Causes and Effects of the Persian Gulf War Essay -- Operation Desert S

Causes and Effects of the Persian Gulf War The Persian Gulf War, often referred to as Operation Desert Storm, was perhaps one of the most successful war campaigns in the history of warfare. Saddam Hussein, leader of Iraq, invaded Kuwait in 1990. In 1991, after weeks of air strikes, US ground forces entered Iraq and Kuwait and eliminated Iraqi presence in 60 hours. Why Would Iraq invade Kuwait? Kuwait supplies much of the world’s oil supplies, and when Hussein invaded Kuwait, he controlled 24% of the world’s oil supplies (O’Hara). Though this is a good reason, it is not the only one. Iraq’s real excuse for annexing Kuwait was that he believed that Kuwait was producing more oil than it was supposed to, taking out of Iraq’s profits. Also, Iraq was $80 billion in debt to Kuwait, and Iraq thought that the debt should be forgiven (Brown). After Iraq attacked Kuwait, the United States and other countries feared that Saudi Arabia would be next and that the world’s oil supply was in jeopardy. This was the spark that leads to the Persian Gulf War. There was also controversy with Iraq even before the invasion of Kuwait. Iraq was suspected of developing chemical weapons. The United Nations had often asked to check their weapons supplies to prevent Iraq from gaining great military power. When Iraq refused to let the UN inspectors into the country, suspicion was raised. One final thing that began the Persian Gulf War was Iraq’s development of the SCUD Missile. Though n...

Ketamine Pain Mechanism

Pain is communicated from the brain to other parts of the body by the CNS (Central Nervous System) and nerve endings. (Mayer, Mao, Holt, Price, 7731-7736) The ligand-gated ion channels, also referred to as LGICs, or ionotropic receptors, are a group of intrinsic transmembrane ion channels that are opened in response to binding of a chemical messenger. (Collingridge, Singer, 290-296) (Dickenson, 307-309) (Dickenson, Chapman, Green, 633-638)The ion channel is regulated by a neurotransmitter ligand that is very selective to one or more ions like potassium, sodium, calcium, and chloride. (Kandel, Schwartz, Jessell, 178-180)   Such receptors located at synapses converting the chemical signal to an electric signal in the post-synaptic cell. (Connolly, Wafford, 529-534)   The NMDA receptor (N-methyl-D-aspartate) is such an ionotropic receptor for glutamate. (Dingledine, Borges, Bowie, Traynelis, 7-61) (Lodge, Johnson, 81-86) (Meller, 435-436)   By X-ray crystallography, the NMDA recep tors have an heterodimer subunits, which are involved in the binding of agonists and antagonists like Ketamine. (Hirota, Lambert, 441-444)This channel complex contributes to excitatory synaptic transmission at sites throughout the brain and the spinal cord, and is modulated by a number of endogenous and exogenous compounds. (Rabben, Skljelbred, Oye, 1060-1066)   NMDA receptors play a key role in a wide range of physiologic and pathologic processes. (Hoffman, Coppejans, Vercauteren, Adriemsen, 240-242) (Klepstadt, Maurset, Moberg, Oye, 513-518) (Coderre, Katz, Vaccarino, Melzack, 259-285) Ketamine is primarily a non-competitive antagonist, which opens in response to binding of glutamate. This NMDA receptor mediates the reduction of pain effects of ketamine at low doses. (Lofwall, Griffiths, Mintzer, 439-449)Evidence for this is reinforced by the fact that naxolone, an opioid antagonist, does not reverse the analgesia. Studies also seem to indicate that ketamine is ‘use depend ent' meaning it only initiates its blocking action once a glutamate binds to the NMDA receptor. (Sorensen, Bengtsson, Ahlner, Henriksson, Ekselius et al., 1615-1621)   At high level doses, ketamine has also been found to bind to opioid mu receptors and sigma receptors. Thus, loss of consciousness that occurs may be partially due to binding at the opioid mu and sigma receptors. (Lonnqvist, Norton, 617-621)(Menigaux, Fletcher, Dupont, Guignard, Guirimand, et al. 129-135) (Koppert, Sittl, Scheuber, Alsheimer, Schmelz, 152-159) (Bushell, Endoh, Simen, Ren, Bindokas, 55-64)Works CitedMayer DJ, Mao J, Holt J, Price DD. Cellular Mechanisms of Neuropathic Pain, Morphin Tolerance, and their Interactions. Proc. Natl Acac. Sci. USA. 1999, 96(14): 7731-7736.Collingridge G, Singer W. Excitatory Amino Acid Receptors and Synaptic Plasticity. Trends Pharmacol Sci. 1990 11: 290-296.Dickenson AH. A cure for wind-up: NMDA receptor antagonists as potential analgesics. Trends Pharmacol Sci 1990 11: 30 7-309Dickenson AH, Chapman V and Green GM. The pharmacology of excitatory and inhibitory amino acid-mediated events in the transmission and modulation of pain in the spinal cord. Gen Pharmacol 1997 28: 633-638Kandel ER, Schwartz JH, Jessell TM. Principles of Neural Science, 4th ed. McGraw-Hill: New York, (2000), pp.178-180Connolly CN, Wafford KA. The Cys-Loop Superfamily of Ligand-Gated Ion Channels – the Impact of Receptor Structure on Function. Biochemical Society Transactions (2004) Vol. 32: 529-534.Dingledine R, Borges K, Bowie D, Taynelis SF. The Glutamate Receptors Ion Channels. Pharmacology Reviews, 1999 51(1): 7-61Lodge D and Johnson KM. Non-Competitive Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists. Trends Pharmacol Sci 1990 11: 81-86Meller ST. Ketamine: Relief from Chronic Pain through Actions at the NMDA Receptor? Pain   1996 68: 435-436Hirota K, Lambert DG. Ketamine: Its Mechanism (s) of Action and its Unusual Clinical Uses. Br. J. Anesth. 1996, 77(4):441-444.Rabben T, Skjel bred P, Oye I. Prolonged Analgesic Effects of Ketamine, an N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Inhibitor, in Patients with Chronic Pain. The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Pharmaceutics. 1999, 289(2):1060-1066.Hoffmann V, Coppejans H, Vercauteren M and Adriaemsen H Successful Treatment of Postherpetic Neuralgia with Oral Ketamine. 1994 Clin J Pain 10: 240-242Klepstad P, Maurset A, Moberg ER and Oye I Evidence for a Role for NMDA Receptors in Pain Perception. Eur J Pharmacol   1990 187: 513-518Coderre TJ, Katz J, Vaccarino AL and Melzack R.   Contribution of Central Neuroplasticity to Pathological Pain: A Review of Clinical and Experimental Evidence. 1993 Pain 52: 259-285.Lofwall MR, Griffiths RR, Mintzer MZ. Cognitive and Subjective Acute Dose Effects of Intramuscular Ketamine in Healthy Adults. Ex. Clin. Psychopharmacol. (2006), 14(4):439-449Sorensen J, Bengtsson A, Ahlner J, Henriksson KG, Ekselius L and Bengtsson M.   Fibromyalgia. Are there different mechanisms in the processing of pain? A double Blind Crossover Comparison of analgesic Drugs. 1997 J Rheumatol 24: 1615-1621Lonnqvist PA, Norton NS. Pediatric Day-Case Anesthesia and Pain Control.   Curr. Opin. Anaest. (2006), 19(6): 617-621.Menigaux C, Fletcher D, Dupont X, Guignard B, Guirimand F, Chauvin M. The Benefits of Intraoperative Small-Dose Ketamine on Postoperative Pain after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Repair. Anesth. Analg. 2000 90(1): 129-135Koppert W, Sittl R, Scheuber K,Alsheimer M, Schmeltz M, Schuttler J. Differential Modulation of Remifentanil-Induced Analgesia and Post-Infusion Hyperalgesia by S-Ketamine and Clonidine in Humans. Anesthesiology. 2003, 99(1): 152-159.Bushell T, Endoh T, Simen AA, Ren D, Bindokas VP, Miller RJ. Molecular Components of Tolerance to Opiates In Single Hippocampal Neurons. Mol. Pharmacol. 2002, 61(1): 55-64.

Rooms Division Operation Management - 21324 Words

| Rooms Division operation Management | Higher National Diploma In Hospitality Management | Bheemuck Chuvinee Neha amp; Emile Natacha Sandrine 11/19/2012 | Acknowledgement We would take this opportunity to first of all, express our words of gratitude to Mr Armooghum, who has been present for our queries. He has helped us a lot in solving confusions. The lectures have been helpful for the assignment, which have been one of the motivating factors. We would also like to thank the organizations or rather the members of the staff who have enormously contributed by filling the questionnaires and giving their personal views and information on the topic. Thank you Contents Acknowledgement 2 Table of Figures 7 Introduction 8†¦show more content†¦This is why it is important like every staff in fact, to have a perfect grooming and a good personality. 1.1.2 Accomodation * Maintenance service. In the hotels selected, the maintenance service is the same. The maintenance service forms part of the housekeeping service, they are in charge of every technical issues such as electricity power cut, no availability of hot water, and others. * Working procedures All hotels selected has the concept of working procedures. But which are different from each other. But the working procedures which can be defined also by Standard of procedures is an important concept having the same objectives. It is applied for standardization and also for effectiveness. As per WawickShire College (2012), Standard Operating Procedure is a ‘’Written procedure prescribed for repetitive use as a practice, in accordance with agreed upon specifications aimed at obtaining a desired outcome.’’ It is important because it helps to have a better standard of the work, and also the same result required. If the SOP’s did not exist, there would be a variation of results, which will be not uniformed. The standard Operating procedures also help to have a better effectiveness of using materials, which will help to have a better lifespan of the materials. It also helps the staff to use the materials in a safe way thus ensuring the healthShow MoreRelatedRoom divisions Operations Management5493 Words   |  22 Pagesï » ¿ Rooms Division Operations Management Table of Contents Executive Summary This case study explores the importance of Room Division service in hospitality industry. The task 1 discusses the different services provided by the rooms division in different circumstances. The impact of different operational issues in managing the front of house area is evaluated in the second task. The third task discusses the different featuresRead MoreRooms Division Operation Management21324 Words   |  86 Pages| Rooms Division operation Management | Higher National Diploma In Hospitality Management | Bheemuck Chuvinee Neha amp; Emile Natacha Sandrine 11/19/2012 | Acknowledgement We would take this opportunity to first of all, express our words of gratitude to Mr Armooghum, who has been present for our queries. He has helped us a lot in solving confusions. The lectures have been helpful for the assignment, which have been one of the motivating factors. We would also like to thank theRead MoreImportance Of Revenue Management For Operations And Room Division Operations Management1123 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction This report focuses on the relevance of revenue management to operations and room division operations management. The relevant legislations and regulations required in room division operations management will be analysed. Further the roles and responsibilities of some accommodation and reception staff will be reviewed. The report will also concentrate on the services offered by rooms division in relation to accommodation and front office departments. Since the report concentratesRead MoreCritical Aspects Of Managing Hospitality Properties1604 Words   |  7 Pagessupervisory functions of room division is firstly taken into account, followed by an evaluation on the deployment of security measures at hotels. Last but not least, the significance of technology to the run of hotel business is discussed in further details in the scope of this report. Discussion Reflection upon supervisory functions of rooms division To commence, the focus of this very first section is placed on the discussion concerning the supervision functions of room division, as well as the roleRead MoreThe Hotel Organisational Structure1295 Words   |  6 PagesHKUSPACE Introduction to Front Office Operations (Directed Study) The Hotel Organisational Structure Hotels employ a vast number of persons with variety of skills. The larger the hotel, the more specialised the tasks. Large hotels have bigger resident populations and provide more services than do many small towns. Hotel organisations follow the pattern of other business institutions. They break up the work force into separate departments, with each department entrusted with a share of theRead MoreOperations Management Schroeder Chapters 1-31594 Words   |  7 PagesCHAPTER 1 Question #2 What is the difference between the terms production management and operations management? Production management deals primarily with the manufacture of goods, whereas operations management encompasses the production of not only goods, but services as well. Question #3 How does the function of an operations manager differ from the function of a marketing manager or a finance manager? The operations managers function is to create the supply of goods, whereas the marketingRead MoreHOSP582 Case Study 2 Essay1179 Words   |  5 Pages ï » ¿HOSP582 Case Study 2 ABC Management Company: Organizing for Mid-Range Service Discussion Questions 1. List some of the important organizational and service factors that the executives of ABC Management should consider before responding to the owners of the three mid-range service properties. Since the hotels are within the mid range (350-500 rooms), a room director will be needed to supervise the departments that make up the rooms division, another director for the food and beverageRead MoreRoom Division981 Words   |  4 Pagesmoney. Nothing sends a stronger message than cleanliness in hospitality operation. The reception can be divided into five areas : the concierge department comprises a large ground of uniformed staff, including: control of the uniformed staff, close liaison with the front office manage and other departments, giving of information to guest concerning hotel services and local directions, message taking and issuing room keys, the booking of theatre and the confirmation of airline passagesRead MoreCase Study : The Hotel Organizational Structure839 Words   |  4 Pagesfood and beverage operation and rooms, marketing and finance. The staff close relation or contact with guests is regarded as â€Å"front of the house† and what the guest are not cognizant of is called â€Å"back of the house.† For instance the wait staff of the restaurant is regarded as front of the house on the contrary the kitchen staff is back of the house. In grand hotels, responsibilities of division are held by managers and directors. On the other hand in small hotel, each division is supervised by theRead MoreThe Incident Command System Essay965 Words   |  4 PagesEmergency services face vast difficulties in the operations field when handling emergency situations, whether it comes from handling a minor accident to a catastrophic catastrophy. Many of the difficulties do not come from the actual incident, but instead they arise from forming a rescue team containing different agencies and people. For the benefit off all individuals participating, it is imperative that there be a unified command structure in place to effectively coordinate and oversee the tasks

Comparative and Superlative Forms Lesson Plan

The similarity of certain grammar structures, such as conditional forms and linking language, lend themselves to teaching in larger chunks, rather than focusing on one form at a time. This is also true of the comparative and superlative forms. Introducing both the comparative and the superlative simultaneously students can begin speaking about a wide variety of subjects in a more natural form that makes more sense contextually. The correct use of the comparative and superlative forms is a key ingredient when students are learning how to express their opinion or make comparative judgments. The following lesson focuses on first building understanding of the structure - and of the similarity between the two forms - inductively, as most students are at least passively familiar with the forms. The second phase of the lesson focuses on using the comparative and superlative forms actively in a small group conversation. Aim: Learning the comparative and superlative Activity: Inductive grammar learning exercise followed by small group discussion Level: Pre-intermediate to intermediate Lesson Outline Activate students awareness of the comparative and superlative by comparing three objects of your choice. For example, compare life in the US, the country where you are teaching and another country of your choice.Ask students questions based on what you have told them.Have students pair up and ask them to complete the first exercise on the worksheet.Based on their completion of the first task, ask students to give you the rules for the construction of the comparative form. You will probably have to point out that a three letter word following the CVC (consonant - vowel - consonant) form will double the final consonant. Example: big - biggerHave students complete the second exercise on the worksheet.Based on their completion of the second task, ask students to give you the rules for the construction of the superlative form. Make sure that students are aware of the similarities in construction between the two forms.Have students get into small groups of three to four and choose one of the topic headings for their group.Ask groups to then decide on three objects in the topic area to compare and contrast verbally.Have students write five to ten sentences based on their conversation using the comparative and superlative forms. It might be useful to ask them to write a specific amount of both comparative and superlative sentences. Exercises Read the sentences below and then give the comparative form for each of the adjectives listed.​ Tennis is a more difficult sport than Rugby.I think John is happier now than a year ago.Could you open the window, please? Its getting hotter in this room by the minute.interesting ___________weak ___________funny ___________important ___________careful ___________big ___________small ___________polluted ___________boring ___________angry ___________ Read the sentences below and then give the superlative form for each of the adjectives listed. New York has got to be the most exciting city in the world.His biggest desire is to return home.She is probably the angriest person I know.interesting ___________weak ___________funny ___________important ___________careful ___________big ___________small ___________polluted ___________boring ___________angry ___________ Choose one of the topics below and think of three examples from that topic, e.g. for sports, examples are football, basketball and surfing. Compare the three objects. CitiesSportsWritersFilmsInventionsCars

The Cathedral By Raymond Carver - 1202 Words

â€Å"Cathedral† written by Raymond Carver is a short story that unfolds as a first-person narrative of the main character named Bub. The story beautifully depicts the process of an individual who transforms from a person with lack of knowledge and ignorant towards knowledgeable soul, due to an encounter with his wife’s blind friend Robert, to an individual that is enlightened. The cathedral, in this story, is a mere subject brought up at the end of this story which becomes the object of his enlightenment. â€Å"Cathedral,† tells a tale of Bub who through a blind man receives an eye-opening experience. The narrator starts off as intolerable, but towards the end of the story, with the assistance of a blind man makes him open-minded. He is clobbered†¦show more content†¦I got up off the sofa with my drink and went to the window to have a look†(pg. 5). From the narrator’s consumption of alcohol it helped slowly lower the walls that he had up bl ocking him to allow Robert into his space. Another indication that shows the narrator was hit hard was when he began to realized that what he read in papers weren’t always true. â€Å"I remember I read somewhere that the blind didn’t smoke†¦ they couldn’t see the smoke they exhale†¦ But this blind man smoked his cigarette down to the nubbin and then lit another one†(pg. 6). This moment allowed for the narrator to see that what he has read isn’t always the truth, and that was shown when Robert proved the narrator s preconceived notations wrong. The narrator’s presumptions led to him being clobbered and irony played a role in the process. Bub felt that Robert’s blindness hindered him from his daily activities such as eating, â€Å"The blind man had right away located his foods, he knew just where everything was on his plate. I watched with admiration as he used his knife and fork on the meat† (pg. 7). The narrator was astonished, he didn’t expect Robert to be able to locate the food on his plate nor did he expect him to find and use the eating utensils with ease. Another example of irony was when the narrator went to turn on the television and his wife felt he was vainly disrespectful towards Robert. The narrator’s wife believed that since Robert was blind, he wouldn’t have a television set. SheShow MoreRelated`` Cathedral `` By Raymond Carver992 Words   |  4 Pages â€Å"Cathedral† is a short story that was written by Raymond Carver in 1981. Raymond Carver is most well kno wn for his short stories and is even an writer credited with reviving the then dying form of literature. A part of a collection of short stories, â€Å"Cathedral† was the last to be published and was included in 1982’s Best American Short Stories. â€Å"Cathedral is different from the other works of Carver due to the humanistic realism that is given to his characters, which had not been seen before in hisRead MoreCathedral (by Raymond Carver)1131 Words   |  5 PagesCathedral: A Lesson for the Ages Raymond Carver s short story, Cathedral, portrays a story in which many in today s society can relate. We are introduced from the first sentence of the story to a man that seems to be perturbed and agitated. As readers, we are initially unsure to the reasoning s behind the man s discomfort. The man, who seems to be a direct portrayal of Raymond Carver himself, shows his ignorance by stereotyping a blind man by the name of Robert, who has come to stay withRead MoreThe Cathedral By Raymond Carver Essay937 Words   |  4 Pages â€Å"Cathedral† Born on May 25, 1938 in Clatskanie, Oregon, Raymond Carver was destined to be a writer. He was a son of a sawmill worker and grew up working hard majority of his life. He married year after he finished high school and had two children with his wife at the time. He raised and supported his children with normal working class jobs such as delivering, janitorial and gas station services. Carver discovered his interest in writing after taking a creative writing course in collegeRead More`` Cathedral `` By Raymond Carver1027 Words   |  5 Pagesfirst, I thought she was ridiculous, and I laughed at her. But later, I realized that she was suffering a hard disease and that was the reason she had lost her hair. I felt bad myself because at the end I was the ridiculous. In the story, â€Å"Cathedral† by Raymond Carver the narrator was thinking wrongly about Robert because Robert was a blind man. The narrator was accustomed to what we usually watch on TV about blind people. He thought that Robert was one of those who walked slowly accompanied by a dogRead MoreThe Cathedral By Raymond Carver978 Words   |  4 PagesIn â€Å"The Cathedral† by Raymond Carver, a man named Robert is coming to spend the night at the narrator’s house. Robert is a friend of the narrator’s wife who happens to be blind, which doesn’t sit well with the narrator. Robert and his wife have a ten year relationship which started with her working for him. Since then they’ve stayed in contact by sending audiotapes to each other. When Robert reaches the house, the narrator is a bit uncomfortable. The first reason being because the man is blind, andRead MoreThe Cathedral By Raymond Carver1294 Words   |  6 Pagesthat with self-awareness, a person â€Å"comes to know what [their] destiny is, who [their] wife or husband will be, what [their] mission in life will be† (Maslow 440). In the cases of those who aren’t aware of their self, like the narra tor of â€Å"Cathedral† by Raymond Carver, they lack all behaviors of self-actualization as well as the experience of transcendence that follows suit. In order to open the door to their selves, a â€Å"metacounselor† guides them through their mind or activities that would embrace individualityRead MoreThe Cathedral by Raymond Carver1281 Words   |  5 PagesThe Cathedral by Raymond Carver is an exemplar of a literature with the use of realism in which a realistic, non-ideal, ordinary life of an individual is depicted to represent a wider meaning in life or the society. The anecdote is narrated through the narrators point-of-view about a blind man, Robert, who is a friend of his wife. A theme is presented using a foil, Robert, or a character whose traits are ideal and contrast with the protagonists to highlight some qualities in the central characterRead MoreThe Cathedral By Raymond Carver1758 Words   |  8 PagesIn Raymond Carver’s â€Å"The Cathedralâ₠¬ , the unnamed husband narrators the tale of his wife’s old blind friend Robert coming to visit after not seeing each other for years. They had remained in contact through audiotapes, but the husband seems to not understand the significance of their relationship, showing distaste with the visit for the majority of the story, due to his uncomfortableness. In this story, the writer displays his tale and its morals; by using the narration of the husband; Carver showsRead MoreThe Cathedral By Raymond Carver1280 Words   |  6 Pages Raymond Carver’s short story â€Å"The Cathedral† is one that was published with a collection of other books in 1983. This particular short story is one that presents multiple views, including real life ethical and stereotypical situations correlating with the specific time this story was published in. Through these ideas and also the symbols created through the characters one receives a vital message. This message that the autho r is trying to convey is to look further past what one may see at yourRead MoreCathedral Raymond Carver Analysis1212 Words   |  5 PagesIn â€Å"Cathedral,† Carver’s use of visualization and climactic change of character emphasizes the theme that looking and seeing are two very different things. When Raymond Carver had his wife’s blind friend, Robert, join them for a few days, he should’ve been more understanding and empathetic with Robert’s blindness instead of just avoiding it or brushing it off as if it’s not there. Carver did very well in changing his ways and learning to accept and understand Robert. Carver also did a good job of

Bussiness Free Essays

Part one Excuative Summary Starwood Hotels Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1,000 properties in 100 countries and approximately 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts with the following internationally renowned brands: St. We will write a custom essay sample on Bussiness or any similar topic only for you Order Now Regis, The Luxury Collection, Sheraton, Westin, Four Points by Sheraton, W, Le Meridien, Aloft, and Element. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc. one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. Starwood hotels and resorts offer an array of innovative services to meet the needs of guest, and business traveler. Including high speed internet throughout all of their hotels, two-line telephones in the guest rooms, and fax and print services at stations threw out their hotels. In 2011 the company posted revenues of $5,624,000,000. In 2006, it had sales of nearly $6 billion and profits of $1 billion. Starwood Hotels and Resorts has six core value that they follow; Trust, Respect, Callaboration, Innovation, Accountability, and Execution. With these values Starwood Hotels and Resorts uses these core values and its mission statement to serve as a blueprint for what they will accomplish. Starwood Hotels and Resorts mission statement is as follows; â€Å"Create the most successful branded, global, lifestyle Hospitality Company by ensuring that trust and respect, for our associates and guests, are at the forefront of everything we do. We are committed to re-imagining our business with creativity and innovation, resulting in exciting, fun workplace. †(http://www. starwoodhotels. com/corporate/careers/believe/values. tml) Starwood Hotels and Resorts mission statement focuses on creating a great hospitality company for their employees and their guest. CEO Fritz Van Passchen and CFO Vasant M. Prabhu of Starwood Hotels and Resort makes it there goal to do so. Fritz Van Paasschen, has been Chief Executive Officer and President of the Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. since September 2007. Previously he served a s and CEO of Molson Coors Brewing Company’s largest division from March 2005 until September 2007. Vasant M. Prabhu Reports to Frits Van Paasschen as vice chairman and financial officer or Starwood Hotels and Resorts. Vasant is responsible for the accounting, tax, strategic planning, corporate development and risk management function of the corporation. Vasant has 20 years of experience and previously served as an executive vice president and chief financial officer for Safeway Inc. It is not nothing new for companies in the hospitality industry to give back to the community. Starwood hotel and Resorts is the world’s leading hospitality company with over 1128 properties in 100 countries represented by nine innovative brands and over 145,000 associates. With such breadth and verity it makes the Starwood hotels and resorts willing and ready to promote change around the world and they are committed to doing so. When it comes to social responsibility Starwood Hotels and Resorts   has other hotels beat in 2012 one of the Starwood store brands   the Sheraton Metechi palace Hotel received an award for the â€Å"World’s Leading CSR Programme†Ã‚     and that’s not the only time they were nominated for such rewards according to  http://www. worldtravelawards. om/profile-2434-starwood-hotels-resorts. Some CSR programs Starwood Hotels and Resorts are associated with; Starwood hotels and resorts has been charitable partner with UNICEF since 1995 and the program now operates in more than 210 of its hotels throughout world and has raised $13 million for UNICEF. Some 2012 CSR projects include Starwood’s employees fundraising campaign, the road to awareness, $320,000 was raised from the schools for Africa project and list goes on and on. Part Two Technological Opportunities Starwood Hotels Resorts Worldwide Inc. is the most global High-end hotel company in the world. Their strength lies in nine distinct lifestyle brands, an award-winning loyalty program and there more than 171,000 associates at their owned and manages properties. Starwood hotel and resort tries focusing on blending and mining there associates. They makes it a priority to maintain an associate and customer base as diverse as the world population. Our culture of diversity and inclusion has also been recognized by DiversityInc as one of the â€Å"Top 50 Companies for Diversity† and by the Human Rights Campaign as one of the â€Å"Best Places to Work for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equality†. Starwood hotels and resorts offer an array of innovative services to meet the needs of guest, and business traveler. Including high speed internet throughout all of their hotels, two-line telephones in the guest rooms, and fax and print ser vices at stations threw out their hotels. Part Three Marketing Opportunities Starwood Hotels Resorts Worldwide, Inc. Plans to strengthening its position as the leading hotel operator across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region with an existing portfolio of 82 hotels, representing nearly 22,000 guest rooms, the majority of which are operated under Starwood’s world-renowned Sheraton and Le Meridien brands. The company plans to increase its MEA portfolio by more than 60% with nearly 50 new hotels set to open over the next five years, adding more than 14,000 guest rooms to the region while creating thousands of local employment opportunities. With over 20 hotels expected to open by the end of 2015, Starwood is on track to reach a milestone 100 hotels across MEA. Further underscoring the importance of the region as one of Starwood’s fastest growing hotel and travel markets, earlier this month the company relocated its global headquarters from Stamford, Connecticut to Dubai for a month-long immersion. â€Å"Starwood continues to see demand for growth of all of our brands across the Middle East and Africa despite economic and political uncertainty in some parts of this incredibly diverse region,† said Frits van Paasschen, President and CEO, Starwood Hotels Resorts. Rapid economic growth, rising personal incomes, a growing middle class and ever greater global connectivity are driving new travel patterns and demand for travel, and this region is at the center of these trends and a key focus of our growth strategy. † According to http://www. starwoodhotels. com/corporate/about/index. html Part Four Recruitm ent Presentation At Starwood Hotels and Resorts Inc. they make it a mission to create opportunities for undergraduates and graduates across every area of their business. Through internships, externships, and management training programs they will teach you leadership and team’s skill. So position yourself for a rewarding career in hospility industry take it from me I only work at one of their location and actually started as an intern and now I am a supervisor. Making there recruitment overview to be right on target when they say â€Å"We advance. No matter where we go, we always move forward. We open new hotels and resorts and create more personal, global experiences for our guests. You can be a part of it all with our programs at our properties and corporate locations throughout the world in places such as China, the United States, Canada, Europe, Africa and the Middle East and South Asia. We inspire. We immerse you with people, places and practices that make up our thriving portfolio. You will experience firsthand the thrills of working with some of the most sought-after hospitality brands and leaders in the world. † Part Five Future Opportunities From the company’s luxury General Managers Summit in Dubai, Starwood Hotels ; Resorts Worldwide, Inc. NYSE: HOT) today announced its luxury footprint has nearly doubled worldwide in five years to meet growing global demand. Starwood is lengthening its lead in luxury hospitality with more than 160 hotels in 39 countries as part of The Luxury Collection, St. Regis and W brands, offering guests and residents personalized service and exceptional experiences around the world. Looking ahead, Starwood will add 50 luxury hotels in 12 new countries over the next five years. The General Managers Summit coincides with Starwood’s month-long relocation of its global headquarters to Dubai. Modern luxury has not replaced tradition; they sit at the same table, but in slightly different clothes† â€Å"We are on the cusp of a new golden age of luxury travel as technology and globalization drive new trade routes, capital flows and wealth creation,† said Frits van Paasschen, Starwood’s President and CEO. â€Å"Dubai is at the epicenter of this change and we are delighted to welcome our general managers from around the world to cultivate a deeper understanding of a new and growing luxury landscape. † According to www. starwoodhotels. com Starwood’s inaugural luxury General Managers Summit How to cite Bussiness, Papers

Entrepreneurship Wain Stores Business Plan

Question: Discuss about the Entrepreneurship Wain Stores Business Plan. Answer: Introduction: The current business plan is based on the medium scale company, which is specialised in the production and distribution of the technological production concerning the particular components. The organisation will be emphasising on the technological concept by targeting certain needs of the customers. The organisation will be dealing in the technological product in the IT sector. The business anticipates commencing its operations out with a few employees and gradually expands into the industry. Company history Wain Stores hopes to be a medium scale company that specializes in the production as well as distribution of technological products and their specific components. The company will target the ever-changing technological concept fronted in the current world through focusing on certain needs and wants exhibited by the people (Wei et al., 2014). Through this, Wain will be able to reach out to different individuals with interests in the IT sector. The company will also offer consultancy services with regard to review and updating of software, databases as well as network administration. It will require its staff to posses high-end skills that are required in the market, hence, making them competent to effectively deal with the challenges brought forward in the industry. Current status The status of Wain remains a viable business idea which tries to seek funds and capital from investors. The business plan hopes to convince various individuals with an interest in the IT sector to consider investing in the business. It will help Wain achieve its overall objectives and targets. The company hopes to start out with a few employees and gradually grow into the industry. Industry analysis The IT industry has greatly grown over the years due to the significant advantages it offers to companies. The growth has allowed an increase in the companies that produce IT products as well as subcontracting their services. This growth rate, however, has not affected the industry since other industries have continued to grasp the concept and integrate IT in production and distribution (Patterson, 2012). This is because IT is considered fast, accurate and reliable as compared to human resource. Consequently, predictors explain an increase in the sales projections in the coming years if the trend continues. Industry structure The IT industry in Mauritius is structured in a direct manner where the consumers have direct access to the products from the company. It has eliminated the case of brokers and middlemen who inflate the prices of products (Saad, 2010). Companies have taken upon themselves to produce, package and distribute their products directly to the customers. Thus, the consumers get the products at the best price possible. Additionally, the industrial structure has helped eliminate the problem of counterfeit products that find their way into the markets in the case of intermediaries and brokers. Such products undermine the credibility of the legitimate products and services as well as encouraging black markets. Thus, the industrial structure has played a big role in ensuring that the companies are protected. The major participants and stakeholders include Microsoft, Apple, EAX Agile Solutions and Accenture. They are considered major stakeholders in the IT industry in the country and engage in ac tive decision making activities with regard to matters affecting the companies. Key success factors The major key success factor in the industry is the ability of a company to come up with new ideas and mechanisms for service delivery. Inventions and innovations are integral parts of the success of any company. The move involves establishing of proper methods of enhancing quality in the final output (Johnson, 2014). In this regard, it is vital that the company establishes measures to protect invention ideas through patents. In an industry where products are closely related, a slight change or improvement in the product will have a great overall impact on the customers. The introduction of the internet has revolutionized the IT sector through making the world a global village (Lazzarini, 2015). Current trends in the industry in Mauritius involve the use of social media to reach out to different groups of people across the world. Online marketing has also emerged along with ecommerce where products are bought and sold across the internet. Additionally, customers are able to easily ge t to know specification about the products through the internet. Market analysis The IT market ranges from a variety of individuals with computer and internet needs. Products and services offered in the industry make it unique and easy to predict the customer demands at a given time. The market is segmented with regard to needs as well as the relevant financial prowess and social status of the customers. However, age and gender have very little impact with regard to the needs of the customers since most of the products and services cut across the groups (Davenport, 2013). The financial prowess of the individual, for instance, would enable them to go for expensive phones and computers, which are considered fast and possess a higher memory (Nadvi et al., 2015). The situation also applies to the internet where higher finances enable one to go for high-speed connectivity. Buyer behaviour Consumers in the industry in Mauritius also tend to go for newer products. There is a higher demand for product change as new products are considered better and more effective as compared to the previous ones. Thus, consumers will tend to go for the latest products and services launched by the company (Nadvi et al., 2015). The consumers in the industry also exhibit brand loyalty and it is usually difficult for a company to convince them. Competitor analysis Wain faces competition from other established companies with a higher financial prowess. These companies have an existing customer bases who exhibit loyalty to their products. Consequently, it is difficult for the company to break into the market without proper and effective strategic measures. Companies such as Microsoft, EAX Agile and Accenture have been operating in Mauritius for a long time and have significant support bases. Therefore, it is imperative that proper strategies are put in place which will help guarantee the overall realization of the company objectives and targets with regard to the IT industry. Marketing plan The company needs a comprehensive market plan that would aid in its desire to conquer the IT market in the country and also globally. It hopes to be a medium scale producer within the first year of operation, hence, requiring strategies to counter the financial challenges. The aspect would put it at a great disadvantage especially when facing competition from already established companies such as Apple (Bloom et al., 2014). Thus, Wain will try to adopt a marketing plan that will guarantee the results with the limited budget it faces. Additionally, the adopted plan will also guarantee both short and long-term goals in the company, which help it a great deal. The plan, moreover, will incorporate current trends and developments in the industry as well as inclusion of innovative practices (Fleisher et al., 2015). It is important that the company deviates from the norm to easily reach out to the market. Marketing strategy The company products need to be of high quality to easily compete with the established firms. It is important to make a proper impression to the customers in order to cement a loyal base. Thus, Wain will try to avoid possible cases of faulty or poor quality products. Such aspects turn the customers away and make it difficult for the company to cement its position in the industry (Galbraith, 2011). The pricing of the products, too will be considerate of the prevailing conditions. It is important that the prices set by the company are within the industrial regulations. The company will try to avoid unfair practices by inflating or severely deflating the prices of its products. In the case of reduction in prices, caution shall be exercised since reduced prices can mean poor quality products. Promotion is also an important aspect in the marketing strategy. Wain needs to engage in vigorous product promotion activities through focusing on current trends such as use of social media. The company will directly engage the customers to determine their needs and, therefore, produce according to them (Hanrahan et al., 2013). This enables the customers understand that they are valued and appreciated. Promotion by the company will focus on distinguishing the products from the competitors as well as explaining the new products and any improvements on the previous one. Product distribution, additionally, will try to reach out to the customers directly (Lin et al., 2011).Wain needs to maintain the current industrial practice involving little use of the middlemen and brokers. It allows the customers to receive products and services within the shortest time possible as well as the best prices. Management team and company structure Board of directors Wain will be managed by a board of directors that will be responsible for the oversight of the daily activities being conducted in the company. The board shall deal with setting up of strategies according to the company cultures and traditions. Moreover, it will be the duty of the board to see to it that these strategies are implemented by the relevant departments and people involved (Prajogo, 2012). The directors will also deal with hiring of competent employees who best fit the job description and posses the relevant expertise and experience. In other cases, they may also terminate the employees contract in the event that they breach the regulations and code of conduct. The board will be elected by the shareholders to represent them and the interests of the entire company. Board of advisors There will also exist the board of advisors that will comprise independent strategists with a wide range of expertise regarding management of companies especially in the IT sector. The advisors will act as intermediaries in the companys operations with other industries (Truck, 2013). They will advise the board of directors with regard to certain decisions to be made concerning the company. The board takes up an informal nature, therefore, allowing for flexibility in structure and management. Their main roles will be provision of strategic direction, guiding quality management and assessment of program effectiveness. Company structure Wain will take up a matrix company structure with various departmental heads tasked with different activities. The managing director will be the head of daily activities and oversee the daily implementation of strategies developed by the board (Borghoff Pareschi, 2013). The director reports to both the board of directors and board of advisors. The departmental heads fall under the managing director and include the general stores manager, procurement manager, project coordinator and the production manager. These heads will oversee independent activities in the company which focus on the overall goals of the company. They report to the MD and are responsible for setting up independent strategies to ensure achievement of their targets as a department (Awaludin et al., 2016). They will also be required to work with the stipulated budget and ensure its full implementation. The departmental heads will also ensure that their employees comply with the rules and regulations and will see to i t that the overall company objectives and targets are achieved in the fiscal year Operations Plan Wain shall take up a vigorous approach to operations with a strict focus on quality of the output. The move reiterates the mission of the company to revolutionize the world through IT. Consequently, it will encourage its employees to focus on production of quality output and services. To ensure this, the company shallconduct periodic training programs which see to it that the workers skills are improved. The programs also allow the employees to be oriented on trends and developments in the industry, which help in production activities. Additionally, customer relations will also be highly regarded in the company. This is especially to the distributors who interact daily with the customers. It is important for the company to ensure customer satisfaction through proper relations and building of trust (Dahlstrom et al., 2013). The company will also try to engage in social activities to ensure it fulfills its corporate social responsibility. This involves charity work and support of community enriching activities. Wain hopes to conduct annual seminars where young children are introduced to IT at a young age. The programs will involve introducing them to coding, database management, network administration and basic computer engineering. The company, additionally, shall highly regard its immediate environment and will strive to ensure that it avoids possible cases of pollution brought about by its activities. Business location The company shall strategically locate its businesses next to city centers to ensure easy target of the markets. The urban areas have been labeled as metropolitan and hence, easy customers of the company. The location makes it easy to attract the various companies located in the CBD. Additionally, the company shall establish an online platform where customers who cannot physically locate the premises can be served. It is important to have such a platform as it helps reach out to a wider audience despite geographical differences. Moreover, it enables the company increase its sales and create a good reputation which earn it referrals in various situations. Facilities and equipment Wain will enlist various assets which help in the daily running of the company. The assets enhance continuity of the company activities over the period. Additionally, stores where its products will be kept will be properly guarded to help deter any form of unauthorized entry. The same security measure shall be enhanced in its various facilities and equipment in the various areas that they are located. This guarantees the company of trust from its customers and other companies that may have contracted its services at a particular time. Product (or service) design and development plan The companys development plan hopes to explore other aspects of information technology to effectively advance its agenda. The plan incorporates various aspects seen as the future of IT such as cloud computing and advanced coding. The move will see to it that there is full utilization of available resources in the advancement of the mission and vision statements shared by the company. It also hopes to design complex gadgets and equipment that are taunted as the future of communication in the world. Wain will also invest in research programs which seek to help solve global problems such as climate change and terrorism. The company believes that technology can play a huge part in solving some of these long term problems. Consequently, it will try to collaborate with renowned organizations of humanitarian aid to help find a lasting solution to some of these problems. Challenges and risks However, the company will face some daunting challenges and risks in the course of advancing some of these projects. Cyber terrorism is a major risk in the IT industry. There have been cases of hackers gaining illegal access to company information and selling them to the highest bidder. Such a problem can potentially damage the company especially if such information lands on the competitors hands. Wain, therefore, will set up effective mechanisms to guarantee its online security. It prevents possible cases of blackmail or force out of the industry. The fact that it will not be widely known may be difficult for it to seek for financial aid from established organizations sharing similar concerns with regard to existing global problems. Intellectual properties Wain understands the importance of protecting its intellectual properties from third parties. Therefore, it will instruct legal help to assist in protection of its ideas and concepts. The legal team outsourced by the company will see to it that the company formulates an idea, reviews its viability and implements it without possible violation of the law or conflict with another company. Moreover, they will assist the company cover aspects related to trademarks and patents (Terpstra et al., 2012). The aspects prohibit a third party from reproducing the company products without their consent or even claiming a particular idea. Financial projections Wainwill mainly rely on sale of its products as the main source of funds. The company will ensure that it produces durable and high quality products to ensure that it receives considerably high amount of funds. Additionally, the company will also offer consultancy services to companies seeking to set up computer system. Itwill advice on possible hardware and software as well as effective easy to ensure that the overall goal is achieved (Van riel et al., 2011). In other situations, the company can also be contracted to review and update software system of companies and institutions. The financial statements in its books of account exhibit the companys financial prowess. They explain the fact that Wain is in a good position to engage in business activities. The affirmation confirms that the company can effectively engage into contractual services as well as reiterating its capability to handle the various production activities. Additionally, the move will help it acquire loans from financial institution which it can use to effectively further its goal and overall mission objectives (Peppers Rogers, 2012). The company shall also allow periodic audits which help affirm its compliance with laws and regulations. Financial assumptions: Income statement assumptions: The financial document will be based on assumptions as well as projections. It helps the business to see various effects associated with financing options. Wain will hugely rely on these documents to assist in the making of viable investment decisions. They include the pro forma balance sheet as well as the cash flows. From the assumptions made in the financial statement it is found that the total amount of non-operating income consists of sales revenue generated in the first financial year of the business. It is found that total income for the first financial year consisted of $75,000 after deducting the cost of sold comprising of 25,000. In the subsequent year it is found that sales revenue is projected to be 125,000 where the organization may incur an additional cost of goods sold of 35,000. The total income arrived for the second year comprised of 90,000 with 105,000 in the subsequent year. The expenditure consists of the operating expenses comprising of advertising cost, interest expenses, office supplies etc. These cost are related with the cost of business operations. The total amount of operating expenses generated for the first financial year consists of the 15,275 followed by 16,525. In the third financial year the business is projected to incur the total non-operating expenses of 17,825. Financial ratios: Wain will also rely on ratio analysis to help understand and gauge its performance in specific departments. They are usually characterized as short term solvency, debt management, asset management and profitability. They will help the company establish independent measures in each department. The financial ratios consist of the Debt ratio, which is derived by taking into the considerations the total liabilities against the total assets. The debt ratio projected by the business is 0.58 and 0.54 for the business with total amount of debt being 25,000 for the first financial year. On the other hand, the current ratio consist of the current assets and current liabilities with 2.40 and 3.00 being incurred for the first and second financial year. The working capital ratio is computed by subtracting the current assets against current liabilities. The working capital ratio for the business consists of 2.00 for the first financial year followed by 3.00 in the subsequent year. The total asset to debt ratio is computed with 2.41 and 2.17 being projected respectively for the business during the span of two working years. The debt to equity ratio takes into the consideration the owners equity against the total amount of liabilities. The debt to equity ratio for the first financial yea r consists of 1.41 for the first financial year with 1.17 for the second year. Thus, the ratios has been computed in accordance with the business operations which helps in determining the business viability over the considerable period of time. Conclusion The business plan, therefore, is seen as a viable option for investors seeking to engage in the IT industry. It demonstrates its capability to rival established companies in the industry. Additionally, through its management, it will be able to venture into various activities which help generate income and also guarantee its survival and continuity in the future. The move makes it easy to engage possible partners who help in the overall achievement of the goals and objectives. Additionally, the company will also demonstrate its willingness in the fight against global problems such as terrorism. Other companies in the industry should support the move. However, there are also certain problems, which may hinder the full realization of the goals and objectives. These problems need to be properly addressed to ensure an overall realization of objectives. References Akhter, S., Rahman, N. and Rahman, M.N., 2014. Competitive Strategies in the Computer Industry.International Journal of Technology Diffusion (IJTD),5(1), pp.73-88. Awaluddin, M., Sule, E.T. and Kaltum, U., 2016. 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