Marketing channels and logistics Essay Example

Marketing channels and logistics Essay Marketing channels and logistics BY k3700026 1. Executive Summary This report is aimed at exploring the market channel and logistics in the case of SuperAlloy, the world-class provider of forged aluminum alloy wheel rims. Through the analysis of financial performance, the fluctuations of average selling days and inventory turnover are necessary to addressed. After the discussion, this report mentions three key, including the dilemma of collaboration in supply chain, breakthrough of market channels, deploying the system of logistics in China region. From the perspective of management, SuperAlloy should adapt external integration, estructure the supply chain collaboration, complete the breakthrough of market channels, highlight some KPIs, such as inventory turnover, average selling days, and the average time to generate first trial order for new customer or new design, and deploy the logistics of China regions. 2. The Discussion for Task 1 2. The market opportunity for the forged aluminum alloy wheel rims With the designs of energy-saving technology growing mature in automobile market, the forged aluminum alloy wheel rims have become the important component in future lightweight vehicle. The components of high-strength forged aluminum alloy could e used to reduce vehicle weight and enhance the engine efficiency. Therefore, the forged aluminum alloy wheel rims have played the key part in automotive supply chain (http://www. superalloy. tw/). The case company in this report is SuperAlloy, which has moved into the forged aluminum al loy wheel rims since 1997. We will write a custom essay sample on Marketing channels and logistics specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Marketing channels and logistics specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Marketing channels and logistics specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The first three key suppliers of forged aluminum alloy wheel rims are Americas ACOA, Germanys Otto Fuch, and Taiwans SuperAlloy. In China, the first provider for article_content_12953. html). The market opportunity for forged aluminum alloy wheel rims results from technological bar inherent in the high-strength forged luminum alloy wheel rims ( http://www. superalloy. tw/). First, it stems from high specifications in automobile system regarding safety. Thereby, the providers of forged aluminum alloy wheel rims are often required to meet the criteria by way of innovation of manufacturing process or material technology. Second, the process of aforementioned innovation result in longer lead times before mass production. Accordingly, higher margins for the forged aluminum alloy wheel rims often cost the higher-than-normal expense of high-quality services from RD team and sales team. On the other hands, the management for market channel and logistics plays the critical position in the technology-intensive industry. 2. 2 The financial performances of SuperAlloy As the appendix describes, SuperAlloy is the Taiwans biggest closed-mold forge company and ranked as the third position in the global forged aluminum alloy wheel rims industry. Based on the published financial data on the website of http:// newmopsov. twse. com. tw/, this report reviews the financial performances of SuperAlloy from 2006 to 2011, trying to identifying the issues behind market channel and logistics. Table 1 The financial performances of SuperAlloy Year 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 sale (NTD OOOS) 2,223,755 3,579,541 2723,396 Margin(%) 30. 39 20. 98 2. 72 20. 95 22. 44 17. 2 Operating margin(%) 17. 13 10. 83 -6. 81 6. 83 5. 42 Debt ratio(%) 59. 36 60. 35 63. 72 24. 23 46. 51 Inventory turnovers 1 . 1 1. 89 2. 05 2. 66 2. 98 2. 14 Average selling days (Days) 278. 62 193. 12 178. 04 137. 21 122. 48 170. 56 Asset turnovers 0. 37 0. 48 0. 46 0. 39 0. 43 0. 49 Cash flow 63. 06 60. 42 12. 01 4. 8 1 . 44 -6. 17 2. 4 3. 45 2. 74 0. 64 -19. 58 3. 8 5. 95 4. 13 Source: http://newmopsov. twse. com. tw NA means the data cant be accessed. As shown in table 1, the sales from 2006 to 2008 indicate the strong growth momentum, while the margins and operating margins in the same period indicate that more revenue didnt mean more profit. In 2008, the inventory turnover, asset turnover and average selling days indicate the positive progress on management. Therefore, the negative ROA in 2008 could be attributed to the issue of negative margin. It suggests the necessary adjustments regarding cost efficiency. According to the management interview traced on the website of (http://store. gvm. com. tw/ article_content_12953. tml), the improvement of manufacturing process and staff quality has been under the focus of internal management. Compared with the data shown in the appendix, SuperAlloy began to deliver forged aluminum wheel rims to Jaguar Cars and Tesla Motors in April 2008. In October 2008, SuperAlloy won a Toyota TMS gold award. Hence, the factors resulting in the negative operating margin in 2008 could be related to the effects from financial tsunami and following issues regarding cost efficiency. The fluctuation in the period from 2009 to 2011 reflects another pattern. Even with the lower revenue than 2009, the outcomes in 2010, ncluding inventory turnover, average selling days, margin and operating margin, indicate the best signal since 2006. However, affected by cripple effects resulted from the European debt crisis, the performance in 2011 delivers the signal of another economic impulse surrounding a higher average selling days as well as a lower inventory turnover. Figure 1 The compassion among sales, margin, operating margin Source: This report Based on the analysis of DuPont formulate, a lower ROA could result from lower asset turnover, indicating poor management, lower operating margin, or a combination of oth factors. The trend displayed in figure 1 suggests the downtrend of ROA an ROE in fgure 2 should be focused on the operating management. As shown in table 1, there are two points which are necessary be highlighted. First, the lower inventory turnover of 2011 suggests the efficiency of logistics should be improved, reflecting some problems linked with manufacturing system and sale team. Second, the higher average selling days indicate the forecasts for brand customers orders should be adjusted to the dynamic of market, indicating the key issues behind market channel and regarding strategies. These issues could involve the identification of problems, the cooperation of cross-group cooperation, internal integration or external integration. These topics will be discussed in following sections of this report. Figure 2 The compassion among sales, ROES, ROAS in the past Source: This report Based on the previous analysis, there are some issues necessary to be addressed. The lower inventory turnover of 2011 suggests possible challenges confronted SuperAlloy. From the perspective of operation between sale team and manufacturing department, lower inventory turnover mean the misinformation in the process of ommunication between these two departments. The sale team should take the role to maintain customer relationship and Judge where is the equilibrium among the capability of manufacturing department and customers demands and criteria. Once customers demand could not fit the capacity or the present category of product. The outsourcing process should be moved on in order to provide the total solutions for the timing and immediacy of orders. Accordingly, in accordance with the lecture of Marketing Channels Logistics by Mike Bourlakis(2012), the efficiency of outsourcing process will be the issue to be discussed. Before the discussion, its important to realize the characteristics in automotive supply chain. For the purpose, this report collects the information from the in-depth interview by e-mails through personal relationship connecting to some senior manager in the regarding forging field. Based on the process cited on the website of http://www. ]yeh. com. tw and personal in-depth interview with the senior manager by e-mails, the manufacturing process of forged aluminum alloy wheel rims could be referred as the following sequence: 1. Order entry, 2. Mold design making, 3. Material incoming, 4. Material inspecting, . Making product sample, 6. Quality confirm by customer, 7. Cutting 8. Forging, 9. Edge cutting, 10. Heat treatment, 11. Vibration grinding, 12. Pickling, 13. Drilling surface grinding hole machining 14. Anodized or coating, 15. Finished product inspection, 16. Packing delivery. Above process highlights the longer lead time for new product innovation depends on the sequence from step 2 to step 6. The average lead time for the trial order of a new customer to a formal mass-producing order usually cost six months to 1 5 months, according to the in-depth interview through emails. The major threshold for enerating new orders results from the capability of dealing well with customers requirement, such as the strength of product, the design of the product as well as the flexibility of rapid responses for customers immediate need and ideas. Besides maintaining the customer relationship with existent clients, the main promotion of sale teams in the industry is through the all kinds of exhibitions around the world. design, the following orders of forged aluminum alloy wheel rims will grow at the pace of automotive growth momentum. Above process for building up customer relationship results in the higher-than-normal threshold for new providers. . 3. 1 The first key challenges : The dilemma of collaboration in supply chain From the perspective of automotive supply chain, the difficulty and complexity inherent in the technique of forging aluminum alloy drive the outsourcing process and following collaborations. Notwithstanding, there will still be the dilemma for the collaboration of supply chain confronting SuperAlloy. The dilemma derives from the differentials among different companies, heated up by the process of distribution of benefits in customers orders and the difference of profitability of different automotive components. Thus, the partnership in supply chain is like the game theory, demonstrated by the prisons dilemma. From the perspective of protecting intangible assets, the know-hows and techniques embedded in forged aluminum alloy wheel rims mean the capability of moving into a higher margin market. Inevitably, more robust partnership, more comprehensive understanding . t symbolizes the advantage of core competition decays with the collaboration going on. Hence, the concerns of keeping the uniqueness of techniques will drive the dilemma into next stage, since both parties want to keep the competitiveness in the market nd sustain the original customer relationship. Whereas the dynamic of collaboration depends on more bargaining assets which party holds, like technologies, producing capac ity, the certification of customer as well as the capability of generating orders. Accordingly, the first key challenge in front of SuperAlloy is to meet the the dilemma of collaboration in supply chain collaboration. . 3. 2 The second key challenges : The breakthrough of market channels Even with the insurance of automotive customers certification, the unstable sale growth momentum will be always existent. The ncertainty is reflected on the volatility of average selling days in table 1 . The issue behind the higher average selling days in 2011 should be linked with the global economic concerns. Once the sale team loosens the monitoring for global automotive market, the reliability of customers order forecast will be overestimated. It could lead to the lower inventory turnover and higher average selling days, along with the fluctuating margins driven by unexpected downtrend in the market. Under previous global economy, the market channels of SuperAlloy should react through innovation, integration or diversification of product portfolio. Based on the point of view, the breakthrough of market channel should be addressed . For the time being, the promotion through exhibition is the key channel to contact potential customers. However, the promotion should be involved with RD team and sale team to back up the following communication with customers. From the perspective of efficiency and accumulating the key human capital, the management of the market channel should rely on the scheme of the key performance indicators, to utilize the existent human resources. For SuperAlloy, the second key challenge is the breakthrough of market channel. Based on above characteristics of automotive supply chain, SuperAlloy should leverage its customer relationship to build up the solid partnership and flexibility of outsourcing or other external integration. Therefore, the objectives of breakthrough of market channel are to bring into solid collaboration, maintain the promotion. . 3. 3 The third key challenges : Deploying the system of logistics in China region Under previous global economy, the growth momentum of automotive market depends on the stimulus of policy of subsidies, guiding people to transfer from traditional vehicles to energy-saving vehicles. Combined with brand customers romotion, the demand of forged aluminum alloy wheel rims co uld be heated up. Nonetheless, it should be a long way to go. Whenever reviewing the growth momentum around the world, China automotive market shouldnt be missed. Notwithstanding, the cooperation with Chinese local partners is not always an easy task, due to the regulations inherent in cultures and Joint venture. The issue of managing the logistics and sustaining the customer relationship shouldnt be ignored. Once the distance between the different customers basements are longer than ever, the efficiency of managing people in the process of logistics become ritical to the global operation. As shown in figure 3 in the appendix, SuperAlloy is running the global operation. Nonetheless, how to strengthen the efficiency of logistics in China region should be addressed as a crucial decision-making process, including the indicators of measuring performance and assembling the logistics depending on potential customers demand. In sum, there will be three key challenges for SuperAlloy to deal with in the future. They are listed as following points: 1. The dilemma of the collaboration in supply chain, 2. The breakthrough of market channels, 3. Deploying the system of logistics in China region. . The Discussion for Task 2 3. The solution for the dilemma of collaboration in supply chain After above discussion, the following parts of this report will be focused on how to generate the solutions for aforementioned three challenges. As far as the first challenge is concerned, the solutions will include supply chain integration. According to the characteristics of forging industry, the swap of equity to build up the long term collaboration should be listed as the fir st priority. The first reason results from the culture of Taiwans supply chain companies, which usually focus on the control of decision-making process. If the partners are without cross-shareholding, the external integration would be possibly deterred by mutual trusts and interest conflicts inherent in supply chain mentioned as above. On the other hand, the negotiation of the swap of equity will bring in the dynamic of adjustments and evaluation from all kinds of standing points. Thereby, the equilibrium of new collaboration could be achieved by the trade-off of industrial dynamics and the right of control. From the perspective of supply chain integration, first comes who could be authorized to adjust the logistics, then second comes the evaluation of performances. The two ecessary step are dependent on the equilibrium of equity structure. After the two procedures, the external integration and internal integration could be reorganized under the leadership. Under above discussion, the first solution to the dilemma of collaboration in supply chain is to start the external integration, based on the building up of new leadership and equilibrium of equity structure. For the sake of considering the differentials of company culture and accelerating the speed of market channels Based on the external integration mentioned as above, the following step is to start the breakthrough of market channels. With the capacity and flexibility inherent in new partnership, the promotion of creating total solutions for customers could strengthen the capability of keeping customers orders and drawing the potential customers orders. Once the flexibility of selecting qualified orders is enlarged up, the product mix could also be more appropriate than ever to restructure market channels and adjust logistics. Notwithstanding, the success of breakthrough of market channels depends on the building up the key performance indicators (KPI). Compared with above discussion regarding table 1, inventory turnover and average elling days could be ranked as two primary KPIs. Besides them, the average time to generate first trial order for new customer or new design could be used as the KPI to measure the efficiency of integration between technological team and sale team. Reviewing the process of generating new order, average time to generate first trial order for new customer or new design will include the plan for exhibition, the forecast of market trends and initial survey of customers and potential customers. Once the outcome is longer than expected, then the necessary interview or adjustment should be carried out. Since average time to generate first trial order for new customer or new design is linked with the cooperation among members in both teams, the interaction among them could be under evaluation and immediate adjustments. 3. 3 The solution for deploying the system of logistics in China region After breakthrough of market channels, the customer relationship could be maintained efficiently. With the KPIs in previous discussion, the global operations around brand customers could be leveraged up in the deploying the system of logistics in China region. Under the differentials between Chinese enterprise ulture and Taiwan enterprise culture, the better way to deploying the system of logistics in China region is through the collective actions based on the new partnership. On the other hand, the logistics in China regions should be completed through the linkage with local relationship. The Joint venture with local critical family or key company will be reviewed as the must-be routine. Nonetheless, the past experiences in China region are not always profitable, due to the learning curve for local regulations and exclusive marketing channel. For the sake of utilization of xistent resources, the collective deployment under the external internal integration could shorten the adjustments , quickening the speed to fit customers demand in China regions. 4. Conclusions After the discussion in this report, the suggestions for SuperAlloy are listed as following point. The three key challenges are the dilemma of collaboration in supply chain, the breakthrough of market channels, deploying the system of logistics in China region. According to the analysis of arguments , the solutions for these challenges are stated as following. First, SuperAlloy should start the external supply hain integration, building up the new supply chain collaboration. Following that, SuperAlloy should restructure breakthrough of market channel, combining the management of KPIs in previous sections. Finally, SuperAlloy could utilize existent resources and partnership to deploy the logistics in China region. 1 . http://store. gvm. com. tw/article_content_12953. html 2. http://www. superalloy. tw/main. hp 3. http://newmopsov. twse. com. tw/ 4. http://www. gvm. com. tw/Boardcontent_12953_1 . html 5. http://www. autoinfo. gov. cn/autoinfo_cn/top/ydphb/index_ydphb. htm 6. http:// www. Jyeh. com. tw 7. Mike Bourlakis (2012), Marketing Channels Logistics,London: Brunel University. 6. Appendix: The company profile of SuperAlloy SuperAlloy , founded in 1994, has moved into the industry of forged wheel rims since 1997. From the perspective of revenue, SuperAlloy has created the sales of NTD 27. 5E in 2011, operating Taiwans biggest closed-mold forge. Nonetheless, from the point of the company history in the industry of forged wheel rims, the initial stage from 1997 to 2000 have almost run out of original accumulated capital until the influx of venture capital from IJMC group, which is ranked the second position of IC foundry http://store. gvm. com. tw/article_content_12953. html). After the experience of initial stage, the management of SuperAlloy have started to focused on the operating efficiency and regarding capital expenditures such as the plants and equipments for forged aluminum alloy wheel rims. Since then, SuperAlloy has gradually passed the threshold of automotive supply chain. From the points of sale growth, the sale of 2004 was Just above NTD 5 hundred million, whereas SuperAlloy delivered the sale of NTD 22 hundred million in 2006 (http://store. gvm. com. tw/article_content_12953. html). The growth momentum results from the orders from global auto brands, such as 6M, FORD as well as Chrysler. According to the information on the companys website of http://www. superalloy. tw, the critical milestones of company history from 2000 to 2011 are listed as following: 2011. 1 Won the TOYOTA QUALITY Platinum Award. 2011. 07 AS 7003 NADCAP Materials -resting certified. 2011. 03 Germany KBAnuvvehtcle -rest certification certified: KBA NO. 48288 (Truck wheel 22. 5 x 1 1. 75). 2011. 03 Won the 19th Taiwan Excellence Award (truck wheel TE0002). 2010. 08 Won Supplier Excellent Performance Award from Bureau of Foreign Trade. 2010. 08 Won Finishing Light Metal Article Equipment and Metho ds NO. US007785452B2 U. S. patent. 2010. 06 AS9100 certified, supply Forging to AIDC Aerospace. 2010 The company get Honda, Land Rover, AMG Forged Wheel Program Awarded. 009. 07 The company by raising an additional NT$187 million in cash, with its capital increased to NT$2. 17 billion. 2009. 07 Opel Insignia OPC Forged Wheel Supplier. 2008. 04 The company began supplying forged aluminum wheel rims to Jaguar Cars and Tesla Motors. 2008. 10 In October 2008, SuperAlloys designs won customer recognition and a Toyota TMS gold award. 2007. 6 The company obtained Ford QI . 2007. 10 The company recapitalized undistributed earnings in the amount of NTD140. 5 million, bringing its paid-in capital to NTDI . 7655 billion, with a staff of 2006. 6 Phase 2 of Plant 2 was completed and the factory went into production. 2006. 10 The company expanded its plants and purchased additional equipment by raising NTD900 million in cash through issuing new shares at a premium of NTD700 million, with the comp anys paid-in capital increased to NTDI . 625 billion and its shares traded on the emerging stock market. 2006. 11 The company began shipping wheel rims to Chrysler. 006. 11 The company hired new employees in the month to the end of 2006 to increase its workforce to 1006, with a new golf head end customer added to its customer base: 2005. 1 The company expanded its plants and purchased additional equipment by raising an additional NTD360 million in cash by issuing new shares . 2005. 01 The company expanded its plants and purchased additional equipment by raising an additional NT$360 million in cash by issuing new shares at a premium of NT$135 million, with paid-in capital increased to NT$I . 425 billion. As of the end of 2005, the companys employees had increased to 874. 2005. 1 The company added a new golf head end customer 2004. 05 The company began shipping wheel rims to Ford. 2004. 6 the company purchased additional fixed assets and built Plant 2 by raising an additional NTD128 m illion in cash through issuing new shares at a premium of NTD48 million, with its capital increased to NTDI . 08 billion. 2004. 08 Phase I of Plant 2 was completed, with machines installed and production begun. 2004. 12 Plants were expanded and additional equipment purchased by raising an additional NT$192 million in cash through issuing new shares at a premium of NTD72 million, with paid- in capital increased to NTDI . billion and employees increased to 346. 2003. 5 The company purchased additional fixed assets and built Plant 2 by raising an additional NTD200 million in cash through issuing new shares, with its capital increased to NTD 1 billion and employees increased to 270. 2002. 07 The company purchased additional fixed assets by raising an additional NTDI 72. 3 million in cash through issuing new shares, with its capital increased to NTD 800 million and employees increased to 210. 2001. 09 The company purchased additional fixed assets by raising an additional NT$IOO million i n cash through issuing new shares, with the total paid- n capital increased to NTD 627. million and employees increased to 147. 2001. 11 The company began shipping wheel rims to GM. 0 2000. 05 The company purchased additional fixed assets and built Plant 1 by raising an additional NT$300 million through issuing new shares and NT$29. 7 million through earnings recapitalization. The companys capital was increased to NTD527. 7 million and was renamed SuperAlloy Industrial Co. , Ltd. 2000. 11 Plant 1 was completed and inaugurated , with employees increased to 116. Figure 3 The global operating basements of SuperAlloy Source: http://www. superalloy. tw/main. php

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Questions to Ask When Writing an Essay. EssaySupply.com

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The Disadvantages of Full Day Schools Essay Full day schooling refers to a longer day at preschool where they not only learn but are also given time for play. (Lamphere, 2009) Full day preschools run for five hours or longer for five days a week. Half day preschools run for approximately 3 hours for five days a week. (Rosamilia, 2008) Researchers have constantly compared these two types of schooling and most studies came to a conclusion that full day schools are better than half day schools. There are a few example of studies conducted to show this. Some examples include: A study conducted by Cryan et al.in 1992 in two phases on the effects of half-day and all-day kindergarten programs on childrens academic and behavioral success in school and another study by Hough and Bryde in 1996 which looked at the student achievement data of children enrolled in half day and full day schools. Both studies showed that full day kindergartens benefit children in terms of academic successes, attendance and there are also fewer cases of retention for them. (Clark, 2013) Even though full day schools has its benefits, it also has its disadvantages. This literature review would be focusing on the disadvantages of full day school, be it long term or short term and it would also look into the benefits of other schooling programmes such as half day programs. This review is important it would give a better idea to parents and teacher as to why they should carefully consider other options other than just focusing on full day schools. Due to the limited resources on full day schools and case studies on full day schools, the countries this literature review would be focusing on would be US and Canada. Disadvantages of Full Day Kindergarten According to research, there are a number of disadvantages for Full Day kindergarten. Firstly, there is a lack of spaces for children. According to an article, in Canada, there is a lack of space to accommodate the rising number of children if they change their program to full-day kindergartens. In Calgary, Canada, it is believed that 50 out of 137 elementary schools would not be able to accommodate more than their current half-day school and the implementation of full-day programs would force some grades to be reshuffled to other schools. (Cuthbertson Herald, 2012) In some other articles, in United States, there has been lack of space to set up full-day kindergarten. (Martinez, Stuber, and Snider, 2006; Haglund, n. d. ) Thus, there have been talks going on as to whether they should set up full-day kindergartens in that district. (Placek, 2012) Another disadvantage would be the high cost for full-day programs. This includes the expenses for equipment, staff and space. In the article regarding the changing to the full day program in Canada, they mentioned that the cost of funding it for a year would be around $200 million. Another article stated that it would cost $2 million annually after an initial startup cost of $505,600. And, it would have required another $7 million from the districts reserves to pay for construction of additional classrooms and multipurpose rooms. (Placek, 2012) Another article by a graduate from East Stroudsburg University also states that the amount of money spent on the teachers’ salaries are also high because they now have to hire more teachers for full-day kindergartens. An average teacher in the US would earn about $33,000 a year. Thus, in the case that the kindergarten hires more teachers, they would have to spend about $132,000 to $165,000 per annum just on salaries. This would increase the burden on the taxpayers. (Morse, 2008) This point is also further supported by research conducted previously. (Martinez, Stuber, and Snider, 2006; Hugland, N. A. ; Guilderland Central School District Early Childhood Advisory Committee, 2008) The third disadvantage of full-day kindergarten is that it requires more staff and staff aides. Many articles stating the disadvantages of full day support this point. For example, in one article, it states that when there are half day sessions, one teacher can teach two sessions: one in the morning and one in the afternoon. However, if it is a full-day session, it requires more teachers to teach. They would also need more teacher aides. In the case where the kindergarten does not want to hire more teachers, they would expand each class and add in more teacher aides to balance the teacher-child ratio. In a study conducted at the Guilderland central school district, it also states that they would require more teachers to teach and balance the teacher-child ratio. (Early Childhood Advisory Committee, 2008). Besides these, there are a few more disadvantages to full day kindergartens. They include having more time at school and less time for ‘kids to be kids’. (Circele, 2009; Brower, 2013). It also includes teaching children academic and skills before they are ready for it. (Haglund, N. A. ; Morse, 2008) One of the articles found went on to explain that the kindergarten may teach too advanced skills for children instead of teaching them minor skills which are important. In summary, even though full-day seems like a good option for everyone, it does have its disadvantages. Benefits of Half Day Kindergartens Likewise, half-day school has its benefits. Firstly, half day kindergarten programs are less stressful. According to Walsh (2013), children would feel relaxed while trying to adjust to the structured classroom environment. Furthermore, they are able to make good transitions from kindergarten to first grade. Another source states that half-day programs are viewed as providing continuity and systematic experience with less probability of stress than full-day programs. (Rothenberg, 2009) Secondly, the children also receive the same quality of education as those in full day preschools or kindergartens. (Ast, 2010;Rothernberg, 2009) The children go through similar experiences but just that one is longer and the other is shorter. These show that there are other programs besides full day kindergartens which young chidren can benefit from. Conclusion In the context of Singapore, there isn’t much of an issue about half day versus full day kindergarten. This is because Singapore has mainly focused on half day kindergartens. Some of the reasons as to why that might be the case is similar to the disadvantages stated above. Just like in some parts of Canada and US, Singapore has limited space to set up full-day kindergarten and it requires more sources, equipment and etc. Singapore’s space is already limited in space and it requires more space for other more important things thus, it can’t be used just for kindergartens. Statistics have shown that 15% of Singapore’s land has been located for housing, 17% for recreational and community needs. The rest of the land is used for commerce, industry, infrastructure, utilities and transport and reservoirs, defense facilities and cemetery and undeveloped land. (Yearbook of Statistics Singapore, department of Statistics Singapore[online], 2012) This shows that there isn’t sufficient space to build more kindergartens or expand it. If Singapore was to expand or make kindergartens full day, it would require more teachers or teacher aides. There is also a lack in kindergarten teachers now. Recently, along the roads, many jobs offers for preschool teachers were noticed. This is also supported by a Strait Times article on 20 July 2012. It stated that there is already a shortage of teachers. (Vadaketh, 2012)Thus, if full day kindergartens were established, there would not be enough teachers. Depending on these reasons, I believe that full day kindergarten programs are not applicable really in Singapore. However, if you look at Singapore’s context carefully, full day kindergarten programs are somewhat similar to childcare programmes in Singapore. In this context, Singaporeans can choose what kind of schooling programs they want to send their child to. The kindergarten programmes are standardized by the Ministry of Education (MOE) to be 3 hours per session. (MOE,2013) As for Childcare, it is a full day program and is also available for half day on Saturdays. The two main factors determining which programme they would send their child to would be whether they are working and the cost of the programme. Parents of children these days are usually working adults. They do not have time to take care of their children because they are working. Thus, they would rather send them to childcares because it is more convenient and safe. If they were working and they send their child to half day kindergartens, they have to make other arrangements for their child so that the child would not be left alone. While full day kindergartens may be more convenient for working adults, half day schools (kindergartens) are cheaper. According to the list of kindergartens found on the Investmentfriend. com forum, the pricing ranges from as low as $80 to $500. However, the costs of childcare centres are about $700 and above, depending on the childcare. Thus, some parents might not be able to afford childcare and would send their child to half day kindergartens. Thus, all in all I believe that the choice of schooling depends on each family and individual if childcare was seen as an full day kindergarten program. References Clark, P. (2013). Recent research on all-day kindergarten | education. com. Retrieved from http://www. education. com/reference/article/Ref_Recent_Research_All/? Lamphere, M. (2009). Full day kindergarten. Retrieved from http://www. slideshare. net/lamph1ml/full-day-kindergarten Haglund, J. (n. d. ). Full-day kindergarten advantages disadvantages | early childhood. Retrieved from http://ec. dpi. wi. gov/ec_ecadflpg Morse, J. (2008). The disadvantages of all-day kindergarten yahoo! voices voice. yahoo. com. Retrieved from http://voices. yahoo. com/the-disadvantages-all-day-kindergarten-1337569. html? cat=25 Placek,C. (2012). No full daykindergarten for all in dist. 203 dailyherald. com. Retrieved from http://www. dailyherald. com/article/20121105/news/711059666/ Cuthbertson , R. , Herald, C. (2012). School promise under threat. Retrieved from http://www2. canada. com/calgaryherald/news/story. html? id=c1b76975-1366-45e4-9bc2d33d7a3ab1b6p=1 Brower, C. (2013). The cons of full-day kindergarten | ehow. com. Retrieved from http://www. ehow. com/info_8660784_cons-full-day-kindergarten-programs. html Guilderland Central School District Early Childhood Advisory Committee. (2009). Report on full-day kindergarten. Retrieved from http://www. guilderlandschools. org/district/boe/PDFs/reports/FDKPPT110508. pdf Ast, A. (2010). Half day vs full day kindergarten: Is there really a difference? yahoo! voices voices. yahoo. com. Retrieved from http://voices. yahoo. com/half-day-vs-full-day-kindergarten-there-really-6839874. html? cat=25 Walsh, K. (2013). Pros cons of half day kindergarten | ehow. com. Retrieved from http://www. ehow. com/info_8502607_pros-cons-halfday-kindergarten. html Kindergarten fees list. (2011). Retrieved from http://investmentfriend. com/forum/showthread. php/25-Kindergarten-Fees-List Vadaketh, S. T. (2012). Tackling preschool challenges in Singapore. The StraitTimes. Retrieved from http://ifonlysingaporeans. blogspot. sg/2012/07/tackling-preschool-challenges-in. html MOE. (2013). Ministry of education, Singapore education system: Pre-school Education. Retrieved from http://www. moe. gov. sg/education/preschool/.

Andrew Jackson :: Presidents essays research papers

Like any hall of fame, its inductees are the best in whatever they do, from baseball or football to something like being President. If you are a member of any hall of fame (including the one for the Presidents), it means that you have done something special or have a certain quality about yourself that makes you worthy to be in a hall of fame. My nominee for the Presidents hall of Fame is our seventh President of the United States, Andrew Jackson. I'll go over his presidency, focusing on both the highs and the lows of his two terms in office, from 1829-1837. The issues that I'll focus on are states' rights, nullification, the tariff, the spoils system, Indian removal and banking policies; these controversies brought forth strong rivalry over his years of president. He was known for his iron will and fiery personality, and strong use of the powers of his office that made his years of presidency to be known as the "Age of Jackson." Andrew Jackson was born on March 15, 1767, in a settlement on the border of North and South Carolina. He was orphaned at age 14. After studying law and becoming a member of the Bar in North Carolina later he moved to Nashville Tennessee. Their he became a member of a powerful political faction led by William Blount. He was married in 1791 to Rachel Donelson Robards, and later remarried to him due to a legal mistake in her prior divorce in 1794. Jackson served as delegate to Tenn. in the 1796 Constitutional convention and a congressman for a year (from 1796-97). He was elected senator in 1797, but financial problems forced him to resign and return to Tennessee in less than a year. Later he served as a Tennessee superior court judge for six years starting in 1798. In 1804 he retired from the bench and moved to Nashville and devoted time to business ventures and his plantation. At this time his political career looked over. In 1814 Jackson was a Major General in the Tennessee Militia, here he was ordered to march against the Creek Indians (who were pro-British in the war of 1812). His goal was achieved at Horseshoe Bend in March of 1814. Eventually he forced All Indians from the area. His victory's impressed some people in Washington and Jackson was put in command of the defense of New Orleans. This show of American strength made Americans feel proud after a war filled with military defeats. Jackson was given the nickname "Old Hickory", and was treated as a national hero. In 1817 he was ordered against the Seminole Indians.

Scarcity of Water

Water scarcity involves water stress, water deficits, water shortage and water crisis. The concept of water stress is relatively new. Water stress is the difficulty of obtaining sources of fresh water for use, because of depleting resources. Some have presented maps showing the physical existence of water in nature to show nations with lower or higher volumes of water available for use. Others have related water availability to population. A popular approach has been to rank countries according to the amount of annual water resources available per person.For example, according to the Falkenmark Water Stress Indicator a country or region is said to experience â€Å"water stress† when annual water supplies drop below 1,700 cubic metres per person per year. At levels between 1,700 and 1,000 cubic metres per person per year, periodic or limited water shortages can be expected. When water supplies drop below 1,000 cubic metres per person per year, the country faces â€Å"water sca rcity† The United Nations' FAO states that by 2025, 1. billion people will be living in countries or regions with absolute water scarcity, and two-thirds of the world population could be under stress conditionsThe World Bank adds that climate change could profoundly alter future patterns of both water availability and use,thereby increasing levels of water stress and insecurity, both at the global scale and in sectors that depend on waterAnother measurement, calculated as part of a wider assessment of water management in 2007,[6] aimed to relate water availability to how the resource was actually used.It therefore divided water scarcity into ‘physical’ and ‘economic’. Physical water scarcity is where there is not enough water to meet all demands, including that needed for ecosystems to function effectively. Arid regions frequently suffer from physical water scarcity. It also occurs where water seems abundant but where resources are over-committed, suc h as when there is overdevelopment of hydraulic infrastructure for irrigation. Symptoms of physical water scarcity include environmental degradation and declining groundwater. Water stress harms living things because every organism needs water to live.

Parental and Child Relationships in Great Expectations Essay

Discuss Dickens’ presentation of relationships between children and their parents/parental figures in ‘Great Expectations’. Dickens uses the relationships between children and their parental figures to explore the themes of belonging, as well as status and identity. Pip, the protagonist of the novel, has been identified as an orphan and never saw either of his parents. Instantly, this gives the reader an idea that Pip did not belong to a typical and perfect family and never had his actual parents look after him or contribute to his upbringing. We are told that instead, his sister brought him up ‘by hand’. This phrase has been used by Dickens repetitively in the novel in linking the two siblings together; the idea that it is emphasised may imply that Pip should in fact be grateful to his sister as she provided him with all that he needed, and that she has a certain power over him. Although they live in the same house and belong to the same family, Pip was aware that his sister was hugely superior to him and he ‘had no hope of deliverance through his (my) all powerful sister’. It is evident that although she acts as a motherly figure towards him, she possesses all the attributes of a scornful mother and does not allow Pip to forget that he owes his existence to her. It is also evident that she herself did not wish to bring him and ‘repulsed him (me) at every turn’. The description of Mrs.Joe as having a ‘hard and heavy hand’ and ‘laying it on her husband as well as upon me’, along with Pip’s description of her spreading butter on the bread in an ‘apothecary kind of way’ with aggressive verbs such as ‘slapping dexterity, sawed, and hewed’ tells the reader a great deal about her nature; in the household, she played the role of a man and an aggressive figure. The word choices also makes it clear that Pip thought of her as an almost intimidating figure in his life, despite Mrs.Joe being his sister and playing the role of his mother. Simply by the fact that he calls his own sister ‘Mrs.Joe’, it is clear that their relationship is very formal and is not built on any emotional basis. All these factors contribute to the understanding that Pip has a very disjointed family life and never belonged to an ideal household or had a much needed motherly figure as such present in his life. However, despite Pip’s relationship with his sister which was solely based on responsibility, he had a very positive relation with his brother-in-law, who consequently acted as a father to him. Dickens has uses juxtaposition of Joe to his wife to emphasise the difference in their characters and the way in which Pip views them. He describes Joe as a ‘mild, good natured, sweet-tempered, easy going, foolish dear fellow’, accentuating the good qualities Joe has and how well he thinks of him as opposed to his sister. Joe fulfils the role of a father for Pip in several ways and during the entirety of his life. In the first stages of Pip’s childhood, Joe protected him as much as he could from the wrath of his wife and tried to aid him in becoming a well mannered and respected young gentleman. Despite how Pip has treated him in his later life, Joe still remained with him and respected him as much; even after he had ‘turned to the worst point of his (my) illness, he (I) began to notice that while all its other features changed, this one consistent feature did not change’. Pip also describes Joe’s ‘tenderness’, despite his job as a blacksmith, ‘was so beautifully proportioned to his (my) needs, that he (I) was like a child in his hands’. This proves that Joe fully recognised his responsibility as a parental figure in Pip’s life and did everything he could to fulfil it, in comparison to his wife who felt that Pip was simply a burden in her life. Joe is also a character that Pip loves greatly. In chapter six, Pip says â€Å"But I loved Joe†¦ because the dear fellow let me love him†. This shows that in Pip’s early childhood, Joe is seen as an equal. This is most likely because both Joe and Pip suffer through the pain inflicted by Mrs Joe, and Joe is the only character in the book that shows love and affection for Pip. This can be observed in chapter seven, when Pip reveals â€Å"I had a new sensation of feeling conscious that I was looking up to Joe in my heart.† These quotations suggest that maybe Pip looks up to Joe and that Joe is Pip’s comrade and confidant. Pip also ‘treated him as a larger species of child, and as no more than my equal’; although this shows that they were both equal, it can be implied that Pip showed no respect for Joe in his fatherly figure. Pip had another fatherly figure in his life, through Magwitch. Upon discovering that Magwitch is his secret benefactor, Pip feels far from ecstatic. He had tried to forget the acts he committed as a young boy by aiding the convict in the marshes, and his conscience almost seems clear, before Magwitch re-enters Pip’s life. Although Pip’s becoming a gentleman may never have been possible without Magwitch’s generosity, he almost appears offended by the behaviour of his benefactor. Magwitch, on the other hand, is delighted to reveal himself to Pip, and states himself to be his ‘second father’; the way he ‘put away money, only for Pip (you) to spend’ and spent a very long time in attempting to ensure Pip’s position as a gentleman. The way Magwitch addresses Pip maked it obvious that he considers Pip to be his son, the son he never had; he has worked hard and escaped, risking his life to better that of Pip. However, Pip seems frustrated by this act Magwitch has committed. Most of his frustration seems to be because ‘it was for the convict,[†¦], that i had deserted Joe’. At this point he realises that he abandoned Joe in order to achieve his own selfish dreams of living amongst the upper classes and improving his position in society. Due to this abandonment, Magwitch begins to fill the void of a fatherly figure in Pip’s life, although he did so against Pip’s will in the beginning. It may also be implied that although Magwitch did become like a father to Pip due to being his benefactor, he did so for his own benefit and for the satisfaction of ‘owning’ someone who had achieved so much in life. There are several other children and parent relationships in the novel, but the relationships Pip has with people in his life are the most interesting in the way Dickens has presented them. It is clear that Dickens has tried to portray the themes of true belonging and love by using these relationships as they would not be what one would typically expect. Pip, who has a blood relationship with Mrs.Joe, only shares a very formal and minimal relationship with her. She does not like having the responsibility of Pip, and Pip is left to deal with her anger. Joe and Magwitch on the other hand, protect and help Pip in his life due to the love and respect they have for him, despite not being related to him directly. Joe is also the only character who stays faithful to Pip the entire time, despite not sharing a birth relationship with him. This emphasises the theme of belonging and goes to show that through these relationships, Dickens has put across the idea that relationships built on love, respect and commitment are worth more than blood relationships in general.

201603 ASSESSMENT A Essays - Education, Writing, Bibliography

201603 ASSESSMENT A Essays - Education, Writing, Bibliography ILSC Mac100 Assessment A : Research and Referencing (10%) For this assessment you are required to demonstrate your ability to: Undertake some research Write a short essay Paraphrase, summarise and quote correctly Use in-text citations Write a reference list TASK: Write a short essay, of between 1000 and 1 3 00 words COMPARING TWO WELL-KNOWN PEOPLE or TWO WELL-KNOWN ORGANISATIONS which you are interested in (sport, politics, business, fashion) Examples: Mourinho Guardiola Federer Nadal Clinton Trump Conservative Labour Zara and HM Oxfam Unicef Etc etc Your essay should be well-organised, so you should PLAN how you will compare them throughout the essay. e.g You might divide the essay into similarities and differences Or different paragraphs could focus on different aspects ( e.g childhood, major achievements , wealth / profit, future plans etc ) In your final statement, you should indicate what we can learn from these people You must use between 4 and 8 sources . Try and use a variety of sources (e.g. 1 youtube video , 1 online newspaper, 2 websites). Your sources should be appropriate for the task (critical reading: relevant, reliable, up-to-date etc - NOT Wikipedia!!) All the information should be PARAPHRASED (unless it is appropriate to use direct quotes). BE CAREFUL - WITH THIS TASK IT IS TEMPTING TO JUST COPY-PASTE!! Remember: when you are researching, use the reading techniques (skim, scan, intensive) APPROPRIATELY Your essay should be structured appropriately and must include in-text citations and a reference list. Your main ideas should be supported with specific examples and/or statistics as appropriate You must submit your essay onto TURNITIN The deadline for submission is: Late submission will be penalised (the maximum mark for late submissions will be the pass mark, 60%) Marks will be awarded as follows: Referencing Accuracy of the reference list (using the Harvard System as appears in the ARU guide to referencing) Accuracy of in-text referencing and direct quote(s) 10 Content There must be a COMPARISON throughout the essay. You must support the main ideas with EVIDENCE 10 Structure Intro/ main body/ conclusion Cohesion between paragraphs 5 Use of English (vocab, grammar, punctuation) *you will only be graded on your own words!! 5

Six Rules for Making Subjects and Verbs Agree

Six Rules for Making Subjects and Verbs Agree Six Rules for Making Subjects and Verbs Agree Six Rules for Making Subjects and Verbs Agree By Michael If you want to write proper English, you have to follow a rule called subject-verb agreement. That means that if the subject is plural (ducks), then the verb needs to be plural (quack). If the subject is singular (duck) then the verb needs to be singular (quacks). This issue is not as picky and unimportant as you might think. Traditionally, American novelists who wanted to show that a character was uneducated would give them dialog with incorrect subject-verb agreement: Waall, we is just gonna have to ride after them, aint we? or But suh, dey tells me not to do dat! It could be worse. If you spoke Basque, the object would have to agree with the subject too. In many languages, such as French, pronouns and nouns, even inanimate objects, have gender, and they have to agree with each other too. In proper Turkish, some vowels need to agree. Notice that English verbs, unlike nouns, usually dont become plural by adding s. In fact, many singular, present-tense verbs end with s, while many plural verbs dont exactly the opposite of nouns. More than anything else, sentences that begin with several nouns tend to fool people. Here are some rules to guide you into what you should do with them: Two singular subjects connected with and are plural, and need a plural verb. For example, which is correct: My mother and my father are visiting me or My mother and my father is visiting me? After all, its correct to say My father is visiting me. But two parents together are plural, not singular, so you need to use are. Of course, a plural subject combined with a singular subject is still plural, and you would use a plural verb. For example, this is correct: The general and his advisers are responsible for the decision. To make it less confusing, we put the plural subject last, closest to the verb. Two singular subjects connected with the conjunctions or or nor need a singular verb. For example, My mother or my father is going to call me today is correct, because only one of them will be calling. It works the same way with andor and neithernor: Neither my mother nor my father is going to call me today. If one of the subjects is plural, use a plural verb: The general or his advisers are responsible for the decision. Again, we put the plural subject last, closest to the verb. Dont get distracted if theres another phrase between the subject and the verb. For example, you should say My sister, along with her children, is visiting me next month; even though you would say My sister and her daughters are visiting me next month. The verb needs to agree with the subject, not with other nouns that happen to precede the verb. Words such as either, neither, everyone, everybody, anyone, anybody, someone, none or each, are singular and need a singular verb. As we just said, dont be fooled if a singular subject is followed by plural nouns. For example, when you write each of my daughters, make sure the verb agrees with the singular subject each instead of the plural noun daughters. And the singular subject everyone who knows my daughters should be followed by the singular predicate is impressed by them, not are impressed by them. On the other hand, fractions or portions of a plural noun are still plural. Often these are expressed with prepositional phrases: most of the students or half of the campus. Use a singular verb if the object of the preposition is singular, but a plural verb if its plural. For example, write Some of the students are wealthy, and Half of the campus is covered with trees. Time and money are singular. Yes, five is plural, and the word yards is plural, but you would write Five yards is all I need to finish my sewing project. Notice that many of these rules are really just warnings to look carefully at the sentences you write. Once you know that subjects and verbs need to agree, and you know what counts as the subject and what doesnt, you are on your way to sounding more educated. Subject-Verb Agreement Quiz In each sentence, choose the correct form of the verb. 1. Either Jack or the children ___ too loud. is are 2. Everyone ____ chocolate. loves love 3. My sister, along with her children, ___ visiting me next month. is are 4. Neither my mother nor my father ___ going to call me today. are is Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Grammar category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:12 Signs and Symbols You Should KnowHomogeneous vs. Heterogeneous50 Musical Terms Used in Nonmusical Senses

A genetically modified organism Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

A genetically modified organism - Research Paper Example Thus, in this paper I am going to examine the process of GMO production and storage in order to assess the risks connected with their consumption. Genetically modified organisms are organisms (bacteria, viruses, plants, animals) which genetics was changed in order for acquiring new functions. As genes are responsible for carrying the information in the sequences and structures of DNA, they define special characteristics of the organisms. Advances of biotechnology now permit to extract, change, and add various genes to the organisms. It is even possible to transfer genes between non-related organisms. Most often scientists add some genes to plants in order to make them stable to certain viruses (GMOs, 2010). Genetically modified organisms are used in medicine, agriculture, biology, textile production. Usually when people start speaking about genetically modified organisms they mean genetically modified crops which have become a part of everyday life of the consumers in the world. Tobacco was the first plant which received additional genes to resist herbicides. Later it was modified to be capable to resist insects and the ripening qualities of the crops were also changed. In 1995 Food and Drug Administration approved commercial usage of GM potato, corn, soya, and tomato, and the variety of plants with additional genes increase significantly (Swanson, 2013). People usually underestimate the quantity of GM crops that they consume. However, by the end of 2012 more than 144 kinds of plants received access to the market in the United States of America. So an impressive part of the crops consumed by Americans in the following years were genetically modified: according to the statistics of USDA 93% of all soy, 88 % of all corn, and 94% of cotton (Swanson, 2013). Today such products as tomatoes and cantaloupes with advanced ripening characteristics, beets and soybeans with improved herbicides