Sunday, December 29, 2019

Benefits Of Effective Protection Measures For Small Business

Every business from small to big the information security has become a risk factor which has put all business in a verse of serous risk. On this paper we will be more focused general explanation of the business need for information security, confidentiality, integrity, availability, non-repudiation, authentication, and authorization. This policy, which is listed in paper, can be mitigating denial of service (DOS), which can lead several losses in small business. Finally costs and benefits of effective protection measure which provides a protection measures for small business. A business trend has been changing and adapting new technology to enhance the business success but also this new technology put public information in a high risk. According to the video there are some 26 million small businesses which attention to the dangers of cyber crime. The private personal information (PPI) such as electronic commerce social security number, account number, User Ids, Payroll, Internet Transactions, passport number, employee databases home address, credit card, etc. are in risk. The information security should meet many purposes such as protecting people information, unauthorized access, disclosure, and any kind of modification. Moreover, information security also provides defines the company consensus baseline stance on security; help minimize risk; and help track compliance with regulations and legislation (Diver, 2006). According to Chris Duckett more than 65% of transactionShow MoreRelatedBenefits Of An Effective Protection Measure Essential For Small Busi ness Essay913 Words   |  4 PagesEvery business from small to big, the information security has become a risk factor which has put all business on the verse of serious risk. In this paper, we will be more focused on general explanations of the business need for information security, confidentiality, integrity, availability, non-repudiation, authentication, and authorization. This policy, which is listed on paper, can be mitigating denial of service (DOS), which can lead several losses in small business. Finally, costs and benefitsRead MoreEassy1154 Words   |  5 PagesCatholic Institute of Business and Technology | ELECTRONIC-COMMENCE ASSIGNMENT | What are the major limitations on the growth of e-commence? Which is potentially the toughest to overcome? Discuss why new and improved security measures are not enough to stop online crime? What is the missing ingredient? How have the unique features of Electronic Commence technology changed industry structure in the travel business? | 11/21/2011 11/21/2011 What are the major limitations on the growthRead MoreEPA Policies Essay1038 Words   |  5 Pagesenvironmental protection agency has been stepping up its mandate of ensuring safer and better environment for not only the business operators, buts also the society as a whole. In order to achieve this goal of environmental protection, there has been the creation of environmental protection agency that has ensured that all the businesses, irrespective of their size and type, strive to ensure that the environment is protected for the benefit of current and future generations. The regulatory measures targetRead MoreGovernment s Trade Protection As A Basic Economic And Trade Policy1383 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction: Trade protection is a basic economic and trade policy which is based on national benefits, domestic firms and economic situation. Trade protection is designed to protect domestic firms and limit other countries’ business development in all over the world. Trade protections’ measures are set up to enhance own nation’s economic and to prevent other nations’ economical aggression. Although there is always free trade during international trade, which makes the biggest benefits of free tradeRead MoreInformation Security Plan Survey Essay1627 Words   |  7 Pagessupports the organization’s goals and objectives), breadth and coverage of the information security program (people, processes, technologies), any known or previously uncovered program deficiencies or implementation issues, and any stated costs and benefits of the program. Choose one of the organizations listed in  Table 1, review the pertinent documents, and then prepare a three- to five-page narrative summarizing your analysis of the organization’s information security program. Uniform Resource LocatorsRead MoreHow Does The Wto Resolve Trade Disputes?1198 Words   |  5 PagesCountervailing Measures (SCM) agreement, what are prohibited subsidies? Generally speaking, subsidies are benefits that governments provide to specific individuals, companies or industry. Also, the subsidies are always focus on public consideration, such as economic development, tax reduction, improving welfare, etc. As mentioned by the WTO’s Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (SCM) agreement, the prohibited subsidies are designed for influencing international trade to obtain improper benefits which willRead MoreBusiness Continuity And Risk Management1593 Words   |  7 PagesBusiness Continuity (BC) and Risk Management (RM) are closely intertwined in both the policies, procedures, and maintenance of most businesses. They’ve become necessary for providing the guidelines on maintaining functionality regardless of any threats or events that may disrupt services. Vaid notes in his article on the subject, that in the case of modern businesses, â€Å"When customers become accustomed to a service it then becomes a ‘utility’. What was once considered an ‘event’ becomes ‘operational’Read MoreWeek 3 Team Assignment Essay1483 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿Compensation and Benefits Strategies Recommendations Team A MGT/521 Human Capital Management February 5th, 2015 Dr. Andrea Diese Landslide Limousines Compensation and Benefits Strategy Recommendation This paper provides an analysis of a proposed benefits and compensation package for Landslide Limousines that is comparable to companies that are similar in size and scope in Austin, Texas. Team A proposes a compensation structure and position in the market, as well as a total compensation and benefits strategyRead MoreHow Consumer Protection Is Important And Important Today s Modern World1615 Words   |  7 PagesConsumer protection is arguably important and needed in today’s modern world. With technology advancing every day, social issues are becoming more and more relevant. When primitive forms of advertising were being developed at the turn of the century, many did not think in terms of social responsibilities and preventing deceptive business practices, but in today’s changing world, the concern of ethics in advertising is becoming increasingly imperative. Advertising ethics encompasses a variety of areasRead MoreTransatlantic Trade And Investment Partnership1249 Words   |  5 Pagesimportant relief to the cash-strapped Eurozone, exhausted from the unpopular austerity measures. In today’s post-recession world, where low growth is the new normal, TTIP may be the long-awaited jolt to stimulate the transatlantic economy, offering possibilities, nurturing growth, improving competitiveness, adaptability and eliminating roadblocks to a vibrant assortment of players, from SMEs to Big Business of various industries and sectors. Global normative convergence and the proverbial â€Å"leveling

Saturday, December 21, 2019

Sir Gawain And The Green Knight - 967 Words

Mengru Zhou Mrs. Speer English 4 Period J 1 Oct 2015 Chivalry In Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Sir Gawain and The Green Knight is considered not only a most brilliant example of Middle English poetry but one of the jewels in the crown English Literatures, and sits in the British Library under conditions of high security and controlled humidity. In the anonymously written story, Sir Gawain And The Green Knight shows Sir Gawain’s chivalry form his loyalty to his King, being testing by Green Knight, and his behavior during game playing. The first chivalric expression of Sir Gawain in Arthur’s court is his loyalty. It was Christmas at Camelot-King Arthur’s court, where all the Round Table knights had gathered. An uninvited guest appeared-entirely emerald green, called Green Knight. For a knight, the most important is to remain loyal to God, King, and Lady Guinevere. When Green Knight challenge the court, Arthur initially was going to accept his challenge, but Sir Gawain stepped forth and said: â€Å" sh ould you call me, courteous Lord.† â€Å" to rise from my seat and stand out your side, politely take leave of my place at the table and quit without casuing off once to my queen, then I shall come to your counsel before this great court.† [1] accept Green Knight’s challenge, which can consider as a mark of his loyalty. And this is particularly significant for Sir Gawain because he is not the best knight to King Arthur, but he is closest to King Arthur. For a knight, the mostShow MoreRelatedSir Gawain And The Green Knight1359 Words   |  6 PagesIn the poem â€Å"Sir Gawain and The Green Knight,† a protagonist emerges depicting an Arthurian knight named Sir Gawain. Sir Gawain, King Arthur’s nephew, takes initiative by accepting the challenge requested by the Green Knight in place of his uncle. He undergoes a perilous adventure, seeking for the Green Knight to receive the final blow. Although Sir Gawain is not viewed as a hero for his military acc omplishments, he is, however, viewed as a heroic figure by the Knights at the Round Table for hisRead MoreSir Gawain And The Green Knight862 Words   |  4 PagesIn Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, by an unknown author referred to as the â€Å"Pearl Poet,† we are introduced to Sir Gawain. Gawain is a knight of the Round Table and he is also the nephew of King Arthur. As a knight, Gawain is expected to possess and abide by many chivalrous facets. Throughout the poem he portrays many of the qualities a knight should possess, such as bravery, courtesy, and honor among others. Because of his ability to possess these virtues even when tempted to stray away from themRead MoreSir Gawain and the Green Knight1100 Words   |  5 PagesThe poem of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight compares a super natural creature to nature. The mystery of the poem is ironic to the anonymous author. The story dates back into the fourteenth century, but no one knows who originally wrote the poem. This unknown author explains in the poem of Sir Gawain not knowing of the location of the Green Chapel and or who the Green Knight really is. This keeps the reader entertained with the suspicion of not knowing. The author then does not give his name orRead MoreSir Gawain And The Green Knight Essay1687 Words   |  7 PagesSir Gawain and the Green Knight contains ambiguity and irony that make it interesting to read and teach. Gawain’s conflict arose when he accepted the girdle that could protect him and when he lied to his host, severing fellowship with the lord for courtesy with the lady. By utilizing a social reconstructionist philosophy of teaching that emphasizes personal beliefs and ethics, a teacher will help the students establish their identities and learn to appreciate classic literature. Sir Gawain and theRead MoreSir Gawain And The Green Knight1514 Words   |  7 PagesSir Gawain and the Green Knight is an epic poem written in the mid to late fourteenth century by an u nknown author. Throughout the tale, Sir Gawain, a Knight at the Round Table in Camelot, is presented with many hardships, the first being a challenge on Christmas by a man in which, â€Å"Everything about him was an elegant green† (161). This â€Å"Green Knight† challenged someone in Camelot to accept his game which they will chop off his head with his axe and the Green Knight will do the same to the playerRead MoreSir Gawain And The Green Knight1335 Words   |  6 PagesSir Gawain: The Ironic Knight Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a tale of the utmost irony in which Sir Gawain, the most loyal and courteous of all of King Arthur’s knights, fails utterly to be loyal and courteous to his king, his host, his vows, and his God. In each case, Sir Gawain not only fails to perform well, but performs particularly poorly, especially in the case of his relationship with God. Ultimately, Sir Gawain chooses magic over faith, and by doing so, shows his ironic nature as aRead MoreSir Gawain And The Green Knight906 Words   |  4 Pagesusually the latter. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight we see Sir Bertilak go off to hunt three very specific animals as a game with Sir Gawain. They agree that â€Å"what ever [Bertilak catches] in the wood shall become [Sir Gawain’s], and what ever mishap comes [Sir Gawain’s] way will be given to [Bertilak] in exchange.† (Sir Gawain†¦, ln 1105-1007). In this deal we slowly see Gawain loose his honor as paralleled with Sir B ertilak’s hunt. The first animal that is hunted by the knight is a deer, while thisRead MoreSir Gawain And The Green Knight Essay1521 Words   |  7 PagesFall 16 Donnelly Many years ago, knights were expected to form a certain type of relationship with their king, this relationship was otherwise known as fealty. Fealty is a knight’s sworn loyalty to their king (in other words a loyal relationship should be formed between the two). The use of this relationship is shown in the poem called â€Å"Sir Gawain and the Green Knight† ( the author is unknown). This poem has a classic quest type of formula, with a knight receiving a challenge and then going outRead MoreSir Gawain And The Green Knight1455 Words   |  6 PagesHowever, for Gawain in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight temptation existed around every corner while he was playing the game of the Green Knight. Temptation existed every day and each day it existed in a new way. Gawain never knew what was coming his way throughout the grand scheme of the game, but one thing was for certain he was being tested. Without his reliance religious faith and dedication to his reputation, Gawain wo uld not have been able to make it through the game of the Green Knight alive andRead MoreSir Gawain And The Green Knight Essay1020 Words   |  5 PagesBoth Sir Gawain, from â€Å"Sir Gawain and the Green Knight† translated by Marie Borroff, and Beowulf, from Beowulf translated by Burton Raffel, serve as heroes in different times of Medieval English Literature. Many of the basic principles that describe heroes in Medieval Literature are seen in both of these characters even though they were written in different times. There are distinct similarities, differences, and also a progression of what the hero was in English literature, between Sir Gawain and

Friday, December 13, 2019

Hk Tax Free Essays

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Edinburgh Napier University/SCOPE of City U Hong Kong Taxation LECTURE 1: Salaries tax and salaries tax planning, Double taxation arrangement with Mainland China Outline Salaries tax | |- |Scope of charge, format and presentation of salaries tax | |- |Locality of employment | |- |Taxability of fringe benefits | |Salaries tax planning | |- |Remuneration package and fringe benefits | |Double taxation relief | |- |Arrangement between Mainland China and the HKSAR | Textbook – Dora Lee, Advanced Taxation in Hong Kong, 15th edition, 2012, Pearson, Hong Kong, Chapters 2 to 5, 23 24 LECTURE 1: Salaries tax Under s8 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance, salaries tax is charged on every person in respect of his income arising in, or derived from Hong Kong from the following sources: 1) an office 2) employment 3) pension Source of Income from Office The source of income from an office is determined by the location of the office, which is at the place where the central management and control of the company is located. Normally, this means the place where directors hold their meetings. Once it is determined that an office is located in Hong Kong, the whole income from such office is chargeable to salaries tax. You read "Hk Tax" in category "Essay examples" We will write a custom essay sample on Hk Tax or any similar topic only for you Order Now No question of apportionment arises. Source of Income from Pension The source of income from pension is the place where the pension fund is managed. Source of Income from Employment A taxpayer having an employment located in Hong Kong (Hong Kong employment) is chargeable under s8 above. Taxpayers whose employment is not in fact located in Hong Kong (Non-Hong Kong employment) may still be liable to salaries tax if they render services in Hong Kong. The basic charge to salaries tax is specifically extended to include the income of overseas employees working in Hong Kong during visits exceeding 60 days [S8(1A)]. Hong Kong Employment a) No time-apportionment b) All income included despite part of services rendered outside Hong Kong c) Exceptions: i) rendered ALL services outside Hong Kong i) visited Hong Kong for 60 days or less in a year of assessment concerned d) Relief: i) income excluded for income attributable to services rendered in that territory and foreign tax paid ii) tax credit under Double Tax Arrangement with Mainland China and other tax tr eaty countries According to DIPN10, the IRD accepts that employment is located outside Hong Kong where all the following factors are present: a) the contract of employment was negotiated, and entered into, and is enforceable outside Hong Kong; b) the employer is resident outside Hong Kong; c) the employee’s remuneration is paid to him outside Hong Kong. In appropriate cases, the IRD may need to look further facts. Comparison of Hong Kong employment and non-Hong Kong employment: | |Hong Kong employment |Non-Hong Kong employment | |All services rendered in Hong Kong |Taxable in full |Taxable in full | |Services partly rendered in Hong Kong |Taxable in full |Time apportionment | |All services rendered outside Hong Kong |Exempt |Exempt | |Services rendered in Hong Kong for less than 60 days or less | | | |visits in Hong Kong |Exempt |Exempt | |Services rendered in Hong Kong for more than 60 days visits in | | | |Hong Kong |Taxable in full |Time apportionment | |Services rendered in Hong Kong for 60 days or less but presence in| | | |Hong Kong did not constitute visit to Hong Kong | | | | |Taxable in full |Time apportionment | |Services rendered outside Hong Kong with foreign tax paid |Foreign services income | | | |exempt |Not applicable | If a taxpayer with Hong Kong employment is seconded to work overseas with a new non-Hong Kong employment, clear evidence must be shown such that the old empl oyment has been terminated and that a distinctively new employment has commenced. Format of salaries tax computation – Individual |$ |$ |Section | |Income from principal employment | |A |9 | |Less: Allowable outgoings and expenses |B | |12(1)(a) | | Depreciation allowances | C | D |12(1)(b) | | | |E | | |Add: Rental value (10% on E) |F | |9 | | Less: Rent suffered | G | | | |Net rental value | | H | | | | |I | | |Income from other employment | | J | | | | | K | | |Less: Loss brought forward |L | |12(1)(c) | | Self-education expenses | M | N |12(1)(e) | |NET ASSESSABLE INCOME | | O | | |Less: Concessionary deductions | | | | | Approved charitable donations (limited to 35% of K) | P | |26C | | Elderly residential care expenses | Q | |26D | | Home loan interest R | |26E | | Contributions to recognized retirement scheme | S | T |26G | |Net assessable income after concessionary deductions | | U | | |Less: Personal allowances | | V |Part V | |Net chargeable income | | W | | |Salaries tax payable | | | | |Lower of (a) progressive rate on W or | | | | |(b) standard rate on U | | | | | | | | | Format of salaries tax under joint assessment |Husband |Wife |Joint | | |$ |$ |$ | |Net assessable income |X1 |X2 |X | | |== |== | | |Less: Concessionary deductions | | | | | Approved charitable donations (limited to 35% of X) | |P | | | Elderly residential care expenses | |Q | | | Home loan interest | |R | | | Contributions to recognized retirement scheme | |S |T | |Net assessable income after concessionary deductions | | |U | |Less: Personal allowances (married person’s, etc) | | |V | |Net chargeable income | | |W | |Salaries tax payable by the nominated spouse or | |the spouse who would have been liable to pay salaries tax under separate taxation. | | | | | | |100% of salaries tax will be waived, subject to a ceiling of $8,000 (2008/09). | |75% of salaries tax will be waived, subject to a ceiling of $6,000 (2009/10 2010/11) and $12,000 for 201 1/12. | Case law establishes that income from employment: a) includes income for services rendered or to be rendered; b) excludes voluntary receipts for personal reasons; c) excludes compensation for loss of rights Assessable income includes reward for services rendered, past, present and future. If the employer makes a payment to a third party for which the employer itself was solely and primarily liable, then the benefiting employee is not chargeable to tax on such benefit, unless: a) the benefit can be converted into money; or b) the payment was paid for the education of a child of the employee. c) any amount paid in connection with a holiday journey. Considering whether an income is chargeable to salaries tax: a) whether the payment is derived from an employment or office; b) whether the payment is in recognition of services rendered in the past, present or future. In D19/92, The taxpayer was offered and accepted employment by a Hong Kong company. The company paid him a lump sum at the beginning of his employment as an inducement to join the company. The Board held that this payment was incorporated into his contract of employment with the company. The source of the inducement payment was the employment of the taxpayer with the company. It was not a gift. Compensation for loss of employment Generally speaking, compensation for a loss of employment which does not represent a payment for past, present or future services is not chargeable to salaries tax. This is considered as a sum paid in consideration of the surrender by the employee of his/her rights in respect of the employment. Such payments should be distinguished from the termination gratuities which is usually relate to services previously rendered by the employee and hence taxable. The taxable termination gratuities may be related back for a maximum period of 36 months. A sum specified in the contract of employment may be taxed even though it was described as compensation for termination of employment. In CIR v Yung Tze-kwong, the Court has apportioned 10% of the severance pay as the inducement to enter into employment and 90% of the sum was attributable to restrictive covenants, which was not taxable. In Fuchs, Walter Alfred Heinz v CIR, the Taxpayer was entitled to termination payments according to his 3-year contract of employment. The contract of employment was terminated about two years. Under a termination agreement, the Taxpayer received a compensation made up of: †¢ Sum A – equivalent to his salary under the remaining period of his contract (12 months); †¢ Sum B – two annual salaries; and †¢ Sum C – the average of his three previous annual bonuses IRD levied tax on Sum B and C on the basis that they were paid pursuant to his contract of employment and the Taxpayer was contractually entitled to receive them on premature termination. The Court of Appeal held that Sum B and C were assessable because they were not paid in abrogation of the contract of employment but in accordance with the contract of employment. The Court of Final Appeal upheld the decision. Payment in lieu of notice After the decision of Fuchs case, IRD is now of the view that payment made in lieu of notice is an incentive for joining an employment and the payment is made under the terms of employment contract, the amount is chargeable to salaries tax if it accrues to an employee on or after 1 April 2012. EMPLOYEE SHARE-BASED BENEFIT Share Option Benefit Time of assessment At the time of exercise, assignment or release of share option. Taxable Gain Situations |Assessable Amount | |Exercise of option |Market value at the time of taking up the shares over total consideration | |Option assigned/released |Consideration for assignment/release of option less total consideration | Timing of exercise of share option According to the DIPN 38, a taxpayer i s generally considered to have exercised an option when he has taken whatever steps are necessary to convert the offer contained in the option agreement into a contract to purchase the relevant shares Locality of share option benefits The gain is chargeable to Salaries Tax if it comes within the scope of s 8(1)(a), ie if it can correctly be described as â€Å"income arising in or derived from Hong Kong†. If a person had a Hong Kong employment at the time of grant of the right, the income is also regarded as having been derived from Hong Kong. If a right is granted to an employee on an unconditional basis during a year of assessment in which the person renders all services in respect of his employment outside Hong Kong, any gain subsequently realized, even if realized whilst the person is working in Hong Kong will not be charged to Salaries Tax. No liability to salaries tax arises where a right is granted on an unconditional basis prior to a person rendering any services in Hong Kong, notwithstanding that the right may be exercised after the person commences to render such services. Where a person with a non-Hong Kong employment is granted the right subject to a vesting period during which services are rendered both in and outside Hong Kong, the gain should to some extent be chargeable to Salaries Tax based on the following formula: Days spent rendering services Gain calculated in accordance In Hong Kong during vesting periodX with s 9(1)(d) and s 9(4) Total number of days in vesting period Definition of ‘vesting period’: ‘Vesting period’ normally means the period from the date of grant of the option to the first available date that an employee is entitled to exercise the option. An option will generally be considered to have vested when all conditions for its exercise have been satisfied. E. g. an employee required to work for a certain period of time. Share Award Benefit Shares obtained through share-based remuneration schemes are taxable perquisites forming part of a taxpayer’s employment income. When does the perquisite accrue to the employee? Referring to section 11D(b), this means â€Å"entitled to ownership of the shares†. Generally, two approaches in assessing such awards, viz: ‘Upfront’ and ‘Back End’. Summary of the two broad approaches: | |‘Upfront’ approach |‘Back End’ approach | |Vesting period applies? |No. |Yes. | |Time of assessment |Upfront, ie at the time of the grant. |Back end, ie upon fulfillment of conditions. | |Valuation |Market value at time of grant. |Market value at time of fulfillment of | | | |conditions. | |Discount in valuation? |Yes. The discount is to be determined in the |No | | |light of the facts of each particular case. | | |Distributions |Received during the restriction period: Not |Received during the vesting period: Taxable, | |(eg dividends, bonus shares) |taxable; regarded as investment income since |since employee is entitled to the shares only | | |employee is entitled to the shares at the time|at the end of the vesting period. | | |of award | | Example (Extracted from DIPN 38, eg 11) The taxpayer had a non-Hong Kong employment. On 1 May 2005, he was granted 10,000 shares by his employer subject to a vesting period. Shares would only be vested on condition that he remained an employee of his company on the vesting dates. 5,000 shares vested in him on 1 May 2007 and the remaining 5,000 on 1 May 2008. The number of days in Hong Kong and outside Hong Kong was ascertained as follows: | |(A) |(B) |(C) |% | |Year ended |Days in Hong Kong |Days outside Hong Kong |Total days |(A)/(C) | |31. 3. 006 |275 |90 |365 |75 | |31. 3. 2007 |260 |105 |365 |71 | |31. 3. 2008 |250 |116 |366 |68 | |31. 3. 2009 |255 |110 |365 |70 | The assessor and taxpayer agreed that the â€Å"back end† approach is applicable to assess the vested shares. The share-award benefits are assessed as follows: ) the value of the first 5,000 vested shares is to be included with the taxpayer’s other remuneration in the year of assessment 2007/08 and 250/366 of the value is to be subject to tax, while b) the remaining 5,000 vested shares is to be included in the year of assessment 2008/09 and 255/365 of their values is subject to tax. Holiday journey benefits Starting from 1 April 2003, holiday warrant or allowance to purchase holiday warrant will be subject to salaries tax. Section 9(2A)(c) provides that ‘any amount paid by an employer in connection with a holiday journey’ is taxable. The term â€Å"holiday journey† is defined in section 9(6) as either: a) a journey taken for holiday purposes, or b) where a journey is taken for holiday and other purposes, the part of the journey taken for holiday purposes. The amount to be assessed is based on the actual amount paid by the employer, i. e. the actual costs that an employer pays. DIPN 41 Taxation of Holiday Journey Benefits The CIR issued DIPN 41 Taxation of Holiday Journey Benefits in August 2003 to lay down broad statements on the interpretation and practice to be adopted by the Inland Revenue Department in relation to the above amendments. (a) Business trip (including a holiday incidental to such business trip) will not be taxable. (b) If it could be established that a journey is not for holiday, such as for the relocation of an employee and his family – i) in Hong Kong upon assumption of a new post or ii) out of Hong Kong upon termination of an existing post here, the payment made by the employer will not be taxable. For such trips, any stop over visits to another place en route to or from Hong Kong would be disregarded as a concession. c)If an employer was given a certain mileage for a business trip paid by his employer and he redeemed it for a free ticket to a territory for holiday, the value of the free ticket is not assessable as no payment was made by the employer in connection therewith . Rental refund or Cash allowance It is necessary to decide whether a sum is a rental refund and a cash allowance paid by an employer to his employee. A cash allowance is fully taxable as an income from employment. In CIR v Page (2002), to qualify as a refund of rent, there is no requirement for sufficient control, the production of tenancy agreement and/or rental receipt to the employer. However, the taxpayer must prove that the intention of the employer is to refund the rent paid and not to pay an allowance that can be spent in whatever way the employee wishes. For computation of rental value, it is based on a certain percentage on net assessable income (before self-education expense) depending on the nature of accommodation. (Refer to D91/04 regarding the definition of hostel, boarding house hotel). Allowable outgoings and expenses include all outgoings and expenses (other than domestic, private or capital expenditure), wholly, exclusively and necessarily incurred in the production of the assessable income. There is a distinction between expenses incurred ‘in’ the production of the assessable income and expenses ‘for’ the production of the assessable income. The expression ‘in the production of assessable income’ bore the same meaning as ‘incurred in the performance of the duties of the office or employment’ and without such expenses the employee may not be able to earn the income. CIR v Humphrey (1970) 1HKTC451 – traveling expenses incurred by a taxpayer in getting to his place of employment were not allowed (when traveling to his place of work, the taxpayer was not on duty). It is the taxpayer’s responsibility to attend to the place of work. CIR v Robert P Burns (1980) 1HKTC1181 – legal expenses incurred by a taxpayer in an appeal against disqualification was not allowed as the expenses were incurred in order to prevent the taxpayer from being precluded from earning income, not incurred in the production of the income. In D91/03, a solicitor was denied a deduction claim on professional indemnity insurance. The Board held that the amount was incurred so as to put the taxpayer in a position to earn her income and so as to qualify the taxpayer to perform the duties of her office as a solicitor. In D35/04, the taxpayer was required to repay part of the commission to his employer, being bad debt of his client. The repayment was required because he failed to observe the employer’s credit policy. The Board disallowed the sum as it was not incurred for the performance of duties but for deviation from his duties. Home loan interest deduction 1) mortgage loan to acquire dwelling in Hong Kong 2) interest paid to recognized organization 3) prescribed amount 4) claim for ten years In D5/02, a taxpayer held to be entitled to claim deduction of 50% only of he mortgage loan interest paid in respect of the property held by her and her mother as joint tenant although all mortgage payments were financed by her. In D106/00, it was held that only the portion of interest payment for the second bank l oan used to repay the outstanding principal on the first bank loan is allowable. In D2/01, interest paid for the bank loan for the payment of the premium paid to the Housing Authority is not deductible as the premium was not deferred consideration for the acquisition of the dwelling house. In D108/02, it is considered that ‘owner’ does not include beneficial owner. SALARIES TAX PLANNING Common areas of salaries tax planning are source of employment, using statutory exemption and fringe benefit. Territorial source – Employment If the following three factors are present, IRD will normally accept that employment is located outside Hong Kong: 1. the contract of employment was negotiated and entered into, and is enforceable outside Hong Kong; 2. the employer is resident outside Hong Kong; 3. the employee’s remuneration is paid to him outside Hong Kong. a) ensure foreign employment – only income attributable to Hong Kong services is taxable. Ensure all the above three factors are met. b) render all services outside Hong Kong or performed services during visits not exceeding 60 days in the year of assessment. c) dual employment – one covering Hong Kong duties with HK employer and the other covering overseas services with overseas company. Ensure the nature of the employment duties is clearly differentiated. d) dual capacity as a director and an employee – not taxable if no services rendered in respect of the employment. Benefits-in-kind or Fringe Benefits Arranged to provide the following fringe benefits which are not taxable: 1. discharge of employer’s liability which is not guaranteed by any other person 2. benefits which are not convertible into cash 3. benefits which are not attributable to a particular employee Not convertible into cash The employer should not give an asset to an employee free or at a price below market value. Assets should be lent to the employee for use without transfer of ownership. Utilities of Employee’s Home The contracts should be made between the employer and the utilities suppliers for the supply of facilities to the employee’s home. Domestic Servant/driver The servant or driver should be employed by the employer to serve the employee. Low Interest loan or Interest free loan Such a loan provided by the employer is not taxable provided that no other person provides surety to the loan. The benefit must not be convertible into cash by the employee. Club The employer should become a member and allow its employee to enjoy the club’s facilities. Medical and Dental benefits 1. engage a doctor/dentist by the employer 2. join a group medical/dental insurance scheme Quarters 1. reimbursement of rent 2. provision of place of residence Share option Only gain realized by the exercise of share options is taxable. So do not exercise the right unless you derive very little income from that transaction at that time. Comprehensive Double Taxation Arrangement On 21 August 2006, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (â€Å"Hong Kong†) and the Mainland of China (â€Å"Mainland China†) entered into a comprehensive double taxation arrangement known as â€Å"The Arrangement between the Mainland of China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income† (the â€Å"Arrangement†). Salaries Tax Implications Generally speaking, income from employment by a Mainland resident shall be taxable only in Mainland China unless the employment is exercised in Hong Kong. If the employment is exercised in Hong Kong, such remuneration as is derived from Hong Kong may be chargeable to salaries tax in Hong Kong. A Mainland resident in respect of an employment exercised in Hong Kong will not be chargeable to salaries tax in Hong Kong if all the following three conditions are satisfied: 9 the recipient is present in Hong Kong for a period or periods not exceeding in the aggregate 183 days in any 12-month period commencing or ending in the taxable period concerned; 10 the remuneration is paid by, or on behalf of, an employer who is not a Hong Kong resident; c)the remuneration is not borne by a permanent establishment which the employer has in Hong Kong. If a Mainland resident renders employment services in Hong Kong but his remuneration is paid by a Hong Kong employer, he will still be exempt from tax und er the IRO if his visit to Hong Kong in a year of assessment concerned does not exceed a total of 60 days according to the â€Å"preferential treatment†. Section 50 of the IRO provides the basis for the granting of a tax credit in relation to an item of income stipulated in the Comprehensive Arrangement and in respect of which tax has been paid in the Mainland. Example of calculation in the Arrangement is extracted as follows: |$ | |Total Hong Kong assessable income |200,000 | |Including gross income from the Mainland before tax |120,000 | |Tax paid in the Mainland |10,000 | |Tax rate in the Mainland |8. 33% | |Net income after tax from the Mainland |110,000 | | | |The effective tax rate in HK and the tax credit are computed as follows: | | | | |Total HK assessable income |200,000 | |Less: Deductible items | (12,000) | |Net assessable income |188,000 | |Less: Personal allowance |(100,000) | |Net chargeable income |88,000 | | | | |Tax payable |6,340 | | | | |The ef fective tax rate in HK: Tax payable x 100% | | Net assessable income | | | = 6,340 x 100% | | | 188,000 | | | = 3. 7% | | | | | |Net income from the Mainland after tax | | | (grossed up at the effective rate in HK)(Note) | | | | | |$110,000 x 100% |113,836 | |(100% – 3. 37%) | | |Less: Net income from the Mainland after tax |(110,000) | |Tax credit limit of tax paid in the Mainland 3,836 | | | | |Under section 50, the actual tax payable in HK is computed as follows: | | | | |Assessable income (Hong Kong) |80,000 | | Assessable income (the Mainland) | | | after deduction of tax 110,000 | | | Add: tax deducted in the Mainland 10,000 | | |Gross income from the Mainland before tax |120,000 | |Total HK assessable income |200,000 | | Less: amount not allowed as a tax credit (10,000-3,836) | (6,164) | | |193,836 | | Less: Deductible items |(12,000) | | |181,836 | | Less: Personal allowance |(100,000) | |Net chargeable income |81,836 | | | | |Tax thereon |5,538 | |Less : tax credit allowed |(3,836) | |Hong Kong tax payable |1,702 | | | | |Note: | | |Under section 50(5), tax paid in the Mainland which is not allowed as a tax credit can be deducted from the income | |Amount not allowed as a ax credit $10,000 – $3,836 = $6,164 | |Net income from the Mainland after tax $120,000 – $6,164 = $113,836 | | | | | | | | | | | | | Lecture 1: Tutorial Questions 1. Mr Lee supplies you the following information in relation to the year ended 31 March 2012: ) He was recruited five years ago in Singapore by Multinet Ltd, a company incorporated and carried on business in Hong Kong, as the company’s regional manager. He was paid an annual salary of $800,000. During the year he only spent six months in Hong Kong as he was required to travel around Asia to carrying out his duties. By arrangement with his employer, his salary was paid directly into his bank account in Singapore from which he had money remitted periodically to Hong Kong. b) M ultinet Ltd operates a medical insurance scheme for all its employees through an insurance company based in Hong Kong. Under this scheme Multinet, as insurer, arranges with the insurance company to insure each employee against illness and related hospital costs. It pays an annual premium to the insurance company of $6,000 for each employee. Mr Lee paid visits to his own doctors and paid the doctor’s bill first, which was later reimbursed by the insurance company. The insurance company reimbursed him the total cost of $7,500. c) He considered that it would be productive to have a personal laptop computer for use while traveling on business trips. He therefore purchased a computer for $12,000. He used it solely for his employment. d) Before he was employed by Multinet, he was working with an international company incorporated in Singapore. All his services were rendered in Singapore. In March 2005, he was granted an option to subscribe for 100,000 hares at a cost of $2 per share. At the time of the grant, the market price was $5 per share. In January 2012, he exercised the option and the market price was $4 per share. In March 2012, he sold the shares for $6. e) Mrs Lee is a housewife and is living in Hong Kong. f) Multinet paid school fees amounting to $60,000 for the education of his younger son in Hong Kong. Under an arrangement entered between the school and Multinet, Mr Lee was not liable for the payment of the school fees. g) Mr Lee paid residential care expense of $60,000 to the residential care home situated in Kowloon Tong in respect of his father who is aged 64. He also paid $12,000 to his father. ) He has two children, aged 16 and 22. The younger son is the child as described in (f) above and the elder son is receiving full time education in Singapore. He has a part-time job for his daily expenses. i) Mr Lee lives in a flat owned by himself and his wife as joint tenants. During the year they paid mortgage loan interest to the bank of $130,000. Required: a) Explain whether Mr Lee is liable to Hong Kong salaries tax. b) Assuming Mr Lee’s income is liable to Hong Kong tax, comment your tax treatment for items (b) to (i) above; and c) Compute Mr Lee’s salaries tax liability for the year of ass essment 2011/12. Ignore provisional salaries tax. Note to students: distinguish between the HK employment and non-HK employment and apply the three factors to the case) 2. Mr Brown was employed by B Ltd as a sales manager for many years. B Ltd was incorporated and carrying on business in Singapore. Mr Brown used to live and perform duties in Singapore. In order to expand its market in China and South East Asia, he was assigned by B Ltd to work for two years from 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2011 to in charge of the sales activities of the company in that area, including Hong Kong, at an annual salary of $1,095,000. In consideration of his taking up the two years’ assignment, B Ltd would grant him a share option (Option 1) to purchase 100,000 shares in B Ltd at a price of $3 each upon completion of the assignment. On completion of the contract on 31 March 2011, B Ltd granted him the share option and he exercised the option on 30 June 2011. The share price per share of B Ltd was $5 and $8 as at 31 March 2011 and 30 June 2011 respectively. On 1 April 2011, Mr Brown signed another contract with B Ltd for another two years with annual salary of $1,171,200. In consideration of the taking up of a new contract, B Ltd unconditionally granted Mr Brown another option (Option 2) to purchase 150,000 shares in B Ltd at a price of $3. 50 each when the price per share was $5. 50. Mr Brown paid $10,000 for purchasing the option. On 1 October 2011, Mr Brown assigned the share option (Option 2) to his colleague for $330,000 when the price per share was $6. Starting from 1 April 2011, B Ltd rented a flat in Hong Kong at a monthly rent of $35,000 for Mr Brown’s residence and Mr Brown was required to pay monthly nominal rent of $1,500 to B Ltd. In the year of assessment 2011/12, Mr Brown took a 5-day business trip to Thailand to be followed by 5 days’ vacation there. Mr Brown’s wife accompanied him to take the 10-day trip to Thailand. B Ltd paid $50,000 for each of them to a travel company for the entire trip including air ticket, accommodation, meals, transportation expenses, etc. The cost of the air ticket was estimated to be $5,000 each. During the following years of assessment, Mr Brown’s stay in Hong Kong is as follows: Year of assessment No. of days in Hong Kong 2009/1055 2010/11280 011/12200 Required: a) Explain to Mr Brown whether his income is subject to salaries tax for the year of assessment 2009/10. b) Compute the assessable income of Mr Brown for the years of assessment 2010/11 and 2011/12. 3(a)Mr Fong is a financial manager of A Ltd, a company incorporated in Hong Kong, since December 2006. In April 2011, he was posted to Macau to set up the financial system of a subsidiary of A Ltd. His salary is directly deposited in his bank account in Hong Kong. He returns to Hong Kong regularly and stays with his friends, as he does not have a home in Hong Kong. In the year of assessment 2011/12, he spent 58 days in Hong Kong. During the period, he carried some of the work with him from Macau and worked in the office of A Ltd for a total of 50 days. Required: Comment on the salaries tax liability of Mr Fong for the year of assessment 2011/12. 3(b)Mr Kam was having a non-Hong Kong employment before 31 March 2010. On 10 April 2009, he was granted an option (Option A) unconditionally to purchase 80,000 shares of his employer’s holding company at a price of $2. 00 each when the price per share was $3. 50. During the year ended 31 March 2010, he visited Hong Kong for 160 days for performing his employment duties. Starting from 1 April 2010, he was employed by C Ltd, a company incorporated and carrying on business in Hong Kong. He supplied you the following information for the year ended 31 March 2011: (a)Salary: $1,500,000 b) On 1 December 2010, he was granted an option to purchase 120,000 shares in C Ltd at a price of $1. 50 each when the price per share was $4. 25. He exercised the option on 20 March 2011 when the price per share was $5. 50. On 31 March 2011, he received dividend of $12,000 for the shares. c) Starting from 1 April 2010, he leased a flat at a monthly rent of $40,000 and C Ltd refunded monthly rent of $35,000 to him. d) Starting from 1 April 2010, C Ltd leased a motor car for the free use of Mr Kam. C Ltd paid monthly rental of $8,000 to the car leasing company. ) On 20 March 2011, he exercised Option A when the price per share was $3. 30. He sold the shares on 31 March 2011 when the price per share was $4. 80. f) He made cash donations to the Hong Kong Red Cross of $100,000. Mr Kam is married and his spouse is a housewife. They have a son aged 20 and is studying in a university in Singapo re. Required: i) Explain your tax treatment of items (c) and (d) above. ii) Compute Mr Kam’s salaries tax liability for the year of assessment 2010/11. Ignore provisional salaries tax. 4. Mr Pang is a senior management of a company in Hong Kong. Due to the Board of Director’s decision, Mr Pang’s employment was terminated immediately on 29 June 2012. When Mr Pang left the company, he received a total sum of $3,960,000 consisting of the following: a) final month’s salary of $120,000; b) bonus of $100,000; c) payment in lieu of notice of $120,000; d) compensation for leave not taken of $60,000 e) lump sum payment of $1,000,000 agreeing for not participate with the company’s business for two years; f) a further sum of $2,560,000 being final settlement between the company and Mr Pang. According to the employment contract, the company is responsible for the traveling expenses for returning to Mr Pang’s home country. In this regard, the company had incurred cost of air tickets of $80,000 for Mr Pang’s return to his home country with his spouse. Required: Advise the tax treatment of the above items. (Note to students: you have to consider what additional information you may require to determine if the income is taxable or not) 5(a). Mr Chan owns Property A and Ms Lee owns Property B. Mr Chan married Ms Lee on 1 September 2010. Before their marriage, Mr Chan and Ms Lee lived at their own property. After marriage, Ms Lee moved into Mr Chan’s property. Ms Lee’s property was still used by her parents as their residence. Mr Chan and Ms Lee paid the following home loan interest during the year ended 31 March 2011: 1. 4. 2010 – 31. 8. 20101. 9. 2010 – 31. 3. 2011 Mr Chan$60,000$84,000 Ms Lee$65,000$30,000 5(b). Mr and Mrs Ko lived together in their jointly owned residence up to 31 December 2010. On 1 January 2011, they separated and Mr Ko moved out to a rental accommodation. Under the Deed of Separation, Mr Ko would assign the property to Mrs Ko at the date of divorce. The date of divorce was 1 July 2011 and the legal ownership of the property was assigned to Mrs Ko on that day. They paid the following home loan interest during the year ended 31 March 2011: 1. 4. 2010 – 31. 12. 2010$90,000 1. 1. 2011 – 31. 3. 2011$30,000 Mrs Ko was responsible for the payment of loan interest during the period from 1. 1. 2011 – 31. 3. 2011. 5(c). On 1 March 2010, Mr Ma purchased Property D at cost of $4,000,000 with downpayment of $1,200,000 and the balance was paid with the finance of mortgage loan obtained from a local bank and secured by Property D. The downpayment was financed by a bank’s overdraft, which was secured by his personal guarantee. He used Property D as his residence starting from 1 April 2010. During the year ended 31 March 2011, he paid the following interest to the bank: Bank overdraft interest: $60,000 Mortgage loan interest:$56,000 Required: Compute the amount of home loan interest that each of the above person was entitled to claim for the year of assessment 2010/11. You are required to state the principles/reasons to support your calculation. [Note to students: refers to DIPN No. 35(Revised)] 6. Mr Chung is going to renew a contract of employment with his employer. The company’s director has provided him with the following proposed changes: | |Current benefits |Proposed benefits | |(a) |13 months salary per annum |12 months salary per annum plus discretionary bonus, | | | |depending on the company’s profitability and the | | | |employee’s erformance | |(b) |Company car (the car is owned by the company) |A monthly sum of $12,000 will be paid to him for his | | | |transportation | |(c) |Meal coupons from canteen |Cancelled, business meals to be reimbursed upon | | | |approval | |(d) |Medical insurance (the company participated with a |Cancelled, medical bills to be reimbursed upon | | |scheme for the employees) |approval, up to a maximum of 80% of the bill amount | |(e) |Monthly housing allowance of $20,000 |Cancelled, ren tal reimbursement of $15,000 upon | | | |production of rental receipts and tenancy agreement | |(f) | – |Share option for employees to acquire shares in the | | | |employer’s listed holding company | |(g) |Children’s education cash allowance, paid by the |Cancelled, a one-off lump sum compensation payment to| | |company directly to the school |be made at the commencement of the new contract | Required: Advise Mr Chung on the Hong Kong salaries tax implications arising from the proposed changes to the respective benefit items. (Note to students: comments on whether such changes will affect the tax liability) How to cite Hk Tax, Essay examples

Thursday, December 5, 2019

Communication Skills Communication Tools for Information

Question: Describe about the Communication Skills for Communication Tools for Information. Answer: Brief background Communication is one of the most important elements that is requisite to share information, maintain a relationship, and manage the operational activity (Cornelissen, 2013). Currently, I am a student perusing degree in business management and that my future career orientation will be based on business practices in which marketing will be my core competency area. The scope of the present report is further based on the importance of communication skills along with rationale associated with the perspective. Furthermore, a perspective analysis is also made in conjunction with the strength and weakness of communication practices which will be reflective of my own competency skills with respect to professional practices. Communication skills importance in my professional practices In my perspective, communication is the most fundament aspect that is requisite for harmonious interaction as well as for the development of networking. The prime importance of communication practice is to articulate the message to the corresponding audience clearly. Clear articulation of the message in this context is indicative of the sharing information in a relative sense between the parties such that the associated meaning can be clear as well as presentable in a form that is easier to understanding (Claycomb Martin, 2013). For instance, from the perspective of marketing, it is a pre-requisite to explain the importance of product, dictate the advantageous prospect compared to other similar products, and to convince customer for making a buying decision. The mentioned example is related to communication with external members such as a customer. Another important aspect of clear articulation of vision is associated with the personal internal to the organisation. This includes cla rity in information transfer, shared decision making, discussion and combined opinion for the strategic framework, and collection of response or feedback. Collectively, the mentioned prospect of communication with internal and external agencies of the organization is termed as interpersonal communication skills (Perks, Farache, Shukla Berry, 2013). Likewise, framing trustworthy relationship is also an important aspect of communication practices. Personally, I believe that individual opinion is acceptable in a process only when the associated members have trust. In order to develop, gain, and maintain the trust with associate members, the communication scope must include clarity, honesty, and valuing the opinion of others. With proper knowledge of communication skills and tactics, it will be difficult for any individual to construct and foster active relationship at workplace properly (Gustafsson, Kristensson Witell, 2012). Impotently, in my opinion, anther critical aspect that is equally important for effective communication practices is listening. Personally, I believe that only a good listen can have the potential to render safe and maintain value prospect by virtue of communication that will be having optimal productiveness. Listening characteristics is mainly valuable as it will offer the opportunity to gain newer ideas, it promotes two-way communication, develops understanding and clear negotiation, avoids confusion, error, and misunderstanding, and frame a trustworthy relationship (Claycomb Martin, 2013). Other than having a patient for listening in communication practices also boost the morale of other parties, and hence they feel more informed and secure while being engaged in the communication process. Communication is essential for leading people Leading people denotes the requirement to manage the resource utilisation as well as responsibility sharing among the employees. Often during my professional conduct, I found delegation and responsibility sharing, a significant challenge in the process of task execution. This includes conflict of interest, limited availability of the resource, lack of proper or prior information, and fear with respect to competency level. Leading people in this regard is related to understanding the prospect of the employee as well as accurate identification of their potential. Based on my personal experiences, there are instances in which conflict and negative emotions become dominant in the workplace (Perks, Farache, Shukla Berry, 2013). For example, negotiation and delegation is an aspect that general conflict of interest among people, which in turn is responsible for deteriorating the standards of work outcome. Likewise, there are instances in which negative emotion tends to arise within the wor kplace, such as anger, frustration, jealousy, and anxiety. These factors can only be mitigated using the openness in communication and taking corrective action in time (Gustafsson, Kristensson Witell, 2012). Primers used to effective communication As per my own communication style is concerned, I have learned the use of a primer that not only facilitates a two-way communication but also offers value prospect in understanding and forwarding a productive message. The foremost requirement of effective communicating practice includes preparation. A necessary element in this outlook is related to clarification of communication goal and anticipating the viewpoints as well as associated feelings of the receiver (Beebe Masterson, 2014). Once the communication plan is complete, the next level requirement is associated with the effectiveness of message delivery. In particular, this includes expressing the meaning with conviction and relating the message to comparative larger goals. Note that confirming the understanding of another person is much essential in this regard. Likewise, as mentioned in the earlier section, listen is another valuable tool that increases the effectiveness of communication. I realised that keeping an open mind and identifying the key point of the message is critical in making the whole communication practice efficient. According to Brunton et al. (2015) collected feedback must be valued precisely, and the same must be used for the further constructive purpose. Lastly, it is essential to evaluate the effectiveness of communication, and concurrent action must be implemented for bringing efficient outcome. Evaluation of my communication practices In this part of the report, an evaluation is presented that is based on my own communication practices. The scope of this analysis is based on my perspective analysis as well as the feedback collected from peers and teachers (Henderson, Cheney Weaver, 2015). The evaluation section is mainly focused on the strength and weakness, which are critical for future improvement. What is my strength in communication? The key strength of my communication lies in the use of evidence while making advocacy for any concerned topic. In particular to the marketing profession, it is much essential to convince the audience (customer and peers), such that they must believe and accept the advocated prospect. This impressive power will be appearing in the communication practice when there will be a substantial reflection of evidence (Mishra, Boynton Mishra, 2014). For instance, while dictating the market trend, it is important to show the market statistics, figures, facts that can shed a positive impact on the other party. Another significant strength is the use of accurate verbal as well as non-verbal manner during any communication process (Jensen, 2015). The verbal skills are associated with the use of precise words, jargons, addressing people correctly, and using proper sentences that can offer clarity of understanding. Similarly, the use of non-verbal task includes appropriate body language, eye contact, facial expression, use of hand motions, and eye movements. I believe that these traits are important as it reflects confidence in the communication as well as present trustworthy feelings afterwards (Rosemann vom Brocke, 2015). What is my weakness in communication? Particularly, when I use to be in tensed condition or full of anxiety, I was unable to maintain a proper tone in my communication. Accordingly, my body posture, hand movement, and eye contact also use to be in a disordered manner that in turn offer a negative impression to the other party. While discussing my weakness with my peers, they suggested that using openness in communication and making clear negotiation are the easiest tool that not only manages leniency during communication practice but also avoids negative feelings in the listener (Wallnfer Hacklin, 2013). Being a patient listener is another good quality of my communication practice While collecting a feedback opinion in conjunction with my communication practice, I was admired by my peers that listening patient is another important criteria that is responsible for my communication effectiveness (Jensen, 2015). Active listening mainly involves paying complete attention and avoiding interruption caused by external noise. In addition to this, the listening practice also helps me in identifying the concern of customers and thereby I use to manage requisite provision for maintaining a good relationship with them and making the transaction of professional elements. Failure to maintain authoritative style during conflict is my weakness The authoritative style mainly helps in retaining transparent negotiation which in turn is responsible for raising conflict like situation. Particularly, while managing the employees, I realise that there requires a balance between delegation and valuing of individual perspective. I have also noticed that I lack clear communication while making the negotiation in a conflict like situation, which is reflective towards failure to adopt the authoritative style of communication (Ruck Welch, 2012). Conclusion In summary, the present report is based on self-reflection of communication practices. I realised that use of proper approach while maintaining verbal and non-verbal traits in a communication practice is an essential requirement to make communication practice most efficient in terms of outcome. Other than this, effective communication style also includes patient listening, collecting feedback, making firm analysis with evaluation, and implementing into the course of action, for practical outcomes. Another part of the solution is further based on an evaluation of my own communication practice that sheds light on strength and weakness. Use of evidence and using proper verbal as well as non-verbal accuracy are my strength. On the other hand, failure to maintain a proper tone in communication practice is my weakness in communication practices. References: Beebe, S. A., Masterson, J. T. (2014). Communicating in small groups: Principles and practices. Pearson Higher Ed. Brunton, M., Kankaanranta, A., Louhiala-Salminen, L., Jeffrey, L. (2015). Are Strategic Communication Management Competencies and Personal Attributes Global? A Case Study of Practice in Finland and New Zealand. International Journal of Business Communication, 2329488415608846. Claycomb, C., Martin, C. L. (2013). Building customer relationships: an inventory of service providers objectives and practices. Journal of Services Marketing. Retrieved from https://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/abs/10.1108/08876040210447342 Dated 02 Sep 2016. Cornelissen, J. (2014). Corporate communication: A guide to theory and practice. Sage. Gustafsson, A., Kristensson, P., Witell, L. (2012). Customer co-creation in service innovation: a matter of communication?. Journal of Service Management, 23(3), 311-327. Henderson, A., Cheney, G., Weaver, C. K. (2015). The role of employee identification and organizational identity in strategic communication and organizational issues management about genetic modification. International Journal of Business Communication, 52(1), 12-41. Jensen, R. W. (2015). The Role of Public Relations and Organizational Communication in Environmental Management. An Integrated Approach to Environmental Management, 277. Mishra, K., Boynton, L., Mishra, A. (2014). Driving Employee Engagement The Expanded Role of Internal Communications. International Journal of Business Communication, 51(2), 183-202. Perks, K. J., Farache, F., Shukla, P., Berry, A. (2013). Communicating responsibility-practicing irresponsibility in CSR advertisements. Journal of Business Research, 66(10), 1881-1888. Rosemann, M., vom Brocke, J. (2015). The six core elements of business process management. In Handbook on Business Process Management 1 (pp. 105-122). Springer Berlin Heidelberg. Ruck, K., Welch, M. (2012). Valuing internal communication; management and employee perspectives. Public Relations Review, 38(2), 294-302. Wallnfer, M., Hacklin, F. (2013). The business model in entrepreneurial marketing: A communication perspective on business angels' opportunity interpretation. Industrial Marketing Management, 42(5), 755-764.

Thursday, November 28, 2019

A Closer Look into Healthcare Spending Essay Example

A Closer Look into Healthcare Spending Essay Example A Closer Look into Healthcare Spending Paper A Closer Look into Healthcare Spending Paper More and more, the rising expenditure in healthcare is getting a closer long-overdue attention from both the American public and the policymakers in Washington. The glaring disparity between US spending on healthcare which stands at sixteen percent (16%) of the GDP as against other industrialized nations which only average between eight to ten percent (8 10%) of their GDP says a lot about the need for an overhaul of the existing policies and systems at work. Moreover, According to a recent report released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services or CMS, the healthcare expenditure in 2006 was estimated at $2.16 Trillion and is projected to reach over $4 Trillion per annum by 2016 [1]. If this is computed at individual spending, it would cost an average of $7,110 for the year 2006. The projected aggregated increase in spending would mean that about $12,320 per person per annum will be spent by 2016 [1]. These issues on the unabated rise of health care expenditure warrants a closer look not only into the spending itself but more on how it is being spent and the efficiency and quality by which healthcare is being delivered. Clearly, in comparison with other developed countries, the US healthcare system spends more but not necessarily delivers it more efficiently nor is the quality of care above and over what the other developed nations have as iterated in the position paper published by the Commonwealth Fund (Davis, K., et. al. Jan. 2007) . In fact, if we look closely into the CMS reports on how these monies were being spent, hospital care comprise of thirty percent of the total expenditure, twenty percent went into Physician and other clinical services, Nursing homecare at six percent, Prescription drugs at ten percent, Program administration and Net Cost at seven percent and twenty five percent went to other cost like dental services, home health, durable medical products, sundries, other personal health care, research, structures and equipment [CMS, 2005 Report]. Closely related to the topic of spending is where the monies to pay for these expenditures came from.   According to the same report from CMS, National Health Statistics Group, the biggest portion came from the Private Insurance group at 35%, Medicare came next with 17%, Medicaid and SCHIP at 16%, Out of Pocket expenses (or from individuals at 13%, Other public funds at 13% (Public meaning Worker’s Compensation program. Public Health Activity, Department of Defense, Department of Veteran’s Affairs, Indian Health Services, State and local health subsidies and school health subsidies), Other Private funds at 7% (Other private funds include industrial in-plant, privately funded construction and non-patient revenues including philanthropy from private parties. Given the above most recent data, several studies both government and private sector initiatives have submitted and made public their position on the issue.   One such position was from the Commonwealth Fund Group, whose authors include Karen Davis, Ph.D., Cathy Schoen, M.S., Stuart Guterman et. al.   In their position paper, the group also sourced their references from the CMS [5] and zeroed in on two possible areas where cost cutting measures can be made. These two areas focused on one time savings and the other on a more long term and recurring basis.   The one time savings can apparently be derived from â€Å"high levels of U.S. expenditures, inefficiency and waste†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ [K. Davis, Jan. 2007]. Among these â€Å"inefficiencies† were the apparent â€Å"overuse, inappropriate, or ineffective uses of care;   payment incentives that reward the delivery of more services, without consideration to clinical value or cost-effectiveness; market power of insurers, providers, and the health industry, including pharmaceutical companies, device manufacturers, and other suppliers to set prices above competitive market levels; a low ratio of primary to specialty care physicians and services; access barriers to preventive and primary care that contribute to avoidable hospital admissions, emergency department use, and complications of chronic and acute disease; a lack of well-coordinated care that leads to unsafe. D uplicative, or conflicting care; inadequate information systems and information exchange; and High administrative costs, including the high proportion of insurance premiums used to cover overhead costs, the complexity of insurance benefit design and duplicative and uncoordinated requirements, and administrative costs for providers† (K. Davis, et. al.   Jan. 2007). The group further stated strategies could be geared towards making substantial savings that could accumulate to $1.39 Trillion (over an eight year period from 2007 to 2015) if a one-time reduction of 5% in health care expenditures can be effected.   Specific areas were recommended that could well provide the strategies that everyone from the public to the private sector is looking for. These areas are concentrated on the following: first is the provision of more access to information about health providers and cost to give more options to the paying public and promote greater competition among providers, thus increasing quality of care provision over a period of time. Second is an across the board reduction of administrative cost for insurers for them to extend the savings to their clients. Third is the re-focusing of resources into primary and preventive care instead of palliative health care. Fourth is the re-allocation of resources into information technology infrastructures and exchange of information for the greater benefit of the public. Lastly, and fifth, to put investments into strategic areas to ensure access, affordability and equity for all Americans. I tend to agree to the recommendations of the group over the other studies and recommendations that I went through.   Although for sure, these recommendations need further detailed planning and further studies to substantiate the claims and conclusions. Overall, the same sources of funds as cited by the CMS would have to shell out the same level of resources for a period of time until the recommendations outline for cost cutting and more effective means of healthcare delivery system will have been in place.   A projection or timetable of five to seven years may be more feasible for both further study and a detailed manual of operationalization can be in effect. For the meantime, however, both the government at all levels – federal, state and local should be responsive to the calls for changes and heed the transformation doctrine once it is passed by legislation and put into place.   Furthermore, a call for uniformity of enforcement at the local levels should be ensured to avoid the pitfalls of having a huge disparity of healthcare cross in different parts of the country.. References: [1] Centers for Medicare and Medical Healthcare Benefits. Various reports including   Ã‚  Ã‚   Projections for Health expenditure Projections from 2005 to 2016. From: cms.hhs.gov/NationalHealthExpendData/ [2] Snapshots: Health Care Growth (Kaiser Permanente). Retrieved on Feb. 23, 2007, From:kff.org/insurance/snapshot/chcm050206oth2.cfm [3] Medical Expenditure†¦ Retrieved on Feb. 23, 2007, From: ahrq.gov/qual/nhdr06/methods/meps.htm [4] SAMSHA reports. Retrieved on Feb. 23, 2007. From: samhsa.gov/spendingestimates/chapter1.aspx [5] The Commonwealth Fund website: Retrieved on Feb. 23, 2007, From: cmwf.org/publications/publications_show.htm?doc_id=449510

Sunday, November 24, 2019

5 Reasons You Shouldnt Care About Your Job Title

5 Reasons You Shouldnt Care About Your Job Title We need to work to pay the bills and afford to keep ourselves and our loved ones afloat. That’s the bare minimum and the bottom line. But too often people get tangled up in the status of their job title, and it can make them miserable. Here are 5 reasons why you should stop worrying about the name of your job and start enjoying the fact that you have it (and don’t hate it!). 1. You’re appreciatedWhen you do something well, you ideally are recognized for your achievement and your coworkers and/or boss take the time out to give you a pat on the back. Maybe your employer makes a point of rewarding your success in your annual review, or perhaps you see their gratitude reflected in a bonus or a salary increase?If you’re getting this kind of attention- and praise when you have earned it- that’s more than many people can say in unsatisfying jobs they hate.2. You’re not chained to the deskHaving a job with flexibility is like getting a glimpse of the holy grail. If you’ve found a job where you can set your own hours, or work remotely even part of the time, or just swap out when you need to take care of things at home, then you have something worth more than any title: work-life balance. Hold on to it.3. You’ve got controlMaybe your boss encourages you to grow your career- and, more importantly, gives you the freedom to decide for yourself which opportunities would do that best. If you feel like you’re continually learning something every week you work, then you’re in a pretty good position.4. You’re an assetYou know you’re good at what you do, but in this case your boss knows it too. She has made- and continues to make- an investment in you. You’re trusted to face new challenges, given unimpeded access to new training and other learning opportunities†¦ In short, you’re valued.5. You enjoy yourselfDo you actually like coming to work every day? More or less enjoy what y ou do? Have a good working relationship with your coworkers and boss? Maybe you don’t love what you do or do what you love, but that is a rare thing indeed. If you like what you do, you’re halfway there. And that is worth more than any title.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Pre-Islam, Bedouin customs and religious beliefs Essay

Pre-Islam, Bedouin customs and religious beliefs - Essay Example For example, there are three major features of Bedouin religion which are quite absent from the Muslim beliefs. In fact, these practices are actually abhorred in Islam with punishments for disobedience of the same. Idol worship, polytheism and accepting that god has children are three things expressly forbidden by Islam while these things were expressly accepted by the Bedouin tribes. Additionally things which were part of the Bedouin religion of the time included the worship of stars, the worship of ancestors and other influences from Christianity as well as the Judaic religion (Henninger, 1981). In fact, the connection between Christianity, Judaism and Islam seems to be far greater than any connection between pre-Islamic Bedouin religions. For example, Mohammad accepted Christ as his brother but does not accept that Christ was divine. He also accepts the prophets of the Jews as rightly guided individuals and even follows the customs of the Jews until Islam is able to define customs for itself as a new religion. Moreover, the idea of animal sacrifice to appease or win favor with God comes from Judeo-Christian traditions and the idea of animal sacrifice is accepted by Islam as well (Henninger, 1981). While Mohammad was able to find some allies in the shape of Christians who were his friends and relatives, we know for a fact that Mohammad and his followers were all persecuted for their religion by the pagans (Hines, 1999). The Muslims must have said harsh words against the pagan religions of the tribes in Mecca which led to the negative reaction. Had there been no discrepancy between the two ideas for religion it is doubtful that Muhammad would have to go into exile from Mecca to save his life. One important connection between the pre-Islamic religion of the Bedouin and the religion of the Muslims is that the concept of the supreme god remains pretty much the same (Wikipedia, 2006). However,

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Supervising Banks Liquidity Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Supervising Banks Liquidity - Article Example The committee in charge of outlining and preparing these regulations has decided that banks should easily have enough money on hand to last them for thirty days if their outside sources dried up, allowing them to finish business and become more prepared for what should happen after the money has run out entirely. The banking industry is none too thrilled about the new liquidity rules, which would have a questionable effect on how much it would cost them to raise money. Unfortunately, this does not cover some of the more major issues, such as the amount and depth of information banks are allowed to share with their investors and the public about how they go about raising money. However, regardless of the feelings felt by the banks, the rules that have been laid out by the committee are not going anywhere, nor are they to be altered unless something comes up that suggests they should be. As a sort of compromise for those that are against the new rules, the central bankers and regulators will be spending the time prior to the rules taking effect, which is in 2015, determining and evaluating the effect of the new rules. Other rules, such as those that will make sure that banks have reliable sources of long-term financing, will not be implemented until 2018. These additional rules would prevent what almost took place with Hypo Real Estate when it was unable to refinance long-term obligations and needed an emergency bail-out from the government.

Monday, November 18, 2019

Answer Case Study Question Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Answer Case Study Question - Assignment Example It would also be appropriate for the firm to reserve enough funds for speculative purposes so as to grab any investment opportunities that may come up the countries where they start up their new branches. Funds to cover any calamities that may arise are also vital for the firm. The company should put into consideration the cost of labour in the countries where they plan to start branches. There are countries where the trade unions and government policies place very high minimum wages for labourers making the cost of labour high. There are also countries where the governments provide some amount of money for the unemployed. In such countries, people tend to only accept jobs that pay beyond certain amounts. These issues make cost of labour relatively high and the company should not invest in such countries. Availability of raw materials required by the firm for its production process is also an important factor. In countries where the raw materials are readily available, production will be much cheaper compared to countries where the raw materials have to be outsourced from elsewhere. In outsourcing raw materials, transportation costs and custom duty are incurred thereby increasing the cost of production. Where the resources are relatively scarce, the forces of demand and supply tend to raise their prices increasing the cost of production. The firm should also consider the economic status of the countries where they plan to start new branches. Countries facing recessions have low per capita income translating to lower purchasing power of its citizens. This may bring about low demand for goods and services leading to the company making losses due to poor sales of its products. In counties with stable economies, the chances of making profits are much higher hence more attractive for firms planning to go global. The company should also consider the level of technology in the various countries.

Friday, November 15, 2019

Marketing strategy of a furniture store

Marketing strategy of a furniture store Customers are core for any business. Companies manufacture products to fulfill their needs. Every company would like to increase their market share through sales by beating their competitors. In order to achieve this, one should have efficient and effective marketing plan. The most vital element of a successful marketing plan knows your customers likes, dislikes and expectations. Basing on these factors a marketing strategy could be developed which allows you to fulfill customers needs by understanding your competitors and identify changes in market place. The every purpose of marketing plan is to outline a strategy to attract and keeping customers. This could be done by defining your market, identifying your customers and competitors. The two main marketing principles are: Entire efforts of a company should be directed towards satisfying customers. Sales volume which is profitable is more important than maximum sales volume. Marketing strategy Marketing strategy is identifying customer groups and serves them better than its competitors by offering tailor made products, prices, distribution and promotional methods to that segment. The strategy should address unmet customer needs that earn potential profitability. Target marketing Identifying separate customers who makes up large groups which helps to locate their needs more specifically. This smaller segment of the general market is convenient for market research and information helps to serve this segment better. This segmentation can be done in two ways Geographical segmentation serving customers needs in a particular geographical area. Customer segmentation identifying those people who buy products and services and targeting those groups. Products and service: To satisfy the target markets product is very important. This is how organizations earn revenue. These products may be in the form of goods, services or ideas. Promotional strategy: Promotion is communication process with the customers about the products through advertisements and direct customer interactions. This helps companies to distinguish their product from competitors. Pricing strategy The right price is the crucial for maximizing total revenue. In general higher prices means lower volume and vice versa. Micro Audit Consumers Industry and market related information regarding consumer buying patterns plays very critical in expecting future levels of demand. Having sales volume information of past helps to foresee the market trend and buying pattern. Key information like current market volume, demand, etc helps to identify the profit potential market. This information helps to build relationship with customers by identifying their needs, wants, preferences and buying habits. Key Points: The market for kitchens (including  furniture, worktops, sinks and taps, appliances sold as part of a kitchen and installation) was estimated to be worth  £3.25 billion in 2008, but it is estimated that it will decline to  £3.12 billion in 2009. Product innovation, fashion in the home and the desire for individuality are all strong drivers to growth in the market. Added to this, the growing emphasis on the kitchen and its central place at the hub of the home is also stimulating interest in the kitchens appearance, functionality and furnishings. Mintel believes the consumer market will return to growth by late 2010 or early 2011, accelerating to 2014. All the previous positive factors remain in place for a recovery. Kitchens UK: August 2009 Mintel Competitors Sustaining competition in market is important for any business success. Identifying the direct competitors and analyzing their market information like where they stand in market, their strengths and weakness, sales performance, pricing strategy, studying their product range and promotional methods helps us to prepare strategies to penetrate into their market for greater market share. Distributors and suppliers Building proper distribution channel to reach target audience is important. Distributors are one of the key elements in supply chain of a company as he helps to move product from hands of the company to the hands of customers. Reaching target market is unlikely without proper distribution channel. A distributor saves both money and time for companies by their expertise in what they do. Macro audit Macro environment considers challenges in the world at large. These elements are politics, Economy, technology, laws and environment which impact the market. Having detailed information about these elements helps an organization to serve market better. Politics Political system like taxation policies, foreign trade policies, how supportive the government is for private sector helps an organization to plan their marketing strategies more efficiently. Economy Information like inflation, disposable income levels decides the income of the market place which is vital for planning pricing strategy. Technology In todays world technology is growing in very fast phase. Technology enables business to communicate more efficiently and saves time which helps to take efficient decisions. Environment Environmental policies have a major role on the manufacturing process. Availability of raw material, energy costs and pollution are the major influencing factors of quality of product. Research Requirements Retailers Opinion: Retailers knows and understands the behavior pattern of customers. They will have the first hand information on market and what exactly customers are looking for in a product they want. Retailers even have key information on taste of customers who belongs to a particular geographical region. Research methodology: one to one interview is the best research method for this objective. One to one interviews help to get most of the information possible from a retailer which may miss through questionnaire or online survey. Through this method we could able to know the retailers personal views on our product as well as his experiences with customers while selling our product. This information regarding our product and service helps us to understand our lagging points and allow us to work on them. As retailers interact with different kinds of customers during their day to day business they know the customers preference and choice better. So, retailers are the best source of information regarding the pattern of customers buying behavior and the factors which influence their buying decision. As retailer being the possible large data base of information regarding customers, one to one interview research method is the best to collect the information in its totality. Fashion and Trend: In the matter of fashion and trend only change is constant. Peoples taste vary from person to person, place to place etc. people always get influenced by latest trend and fashion. Research methodology: conducting surveys through online as well as placing questionnaires at shops to answer are the best methods to collect information. Young working people who are single and newly married couples are best sample for this kind of survey. These sample can be questioned online by preparing questionnaire with pictures of product with different kinds of designs and asking them which kind of furniture they like and why. Through this method coverage will be more as most of the youngsters use net. At shops customers can see, feel and know more about the product. So, getting answers for what they like or dislike in a product example color, comfort, style, and design etc through questionnaires placing at shops helps to analyze the thought process while shopping. Target Customer segment profile: Before venturing into new market it is important to study the characteristics of that target group as customers thoughts and opinions are different depending on factors like place, income etcà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Research methodology: Focus group is the best research method which can be adapted here for this research. The targeted group can be working professionals, business men above age 25 who belongs to both mid and high income markets. This information could be gathered at offices, social gathering places like hotels, restaurants, organized events etc. Feedback from a group has more diversified opinions on a product. This provides most invaluable information about brand, quality, pricing, design etc which helps company to provide best possible quality furniture with appealing design at affordable prices (Saunders M. et al., 2006). SW/OT Analysis Stateroom Furnitures Strengths It is very popular brand known for its quality hand crafted furniture which is made of wide variety of wood. Have wide product range of kitchen furniture which covers from high end dining set to china display cabinets. Capital reserves are available for development and even extra funds can be raised in strong business cases. It has a facility with new machinery which could be used to manufacture a variety range of furniture. Stateroom Furnitures Weakness SR furniture could not utilize its potential in market completely. Many people back off from buying the furniture for its price even though they like it. Its market is limited only to certain section because of its old fashioned design. The material used to make furniture is limited to wood which leads to lack of variety in product range. Though the brand is popular its distribution is limited only to up-market stores in cities and counties. Only 55% of the factories capacity is being utilized. Market Opportunities A huge section of market with young audience is open to target the products. Furniture with modern stylish designs and made of different materials are in huge demand. This space in market in not yet ventured by SR There is demand for branded quality furniture around the world not only for domestic purpose but also business purpose. Large section of market with audience who belongs to middle income group is still open. Market Threats Change of peoples perception towards kitchen as cooking, eating and hanging out area is a threat to kitchen furniture sales. Plastic and Self assembly furniture is becoming popular which are cheap and comfortable to use. As young audience dont like old fashioned furniture there is threat of losing this market completely in future. Reduction in room sizes may lead to not using the dining set which will affect SR sales figures because 50% of sales are of dining sets. Resultant Strategies Different strategies can be developed by using TOWS frame work: S-O Strengths : Opportunities Strategies Capital reserves, Product range and brand reputation could be utilized (S1/2) to promote present sales. Utilize brand reputation to export and contract sales (S1) could be increased as there is demand for quality brands all over the world. (O3) Brand reputation and Capital reserves and factory capacity (S1/3/4) could be utilized to manufacture and market modern style furniture for young audience.(O2) W-O Weakness :Opportunities strategies A Product range at reasonable price (W1/4) could be manufactured and marketed through more outlets even in small towns for middle income group which is a large market segment. (O4) Making furniture with different variety of materials (W2/3) like steel, Plastic etc covers more market and could attract young audience. (O1/4) S-T Strength : Threats Strategies Brand image (S1) can be utilized to venture into other furniture segments like office, bedroom, etc. (T4) For the future: Utilize capital reserves (S3) to venture into plastic and self assembly segment (T 2/3/4). Utilize capital reserves (S3) to change perception of people over dining set and other furniture by running campaigns. (T1) W-T Weakness : Threats Strategies Should make furniture with low cost materials like plastic and others (T2) for mass market which can be sold at reasonable prices (W1). Factory capacity could be utilized to manufacture adjustable furniture with innovative designs (W2/5) to answer space problems which can capture the market of young and other segment who dont like traditional furniture (T3/4). Marketing Strategies Unique selling proposition The USP aims at making new range of durable kitchen furniture made with different materials like wood, steel, Plastic etc. and designed appealingly according to the taste of all age groups. Positioning To be successful SR furniture should use its brand reputation to capture market neglected before which became advantage to competitors. Thus it is targeted at both sophisticated clientele and mass market by positioning itself as quality furniture maker for all age groups. The marketing mix should be planned in such a way that the product range has both quality and appealing designs to cover all age groups and mid income market. This can be achieved with two lines of products where one is positioned at mass market with affordable furniture range and the other for sophisticated and higher income group. This product mix could be achieved with both traditional and modern designer furniture range made of different materials like steel, veneer, plastic etc. This is illustrated in brand positioning map below: Price vs. Quality Design Good Quality Appealing Design Affordable Price SR Galiform PLC High Price Kohler Mira Jaccuzi UK Group PLC Bristan Group Poor Quality Design The above illustration shows that the market positioning is to capture both high end and mid market by offering good quality furniture. Competitive Strategy SR Furniture seeking to venture into new market with affordable price range for mid income group rather down market as the product range is mainly concerned about the brand image it carries for its quality and design. With current product range its strategy is to capture both high end and mass market of all age groups. Mid market prices could be achieved as the material usage will vary for different designs without affecting the quality and durability of the product. This mass market is going to sustain as getting good brand like SR Furniture at affordable price is great value for money. Growth Strategy Utilizing the brand reputation to venture into new market with new product range is very good move as it makes market penetration easy. The strategy of making a product range of modern designer furniture for sophisticated market could carve its share easily as there is lot of room in market with young audience and others who dont like traditional designs but still appreciate SR brand for its quality. In long term this strategy gives a great scope to enter into the other furniture segments like bedroom, living room etc. Marketing mix differences Consumer vs. Business Marketing mix differs from business market and consumer market. Product Consumer market: Product range should consist furniture with appealing design to all age groups. Consumer prefers good looking furniture which is comfortably fits in their rooms and easy to mobilize during house shift. Business market: Business market includes buyers like hotels, restaurants etc who dont shift often. They prefer durable furniture which lasts long and design of furniture is very important in setting up a good ambiance and image in market place. Price Pricing strategy varies between consumer and business markets as the buying pattern differs. Business clients place bulk orders and consumers buy individual pieces of furniture. Furniture manufactured for business purpose could be costlier as it is manufactured according to the specifications of business client. Place Furniture is sold through retail stores at different locations for convenience of individual consumers to shop and transport. There would be no specific location to sell furniture for business purpose. Manufactured furniture according to the clients order would be transported directly from factory. Promotion Television advertisements, ads in news papers and magazines, hoardings, exhibitions and other promotional methods are adapted to reach consumer market. Catalogues would be designed with products picture and key information which are distributed to clients personally by marketing team.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

The Complex Alceste of Molieres Misanthrope Essay -- Moliere Misanthr

The Complex Alceste of The Misanthrope "I cannot improve on it, and assuredly never shall," said Molià ¨re of his satire The Misanthrope, {1} and the critic Nicholas Boileau-Desprà ©aux concurred by accounting it one of Molià ¨re's best plays.{2} But the French public did not like it much, preferring the dramatist's more farcical The Doctor in Spite of Himself--a play that, according to tradition, was written two months after The Misanthrope's premiere to make up for the latter's lack of success.{3} In fact, The Misanthrope horrified Rousseau, who thought that its aim was, in Donald Frame's words, "to make virtue ridiculous by pandering to the shallow and vicious tastes of the man of the world."{4} Both he and Goethe after him regarded Alceste, the protagonist, as a tragic figure rather than a comic one.{5} It is evident from such a diversity of sentiments that the work before us is complex enough to provoke a variety of reactions. On the one hand, Molià ¨re made The Misanthrope a comedy, not a tragedy. Alceste, despite his bold railings against the hypocrisy of society, often finds it impossible to set a heroic example in front of his all-too-"civilized" circle. He is no lone upholder of a noble creed forced to martyrdom for his beliefs; in fact, his announcement, at the end of the play, of the martyrdom he is imposing upon himself--exile to "some solitary place on earth/Where one is free to be a man of worth"{6}--makes him look less heroic than ridiculous. And yet, if we do not place our sympathies with Alceste, we search this play in vain for another character worthy of them. The silly marquises do not command much respect. Arsinoà © is conniving, spiteful, and a critic of everyone else's morals. Oronte is not only as vain a... ...f which is given in Brown and Kimmey, pp. 121-72), this is marked as V.viii, ll. 21-2. {7} Cf. John Dover Wilson, "Introduction," in William Shakespeare, Hamlet, ed. Wilson (Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1936), p. xlviii. {8} II.v, ll. 711-30 (ll. 153-72 in Wilbur). {9} I.i, line 118 (so also Wilbur). {10} Frame, "Introduction to The Misanthrope," op. cit., p. 21. {11} Richard Wilbur, "Introduction to The Misanthrope," in Brown & Kimmey, p. 360. {12} Ibid., p. 361. {13} V.iv, line 1782 (V.viii, line 50 in Wilbur). {14} I do not include Arsinoà © in this, since in a sense she receives some sort of punishment when in the last scene (V.iv [V.vi in Wilbur]) she is put to shame by Alceste's implication that he is fully aware of her true motives. Her discomfiture should be enough to satisfy a sense that poetic justice has been served in her case.