Statement Of The Project Objectives Essay Example for Free

Statement Of The Project Objectives Essay The present project endeavors to create, edit, and distribute software in the educational and training field. Specifically, the current project aims to (1) create a separate company, ACM Software Inc., in order to complement the current mission and vision of the parent company ACM Consulting, and (2) to explore opportunities to expand the present business to include the international market. PROJECT DESCRIPTION The present project entails the involvement of the following departments: Project Management, Small Business and Entrepreneurship (SBE), Operations, Sales and Marketing, Accounting, IPO, Human Resources and Business Information Systems (BIS). The Project Management is mainly responsible for effective and efficient management, including formulation of the Communication Plan, Project Schedule, and Weekly Analysis of Project Schedule. BIS is tasked with the creation of the ACM Software website, website hosting, marketing design, product description, and product pricing; SBE with delivering a complete document presentation of the new business proposal to the client ACM Consulting, in accordance with their mission of training and education. This will be accomplished through various media such as video, audio and CBTs with distribution via the internet as a web service, audio CD, DVD, published books and pod casting for both video and audio and streaming video media. The BIS-created website providing detailed information on the product(s) being offered and the means to purchase these shall be based on the ACM Consulting-proposed educational software. This would serve to market the product as well. Operations will be responsible for establishing a manufacturing plant for the software production and packaging, as well as developing a time-and cost-efficient distribution and transportation strategy. Initial plans include distributing and storing the product in various warehouses all over the United States. The IPO team shall make all necessary arrangements pertaining to the incorporation of the new company ACM Software, Inc. including the necessary legal and administrative paper work, documentation and drawing up of company reports such as scope statements, status reports, and project schedules, and company presentations (via PowerPoint). In addition, IPO is tasked with analysis of business formats and selection of states in which to incorporate ACM Software Inc. Sales and Marketing working at 100 percent efficiency, aims to create the subsidiary company ACM Software, Inc. under the ACM name, within a year. The Accounting department shall prepare the financial statements for ACM Software, Inc. The financial statements shall incorporate income statements, balance sheet, and statements of cash flows to provide a detailed report of the company’s assets, liabilities, stockholder’s equity, income and expenses. In addition, they too shall prepare annual company budgets for ACM within the next five years. All the above-mentioned departments within the organization of ACM Software, Inc. shall communicate in the most effective and efficient manner, within and among themselves. REQUIREMENTS OF THE PRESENT PROJECT The present project requires several outputs from the different departments. Project managers must strictly enforce all deadlines to actualize the final project in its entirety. To do this, proper coordination and communication between management and all the departments, including performance monitoring, evaluation and feedback, shall be encouraged and pursued. SBE shall conduct a research on ACM’s current product line and target market in order to determine existing and future needs and concerns of customers; undertake a research on the software market to effectively outline ACM’s competition and better comprehend consumer needs in the software tools industry worldwide, for possible future product and market expansion; and brief ACM Consulting representatives on existing product lines being offered by the company. The information collected shall facilitate the creation of a full product line that will be of benefit to the nation, and possibly even markets abroad. HR shall recruit and train future employees; formulate the Technical Skills and Education requirements for employees, based on recommendations from all hiring managers; and devise and process the Benefits and Compensation packages for employees.   The Sales and Marketing department requires coordination with other departments to properly and accurately define and design successful marketing campaigns for the 360 Sports training suite. The Marketing team requires product specifications and data from the SBE, to create and implement proper branding; as well as specifications from the BIS on desired graphics and other materials necessary to build an appropriate web presence in order to market the product suite online. Sales and Marketing require access to the Accounting team, to ensure that all needed financials are exact and available; Furthermore, Marketing shall work with the Accounting department to ensure that the Sales Forecasting is on target with those of the other teams, as w ell as in line with company expectations, projections and goals. Operations will be required to assist Sales and Marketing to order and set up the computer hardware and software applications needed for the successful transportation and delivery of the product suite to dealers and distributors. The Operations department is primarily responsible for overseeing the construction and subsequently the operations of the company plant facility for the manufacture and packaging of the software product. The Plant facility specifics must meet the following requirements: 1. The manufacturing plant is to occupy a minimum of 4,000 square feet in land area. 2. The erection of a 33,000 sq ft. building, which will serve as the main distribution centers. 3. The plant is to be equipped with the following: a.) 10 CD/DVD duplicators, which can copy 20 CD/DVD’s at a time b.) 10 high capacity label makers c.) 5 industrial CD packing machines d.) 4 trucks Business Information Systems (BIS) is in-charge of (1) website hosting; (2) marketing design; (3) product description and (4) product pricing. Technical Requirements of the ACM Software, Inc. website are as follows: a. Website will support 150,000 visits per month / 5000 user visits per day b. Bandwidth transfer up to 15000 Mega Bytes per month / 500 Mega Bytes per day c. Website compatible with web browser versions Internet Explorer 5.0 and Mozilla Firefox d. Available 24 Hours per day / 365 Days per year e. Web host must provide Internet service redundancy For the Accounting Department, it shall require (a) computations for Start-up cost; (b) Sales figures; (c) List of Expenses from all departments of the company ACM Software, Inc.; (d) Figures on the number of employees needed to work for accounting department, to be forwarded to HR; and (e) Estimated future sales and expenses, within the next five years of company operations. Meanwhile, the creation of the IPO team shall be based on the decision of senior level management whether the company, ACM Software, Inc. shall be privately or publicly-held. The IPO team shall conduct research on existing law firms and draw up recommendations on the choice of law firm which could best address the specific needs of the company, as overall project plans of the company need to conform to existing rules and regulations as specified by law. One or two underwriters from a carefully chosen field of investment banks shall be selected, to present the company with all existing regulations and restrictions which may affect company operations. Specifically, the IPO department is required to accomplish the registration of the company, ACM Software, Inc.; selection of the state wherein to incorporate ACM Software, Inc.; election of directors for the corporation, ACM Software, Inc.; preparation of the articles of incorporation; formulation of the corporation’s by-laws; drawing up of the shareholder agreement; regular meetings with the new directors of ACM Software, Inc. after their election to the board; issuance of certificates to the corporation’s initial stockholders; and obtaining all necessary business licenses and permits from the: a.) Federal Government b.) State Government c.) Local Government PROJECT BOUNDARIES Each department and aspect of operation of the company ACM Software, Inc. has to operate within a given set of boundaries, to ensure efficiency, attainment of set goals and quality performance. The project managers are in no position to carry out the work specific to a particular department due to lack of technical know-how and intimate knowledge of detailed day-to-day internal operations of each and every department. SBE is severely limited by lack of expertise on software programming, and thus will no longer be responsible for the programming of the software produced by the company. SBE would instead focus on overseeing the creation of working prototypes of the product and present a detailed presentation of possible packaging for the product. The project boundaries for HR include but are not limited to: final decisions for all compensation and benefits conclusions (to be approved by senior management, i.e. the Board of Directors); the full implementation of all training systems; and screening of hires through an appropriate staffing process. The Sales and Marketing department is largely dependent on the decisions of the SBE. The company product offerings as selected by SBE will define the potential for sales, revenue and growth of the company ACM Software, Inc. It is also important to note the highly competitive and well-established nature of the software industry, with many companies, including recognized industry giants, competing for shares in the software market. As a relatively new market player, ACM Software, Inc. is engaging in an industry that may or may not see the need for additional products and service offerings. The Operations department will essentially collaborate with the Accounting, Human Resource (HR), and Project Management teams to select facility location best suitable for the production and distribution of the ACM-manufactured software. It shall conduct research from which to base their recommendations on the best possible location, wherein labor costs are minimal; resources are abundant and readily available. Furthermore, it shall assemble the facility layout best suitable for the training of staff and the manufacture and production of the software. The Operations team shall also collaborate with the Accounting department to draw up an equipment list needed for the production of the software, and forward all the necessary data reports to the Human Resources department and the Project Management team. As in-charge of operations, the same department will orient and facilitate the roles and conduct of other teams in the areas of production and product distribution. BIS shall function within the following set of boundaries: 1. Shipping rates will be fixed per total dollar amount of items ordered. 2. Non-existence of â€Å"Search† functionality within the ACM Software, Inc. website. 3. Saving and/or e-mailing of the shopping cart in the ACM Software, Inc. website to another recipient shall be barred. 4. An end-user 800 x 600 pixel resolution is to be maintained for the ACM Software, Inc. website. 5. The same ACM Software, Inc. website shall not employ a Shockwave Flash or an ActiveX Plug-in. 6. Visa and MasterCard are the only honored means of on-line payment for purchase of ACM Software products. 7. The ACM Software, Inc. website shall be in the English language. As for the Accounting department, its boundaries are set to payroll, sales figures, financial statements and the company’s tax return. IPO is primarily bounded by the price of the company name, as determined by the legal underwriters. The corporation’s name, ACM Software, Inc. has already been agreed-upon by all major parties involved. PROJECT DELIVERABLES As overseer of the overall performance of the entire company, Project Management has to ensure that all departments are delivering expected outputs at the highest level of efficiency and productivity possible, in line with the set corporate goals. Specifically, project deliverables for the successful creation of ACM Software, Inc. are as follows: †¢ A Sports Education Simulation Software Packet †¢ A â€Å"How To† Financial Education Simulation Software Packet †¢ A Business Process Simulation Packet for Human Resources. †¢ A listing of the items that will be included in the software package †¢ A detailed description of what each product will offer †¢ A sample of the designs for each product label. †¢ Draft working plans of Training Systems for all departments †¢ Complete job descriptions for all employees †¢ Benefits and Compensation packages †¢ New employee orientation package †¢ Organizational Chart for ACM Software, Inc. †¢ Weekly status reports †¢ Domestic Marketing Plan †¢ Weekly Status Reporting †¢ Project Schedule †¢ State-of-the art and fully operational software manufacturing plant facility, with appropriate office space (for management, programming, production, testing, packaging, and shipping). †¢ Purchasing of office furniture †¢ Purchasing of packaging equipment and materials †¢ Purchasing of manufacturing equipment for production †¢ Security equipment †¢ Blue print of building †¢ Logistics for distribution and transportation of ACM Software products, inclusive of but not limited to the following: a.) Warehouses 33,000 square feet in area b.) Four (4) units fully functional delivery trucks c.) Security equipment †¢ Fully functional and user-friendly ACM Software, Inc. corporate website, with the following features: a.) Shopping cart feature, which allows for â€Å"Quantity Change,† â€Å"Delete item,† and â€Å"Update† b.) Customer log-in c.) Dynamic product page with an â€Å"Add to cart† button †¢ The above-mentioned website will contain the following pages: a.) Home b.) About Us c.) Products d.) Downloads e.) Customer Login f.) Customer Support g.) Contact Us h.) View Cart i.) Technical Support j.) Terms and Conditions k.) Privacy Policy †¢ Domain name purchase and reservation †¢ Website and e-mail hosting for domain name †¢ 150 e-mail accounts to include individual accounts for each employee, sales, technical support, customer service, and webmaster. †¢ Income statements †¢ Balance sheets †¢ Statements of cash flows †¢ Budget †¢ Start- up cost †¢ Analysis of business formats and states to incorporate in. †¢ Registration statement †¢ Legal paperwork and proper documentation to set up the corporation, ACM Software †¢ Legal and administrative paperwork for IPO creation †¢ Company reports as to obtaining IPO status and official IPO and legal recognition †¢ Status Reports †¢ Scope Statements †¢ Project Schedules †¢ Presentation Slides PROJECT CONSTRAINTS Several factors need to be taken into consideration, as these limit what can be done in a humanly possible manner towards the successful implementation of the project. Project management is constrained by the individual performance of the different departments within the company ACM Software, Inc., as well as its given mandate and resources at its disposal for the project actualization and attainment of company goals and targets, as set upon by the company board of directors and the senior management of the parent firm ACM Consulting. SBE has to contend with several different variables limiting what the team can accomplish. Foremost of these constraints is time. It is important to note that software programming is a time-consuming process. Thus, deadlines on product development and manufacture need to take this nature of the software programming process into consideration. Another would be finances, which limit the number of programmers to be employed in product development and manufacture, as well as in the other aspects of company operations, i.e. sales and marketing teams, website development, technical support, etc. Product development and manufacture would also be primarily based on the needs of clients and the target market. Proper coordination and cooperation from the other departments are also imperative, as the other teams’ performance may affect the overall company output. Staffing for the different departments involved in the project cannot be initiated until all hiring managers have successfully submitted the appropriate job details, educational and skills requirements of their necessary staff personnel to the HR department. In addition, the HR Department must abide by all government guidelines and policies in hiring employees. Employment of all hires as screened by the HR is subject to senior management approval. For Sales and Marketing, time is also a major limitation. The current project aims to create a subsidiary company under the ACM name within a year (roughly 365 days), requiring the Sales and Marketing Department to perform at one hundred percent efficiency in order to accomplish this undertaking. To do so, it needs the cooperation of several teams, as well as the full support of Project Management. The HR department plays an important role in assisting the Sales and Marketing team through efficient staffing of all open business development positions with capable and dedicated personnel, as well as approves and acts on new requisition requests. Of course there is always the possibility of open positions being filled at a later date than initially expected, and/or new requests for additional personnel being denied. Budget constraints also prove to be a vital limiting factor. In order to effectively market and sell ACM Software products, adequate investment must be made in product marketing. Sales training, marketing research, staffing and product advertising may prove too costly for the company. A minimal budget for product marketing may reflect on overall sales figures. Due to various factors and other externalities, many aspects of this project are still subject to change. It is important to note that there are occurrences, i.e. force majeure, acts of nature, etc. beyond the control of the personnel in-charge. Such constraints include, but are not limited to: †¢ Changes brought about by the seasons. Cold weather can cause severe constraints on human, as well as mechanical productivity, logistics concerning delivery and transport of materials, which may be delayed due to unfavorable weather conditions. †¢ Delays in the construction of the plant facility, its operation, production and delivery of products caused by unattained, expired, or incomplete permits and other legal documents, of which the overall responsibility is with the senior management of the parent company, ACM Consulting. †¢ The cost of labor and materials may vary due to economic factors, among others – i.e. domestic inflation, labor unrest, legally mandated wage hikes, etc. Therefore, any indirect and unforeseen market constraints may also impact the execution of the project. †¢ Union mass action and possible conflicts with management would inadvertently affect plant production and possibly cause delays, among other problems, in operations. †¢ Faulty construction and other infrastructural defects, as well as technical failures in acquired machinery may prove costly to the company. In some instances, stop-gap measures, structural repairs, refitting and refurbishing may cause operational delays and other problems such as loss of productivity. For the BIS, it is primarily limited by time constraints, including the finalization of all necessary reports and recommendations based on data gathered in cooperation with other departments (e.g. project scope) due on the 31st of August, 2007, prior to the official company project presentation. This report would be comprehensive, and includes accurate information and specific plans for the design of the company website, the projected budget for the BIS individual group operation, as well as integrated key figures and projections from the Sales and Marketing, Operations, Accounting, and Project Management teams. Other constraints are: †¢ Availability of appropriate software and limited computer availability for key accounts personnel. †¢ Limited user access power and system restrictions. †¢ Availability of information and necessary coordination with different departments. †¢ Time frame for project completion. †¢ Adequate staffing and employee availability. For the IPO, areas of concern include efficient staffing, employee availability and time constraints in the formulation of the company resolution. Other constraints may consist of financial and legal issues, inadequate time for the processing and submission of paperwork and other necessary requirements, very strict and restrictive deadlines, and unforeseen political restrictions which may arise depending on developments in the socio-political scene. PROJECT PARTNERSHIPS Project Management as overall project overseer is to work closely with all the other departments, as well as report directly to senior management of the parent company ACM Consulting, and the elected Board of Directors of newly-created firm ACM Software, Inc., for company reports and project updates.   SBE is to work closely with clients for product feedback and to evaluate other possible market opportunities. Together with the Sales and Marketing Team, SBE is to develop strategic goals for business development and product line expansion. Meetings and updates with the Project Management team on a regular basis as to department operations and attainment of stated goals are also necessary. Then of course close coordination with the Accounting department in order to work out department budgets and financial constraints hindering the SBE team’s performance and effectiveness. The Human Resources Department will basically work with all other departments for their staffing needs an d employment compensation packages. The Sales and Marketing Department is to work closely in tandem with the SBE, BIS and Accounting Departments. Operations will be working with the HR Department to establish specific staffing requirements for the plant facility, acquire budget specifics from the Accounting department for strategic planning and purchasing of appropriate facility sites, obtain time tables, working schedules and Operation goals as evaluated and approved by the Project Management team. The BIS web development team is to be in direct collaboration with the Project Management, Operations, Accounting, and Sales and Marketing forces. As for the Accounting Department, it is to work closely with all departments, as each and every aspect of operations requires adequate funding. Specifically, its inter-department partnership would focus on the following aspects: †¢ Project Management to evaluate and approve the calculated start up cost, and to draw up managerial expenses and management costs of the company ACM Software, Inc. †¢ Sales and marketing for drawing up accurate sales figures, revenue projections and calculated marketing expenses †¢ HR Department for hiring and employee expenses, particularly employee wages and payroll expenses. †¢ Operations Department for the bulk of incurred company expenses, as channeled through financing the acquisition of the plant facility, plant operations, production and distribution of products, and systems implementation costs. †¢ BIS for drawing up expenses related to Website development, website hosting, and domain registration. †¢ SBE in calculating the projected and actual overall expenses related to its department operations, as well as opportunities for product line and market expansion. IPO would work hand-in-hand with the Project Management for regular updates on the company IPO status, communication and coordination with senior management for the resolution of possible legal problems which may arise, and with the Accounting Department for financial concerns. PROJECT ORGANIZATIONS †¢ Anna Popek—ESFJ: Extraverted, Sensing, Feeling, Judging – HR †¢ Towana Elmore—INFJ: Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Judging – HR †¢ David Pariso ¬Ã‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â€ESTJ: Extraverted, Sensing, Thinking, Judging – HR †¢ Diana Ramos – First Vice President of Operations (Myers Briggs type ISTJ) †¢ Anand Soni – Director of Operations (Myers Briggs type INTJ) †¢ Brijesh Patel – Second Vice President of Operations (Myers Briggs type ENTJ) †¢ Cindy Paredes – Operations Manager (Myers Briggs type INFJ) †¢ Allen Peterson (ESTJ) BIS †¢ Luke Dyson (INTJ) – BIS †¢ Michael Hoegerl (INTJ) – BIS †¢ Isha Khatri (ENFJ) – Accounting †¢ Purnima Patel (ENFJ) – Accounting †¢ Nirali Shah (INFJ) – Accounting †¢ Sevil Mursalova, Financial Analyst (ENFJ) – IPO †¢ Julia Ortega (ESFJ) – IPO †¢ Miriam Juarez (ENFJ) – IPO

Alice Kyteler Sorcery Trial Essays -- Witchcraft European History Essa

Alice Kyteler Sorcery Trial The sorcery trial of Alice Kyteler was an important aspect and a contributing factor of the European With-Hunt. The trial helped to set a precedent and a point of reference for later witch-hunts and later trials. The trial of Alice Kyteler helped make the link between heresy and witchcraft, helped in making witchcraft a crime punishable under heretical laws, helped define what the acts of witchcraft are, and allowed for the authority of the church in matters of witchcraft, such as torture, to be defined. Heresy and witchcraft are interrelated and in some cases, one in the same. The charge of sorcery and witchcraft against Alice Kyteler helped to solidify the correlation drawn between magic and heresy. The sorcery trials that where held in Ireland where centered around the idea that the magic that was being performed somehow made the practitioners heretics. William Outlaw was accused of, â€Å"aiding, abetting and harboring heretics†¦usury, perjury, adultery, murder of clergy, and excommunications, to the total of thirty-four separate counts.†1 William Outlaw, son of Alice Kyteler, had the charges of heresy and helping those who where heretics combined to include other charges that fell under witchcraft. Outlaw was accused of helping heretics, who where also being charged with heresy, and using sorcery for the use of evil. In Nicholas Eymeric’s, written fifty years after the Kyteler trial, lists that â€Å"†¦some others, however, are magicians and di viners who are not pure chiromantics, but are contracted to heretics, as are those who show the honor of latria or dulia to the demons.† Eymeric also wrote that, â€Å"These people,† referring to the magicians, â€Å"are guilty of manifest heresy.†2 This s... ... Alan Kors and Edward Peters (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1972), 85. 3. Brian Levack, The Witch-Hunt in Early Modern Europe (London: Longman Group, 1995), 37. 4. Davidson, 26-27. 5. William Cardinal of Santa Sabina, â€Å"Magic and the Inquisition,† in Witchcraft in Europe 1100-1700, Alan Kors and Edward Peters (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1972), 81. 6. Davidson, 28 & 30. 7. Davidson, 82. 8. Heinrich Kramer and Jacob Spenger, â€Å"The Malleus Maleficarum,† in Witchcraft in Europe 1100-1700, Alan Kors and Edward Peters (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1972), 130. 9. Davidson, 28. 10. Heinrich Kramer and Jacob Spenger, â€Å"The Malleus Maleficarum,† in Witchcraft in Europe 1100-1700, Alan Kors and Edward Peters (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1972), 132. 11. Davidson, 62. 12. Levack, 77.

Trade Deficit

Trade Deficit and Current Account Deficit [Name of the Writer] [Name of the Institution] Trade Deficit and Current Account Deficit Critically examine this statement, â€Å"Current Account Deficits do not seem to matter anymore – the US$ appears to remain unaffected by escalating US trade deficits†, by reference to the â€Å"Balance of Payments Approach† to exchange rate determination The trade deficit of the US is at exorbitantly high levels. Many economists suggest that depreciating the US dollar would help put a squeeze on United States enthusiasm for globally produced goods.Since this move of depreciation would inherently curb the exaggerated import costs that the US so loves to incur. Furthermore, these three critical factors essentially would help limit the import prices incurred by US due to the trend of rising demands that has permeated in the societal culture: * The practice of using USD for US trade invoicing; * Exporters concerns on market share dynamic s, and; * The outrageous US distribution costs. $759 billion is the aggregated US trade deficit in 2006. This is six percent of the actual nominal GDP of the country.One of the biggest contributory factors is the impasse of plethora of imported goods from foreign lands. In the perspective of numerous investigators and policymakers, dollar depreciation remains a crux system for tending to this export-import imbalance and restoring the worldwide competitiveness of American producers. Indeed in principle, a weaker dollar might as well raise the expense of different merchandise for U. S. consumers, in this manner diminishing U. S. mandate for imports in the meantime that it helps gather interest by foreign nations for U. S. products by making the country's exports increasingly cost-focused abroad.My investigation uncovers that dollar depreciation is unrealistic to shut the exchange crevice courageously. To make sure, remote request for U. S. exports may as well develop, as speculation p redicts. Since basically all U. S. exports to different nations are invoiced in dollars, remote buyers will determine an instantaneous profit from dollar depreciation as the expense of their buys decreases in varying foreign currencies. Notwithstanding, the value of outside imports for U. S. consumers will be impressively increasingly versatile to conversion standard updates.Exchange invoicing practices, it is contended, donate altogether to the lack of care of import costs to trade rates. Since very nearly the sum of the products that the United States imports, for instance those it exports, are invoiced in dollars, the costs of foreign made merchandise remain settled for a period when trade rates change. Also, even in the longer term—over, state, the year emulating dollar depreciation—the craving of outside makers to remain focused in the huge U. S. business sector might lead them to oppose expanding the dollar value of their products.Beyond any doubt, the atypically towering showcasing and appropriation takes added to imports once they drop in the United States—fetches designated in dollars—further isolate the last utilization value of foreign made merchandise from conversion scale updates. The American President stated that: â€Å"The best way to, deal with the trade deficit is to make sure that America is the best place in the world to do business†¦ † Examine this view that promoting growth is more effective than direct targeting of the trade deficit USA is a diverse country with numerous of its regions continuously producing high growth, innovative companies.These companies have risen above the economic downturn that hit the global economy in the start of the 21st century. Rather with surprise, the diverse US states boast such companies not only distributed in the locales of Silicon Valley and Boston but rather in most of its states. End of 2012; saw a sharp decline in the trade deficit of the US. In this period, o il imports drastically reduced whereas exports increase sharply. This essentially iterates that the shrinking trade gap, has improved on the government’s estimated growth and trade deficit levels.Furthermore, the levels reached in the closing months of 2012 indicate towards levels that have not been observed in the last three years. This is a positive inducement. Exportation of US products saw rise in oil exports and other petroleum based-product exports. Further, aircraft sales and agricultural good sales also demonstrated positive increment. Various economists believe that this is a very encouraging sign. Though, economists have stated that the essential focus of the US treasury should be to enhance growth in the country, and secondary considerations should be given to the trade deficit.This assertion is based on the belief that reinvigorating the business systems of the country would deplete the rising gap between the socio economic classes of the country. Furthermore, ind ividual families would be given financial stability and long term sustainability. It also has to state that the narrowed gap between imports and exports, i. e. the trade deficit, essentially iterate that US corporations earn extra then their foreign counterparts. Furthermore, domestic consumption of foreign goods is also less in comparison.It is expected that the companies are not piling up their inventories; this indirectly suggests that curbing expenses including cuts in defence spending would help in keeping a positively skewed growth rate in the future months. These events would see an additional negative pressure on the trade deficit that has started to show signs of decrease. As such economists are of the view that trade will be favourably impacted in 2013. These forecasts are dependent on premises that iterate that the EU debt crisis will finally show some features of stabilizing.This would further give a positive boost to the US exports. Moreover, economic growth witnessed i n Asia would also positively impact the growth potential of the US. One of the biggest negatives for US is the rising trade deficit between China and the US. This trade deficit climbed to a spectacular 300 billion mark in 2012. This would be the biggest pressure point on the growth prospects of the US economy. Economists have confronted this issue by attacking the economic policies of China, specifically the country’s practices to artificially peg their currency at far lower levels, than is required.This assertion is made with the logic that such an economic move by China would essentially lower the costs of its exports in the US. UK trade statistics show similar trends to the US situation. Review the suggestion of b) above for the UK situation UK trade statistics show similar trends of that of US i. e. ever-increasing trade deficits and curbing growth prospects. Given these circumstances and the global economic turmoil that hit the global economies in the early years of the millennia, it is disappointing to even follow the growth prospects of the World, let alone the UK.Britain’s trade deficit also demonstrates a serious picture of disappointment. Economic chiefs of the country suggest that the super competitive currency i. e. the British Pound Sterling can be the glimmer of hope in this dismal economic prospect. This is because the currency is almost a quarter below the pre financial crisis levels. In 2008, December reports indicated that the nation’s deficit consumed after trade sharply rose to 14 billion pounds. One of the biggest factors of this deficit jump is attributed to magnified increase in aircraft import costs.Given these factors, it juxtaposes a truly saddening prospect for the country. Economists who eagerly made plans to rebalance the economic prospects of the economy, by cashing on the decline in pounds value to feed increases through export based growth. BoE has thus decided to restrict any particular changes to the inter est rates. This was due to suggestions that raising the rates would cause pound to appreciate, thus thwarting the trade prospects, negatively. Nonetheless, declining GBP has not appeased the concerns of above targeted and persistent economic inflation, as well as higher than necessary import prices.Current UK growth prospects and outlook suggests that the region would see improvements, although the road to recovery would be filled with bumps and slowness. Outlook prospects also indicate that consumer spending would be positively impacted. Furthermore, squeezes on real incomes would also subside, slowly. These are thoughts that do not cross the normal household. As such they remain scared, and cautious towards excessive spending. This is keeping a tap on growth. UK economy does not have the support of infrastructure of commerce that is established in the US.As such the economy is overfilled, without vacuum, and without much chances of astronomical growth. Additionally, close associat ions with a debt ridden EU has also kept pressures on growth. Though, it is accepted that growth in the nation is the biggest policy to be looked for, economic wise. Moreover, trade deficit should be given a secondary consideration. References Smith, David (2011) Trade Deficit Sunday Times The Balance of Payments and Macroeconomic Policy in an Open Economy Book Chapter

Analysis Of Homer s The Odyssey - 1533 Words

â€Å"Sing to me of the man, Muse, the man of twists and turns ... start from where you will—sing for our time too† (I, 1, 12). From the very beginning, Homer shows his intention for themes of The Odyssey to be applicable in the modern age and essentially â€Å"sing for our time† (I, 12). Homer’s epic provides the ideal reflection upon the very definition of heroism because it details the strenuous journey of Odysseus, a crafty hero whose key priority is to return home to his family. As one of the most prominent themes, The Odyssey carries forth the idea of heroism through the portrayal of Odysseus, and establishes a connection with the real world through the expression of life lessons. Consequently, Odysseus is characterized to serve as a role model for the successful hero because, after all, the poem is essentially centered on his very name. However, The Odyssey simultaneously conveys that an entirely perfect hero may be impossible, but a means for impro vement is always present. The attributes for success that are revealed in The Odyssey can be examined under interconnected ideas of passion, perseverance, and prowess. Thus, heroism is the most compelling theme of The Odyssey because it exemplifies the attributes for success while also demonstrating that heroes are not without mortal flaws. The attributes for success are vital to the meaning of heroism and rather obvious in the journey of Odysseus: passion, perseverance, and prowess. At the end of the Trojan War, the passion thatShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Homer s Odyssey By Homer1202 Words   |  5 Pagescoping with the idea of losing his father and letting others to rule Ithaca. It is noticeable from the beginning of The Odyssey, written by Homer that Telemachus finds himself in a complicated situation where his life is seen to be in danger. He is a character of being distance from people. The idea of Telemachus becoming his own father, threatens suitor’s control in Ithaca. Homer describes Telemachus as a teenager who has not found himself and is on a mission to become an adult as his father. TelemachusRead MoreAnalysis Of Homer s Odyssey By Homer1095 Words   |  5 Pagesused in Homer’s Odyssey is the digression. The digression is departure from the main storyline that does not alter the action of the story, but adds a layer of sentimental content to the plot which usually helps underscore themes central to the story. The digressions in the Odyssey are meticulously written with great attention to detail just like the rest of the epic, and they truly help readers grasp the important aspects of the story. The liberal use of digression in the Odyssey helps build a vividRead MoreAnalysis Of Homer s Odyssey By Homer2018 Words   |  9 PagesThe Odyssey by Homer is more light in tone than the Iliad, of the same author: The good wins while the evil is punished. Even though the gods are still strict, the relationship between Odysseus and Athena is a more sincere and equal a relationship than between God and Man in the Iliad. Odysseus is distinguished not only by his bravery, but largely by his intellect and cunning. He is the type of resourceful man whom never gives up, thinks of the causes, is reverent and never gives in. The Odyssey isRead MoreAnalysis Of Homer s Odyssey, By Homer915 Words   |  4 PagesThroughout the Odyssey, the hero, Odysseus is portrayed in two different and contradicting lights: the wise hero and the capricious leader blinded by his own pride. The epic writer, Homer, embodies the theme of hubris throughout Odysseus’ journey home. The idea of hubris, a trait of excessive pride, significantly develops personalities of characters within The Odyssey, and Homer ultimately creates a statement about excessive pride. The dual portrayal of Odysseus leads the reader to ultimatelyRead MoreAnalysis Of Homer s Odyssey By Homer Essay1479 Words   |  6 Pages The word â€Å"Family†, according to Merriam Webster, is thought to be a group of people brought together by common affiliation. The same cannot be said for the culture in the Odyssey by Homer. In the Odyssey, Odysseus is trying to get back home from fighting in the Trojan War. He has been away from home for almost 20 years longing to just be reunited with his kinfolk. Along the way, he comes across many obstacles that hinders him from reaching his home and family in in Ithaca. Luckily, the memoriesRead MoreAnalysis Of Odyssey By Homer s Odyssey2253 Words   |  10 Pagesand Midwifery Council, 2006). The literature surrounding the subject of mentorship is vast and fails to provide a single definition, however the terms used are often similar. Colley (2000) writes that the word mentor originated in Homer’s poem ‘Odyssey’ in which the character oversees the development of Telemachus. Usually mentoring describes the process of an experienced team member using their skills and knowledge to educate and develop a junior or less skilled co-worker (Chartered Institute ofRead MoreAnalysis Of Homer s The Odyssey 1483 Words   |  6 PagesViolence in The Odyssey Violence in Literature can take any form, whether it be natural disaster like and earthquake or a human based disaster like war (Campbell). In Homer’s The Odyssey both types are found†¦ whether it’s Odysseus’s hardships like making it home or dealing with the wrath of the god Poseidon. Every violent scene has its own reasons, some are more reasonable than others. For instance, the gods were angered by the disobedience of the mortals, this is more reasonable than the killingRead MoreAnalysis Of Homer s The Odyssey 795 Words   |  4 Pages Odysseus Epic Hero In the Epic, â€Å"The Odyssey, spoken by Homer, conveys a heroic tale of an epic hero named, Odysseus, who faces many challenges as he sails to get home. One of the tasks Odysseus faces is, The Sirens, who challenge Odysseus s will power. Another challenge Odysseus encounters is, â€Å"The Cyclops, who torments and slaughters some of Odysseus s men due to his curiosity. One of the hardest threats he had to confront was, â€Å"The Land ofRead MoreAnalysis Of Homer s The Odyssey1636 Words   |  7 PagesGreek society, Homer’s The Odyssey provides a detailed insight into the values of this intricate culture. In particular, this epic discusses the ways in which the deathless gods influence the fates of the mortals. The overall impact of the gods’ power is the mental straining that emerges from the unrelenting conflict of man versus immortal. Likewise, the actions and misfortunes of others also catalyze this extremely significant and powerful mental battle. Homerâ€⠄¢s The Odyssey reveals the values of ancientRead MoreAnalysis Of Homer s The Odyssey 1128 Words   |  5 Pages The Odyssey shows a lot of different stereotypes for women throughout the book, taking action to get what they want. Odysseus is trying to get back home after ten long years since the fall of troy, and his son is going out to find him. Throughout the book Odysseus meets lots of woman who vary in personality. He meets woman with the stereotypes: â€Å"mantis†- dominant, eats its mate, destroys to gain power, feared by many. â€Å"Damsel in distress†- persecuted maiden, woman placed in a dire predicament requires