Developmentally Appropriate Environment

For many years, teachers, parents and child care providers saw how young children learn through play. Studies of child development play, reading, and writing show that young children learn differently from adults. Young children must be active while they learn. They must experience first hand and in very real ways how things work, how spoken words can be written, and how reading helps them function in the world. Structured learning activities such as paper and pencil tasks, workbook pages, drill, and sitting and listening for long periods of time do not work for young children. The National Association for the Education of Young Children represents the early childhood profession. Their book on developmentally appropriate practice and accreditation criteria define quality programs for young children. Developmentally appropriate environments help children develop in all areas—physical, social, creative, emotional, and cognitive. No one area of development is more important than another in the early years of a child’s life. It is often not possible to separate children’s development in one area from another. For example, as a child masters a physical skill such as climbing, self-esteem grows. The new physical skill makes it possible for the child to learn more about the world and to interact with friends. Children use problem solving to learn and perfect each new mental, social or physical skill. This integrated approach to learning is one of the hallmarks of a developmentally appropriate program. Parents want a warm and loving person to care for their children. Research supports the importance of this relationship. Staff characteristics are the most important criteria for determining quality care. A trained provider will interact well with children because of her knowledge and expectations of behavior for that age group. A developmentally appropriate provider knows and works with each child as an individual. Individual children have their own interests that motivate their learning and good behavior. Developmentally appropriate programs value individual interests as strengths that help children learn In appropriate settings, teachers arrange learning centers in which small groups of children can work and play. These centers may be for different types of play: quiet, messy, and active. Most programs have an area for block building, art, water play, playing house, music, books, table toys, and games. For school-aged children, there is an area for doing homework or projects. What most adults remember from their own public school experiences will not be in a quality early childhood program. There are no individual desks where each child sits to listen to the teacher and do work. There is no large space where everyone has to do the same thing at the same time. Children can choose to be with a friend or alone. This increases success in getting along with others. They do not need to compete for materials or attention. It is easier to take turns. They learn to listen to others, express themselves, and eventually understand another person’s viewpoint.. The curriculum is everything that goes on throughout the day. Chances for learning occur during play and routines like snack, lunch and rest times. Children learn good health practices, positive social interactions, independence in self-care and decision making, as well as science, mathematics, music, art, language, and social studies. The caregiver plans learning activities after seeing the children’s interests and abilities. Children learn the same thing in a variety of activities. They learn a variety of things in one activity. For instance, learning colors can take place in art, through songs and stories, through table games, cooking activities, and in costumes for play. There is no need to have children sit down and teach them the color red all at one time. There are many opportunities throughout the day for children to learn about colors as they actively work with materials. The children who already know about colors are not bored. They attend to other things like shape. Trained child care teachers know that children grow according to predictable developmental patterns. They match activities to the children’s age and stage. For instance, children younger than three will have difficulty sharing. To reduce the conflicts over toys, a teacher provides more than one of each toy. The teachers model sharing as they work together. When a child does share, the teachers consistently compliment and encourage the child’s sharing. In an inappropriate program, the adults would impose sharing before children are developmentally ready to share, then they punish children for not sharing. This results in frustration, behavior problems and unhappiness for children, parents and staff. Look for activities planned for an individual child. For example, you told the teachers that your family goes camping on weekends. The teacher puts out a tent, sleeping bags and picnic supplies for the children to use in play. A caregiver will provide musical instruments and recorded music for a child who shows an interest in music. After a child has been in the hospital, the teacher puts books and objects related to hospitals in the classroom for the children to use. The child can tell others about the experience and play through fears and concerns. Individual children and their families feel valued when these activities relate to their interests and cultural backgrounds. A trained provider will not rush children to be ready for the next stage of development. Living this year fully is more important than getting an early start on next year’s curriculum. Children with diverse interests and learning styles do not experience boredom and frustration when the program offers creative activities and challenges so children can learn at their own pace.

Customer Relationship Management Strategy Essay

1)Introduction Customer Relationship Management (CRM) has become a main focus for businesses with today’s markets becoming more saturated and competitive. ‘Customer Relationship Management is the ultimate challenge for marketing experts in any business. A successful company will use customer information wisely to build relationships with their customers, on the level that together they will work together towards a long-term relationship.’ (Xu et al. 2002) High customer Intimacy can be produced from these processes and strategy. ‘Customer intimacy is an essential factor in the Customer Relationship Management value chain’ (Buttle, 2004). This marketing strategy consists of a business using ways to get close to clients with benefits for a business including improved highly tailored problem solving capabilities and greater adaptation of products to customer needs, as well as higher customer loyalty levels. This customer intimacy has a major impact on the success on a company and we can see this in modern organisations. We see that customer satisfaction alone is not enough,’Oglivy Loyalty Centre found that, although 85% of customers reported being satisfied, only 40% repurchased’ (McKenzie,1995) and therefore customer must use CRM to help improve their customer intimacy. However, to what extent does the strategy and processes involved with CRM help achieve this customer intimacy and in what was are these processes seen as beneficial for both the customer and the company. The focus of this paper is to look at the ways in which organisation use various forms of CRM strategy and processes in order create better, and lasting relationships with their customers. 2)Membership Cards One way in which many companies, especially retail, aim to increase their customer intimacy is through membership card schemes. These can come in many different forms from and offer a variety of advantages for the customer to use. The main feature of all of these themes is that the customer is rewarded in some way, and in effect, keeps the customer happy and encourages repeat trade. However many card schemes go a step further and are used for the advantage of both the customer and the company. ‘Around 80% of UK households participate in at least one customer loyalty card scheme’ (Stone et al. 2008) and they come in different forms such as the Tesco’ Clubcard, Boots’ Advantage Card and Sainsburys’ Nectar Card. The common feature these cards have is that not only do they provide offers for the customer, but they allow companies to collect valuable data which, in turn improves customer intimacy between the business and the customer. ‘Using customer data and targeting those customers helped make the retailer’s transition much more efficient’ (Shaw, 2012). 2.1)Membership Card – Achieving Customer Intimacy This data is extremely valuable to a company. They spend millions of pounds each year conducting market research to try and find out their customers’ requirements, expectations and preferences. With the use of this card, the technology builds up this information and stores it all to databases. This provides a company with useful information which will allow them to target their customers in such a way that they can build up an everlasting relationship. ‘Customer Relationship Management is grounded on high quality customer-related data and enabled by information technology, (Buttle, 2009). With this card, a business, such as the market leaders of Tescos and Boots can see everything they wish to know about their buyer. This can vary from the information upon registering their card such as age, geographical location, contact details. Along with this, the card will collect data such as what the customer buys, how much they spend and how often. A company can see trends in a particular region, a need for a particular age group and they can segment their products to a more specialised market. ‘Companies get a clear view as to how their business affects individual customers; associated segmentation and other benefits’ (Stone et al, 2008). In addition, to further improve customer intimacy, a company can target a customer and send offers for the products they buy most through email or by post all of which strengthens this bond between customer and company. Here we see a table which shows us the ladder of customer loyalty. With an increase in customer intimacy, a business can take prospecting purchaser and convey them into a loyal customer (Christopher at al, 1998). 2.2)The Cooperative Membership Card The company to demonstrate is The Co-operative Food. Retail chains are at the fore-front for advances in technology and are competing for ways in which to understand their customers and use the strategies to improve customer intimacy. The purchasing behavior in food retail is the most repetitive of all (Manas, 2011), so to get this customer intimacy correct has never been more important. The Co-operative Food (Co-op) uses their loyalty strategy by having membership scheme available to all colleagues and customers. This card acts as most retail cards do in that they collect a customer’s information which is then fed to the company’s data base. There is a number of ways in which this card creates an improvement in customer intimacy. First of all, unlike all of the other schemes available, twice a year the Co-op gives a share of its profits through the post to all of the members of the scheme. ‘You can enjoy your share of the profits along with exclusive member discounts and offers’ (www.co-operative.coop/membership). Along with this, each customer is sent a seasonal brochure from the company. Inside, it gives a customer details of how the company is operating, information of how the company is helping the community, recipes for things to make with the coop products along with vouchers to spend in store. Another scheme used by the coop is membership coupons which are printed at the till terminal which allow money off the next spend. These strategies allow a mutual benefit; the company is updated with a customer’s information, along with the customer receiving healthy benefits from the company encouraging customer intimacy. 3)Customer Interaction Another strategy that many organisations use to create a high level of customer intimacy is through customer interaction. Many companies use schemes which allow employers to either speak face to face with a customer or give them a platform to have their voice heard. ‘By giving your customers a platform for reaching prospects, your marketing efforts become more objective and inclusive’ (Rast, 2012). This customer interaction can be seen in many different forms, varying form feedback surveys, forums or mystery shopper visits. This can be seen in many different organisations which are customer focused. Examples of these include online survey/feedback forms which can be found for most organisations, customer

Do We Need Mass Immigration?

According to the author Anthony Brown (â€Å"1Britain does not have a declining workforce, but the fastest growing workforce in Europe. This is largely due to the increase in retirement age of women from 60 to 65between 2010 and 2020. The Government Actuary Service predicts that, with zero net immigration, the workforce will grow by 1.2m by 2020, from 36.89m in2000 to 38.127 in 2020†.)   In his point of view immigrations currently configured increases inequality-ties in the UK because it causes a massive redistribution of wealth from those who compete with immigrants in the labor market (who tend to be poor, and suffer lower wages), to those who employ them (who tend to be rich, and enjoy lower costs and bigger profits). This effect swell documented in the US. In addition, in the UK, with its tight property market, those who win are those who already own property, particularly those who rent it out; and those who lose are those who rent their homes and those trying to get on the property ladder. Again, this is generally a redistribution of wealth from poor to rich Immigration. in allowing people to move to where the can maximize their welfare and get maximum return on their skills, is a definite force for good in the world, so longs it doesn’t lead to unbalanced, unsustainable and destabilizing population flows. Therefore, the UK government should aim at policies that allow as free a movement of people as is compatible with having balanced and sustain-able migration, as has been achieved within the EU. Britain 1. This is taken from the book of Do We Need Mass Immigration by Anthony Browney. Should initiate negotiations on having an open border policy with other high-income countries such as Japan, where migration flows are likely to be limited, balanced and beneficial. The Human Rights Principles that Underlie this Work: The author assumes that in this book certain human rights principles,Which I believe should be inalienable and should not beCompromised for political expediency. †¢ Everyone has the right not to be subjected to discrimination of any sort, including racial discrimination. †¢ Everyone has the right to be accepted as a full and equal citizen in the country they were born and grew up in.Ethnic minorities born in the UK are as British as a white person whose family has been here for centuries. It is deeply unjust that in certain Middle East states, and formerly in Germany, immigrant workers’ children who are born in the country and have lived in it all their lives are denied citizenship. White Zimbabweans who were born there, and indeed whose families emigrated there generations ago, have a right to be considered full Zimbabweans. †¢ Every nation has the right to decide who can move there and who can’t. States have a fundamental right to protect the integrity of their borders. †¢ Everyone with a genuine fear of persecution by their government should have the right  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   to asylum. The result is that Immigration is more characterized by distortion, denial and hostility to debate than any other public issue. Such a distorted, one-sided debate would be Inconceivable in any other area of such national importance, whether economics, law and order, or defence.As public concern about immigration has grown, so the Pro-immigrationists imperative to promote more immigration has meant that all counter arguments have had to be neutralized, even if that means a complete U-turn on Previously held positions. (â€Å"2In the late 1990s, governments of all major industrialized nations signed passionate communiquà ©s about how mass unemployment was the biggest problem facing modern society†). Then immigration reared its head, and suddenly it is mass   labor shortages that are the biggest problem of our time. From labor surplus to labor shortage in a few short years—how intellectual fashions flutter in the political wind. In the US, there is an anti-immigration group made up explicitly of ethnic minorities, called the Diversity Alliance, founded by an immigrant from Vietnam who worked in the immigration industry before concluding it was getting out of hand. They conducted an opinion poll which showed that 65 per cent of black Americans favour a moratorium on legal immigration. One of the leading immigration reform journalists in the US is Michelle Malkin, an Asian-American, and author of Invasion. Many of the founders of the black rights movement in the US were anti-immigrant,because of the effect immigration was having in undermining African-Americans in the labour market There are many other motives to oppose immigration which are honourable and nothing to do with racism. Samuel Gompers, the founder of the American Federation of Labor, was a Jewish immigrant who supported the early twentieth-century immigration cut-off in the US. In a 1924 letter to Congress, Gompers wrote(â€Å"Every effort to enact immigration legislation must expect to meet a number of hostile forces and, in particular, two hostile forces of considerable strength†). One of these is composed of corporation Employers who desire to employ physical strength at the lowest possible wage and who prefer a rapidly revolving labor supply at low wages to a regular supply of American wage-earners at fair wages. The other is composed of racial groups in the United States who oppose all restrictive legislation because they want the doors left open for an influx of their countrymen. The brief description in his point of view   is not anti-immigration or anti-immigrant, but argues that the current record wave of immigration is unsustainable and both detrimental to the interests of many people in Britain and against the wishes of the majority of people in Britain. It argues that Britain does not have a moral duty to accept immigration, and that immigration is ineffective as a global development policy. It argues for immigration that is balanced, with equal numbers of people coming and going and that is in the interests of people in Britain rather than Justin the interests of potential immigrants, recent immigrants and businesses that like cheap labor. The immigration system should command the acceptance and confidence of the people of Britain. It also argues that the government should pursue an open borders policy in so far as this is compatible with balanced and sustainable migration, such as negotiating an open border policy with Japan. The UK is experiencing the highest levels of net immigration in its history, quadrupling the rate of population growth and adding 543,000 to the population in the last three years, and 1.02m to the population between 1992 and2000.The level of net legal immigration has grown from 35,000in 1993 to 183,000 in 2000 (the difference between 482,000 (  Ã‚   2. This is also from the same source as above mentioned page no 23) arriving and 299,000 leaving). On top of this is an unknown amount of illegal immigration .Unless immigration declines, it will add more than two million people every ten years. The Government Actuary Service estimates that with immigration of 195,000 a year(very close to the present level of legal immigration), the UK population will grow from 59.8m in 2000 to 68.0m in 2031.On present trends, around 6m of the 8m increase in population will move to London and the South East. This is a completely different phenomenon from earlier waves of immigration, such as Huguenots, Jews and Ugandan Asians, all of whom were forced to leave their Bibliography 1. Brittain, A.W. (1991) ‘Anticipated Child Loss to Migration and Sustained High Fertility in an East Caribbean Population’, Social Biology Vol. 38 No. 1-2 pp. 94-112 2. Coleman, D. (November 2000) ‘Migration to Europe: critique of the new establishment consensus’, speech to Workshop on Demographic Specificity and Integration of Migrants, Federal Institute of Population Research, Germany. 3. By James Antle:   ‘The Myth Of Mynority Natural Republicans.† 4. Shaw, C. (2001) ‘United Kingdom Population Trends in the 21st Century’, Population Trends 103 London: The Stationery Office. 5. Webs.      

The Mission for TNT Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 37

The Mission for TNT - Case Study Example According to the paper, the major objective of TNT is to deliver a superior customer experience with sophisticated technology in their operations. The mission, vision and objectives of a company always vary, and it depends with the services or goods being provided and also the size of the organization. The mission of PEKU contractors based in Qatar is development of a better, safer and conservative built environment. Their major aim is to come up with eco-friendly buildings and minimize the cost of construction. Their objective is to come up with sustainable construction methods and build eco-friendly structures. A business strategy refers to the ways and means through which an organization sets  out  to achieve its objectives. An organization categorizes its goals in order of priority in order to develop ways of achieving the all the goals. After identifying the crucial goals, a strategy map is developed. A strategy map is a diagram containing the strategic goals of an organizat ion. A strategy map helps an organization identify the territories with the best returns and hence the organization is able to develop a strategy to exploit the territories. It creates the basis of developing a competitive advantage which is beneficial in achievement of goals. It guides the organization in deciding which goods and services to produce in order to achieve the set aims and objectives.  The overall strategy of TNT has great emphasis on satisfying the needs of the customers. Their strategy defines the relationship of all the parties involved and how they will cooperate in achieving the goals of the organization. TNT strategy focuses on achieving its goals, satisfying the customers and coming up with ways that will make the customers stick to their services.

Great engineering acheivement ( airplanes ) Essay

Great engineering acheivement ( airplanes ) - Essay Example This paper aims at examining the timeline of the development of the airplane, the contribution of various engineers to this achievement and how airplanes have improved lives. In addition, this paper will examine some of the possible future developments on airplanes. The history of the development of the airplane dates back to the late nineteenth century when a German engineer named Otto Lilienthal started to experiment with gliders (National Academy of Engineering, 2014). During the same period, Octave Chanute, an American engineer also experimented with multiple gliders. Through these early experiments, Lilienthal and Chanute demonstrated that it was possible to have a controlled device in floating in air. In 1901, a gasoline-powered version of the tandem-winged aerodrome was built by Samuel Langley. In 1903, the Wilbur Wright and Orville Wright made the first powered and piloted flight in North Carolina. On this day, Wilbur flew for 852 over the ground in about 59 seconds. Ludwig Prandtl, a German professor, presented a paper in 1904 that described the concept of the ‘boundary layer’ (National Academy of Engineering, 2014). This is the molecular layer of air that is found on an aircraft’s wing. This paper was an important contribution in the study of aerodynamics. Eugene Ely piloted a Curtiss biplane on a takeoff from a ship in 1910. The following year, he was able to take off from shore and landed on a ship in California. These early planes required the assistance of the pilot to make them stable and travel in a straight line. The concept of the gyrostabilizer was introduced in 1914 by Lawrence Sperry. The gyrostabilizer was used to stabilize the plane and make it fly in a straight line without the assistance of a pilot. In 1916, Sperry, with the help of his father Elmer, demonstrated the first automatic pilot. Starting 1914 to 1918, many improvements in the structure and control of the airplane were

Sale Of Goods Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4500 words

Sale Of Goods - Coursework Example He also found that the books in another container were about gardening instead of politics. The books in the third container conformed to the terms of the contract of sale. There are some statutes that favor David in respect of the books that were about gardening. S 13(1) of Sale of Goods Act 1979 states that, â€Å"Where there is a contract for the sale of goods by description, there is an implied condition that the goods will correspond with the description.†1 According to the given facts, David made a contract for goods that fit a particular description i.e. the books entitled How to win votes. There was an implied condition that the books must have been the same. Books about gardening were unrelated to the terms of the contract. ... He also has a right to reject the books because there has been a breach of condition. The contract between David and Obama is a non-severable contract. This means that S 11(4) is applicable which states that, â€Å"Where a contract of sale is not severable and the buyer has accepted the goods or part of them, the breach of a condition to be fulfilled by the seller can only be treated as a breach of warranty, and not as a ground for rejecting the goods and treating the contract as repudiated, unless there is an express or implied term of the contract to that effect.†3 One of the containers had the books that were in perfect condition and were in conformity with the contract. David cannot reject those books. However, when he rejects a part of books, he would have to treat the breach of condition as a breach of warranty and would not be able to treat the contract as repudiated. He would be entitled to claim damages from Obama for the loss that he has sustained due to the delivery of wrong books. Obama’s view that David can easily on-sell the books based on gardening is of no consequence because the delivery of those books was not a part of the contract. Their contract was made through emails. This means that a written record of their conversations can be obtained easily. David discovered that the entire contents of one container were badly damaged. Obama is denying any responsibility for that and the Jardine Carriers, with whom Obama had contracted for the carriage of the books, say that it has â€Å"nothing to do with them† because there was no contract between JC and David. The contract between Obama and David was made on CIF terms. CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight) means that the seller delivers when the goods

Human Growth and Behaviour Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Human Growth and Behaviour - Research Paper Example Erikson expressed the notion that every stage of growth has its distinctive challenges, referred to as crises. He held that such egocentric crises offered challenges to the identity of an individual (Riley and Erikson, 1979). Successful psychosocial development or personality development relies on addressing and overpowering these responsibilities or crises. The first stage of development and the crisis faced by the child involves the basic trust versus basic mistrust of an infant, which emphasizes that when parents meet all the needs of an infant, trust develops automatically. â€Å"The basic strength of the first stage is hope or the expectation that difficulties in life, presenting whatever challenge they may, will eventually result in a positive outcome† (Archer, 2011). Accordingly, the infant would require this sense of hope at his subsequent stages of behavioral development to meet any impending challenges (Lawler, 2002). The weakness of this stage or rather the direct o pposite of hope is the hopelessness and withdrawal. Jimmy Lee felt hopeless during his infancy because both his parents worked at their restaurant for long hours, leaving their son under the care of other Scottish friends and relatives who looked after his interchangeably for the first two years of his life. The second stage, autonomy, and shame during toddlerhood involve parents who generate supportive and caring surroundings to let the toddlers study and apply independence and gain their personal confidence.

Compare and Contrast Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Compare and Contrast - Research Paper Example This paper is a comparison of two Islamic arts: The Great Mosque of Cordoba in Spain and the Mamluk Glass Oil Lamp. Enameled as well as gilded glass lamps were custom-made in big numbers for most Cairo built mosques by Mamluk Sultans as well as their Amirs. Lamp donation was contemplated as respectful act towards God. Such an act connects to a Koran text that explains that God is the Heaven’s as well as Earth’s light. This verse explains further that the light of God happens to resemble a niche within which one can find a lamp. This lamp is glass made while the glass resembles a brilliant star. The Mosque lamp also is decorated using bold encryption frieze that contains Sayf al-Din Shaykhu al-Nasiri’s names as well as title, also his heraldic device that joins a red cap is situated at the roundels center on the neck as well as the lamp’s underside. The wealth as well as influence of Shykhu made him a Cairo’s significant art as well as architecture patron (Over 11 Mosque lamps that are inscribed similarly. It is most likely that these are from the mosque of Shayk hu at Citadel’s foot in Cairo that got completed in the year 1349 as well as taken as among its time’s finest (British Museum). The great Mosque of Cordoba which is as well known as Mezquita, is among the Islamic civilization Jewels. Unlike the malmuk lamps that were of the 14th century, the temple was began in during the 8th century by the Emir Abd al-Rahman I, in the year 745, added in the year 833 by   Abd al-Rahman II and in the 10th century ended by the Vizier  al-Mansur and al-Hakam II. The most decorative as well as striking of the 4 phases is the one by al-Hakam that contains the mirhab (niche within the wall that faces Mecca) ( Khan Academy). The great mosque’s growth was a symbol of the increasing power of the city and came in hand with population growth hence need for

Broadway Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Broadway - Essay Example Peter Stuyvesant in 1658 named the foremost lined street in New York and had to be constructed by the residence of Brouwer Street. The objective of the Dutch is to trade in New Amsterdam and also take importance of the rivers bounded by the city; similar method is disclosed with the territory of New York’s transport production that will be set up two centuries to come. The lesser part is recognized of being a center of Jewish culture. The ruins of the area’s Jewish inheritance exist in business streets of home to most Yiddish theatre production near the beginning of 20th century. The East Village’s Hester, Grand, and Essex next to Allen are also part of the region. Down town Next Street on the lesser East part is populated by the Poles and Japanese markets. There is also a secluded population of Bangladeshis and immigrants from Muslim nation most of whom are congregants of little Mosque found on first Avenue. The neighborhood presents many synagogues’ like Beth Hamedras Hagadol and kehila kedosha Janina. The Chinese people have also marked on the lesser side in the recent decades. If you look at the avenue patterns of cities, you will frequently see the way the city has grown over time. Theres a characteristic prototype to unexpected city growth approximately indistinguishable to the fast growing of the glass shell on ceramic objects as it contracts. These correspond to the customary period. Present is a stage of rectangular grids obviously an image for modernization. Nowadays we observe the plant-like branching of cul-de-sacs, the post-modern direct opposite of modernization, where the perfect would be to have no from first to last streets at all. I have an improved interior record and I am grateful for the city as I have never before. It may be ever altering and modernizing and yet in the old times what mattered was if an individual knows how to find it in its streets, infrastructures and neighborhoods. These may include: Delancy which was a

Demutualisation of Insurance Companies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Demutualisation of Insurance Companies - Essay Example It is advantageous to the members as shares can be traded in the equity or stock markets while the membership rights in the mutual companies can not be traded. Thus demutualisation increases the possibility for the involved parties to make profits and at the same time benefit the economy as a whole. Demutualisation was originally used to signify this specific conversion process of the insurance companies. However this term is being used more broadly to describe the process of conversion of any member-owned organisation to become shareholder owned. Conversion of London Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange are some of the classic examples in the direction of demutualisation of companies other than insurance companies. The demutualisation of insurance companies is undertaken pursuant a plan of conversion approved by the policyholders and the state legislators Demutualization Claims Clearing House). In the case of mutual life policyholders a time of conversion they may receive stock, cash and/or policy credits in lieu of their ownership rights in the old mutual insurance company. In some cases the compensation is limited only to the subscription rights to acquire shares in the newly formed company. In some other cases the membership rights are transferred to a Mutual Holding Company (MHC) which owns a newly formed subsidiary stock insurance company. In the context of th... These changes include: (1) The traditional life insurance products of life coverage and risk transfers were not favourably looked into by the consumers over the period of time. The consumers showed considerable preference in the wealth management/annuity business which showed good potential for new growth opportunities. (2) The large scale deregulation of the financial services industry with the passing of Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act in the year 1999 eliminated the barriers between the commercial banking, insurance business and the investment banking which paved the way for combining all the business in one entity (3) The modifications brought about in the Internal Revenue Codes abolished the tax advantages which were hitherto available to a mutual insurer and (4) There were a number of foreign insurance companies that showed interest in the insurance market of the United States which changed the structure of the insurance companies Similar circumstances prevailed in the European economies augmented the need for conversion of the insurance companies to stock companies from their original form of mutual companies with the membership of policyholders. Mutual Companies and Stock Companies In a mutual life insurance company the company is owned by the policyholders that make them both insureds and insurers. The policyholders are vested with the right to vote to elect the members of the Board of Directors and also to receive the policy dividends. In the event of insolvency and dissolution, they are also entitled to receive the sale proceeds of the assets of the company. The policyholders as members of the mutual company can have their insurance at the lowest possible cost. They do not have to share the profits of the company

Media-Mix Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Media-Mix - Case Study Example Another advertising objective is encouraging the customers' recall of past satisfaction. Tapping familiar celebrities and making them do several commercials for the product would somehow make the audience believe that these are loyal and satisfied customers which further influences them into thinking that they, too, are satisfied with the products that they purchase from Victoria's Secret. However, most of the company's advertisements are for the purposes of modifying and reinforcing their target market's attitude towards their product. This is reflected on the controversial themes of their promotional materials. The issues thrown against the ads alone could show the audience how different the product is and how bold and daring one can seem by wearing that brand (Frisby, 2000). Promotion is a company's way of reaching out to a target market or audience to communicate a certain message. To be able to transmit the message and tow a large number of consumers to buy a product, a company or manufacturer should have the most effective and appropriate promotional strategies and techniques. Victoria's Secret, as a brand and a company, has had several critics regarding the advertisement of their products. Effective as they may be, some print or broadcast advertisements roused both negative and positive reactions from supporters and detractors. Some ads just do not work for a certain part of the audience. No matter how minor this part is, it is still a vital share of the consumers. Therefore, it is also helpful to experiment with the different types of media and combine the different advertising strategies. Since this company's target market include women, specifically those who go for the fashionable and sexy lingerie and underwear, advertisements include endorsers who exhibit qualities that most women want to have. For instance, some of the print ads show sexy supermodels- the ones with physiques that young ladies work hard for. Another is selling at a particular area where customers are said to abound. In the case of Victoria's Secret, this may include schools or recreational areas where girls often hang out. This and other broadcast advertisements do not only help promote and sell the product but also extend the company's public relations and help the company expand their business. In terms of keeping guest inflow in their website, the company has used one effective strategy. Using the site as a way to get the latest info about the products and having a live simulcast of a certain event over the internet greatly support the company's promotional agenda and sales and profit in general. Evaluation As mentioned earlier, advertisements do not always suit an audience's taste and are important factors in controlling a company's sales. If a certain market finds the advertisement appealing, the product's brand or company would easily stick to their minds. An informative advertisement would stimulate curiosity among the audience and lead them to check out the product. If the advertisement is persuasive enough, then more consumers would eventually buy and support the items that that company manufactures. There are different types of media to choose from when trying to promote a certain brand or product. The

Role of Banks in the Economic Development Essay Example for Free

Role of Banks in the Economic Development Essay Bank: An organization, usually a corporation, chartered by a state or federal government, which does most or all of the following: receives demand deposits and time deposits, honors instruments drawn on them, and pays interest on them; discounts notes, makes loans, and invests in securities; collects checks,drafts, and notes; certifies depositors checks; and issues drafts and cashiers checks. Features of Bank: †¢ Money Dealing †¢ Acceptance of Deposit †¢ Grant of loan and advances †¢ Payment and withdrawal of deposits †¢ Transfer of funds †¢ Portfolio management †¢ Foreign Exchange dealing Banking; In general terms, the business activity of accepting and safeguarding money owned by other individuals and entity and then lending out this money in order to earn a profit. Banking is a business of accepting deposits and lending money. It is carried out by financial intermediaries, which performs the functions of safeguarding deposits and providing loans to the public. In other words, Banking means accepting for the purpose of lending or investment of deposits of money from public repayable on demand and can be withdrawn by checks, draft order and so on. Banking Company: Any company, which transacts the business of banking Banking System: Banking System is a principal mechanism through which the money supply of the country is created and controlled. The banking system enables us to understand Commercial Banks, Secondary Banks, Central Banks, Merchant Bank or Accepting Houses and Discount Houses but to exclude the Saving Banks and Investment and other intermediaries. Number and types of Banks: The number of banks in all now stands at 49 in Bangladesh. Out of the 49 banks, four are Nationalized Commercial Banks (NCBs), 28 local private commercial banks, 12 foreign banks and the rest five are Development Financial Institutions (DFIs). Sonali Bank is the largest among the NCBs while Pubali is leading in the private ones. Among the 12 foreign banks, Standard Chartered has become the largest in the country. Besides the scheduled banks, Samabai (Cooperative) Bank, Ansar-VDP Bank, Karmasansthan (Employment) Bank and Grameen bank are functioning in the financial sector. The number of total branches of all scheduled banks is 6,038 as of June 2000. Of the branches, 39.95 per cent (2,412) are located in the urban areas and 60.05 per cent (3,626) in the rural areas. Of the branches NCBs hold 3,616, private commercial banks 1,214, foreign banks 31 and specialized banks 1,177. Bangladesh Bank (BB) regulates and supervises the activities of all banks. The BB is now carrying out a reform program to ensure quality services by the banks. Commercial Bank: A bank offering checking accounts, savings accounts, certificates of deposit, personal and business loans, and other, similar services. Commercial banks charge fees and/or interest for many of their services, though they may pay interest on other services. A retail bank is often an individual branch of a commercial bank where one may procure these services. The main functions of commercial banks: The main functions of commercial banks are accepting deposits from the public and advancing them loans. However, besides these functions there are many other functions which these banks perform. All these functions can be divided under the following heads: 1. Accepting Deposits: The most important function of commercial banks is to accept deposits from the public. Various sections of society, according to their needs and economic condition, deposit their savings with the banks. For example, fixed and low income group people deposit their savings in small amounts from the points of view of security, income and saving promotion. On the other hand, traders and businessmen deposit their savings in the banks for the convenience of payment. 3. Over-Draft: Banks advance loans to its customer’s up-to a certain amount through over-drafts, if there are no deposits in the current account. For this banks demand a security from the customers and charge very high rate of interest. 4. Discounting of Bills of Exchange: This is the most prevalent and important method of advancing loans to the traders for short-term purposes. Under this system, banks advance loans to the traders and business firms by discounting their bills. In this way, businessmen get loans on the basis of their bills of exchange before the time of their maturity. 5. Investment of Funds: The banks invest their surplus funds in three types of securities—Government securities, other approved securities and other securities. Government securities include both, central and state governments, such as treasury bills, national savings certificate etc. Other securities include securities of state associated bodies like electricity boards, housing boards, debentures of Land Development Banks units of UTI, shares of Regional Rural banks etc. 6. Agency Functions: Banks function in the form of agents and representatives of their customers. Customers give their consent for performing such functions. The important functions of these types are as follows: 1. Banks collect checks, drafts, bills of exchange and dividends of the shares for their customers. 2. Banks make payment for their clients and at times accept the bills of exchange: of their customers for which payment is made at the fixed time. 3. Banks pay insurance premium of their customers. Besides this, they also deposit loan installments, income-tax, interest etc. as per directions. 4. Banks purchase and sell securities, shares and debentures on behalf of their customers. 5. Banks arrange to send money from one place to another for the convenience of their customers. 7. Miscellaneous Functions: Besides the functions mentioned above, banks perform many other functions of general utility which are as follows: 1. Banks make arrangement of lockers for the safe custody of valuable assets of their customers such as gold, silver, legal documents etc. 2. Banks give reference for their customers. 3. Banks collect necessary and useful statistics relating to trade and industry. 4. For facilitating foreign trade, banks undertake to sell and purchase foreign exchange. 5. Banks advise their clients relating to investment decisions as specialist 6. Bank does the under-writing of shares and debentures also. 7. Banks issue letters of credit. 8. During natural calamities, banks are highly useful in mobilizing funds and donations. 9. Banks provide loans for consumer durables like Car, Air-conditioner, and Fridge etc. Central Bank: The entity responsible for overseeing the monetary system for a nation (or group of nations). Central banks have a wide range of responsibilities, from overseeing monetary policy to implementing specific goals such as currency stability, low inflation and full employment. Central banks also generally issue currency, function as the bank of the government, regulate the credit system, oversee commercial banks, manage exchange reserves and act as a lender of last resort. Function of Central Bank: In the monetary and banking setup of a country, central bank occupies central position and perhaps, it is because of this fact that this called as the central bank. In this way, this bank works as an institution whose main objective is to control and regulate money supply keeping in view the welfare of the people. Central bank is an institution that fulfills the credit needs of banks and other credit institution, which woks as banker to the banks and the government and which work for the economic interest of the country. 1. Monopoly of note issue: Note issue primarily is the main function of a central bank in every country. These days, in all the countries where there is a central bank generally it has got the monopoly of the sole right of note issue. In the beginning this was not the function of central bank, but gradually all the central bank gas acquires this function. There are many advantages of the note issue by central banks some important ones are as follow: 1. Central bank controls the credit creating power of commercial bank. By controlling the amount of currency in circulation, the volume of credit can be controlled to quite a large extent. 2. People have more confidence in the currency issued by the control bank because it has the protection and recognition of the government. 3. In the event of monopoly of note issue of central bank, there will be uniformity in the currency system in the country. 4. The currency of the country will be flexible if the central bank of the country has the monopoly of note issue because central bank can bring about changes very early in the volume of paper money according to the needs of business, industry and messes. 5. The system of note issue has some advantages. If the central bank of the country has the monopoly of note issue, all such advantages will accrue to the government. 2. Bankers, Agent and Adviser to the Government: As banker to the government, central bank provides all those service and facilities to the government which public gets from the ordinary banks. It operates the account of the public enterprise. It mangers government departmental undertaking and government funds and where there is a need gives loan to the government. From time to time, central bank advice the government on monetary, banking and financial matters. 3. Custodian of Cash Reserve of Commercial Bank: Central bank is the bank of banks. This signifies that it has the same relationship with the commercial banks in the country that they gave with their customers. It provides security to their cash reserves, give them loan at the time of need, gives them advice on financial and economic matter and work as clearing house among various members bank. 4. Custodian of Nation’s Reserve of International: Central bank is the custodian of the foreign currency obtained from various countries. This has become an important function of central bank. These days, because with its help it can stabilize the external value of the currency. 5. Lender of The Last Resort: Central bank works as lender of the last resort for commercial banks because in the time of need it provides them financial assistance and accommodation. Whenever a commercial bank faces financial crisis, central bank as lender of the last resort comes to its rescue by advancing loans and the bank is saved from being failed. 6. Clearing House Function: All commercial bank have their accounts with the central bank. Therefore, central bank settles the mutual transactions of banks and thus saves all banks controlling each other individually for setting their individual transaction. 7. Credit Control: These days, the most important function of a central bank is to control the volume of credit for bringing about stability in the general price level and accomplishing various other socio economic objectives. The significance of this function has increased so much that for property understanding it. The central bank has acquired the rights and powers of controlling the entire banking. A central bank can adopt various quantitative and qualitative methods for credit control such as bank rate, open market operation, changes in reserve ratio selective controls, moral situation etc. Other functions Besides the 7 functions explained above, central banks perform many other functions that are as follows: 8. Collection of Data: Central banks in almost all the countries collects statistical data regularly relating to economic aspects of money, credit, foreign exchange, banking etc. from time to time, committees and commission are appointed for studying various aspects relating to the aforesaid problem. 9. Central Banking in Developing Countries: The basic problem of underdeveloped countries is the problem of lack of capital formation whose main causes are lack of saving and investment. Therefore, central bank can play an important role by promoting capital formation through mobilizing saving s and encouraging investment. Role of banks in the Economic development: There should be no anonymity as about the importance of Banking in the Economic development of a developing country like Bangladesh. Banks performs some vital role that are conducive to economic development are as follows:- 1. To create generate capital market. 2. To play effective role in the Economy by supplying capital. 3. To persuade quench, bill of exchange etc. for easy mode of exchange 4. Financing of industries. 5. Financing of Trade and Commerce and rendering services to its chants. 6. Financing of Agriculture. 7. To maintain balance of foreign trade and to check price hike in the market by controlling credit.

Impact of the Introduction of Activity Trackers

Impact of the Introduction of Activity Trackers Introduction The advancement of technology is no doubt one of the greatest organized creative activities of humankind today. The material world that we see around us, and the way society functions today had strongly affected by the advancement of the technology. The device that I would like to research on had effectively changed the way how human life. It records all the activities of an individual over the days – the activity tracker. An  activity tracker  is computer-assisted monitoring and graphing of health-linked metrics such as distance walked or ride, calorie consumption, and in some cases heartbeat and quality of snooze. During the early development of the products, activity trackers were computer logs, such as that provided in the US by thePresidents Council on Physical Fitness and Sportsas part ofThe Presidents Challenge;since the release of the firstFitbitactivity tracker in 2009, the term has primarily referred to electronic checking devices that are synced, in many cases wirelessly, to a computer orsmartphonefor long-period data graphing, an example ofwearable technology. Electronic activity trackers are upgraded versions ofpedometers. In addition to counting steps or movements, they useaccelerometersandaltimetersto calculate mileage, graph overall physical activity, calculate calories expenditure, and in some cases also monitor and graph heart rate and quality of snooze.Some also include a silent alarm. The original Fitbit, released in 2009,was worn clipped at the waist; formats have now improved to include wristbands, armbands, and smaller devices that can be wore wherever preferred. AppleandNiketogether developed theNike+iPod, a sensor-equipped shoe that worked with aniPod Nano few years after the release of Fitbit. In addition, logging apps exist for smartphones and Facebook;the Nike+ system now works without the shoe sensor, through theGPSunit in the phone or iPod. In the US,BodyMediahas established a disposable activity tracker to be worn for 7 days, which is aimed at health and insurance providers and companies seeking to determine workers fitn ess and health. Finding Sony wants you to log your life with smart band! Sony’s Smart Band is one of the biggest-name fitness tracker. It was first published to the market on 24th Feb 2014 in Barcelona, Spain. According to Sony, the Smart Band will only be available in spring. The Smart Band SWR10 is a wearable device which consist of two parts, the core and the band. It communicates via Bluetooth with an Android Life-log application to offer fitness tracking, but the application itself also lets users log places visited, music played, games played and books read for presentation on a visual interface. The application also helps users set activity targets. Similar as a smart watch, it vibrates when calls, messages, Facebook notifications or tweets are received. It can also be used to play, pause and skip tracks in a Sony phone’s Walkman application by pressing the button and tapping the band. The device is IP582 rated for full waterproofing despite its MicroUSB port, the company said. When out of Bluetooth range from its paired phone, the band vibrates. SmartBand will also records sleep cycles. According to the white paper, the Core is powered by theARM Cortex-M0 32 bit processer, has 256kB internal embedded flash memory and 16kB RAM. It connects to any device running Android 4.4 and later via Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy and/or NFC. You need to download Lifelog, a companion app that tracks your physical, social and entertainment activities. The interface is quite informative, and you can use it to set activity goals and monitor your progress. Information compiled in Lifelog is collected using sensor technology in the SWR10 and data obtained from various apps and sensors in the Android phone. Heres a quick overview of the Lifelog app: The SWR10 also comes with music and camera remote control functions, alerts for incoming messages or Facebook notifications. You can set alarms via the Lifelog app to wake you up via subtle vibrations on your wrist. Before you do so, you have to set the SWR10 to night mode. The night mode is used for tracking your sleep while the day mode tracks your activities throughout the day. Below is a video showing the SWR10 in action: Features Here is the complete list of feature of Sony SmartBand, there will be brief explanation on some of the major feature: Communication and Entertainment By using Sony SmartBand SWR10, It is easily communicate with your smartphone, tablet and Android apps can record your physical, social and entertainment activities. You can check all daily activity where you went, what pictures you took and how you have been communicating with your world. Lifelog Application The Life log can record walking, running, cycling or travelling by train timing and how long you slept .How much you take photo, how much time you are listing music and games you have played and how much you have socialized with a friends and family. Life Bookmarks All special moments you can make bookmark a great restaurant, an amazing song, beautiful sunset. Battery performance It has a rechargeable battery that can be charge your smartphone charger and Laptop can stay charged up to 5 days. Other features: It helps in measuring the sleep cycle Look ahead in time to see just how much more you need to cycle to achieve your daily activity goal. Helps to track weather and alert the user Removable Coreunit and a stylish and comfortable wrist band Sony fastening button and LEDs Vibrates when a call, message or other notification comes in Design The Sony SmartBand shares its design with many other wrist-worn fitness trackers. It comes in two bits – the wristband and the core. This is a little plastic brain that lives within a recess in the band, roughly where a watch face would be. The one we got our hands on was a simple rubbery band with a shiny plastic clasp on the rear, but others use different textures. The Core Despite the exposed micro-USB port (which is used for charging), the Core is IP58 rated for dust resistance and waterproof capabilities. The Core is a tiny plastic unit with an accelerometer inside. It sports a mini USB port and also features LED lights and a vibrate function to alert you to any notifications from your phone In addition, the Core is very light at 6g and when paired with a wrist band, can weigh between 20 to 21g depending on the choice of a small or large wrist band. We were told that the wrist band is made of silicone, a material that will feel comfortable to the skin. A Sony product staff said that she has been wearing the SWR10 for a number of days, and the use of silicone made her forget that she was actually wearing one on her wrist. During our few minutes of hands-on, we found the material to be easy on the skin. It is also easy to fasten and remove the wristband. The Lifelog App The Core is effectively useless without Sonys Lifelog, a lifestyle-tracking app for Android the company demoed onstage at its presser and is planning to release to Google Play in March. Think of Lifelog as a curated Facebook feed for your life, but without much effort on your part. It records your locations, communications, physical activity and photos taken and places them in a graphed format, in addition to coaching you with set goals. From what little weve been told about the Lifelog camera concept, it seems users would be able to pair it to a smartphone and then set specific triggers for photo capture, like times of the day or activities. So say you want to record the moments of your daily jog, this concept would handle that automatically and upload the shots to your personal feed. Its the sort of the stuff quantified selfers get all hot and bothered over you know, those ardentlifebloggers. But just because Sonys showing off this Lifelog camera concept, that doesnt mean well ever see it become a commercial reality. Sony may just be testing the consumer waters or simply showing off its idea of the possible road ahead. Recommendations Although the SmartBand is said to be one of the greatest improvisation of activity trackers in the market, I do believe there are still rooms for improvement. Firstly, the SmartBand is connected to the phone via Bluetooth. Although it offer the vibration notification service, it do not show up the contact or type of notification that you received. So, if you received a call on your phone, your Core will start to vibrate, however with no display, you’ll still need to get your phone out to see who is calling. It is the limitation on the Core as Sony can only choose either to extend the battery-life of the Core or to provide the display which significantly reduce the battery-life without charging. Secondly, SmartBand is pitched by Sony to be a 24/7 wearable device. However, due to its limited battery life, there will still be times where you need to recharge the battery. I suggest that spring-powered system (self-winding mechanism) can be installed into the core, like how some watches in the market works. It uses the principle of kinetics, and store energy made by the user’s hand movement into the spring and coil in an intrinsic system. The whole idea of activity trackers including SmartBand are to record the activities of the users, which easily relate to loads of movement like walking, cycling and et cetera. As the Core requires minute amount of energy to function, the energy generated can slowly reused to operate the core. Finally, SmartBand can be improved by being an improvised version of watch as well- by adding in function like time display and stopwatch. Adding in display into the core or the band is the key for this improvement. With the display, time can be shown on the band as well as other basic functions of a normal watch. In order to keep the long lasting battery life, LCD can be used as it is more energy efficient than other display technologies. Conclusion Ever since the development of the ENIGMA (the first digital computer), computers have inspired our imagination. In this period came the World War II code breaking machine designed by Alan Turing, and Von Neuman’s ENIAC which can be called dinosaurs compared to present day PCs. In the earlier days, computers were so huge that it took an entire building, or at least a floor to occupy one. Computers of that era were very slow by today’s standards. In the non-ending struggle to increase computing speed, it was found out that speed of electricity might become a limiting factor in the speed of computation, and so it was a need to lessen the distance that electricity had to travel in order to increase the computing speed. This idea still holds true in modern computing. However for the past few years, industry pundits have been predicting the death of the personal computer. I look at it a bit differently—the personal computer is not dying, but is becoming even more personal. It is now something you’re going to wear—in your clothing, jewelry, shoes, glasses, watches, and even on your skin. Sony’s SmartBand is one of the kick starter of these wearable technology, together with Samsung’s Galaxy Gear, Apple’s Ipod Nano, Google Gass and et cetera. All these improve human’s life in all different aspect. For instance the medical and health, social, entertainment, or even in the field of military. Whatever area wearable computer technology is applied to you can see that it willl improve the quality of life and make day-to-day life less complicated. It is only our imagination which will limit the number of applications for this new emerging technology. Wearable computer is a platform for the rapid application development, it promotes behavioral architecture and Java for the design of applications on wearable computers. In addition of the prototypes that has been released to test the viability of the architecture .There are even some reports that wearables will be the fashion of tomorrow. It may take some time for wearables to be commonly accepted. After all, it was once unusual to see people using cell phones or wireless microphones, but they have been embraced.

Coaching Session Using the GROW Model

Coaching Session Using the GROW Model This study looks to conduct a coaching session with one individual. In order to do this effectively, a range of coaching techniques will be drawn upon using empirical research. As this study cannot cover all areas of coaching research, we will only focus on areas that will directly influence the implementation of the coaching session and therefore topics have been carefully chosen to suit the GROW model and the coaching relationship. Once a good base of literature is collected, the paper will then apply these guidelines to develop an evidence-based framework to implement. In order to assess the success of this framework, a self-reflection log and client feedback will be documented to evaluate the impact of the session on a more personal level. A discussion will also be formed to critical assess the data collected. This will help to understand any implications and improvements for future practice. GROW is arguably the most well-known approach used in coaching (Palmer Whybrow, 2007; 2009; Palmer, 2011; Grant, 2011). Although the GROW model has been around since the early 1990s (Whitmore, 1992), it has only been empirically measured over the last decade (Alexander Renshaw, 2005). It is a behavioural model that focuses on external behaviour and how it is adapted. The coaching relationship is one that is similar to Socrates and Plato, where the coach uses open-ended questions to help move the coachee through each of the four steps. By moving through these four steps the coachee enhances their performance and moves closer towards achieving their self-chosen goal. These four interrelated steps are: Goals; Reality; Options; and Way Forward. The definitions of these can be found in table 1. Goal setting is seen as the start of a â€Å"GROW journey† which then moves into reality which helps the coach gain understanding of where they are currently (Grant, 2011). GROW description table with example questions. Sourced: Grant Greene, 2004; Whitmore, 1992. Although research suggests that having a basic structure like GROW in place is effective, many would argue that GROW alone is incomplete. McKenna and Davis (2009) developed four ‘active ingredients’ that directly affect the success of the coaching outcome. These include: Client factors (40%) The relationship (30%) Placebo or hope (15%) Theory and technique (15%) These percentages suggest that the success of coaching largely due to the coachee’s own processes and the coach’s ability to develop and maintain a robust coaching relationship. It further argues that applying GROW to the session will only contribute a small part to the coaching outcome. Therefore, a primary focus on building the relationship as the coach cannot control intrinsic factors of the coachee. Since these findings, more research has been published to argue the importance of the relationship (De Haan, 2011; 2013) and linking it to outcomes (Ianiro et al., 2012). Passmore (2007) suggests that a coach needs to invest more into the relationship when the group of participants is smaller. Passmore (2007) further states that the relationship is most fragile at the beginning because this is when coachees are unsure whether they trust or like their coach. A relationship built on trust and respect is not a new concept to psychology. To build a relationship effectively, Rogers (1957), a humanistic writer, suggested that a successful therapeutic relationship relies on a series of factors. Firstly, the coach needs to hold a positive self-image. This implies that coaches with high self-esteem construct stronger relationships. This may reflect â€Å"I’m ok† from the Transactional Analysis model (TA). Secondly, the coach must believe that the coachee is able to find the answers to their own problems. This may reflect the â€Å"you’re ok† in TA. Passmore (2007) adds that a coachee’s self-esteem rises when they feel that their coach believes in their ability. Thirdly, the coach must be able to empathise with the coachee throughout their relationship. Fourthly, the coach needs to act with integrity in the relationship. Lastly, the coach must work with the sole objective of meeting the needs of the coachee. Rodgers (1957) meta-research findings were written over 70 years ago, but still have an impact on recent theory and practice (Passmore, 2007). More recently, Passmore (2007) also added that the coach must be non-judgemental of the coachee for the coaching relationship to be successful. These findings are potentially a good framework for developing the coaching relationship, however are not sufficient to maintain it. Passmore (2006) published a study looking at whether executives value the outcome of coaching. They found that a coaching relationship is not solely based on trust and respect. The coach must be able to create an environment that optimises achieving goals. In order to do this effectively, the coach must be able to firstly monitor their own behaviours and feelings. Secondly, monitor the behaviours and feelings of the coachee and the coach needs to manage his or her emotions. Lastly, adapt behaviours appropriately to maintain both professional detachment and empathetic supp ort. These are all key components of emotional intelligence (EI) which have been linked to forming and maintaining effective relationships (Stein Book, 2000). If a highly effective coach is one that uses transference and countertransference effectively (able to transfer or redirect feelings from one to another), then a coach needs to be aware of the dangers of an unbalanced power dynamic forming (Pezet, 2007). Instead, a successful power dynamic that surrounds the relationship must have the best interests of the coachee at heart. Otherwise, the coach may be seen as a â€Å"superhero or supervillian† neither of which fit into the â€Å"I’m ok, you’re ok† approach mentioned earlier. An approach to reduce the likelihood of an unbalanced power dynamic forming is to set all expectations at the start of the relationship. This allows the coachee and the coach to know what to expect from the relationship. There are also guidelines available for coaces which are provided by their chosen professional association. There is a range of coaching associations available. Popular associations include International Coaching Federation (ICF), Association for Coaching (AC) and the British Psychological Society Special Group of Coaching Psychology (SGCP). The ICF and AC are popular associations within the industry, but they do not align with the practice of SP. SGCP are one of the few associations where SP as a primary focus. As a result, this report abides to the SGCP ethical regulations, as the practice of SP is essential when working as an Organisational Psychologist. Please see appendix C for a clear understanding of all the SCGP guidelines considerations needed when designing and implementing a coaching session. In order to create an effective coaching session, a coach must firstly set expectations with the coachee to reduce any conflict or power dynamic forming. The coach must further create a relationship based on trust and respect. This can be achieved by adopting an EI approach to coaching, as well as being high in self-efficacy and able to put any agenda they have aside. Lastly, in order to be an effective coach psychologist, one should follow the ethical guidelines of SGCP. Methodology Participant- 93 The participant involved in this study has been recruited online from a Social Media advert posted on a social media site. In order to achieve a coaching relationship with no power dynamic, the participant is an individual that is not close to me. However, as I am not insured nor am I officially signed to SGCP, the client I have chosen is someone that is in my network. I have chosen these specifics as this participant is the safest option and still allows enough distance to prevent any pre-determined dynamic effecting the session. Establishing the Coaching Relationship- 243 In order to set expectations effectively, a welcome pack (appendix C) and a coaching contract (appendix D) was generated explaining what coaching is and asked the coachee a few questions about their: Expectations of the coaching process Expectations of the coach Expectations of the coachee Experience of therapeutic relationships (what they found to be a good/poor approach) How they would like to be treated within the coaching relationship if challenged A coaching contract is also a part of the welcome pack. The contract further sets expectations of the coaching relationship, e.g. logistics of the coaching session and set expectations of coaching and the coachee. Both the contract and the welcome pack state clearly that an SGCP ethics guideline sheet will be provided if requested. It should be noted that, the contract will state that all details about the coachee will be kept anonymous. Once these questions have been answered, a follow-up phone call will be arranged with the client. This helps to cement expectations by both parties answering any questions. We will then arrange a time and date for a session that is suitable for both parties. For my own record keeping, I will also keep a confidential record online of the coachee’s details and create a spreadsheet log of my coaching (Appendix D) Conducting the Coaching Session- 139 The session will be conducted in a meeting room in City University Library. This location is neutral to both parties to keep the power dynamic balanced and the session undisturbed. Both parties will have their phones switched off to ensure no interruptions. I will further arrange the chairs so that they are sitting next to one another is a less intimidating stance for both parties (STUDY). The coach and coachee will be provided with a pen and paper for note taking. As a means of gauging the success of the session, the client will fill in a short Likert scale questionnaire before and after the session (See appendix E). Diagram 1: Seating positions of coach and coachee In the 60-minute session, the coach will follow the GROW model (see Diagram 2) using the framework set in table 1. The session will commence with a tighter structure at the beginning, but the structure of the session will become less tight as the session moves in ‘R’ and ‘O’. However, once heading into ‘W’, the session will become tighter again. Allowing flexibility in ‘R’ and ‘O’ gives the client creative freedom to explore their situation and their options. Please see Diagram 3 for a clear understanding. Diagram 2: GROW MODEL PROCESS Diagram 3: Dimensions of Session Structure Once the session is complete, the client will be advised to email a week later with any homework and feedback from the session. This aims to give the client accountability and give leverage their self-chosen goal. A final questionnaire will be sent to the coachee to see whether their motivation has fluctuated from the previous. Follow-up from client 480 â€Å"Coaching was an overall good experience. I particularly liked being given permission to speak about my passion! I also enjoyed breaking things down into small manageable goals- smaller than I usually would. I further enjoyed indentifying where motivations like, or is enjoyable about work. The questions were sometime difficult but they were thought-provoking and forced me to consider things from a different perspective. However, a little more input would have been helpful. I realise the point is for you to get me thinking, but possibly some suggestions of your own, or things that other people have tried might help when Im stuck on finding an answer for something. I am happy with the general dynamic. I think the style of a semi-structured conversation works well, it let us explore things as they came up but also felt like there was a clear process. As a person I think youre very approachable and friendly but you keep a strong focus at the same time so that works well.† Self-Reflection- 308 I have written a self-reflection report to clear my thoughts on the session and improve my self-awareness and skill set. In this session, the client initially came into the session with a long-term goal and so most of the session was spent breaking it down. I did my best to help the client find their tangible first step that they can achieve in the short term and provided the coachee with homework to research and evaluate different options. However, I felt that more work could have been done to add value to the goal. For instance, I could have spoken about the benefits and consequences of achievement more. I could have also done more work on drawing out client’s strengths and highlighting previous success strategies. This would build on their ‘can-do’ attitude, which could increase the quality of actions they may generate in their homework and make it much more likely to leave with a specific idea of what resources to research when completing their homework. Nonetheless, I feel that I was able to challenge my coachee and was unafraid to question their commitment to action, their motivation and the possible consequences of inaction. Additionally, I feel that I was able to active listen without having the urge to interrupt or give advice, with only the urge to interrupt once to provide a suggestion. I tackled this by asking the client’s permission to give the suggestion and provided two other options alongside it. I did not so that the choice of action was still in their hands. Lastly, I made sure to paraphrase and summarise using the client’s words (i.e. habit, energy, focus) at every milestone in the session. I did this by writing down key words being said by the coachee. This helps both the coachee and I gain understanding and reflection on what was previously said.

Measuring Random Appraisal Error in Commercial Real Estate :: essays research papers

Recent empirical studies imply that most appraisal error is nonrandom, which suggests that strategies that advocate portfolio assembly over individual property selection may be defective. Each step of the appraisal process involves an unknown amount of estimation error. The combination of these errors is unlikely to produce a perfect, error-free estimate of value. Thus, appraisal error is virtually unavoidable. Investors need reasonable estimates of value when buying, selling, or retaining commercial property, so an unknown amount of appraisal error adds uncertainty to the decision-making process. Despite the uncertainty, investors have learned to make allowances for appraisal error in their decision-making processes. The way in which real estate investors interpret appraisal errors has a material effect upon the decisions that they make. In particular, the predominant belief among real estate professionals is that appraisal error is random. This belief materially influences investor attitudes toward portfolio management and the valuation process itself. Lack of understanding of the relative magnitudes of random and nonrandom components of total appraisal error has co nsequences for optimal portfolio strategies. For example, investors who deem the bulk of total appraisal error to be random may reasonably conclude that error in estimates is beyond their control or influence. To minimize total portfolio valuation error, such investors may assemble large, diverse portfolios even though the cost of owning an array of properties of various types and in various locations is expensive. On the other hand, if the bulk of total appraisal error is nonrandom, investors would do better to pay attention to improving value estimates on each property rather than hoping that the errors in values of a large pool of properties will offset one another. In particular, investors should institute valuation controls and procedures to minimize the errors in each valuation of individual portfolio assets. Such controls might include obtaining multiple simultaneous estimates, changing appraisers for each periodic revaluation, or increasing the frequency of valuations. This conclusion becomes particularly significant in light of studies like Miles that determine that the typical magnitude of total appraisal error is about ten percent of appraised value. Information in three recent empirical studies provides evidence that previous appraisal research has been mistaken in assuming most appraisal error to be random. The demonstration that most appraisal error is nonrandom should encourage real estate investors to focus additional attention on individual asset selection and valuation at the expense of portfolio assembly. Estimates of Total Appraisal Error

Descriptive Essay - The Interesting Bus Ride Home -- Descriptive Essay,

The Interesting Bus Ride Home When most people think about an eventful or memorable place, they almost certainly would not picture a bus. As we all know, buses are not exactly attractive. The design scheme is the same in almost every bus: rows and rows of brown seats, a thin black aisle down the middle of the bus, hundreds of hazy windows, and the big, lemon-yellow exterior. Not many people, I am sure, would consider buses to be an important part of their lives. However, if a person were to think about it, they would realize that they probably have had at least one memorable experience in their life that took place on a bus. One of the most memorable bus experiences in my life happened when I was in fifth grade. The final bell at school had rung, so I sprinted out to the bus with a few of my friends to save seats since our bus was always crowded. After we flung our backpacks into the four back seats, we ran back inside the school to buy some Mountain Dew from the pop machine in the cafeteria. After jamming our quarters into the machine and snatching the cans out of the bin, we sprinted back outside to make sure we did not miss the bus. It was still there, in all its yellow glory, so we hurried through the doors and onto the bus. It had been wet and cloudy since that morning--a typical Oregon day--and as I made my way to the back of the bus, the faint smell of rain mingled with the rubbery-plastic smell of hundreds of little rain boots. When I finally got to my seat, I was rather unnerved to find that not only was someone sitting in my seat, but that that someone was none other than Nathaniel Larson, the most obnoxious kid in the 5th grade. I took a deep breath and said, in the kindest voice I could muster, "Nathan, you... ...int was chipped on the outside, and on the inside the chairs had holes and writing all over them. Oddly, though, this bus smelled slightly of paint, which was a huge contrast to its shabby condition. But to us, this dingy yellow vessel was beautiful; it was warm, and it would take us home. This old/new bus continued our route, and we all sat quietly, awaiting our stops. Everyone had a tired, almost forlorn look, as though they had been through much more than just switching buses. I did not have any concept of time as the bus chugged along, stopping occasionally to let people off, and all of a sudden I recognized that it was almost to my stop. I jerked out of the stupor I was in as the bus stopped in front of my apartment complex. As I gathered up my things to leave, I looked at my friends and said, "Well, this will make one interesting story at school tomorrow!"

Racism and the American Dream in Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun Essay

A Raisin in the Sun is written by a famous African- American play write, Lorraine Hansberry, in 1959. It was a first play written by a black woman and directed by a black man, Lloyd Richards, on Broadway in New York. The story of A Raisin in the Sun is based on Lorraine Hansberry’s own early life experiences, from which she and her whole family had to suffer, in Chicago. Hansberry’s father, Carol Hansberry, also fought a legal battle against a racial restrictive covenant that attempted to stop African- American families from moving in to white neighborhoods. He also made the history by moving his family to the white section of Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood in 1938. The struggle of Lorraine Hansberry’s family inspired her to write the play. The title of the play comes from Langston Hughes’s poem which compares a dream deferred too long to a raisin rotting in the sun. A Raisin in the Sun deals with the fact that family’s and individualâ€⠄¢s dreams and inspirations for a better life are not confined to their race, but can be identified with by people with all back grounds. A Raisin in the Sun is a set in 1950s after the Second World War which was an age of great racism and materialistic in America. It is about a black family living in south side of Chicago and struggling through family and economic hardships, facing the issues of racism, discrimination, and prejudice. The family consists of Lena Younger known as Mama; Walter Lee Younger who is an intense man, Ruth Younger who is wife of Walter Lee, Travis Younger who is son of Ruth and Walter, and Beneatha Younger who is Walter’s younger sister. The whole family lives in a two bed room apartment and don’t have money to live a better life. youngers are tired from their struggle to ... ...llow." Ruth replies by saying, "He’s rich!" That is exactly Beneatha's point. She does not want to be in a relationship with George (boyfriend) simply because he can support her financially. That is how Beneatha proves her point about looking beyond the surface. He seems her obstacle in fulfilling her dream of becoming a doctor. She is a strong woman who faces the negative attitude of people with great patience. For example, when Mrs. Johnson (neighbor) says, â€Å"I know--- but sometimes she act like ain’t got time to pass the time of day with no body ain’t been to college. It’s just--- you know how some of our young people get when they get a little education† (Hansberry 527). Work Cited Hansberry, Lorraine. ?A Raisin in the Sun.? Making Literature Matter: An Anthology for Readers and Writers. Eds. John Schilb and John Clifford. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin?s 2008.

Portfolio Managemnt Essay

Overview KBIM Investment Inc. is a leading investment company incorporated in Barbados and licensed under the Companies Act cap 308 of the laws of Barbados. Founded in the year 2000, the company seeks to provide its investors with risk-adjusted returns in a management structure that closely aligns the  interests of investors and managers. Further, KBIM has continued to evolve from a dedicated private equity investment firm to a diversified management company. The fund buys US and Canadian stocks from the New York Stock Exchange as well as from the Toronto market. The fund has been equally divided among the following four industries; financials, technology, pharmaceuticals and energy. To assure that efficiency is maintained, the net assets are calculated weekly at the end of each week (Friday) of all stock market transactions. Global Economic and Market Outlook The global economy is in a dangerous new phase. Global activity has weakened and become more uneven, confidence has fallen sharply recently, and downside risks are growing. Against a backdrop of unresolved structural fragilities, a barrage of shocks hit the international economy this year. Japan was struck by the devastating Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami, and unrest swelled in some oil-producing countries. At the same time, the handover from public to private demand in the U.S. economy stalled, the euro area encountered major financial turbulence, global markets suffered a major sell-off of risky assets, and there are growing signs of spillovers to the real economy. The structural problems facing the crisis-hit advanced economies have proven even more intractable than expected, and the process of devising and implementing reforms even more complicated. The outlook for these economies is thus for a continuing, but weak and bumpy, expansion. Prospects for emerging market economies have become more uncertain again, although growth is expected to remain fairly robust, especially in economies that can counter the effect on output of weaker foreign demand with less policy tightening. World Economic Outlook (WEO) projections indicate that global growth will moderate to about 4 percent through 2012 from over 5 percent in 2010. Real GDP in the advanced economies is projected to expand at an anemic pace of about 1 ½ percent in 2011 and 2 percent in 2012, helped by a gradual unwinding of the temporary forces that have held back activity during much of the second quarter of 2011. However, this assumes that European policymakers contain the crisis in the euro area periphery, that U.S. policymakers strike a judicious balance between support for the economy  and medium-term fiscal consolidation, and that volatility in global financial markets does not escalate. Moreover, the removal of monetary accommodation in advanced economies is now expected to pause. Under such a scenario, emerging capacity constraints and policy tightening, much of which has already happened, would lower growth rates in emerging and developing economies to a still very solid pace of about 6 percent in 2012. Strategic Objectives KBIM Investment Inc endeavours to provide an above average, long-term total return fund by investing in small capitalization stocks listed from within the US stock exchanges. The fund’s investment style of small capitalization values the investment objective of growth funds. A growth fund seeks to find companies that are expected to show rapid future growth in earnings, even if current earnings are poor, or possibly non-existent. The latter is directed towards more aggressive investors seeking good performance in an expected market rise. KBIM Investment Inc places heavy emphasis on asset allocation which is a very important decision for any investor in terms of portfolio construction. Fund managers have decided based on strategy and policy of the fund to utilize tactical asset allocation. This approach is performed routinely as part of the ongoing process of asset management. Using this approach, market risk is insulated, where exposure to a particular market is increased when its performance is expected to be good. On the other hand there is decrease exposure to the market when performance is expected to be poor. An investor’s fate is basically determined by having allocated funds to asset classes. Risk, expected return, market expectations, risk tolerance and goals of the fund is reflected in the allocation of weights The following characteristics should be present for companies in which the fund invests: 1. The company’s share price is depressed after a period of negative growth 2. An acceptable level of financial strength, efficient control and effective management of business assets should be exhibited by the said Company. KBIM Investments Inc reserves the right to rebalance the portfolio after decisions have been made from review of the portfolio ever quarter. Rebalancing reduces the risks of sharp losses and is less volatile than a portfolio not rebalanced. At any time where the fund liquidates or suitable equity investments are absence, KBIM investments Inc will seek investments in short term debt securities or money market instruments. Risk KBIM investment equity fund is specifically for an investor who seeks to attain high returns and by doing this is willing to tolerate high risk to receive the maximum benefit from their investment. Investors must take into consideration that investments in only one portion of the economy may offer greater risk than a highly diversified fund. In addition to the above, a fund that invests in well-established companies may be less risky than one that favors start-up companies. Limitations Investors must take into consideration the impact of taxes on the portfolio. Further, changing tax laws imposed can become bothersome in terms of forecasting future tax rates. Investors must also abide by regulation requirements imposed by state and federal agencies. The latter specifies the actions an investor should take in terms of achieving objectives, given the preference of the investor and any constraints imposed. Benchmark To evaluate portfolio performance, the following questions should be answered; the first being whether or not the return on the portfolio was adequate after all expenses was taken care of? Next the amount of risk taken by the investor or portfolio manager in creating and managing the portfolio should be assessed. Finally what return should have been earned on the portfolio, given the risk taken and the alternative returns available to be earned from investments over the same period. KBIM will be benchmarked against the S&P 500 small cap index. The stocks for the fund were selected based on the following criterion: ROE > 10 Market cap > 1,000,000,000 Six month return >0 P/E < 15 Competitive Advantage The fund managers of KBIM, are committed to offering returns above average of similar portfolios. Through our investment strategic policies, we hope to attract investors who are seeking to hedge funds. Here at KBIM we also value enhancement services such as risk management, insurance reviews, consulting and corporate governance. The firm’s comprehensive offerings provide private equity clients with numerous competitive advantages throughout the private equity life cycle, including fund development, portfolio growth and divestiture. Fee Details Annual charges: Annual Management charges: 1.65% of net asset value Fund Administrative charges: 0.05% Registrar charges: 0.13% Fund expenses: 0.2% Commission: Sales charge of 1.85% will be charged on amounts invested into the fund. During the first week of investing, KBIM Investment Fund grew by 3.5%, as U.S stocks rose, driving the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index to its longest winning streak since February, amid optimism Europe’s leaders would announce a plan to contain the debt crisis and after McDonald’s Corp. (MCD) joined companies beating profit estimates. Financial shares in the S&P 500 added 3.9 percent as European finance ministers began negotiations to prevent a Greek default and shield banks. The S&P 500 climbed 1.1 percent to 1,238.25, the highest since Aug. 3, and had risen three straight weeks. It had surged 13 percent since Oct. 3, when it closed within 1 percent of a bear market, or 20 percent plunge, from its high in April. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also rose a fourth straight week, gaining 164.30 points, or 1.4 percent, to 11,808.79. Equities rose as European finance ministers approved a 5.8 billion Euro loan to Greece, and France retreated in a clash with Germany over expanding the bailout fund. Talks are to continue through Oct. 26. The S&P 500 also gained after 74 percent of companies that reported quarterly results topped the average analyst  projection. During the second week of investing, KBIM Investment Fund grew by 4.54% amidst a week which ended with most U.S. stocks falling, as data on consumer confidence and spending failed to boost equities a day after European leaders expanded the region’s bailout plan. Stocks pared losses in the final minutes of trading on Friday, with the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index erasing a decline as it completed a fourth straight weekly advance, the longest streak since January. About four stocks declined for every three that rose on U.S. exchanges at 4 p.m. New York time on Friday. The S&P 500 rose less than 0.1 percent to 1,285.09, after rallying 3.4 percent on Thursday. It was up 3.8 percent since Oct. 21. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 22.56 points, or 0.2 percent, to 12,231.11. The Russell 2000 Index of small companies retreated 0.6 percent. U.S. equity options expired Friday. Stocks rose Thursday, extending the best monthly rally since 1974 for the S&P 500, as European leaders agreed to expand a bailout fund and U.S. economic growth accelerated. Earlier this month, the index came within 1 percent of extending a drop from its peak in April to 20 percent, the common definition of a bear market. Since then, it has risen 17 percent. The S&P 500 rallied above the average strategist forecast for its closing level on Dec. 31, the third straight year that stocks ran ahead of projections. The index closed above the year-end forecast on Nov. 4 in 2010 and on June 2 in 2009, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that the debt crisis won’t be over â€Å"in a year.† Italy’s borrowing costs rose to a euro-era record at a sale of three-year bonds, driving yields higher amid concern that efforts to contain the sovereign crisis won’t be enough to safeguard the region’s third-largest economy. Fitch Ratings said part of the plan to contain debt turmoil amounts to a Greek default. European leaders may struggle to maintain the euphoria that drove the euro to its biggest one-day gain in more than a year as scrutiny deepens on their latest attempt to stem the region’s turmoil. During the third week of investing, KBIM Investment Fund fell by 3.28%. U.S. stocks fell, driving the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index to its first weekly decline since September, as a disagreement on Europe’s resources to fight  the debt crisis offset a drop in the American unemployment rate. The S&P 500 dropped 0.6 percent to 1,253.23 as of 4 p.m on Friday, November 4, New York time, after falling as much as 1.8 percent earlier. The gauge was down 2.5 percent this week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 61.23 points, or 0.5 percent, to 11,983.24. Benchmark gauges tumbled earlier this week as Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou announced on October 31 a parliamentary confidence vote and his desire to hold a referendum on a European Union aid package needed to avert default. Equities rebounded on Thursday as Greece abandoned the referendum, moving closer to accepting the bailout. Global stocks slumped on Friday as the Group of 20 nations failed to agree on increasing the International Monetary Fund’s resources to fight Europe’s debt crisis. Ruling party lawmakers urged Papandreou to step aside and allow the formation of a new government that can approve the bailout plan for Greece. The unemployment rate unexpectedly fell to a six-month low of 9 percent from 9.1 percent, even as the labor force expanded. The 80,000 increase in payrolls followed gains in the prior two months that were revised up by 102,000. Financial stocks had the biggest decline in the S&P 500 among 10 industries, falling 1.4 percent as a group. During the fourth week of investing, KBIM Investment Fund rose by 1.17%. U.S. stocks rose this week, restoring the year-to-date gain for the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index, as improving economic data and leadership changes in Greece and Italy bolstered investor optimism. The S&P 500 rose 0.9 percent to 1,263.85, overcoming a 3.7 percent decline on Nov. 9 that was the largest one-day loss since Aug. 18. The Dow advanced 170.44 points, or 1.4 percent, to 12,153.68 this week. Stocks resumed the rally that drove the S&P 500 up as much as 20 percent since the first week of October. Equities gained after U.S. consumer confidence improved and Italy’s Senate approved debt-reduction measures, paving the way for a new government led by former European Union Competition Commissioner Mario Monti. Greece swore in Lucas Papademos to head a unity government. The S&P 500 has rebounded 15 percent from a 13-month low on Oct. 3 as the Citigroup Economic Surprise Index for the U.S., which gauges whether reports are beating or trailing estimates, climbed to a seven-month high. The benchmark measure of U.S. equities rose 2 percent on Thursday, preventing a second weekly drop, after  a gauge of consumer sentiment topped estimates in November and reached the highest level since June. The Labor Department said on Nov. 10 that the number of Americans filing applications for unemployment benefits fell to the lowest level in seven months. Stocks tumbled on Nov. 9 as yields on Italian government bonds surged, fueling concern European leaders will struggle to fund bailouts. During the fifth week of investing, KBIM Investment Fund fell by 3.71%. U.S. stocks fell, sending the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index to its worst weekly loss in two months, as Spanish, French and Italian bond yields rose and Fitch Ratings said Europe’s debt crisis poses a threat to American banks. The S&P 500 decreased 3.8 percent, the most since the week ended Sept. 23, to 1,215.65. The index closed at the lowest level since Oct. 20. The Dow fell 357.52 points, or 2.9 percent, to 11,796.16. Equities slumped this week as higher government bond yields in Spain, France and Italy spurred concern the European debt crisis is intensifying outside Greece. The S&P Financials Index slumped 5.6 percent this week, the biggest drop among 10 industries, after the Fitch report spurred speculation the European crisis poses a threat to earnings. The S&P 500 advanced one day this week, on Nov. 15, amid speculation Mario Monti would succeed in forming a new Italian government to battle the debt crisis, while growth in retail sales bolstered optimism in the economy. Yesterday, he won a final parliamentary confidence vote, granting full power to his new government after pledging to spur growth and reduce debt in the euro-region’s third-largest economy. The benchmark measure of U.S. stocks erased gains yesterday after Deutsche Presse-Agentur reported that Germany’s Foreign Ministry said the nation was considering the possibility of â€Å"orderly defaults† beyond Greece. The index had rallied after a measure of leading U.S. indicators signaled the world’s biggest economy will keep growing in 2012. During the sixth week of investing, KBIM Investment Fund fell by 4.07%. The euro touched a seven-week low against the dollar, falling for a fourth week, as Italian borrowing costs jumped to the highest level since 1997, adding to speculation Europe’s sovereign-debt crisis is spreading. U.S. stocks tumbled in the worst Thanksgiving-week loss for the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index  since 1932 as concern grew that Europe’s debt crisis will spread and American policy makers failed to reach agreement on reducing the federal budget. The S&P 500 slid 4.7 percent to 1,158.67, closing at the lowest level since Oct. 7. The Dow fell 564.38 points, or 4.8 percent, to 11,231.78 this week. The S&P 500 has fallen for seven days, the longest streak in four months, and has tumbled 7.6 percent so far in November. U.S. equities erased an early advance on the final session of the week as S&P lowered Belgium’s credit rating and Reuters reported that Greece is demanding private investors accept larger losses on their debt. The cost of insuring European sovereign bonds against default rose to a record this week as Germany failed to find buyers for 35 percent of the bonds offered at an auction. German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said market turbulence sparked by the euro region’s sovereign-debt crisis will last for â€Å"a few months.† Congress’s special debt-reduction committee failed to reach an agreement this week, setting the stage for $1.2 trillion in automatic spending cuts and fueling concern that economic- stimulus measures that are set to expire will not be renewed. Still, S&P reaffirmed it would keep the U.S.’s credit rating at AA+ after stripping the government of its top AAA grade on Aug. 5. Stocks fell Nov. 22 as revised Commerce Department figures showed that gross domestic product climbed at a 2 percent annual rate from July through September, less than projected and down from a 2.5 percent prior estimate. U.S. stock exchanges were shut Nov. 24 for Thanksgiving and closed three hours early on Nov. 25. Evaluation of Fund KBIM FUND PERFORMANCE WEEK 1-6 Initially, the first two weeks of the portfolio’s performance did exceptionally well. Due to extreme market conditions in Europe (European Debt Crisis), the fund was affected. The weaknesses of Europe’s common currency area, ranging from its design to a persisting dearth of bank funding and anemic economic growth, weren’t properly addressed in the measures revealed on to stem investor panic. Consumer confidence unexpectedly rose in October from the previous month, indicating the biggest part of the economy will help keep the U.S. recovery intact.  Performance fell in week 3 but stabilized in week 4 due to improving economic conditions in Europe (leadership changes in Greece and Italy), thus restoring confidence in the market. Week 4 and 5 dropped to record lows in the S&P 500. This was due to the negative result of the sale of government bonds in Germany, as investors lacked the confidence it once had in what is arguably the strongest economy in Europe. The fact that the German economy was unable to raise the money it expected to with the sale spoke volumes, as it was the one country in Europe which seemed to be stable and assisted in the bailout of its struggling member countries (Greece, Italy and Spain). This also led to a huge dip in the value of the Euro currency. Overall, the fund’s performance was below expectations. There was, however, directly related to unexpected market conditions, which affected the global market adversely. Invariably, that was passed down to the portfolio. During the six week period KBIM started out with $999,984.84 and ended with $977,853.00, thus making a loss of $22,131.82. Total return was then a negative return of 2.21%. The decision was taken to hold of the selling of equities with the portfolio. Instead, the strategy opted was one of riding the storm out, and in some instances, even buying more stock, as the markets were down and the share prices down as well. This would allow for the fund to make substantial profits when the market recovered or improved, as it could only improve from this point. Bibliography Jones, Charles P. Investment Analysis and Management, Eleventh Edition John Wiley and Sons 2010 http://www.bloomberg.com http://www.imf.com