First day of class :: Essays Papers

First day of class The first day of class was absolutely not that bad as I thought it would be. The time that I picked was great its not to last but its not too early. It s just the right time to get to class. The classroom was as scorching like the desert. It is very hot in the class. It makes write in the class hard to do but that is something I guess I just have to deal with. Just like Columbia is around this time of year. The class also seems to have some interesting people in the class. There was a lot of dance and film majors there so I consider were bound to here some intense story’s. I was really impressed on how well organized Alexia Hall was with the class she seem to know where she wanted to the class to be at the end of the semester. We were past out with the class policies and a syllabus of what we were going to do the whole semester. I thought this was very convenient so that there was no mixed signals in the group. Alexia Hall the teacher personally seems to be a person who does not like to play games with her students. She seems like a straight froward person. I have a feeling she has heard a lot of excuse of why students do not have their papers. She warn us not to start killing off are family when paper are due. Which I thought it was funny, because even as a student I have heard some crazy stories about people who just kill of there whole family when a paper due or a test day. I feel that the class is tremendously large, but that always changes at mid term I feel that over 40 % will drop the class they always do. I am just hope that I am not one of those people to drop out of class. The class seems to go really fast. I like the way we can say and write the way we feel about the subject matter. Having the Internet access is also a plus just for the fact that we can look up information on topics and write about it. Class participation was great everyone joined in on the discussion. People in the class felt comfortable talking out loud and putting there two sense in.

Birdgeton Case

Memorandum To: Mike Lewis From: Overseas Consulting Group Date: December 9th 1990 Subject: Manifolds Retention vs. Outsourcing Analysis Our team of financial analysts has taken an in depth look at the consultant’s recommendation to potentially outsource the manifold production line. Through our analysis you will see that the consultants have not considered the full financial impact that this outsourcing would have on the company. This is likely because the recommendation has not taken into consideration the range of costs affecting Bridgeton industries.Through our analysis it becomes clear that the decision to retain the manifold production line will be more financially beneficial to the company. We will begin with some of the assumptions of our analysis, and the conclusions from our various analyses of Bridgeton Industries Costs. Please refer to the attached excel file for detailed analysis of the numbers. We know that Bridgeton uses an absorption costing system which does no t easily distinguish between fixed and variable costs.The problem with that system makes it very challenging to forecast appropriately the cost of excess capacity and furthermore the impact of outsourcing the manifold production line. Therefore the reported costs are not appropriate for this type of analysis. Our team began our own analysis of the costs to evaluate the recommendation. We began by calculating gross margin for each product, by first identifying how much overhead should be allocated to each category. We broke out the overhead by using Direct Labor (DL) as a % since most of the overhead accounts are labor related.As a result, overhead allocation for each product in 1987 is the following: Fuel Tanks 17%, Manifolds 24%, Doors 11%, Muffler/Exhausts 23%, and Oil Pans 26% for 1987. Muffler/Exhausts, manifolds and Oil Pans are both labor intensive, so under this method, they bear a higher percentage of the overhead costs. Now that Bridgeton stopped producing Muffler/Exhausts and Oil Pans, the manifold line carries an even greater proportion of the overhead costs of 46%. Therefore, the cost per manifold goes up because of the larger share of overhead it has to absorb.Please refer to the analysis file, tab 2 for 1991 forecasts. We assumed the sales and costs for each category would increase close to the same percentage as previous year. The overhead forecast required greater detailed analysis. The question is how to anticipate how much overhead would go down due to discontinuation of manifolds. In 1989, DL and direct material (DM) went down 46% and 47% respectively from the outsourcing of the other production lines. If manifolds were to be outsourced and all DL and DM were eliminated, then we are looking at approximately 44% decrease in DL and 49% decrease in DM.We assumed for the purpose of our analysis, that the reductions in DL and DM for these two year are comparable. Thus, we applied the same percentage of overhead reduction in each account to the 19 89 to the 1991 overhead accounts. Once we established these overhead accounts, we then analyzed how the costs are allocated across the remaining lines. As you can see in detailed spreadsheet, the most profitable product, the fuel tanks, now has to absorb 61% of the overhead cost and its gross margin is down to 33% from 43%. The doors’ gross margin also went south from 27% to 17%.Clearly the fixed costs, which weren’t removed with the outsourcing, have eroded the profitability of all of the remaining products. The consultant’s suggestion to outsource production is actually not a good option after all. Fix costs embedded in the cost per unit won’t go away because less profitable parts are outsourced. If Bridgeton industries wants to seriously considering outsourcing the manifold line or any other some significant overhead restructuring is necessary to try and reduce the fixed cost profitability dilution. Changes to cost structureAs we mentioned previously B ridgeton currently uses a single overhead pool for the entire plant that allocates costs based on direct labor hours. Since the production process of the various product lines vary greatly, this causes the overhead allocation to be inaccurate. The products have different levels of automation and manual work (refer to descriptions in exhibit 1). While one product line may be diligently working to reduce costs, another product line can simply reduce production and receive the same relative decrease in overhead costs.Also, the overhead percentage is calculated only once a year at budget time and is used throughout the entire model year. With an annual calculation, there is little to no incentive for employees to continuously reduce their costs month to month. Bridgeton should recalculate the overhead percentages on a monthly basis to be more accurate if possible. We recommend creating multiple overhead pools by taking the overhead cost elements and assigning them to the product lines t hat are truly driving those expenses (basically link overhead to the product).Having a product specific allocation of OH expenses will allow management to have better visibility to the product cost reduction efforts of the employees. Variable Costs, Fixed Costs & Excess Capacity Ultimately the problem Bridgeton is facing is related to fixed costs due to excess capacity. Once production lines are outsourced, the remaining fixed costs in OH which are not outsourced represent the excess capacity. This is a cost problem for the company as the other products must absorb this. The two obvious solutions to this problem are to cut these costs as much as possible.Through restricting initiatives this can be made possible. The other solution would be to increase demand of existing product lines. In the case of Bridgeton industries there is a need for a strategic shift to increase that demand. Continuing cost reduction initiatives are necessary, but a strategy to differentiate Bridgeton’ s products through quality, reliability, service, etc. could help increase demand and furthermore reduce the impact of excess capacity costs. Additionally if new overhead pools are created, as we recommended above, management should set standards for the activity on each product line.This will help control variable costs and keep the lines accountable for their own expenses. Supplies and small tools should only be purchased as need and overtime hours should be kept to a minimum. Fixed costs are absorbed evenly by each line, but can still be reevaluated by management. For example, a fixed asset audit can be performed to ensure that all assets that are being depreciated are truly in-service. Calculate the OH Rates The 1987 overhead rate used in the study was 435% of direct labor dollar costs. Bridgeton’s actual rate was 437% that year.Overhead rates for the remaining years are calculated below (OH / DL): As you can see the overhead rate for 199, which would be 752% without mani folds, is severely detrimental to the company financially. Clearly the consulting firm did not factor in the fixed costs associated with production when recommending the outsourcing of the manifold production line. Our conclusion is to continue producing manifolds going forward, and to adjust our cost reporting structure to better be able to analyze future strategic shifts such as outsourcing a product line.As a company if Bridgeton does not do a better job to understand the costs of the business, it will be very challenging to make the best business decisions in the long run. Calculations: GM% = (Sales – Direct Material – Direct Labor – Overhead) / Sales Product GM% = (Product Sales – Product DM – Product DL – Product Overhead) / Product Sales Product Overhead = Dept Overhead * DL Rate for product Product Costs = Direct Material + Direct Labor + Overhead DM Rate: (Direct Material / Total Direct Material) DL Rate: (Direct Labor / Total Direc t Labor)

The Thoughts of Tao Te Ching

The thoughts of Tao Te Ching (Philosophy) The first thing that struck me about Tao Te Ching is Albert Einstein. I am a big fan of Einstein, perplexed by years of studying his scientific theories and thereafter forever being awed by his genius. As for Taoism, being of Chinese descent, growing up in the eastern world, I have constant exposure to the Taoist practices, culture, traditions, images and symbols. However, the irony is that I had never ventured further than just being a mere observer, a classic case of not seeing the forest for the trees.When I began to read Tao Te Ching, I am intrigued by the concept of Tao and its similarities to scientific theories, Einstein’s theories and thoughts, in particular. In Chapter 1 of the Tao Te Ching, it tells me that the real Tao is not an entity and cannot be described in words or named. All that could be named are just illusions or mere manifestations as stated in chapter 1, â€Å"Naming is the origin of all particular things† and another line, â€Å"Caught in desire, you can see only the manifestations†.The â€Å"mystery† which is the â€Å"unnamable Tao† is reality as stated in this sentence, â€Å"The unnamable is the eternally real†. Then, it goes on to say that, â€Å"Yet mystery and manifestations arise from the same source†. I would interpret this as reality and illusion are both the same. Here, I draw similarity to Einstein’s quote â€Å"Reality is merely an illusion albeit a very persistent one†. Chapter 2 reads to me as Einstein’s Theory of Relativity. It says that what is defined as beautiful is possible only when compared to what is ugly.Likewise, what is ugly is only definable compared to what is beautiful. It gives other examples of paradoxical unity. Often what we see is relative to another that opposes: good and bad; being and non-being; difficult and easy; long and short; high and low; before and after. To me, it means that what we can see as real is defined by comparing to something that is opposite, without which, neither exists. One entity is relative to another. This is exactly what Einstein says in his Theory of Relativity. He says to imagine a passenger sitting in a high speed train hich is really going smooth, and looking out through the windows. The trees will appear to be moving, rushing by and the passenger does not feel that the train is moving. To an observer standing on the platform, the same train appears as speeding by, not the trees. Who is correct? Einstein says both are true. He goes on to explain that if a high speed train is travelling very smoothly and the windows are completely closed, the passengers inside could not tell whether they are moving. This is the part of the Einstein’s theory that is the basis of his famous formula of E=MC? which I find parallel to that of another line of this chapter which reads, â€Å"Therefore the Master acts without doing anything and teaches witho ut saying anything. † My interpretation of this is â€Å"Tao† advocates concentrating on ‘contradictions’ or â€Å"relativity† as the basis of reality and it is also the Master’s recommendation as the principle that governs the world. In other words, everything is interconnected and does not exist without each other, as there is no black without white; no short without long; and no being without non-being.Everything exists as relative to another just as Einstein said so. This interconnectedness and mutual existence appears to me as a key idea of Tao. I understand Tao to be not an entity or something tangible that we can grasp on. We can only know of its manifestations in Nature, in relation to one another – relativity. Through Tao, one can see that everything on earth and in the Universe is intertwined in a harmonious balance. One cannot survive without the other, just like a perfect ecosystem.It follows that a person who has wisdom or has Tao will not resist or try to control nature. He is at â€Å"One† with nature. I find this concept of â€Å"At One† and connectivity expressed in many chapters such as: Chapter 23 – be like the forces of nature, open yourself to Tao, you are at one with the Tao; Chapter 42 – but the Master makes use of it,†¦he is one with the whole universe and; Chapter 51 – Every being in the universe is an expression of the Tao.Last but not least, I find the best expression of my understanding of Tao in Chapter 39: â€Å"In harmony with the Tao, the sky is clear and spacious, the earth is solid and full, all creature flourish together, content with the way they are, endlessly repeating themselves, endlessly renewed. When man interferes with the Tao, the sky becomes filthy, the earth becomes depleted, the equilibrium crumbles, and creatures become extinct. †

6 Common Negative Thoughts And How To Combat Them

6 Common Negative Thoughts And How To Combat Them We’ve been there: in a terrible state of mind, while people keep telling you to think â€Å"happy thoughts.† It’s enough to drive you nuts. But hear us out: positivity and, yes, â€Å"happy thoughts† can actually have a major impact on your success in your career and your life- while negative thoughts, or in particular, â€Å"cognitive distortions,† can have a massively bad impact on both. Here are some strategies for how to identify negative thoughts and cognitive distortions, and how to overcome them. We hope you can free yourself of all that unnecessary shame, self-pity, fear, and resentment and get back to the good vibes.1. I don’t have enough time.No one really feels like they have enough hours in their day to accomplish everything they need or want to accomplish. But being busy doesn’t always have to be a source of stress. You’re making the most of life- and probably being much more productive. If you have too much on your plate, try simplifying your schedule a bit. Remember, you’re in charge of your own calendar. Then count your business as a blessing.2. I’m not enough.Impostor syndrome, and generally feeling you’re not as qualified as your peers, is very common. But just remember that you’re probably holding yourself to a much higher standard than you would anyone else. Give yourself a break. Step away from social media for a while. Stop comparing yourself constantly to others (and to others’ online avatars). And start focusing on what you’re doing instead.3. This is going to be a catastrophe.Okay, worrywart. â€Å"Catastrophizing† is a thing. The â€Å"what-ifs† are constantly plaguing you with horrible disasters and tragedies as the result of some of your simplest actions. Try to take a step back from your worries and remind yourself of some calming statistics. Don’t avoid life because you’re afraid it might be unsafe.4. It can only be either/or.Either I ace this presentation, or I’m going to be fired. Because I screwed up at that meeting, I’m never going to earn my boss’s trust. These are examples of polarized, or black and white thinking, and they’re not doing you any good. Remember that there is always middle ground, a grey area, and a chance to redeem yourself if you make a small (or large) mistake.5. That’s it- I’m doomed.Just because one thing happened that wasn’t great doesn’t mean that similar bad things will continue happening to you. And don’t make assumptions based on what you think might be going on. Say your boss talked over you in the meeting. Don’t leap to the conclusion that she hates you or that your job is in jeopardy. Try to imagine the thousand other reasons she may have had not to give you your turn with the talking stick.6. I’m a total failure.Life goes on. Even if you did something stupid or embarrassing, t he sting is not going to last. Even if you have no idea what you’re doing and are in very much over your head, there is always an opportunity to dig your way out by gaining competence and confidence. Focus on how to turn each â€Å"failure† into an opportunity for greater success.

Hesss Law Definition - Chemistry Glossary

Hesss Law Definition - Chemistry Glossary Hesss law states that the energy change in an overall chemical reaction is equal to the sum of the energy changes in the individual reactions comprising it. In other words, the enthalpy change of a chemical reaction (the heat of reaction at constant pressure) does not depend on the pathway between the initial and final states. The law is a variation of the first law of thermodynamics and conservation of energy. Importance of Hesss Law Because Hesss law holds true, its possible to break a chemical reaction into multiple steps and use the standard enthalpies of formation to find the overall energy of a chemical reaction. Standard enthalpy tables are compiled from empirical data, usually acquired using calorimetry. Using these tables, its possible to calculate whether or not a more complex reaction is thermodynamically favorable or not. Applications of Hesss Law In addition to calculating the enthalpy of a reaction rather than directly measuring it, Hesss law is used to: Find electron affinities based on theoretical lattice energy.Calculate heat change of phase transitions.Calculate heat change when a substance changes allotropes.Find the heat of formation of an unstable intermediate in a reaction.Find the lattice energy of ionic compounds. Sources Chakrabarty, D.K. (2001). An Introduction to Physical Chemistry. Mumbai: Alpha Science. pp. 34–37. ISBN 1-84265-059-9.Leicester, Henry M. (1951). Germain Henri Hess and the Foundations of Thermochemistry. The Journal of Chemical Education. 28 (11): 581–583. doi:10.1021/ed028p581

INTERNATIONAL STUDIES IN BUSINESS Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 12

INTERNATIONAL STUDIES IN BUSINESS - Assignment Example By allowing trade with other countries consumers locally can get a wider variety of products or services to choose from. Such healthy competition is a double win for the consumer as it also can lead to reduction in prices as corporations fight out for market-share. A wise man once said that no man is an island. This wise man could well have been talking about countries. The world has grown to a point where it is a global village and nations quite literally depend on each other. Take airbus industry for example which has airplane parts manufactured in factories all across Europe and then brought to France for final assembly. This is only possible because of the conducive trade environment provided by the European Union. The middle east provides the world with most fuel, Europe and America build machinery while Africa and south America provide food. Without free trade, the world would, quite literally, stagnate. Two thumbs up to the World Trade Organization for its gallant efforts in ensuring all barriers to trade are effectively removed. I cannot agree more with my classmate on this matter. As I have pointed out in my arguments, free trade bears more good than harm for our world. On your part, you have pointed out one more benefit that international trade has for the world : assisting developing countries. Free trade allows poor nations access to resources they cannot manufacture on their own and also is a source of income for them through foreign

Current event report Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Current event report - Research Paper Example Making illicit promises to two men, she arranged for the murder weapons and provided the two hired men the chance to enter the house to carry out the deed. The trio were caught and individually sentenced. Teresa Lewis received the death penalty for masterminding the murder, with both her accomplices receiving life imprisonment, one later committing suicide. I chose this particular article for a few reasons. Firstly, I chose to write about it since capital punishment has divided the society in two. One half is in favor of it and the other opposes it. Their reasons vary from the supporters talking of retribution and closure and justice being done. The opposing side talks about the sanctity of human life and that one deed cannot cancel out another. They also support their argument by talking about the margin of error in sentencing someone: what it someone was falsely accused due to incomplete evidence; or by misfortune. In case of discovery post-execution, the sentence cannot be reverse d, they argue. The second reason for picking this article was the fact that Teresa Lewis not only did not commit the act herself but was also borderline mentally retarded with an IQ of 71. So it can be argued that she was not mentally equipped to fully grasp the gravity of her undertakings.