Global Management Report Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Global Management Report - Assignment Example The company uses the number to strategize on long-term sustainable growth. The annual report of 2014 indicated a 4.3% market share above top competitors such as Kantar Grocery Market (Johnlewispartnership.co.uk, 2015). Operating margin is measured in percentage and often expressed as a part of the revenue (Marr, 2012). John Lewis uses operating margin to measure or indicate its overall profitability. The company uses the data to evaluate the pricing strategy and operating efficiency. The company generated an operating margin of 5.2% in 2014 due to pension operating and restructuring costs. John Lewis uses this measure to know the amount of profit left after cost and expense deductions are made. The deductions must be made before partnership bonus, tax and exceptional item. The company knows its trading strength when it utilizes profit before partnership bonus, tax and exceptional item. John Lewis struggled with increased pension cost in 2014 and generated $375.9M. Group profit margin is a percentage of revenue and is expressed through profit before partnership bonus, tax and exceptional item (Marr, 2012). John Lewis uses group profit margin measure to know how its profitability is changing with different revenue levels. The company generated a group profit margin of 3.6% after exceptional item was included (Johnlewispartnership.co.uk, 2015). Measuring the amount of cash generated through group business operation is essential for John Lewis. John Lewis group uses cash flow from operations measures to ascertain if there is adequate positive cash flow to sustain its operation and indicate the need for external financing. The cash flow is generated from Group business operations. Normal pension contributions went high in 2014 and contributed to $784M cash flow. The figure was also attributed to low improvements in the company’s working capital. The company’s process of acquiring physical and intangible assets such as

What Makes Right Acts Right and Wrong Acts Wrong Essay

What Makes Right Acts Right and Wrong Acts Wrong - Essay Example This antagonism emanates from the fact that the owners of such sites hold the opinion that they are just displaying public documents, which can in turn make the public make informed choices while dealing with the individuals in question (Segal, n.p.). However, the affected individuals, whose mug shots appears on such sites are feeling offended, considering that some of them could not have committed any wrong, and they were cleared by the authorities of any wrongdoing. Therefore, the consistent display of their mug shots is tantamount to defamation, considering that they may not have been guilty of an offence, and even for those who could have been guilty, they may have transformed their lives. This is issue raises a fundamental ethical question of right or wrong, since the display of the mug shots is benefiting some individuals, such as the owners of the mug shot sites, the search engines and the partnering financial service companies, while causing grave harm to the individuals whos e photographs are being displayed (Segal, n.p.). The utilitarian approach to answering â€Å"what makes right acts right and wrong acts wrong† According to the utilitarian approach, the right action is that which, amongst the entire available alternatives, is most likely to maximize the overall utility, in the form of happiness and absence of suffering (Jack, 437).The main ethical issue the article raises is whether stopping the publication of the mug shots on the mug shot sites would be right or wrong. The other ethical dilemma raised by the article is whether stopping the publication of the mug shots would be beneficial or detrimental to the public. Therefore, in regard to the case above, the utilitarian approach will consider that; since publishing mug shots of individuals who may have previously been booked by the authorities serves to deny such individuals the maximum overall utility; by denying them happiness and causing them dissatisfaction, then, it is wrong to publis h the mug shots in the sites. However, this position may not be agreeable to all the utilitarian advocates, since by failing to publish such mug shots on the mug shot sites, some individuals are also being denied maximum utility, happiness and satisfaction, which they could derive from publishing the mug shots. Therefore, the utilitarians will disagree on the issue of which alternative between publishing and removing mug shots from the sites creates more happiness and satisfaction (Hare, 117). For example, the owners of the mug shot sites will be denied happiness and satisfaction, since they will not get the money they obtain from individuals seeking to have their mug shots removed. This will in turn cause them dissatisfaction and unhappiness. However, considering that the number of the owners of the mug shot sites stands at around 80, while there are over 1.6 million mug shots printed in the sites, it is apparent that much harm is caused to the individuals whose mug shots are publi shed, thus making the option of stopping the publication of the mug shots the right alternative, amongst the rest. The deontological approach to answering â€Å"what makes right acts right and wrong acts wrong† The deontological approach to what is right or wrong is guided by the principle that; an action could be right or morally correct, even though there are still other alternatives that produces overall better consequences (Singer, 232). Therefore, according to the deontological a

The Difficult Justice of Melville and Kleist Essay Example for Free

The Difficult Justice of Melville and Kleist Essay According to many scholars, Billy Budd is the archetypal story of good vs. evil, the injustice of an imperfect world, and the impossible decisions good people are forced to make. On a first reading of the story, Captain Vere appears to be a symbol of merciless justice, cold efficiency, and the power of the State; a godlike figure with the power to take life when and where he sees fit. The captain, whose name is loosely translated as Truth, is caught in the middle between the two. He is fond of Billy, because of his friendly open nature. He dislikes Claggart because he instinctively feels that he is evil, â€Å"No sooner did the Commander observe who it was that deferentially stood awaiting his notice, than a peculiar expression came over him. It was not unlike that which uncontrollably will flit across the countenance of one at unawares encountering a person who, though known to him indeed, has hardly been long enough known for thorough knowledge, but something in whose aspect nevertheless now for the first provokes a vaguely repellent distaste†(Chapter 19, Melville). Vere appears to have an intuitive knowledge of what is right and just, which makes it all the more baffling why he chooses to disregard what he knows is right in favor of the expedient. Martin Greenberg, in â€Å"The Difficult Justice of Melville and Kleist,† cites two arguments for Vere’s decision to punish Billy: first, is the loss of free will that follows enlistment in the Navy; second, the fear of mutiny and chaos is extremely compelling to a high ranking official like a captain (4). Greenberg and Melville understand Vere’s predicament as a man of the military. Had he been soft, perhaps more lives would have been lost through mutiny, and the cohesion of the Royal Navy might have been destroyed. The story is set in 1797, following the American Revolt against the Crown. In such tumultuous times, any form of clemency—especially in the armed forces—would be seen as a weakness for the unscrupulous to exploit. The story of false accusations against an innocent has a long history in the literary, Biblical, and historical traditions. Quite often, the person in charge of making such life or death decisions is either unable or unwilling to do the right thing (i. e. Pontius Pilate). Pontius Pilate and Captain Vere have both sent innocent men to their deaths for fear of social unrest, or an end to the status quo. In the realm of ethics, their action would have been unconscionable, but in politics, leaders must abide by the Macchiavellian dictate to When Vere calls upon Billy to answer his accuser, he believed that he would be quickly exonerated because there is nothing in his nature that would give credence to such an outlandish allegation. Until Billy strikes Claggart dead in a fit of incoherent rage, In Martin Greenberg’s analysis of Billy Budd, he remarks on the Biblical imagery immanent in the descriptions of John Claggart and Billy Budd, The two of them are the great forces of light and dark in the miniature universe of the ship, â€Å"And that world provides, like the great world itself, a Satan, harsher than his harsh name of Claggart, as sinisterly handsome as Billy is angelically—modeled on Milton’s Satan, despairing like him, but ignoble†(5). One of the ironies in examining this supposed lack of free will, is that it is an ineffable part of the Christian doctrine; yet those that are obedient to this higher power often feel compelled to perform actions they never would have dreamt of doing. Melville makes frequent allusions to Abraham and Isaac, with respect to Abraham’s near sacrifice of his son on the mountainside. Greenberg remarks upon this likeness at length in his analysis, â€Å"The two are imagined as embracing like father and son, like Jacob and Isaac, in the privacy of the sailor’s confinement, where as if it were a sacred precinct, the storyteller doesn’t venture to enter. Each experiences a sacrificial exaltation: Billy, sacrificing his life at the behest of the father-god of his world, exclaims â€Å"God bless Captain Vere! † just before he drops from the yardarm; the Captain, as the one who condemns to death, makes even the harder sacrifice (according to the narrator at the behest of his father-god the King†(5). With the death of Claggart, Vere argued for Billy’s death in a military court. The officers present knew that he was innocent of mutiny and homicide. He did not have the mental capacity to engineer such a coup, nor was he aware of his own strength. All he wanted to do was stop the lies coming out of Claggart’s mouth, and he reacted physically since he was unable to do so verbally. Would it not be a crime to kill someone that is mentally handicapped and too strong for his own good? Would it not be better to set him ashore in England or the Americas, then restore order to the At the beginning of Chapter 23, when sentence was to be passed upon the approved, the narrator presented a rather sympathetic portrait of Captain Vere, â€Å"The austere devotee of military duty, letting himself melt back into what remains primeval in our formalized humanity, may in the end have caught Billy to his heart even as Abraham may have caught young Isaac on the brink of resolutely offering him up in obedience to the exacting behest† (Melville). Like Christ, Billy had done no wrong, and perhaps this very perfection makes him less sympathetic than Captain Vere to Melville. As fallible human beings, some have more power than they know how to wield, and some decisions come at the price of the soul. It is Greenberg’s contention that the supernatural powers of the one true God, a pantheon of gods, heaven, or angels are no match for earthly injustice. The crucifixion of Jesus, the execution of Billy, and the avenging of Claggart substantiates this cynical world view. Works Cited Greenberg, Martin. â€Å"The Difficult Justice of Melville Kleist. † The New Criterion. (March, 2005): 3-11 Melville, Herman. Billy Budd, Sailor. Retrieved 5 Apr. 2007 from http://xroads. virginia. edu/~HYPER/bb/BillyBudd. html

Henry David Thoreaus Walden and Aldo Leopolds A Sand County Almanac E

Henry David Thoreau's Walden and Aldo Leopold's A Sand County Almanac While discussing Henry David Thoreau's Walden and Aldo Leopold's A Sand County Almanac, we attempted to address an important challenge -- Is the close observation and description of nature merely an idle thing for people in today's world? It could be suggested that nature writing and the close enjoyment of natural environments is merely "recreational" and not intellectually, economically, or politically worthy of our efforts. Perhaps this activity has "spiritual value" or gives us a "sense of peace." But does it really have anything to do with the way we live in the world today? It seems to me that this question is central to the whole course of study and that we need to be able to answer it convincingly and in some detail. In my view, there can be no doubt to the correct answer. The close observation and description of nature is no idle thing. It is an act of world-making, or founding one's world view. Since behavior is determined by the ways in which one sees the world (reality), it is the groundwork of one's behavior. It is this act in which we find both Thoreau and Leopold engaged. Thoreau himself comments on its significance in the essay, "Where I Lived and What I lived For." By closely observing, but especially by describing (by using language) we establish our lives within the whole natural world. We express our desire and commitment to live within that world. Now, perhaps this sounds trivial and trite in today's world, but it is no trivial commitment for a citizen of today. Modern human life is set so firmly within a human-built world and dwells so thoroughly on human issues only that it is normal for us all to grow up and live out our lives... ... goal of that culture is to keep us outside of our human selves, located firmly within its agendas and serving its purposes. That culture does not want to acknowledge another world, a natural world. To do that would be allowing human liberation, for that would present people with a true picture of who they are and offer them a station that is not dominated by the established political/economic agenda of today. This is no idle thing; it is a powerful political issue, in fact. The established culture does not really want its citizens to live in any world but the specific one that it provides, that it has defined, and that it controls to its advantage. When we read Thoreau's Walden closely, we see this same cultural tension even one hundred and fifty years ago. Thoreau was well aware of the fact that his life at Walden Pond was a liberating counter-cultural experience.

W.H. Auden’s September 1,1939

W. H. Auden’s September 1, 1939 appears at first to be a poem preoccupied with war; its title, being a significant date of the Polish-Nazi invasion in World War II, is a preliminary indication of a war-time theme. On the surface, the poem appears to comment on the dishonesty and manipulation of government leading to war and expresses Auden’s political opinions about WWII and his skepticism of governmental authority.The ideas Auden presents of the ‘Collective Man’ and ‘the lie of Authority’ suggests that concerning the war, he believes that the people of the world should be more truthful to one another, and that governments are to blame for the deceptions and wars in the world. The actions of governments at the time and their use of wartime propaganda to manipulate the public’s perception could be a mirrored image of the way Auden believes he has been made to be judged by society.Richard R Bozorth claims that â€Å"Auden’s poems h ad private meanings[†¦]To read with this knowledge is to see that what is true of all writing is acutely so for lesbian and gay writers – that meaning is initiated and elaborated in social settings where truth is very much a matter of what is speakable. † When considering the homosexual nature of Auden’s social life, a new layer can be found within the poem.From the outset of the poem there is a theme of isolation; the speaker sits in ‘one of the dives/ On Fifty-Second Street’, suggesting a certain seclusion and loneliness. America was an impartial country in the Second World War and is described in the poem as the ‘neutral air’, reflecting its political neutrality during the war. The lonely bar Auden resides in suggests that like the country that inhabits him, Auden feels he is too separated and alienated within society, which may be due to his conflicting sexuality.The primary interpretation of Auden’s perception of WWII al lows him to express his feelings towards the intolerance of homosexuality in society as it could be suggested that Auden believes homosexuals are forced to be kept hidden from the public, the way the government deals with propaganda and censorship during the wartime. The use of light and dark duality throughout the poem could be a metaphor for Auden’s attitude towards homosexuality and how it is kept in the ‘dark’ of society.The ‘waves of anger and fear/ Circulate over the bright/ And darkened lands of the earth’ could refer to both the spreading of the war, causing anger and fear to civilians, and the anger felt by people who are unaccepted within society, left to exist within the darkened lands, unexposed to the light of acceptance. Auden insists ‘the lights must never go out’, in which ‘the lights’ could represent the acceptance and embracing of homosexuality and thus Auden seeks the light that will allow him to feel acce pted within the world.It appears Auden is communicating that humanity is not only condemned by war, but also condemned by a lack of acceptance of one another. The ‘conservative dark’ Auden refers to not only presents the darkness of government and its control, but also the darkness of those who cannot alter their opinions on those who are different. The idea that the poem is commenting on the inequality of homosexuals in society coincides with the primary interpretation of the poem because in both instances Auden is using the poem to speak out against injustices and seek truth and equality either in government or society.Auden’s poem is read primarily as a critique on the dishonesty of government because of the outbreak of war, however, Auden’s personal life and the language and references within the poem give evidence to a deeper meaning. By creating a poem with two levels of interpretation Auden is able to speak about two different subjects that he feels very strongly about both of which work together to urge for a more honest and tolerable world.

How to Speak English With an American

Speaking English is not only about using proper grammar. To use English effectively, you need to understand the culture in which it is spoken. Here are a number of important tips to remember when speaking English in the United States. American English Points to Remember Most Americans only speak English: While it is true that more and more Americans speak Spanish, most Americans only speak English. Dont expect them to understand your native language.Americans have difficulties understanding foreign accents: Many Americans are not used to foreign accents. This requires patience from both of you! Conversation Tips Speak about location: Americans love to talk about location. When speaking to a stranger, ask them where they are from and then make a connection with that place. For example: Oh, I have a friend who studied in Los Angeles. He says its a beautiful place to live. Most Americans will then willingly talk about their experiences living or visiting that particular city or area.Talk about work: Americans commonly ask What do you do?. Its not considered impolite (as in some countries) and is a popular topic of discussion between strangers.Talk about sports: Americans love sports! However, they love American sports. When speaking about football, most Americans understand American Football, not soccer.Be careful when expressing ideas about race, religion, or other sensitive topics: The United States is a multi-cultural society, and many Americans are trying very hard to be sensitive to other cultures and ideas. Talking about sensitive topics like religion or beliefs is often avoided in order to be sure not to offend someone of a different belief system.   Addressing People Use last names with people you do not know: Address people using their title (Mr, Ms, Dr) and their last names.Always use Ms when addressing women: It is important to use Ms when addressing a woman. Only use Mrs when the woman has asked you to do so!Many Americans prefer first names: Americans often prefer using first names, even when dealing with people in very different positions. Americans will generally say, Call me Tom. and then expect you to remain on a first name basis.Americans prefer informal: In general, Americans prefer informal greetings and using first names or nicknames when speaking with colleagues and acquaintances. Public Behavior Always shake hands: Americans shake hands when greeting each other. This is true for both men and women. Other forms of greeting such as kissing on the cheeks, etc., is generally not appreciated.Look your partner in the eye: Americans look each other in the eyes when they are speaking as a way of showing that they are sincere.Dont hold hands: Same-sex friends do not usually hold hands or put their arms around each other in public in the United States.Smoking is out!!: Smoking, even in public places, is strongly disapproved of by most Americans in the modern United States.

Persuasive Essay On Junk Food - 1138 Words

As a nation, Americans revel in the consumption of junk food. These extremely unhealthy foods are often present during many various occasions, such as sports events, movies, and parties. When a person craves a quick snack, junk food is the ideal solution. However, beyond the satisfying taste of foods such as Doritos and potato chips lies a very serious problem. These foods can lead to physical disrepair, sickness, and even death. Yet many Americans remain oblivious to this nationwide issue and allow it to remain unaddressed. The crisis of junk food in America needs to be resolved immediately. To go more in depth, it is imperative that the nation resolves this issue relatively soon, primarily because the excessive consumption of†¦show more content†¦If one continually eats unhealthy foods, they can quickly become overweight. Moreover, this has become such a recurring problem in America that according to the National Institutes of Health, compulsive eating has led to o besity for approximately 35.7% of Americans. This number represents over one-third of the entire U.S population and will continue to grow unless it is addressed. In addition, it is critical that Americans learn to moderate their junk food intake to prevent the contraction of serious health issues. Sweenie states that, â€Å"Food high in salt, sugar, fat or calories and low nutrient content...provide suboptimal nutrition with excessive fat, sugar, or sodium per kcal. Such poor diets can slow growth, promote obesity; sow the seeds of diseases like diabetes, hypertension, cardiac problems, and osteoporosis.† These are exceptionally serious diseases that can often result in a severely hindered lifestyle or even death. In order to avoid these exceptionally undesirable outcomes, one must always remain aware of their daily junk food consumption. In Kirkey’s article, Paul Kenny, an associate professor at the Scripps Research Institute in Florida, states that, Its incumbe nt upon people to make sure that theyre more respectful and aware of what theyre eating. Just be aware that there are dangers and risks associated. Enjoy (high-fat) food, but make sure its occasionally andShow MoreRelatedPersuasive Essay On Junk Food944 Words   |  4 PagesWhile deciding what to eat one night when I was left to fend for myself I came to the realization: if I wanted something healthy I am going to have to spend more money to get the same amount of food of a meal of unhealthy food. I decided on either getting a salad from subway (starting at around 6.50 depending on what type of meat you choose and an extra 1.50-2.50 for a drink) that usually fills me up for an hour and then I am rummaging around for something else. Or a fill up meal from KFC (startingRead MorePersuasive Essay On Junk Food787 Words   |  4 Pagesproblem. Junk food and other snacks that provide little nutritional value are accepted as a major contributor to the problem, especially for children who may be exposed to advertisements for junk food on television and at school. The first step in conquering the obesity epidemic is not banning junk food outright in schools. Instead, we must focus on educating young children about making healthy decisions, not just about diet, but also about physical activity. Banning or taxing junk food heavilyRead MorePersuasive Essay On Junk Food2000 Words   |  8 Pagesalive and well, but most food nowadays is not even considered a healthy option yet we still consume it. The reason behind that is junk food simply tastes better because it is faster, cheaper, and easier to consume. Many people that are actually watching what they are eating are pushing the government relentlessly to have the unhealthy food that people love and enjoy more expensive so they can ultimately just give up and start paying for the cheaper alternative, healthy food. Countries outside of theRead MoreMega Marketing : The Extraordinary Science Of Addictive Junk Food1679 Words   |  7 Pagesâ€Å"The Extraordinary Science of Addictive Junk Food†, Moss examines the science behind food industry corporations and how scientist study which design and taste addict their consumers, correlating the effects towards the obesity epidemic. Moss proves that mega-marketing is a sc ience that aims at the buyers psychology, making their taste buds crave the product, and their sense of sight attracted to appeasing packaging. Relating to Moss’s beliefs, Ethan Watters essay, â€Å"The Mega-Marketing of Depression inRead MorePersuasive Essay Topics1228 Words   |  5 Pages101 Persuasive Essay Topics By: Mr. Morton Whether you are a student in need of a persuasive essay topic, or a teacher looking to assign a persuasive essay, this list of 101 persuasive essay topics should be a great resource. I taxed my brain to create this huge list of persuasive essay topics relevant to todays society, but I believe I am happy with the results. I appreciate any and all comments or feedback. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24Read MoreThe Effects Of Television On Childhood Obesity1337 Words   |  6 PagesThe Effects of Television on Childhood Obesity Essay It is evident that the rate of obesity is steadily increasing in North America and has reached an all-time high (Novonty 2015). This is due to the lack of physical activity, increased consumption level of unhealthy foods, and the prominent amount of exposure to media such as Television (TV). Although TV has not been proven to be a direct cause for obesity, it does however contribute to the development of children and adolescence obesity due toRead MoreFast Food1145 Words   |  5 PagesRamandeep Singh Mrs. Vinson October 23, 2012 English 1001 Essay 2 Draft 3 Fast food Obesity is an epidemic that is sweeping over the United States today. It’s affecting both adults and children. With the increase in fast food availability and a decrease in the time most Americans have to prepare nutritious meals at home, it’s obvious why more people are eating at fast food restaurants. Obesity is a growing problem in the United States and more and more children are being affected. But do uneducatedRead MoreArgumentative Essays About Obesity1560 Words   |  7 Pagesthemselves to get that far into bad health(obesity)? (might be more of a Psychology question though..) A good one for looking at arguments relating to the fast food industry is Super-Size me that documentary, that might give you some more ideas about arguments, to look into some of the issues that Morgan Spurlock touches on, (size of food portions, advertising, health related problems of obesity, etc..) Obesity in AmericaWhen people think about health what usually comes up is cancer, or some kindRead More Controversial Television Advertising Essay1498 Words   |  6 PagesControversial Television Advertising We all know from our personal experience that one person’s idea of something offensive often differs from another’s. This essay is to determine the consequences towards negative advertising towards certain controversial products/services and why they are so offensive. All major media organizations need advertising to exist, thats how they pay their bills. At the same time, though, each organization sets its own advertising standards. Some ads a media companyRead MoreOn-Demand Performance Assessment : Argument And Information / Research Writing979 Words   |  4 Pageswhich you have strong feelings. You will have exactly forty-five minutes to write an opinion or argument text in which you’ll write your opinion or claim and tell reasons why you feel that way. When you do this, draw on everything you know about essays, persuasive letters and reviews. Youll need to plan, draft, revise, and edit in one sitting. In your writing make sure you: Write an introduction Elaborate with a variety of information Organize your writing Use transition words Write a conclusion Argument