Virtue ethics Essay Example for Free

Virtue ethics Essay Boxing is a violent sport full of hate where the only objective is to knock your opponent unconscious. This is a very quick and biased view of boxing because if you study boxing closer it helps teach the person about their moral character. Boxing helps teach people to â€Å"get off the canvas and roll with the punches† (Marino, 2010, para 8) and to face their fears, two important lessons to get through life. Throughout the article written by Marino, he educates about Aristotelian ethics and uses boxing as a real-life example. I believe that Marino’s invocation of Aristotelian ethics is well articulated, and I agree with his application through boxing relating it to your life. Aristotelian ethics and boxing can relate to the rights and responsibility lens; boxing can help develop our moral lives and can clearly define and educate people about Aristotle’s definition of courage. The sport of boxing and comparing it to real-life morals and virtues is extremely well done by Gordon Marino using Aristotelian ethics. The moral virtues that Aristotle preached such as â€Å"qualities, temperance, justice, pride, and truthfulness† (Marino, 2010, para.11) all can be directly applied to Kantian ethics and the rights/responsibility lens (DesJardins, 2012). Boxing is a man versus man, woman versus woman sport which â€Å"can compel a person to take a quick self-inventory and gut check about what he or she is willing to endure and risk† (Marino, 2010, para. 4). The rights and responsibility lens are all about the self, honesty, responsibility, temperance, completing your duties and following the rules (Ethics games, 2012). All these values and characteristics are important in boxing and are all needed to find out who you truly are. Boxing teaches individuals self-discipline, responsibility, courage, and â€Å"what physical and psychic powers they possess – of how much, or how little, they are capable† (Marino, 2010, para. 5). Marino (2010) writes that Aristotle while talking about excellence, states â€Å"it is not enough to know, but we must try to have to use it† (para. 10). Boxing, unlike many other sports, accomplishes this within the first sparring session. Boxing is not only a sport that allows individuals to release anger but can also help improve ones moral character. As Marino (2010) states, life requires toughness and resiliency because it is filled with blows. Being inside a boxing ring will teach you about your own toughness and resiliency and let you face fear. Facing these fears, no matter how big or small, will make you come out with a greater understanding of your moral self. Boxers are faced with fear, but after months of training they are able to cope with their fears and can start to see things that emotions blinded them from earlier. â€Å"By getting into the ring with our fears, we will be less likely to succumb to trepidation when doing the right thing demands to take a hit† (Marino, 2010, para. 14). In doing this, you realize what it takes to overcome fear and will not crumble to this pressure when faced with real-life situations. Boxing is the best sport to use to enhance Aristotle’s view of courage because boxing is all about building up yourself, learning what you are made of, identifying your breaking point to go past it, and to face fear and move past it. All these values help individuals deeper understand Aristotle’s definition of courage. According to Marino (2010), Aristotle’s definition of â€Å"courage is a mean between rashness and cowardliness; that is, between having too little trepidation and too much† (para.12). This means you need to find a middle ground between having too much fear that something may happen and having no fear at all. In order to find this happy medium a person must practise, experience, and face fear to develop their courage. Boxing is perfect for developing Aristotelian courage because boxers â€Å"become more at home with feeling afraid. Fear is painful, but it can be faced, and in time a boxer learns not to panic about the blows that will be coming his way† (Marino, 2010, para. 13). This means that with time, boxers find that perfect mean between rashness and cowardliness. Marino’s invocation of Aristotelian ethics is thoughtful, and his application to real-life through boxing is the perfect match. Boxing is said to help develop our moral lives and can be a clear cut definition of Aristotle’s definition of courage. The moral virtues taught by Aristotle align with the rights and responsibility lens and focuses on the self, honesty, temperance, and completing your duties. Boxing helps an individual face their fears, identify their breaking point, struggle to exceed that point, and get through anything. This will allow a person to develop their moral character by not crumbling under pressure in real-life situations and by finding the perfect middle between rashness and cowardliness. References DesJardins, J. , (2014). An Introduction to Business Ethics. New York, NY: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Ethics Games, (2012). Ethical Lens Inventory. Retrieved from http://www. ethicsgame. com/Exec/Eli/EthicalLensResults. aspx? R=1 Marino, G. , (2010, September 15). The New York Times. The Opinionator: Boxing Lessons. Retrieved from http://opinionator. blogs. nytimes. com/2010/09/15/boxing-lessons/? _php=true_type=blogs_r=0.

The Role of Alfred von Tirpitz in the Anglo- German Naval Race Essay Example for Free

The Role of Alfred von Tirpitz in the Anglo- German Naval Race Essay What role did Alfred von Tirpitz play in the Anglo-German naval race of World War I, 1890-1914? For almost a century historians have been arguing over the causes of the First World War. One of the factors regularly discussed is the Anglo-German naval race, which involved the competing construction of the British and German navies between 1897 and 1914. Much of the blame for the consequential building of navies has fallen on the shoulders of the German state secretary of the navy office, Alfred von Tirpitz. The purpose of this internal assessment is to find out what roll Tirpitz played in the Anglo-German naval race. I will research my investigation with some of the many books published about the origins of World War I, including some of Tirpitzs speeches, letters, and propaganda as well as other key figures of the naval race. The investigation will cover how Tirpitz financed the naval construction, his building strategy, and finally Tirpitzs naval laws. B Summary of evidence How Tirpitz financed the naval construction Tirpitzs entire building strategy relied heavily on his belief that he could build his great fleet without raising taxes or putting any burden on the budget.2 He planned to achieve this with an intensive propaganda campaign, supported by industry and many middle class people. Tirpitz, being an adroit politician and manipulator of men, successfully promoted the navy and created effective pressure groups, like the Flottenverein, whose views had to be taken seriously by the government.3 After a lengthy depression, German industry was looking for large investments that were continuous and predictable. To accomplish this, Tirpitz tried to establish constant yearly shipbuilding rates in order to keep factories operating at capacity. He could then argue in the Reichstag that German industry would suffer a crisis unless it got new ship orders.4 However, it was the Kaisers support that gave Tirpitz the freedom to spend a large portion of the budget on the navy.5 Tirpitzs naval building strategy Tirpitz insisted that he be able to implement a plan of steady expansion, where ships were to be built and maintained regardless of cost.6 His plan had three major components: risk theory, alliance value, and danger zone. Risk theory was the idea that the German navy would be strong enough that if Britain risked battle, Tirpitz believed, the defeat of a strong German fleet would so substantially weaken the enemy that, in spite of a victory he might have obtained, his own position in the world would no longer be secured by an adequate fleet.7 Thus, Britain would be willing to make diplomatic concessions rather than take the risk of a naval conflict. Therefore, Germany only had to build a navy in proportion to England, of about 2:3, or 5:8.8 Danger zone was the period of time when the German fleet was not yet strong enough to deter the British fleet, and might be destroyed in a preventative blow. This led Tirpitz to advise cautious diplomacy towards Britain until the fleet was ready.9 Finally, Alliance value was the notion that a strong fleet would make Germany an attractive ally for other rivals of Britain, and maybe even for the British themselves.10 Therefore, Tirpitz believed that the constant building of the navy was an important asset if Germany wanted to become a threat to Britain, and consequentially gain allies. Tirpitzs naval laws Tirpitz believed that only by building the navy by law would ensure continuous and consistent fleet building.11 In 1898 the first naval law was created, calling for the construction of nineteen battleships, eight armored cruisers, and twelve large and 30 small cruisers, all to be built within six years. Tirpitz took advantage of international situations, such as the impact of the Spanish-American War, sentiment against Britain for an incident during the Boer War, and the Boxer Rebellion in China, and introduced the second naval law in 1900. The law doubled the size of the projected navy to a total of, 38 battleships, 20 armored cruisers, and 38 light cruisers, all to be built within 20 years. This was a direct challenge to the British home fleet that had approximately 32 battleships.12 It also threatened Britain because since 1889 the British navy had been governed by a two-power standard, by which their navy had to be stronger than the combined fleets of the next two naval powers.13 The second naval law also threatened Britain because it did not set a cost limit, therefore Germany needed no new legislation to build dreadnoughts.14 Tirpitz again used international crises, like the Moroccan crisis and Britains stern response to Germany at Agadir, to pass supplementary German naval laws in 1906, 1908, and 1912.15 C Evaluation of sources Two of the sources used were: Ferguson, Niall. The Pity of War. New York: Basic Books, 1999. The English historian, Niall Ferguson, wrote this book in 1999, acquiring most of his knowledge from primary sources and other historians books. The purpose of the book is to inform readers of Fergusons argument, that the Great War was solely Englands fault, but at the same time, the book is meant to be controversial, and to sell copies. This is one of the main limitations of the book, that the author may have misconstrued some of the details in order to make England look guiltier, and thus sell more copies. In general the book is valuable because it is a secondary source written long after the actual events, so he was able to form an opinion after looking at all different types of information and viewpoints. On the other hand, it is limiting because it is not a primary source; he did not write the book during the event, therefore some of the information could be misconstrued. Terraine, John, ed. The Great War, 1914-1918. New York: The Macmillan Company, 1965. This book, written by John Terraine in 1965, gives an overview of the events leading up to and during World War One. The author argues, in the introduction, that it was the German militarism that made the war inevitable. The book is very valuable because instead of the author writing his opinion on the events, he informs readers using primary sources throughout the entire book to tell the story. This is valuable because it displays the events when they happened. On the other hand it is limited because it does not have the benefit of using historiography, and the documents could be misrepresentative. There are many photographs used that are also valuable because they capture moments in history in vivid detail, simulating a first-hand experience. However, they could be limiting because certain details could be excluded, which would affect the view of the event. D Analysis Importance of investigation in its historical context The Anglo-German naval race was a significant event that ruined any possible relationship between the two nations before the start of World War I. Although many historians, for instance Ferguson or Fay, do not attribute the naval race to causing the Great War, it is a consensus among historians that by Germany building up their navy and destroying any relationship with Britain, they were simply pushing England into an alliance with France.16 The Entente Cordial simply meant that if Germany was trying to start a war in order to gain more colonies, they had dragged another enemy into the war to fight with. The naval race also caused extreme financial difficulties for both nations, but more specifically, if Germany had given most of its naval funds to its army, it would have had a much greater chance of achieving a land victory in France.17 Analysis of the Evidence Tirpitzs acquired his fleet by using intense propaganda, and played off of international crises to acquire more money in order to implement naval laws. He had soon built a fleet that was in direct competition with Britain; however it was never clear what his objectives with the fleet were. Different historians have interpreted the intention of this fleet differently. Ferguson and Fay both argue that the fleet was intended to compete with the British navy in order to have the power over Britain to demand colonies.18 However, Scheck more so argues that the fleet was being built in order to attract any of Britains enemies as allies or even Britain as an ally. 19 It is obvious that with both opinions the navy was directed at Britain. This proves that Tirpitz was the aggressor in the Anglo-German naval race, and that he was building the navy to discourage Britain from any direct conflict, and thus would have a stronger voice that could make demands. In addition, the naval construction would attract allies, and be able to support Germany in the coming war. However, Tirpitzs plan may have contributed to various British proposals for limiting the navy, it did not intimidate them or cause them no make concessions. On the contrary, it created the atmosphere of suspicion and antagonism that would lead to a naval race.20 It is obvious that Germany was the aggressor in the naval race; however, many historians have debated over what event it was that triggered the Anglo-German naval race. Herrmann argues that it was Germanys persistent defiance of Britain over a period of time that set-off the naval race, but it was not one particular event.21 However Tucker argues that it was specifically Tirpitzs second naval law that initiated the naval race.22 The latter is a very valid point, since it was this law that put Tirpitzs fleet in direct competition with Britain. Beforehand, the British new that the Germans were beginning to put a navy together, but it did not concern them. Immediately after the passage of the law, the British began to feel pressure from Tirpitz, and responded by building their navy as well. Without Tirpitzs second naval bill, Britain would not have felt threatened, and therefore would have had no reason to enter a naval race. Tirpitz undeniably was a key player in the naval race. He pushed the propaganda, founded the Navy League, designed the naval construction strategy, drafted the naval laws, and most important, would not slow down the building process. However, historians have disputed how large a role Tirpitz played. Scheck and Tucker have put complete blame on Tirpitz, saying that he was the man manipulating the Kaiser, Reichstag and the German people, in order to support and fund his naval plan. 23 Contrary to this, Kennedy and Fay believe that Tirpitz and the Kaiser are equally to blame for the naval race.24 They argue that Tirpitz and the Kaiser were the two men who most supported the navy, and that it was the Kaisers support of Tirpitz that allowed him to get the funding and support necessary to construct his fleet. The former is a more accurate opinion since it was Tirpitz, and Tirpitz alone who designed the building strategy, and manipulated the government in order to raise funds. It was his aggressive policy that built up the German navy to the point where it posed a threat to Britain, giving them no choice but to retaliate through their own naval construction. E Conclusion Tirpitz is solely to blame for the Anglo-German naval race. As Scheck and Tucker have agreed, he was the man manipulating the Kaiser, Reichstag and the German people by using international crises to push propaganda, and implement naval bills. Tirpitzs naval strategy was directed at defeating Britain with his risk navy, in order to make available the necessary colonial property for the central European states which needed to expand.25 It was precisely Tirpitzs Second Naval Bill that competed directly with Britain, thus threatening her imperial position, forcing Britain to increase the rate of her own naval construction. If it were not for Tirpitzs aggressive naval policy, Germany and Britain would not have been thrown into a costly and dangerous naval race. It was made obvious that Tirpitz was solely to blame, when British War Minister Haldene attempted to negotiate a naval agreement, but Tirpitz made it clear he was opposed to any reductions, and negotiations failed.26 1 Peter Quennell, History Today, November 1968, 53. 2 James Joll, The Origins of the First World War (New York: Longman Group, 1984), 62. 3 Joll, 112. 4 Rafael Scheck, Alfred von Tirpitz and German Right-Wing Politics, 1914-1918 (Boston: Humanities Press, 1998), 3. 5 David Herrmann, The Arming of Europe and the Making of The First World War (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1996), 162. 6 The European Powers in the First World War: An Encyclopedia, 1996 ed., s.v. Alfred von Tirpitz, by Spencer Tucker. 7 John Terraine, ed., The Great War, 1914-1918 (New York: The Macmillan Company, 1965), 226. 8 Sidney Fay, The Origins of the World War (New York: The Macmillan Company, 1930), 235. 9 Scheck, 6. 10 Scheck, 5. 11 Jonathan Steinberg, Yesterdays Deterrent (London: Macdonald and Co., 1965), 126. 12 Tucker, 688. 13 Joll, 63. 14 Scheck, 5. 15 Tucker, 688. 16 Niall Ferguson, The Pity of War (New York: Basic Books, 1999), 70; Fay, 39. 17 Tucker, 688. 18 Ferguson, 84; Fay, 235. 19 Scheck, 5. 20 Fay, 235. 21 Herrmann, 226. 22 Tucker, 688. 23 Scheck, 8; Tucker, 688. 24 Paul Kennedy, The Rise of the Anglo-German Antagonism: 1860-1914 (New Jersey: Unwin Ltd., 1980), 224; Fay, 243. 25 Fay, 235. 26 Joll, 65

The Effective Communication For Investor Relations Commerce Essay

The Effective Communication For Investor Relations Commerce Essay Corporations worldwide work daily to increase the value of their stock for the investing public. In order to exploit this value, businesses must constantly make every effort to extensively communicate to their investors and potential investors. In view of this, investor relations are a vital part of business strategy, principally in the area of communication. Argenti (2009) says, While explaining financial results and giving guidance on future earnings are critical investor relations activities, companies today need to go beyond the numbers' (p. 203). Corporate departments involved with investor directions must make a necessary connection between efficient communication and company goals. Since communication is starting to play such an important role in investor relations, corporate communication programs are being created not only to participate in financial areas, but also to take part in media relations and other public communication. Ultimately, the best way for corporations to u nderstand communications for investor relations is to look at an overview of the investor relations function, know how to organize investor relations, learn about investor relations programs and be informed on investor relations advancements. Investor Relations Synopsis In the United States, the Boston Manufacturing Company, established in 1814, is foretold to be the first public company. As business increased and growth was desired, the owner chose to sale shares of the company stock to other businessmen (Laskin, 2009). Laskin (2009) states, The separation of management and ownership became the key pre-determining factor in the development of investor relations (p. 1). However, as long as the stock market and the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) have been a part of the business world, investor relations and communication have not been in effect. Argenti (2009) explains how communications to and from investors in the 1930s and 1940s were barely existent and unnecessary. Corporations were mainly concerned with disclosures required by the SEC, which left little reason for a corporate investor relations representative or department (Argenti, 2009). Midway through the 1900s modern-day investor relations began to surface in the corporate world. Poten tial investors and stockholders became more of a priority to businesses around 1960, which brought forth the creation of the National Investor Relations Institute (NIRI) (Hockerts and Moir, 2004). Hockert and Moir (2004) go on to say, The National Investor Relations Institute {NIRI), founded in the U.S. in 1969, was the first recognized professional [investor relations] body (p. 1). With the creation of the NIRI to communicate with management, investors and potential investors, corporations began to utilize modern technology and bring the investor relations function to the forefront of corporate communications. By the 1990s and the turn of the century, investor relations took-on a highly technological-based approach to investor communications. According to Jameson (2000), visual discourse became a major element in investor interactions. Visual discourse was effective for stimulating the response to good news for investors, and reducing the brunt of bad news. Jameson (2000) says, The most powerful forces that do this are the use of symbolism, the photographic depiction of the narrators, and the highlighting of key pieces of information (p. 1). Visual discourse through the use of the internet brought investor relations to an even greater height after the turn of the century; investor relations can now be found on a variety of platforms, locally and globally. Press ure from investors will always continue to mold the investor relations function. Many companies have already put into place a shareholder relations department. These departments will become even more common in the future as financial advisors and other professionals will influence and have high expectations for firms (Martson, 2008). Organizing Investor Relations Communications The significance of a business structure that effectively implements investor relations communication is vital, especially when handling worldwide operations. Goodman (1999) says that communication, especially external communication with investors, is imperative for corporate growth in an economy that is evidently based on information, instead of industrialization. Investors expect a high level of communication and candor from the companies that operate in their community (Goodman, 1999, p. 1). In order to fully employ the investor relations function through communications, entities must strive to adequately establish and organize interactions within an effective corporate communications department. Objectives Argenti (2009) emphasizes that the most important goal for a business seeking to implement successful communication should be to place the entity in a position to efficiently work for investors capital. According to Almazan, Banajeri and Motta (2008), management may be hesitant to fully reveal information, especially in situations where management decisions could be to blame for inadequate performance. However, businesses must seek to communicate information fully and honestly. Initially, companies should relay as much information as possible to investors and potential investors. Conger (2004) says The more you tell, the more you sell. The more a company makes investors aware of its existence, business and strategies, the more likely it is to increase sales of its stock. Making investors aware doesnt mean a spin campaign, but a program to communicate and educate investors about the companys market, its strengths and potential as an investment (p. 1). Next, Argenti (2009) stresses the need for publicly held companies to understand the appropriate expectations for the companys stock in the scope of earnings, trade and the market. These companies must also strive to lessen stock price instability (Argenti, 2009). The objective is for the investor relations department to fulfill the need for communications guidance in managements decision-making methods. To understand appropriate expectations for company stock and to decrease stock unpredictability, integration [of departments] is a more respected approach, with public relations leading the mix. Public relations drive strategy and execution (Capozzi, 2005, p. 1). In general, communication within investor affairs should seek to honestly maintain the publics view of an organization. Prasad and Mir (2002) underline four general objectives of shareholder relations: accurately present a corporations attitude, mold the identity of the corporation, justifying the established identity of the entity and keep safe the legitimacy of the company. These objectives should seek to provide transparent facts for investors. Kedem (2006) emphasizes the importance of presenting facts in context, instead of in a segregated manner. Kedem (2006) further clarifies that communication must fulfill the investors immediate need to become informed and take action (p. 1), as well as answer interpretation and what if? suppositions [that] may follow (p. 1). Investor relations officers should also be able to answer questions of Whats next? or What does this mean for me?' (Kedem, 2006, p. 1). Communication with Investor Types In such a broad business world, corporations are required to communicate with investors on every level. A wide range of investors need to be taken into consideration by firms so that the proper information is communicated to the correct investor or group of investors (Dolphin, 2003). The role of the investor relations function is to communicate effectively to both institutions shareholders and individual shareholders. A firm that is not dynamic in this aspect will unsuccessfully communicate with some current and potential investors. Marston (2008) explains how shareholder interactions from an institutional standpoint require more boundary spanning (p. 1) interactions by allowing greater efficiencies in message delivery and market impact (Argenti, 2009, p. 208). Conversely, individual investors ranked one-on-one meetings with investees and professionals as the most crucial way of communicating (Marston, 2008). In order to accomplish a well-rounded investor relations department, suffic ient communications to both individual and institutional investors will create closer links with investors, and can help a company in developing strategies that will be welcomed by shareholders; it is that strategic element of the role [of communication] that is at the core of [investor relations] (Dolphin, 2003, p. 1). Institutional investors. Communication with institutional investors is a critical part of any investor relations program. Institutions, such as insurance companies, are available to contribute much larger amounts of capital than a single person. Dolphin (2003) says there is great ease in moving large quantities of capital from market to market. Due to this ease of moving capital, and institutional investors holding more than 60% of Unites States equities in the 21st Century, firms have realized and acted on the significance of communicating with institutional investors. Also, institutional investors are often candidates for mergers and acquisitions. Investees must maintain investor relations departments in order to identify and target potential openings for big investors, mergers or acquisitions. Sirower and Lipin (2003) stress the necessity of excellent communication with institutional investors because of the potential risk of losing a major shareholder. Sirower and Lipin (2003) said Slick press releases and conference calls cannot save a bad deal, but a poorly conceived communications strategy can-and usually will-kill one that may make good strategic sense. Many of the biggest unsuccessful deals, as measured by post-announcement return to shareholders, have performed poorly in large part because the acquirers did not tell their story adequately (p. 1). Furthermore, interaction with institutional investors can be handled best by researching, then organizing institutions into groups or target audiences based on the characteristics of the entity (Argenti, 2009). Argenti (2009) notes: This kind of research will prevent the company from spending too much time communicating with uninterested investors (p. 209). An entity that spends time wisely on interested institutional investors is more likely to obtain more committed, corporate patrons. The responsibility of management is to bring in a qualified investor relations officer who can market shares of the company to these types of organizational investors (ADX Urges Listed Companies, 2009). Individual investors. Individual investors require a different type of communication than an institution typically requires. Many individual investors will be employees of the investee. These employees are investors through 401(k) plans or other company stock. Individual investors are many times directly communicated to through personal messages or one-on-one meetings (Tate, 2000). Tate (2000) explains that this personal communication is executed through one of two types of situations: prepared and interactive. Hanley (2008) says, Long gone are the days when [companies] should take an ad hoc approach to [investor relations], setting their chief financial officer in front of a microphone to read aloud from a quarterly earnings report (p. 1). Entities must carefully analyze whether communications will only be prepared and delivered, or if investors or the public will be given the chance to respond. Written statements or oral speeches are usually considered prepared situations where individuals are presented with information through memos, online forums or speeches (Tate, 2000). Tate (2000) also describes interactive situations: unique situations where problems or questions can be addressed live to a speaker. Interactive situations must be handled by a well-qualified and experienced executive or investor relations officer. Next, investor relations communications with individuals must be more of a hand-holding experience for the investor. Corporate backers invest on a different capital playing field than individuals, and therefore do call for identical treatment. Individuals identify a firm as legitimate if the investee to investor communication meets the entitys social responsibility of providing information (Cowden and Sellnow, 2002). Research has shown that individual investors look for similar or familiar communication functions seen of other renowned organizations. Before personally establishing an entity as legitimate, an individual shareholder also seeks justifiable management actions and necessary social standards of professional communication (Cowden and Sellnow, 2002). Ultimately, corporate relations with individual investors require adequate, available and honest information. Intermediaries Communication directly to institutional and individuals shareholders is only one method by which businesses pass information, updates and news. Argenti (2009) says that corporations also communicate indirectly through intermediaries such as sell-side agents and rating agencies. Sell-side agents cover stocks with certain industries and generate detailed research reports that offer recommendations (Argenti, 2009, p. 212). Rating agencies play a similar role to sell-side agents, but rating agencies place special emphasize on whether an investee is creditworthy (Argenti, 2009). Rating agencies will rate an entity on their ability to obtain, maintain and use debt. Virtually all firms depend on a constant flow of credit to carry them smoothly through the ups and downs of business fluctuations. It is entirely typical for lenders to get more cautious in a downturn, but freezing of credit is [a problem] (Colvin, Gray, Tkaczyk and Yi-Wyn, 2009, p. 1). Investors will look to intermediaries such as rating agencies to indirectly determine if an investee and investment is beneficial or detrimental. The media is also a commonly used intermediary by investees and investors. Investor relations departments may utilize the media especially when going through a crisis. One of the most important actions taken by a company going through a crisis is to use the media as an intermediary to satisfactorily relay information to a curious, concerned or affected public. Hasenfuss (2009) explains the frustration that occurs for investors or potential investors when information is delayed or never presented. Investor relations departments must use the media to communicate detailed explanations during important situations. A failure to do this will bring no closure to a companys current business-life. Denying the use of a media intermediary during an important situation may very well bring an organization to its final days (Hasenfuss, 2009). Communication through Investor Relations Programs Communication within investor affairs is most effective when implemented through investor relations programs. Depending on the size and the activities of the corporation, the investor relations program may be in-house and consist of only a few officers, or it may be entirely outsourced to public or financial relations firms (Argenti, 2009). Communication programs are necessary for the majority of businesses; they help to place market status of corporate stock in the hands of investors, as well as limit control of stock price by management (Coyle, n.d.). Furthermore, Coyle (n.d.) states that CEOs and their individual corporate investor relations programs must recognize that the market followings themselves are tiered; thus corporate advertising, direct mail and even telemarketing strategies can be beneficial (p. 1). These investor relations responsibilities are carried out through the establishment of investor relations programs. These programs help to connect the entity to society, a s well as build a line of proactive and reactive relationships with investors. Proactive Communication Proactive communication is necessary for companies seeking to add value to their stock. Proactively pursuing investors, especially valuable investors, is a key role of the investor relations program. A hands-on attitude is positive for increasing productivity of a firm, as well as constructively driving the decision-making process for management and investors (Hughes and Demetrious, 2006). Conger, 2004 explains If a company isnt proactive at all with its [investor relations] efforts, some investors are still bound to find it. But [many] investorsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦have a limited amount of time at their disposal. They will, therefore, invest in those companies they have heard of, are familiar with and can trust. When a company is willing to communicate, it decreases investors uncertainty and risk (p. 1). Argenti (2009) also adds that communication strategies should be intact for both expected and unexpected situation, such as mergers and crisis situations. A company that takes on a proactive communication role with investor relations is likely heading towards investee success. Reactive Communication Another important aspect of investor relations programs is reactive communication, which focuses on making use of investor responses, concerns, suggestions and preferences. One large petroleum company, Voyager Petroleum (2010), made a special effort to acquire Marmel Communications LLC, a well-equipped communications corporation. This business decision supported Voyagers desire to reach out for investor input. Voyager Petroleum (2010) announced, Our team is inviting all shareholders to [an] exclusive investor controlled forum. Our staff and members have requested that all Voyager Petroleum shareholders join our community and share their thoughts on the company, its development and future outlook (p. 1). The main benefit of a company choosing to practice this type of reactive communication is to understand the mindset of their investors in order to know where the company can change and improve. The corporate forum method used by Voyager for reactive communication is beneficial by prov iding an area for a wide variety of feedback on all aspects of the entity. Ettredge and Gerdes (2005) also support reactive communication through venues like website forums because investor and investee information is able to be presented in numerous forms, such as video, audio, pictures and text. Website forums also support multiple languages (Ettredge and Gerdes, 2005). Corporations that require their investor relations programs to use reactive communication will more quickly know the key to success. Investor Relations Advancement As technology advances, all aspects of the business world advance; this includes investor relations and communications. As manufacturing, information storage and many other areas of the corporate world advance, communications to investors also advance. Some companies seek to only become more efficient with familiar methods. Vahouny (2004) describes how companies can use modern-day automation to develop more effective communication through typical actions: using advertising, employee letters, collateral, client letters and press releases (p. 1). Also, Boyd and Boyd (2008) explain how advancements can be made by effectively carrying out other general practice such as shareholder votes, calls and letters. Some firms still advance in the area of presenting, recording and reposting speeches to investors (Boyd and Boyd, 2008). However, many modern-day businesses are advancing in investor communications directly by way of technology and the internet. Boyd and Boyd (2008) admit that communication such as speeches is becoming outdated, and that most similar methods of communication provide information or form, but rarely both. In general, the internet is taking over the investor relations function by offering convenient form and necessary information. Companies such as Chevron are combining investor relations, communications and marketing through the use of emails, blogs and social networking websites. Thompson (2009) says Chevron is among the many companies that not only hosts an official [investor relations] Twitter feed, but promotes it on the companys Media Resources page online. Chief Twitterer is Chevron media adviser Justin Higgs. Cisco is another company that hosts an [investor relations] presence on Twitter; the company has multiple Twitter sites, including ones such as CiscoGeeks and CiscoEvents (p. 1). Twitter is a social networking website where information is quickly and easily released live to the internet for millions to see on mobile phones, computers and other electronic devices. These companies also communicate to the public through Facebook, a social networking website available to anyone with an active email address (Thompson, 2009). Firms that are jumping on the technological bandwagon are advancing investor relations communications exponentially. For a corporate department that thrives on providing timely and accurate information, the internet has revolutionized, and will continue to revolutionize, the investor relations function. Conclusion In conclusion, publicly traded businesses make a great effort to add value to their entities in order to maximize the benefits received by the investing community. By taking every possible step to have the best communication with investors, corporations are increasing the value of their business and stock. In consideration of this, investor relations are understandably a major function of doing business, and a major function of corporate communication. Argenti (2009) states: As companies strive to maximize shareholder value, they must continually communicate their progress toward that goal to the investing public (p. 203). As companies strive in this direction, the relationship between meeting corporate objectives and communication must be comprehended. This understanding by some corporations has brought communications for investor relations to a stage where programs are being established to take-on the role of entire departments, such as public relations. In the end, businesses will best identify with communications in the context of investor relations by: looking at an overview of the investor relations function, knowing how to organize investor relations, learning about investor relations programs and being informed on investor relations advancements. Above all, Companies need to follow a communication strategy that includes a clear understanding of the companys objectives and a thorough analysis of all its constituencies so that appropriate messages can be crafted and delivered (Argenti, 2009, p. 222).

The Hypocrisy of Humanity Depicted in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbir

Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, has many stories from Scouts’ little town in Alabama that teaches the reader the good and bad sides of the human being. When all these come together, the result is this fantastic novel. One of the stories that stand out is the one when Mrs. Gates and Cecil Jacobs have a conversation in the classroom. They talk about Adolph Hitler and the malicious things he did to the Jewish people. Mrs. Gates tries to tell her students that what he did was wrong in a very firm tone of voice. At this point in the story, the reader feels anger for everything the Nazis did. However, the main point of this passage is to make the reader realize how two-faced Mrs. Gates is. In this novel, Harper Lee implies that humanity should be less hypocritical. When Cecil Jacobs makes his presentation about Adolph Hitler, Mrs. Gates comments about it. She teaches the children in her classroom that what this man did was very wrong since he killed many Jews just because he did not like them. Nevertheless, the reader finds this very paradoxical for the reason that she does not have respect for black-colored-people. Mrs. Gates does not seem to understand the bad example that she is providing to the children she is teaching to. Her hypocrisy does not help to fulfill her role as teacher: to teach and provide the skills and principles children will have to use later in life. The author of this novel has given the reader this story to symbolize the hypocrisy that one finds in today’s society, to show that sometimes and most of the time, the human beings talk a lot but do not look at their own actions or execute what they are teaching. Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird shows so many characteristics of today’s society. Among thes... ...ould be more honest and less hypocritical. An individual who is a great example of this is Al Gore, the Oscar-Winner for his documentary â€Å"An Inconvenient Truth†. He tells audiences the way they should live and how they should manage their life-styles to help save the environment mean while he is riding in style and waists twelve times more electric energy compared to an average family in a year. Harper Lee has used the narrative point of view, characterization and irony to develop a more dramatic effect of hypocrisy between Mrs. Gates and black-colored-people. It is very unfortunate that there are people like Mrs. Gates and Mr. Al Gore in today’s world. For this reason, every individual should strive to be better as a person to make their community a better place to live in and to provide an appropriate example to those who will live in it in the next generations.

The Worst Jobs in the World :: essays research papers

The Worst Jobs in the World TURD DIVER - cleans the grate at the sewer treatment plant HOG SLAUGHTERHOUSE PROCESSOR - I work in a slaughterhouse where we process hogs. They come in by the truckload and sometimes I have to lead them to the killing pen and kill them with a bullet in the head. Usually this job means that the technician ends up covered with blood. The hog is then placed upon meat hooks by its hind legs. After the hog is lifted into position, its neck is slit so that blood can drain into a large vat. Sometimes it seems that gallons of blood pours out. One benefit, though, is cheap hams and bacon. We get to buy meat at very low cost. Too bad we don't make enough money to buy very much. $9.00 as processor. It's a living. BURNT POTATO CHIP PICKER - For minimum wage you get to watch cooked potato chips quickly fly by on a conveyor belt and you have to pick out the burnt ones. This is done in 90+ degree temperature, with a thick coating of oil in the air. With these three ingredients, it isn't long before motion sickness (watching the chips fly by) increases with the smell and temperature causing you to want to barf. And you know how it is having a minimum wage job, you don't get a break and have to keep your nose to the grindstone. Needless to say I turned down overtime. GAY BAR JANITOR - Think about it . . . Cleaning a bar is a bad enough thought. In a gay bar some of the things you see, hear and find can be very confusing and leave you not wanting to touch anything! Ever!!! ARMPIT SNIFFER in a deodorant factory. The World's Worst Jobs - Nuclear Warhead Sensitivity Technician - Circus Elephant Clean Up Specialist - Rotten Sardine Taste Detector - Assistant To The Boss's Nephew - Shark Baiter - Hurricane Photographer - Director Of Public Relations, Chernobyl Nuclear Facility - Prison Glee Club President - Road Kill Removal Crew Worst Jobs 1.Lumberjack 2.Fisherman 3.Cowboy 4.Ironworker 5.Seaman 6.Taxi driver 7.Construction worker 8.Farmer 9.Roofer 10.Stevedore World's Worst Jobs Do you think your job stinks? You could be a Flatus Odor Judge. That's just one of several of the Worst Jobs in Science according to the editors of "Popular Science" magazine, who just compiled the list for the latest issue. Topping the chart for worst jobs are the odor judges at a Minneapolis gastroenterologist -- they're are paid to smell people's farts to determine potentially critical medical symptoms.

The Appeal Of The Androgynous Man :: essays research papers

â€Å"The Appeal of the Androgynous Man† This article was published in Mademoiselle in 1976 for young female readers by Amy Gross. In this article Gross compares androgynous men to the all-man man. Gross talks about the advantages of the androgynous man as compared to the all-man man. There are advantages and disadvantages to every man. Seems as though Gross is in favor of the androgynous man and she tends to bash the all-man man. Gross describes the Androgynous man as being a self-amused, less inflated, more quirky, vulnerable and responsive man. Gross describes the all-man man as being a male chauvinist and possessing none of the characteristics of the androgynous man. These descriptions are of men that Gross had encounters with, not necessarily every man in the world. It is evident through her descriptions that she is more in favor of the androgynous man and sees them as a better mate. The androgynous man maybe be a better mate for Gross, however this does not mean he is a better mate for every woman. Further Gross explains the results of an experiment done with college students that were categorized as masculine, feminine, or androgynous. This experiment tests the degree of nurturing and caring abilities of each person within the experiment. Gross makes it a point to reveal that masculine men scored low and gave her sympathy for anyone stuck with this type of man. The choice of what type of man a woman chooses to spend her life with is left up to the individual woman. If a masculine man makes a woman happy who is Gross to giver her sympathy to this woman. Gross stereotypes the all-man man by suggesting that the all-man man will reject behaviors and interests that are considered feminine. This stereotyping is based on her experience with men, not by the experience of women as a whole. Gross is making a misleading statement about men, therefore she is possibly misleading her readers. Young adult women need to take a look at their own needs and choose a man that will fulfill those needs, regardless of whether it be an androgynous man or an all-man man. The Appeal Of The Androgynous Man :: essays research papers â€Å"The Appeal of the Androgynous Man† This article was published in Mademoiselle in 1976 for young female readers by Amy Gross. In this article Gross compares androgynous men to the all-man man. Gross talks about the advantages of the androgynous man as compared to the all-man man. There are advantages and disadvantages to every man. Seems as though Gross is in favor of the androgynous man and she tends to bash the all-man man. Gross describes the Androgynous man as being a self-amused, less inflated, more quirky, vulnerable and responsive man. Gross describes the all-man man as being a male chauvinist and possessing none of the characteristics of the androgynous man. These descriptions are of men that Gross had encounters with, not necessarily every man in the world. It is evident through her descriptions that she is more in favor of the androgynous man and sees them as a better mate. The androgynous man maybe be a better mate for Gross, however this does not mean he is a better mate for every woman. Further Gross explains the results of an experiment done with college students that were categorized as masculine, feminine, or androgynous. This experiment tests the degree of nurturing and caring abilities of each person within the experiment. Gross makes it a point to reveal that masculine men scored low and gave her sympathy for anyone stuck with this type of man. The choice of what type of man a woman chooses to spend her life with is left up to the individual woman. If a masculine man makes a woman happy who is Gross to giver her sympathy to this woman. Gross stereotypes the all-man man by suggesting that the all-man man will reject behaviors and interests that are considered feminine. This stereotyping is based on her experience with men, not by the experience of women as a whole. Gross is making a misleading statement about men, therefore she is possibly misleading her readers. Young adult women need to take a look at their own needs and choose a man that will fulfill those needs, regardless of whether it be an androgynous man or an all-man man.

Quality Management Proposal

BJB Quality Management Proposal Outline Learning Team B Christie Bryant, John Deprimo, Kareemot Olorunoje, Ammy Solis, Michael Willis, and Patrice Wills MGT/420 Kathryn Kendall November 5, 2012 BJB Quality Management Proposal Outline Introduction As a manufacturer of high-end compact disc changers for the automobile aftermarket, BJB manufacturing currently has no quality program.The organization needs a strategy for improving business performance through the commitment and involvement of all employees to fully satisfying agreed customer requirements, at the optimum costs, through the  continual improvement  of the products and services, business processes, and people involved (Total Quality Management – TQM, Unknown). The company’s president seeks to gain a competitive edge in the compact disc changer industry over its competition by establishing a total quality management (TQM) program. 1) Product and Needs of BJB Manufacturing Company 2) Quality Management Approac h ) Role of Leadership in Planning, Developing, and Implementing Week 2, Part I: Prepare a total quality management program for BJB Manufacturing Company by writing a 700-to 1,050-word paper in which you develop a quality management approach for BJB. 4) BJB Manufacturing Company Quality Management Initiative Proposal * a) Determine what needs the stakeholders may have for BJB’s products. b) Analyze the product and needs of BJB, and then select the quality management approach that would be the best fit. Explain your rationale. c) Describe the role of leadership in planning, developing, and mplementing a quality process in BJB. Week 3, Part II: Continue building your proposal by incorporating your instructor’s feedback from the Quality Initiative Proposal, and adding 700-to 1,050-words to address theory. * 5) BJB Manufacturing Company Quality Management Theory d) Select one of the theories that you feel would be the best fit for BJB and the successful implementation of t his particular project. e) Address how these quality theories and process-driven and customer-driven quality requirements apply to both the manufacturing and service industries. * * Week 4, Part III: * Continue building your proposal for BJB’s Strategic Planning Committee by adding 1,050-to 1,750-words outlining the strategies for addressing quality management issues and determining an effective means of deploying the quality management initiative. 6) BJB Manufacturing Company Quality Management Implementation Strategy * 1. Analyze factors that should be considered when measuring the results of quality initiatives by using the quality initiative the Learning Team selected to be the best fit for BJB.Address the leadership’s roles in successfully deploying an initiative. Then determine how this approach would help enhance the accomplishment of the following: i) Reduction of the number of product failures ii) Material and labor costs due to gains in operational efficienci es iii) Profitability iv) Customer complaints management v) Environmental regulations compliance vi) Reduction of the number of damage claims and service reliability in the supply chain vii) Levels of inventory iii) Inventory damage and shrinkage management ix) Communications, cooperation, and coordination between all departments within the company improvement * * Week 4, BJB Total Quality Management Program, Parts I through III Presentation * 2. Prepare a 12- to 15-minute oral presentation of Part I-III of the BJB Total Quality Management Program proposal your team developed. Include 7-12 Microsoft ® PowerPoint ® slides. * * Week 5, Part IV: * * BJB Manufacturing Company Quality Management Supplier Alliance Metrics ReportPrepare a report in which you determine supplier alliance requirements and appropriate metrics for BJB to measure the performance effectiveness of their suppliers. What recommendations would you present to BJB’s Strategic Planning Committee to integrate the supplier alliance and metrics? a) Determine KPIs for forming supplier alliances as well as how BJB would evaluate supplier qualifications and performance. b) How do these measurements help ensure a competitive advantage for BJB? c) Analyze the types of costs of changing supplier alliances. 7) Conclusion 8) References