Sunday, December 29, 2019

The development of the Okavang Delta tourism site is one...

The development of the Okavang Delta tourism site is one of the examples of development that took place. The development of the Okavango did not only benefit the needs of tourists. Developing a tourism site required other type of development to happen before tourism game may take place. The government developed the countries gravel roads transforming them to tie roads. Walk ways along and to tourism sites were developed. The development of hotels was one of the things that other people saw an opportunity of boosting their income with. Mbaiwa (2003) argue that for developing countries or regions tourism is seen as the fast train towards better development. Along these lines it may also be argued that during such development, a vast†¦show more content†¦In the other hand it may also be argued that there was something good in the provision of hunting licenses. These licences controlled the number of animals killed and the type. They did not only protect the environment they als o protected the country from illegal poaching. The rate of illegal poaching had increased as the country had animals that poachers were interested the most on. Thus there were animals that were prohibited from being killed. Thus it may be argued that the license provision programme was good for the country. Along these lines it may also be argued that the provision of such licenses was not good. These licenses had an impact in the way of living for the native people. The native people depended on nature for survival. Thus they were now limited from hunting. The licenses limited them from gaining control over the type of animals they want to kill. However the licence also prohibited them from killing particular types of animals in the quantity they needed. Thus this meant they were given the list of animals they were allowed to kill. Thus other vital animals to their survival were never available for consumption. Thus it may be argued that such development may have been good and bad. However gaining independence opened doors for better development for all kind of things. The government saw an opportunity to utilise the countries riches

Saturday, December 21, 2019

Deforestation as a Global Issue Essay - 1448 Words

Hypothesis:Deforestation is a global issue, not just one countrys problem. I have been asked to write an assignment on the effects and causes of the deforestation-taking place in the Amazon rainforest. During this assignment I shall investigate the following topics:  · Why has deforestation taken place in the Amazon rainforest?  · Can the government of Brazilsolve this major  · Before and after destruction issue?  · What are the developments in the rainforest?  · What are the negative consequences of deforestation?  · Identify the main green house gases and the reasons for their increase.  · How dose deforestation in Brazil effect its government and the rest of the world?†¦show more content†¦Commercial logging is cutting trees for sale as timber or pulp. Logging can occur selectively so only the economically valuable species are cut or by clear-cutting all the trees. Commercial logging uses heavy machinery, such as bulldozers and trucks to transport the logs to processing factories and for export so further land must be cleared for this purpose as well. Can the Goverment of Brazil solve this major Issue? The causes of deforestation are very complex. A competitive global economy drives the need for money to sustain economic growth. The government sells land concessions to anyone who is willing to pay them, to pay off international debt and to develop their industry. Brazil has an estimated international debt of $100 billion and without utilizing every bit of resource they have got and maximizing it to earn the largest possible amount of money out of it, they would be unable to keep up with the repayments of these debts. The Brazilian government has no other choice but to utilize its natural resources for money and sustain the countries economy and development or go into further debt and poverty. By milking the Amazon rainforest for all its worth, the Brazilian government can sustain their development and push their economy from strength to strength. Before After Deforistation The Amazon rainforest is oneShow MoreRelatedDeforestation And The Global Issue Of Deforestation934 Words   |  4 Pagessocial causes of deforestation are predominantly created by human needs. In turn these causes hinder sustainability. This report states that although it is important to meet the needs of humans, the needs must be satisfied in a sustainably conscious manner. For this to be achieved, direct effects of each human need must be critically analysed and understood. This paper aims to deliver this by identifying particular human actions that contribute to the global issue of deforestation. Furthermore, theRead MoreDeforestation Is A Global Issue1630 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction Deforestation in the Amazon rainforest is the cutting or burning down trees. Two main reasons the Amazon rainforest is being cleared is for raising cattle and growing crops (Figure 1). This is because the production of beef and soy has increased.1 The Amazon rainforest is located in countries throughout South America. The area this report will look at is Brazil, which is the largest country in the region. The majority of deforestation in the Amazon takes place in Brazil.2 There areRead MoreDeforestation Is A Global Issue2163 Words   |  9 Pagestree cover, deforestation, is a global issue that can be catastrophic if not resolved and is one of the most urgent of issues. Deforestation is a global issue, not only because it happens all around the world, in multiple countries but also because its causes are produced by globally-drive motives. Politically, Socially and Environmentally, deforestation is a global issue that delves deeply in almost all aspects of organism life. This essay will explore into the intricacy of the global issue of deforestationRead MoreGlobal Environmental Issue : Deforestation Essay1103 Words   |  5 PagesGlobal Environmental Issue: Deforestation Deforestation is a global environmental threat the planet is currently experiencing. Deforestation in tropical rainforests is especially problematic as they are home to a myriad of important plant and animal species. The rich biodiversity found in these environments are needed, as we rely heavily on the ecological services they provide for us. Forest exports, cattle ranching, and international corporations and agencies are a few factors and actors to thisRead MoreDeforestation Is The Real Consequences Of Deforestation1231 Words   |  5 Pageslike without these forests? If the rate of deforestation continues to increase then we may have to find out the answer to that question. Deforestation is a recurring global problem which is the act of tearing down a forest to use the land for a different purpose. Today’s society is so steadfast on advancement that they aren t stepping back to look at the solutions to the problem, alternatives, nor the very real consequences of deforestat ion. Deforestation could be destroyed in multiple ways. One ofRead MorePaper Towels And Its Effects On The World891 Words   |  4 Pageslead to deforestation- conversion of forested regions to non-forest land for human use and industrial gain until I really need it. After a long look at the mirror, I smirked to myself and turned around settling my wet hands in my pants pocket so that they would dry till I reach my class. After a few days of attachment to the commitment, I realized that although it might be just a drop of water in an ocean but we can really minimize the consumption of products that lead to deforestation. For thatRead MoreDeforestation Is Infrastructure Expansion ( Geist Lambin ) Essay1374 Words   |  6 PagesThere are many causes/factors to deforestation, which are largely associated with direct human influence. The first proximate cause to deforestation is infrastructure expansion (Geist Lambin, 2002, p. 144). This refers to transportation (roads), private and public markets, rural and urban settlements, and private and public services (water lines, oil exploitation, etc†¦) (Geist Lambin, 2002, p. 144). The next cause is agricultural expansion, which includes, large or small-scale cultivations, shiftingRead MoreImpact of Deforestation on the Earth Essay1375 Words   |  6 PagesDeforestation is the elimination of existing trees from the earth; attributable factors include urbanization, logging, ranching, and farming and to some extent land speculation. Land speculation can be included as cleared land is more valuable than forested land. Deforestation, done in the name of progress, and the long-term, devastating effects of it, is killing our planet. To understand the effects of deforestation one must understand the reasoning behind the decision to clear forestlands. OnlyRead MoreDeforestation And Its Effects On Deforestation Essay1339 Words   |  6 PagesDeforestation is â€Å"the act of cutting or burning down all of the trees in an area.† The original area covered by forests was approximately six billion hectares, however the total area of land covered by forests today is only four billion hectares. The issue is only expanding, and its challenges are becoming tougher every day. In fact, approximately sixteen million hectares of forest disappear each year. Forests cover more than twenty five percent of the world’s land, and more than half of that isRead MoreDeforestation Essay1071 Words   |  5 PagesIs Deforestation Worth It? One of the most prevalent issues in our world today is the issue of deforestation. Deforestation can be described as â€Å"the practice of clearing the natural forests for agriculture, logging, etc.† (Deforestation Statistics). After hearing the definition of deforestation, most people would not find this to be a very significant issue in the world, but after hearing the alarming statistics associated with deforestation, most would change their mind. For example, arguably the

Friday, December 13, 2019

The Struggle Woman Face Today in the World Free Essays

Introduction: Now woman are reaching the equality they deserve but still some aspects of certain events have surely given woman their doubts. These events aren’t known worldwide; these are events that target woman in households or workplaces. These critical and ignoble events have taken this topic to a whole new level and that is why I have chosen it! Stress/Depression: When comparing which gender goes through more emotional problems like stress; woman experience more. We will write a custom essay sample on The Struggle Woman Face Today in the World or any similar topic only for you Order Now Although the signs of depression are the same for men and woman, females undergo certain symptoms more often. Woman are twice as likely to go through depression than men because of biological, psychological and social factors that they encounter in there life. This is definitely a struggle because carrying this burden of anxiety and worthlessness is not the only thing they worry about. Many women aren’t aware that they have been targeted by depression and that is the number one cause of suicides. One topic leads to another and this topic can never have an end! Family and Work Pressure: Woman that are married have 4 times more pressure to endure than married men. Society and cultural opinions have clearly stated that a woman (when the suitable age) should be a proper wife and mother. Some woman in India, Africa, and Dubai are strictly raised to have the husband be the breadwinner. Now when woman have gained more equality and rights they still have the pressure to work and be house wives. Juggling work and family pressure is not an easy task and gets more wearying and depressing every time. Females in times like now go through so much more physical and emotional factors than men that comparing the statics seems unjustified!! Culture: Let’s talk about woman that live in countries that are major culturally influenced like in India, Pakistan, and China etc. Culture is a very significant topic regarding to woman because when you follow a belief there are rules set from before that influence decisions. Women are ranked below men in certain cultures if you can believe. Girls weren’t able to attend school before in places like India and when these girls grow up to become women they have no education completed and that obviously effect their work options. These small choices/decisions that is set from the very beginning because of culture affects a woman’s life significantly. How to cite The Struggle Woman Face Today in the World, Papers

Thursday, December 5, 2019

Emotional Intelligence Emotional Quotient

Question: Discuss about the Emotional Intelligence for Emotional Quotient. Answer: Introduction Emotional Intelligence also termed as emotional quotient (EQ) is a key success factor for any individual as well as a team of individuals. The said concept hovers around the fact that a persons personal quality of self perseverance, efficacy, control and regulation has a great impact over the success of an individual as well as the firm. Thus in laymans terms it is the talent and skills of a person to be aware of ones own skills and expertise, to be able to control emotions and to be able to cultivate the emotional factors of ones own self so as to thrive towards achievement of the goals of the business enterprise successfully (Goleman, 2012). Thus its importance cannot be negated. Importance of Emotional Intelligence at Workplace The importances of emotional intelligence at the workplace are many. Understanding about ones own emotional side of life as well as stress managing ability will have a great impact on the physical well being of a person. Along with impacting upon the physical health it also enables to develop a positive outlook towards life. If a persons emotional intelligence is at a high level then he would always manage stressful situations with a positive outlook. Thus the first importance of emotional intelligence that can be viewed in the well being of an individual both physically as well a mentally (Deleon, 2015). If a person has adequate control over its emotions then it leads to a constructive communication of views. It enables to develop strong relationships and also mend stress relations as well. Understanding the needs and desires of the opposite person is a must for success at a workplace as it ensures steering of the ambitions of all people towards achievement of a common goal. Furtherance to the same it adds to leading a team more successfully. Thirdly emotional intelligence holds importance in resolving conflicts at a workplace. If a person knows how to empathize with the existing situations and deal with the emotions of other people with care, resolution of conflicts becomes effortless. If the other persons desires are understood well then it becomes uncomplicated to arrive at a decision which benefits both the parties. Thus the success rate of leaders who have a high emotional intelligence at work is very high as compared to those with a low emotional intelligence (Srivastava, 2013). Instead of grumbling over the failures it enables one to create a more supportive network of people. A more cohesive team building is possible if the leader has a high level of emotional quotient as it is only then when he would be able to provide satisfaction to the team members and guide them towards the common goals of the organization. Two key elements of emotional intelligence Empathy with self responsiblity The two key elements of emotional intelligence are empathy with self responsibility and communication with social skills. These two elements are of utmost importance for enhancing a persons emotional intelligence towards work. First and foremost is an attitude of empathy and assuming self responsibility to the performance of his team members. If the leader is able to understand the feelings and the needs of the other person and behaves sensitively towards the same then he can contribute in building a strong relationship within the organization which would ultimately help to boost the morale of the team as a whole. An empathetic attitude enables development of strong relations. A person who is sensitive towards the feeling of others also knows that blame game will not lead to any good for the organization. He knows that owning up for your mistakes and dealing the same with care portrays a very positive image in front of the other employees and the team members (Beard, (2012). People g ive respect to such leaders who have a high emotional intelligence and further to this an environment of trust is also created. Thus with a positive scenario the success rate of firm increases leaps and bounds and more importantly the individual workers feel self motivated and look at their career graph moving in the upward direction. Greater zeal and higher emotional intelligence leads to development of a strong personality of an individual which helps him to attain success at his workplace with ease. Communication and Social Skills Second key element which helps to drive the emotional quotient of an individual is a persons ability to communicate and develop ones social skills. Communication is the key to success for any leader or other employees at a work place. Clarity in thought process is evident if a person has good communication skills. Further such people also are able to develop a healthy relationship with the society. Emotional intelligence finds its ways to help succeed any kind of a change at the work place with ease. Acumen towards emotions adhere to development of a good listener who responds only after analysing the situation from all possible angles. Responding in an abrupt manner is controlled via this key skill of communication as a part of emotional quotient. Networking building is possible only if the person is expressive towards the societal pressure and communicates in a manner which is acceptable to the crowd (Anand UdayaSuriyan, 2010). This will enable the leader to diffuse intricate issu e with adequate affiliation and negotiation. Thus communication skill along with relationship building with the society as well is a key element of emotional intelligence. Conclusion Thus on summarizing the above with regards what and how emotional quotient contributes to the success of a person at a workplace, it is very evident that isolation is not acceptable. Emotional quotient holds great importance in the success of a person as an individual and from the point of view of his career and the workplace. Understanding and controlling ones emotions and reacting in a more regulated manner by thinking about the other persons view point adds to the success factor of a person at a workplace. Furtherance to this there are certain key elements which contribute to emotional intelligence of which a sharp communicating ability along with network building and assuming self accountability for mistakes and failures are of utmost importance. Referrences Anand, R., UdayaSuriyan, G. (2010). Emotional Intelligence and Its Relationship with Leadership Practices. International Journal of Business and Management, 5(2), 65-76 Beard, M. (2012, March 2). 5 Main Components of Emotional Intelligence [Web Log Post]. Retrieved from https://inspirebusinesssolutions.com/blog/5-main-components-of-emotional-intelligence Brackett, M.A., Rivers, S.E., Salovey, P. (2011). Emotional Intelligence : Implications for Personal , Social , Academic and Workplace Success. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 5(1), 88-103 Goleman, D., (2012), Emotional Intelligence: Why it can matter more than IQ, (ebook), Random House Publishing Group: USA Deleon, M. (2015). The importance of Emotional Intelligence at Work. Entrepreneur. Retrieved from https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/245755 Srivastava, K. (2013). Emotional Intelligence and organizational effectiveness. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4085815/.

Thursday, November 28, 2019

Bai Tap Essay Example

Bai Tap Essay Professor Anu Vuorikoski Bus 173A Intermediate Financial Management Chapter 8: mini case a. Why are ratios useful? What are the five major categories of ratios? Ratios are useful to evaluate a firm’s financial statements and one can also compare their performance with other firms, or the industry average. The five major categories for ratios are as follow: i. Liquidity Ratios: measures the liquidity of the firm’s current assets to their current liabilities (or obligations to creditors). ii. Asset Management Ratios: measures how effectively the firm is handling and managing their assets. ii. Debt Management Ratios: measure their debt financing, or financial leverage; how much is the firm depended on debt. iv. Profitability Ratios: these ratios demonstrate the effects of liquidity, asset management, and debt combined together on operating results. v. Market Value Ratios: these are ratios that help managers know what investors think of the company’s past performanc e and future prospects. b. Calculate the 2007 current and quick ratios based on the projected balance sheet and income statement data. What can you say about the company’s liquidity position in 2005, 2006, and as projected for 2007? We often think of ratios as being useful (1) to managers to help run the business, (2) to bankers for credit analysis, and (3) to stockholders for stock valuation. Would these different types of analysts have an equal interest in the liquidity ratios? Current Ratio = Current Assets / Current Liabilities Current Ratio = $2,680,112 / $1,039,800 Current Ratio = 2. 58 times Quick Asset Ratio = (Current Assets – Inventory) / Current Liabilities Quick Asset Ratio = ($2,680,112 $1,716,480) / $1,039,800 Quick Asset Ratio = 0. 93 times The firm is has improved their in reducing their current liabilities and increasing their current asset; however, they are still below industrial avg. | |2005 |2006 |2007E |Industrial Avg. | |Current Ratio |2. 3x |1. 5x |2. 58x |2. 7x | |Quick Acid Ratio |0. 8x |0. 5x |0. 93x |1. 0x | Table 1 – from minicase (pg 281) Not all type of analyst would have an equal interest in the liquidity ratios. For instance, creditors might be interested more than managers. If they are going to lend the firm some funds, they want to be sure they can be recovered their capital fast incase the firms goes bankrupt. c. Calculate the 2007 inventory turnover, days sales outstanding (DSO), fixed assets turnover, and total assets turnover. How does Computron’s utilization of assets stack up against that of other firms in its industry? Inventory Turnover = Sales / Inventory Inventory Turnover = $7,035,600 / $1,716,480 Inventory Turnover = 4. 10 times Industry turn over is 6. 1 times while the firms inventory turnover is 4. 10. We will write a custom essay sample on Bai Tap specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Bai Tap specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Bai Tap specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The firm’s inventory is being stored longer than the industry average; hence it is taking up space, which is costing them money. They need to improve their inventory management system. Days Sales Outstanding = Receivables / (Annual Sales/365) Days Sales Outstanding = $878,000 / ($7,035,600/365) Days Sales Outstanding = 45. 55 Industry DSO is 32 days while the firm’s DSO is 45. 55 days to collect money from sales (or collect money from their accounts receivable). If they have a 30 days term, they are not doing to a good job and should change or enforce new policies. Fixed Assets Turnover = Sales / Fixed Assets Fixed Assets Turnover = $7,035,600 / $836,840 Fixed Assets Turnover = 8. 41 times The industry fixed asset turnover is 7 times while the firm’s is expected to be a little bit over 8. 41. Meaning, they are being a bit more efficient than the industry average in using their assets to generate sales. Total Assets Turnover = Sales / Total Assets Turnover Total Assets Turnover = $7,035,600 / $3,516,952 Total Assets Turnover = 2. 00 times The industry total asset turnover is 2. 5 times while the firm’s is expected to be a 2. 0 times. The firm is below the industry average due the increase in inventories and accounts receivables. d. Calculate the 2007 debt, times-interest-earned, and EBITDA coverage ratios. How does Computron compare with the industry with respect to financial leverage? What can you conclude from these ratios? Debt Ratio = total liabilities / total assets Debt Ratio = $ 1,539,800/ $3,516,952 Debt Ratio = 0. 44 = 44% The industry average is 50%, which means creditors have supplied 50% (half) of their financing. The firm’s debt ratio is lower than the industry average, 44%, which is a good sign. They should try to minimize it a bit more or not let it increase. Times-Interest-Earned (TIE) = EBIT / Interest Charges TIE = $502,640/ $80,000 TIE = 6. 28 times The industry and the firm’s TIE are almost the same (firm’s is 6. 28 and the industry average is 6. 2). They are both covering interest charges on their debt in the same length of time. EBITDA Coverage ratio = (EBIT + Depr. + Amort. + Lease payments) / (Interest + Lease payments) EBITDA Coverage Ratio = ($502,640 + $120,000)/ ($80,000 + $40,000+0) EBITDA Coverage Ratio = 5. 5 times e. Calculate the 2007 profit margin, basic earning power (BEP), return on assets (ROA), and return on equity (ROE). What can you say about these ratios? Profit Margin = Net Income / Sales PM = $253,548/ $7,035,600 PM = 3. 6% | |2005 |2006 |2007E |Industrial Avg. | |Profit Margin |2. 6% |-1. 6% |3. 6% |3. 6% | Table 2 – from minicase (pg 281) The firm did horrible in 2006, but it’s now meeting the industrial average. Basic Earning Power = EBIT / Total Assets BEP = $502,640 / $3,516,952 BEP = 0. 142 = 14% | |2005 |2006 |2007E |Industrial Avg. | |Basic Earning Power |14. 2% |0. 6% |14% |17. 8% | Table 3 – from minicase (pg 281) Basic Earning Power eliminates the effect of taxes and financial leverage. The projected is below average compared to the industrial average. Return on Total Assets = ROA = Net Income/ Total Assets ROA = $253,548 / $3,516,952 ROA = 7. 2% ROA is lowered by debtinterest expense lowers net income, which also lowers ROA. |2005 |2006 |2007E |Industrial Avg. | |ROA |6. 0% |-3. 3% |7. 2% |9% | Table 4 – from minicase (pg 281) Return on Common Equity = ROE = Net Income/ Common Equity ROE = $253,548 / $1,977,152 ROE = 12. 8% The use of debt lowers equity, and if equity is lowered more than net income, ROE would increase. | |2005 |2006 |2007E |Industrial Avg. | |ROE |13. 3% |-17. 1% |12. % |17. 9% | Table 5 – from minicase (pg 281) f. Calculate the 2007 price/earnings ratio, price/cash flow ratio, and market/book ratio. Do these rat ios indicate that investors are expected to have a high or low opinion of the company? Price/Earning Ratio = Price per share / Earning per Share Earnings per Share = Income / Number of outstanding shares P/E ratio = $12. 17 / ($253,548 / $250,000) P/E ratio = 11. 99x = 12x | |2005 |2006 |2007E |Industrial Avg. | |P/E ratio |9. x |-6. 3x |12x |16. 2x | Table 6 – from minicase (pg 281) Price/Cash Flow Ratio = Price per Share / Cash Flow per Share Cash Flow per Share = (Net Income + Depr. ) / Shares Outstanding Price/Cash Flow Ratio = $12. 17/ (($253,548+$120,000)/250,000) Price/Cash Flow Ratio = $12. 17/ (($373,548)/250,000) Price/Cash Flow Ratio = $12. 17/ $1. 494192 Price/Cash Flow Ratio = 8. 15x | |2005 |2006 |2007E |Industrial Avg. | |Price/Cash Flow Ratio |8. x |27. 5x |8. 15x |7. 6x | Table 7 – from minicase (pg 281) Market/Book Ratio 1st Book Value per Share = Common Equity / Shares Outstanding Book Value per Share = $1,977,152 / 250,000 Book Value per Share = $7. 91 2nd Market/Book ratio = Market Price per Share / Book Value per Share M/B ratio = $12. 17 / $7. 91 M/B ratio = 1. 54 x | |2005 |2006 |2007E |Industrial Avg. | |Market/Book ratio |1. 3x |1. 1x |1. 54x |2. x | Table 8 – from minicase (pg 281) The price earning ratio is still below industrial average. The firm is considered riskier. However, inv estors are willing to pay a more for the estimated 2007 year than they did for the year of 2006. They do expect both revenue and earning to grow. g. Perform a common size analysis and percent change analysis. What do these analyses tell you about Computron? Common Size analysis for Income Statement (86. 7) than industry (84. 5), but higher other expenses. Result is that net, net the company has similar EBIT % (7. 1) as industry. To increase EBIT and bottom line to create shareholder wealth (by increasing NOPAT), company needs to cut costs or grow costs slower than sales [pic] Common Size analysis for Balance Sheet The firm has higher proportion of inventory and current assets than Industry. The firm now has more equity than the industry average. The firm has more short-term debt than industry, but less long-term debt than industry. [pic] Common Size analysis for Balance Sheet (cont. ) [pic] Percent Change Analysis for Income Statement Sales grew 105% from 2004, and Net Income grew 188% from 2004. pic] h. Use the extended Du Pont equation to provide a summary and overview of Computron’s financial condition as projected for 2007. What are the firm’s strengths and weaknesses? Extended Du Pont Equation = ROE = = (Net Income / Sales) x (Sales / Total Assets) x (Total Assets / Common Equity) = ($253,548 / $7,035,600) x ($7,035,600 / $3,516,952) x ($3,516,952 / $1,977,152) = 0. 036038 x 2. 000482 x 1. 778797 = 0. 128239 OR = Net Income / Comment Equity = 0. 128239 i. What are some potential problems and limitations of financial ratio analyses? Average performance is not the best position a firm would like to be in. You want to aim higher. There are some firms that are seasonal and this can throw off some of the ratios for those firms when comparing them with others. Window dressing techniques can make statements and ratios look better. Different accounting and operating practices can distort comparisons. Sometimes it is difficult to tell if a ratio value is â€Å"good† or â€Å"bad. † Often, different ratios give different signals, so it is difficult to tell, on balance, whether a company is in a strong or weak financial condition. 1] j. What are some qualitative factors analysts should consider when evaluating a company? Are the company’s revenues tied to a single customer? To what extent are the company’s revenues tied to a single product? To what extent does the company rely on a single supplier? What percentage of the company’s business is generated overseas? What is the competitive s ituation? What does the future have in store? What is the company’s legal and regulatory environment? [2] [1] From the professors power point slide [2] From the professors power point slide

Sunday, November 24, 2019

The Case of Socrates essays

The Case of Socrates essays The great mind has always attracted controversy, may it be the past or the present. Socrates was no exception in this regard and had more than his fair share of conflicts with the ones whose beliefs and ideas he had dared to challenge, even though the challenge was on intellectual basis. If one raises the questions, Why invite trouble Socrates? Why irritate the masses? Socrates would simply reply that an unexamined life is not worth living for. In this regard Socrates considered himself to be a pest, a gadfly to be more precise, for he knew that his arguments serve to be a source of annoyance for the ones who feel that their ideas and beliefs are threatened by him. Socrates questioned, scrutinized and analyzed all from government to religion, from morality to reality because one thing was clear to Socrates that the wisdom he possess is actually, knowing the extent of his own ignorance. The fate of a revolutionary thinker is always riddled with opposition and Socrates paid a high price for that, for he was sentences to death by the ones who felt he threatened their ways of living. The account of his trial is given in the Apology by Plato. Socrates was mainly the target of three accusations by Meletus. The first accusation directed at Socrates was that he always makes the worse argument look stronger. Socrates very firmly denied the allegation and his response was that he had never engaged in topics which interest the natural philosopher. Quite rightly so, in fact Socrates never bothered with teaching others for a fee and his poverty is a sign of his sincerity. Socrates never said he was a sophist for he never claimed to have the knowledge Sophists have. Socrates then faced a second allegation that he is corrupting the youth by misguiding them and making them question their traditional patterns of belief and character. In response to this charge Socrates started off by building a defense b ...

Thursday, November 21, 2019

The Influence of the Nazi Party. East vs.West Germany. Aftermath of Essay

The Influence of the Nazi Party. East vs.West Germany. Aftermath of the Collapse of Communism - Essay Example Hitler’s authoritative nature and commanding abilities helped him to tackle the problems that resulted due to his dictatorship. The late 1900’s witnessed a series of events which brought about a complete change to the country as well as the governmental policies. (Wollenberg, 1996). Due to this, the German societies felt a sense of fear, since the people of all strata were affected by the political changes. Hitler and his party was able to takeover many industrial establishments and other army camps and this in turn drew the attention of many countries. Apart from all the other reformations, the territorial expansion of Germany and the Persecution of Jews were the ones that created a wave of fear among the other countries. Hitler’s aversion towards the Jews led to a situation where he reformed the policies which treated Jews as people from other countries and they were never given an opportunity to establish their citizenship in Germany. (Beckers, 2003). Hitler c ontinued his commanding movement against the Jews by taking over the businesses from them and treating them like slaves. Jews were not permitted to live in normal places were the German citizens made their living. Instead they were made to stay in a remote place which lacked in even primary and basic facilities. (Lee, 1998). In the later 1940’s, thousands of Jews were killed, as Hitler proposed a shooting order in order to evacuate the Jews. Another most prominent act was the territorial expansion of Germany. The territorial expansion of Germany was initiated years after the First World War. Hitler staged several protests like the ones he implemented in parts of Germany and this was done to threaten the people who lived around Germany to join his army. The Saar region came under Hitler’s control soon after the Versailles Treaty. The German army continued to occupy smaller territories around Germany by invading them. The Nazi party even threatened the government of many places like Austria and brought them under his control. Within a period of six to eight years, Hitler’s government acquired almost all the places that surrounded Germany. His act of threatening the Czechoslovakian government for war pushed them to the extent of surrendering their country and this was approved during the Munich Agreement. (Peery, Berg & Krukones, 2011). Due to the aggressive nature and commanding authority of Hitler, the Nazi party made its presence felt by creating havoc to the neighboring countries by creating a sense of fear. Germany, which was under the control of Hitler, faced greater challenges during the period of Second World War. To be precise, the Second World War led to changes in terms of country’s economic, political and social factors and led to a major reformation, the division of Germany, as East and West. The expansion of Germany during Hitler’s reign brought about a sense of insecurity among the people of Germany. This also sow ed the seeds of enmity and rivalry in the minds of people of other countries. These eventually led to a state where Hitler’s government surrendered after the Second World War. (Ostermann, 2011).During this time, Germany was divided into four major divisions and they were under the control of countries like France, Soviet Union, Great Britain and The United States. This act was not successful and soon the four zones were reformed to be two major zones namely, East and West Germany which was controlled by Soviet Union and United States respectively. These changes brought about changes not only in the political front, but also in the social and economic status. The social inequality and the economic downturn proved to be

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Exporting healthy drink from Austria to Canada Term Paper

Exporting healthy drink from Austria to Canada - Term Paper Example These are the reasons why several companies have chosen to position their product in the foreign market. Others also cited that they preferred to export their products in order to survive in the saturated domestic market and remained competitive. However, before a certain company considered the idea of exporting, it must have all the needed resources (strategic and financial), and more importantly is to have a higher level of commitment to compete in the international market. According to Zou, Kim, and Cavusgil, in order for companies to be successful they â€Å"need to conduct a careful assessment of their readiness to export, go through the learning process of internationalization, develop effective export marketing strategies that suit for foreign markets, and implement the strategies effectively† (2). Trading Ltd. is an Austrian based company that is very determined to introduce BioDrink in the Canadian market. The main purpose of this paper is to design the international marketing strategy of Trading Ltd. targeting the Canadians as their final consumers considering all the necessary information. To measure the readiness of the company to export BioDrink in the Canadian market, it must have all the necessary resources. Among the necessary resources are strategic and financial resources, management commitment, and human resources. â€Å"A common mistake made by some companies is to become involved in exporting without adequate preparation and assessment of their readiness to export† (Zou, Kim, and Cavusgil 9). New Customers and Markets. It would be an advantage for the exporting company to have a strong home market position before going into exporting because international market is full of competitors. Canada as the prospect overseas market is a good choice in terms of its economic stability being one of the world’s wealthiest nations. Also, the demand of beverage industry in the country is increasing and the record of exporting is high. Trading

Monday, November 18, 2019

Development of U.S Policy towards Native Americans and Tribal Essay

Development of U.S Policy towards Native Americans and Tribal Government - Essay Example The civilization followed by the Native Americans is ancient, but this ancient civilization and old traditions have changed by time and the Native Americans have also changed their way of living and lifestyle with the changing world and environment. The written record of the 10 million populated Native Americans can be found with the European conflict because the conflict era between the old and new world cultures came with the advent of European colonization. In that period of time, the philosophies of the cultures were clashed, religious institutions and centers were challenged, old world cultures were changed, and modern technologies were changed; so this changed the entire picture of the historic value of old and new world of history. As the colonial era of England was revolted and the United States established, Native Americans also got the chance to enroll as natives and original habitants of their homelands. Native Americans have an exceptional association and liaison with the government of united states, and they have found their individual independent rights and provisions from the government of the united states to live according to their rights and beliefs in the form of bonded groups, nations and tribes so that they could maintain their own dignity and civilization to full extents. The Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 grants the right of being U.S. citizens to all the Native Americans so that they could live independently and enjoy their lifestyles with full freedom and justification. "Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That all non-citizen Native Americans born within the territorial limits of the United States be, and they are hereby, declared to be citizens of the United States: Provided, That the granting of such citizenship shall not in any manner impair or otherwise affect the right of any Native American to tribal or other

Friday, November 15, 2019

Market Research On Primarks Clothing Marketing Essay

Market Research On Primarks Clothing Marketing Essay The UK clothing and footwear (or apparel) market was worth an estimated  £46.05bn in 2009, accounting for 5.3% of total consumer spending (Key Note Publications Ltd, July 2010). According to Mintel, (June 2010), nearly half (12.7 million) of women in the UK spent the same or even more on their clothes in 2009 despite the economic recession. Consumers have cut back on leisure activities such as holidays and eating out, they have continued to spend on clothing and footwear indicating that they are being selective about what to spend their money on and are choosing to buy clothing over a meal out. Over half of overall UK consumers (54%) did not reduce the amount they spent on clothes during the past year and one in ten (11%) of consumers say they actually spent more on clothes than they usually would over the past year, despite the economic difficulties. This could be because consumers have cut back on leisure activities (Mintel, June 2010). Between 2005 and 2009, the womens outerwear segment actually declined slightly in value, because average prices were 22% lower in 2009 than they were in 2005. This occurred despite the dynamism of `fast fashion, in which more and more garments are bought but worn only a few times before they go out of fashion and are disposed of (Key Note Publications Ltd, July 2010). Consumers are now tending towards the budget end of the market, which is targeted by companies such as Primark, Peacocks and Matalan, or the designer, premium-priced extreme. The mid-market has consequently become very competitive, with the struggles of Marks and Spencer, Arcadia Group and BhS to retain market share (Infomat, August 2006). Besides the mid market trend, the quality over quantity trend appears to have risen up the consumer priority list, with almost four in ten consumers who intend to spend more on clothing in the coming year claiming that they will pay more for quality clothes (Mintel, June 2010). Consumers might consider that expensive products tend to be of better quality. Therefore, the UK Retailers should react quickly in responding and considering the quality message of their clothing in order to satisfy consumers needs and wants and therefore, increase their market share. Background to the study The Primark story has been one of continuing success founded on a unique combination of fast fashion and lean operations. Its operations in Great Britain began in 1973 with four out-of-town stores. The following year saw the opening of the first UK High Street stores in Derby and Bristol. In the next ten years, 18 stores were added in the UK bringing the number of stores in the 22. Till date, Primark has been able to open 145 stores in the United Kingdom. (Primark, 2010). Over the years Primark has been able to provide cheap and affordable clothing, but the quality of the product has been questionable. In the first and second quarter of the year, Primark recorded a 17% year-on-year sales increase in which it was driven by more selling space, Primark looks likely to continue in a similar successful vein for the predicted future, but its continued growth is not without some market barriers, Primark could be hit hard; and its lack of association with quality could also prove unfavourable in the long term.(Mintel, 2010) The retail landscape is about to change as the deflation of the last decade comes to an abrupt end. Raw material prices, freight and labour costs (particularly in the Far East) are rising and, coupled with the impending VAT increase and unfavourable foreign exchange movements, clothing prices on like-for-like items are expected to rise by at least 5% next year Mintel (2010). Primark cannot continue to provide cheap clothing because of the high production cost and tax rate, if the prices of the products are increased and the quality keeps disappointing the consumers, consumers could decide to switch back their loyalties to the mid market retailers like Gap and H and M who have celebrity designers such as Stella McCartney and Jimmy Choo designing ranges for them to reassert themselves in the clothing retail market. Primarks main focus of clothing is producing value clothing which can be afforded by the low and middle class consumers. But there could be trouble along the way as the perception of product quality appears to be slipping, consumers are now shopping for deals and finding value for money. The main test of this brand is to improve its quality and reposition its image in the minds of the existing and new consumers. Management Problem: The major issue facing Primark is to improve its quality and reposition its image in the minds of the existing and new consumers and thereby increase its market share than its current market position. Therefore the Management decision Problem would be: How Primarks clothing could increase its market share. Market Research problems: A market research problem will be carried out to support the management decision problem of Primark. Therefore the market research problem for the study will be: To determine consumers attitudes and the level of satisfaction derived from current product qualities. Research Components: The research components are used for identifying the market research problem. Therefore the research components are: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ What criteria do consumers use in selecting a clothing brand? à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ How do consumers evaluate Primark and its competitors based on the identified choice criteria? à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ What are the consumers attitudes towards Primark? à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ To determine the psychographic and demographic profile of the consumers Literature review Globally, clothing continues to serve the three basic functions of concealment, protection and identity. However, when shopping for a piece of clothing, the third factor identity is the criteria that the consumer in modern society is completely engrossed with. Clothing has the ability not only to represent status in society, or act as a measurement of self-esteem, but can reveal personality and what values a person holds dear to them (What you wear is what you are, 2010). Solomon and Ranbolt (2004). confirm that revealing identity through the clothes a person wears is a conscious decision: A consumer exhibits attachment to an objectto maintain his or her self-conceptClothing can function in a similar way (p. 148). This perception of how consumers see themselves is called the Self-Concept Theory, which categorises the term Ideal Self as something a person is always trying to achieve. Therefore a retailer will be more successful if the goods they sell facilitate a person in realizi ng their ideal self (Diamond 2006). Undoubtedly, the ideal self of the UK consumer is an increasingly fashionable one. This does not just apply to the younger age group, but also the older and more affluent age group who enjoy keeping up to date with current trends. Previously, this was very hard to accomplish as there was virtually no consumer choice for the older market segment, but value stores have attempted to address this issue (Clothing Market in the United Kingdom, 2006). These value chain stores allow consumers to remain fashionable while shopping on a budget and have arguably led to the creation of the term Fast Fashion. This refers to the current consumer habit of only wearing a piece of clothing a handful of times before it becomes unfashionable and is discarded (Clothing Footwear Industry Market Review 2010). Selling unfashionable items at rock-bottom prices and thereby encouraging this unsustainable practise does not enhance a companys reputation as Solomon and Rabolt (2004) believe: the green movement, is a priority for many consumers around the world (p. 148). Being socially responsible has been a constant issue for Primark and its low pricing and so-called fast fashion has prompted inquiries into how it can achieve this without ignoring ethical guidelines. This answer became clear when BBCs Panorama series went behind the scenes in India only to find children working in slum-workshops for poor pay on terribly long hours (Primark: on the rack, 2008). Such production lines contribute to the quality of the end product that Primarks displays on its rails and while consumers may be prepared to put up with poor quality during the recession, the latest research shows that this, among other factors, will soon change: The average prices paid for apparel could well start to increase, for three reasons: a move towards higher quality, comfort and design; demand for more expensive but sustainable products (Clothing Footwear Industry Market Review, 2010). Due to the competitiveness of the UK clothing industry (Clothing Market in the United Kingdom, 20 06), it is vital that in order to remain successful retailers become more responsive to the needs and wants of consumers (McMeekin, 2009). As argued by Alex Blyth, presenting a brand as cheap without ruining its value is one of the trickier marketing strategies to master ( Alex Blyth, 2010). Primark really needs to focus more on adding value to their product while having minimum effect on price as lower price is eventually their strength the same has been concluded by Robert Passikoff The buying decision has shifted from price to an even greater emphasis on value. Primark which already made a good use of its Suppliers chain during recession, by offering break down prices to pull more customers and successfully maintaining its competitive edge .However Primark can stress on its suppliers to add more value (Quality and other attributes) to the products so that growing market segment which tend to adopt to quality product can be attracted. This will not only help Primark attract more customers but will also turn the satisfied customers to loyal customers. A leading communications company found via satisfaction research that those customers proclaiming to be extremely or very satisfied were their least profitable customers in terms of revenue and product usage indicators( Pete Clark / Graham Tutton Oct 2007). Our research is led by the spirit of growth and increasing the market share, this is required by the market implicitly and explicitly. Enhancing your business performance is a never-ending process. World-class organizations do not want satisfied customers. Developing strong, loyal relationships with customers, effectively managing these relationships, and applying the latest thinking to measuring and managing customer perceptions, are the keys to turn satisfied customers to loyal customers ( Pete Clark / Graham Tutton Oct 2007).   Based on the previous studies we try to find that what values (Corporate Social Responsibility, Price, Quality, patronage effect or Brand Identity) most to the Primarks Customers, and how can Primark add value to its product? So that more customers could be attracted and more diverse segments of the market could be targeted. Research Model The secondary data demonstrates that there are some important factors which can have influence on the perception and attitude of the consumers through the decision-making process. i.e. the price, if a higher price or a lower price can affect the attitude of consumers towards Primark; brand image; quality; pleasing to others, word of mouths; do consumers feel satisfied of the shopping environment of Primark or not; the durability of the products; style of clothing; comfort; packaging; and fabric also. Furthermore the researchers also need to identify the current situation of Primark and compare with other competitors in clothing industry. Then on the next level, the researchers would like to know if the attitude change has an impact on the shopping frequency at Primark, or to what extent they can influence the consumers buying behaviour .And also the researchers defined two factors as the moderators needed to be analyse when testing the buying behaviour of the consumers. By using this model and testing the research questions and hypothesis to solve the manager problems How can the marketers of Primark to increase the market share. At the first place, the 10 factors evaluative criteria towards Primark are the independent variables and the perception and attitude towards Primark of the consumers is the dependant variable. However, the continuous model shows that the change of attitude could become as an independent variable when the researchers going to find the relationship between the satisfaction of consumers and the frequency to shop at Primark which is defined as a dependant variable. . And moreover the two moderators (gender and age group) are also independent variables which should be tested through the researching process. Research Question and Hypothesis Based on the secondary data and the research model, there are some questions and hypothesise for the researchers, so that to clarify the relationship and influences between different variables. What are the critical factors when shopping for clothes? H1: There are certain factors that influence the decision making of shopping for clothes. What are the important factors that can affect the attitudes of the customers when shopping at Primark? H2: There are some important factors that would affect the attitudes of the customers when shopping at Primark Does brand image influence the buyers attitudes towards Primark? H3: Brand image is a key factor that has an impact on the shopping attitude towards Primark. Is there a relationship between the high quality of products and the satisfaction of the consumers? H4: There is a significant relationship between the quality of products and the positive attitude towards Primark Is there a relationship between the low price and the attitude of the customers? H5: There is a significant association between the customers preference and the low price of the products in Primark. Is there a relationship between shopping behaviour of consumers and demographic index? H6: There is an significant association between consumers shopping behaviour and demographic index. Appendix 1: Questionnaire Leeds University Business School Dear Respondent, This questionnaire is purely for educational research and we are grateful to all who participate. We will be completing our MA in Corporate Communications and Public Relations from the Leeds University Business School in September 2011. The data derived from the questionnaire will be analyzed to produce a marketing research project as part of our degree programme. The purpose of this survey is To determine the factors that consumers consider as important while shopping for clothing. The findings of the study would help to suggest an appropriate framework to Primarks clothing to increase its market share. All of your responses will be kept confidential and all of the information will be analyzed and reported as grouped data. The study will be incomplete without your response and support. We kindly request you to fill in the required information. We appreciate your time and generosity! Part I General Shopping Behavior about Clothing How often do you shop for Clothing? à ¢- ¡Weekly à ¢- ¡ Monthly à ¢- ¡ Once in two months à ¢- ¡ Once in three months à ¢- ¡ Once in six months Kindly tick the most suitable preference you would consider while buying clothing. à ¢- ¡ According to need à ¢- ¡ During the season à ¢- ¡ During the sales à ¢- ¡ Only on special days or festivals Kindly tick the most appropriate preference of your shopping destinations. à ¢- ¡ Independent Shop à ¢- ¡ Shopping Centre à ¢- ¡ Markets à ¢- ¡ Other (Please specify) ________________________ Which is the most important factor influencing your clothing shopping decision? à ¢- ¡ Newspapers / Magazines à ¢- ¡ Friends / Relatives à ¢- ¡ TV à ¢- ¡ Internet à ¢- ¡ Posters / Hoardings à ¢- ¡ Other (Please specify) _________________________ Kindly identify the importance you associate with each of the attributes while you shop for Clothing. Least important Æ’Â  Very important à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ Brand image 1 2 3 4 5 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ Quality of clothing 1 2 3 4 5 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ Price 1 2 3 4 5 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ Style 1 2 3 4 5 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ Comfort 1 2 3 4 5 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ Fabric 1 2 3 4 5 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ Durability 1 2 3 4 5 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ How pleasing is it to others 1 2 3 4 5 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ Shopping environment 1 2 3 4 5 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ Comfort 1 2 3 4 5 Part II : Attitude towards Primark Have you ever shopped for clothing at Primark? à ¢- ¡ Yes à ¢- ¡ No (If no, then go to question No.9) How often do you shop for clothing at Primark? à ¢- ¡Weekly à ¢- ¡ Monthly à ¢- ¡ Once in two months à ¢- ¡ Once in three months à ¢- ¡ Once in six months What do you shop for in Primark? à ¢- ¡ Mens wear à ¢- ¡Womens wear à ¢- ¡Childrens wear à ¢- ¡Home wares Kindly identify the importance you associate with the following attributes when you shop for Primarks clothing. Least important Æ’Â  Very important à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ Brand image 1 2 3 4 5 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ Quality of clothing 1 2 3 4 5 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ Price 1 2 3 4 5 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ Style 1 2 3 4 5 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ Comfort 1 2 3 4 5 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ Fabric 1 2 3 4 5 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ Durability 1 2 3 4 5 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ How pleasing is it to others 1 2 3 4 5 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ Shopping environment 1 2 3 4 5 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ Comfort 1 2 3 4 5 Kindly identify your satisfaction level with each of the follow clothing outlets. Very Dissatisfied-Æ’Â  Very Satisfied à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ MS 1 2 3 4 5 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ GAP 1 2 3 4 5 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ZARA 1 2 3 4 5 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ TK Maxx 1 2 3 4 5 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ HM 1 2 3 4 5 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ NEXT 1 2 3 4 5 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ Topshop / Topman 1 2 3 4 5 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ Bhs 1 2 3 4 5 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ River Island 1 2 3 4 5 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ Primark 1 2 3 4 5 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ New Look 1 2 3 4 5 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ Matalan 1 2 3 4 5 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ Peacock 1 2 3 4 5 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ Other (Please specify) 1 2 3 4 5 Would you like to make some suggestions that would help Primark to improve its clothing quality? - Part III: Personal Information 1. Gender à ¢- ¡ Male à ¢- ¡ Female 2. Age à ¢- ¡ Under 20 à ¢- ¡ 21-29 à ¢- ¡ 30-39 à ¢- ¡ 40+ 3. Education à ¢- ¡ Primary School à ¢- ¡ Secondary School à ¢- ¡ College à ¢- ¡ University à ¢- ¡ Post Graduate à ¢- ¡ Other 4. Occupation à ¢- ¡ Student à ¢- ¡ Service à ¢- ¡ Business à ¢- ¡ Other Professions 5. Annual Income à ¢- ¡ Under  ¿Ã‚ ¡20, 000 à ¢- ¡  ¿Ã‚ ¡20,000  ¿Ã‚ ¡29, 999 à ¢- ¡  ¿Ã‚ ¡30,000  ¿Ã‚ ¡39,999 à ¢- ¡  ¿Ã‚ ¡40,000+ 6. Marital Status à ¢- ¡ Single à ¢- ¡ Married / Cohabitant Thank you for sharing your precious time!

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Ideas of Progress in Naipauls A Bend in the River Essay -- Naipaul Be

Ideas of Progress in Naipaul's A Bend in the River    In his novel A Bend in the River, V. S. Naipaul paints a picture of Salim, an Indian man living in an isolated African town at the beginning of independence. Salim, as an Indian, has something of a unique perspective on the events of the time - in some ways, he lives between two worlds. Having experienced the "civilizing" influence of British colonial rule, he comes from a culture that is more "advanced" than that of Africa but less so than that of the West. This hierarchy of progress is seen throughout the book, and the theme of progress is best illustrated in this passage from the opening of Part Four, just after Salim's return from London:    So at last I had come to the capital. It was a strange way to come to it, after such a roundabout journey. If I had come to it fresh from my upriver town it would have seemed immense, rich, a capital. But after Europe, and with London still close to me, it seemed flimsy in spite of its size, an echo of Europe, and like make-believe, at the end of all that forest. (247) ..