Saturday, August 31, 2019

Lawsuit for Call Center Fabulous County, Florida for a sum of money Essay

There was a saying that business is business.   Sustainability of a firm depends upon production and it is always measured by the amount of money earned.   In some cases collectibles are difficult to handle.   In fact it is one of the known business risk – the delivery now and pay later deals.   Too many establishments failed due to laxity on issues such as collection especially in the payments of bad accounts. Collection Committee should send a registered mail to the Call Center Fabulous Country indicating the exact amount of money to be collected including penalties if any.   The committee on collection must also decide the cut-off period if there is no given grace period on payments indicated in the agreement or stipulated in the contract.   Moreover, the agreement must be read thoroughly before initiating a suit so that all angles are carefully studied and properly explored. The committee should know that there are rights to discretion proper to a specific type of businesses.   For instance, a call center provides business transaction globally which mean that any disruption in their services with regards to the services your company provides may cause more damage than the amount being collected.   Upon making a thorough review of the situation and in case that the Call Center Company stated did not respond or make a written reply to the Collection Committee, immediate action on the filing of suit should take place at a small court in a county where the party being sued or where the signing of agreement took place (Balovich, 2006). Legal services is expensive and vary depending on states therefore, the collection committee must try to use all its capabilities in making a collection with the use of proper business ethics.   There could be easy way of handling collection than a lawsuit in fact one of the biggest points to consider before doing so is to ask the following question.   Is the amount being collected proportionate to the expense incurred in litigation?   Aside from money involved, what will be the social costs and consequences of the action?   Filing a case on claims involves time and energy and responsibility of the Collection Committee to handle diligently. Some overdue collection depends largely on how it is done.   There are ways to expedite the collection of payments.   For example, making sure that your contract indicates when is the payment due and to whom you deal with.   Second, indicating clearly that payment is due on a very specific date or writing in the invoice with this clause: penalty will be incurred due to late payments.   Meantime it is also good to request payment in advance (Examiner, 2005). Knowing your clients is also the best strategy in providing solutions to problem in collecting due payments.   It is good to find out where they stand and what their next move is.   Bankruptcy Code indicates in Chapter 11 that â€Å"debtor usually proposes a plan of reorganization to keep its business alive and pay creditors over time (Judiciary).   Overdue payments are also company’s loss even if payments are collected, taking into consideration the cost of money lost through time.   Some business or corporations can seek the help of the court of bankruptcy and it would mean losing the game with them. Part 2: Draft of a sale agreement on the sale of used computer equipment to a Call Center Company   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   A contract is define as a meeting of the mind or mutual understanding of any pursuit; In brief it is a mutual consent.   Therefore, it is good to know the points legally by understanding the cause and effect of the act may it be personal or corporate initiatives.   References on contracts may be applicable but it is always good to consult with an attorney (Balovich, 2006).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Drafting a sale agreement usually includes common terms indicated in the general deed of sale.   However sales agreement on used items may have exemptions like the term â€Å"as is where is basis (VISTEON INC.).†Ã‚   The agreement must be clear that the seller is selling used equipments.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It is also important to include in the draft the following details:   the correct name of both parties because it is always a foot forward to know whom you are dealing with (Examiner, 2005).   It must also include the complete description of the items including serial numbers of the equipment, the number of pieces and the exact price of that equipment being sold.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The committee chairman had explained that the call center is going to pay your company in four monthly instalments meaning at five hundred dollars a month.   Before doing so, it must be clear how these sums will be collected and if penalty will be charge for late payments. Normally, used items are paid in cash but it is your company’s discretion that they opted for this agreement.   However it is good advice to plan for an advance collection since two months is too much to wait for a two thousand dollar bill.   It is also important to check on the taxes to be paid by selling used equipments and who is going to pay for it before the total amount on the agreement is written.   The tax exemption identification card is listed normally below the buyer’s signature (VISTEON INC.).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   There are also clauses in the contract that must be taken in consideration such as termination of the contract since the agreement includes a two month pay period.   It could be at the disadvantage of the company if the items sold are returned during the pay period because of the other party misuse or negligence.   Much more if a refund would be asked.   These two major risks must be well thought of by the committee before the agreement is drafted.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Terms and conditions of the draft agreement must include a written approval of the committee.   It is also important that details are discussed in meetings before finalizing a draft.   A lot can be taken into consideration through consultation since being new means there are still a lot to learn.   For this reason a complete knowledge of the company policy and history is needed to deal with its customer successfully. Part 3:   Fraud and trespassing or violation of 3 call center employees regarding company rules.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It is difficult to give evidence on pre-empt unlawful act or an action that did not took place.   For instance verbal information that so and so is trying to steal money by falsifying company invoice.   In fact stealing is a grave crime to be committed voluntarily by an employee.   The only evidence is that they should be caught with the false invoices but according to the situation the three employees got arrested even before they have committed the crime.   In fact the only strong evidence is that they broke into the call center at night.   These employees can be charged of unlawful use of company equipments since they should not be working outside of the schedule the company has intended for them.   However there are also cases that workers get back to work at night but this must be approved by their supervisor as overtime.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Employee’s misbehaviour is dealt first by the human resource department.  Ã‚   There could be major implications on the company’s image due to the immediate arrest of the three call center workers. Sandra Robinson an expert on employee-employer relations and workplace deviance said that even the best employees can be dysfunctional because of poor management   (Keen, 2006).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It is also important for managers and supervisors that arrest of people without due evidence is tantamount to abuse in human rights of which these workers can file a suit on moral damages to the Fabulous Call Center Company.  Ã‚   All citizens are given due process of law and to inflict others with committing serious crime without solid evidence is also a serious offense.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Moreover, call center operates on a tight security level and they make sure that data are verified accurately before anyone is given access to information (Diaphonics, 2006).   No employees are allowed to enter the premises within the authorize time.   To break into an office at night could seem impossible because of the tight security measures that all call center company enforces.  Ã‚   Just within its perimeter area, at the entrances, or being on the floor, break periods, the lockers and lounges are controlled by the operation and security group.   It is a bit impossible that three people could just break in when in fact modern technology misuse can lead to hardware theft.   There is no use for people to break in since hackers can use wireless technology in committing crimes.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   At any instance, if the employees broke into an office a trespass warning is issued by the police (Tech, 1999).   The human resource department should terminate employment on the basis of not following company rules and office procedures.   However, there are legal basis in doing so.   There is a great deal to settle with labour disputes than dealing with how the controversy occurred.   Management has the right to look further whether someone’s interest is upheld at the expense of others. Part 4:   Outline for a Mortgage Agreement for a purchase of a building.   What is a secured and unsecured debt and what happens in case of default?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Probably since it is a law firm who is making a purchase through mortgage mean that it is equipped with the legal terminologies and procedure to conduct its transaction.   However the one in charge on the procurement of the bigger building is a project manager who could be better of with building operations than with legal proceedings. Making an outline to assist the project manager could be very helpful but there is a lot of information that could be taken from him because based on his position he knows the project.   He knows whether there will be cost on renovations or building repair and maintenance which will be an additional on cost for the building.   Other costs on building operations may deplete the payment schemes especially if the structure was purchased through a mortgage.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Before making an outline on the mortgage it is important to talk with the project manager first so that the building that is intended to be bought or to be constructed is free from liens and encumbrances.   Basic knowledge on procuring a building for a specific need say an office building is a must. It is important whether the structure is fit for the intended use.   Project managers normally have knowledge of their operations and provide systems for functionality.   They are the key to abate risks that are sometimes encountered in building procurement.   Project managers talents are tested on time and cost management and they are the professional that assist the owner in project delivery which pertains to buildings (Massachusetts, 2004).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Mortgage agreements includes clauses such as: purchase price and warranties, authorized person to purchase and the person in charge in the mortgage company and its assigns with the proper addresses, definitions of terms, and building warranties (Findlaw, 1999).   Since the money will be lent by a bank it is important to know the cost of money with the law firm cash flow.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It is important to know the monthly amortization with the principal amount being borrowed and this must be discussed thoroughly how debts will be paid by the Owner.   It is good to think this way since banks usually operates not only on how they are paid but more on how they can foreclose a property.   Determining the cash flow will also guide the buyer how much will be given to secured and unsecured debt.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Alan Barnes a certified debt arbitrator and president of Debt Regret defines in his article that â€Å"secured debt as a debt in which the creditor maintains a security interest in an item or piece of personal property (Barnes, 2005).†Ã‚   As described above banks play in this notion of having an interest on the item being procured. The amount of money lent is collateralized by the property and the drawback to this is when the amount borrowed is not sufficient to buy the building.   That remaining amount can be called unsecured debt.   However, the balance on the purchase of the property is still the responsibility of the buyer.   Unsecured loans can be settled through debt programs successfully therefore much pliable to handle than the secured debt.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Mortgage law varies from one state to another.   It is important that the terms of mortgage indicates profoundly the right of the lender to recover his purchase in case of default in payment and to find out if the lender has interest over the property.   It is also best to calculate and find provisions on how the payments can be made without default.   Initially, expansion means prosperity but managing a bigger family means high risk, transferring into bigger buildings can be a more productive effort but does not always mean more money.   Sometimes it is more on spending on real property which cost can be recovered in a number of years. References Balovich, D. (2006). Small Claims Court For Debt Collection And Disputes [Electronic Version]. Retrieved 07 February 2008 from http://www.creditworthy.com/3jm/articles/cw051806.html. Barnes, A. (2005). What is the Difference Between Unsecured and Secured Debt? [Electronic Version]. Retrieved 09 February 2008 from http://ezinearticles.com/?What-is-the-Difference-Between-Unsecured-and-Secured-Debt?&id=20875. Diaphonics. (2006). CALL CENTRE GATEWAY SECURITY [Electronic Version]. Retrieved 09 February 2008 from http://www.diaphonics.com/callCentre.php. Examiner, T. (2005).   Collecting Payment Due The Better Business Bureau offers the following tips to speed up the payment process: [Electronic Version]. Retrieved 08 February 2008 from http://www.enewsbuilder.net/betterbusiness/e_article000492994.cfm?x=b11,0,w. Findlaw. (1999). Sample Business Contracts [Electronic Version]. Retrieved 09 February 2008 from http://contracts.corporate.findlaw.com/agreements/mortgage/note.html. Judiciary, T. F. Reorganization Under the Bankruptcy Code [Electronic Version]. Retrieved 09 February 2008 from http://www.uscourts.gov/bankruptcycourts/bankruptcybasics/chapter11.html. Keen, C. (2006). UF study: Even good employees act up if supervisors mistreat them [Electronic Version]. Retrieved 09 February 2008 from http://news.ufl.edu/2006/04/06/employee-misbehavior/. Massachusetts, T. C. o. (2004). OWNER’S PROJECT MANAGER GUIDELINES [Electronic Version], 7 pages. Retrieved 09 February 2008 from http://www.mass.gov/cam/Creform/Own_PM_Guide.pdf. Tech, T. (1999). Police log [Electronic Version]. Retrieved 09 February 2008 from http://www-tech.mit.edu/V119/N28/28polog.28n.html. VISTEON INC. USED EQUIPMENT SALES AGREEMENT [Electronic Version]. Retrieved 09 February 2008 from http://www.goindustry.com/salefiles/8144/8144_6242.pdf?TimeStamp=0x0000000019793073&EntityID=8144&EntityTypeID=5.

Friday, August 30, 2019

The Importance of Promoting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Schools

Written Assessment #2 in Unit 204 (2. 3, 2. 4, 2. 5, 3. 1) The follow assessment will have a brief description of the importance of inclusion and inclusive practices in work with children and young people. And it also contains an exploration of how our own attitudes, values and behaviour may lead to that inclusive practice, how to challenge discrimination and how to promote some important anti-discriminatory and inclusive practices. First of all is important to define what is meant by inclusion and inclusive practice. Inclusive practice is a process of identifying, understanding and breaking down barriers that compromise the children participation in their educational process, in their feeling of belonging and in their wellbeing in the school. Inclusion is about ensuring that all children, with or without disability and no matter their background, are able to participate in all education aspects in school. As teaching assistants, we have the duty to ensure that, at all the time, we promote inclusion in all school settings. Therefore, we should encourage good practices that will help to achieve this main principle of inclusion. Our own attitudes, values and behaviour could be fundamental to achieve this goal. The policies and procedures are in schools to be taken and we should show them, not only on some notice boards, displays and posters or in casual activities such cultural annual events, but also, through the every day contact with groups of children and young people. Our day basis conduct is important to show and teach the children how to promote equality and inclusion, how to avoid prejudice, racist behaviour and discrimination and, how to be better person, respectful and tolerant with others. As role models we are, at all time, an example for them, so we should keep up a good conduct and a positive practice, demonstrating with our own attitudes, values and behaviour that we prize kindness, justice, equality and mutual respect. If we show the children a disrespectful example towards the others that are considered different or if we don’t have convenient practices, they will assimilate that, and that is not what is expected in a school and in a human being, in the first steps of their growing up stage and construction of personality. So is important that we, critically, self-assess our attitudes and values, to find out what is necessary to improve or to change, towards a better understanding of the school diversity, a better awareness of possible barriers and how to face them, in a way to promote inclusion on school environment. Not making suppositions about children and young people and have a wider knowledge about their backgrounds, interests, abilities, individual needs and positive attributes, will help us to provide more efficient, suitable and personalised support for them. Is also important, to take in to account, at all the time, the importance of that diversity and the ways to avoid discrimination. Schools (in their policies) and we, as component part of the school, have the duty to guarantee that, anti-discriminatory practice (and not discrimination), is promoted. We can promote anti-discriminatory practice by: being a good role model in everything we do; promoting children diversity and individuality; given equal opportunities to all; promoting children participation in the learning process; being aware that â€Å"every child matters† as an individual; having good expectations (and not prejudice or discrimination) of all children; supporting a positive ethos within the school; giving pupils the confidence and skills to challenge discrimination and, finally, evaluating the very same anti-discriminatory practices, so we keep up-dating the good practices. One of the good practices is to identify and challenge discrimination. Our duty is to support and protect children from discrimination. We should be aware when it happens and not ignore or excuse it. We should protect their rights. And by rights, we mean the right to be supported, comprehended and educated, towards what is expected, towards a good and fair conduct and towards a solid confidence, self-esteem and sense of mutual belonging. We should avoid situations where the child feels that is not supported, that is putted aside, that their needs are being ignored, that is inferior to others or is disappointed with our attitude. To be able to challenge discrimination we need to know well the school policy, procedures and practice. So, if we are confident about what is good practice, we’ll be able to deal better with discriminatory situations. Discrimination can be intentional or due to lack of understanding and knowledge. Therefore, we should challenge discrimination by, addressing a person, explaining what has been said that is discriminatory and that this is not an acceptable behaviour, explaining what the causes of it are, and suggesting some ways to ensure anti-discriminatory practice, keeping, as far as possible, an assertiveness approach. In most cases, we should report to the authorities, such: a manager, supervisor or college tutor or even to the Local Authority (LA), when racist incidents occur. In conclusion, is important that we build up and practice good attitudes, values and behaviour in the school, because this will impact in the work with children and in the achievement of the school aims, values and policies. By promoting anti-discriminatory practice and doing an inclusive practice, we are promoting that every child: is not excluded, is valued, has a sense of belonging and have access to participation in the full educational program within a good school environment. As TA’s, is our responsibility to challenge discrimination and to avoid it. The school is the place where all students must have the same opportunities, but with different learning strategies, and by this we mean inclusive approach. An inclusive education encourages the children to be more tolerant, respectful (for our differences and equalities), more skilled, joyful and more independent, in school as pupils and in the society as citizens. I used the information in the follow PDF: http://www. google. co. uk/url? sa=t&rct=j&q=pdf%20how%20to%20challenge%20discrimination%20&source=web&cd=6&ved=0CEYQFjAF&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww. pearsonschoolsandfecolleges. co. uk%2FFEAndVocational%2FChildcare%2FNVQSVQ%2FNVQSVQSupportingTeachingandLearning%2FSamples%2FLevel2STaLISsamplematerial%2FLevel2SupportingTeachingandLearninginSchoolsUnitTDA24sampl ematerial. pdf&ei=tUoFT9HPEomc8gP4yfCzAQ&usg=AFQjCNH7vnb_IgU2o_CZKzu5Ut2QubpREA

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Case study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 14

Case study - Essay Example However for those opposing the application of market-driven approach in health care, the argument is that the model reverses the ethical priorities, by putting costs minimization measures and profits earning motives first, while rendering patient care the secondary objective. 3. Columbia/HCA applied mixed strategies, with some of them being sound while others were flawed and wrong. The strategy regarding physicians’ equity and the one involving national branding were flawed strategies. However, all of the other strategies applied were sound, since they have been applied by the nonprofit hospitals and remained successful. The physicians’ equity and the national branding strategies were wrong, since they caused tradeoffs between patient care and profits, thus encouraging the compromise of health care to patients. The other strategies were appropriate, seeking to improve the efficiency of the institution. The problem is that the degree of tenacity with which these strategies were implemented with, was so strong, such that it caused the compromise of services offered to patients, while advancing the profit making motives of the organization. However, the subsequent strategies that redefined the mission of the organization and renamed, it made t he whole situation

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Analyzing Ads Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Analyzing Ads - Research Paper Example However, this changed with Listerine ads, such as the one analyzed in this paper from 1932, which brought the previously obscure term halitosis to national popularity (Twitchell 39). This particular ad shows a young woman who is part of five million women who had reached marriageable age at that moment. It contends that she should worry about her breath if she is to make the grade and get a husband. Through this ad and the creation of fear around halitosis, Listerine brought the painful effects of bad breath to young single American women, especially that of getting a husband and settling down. The ad is attempting to make life for young and single American women easier by making them a promise, which is that using Listerine will make them socially acceptable and attractive to eligible men. It seeks to maintain a consumer culture that Listerine had already created around the importance of good breath, especially for women. In this case, they sought to integrate Listerine into a culture that viewed consumption as beneficial to an individual’s happiness (Twitchell 40). The message is that women should strive to achieve good breath in order to charm and romance men. It also seeks to attract men to the fact that women should have good breath for them to be marriageable, which can only be achieved by Listerine. The idea of being attractive is that the young girls should have nice breath, especially when they are youthful. They also make the consequences of having bad breath clear to the young women. Those who fail to use Listerine prior to each date will suffer from hali tosis, which will mean a life of boredom, loneliness, and being single (Twitchell 41). However, if they use Listerine, there will be good times ahead with a man they can attract and hold onto. The ad succeeds in making halitosis a fearsome condition of bad breath that nullifies all other charms. Listerine, therefore, is the only way for young women

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

6.2. American Revolution art work Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

6.2. American Revolution art work - Essay Example This ideology required Americans to stand firmly on their own beliefs and values. Moreover the painting depicts possible would have been battlegrounds for the revolution. Arguably, ordinary people within their day-to-day work centers conducted the revolutions. Most artists make the impression that rebel movements in remote environs conducted the revolution. The artists responsible for the paintings did not conduct through research while making the paintings. Indeed, the artists were more concerned with the artistic impression of the paintings among their audiences than their historic impression. Consequently, the artists created paintings that served the immediate society without considering their historical impacts. Indeed, the paintings were made to praise certain factions that led or were involved in the revolution. Thus, the paintings cannot be considered reliable sources of history. Moreover, the paintings are localized to the communities that they were intended for and, have little impact on the global arena. For instance, â€Å"Molly Pitcher - Battle of Monmouth 1778† shows that people from new jersey contributed more to the revolution than others

Monday, August 26, 2019

Quantitative research appraisal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Quantitative research appraisal - Essay Example Determinations of the effectiveness of pain management, effectiveness of nurse-led diabetic clinic, effectiveness of appropriate or specific dressing methods in management of venous ulcer, effectiveness of specialist nurse practitioner in the accident and emergency as a primary care giver are just few of the numerous examples to assess evidence and change practice based on evidence (Sousa et al., 2007, 502-507). Observational and Interventional Research Designs: The investigator conducting observational research observes both the independent and the dependent variables, when there is insufficient knowledge about a phenomenon, or for ethical reasons or otherwise, an observational design is most suitable. In experimental research, researchers actively intervene and create the independent variable, which means that people in the sample will be exposed to different treatments or conditions (Driessnack, et al., 2007, 684-688). Experimental and quasi-experimental designs: Experimental designs provide strong evidence about the hypothesis and provide a causal relationship between independent and dependent variables. ... However, quasi-experimental designs lack randomization to treatment groups, which characterizes true experiments. Quasi-experiments, thus, are not as powerful as experiments in establishing causal connections between interventions and outcomes (Coughlan et al, 2007, 658-663). Differences between Inferential and Descriptive Statistics: Statistics are either descriptive or inferential. Descriptive statistics are used to describe and synthesize data. Averages and percentages are examples of descriptive statistics. Actually, when such indices are calculated on data from a population, they are called parameters. Inferential statistics on the other hand is used to draw some inferences out of the numerical data (Zellner et al., 2007, 55-59). The title of the research article chosen by the author to base this assignment is "Randomised controlled trial to compare surgical stabilisation of the lumbar spine with an intensive rehabilitation programme for patients with chronic low back pain: the MRC spine stabilisation trial" by Fairbank and coworkers published in the British Medical Journal (Fairbank et al., 2005, 1233). Purpose: The purpose of this particular study is to assess the clinical effectiveness of surgical stabilization in the form of spinal fusion compared with that with intensive stabilization for patients with chronic low back pain. The design obviously was a multicentric randomized controlled trial (Cook et al., 2008, 128-133). Randomization or random assignment involves placing subjects in groups at random. Random essentially means that every subject has an equal chance of being assigned to any group to avoid systematic bias in the groups that could affect the dependent variable. Randomization remains the most trustworthy and acceptable method of

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Financing a Business Magazine Article Coursework

Financing a Business Magazine Article - Coursework Example In the year 2011, the number of small businesses in the UK was found to be around 4.5 million, which indicated that around 99 percent of the businesses were small firms (Nanto, 2010). The financial crisis has made it difficult for many small firms to get funding assistance from the banks. According to the Huffington Post, around 170,000 small businesses had to close down in the USA, in the year 2008-10; out of which around 6.79 million small firms closed in 2010, and around 6.96 firms closed in 2008 (Kavoussi, 2012). The rate of self-employment diminished by 4 percent in 2007 and further by 12 percent in 2009 (Halm-Addo, 2010). A series of survey was done, which revealed that the reducing employment, sales, investment rate during 2009 and even during 2008, were affecting the small business and their performances. About 165 small firms were surveyed in the UK and it was found that around 1 in every 20 firms had doubts of their survival, and around 8 percent were forecasting deep troub le for themselves. The small businesses do not have high cash reserves or large proportion of capital assets which would be acting as collateral. So it becomes difficult for them to secure additional financing during economic crisis. Bankruptcy among the small businesses are common than the large firms because even banks do not take the guarantee of financing them during such situation (Forrest, and Yip, 2011). The current economic crisis has created major liquidity issues in the banks, which in turn has influenced the lending practices. Bank of England has reported that financial crisis has observed the weakest flow of funds to the small businesses in the UK. The demand for secured and unsecured lending has increased in the UK since 2009, but it has been noticed that the changing policies of the banks due to rising risk of bankruptcy and insolvency, has limited the supply of funds. Evidences have been accumulated that the small enterprises in UK have faced difficulties in accessing funds during the period of 2008-09. According to the Forum of Private Business Reports, poor flow of cash and late payments were the major issues that the Economic Downturn Panel has referred to. They have also highlighted that these were mainly due to the slow decision-making, lack of any sales activity, and the increasing cost of lending rates. It was found in June 2009, that in the UK, about 33 percent of the small businesses could not access financial aid from banks, and around 44 percent of the small firms had to face immense difficulty to receive financial assiatnce. All the above statistics reveal that it is indeed difficult to raise money in the present economic climate. This is the reason why other ways of financing need have to be evaluated, so that small businesses do not close down just because of not getting access to bank loans (Stokes, and Wilson, 2010). The alternative sources of funding are discussed below: Merchant Cash Advances: In this type of financing the lend er does not lend money on equated monthly installment (EMI) basis, but they are interested in the sale and purchase of credit card income of the future. So they collect a fixed percentage of the credit card income daily, until the loan is repaid (Department of Business Innovation & Skill, 2012).

Saturday, August 24, 2019

Business Policy and Strategic Management Research Paper

Business Policy and Strategic Management - Research Paper Example Internal functioning at Southwest Airlines Southwest held the tag of low cost airlines in USA for so many years. However, some internal hiccups led to an unexpected change in its structure and internal functioning. It was considered one of the best companies to work for but increased labor costs and rising fuel prices turned these cordial relations into sour ones. While employees started complaining of low wages, Southwest also suffered as strikes and complaints by employees deteriorated the culture at and image of Southwest. Distanced employee relations and September 11 attack worsened the situation and customer complaints also started rising because of increased demands for safety in flights and long ticketing process. Emergence of other low cost competitors like JetBlue and AirTran threatened the very existence of Southwest Airlines because of which sustaining low prices became a daunting task for Southwest. One implicit reason behind such subtle transformation was the change in l eadership witnessed at Southwest. Herb Kelleher was the person who employees identified with. However, with Gary Kelly replacing Kelleher, problems started emerging as employees lost the bonding and affection they had with the company under the leadership of Kelleher (Katrina 2001).

Friday, August 23, 2019

Evaluate a range of employee development methods and barriers to Essay

Evaluate a range of employee development methods and barriers to effective learning within organisations - Essay Example â€Å"Development is a continuous improvement process that occurs at both the organizational and individual level. At the organizational level, leaders must actively manage the overall talent mix. Effective leaders recognize the need to fill key positions with individuals who have a competitive advantage in performing their roles when compared with their peers across the industry.† (Koch 2007) This competitive advantage stems from the organizational efforts to train and develop its individuals in a way so as to add value to their expertise as well to the overall organization. History is filled with examples where companies have placed immense emphasis on its employee development programs. Organizations come up with new and novel ways to train and motivate their employees and build their career for the benefit of both the employee and the organization. The learning based interactive system developed by IBM in the 1980s lead to marked improvement in the work quality of its emplo yee. Although when this system was developed IBM was losing from its competitors and incurring loses, but the company in its difficult time did not let do of its employee development and the new and innovative learning system helped the firm come back in business. The employee development methods form the basis of improving employees’ skill and technical expertise. â€Å"Employee Development methods fall under two general categories: on-the-job and off-the-job methods. The on-the-job methods consist job rotation, assistant-to positions, mentoring, special projects, and committee assignments, while off-the-job methods consist of formal education and outdoor training.† (Medina 2006) Talking of the on-the-job training, the most common method is the job rotation which is the systematic movement of an employee from one position to the other in the same or different departments. This method claims to develop employee understanding of the overall organization by moving the em ployee and making him actually do what is required in each unit of the organization. â€Å"Numerous firms have used job rotation, including American Cyanamid Baker Hughes, Ford and Prudential Insurance,† (Griffin & Moorhead 2011) The proponents of this method argue that this type of development is required by the organization in order to familiarize the employee with all the departments and technologies and methodology that the firm uses. But the opponents argue that it makes the employee jack of all trade and master of none. According to them when employees move from one department to the other, the shorter time span adds to the confusion resulting in errors that decreases the productivity of the employee. Another off shoot of the job rotation is the job enlargement which is also known as the horizontal loading of work. It involves the increasing of number of tasks in the same job as performed by previous employees. The rationale behind the inclusion of increasing number of tasks is to reduce monotony of the worker. But this kind of loading takes a toll on the time required to complete the job thus resulting in a decrease in the efficiency. However firms have gained some advantage such as employee motivation due to