Women in Special Forces - 2185 Words

submit paper: Step 2 of 2 * AuthorPeter Rivera * TitleWomen in Special Forces Preview Paper Women in Special Forces (Green Beret) Peter Rivera Management 410 Dr. Beth Hogan Women in Special Forces In this paper I will present my position about women working in Special Forces (green berets). I will mention other countries that have women in combat positions or units. I will explain the job involvement of Special Forces, the training and qualifications required, and the job demands, both physical and mental when in a combat unit. Base on what I had seen and been true in my 22 years in the military I’ll have to disagree with women been in Special Forces or any combat unit for that matter. In today’s 21st century, women have†¦show more content†¦You have to be able to swim 50 meters wearing your battle dress uniform (BDU) and boots. The Army Physical Fitness Test used to be 240, an average of 80 points in each event such as push-ups, sit-ups and the two-mile run, but it is down to 206 with no less than 60 points in any event. Individuals need a Special Forces Medical Fitness Standard, or physical. Secret Clearances are needed but can be waived for certain pe riods of time, and once you have all this then you can start training to become a green beret. Special Forces Assessment (SFAS) is 24 days of intense training in which your intelligence, agility and resourcefulness will be tested. After passing the SFAS you will go into the SF Qualification Course. In this course you will go through five different phases (II-VI). Individual skills, phase II, consists of life fire, small unit tactics, land navigation, and survival skills. This phase is 13 weeks of pure intensity with minimal sleep or time to eat. Phase III is the MOS qualification in which you will receive training on the Special Forces MOS you will have, and it is about another 15 weeks. The phase IV is your collective training in which you will be evaluated on your unconventional warfare operations, air and mobile infiltrations, direct action operations, methods of instruction, common skills, your specialist, and whatever else they can think about at the moment. Phase V is your lan guage phase and is basically picked for youShow MoreRelatedThe Integration Of Women Into The Service1319 Words   |  6 Pagesthe armed forces. Back to the days of the Romans and the Greeks women made an effort to enter the battlefield. In the modern military, women have their place in the service, but some still desire more. More women are attempting to answer the call of duty every day, some are even trying to join special forces teams that are for only the best of the best. Recently in America we have progressed in our acceptance of women in the military made it possible for them to join these elite forces. The integrationRead MoreThe United States Armed Forces Essay865 Words   |  4 PagesThere are currently 2,204,836 people serving in the United States Armed Forces. Females currently make up 16.2% of those currently serving equating to 358,156 this number includes both enlisted, reserve, and the officer corps. While the Armed Forces has downsized, the percentage of females s erving has increased with females now making up 17.8% of all active duty personnel and roughly thirty-nine thousand serving as active duty officers. With the increasing diversity of the military, Secretary ofRead MoreWomen Should Be Integrated Into Combat Positions1057 Words   |  5 PagesWomen should be integrated into combat positions such as infantry, artillery, and Special Forces. If a woman chooses this kind of challenge, then she is more than capable. Women are as tough as men. They can do what a man can do, and if that is going into combat then yes, why not? Women can fight, shoot, run, work hard, and win for this country like the men of this country do. Women have been in combat for a long time, but now women are actually in combat rather than helping the men out with injuriesRead MorePolicy Introduction And Identification Of The Military Services And United States Special Operations Command1453 Words   |  6 PagesAssignment Rule† (Carter, 2015). This takes all re strictions off women allowing all who meet the qualifications to hold a combat role in the military. The Armed Forces have opened over 110,000 positions to women and have set their standards. Anyone, who can meet operationally relevant and gender neutral standards, regardless of gender, should have the opportunity to serve in any position (Carter, 2015). The Military Services and United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) were directed to implementRead MoreHistory of the Fbi and Women1574 Words   |  7 Pagesreduction of force. In 1972, JoAnne Misko and Susan Malone were the first two women to enter the FBI Academy. In 1978, Special Agent Christine Karpoch (Jung) would become the first female firearms instructor—and she would shoot the coveted â€Å"possible,† a perfect score on the FBI’s Practical Pistol Range. In 1990, Special Agents Susan Sprengel and Helen Bachor were sent to London and Montevideo, Uruguay to serve as the FBI’s first fem ale assistant legal attachà ©s. In 2001, Special Agent KathleenRead MoreCritical Thinking On Business Writing1262 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction and Purpose: Women on board are bringing in diversity and intellect to the organization. The main idea of the article is to show how diversity in teams led to higher profitability and greater client satisfaction. The essence and central theme of this article is that increased number of women in an organization has increased its collective intelligence. There has been a strong correlation between the number of women on board and in the company’s ROI and ROE. Strengths : †¢ Women bring in enhancedRead MoreBreast Cancer : The Most Common Cause Of Death Among Women Essay1574 Words   |  7 PagesBreast cancer is the most common cause of death among women (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016). The latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (C.D.C.) state that in 2013 230,815 women in the United States were diagnosed with breast cancer, and in 2013 40,860 women died from breast cancer (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016). From 2002 to 2012, the occurrences of a breast cancer diagnosis remained at an even level, however the death rate from breastRead MoreNearly One-Fifth Of The U.S Military Is Female, However1319 Words   |  6 Pageshowever certain jobs are not eligible for women. Is it believed that women are not considered for front-line combat and Special Forces positions. Opponents argue that women are physically not capable of being effective for troops and would distract men making the military less effective. However women are fully capable of becoming troops the only thing holding them back is the stereotype that they are not physically capable of handing combat roles. Women in the military have changed drasticallyRead MoreWhy I Choose The Army1356 Words   |  6 Pages The Career I want is to be in the military. The branch I choose is U.S Army. The reason I choose the Army is because the Special Forces they have are more appealing than the Marine Corp, or the Navy. The Army has; the Green Beret, the Rangers, and the one I want to join: 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment - Delta, this branch is more commonly known as Delta Force. The U.S Army has a ton of different jobs with the Army, there is; Infantry Branch, Military Police Branch, Air DefenseRead MoreWorld War I And Hari1457 Words   |  6 Pagesthe larger nations (i.e the United States, Germany, and Russia) involved in the war already had established departments within their military forces dedicated to intelligence and counterintelligence. The smaller, neutral nations, like Belgium, did not set up intelligence forces until the early 1900s. Location gave a significant advantage to the Allied forces; particularly when it came to recruiting members of the community to gather information. At this time, Germany was occupying Belgium and France

Selma Book Vs Book Essay - 1451 Words

The conflicts met between the Civil Rights Movement protesters and the white people of the South were incredibly gruesome. While peace and equality for African Americans was the driving force of the protests, violence and inhuman resistance was the force for the white people. In the March Trilogy Books, written by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin, and in the movie Selma, written by Paul Webb and directed by Ava DuVernay, we are given a glimpse of these troubling times during the 1960’s. The tone was very dark, harsh, and violent. Because voting rights and equality were important to them, the mass of marchers continued their protests despite the beatings and cruelty they faced. Although there were horrendous acts made against the African†¦show more content†¦Where a crowd of resisters were waiting for them. Even though the marchers faced violent opposition and met with conflict, they continued their protests. The books and the movie displayed conflict throughout. One example is during the first attempt to cross the bridge, when the marchers were met by the Alabama State Troopers. It went very dark, very quick, as the troopers barged towards them, making this day known as â€Å"Bloody Sunday†, March 7, 1965. When asked for his comments in the movie by the press after the brutal attack on the marchers, King says â€Å"While rageful violence continues towards the unarmed people of Selma, while they are assaulted with tear gas and batons like enemy in a war, no citizen of this country can call themselves blameless, for we all bear a responsibility for our fellow man. I am appealing to men and women of God and goodwill everywhere, white, black and otherwise. If you believe all are created equal, come to Selma. Join us. Join our march against injustice and inhumanity. We need you to stand with us†. The second attempt to cross the bridge on March 9, 1965 brought clergy, men, and women from all over to join. But faced conflict as well, this time between Martin Luther King Jr, and the marchers themselves. However, there was a major difference regarding this attempt to cross, between the books and the movie. In the books, the marchers were met on the bridge by a Federal Official whoShow MoreRelatedSelma Book Vs Movie Essay1640 Words   |  7 Pagesof the South were incredibly gruesome. While peace and equality for African Americans was the driving force of the protests, violence and inhuman resistance was the force of the white people. In the March Trilogy Books, written by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin, and in the movie Selma, written by Paul Webb and directed by Ava DuVernay, we are given a glimpse of these troubling times during the 1960’s. The tone was precisely dark, harsh, and violent. Because voting rights and equality were importantRead Moreben sherman Essay13816 Words   |  56 Pagesmaking art during the not-sofun times. As mentioned, in 2008 I kept a writing schedule of three essays or posts each week. No matter what else was going on, the three essays would go up. A few of them were uploaded at 11:55 p.m. from a bad wi-fi connection in a random South Asian guesthouse, but the principle was â€Å"no matter what,† they are not going to be late. Because I knew I’d be writing a book and I wanted to change things up a little, I switched the schedule for 2009 to two major posts a

Political attack ads Free Essays

Americans National University Political advertisements have been a pervasive part of politics In the united States since the dawn of television. Presidential candidates have been making an appearance In the living rooms of Americans since Dwight D. Eisenhower Introduced a series of short campaign ads to the world of television during his presidential race (livingroomcandidate. We will write a custom essay sample on Political attack ads or any similar topic only for you Order Now Org par-I, 2012). From the beginning researchers regarded television as a medium that had the potential to allow people to become more informed, and therefore more included leading to a nonpartisan democracy Chirurgic, Coleman, Blubber, 2009). Individuals who, in the past, had limited access to current affairs have been able to gain a different impression of politics through the medium of television. As television became a comfortable medium for politics, electoral democracies became a game of â€Å"power, persuasion, monopolizing support for policies and politicians, and accumulating votes† (Chirurgic, Coleman, Blubber, 2009). In this paper the writer will attempt to analyze the impact of political television ads on democracy. Throughout political history politicians have used an ray of methods such as speeches, advertising, and political rallies to obtain the winning vote, however political television ads became a popular theme in the race for president. Political attack ads are as old as television and made their first appearance in 1952 in which republicans would give one answer to one group and give a completely different answer to the same question to another group (Greer, 2006). Because of this the opposing party could not be trusted. Some of these ads had quite a lasting effect but none more than the President Johnny’s ad â€Å"Daisy Girl† that sutured a little girl picking the petals off of a daisy then fades into a nuclear bomb going off (Greer, 2006). The ad was a response to Barry Goldwater statement regarding using nuclear weapons in the Vietnam War. Although the ad was only aired once before being pulled from television, many believe It’s Impact was what led to Johnson winning the presidential race In 1964 (Greer, 2006). For more than sixty years politics and television have existed In a state of reciprocated dependence. Politics provides the raw materials while television packages It, subtly reconstructs It, and livers It to the audience (Currently, Coleman, Blubber, 2009). Political advertising has become an Indispensable campaign strategy and many people regard It as fairly obtrusive. Political advertisers are not liable to any regulatory organization, voluntary or otherwise, for the accuracy of their claims (lounger, Prior, 1999). Political ads are complaining about the objectivity of the comments made about them. While television has become a fundamental part of the political process it, in turn, has widely contributed to De-plasticization (Chirurgic, Coleman, Blubber, 2009). Greer ascertains that poll after poll confirms that the electoral process is marked by cynicism and dissatisfaction with contemporary campaign discourse (2006). Nearly 60% of the public in the year 2000 was dissatisfied with how candidates conduct their campaign (Greer, 2006). The focus has moved from political discourse to the personalities and faces of political leaders. Because the focus has turned to spectacle rather than ideas the educational value of election campaigns has greatly diminished. Televised presidential debates have become a battle of physical style which has moved our culture towards a new way of conducting important business Postman, 2005). The lines between show business and political discourse become more blurred with each passing day. Americans tend to have a negative preconception towards political campaign ads. They are inclined to believe that such attack ads undermine not only the election but the democratic government as well. John Greer Author of In Defense of Negativity disagrees with this theory. Greer believes that these political ads enrich the democratic process, providing voters with relevant and substantial information before they head to the polls as they are pitched battles for control of the government (2006). Greer points out that exaggeration in political ads not only apply to negative ads, but to positive election propaganda as well (2006). Many ads point out the positive aspects of a candidates race to become president such as President Reggae’s advertisement of his tax cuts, however he failed to mention the tax increase he previously signed into law. This ad and other similar political ads were not labeled as misleading (Greer, 2006). Americans tend to assume that positive political ads are practical and truthful. Greer states that Bob Squire once said â€Å"most lies in politics are told in positive ads† (Greer, 006). This statement asserts that regardless of the content of the ad it is impossible to truly assess whether or not the ad is misleading. Political attack ads have branched off from the television and people are now turning to the internet for their political news. The television trend is currently on a downward spiral. According to research by the Pew Internet American Life Project the number of Americans going to the internet for their presidential election campaign news has increased by 23% since 2004 while those relying on television dropped by 4% (Pew, 2008). The most popular internet resources are blobs, comedy sites, government websites, candidate sites or alternative sites (Chirurgic, Coleman, Blubber, 2009). Audiences are increasingly becoming active participants in public communication, as senders as well as addressees of mass-circulating messages (Chirurgic, Coleman, Blubber, 2009). Through the internet medium American audience members can intervene and participate in political discourse with a gradation of value that was impossible even twenty years ago. Political advertisement, whether positive or negative, will always mom with a degree of fabrication that misleads one American or another. Political ads set the stage for campaigning and are what gets Americans involved in democracy whether it is a commercial you watched on Television or a Youth video. Americans have been able to gain a sense of involvement that was not possible offended by political attack ads, Greer believes that positive political ads can be Just as misleading if not more. Regardless of the general consensus, political attack ads have gotten the public more involved in not only their local politics, but their national politics as well. References Greer, John G. 2006). How to cite Political attack ads, Papers

Organic Agriculture in the United Arab Emirates

Introduction This paper will provide a detailed business plan for establishing an agribusiness company. The company will focus on production of organic foodstuffs in the United Arab Emirates. The business plan will shed light on the business idea, the value proposition, and the technology that will be required to operate the business.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Organic Agriculture in the United Arab Emirates specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More A detailed marketing plan that highlights the target customers and the marketing mix will also be discussed. In addition, the business plan will highlight the governance and management structure, as well as, the company’s financial projections. The Business Idea The business idea is to establish an agribusiness company that focuses on organic agriculture. Organic agriculture refers to â€Å"a production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems , and people†.1 It focuses on the use of farming techniques that promote sustainability by minimizing negative environmental effects. The company will focus on producing organic vegetables and fruits in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The vegetables that will be produced include tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, and capsicum. The fruits will include mangoes, oranges, and strawberries. The choice of Abu Dhabi is based on the fact that it has the largest population in the UAE. Thus, it is likely to have a high demand for organic foodstuffs. In addition, leasing land for farming in Abu Dhabi is cheaper than in other emirates. Value Proposition Production of organic fruits and vegetables is important due to the following reasons. First, organic fruits and vegetables will improve the health status of the residents of Abu Dhabi and the entire UAE. Lifestyle related diseases such as obesity and cancer are major health problems in the UAE. In 2013, the rate of obesity in Abu Dhabi was 33%, whereas 13% of the deaths were caused by cancer.2 The high prevalence of obesity and cancer is partly attributed to consumption of processed and inorganic foodstuffs.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Thus, the residents of the UAE are likely to consume organic fruits and vegetables because they have high nutritional value and insignificant pesticide residue. Moreover, organic vegetables such as tomatoes have high antioxidant capacities, which help in preventing cancer, coronary diseases, and rapid aging. Second, â€Å"organic fruits and vegetables taste better than their inorganic counterparts†.3 Third, producing organic fruits and vegetables in Abu Dhabi will reduce the UAE’s reliance on imported foodstuffs. Imported fruits and vegetables often have negative health effects since the government has little control over their production. Furthermore, they are often expo sed to contamination during transportation. Fourth, establishing an organic farm in Abu Dhabi will reduce the price of fruits and vegetables. The prices will reduce due to the short distance to the target market, which will minimize operating costs. Finally, production of organic fruits and vegetables will promote sustainable agriculture in the UAE. The company will avoid using synthetic fertilizers and pesticides that often reduce soil quality. Technical Model Technology The farm will use greenhouse and drip irrigation technologies to produce various organic fruits and vegetables. A greenhouse is a â€Å"structure in which plants are grown under controlled micro-environment†.4 The structure is made of transparent plastic materials, which facilitate controlled penetration of sunlight and reduce evaporation of water. Drip irrigation is a technique of supplying water evenly to all plants in a garden. The use of greenhouse and drip irrigation technologies will help in conserving water, which is very scarce in Abu Dhabi. They will also lead to high returns on investments by facilitating production throughout the year.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Organic Agriculture in the United Arab Emirates specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Farming Practices The vegetables will be produced using organic fertilizers such as compost to prevent accumulation of synthetic chemicals in them. The farm will use pesticides that are manufactured using organic materials to control pests and other disease-causing pathogens.5 This will help in reducing pesticide residues in the fruits and vegetables. Weeds will be controlled using environmentally-generated plant-killing compounds. In addition, the company will focus on producing different crops on the same piece of land to prevent soil degradation. These techniques will preserve soil quality and minimize accumulation of toxic chemicals in the vegetable s. Feasibility Study There is adequate farmland in the rural areas of Abu Dhabi since most of the citizens live in the city. In addition, there are adequate roads that connect the farmlands to the markets in urban areas. Scientific research indicates that the land in Abu Dhabi is very fertile mainly because it has hardly been used for farming. Soil test results show that the soil has the right minerals and nutrients for growing various fruits and vegetables. Water with the right pH can be obtained from the reservoirs of the Municipality of Abu Dhabi City. However, it is more expensive than water from boreholes due to the pumping and recycling costs. Budget The costs associated with acquiring the technology and equipment that will be used in the farm are summarized in table 1. The costs are for the first year of operations.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Table 1 Item Quantity Cost per unit (AED) Total (AED) Land 5 acres 50,000 per year 250,000 Greenhouses 200m x 40m 2 10,758 21,516 250m x 50m 3 13,500 40,500 150m x 60m 2 8,250 16,500 Pesticides 25 liters 230 5,750 Seeds and seedlings Tomatoes 30 kg 150 4,500 Onions 20 kg 124 2,480 Cucumbers 25 kg 85 2,125 Capsicum 25 kg 86 2,150 Oranges 15 kg 156 2,340 Strawberries 10 kg 256 2,560 Mangoes 15 kg 180 2,700 Fertilizer 4,000 kg 5 20,000 Farm equipment 16,000 Consultancy fee 12,000 Labor 50,000 Irrigation 65,000 Distribution 30,650 Marketing 25,000 Total 571,771 Business Model The company will adopt a vertical integration business model.6 The core business activity of the company will be production of various organic fruits and vegetables. The company will be in charge of all farming activities to maintain high product quality standards. However, it will collaborate with established retailers (supermarkets) to distribute the org anic fruits and vegetables. This will involve negotiating for floor space within the supermarkets to sell the products. The company will retain and use its brand name rather than those of the retailers. The retailers will invest in the business by providing shelf and refrigeration facilities. In addition, they will employ the staff who will be in charge of sales within the stores. The company, on the other hand, will be responsible for warehousing and transporting the organic fruits and vegetables from the farm to the stores. The retailers will be entitled to 10% of the gross annual sales as their compensation. The benefit of this business model is that it will enable the company to focus on its core competence, which is production of organic fruits and vegetables. This will enable it to channel its scarce resources towards satisfaction of market needs through process and product innovation. Furthermore, partnering with established retailers will enable the company to get instant ac cess to a huge customer base at a low cost. Target Customers The company will use geographic and psychographic segmentation to identify its customers. Geographic segmentation involves identifying customers by dividing the market into various geographical areas.7 The company will focus on serving the UAE market. Specifically, it will focus on serving the urban populations that live in cities such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi. This segmentation strategy is informed by the fact that most of the retailers who will be distributing the products are based in urban rather than rural areas. In the urban market, the company will target the working class due to two reasons. First, the working class is associated with a sedentary lifestyle, which increases the risk of acquiring lifestyle-oriented diseases such as obesity. As a result, they are likely to purchase organic fruits and vegetables to prevent lifestyle-oriented diseases. Second, the working class has a high disposable income that will facil itate expenditure on organic fruits and vegetables. Psychographic segmentation involves identifying the target market by taking into account customers’ lifestyles, education, and socio-economic status.8 In this case, the company will target customers who are aware of the health benefits of eating organic fruits and vegetables. The company will also target customers who are interested in leading a healthy lifestyle. These include people who are already suffering from chronic diseases such as cancer and those who would like to avoid lifestyle-oriented diseases. Customers who are interested in adopting healthy lifestyles are likely to purchase locally produced vegetables and fruits because they are fresher than imported ones. In addition, the company will target the affluent who are interested in consuming high quality organic fruits and vegetables to improve their health and to maintain their high social status in the society. Marketing Plan Market Description The market for fr uits and vegetables in the UAE consists of several products. The market is dominated by inorganic fruits and vegetables. These include imported fruits and vegetables that are produced using synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. There are also genetically modified fruits and vegetables in the market. The inorganic and the genetically modified fruits and vegetables are cheaper than their organic counterparts. Most consumers are not able to differentiate between organic and genetically modified fruits and vegetables.9 However, the popularity of organic fruits and vegetables is increasing in urban areas due to health campaigns that promote eating of healthy foodstuffs. Product Review The fruits and vegetables that will be sold by the company have two main features. First, their pesticide residue levels will be less than 0.05%. Second, chemicals will not be used to preserve the fruits and vegetables. They will be made available in the stores within 6 hours after harvesting to maintain th e highest level of freshness. SWOT Analysis of the Products The main strength of organic fruits and vegetables is that they have a superior quality in terms of taste and nutritional value. Moreover, production of organic fruits and vegetables is a form of corporate social responsibility that promotes conservation of the environment and improvement of public health. The main weakness of organic fruits and vegetables is that they are very expensive due to the high cost of producing them. Moreover, they have a shorter shelf life than inorganic and genetically modified fruits and vegetables. The main opportunity that is available to organic fruits and vegetables is that their market is growing rapidly in the UAE due to their health benefits. Moreover, increased regulation of production of genetically modified fruits and vegetables will increase the demand for organic foodstuffs. The threats facing the products include limited shelf space and high competition. The dominant retailers have their own groceries that stock inorganic foodstuffs rather organic fruits and vegetables. Moreover, the low-income earners opt for inorganic foodstuffs, which have low prices. Objectives and Issues In the first year, the first objective will be to gain a market share of 6%. The second objective will be to achieve AED 800,000 in sales. In the second year, the first objective will be to increase market share by 8%. The second objective will be to increase brand awareness by 10%. The last objective will be to increase sales by 16%. At the launch of the company and its products, the main issue will be to create brand awareness in order to attract customers. The company will utilize its promotional activities to create brand awareness. Another major issue will be to negotiate distribution agreements with retailers who have nationwide branch networks. Marketing Strategy: Marketing Mix The fruits and vegetables will be positioned based on the ‘healthy living’ value propositio n. This will facilitate differentiation based on nutritional value and health benefits. Marketing initiatives will focus on highlighting the health benefits of organic fruits and vegetables to reinforce the premium positioning strategy.10 The product strategy will focus on using organic inputs to produce the fruits and vegetables. This will ensure that the products have high quality and nutritional value. Additionally, the products will be sold as fresh produce to preserve their natural taste and appeal. In the first year of market entry, the company will adopt the penetration pricing strategy to gain market share. This will involve selling the products at a low price in order to attract customers. The resulting increase in sales will increase the market share and profits in the long-term. Distribution will be done by retailers who have nationwide branch networks. The company intends to collaborate with at least two major supermarkets that are interested in operating their groceries in collaboration with an organic foods producer. Marketing communications initiatives will focus on using print and electronic media to advertise the products. Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ will be used to create buzz among customers about the brand. The main objective of the advertising campaigns will be to create brand awareness. Public relations will be used to create brand credibility by influencing the public to develop a positive attitude towards organic fruits and vegetables. Breakeven Analysis The objective of the business is to breakeven in the fourth quarter of the first year. Assuming a fixed cost of AED 459,205 in the first year, an average variable cost of AED 0.05/ kg, average retail revenue of AED15/ kg, and equal production volume for each product category, breakeven can be calculated as: This means that the company must sell at least 30,716.05 kilograms of its products in order to breakeven. Governance and Management Structure The company will operate as a privat e corporation that will be registered in Abu Dhabi. It will have a hierarchical organizational structure with a few management levels.11 The board will consist of three directors who will be in charge of developing the company’s strategy and supervising the management. The day-to-day activities of the company will be run by the CEO. The CEO will report to the board of directors. The executive management will consist of the CEO, operations manager, marketing manager, farm manager, and finance manager. The managers will report to the CEO. The management will be responsible for implementing the company’s strategies and supervising the employees. Competition and Survival Strategy Main Competitors There are numerous small-scale producers of organic vegetables and fruits in the UAE. The small-scale producers normally sell directly to customers in their local communities. Al Dahra and Greenheart UAE are the main producers of organic fruits and vegetables in the industry. Al D ahra has over two decades of experience in the industry and a nationwide distribution network. This makes it the main player in the industry. Apart from local producers, the top 4 largest retailers in the UAE import and distribute a wide range of organic fruits and vegetables. The retailers include Carrefour, Lulu, Choithram Sons, and Spinneys-Dubai. These firms have huge financial resources to expand their capacities. Moreover, they control the distribution channel. Overall, the most significant competitive threat comes from the retailers and Al Dahra. Managing Growth and Innovation The company will focus on organic expansion and joint ventures to increase its capacity. After establishing a strong brand image in the market, the company will focus on improving its brand visibility. This will involve opening its retail outlets in Abu Dhabi in the third year of market entry to reduce dependence on retailers’ distribution channels. In the next five years, the company will establ ish three outlets in Abu Dhabi and two in Dubai. It will also sign distribution agreements with at least two more retailers. Moreover, it will extend its product line by introducing more fruits and vegetables. The company will embark on research and development in partnership with local universities to achieve product and process innovation. The research will focus on developing effective and efficient organic farming techniques to improve the quality of the products and to reduce production costs. In the next ten years, the company will focus on value addition by producing fresh fruit juice to increase its revenue. Financial Model Projected Profit and Loss Account for the First Three Years 1styear (AED) 2ndyear (AED) 3rdyear (AED) Total revenue 800,000 928,000 1,076,480 Less Cost of sales 159,605 185,142 214,765 Gross profit 640,395 742,858 861,715 Expenses Accounting and legal fees 8,500 8,500 9,000 Consultancy fees 12,000 12,500 13,000 Marketing 25,000 32,000 40,000 Electricity 8,500 9,000 10,000 Insurance 13,600 13,600 14,000 Salaries and wages 50,000 52,500 55,000 Administrative expenses 35,000 36,000 38,000 Farm expenses 60,605 72,000 90,000 Distribution 10,650 13,200 15,000 Establishment 328,516 250,000 250,000 Miscellaneous 5,000 3,000 2,000 Depreciation 1,000 2,000 3,000 Less Total expenses 558,371 504,300 533,000 Profit before tax 82,024 238,558 322,715 The company expects to make a profit of AED 82,024 in the first year. In the second and the third year, the company expects a profit of AED 238,558 and AED 322,715 respectively. Balance Sheet Beginning as at Sep. 01 2014 (AED) Projected as at Sep. 01 2015 (AED) Projected as at Sep. 01 2016 (AED) Assets Current assets Cash in bank 700,000 93,000 89,900 Accounts receivable 0 300,000 400,000 Inventory 0 150,000 176,500 Prepaid expenses 10,000 45,000 100,000 Other assets 0 26,000 75,000 Total current assets 710,000 61 4,000 841,400 Fixed assets Plant and equipment 94,000 150,000 258,000 Furniture and fixture 10,000 35,000 85,600 Land and buildings 250,000 250,000 615,000 Other assets 0 21,000 25,000 Total fixed assets 354,000 456,000 983,600 Other assets Intangibles 0 5,000 120,000 Goodwill 0 5,000 150,000 Total other assets 0 10,000 170,000 Total assets 1,064,000 1,330,000 1,995,000 Liabilities and equity Current liabilities Accounts payable 0 175,000 237,000 Interest payable 0 20,000 18,000 Taxes payable 0 2,500 2,550 Short-term debts 0 56,000 150,000 Other liabilities 0 0 45,000 Total current liabilities 0 253,000 452,550 Long-term liability Bank loans (payable) 250,000 200,000 150,000 Other long-term debts 0 0 120,000 Total long-term liability 250,000 200,000 270,000 Owners’ equity Invested capital 814,000 816,500 1,072,450 Retained earnings 0 60,000 200,000 Total owners’ equity 814,000 876,500 1,272,450 T otal liabilities and owners’ equity 1,064,000 1,330,000 1,995,000 The company will be worth AED 1,064,000 at its inception in 2014. Its value is expected to increase to AED 1,995,000 in the third year. Projected Cash Flow Statement Sep. 01 2014 Aug. 31 2015 Aug. 31 2016 Cash in hand at the beginning of the year 700,000 700,000 225,653 Cash receipts Cash from sales 0 83,024 240,558 Accounts receivable 0 0 300,000 Total cash receipts 0 83,024 240,558 Total cash available 700,000 783,024 766,211 Cash paid out Accounting and legal fees 0 8,500 8,500 Consultancy fees 0 12,000 12,500 Marketing 0 25,000 32,000 Electricity 0 8,500 9,000 Insurance 0 13,600 13,600 Salaries and wages 0 50,000 52,500 Administrative expenses 0 35,000 36,000 Farm expenses 0 60,605 72,000 Distribution 0 10,650 13,200 Establishment 0 328,516 250,000 Miscellaneous 0 5,000 3,000 Total cash paid out 0 557,371 502,300 Cash in hand (end year) 700,000 225,653 26 3,911 The cash flow statement summarizes the expected cash flow for two years. It highlights the cash that will be received and how it will be utilized. Deployment Plan and Timeline The company will launch its operations in September 2014. In the first three months, the company will focus on establishing the farm by acquiring and installing the required equipment, as well as, preparing the land for farming. In the next 8 months, it will focus on growing the fruits and vegetables. Additionally, the marketing team will embark on negotiating distribution contracts with select retailers. After signing the distribution contracts, the retailers will be expected to establish the shelves and refrigerators that will be used to sell the products. The marketing team will train the retailers’ employees who will be in charge of sales. The training will focus on product features and the marketing programs that will be adopted. Distribution and marketing communications campaign will begi n in the 13th month. The key milestones to be achieved and the timeline are summarized in Gantt chart 1. Gantt chart 1 Bibliography Al-Qassemi Rasha and Ibrahim Mohammed. â€Å"The Sharjah Food Safety Program: Implementing Innovative Best Practice to Improve Public Health.† Worldwide Hospital and Tourism Themes 3, no. 5 (2011): 432-442. Czinkota Michael and Ian Ronkainen. International Marketing. London: Oxford University Press, 2012. Doole, Isaac and Raymond Lowe. International Marketing Strategy. London: Palgrave, 2008. Freeman Eric. Strategic Management. London: Palgrave, 2010. Gemma Harper and Makatouni Aikaterini. â€Å"Consumer Perception of Organic Food Production and Farm Animal Welfare.† British Food Journal 104, no. 3 (2010): 287-299. Ireland John and Soha Rajabzadeh. â€Å"UAE Consumer Concerns about Halal Products.† Journal of Islamic Marketing 2, no. 3 (2011): 274-283. Justorines Paul and Richard Jyoti. â€Å"Consumer Behavior and Purchase Intenti on for Organic Food.† Journal of Consumer Marketing 29, no. 6 (2012): 412-422. Sadler Philip. Strategic Management. New York: John Wiley and Sons, 2003. Swan Cynthia. Organic Farming. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. Terpstra Victor and Richard Sarathy. International Marketing. New York: John Wiley and Sons, 2012. Footnotes Harper, Gemma and Makatouni, Aikaterini, â€Å"Consumption Perception of Organic Food Production and Farm Animal Welfare,† British Food Journal 104, no. 2 (2010): 290. John Ireland and Soha Rajabzadeh, â€Å"UAE Consumer Concerns about Halal Products,† Journal of Islamic Marketing 2, no. 3 (2013): 277. Rasha Al-Qassemi and Ibrahim Mohammed, â€Å"The Sharjah Food Safety Program: Implementing Innovative Best Practice to Improve Public Health,† Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism 3, no. 5 (2011): 433. Cynthia Swan, Organic Farming (New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010), 73. Swan, 89. Philip Sadler, Strategic Management (New York: McGraw-Hill, 2003), 79. Victor Terpstra and Richard Sarathy, International Marketing (London: Palgrave, 2012), 119. Michael Czinkota and Ian Ronkainen, International Marketing (London: Oxford University Press, 2012), 113. Paul Justorines and Richard Jyoti, â€Å"Consumer Behavior and Purchase Intensions for Organic Food,† Journal of Consumer Marketing 29, no. 6 (2012): 415. Isaac Doole and Raymond Lowe, International Marketing Strategy (London: Sage, 2008), 90. Eric Freeman, Strategic Management (London: Sage, 2010), 156. This research paper on Organic Agriculture in the United Arab Emirates was written and submitted by user Al1a to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Uses for Bleach and Vinegar

Uses for Bleach and Vinegar Mixing vinegar and bleach strengthens the cleaning and disinfecting properties of the chemicals, yet it also produces toxic vapors. Do you mix vinegar and bleach for specific purposes? If so, what is your use of the mixture? These are answers and experiences submitted by readers. NEVER AGAIN !!!! I was dumping out dirty water from the mop bucket into my shower drain didnt think anything of it . I was quick to pour water and bleach in the bucket and completely forgot vinegar was leftover and voila, a coughing fit burning eyes. Mind you I live in an old house, so there isnt much ventilation but I have all the doors and windows open to no avail. Its effects are horrible   cant get the smell out of my nose and the light headedness. - annon The devil is in the dilution At alkaline pH values of about 8.5 or higher, more than 90% of the bleach is in the form of the chlorite ion (OCl-), which is relatively ineffective antimicrobially. At acidic pH values of about 6.8 or lower, more than 80% of the bleach is in the form of hypochlorite (HOCl). HOCl is about 80 to 200 times more antimicrobial than OCl-. - googleit Vinegar Bleach Cleaner Mix one-gallon water with 2 oz. bleach and 2 oz. vinegar in a spray bottle; the most effective disinfectant cleaner for counters, floors, sinks, etc. and helps prevent fruit flies. - Keyna Welenc Bleach IS an acid! DANGER! Chlorine bleach contains sodium hypochlorite or NaOCl. Because bleach is Sodium hypochlorite in water, the sodium hypochlorite in bleach actually exists as hypochlorous acid: I worked calibrating chlorine detectors. And if you mix Bleach with vinegar it produces chlorine gas! It is deadly and should NOT be done under any circumstance! A danger to life article here cdc.gov/niosh/idlh/intridl4.html also see: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/832336-overview - DayoIII Bleach is not an acid. Bleach is not an acid, it is a strong base. adding vinegar WILL lower the pH, but since bleach has a HIGH pH, adding vinegar will only neutralize it. Another use for mixing vinegar with bleach is to create a strong oxidizing chemical, used to turn (for example) steel wool into iron oxide (Fe2O3), used for color pigments, or chemistry experiments. - Professor good to know! these are good things to know! especially being someone who is just starting to live on my own and not living in the nicest places that are available. Getting rid of the mold and smells are important, but not that important. My go-to chemical is straight up comet bleach. It worked for my grandmother and my mother and it works for me! Less risk of dangerous fumes than mixing or the liquid since it is powder form. - CHEM II Student Good God! - It Wasnt a Miracle Cleaner I believe the miracle is that I am still alive and breathing! because about 4 hours ago I mixed up a large amount 1/1 mix of bleach /vinegar the only time in my life desperately seeking an inexpensive solution to molds/parasites in a large outdoor aviary/cage which also houses a small shop that I spend a great deal of time with my cat in. He just came in from the area the l was sizzling. Will he be OK? I did it to protect him from potentially harmful spores/ect.. but what have I done! Im so worried about him the tiny little fellow! and what happens when it rains tonight does it start reacting again. Or should I rinse well w/garden hose or should I avoid re-wetting it, I even bent down closer to the ground watching it react ! and observed for at least 1/2 hr? yeeeeeps! stupid girl!. I cant tell if my throat /chest hurts or not I think maybe yes or my worried imagination? - Judy still suffering I was cleaning a rather old shower, still had the stainless steel base. I spray sellys 3 min mold cleaner on the shower walls and polaris stainless steel cleaner on the base. I left it to work for 3 mins then went in and scrubbed the base, as i did this my eyes started burning and coughing.I didnt know that the two cleaners where reacting, just thinking the bleach was rather strong. it wasnt until i got home 3 - 4 hrs later my husband said Id inhaled chloric gases given off from the two products. I rang the poison center and was told to flush the eyes for 15 mins and go to the local hospital. I flushed my eyes but didnt go to the hospital. 2 weeks later Im still suffering from acute sinus and headaches. Do not underestimate the dangers of bleach. - Kiwi I almost died Today I was cleaning my kitchen floor with vinegar and liquid dishwashing detergent. I scrubbed the floor and still could not get all the stains out. Thought Id use a little bit of bleach. Boy! It was like the vinegar potentiated the odor of the bleach (now I know the chlorine gas was released). I was coughing, entire airway irritated. Felt close to losing consciousness and struggled to get kitchen windows open. I did, but I was just to overcome. Left the kitchen and went upstairs. Opened up 3 more windows and just could not get myself straight. Its been about 4 hours since the incident. My airway is still irritated and Wheezing is audible, and I consider myself stupid but alive. I have always respected bleach but just didnt appreciate that household vinegar could react with it with such dire consequences. - Brenda Outdoor Nastiness I use it to clear up mold and mildew on the patio. The fumes arent a problem outside and it does a number on discolored yuckiness outdoors. - CleanGirl

5 Expensive Comma Typos from History

5 Expensive Comma Typos from History 5 Expensive Comma Typos from History You might not give commas much thought on a day-to-day basis. They’re just punctuation. But what if we told you that one misplaced comma could cost your business millions? Strap in, then, and join us for a look at five of the most expensive comma typos in history. 1. James Joyce’s Unwanted Commas ($300,000) The experimental style of James Joyce’s novel Ulysses included many deliberate errors, such as passages of unpunctuated text. Unfortunately, those faced with transcribing his manuscripts sometimes â€Å"corrected† these errors. And one well-meaning volunteer added hundreds of commas to a 40-page passage that was meant to be entirely comma free! James Joyce: Literary visionary, proofreaders nightmare. These comma typos were reproduced in each edition of the book until the 1980s, when a new version was released with the commas removed and other deliberate errors restored. But this process cost around $300,000, so you can see why hiring a good editor is worth the money! 2. Rogers Communications Inc. vs. Bell Aliant (approx. $525,000) Comma placement gave rise to a dispute between Rogers Communications and Bell Aliant worth over half a million dollars. The comma typo in question lies somewhere in this passage: Subject to the termination provisions of this Agreement, this Agreement shall be effective from the date it is made and shall continue in force for a period of five (5) years from the date it is made, and thereafter for successive five (5) year terms, unless and until terminated by one year prior notice in writing by either party. Did you spot it? It’s the comma before â€Å"unless† that caused the problem. Bell Aliant took it to mean that the clause about terminating the contract applied to the initial five-year period. But Rogers Communications argued it only applied if the contract was renewed after this initial period. In the end, the parties resolved the issue by checking the French version of the contract. Thankfully, this version was free from comma typos. 3. An Oxford Comma in Maine ($5,000,000) Leaving a serial comma (i.e., a comma before the final item in a list) out of a contract cost a dairy company in Maine five million dollars. This came after a dispute with its drivers about overtime. In particular, Maine’s overtime law contains a clause about exemptions from overtime that uses the phrase â€Å"packing for shipment or distribution of.† The dairy company said that â€Å"distribution† was meant to be a separate item in this list. But without a comma to make this clear, the drivers successfully argued that they were owed overtime and forced the company to settle. 4. The US Government vs. Fruit (approx. $38,400,000) Rather than a missing comma, an unwanted comma in US Tariff Act of 1872 cost the US Government two million dollars (around $38.4 million in today’s money). The issue arose because of a clause that exempted â€Å"fruit plants† from import tariffs. Or that was the intention, at least. However, someone added a comma between â€Å"fruit† and â€Å"plants.† And since fruit was expensive, importers took advantage of this loophole until it was closed two years later, by which point US taxpayers had lost out on revenue. Presumably, though, they gained access to affordable bananas. You could buy a lot of fruit for $38.4 million. 5. Lockheed Martin vs. Inflation ($70,000,000) Lockheed Martin are a multibillion-dollar global corporation. Nevertheless, they were worse off by $70 million after one comma typo in a contract. The error was in an equation used to adjust interest rates over time, meaning Lockheed’s calculations were wrong. And they lost a lot of money. In this case, then, one misplaced comma ended up costing a company more than the average GDP of Tuvalu. And if that doesn’t make you hire a proofreader, we don’t know what will.

Valuation of Biodiversity in Economics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Valuation of Biodiversity in Economics - Essay Example Genetic biodiversity associates with the level of inconsistency within the species. It involves the information signified by genes in the DNA of individual living things. Species diversity is concerned with a range of species.On ecosystem point of view, a low degree of ecosystem flexibility can lead to a sudden degrade in the biological output, which in turn cause a loss that cannot be reversed of roles for both the present and the expected generations. Functional diversity articulates a variety of roles produced by ecosystems, including the roles that support the life of ecosystem such as management of nature’s basic phases. Given these four levels of diversity, there are different perspectives in which the value of biodiversity can be understood. Some of these ways are instrumental and intrinsic values, the monetary and the biological indicators, the direct and the indirect values, biodiversity and the biological resources among others. The assigning value to biodiversity be gins from the hypothesis that social values are asserted on values of the individuals.When a person takes part in the conservation of the environment, he or she immediately discovers that it is sincerely an activity involving several disciplines. There are changes that have been experienced in the function and the significance of conservation. These changes are caused by the fast rise in environmental issues, and the realization that biological diversity is an important resource for the survival of human beings.