The Role of the Congress in U.S. Foreign Policy

The Role of the Congress in U.S. International strategy Similarly as with for all intents and purposes all U.S. government strategy choices, the official branch, including the president, and Congress share duty in what in a perfect world is a joint effort on international strategy issues. Congress controls the tote strings, so it has huge impact over a wide range of government issues including international strategy. Most significant is the oversight pretended by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. The House and Senate Committees The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has an exceptional task to carry out in light of the fact that the Senate must endorse all bargains and selections to scratch international strategy postings and settle on choices about enactment in the international strategy field. A model is the typically extreme addressing of a chosen one to be secretary of state by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Individuals from that board of trustees have a lot of impact over how U.S. international strategy is directed and who speaks to the United States the world over. The House Committee on Foreign Affairs has less power, yet it despite everything assumes a significant job in passing the outside issues financial plan and in researching how that cash is utilized. Senate and House individuals frequently travel abroad on reality discovering missions to places esteemed fundamental to U.S. national interests. War Powers Unquestionably, the most significant position enabled to Congress by and large is to announce war and to raise and bolster the military. The authority is conceded in Article 1, Section 8, Clause 11 of the U.S. Constitution. Yet, this congressional force as conceded by the Constitution has consistently been a flashpoint of pressure between the Congress and the presidents established job as president of the military. It went to a breaking point in 1973, in the wake of the distress and disruptiveness brought about by the Vietnam War, when Congress passed the questionable War Powers Act over the veto of President Richard Nixon to address circumstances where sending U.S. troops abroad could bring about including them in furnished activity and how the president could do militaryâ action while as yet keeping Congress tuned in. Since the section of the War Powers Act, presidents have seen it as an illegal encroachment on their official forces, reports the Law Library of Congress, and it has stayed encircled by contention. Campaigning Congress, more than some other piece of the government, is where extraordinary interests look to have their issues tended to. Also, this makes a huge campaigning and strategy creating industry, quite a bit of which is centered around remote issues. Americans worried about Cuba, horticultural imports, human rights, worldwide environmental change, migration, among numerous different issues, search out individuals from the House and Senate to impact enactment and spending choices.

Research of an Innovative Hardware Object Essays

Research of an Innovative Hardware Object Essays Research of an Innovative Hardware Object Essay Research of an Innovative Hardware Object Essay After you make your item utilizing your PC helped programming or CAD, he advanced AD model is spared as a SST record and sent to the printer. Before you begin printing anything you need to include a select measure of the material that you have chosen to utilize (mortar, ballistic, polyurethane, polyester, epoxy, metal and so on ). At that point the printer prints out your item on a bed and youre wrapped up. There is another technique that you can use to AD print your ideal item, this strategy is called melded testimony displaying or FED. In this strategy liquid polymer is showered onto a help layer and the item is assembled layer by layer until complete. What organizations make AD printers? The market for AD printers Is starting to develop. There are numerous organizations that have practical experience in creating and selling AD printers however for this task Im going to concentrate on the accompanying. A portion of the organizations that make mechanical AD printers are; Object Geometries established in 1998, Z Corporation established in 1994, Strategy established in 1988, disesteems established in 1986. A portion of the organizations that produce AD printers for home use are; Makeover Industries established in 2009, Ultimate established in 2011, and Potboil established by disesteems. What are the models that are made by different organizations? Models made by: Z Corporation: The Project 3510 SD delivers top notch parts ideal for building and mechanical structure applications. Technique: The Forts mace framework assembles tough and precise parts as extensive as 914 x 610 x mm. It additionally has 11 diverse material alternatives appropriate for anything from swelling apparatuses and production line tooling to end-use parts and even useful models. disesteems: The Cube X Duo is truly outstanding and most well known work area/individual advertisement printers with the capacity to print and item as large as a b-ball! Makeover: The Makeover Replicated ZOO is progressed to such an extent that you can make and print two items simultaneously. Application and cloud empowered so you can interface with spouse and USB without any issues by any stretch of the imagination. Extreme: a definitive 2 has the business driving print to estimate proportion. It has the littlest impression and most elevated form volume among all work area AD printers. Likewise, it is an open fiber framework implying that the expense of material is low contrasted with other advertisement printers since you can utilize any fiber you pick. Potboil: The Cube X has a propelled settings choice that pe rmits you to specific and customized the manner in which you print In 8 unique hues! Additionally, It Includes Its own printing programming. Qualities of this segment Include: Cheap Manufacturing: AD printing is progressively being utilized by enormous organizations sun as banter or Ales to supplant some AT principle typical maturating meet This is accomplished through lower transportation and bundling costs from abroad parts providers, less human work and less expensive and dependable materials. Snappier Production: The speed of AD printing contrasted with requesting parts from various providers everywhere throughout the world resembles looking at the speed of a turtle and the speed of a race vehicle. Why old you need to trust that parts will show up when you could have the whole item assembled directly before you in two or three hours. Additionally in the event that you dont like the plan you have made, you can Just beginning without any preparation or shape your structure into something other than what's expected utilizing the PC program used to print. New Shapes and Structures: Regular assembling techniques depend on molds and slicing innovations to make a set number of shapes yet AD printing changes this out and out. The AD printers splash apparatus can assemble an unbounded number of complex figures constrained distinctly by human creative mind. Blends of New Materials: Before AD printing, blending distinctive crude materials wasnt conceivable because of their physical and compound properties however individuals accept that promotion printings potential has not been reached at this point such huge numbers of organizations currently offer several unique materials with various wraps up the look and feel of metal, clay or glass with various qualities and liquefying temperatures. Shortcomings of this part: AD printers go through a lot of vitality in any event, when printing something the size of a neckband. When softening plastic and different materials with warmth or lasers, AD printers utilize around 50-100 times increasingly electrical vitality that infusion embellishment to make n thing of a similar weight and size implying that with regards to modern AD printing, the time you spare probably won't merit the cash your spending on electric or creation expenses. One of the materials for the most part utilized in AD printing is plastic. Conceivably the greatest ecological developments in late history has been to decrease the utilization of plastics, the most mainstream and least expensive AD printers utilize plastic fiber and wires to print objects. On the off chance that AD printing begins to turn out to be progressively industrialized, at that point overabundance plastic from either print beds or scratched ventures that werent utilized necessities to e recyclable or biodegradable yet up to that point, AD printing will turn into an inefficient method of making parts or any articles. There are numerous things you can print with an AD printer for instance; a toy for little kids or a wheel for a transport or bike, the issue is you could likewise print out a firearm or weapon or the like and that could be illicit in the nation that you made it. The printer itself won't not permit you to print out a weapon since it doesnt know the distinction. There is additionally going to be an issue with printing out fake items. To print an item, all you need s the product the model was made on and the real document itself. You can likewise print out charge cards and I. Dos just as duplicates of other private effects. What amount does an AD printer cost? There are 3 principle kinds of AD printers, these sorts incorporate; individual, proficient and mechanical. Individual AD printers are doubtlessly and basically utilized for little activities that you can make, for example, toys, smaller than usual structures and instruments. Proficient AD printers are utilizes In huge business Dulling Ana organizations; high schooler utilize ten printers for parts that should be made with explicit detail since transportation from different passages around the globe is excessively costly. Modern AD printers are utilized for making items and parts to be sold and fabricated to other enormous organizations, typically for more worth.

Essay Topics - How to Choose and Write Different Youth Essay Topics

Essay Topics - How to Choose and Write Different Youth Essay TopicsWhen it comes to essay topics, there are a lot of different and interesting ones that you can choose from. What you'll find is that the questions that you have to answer will be very unique and a little bit more personal than a normal essay, but because you're writing for someone else you can still get some of the questions and you can get some answers out of it as well.The first thing that you need to do is to decide on a topic for your essay. You can then think about what you want the topic to contain, and you'll also want to have a good idea of who you're going to write it for. Because this is usually for younger students, you might want to have a few things prepared for when you are writing the essay.The first thing that you should know is that there are a lot of topics for kids. If you want to write an essay about animals, then you're going to have to do a lot of research. While you can find some good information about animals in books, there's not going to be any easy information for younger children when it comes to animals. The best thing that you can do is to talk to a teacher and ask them if they have any suggestions or anything that you can use as a reference for your topic.The next thing that you'll want to do is to decide on the topic for the essay. You can do this by thinking about the kind of person that you're writing for. It can be easier if you can imagine what the type of person would be like to get ideas for the topic. If you can picture a kid that likes sports, then you can write an essay about sports as well.As long as you know the specific kinds of subjects that the kids like, then you can figure out what kind of topic that you want to write. If you can't figure out what kind of topic that you want to write, then just make sure that you have a good idea about what the topic is going to be about. There are plenty of different topics for kids, and you'll be able to write one just by going through the list of topics that you've already picked out.When you're choosing a topic for your essay, it's a great idea to get some ideas out of the books that you have lying around. If you can find something that you can get inspiration from, then you should take a good look at that. It might even be something that you can think about for some of the questions that you have in your mind.You'll also want to consider looking through some of the different themes that are out there for kids. While it might be fun to find some music videos that kids like, you can also find topics that talk about sports that your kids might like. For example, if you were to pick up a copy of a children's novel and read the first fifty pages, then you might want to think about how that could help you with your essay.You can use a book as a great topic for your essay because you can get lots of great ideas for the essay without actually having to write the entire thing yourself. You can jus t find a book that has a bunch of great writing tips that you can use to help you write the essay. You'll probably also be able to find some of the same writing tips that the kids will be using to write their essays.

Ethical Consumers and Consumption Definition and Discussion

A glance at contemporary news headlines reveals the many problems that stem from how global capitalism and consumerism operate.  Global warming and climate change threaten to wipe out our species and the planet. Dangerous and deadly working conditions are common on the production lines of many goods we consume.  Tainted and toxic food products appear regularly on the shelves of grocery stores. People working in many industries and services sectors, from fast food to retail, to education, cannot afford to feed themselves and their families without food stamps. In response to these—and many other—problems, many have turned to ethical consumerism in order to address global issues by changing their patterns of consumption. The key question of ethical consumerism can be stated as follows: when the problems connected to our way of life are so many and diverse, how can we act in ways that are rooted in respect for the environment and others? Below, we’ll review how studying consumption patterns from a critical perspective can show us how to be ethical consumers. Key Takeways: Being an Ethical Consumer In today’s globalized economy, our choices about what to buy have far-reaching consequences around the world.While we don’t typically stop to think about our everyday purchases, doing so can allow us to make more ethical product choices.In response to concerns about the ethical impacts of global capitalism, initiatives have been developed to create fair trade and sustainable products. Wide-Ranging Consequences Being an ethical consumer in today’s world requires first recognizing that consumption is not just embedded in economic relations, but also in social and political ones. Because of this, what we consume matters beyond the immediate context of our lives. When we consume goods or services brought to us by the economic system of capitalism, we effectively agree with how this system works. By purchasing goods produced by this system we give our consent, by virtue of our participation, to the distribution of profit and costs throughout supply chains, to how much the people who make stuff are paid and to the massive accumulation of wealth enjoyed by those at the top. Not only do our consumer choices support and affirm the economic system as it exists, but they also provide legitimacy to the global  and national policies that make the economic system possible. Our consumer practices give our consent to the unequal distribution power and unequal access to rights and resources that are fostered by our political systems. Finally, when we consume, we place ourselves into social relationships with all the people who participate in producing, packaging, exporting and importing, marketing, and selling the goods we buy, and with all of those who participate in providing the services we purchase. Our consumer choices connect us in both good and bad ways to hundreds of millions of people around the world. So consumption, though an everyday and unremarkable act, is actually embedded in a complex, global web of economic, political, and social relations. As such, our consumer practices have sweeping implications. What we consume matters. Critical Thinking About Consumption Patterns For most of us, the  implications of our consumer practices remain unconscious or subconscious, in large part because they are far removed from us, geographically speaking. However, when we think consciously and critically about them, they can take on a different kind of economic, social, and political significance. If we frame the problems that stem from global production and consumption as unethical or morally corrupt, then we can visualize a pathway to ethical consumption by selecting products and services that break from harmful and destructive patterns. If unconscious consumption supports and reproduces the problematic status quo, then a critically conscious, ethical consumption can challenge it by supporting alternative economic, social, and political relations of production and consumption. Let’s examine a couple of key issues, and then consider what an ethical consumer response to them looks like. Raising Wages Many of the products we consume are affordable because they are produced by low-wage workers around the world who are kept in impoverished conditions by the capitalist imperative to pay as little as possible for labor. Nearly every global industry is plagued with this problem, including consumer electronics, fashion, food, and toys, to name just a few. In particular, farmers who sell produce via  global commodities markets, like those who grow coffee and tea, cocoa, sugar, fruits and vegetables, and grains, are historically underpaid. Human rights and labor organizations, and some private businesses, have worked to reduce this problem by shortening the global supply chain that extends between producers and consumers. This means removing people and organizations from that supply chain so that those who actually make the goods receive more money for doing so. This is how fair trade certified and direct trade systems work, and often how organic and sustainable local food works too. It is also the basis of the Fairphone, a business response to the troubled mobile communications industry. In these cases, its not just shortening the supply chain that improves the situation for workers and producers, but also increasing transparency and regulation in the production process to ensure that fair prices are paid to workers and that they work in safe and respectful conditions. Protecting the Environment Other problems stemming from the global system of capitalist production and consumption are environmental in nature. These include the sapping of resources, environmental degradation, pollution, and global warming and climate change. In this context, ethical consumers look for products that are sustainably produced, such as organic (certified or not, as long as transparent and trusted), carbon neutral, and mixed-cropped instead of using resource-intensive monoculture farming. Additionally, ethical consumers seek products made from recycled or renewable materials, and also look to reduce their consumption and waste footprint by repairing, reusing, repurposing, sharing or trading, and recycling. Measures that extend the life of a product help reduce the unsustainable use of resources that global production and consumption requires. Ethical consumers recognize that ethical and sustainable disposal of products is just as important as ethical consumption. Is It Possible to Be an Ethical Consumer? While global capitalism often leads us to make unsustainable purchases, it is possible to make different choices and to be an ethical consumer in today’s world. It requires conscientious practice, and a commitment to consuming less overall in order to pay a higher price for equitable, environmentally sustainable goods. From a sociological standpoint, it’s important to recognize that there are also other ethical issues regarding consumption: for example, ethical and sustainable products are more expensive, and, consequently, aren’t necessarily a feasible option for all consumers. However, when we are able to do so, buying fair trade and sustainable products can have consequences throughout the global supply chain.

Asset Identification and Classification Policy - 2967 Words

Asset Identification Classification Policy Policy Definition It is the goal of this organization to implement the policies necessary to achieve the appropriate level of protection for each corporate asset. Standard Protecting each asset requires collaboration from every employee. Different assets have a different probability of failure do to vulnerabilities, threats and require annual information security training for each employee. Procedure A true security program includes an Asset Identification Classification Policies, therefore, identifying and categorizing, tracking and managing assets require one to create and implement an inventory control list according to the recommendation outline in NIST 800-53 Rev. 4 Security and†¦show more content†¦The Acceptable Use Policy outlines the appropriate/acceptable behavior and ramification for noncompliance to this and every policy of this organization. Procedure The Acceptable Use Policy must address every aspect of an employees daily routine outlining to Do and Do Not as he or his uses to assets/resources of this organization. Guidelines The intent of these guidelines is to help employee make the best decision when using the assets/resources of this organization; as well as refer employee to additional policies for further clarification. †¢ Expectation of privacy †¢ Workplace Privacy and Employee Monitoring †¢ Internet Usage o Access Control to prevent employee from accessing in appropriate site †¢ E-Mail Usage o Etiquette o Mandatory Signatures o Attachment protocols o Continuing education ï‚ § Spam ï‚ § Malware ï‚ § Virus †¢ Software/hardware o Installation and deletion †¢ Use of hardware o USB Drives o CD †¢ Ramifications o Organizational Penalties o Employee infraction scale †¢ Communication devices Threat/Vulnerability Assessment Management Policy Policy Definition A Threat and Vulnerability Assessment and Management Policy by design uses processes and technology that helps identify, assess and remediate IT threats and vulnerability. A term â€Å"threat† is any action of exploiting a vulnerability that results inShow MoreRelatedIs20071634 Words   |  7 PagesInformation security policies, standards, procedures and guidelines drive risk management, security and control requirements throughout the organization Information security policies, standards, procedures and guidelines drive risk management, security and control requirements throughout the organization 4.2 TREATING SECURITY RISKS 5 SECURITY POLICY 5.1 INFORMATION SECURITY POLICY 5.1.1 Information security policy document 5.1.2 Review of the information security policy 6 ORGANIZATION OFRead MoreOrganizational Analysis : Greiblock Credit Union1214 Words   |  5 Pagesthe Midwestern United States. GCU headquarters is located in Chicago, Illinois and is the centralized location for all Information Technology (IT) services for all its locations. 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(Page 6) -Threat - Any action that could damage an asset. 2. Which law requires all types of financial institutions to protect customers’ private financial information? (Page 9) -Gramm-Leach Bliley Act(GLBA - Passed in 1999, 3. An AUP is part of a layered approach to security, and it supports confidentiality. What else supports confidentiality? (Page 14) Protecting Private Data - The processRead MoreIs4550 Week 5 Lab1611 Words   |  7 PagesLaboratory: Part 1 Part 1: Assess and Audit an Existing IT Security Policy Framework Definition Learning Objectives and Outcomes Upon completing this lab, students will be able to complete the following tasks: * Identify risks, threats, and vulnerabilities in the 7 domains of a typical IT infrastructure * Review existing IT security policies as part of a policy framework definition * Align IT security policies throughout the 7 domains of a typical IT infrastructure as part of a layeredRead Morelab 5 Essay719 Words   |  3 PagesToken c. Shared Secret 2. What is Authorization and how is this concept aligned with Identification and Authentication? Authorization is a set of rights defined for a subject and an object; this concept is aligned with Identification and Authentication because these are the 3 steps to the access control process 3. Provide at least 3 examples of Network Architecture Controls that help enforce data access policies at LAN-to-WAN Domain level. a. Remote Access Servers b. Authentication Servers cRead MoreWhat Is The Components Of Service Chain1318 Words   |  6 PagesLogistics requirements will be fulfilled using each Signal Battalion internal service support assets or via external contract support. In order to enable trained and ready expeditionary Signal forces IOT Prepare to Deploy Order (PTDO) abroad. Service support elements will provide Common User Logistics (CUL) IAW both the Army regulations and IAW XVIII Corps policies/directives. (U) Execution a. (U) Concept of Sustainment. Signal Forces will self-sustain in four phases: (1) (U) Phase I. (Pre-DeploymentRead MoreThe Security And Protection Of Patient Information1215 Words   |  5 Pagespurpose of this Policy is to clearly demonstrate the commitment of the home center management to the security and protection of patient information. Management is dedicated to fostering a culture of compliance among all employees. This Policy sets the direction, gives broad guidance, and defines the requirements for security related processes, programs, and actions across the center. The center should be committed to consistent enforcement of this Policy and cyber security. This Policy should be in

Outline the main values issues presented to a social worker by one of the case example given Free Essays

Outline the main values issues presented to a social worker by one of the case example given, with reference to the CCETSW statement of Social Work values. Discuss how you would attempt to resolve the issues in line with the CCETSW value position. Case Study: Ethel, Alan, Marion In this essay I will be outlining the importance of social work values, by looking at the social work values. We will write a custom essay sample on Outline the main values issues presented to a social worker by one of the case example given or any similar topic only for you Order Now I will be focusing on the value issues within the case study which are relavent to the CCETSW’s statement of values, to understand and integerate the values of social work. In the assignment I will try to resolve the arising value issues in the accordance of CCETSW’s statement values as a social worker. In this assignment by using the term’ social work’ it will be refering myself. In   The meanings â€Å"value† are divers and varied. ‘Values’ are a combination of our beliefs, views on which we act upon. Initially, all individuals have some personal values. A social worker has social work values, which are linked with his/her duties and responsibilities. Therefore, the agency also imposes some values on social workers. In some terms social worker’s personal values can conflict or compete with others’ values. As â€Å"Values are concerned what’s good and desireable†(Loenberg and Dolgoff 1992, quoted in Meyer and Mattain, 1995:p.51). The social work is a well know agency and institute, which provides help, support and advice to those people who are deprived, vulnerable and needy such as poor, elderly, women, children etc. The social work services are reliable, confidential, and equally availiable to all individuals and groups. However, the social work is highly criticised to use their power wrongly, for example removeing children and adults from home. On other hand, the occurance of neglegence and abuse in the residential care. We should not forget that it is individual’s act and it is not a fault of all members of institution. Thus to pervent abuse and misuseing of power, a social worker should practice on the basis of CCETSW’s values, rules and regulations and use them as a guidence. Ethel is 93 years old, which is a fragile age. She may be discriminated and oppressed because of her age as statistics show Family and society: As often seen in our society, people’s views about old people are negative. For example they labelled them as ‘burden’ ‘ clumsy’ ‘rages’ ‘slow and lazy’ ‘useless’ ‘fussy’ ‘childish’and even ‘mad’. Ethel’s son, Alan, passed comments † but that’s old woman for you, isn’t it†? On the other hand, Alan’s wife Marion is reluctant to answer the questions and burst into tears. Alan pays little attention which makes you think Marion is depressed for some reason. Which require assessment and communication to evaluate the situation. â€Å"It is also important to â€Å"identify, analyse and take action to counter discrimination, racism and disadvantages, inequality and injustice, using strategies appropriate to role and context; and practice in a manner that does not stigmatised or disadvantage either individuals, groups or communities. (CCETSW 1995;P18) Physical and emotional concerns: Ethel is fit and healthy for her age but she is may be at risk, (perhaps she is not). But she had bruises and burnt the kettle. In my opinion it is important to assess the situation, circumstances, knowledge of available and existing resources and assistance which is ‘concerned with the enhancement of human well being†, (BASW 1986) â€Å"Social workers have a responsibility to relieve and prevent hardship and suffering.† (CCETSW 1996) and â€Å"communication to promote opportunities for children, adults, families at risk or in need to function, participate and develop†. (CCETSW 1996; p: 16) Choices and options: It is necessary to know about Ethel’s concerns. Social work gives clients ‘respect’, ‘options’, and choices. The options for client (from available resources) to choose from such as residential homes, care worker, health visitors, community nurse, age concern and others. As ‘choices available to users are often limited.’ (Nocon, A. et al 1996p: 51) Although ‘case worker have a correspondent duty to respect that right, recognise that need’ (Biestek, P.et al 1950, principle 6) ‘respect their clients as individuals and will seek to ensure that their dignity, individuality, rights and responsibilities shall be safeguarded.'(BASW 1986; 10:ii) â€Å"Regardless of whether they are provided in the home or out side the home,†(Lowy, L.1979; p: 429) ‘However only 5% living in any institution: most elderly people prefer to live with or near their families. Because of lack of community resources Many people are forced out of their homes, but not because the family wishes to be get rid of the older members. (Lowy, L. 1979;p: 65) Partnership: It is essential to communicate with the client, family, friends, or other person or authorities (if involve) to work in partnership. In this case Ethal’s son, daughter-in-law or other family, care manager and friends at the day centre and GP (to find out if she have had any sort of injuries or bruises before). Emotional and Health issues: It is stated that Ethel is being confused on occasions, and her short- term memory is poor but she can recall her memories from the past, which is clearly a rough and difficult existence. It also has been acknowledged that she was a victim of domestic violence. She used to get beaten by her drunken husband. A programme, broadcasted by Channel 2, showed that 87% of domestic violence victims are women. According to Unison 1 October 1997, new domestic violence legislation in England and Wales came into force under the Family Law Act. While there remain loopholes in the Act. It does not make the civil law simpler and clearer, allow greater protection to more individuals and strengthen the use of powers of arrest. Despite this, a victim can live in trauma of fear and it also psychologically effects the personal abilities and qualities. It can affect victims for a long- term and blunt their abilities to operate their lives with confidence. And they can see it as a norm of their life, may be Ethel have accepted it as norm that’s why she is not unhappy. In our society, people are hesitate to talk about it, or discus about it in the public or with friends which leave them isolated, alone, scared and helpless. It also develops a sort of sense of guilt. The longer you live in that situation the worst outcomes could be. Ethel described, as she was a victim of domestic violence, is she still a victim? Counselling could be a good solution for her if she requires it. But if she is still a victim of domestic violence (Statistics show that if a woman is being beaten by her husband then it could be possible that it can carry on by her son as he see himself ‘Dominate or head’) then there is a need of ‘family therapy’. Non-judgemental: We can’t make judgements about others but for assessment we should consider each and every possibility and chances of risk and inequality. We are concern that personal help (individually and collectively) is offered within an acceptable personal and cultural context to increase the range of choices open to them and power to make decision, including the participation of client in ensuring and defining that the services are appropriate for them. (BASW 1986; 10) Access to resource: (care, finance, support, and Accessibility) Ethel’ home looks tidy but are there adequate support, resources and care available? Ethel’s family is living in a rented property and the house is in need of repair. Possibly, the land- lord can arrange to repair the property under the Tenancy Rights. May be Local Authorities can help to provide easy access to and out of home. One more issue, which clicks me, is why Alan took the electricity off! Was it due to financial problems or are they neglecting Ethel. If Ethel needs to get up at night for her needs or she is not having enough sleep then her GP can advice her. Mostly it has seen that the sleeping of the elderly people do change and also getting confused or short-term memory are related to old age. Lowy argues that chronological ageing alone does not account for such changes but, instead, that they are connected with a number of other life’s circumstances. (1979; p: 65) â€Å"Persuading and cajoling of clients can range from the ‘informal’ admission to a psychiatric hospitals to the gentle pressure on an elderly to enter residential care† ( Thomas, et al.) On the opposite, Tony Novak and Chris Jones (BASW 1993;p: 196) argue that â€Å"social workers have found themselves with even few resources to meet the needs of more desperate clients. At the same time social worker has faced increasing criticism and ridicule, not only from the media but also from the state itself, which has challenged its legitimacy and sense of identity†. How to cite Outline the main values issues presented to a social worker by one of the case example given, Papers

Celebrity Testimonials Effectiveness of the Advertisement “Lux Soap” free essay sample

Celebrity Testimonials are considered as the best techniques with regards to their impact on word of mouth publicity. Testimonials by the celebrities increase the readability of the consumers and help the product image to be built by vouching for the features, advantages and benefits of the product. Analyzing the example of Lux Advertisement, it has been advertised and endorsed by several celebrities and their message does create a huge impact in terms of the overall brand building. In one of its ad, the Bad Shah of the film cinema Shah Rukh khan says Aaj mein aapko batanewala hoon meri khubsurati ka raaz LUX. Ab batayein aapka favorites LUX Star kaun hai?’ there by indicating the products usability for themselves as well as for the target audiences. They proudly justify their preference for the brand as a secret of their glowing complexion thus helping in improving the believability, brand recall factor and brand recognition. We will write a custom essay sample on Celebrity Testimonials: Effectiveness of the Advertisement â€Å"Lux Soap† or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The execution method is adopted based on the segmentation procedure which is fetched by geographically connected to the audience in terms of age, geography, class, gender etc and psychologically getting connected by showing their loyalty and love for their super stars. This advertisement which provides the best example for celebrity testimonials was definitely effectives in its execution, but usually such testimonials are rated as far below average because such ads create a brand preference for the sake of their celebrities and not for the product preference. As a result of which the brand recall factor dies off as soon as the commitment and the credibility of the endorser are lost. Such an effect is known as Vampire Effect and will not serve the benefit for the product and the company on a long term basis. The Lux Testimonial Advertisement by the celebrities has made a huge difference in the consumers’ tastes and preferences and hence it has already been recognized as the trusted brand in the nation. References: BusinessSchoolOnline. (2008), Testimonials Celebrity Endorsement, Retrieved September 19, 2008, from, http://209.85.175.104/search?q=cache:cX9OMRgBHq8J:businessschoolonline.org/Lesson22Testimonials%26CelebrityEndorsement.pdf+testimonial+campaign+of+lux+soaphl=enct=clnkcd=7gl=in Berry, S. (2000), Screen Style, Retrieved September 20, 2008, from, http://books.google.co.in/books?id=Vpzp0rtDYCsCpg=PA30lpg=PA30dq=testimonial+ad+of+lux+soapsource=webots=Y7sVtGdoVzsig=IXIpTX3VOK0dZ9-FVC82KzBWbwIhl=ensa=Xoi=book_resultresnum=4ct=result Sethi, N. (2008), Shahrukh Khan to endorse LUX soap, Retrieved September 20, 2008, from, http://www.glamsham.com/movies/scoops/05/sep/09lux.asp 123Eng, (2007), Impact of Celebrity Endorsement on Overall Brand, Retrieved September 20, 2008, from, http://www.123eng.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14440

Materials for Interiors Wood

Hardwood Wood is the oldest construction material known to humanity. Before man had made advances enabling him to use brick and mortar, wood presented the viable stating place because of its relative abundance and ease of working.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Materials for Interiors: Wood specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Almost all cultures have a history of working with wood for various applications. In ancient times, the Chinese stand out as experts on wood technology. However, all civilizations claim equal stake in developing wood applications in their localities. Hardwood grows naturally in different parts of the world. It is the main raw material for hardwood flooring. Woodcutters obtain the wood from forests and saw it into planks for use as a flooring material. Natural properties of wood limit the size of each plank because wood naturally expands and contracts when there are variations in tempe rature and humidity. Wood grows naturally in most parts of the world. Different climatic conditions favor different species of wood. Therefore, each continent has certain species unique to it, classified as either hardwood or softwood. In general, hardwood provides a more durable material because of its density and best fits as a material for wooden floors. It take longer to mature thereby making its sustainable management more difficult compared to softwood. Wood is a renewable resource. Hardwood trees take much longer than softwood trees to mature. This makes their sustainability more difficult to establish compared softwood trees. Nevertheless, with good management, hardwood stocks are a sustainable resource that can last for many generations. In the world, America has the best sustainability practices for its hardwood stocks (American Hardwood Export Council). Wood is sustainable because it is possible to grow them afresh after harvesting. â€Å"The U.S. hardwood sawmilling and processing industry, the largest in the world, depends upon the hardwood forests of the United States for the widest range of temperate hardwood species in the world† (American Hardwood Export Council).Advertising Looking for research paper on art and design? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Hardwood forests constitute forty percent of all forest cover in the United States. The forests provide raw materials for different applications including flooring. The species used for making hardwood-flooring boards include, oak, walnut, pine, cherry, teak, and maple. The possible applications for any type of wood depend on its density and its physical appearance. Denser woods provide an ideal material for heavy uses such as flooring on high traffic areas, construction of external doors and durable furniture among others. Softwood trees on the other hand lend themselves for use as materials for lighter uses. While softwood timber i s useable for flooring, it wears out faster making it is less attractive as a flooring material. The installation of a wooden floor is a skilled job. They key pre-installation advice is, â€Å"store flooring where it will be installed† (Peterson Engel 15). This ensures that the wood adapts to the humidity in its surroundings. Otherwise, the floor may buckle if the wood has lesser humidity during installation, or it may develop gaps if it has at a higher humidity. Asphalt felt, put between the flooring base and the wooden flooring, provides appropriate protection from humidity for the wood. The wood may be pre-finished or requires finishing after installation. Comparison of Hardwood and Bamboo Flooring One of the materials very similar to hardwood applicable to flooring is bamboo. Bamboo is actually a grass or reed-type plant and not a wood despite its classification as a type of wooden floor. It has very good sustainability credentials because it regenerates after five years and its cultivation results in very little environmental damage. The comparison of wood and bamboo brings to the fore some of its superior natural qualities. Bamboo â€Å"offers both hardness and resilience and is both dimensionally stable and moisture resistant† (Bonda Sosnowchik 133). Compared to maple, its hardness is thirteen percent higher, while it exceeds the hardness oak by twenty seven percent. Bamboo has much better moisture resistance because of its natural structure.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Materials for Interiors: Wood specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Cost, availability, durability, and ease of maintenance influence the choice between hardwood flooring and bamboo flooring. Depending on the production process, the cost between the two materials may be significant. Bamboo offers better durability especially for heavy use areas while it also requires less maintenance because o f its resilience. However, depending on preference, wood provides more options for design in terms of color, finishes, sizing, and remains more adaptable than bamboo. Hardwood flooring and bamboo have the same maintenance requirements. They require vacuuming after the removal of loose dirt. Good maintenance practice requires the immediate drying of water or liquids that spill on them. New finishing coats and polishing may be necessary from time to time to maintain their natural look and ensure their long-term protection. The main advantages of hardwoods are flexibility of design and variety. Since hardwoods come in large pieces, their shaping may be into any number of shapes and sizes, within design limits. They do not handle humidity changes very well though. Bamboo on the other hand has very attractive natural qualities with good moisture resistance and admirable durability. The main limitation of bamboo is that its natural shape is very limiting to design. Works Cited American Ha rdwood Export Council. U.S. Hardwood Species. 2002. 19 March 2010 https://www.americanhardwood.org/en/american-hardwood/. Bonda, Penny and Katie Sosnowchik. Sustainable Commercial Interiors. New York, NY: John Wiley and Sons, 2007.Advertising Looking for research paper on art and design? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Peterson, Charles and Andy Engel. Wood Flooring: A Complete Guide to Layout, Installation Finishing. Newtown, CT: Taunton Press, 2010. This research paper on Materials for Interiors: Wood was written and submitted by user Nathanael R. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Best Character Analysis Jordan Baker - The Great Gatsby

Best Character Analysis Jordan Baker - The Great Gatsby SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips You know that friend of yours who loves to gossip yet always downplays any drama they get into themselves? Jordan Baker in The Great Gatsby is like that friend. A close friend of Daisy Buchanan’s, Jordandates Nick Carraway during the novel and plays a crucial role in reuniting Daisy with the titular Jay Gatsby. A couple of years younger than Daisy, Jordan is single and a professional golfer, which sets her apart from her married friend. In fact, Jordan is Daisy’s opposite in many ways, as we will explore in this guide! Read in for a complete guide to Jordan’s appearance, plot points, major quotes, and character analysis! Article Roadmap To help you easily find the information you're looking for, here's how this article is organized and the information it covers. Jordan Baker as a character Physical description Jordan'sbackground Actions in the novel Character Analysis Quotes about and byJordan Common discussion topics and essay ideas FAQ answering often-asked questionsaboutJordan Bonus: Want to improve your SAT/ACT section scores? Check out our top guides for every single section of the SAT and ACT. SAT 800 Score Guides: SAT Reading | SAT Writing | SAT Math | SAT Essay ACT 36 Score Guides: ACT English | ACT Math | ACT Reading | ACT Science | ACT Essay These are the very best guides available on boosting your SAT/ACT scores, section by section. They're written by Harvard grads and perfect SAT/ACT scorers. Don't disappoint yourself - read these guides and improve your score today. Quick Note on Our Citations Our citation format in this guide is (chapter.paragraph). We're using this system since there are many editions of Gatsby, so using page numbers would only work for students with our copy of the book. To find a quotation we cite via chapter and paragraph in your book, you can either eyeball it (Paragraph 1-50: beginning of chapter; 50-100: middle of chapter; 100-on: end of chapter), or use the search function if you're using an online or eReader version of the text. Physical Description of Jordan The younger of the two was a stranger to me. She was extended full length at her end of the divan, completely motionless and with her chin raised a little as if she were balancing something on it which was quite likely to fall. If she saw me out of the corner of her eyes she gave no hint of it- indeed, I was almost surprised into murmuring an apology for having disturbed her by coming in. (1.28) I enjoyed looking at her. She was a slender, small-breasted girl, with an erect carriage which she accentuated by throwing her body backward at the shoulders like a young cadet. Her grey sun-strained eyes looked back at me with polite reciprocal curiosity out of a wan, charming discontented face. It occurred to me now that I had seen her, or a picture of her, somewhere before. (1.57) Tom and Miss Baker sat at either end of the long couch and she read aloud to him from the "Saturday Evening Post"- the words, murmurous and uninflected, running together in a soothing tune. The lamp-light, bright on his boots and dull on the autumn-leaf yellow of her hair, glinted along the paper as she turned a page with a flutter of slender muscles in her arms. (1.121) The first thing Nick notices about Jordan is her placement and posture. Only after that does he notice her appearance, which he finds attractive. Nick tells us a lot about Jordan’s appearance, in fact more than he does about Daisy’s – with Daisy he often focuses on immaterial qualities like her voice. But we clearly see Jordan’s gray eyes, her wan, charming face, the autumn-leaf yellow of her hair, her small breasts, the slender muscles in her arms. Clearly Nick spends a lot of time looking at Jordan! It’s also worth noting Jordan and Daisy have contrasting appearances. Jordan is blond andvery athletic, physical, tan, and angular, while Daisy is dark-haired and pale with a musical voice and more delicate figure. Interestingly enough most film adaptations feature a dark-haired Jordan and a blonde Daisy! Jordan's Background Jordan Baker, who is two years younger than Daisy, grew up with the other womanin Louisville. Daisy refers to this as their shared â€Å"white girlhoods† (1.100). Jordan witnesses both Daisy’s initial relationship with Gatsby and how she almost didn’t marry Tom after getting a letter from Gatsby but pulled herself together in time for the wedding. Jordan doesn’t have any major surviving relatives other than an old aunt who controls her money, so it’s implied she’s the heiress to a significant amount of money but, during the novel at least, she doesn’t have full access to it. Instead of marrying, Jordan plays golf professionally and dates around, to the point Tom comments that her family â€Å"shouldn’t let her run around the country in this way† (1.134). To see how Jordan's biography lines up with the lives of theother characters, check out our timeline. A Summary of Jordan's Actions in the Novel In Chapter 1, Jordan meets Nick through Tom and Daisy, who she is staying with. She tells Nick that Tom has â€Å"some woman in New York† and shushes him so she can listen to Tom and Daisy’s argument, revealing herself as a gossip (1.100). In Chapter 3, she runs into Nick again at Gatsby’s party. She is also called to speak with Gatsby, and he tells her about his past with Daisy and how he hopes to meet her again through Nick, Daisy’s cousin. In Chapter 4, Jordan tells Nick about Daisy and Gatsby’s history and gets him to help arrange their meeting, igniting Daisy and Gatsby’s affair. In Chapter 7, Jordan is invited to the lunch party along with Nick, Tom, Gatsby, and Daisy, when Gatsby hopes to have Daisy to confront Tom. The group ends up going to New York City. Jordan rides up with Tom and Nick in Gatsby’s yellow car. They stop at the Wilson’s garage, and Myrtle sees the trio and takes Jordan to be Tom’s wife. Later that night, Jordan drives back with Nick and Tom, but this time in Tom’s blue coupe. They come across the scene of Myrtle’s death: she has been run over by the yellow car. Despite witnessing this awful scene, she seems surprised Nick doesn’t want to come into the Buchanans’ afterward for tea. The next day, she calls Nick at work, telling him she’s moved out of the Buchanans’ house and wants to see him, but they end up arguing over the phone and breaking up. Finally, in Chapter 9, Nick seeks her out to more formally break things off, and she tells him she’s engaged. Nick doesn't appear to have liked it enough to put a ring on it. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or more? We've put our best advice into a single guide. These are the 5 strategies you MUST be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download this free SAT guide now: Key Jordan Baker Quotes â€Å"And I like large parties. They're so intimate. At small parties there isn't any privacy." (3.29) This is an early example of Jordan’s unexpectedly clever observations – throughout the novel she reveals a quick wit and keen eye for detail in social situations. This comment also sets the stage for the novel’s chief affair between Daisy and Gatsby, and how at the small party in Chapter 7 their secrets come out to disastrous effect. Compare Jordan’s comment to Daisy's general attitude of being too sucked into her own life to notice what’s going on around her. "You're a rotten driver," I protested. "Either you ought to be more careful or you oughtn't to drive at all." "I am careful." "No, you're not." "Well, other people are," she said lightly. "What's that got to do with it?" "They'll keep out of my way," she insisted. "It takes two to make an accident." "Suppose you met somebody just as careless as yourself." "I hope I never will," she answered. "I hate careless people. That's why I like you." (3.162-169) Here we get a sense of what draws Jordan and Nick together – he’s attracted to her carefree, entitled attitude while she sees his cautiousness as a plus. After all, if it really does take two to make an accident, as long as she’s with a careful person, Jordan can do whatever she wants! We also see Jordan as someone who carefully calculates risks – both in driving and in relationships. This is why she brings up her car accident analogy again at the end of the book when she and Nick break up – Nick was, in fact, a â€Å"bad driver† as well, and she was surprised that she read him wrong. â€Å"It’s a great advantage not to drink among hard-drinking people.† (4.144) Another example of Jordan’s observant wit, this quote (about Daisy) is Jordan’s way of suggesting that perhaps Daisy’s reputation is not so squeaky-clean as everyone else believes. After all, if Daisy were the only sober one in a crowd of partiers, it would be easy for her to hide less-than-flattering aspects about herself. Suddenly I wasn't thinking of Daisy and Gatsby any more but of this clean, hard, limited person who dealt in universal skepticism and who leaned back jauntily just within the circle of my arm. (4.164) In this moment, Nick reveals what he finds attractive about Jordan – not just her appearance (though again, he describes her as pleasingly â€Å"jaunty† and â€Å"hard† here), but her attitude. She’s skeptical without being fully cynical, and remains upbeat and witty despite her slightly pessimistic outlook. At this point in the story, Midwestern Nick probably still finds this exciting and attractive, though of course by the end he realizes that her attitude makes it hard for her to truly empathize with others, like Myrtle. "Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall." (7.75) In contrast to Daisy (who says just before this, rather despairingly, â€Å"What will we do today, and then tomorrow, and for the next thirty years?† (7.74)), Jordan is open to and excited about the possibilities still available to her in her life. As we’ll discuss later, perhaps since she’s still unmarried her life still has a freedom Daisy’s does not, as well as the possibility to start over. While she’s not exactly a starry-eyed optimist, Jordan does show resilience and an ability to start things over and move on. This allows her to escape the tragedy at the end relatively unscathed. It also fits how Jordan doesn’t seem to let herself get too attached to people or places, which is why she’s surprised by how much she felt for Nick. "You threw me over on the telephone. I don't give a damn about you now but it was a new experience for me and I felt a little dizzy for a while." (9.130) Jordan doesn’t frequently showcase her emotions or show much vulnerability, so this moment is striking because we see that she did really care for Nick to at least some extent. Notice that she couches her confession with a pretty sassy remark (â€Å"I don’t give a damn about you now†) which feels hollow when you realize that being â€Å"thrown over† by Nick made her feel dizzy – sad, surprised, shaken – for a while. Common Essay Topics/Areas of Discussion About Jordan Jordan, like Tom, is usually roped into essay topics to be compared with Daisy (the way Tom is often contrasted with Gatsby or sometimes George), or to make a larger argument about the role of women more generally. Since Jordan isn’t as major of a character as Daisy, Gatsby, or even Tom, it’s rare to get a standalone essay just about Jordan. To read some excellentdetailed analysis of how to compare Jordan to Myrtle or Daisy, check out our article on comparing and contrasting the novel's characters. Make sure to move beyond the obvious when writing about Jordan – yes, she has a job while Daisy and Myrtle are both married, but what else makes her stand out? Pay special attention to how Jordan is described versus Daisy, Jordan’s dialogue, and Jordan’s focus – it’s clear that Jordan is often focused outward, observing other characters and their interactions, while Daisy tends to be turned inward, with her own emotions. Discuss how Jordan and Daisy illustrate changing women’s roles in the 1920s. Despite the progress in women’s rights made in the early twentieth century, including the right to vote (won in 1919), most women, especially wealthy women, were expected to marry, have children, and stay at home. Daisy sticks to this prescribed societal role by marrying and having a child. But Jordan plays golf professionally, â€Å"runs around the country† and doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to marry (1.134). In short, on the surface, it appears that Daisy is a traditionalist while Jordan is expanding the possibilities of a woman’s life. However, Daisy and Jordan aren’t exactly a straightforward housewife and career woman duo. First of all, Daisy is quite removed from her role as a mother, since her daughter Pammy is mostly raised by a maid. She also seriously contemplates leaving Tom during the novel. Meanwhile, Jordan tells Nick at the end of the novel she’s engaged. Whether or not this is true, it suggests that Jordan will certainly get married one day, and that her current golf career is just a temporary diversion, not a permanent independent lifestyle. Indeed, both Daisy and Jordan are also both at the mercy of their families: Daisy derives all of her wealth and power from Tom, while Jordan is beholden to her old aunt for money. They don’t actually have much control over their own wealth and would lose everything if they went too far out of line. So while Daisy and Jordan both typify a very showy lifestyle that looks liberated – being â€Å"flappers,† having sex, drinking in public (which before the 1920s was seen as a highly indecent thing for a woman to do), playing golf professionally in Jordan’s case – they in fact are still thoroughly constrained by the limited options women had in the 1920s in terms of making their own lives. Jordan briefly narrates in Chapter 4. How is Jordan’s narration different fromNick’s? Why rely on her narration at all? What would the novel be like from her point of view? Jordan’s narration is definitely distinct from Nick’s. Her diction is a bit sharper and she has more blatantly judgmental asides, calling Daisy â€Å"drunk as a monkey† (4.136). She also uses more vivid imagery: the red, white, and blue banners on the houses flapping â€Å"tut-tut-tut-tut† in a â€Å"disapproving way† (4.129), Gatsby’s letter to Daisy coming apart â€Å"like snow† in the bath (4.141), etc. Her choice of words is a pretty good insight into her character and how sharply observant she is! So why is there a section narrated by Jordan at all? Perhaps Nick leans on Jordan because he feels unqualified to talk about Daisy’s past. After all, aside from their conversation in Chapter 1, Nick doesn’t have close conversations with Daisy. But since Nick gets to know Gatsby through several close conversations, he feels comfortable telling about Gatsby’s past. You also get the sense he’s washing hishands of whatever Jordan reveals about Daisy. He doesn’t fully trust in the details or really care about Daisy’s story,using it only asa means ofunderstanding Gatsby. It’s also notable that Nick uses Michealis’s point of view to talk about the aftermath of Myrtle’s death, which in a similar manner suggests he feels less connected to the Wilsons than he does to Gatsby. The novel from Jordan’s point of view would likely be much less sentimental when it comes to Gatsby. Nick obviously idealizes him by the end while Jordan doesn’t seem to see him as anything more than a source of fun and intrigue. We would also likely get a much better sense of Daisy’s motivations and thought process throughout the novel, something we barely get access to with Nick’s narration. Daisy's motto: if you don't have anything nice to say, come and sit by me. Extra Advice: Want to get into the best college you can? Read our famous guide on how to get into Harvard, the Ivy League, and your top choice college. In this guide, you'll learn: What colleges are looking for in your application How to impress your top choice colleges Why you're probably wasting your time on activities that don't matter Even if you're not actually interested in Ivy League schools, you'll still learn something fundamental about how to apply to college. Read our top college admissions guide today. Jordan Baker FAQ These are questions that many students have about Jordan after reading Gatsby for the first time. These are points that don’t come up as often in essay topics or study guides, so give them a look if you’re still wondering about Jordan’s feelings and motivations! #1: Does Jordan Actually Like Nick? Daisy professes her feelings to not one but two men in Chapter 7, and Myrtle makes her attraction to Tom Buchanan clear. Jordan, in contrast, is not one to make her feelings so plainly known, so it’s not surprising that many students wonder if she even likes Nick at all. Like Gatsby, Jordan seems drawn to Nick because he presents himself as a stable, honest, and grounded personality in the midst of many larger-than-life, overbearing types.She even says that she’s drawn to him because he’s cautious. There's also a part in the book where Nick says that Jordan tends to prefer being with people she can dominate or pull one over on, and Nick does seem to rely on her for emotional strength at some points (for example in the car when he's thinking about turning 30). Nick and Jordan break up right at the moment when she can't control his actions - can't make him go into the house, can't make him apologize for ignoring her.) By the end of the book, Jordan does admit that she was rather thrown by the break-up, suggesting she came to have somewhat deeper feelings for him. In fact, their break-up scene is worth looking at in full to really answer this question: "Nevertheless you did throw me over," said Jordan suddenly. "You threw me over on the telephone. I don't give a damn about you now but it was a new experience for me and I felt a little dizzy for a while." We shook hands. "Oh, and do you remember- " she added, "- - a conversation we had once about driving a car?" "Why- not exactly." "You said a bad driver was only safe until she met another bad driver? Well, I met another bad driver, didn't I? I mean it was careless of me to make such a wrong guess. I thought you were rather an honest, straightforward person. I thought it was your secret pride." "I'm thirty," I said. "I'm five years too old to lie to myself and call it honor." She didn't answer. Angry, and half in love with her, and tremendously sorry, I turned away. (9.130-136) â€Å"Feeling dizzy for a while† is the closest we’ve seen the proudly unflappable Jordan come to admitting an actual, personal, emotional response to a situation. She also criticizes Nick for mischaracterizing himself as honest and straightforward when he dispatched her pretty coldly over the phone. In short, we can tell she has definitely been thinking their short relationship over and was shocked and hurt by how abruptly things ended. #2: Why Does Jordan Help Gatsby Reunite With Daisy? In Chapter 3, Jordan attends one of Gatsby’s parties and is called upstairs to speak with him. We can infer that Gatsby has heard she is staying with Daisy Buchanan, and calls her up so he can find out more about Daisy. In that conversation, Gatsby confesses to Jordan that he’s in love with Daisy and wants to try and see her again. Gatsby’s motivations are clear. But why does Jordan help? Well, for one thing, Jordan’s nosy, and likes to be in the middle of things. She tells Nick about Tom’s affair in Chapter 1 and also tells him all about Daisy’s past in Chapter 4, and seems to love being a source of information and gossip. Arranging a Daisy/Gatsby reunion certainly puts her close to some drama! However, you could also argue that, as someone with knowledge of Gatsby and Daisy’s original relationship, Jordan knows how devastated Daisy was when she got a letter from Gatsby, feels compelled to help the pair reunite. Finally, Jordan might also see it as an opportunity to expose Daisy as much less virtuous as she comes off. Jordan is consistently the only character who recognizes Daisy as less-than-perfect, as evidenced in her remarks about Daisy in Chapter 4 (â€Å"Daisy was popular in Chicago, as you know. They moved with a fast crowd, all of them young and rich and wild, but she came out with an absolutely spotlessreputation. Perhaps because she doesn't drink. It's a great advantage not to drink among hard-drinking people. You can hold your tongue and, moreover, you can time any little irregularity of your own so that everybody else is so blind that they don't see or care.† (4.144)). Nudging Daisy into an affair with Gatsby could be Jordan’s way of working to expose Daisy to the scrutiny that everyone else in their circles seems to face for similar behavior. #3: What’s Jordan’s Purpose in the Story? Is She a Necessary Character? Jordan, similar to Nick, is adjacent to much of the main action and not directly involved, so many students wonder what exactly she’s doing in the book. Especially since Nick does have a crucial role as narrator, Jordan can seem a bit superfluous at times. So why include her? Well, for one thing, she does have an important role to play in the story. Purely from a plot perspective, she helps connect Nick to Gatsby in Chapter 3, and she also helps connect Gatsby and Daisy. She helps sets the wheels of the affair in motion, and, of course, the affair drives the main action of the novel. Without Jordan, Gatsby would have relied entirely on Nick to reach Daisy, which would have taken some of the suspense out of Gatsby’s motivations (even though Jordan learns Gatsby’s secret in Chapter 3, we don’t learn it until Chapter 4). But Jordan is also important in how she allows us to understand other characters. She helps us understand Daisy by being such a contrast to her, and of course offers some crucial insights about Daisy herself during her brief stint as the narrator in Chapter 4. Furthermore, Jordan also gives us some insights about Nick since we can see his reactions to her and their relationship. In fact, Jordan’s relationship with Nick is one of our main inroads into understanding Nick’s personal life and feelings. So while Jordan is not directly involved in the main drama, she is a crucial lynchpin both for the plot and our understanding of the other major characters. #4: Why Doesn’t Jordan Go to Gatsby’s Funeral? Nick attends Gatsby’s funeral along with Gatsby’s father and Owl Eyes. Tom and Daisy have skipped town due to Daisy’s role in Myrtle’s death, Meyer Wolfshiem also wants to keep his distance since he is painted as cautious and disloyal, and Myrtle and George are dead. So out of the book’s major characters, Jordan is the only one unaccounted for at Gatsby’s funeral. Some readers wonder why she doesn’t show up, given her relationship with Nick and the fact that she at least knew Gatsby, and even helped him reunite with Daisy. First of all, Nick doesn’t try to invite Jordan to the funeral (that we know of), especially since it seems their conversation late in Chapter 9 is the first they have spoken since Nick â€Å"threw her over† on the telephone the morning after Myrtle’s death. Perhaps Jordan hears about Gatsby’s death but avoids his funeral because she assumes Nick will be there. If Nick invited her would she have considered attending? Likely not. Jordan, like the other characters, is very conscious about appearances and, furthermore, she is a character who likes being involved in gossip and intrigue but manages to mostly remain out of serious trouble or scandal herself. So even were she invited, going to Gatsby’s funeral might be seen as more risky than it’s worth, especially since she wasn’t that close to Gatsby. Want to get better grades and test scores? We can help. PrepScholar Tutors is the world's best tutoring service. We combine world-class expert tutors with our proprietary teaching techniques. Our students have gotten A's on thousands of classes, perfect 5's on AP tests, and ludicrously high SAT Subject Test scores. Whether you need help with science, math, English, social science, or more, we've got you covered. Get better grades today with PrepScholar Tutors. What’s Next? Nick and Jordan’s relationship is unique in the novel – they’re not having an affair, unlike Tom/Myrtle and Daisy/Gatsby, and they’re not married, unlike Myrtle/George and Daisy/Tom. So what does Nick and Jordan's relationship add to the story? Why include it at all? Read more about love, desire, and relationships in Gatsbyto find out. Jordan is a key figure in the first half of the novel as Gatsby moves to reunite with Daisy. Read summaries of Chapter 3and Chapter 4to get some in-depth takes of her most important scenes. We mention here that Jordan is relatively independent in that she has her own career as a golfer. This connects her to one of the novel's more interesting motifs: sports. How does her golf career compare to Tom's football days? Read our article on motifs in The Great Gatsby for some insights. 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Management Information Systems Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Management Information Systems - Assignment Example Evidently, these activities will assist the organization to improve its productivity automatically and hence to optimize communication across all layers of the organization and between the organization and the supplier. To illustrate, each football kit sold in a retail outlet is communicated to the supplier automatically and the supplier in turn will send more football kits to the retailer to address the shortage of items sold. Electronic data interchange is the most applied form of inter-organizational system and it facilitates instantaneous information transfer from computer to computer. An effective IOS can benefit an organization in several ways. First, it greatly aids the organization to reduce overall risk level in the organization, and to take advantages of economies of scale. Second, an IOS helps the organization to utilize the exchange of technologies and to increase competitiveness to a great extent. Finally, this system is beneficial for organizations to eliminate investme nt barriers and enhance global communication. There are some potential challenges to inter-organizational systems. ... Since there are no effective assessment methods and benefits measurement processes, system managers find it difficult to convince the top management about the feasibility of financing an inter-organizational system. Due to this weakness, managers cannot evaluate employee performance in connection with the IOS operations. In short, it is difficult to identify how an IOS influences the supply chain efficiency and the overall organizational performance. If the employees are not familiar with the inter-organizational system, it can be a challenging task for the system managers to ensure proper flow of information within the organization. Lack of funding is another challenge unique to IOS. As mentioned already, the top management often hesitates to fund IOS needs because most of the IOS benefits are intangible and the top management officials cannot be easily convinced about the potentiality of those intangible benefits. Finally, fast changing technologies, particularly information techno logy raise potential threats to the efficacy and affordability of the inter-organizational system. 2. Digital Economy Digital economy can be simply stated as an economy which is based on technologies. Digital economy is interchangeably referred to as internet economy, web economy, or new economy. With the emergence of new business practices and technologies, the concept of digital economy is being greatly intertwined with the traditional economy but a clear delineation is very difficult. The term digital economy was coined by Don Tapscott in his book titled ‘The digital economy: Promise and peril in the age of networked intelligence’. According to the Australian

Business ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 1

Business ethics - Essay Example Based on ethical theories and literature, this paper will attempt to show that it is important for companies to embrace the concept of sustainable development in order to grow their bottom line and ensure future growth. Companies are required to embrace sustainable development because by doing so, they will be fulfilling their ethical obligations to sustainability. In order to understand these ethical obligations, this paper analyses the ethical theories related to sustainability and how they apply. In an article by Mohamed Eid (2012) on sustainable development, the author relates the four major ethical theories to sustainability. These theories help understand how sustainable development is critical to any company. The first ethical theory supporting sustainable development is utilitarian ethics, a theory that focuses on the need to maximize good and the promotion of happiness. Based on this theory, sustainable development is approached by looking at the balance between economic, social and environmental welfare. Companies are thus required to engage in actions that will promote the overall good by striking a balance between these aspects. Companies have to focus not only on themselves and the maj ority in society but include the minorities as well. This requires that future generations are considered when making critical decisions. This also demands a focus on the economic gains of the company that meet the needs of all stakeholders (Najam, 1999 p. 70). The utilitarian theory requires companies to use approaches and methods that promote happiness from the individual level to the wider society. Companies thus need to create an environment that guarantees a better future for everyone. Secondly, sustainability is also tied to the deontological theory in which it is argued that actions are either right or wrong irrespective of their consequences. In this case, actions need to be justified by accepted universal principles. Currently,

The Private Pension Industry In Ghana Accounting Essay

The Private Pension Industry In Ghana Accounting Essay Ghana, a role model in terms of economic and political stability has recently been upgraded to a middle-income country following years of implementing sound economic policy and stable political environment and with this upgrade comes its own challenges. Ghanas economy is strong and promises generous future growth and the need for a much more comprehensive social security system is understood to be of great importance. In 2004, the government started a journey to reform the social security/ pension system and these reforms created an opportunity for the participation of the private sector in pension delivery. This proposed business plans seeks to establish a trustee company, which will provide pension related products to the formal and informal sectors of the Ghanaian economy who have traditionally been excluded from the national pension system. The private pension industry is a new and virtually untapped industry offering an opportunity to serve a large proportion of Ghanas workforce, as this section of the working class is key in the success of developing a comprehensive pension system. This industry is estimated to be valued at GHS and will insist of 2nd tier and voluntary 3rd Tier pension system. The national pension scheme has seen an average annual increase in contribution of 10%. The target market for the proposed business is a young adult between the ages of 16 and 45 years. The target market will consist of young professionals, self-employed individuals and those who traditionally do not have access to the national pension scheme namely hairdressers, mechanics, etc. With the growing appreciation of securing ones future, the target group demand quick and efficient services, products that meet their existing and future needs and an industry that responds quickly to their needs. Currently, there is no existing service provider in the private pension industry however the life insurance industry is expected to lead the way and be the dominant players in the provision of these services. The proposed business plan seeks to be consumer focus providing excellent customer services, constant customer feedback and innovative and simple product design and use. The competitive advantage of the proposed business include accessibility through the use of a comprehensive distribution network, excellent customer service and product design based on need. The proposed business is a private pension provider rendering trusteeship, custodian and fund management services. The company is a limited liability company with a proposed stated capital of GHS3, 000,000.00. Each of the business owners will raise GHS90, 000.00 each and the difference will be funded using bank credit lines, private investors and asset financing. Undertaking the proposed business plan provides the following findings: Ghanas economy remains positive and stable providing generous growth now and in the future New pension reforms and creation of new industry provides both threats and opportunity Vast untapped informal market available to the new industry Current shortfalls in the national pension will be catered for by private providers Proposed business provides opportunity for development of local capacity in pension design and management With robust regulatory system and effective strategic planning this propose business has a fair chance of succeeding and growing into a very successful business and being part of the development of the private pension industry in Ghana. 1.0 The Introduction Research Background and Motives Over the years concern had been raised about the current state of the Ghanaian social security system which has been characterized by inadequate benefits which is extremely difficult to live on if not mere impossible. As pointed out by the International Social security Association (2003), Social security systems in Africa are characteristically too exclusive and inadequate of which Ghana is not exception. Like other social security systems in Africa, Ghanas social security system covers only the formal workforce, which constitutes a small fraction, usually no more than 20% of the total labor force. This inherent characteristic of the social security system makes social security exclusive, as those outside the formal sectors do not have access to social security or a national pension. Furthermore due to the relatively small number of contributors to the national social security scheme, benefits under the social security scheme is inadequate. Ghana like many other African countries has institutions, laws and government structures that were adopted from their colonial masters without much modifications and thought. The institutional structures were most often designed to meet the goals and objectives of the colonial masters who at that time were the elite. One may wonder why social security systems that are meant to provide protection for all in society tends to cover only a small fraction of society. The international social security association points out that, most social security systems like many other things were adopted from the colonial masters. These social security systems were really intended to cover a small body of employees who were at the time working in the colonial administration and mine workers. This meant that all others outside this scope fell outside the social security system. This inherently remained, as most countries even after independence were unable to devise social protection programs that were tailored to the needs and circumstances of the people. Based on the background above, I am motivated through this business proposal to highlight the importance of the development of a much-needed private pensions scheme to augment the existing national social security system and also to provide those who are outside the national social security system an avenue to secure their futures and have enough to live on when they retire. 1.2 The Motives The motive for undertaking this business proposal is to bridge the gap created by the current social security structure, which excludes those within the informal sector of the Ghanaian economy. Secondly, private pension plans will also provide extra revenue to those who have retired as the current benefits under the national plan is woefully inadequate. At the end of this start up business proposal I hope to be able to: Understand current economic and business environment in Ghana Understand the structure of Ghanas social security system To analyze current regulatory framework in place and its likely impact on the operations of the start up To analyze the development of the chosen market and industry To determine the essential inputs for the start-up and future development plans To analyze any academic theory on successful business start-ups 1.3 The Objective The main objective of this business plan dissertation is to: Identify if any, opportunities and challenges for a private pensions company in Ghana With the opportunities I have identified and challenges write a start up business plan for a private pension company in Ghana Provide information on procedure to follow when setting up a company in Ghana In this write up the main focus will be on the company operating in one specific area of pensions which is the tier three of the pensions act. Long-term strategies may see the company evolve to extend other pensions/ savings products. 1.4 Research Methodology The aim of this write up is to put together a business plan for a start up private pension company in Ghana based on sound research on the subject matter of private pensions in the chosen market and academic theory on the principles entrepreneurship and business management. The research therefore will mainly be based on secondary data from credible governmental resources and non-governmental agencies. I will also make use of academic articles, journals and industry reports. 1.5 Structure The write up will be split into five (5) chapters with details of each chapter as follows: Chapter 1: The first chapter will have the introduction, which contains the background, the motives and objective, brief research methodology, structure of the write up and a comparative analysis of social security systems in the developed and underdeveloped worlds. Chapter 2: Economic Overview of chosen market, history and importance of social security in chosen market, overview of the social security system now and then, social security structure, and challenges facing the national social security system Chapter 3: Description of the business idea, marketing plan/strategy, pricing, mission and vision, Human Resources. Chapter 4: Chapter four will be the financial plan. In this section will include financial assumptions and financial projections for the next five years. Chapter 5: The conclusion, this section will contain exit strategies and also discuss any immediate or future impact of the proposed business on the Ghanaian economy. This section will also summarize key success factors of the proposed business. Chapter 2 Introduction Under this chapter I will look at the economic overview, economic performance and outlook of the chosen market for the proposed business, I will then go further to look at the development of social security/ pensions in Ghana, and then look at the overview of the social security system of the chosen market, Ghana. As earlier stated under my aims for this project, I seek to provide some insight as to what it takes to start a business in Ghana, therefore under this section I will also provide information or insight in relation to what procedures needed to follow when setting up a business in Ghana. 2.0. Economic Overview of Ghana The Republic of Ghana is a West African country with land area of 92,100 square miles, which is boarded by Cote DIvoire, Burkina Faso, Togo and Gulf of Guinea. Ghana has always been known as a country of great natural resources, hence the nickname, The Gold Coast. Ghana is rich in gold, timber, diamond and cocoa and has an economy that is heavily dependent on agriculture. Ghana remains one of the leading producers of Gold and Cocoa in the world. Agriculture in Ghana accounts for 37% of GDP and employs an estimated 55% of the national workforce. It must however be noted that agriculture is still largely small scale, non- commercial and not mechanized. Ghanas economy is one of the most stable and fast growing economies in Africa and has achieved impressive growth as a result of the discovery of oil and natural gases. With such impressive growth and relative stability in the macro-economic indicators, Ghana attained a lower middle-income economy status according to the World Bank, however youth unemployment and poverty continues to be a major issue. 25% of Ghanas youth are unemployed and 37% of the population currently lives on less than $1.25 a day. Despite a 14.4 % growth in Ghanas economy in 2001 according to the World Bank, Ghanas external debt over the last 3 years has increased by 125% from $8 billion in 2008 to $18 billion in 2011. In terms of investment, Ghana has Africas 3rd largest stock exchange with South Africa and Nigeria ahead of Ghana respectively. 2.1 Economic Performance and Outlook Ghanas economic performance over the last decade has been impressive. GDP average annual growth rate was 6% between 2005 and 2007, increased to 7.3% in 2008 but however declined to 3.9% in 2009 on the back of the global financial and economic crisis. Inflation increased by 41.7% from 12.7% in 2007 to 18.1% in 2008 however due to effective economic policies and austerity measures inflation for the last 3 years has steadily falling to its current rate of 9% as at 2011 for the last 9 months since. Increase in non-oil imports and income outflows widened Ghanas current account deficit by some 38% at the end of 2011. Despite these challenges, Ghanas economy has outgrown the global economy for the past 4 years. Whilst the global economy grew at an annual average rate of 3%, Ghanas annual average growth rate has been 6.5%. The adoption of austerity measures to cut public spending and the stability of macroeconomic indicators have helped Ghana survive probably the worst part of the global economic meltdown and it remains one of the most promising economies in Africa. Based on the indicators above on the economic health of the country, Ghanas medium-term growth remains positive, largely driven by investments in the mining industries, public infrastructure and commercial agriculture according to the World Bank. 2.2 Development of Pensions Scheme in Ghana Pension systems in Ghana date as far back as the colonial era. The first kind of pension system was introduced in Ghana in 1946. The pension system was a non-contributory pensions scheme and its aim was to cater to the retirement benefits of those who worked within the colonial administration and also included mine workers. Kpessa (2010) noted that Ghanas social security system at the time was designed, as a means of encouraging loyalty and efficiency within the colonial service as a result was quite exclusive. Like most programs introduced during this era, old age income protection policies were limited to urban dwellers especially Europeans and a few Africans working in the colonial bureaucracy. It was not until 1950, the Pension Ordinance No.42 (Cap 30) and Superannuation schemes was established in an effort to have a social security system in place that covered a greater portion of Ghanaian workers. It was established as a pension scheme for public servants in the Gold Coast. These schemes covered certified teachers, University lecturers and all government workers however a vast majority of Ghanaians were unable to benefit from this scheme (Adjei, 2000). In 1965, the Social Security Act (No. 279) was passed to cover all private and public sector workers who were not covered under the Pensions Ordinance No.42. The scheme initially started as a provident fund, providing benefit for old age, invalidity and survivor benefit. This Act was repealed and the social security and national insurance act (SSNIT) was established under NRCD 127. The trust was established to administer the new social security scheme. The scheme was later converted to a social security pensions scheme and in 1991 turned into a defined benefit scheme following the enactment of the Social Security Act 1991 bringing some level of adequacy into workers pensions. For a worker to qualify for old age benefit, the worker must have worked for a minimum of 240 months and be at least 60 years of age. Workers in the extractive industries such as mining however have a mandatory retirement age of 58 years under which they qualify for old age benefits. For workers who have been injured at work, they may qualify for payment under the invalidity benefit section of the social security system. Benefit is payable over a period of 12 months. If a retiree dies before reaching the retirement age his or her benefit is calculated as the present value of all contributions and paid to the surviving spouse or dependents. The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) has four major functions: Collection of contributions Record keeping keeping up to date records of all contributing members Processing and payment of benefits Pensions fund management 2.3 Overview of Social Security/ Pensions in Ghana A universal social security/ pensions scheme in Ghana has not been in existence for so long having been established in the 1990s; earlier forms of social security were exclusive. The Social Security Pensions Scheme (SSPS) was established in 1991 under the Social Security Law PNDCL 247 and under the trusteeship of the social security and national insurance trust (SSNIT). Twenty-five years prior to this, Ghana run a provident scheme established under the social security act of 1965 (Act 279). Under the 1991 scheme, the Social Security and National Insurance Trust collected the contributions of the Ghanaian worker. The Act provided for compulsory coverage for workers in establishments that employ at least five workers. An establishment with less than five employees had the option to join the scheme, but there was no compulsion (Kumado Gockel, 2003). However, the following categories of workers, although they employed more than five persons, were exempt by law from joining the scheme; members of the Armed Forces, the Police Service and the Prison Service; Foreigners in the diplomatic missions; and Senior members of the universities and research institutions. Funding of defined contribution schemes is based on contributions made by the employer and the employee on behalf on the employee. These contributions are invested and when the employee reaches retirement age, becomes permanently incapacitated or dies prior to retirement; the total contributions together with returns on the investment are paid as a lump sum to the employee or his/her dependents (Kpessa, 2010) Under the scheme the Ghanaian workers total contribution constitutes a total of 17.5% of his salary to the scheme towards his pension and the contribution structure is designed as follows: Employees 5% of employees salary Employer 12.5% of employees salary Total Contribution 17.5% of employees pay Under Ghanas pension scheme there are three basic benefits, which include Old Age Pension, Invalidity Pension and Death Survivor Payment. Pension benefits in Ghana are indexed annually using the average rate of increase in the contributions inflow from the previous year. This is done to prevent any distortions in the financial equilibrium of the scheme. In order to qualify for benefits under the pensions scheme one must meet the eligibility requirement and amounts payable under each section are as follows according to the Social Security and National insurance Trust: Old Age Benefit To qualify for old age full pension payment, a worker should have contributed to the scheme for a minimum of 240 months, which is equivalent to 20 years, and should have attained either the voluntary retirement age of 55 or compulsory retiring age of 60. The law applies differently to persons who have worked in hazardous conditions such as the mines. Such categories of workers under the law qualifies for a full pension at the age of 55 provided the worker has been engaged in such work for 240 months or more. The minimum pension payable is 50% of the average of the 3 best years salary for a minimum contribution period of 240 months. For any additional month served after the 240 months, a worker earns a pension right of 0.125%, i.e. 1.5% for every 12 months in addition to the 50% start off. Thus, a worker can theoretically earn up to 80% pension when he shall have worked and contributed to the scheme for 40 years. As earlier mentioned, workers who opt for early retirement at age 55 or retire anytime before they are 60 years are entitled to a reduced pension. Benefit due is calculated on an increasing scale from the age of 55 years, meaning that those who retire closer to the statutory retirement age receive a higher percentage of their full pension than those who dont. Percentages of full benefit due are as follows: Age 55, 60% of full pension; 56, 67.5% of full pension; 57, 75.0% of full pension; 58, 82.5% of full pension; 59, 90.0% of full pension. Pensions are paid monthly, however retirees have an option of receiving payment in advance equivalent to 25% of 12 years pension as a lump sum and subsequently be on a reduced pension. If a worker before attaining the age of 60 is unable to have contributed the minimum 240 months to the scheme he is entitled to receive all his actual contributions plus interest at half the prevailing interest rate on government treasury bills. DEATH/ SURVIVORS With regard to survivors benefit, if a contributor dies while still a member, his dependents qualify for a lump sum of the earned pension. When a member contributes to the Fund for 240 months before dying, a lump sum equal to the value of his pension for 12 years shall be paid to his survivors. If a member dies without having contributed to the fund for 240 months, the payment to his survivors will be his proportional pension for a period of twelve years. Where a member who has retired dies before he is 72, his survivors will be paid in lump sum the unexpired pension up to age 72. INVALIDITY PENSION To qualify for invalidity pension, a member shall have contributed to the Fund for 12 months within the last 36 months before becoming invalid. In addition, the member should have been certified permanently invalid and incapable of gainful employment by a medical board including 2.4 Parallel Pensions Scheme One may be tempted to think that the pensions scheme being administered by the Social security and national insurance trust covers all workers in Ghana, however as indicated above some sections of the working public are exempt from the national pension scheme. This is because such workers are covered under a different pensions scheme with pre-dates the national pensions scheme. The scheme, which is affectionately, called CAP 30 (name derived from Chapter 30 of the Pension Ordinance of 1946) provides pensions for Civil Servants and the Armed Forces and some teachers. Today there are still members of these working sectors who are covered under CAP 30. Such members contribute 5% of their pre-tax salary, which is nevertheless not saved but recycled into the Consolidated Fund. However, it is still a non-contributory plan for the armed forces, the police, and the prisons services. These employees take home all of their earnings; no deductions for pension coverage. This aside there are other features of the CAP 30 that offers superior value as compared to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust including: 10 years for full retirement vs. 20 at SSNIT; 70% of final salary compared to 50% of average of three highest years salary at SSNIT CAP 30 pension payments are indexed annually to current salary scales Ghanas social security system lacks cohesion as evidenced in the disparities that exists under the SSNIT and CAP 30 an there is an urgent need for the harmonization of the social security system in Ghana by replacing the current systems with a comprehensive all inclusive system 2.4 Pensions Reform in Ghana and overview of National Pensions Act 2008 Over the years concerns have been raised about the disparities and seemingly greater benefit under the CAP 30 as compared to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) pensions scheme. Public sector workers further agitated over the inadequacies of the current social security benefits and its inability to sustain a respectable life during retirement. Furthermore, the current social security system has failed to include those in the informal sector who constitute about 80 percent of the working force. The road to social security reform in Ghana began in July 2004, to provide a universal pension scheme for all Ghanaian workers following the agitations described above which lead to the drafting and passing of the National Pensions Act 2008. The Act is divided into four parts; the first part talks about the establishment of a National Pensions Regulatory Authority that will be responsible for the regulation of pensions schemes in Ghana as well as a three-tier contributory pensions scheme. The second part deals with the basic national social security scheme; Part Three provides for occupational pension schemes, provident fund and personal pension schemes and management of the schemes and finally the general provisions of the Act is contained in part four. According to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust, under the new Pensions Act 2008, there is a three tier contributory scheme, which replaces the current Social Security Pensions Scheme and CAP 30. Under the new scheme a total contributory amount of 18.5% of a workers monthly salary will be paid towards their pension and this is distributed between the first two tiers. The first two tiers are mandatory and the third tier is voluntary. Below are the features of each tier: First Tier The first tier is the basic national social security scheme, which incorporates an improved system of SSNIT benefits. This tier is mandatory for all employees in both the private and public sectors. The mandatory basic national social security scheme is to be managed by SSNIT. Contribution to the first tier will be 13.5% of an employees monthly salary. Whilst this tier is mandatory for all employees in the public and private sectors, self-employed members of the working class have an option to join the scheme and are under no obligation to do so. Of the 13.5%, 2.5% will be deducted and transferred to NHIF. Benefit due under this tier will be calculated using the average of the highest 3 annual salaries ÃÆ'- 50% +1.5% of every additional 12 months contributed. A contributor under the first tier cannot be less than the age of 15 and not older than the age of 45 years when joining the scheme. Second Tier The second tier is occupational (or work-based) pension scheme and it is a mandatory scheme for all employees, however this tier will be privately managed. This tier was designed primarily to give contributors higher lump sum benefits compared to what is presently available under the SSNIT or Cap 30 pension schemes. A total of 5% of an employees monthly salary shall be allocated to the second tier provided the employee falls within the age limit stipulated under the first tier. If the worker however, falls outside the stated age limit, all of the 18.5% contribution shall be transferred to the second tier. The voluntarily provident fund and personal pension schemes are to be managed by approved trustees, licensed by a National Pensions Regulatory Authority and pension fund managers and custodians, licensed by the Security and Exchange Commission and registered with the Authority. Under this tier a defined benefit is payable to a retiree, spouse or dependent after termination of service, retirement or death. Third Tier The third tier is a voluntary provident fund and personal pension schemes, which provides tax benefit incentives for workers who opt for this scheme in addition to the first two. As earlier mentioned, the previous pensions scheme was relatively exclusive and did not provide cover for 80% of Ghanas working population. The introduction of the third tier is an effort to address the issues concerning the old pensions system, which by design excluded those in the informal sector and did not provide avenue for the citizenry to arrange their personal pensions in addition to the state pension. The aim of the third tier therefore I believe, was to provide those in the informal sector to have their future secured by contributing to a private scheme and also provide those already covered under the national scheme to augment their existing benefits should it still be seen as inadequate. This tier is fully funded and is also privately managed by licensed trustees that will want to provide private pension schemes. 2.5 Governance A National Pensions Regulatory Authority (the Authority) has been established to regulate both public and private pension schemes in the country. The Authority will approve, regulate and monitor Trustees, Pension Fund Managers, Custodians and other institutions relating to pension matters. To ensure that contributors interests are adequately protected, the National Pension Act has in-built safeguards. These include stringent approval and registration criteria by the Pensions Regulatory Authority; separation of functions of Trustees, Fund managers and Custodians; on going monitoring among several others. Trustees licensed by the Authority would be required to take out adequate insurance to indemnify scheme members against any losses of scheme assets caused by malfeasance or misconduct of the trustees or their service providers. Among other impacts, the new scheme will ensure improved living standards of the elderly; financial autonomy and independence of retirees; increased national savings and availability of long-term funds for economic development; and the Promotion of growth and development of the capital, mortgage and insurance markets. CHAPTER 3 THE BUSINESS IDEA AND PLAN 3.1 Background In 2004, the government of Ghana started the process of reforming Ghanas pensions system and in 2008 passed the National Pensions Act 2008, which saw the birth of a new pensions system in Ghana, the establishment of a new pensions regulatory body and most importantly the participation of the private sector in the delivery of social security in Ghana. The opportunity presented through the National Pensions Act 2008, is what has motivated me to write this business proposal for the establishment of a pensions trust in Ghana to participate in the third tier of Ghanas pensions System. The new pension scheme will comprise two mandatory schemes and a voluntary scheme as follows: First tier which is a mandatory basic national social security scheme will be managed by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) Second tier occupational (or work-based) pension scheme will also be mandatory for all employees but privately managed by approved and licensed trustees Third tier voluntary provident fund and personal pension schemes, supported by tax benefit incentives to provide additional funds for workers in both the formal and informal sectors who want to make voluntary contributions to augment their state pensions benefit. The Second tier and the voluntary third tier will be privately managed by approved trustees licensed by the Pensions Regulatory Authority with the assistance of pension fund managers and custodians registered by the Authority. It is within the third tier that a business opportunity exists for the establishment of a trustee company that will provide pension products to individuals and organizations in Ghana. 3.2 Benefits of the New Pensions Scheme The new pension scheme offers a number of benefits above the old system. According to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), workers within the formal and informal sectors stand to benefit from the following under the new pensions scheme: Provision of Superannuation: Reduction of contribution period from 240 months to 180 months Full benefit increased from 50% of the average of the highest three years earnings to 80% Provision of healthcare premium for all contributors to social security pensions scheme Occupational Scheme: provides lump sum benefits to contributors after attaining the age of 50 years. Survivors benefit calculations increased from 12 to 15 years Using lump sum benefits under the second tier to secure mortgages meaning workers can obtain their own houses by using their lump sum benefit as collateral Better controls over personal pensions under the second and third tier