The Radio Pakistan Essay Example

The Radio Pakistan Essay The Radio Pakistan Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) As observed in the case of television, the state maintained a position of monopoly in the radio sector until the2002 liberalisation of the media and PEMRA’s emergence as a broadcasting licences-awarding authority. Sincethen, there has been a steady growth in FM radio stations across the country. According to figures from 2009, there are presently 40 FM radio stations operating in Pakistan. After an initial surge in new radio stations, however, PEMRA’s increasing tariffs for new licences has significantly reduced the pace of applications being submitted. Another visible consequence of this surge in prices has been a gradual control of the radio market bythose actors with sufficient financial and political power, that is, ‘industrialists, large media groups, feudal lords or politicians’. 57 In spite of the above liberalisation in the sector, the state-owned PBC still maintains a dominant position, especially with regard to its reach in rural areas. According to the PBC’s own figures, its 69 medium (33), short wave (7) and FM (29) stations cover approximately 80 percent of Pakistan’s territory, or 96. 5 percent of the population, and it has a regular audience of 95. 5 million listeners. 58 Its dominant presence in rural areas is obviously linked to the low technological threshold represented by radio in general, when compared to more expensive, sophisticated and electricity-dependent communication systems such as internet or television. In addition, the PBC has successfully attempted to establish a foothold in those areas by localising its broadcasting activities. It suffices to say that, in addition to the Urdu language, the PBC also broadcasts in 20 regional languages from 33 different cities. Beside its traditional and exclusive field of operations, namely medium and short wave transmissions, Radio Pakistan has become increasingly active in expanding its broadcasting to FM radio waves as well. We will write a custom essay sample on The Radio Pakistan specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The Radio Pakistan specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The Radio Pakistan specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Is first FM transmission dates back to 1998, but since 2002 it has been adding many more FM channels to its services, keenly aware of the fact that FM listenership comprises about 40 percent of the total radio listenership in the country, and also increasingly conscious of the need to reach those listeners at the periphery of the country – such as in the FATA – who could easily fall under the spell of local militants using FM stations for propaganda purposes. 59 â€Å"External† Competitors The medium and short wave realm, however, has not always been the PBC’s undisputed and undisturbed broadcasting domain. The largest media organisation in the world, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), can rightly claim a presence in what used to be British India, which predates the establishment of the PBC. BBC operations started in the colonial territory in the 1940s, mainly as a counter-propaganda media outlet to the German Nazis. The programmes at that time were broadcast in the Hindustani language for the local population. It was only with the 1947 partition that the PBC came into being. Two years later, the BBC followed the political developments by establishing an Urdu-language broadcast for Pakistan, and in 1966 it formalised this new service by creating the BBC Urdu Service. By the late 1990s the BBC Urdu Service had become the dominant radio news service in Pakistan. In 1998 it was said to reach 20 million daily listeners across both Pakistan and India. In 2009 that number had dwindled to 13 million. This decline has been largely attributed to the media liberalisation process that was launched in both countries and to the subsequent emergence of strongly competitive new mass communication media. In addition, the BBC started to encounter increasing problems with short wave frequencies in Pakistan, due to competing transmissions from Radio China. In an attempt to counter the growing competition, in 2001 the BBC Urdu Service launched its own website, where it also put its radio transmissions. Further, it also decided to step into FM radio broadcasting in order to gain better control of the reach of the local transmissions. The FM radio experience worked well until 2007, when a new Pakistani law prohibited foreign broadcasts from within the country. At that point the BBC created BBC Pakistan and it also started to rebroadcast its programmes through local FM stations. The BBC is currently considering the launching of a BBC Urdu TV channel that would nitially broadcast programmes for two to six hours a day. 60 Despite the complex and challenging legal and political environment in which the BBC has had to operate from the very beginning, its fame as an independent broadcaster has earned it a great deal of respect and a significant listenership among the Pakistani population. Interestingly, this appears to be particularly true in the politically unstable tribal areas. According to a Waziri researcher, ‘60 to 70 percent of the people living in FATA listen to and rely on BBC news broadcasts’. 61 The recent launching of programmes in Pashto has further strengthened the BBC’s position in these areas. Before the start of the latest military operations, the BBC was believed to have an almost complete coverage of FATA. The channel can count on three local correspondents based in Peshawar and on coverage originating from the NWFP’s districts of Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan. The geographical embeddedness of BBC correspondents has earned them widespread credibility among the local population and often, in addition, special access to militants operating in those areas. The remainder of the local population is believed to listen to a series of new radio channels that have been set up with the support of the international community, and above all of the US (via USAID). These FM radios include: †¢ Radio Deewa – affiliated to the Voice of America (VOA); †¢ Radio Mashaal (â€Å"Torch† in Pashto) – launched in January 2010 by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/ RL), it broadcasts in local Pashto dialects with the objective of offering ‘an alternative to the growing number of Islamic extremist radio stations in the region’;62 †¢ Radio Azadi – established in 1985 by RFE/RL, it is presently ‘the leading media outlet in Afghanistan, reaching 50% of the Afghan population across the country’,63 and also some of the border areas in Pakistan. For the 2010 fiscal year, there has been a request to the US Congress to provide additional funding to this station in order to expand broadcasts to Pashto speakers in northwest Pakistan; and †¢ Radio Dilbar – part of a project supported by the British government, it aims to increase the capacity of FM radio stations in NWFP by training their staff in developing citizen-based programming. The purpose of the international community in these areas is clear: to use these radios to reach out to the local communities with a mixture of entertainment, current affairs and religious programmes, in order to pursue a peacebuilding agenda and eventually to fill the gap left by the so-called Taliban radios that were operating in some of the FATA agencies and other settled areas64 (mainly in the Khyber agency and in the Swat Valley, with the already mentioned Radio Mullah) prior to the April 2009 military offensive. These ew local radios have characterised themselves by the careful use of terminology referring to the militants,65 and by their educational efforts towards a â€Å"true† understanding of Islam. 57 IMS (2009). Op. cit. p. 22. 58 For more information, see http://www. radio. gov. pk/aboutus. htm and http://www. radio. gov. pk/new/site/images/pbc_st. jpg. 59 As it has been indeed the case with the Taliban leader in the Swat Valley, Maulana Fazlullah, also known as R adio Mullah. 24 †¢ Initiative for peacebuilding www. initiativeforpeacebuilding. u 60 Most of the information provided in this section has been collected during an interview with Wussatullah Khan, BBC Urdu Service representative, Islamabad, 20th January 2010. 61 Interview, Mansur Khan Mahsud, FATA Research Center, Islamabad, 21st January 2010. 62 ‘RFE/RL launches radio station in Pakistan’s Pashtun Heartland’, RFE/RL, 14th January 2010. Available at http://www. reliefweb. int/rw/rwb. nsf/db900SID/SNAA-7ZS2S7? OpenDocument. 63 For more information, see http://www. rferl. org/info/Afghanistan/181. html. 4 According to Mansur Khan Mahsud, the Taliban did not need radio channels in other FATA agencies because these were de facto already under their control. These radios broadcast by using simple technology, whose outreach was necessarily limited. The average range was estimated to be no more than 50 to 60km. When the military offensive got off the ground in the Swat Valley, the transmission capabilities were immediately neutralised and at the beginning of 2010 no Taliban radios were signalled by Mansur Khan Mahsud either in that valley or in the FATA. 65 Terms such as â€Å"terrorists† or â€Å"fundamentalists† are carefully avoided.

“The Hobbyist” by Frederic Brown Essay Essay Example

â€Å"The Hobbyist† by Frederic Brown Essay Essay Example â€Å"The Hobbyist† by Frederic Brown Essay Essay â€Å"The Hobbyist† by Frederic Brown Essay Essay The short narrative. â€Å"The Hobbyist written by Frederic Brown is about a adult male named Sangstrom. Sangstrom was at a prescription pharmaceutics in secret speaking to the Pharmacist about purchasing an undetectable toxicant to kill his married woman. The Druggist asks to follow him into the back room and puts some java into the boiler. The Pharmacist informs Sangstrom that he feels that he deserves the toxicant for free but must pay for the counterpoison. This is when Sangstrom realizes that the Druggist had poisoned his java. Sangstrom terrors and pulls out his gun and points it at the Druggist. The Druggist continues to explicate that if Sangstrom hands over $ 1000 and writes a confession of the slaying of his married woman and the Druggist in instance he did kill either one of them. . the adult male would acquire an counterpoison. Sangstrom gave the money and wrote the confession which the Druggist mailed. The narrative ends with the Druggist being certain that Sangstrom wo uld non be perpetrating any slaying any clip shortly. It was fundamentally a program carried out to blackjack Sangstrom. Character The Druggist is the supporter in the short narrative. â€Å"Hobbyist† . written by Frederic Brown. He is cardinal to the narrative with all the major events holding some importance to him. The Druggist is a mixture of both rounded and dynamic characters since he has many sided and complex personalities that you would anticipate of existent human existences but besides has a personality that changes for the better and worse by the terminal of the narrative. For illustration. at the get downing the Druggist is reflected as a avaricious individual who agrees to sell toxicant for the money he will have despite of the fact that what he is making is incorrect. But by the terminal of the narrative. the Druggist turns out to be a harmless and sort individual who blackmails Sangstrom in giving the money without giving the toxicant and still prevents Sangstrom from slaying his married woman. The physical features of the Druggist are old. around 60 old ages of age. hunchbacked. with a long white face fungus. since in the text he is described as a dwarf like and gnarled adult male. The Druggist is an intelligent adult male. I know this because the text says. â€Å"Oh. one other thing-although I do non perfectly insist on it. Please aid distribute the word about my undetectable toxicant. will you? One neer knows. Mr. Sangstrom. The life you save. if you have any enemies. merely might be your ain. † This proves how through blackmailing people he tries to salvage lives. The Druggist is brave because the text says. â€Å"Or if you think I’m bluffing. that you’re truly non poisoned. travel in front and shoot. † This proves that he wasn’t scared of the gun. The Druggist is a careful adult male because the text says. â€Å"Whom do you desire to kill and why? † This proves that he wants to cognize everything in the head of the murdered bef ore he gives anything to him. Sangstrom is the adversary in the short narrative. â€Å"Hobbyist† . written by Frederic Brown. He is the individual that opposes the Druggist. Sangstrom like the Druggist is besides a mixture of both rounded and dynamic characters since he has many sided and complex personalities that you would anticipate of existent human existences but besides has a personality that changes for the better and worse by the terminal of the narrative. For illustration. at the beginning of the narrative Sangstrom is reflected as a typical bad or nefarious type individual desiring to kill his married woman. However right after the flood tide. merely like a nefarious character. his reaction to being blackmailed was indicating his gun at the Druggist. Sangstrom was forced into non killing his married woman in the fright of acquiring caught by the constabulary if the confession missive was mailed. The physical features of Sangstrom are tall. thin. unsafe looking. and a individual with highly pale tegument since in the text he is described as looking highly pale when he realizes that the java he merely imbibe had toxicant in it. Sangstrom is impatient because the text says. â€Å"Does it matter? Isn’t it enough that I pay for-â€Å" . This proves how impatient he was to acquire the toxicant to kill his married woman every bit shortly as possible. Sangstrom is fleeceable because the text says. â€Å"I heard a rumor to the consequence that you have a wholly undetectable poison† . This proves how easy he was tricked and deceived by words to believe something that was non true. Sangstrom is determined because the text says. â€Å"He pulled a handgun out from his pocket. † This proves that he was determined to acquire both the counterpoison and the toxicant through the agencies of his gun.

Rewrite the essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Rewrite the - Essay Example Huxley wrote a fictions piece of satire devoid of prophecies on science. Brave New world is a sinister, unsetting, and loveless place, endowed with features aimed at estranging the audience. The novel illustrates the feeling that disturbs the readers mind with a description of a vanquished society. (Huxley 2). These books have quite similar themes. One major theme presented is the loss of sovereignty. Various events and experiences of the characters in these books point to their loss of sovereignty. Characters in the books are stripped of the rights to make their own independent decisions. Different forces in the society have robbed the characters their freedom of choosing how to lead, plan, and live their lives. The people are however are not aware that some of the things they cling to, which are dear to them, are the same things, which rob them of their sovereignty. Therefore, the loss of sovereignty in these books is mostly experienced unconsciously, even though it has negative influence on the characters. Being a representation of the real world, the authors of these books try to show us the different ways in which we have lost our sovereignty in society. In Huxley’s novel loss of sovereignty emerges when science and technology is used in society to lead to totalitarianism. For instance, the state uses powerful technology to control people’s reproduction. People lose their sovereignty, as they cannot make independent decisions on their reproduction. Consumerism is another loss of sovereignty of people to the state and corporations. Due to people’s quest for happiness, there is manufacture of High-Tec entertainment mediums and increased consumption of these. Therefore, manufacturers, states, and corporations decide what products they will produce for the people. This way, the people lack power to decide what they want, hence loss of their sovereignty. Huxel also warns against an overly

Auditing research paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Auditing research paper - Essay Example The digital sales increased by 53% over last year and net earnings increased by 6.9% to $80.4 million. Earnings per share went up by 17%. (GameStop Reports†¦) Due to previously announced planned investments and due to some strategic initiatives the earning per share in second quarter is likely to decline by $0.04 per share. The full year diluted earnings per share is estimated at $2.82 to $2.92 that is a rise of 6.4% to 10.2% over the last year of 2010. That means net earnings will be in the vicinity of $440 million to be up by almost 8-9% in comparison to last year of 2010. (GameStop Reports†¦) On the matter of quality of earnings, It will be pertinent to state that GameStop achieved record sales of $9.47 billion and net earnings of $408 million (up by 8.1%) in the year 2010. The last year’s earnings in the difficult market condition should be considered good as it shows increase in earnings by almost 8%. Net earnings to sales ratio is 4.3% that is also commendable. GameStop could generate $590 million of operating cash flow and reduced debt by $200 million that truly displays the quality of its earnings. (Brightman 2011) In view of the solid earnings performance, BB&T Capital Markets upgraded GameStop from hold to buy ratings with a $32 price target. The main reason for upgrading cited by BB&T is declining competition in the high margin used game market. Overall capital market’s response to the company was quite encouraging last year (Wilcox, 2010). Lazard Capital Market analyst commented stating that this is a notable achievement. He further stated that even assuming slow growth, digital will promise more than 0.5 billion revenue to GameStop in next two years. GameFly is a new entrant in the capital market hence it will take some time to have full-fledged financial data of the company; however, when compared with industry average it is found that GameStop is a low debt company that certainly displays it strength. Even

Tourism, Leisure, Culture, Society & Politics Essay

Tourism, Leisure, Culture, Society & Politics - Essay Example First and foremost, tourism is a result of consumerism. It deals with a set of services people have at their disposal for a particular amount of money. The financial issue is one of the most significant drives in touristic choices (Haan, 2008). That is to say, tourism and consumerism are close in their practical meaning with landscape as the main medium of attraction for tourists (Aitchison, MacLeod, & Shaw, 2001). In turn, capitalism is always consumerism regarding to the notion among Western countries. Hence, it is indicative of many people to be troublemakers instead of tourists, as they intrude into the milieu of cultural and ethnical diversity of some people with no excuse as long as they are driven by the idea of their right for letting loose in accordance with money they spent for such a pleasure. Besides, there is a clear distinction between tourism and traveling. Andrews (2011) admits that tourism does more harm to the environment than traveling, since it the former touches upon invasion, pollution, and narrow-mindedness while the latter is characterized by discovery, understanding, intelligence, adventures, and broad-mindedness. In this vein, tourism is a mark of a person’s identity looking at the places one visits and the services one prefers most of all with an idea of a cultural merge in mind (Weiermair & Mathies, 2004). It is all about the financial substantiality of individuals. Thus, they want to pay for their pleasure in terms of the price to be paid for that. On the other hand, tourism, leisure, political activities, rights of individuals are all incorporated in the field of globalization. To say more, tourism and leisure are socially constructed and are subject to the power of a man’s feelings and inner states (Andrews, Deconstructing tourism & leisure, 2011). In the historical cut, individuals tried to perceive multiculturalism when traveling around the globe. In some cases it was favorable (India, Africa) in some other (Magell an and the Philippines) it ended up ferociously. Nonetheless, tourism has become an exploration of one’s ability to cope with different identities and in close relation with the local authenticity. The works by Paul Gauguin, Somerset Maugham, Jules Verne, and many other representatives of art and literature were among the pioneers of the global trend for cultural and aesthetical tourism. However, it was nice at a glance from the very outset. It changed significantly with the advent of commodification versus authenticity. Cole (2007) points out in his study that commodification of different places (so attractive for tourists) leads to negative outcomes based on the political manipulation over the villagers for the sake of the tourists’ well-being. In fact, such a trend designates the very purpose of tourism in this or that location and in accordance with this or that cultural identity. Talking on the commodification and authenticity, one should bear it in mind that tour ism is a direct search for difference and dominance as long as some experts compare it with neo-imperialism (Andrews, Creating ‘the Other’: People as Tourist Commodities, 2011). In addition, it is Western people who are more devoted to explore other countries in the same manner as their predecessors did in the colonial age. Thus, it is a hidden drive for pleasure and its

Swot And Pest Analysis Of Wal Mart Management Essay

Swot And Pest Analysis Of Wal Mart Management Essay INTRODUCTION This assignment is basically based on SWOT analysis of Wal-Mart, a leading biggest global retail company. Wal-Marts Sam Walton opened the first discount store in Rogers Arkansas back in 1962, and 47 years later, Wal-Mart operates 8,159 units in 17 countries. Wal-Mart employs over 2.1 million people worldwide, making them one of the largest private employers in both the US and Canada, and the largest private employer in Mexico. ² Even in the midst of a recession its estimated that Wal-Mart stores retail market share has raised markedly ³ and they are seeing sales gains for 2009. Wal-Mart has a dramatic story of success from its humble beginnings to its transformation into an industry leader; one can only wonder what the future holds for this corporate giant. One aspect of Wal-Marts structure that has given them a competitive edge is their efficiency in logistics. Beginning in the early 1970s, Wal-Mart utilized a warehouse distribution strategy facilitating bulk purchasing and streamlined distribution processes enabling them to dramatically minimize distribution costs. Today Wal-Mart has more than 147 distribution centres with the average facility serving 75-100 stores. Their truck fleet travels about 800 million miles a year and they move over 5.5 billion cases of products. A Wal-Mart distribution centre can have up to twelve miles of conveyor belts and about 500 1,000 employees. [via : http://walmartstores.com/FactsNews/FactSheets/] Wal-Mart has also been able to gain competitive advantage with their embracement of Technology advance. This network included voice and video communication which streamlined the companys communication and facilitated the flow of sales and inventory information to the corporate headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas.6 During a period of slower growth in the early 21st century, Wal-Mart made substantial technology investments that were successful in gaining more inventory control and improving company performance. In addition to their technological competitive edge, Wal-Mart continues to make smart strategic decisions to exploit potential new revenue sources as they continually to expand into new markets. Wal-Mart opened the first Wal-Mart Super centre in 1988. Wal-Mart include a complete super-market, garden centre, pet shop, pharmacy, tire and lube express, optical centre, photo processing centre, and some additional smaller shops ranging from hair, nail, video, and fast-food outlets. Today there are over 2,700 supercenters in the US. By 1998 they introduced the Neighbourhood market concept which catapulted them into becoming the largest US food retailer by 2001. [via: http://walmartstores.com/FactsNews/FactSheets/] By 1991, Wal-Mart began its international expansion with the introduction of its first store into Mexico. Two years later they formed Wal-Mart International their rapidly growing third division. Today, Wal-Mart has a total of 3,859 international locations and operates in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Japan, Mexico, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, the United States and the United Kingdom. Wal-Mart is now planning on expanding their operations in India and China even further. [via : The Wall Street Journal] Some innovative products and programs Wal-Mart has created have contributed to their popularity and profitability. Wal-Mart began its site to store program in 2007 which offers free shipping or delivery to a local store for purchases on their website walmart.com. [via : CNET] Wal-Marts signage and logo have recently evolved; in 2007 they revised their long time slogan Always Low Prices, Always with the current Save Money Live Better motto. Wal-Marts three Basic Beliefs and Values as follows are: Respect for the individual, Service to our customers, and striving for Excellence. [via : http://www.walmartmovie.com/facts.php] These long-standing beliefs havent stopped them from becoming the source of some controversy and damaging press over the past decade including involvement in multiple lawsuits involving questionable business practices. There have been multiple allegations of sexual discriminatory practices and cases involving unpaid wages. To achieve a greater understanding of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., it is important to analyze the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats as to what one should expect in their future performance as a company. PEST ANALYSIS The way businesses operate is influenced by the wider political, economic, social and technological environment. These are usually referred to as PEST factors PEST is an acronym for political, economic, social and technological By analysing trends and developments in their business environment, firms can spot new market opportunities and threats. Political factor: Wal-Mart is currently operates its operation worldwide. In this operation Wal-Mart need to follow certain rules and regulation of host countries. Last year 2009, international operations generated 27.2% of Wal-Marts net sales. [via : wikiinvest] They are facing big challenge from Chinese government and forced to Wal-Mart to acquire its operation with local firm. Political condition includes political instability, economic condition, currency regulation, legal and regulation constrains, intellectual property rights, tax system etc. Wal-Marts international operations have greater impact of host countries law and regulation like Indian government open door for foreign investment to operate business acquire with local firm. For Eg, currently, Wal-Mart acquired with Bharati Airtel leading Telecommunication Company and open new retail store in year 2009 and shut their operation in Germany and South Korea. Economic factor : Economic condition of host countries has greater impact on any business firm. Recently, Wal-Mart facing high inflation rate and currency devaluations. In US, Wal-Mart facing challenge of high interest rate, higher fuel and energy cost, inflation, higher level of unemployment, higher consumer debt level, unavailability of consumer credit, higher tax rates, economic slow down and other economic factor could adversely affect consume demand of the product or service offering by Wal-Mart. Social factor : Wal-Marts international operation should operates according to local culture of host countries. It includes population growth, age distribution, career attitude and emphasis on safety. Trend of host countries affect demand of Wal-Marts products and services. [via : wikipedia.org] Technological factor : Nowadays, technology has a grater impact on any business. This factors includes ecological and environment aspects. Wal-Mart need to invest in Research Development activities, automation, technology incentives and respond the rate of technological change for remain in competitive market and No. 1 retailer. Wal-Marts spend huge amount behind continuous new advanced technology upgrade program. PEST analysis helps to examine influences macro environment and with the help of PEST analysis, firm can successful examine its strengths, opportunities, weaknesses and threats i.e. SWOT. Wal-Marts SWOT analysis as follows : SWOT ANALYSIS The internal and external environment scanning is an important part of the strategic planning process. SWOT is acronym, standing for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. A SWOT analysis enables an organisation to place itself and its products into perspective. The analysis helps to highlight the main strength and weaknesses of the organisation, together with any external opportunities and threats. SWOT Analysis Internal Analysis External Analysis Threats Opportunities Weaknesses Strengths Strengths: Marketing Aspect : Wal-Mart emphasis is on its brand image everyday low prices and good quality of products when marketing by using different channels. Wal-Mart is become superior to their competitors by using their expertise core competencies. Wal-Mart involving local communities and they are sponsoring local teams. This is a major competitive advantage Wal-Mart has over the competitors. Wal-Mart has roughly 4000 stores in US. In UK, Wal-Mart takeover Asda on 26 July 1999 for $10.8 billion, internationally it has more than 1300 stores and this number is set to grow dramatically. Wal-Mart has excellent logistic system. They create the ideal one stop shopping experience. Because of conglomeration of its wide product range customers can do one stop shopping products, the typical customer can go into any Wal-Mart and walk out without having to stop at another store for anything that they could need. Management Aspect : Wal-Marts policies and practices are designed to ensure an environment that is inclusive and equitable. Wal-Mart has 2,100,000 employees including international operation. They provide training on working with people, equal employment opportunities, leading skills, diversity and help to achieve career objectives. Wal-Mart has strong community based initiatives. Corporate structure of Wal-Mart is very well rounded and managed with core values like respect for the individual, striving for excellence and service to their customers. The management of Wal-Mart is the backbone to the entire firm and these core values have propelled them to the top of their industry. They have allowed Wal-Mart to be worlds largest company. Finance and Accounting Aspect : The company operates nearly 7,873 stores worldwide, with over 3,000 of them in international markets, where the company has grown its presence at an average annual rate of 30% between 2005 and 2009. The company focuses on offering the lowest prices across its business segments, which together earned $408 billion in revenue in 2010, a 1% increase from 2009 which is rapidly increases in revenue shows good financial position. Key Figures: (via : wikiinvest.org) Operation Growth Rate of Revenue of Operating Income Sams Club 63.7% 79.6% Wal-Mart (International) 11.7% 7.4% Wal Mart (US) 24.6% 21.7% Current share price $ 53.90 Human Resource Aspect : Wal-Mart has more than 2.1 million associates or employees worldwide. They provide continuous training to their workforce to run successful business. Production and Operation Aspect : Wal-Mart has strong distribution system and its known as cross docking. They are continuous delivering goods to warehouses and to their stores within in one day. However it gives a faster response to market demands and low level of inventory. This system has allowed them to decrease its sales cost by 2 to 3 % over the industry. Research and development : Wal-Marts innovation keeps it a leading retailer in retail industry as it is regularly turning out new patents/proprietary technology. Development and innovation are high at Wal-Mart with regard to their products/services which give ultimate profit. Computer Information System : Wal-Mart uses satellite based communications for connecting all the network of stores. Wal-Mart is offering safe, secure and informative complete website where consumer can purchase products easily. Through web-site of Wal-Mart, one can find A to Z information of Wal-Mart. Weaknesses: Marketing Aspect : One of the biggest marketing weaknesses seems from Wal-Mart lobbying to expand into new market nationally and internationally. There are many areas across the US tried to block the introduction of Wal-Mart because of the economic impact like local stores, traffic and environmental problem. Wal-Mart has a damaged reputation because when they move into a new location they end up forcing for opening new stores which is unethical at all. Wal-Mart also shut down its underperforming business in South-Korea and Germany in fiscal year 2007-08. Management Aspect : There are few females in top management role and few minorities employed. Wal-Mart is lacking equality demand which is not ethical decision for Wal-Mart to be making. They are really hurting their corporate image by maintaining this position in market. There is also lack of union. Because of perception of treating employees poorly, Wal-Mart does not have any union involvement. There is biggest problem is lack of job security for associates. Finance and Accounting Aspect : Ratio Proposition Fixed Asset Turnover 8.4 % Earnings Per Share 3.35 % Average collection period 8 % As above ratio are presented weak finance condition. Fix assets turnover ratio present high investment but not being used. The EPS ratio is not good as compare to the industry. The collection ratio presents that Wal-Mart allowing their debtors to carry account with above average period of time. It increases the likelihood of non-payment. Human Resource Aspect: Wal-Mart is non-unionized firm. Wal-Mart employees commence at lower wages than unionized corporations. Wal-Mart pays low wages to their employees which affect their standard of living. Wal-Mart is presently involved in class action suit behalf of formal and current female employees across its US retails and warehouses. These employees totalling to 1.6 million alleged that the company showed gender discrimination at the time of pay, promotion, training and job assignment. This is one of the biggest gender discrimination cases in the US. Production and operation Aspect : Since Wal-Mart sell products across many sectors, it may not have the flexibility of some of its more focused competitors. Research and Development Aspect : Wal-Mart is not actively engaged in any R D. Specifically, they do not do prior research before opening a new store in any new area. Opportunities: Economic Aspect : When any countrys government invite foreign investment with new trade agreements, businesses like Wal-Mart have ability to offer products and services. This simply increases the markets available to retailers. Wal-Mart offers all products under private labels. Expanding brand portfolio, Wal-Mart incurs lower operational costs, high quality product and gaining higher margin. Wal-Mart has tremendous opportunities for future business in expanding consumer market by acquisition, merge with, or form strategic alliances with other global retailers. Social, cultural, demographic and environmental Aspect : To fulfil obligation or responsibilities towards social and culture, Wal-Mart announced plans to open in store clinic The Clinic at Wal-Mart to be connect with local hospitals in February 2008. The company could leverage rising health care spending in the US to boost revenues of its pharmacies and health clinics. (c) Political, Legal and Government Aspect: Asian market is virtually untapped by the retail world in many extent. It gives huge opportunities to expand business with unlimited and unexpected potential growth and profits. Technological Aspect : Nowadays, online shopping is growing stage. To take advantage and experience of internet shopping, customers can easily purchase products by receives friendly site designs, efficient order fulfilment, fast delivery and response. It can help Wal-Mart to make huge revenue. Threats: Economic, social, demographic and environmental Aspect : Wal-Mart is facing stiff competition from a large number of companies in the retail market worldwide and local stores. Intense competition could adversely affect the revenues and profitability of Wal-Mart. They face opposition and resistance from communities by local and international market like small retailer in US and opposition of shopkeepers and retailers on introduction of Wal-Mart in India. Growing opposition to opening new stores from local communities and entry into international markets is likely to hold back expansion plans of Wal-Mart. Political, Legal and Governmental Aspect : Being a global retailer, each firm threaten by political problem in the countries where they operate in by nations industrial and general laws, rules and regulations. Like Chinese government does not take kindly open to their country to foreign establishments. Technological : As technological change and advances, products being sold today are gone tomorrow; this provides fewer products to sell and continuous change with technology update. Thus, Wal-Mart has to update technology as per current demand and upgrading requires high investment. CONCLUSION Wal-Mart is the largest retail firm in the world with strong market position in the US. The companys strong market position in the US provides economies of scale and enhances the brand image to the company. It derived almost 75% of revenue from the US market. However, the company faces stiff competition with local players which can adversely affect the revenue and profitability of Wal-Mart. In order for Wal-Mart to stay at the top of their game and follow the company strategy and achieve their key policy goals, they are going to have deal better with their stakeholders and make sure they guard their reputation well nevertheless they are criticized by some community groups, womens rights groups, labour union, grassroots organisations, resistance to union representation and alleged sexism. Key Strengths : The key strengths are employees, financial position, customer oriented, one-stop shopping, satisfaction guaranteed programs, employee stock ownership and profit-sharing, well-rounded business, ease of website, good reputation, and favorable access to distribution networks. Key Weaknesses : The key weaknesses are some ratios are not sufficient, non-unionization, no formal mission statement, few women and minorities in top management, undifferentiated products and services, site research, slow speed of checkout service, and finally a damaged reputation. Key Opportunities : The key opportunities are expansion of business, better segmentation, leverage tech. and financial know-how. Key Threats : The key threats are competition, labour unrest, brand loyalty disappearance, supplier backlash affects performance of company.

Eroticism and Mortality in Shakespeares Sonnet 73 Essay -- Sonnet ess

Eroticism and Mortality in Shakespeare's Sonnet #73 William Shakespeare's sonnet cycle is famous with its rich metaphorical style.   The depth of each sonnet comes from its multilayered meanings and images, which are reinforced by its structure, sound, and rhythm.   Sonnet #73 provides an excellent example.   This sonnet shows the speaker's agony over human mortality and, moreover, his/her way of coping with it in an effective way.   The speaker, especially in terms of his cognizance of time, experiences dramatic changes in two ways: (1) from time measured by quantity to time as quality,   (2) from cyclical time to a linear one.   These changes, manifested by a set of images (autumn, twilight, glowing), enable him/her to embrace his/her mortality as an essential element of a human being.   This double structure of the sonnet achieves its richness by its sub-level imagery based on eroticism, which has been one of the most common cures for the inevitability of one's own death throughout human history. A clear contrast exists between the first two quatrains and the third quatrain in terms of the speaker's understanding of time.   In the first and second quatrain, the speaker perceives time as a   quantitative entity.   "That time of" one's life, in the first quatrain, is not called 'autumn' but described as "yellow leaves, or none, or few"(1-2).   This quantifiable image presents time as if it can be taken away one by one.   It alludes that death would come as the drop of the last leaf of a tree.   Furthermore, the process of getting old and dying happens in a sadistic way.   Time seems to tear off one's life which strives to cling to the boughs "which shake against the cold,/ Bare ruined choirs"(3).   The cold wind, which stri... ...According to him, death means one's discontinuity, but through reproductive activities, one can obtain the continuity of his being.   (Georges Bataille.   Death and Sensuality: A Study of Eroticism and the Taboo.   Walkner and Company: New Yor, 1962.   Originally printed with a different title, L,Erotisme, in 1957.) Works Cited and Consulted Booth, Stephen, ed. Shakespeare's Sonnets. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1977. Duncan-Jones, Katherine, ed. Shakespeare's Sonnets. London: Arden Shakespeare. Georges Bataille. Death and Sensuality: A Study of Eroticism and the Taboo. Walkner and Company: New York, 1962. Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 3rd ed. Longman: Essex, England: Longman Group Ltd. 1995 Shakespeare, William. "Sonnet 73." The Complete Works of Shakespeare. Ed. David Bevington. 3rd. ed. Glenview, IL: Scott Foresman, 1980.