7c’s of Written Communication

7 C’s off effective communication (with respect to written communication): Written communication  occupies an important position in the communication sphere, so written communication has to pay adequate attention on certain principles of necessity. The essentials of every written communication are principles of unity, coherence and emphasis. These principles along with other essentials of effective communication, like language, planning and organization make the written communication effective. Clarity:  The writing should be correctly planned and expressed in a logical way,and the writer should make sure that the ideas flow smoothly from beginning to end. The message must be so clear that even the dullest man in the world should readily understand it. The communicator must be very clear about all the aspects of the idea in his mind and about the purpose for which it is to be communicated. Next to it, he must be clear about the selection, suitability and usage of the mediu m. The signals of the encoded message must be carefully composed of and transmitted well.Clarity of written language is the first and foremost emphasis one should seek in writing. So clarity of language is a form of courtesy. Clarity, therefore, can be achieved in writing by taking pains by writing to serve the purpose rather than to impress readers. Understanding the subject bring about clarity in the writing. Don’t jump about from one part of the writing to another and then back to the first aspect. This is confusing for you and the reader. Deal with each aspect separately and clearly.Clear description brings about the script alive, takes readers to where you have been and evokes atmosphere. It can bring flavor in the most arid and dry news story and make the difference between a report that satisfies and one that does not. * Completeness:  It is an essential factor for effective communication. A message must be organized appropriately in the sense that it must include al l the important ideals and its details. The contents of the message must be checked in order to verify that there is no omission of the relevant details.An incomplete message can do little to convey the information and to persuade the receiver. All the aspects of the message must be grouped and brought together in logical sequence to prepare meaningful thought units. The communicator effort can be more fruitful and effective if the receiver easily reacts to the sender’s message. The incomplete messages may create doubts in the receiver’s mind. The receiver of the incomplete message feels angry, confused and irritated by it. Effective writing communication implies a condition of being complete and clear.The principles of unity or completeness apply at three levels; one, the individual sentences must be unified. Two, individual paragraphs must be unified and three the totality of the script must be unified. The first principle states that each simple sentence must contai n a single idea clearly expressed. All sentences relating to a particular matter constitute a unified individual paragraph. Each paragraph in a section forms a unit of thought. All units of thoughts structurally constitute the message of entire communication or a unified message.Each unified individual sentence conveys only one central idea. It must be direct, simple, brief, clear and vigorous. Too much use of buts, ands, pomposity and technical jargon must be avoided. Prompt and adequate attention of the reader is the essence of purposeful communication. Completeness in writing is achieved through orderly arrangement of ideas flowing into other ideas and progressing into conclusion. An incomplete writing leads to side tracking, misunderstanding, seeking clarifications and explanation etc. thus, the writer must consider the receiver’s capabilities to understand. Coherence:  Coherency is equally essential for good written communication. Clear communication in simple sentence s helps the reader to understand. Facts and figures must be stated plainly and in an intelligent manner. Relation and clarity are the two important aspects of coherence. Coherence means, tying together of several ideas, under one main topic in any paragraph. Smooth flow, lucidity and transition aspects should be given effect to and there should not be any scope for the reader to misinterpret, mis-read or mis- spell the message.Coherence is given to a larger paragraph or section of a message and leads to purposeful communication where the writer is well received, read, understood and acted upon by the reader. * Conciseness:  Conciseness is an important factor in effective communication. It means saying all that needs to be said and no more. The aimless verbiage, unnecessary details and heavy paragraphs make our communication ridiculous and ineffective. We must omit those words and sentences from our message, which are not likely to bring about results.The message, which can be expr essed in fewer words, is more impressive and effective than the same message expressed in a number of words. The communicator must organize his message in such a way that every word in it is meaningful and of interest to the receiver. Even a single word or a sentence, which does not contribute to accomplish the purpose of the communication, should be carefully omitted. Conciseness refers to thoughts expressed in the fewest words consistent with writing. It is achieved in writing in definite style and use of precise words.Unnecessary superlatives, exaggeration and indirect beginning should be avoided. Care should be taken to use adjectives judiciously, avoiding irrelevant details, unnecessary expression and mumbling sentences. Avoid vague judgmental descriptions and be precise and clear. * Credibility:  A good writing is always forceful and direct and has the power and capacity to produce a reaction or desired effect. Clarity in writing brings about credibility because it ensures t hat others understand the message easily and quickly. A clear and direct approach in writing makes it possible to achieve the principle of credibility in your writing.Other essentials of writing like correctness and completeness add to the strength of credibility in the writing. * Correctness:  Without correctness, readers may refuse your write up. Communication must be correct in tone and style of expression, spelling, grammar, format, contents, statistical information; stress-unstressed, etc. there should not be any inaccurate statements in the message. Efforts must be made to avoid errors in spellings, punctuations, etc. the incorrect written documents lower the readers’ confidence in the writer.In the same way, the incorrect statements and other miscellaneous errors of the speaker lower the listeners’ confidence in him and it may tarnish his image and reliability too. When communication receiver finds one error he suspects that there can also be other errors in t he message. Therefore, he starts searching for other mistakes automatically. The subject matter of communication must be correct or accurate. The manner in which the message is transmitted must be absolutely correct. Accuracy in writing can be achieved by careful checking and editing.Correctness demands accurate figures, because decisions may go wrong if wrong figures are given. Over writings, erasures, strikeovers, wrong spellings, faulty grammar, poor sentence construction etc may distract the readers and lead to misunderstanding. Written communication clearly means making others to understand. Therefore, it is essential that the sender should verify the correctness of the information before transmitting it to the receiver. And before accepting the information for important decision-making, the receiver should clarify his doubts regarding the accuracy and correctness of the message.Continuity:  As far as possible the writer should avoid jargon. Jargon is a language that is speci al to science, commerce, technology, trade and profession. In writing, the jargon should not be incorporated as this could make the writing confusing and unclear. Brevity or use of fewer words brings about continuity and grace in your writing. The effect of good writing depends on its style and continuity of subject till the conclusion. If one takes care to be precise, correct and clear in writing and if the continuity is maintained throughout writing, the desired effect from the reader is achieved.

Chapter 2 Thesis Enrolment System

Notes on Philippine pre-colonial literature Notes and anecdotes on Philippine pre-colonial literature, mostly taken from my Filipino 14 class under Mr. Popa. The pre-colonial period in the Philippines is the longest chapter in the country's history. Yet it is also the darkest chapter in history, with very few records extant. The lack of knowledge concerning the period stems from the lack of resources concerning this era, brought on by the perishability of the items produced during those times.Having a strong affinity with nature, the early Filipino communities produced items molded from the raw materials in the region, mostly from plants and trees. Another reason was the Spanish colonization of the Philippines. The Catholic friars who were tasked with converting the â€Å"uncivilized† natives demonized the pre-colonial culture, seeing the beliefs of that era as a threat to their mission to spread Christianity in the land. Only a few manuscripts still survive to this day, mostl y done by Spanish priests who had immersed themselves in the community in an attempt to decipher their ways.One of the most important was the Vocabulario de la Lengua Tagala by Fr. Juan de Noceda and Fr. Pedro San Lucar (1734), an anthology of early oral lore that preserved many examples of pre-colonial literature. However, despite the Spanish teachings, Philippine pre-colonial culture was not as barbaric as it had been made out to be. The presence of a bustling trade economy with Chinese and Muslim merchants existed long before the landing of the Spaniards. The oral literature in existence during that time also displayed a sense of sophistication beyond that of simple barbaric cultures.Anitism, a term coined by Stephen Hislop, refers to the religion prevalent in the religion at that time. The early Filipinos believed in the presence of  anitos, primordial forces of nature that could accompany or possess people. Filipinos also held the principle of  loob  with great importance . Loosely translated,  loobmeans inside. Loob  is also a vague reference to the soul. An attempt to explain  loob  may proceed as follows. The concept of  loob  can, first and foremost, be related to the concept of a soul. It is something that resides within the person.However, it is not corporeal, or as specific as a soul; it is a vital part of the person but not the person in his/her entirety. Loobis also related to space and trust; with the phrase  malapit ang loob ko sa iyo  (malapitmeaning near) referring to a person's high trust level with the other. Loob  is also a personal space, something sacred to the person that belongs to him alone. The Filipinos were also well-endowed in the area of literature. A long-standing oral tradition that still survives in remnants to this day traces its roots to the pre-colonial period. Philippine literature employed everyday language, and was a communal activity.As such, the social relevance of literature during that time was very important. Themes included the daily routines of the community, living in accordance with nature and living within the community. Literature was the primary expression of the community's experiences, beliefs and emotions. Filipino pre-colonial literature followed certain conventions. Due to its oral nature, most stories had a formulaic method of construction. This was reinforced by the duty of literature as a reflection of the communal belief and experience; the repetition of themes highlighted the prevalent qualities of the region's culture, and identity was thus embodied.The oral tradition also refined the structure of pre-colonial literature, employing the use of rhythm and rhyme to great effect. Rhythm and rhyme distinguished literary pieces from normal conversation while employing the familiar everyday language that everyone in the community understood. These devices also made the pieces easier to remember and retell, while allowing the storyteller to associate the rise a nd fall of tone with the appropriate portions of the story.Philippine literature possesses a deep level of sophistication, seen in the organic unity of language, theme and relevance within each piece. The use of common language did not prevent the pieces from obtaining a touch of elegance that set it apart, a testament to the literary ability of the pre-colonial culture. Literature was a vital tool for community cohesiveness, rooted in the foundations of language as a tool for survival. Banding together to overcome the dangers of the wild, literature took on communal themes that promoted a sense of togetherness throughout the locals.Literature also reflected the affinity of pre-colonial Fipinos with nature, with the use of colorful metaphors and vivid backgrounds to enhance the story and express their appreciation of nature itself. Literature is such an integral part of pre-colonial Philippine culture that it was one of the methods employed by the Spanish in order to convert the Fil ipinos towards Christianity. However, the Filipinos were intensely critical of these Spanish pieces, largely due to their inability to relate them to their communal beliefs.

Amazon Com An E Commerce Retailer Marketing Essay

Amazon Com An E Commerce Retailer Marketing Essay Aggressive competition, along with the external factors of a poor economy and possible repeal of the Internet sales tax exemption, has forced Amazon.com to reevaluate its current strategies and redevelop an â€Å"effective differentiating strategy† in order to make the company a â€Å"consistent money maker† in the short and long-term time frames, while still continuing to pursue corporate objectives of expanding at reasonable costs and staying ahead of the company’s competition. 2. Summary statement of the recommended solution: Develop and implement a competitive business-to-business (B2B) exchange for suppliers, retailers, manufacturers and distributors. B. THE SITUATION Amazon.com was founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994 and was , â€Å"à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦considered to be the premier online retailer in the world† (Collins, P., Mockler, R., & Gartenfeld, M., p. 2, 2003) in 2003. The company originally only started with selling books, but later expanded into severa l other product lines such as: CD’s, DVD’s & videos, electronics, toys, apparel, and home & garden supplies. Amazon.com also offered services which included: online auctions, partnerships with retailers (i.e. The Gap & Eddie Bauer,) Zshops (store hosting) and website management. In 2003 the company reported its first operating profit of $64.1 million, which was an 115.55% increase from 2001’s $412.2 million operating loss, for the fiscal year ending December 31st, 2002. Amazon continued to meet its internal goals, â€Å"à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦of focusing on increased market share, expanded product offerings, and overall sales growth, the company was still facing pressureà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦to produce consistent operating profits and to prove that its business model worked financially over the long-term.† (Collins, P., Mockler, R., & Gartenfeld, M., p. 3, 2003) The pressure the company was facing, combined with a decreasing consumer confidence, an increased unemploymen t rate, and competitive threats from other online companies, like eBay and Yahoo!, who had started to expand into Amazon.com’s current markets, left Bezos â€Å"à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦with the task of developing an effective differentiating enterprise strategy if Amazon.com was to survive and prosper against aggressive competitionà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Collins, P., Mockler, R., & Gartenfeld, M., p. 2, 2003) II. ANALYSIS A. ANALYSIS OF THE SITUATION 1. Management In Amazon.com first year as a company, they focused completely on increasing market share and superior customer service, but when the dotcom â€Å"bubble burst† happened and Amazon.com’s stock prices fell Bezos and his management team struck a good balance between their goal of increasing market share and their goal of producing a profit. This shows that the management team for Amazon.com is rather flexible one and is willing to change strategies when the opportunities arise and the company is willing to modif y its business model if it feels that an opportunity to expand in a new area will be profitable. 2. Operations Amazon.com has a corporate headquarters, which is located in Seattle, WA, and several distribution centers that are located in New Castle Delaware, Coffeyville Kansas, as well as in Campbellsville and Lexington Kentucky. Having these distribution centers allow for a better ability to regionally segment the United States, which allows for faster order fulfillment and higher customer satisfaction. Since they operate online, they have also expanded their website operations into several different countries including: Canada, France, Germany, Japan and the United Kingdom.

Venus Rising from the Sea; A Deception by Raphaelle Peale Essay

Venus Rising from the Sea; A Deception by Raphaelle Peale - Essay Example From the title, Venus, we can suppose that the woman is a goddess, not an ordinary woman. Perhaps only idealized by the painter, the piece is so unusual as to inspire a deep sense of mystery. Intriguing in its veiled meaning and dark somber background we wish we could see more of the figure behind the cloth. The artist, Raphaelle Peale was known for his still lifes and we see the masterful technique in the rendering of the sheet. The drapery and folds of the cloth are so voluptuous, the 3-dimensional quality places such importance on it, that we barely notice the woman behind it. Perhaps this is what the deception is, at first glance the work appears to be the fabric alone and we must look closely to see the woman at all. Without many elements in the painting it is easy to see its different parts. At first we are confronted with the sheet, bold and overpowering both in size and brightness when seen against the dark ground. Next we see the strip of fabric it hangs from as we look mor e closely. Once we come to the top of the canvas we see the arm reaching above the drapery. After we recognize this as a female figure and begin to understand the image we see her foot and the flowers around it. The background recedes so much that we don’t really notice it itself but become aware of it in sharp contrast to the foreground because of the dark values. It is difficult to tell if we see it earlier or only after looking at the elements placed in front of it. At first glance, my response to the painting is that it is a wonderful contemporary piece, almost photographic of a plain white sheet. I then came to discover that the painting was done in the early 19th century, 150 years before I had imagined. The artist was from Philadelphia and this probably would have first been seen there as part of a local exhibit although his work was shown in other exhibitions in other parts of the country. This painting did not serve any special purpose. Painted in oil on canvas it d eparts from the artist’s main body of work in still life to include a figure. Study for Aspects of Negro Life: An Idyll of the Deep South by Aaron Douglas â€Å"Study for Aspects of Negro Life: An Idyll of the Deep South† is a narrative painting depicting a celebratory scene of musicians gathered in a field. Painted by Aaron Douglas, one of the most influential painters of the Harlem Renaissance, the scene most likely recounts the life of African Americans. The Harlem Renaissance was a movement in New York, born in the same self named place. Members of the artistic community hoped to portray African Americans and bridge the gap to the predominantly white world. Artists, writers and musicians all played a part in the â€Å"rebirth† of African expression. The musicians we see behind the geometric, Art Deco style circular pattern seem to be enjoying an evening of song and dance. Alongside them we see men working as if sowing the land. The setting appears to be a fo rest or wooded area in the evening. Long known for singing to pass the time while planting the fields, this piece is reminiscent of early African farm workers. The mixture of elements, trees and field, evening and people at work, musicians in the same field as the workers, all add to the surreal quality of the painting. The first thing we notice in the painting is the surface layer. The concentric circles create a veil we must look through to see the picture behind it. After enjoying this geometric glow of

Mary Seacole Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Mary Seacole - Research Paper Example Because historians did not begin to study this great women until 1970s, a lot of the information regarding her life was lost with time. All the work done on Mary Seacole, whether in academic papers or in popular media can be dated to within the last 30-40 years. But, even at this late date, historians have dug enough to give us a pretty accurate picture of Mary Seacole's life from her birth to her death. Through the dedicated work of several writers over the past few decades, we know a lot more about Seacole today than we did even twenty-five years ago. Yet, there remain a number of gaps in our knowledge regarding Mary Seacole and as a result of the fact that her life and achievements were completely ignored after her death and hence lost in the mist of time, there is little hope of scholars and historians learning much more about this forgotten heroine. Of the hundreds of books and articles written on Seacole, this essay has shortlisted two books and an article to discuss Seacole's contribution to history. Robinson has done a thorough job of researching Seacole's life and the various influences on it. Her book is much more complete since Robinson takes the pains of putting together bits and pieces of information from various sources to come to conclusions that help us better understand Seacole. Ramdin too analyzes Seacole's life. However, he is almost entirely dependent on her autobiography and as result, Ramdin's book is more a retelling of the Seacole story and does not add much to the canonical information available about Seacole. Since very limited information is available about Seacole, mostly because of lack of interest in her life, it is normal to ask why Seacole's story was lost in time while Nightingale became the inspiration of nurses around the world. Seaton attempts to answer this question and look at the various attempts made in the last few decades to restore her memory. The historians working on Mary Seacole have a tough time finding and validat ing information related to this heroine of the Crimean War. Almost everything that we know today about her life is through her autobiography, "Wonderful Adventures of Mrs. Seacole". But historians like Robinson have been able to glean a wealth of information from other primary things "reported in transcripts...[of] a court case, recorded in her will, and printed in letters published in Punch and The Times." (Robinson 7). For example, Seacole does not mention her maiden name or her father's name anywhere in her autobiography. But based on her will, records of army personal posted in Jamaica around the time Seacole was born and "an entry Kingston Registers of Death of a spinster, Louisa Grant",(10) Robinson was able to deduce to that Seacole's father was named James Grant. Similarly, even though Seacole never mentions the year of her birth, and her birth was never registered, her death certificate helps Robinson place her birth around the year 1805. The first chapter of Robinson's boo k also discusses the presence and influence of several other people in her life including her mother, and a grandmotherly lady who is not identified by name. Robinson also takes pains to explain Seacole's social status in the little Jamaican island as well as in Britain, which she apparently visited as a teenagers. All these details are extremely important in an introductory chapter about a women who

Homer argues thaat human victory over desire is possible because Essay

Homer argues thaat human victory over desire is possible because - Essay Example (Barnouw, 1) Unlike other Gods, Homer chooses to remain mortal and in such a life he has to face number of challenges and situations where he has to choose between his desire and his duty. His biggest challenge was the resistance of temptation. The first temptation he and his men had to face was while encountering sweet lotus plant. â€Å"They fell in, soon enough, with Lotos Eaters, who showed no will to do us harm, only offering the sweet Lotos to our friends...† (IX. 98-100) They thought if they ate the plant it was not a bad idea, but to resist the plant was a much wiser option. â€Å"†¦but those who ate this honeyed plant, the Lotos, never cared to report, nor return: they longed to stay forever, browsing on that native bloom, forgetful of their homeland† (IX. 101-104). Homer not only resisted this tempting plant but also forced his soldiers to get back into the ship, when he said, â€Å" I forced them, eyes full of tears, into our hollow ships, dragged them underneath the rowing benches, and tied them up†. (IX. 105-107) Yet another temptation they had to face was Seirenes. She would try to lure men with her beauty and music, â€Å"Square in your ship’s path are Seirenes, crying beauty to bewitch men coasting by...† (XII. 101-104) If men are not able to show their resistance towards Seirenes, they could fell into her clutches and no body could save them from death. â€Å"Woe to the innocent who hears that sound! He will not see his lady nor his children in joy, crowding about him, home from sea; the Seirenes will sing his mind away on their sweet meadow lolling†¦(XII. 50-54)† Sirens also tried to tempt Odysseus when she said that, â€Å"Come this way, honored Odysseus, great glory of the Achaeans, and stay your ship, so that you can listen here to our singing; for no one else has ever sailed past this place in his black ship until he has listened to the honey-sweet voice that issues from our lips; then goes on well pleased knowing more than ever he did; for we

Feasibility Analysis of Book Exchange Website Essay

Feasibility Analysis of Book Exchange Website - Essay Example This intended project is about the development of an online website system which will be useful for students. This web based system will be an online book exchange website. This website will offer the opportunity to students to obtain free books online trough exchanging them to others at the same website. This feasibility report is aimed to offer a detailed overview of the system development for facilitating the people for obtaining books online by exchanging them to others. The development of the online business website system offers an opportunity to become a part of global ecommerce community. The development of an online website for exchanging books and offering them to student at no cost needs elaboration of the main revenue source of the business. In the intended website it is expected to implement an effective ecommerce revenue model. We have researched and found that for such type of the website the web based promotion or pay-per-click revenue model will be appropriate. The main aim of this business website is to develop and implement a system that offers the business a better opportunity and facilitate the people to access free books and exchanging your books to others. The next main financial aim of this project is to generate revenue for business through establishment of an effective revenue model on the web. The proposed website is for the exchanging costly and less available books to the other students/people on the web. The main aim of the this website is to offer a better and greater opportunity regarding the establishment of a common and innovative platform for exchanging huge collation of books to overall students and book lovers community. This website will be an innovative project of its nature that is aimed to offer the people to obtain book of any cost. However this website also produces a feeling of goodness to other

Special observances enhance mission readiness and unit cohesion Article

Special observances enhance mission readiness and unit cohesion - Article Example They form part of the continuous equal opportunity process of educating the relevant stakeholders. Special observances create an opportunity for the commander to promote human relations within the unit. They enhance unity within the unit, awareness, as well as, a deep understanding of the contributions that every member of the unit makes, and the unit’s accomplishments. It is the responsibility of the commander to ensure that the unit takes part in these observations. During the special observances, there is recognition of the unit’s accomplishment and achievements (Fort Jackson, 26). This boosts motivation amongst the unit members, who work towards maintaining their exceptional performance and accomplishing all that the unit has planned. It not only enhances the mission readiness, but also promotes the unit cohesion. The fact that all the members of the unit become aware of what they need to accomplish promotes the mission readiness. Additionally, after the recognition of the unit’s performance, the members continue working hard, which as well promotes the mission readiness. Being aware of what the commander expects from the unit, promotes cohesion within the unit since every member works towards achieving a common goal. Observances enhance cross-gender awareness and cross-cultural awareness. It enhances harmony amongst the members of the military, as well as, their families. All these promote cohesion within the unit. The military has members from a wide range of cultural backgrounds and, therefore, enhancing multi-cultural awareness promotes togetherness within the unit. The members of the unit work together as one team without focusing on the fact that they are from different cultural backgrounds. By bringing their families together, they recognize the fact that they share a lot in common what contributes to deepening their relationship. The members of the military not only work together while on their official duties, but as well help each other on the personal level i.e. helping each other tackle personal problems. This brings them together as one united family. Special observances are part of extensions of the training objectives. For example, by observing some tragedies that occurred in the past, the members of the military would be in a position to respond to such tragedies effectively in the future (Henderson 102). Members of the unit go through training to equip them with skills that are in line with the mission readiness. Special observations are as well part of educating the unit members about equal opportunities and other affirmative actions. This enhances cohesion and hard work within the team since it makes members recognize the fact that the unit embraces the equal opportunity affirmative actions, as well as, the fact that promotions within the unit are on merit. The focus of the observance is not only on the recognition, but also on encouraging interaction amongst the members of the unit. Interaction is critical in the unit as far as cohesion and mission readiness is concerned. For example, it is through the interaction that the members of the unit share experiences and ideas relating to not only their official duties, but also their personal lives. Interactions allow members to share their personal problems whereby all the unit members join hands to help their colleagues who are experiencing problems (Washington 59). This is one of the key ways through, which the observances promote cohesion within the unit. It is the responsibility of the commander to ensure that observances are successful and that the interaction within the unit is effective. Effective communication within the un

Is fair trade fair Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Is fair trade fair - Research Paper Example 1923). Fair Trade organizations works in opposition to the capitalist market system, but works within it (Fair trade critique, 2010). They are backed by consumers and are engaged enthusiastically in supporting producers, raising consciousness and in organizing campaigns for bringing changes in the existing policies and practices of international trade. The producers in the South are often found to be marginalized to a great extent. The Fair Trade Organizations are working to make trading a fair practice which would accommodate the interests of all the trading partners. The concept of fair trade is relatively new and is commanding the interest of many researchers in current times. This paper presents a critical analysis of the concept of fair trade and evaluation of the practice by utilizing the theory of economics. The benefits of fair trade One of the most vital market based mechanisms is the practice of fair trade, which helps in the improvement of the livelihoods of the producers based in the developing countries (Nicholls & Opal, 2005, p. 5). The partnership between the producers and the consumers is targeted to provide a fair share of the benefits of trade to the farm workers and the farmers. This addresses â€Å"the imbalance of power in trading relationships† (What is Fairtrade? 2011). In many countries, particularly in the countries in the South, the farmers and agricultural producers are deprived of the actual yield of profits. Under fair trade the price for the products they sell is set according to the norms of the Fair trade Standards. Involvement of these workers in fair trade helps them to get better deals and also a superior terms of trade (O’Neill, 2007). This in turn provides them with the opportunity to lead a better standard of life and make better plans for their future. Fair trade prices The fair trade price is the minimum price that has to be paid to the fair trade producers. This price acts â€Å"as a safety net† (Wha t is Fairtrade? 2011) for the farmers. It is determined by the regulations mentioned in the Fair trade Standards. This price is associated to all the products that are Fair trade certified. This price is set in such a way that it can cover the â€Å"average costs of sustainable production† (What is Fairtrade? 2011). When the markets fall below the level of sustainable production, the farmers obtain a meager price for their produces; the fair trade prices are designed to safeguard the interests of the vulnerable producers. Sometimes the prices are negotiated with the buyers to yield a higher price on the basis of the quality of the products. Classical theory of employment According to the classical school of economics â€Å"the wage is equal to the marginal product of labor† (Keynes, n.d.). This implies that the real wage entitled to an employed person is the minimum amount of remuneration provided to the person to induce him to put the amount of effort or labor that is actually exerted. The wage is equal to the value of output that is foregone when one unit of the labor is removed from the process of production. The classical theory of economics is built under the assumption of the competitive market, in which the amount of labor employed and the amount of wages are determined by the forces of the market. In this context, the disutility

Theories of the Formation of Romantic Relationships Essay Example for Free

Theories of the Formation of Romantic Relationships Essay Describe and evaluate two or more theories of the formation of romantic relationships (8+16) One theory put forward for the formation of romantic relationships was by Murstein – called the Matching Hypothesis. Murstein argued that we all desire the best looking person; however we accept that this may not happen, so we go for people with a similar attractiveness to ourselves. It makes us far less likely to suffer rejection. So, in theory, Murstein’s argument is fundamentally based on physical attractiveness and does not take into account personality. Murstein says that self esteem can also affect this process. If someone suffers from a low self esteem, they are more likely to go for someone who is not as good looking as them to try and boost their esteem. This also works in reverse, if someone has a high self esteem they will go for someone who they believe is ‘out of their league’ as they feel they have the confidence to make them their partner. Murstein also carried out research to support his theory. He studied 99 couples who were dating and compared them with randomly paired couples. He found that the real couples were consistently rated as more alike in levels of attractiveness. Murstein’s theory can be credited as it offers an explanation of how people with low self esteem find relationships – something that hasn’t been account for in many other theories of the formation of romantic relationships. Murstein also has further research that supported his findings which was carried out by Silverman. He rated dating couples in a bar in similar levels of attractiveness. However we have to account for Silverman’s study that the two people in the bar may have just been friends, just because there was a girl and a boy doesn’t automatically mean that they are in a relationship. Also, Silverman’s study is culturally bias – dates in bars may not happen in all countries and therefore it would be difficult to generalise the findings. Also, both Murstein’s and Silverman’s study’s have researcher bias – the level of someone’s attractiveness is a matter of opinion; what someone could find very attractive may not be attractive for another person at all. It is a subjective measure. Individual differences are also not accounted for e.g. someone may have a fetish. Furthermore, in Murstein’s theory he talks about self esteem, and although it is a valid point he has raised, the term self esteem is very rigid. It doesn’t account for people’s choices and decisions. Finally, in the studies, short and long term relationships have not been established – is it fair for Murstein to categorise people who have been together for a week and people who have been together for a year? The second theory of the formation of romantic relationships is the Filter Model of Attraction. This was devised by Kerchoff and Davis. They stated that people rely on a number of social and personal factors to filter potential relationships. We use three filters to help us narrow down potential partners. The first of the three filters is social/demographic variables e.g. ethnicity, race, religion and social class. The second is similar attitudes or internal values and finally, the last is complementary of needs – will they fulfil each others needs. They argued if a potential partner ticks all three boxes then we are more likely to enter a relationship with them. Research from Bossard supports the theory; he found that half of the couples who applied to get married in Philadelphia lived within a few minutes walk of each other. However, his findings aren’t very strong, it wasn’t the majority of people who he surveyed, it was half. The Filter Model of Attraction is too deterministic, it doesn’t account for the natural free will that everybody possess. Another major weakness is that it fails to account for inter-racial relationships – the first filter is that we are more likely to go into a relationship with someone if they are the same race as us – however it is not uncommon at all in today’s society for people of different races to enter a relationship. In addition, arranged marriages are not accounted for in this theory, as that is down to the parents and the children have no choice in who they spend their lives with, so they do not apply this filter at all. Finally, the filter model of attraction lack empirical evidence – there is no research to support it. On the other hand, we can find some support in the matching hypothesis which also states that people of the same race are more likely to treat them as a potential partner.

Recruitment and Selection Strategies in HRM

Recruitment and Selection Strategies in HRM Strategies are made according to objectives of an organization. These are set of activities towards objectives. Corporate objectives These are the statement of intent that basically provides a firm direction for the activities an organization performs in the pursuit of its mission. Usually in organizations there is confusion and overlapping between the terms, objectives and the company goals. This confusion is easy o solve only if the company tends to think of the objectives as a statement of intents and the goals as the quantifiable targets. Sales Strategies Sales strategy can be defined as the planned approach to the account management policy formation, prospect identification and qualification, sales presentation, and order generation aimed at achieving a firms sales quotas or targets. Following are sales strategy Objectives: Helps in improving client loyalty Increases the closeting ratio by knowing clients hot buttons Helps in shorting the sales cycle with outside recommendations. Proper sales strategy helps in offering best solutions to outsell the competitors Helps in targeting and penetrating the most promising and profitable sectors and markets Helps in refining and maximizing the competitive advantage and product differentiation to increase the market margin and share. Helps in establishing a specific plan to strengthen and enhance the lead generation  source: (Businessdictionary) P-9: Devise appropriate recruitment and selection procedures. Recruitment: It is the process of attracting, screening and selection qualified people for the Job. Selection process: Screening Applicants Read all applications submitted. The selection of the top candidates for interviewing must be based on the Job Description and specifications. New criteria cannot be introduced to assess the candidates at this stage as it would be unfair. It is the responsibility of the persons conducting the interviews to complete the short-listing and to ensure the process remains free of unlawful discrimination. If a committee is used, the entire committee should agree on the short list. If a committee is not used, it is desirable that a second person also participate in the short-listing process. The criteria used to select the top candidates and all appropriate notes must be returned to Human Resources and Employee Development for filing and are retained for a period of 6 months. It is good practice that all employees that apply for a position within their department be interviewed. Former employees who have been dismissed for misconduct cannot be considered for appointment. Former employees who have since retired must meet certain qualifications due to their retirement status. If there is a question about whether an applicant can or cannot be considered contact Human Resources and Employee Development. Arranging the Interview The persons responsible for the interviews is responsible for scheduling dates and times for interviews directly with the short listed candidates and notifying the candidates of any selection tests that will be used. Federal law prohibits certain questions in an employment interview and the application for employment has been developed to comply with Federal guidelines. Examples of such illegal questions might refer to the applicants age, disability, religion, ages of children, etc. Interviewing guidelines are provided to the employing department upon referral of applications. To assure consistent treatment of each applicant, a patterned interview might be developed by the department. Such might include specific questions of job related functions, skills required, and how the applicants educational background, previous experience, etc. might be useful in the position if selected for employment. The Interview The purpose of interviewing is to appoint the best person for the job based solely on merit and suitability. The Valdosta State University recruitment and selection process achieves this using methods that are systematic, thorough, fair, unbiased and based on rational, objective, job related criteria. At the interview, each candidate should be treated consistently. To achieve this the panel should: Ask the same initial questions of each candidate Supplement their understanding of the candidates responses by following up questions as appropriate Be consistent in allowing access to presentation material, notes and so on Not allow any discriminatory questions, harassment, or any other conduct which breaches the equal opportunities policy or code of conduct Ensure that in the case of disabled candidates, the necessity for any reasonable adjustments that would be required on the job are explored in a positive manner. Assessment of disabled candidates should be based on their expected performance in the job, given that any reasonable adjustment required was provided. Keep in mind that information obtained throughout the selection process is treated as confidential and is known only to parties involved in the selection process Keep records of interviews and the reasons for decisions each question should receive a grade, and a grade for overall impression. The candidates will be ranked from highest to lowest based on the scores given and the position negotiated or offered to the highest ranking candidate. The scoring sheets and all documentation of the interviews must be given to Human Resources and Employee Development for filing Panel members must be aware that it is their responsibility to ensure recruitment/interview documentation is stored securely and confidentially whilst in their possession. Selection Tests Where selection tests are a valid method of assessing a candidate (i.e. effectively measures the job criteria, is relevant, reliable, fair and unbiased also considering the predictive capacities of tests), they are an extremely useful tool and are recommended for use. Supervisors should seek advice from Human Resources and Employee Development on the use of such tests. Hiring Decision In selecting the successful candidate, the panel must make a decision based on the merit and eligibility of the candidates as judged by: Content of application and qualifications Performance at Interview Outcome of any selection tests Reference Checks As part of assessing the merit of each candidate, persons selecting candidates must satisfy themselves that the information the candidate gives is authentic, consistent and honest. This includes being satisfied about information regarding the candidates: application work history qualifications (where a qualification is a requirement, supporting evidence or certification must be obtained from the candidate and recorded) evidence presented at interview Reference checks; references must be called and information recorded for the file a) Identify yourself immediately, explain your position within the organization and tell the person why you are calling about the applicant. b) Ensure confidentiality c) Ask if he or she is free to discuss the situation d) Try to establish rapport e) Tell the person the position the candidate is being considered for f) Let the person talk feely g) Ask the references the same questions for each of your candidates h) Always end the call with: would you rehire this person? Should any of these not meet the required standards, Human Resources and Employee Development must discuss the issue with the Supervisor/Director. Use the Employment Reference Check and Education Verification form located in Appendix 10 and Appendix 11. Criminal Background Checks. In an effort to provide a safe and secure workplace, to comply with Board of Regents Policy and to minimize the potential litigation associated with negligent hiring processes, Valdosta State University will require background checks on the top two candidates for the position. Employment shall be conditioned upon the execution of a consent form for criminal record disclosure and upon consideration of ones criminal history. The Valdosta State University Police Department, upon receipt of the Consent to Criminal History Release Form, shall conduct the background check and report results to the Department of Human Resources. The department will notify the applicants whose criminal history report prevents their employment. The applicant can be referred to Human Resources and Employee Development if they have questions on the process The applicant is allowed seven calendar days to initiate corrective action of any inaccurate report. Proof of an error in reporting shall not disqualify the applicant and the position will not be filled until this time period has expired. If no action is initiated, and if the report is factual, the hiring department may resume the employment process. P-10: Evaluate the role of motivation, remuneration and training in enhancing sales performance. Role of Motivation in sales performance. Whether you are a sales person or someone in a position who manages sales people, you need to know the importance of motivation. Although many it would be great to just hire self motivated people who dont need any help from you to take action and make sales, you need to realize that sales is a tough job and that there are people who can really become great at it with some encouragement. Being in sales can either pay you very well or can make you go broke. The better you are at sales, the more money you will make. So where does motivation come into play? Well, the main reason that most people dont like sales is because of having to deal with rejection. No one likes to be rejected but if youre in a sale, thats all part of the game. The more rejections you get, the closer to a sale you will be. Now just because you expect your sales people or yourself to go out there and make those sales calls like a machine, it doesnt mean motivation should be neglected. If you are a sales person, take the time to read and listen to motivation material. By doing this, you will constantly be feeding your mind with positive and encouraging thoughts that will help you get through those days where everyone prospect seems to be in a bad mood. For sales managers, providing your team with motivation is critical. Just look in the world of sports. Those athletes are the best in the world at what they do yet when they are losing and feeling discouraged, a simple pep talk from their coach can fire them up to the point to turn the game around. This same thing can be used on your sales people to help them see more of themselves instead of beating themselves up mentality for not making as many sales. Motivation is important because it causes people to take action. Without action, nothing happens. The key to achieve any goal is to take action. The more action you take, the closer to your goals you will be. In order to continually take action, you will need to come up with ways to motivate yourself to do what you need to do everyday in order to reach those goals. So whether you need to motivate yourself or your team, motivation plays an extremely important role in building success. Source (Wikipedia) Role of Remuneration in Sales Performance Remuneration is wages or salary, typically money that is paid for services rendered as an employee. How do you decide what remuneration packages to adopt? How do you ensure that your Remuneration packages incentives and motivate the right people? How do you make sure that the amount of pay helps your staff with their lifestyle requirements? These questions are vital ones to anybody trying to run a sales team or customer service team, when you have a look at how you can actually reward personal effort as well as maintain service. In looking at any remuneration package, its worthwhile to consider a set of scales. In any job description, there is an opportunity to analyze the work required into service aspects whereby these things have to be done to maintain the client, or maintain the client relationship, such as receiving orders, implementing orders, handling queries, general items of customer service, and also perhaps even merchandising or helping with displays, as well as ensuring that stock levels are adequate, these can be called service areas or service responsibilities. On the other hand, a sales person or customer service representative could influence the  value of the sale through their personal sales skills, personality, and training, to either make the sale happen, add value to the sale, or sell some specific items that are on special or on bonus, at the point of communication, either by phone, by web, or face-to-face. This particular activity is known as personal contribution. A relatively easy formula to follow is by adopting the scales of remuneration, you can then analyze the input from the people involved. If there is high service requirements and service levels in the performance of the job, and little opportunity to add personal influence, then a wages or base salary system will be the most cost efficient to make the results work. If there is a high personal input, whereby the sales person can strongly influence the amount of the sale or the profitability of the sale, then you can reward that personal effort by special commissions, sha re of profits, special incentives, and special rewards, for the sales as they occur after the event, and lessen the base salary or wages that need to be paid by increasing the risk factor, which of course the personal touch will overcome. Role of Training in Sales Performance The term training refers to the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and competencies as a result of the teaching of vocational or practical skills and knowledge that relate to specific useful competencies. It forms the core of apprenticeships and provides the backbone of content at institutes of technology (also known as technical colleges or polytechnics). In addition to the basic training required for a trade, occupation or profession, observers of the labor-market recognize today [update] the need to continue training beyond initial qualifications: to maintain, upgrade and update skills throughout working life. People within many professions and occupations may refer to this sort of training as professional development. Source (Wikipedia) P-11: Describe two techniques used to co-ordinate and control sales output. Sales out put control Outputs can be triggered manually or automatically in the sales document. Automatic determination requires maintenance of output condition record. Print programs and layout sets control content which Should be displayed in the output. controls output determination using condition   Technique. Output determination procedure is determined on the basis of sales document type (sales order type, delivery type, billing type). Standard output determination procedure for sales order (OR), Delivery (LF) and Billing (F2) is V100000. Output procedure contains output types, which can be processed when that sales document is created. One document can have Output types like Delivery note and Packing list in delivery. Output controls Medium (Like Print, Fax, EDI) Time of sending the output -e.g. immediately or in a batch Which partner function of Business partner it can be sent Language Criteria for which output condition record can be maintained for automatic output determination It offers flexibility of changing the key controls in the Sales documents. Example If order confirmation for a customer is scheduled to be printed in a batch but the customer wants it immediately then time of dispatch control can be changed in the sales order. P-12: Use given information to recommend appropriate organization structures and procedures. Team One of the newest organizational structures developed in the 20th century is team. In small businesses, the team structure can define the entire organization. Teams can be both horizontal and vertical. While an organization is constituted as a set of people who synergize individual competencies to achieve newer dimensions, the quality of organizational structure revolves around the competencies of teams in totality. For example, every one of the Whole Foods Market stores, the largest natural-foods grocer in the US developing a focused strategy, is an autonomous profit centre composed of an average of 10 self-managed teams, while team leaders in each store and each region are also a team. Larger bureaucratic organizations can benefit from the flexibility of teams as well. Functional structure Employees within the functional divisions of an organization tend to perform a specialized set of tasks, for instance the engineering department would be staffed only with software engineers. This leads to operational efficiencies within that group. However it could also lead to a lack of communication between the functional groups within an organization, making the organization slow and inflexible. As a whole, a functional organization is best suited as a producer of standardized goods and services at large volume and low cost. Coordination and specialization of tasks are centralized in a functional structure, which makes producing a limited amount of products or services efficient and predictable. Moreover, efficiencies can further be realized as functional organizations integrate their activities vertically so that products are sold and distributed quickly and at low cost .For instance, a small business could start making the components it requires for production of its products instead of procuring it from an external organization. But not only beneficial for organization but also for employees faiths. P-13: Identify and give three examples of the differences in the nature of sales tasks and skills in a variety of context. Sales Skills Effective communication Ability to listen Ask revelent questions Problem solver Well-organized Self starter and self finisher Positive self image. Well mannered and courteous Naturally Persuasive Person of Integrity Sales Task Specified amount of sales that a management sets for achieving or exceeding within a specified timeframe, and allocates required resources. Sales targets are apportioned among different sales-units such as salespersons, franchisees, distributors, agents, etc. Three Types of Sales Task Personal Sales Task A salesman of Jazz has to sell 100 connections/Sims per week Team Sales Task Peshawar region has to sellout 2000 connections in a month Organizational Sales Task Ufone has to cover 5 cities per year. P-14: Explain the role of sales staff operating in an international environment. International sales staff have very important role in an organization. To improve firms image To improve brand image Bring International talent to domestic market Bring new Ideas and knowledge Create good relationship between nations To integrate the different cultures Brining International harmony while working with different people of the world Bringing new skills and talents With all above international sales staff is the sign of Globalization. P-15: Explain the purpose of trade fairs and evaluate their contributions. Trade fair A trade fair (trade show or expo) is an exhibition organized so that companies in a specific industry can showcase and demonstrate their latest products, service, study activities of rivals and examine recent market trends and opportunities. In contrast to consumer fairs, only some trade fairs are open to the public, while others can only be attended by company representatives (members of the trade, e.g. professionals) and members of the press, therefore trade shows are classified as either Public or Trade Only. Purpose of Trade Fairs Generating sales leads Generating actual sales at the show Enhancing your image and visibility Reaching a specific audience Establishing a presence in the marketplace Improving the effectiveness and efficiency of your marketing efforts Personally meeting your customers, competitors and suppliers Prospecting for new customers Introducing new products and services Demonstrating your product in ways not possible using other marketing channels Recruiting distributors or dealers Educating your target audience. Contribution of trade fairs to Firms Establish meaningful goals, masterfully plan your strategy, and measure your return on investment. Implement powerful marketing initiatives before, during, and after the event that engage potential buyers and generate sales. Choose the best exhibit display booth that meets your marketing needs and budgetary requirements. This includes evaluating different sizes, designs, and configurations of trade show displays. Identify the most effective graphic elements for your exhibit that portray your key messages and fulfill your brand communications needs. This includes establishing design parameters for banners, custom exhibition stands, brochures, and other materials. Learn about unique and appealing booth ideas that create buzz on the exhibition floor and attract visitors to your trade show display area. Effectively use exhibit accessories, signage and lighting techniques to heighten visibility. This includes selecting quality booth materials, high-impact portable display boards and booth fixtures that support your brand positioning. Select cost-effective giveaways and promotional products that have high-perceived value among your target prospects and complement your company image. Ensure team members who are staffing your booth project a professional appearance and are well-trained to represent your company, generate leads, and secure sales. source: (Businessdictionary) M-4: Evaluate the recruitment and selection procedure of the selected organization. Recruitment at Ufone Before recruiting a new employee, management checks whether there is a need to hire a new employee for that particular job or whether it can be incorporated into an existing employees job. Recruitment in Ufone may be of internal or external nature. Internal Recruitment In the case of internal recruitment people from within the organization are promoted to fill the vacant vacancy. The HR department and the relevant department in which the vacancy exists, analyze whether there an employee within the organization exists, who most appropriately meets the requirements of the particular vacancy. If more then one employee is eligible for the vacancy; then that employee is chosen who has the most outstanding record. After the promotion the employee may be sent for further training. The effect of internal vacancy is that it motivates the employee to perform their best and produce maximum output. It also creates a healthy competition amongst the employees. The hiring from within may have a trickle down effect i.e. the opportunities spring not just from the first vacancy but from the vacancy created when a person in the company fills that vacancy. External Recruitment If the organization feels that none of their current employees can fill out the new vacancy then they hire from external sources. In this case the human resource management considers other departments in the organization that might be interested in the appointment in order to make it a joint effort. They talk to relevant supervisors and especially to the people the new person will work with. A set of expert panelists is then selected from each relevant department to interview applicants Direct Applicants Ufone maintains a data base system i.e. HRMS (Human resource management system) for its internal employees as well as the employees which they will recruit in near future. In some case certain some people just drop their CVs at the head office. And whenever there is an opening or a vacancy occurs, the organization may call them for an interview. Referrals By advertising a post internally Ufone gains an added benefit, which is; the current employees may pass the information on to any interested friends and relations. Word of mouth is also a valuable recruitment method for them and they draw on all appropriate contacts they have Advertisements Since most of the posts are of a specialist nature, they intend on advertising in the journals of professional bodies and the trade press. Their next step is to find out how much adverts cost for varying amount of space and decide what they can afford. The HR management has hired the services of Interflow, an advertising agency, to propagate their service and company for them. They are also using the services of a web designer, Eveready media, to post the advertisement of the company on the Internet. Private Employment Agency The private Recruiting agencies collect information from unemployed as well as employed people about their skills and experiences. These agencies attempt to find some one suitable using its computerized inventory database of suitable individuals. These agencies charge Ufone for the referrals. Through Vendors (Outsourcing) Ufone also do outsourcing for the purpose of recruitment they hire firm, which will provide employee Ufone to work in the organization, but the employee will remain employee of that firm not Ufone, and this is the most common method followed by most of organization these days. Lower management at Ufone is comes through outsourcing. Electronic Recruiting The growth of information superhighway has opened up new vistas for organizations trying to recruit talent. Ufone is make full fledge use of this new technology, and it uses its own web page to advertise for new job openings. Another aspect of the electronic recruiting is that individuals dont have to physically go to the head office to drop their CVs. They now can simply use the e-CV format provided by Ufone on its home page. The e-CV is then transferred to the relevant database or the HR department. Recruitment Procedure The HR management decides on the length of the short-list, which includes five or six people at the most. Following the advert they need help to sift through the applications. Everything is computerized and on-line which makes it easier to handle large numbers of replies. In case they run short of time, they get the help of other staff, supervisors and managers in the organization. Apart from the question of time, they do this to get second opinions. They look out for the following when reading an application: How well-matched is the candidate to the requirements Any unexplained employment gaps The quality of presentation How tailored the reply is to the particular job and Ufone as an organization. Replying To Candidates The candidates that do not match the job are contacted as quickly as possible and dealt with courteously since the HR management believes in the philosophy that these people, and their relatives and friends, may be future customers or acquaintances of potential, future applicants. Those that match the job are called over to undertake an on-line evaluation test. Scheduling Interview The candidates that pass the on-line evaluation test are then called for interviews. A date and a time are arranged and the candidate appears for the interview. The questions of this interview are designed especially for gauging the personality and ability of the candidate. Screening Process The results are screened by a set of panelists in order to minimize chances of error in selecting the candidates. The HR management sometimes keeps a small number of candidates in reserve. M-5 : Highlight the motivating factors being used by the selected organization also determine the remuneration and training programs used by the organization for enhancing sales performance. Training at Ufone Training Development involves improving the knowledge, skills and abilities of the individuals. A continuous training is conducted inside Ufone to improve the performance of the employee. There are two types of trainings conducted at Ufone: In-house Training External Training In-house training is customized training which is only for Ufone employees. External training is carried out through trainers in training institutes. Employees at Ufone are usually trained through Rameez Allahwalla (in  Karachi), Possibilities and Intec (two well-known training institutes). Before training Training Need Analysis (TNA) is conducted by the manager  of the department. And after the training feedback from the employee is  taken. Motivating Factors at Ufone A very effective way to retain an employee is to give him compensation Benefits and Motivating factors at Ufone which is mentioned below: Medical Facility to employee and his/her parents Paid Vacations Food Allowance Trips Promotion on Performance Remuneration at Ufone There are about 150 employees who are working in the Ufone Head Office and 1500 employees serving nationwide. All of them are very devoted as they are given a wonderful learning environment to work, pay offered to them is also very attractive and ample chance of progress motivates them to work more. The job analysis is done on targets assigned and daily routines. The employees are indeed very satisfied and motivated. Ufone is basically equal employment opportunity organization. Almost 70% of its employees are male and 30% are female. The job description of each and every employee is predefined. Performance appraisal is done on annual basis. Average age of Ufone employee is 32 years. This shows that they prefer young and energetic people for their middle and lower level management. High profile well experienced persons are considered for top level management. Average Salary is 12000 for a Ufone employee. Salaries are increased as the federal government of Pakistan announced the percentage. M-7: Compare the sales tasks and skills being used by the two selected organization. Ufone Sales Task Skills: Successful companies have long known that a well-trained, highly motivated and efficiently connected field force is critical to their continued growth and success. Ufone realized that to stay ahead of the competition, they must replace traditional paper based systems with mobile solutions that enable access to key information directly from the field. Today, Ufones sales team is armed with Psion Teklogix WORKABOUT PRO hand-held with GPRS and a software application built on the Microsoft CE Framework; the team retrieves data from the companys accounting stock system through an Oracle database and uploads new data in the same manner. Known internally as U SFA (Ufone Sales Force Automation), this application allows sales staff to create orders, add details, fill in electronic outlet cards,

Gillette :: essays research papers

Gillette is leading worldwide home applicants, such as razor, battery, electronic and manual toothbrush, manufacturing company. On April 14, 1998, the company introduced the world’s first triple blades razor and begun to sell July 1, 1998 in the United States and September in the Western Europe. Since Gillette launched new razor in 1998, the company expected high returns in short-term; however, the result of the new product has been defined yet. SWOT ANALYSIS - Key Learning The areas of the internal factors are Finance, Management, Manufacturing, Market position, Personnel, and Research & Development. All these factors can be defined as either strengths or weakness or both. First of all, the company as a whole gained net sales amount of 10.1 billion dollars and net income of 1.4 billion dollars for the 1997 due to acquire leading battery company â€Å"Duracel† in 1996 and grow of â€Å"Sensor Excel† razor. As a result, company could spend 1 billion dollars to invent â€Å"Mach 3† which is triple blades razor. Even though Gillette had sufficient fund to invent the new product, the company took high risk of financial side that if the new product’s sale does not reach to company’s expectation, the company will face shortage of capital resources and can be lead to bankruptcy. But if Mach3 turn out to be a New Coke or McDonald’s Arch Deluxe – much-hyped new products that were mostly duds and fizzle- the gloom will be heavy from Gillette’s corporate headquarters in Boston’s Back Bay to the South Boston factory that Gillette has overhauled to produce 600 million Mach3 blade cartridges per year, or about half of Gillette’s annual target of 1.2 billion Mach3 blades. (Boston Globe, 4/15/98) Since Gillette introduced "Mach3" in April, the company changed its manufacturing tools to produce Mach3 South Boston's factory. Gillette already spent 300 million dollars for advertising and promotion worldwide for the year that company introduced new product. The amount is twice as much as the company put for advertising "Sensor Excel" in 1989. Gillette released the new product to retail stores on July 1, 1998, and starts to advertise on TV and the other media six weeks later; however, many people went to the company's web site to look at the new product. Even though company spent tremendous amount of fund for the advertising, some people from Asia did not recognize the product according to our group's survey. For customers, there are satisfaction and complaints for Mach3. People, who satisfied with Mach3 according to our survey, said there are less irritation and faster shaving time. Customers who complaint about Mach3 argue that they do not want to spend more money on better outlook. According to our survey, one hundred percent of

A challenge to Materialism Essay -- essays research papers

Cartesian Dualism Challenged   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In this paper, I will examine the issues of individuation and identity in Descartes’ philosophy of mind-body dualism. I will begin by addressing the framework of Cartesian dualism. Then I will examine the problems of individuation and identity as they relate to Descartes. Hopefully, after explaining Descartes’ reasoning and subsequently offering my response, I can show with some degree of confidence that the issues of individuation and identity offer a challenge to the Cartesians’ premise of mind-body dualism. Before diving into a critical examination of these two issues, it would be wise to first discuss the basis of Descartes’ philosophy. Descartes begins his discussion of mind by first disregarding everything that he can call into doubt. After this mental cleansing, Descartes is left only with the maxim that ‘I cannot doubt that I am doubting.’ From this conclusion, Descartes states that some entity must be doing this doubting, and claims that this entity is his mind. The Cartesian mind has only one property: thinking. Consequently, Descartes establishes a distinction between mind and body. The two share no characteristics, as the body does not indulge in thinking, the mind’s solitary function. Further, mind and body are independent of each other; mind can exist even in the absence of body. At the same time, Descartes does not doubt that â€Å"the mind begins to think as soon as it is implanted in the body of an infant.† Yet the mind does not need the b ody to engage in introspection, the action of thinking about thinking. Only introspection is immune from illusion, confusion, or doubt. Information about the world outside of mind is prone to these hazards. We cannot conclude with certainty that other minds exist. Thus, the Cartesian is left to what I would dub a lonely existence: â€Å"Even if [a Cartesian] prefers to believe that to other human bodies there are harnessed minds not unlike his own, he cannot claim to be able to discover their individual characteristics. Absolute solitude is on this showing the ineluctable destiny of the soul. Only our bodies can meet.† Now I will critically examine Descartes’ mind-body philosophy by addressing the issues of individuation and identity. First, I need to be clear about the issues I am addressing. In order to fully understand the problem of individuation, we nee... ...owed in my earlier example, consider bodies the same. Strawson argues that even if a Cartesian claims to be directly experiencing his mind through introspection and therefore has no need of explaining the identity of his mind, he still cannot rule out the possibility that a thousand different minds may occupy him during the next moment. As with individuation, Strawson and his fellow anti-Cartesians can correctly identify minds in the same manner that I identified myself as the same girl I was 9 years ago. Those operating under Descartes’ philosophy cannot identify the same mind over time, and consequently cannot speak â€Å"coherently† (as Strawson puts it) about mind.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Using Strawson’s analysis of Descartes as a guide, I have attempted to demonstrate how two issues—individuation and identity—threaten to dismantle Descartes’ philosophy of mind-body dualism. I have stood behind the anti-Cartesian argument that in order to associate one mind with one body—which Strawson claims is a vital principle to both Cartesians and anti-Cartesians—we must think of mind as something dependent on a person and not as something separate altogether, as Descartes would argue.

Finding Truth in Constructivist Psychotherapy Essay -- Psychotherapy S

Finding Truth in Constructivist Psychotherapy Science is a construction of the human mind. The theories, approaches, and methods that are used in any scientific field have gradually developed over time to become an objective standard of evaluation. As science continues to evolve, new approaches to obtaining knowledge about the world around us must be considered, and at the same time these new approaches must be evaluated within the present context of what is considered to be science. In doing so, conflict and confusion will arise as new concepts meet the critical evaluation of the old. The appraisal of and criticism of a new approach to psychological therapy is one example of such a situation. By looking at the evaluation of constructivist psychotherapy, one can bring this conflict and confusion into the light of understanding. Since its dawning at the turn of the century, psychotherapy has faced a myriad of objections in regard to its validity as a scientific practice. With the introduction of psychoanalysis in the late 1800’s, Freud opened the doors to a field that would mature as the next one hundred years progressed. Throughout its evolution, psychotherapy has been evaluated for its capacity to deal with clients on an individual basis and at the same time maintain the objective viewpoint which science requires. In what Robert Neimeyer considers a "postmodern context" of scientific, social and political themes, a new philosophical approach to psychotherapy has developed. This approach, called constructivism, is based on a subjective interpretation of reality and how that interpretation affects human thought processes. In "An Appraisal of Constructivist Psychotherapies", Neimeyer looks at how constructivism has devel... ...ury. The world of classical Newtonian physics was turned upside down and inside out with the arrival of a new class of physicists and astronomers. At the head of that class was a young German scientist named Einstein, who with his theory of relativity redefined our concept of mass, energy, and the like. Now that we bring the second half of this century to a close, perhaps psychology is also ready for such a revolution. Certainly, parallels can be made to what is currently going on in the world of psychotherapy. New approaches are developing under the influence of a changing social conscience. The classical approaches to patient therapy revolve around traditional cognitive perspectives, which follow a linear, systematic set of guidelines. The constructivist approach to is a much more complex, yet encompassing form of psychotherapy that deserves continual exploration.

The Essense Of Buddhism

John Snelling has written that scientists with their scientific information have succeeded in sending space craft to distant planets or even probe to remote quarters of the planet with radio telescopes, (Snelling 7). They may investigate the mysteries of the sub atomic world with electron microscopes. But the thing that infact know least about is this great mystery that is right here with us all the time- the heart of the matter behind Buddhism.For like every one they subscribe to consensus view and don’t give the matter a second thought. Thus, according to John Snelling of the London Buddhist Society, these scientists fail to see what is right under their nose, (291). Buddhist is concerned, Snelling has found, with the unravelling of this mystery. In the first sense it is necessary to see through the great delusion of ‘I', of the so called person. Then it is a matter of finding what really is there.And how plot thickens to penetrate this mystery is to penetrate the ulti mate mystery, the mystery of the heart of all things, and confront what the Christians called God, the Hindus Brahman or Atman-and it goes by other names in other religions. Buddhists, however hesitate to put a name to it or say anything or say anything at all about it. It is they maintain something that cannot be grasped by intellect or described in words.It cannot be seen directly; but that seeing brings about something truly miraculous: a total transformation, no less. The veils of delution fall away and last the world is perceived as it truly is. At the same time a deep compassion also crystallizes: a pure, self less kindliness and caring born of an understanding of the unity of all beings. Therefore, as has been established by John Snelling in his ‘The Buddhist handbook: a complete Guide to Buddhist Teaching and Practice', (7) Buddhism is quite simple.But as, Snelling has found out simple things are always hard to fully realize, so people need all kinds of aids and suppor t. A vast superstructure according to Snelling has therefore grown up around the basic heart core of the Buddha’s teaching: mountains of philosophical speculation, a voluminous literature, monastic codes and ethical systems, histories, cosmologies, different types of ritual and meditation practice, institutions and hierarchies. John Snelling writes of one Shuan Chin ken who wrote a preface to a text book (mumonkan)From the London Buddhist society, John Snelling (1987) established that many of those who have undertaken the study and practice of Buddhism have also taken an interest in the western psychotherapies that developed from the pioneering work of Sigmund Freud, the, the most famous western psychologist. As well as the Freudian psychoanalysis and its derivatives, Snelling has found that, this includes the analytical psychology of Freud great but errant student, Carl Gustav Jung, as well as subsequent developments right down to the present time, where Buddhism and western society have come together in a wonderful bond, (Snelling, 292).These theories, now regarded as Western psychotherapies arose towards the end of the 19th century and in the early part of the 20th century. This great discovery made by the pioneers of this movement was of the existence of the unconscious: an area or range of aspects of human psyche falling outside the normal range of conscious awareness. Snelling records the therapeutic aspects that interested Dr. Freud to study a lot on the nerve system of animals.Sigmund Freud, as recorded by, Snelling was to the view the unconscious as a kind of cellar containing mainly what he called ‘vises’, all those aspects of himself that a person does not wish to confront- the unacceptable desires, aggressive impulses, painful memories and many other areas of ego. Snelling has established cure of all these consisted reclaiming this exiled material from the abyss of knowing and restoring it to the province of consciousness- or in Freudian terminology: restoring it to the ego from the Idd, a process that Freud compared to reclaiming land from the sea, (Snelling, 295).If Freud’s tendency had been essentially secular, according to John Snelling then Jung’s ideas brought the new psychology into the area once regarded as the preserve of religion (293). Indeed he began to see the role of analysis not merely as directed towards curing neurotic symptoms but of assisting harmonious development, the flowering of individual potential, and ultimately towards securing a transformation that would take the individual beyond himself. John Snelling writes:â€Å"The fact that the approach to the numinous is the real therapy and inasmuch as you attain to the numinous experiences you are released from the curse of pathology†. (Snelling 253). To accord due credit to Jung, however, it must be said that many western Buddhists have found that this ideas represent useful bridge into exotic world of Eastern spir ituality. Some have gone so far as to undertake Jungian analysis and have found helpful, particularly in dealing with psychological problems.According to John Snelling, Alan Watts was able to explain on this in his writing of the seven symbols of life (1936); Watt propounded the idea that Buddhism has more in common with psychotherapy than with religion as the term was then understood in the west. Psychotherapy and Buddhism are intermarried and each has its part to play in assisting in its full realization, psychotherapy in helping to develop a sound ego, Buddhism in taking the process on from there, (Snelling, 298). Religion of faith Buddha emphasized that his teachings had a practical purpose and should not be blindly clung to.He the Dharma to a raft made by a man seeking to cross a dangerous hither shore of a river, representing the conditioned world, to the peaceful further shore, representing Nibanna (M. 1. 34-5). He then rhetorically asked whether such a man on reaching the ot her side should lift the raft and carry it around with him there. He therefore said, Dharma is for crossing over not for retaining, that is a follower should not grasp at Buddhist ideas and practices, but use them for their intended purpose, and then let go of them when they had fully accomplished their goal.Many ordinary Buddhists, though do not have a strong attachment to Buddhism. While the Buddha was critical to blind faith, he did not deny a role for soundly based faith or trustful confidence (saddha) for to test out his teachings, person had to have at least some initial trust in them. He emphasizes a process of listening, which arouses saddha, leading to deeper saddha and deeper practice until the heart of the teachings is directly experienced. A person then becomes an Arahat, one who has replaced faith with knowledge.Even Theravada Buddhism, which often has a rather rational unemotional image, a very deep faith in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha is common. Ideally this is base d on the fact that some part of Buddha’s path has been found to be uplifting, thus inspiring confidence in the rest. Many people though have a calm and joyful faith (pasada) inspired by the example of those who are well established on the path. In essence therefore, Buddhism is a religion that is based on aspects of faith. In actual sense Buddhism is a religion where faith is exercised for the purposes of perfection.We therefore accept the fact the statement of acclaim that Buddhism is a religion of faith holds. Buddhism does not demand that anyone accepts their teaching on trust. The practitioner is instead invited to try them out, to expriment with them. John Snelling writes and says there is no compulsion and it happens to find truth elsewhere or otherwise all well and good, (Snelling, 4). The essential freedom from dogma is enshrined in the Buddha's words to the Kalama, a people who lived in the vicinity of the town of Kesaputta:† Come, Kalamas, do not be satisfied with heasay or with tradition or with legendary lore or with what has come down in your scriptures or with logical inference or with weighing liking for a view after pondering it over or with the thought ‘the monk is our teacher' When you know in yourselves ‘these ideas are unprofitable, liable to censure, condemned by the wise, being adopted and put into effect they lead to harm and suffering ‘, then you should abandon them†¦ ( and conversely:)when you know in yourselves these things are profitable†¦Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ then you should practice them and abide in them. † (Snelling, 3). Philosophical foundations According to John Snelling, in his The Buddhist Handbook: A complete Guide to Buddhist Teaching and Practice Buddhism as a religion is based o philosophical foundations. He writes: â€Å"At the core of Mahayana philosophy lays the notion of emptiness: Shunyata. Buddha very much in the spirit of anata as first teaches this. It is not used to imply, not me re or sheer nothingness, but ‘emptiness of inherent existence’; that is, the absence of any kind of enduring or self –sustaining essence.There is also a sense in which it has connotations of conceptual emptiness: absence of thoughts. It could be regarded too as a non-term signifying the ineffable understanding arising within the practice of meditation†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Therefore, Shunyata as used by Buddha has formed this philosophical foundation in Buddhism, although in addition to this Snelling introduces another key term tathata which according to Buddhism philosophical foundations means ‘thusness’ or ‘suchness’ which signifies Emptiness in its immanent aspect: as it appears in the world of form.The Buddha, as Snelling writes, is sometimes called the Tathagata: ‘He who is thus gone’. The Tathagata-garbha (garbha means ‘germ’) doctrine, on the other hand, proposes the notion of an imminent Absolute: the manifestat ion in form of a transcendental principle, (Snelling,5). Therefore it is true Buddhism has some philosophical foundations as it written by John Snelling, (Snelling, 4). In conclusion we have seen that Buddhism involves that Buddhism has evolved on the basis of some philosophical foundations and that it involves psychological, religious, some mystical experience and meditations.Unlike other religions, Buddhism holds the religious perfection in which one should not clung of practical faith but should eventually make it to knowledge. Therefore, this makes it more a practical experience. It is such aspects, according to John Snelling that drive us to believe that there is no Buddhism but only Buddhists. REFERENCES Snelling, John. The Buddhist Handbook: A complete Guide to Buddhist Teaching and Practice. London: Rider, 1987.

Analyze the different techniques used in the openings of Sommersby and Of Mice and Men films

Creating a successful film often lies in creating a successful opening. By using different camera angles and lighting styles, as well as music techniques the director can set the scene and alter the mood in any way he wants. Here I am going to analyze the different techniques used in the openings of both films as they progress. Credits Somersby starts with an air of mystery to it. We are shown this perspective by the lighting styles and camera angles that used. The camera shots show close-ups of firstly a man who we assumed is dead then of another man who's face is shrouded in a shadow of which enables hardly any of his face to be seen at all. This enables as to question his identity an also question the relationship of him and the other man. The music is also suitably grim but is of fairly poor standard, however the music does suggest the time period as the music is slightly patriotic. In the next scene the music fades and we get another close up of the mans face and hands. The hands are shown as they have importance as it is clearly shown they are covered in blood which when linked with the previous scene allows the viewer to jump to a rough conclusion to what has happened. The music is cut to show us that this is a seriousness of the scene. The close up scene soon fades we are taken to the credits, which are played over scenes of this man traveling through different climates, the variety in the climates shows us that he is traveling of long distances. This also asks us the question was is he going and why is he going. The camera still has not shown us a clear image of this mans face, which still gives us an impression of mystery to the character and also shows us that the character is probably deliberately trying to conceal his identity. The camera also pauses at the point when the man passes what looks like a group of soldiers. This emphasizes there is some important connection between the character we have been shown and these soldiers which helps us as viewers to try and fill important gaps in the profile of this character. In direct contrast ‘Of Mice and Men' is played out in a completely different style. The credits are immediately at the beginning and there are no scenes played underneath it only a blank background. Similar to Somersby however, is the music. Whilst ‘Of Mice and Men' music is of a higher standard it sets the scene for the movie. The music is very sad and solemn which can immediately tell us that this film is not going to be a happy film . As the credits continue further we get sound effects that immediately tell us roughly where this scene is set. The noise happens to be of a train so immediately us as viewers are told a) the scene is on a train and b) the characters in the film may be traveling. The camera pans in showing us light coming through gaps in the carriages, this captures the same dark atmosphere as shown in the opening of Somersby but through a different technique. To add to this gloomy effect the music fades so that only the sound effects can be heard. The director has done this to such an effect that it sort of brings us into the movie and lets us feel the cold, dark, and harsh sounds that anyone would be hearing at that time. This brings user involvement into the film and is also relevant in the next few seconds in experiencing the thoughts of the characters. As the credits start to fad the music starts up again and the camera pauses in front of an outline of a figure. The lighting here is used in the same effect as ‘Somersby' were it does not reveal the character but allows us instead to ask questions about the character instead, for instance why is he traveling on this train and why is he lurking in the shadows. And this effect is obviously used in the same context in ‘Somersby' when we see him with the body for the first time. The music then changes dramatically and immediately the credit scene ends and the movie moves on. This effect of the music changing dramatically also highlights the point that the movie is continuing along a different path as apposed to the music in ‘Somersby' that tends to stay constant throughout the opening. It also gives the effect that this maybe a flash back due to the sudden changes in scene and location. Opening In ‘Somersby' continues on to a new location. The location is obviously vastly different so we can say that the character may have traveled a great distance. The music is still shown as grim and adds tension and emotion to the scene. The scene focuses on the firstly a close-up of the hand being wrapped in a handkerchief. The angle is displayed as a first person view so as to give us a better perspective of the characters feelings, and the obvious close-up of the wrapping of the handkerchief shows us there is some relevance in the scene. We are then shown a third person shot of him taken the coat of he has been hidden under, which shows us that firstly he feels ready to reveal himself and secondly that he had a uniform on showing a connection between him and the soldiers. We are then shown the first full picture of him. The music is now suitably brighter to obviously help lighten the characters mood. We are then taken to his first meeting with another character. The music fades to suggest that this maybe quite an important part of plot development. We are also shown the main character through the other characters eyes to show that at that point the concentration of that character would have been minimal. As the scene carries on the music changes to being much more confident which shows us that the tense atmosphere at the beginning of the scene has faded. Of Mice and Men' once again changes to a different style. The music firstly has become more frantic and the scene first shows a women running. At this point she has no part in the story yet the camera follows her so that we know that it must link to the plot somehow. We are then shown to characters running away from the camera. Immediately this tells that because the woman was running toward the camer a they are running away from each other. This type of camera work is not used at all in ‘Somersby' as it tries to capture a different mood. However as the chase scene ends the same first person view as shown in Somersby is implemented to give us a clearer impression of the characters thoughts feelings at this time. To conclude it is obvious that both films implement similar styles however to get the correct mood they want they have often altered techniques to suit that scene creating the same sort of mood but in different ways. This kind of variation adds variety to the film and makes it much more enjoyable to watch.

Breakeven Analysis

BREAK EVEN ANALYSIS Break-even is the point at which a product or service stops costing money to produce and sell, and starts generating a profit for your business. This means sales have reached sufficient volume to cover the variable and fixed costs of producing and distributing your product. [Type the document subtitle] KOMAL BHILARE ROLL NO: 85 2013 DEFINITION Break Even is: †¢the sales point at which the Company neither  makes profit nor suffers loss, or   Ã¢â‚¬ ¢sales level where fixed cost are fully absorbed by or   †¢the level where contribution margin equals the fixed cost.Breakeven analysis provides data for †¢Ã‚  profit planning †¢Ã‚  policy formulating and †¢decision making Break-even analysis may be based on: †¢historical data, †¢past operations, or †¢future sales and costs, Depending on management’s need and desire. †¢The break even analyses technique is used in various  business decision making areas, as this h elp in knowing the minimum desired level to be achieved to avoid loss situation. †¢The Breakeven analysis is mostly used at the time of  investing in new project and introducing new products. The organizer of this workshop must have seen Break  even for this workshop. USE OF BREAK EVENANALYSES ?  Hospital or Hotel management would like to know sales  point in terms of number of beds/ rooms, to recover fixed cost to reach at a breakeven point. ?The school owner would be interested in knowing minimum number of students to be admitted to reach at  breakeven ?New branch of bank would need to know minimum deposits from customer ?On introduction of new products certain huge sales  promotional expenses are planned in order to achieve  planned sales. The management while deciding about approving expenditures would be interested to see cost / benefit analyses or minimum expected sales (break even) to be achieved to recover these expenses (disregarding the very ambitious sa les budgets submitted by the sales and marketing team) FORMULA A) Breakeven point of output = (fixed cost) / (contribution per unit) Where, Contribution=selling cost – variable cost Fixed cost= Contribution -profit B) Breakeven point of Sales = 1. Fixed price x SP per unit Contribution per unit 2.Fixed Cost x Total Sales Total Contribution BREAK EVEN GRAPH Uses of Breakeven Chart A breakeven chart can be used to show the effect of changes in any of the following profit factors: †¢ Volume of sales †¢ Variable expenses †¢ Fixed expenses †¢ Selling price PROFIT VOLUME RATIO (P/V RATIO) The ratio of contribution to sales is P/V ratio or C/S ratio. It is the contribution per rupee of sales and since the fixed cost remains constant in short term period, P/V ratio will also measure the rate of change of profit due to change in volume of sales.The P/V ratio may be expressed as follows: P/V ratio = Sales – Marginal cost of sales = Contribution Sales Sales = Changes in contribution = Change in profit Changes in sales Change in sales A fundamental property of marginal costing system is that P/V ratio remains constant at different levels of activity. A change in fixed cost does not affect P/V ratio. The concept of P/V ratio helps in determining the following: †¢ Breakeven point Profit at any volume of sales †¢ Sales volume required to earn a desired quantum of profit †¢ Profitability of products †¢ Processes or departments the contribution can be increased by increasing the sales price or by reduction of variable costs. MARGINAL COST A marginal cost is another term for a variable cost. The term ‘marginal cost’ is usually applied to the variable cost of a unit of product or service, whereas the term ‘variable cost’ is more commonly applied to resource costs, such as the cost of materials and labour hours.Marginal costing is a form of management accounting based on the distinction between: a. th e marginal costs of making selling goods or services, and b. fixed costs, which should be the same for a given period of time, regardless of the level of activity in the period. Suppose that a firm makes and sells a single product that has a marginal cost of ? 5 per unit and that sells for ? 9 per unit. For every additional unit of the product that is made and sold, the firm will incur an extra cost of ? 5 and receive income of ? 9. The net gain will be ? 4 per  additional unit.This net gain per unit, the difference between the sales price per unit and the marginal cost per unit, is called contribution. Contribution is a term meaning ‘making a contribution towards covering fixed costs and making a profit’. Before a firm can make a profit in any period, it must first of all cover its fixed costs. Breakeven is where total sales revenue for a period just covers fixed costs, leaving neither profit nor loss. For every unit sold in excess of the breakeven point, profit will increase by the amount of the contribution per unit LIMITATIONS OF BREAK EVEN ANALYSIS: It is best suited to the analysis of one product at a time. * It may be difficult to classify a cost as all variable or all fixed; and there may be a tendency to continue to use a break even analysis after the cost and income functions have changed. * Break-even analysis is only a supply side (i. e. costs only) analysis, as it tells you nothing about what sales are actually likely to be for the product at these various prices. * It assumes that fixed costs (FC) are constant. Although this is true in the short run, an increase in the scale of production is likely to cause fixed costs to rise.