PC Accessibility Tools and Its Various Classroom Use Research Paper

PC Accessibility Tools and Its Various Classroom Use - Research Paper Example With over six million school aged children ranging from ages 3-17 in our schools today, The National Center for Education Statistics realizes that there is a need to help these students stay abreast of their educational needs. (â€Å"Assistive Technology Helps All Kids Learn†) That is where the Accessibility Tools option in all Windows products, in this case Windows *, comes in to â€Å"allow the user to customize their accessibility options in Windows 8†. (â€Å"Ease of Access Center in Windows 8†) Some classrooms will have vision impaired students. Their computers can be tailor suited to their visual shortcoming by using the accessibility tools set within the computer to help them better see their monitors. By using the â€Å"Make Computer Easier To See† command, the resolution can be adjusted to make the screen brighter or softer for the student to see the text. The Narrator may also be turned on in order to have the text read to the student. While the Audio Description tool can be used to have the video being shown on screen described to the student. The Magnifier can also be used to increase the font and icon size of the onscreen display so that the student can better navigate his way around the system. The Narrator and Audio Desription can also be used by students who are totally vision impaired (blind). (â€Å"Accessibility in the Classroom†)... Thus allowing the student the freedom to use the computer as he wishes for whatever particular need he has. (â€Å"Assistive Technology Helps All Kids Learn†) For students with Dexterity Impairment, the mouse can be turned off and its functions redirected to the arrow keys on the numeric keypad on a PC or the arrow keys on a laptop. Sticky keys can also assigned and used so that the user will no longer have to use combination presses such as ctrl+alt+del to execute certain keyboard shortcuts. The modern computers now have touch technology built into their screens thereby minimizing the need for an actual keyboard when using the PC, laptop, or tablet. Used in combination with Speech recognition, it becomes a lot easier for the dexterity impaired students to navigate their way through the various programs and commands within the computer. (â€Å"Accessibility in the Classroom†). In the case of students who are both hearing and vision impaired, they are not doomed to a lif e without education. Ease of Access tools within Windows 8 allows the units to be specially outfitted with Braille readers that can be used alongside the speech recognition, Audio, and Narrator tools of the system. Thus giving them the full effect of a modern day, computer based education in the classroom or the comfort of their own homes for those who are physically unable to come to class. (â€Å"Accessibility in the Classroom†) It is important to note however, that these accessibility tools are not limited in use to special needs students. The accessibility tools available on the computers can also be used by students who find themselves within special circumstances. Take for instance the case of a child who broke

Collecting DNA Evidence Essay Example for Free

Collecting DNA Evidence Essay For many years, fingerprints were the gold standard for linking suspects to a crime scene. Today, the gold standard is DNA evidence because DNA can be collected from virtually anywhere. Even a criminal wearing gloves may unwittingly leave behind trace amounts of biological material. It could be a hair, saliva, blood, semen, skin, sweat, mucus or earwax. All it takes is a few cells to obtain enough DNA information to identify a suspect with near certainty. For this reason, law enforcement officials take unusual care at crime scenes. Police officers and detectives often work closely with laboratory personnel or evidence collection technicians to make sure evidence isnt contaminated. This involves wearing gloves and using disposable instruments, which can be discarded after collecting each sample. While collecting evidence, officers are careful to avoid touching areas where DNA evidence could exist. They also avoid talking, sneezing and coughing over evidence or touching their face, nose or mouth. The following list shows some common sources of DNA evidence: A weapon, such as a baseball bat, fireplace poker or knife, which could contain sweat, skin, blood or other tissue A hat or mask, which could contain sweat, hair or dandruff A facial tissue or cotton swab, which could contain mucus, sweat, blood or earwax A toothpick, cigarette butt, bottle or postage stamp, all of which could contain saliva A used condom, which could contain semen or vaginal or rectal cells Bed linens, which could contain sweat, hair, blood or semen A fingernail or partial fingernail, which could contain scraped-off skin cells When investigators find a piece of evidence, they place it in a paper bag or envelope, not in a plastic bag. This is important because plastic bags retain moisture, which can damage DNA. Direct sunlight and warmer conditions may also damage DNA, so officers try to keep biological materials at room temperature. They label the bags with information about what the material is, where it was found and where it will be transported. These are chain-of-custody procedures, which ensure the legal integrity of the samples as they move from collection to analysis. Analysis occurs in a forensic laboratory, the topic of our next section.

The Name Judith :: essays research papers

Is it important to know what is behind your name? Now in days, many names are given without knowing their meanings or where they come from. For example, I was given the name of Judith just because my parents heard it and liked it. It depends where and in which culture were they raised. For this purpose I researched my name Judith. Some of the main points I found were interesting to me like the history and my personality. First, the history of my name Judith obtains interesting and important facts such as meanings, famous people in the world, and culture. Judith's origin is Hebrew, meaning "Praise" Dictionary of First Names, Alfred J. Kolatch (393). There is also famous people from the past, for example, "In the old testament Judith was one of the wives of Esau". Parentsoup.com/babynames/meanings.html. Another famous person from the past was, "The beatiful heroine in the book of Judith (in the Apocrypha.) Kolatch (393). With this in mind, it is interesting to know that my name has been used for thousands of years; However, in my culture not many people are named after Judith. My name is more commun on the Asian continent, where it was originated. Another fact is that personality can be described just by the name. An example, on my research I found web sites with my name wich described my personality. Kabalarians.com/male/judith.htm., "Judith is happiest when associating with singing, dancing, and having a good time." Accordingly, all this quote describes me perfectly because I always like to be happy and having a good time with my friends. For example, If I am spending time with my friends, I like to be thinking positive and enjoying it as much as I can. I have never liked to see any of my friends sad or with problems, if that is the case I try to cheer them up. I also found some weaknesses, kabalarians.htm., "Over indulgence in food or emotional desires could cause you to have problems in your nervous system." Without a doubt this totally describes me. There is times when emotional desires get to me and take time to get them out of my activities.

Pericles’ Funeral Oration Analysis Essay

Pericles’ Funeral Oration Why do we fight wars if they just cause death and sorrow? This famous speech was written by Thucydides, but given by Pericles sometime during Athens’ Pelponnesian War. This kind of speech was generally given at a mass funeral, to honor many who had died fighting in the war. Typically, funeral speeches at that time were very somber and mournful, but Pericles changed that. In this speech, he created this idea of national pride and faith in society, by using many hopeful and positive words. Many of those at this funeral were probably in a state of mourning, wondering if it was even worth it to be fighting wars and causing many deaths and Pericles did a great job of shattering that question and restoring dignity back into Athenians for their great and loved nation. Pericles was faced with a tough task, to speak at a large funeral of war victims, where the people are not going be in a positive state of mind at all. His choice of words were perfect for crushing all feelings of despair and making people realize that the reason they were fighting was because they had something so great that was worth defending, their country. For example, one of Pericles first lines was â€Å"Our government does not copy our neighbors’, but it an example to them.† This line is meant to invoke such a strong sense of national pride into the people, and it certainly does. If the people have pride in their nation, they will want to fight for it when it is under attack, and realize that fighting makes you stronger as a people. He goes on to say things â€Å"Our military is in many respects superior to that of our adversaries.† This thought provides a sense of comfort for the people; since they know that there country is powerful enough to win. When you go into a fight knowing that you’re going to win, it makes the fight much more meaningful and positive. This line also restores trust between the citizens and its military. If the people of Athens can trust their military, then they know that less war deaths will be the result, which will also make fighting all the more worth it. One of the most powerful lines comes when Pericles says, â€Å"We rely not upon management or trickery, but upon our own hearts and hands.† This makes the people of  Athens realize that those fighting in wars are doing it because they want to be there and because they feel such a love for their nation in their hearts that keeps them fighting. It is no accident that the Pericles’ Funeral Oration inspires many similar type speeches today. His speech puts meaning to what we are fighting wars for and helps to honor those who bravely died. Such a strong sense of camaraderie is created with this speech, which is a little more of what we could use today. The people of our nation need to be grateful that they are even a part of a country that’s so superior, that it’s worth dying for.

Corporate Culture is Core Competitiveness Essay

Placed in rough sea, survival of the fittest, many companies are still competitive through the development of hundreds of years; the root of the reason is that they have their own corporate culture. Well, what’s the corporate culture? Corporate culture refers to the shared values, attitudes, standards, and beliefs that characterize members of an organization and define its nature. Corporate culture is rooted in an organization’s goals, strategies, structure, and approaches to labor. Not only does the corporate culture have its own characteristics, but most importantly that corporate culture is their core value which is the first core competitiveness. The corporate culture itself is kind of wisdom, it can’t be copied; it has deep historical accumulation and precipitation. Such as that â€Å"Respect and best service† is one of IBM’s core values that are why we call IBM as â€Å"Big Blue†. If we mention blue and everybody knows it is IBM, which culture influences those people’s thinking and doing, even wherever they go, they feel proud of that they are or they were in the Big Blue. The corporate culture just likes blood in the body, can’t be seen but can feel it and envision it. Regardless of the size of enterprises, large or small, they have their own management mode. However, experience management or system management, even other kind of management, all of them will definitely rise to the cultural management in the end. Corporate culture is the source of core competitiveness, which can create the enormous amount of cohesion, drive and creativity. The business leaders are also the best founders of corporate culture and implementers. They setup the suitable culture which can give employees a great sense of satisfaction in the spirit level and cause a strong sense of belonging. With similar thinking and shared goals, creativity can flourish and create a strong and powerful source of competitiveness. Economic globalization is a trend; the competition is no longer just in products but in who has a stronger corporate culture, which can cover in the market, all aspects of the talents and customers. Once the clients accept your culture and would like to do the business with you, and then we can say that corporate culture plays the role and changed to be a strong competitiveness. So I think corporate culture will be the necessity of the enterprise management in the future.

Main composers characteristics Essays

Main composers characteristics Essays Main composers characteristics Paper Main composers characteristics Paper which uses only five notes instead of the usual seven notes. Pictures at an Exhibition is now best known in the orchestrated version by Maurice Ravel (1875-1937), completed in 1922. Perhaps by coincidence, the first attempts at making color motion pictures occurred about this same time. Ravels version greatly developed the impact of the music by replacing the black- and-white sounds of the piano with the blooming color of the full late-Romantic A violent social disruption that shook Europe was the outbreak of World War l. The strongest challenge to the authority of the Germans came from their enemies, the French. The earliest indications of modernism were French artists and writers, who abandoned the grandiose subjects and expressions of Romanticism. Impressionist artists wished to capture on canvas the freshness of their first impressions and were assonated with the continuous change in the appearance of their subjects through varied treatment of light and color. French composers began to ridicule the sentimentality of Romanticism and the lavish structures of German music which was said to be too pretentious and preposterous. This new music was given the name Impressionism. Claude Debussy (1862-1918) Debussy spent most of his time in the company of poets and painters. Pr ©elude leap ©s-midi dun fauna (Prelude to The Afternoon of a Faun), and the symphonic poem La mere (The Sea, 1905), were the works I studied this term. The composer believed that music doesnt need to progress and evolve to be pleasing to the listener. To Debussy, color and texture might exist independent of the melody and, perhaps, overshadow it, preferring fleeting splashes of sound color rather than sweeping sinkable melodies or musical development. There are no repeating rhythms or clear-cut meters to push the Debussy music forward; instead of a melody as we know it, I hear a twisting, undulating swirl of sound. Debussy music honors the distinctive colors of instruments, especially woodwinds, to suggest vibrant moods and sensations. From Debussy forward, imposers began to think of color as an independent expressive element, capable of eliciting a strong emotional response. The technological advancements that led to the modern symphony orchestra transformed nineteenth-century music. Our reaction to the orchestra today is very different from the response of nineteenth-century listeners. Apart from the military cannon and the steam engine, the nineteenth-century orchestra produced the loudest sonic level of any human machine. The big sound?and the big contrasts were new and startling, and audiences packed ever-larger concert halls to hear them.

How to Become a Physical Therapist

How to Become a Physical Therapist after an illness, accident, or surgery, physical therapists are the healthcare professionals who help patients (literally!) get back on their feet. they serve an essential role in recovery and ongoing care. here is some information on how to become a physical therapist as well as additional information you need to know. the day-to-dayphysical therapists (or pts) work with patients or clients to help restore/improve mobility, develop fitness, relieve pain, and come up with short- and long-term exercise plans.their duties may include:working with doctors and other healthcare professionalsreviewing patient historiestesting strength, range of motion, balance, coordination, posture, muscle performance, respiration, and motor functiondiagnose physical problemsdevelop a care plan that incorporates physical exercisesevaluate patients over a period of timedetermine when patients can return to normal routinespts typically work a standard 40-hour week, but that can include evenings and weekends , depending on the setting. physical therapists can be found in many different healthcare settings, including hospitals, private clinics, schools, sports and fitness facilities, nursing homes, and health agencies.also, physical therapists should be in decent shape themselves- this is a role that requires physically demanding activities like stooping, sitting, standing for long periods of time, and lifting equipment (or even patients, if the need arises).for more on what it’s like to be a physical therapist, check out the following video.physical therapist: a day in the lifehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ykelsxlreuyou can also read testimonials from physical therapists about why they went into the field, via the american physical therapy association’s â€Å"defining moment† column.the requirementsin addition to completing an accredited physical therapy program (typically four years), candidates need to pass a national exam and meet their state’s licensin g requirements. for more information on the exam and the pt licensing process in general, visit the federation of state boards of physical therapy.the paythe median salary for physical therapists is $82,390 per year, or $39.61 per hour, per the u.s. bureau of labor statistics.  the outlookpossibly fueled by the aging baby boomer population, the need for physical therapists is expected to surge by an amazing 34% by 2024. physical therapy was also ranked as one of the â€Å"top 10 happiest jobs† by forbes.interested? apply here

College Interview Attire What to Wear to Your Interview

College Interview Attire What to Wear to Your Interview SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips As if college applications aren't stressful enough, an interview with the admissions department can ramp anxiety up to eleven. Though an interview is a great way to make a lasting impression, it also introduces some new things to worry about in addition to your application, such as what you're supposed to wear. Like all parts of the college application process, you want to make a good impression, but also be yourself. Not everyone is a fashion maven, and there are additional barriers for students experiencing academic hardship. If you have questions about what to wear to a college interview, you're in luck- we've got answers. From how to style yourself to how to afford business casual on a budget, this guide will help you look sharp and feel confident during your college interview. How to Pick an Outfit for a College Interview If you’re applying to college, it’s quite possible that you’ve never needed to understand what â€Å"business casual† means. How can you be both â€Å"business† and â€Å"casual?† Is that a suit with flip-flops? A skirt and your favorite band t-shirt?If you find the concept confusing, don’t worry- you’re not alone. â€Å"Business casual† is generally how students are advised to dress for college interviews, though some interviews in more professional settings may require you to jazz it right up to â€Å"business† sans â€Å"casual.† Be sure you get information about where you’ll be meeting ahead of time to be sure that your outfit matches the setting- no matter how great your suit is, it’s going to look a little silly in a boba tea shop. So what does business casual mean? This style of dress fits somewhere right between business or formal wear- suits, ties, dresses, the kind of thing you’d see Cheryl Blossom wear onRiverdale- and casual wear- t-shirts, jeans, hoodies, like you might see Riverdale's Archie or Betty wearing. Business casual is meant to be professional, but not uptight; a blazer over a button-up shirt, but not a suit, or a cute dress with flats rather than heels. While a little flair is acceptable, people should come away remembering you, not your outfit. But knowing what business casual is isn’t enough; you also need to buy it. If you or your family have money to spend, any department store will have appropriate business casual items, outlined below. If you’re on a strict budget or simply can’t afford new clothes, many thrift stores, as well as lower cost department stores like Wal-Mart and Target, carry blazers, button-up shirts, and dressy shoes in leather or faux-leather. There may also be local charities like Catie’s Closet or Clothes for Kids that can help you find free or low-cost business casual wear for your interview. Don’t be afraid to ask for help- these organizations want to help you succeed. If you’re unable to afford the perfect outfit and there are no organizations nearby to help you, don’t panic. Dressing well for your college interview is just one part of the application process. You might blow an interview by not showing up, refusing to speak, saying you cheat in school, or admitting that the only reason you’re there is because your parents made you apply, but your outfit probably won’t destroy your chances, particularly if the interviewer can see you made an effort. Aim for somewhere in the middle of the Archie-Cheryl fashion spectrum. What Should You Wear to a College Interview? Business casual is a good starting line for what to wear to a college interview, but some people, such as students who might be auditioning for an arts department or people with tattoos and piercings, may have some additional concerns about what to wear. And with pictures being worth a thousand words, here are a few outfits to help you plan your own college interview outfit. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nines Bambines (@nines_bambines) on Nov 6, 2018 at 10:14pm PST This look is the perfect business casual- sharp, flattering, and not distracting. Business Casual for College Interviews Let your personality shine through in your words, not your clothing. Though these outfits might feel bland in comparison to your normal clothes, they’re the most appropriate thing to wear to an interview. "Business casual" doesn't have to mean unflattering or without personality- as the above outfit shows, you can look confident and work-appropriate at the same time. Dress a little more conservatively than you normally would. Even if you’re wearing a dress, your shoulders shouldn’t be bare- throw on a nice cardigan or blazer to go with your outfit. Your shoes should be clean and unscuffed, and preferably made of leather, fake leather, or suede. Nobody’s going to bend down and check that they’re the real thing, but they should look clean, polished, and professional. For colors, lean toward neutrals, pastels, and cool tones. Bright colors are fine, but try not to go too wild with mixing and matching patterns and bold tones- a blazer over a bright button-up is great, but a pink skirt with an orange shirt and blue shoes is probably pushing it. You want your interviewer to remember you, not your outfit. Opt for a high neckline over a low one. Leave v-necks and plunging necklines at home.Collared shirts are always a good idea for a college interview, and easy to find at any clothing store, including Wal-Mart or Target, as well as thrift stores. Choose no patterns over patterns, and conservative patterns over flamboyant ones. Checks are fine, but plaid is pushing it- and also tends a little more casual than business casual. A simple pattern of chevrons is fine, tropical toucans is not. Think a navy blue shirt with white embellishments or a white shirt with a cute pattern rather than bright with an eye-catching pattern. No jeans, no leggings. Tights should be plain, not patterned or extremely textured. Opt for dress pants, chinos, corduroys, or similar. You might be able to squeak by with dark denim with no holes or embellishments, but if you have another option, take it. Your shoes should be closed-toe and dressy. Heels aren’t necessary, particularly if you’ll also be touring the campus (coming soon - what to wear for a campus tour)- you want to have sure footing and be comfortable. Still, ditch the sneakers and opt for a comfortable ballet flat, wingtip, loafer, or boot. Opt for simplicity over elaborate decoration. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Matt Hartman | #runnineverlong (@runnineverlong) on Oct 30, 2018 at 7:52am PDT Something like this is great for an interview or an interview with an audition. What to Wear for College Auditions If you’re a musician or other performing artist and your interview also includes an audition, dress appropriately. Most of the same rules apply; think button-up shirts and khakis rather than jeans and t-shirts. But if you’re a classical musician, a black and white theme might be appropriate- black pants, white button-up shirt, black blazer, for example. Again, this won’t make or break your chances, but do be aware of what field you’re applying to and keep that in mind as you’re choosing outfits. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ð â€¢ ¸Ã° â€"”ð â€"™ð â€" Ã° â€"Šð â€"â€" ð â€¢ ºÃ° â€"‹ ð â€¢ ±Ã° â€"”ð â€" Ã° â€"Šð â€"Ëœ (@foxfell) on Jul 16, 2018 at 9:40am PDT Though the earrings are a little too big for a college interview, this classy look is perfectly fine with visible tattoos and piercings. What to Do If You Have Tattoos and Piercings If you have facial piercings, please, don’t try to hide them with a bandage. It looks far more unprofessional to try to cover them up with a bandage than to swap the jewelry out for something more understated, if necessary. College campuses are fairly used to wild hair colors, piercings, and tattoos. A nose stud isn’t likely to raise eyebrows unless you’re applying to a particularly conservative school. Use your best judgement- search social media for what students at that college look like, and decide whether it’s better to take your piercing out for a day or to just go with it. Tasteful tattoos are fine for most colleges, and will likely be covered up by an appropriate outfit anyway. If you have a tattoo of anything obscene or offensive, you should make efforts to cover it up. Makeup can help, but be sure to practice before your interview. If you have stretched piercings or body art in unusual places (such as your face or neck), there are ways to cover up or hide them. You can use makeup or a piercing retainer to temporarily hide tattoos or piercings. But keep in mind that neither of these options is foolproof- a retainer won’t trick anybody into thinking you don’t have a piercing on close inspection, though it might make it less obvious at first sight. If you feel like you’re going above and beyond to hide your tattoos and piercings, it might be worth considering whether this is the right school for you. Changing your entire personal appearance to get into college might mean that the school isn’t a good fit. If you’re willing to let the piercing go or have the tattoo removed if you get accepted, hiding it might be worth it- but if not, think about whether it’s really the right school for you. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mary Zilba (@maryzilba) on Oct 30, 2018 at 8:38am PDT A bun and natural makeup are perfect for a college interview. How to Do Your Makeup and Hair for a College Interview Don’t go wild with styling your hair. Keep it simple: don’t worry about lots of gel, hours with a curling iron, or getting a whole new ‘do just for an interview. If you have long hair, consider putting it up in a bun or ponytail to keep it out of the way. Long, flowing waves are nice, but be sure that they’re styled well enough to hold up during an interview. If you’re not sure, a bun or ponytail will look fine. Colored hair shouldn’t be a problem for most schools. Follow business casual styling standards and you should be fine. If you’re concerned a school will frown on dyed hair, you can dye it back before the interview, but, as with piercings and tattoos, consider whether that’s something you’re willing to do for as long as you’re attending. If not, think about whether this is the right school for you. Keep your nails trimmed and clean. A simple manicure- a single color, French tips, and so on- is fine, but now’s not the time for those claw nails or elaborate nail art. Makeup should be natural and simple. There’s no need for heavy eye shadow, lots of eyeliner, or bright lipstick. Stick with neutral colors rather than being adventurous. Any perfume or cologne should be light, if worn at all. If someone can smell you more than a foot away, you’re wearing too much. Do opt for deodorant, though! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Junho âÅ" ª (@mrjunho3) on Oct 28, 2018 at 8:30am PDT Keep any accessories simple and understated. What Accessories to Wear at a College Interview Again, go simple. A light necklace, bracelet, or watch are perfect accessories. If your jewelry might be distracting- whether for you or for the interviewer- leave it at home. Clanky bangles, a statement necklace, or particularly flashy earrings are better for other settings. One accessory you should bring is a bag. You can keep any papers you get during the interview and tour, a water bottle, and anything else you might need safe and out of the way with an appropriate bag. Avoid backpacks or totes with flashy logos or energy drink branding. A simple brown or black messenger bag, a plain tote, or similar is a good choice. A plain backpack will also get the job done, but plain is the operative word; again, you don’t want to stand out for your clothing choice. A good business casual outfit should have you feeling like this. General Tips for Confidence During a College Interview All this information about outfits will help you dress the part, but what else can you do to look and feel your best during a college interview? #1: Wear Something Comfortable If you’re uncomfortable during your interview, you’re not going to be at your most confident. If your outfit isn’t working for you, swap it out for something that does. Break in your shoes and leave the itchy fabrics at home. #2: Find What Looks Good Business casual may not be your normal attire, but you still want your outfit to make you feel good. If you’re tugging at your sleeves or checking the height of your pants all day, you’re not projecting confidence. Other things may make you nervous, but your outfit shouldn’t. #3: Practice! Have a firm (but not overwhelming!) handshake and a confident greeting. If these aren’t things you’re already adept at, practice! Don’t just practice on your friends, who might laugh or go too soft on you. Find someone you trust to put the pressure on a little and see how you perform. #4: Be Prepared to Answer Questions Running through practice interviews will help you develop answers to questions ahead of time. Anticipate questions about your strengths and weaknesses as a student, and have genuine answers- admissions officers have heard every kind of humblebrag in existence, so be genuine. #5: Stay Healthy The night before your interview, get plenty of sleep. Eat a healthy breakfast the day of your interview, and drink plenty of water- and please, go to the bathroom before the interview. Good self-care will help you ace your interview because you’re operating at peak performance. What’s Next? You want to the right outfit for a college interview, but there's a whole lot more to prepare for, too. Check out this list of college interview tips to be sure you know exactly what to prepare for during your interview. Not every college requires an interview for admission. If an interview intimidates you- or you're certain it'll help you land a coveted acceptance letter- check out this list of colleges that require interviews to help you plan your applications. Though you're the one getting interviewed, a college interview is also a great place to ask questions about the college you're applying to that you can't find online. This list of questions to ask a college interviewer will help you get the most out of your experience. Want to build the best possible college application? We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies. We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools, from state colleges to the Ivy League. We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools. Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.

Communication Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 1

Communication - Essay Example Online marketing, one among the effective methods of marketing is implemented by most of the product manufacturing companies. The online marketing will enable the organization to have a better reach and relationship with the customers. Online marketing is advantageous as the customers have the option of ordering products which are currently unavailable. Online sales have been topping the charts of retail sales. In a business environment, online marketing and sales have become an ideal part. The online marketing opportunities provide a wide range of advantages there by helping the company to improve its reputation and to develop the business at a faster pace. As the reach of online sales is more, people prefer to buy products online rather than visiting the shop personally. A business must also maintain the management strategies in order to increase the business efficiency. This report describes the importance of online sales and the advantages and disadvantages of online marketing. It explains the effects of online marketing and how it helps in the process of business development and growth. I would like to indicate the effects the concept of marketing has on the company. As an employee of the organization, I would take this as an opportunity to suggest the various ways improve the company’s sales. The purpose of this paper is to enable the company to implement strategies that would help them to build a better organization in terms of product manufacturing, marketing and creating a wave among the customers. I would give them several ideas on how to interact with the customers in a better way. The properties of online marketing would also be used to highlight the effect marketing and how they help to improve the company’s relationship with the employees, investors and the customers. The research findings help the organization to have a complete

Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act - Essay Example Other than the USA PATRIOT Act amendment of 2001, there have been several other amendments such as the Protect America Act of 2007 and the FISA Amendments Act of 2008. The USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 is the most significant amendment of the three. This amendment gave powers to state authorities that were sufficient in protecting the homeland. The powers also gave these authorities the ability to protect the country from future attacks. These powers included the ability to monitor internet data and use, interception of emails and phone calls. The Act further granted state authorities the right to place wiretaps on conversations between American citizens and non-citizens3. In addition to surveillance, the state authorities were granted powers to detain individuals it deemed suspicious and dangerous. In comparison to other Acts, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act is the most controversial. This essay will assess and analyze its electronic surveillance provision. The Electronic Surveillance provision in the FISA Act grants state authorities to conduct electronic surveillance because of two scenarios. In the first scenario, the President can authorize state authorities to conduct electronic surveillance for one year. The President does this through the office of the Attorney General and the surveillance can only be done on foreigners4. This surveillance picks up any foreign intelligence information being exchanged between agents of a foreign power and the foreign power. This surveillance, according to the Act, may or may not substantiate to anything feasible5. It is the Attorney General’s responsibility to create a certification of the conditions necessary for the surveillance. The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court authorizes this certification by its seal. The A.G is then supposed to report to both the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the Senate Select

TOMS Shoe Integrated Marketing Communications Plan Essay

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Business Ethic related to Kraft Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

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Analysis of Microfinance Lending and Credit Assessment Methodology

Analysis of Microfinance Lending and Credit Assessment Methodology Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) core activities are driven by a social mission through provision of full range of banking needs to poor people for productive purposes, thereby contributing to the developmentl objective of poverty reduction. MFIs products and services includes micro-credit, micro-savings, micro-insurance and also remittances. Microcredit program is providing financial capital to the poor household in order to engage them in income generating activities for alleviating poverty mostly to finance small businesses agricultural loans. Typically this type of lending is not secured by any collateral but granted based on the clients ability to generate the necessary financial means for repayment based on his or her business activities. Most of the terms and conditions for microcredit loans are flexible and easy to understand. However, there is no standard lending and credit assessment methodology employed by MFIs. We are motivated to explore and document this research gap. 1.2 The Innovation and Development of Microfinance Industry in Malaysia The provision of microcredit is nothing new in Malaysia. Poverty eradication programs involve provision of credit at subsidised rate to the poor has been around since 1970s after formation of the New Economic Policy (NEP) that was instituted in 1970. The earlier micro credit program was mainly carried out by credit unions, co-operatives, specialised credit institutions and NGOs. The provision of small financing designated mostly to finance micro enterprises, agriculture sector for poverty reduction and to improve income of the Bumiputera. The legislation for microfinance regulation in Malaysia includes, Moneylender Act 2002, Banking and Financial Institution Act 1989, Development Financial Institution Act 2002, and Cooperatives Societies Act 1993, (Zakiah, 2004). The Microfinance business models are based on mass market, cooperatives, monoline and distributor network (BNM, 2010). Majlis Amamah Rakyat (MARA), a council of trust to the Bumiputera and Credit Guarantee Corporation (CGC) are some of the pioneers to introduce micro credit to micro enterprises. The rural credit institutions comprising of Agriculture Bank of Malaysia (Agrobank), Farmers Organization Authority (LLP), Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA), Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (RISDA) and other agro-based Co-operative Societies provide micro credit for the agriculture sectors. There are also a number of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that engage in micro credit provision (Kasim and Jayasooria, 1993). These include Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM), Yayasan Usaha Maju (YUM) and Sabah Credit Corporation (SCC) in Sabah, Koperasi Kredit Rakyat (KKR) in Selangor. Tabung Ekonomi Kumpulan Usaha Niaga (TEKUN) is a government agency micro credit provider. While, Malaysian Islamic Economic Development Foundation (YaPEIM), a cooperatives institution providing Islamic microcre dit program based on al-rahnu concept in Malaysia. Prior to 2003, Commercial banks involvement in microfinance program are just limited to extending lines of credit to AIM, and as a mediator for schemes such as the loan fund for hawkers and petty traders operated by the Credit Guarantee Corporation (CGC). In May 2003, the government launched a Micro Credit Scheme, particularly stimulating agricultural production activities as well as expanding small and medium enterprise activities. Two banking institutions namely Agrobank and Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN), and AIM have been given the responsibility to carry out the scheme. The scheme is collateral free, and borrowers are eligible for a maximum loan of up to RM20,000 with interest rates charged at 4% per annum on reducing balance. The government acknowledged that development of the microfinance industry is crucial in promoting greater financial inclusion, given that almost 80 percent of the SMEs in Malaysia are micro enterprises (BNM, 2006). Thus, in August 2006, the National SME Development Council (NSDC) approved a comprehensive microfinance institutional framework proposed by BNM, comprising banking institutions, Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and credit cooperatives to develop a sustainable microfinance industry. This commercially-driven microfinance industry will complement the existing Government-sponsored microfinance programmes. This is important to ensure that micro enterprises have adequate and continuous access to financing. Following this initiative, 10 local banks are now offering microfinance products providing a channel for micro enterprises to obtain financing from the formal financial systems. BSN was mandated to provide microfinance, while Bank Rakyat would provide microfinance to members of cooperatives and Agrobank would continue to provide microfinance to micro enterprises in the agriculture and agro-based sector. Banking institutions with their extensive nationwide network of branches would ensure wider outreach of microfinance. In addition, BNM proposed the establishment of the Malaysia Cooperative Societies Commission to strengthen the role of credit cooperatives in providing credit to micro enterprises. The new comprehensive microfinance indusry framework in Malaysia is as isllustrated in Table 1 below. Table 1: The Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) in Malaysia Non-Bank MFIs Bank MFIs Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) Yayasan Usaha Maju (YUM) Koperasi Kredit Rakyat (KKR) Kooperasi Kredit Pekerja (KKP) Partners in Enterprise Malaysia (PiEM) Tabung Ekonomi Kumpulan Usaha Niaga (TEKUN) Council of Trust to Bumiputera (MARA) Malaysian Building Society Berhad (MBSB) Sabah Credit Corporation (SCC) Agrobank Bhd (AgroBank) Bank Kerjasama Rakyat Bhd (Bank Rakyat) Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) Alliance Bank Bhd (Alliance Bank) AMBank Bhd (AM Bank) CIMB Bank Bhd (CIMB) EONCAP Islamic Bank Bhd (EON Bank) Public Bank Bhd (PBB) United Overseas Bank Bhd (UOB) Credit Guarantee Corporation Bhd (CGC) Source: adapted from Jasman et. al., (2010) These financial institutions have adopted different business models and strategies that leverage on the institutional strengths and niches to supports the credit needs of micro enterprises. A number of financial institutions have adopted a mass market model whereby the financial institution provides micro credit products through its existing branch network. Others, like Bank Rakyat, have adopted a cooperative model which provides microfi nance to its members. Some have employed the distributor network model, which leverages on the distributive capabilities of strategic business partners. Another is the monoline model with a dedicated microfinance operation, formed with its own distinct branding and processes designed to uniquely appeal to micro enterprises. Table 2 : Comparative Analysis of Non-Bank Microcredit Programs in Malaysia Category Non-Government Organization (NGOs) Government Agency Coopeatives Institution AIM YUM TEKUN MARA SCC YaPEIM Target Group Low income community Bumiputra micro entrepreneurs Bumiputra mincro entrepreneurs Agroculture based entrepreneurs Pretty traders Gold financing Programe Name Ikhtiar Microcredit General 1 2 and Group Fund Loan Tekun Microcredit Business Financing Community Loan Scheme Al-Rahnu Micro Credit Age Limit 18 years above Women 18 to 55 years 18 60 years 21 60 years Loan Amount Min : Nil Max : RM20,000 Min : RM100 Max : RM20,000 Min : Nil Max : RM50,000 Min : 1,000 Max : RM10,000 Min : 1,000 Max : RM10,000 Up to RM25,000 Loan Period 6 months to 3 years 6 months to 5 years 6 months to 5 years Up to 4 years Up to 3 years Processing Period 21 days N/a 35 days 11 days N/a Repayment Period Weekly Daily, Monthly Monthly Monthly Monthly Monthly Interest Rate / Charge 10%p.a 4% 11%p.a 5% 6%p.a 1.25%p.m 10%p.a 0.1% 0.75% Program Supports Insurance Business Training Business Training, Compulsory Deposits Business training Compulsory savings Advisory Business Matching loan scheme for group of 5 or 6 individuals. Source : UNDP(2008), and Respective Institutions websites. Note : No published data available for KKR, KKP and PiEM microfiance program details. Table 3 : Comparative Analysis of Banks Financial Institutions Microcredit Programs in Malaysia Category Banking Instititions (BIs) Development Financial Institutions (DFIs) Institution ABB AMBank CIMB EONCAPi PBB UOB CGC Agrobank BSN Bank Rakyat Program Name Personal Financing AmMikro Cash Express Personal Financing PB Micro Finance EasiCash DAGS Modal Usahawan 1 BSN Teman Niaga Mikro-i Target Group Micro enterprises Micro enterprises Micro enterprises Micro enterprises Micro enterprises Micro enterprises SMEs Micro enterprises Micro enterprises Micro enterprises Age Limit 25 60 years 18 60 years 21 60 years Retired civil servants 25 60 years 21 55 years 21 60 years 21 60 years 18 65 years Loan Amount RM2,000 RM50,000 RM3,000 RM50,000 RM3,000 RM50,000 RM5,000 RM50,000 RM3,000 RM50,000 RM5,000 RM50,000 RM50,000 RM3.0M RM1,000 RM50,000 RM5,000 RM50,000 RM1,000 RM50,000 Loan Period 6 months 5 years 1 5 years 6 months 5 years 3 15 years 1 5 years 2 5 years 3 months 5 years 1 5 years 1 months 5 years Processing Period 2 days 5 days 2 days 5 days 6 days 7 days 4 days 6 days 10 days Repayment Period Monthly Monthly Monthly Monthly Monthly Monthly Monthly Monthly Monthly Interest Rate / Charge 5.05%p.a 2.5%p.m 2% 3%p.m 2% 3%p.m 0.9%p.m 0.5% 3.5%p.a 4%p.a 4%p.a 4%p.a Source : Comparative table on microfinanc product features (BNM, 2010) and Respective Insritutions website 1.3 Problem Statements: Research issues in Microcredit Lending combines the science of obtaining and analysing the facts of a loan request and the art of making judgements about that information, the feasibility of the business, and the credibility of the borrower. Experienced lenders focus on the key business issues quickly, determine what information is needed, and then make prompt decisions based on that information. Developing sound credit judgement takes time and experience; development lending to small businesses by the book is difficult and rarely results in a quality loan portfolio. There is no formula for determining creditworthiness. The loan officer must assemble and evaluate information and then determine what the entire picture looks like. Traditional bank lenders refer to the Four Cs of lending: Credit, Capacity, Collateral, and Character. Development lending uses the same rigorous credit assessment principles, but applies them to situations in which the lender must rely on borrower character and cash flow from the business. The loan application and the first meeting with the borrower are the first screen of whether a business is a potential candidate for microcredit. Beginning with the first meeting, the lender must evaluate the quality of the business deal, the fit with the borrowers experience and capacity, and whether the financing amount and structure is appropriate. 1.4 Research Questions/Objectives The questions/objectives of this study are: RQ1: To investigate the microcredit lending methodology of commercial-driven and government funded MFIs RQ2: To investigate the credit assessment methodology of commercial-driven and government funded MFIs RQ3: Is there any different between lending and credit assessment methodology of commercial-driven and government funded MFIs? 1.5 Significance of this study This paper aim to understand, comparatively analyze and document the MFIs lending and credit application assessment methodology of both the commercial-driven and government-funded MFIs microcredit program. This study will contribute to enrich the existing literature related to microcredit and microenterprises financing with specific reference to Malaysia environment. 1.6 Limitations Survey involving only selected active MFIs based in west Malaysia. This paper only focused on microcredit lending and credit assessment methodology for micro enterprises only. 1.7 Organization of Report This paper is organized into four parts, after the introduction, part two contains the literature review related to microfinance lending and credit assessment methodology for micro enterprises. Part three describing data collection and analysis methodology and the last part contains concluding remarks and recommendations. LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Review of Microfinance Delivery Methodologies (REFINE) The Review of Rural Finance Innovations in Asia-Pacific Region have identified and documented the microfinance methodologies used in Asia. These methodologies include: Grameen Bank; Association for Social Advancement (ASA); SHG Linkage Banking ; Unit Desas (Village Banks) of the Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI); and Mixed model and mixed method (Source:xxx) Grameen Bank model The Grameen model is the most popular and widely replicated model in Asia. It consistently achieves outreach both in depth and magnitude and high repayment rates (98 per cent). The early replicators as early as 1989 were India, Malaysia and the Philippines; others include China and Indonesia. The model focuses on: poor peoples access to credit, with women as a priority; small loans repaid in weekly instalments; eligibility for higher loan amount for succeeding loans; loans for income-generating activities; financing activities chosen by borrowers themselves; and forming solidarity groups. Over time, the replicators modified the model to suit local contexts. ASA model ASA is another model from Bangladesh. In the 1990s, ASA gained recognition for achieving a repayment rate of 99 per cent. In Asia, the model has been replicated in India, Indonesia and the Philippines. While loan products are the same as with the Grameen model, the difference is that it does not impose the group co-liability. The model also requires that the borrowers form groups of 25 to 30 members. The model uses a unique standardized branch approach which enables cost savings and efficiency in service delivery the branch has no need for additional personnel for cashier and accountant, enabling it to fully cover costs even after 9 to12 months. SHG Linkage Banking model The SHG Linkage Banking model is an outcome of the Regional Linkage Banking Programme which is an initiative supported by APRACA and Deutsche Gesellschaft fà ¼r Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) in the early 1990s. Using this model, NABARD of India achieved the largest scale and outreach in the countries supported by this programme. The approach is linking SHGs with banking institutions for loan and deposit services. Most SHGs are formed by NGOs or government agencies with financial support from NABARD. One difference between this model and the Grameen and ASA models is that before obtaining their first loan, the members of SHGs are required to mobilize savings first. They usually start at a 1:1 or 2:1 loan- to-savings ratio, increasing to 4:1 in succeeding loan cycles. Bank loans are wholesaled to SHGs, which in turn lend to individual members following terms and policies set by the SHGs themselves. The SHG is the dominant microfinance methodology in India (Sinha, 2003). Unit Desas model Unit Desas are village banks of the Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI). The bank provides loans for any income-generating activity: from 3 to 24 months for working capital and 36 months for investment capital. The reported repayment rate is 99 per cent. Charging market interest rates enabled the unit banks to be profitable and operationally self-sustainable units. Mixed model and mixed method As a result of cross-dissemination of various methodologies and experimentation by microfinance institutions, there is an emerging trend of adopting a mixed model and a mixed method. The former combines features of two or more models under one approach. The latter uses different methodologies for different client segments. For example, in the Philippines, microfinance institutions use an approach called GraSa which identifies clients and forms groups using the Grameen model while removing the co-liability requirement, which is a feature of the ASA model. Overall, the common thread among the best practices is the shift from mere credit to providing broader and sustainable financial services. While there are variations, there is an increasing emphasis on attaining a sustainable fund base, cost recovery of invested funds and efficient and responsive financial services to rural clients. 2.2 Traditional Approach of Creditworthiness Assessment for Small Borrowers An important role of credit markets is to screen borrowers and allocate credit efficiently based on their creditworthiness. Traditionally, banks have played a dominant role in doing so. One of the reasons posited for this has been that banks have the financial expertise to effectively intermediate capital (Diamond, 1994). The theoretical and empirical literature has argued that banks do very little screening for small borrowers and rely excessively on collateral. In addition, recent theoretical literature has also highlighted that the screening role may be better performed by markets with many participants, as opposed to banks (Boot and Thakor, 1997). Alternative peer-to-peer credit markets have recently started gaining popularity in lending to smaller borrowers such as individuals and small firms, both in developed and developing economies (Rajkamal I., et. al., 2009) While prior research has provided substantial evidence of elevated default risk among lower-income, minority, and less creditworthy borrowers (see, for example, Avery et al., 1996, Deng, Quigley, and Van Order, 1996, Berkovec et al., 1998, Pennington-Cross and Nichols, 2000), recent studies also suggest offsets to those risks via the slower prepayment speeds of targeted borrower groups (see, for example, Kelly, 1995, Van Order and Zorn, 2002, Archer, Ling, and McGill, 2002). Table 1: Summary of Criteria considered important by Bankers in Assessing Small Business Borrower Loan Applications Assessment Criteria Author(s)/Year Country Owners Personal Charatcteristics Business Ability (Fertuck, 1982) Honesty (Fertuck, 1982) Trading Experience (Deakins Hussain, 1994; Fletcher, 1995) Managerial Experience (Jones, 1982; Memon, 1984) Credit History (Jones, 1982; Memon, 1984) Quality of Management (Rosli, 1995) Malaysia Leverage and Security Position Gearing (Deakins Hussain, 1994; Fletcher, 1995; Berry, Grant and Jarvis, 2001; Binks and Ennew, 1996) Collateral (Ulrich Arlow, 1981) Guarantee (Deakins Hussain, 1994; Fletcher, 1995) Risk of Default (Rosli, 1995) Malaysia Owners and Business Financials Initial Capial (Jones, 1982; Memon, 1984) Financial Strengths (Fertuck, 1982) Bank Lending Policies Bank Policy (Berger and Udell, 2002) Relationship (Berger and Udell, 2002) Summary Table 2: Negative Factors Resulting in Rejection of Small Business Loans Application Assessment Criteria Author(s)/Year Country Owners Personal Charatcteristics Lack of Competecnce (Buttner Rosen, 1992; Desmond, 1991) Lack of Management Skills (Buttner Rosen, 1992) Lack of Entrepreneurial Skills Experience (Buttner Rosen, 1992; Desmond, 1991) Owners and Business Financials Poor Cash Flows (Struck Glassman, 1983) Poor Earnings Records (Fertuck, 1982) Insufficient Turnover (Read, 1998) Poor Credit Ratings Leverage Positions Poor Collateral (Fertuck, 1982) Insufficient Owners Equity (Struck Glassman, 1983) Past Due in Credit (Struck Glassman, 1983) Excessive Loan Requests (Desmond, 1991) Gearing too high (Desmond, 1991) Business Plans Insufficient Market Research (Buttner Rosen, 1992) Incomplete Business Plans (Buttner Rosen, 1992) Other Factors Bad Timing (Buttner Rosen, 1992) Summary 2.3 Innovation in Small Business Lending: The Art and Science of Microcredit The history of microcredit program can be traced back since 18th century where Credit Coperatives and charities provided small entrepreneurs in Europe (Hollis et. al., 1998). According to Hollis et. Al., a notable microcredit program in europe includes a fund created by Jonathan Swift, a novelist and the Irish Reproductive Loan Fund Institution. In developing economies, it is argued that among others absence of access to credit is presumed to be the cause for the failure of the poor to come out of poverty. Meeting the gap between demand and supply of credit in the formal financial institutions frontier has been challenging (Von Pischke, 1991). In fact, the gap is not aroused merely because of shortage of loan-able fund to the poor rather it arise because it is costly for the formal financial institutions to lend to the poor. Lending to the poor involves high transaction cost and risks associated with information asymmetries and moral hazards (Stiglitz and Weiss, 1981). Nevertheless, in several developing economies governments have intervened, through introduction of microfinance institutions to minimize the gap then allow the poor access credits through provision of so called microcredit. Microcredit is defined simply as small-scale credit, most typically for less-advantaged individuals. In practice, microcredit is most frequently used to refer to credit provided specifically for the purpose of starting a small business and there is other microcredit products catering for other consumption needs of poor individual. The various forms of micro-credit systems have proven successful in delivering credit to the poor and ensuring high rate of repayment when compared to the formal channels. Because micro-credit systems have been effective in reaching the poor, many developing countries have set up special financial institutions that either directly provide credit to SHGs and the facilitating NGOs or help refinance commercial and cooperative banks that provide the credit. These national micro-finance institutions are in turn funded by international agencies as well as the national government (source xxxx) Microfinance Lending Methodology Micro-lending methodology in practice is appearently different to mainstream banking. The distinguish characteristics are as follows; (i) non traditional creditworthiness assessment criteria; (ii) non traditional collateral accepted; (iii) loan officers are not necessarily bankers; (iv) credit is provided along with business support services. Other distinguishing features between them are as tabulated below; Table 3: Comparison of Micro-finance and Formal Banking Lending to Micro Enterprises Characteristics Microfinance Formal Banking Size of loan Small/tiny size of credit Medium/large credit Duration of loan Short duration Medium and long Thrift Emphasis on thrift as well as loans Focus on loan only Screening and Monitoring Group formation and informal methods Formal Procedures Enforcement of Repayments Stepped or sequential loans, Peer pressure and weekly repayments Collateral and legal pressured for repayments Nature of Organization Social organizational form Commercial organization form Motivation Self-help motivated Profit motivated Outreach Access to poor without collateral (all members) Access limited Lending Method Cash-flows based lending Asset-based lending Analysis Field visits Desk Analysis Credit Administration Flexible and personalized Standardized Source: Adapted with midification fromxxx 2.3.2 Microfinance Loan Assessment and Credit Analysis Methodology An important function of credit markets is to screen borrowers and allocate credit efficiently based on borrowers creditworthiness (Iyer, et. al., 2009). The credit analysis is defined as a process of establishing the current creditworthiness of loan applicants and forecasting the trends in its development. Top priority goals and stages in the bank credit analysis are determined. (Feschijan, 2008). The analysis of the creditworthiness involves preliminary study of the factors and prerequisites which can affect adversely the duly repayment of the credit. When analyzing creditworthiness, along with the required prerequisites for creditworthiness it is necessary to carry out a comprehensive study of the factors that determine it. It is believed that creditworthiness depends on several major factors: the borrowers efficiency, his reputation, his capacity for profit making, the value of his assets, the state of the economic situation, his profitability, etc. In order to conduct a thorough study of the above mentioned, it is necessary to use a number of indicators for the credit analysis (Feschijan, 2008). Table 3: Empirical Evidence of Microcredit Repayment Determinants Determinant factors Author(s)/Year Country Regular monitoring, audits, high repayment frequency, having group savings deposits Deininger and Liu (2009) India Close monitoring and close relationshp with borrowers Roslan et. Al. (2007) Malaysia Threats of sanctions, borrower incur less transactions costs Bhatt and Tang (2002) USA Gender of the borrower, type of business activity, amount of loan, repayment period and trainning Rosalan and M. Zaini (2009) Malaysia Joint liability, dinamic and progressive lending, Peer monitoring, social ties and social connections, self-selection, income shocks, social sanction and cooperation, loan size, infrastructure and local economic environment, group rules and regulations, group size, age of the group, assistance offered by bank, gender, local culture, group homogeneity, role of group leader Bakshi (2008) N/a (literature review) Group gender decomposition (group with more females) Anthony and Horne (2003) USA RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Data Specification and Collection Method Target Respondents Target respondents will comprises of the following selected microfinance institutions (MFIs) which constitutes both the non-bank MFIs and bank-MFIs; Category Non-Bank MFIs Bank-MFIs Organization MARA YUM AIM TEKUN SCC BSN Agro Bank Bank Rakyat Target Respondents Credit Manager/Officer Credit Manager/Officer Credit Manager/Officer Credit Manager/Officer Credit Manager/Officer Credit Manager/Officer Credit Manager/Officer Credit Manager/Officer No. of Respondents 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 Total respondents = 320 A personally administrated survey was employed in this study. Target respondents were comprises of credit managers and officers of the above selected MFIs in west Malaysia. Questionnaire Design Table 3.1: The Structured Questionnaire Design Section Category Remarks Section A Respondent Profile This section is designed to cater information on respondents demographic profile. Section B Lending Methodology This section concentrates on profiling the lending methodology of MFIs Section C Credit Assessment This section is designed to explore microcredit assessment criteria employed by MFIs Data Analysis Methods Descriptive Statistics Analysis Descriptive statistics analysis used to explore the characteristics of the respondents. Factor Analysis Factor analysis use to analyse and determine the significant important factors for microlenders in analysing microenterprises loan applications. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) ANOVA is used to established statistical significant of differences of lending and credit assessment methodologies between commercially-driven and government-funded MFIs. ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSIONS Descriptive Statistics Analysis Respondent demographic factors Factor Analysis RQ1: To investigate the microcredit lending methodology of commercial-driven and government funded MFIs RQ2: To investigate the credit assessment methodology of commercial-driven and government funded MFIs

The Comfort of Strangers by Ian McEwan :: English Literature

Review of The comfort of strangers by Ian McEwan ================================================== This is a very interesting book by McEwan as well as being rather confusing. The name ‘the comfort of strangers’ fits the storyline perfectly. This is a very mysterious book in which the two of the main characters Caroline and Roger are slowly tightening the noose on the necks of the other two main characters Mary and Colin. I think the book fits into the mystery genre as far as the writing of the author goes and I found that some parts of the book reminded me of ‘Enduring Love’. The way that that Colin and Mary blindly get involved with Roger shows one of many weaknesses in the novel. Roger’s shady character and his weird story about how his father was very strict and how his jealous sisters made him eat chocolate so that he would get into trouble with his father along with other things should have kept Mary and Colin away. Stories like this one, which require the reader to suspend disbelief as the actors venture further and further into the abyss are extremely hard to pull off, so it's not surprising that McEwan doesn't quite manage it. An author can get away with making his characters naive, but at the point where the reader is yelling at them and calling them idiots for following along with the novel's plot, that author has lost control of his own narrative. A big complaint that reviewers have had with this novel or rather this ‘short story’ is that the author works around taboo issues meaning he may talk about them for a moment or two and then ignores them. Another problem which links onto this is that many times the author builds up the story as something really dramatic is going to happen and then nothing out of the ordinary happens for example when Mary jumps in the water you would think that one of them may drown but it turns out to be something just ordinary. I think this has a negative effect on the reader as well as the fact that sometimes the reader is left to ‘fill in the gaps’ themselves when we are not given enough detail on the characters or the storyline. There is no real solution at the end of the novel. Another problem with the novel is how Mary and Colin’s sex lives suddenly become great again after meeting Caroline and Roger. Another similar instance is when Roger punches Colin in the stomach for NO reason. The setting of the novel, which is Venice, is not really used well by

Importance of Marriage and Money in Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and Today Essay

During the days of Jane Austen, a financially stable marriage was crucial to many women. On the contrary, some of the women did not think marriage was mainly about money. These concepts reflect through some of Austen’s characters in her comic novel of manners, Pride and Prejudice. While writing this novel, Austen illustrates the way of life during her time period through her characters. The idea of marriage being financially crucial to some women is not as true today like it was during Austen’s time period. Women’s lives have changed considerably over the past years, making this idea not as common. Women today do not have problems in common with those of Austen’s characters. After reading Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, readers can compare the financial problems of women today to those of the women of Austen’s time, finding the difference between them the importance of money and marriage. The female characters in Austen’s novel go through great lengths to catch a husband. Unlike marriages today, many marriages in Austen’s time were not based off love, but security for the future. Most women wanted to marry wealthy men to insure their financial and social future: â€Å"In cases nine out of ten, a woman had better show more affection than she feels.† Charlotte Lucas makes this statement to Elizabeth during the beginning of the novel. This statement shows the feeling of most women during Austen’s time, which was that a women should show more affection towards a man than she actually felt in order to get him to propose to her. Women went through great lengths to fake emotions for a marriage proposal. â€Å"Happiness in marriage is entirely based a matter of chance.† This is another statement Charlotte makes to Elizabeth in order to let her know that women can only hope to find happiness in a marriage. Marriage was only important for women so they could have balanced, secure financial and social statuses; finding happiness would only be a â€Å"matter of chance†. Austen’s novel illustrates and satirizes the importance of women finding a wealthy husband during that time period: â€Å"You must know that I am thinking of his marrying one of them.† Mrs. Bennett biggest concern was marrying her daughters off to wealthy men such as Mr. Bingley. She knew that marriage was an important issue to all women during that time. Mrs. Bennett found herself a wealthy husband in Mr. Bennett, and hopes that her daughters do the same: â€Å"If I can but see one of my daughters happily settled at Netherfield and all the others equally well married, I shall have nothing to wish for.† If all Bennett girls get married Mrs. Bennett will be happy. She wishes for nothing else but for her daughters to be married to wealthy men. Mrs. Bennett goes as far as to plot to get her daughter, Jane Bennett, sick so she will be able to stay at Netherfield with Mr. Bingley. She herself does anything to get her daughters married because she believes that marriag e is the crucial part of a woman’s life. Not all women during this time period thought marriage should be based solely off money. â€Å"As yet, she cannot be certain of the degree of her own regard, nor of its reasonableness. She has known him only a fortnight.† Elizabeth feels that people should form a relationship with one another and know a little about each other before marriage is considered. Knowing a person for only one night is not enough time for one to familiarize their selves with the other person’s character. She also does not hide her feelings and is quick to express them, which was not truly common at the time. She believes marriage should be based off happiness and is exceedingly serious about the power people have to make each other happy or unhappy. Today marriage does not play such major a role in women’s lives, unlike in Jane Austen’s times. Women, of course, dream of getting married but they do not base their marriages off of money but off of love and happiness. Time changes accompanied with the change of feelings towards women makes the concept of marrying for money archaic. For example, women are deemed equal to men in today’s society. Sequentially women are able to obtain jobs considered suitable for only men. This advancement allows women freedom from men and autonomy in their own homes. Women have become independent and are expected to be more than homemakers. Now, women have the option of daycare for their children while they hold regular jobs. Women are given more opportunities today then they were in the past, and are quick to take advantage of those opportunities. There are special circumstances in which women with little or no education try to get married to men that are â€Å"going places† or even women who are referred to as â€Å"gold-diggers,† who dedicate their lives to finding husbands. Besides these few exceptions, women do not seek out husbands to secure their future financially and socially, like those of the women in Austen’s novel, Pride and Prejudice. After finishing Pride and Prejudice good analytical readers can compare the marriage problems of women in past to women in the present. Marriage was critical to women of the past for financial and social status. On the contrary, today, marriage is not as vital to women financially. Women have not only become financially and socially independent, but independent in all aspects. The present has changed drastically from the past meaning that marriage is not as important to most women today for financial reasons, as in the past.

Case Study You Are Your Own Worst Enemy Essay

Gen Y are shown to be a substantial security risk to organizations because Gen Y’s download and use non-sanctioned IT Tools while at work or using company technology and often compromising software like instant messaging software and open-source technologies. What’s happening is quite simple, but very dangerous. Having/using them on company technology opens a door for hackers and data thieves to enter unnoticed into your organization’s information assets. But Gen Y are not even aware that they are causing potential compromises. Question and Answer( Legend:Q=Question,A=Answer) Q1. Think of yourself as a business manager. You have employees you supervise and you are responsible for ensuring that they meet daily work quotas. But, you find they are spending a couple of hours per day shopping online, chatting with friends through instant messaging, and so on. How do you motivate your employees to perform their work? How do you restrict them from non-work-related activities without creating a stifling, boring, and dull workplace? A1. As a manager, I am responsible and takes charge of all the activities that involve in my company and it is very necessary for me to have an employee which has a knowledge to perform and listen to their task properly and willing to abide the rules and regulation of my company. Discipline is a must. They should focus to their job assignment and use their time properly especially during working hours. And as a Manager I must know what the different types of Managerial functions . And one of it is directing that refers to motivation, communication and leadership. I am the Manager so I will be the one to motivate my employees by communicating them with the power of leadership. To motivate them to perform their work I will give them incentives or rewards to make them productive. I may increase their wages to encourage them to perform their task well. By restricting them I think will not work because their life are attach to the technology – that most of the time of their work they are in front of the computer that maybe will tempt to open a social networking site or shopping site that is not related to their work. I will not totally restrict them but instead I will allow them to do their non-work-related activities during breaktime. They deserve a little break that will make them calm and not so stressful. I will take a survey from them that deals with knowing what they would suggest in order to have a pleasant workplace that will affect them in a good way. In that, my employees will be encourage to work well. Q2. The case study mentioned the need for employee education. What elements would you include in an education program for helping employees better understand the dangers in which they place the organization’s IT infrastructure by using technology the wrong way while at work? A2. It is better to conduct an orientation the moment that they are employed in the company. This will help them to have a better understanding regarding to their task such as the general rules and regulations and the proper using of the IT infrastructure of the company. Using technology in the wrong way while at work will cause a great damage and failure to do their task in the company. Sometimes it will be lost of the company and their reputation will destroy. And also I can include short cases of organizations that have been compromised because of unsafe software, having a fellow Gen Y person make the presentation, showing safe computing habits.I will alsoinclude the things that can happen in the organization if the employees are continuous in doing things online that are not related in their work, also the harmful effects on it not just on organization but on them also that they will no longer focused on their work responsibilities and they taking their work at risk that they can be fired and out of the company.. Q3.Beyond the compromises caused to IT infrastructure, what do you see wrong with shopping online while at work? Is this illegal or unethical, perhaps both, or neither? A3.Nothing is wrong about the shopping online because it’s your money that you spending with but during your work it is both illegal and at the same time unethical.It is said to be illegal because before working at the company, there is a certain contract that they should sign stated that they should abide the rules and regulations of the company, including: the proper used of their time for their work and do their task without doing unnecessary actions such as chatting with the others. Also, it is unethical because it could be unfair to the others who were doing their task properly while the others are just wasting their time, having their salary doing wrong things. You employed in the organization to work, you are subjected to work with all of your knowledge, skill and focused because your being paid by the company and doing something not related to your work is not good. It’s definitely grounds for dismissal from employment.But then, people may or may not see it as u nethical, because so many people do it. Q4.Read the acceptable use policy (AUP) for your school. Are you doing anything with your school’s technology that violates the AUP? If so, what is it? How prevalent among other students is the violation? Does widespread violation somehow or another make it okay? A4.(Since our school have no AUP, answers are based on computer laboratory ordinance,rules and regulations).Yes, sometimes I play games installed in the computer which is strictly prohibited based on the ordinance issued by th President.It is very common since students have saved games on their flash drives and through this they can install and play games they want anytime but they make sure that they do this in the absence of their teachers.No, because even violation is widespreaded after the next day they will do it again and again. Q5.Why do you think Gen Y is being singled out? Wouldn’t it make sense that people in other age groups also put a company at risk by misusing technology? What is so different and unique about Gen Y? A5.Generation Y grew up with technology and rely on it to perform their jobs better. Gen Y is the digital generation, and thus uses technology more, especially those types of tools that can compromise security. Yes, other age groups misuse technology but not to the extent of Gen Y. As law firms compete for available talent, employers cannot ignore the needs, desires and attitudes of this vast generation. Millennials grew up with easy access to computers, constant connection to the internet, and smart phones in-hand. They’re accustomed to using technology in every part of their lives and fully believe in its power to make their lives easier. This generation dreams without limits. They’re in search of two things – money and happiness. Q6.Would you consider working for a company that prohibited access to social networking sites, gaming, blogs, and online shopping while at work? Why or why not? How about in the defense industry? In certain places within defense organizations, you’re not allowed to carry cell phones and the like because you can take photos and videos with them. Do you want to work there? Why or why not? A6.Yes. Working in the company that prohibited access to social networking sites, gaming, and online shopping is something gives discipline to the employee regarding doing something not related to their work and also these things must be done not in your workplace but in your own place like in your house and in your own computer. In the company that cell phones and other similar to it that can take pictures and videos are not allowed, why or why not work in this kind if organization? For me it’s alright ,we all know that cell phone is convenience way to communicate to others most of the time in emergency, so not carrying cell phone is hard for me to follow but if the company is great and there’s a lot of benefits or good salary for their employees I will, they just do it for their own safety.

Decision Making Process WRT Consumer Behavior

Question 1. Explain Decision making process and various types of decision with examples? Ans: Decision making can be regarded as the mental processes (Cognitive process) resulting in the selection of a course of action among several alternative scenarios. Every decision making process produces a final choice. The output can be an action or an opinion of choice. Developed by B. Aubrey Fisher, there are four stages that should be involved in all group decision making.These stages, or sometimes called phases, are important for the decision-making process to begin Orientation stage- This phase is where members meet for the first time and start to get to know each other. Conflict stage- Once group members become familiar with each other, disputes, little fights and arguments occur. Group members eventually work it out. Emergence stage- The group begins to clear up vague opinions by talking about them. Reinforcement stage- Members finally make a decision, while justifying themselves that i t was the right decision.When in an organization and faced with a difficult decision, there are several steps one can take to ensure the best possible solutions will be decided. These steps are put into seven effective ways to go about this decision making process. An Example illustrating Decision Making Process in an Organization * The first step – Outline your goal and outcome. This will enable decision makers to see exactly what they are trying to accomplish and keep them on a specific path. * The second step – Gather data. This will help decision makers have actual evidence to help them come up with a solution. The third step – Brainstorm to develop alternatives. Coming up with more than one solution ables you to see which one can actually work. * The fourth step – List pros and cons of each alternative. With the list of pros and cons, you can eliminate the solutions that have more cons than pros, making your decision easier. * The fifth step – Make the decision. Once you analyze each solution, you should pick the one that has many pros (or the pros that are most significant), and is a solution that everyone can agree with. * The sixth step – Immediately take action.Once the decision is picked, you should implement it right away. * The seventh step – Learn from, and reflect on the decision making. This step allows you to see what you did right and wrong when coming up, and putting the decision to use. Another example showing Decision Making Process with respect to consumer behavior. This model is important for anyone making marketing decisions. It forces the marketer to consider the whole buying process rather than just the purchase decision (when it may be too late for a business to influence the choice! The model implies that customers pass through all stages in every purchase. However, in more routine purchases, customers often skip or reverse some of the stages. For example, a student buying a favourite hamburger would recognise the need (hunger) and go right to the purchase decision, skipping information search and evaluation. However, the model is very useful when it comes to understanding any purchase that requires some thought and deliberation.The buying process starts with need recognition. At this stage, the buyer recognises a problem or need (e. g. I am hungry, we need a new sofa, I have a headache) or responds to a marketing stimulus (e. g. you pass Starbucks and are attracted by the aroma of coffee and chocolate muffins). An â€Å"aroused† customer then needs to decide how much information (if any) is required. If the need is strong and there is a product or service that meets the need close to hand, then a purchase decision is likely to be made there and then. If not, then the process of information search begins. A customer can obtain information from several sources: †¢ Personal sources: family, friends, neighbours etc Commercial sources: advertising; salesp eople; retailers; dealers; packaging; point-of-sale displays †¢ Public sources: newspapers, radio, television, consumer organisations; specialist magazines †¢ Experiential sources: handling, examining, using the product The usefulness and influence of these sources of information will vary by product and by customer. Research suggests that customer’s value and respect personal sources more than commercial sources (the influence of â€Å"word of mouth†). The challenge for the marketing team is to identify which information sources are most influential in their target markets.In the evaluation stage, the customer must choose between the alternative brands, products and services. An important determinant of the extent of evaluation is whether the customer feels â€Å"involved† in the product. By involvement, we mean the degree of perceived relevance and personal importance that accompanies the choice. Where a purchase is â€Å"highly involving†, th e customer is likely to carry out extensive evaluation. High-involvement purchases include those involving high expenditure or personal risk – for example buying a house, a car or making investments. Low involvement purchases (e. . buying a soft drink, choosing some breakfast cereals in the supermarket) have very simple evaluation processes. Post-purchase evaluation – Cognitive Dissonance The final stage is the post-purchase evaluation of the decision. It is common for customers to experience concerns after making a purchase decision. This arises from a concept that is known as â€Å"cognitive dissonance†. The customer, having bought a product, may feel that an alternative would have been preferable. In these circumstances that customer will not repurchase immediately, but is likely to switch brands next time.To manage the post-purchase stage, it is the job of the marketing team to persuade the potential customer that the product will satisfy his or her needs. T hen after having made a purchase, the customer should be encouraged that he or she has made the right decision. Question 2. Take any international country of your choice and list down their social, cultural, lifestyle, business etiquettes and trade practices in detail? Ans: Country in Discussion: Nigeria Social / Cultural and Life Style Background The culture of Nigeria is shaped by Nigeria's multiple ethnic groups. The country has over 50 languages and over 250 dialects and ethnic groups.The three largest ethnic groups are the Hausa-Fulani who are predominant in the north, the Igbo who are predominant in the south-east, and the Yoruba who are predominant in the southwest. The Edo people are predominant in the region between Yorubaland and Igboland. Much of the Edo tends to be Christian while the remaining 20 percent worship deities called Ogu. This group is followed by the Ibibio/Annang/Efik people of the coastal southeastern Nigeria and the Ijaw of the Niger Delta. The rest of Nig eria's ethnic groups (sometimes called ‘minorities') are found all over the country but especially in the middle belt and north.The Hausa tend to be Muslim and the Igbo are predominantly Christian. The Efik, Ibibio, Annang people are mainly Christian. The Yoruba have a balance of members that are adherent to both Islam and Christianity. Indigenous religious practices remain important in all of Nigeria's ethnic groups, these beliefs are often blended with Christian beliefs. Nigeria is famous for its English language literature and its popular music. Since the 1990s the Nigerian movie industry, sometimes called " Nollywood" has emerged as a fast-growing cultural force all over the continent.All over the country, and even increasingly in the conservative north, western music, dresses and movies are ever popular. The music of Nigeria includes many kinds of folk and popular music, some of which are known worldwide. Traditional musicians use a number of diverse instruments , such as the Gongon drums Football (soccer) is extremely popular throughout the country and especially among the youth, both field soccer and professional international soccer, has developed into a cult of unity and division.Supporters of English football clubs Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea often segregate beyond the traditional tribal and even religious divide to share their common cause in Premier League teams. The Nigeria national football team, nicknamed the Super Eagles, is the national team of Nigeria and is controlled by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). Nigerian food embellishes a rich blend of traditionally African carbohydrates such as Yam and Cassava as well as vegetable soups made from native green leaves.Praised by Nigerians for the strength it gives, Garri is a powdered Cassava Grain that can be readily eaten as a meal and is quite cheap. Yam is either fried in oil or pounded to make a Mashed Potato like Yam pottage. Nigerian beans, quite diff erent from green peas, is widely popular. Meat is also popular and Nigerian Suya, a barbecue like method of roasting meat, is a well known delicacy. Bush meat, meat from wild game like deer and giraffes is also popular. Fermented palm products is used to make a traditional liquor, Palm Wine, as is fermented Cassava.Business Background in Nigeria The fact that Nigeria is not a magnet for international investment could be seen as a tragedy of immense proportions. Years of political instability, regional strife and the weakening influence of massive corruption have resulted in the country failing to capitalize on its many advantages; leaving the mass of the population in relative poverty and the country enormously infra-structure poor. A large number of international organizations and business people have been wary of doing business in Nigeria for many years.This may seem strange given that Nigeria is one of the most populous countries in Africa as well as being one of the most oil-ric h places in the world. Couple this with the fact that the country is abundant in many other natural resources and has good port facilities and you might think that international business would be fighting for a piece of the action in Nigeria. Huge strides have been made in the last few years to try to tackle the many endemic problems which assail the country — with political and economic stability being seen as the key weapons in attacking the corrosive influence of corruption.Whether the actions being taken on the ground now lead to dramatic improvements in levels of transparency and levels of corporate governance remain to be seen — in the meantime, the country struggles along and those doing business in Nigeria need to be aware of the issues that await them. Business Etiquettes Nigerians like to use language in a fairly flowery fashion and will often address you with great courtesy and overt signs of respect. This desire to show respect to people is shown in the Nig erian use of titles and honorifics.People will often be addressed as Uncle, Auntie, Chief, Mazi, Doctor etc. rather than by the use of first names. Business conversations will often veer towards the personal and you may be asked questions about family, hobbies and other interests within business meetings. This is an important section of the meeting and should be treated as such. It is not seen as overly personal but rather as a signal of warmth and friendship. Handshaking is very important and it is usual to exchange long, lingering handshakes with everybody you meet. Nigerian Management StyleAs you would expect in a strictly hierarchical culture, managers are expected to lead quite strongly. The boss is expected to make decisions (with or without wider consultation) and the decisions of the boss are expected to be carried out to the letter. Directions should be given in a polite and friendly but definitive fashion. Spell out in detail what needs to be done — anything which i s not explicitly requested, is likely to remain undone. This does not mean that subordinates are inefficient or lazy, merely that they expect the boss to know exactly what he wants to happen and to explain things to them fully.It is important to dress well in Nigeria as the way you are dressed will signal your relative level of importance. Men should wear dark suits and ties and women should wear dark, demure business-style suits. In return for loyalty, the manager will often take on a paternalistic role with regard to colleagues. The manager is expected to take an interest in subordinates beyond their directly work-related duties. People are as likely to ask the boss advice on personal matters as they are on business issues. Indigenous Nigerian companies will, however, have an approach and flavor all of their own.All native Nigerian companies will display massively hierarchical tendencies as befits a country rich in tribal tradition and culture. Thus the boss expects and receives r espect from those below them in the structure. As age is highly valued in Nigerian culture, managers are often of the older generation — age brings wisdom. Although people at a middle-management level will like to give the impression that they have great power in the organization, they rarely do. Decisions are invariably made right at the top, so try not to waste too much time trying to force decisions out of more junior employees.If possible, go right to the top. This does not, however, mean that people lower down the corporate structure can be ignored as they may very well be pivotal in influencing the eventual decision-maker. As a relationship-oriented culture, it is important to be seen to be trying hard to develop good relationships at all levels within the organization. Economic Facts previously hindered by years of mismanagement, economic reforms of the past decade have put Nigeria back on track towards achieving its full economic potential. Nigerian GDP at purchasing power parity more than doubled from $170. 7 billion in 2005 to $374. billion in 2010, although estimates of the size of the informal sector (which is not included in official figures) put the actual numbers closer to $520 billion. Correspondingly, the GDP per capita doubled from $1200 per person in 2005 to an estimated $2,500 per person in 2009 (again, with the inclusion of the informal sector, it is estimated that GDP per capita hovers around $3,500 per person). It is the largest economy in the West Africa Region, 3rd largest economy in Africa (behind South Africa and Egypt), and on track to becoming one of the top 30 economies in the world in the early part of 2011.Although much has been made of its status as a major exporter of oil, Nigeria produces only about 3. 3% of the world's supply, and though it is ranked as 15th in production at 2. 2 million barrels per day (mbpd), the top 3 producers Saudi Arabia, Russia, and the United States produce 10. 7mbpd (16. 8%), 9. 8mbpd (15. 4% ), and 8. 5mbpd (13. 4%) respectively, collectively accounting for 63. 6mpd (45. 4%) of the world's total production. [2] To put oil revenues in perspective: at an estimated export rate of 1. 9mbd, with a projected sales price of $65 per barrel in 2011, Nigeria's anticipated revenue from petroleum is about $52. billion. This accounts for less than 14% of official GDP figures (and drops to 10% when the informal economy is included in these calculations). Therefore, though the petroleum sector is important, it remains in fact a small part of the country's overall vibrant and diversified economy. The largely subsistence agricultural sector has not kept up with rapid population growth, and Nigeria, once a large net exporter of food, now imports some of its food products. In 2006, Nigeria successfully convinced the Paris Club to let it buy back the bulk of its debts owed to the Paris Club for a cash payment of roughly $12 billion (USD).Trade Practices: The Federal Government plays the ro le of protecting local industries and the labor market from unfair competitions and trade practices of developed countries. While Nigerian government appreciates that the world is a global village, in terms of exchange of goods, services and persons, it will not open the nation‘s borders to the influx of foreigners in whatever guise without considering the security and economic implication inherent in the administration of Expatriate Quota and other immigration formality. While it is true that Nigeria as a developing country needs to benefit from the xperiences and technology of the advanced nations, it is important that we protect our local manpower by ensuring that jobs that are meant for Nigerians are not occupied by foreigners in order to stem the unemployment rate in the country. Although the world is a global village and the WTO preaches free trade or liberalization of trade, it is the government’s duty both individually and as government to protect our local indu stries and markets in order to avoid being reduced to mere consumers of labor and technology of the advanced nations.Their focus at all times should be to develop indigenous technology, local capacity building for both our industries and markets". Also, the administration of Expatriate Quota helps attract foreign direct investment; fast track economic development; transfer technology through importation of modern machinery and equipment; build and enhance local capacity and skills; institutionalize Nigerian understudies attached to Expatriates and for appropriate documentation.ALTERNATIVE TRADE NETWORK OF NIGERIA (ATNN) The Alternative Trade Network of Nigeria (ATNN) was established in 1994 with 25 artisans drawn from different parts of Nigeria as a Non Governmental Trade and Development Network. It was formerly registered with Corporate Affairs Commissions Abuja on the 7th January 1999 as an Incorporated Trustee with a five member Governing Board. The daily operations of the n etwork are coordinated by program staff and team of volunteers under the leadership of the Director.ATNN is a registered pioneer member of the International Fair Trade Association (IFAT) formed in 1994 now the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) and also a founding member of the Cooperation for Fair Trade in Africa (COFTA) with its Africa Regional Office based in Nairobi, Kenya. With a founding membership of 25 artisans and groups, ATNN membership has grown to 120 cooperatives, groups and individuals (over 3616 individuals) engage in both food and Non food products from different parts of Nigeria who are grass root based and committed to the principles and standards of fair trade. 3% of the current membership is women, employing over 3616 people. 1774 apprentices have also been trained and are now self employed and running their business in different areas of micro enterprises. ATNN has the following thematic areas of intervention 1. Fair Trade Market Access, Retailing and Export T rading†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ This program provides unique solutions to specific members based on identified needs, level of business development, size, structure, markets, retailing and other trading opportunities. 2. Producer Development, Community Mobilization and Empowerment.This program engages participatory method of development of both formal and informal groups of producers and communities in identifying and establishing core strength and weaknesses and collective designing of sustainable and achievable business solutions. 3. Fair Trade Advocacy and Economic Rights†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ The objective of this program is to develop and disseminate appropriate fair trade information to raise beneficiary's awareness and stake holder's interest and support for effective and proactive fair trade participations.It also highlights and lobby against unethical business, production and trade practices and policies that are detrimental to community growth, environmental protection and other impacts that are related to sustainable production and development. The Alternative Trade Network of Nigeria believes in fostering an accelerated producers businesses development and sustainable income through developing, consolidating and advancing the core mission and objectives of the global fair Trade Movement within Nigeria, Africa and the world over.This is achieved through the offering and provision of technical guidance, market support, networking and awareness rising for favorable trade policies and micro business development measures. ATNN, in its business development services also ensures that producers do not just access profitable markets, but produce quality products and get appropriate value for their labor. ATNN generally desires to achieve the following: 1. Increased and improved business skills