the organization as they will not have an avenue for sharing their ideas on how to improve the organization. World Travel Service use Centralized Management style since their first operated in 1947 which continuously making decision by only one Thai owner of the company, Mr.Kusa Phunyarachun, 92 years old. In some urgent situation, owner cannot response immediately that why sometimes it can cause of failure and dissatisfaction. Old Building and Old Facility In hospitality industry such as hotel, travel agent, the geographical appearance is important. ICRA rating, (2009) discussed that the quality of companys property is directly effect to the image of business. Its not only to attract the customers, but also create the brand loyalty. The head office of World Travel Service has never been renovated since its first operation in 1947. Customer first impression can be impacted by the companys surrounding such as reception area, furniture style, decoration, parking area, Vehicle. Technology (E-Tourism) Galloway, Mochrie Deakins, (2004) discussed that online technologies within the tourism industry have significantly impacted on communications, transactions and relationships between the various industry operators and with the customers, as well as between regulators and operations. World Travel Service also doing the e-tourism such as web based technology, online reservation, etc. All of this are play the important role for e-business if the company can keep doing well, it will bring a lot of benefit to company. In the other hands, the company cannot handle to have the excellent operation system and updated website, the company will lost more gain. Opportunity Affordable Winter Travel Ideas to escape the Cold Christakos (2009) explained that many of tourists cant afford the luxury Hawaii or Bahamas vacation but if they want to relax and enjoy themselves while escaping the blustery winds of the north, there are plenty of things they can do. Thailand stays warm all year round, and it is most comfortable during the winter months. Its an increasingly popular destination for Australian and East Asian travelers who want both beautiful beaches and exciting modern cities like Bangkok, but there are often some very good deals for flights from the U.S. They dont come around every day, though, so you have to snatch them up when you find them. World Travel Service can gain profits from tourists who want to relax in Thailand. Thailand Rank Best VALUE FOR MONEY Thailand has again emerged as the worlds best brand in terms of value for money, according to the 2008 Country Brand Index (CBI), the third consecutive year it has won this accolade. Thailands ranking as the Best Country Brand for Value for Money was announced on 11 November, 2008, at the World Travel Market, the premier annual exhibition of the global travel trade. The same Brand Index also ranked Thailand third in the category of Friendly Locals and Authenticity. (International Public Relation Division Tourism Authority of Thailand, 2008). Thailand is the one of tourist attraction which is valuable for the money. This thing will make us become the favorite choice for the tourist who has limit money for their holiday. So that is show about how much Thailand tourism industry could lure on the customer come to visit and some of them might use the service from World Travel Service. Threat Global Warming is threatening Thailands climate The average of the worlds temperature increases and the serious natural disaster happens causing negatively effects on peoples health. The tourists are cancelled tours of World Travel Service because Thailand faces problems about natural disasters and disease problems such as depression, flood, H1N1 influenza and etc. Climate also influences environmental conditions that can deter tourists, including infectious diseases, wildfires, algal blooms, insect or waterà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ borne pests (e.g. jellyfish), and extreme events such as hurricanes, floods or heat waves. It is also a crucial determinant of tourist decisionà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ making. Seasonal climate fluctuations at tourism destinations and at major outbound markets are key drivers of tourism demand at global and regional scales. Weather is an intrinsic component of the travel experience and also influences tourist spending and holiday satisfaction (UNWTO, UNEP and WMO 2008). Thailands political crisis Ten Kate (2010) emphasized the economic costs from a long-running crisis have so far been largely confined to the tourism industry, consumer sentiment is declining and businesses are hurting. The crisis was hitting confidence, tourism, private consumption and investment. The United States, Britain, Australia, Japan and other countries have warned citizens to reconsider travel plans to Bangkok. World Travel Service is mostly focusing on the foreigner tourist so the company also hitting by this situation. The customers booking for this year is very different to last year. Many tourists cancelled flights, hotels, car rental bookings and other tourism activities. This resulted in another two quarters of a quiet period for Thai tourism. Ryu, S. JR. (2005) explained that political instability can increase the perception of risk at a destination and generates negative publicity, which results in an inevitable decrease in tourist arrivals. Risk perception can influence tourist decision-makin g and destinations can be severely affected. High Fuel Prices Affect Tourism The fuel price is increasing, so its effect to all industries. World Travel Service is directly affected by fuel price because all activities of company use the vehicle for transportation. The raising of fuel price increases the cost of the company but they could only slightly put on the price of their product. So they have to prepare themselves for handle this thing. Hupp (2008) explained that hotels, cruises, airlines, travel agent and others in the travel industry are affected negatively by high oil prices because transportation costs are higher, and consumers are spending less because of stress on their budgets. Recommendations Update company website. The web site of WTS is far more out of date, The Company have been operate as the largest and oldest travel agency of Thailand but somehow about the company profiles is only four paragraph long which some time make to company not gain more trusts from the customer. Therere many things that we can put on the website such as pictures from the past until present, which transportations they were used from the past to now and also the number of tourist who using the company service. As now E-tourism is very popular, people would like to search from the internet about the company and price and the tour programs before they make a decision to buying it. So its very necessary to develop the company website immediately. Mason (2008) explained that information about tourism product is vital to assist the consumer in making choice. Electronic forms of messages about tourism products have certain advantages over printed source. Electronic forms can be more up-to-date and hence topical, they can be more visual and in relation to computerized systems. Increasingly, consumers are using internet sites for planning, searching, reserving and purchasing tourism products. Improve more facilities in Guest Lobby Area. The facilities around the reception area are very poor, for example the chairs are not nice and uncomfortable and there is only one sofa for guests to sit. Those who come early grab a good seat and for those who came late sometime have to sit outside or seat on a small chairs which is not suitable for our guests who actually have a large body. Also for our guests who spend over 2,000 baht for a full day tour and around 1,000 baht for a half day tour, this is expensive and I think the guests are looking forward to have a best of their time in Thailand by taking the tours with us started from a first minute when they arrived until the end of the tour. ICRA rating, (2009) discussed that the quality of companys property is directly effect to the image of business. Its not only to attract the customers, but also create the brand loyalty. The improvement of transportation The company should improve their fleets to catch up with trend in order to stay as a leading travel agency of Thailand from example the number of the company fleets is about 100, and half of that includes the previous series of Toyota Camry and Mercedes Benz bus are very old. Especially for the bus that have been using for over 20years old, many times it has break down while using on the tours. This is a big problem for us to solve this problems such as finding a local taxi in order to bring the guests to the closest destination to wait for other transportation that come from Bangkok to pick the guests. This process takes long time for everyone and of cause causing dissatisfy to the guests that they have to be waiting for so long which after all affect our company brand. Lamp and Davidson (1996) emphasized that the purchaser of tourism product must experience the trip to access the product, the quality of the transportation experience becomes an important aspect of the tourist experi ence and, therefore a key criterion that enters into destination choice.

Hallstead Jewelers Case Study

Submitted by Yellow Team Eunice King Ronda Klassen Joshua Krupnick Larry McCraw Ronald Mills BUS 5431 Managerial Accounting Professor Nancy Shoemake April 18, 2010 1. 0Summary Hallstead Jewelers was one of the largest jewelry and gift stores in the United States for 83 years. Customers came from throughout the region to buy from extensive collections in each department. Any gift from Hallstead’s had an extra cache attached to it as they were known for having the best. Even though the principal retail shopping areas shifted two blocks west, Hallstead’s reputation and selection still brought in customers. In 1999 however, sales became stagnate and profits were starting to slip. The owners (two sisters, Gretchen and Michaela) made several changes in an effort to revitalize the store back to its full glory. The largest decision they made was to move the stores location, expanding it by 50% more space and selling staff. This move resulted in a five-year lease as well as extensive and expensive renovations. They also made some changes in product offerings and offered more sales potential at the cost of minor reductions in margins. During the year it took to complete the Hallstead’s renovation the industry started showing major changes toward internet based jewelry sales. Tiffany & Company, a business with an origin much like Hallstead Jewelers, grew into an international powerhouse. At the same time, a start-up internet seller, Blue Nile, became the second largest diamond seller in the U. S. While Hallstead’s was growing their fixed costs by doubling their rent payments, Tiffany and Blue Nile were increasing their revenue with â€Å"virtual† storefronts allowing them to increase sales with very little increase in expense. In an effort to explore ideas in strategy that would return the business to profitability, the sisters compiled some questions for their accountant to analyze using some additional operating statistics. The following answers will take a deeper look into the mechanics of the business and provide Gretchen and Michaela with recommendations to get their business back on track. 2. Changes in Breakeven and Margin of Safety The following table shows that while the breakeven in both sales dollars and number of sales tickets has continued to rise from 2003, to 2004, and to 2006, the margin of safety has decreased over the same period of time. What caused this change? 3. 0Reduction in Price One idea the consultant had was to reduce prices to bring i n more customers. The following table illustrates that by reducing prices 10% and increasing sales to 7,500 tickets, the company’s operating income significantly decreases, losing an additional $580K over the previous year’s income/loss. Breakeven in sales tickets is 9,337 – an increase of 1,832 from the previous year. Breakeven in sales dollars increases $1. 47 million to a total of $13. 12 million needed. 4. 0Elimination of Sales Commissions Another idea that Gretchen had was to eliminate sales commissions even though both her Grandfather and Father insisted that commissions were one of the reasons for their success in the past. The figure below illustrates that the elimination of sales commission greatly affects operating income. By eliminating the sales commission in a projection of the three previously reported years, we can see that operating income is in the positive for all three periods. Although Gretchen’s father and grandfather perceived commission to give them a competitive edge, calculations prove that the commission payments are definitely hurting Halstead’s bottom line. Further consideration should be given to eliminate them if possible. 5. 0Advertising Michaela felt that a bigger store could benefit from greater advertising and suggested that advertising be increased by $200,000. If advertising expenses were increased by $200,000, the breakeven point in both sales dollars and sales tickets would increase. For Fiscal Year (FY) 2006, Hallstead spent $257,000 on advertising. If this were increased to $457,000, the breakeven point would be as follows: Breakeven in sales tickets = Breakeven sales dollars / Average sales tickets 7,805 = $12,120,525. 73 / $1,553 Breakeven in sales dollars = Total Fixed Costs / Contribution margin ratio $12,120,525. 73 = $5,211,000 / 0. 430 The affect of the increases in advertising expenditures on the breakeven point in sales dollars would be an increase from $11,655,335. 72 to $12,120,525. 73, a difference of $465,190. 01. It would probably be a good idea for Hallstead Jewelers to try the increase in advertising. Although the company is currently struggling with a negative operating income, the increase in breakeven dollars is relatively nominal. Competition from much larger companies, such as Tiffany & Company, as well as internet jewelry sales from companies such as Blue Nile has taken some of their business. Perhaps some of this increased advertising budget should be spent on expanding their business to the internet and advertising there; allowing Hallstead to compete more directly with Blue Nile and boost sales. Increased advertising may also help bring in more customers who are not yet aware of the company’s new Washington St. location and larger renovated store. 6. 0Average Sales Tickets The following overview takes a look at how much the average sales ticket would have to increase to breakeven if the fixed cost remained the same in 2007 as it was in 2006. Average sales ticket for 2006 is $1,553 @ 6,897 tickets for an Operating loss of $406,000. †¢# of tickets x Average sales ticket = Sales revenue †¢6,897 tickets x $1,553 = $10,711,041 †¢Average ticket sale dollar amount needed to break even = Sales revenue needed to break even / # of sales tickets for 2006 †¢Average ticket sale dollar amount needed to break even = (Fixed Cost / Contribution Margin Ratio) / # of sales tickets for 2006 †¢Average ticket sale dollar amount needed to break even = ($5,011,000 / 0. 43) / 6,897 †¢Average ticket sale dollar amount needed to break even = $1689. 2 †¢Average sales ticket increase to break-even = Average ticket sale needed to break even – Average sales ticket for 2006 †¢Average sales ticket increase to break-even = $1690 – $1,553 = $137 By reducing prices 10% and increasing sales to 7,500 tickets, the company’s operating income significantly decreases, losing an additional $580K over the previous year’s income/loss. Breakeven in sales tickets is 9,337 – an increase of 1,832 from the previous year. Breakeven in sales dollars raises $1. 47 million to a total of $13. 12 million needed. 7. 0Recommendations In our analysis of Hallstead Jewelers we found that Income was steadily declining and the move to the new location, with increased fixed costs, resulted in a loss for 2006. We implemented several options to see what variances would occur. A consultant recommended a 10% reduction in prices which would lead to an increase in sales. We showed this to be a bad idea as operating income significantly decreased with the price reduction. Another idea was to eliminate sales commission. Eliminating sales commission greatly enhanced operating income and resulted in positive operating income for all three years. Michaela suggested increasing the advertising budget by $200,000. Increasing the advertising budget increased the breakeven in sales dollars by $465,190; if increasing the advertising budget results in increased sales it would be justifiable. Based on our analysis of Hallstead Jewelers we would recommend that they discontinue the practice of paying sales commissions. Although Gretchen’s father and grandfather perceived sales commission to give them a competitive edge and drive sales, calculations prove that the commission payments are definitely hurting Halstead’s bottom line. Elimination of sales commission in 2006 would have resulted in $1,215,184 less in breakeven sales dollars. The company's name and reputation should be asset enough to drive Hallstead Jewelers sales. In addition, we would recommend Hallstead Jewelers use $200,000 from the elimination of the sales commissions and apply it to increasing the advertisement budget combating stiff competition from large retailers such as Tiffany and Company and the internet business, Blue Nile. The increased advertising budget should be assessed on an annual basis to validate its effectiveness. Works Cited Jiambalvo, James. Managerial Accounting 4th ed. New Jersey: John Wiley, 2010. â€Å"Break-Even Analysis. † Wikipedia Online http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Break_even_analysis. (11 APR. 2010) â€Å"Contribution Margin. † Wikipedia Online http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Contribution_margin. (10 APR. 2010)