Week 6 Discussion Personal Statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Week 6 Discussion - Personal Statement Example Jobs was of the view that the greater the effort and the longer the time you put out into developing something, the greater will the productivity be. In a 1996 PBS Documentary, Triumph of the Nerds, Jobs said, â€Å"We have always been shameless about stealing great ideas† (Isaac, para.7). Hence, through his utilization of great ideas, he brought a revolution in the world of technology. â€Å"Start it and stick with it; change the world,† was Steve Job’s message to the world (Isaac, para.1). His most important trait was commitment to his work. He stuck with his ambition; and, due to his great efforts, now every single person has a mini-computer in his pocket in the shape of smart phone. Hence, it can be said that Steve Jobs was the most successful leader in the tech world, who invented a myriad of great devices and gadgetry through commitment and determination. He revolutionized the concept of leadership, and introduced such exquisite devices that the world will thank him for

The current State of Security in Smartphone Term Paper

The current State of Security in Smartphone - Term Paper Example Mobile technology is the latest domain that has been exploited by malicious intent users, like hackers, intruders etc, to achieve personal gains from jeopardizing the security of the legitimate users. This paper shall address the prevailing security threats that are witnessed in Smartphone technology alongside the technologies that are used to protect the devices from such threats. 2. Security in Smartphone The security threats that revolved around computers have migrated into the Smartphone domain and causing heavy losses to the users. To highlight the relevance of security measures on smartphones, Cheng (2011) provided results from a survey that was conducted by McAfee in the current year. The survey revealed that malware instances for Android (one of the most common smartphones in the current times) have increased by a significant figure of 76% in the last four months. Malware is defined as any program or application that is developed for the purpose of performing illicit activiti es, such as Trojans, viruses and worms. Some of the examples of security threats in smartphones are given below: 2.1 Smishing Phishing attacks had been known to cause harm to personal computers but a similar security threat is prevailing in the current times that is directed to harm smartphone- smishing and vishing. Ruggiero and Foote (2011) stated that hackers use the conventional approach of sending fake messages or voicemails to the recipients and urge them to call a financial institution with the aim to update their security settings etc. Voicemail systems are activated on the respective fake hosts that record sensitive information of the recipient. 2.2 Baseband Hacking Hackers have invented ways to intercept cellular phone calls by making the chips and firmware compromised in the Smartphone. Cheng (2011) stated that the baseband processor of the phone is turned into a listening device and enables the hackers to record conversation taking place between the participants. This can serve to record sensitive information and thus be used for malicious intent. 2.3 Infected Applications Applications are the most attractive feature of smartphones since they allow an individual to perform a diverse range of operations, for example play games, browse the web etc. Applications have also become one of the most common modes of infecting smartphones with compromised programs, such as Trojans. Apple and Blackberry follow a procedure of screening the applications (that might be contributed by developers) before publishing them on their App stores; this approach makes them avoid many Trojan attacks that might be hidden in the programs. Android follows a different approach and does not perform any screening process on the applications. Chang (2011) stated that an Android application with the name of â€Å"Steamy Window† has the power to convert a Smartphone into a botnet zombie. Upon successful acquisition of control over the phone, the hacker can perform any desired operation, such as: Send messages to any contact Make the browser point to compromised sites that may facilitate the transmission of sensitive information. Block the receiving of messages. 2.4 Jailbreaking and Rooting Apple IPhone School (2010) explains jail breaking as the hacking activity of the iPhone, iPad and iPod that allows the individual to have access to the Unix file system. Jailbreaking an iPhone is analogous to rooting an Android phone. Ngo (2009) stated that

BUS Unit 5 DB SA four Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

BUS Unit 5 DB SA four - Essay Example This may also indicate that the government expenditure is higher than what it can produce. However, it can also be observed that the current account deficit is not very bad to the economy especially if the deficit has been a result of investment initiatives that are designed to generate revenue in the short to long run period. For instance, in the paragraph above, the U. S deficit is viewed as a big problem given that previously stood at 1. 1 trillion dollars but has been halved to 680 billion dollars. This shows a 51 percent decrease in the current account deficit and it can be attributed to different policy changes such budget cuts, tax increments on those with a larger income bracket as well as stimulating economic growth. In this case, it can be seen that the current account deficit for USA is still controllable from within the country so it is not that bad. The deficit only becomes bad when the economy is now sustained on external

PGs Core Competencies

PGs Core Competencies A business must possess some competitive competencies for success in the field of the business world. I would like to give a brief account of Procter and Gamble (PG) in order to elaborate its core competencies which have resulted in the successful running of the business of the PG. CHALLENGING YET OBTAINABLE OBJECTIVES PG sets objectives that are challenging but yet attainable for its short term as well as long term plans. For example, PG has shown enormous gain in the productivity of human resources because of the HR policies of the company. It hires competitive people, takes measures for training and development, and grooming of the HR. THE STRATEGY PG has proven its self as unmatched and exceptionally well as an organization in formulation, implementation, and controlling of strategies. Both short term and long term strategies are devised, implemented, and controlled through the HR. THE LEADER IN INNOVATION The PG has been a leader in innovation and creation of new product lines. Most of its products have been as a consequence of its innovative strategies. PG invest more than twice invested by its competition in the field of innovation. PG has been a bran-building leader. The companys billion-dollar brands have been successful to keep sustained the growth of sales at 11% rate per year for the decade. THE GROWTH STRATEGY Many strategies have been adopted by PG but this decade the strategies in terms of growth include: tope line, bottom line, and shareholder growth. PG has demonstrated a considerable growth in personal care, baby care, and beauty products. PG takes serious account of its finances for the growth of the business. The following table summarizes the growth result for PG from the year 2001 to 2009. Average Annual Goals 2009 2001-2009 Organic sales growth 4-6% 2% 5% Earning per share 10% 8% 12% Free cash flow productivity 90% 102% 112% LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES PG behaves just like a leader in the business world. So is the case with the management of the company as well. PG has been lucky to find its top management laden with leadership qualities. Its leadership has taken serious steps now and then for the success of the organization. For example, in year 2000, the PGs president took necessary and challenging measures to put the organization back on track. The actions that were taken resulted in sustainable growth of the organization as well as recovery of the lost business activity. THE CONSUMER AND MARKET RESEARCH PG has been a leader in market research investment. The company interacts with more than five million consumers each year in 60 countries around the world. PG invest 350 million dollars and more in consumer understanding. Hence the organization takes necessary measures for finding the tastes, needs, and wants of the consumers and customers. The investment in the field of research on consumers pays back much in terms of high sales and satisfied customers. RIGOROUS COST AND CASH DESCIPLINE PG has increased its cash productivity to the extent that it has reached 100% for the decade. It has resulted in high earning per share, high credit rating of the company, and allured the potential investors to invest in the businesses of PG. The company has maintained a strong cash management vis-Ã  -vis working-capital management. Sales per employee have grown from $363,000 to $585,000 while profit per employee has increased from 32,000 dollars to 84,000 dollars from the year 2000 to 2009. Similarly the productivity of RD Organization have doubled from the year 2000 to the year 2009. THE ON TIME ACTION PG takes decision as and when needed. This has been the core competency of the company among its core competencies that the company enjoys as a competitive advantage of the PG. A right decision in the wrong time will prove useless. Therefore, it is very important to take preventive as well as corrective measures in order to cope with the potential problems well before the time of incidence. PG has been much active to take preventive and corrective steps to address problems and devise solutions to the problems. THE HR, A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE PG makes plans for careers. The company tries to hire the best Human resources. It works on business and functional leaders activity on how to recruit, teach, and coach. THE MARKETING STRATEGY Apart from working on the present consumers and customers, PG keenly strives on improving its competencies in the field of under-served and un-served consumers. PG invests twice that of its competitors in marketing. For example, when one of its competitors was market testing its liquid soap, PG launched the Tide in Europe market to win over the market from its competition. In a nut shell, the history has show that PG has proved its self a leader in marketing strategy formulation, implementation, and control. Therefore, PG has beaten its competition by virtue of competitive marketing strategies. PG has been successful in putting forth marketing strategies that ensure how to win! THE MARKET LEADER PGs well known, trusted brands touch the lives of consumers in more than 180 countries. Some of its brands have crossed the billion dollars target. PG has been successful in launching innovative products with a competitive edge over its competitors. PG top 43 brands are responsible for 90% profit and 85% sales. Therefore, PG has proven its self as leader in brands. For example, PGs market leader products include: Pampers, Tide, Ariel, Cest, head and shoulders, etc. DIVERSIFICATION PG has attained high level of diversification in its lines of products. Some important ones have been shown below in terns of its sales, segment of products, and the category of products. CBU Segment Key Products Billion-Dollars Brands Net Sales (in Billion Dollars) Beauty Beauty Cosmetics, Deodorants, hair care, cleansing, Fragrances, skin care HS, Olay, Pantene, Wella $26.3 Grooming Blades and Razors, Hair Removal devices,Shave products, Home appliances Braun, Always, Gillette, Mach3 Health and Well-being Health-care Feminine care, oral care, dish care, fabric care, surface care Lams, Pringles $16.7 Snacks and Pet care Pet food, Snacks Ariel, Dawn, Downy, Duracell, Gain, Tide Household care Fabric, home Baby Wipes, Bath tissue, Diapers, Facial Tissue, Paper Towel Bounty, Charmin, Pampers $37.3 OFFERING BRAND FOR THE BRANDED PEOPLE An overview of product line has been given in terms of % net sales and % net earning of PG. GBU Segment % of net sales % of net earning Key Products Billion-Dollars Brands Beauty Beauty 23% 22% Cosmetics, Deodorants, hair care, cleansing, Fragrances, skin care HS, Olay, Pantene, Wella Grooming 9 13 Blades and Razors, Hair Removal devices,Shave products, Home appliances Braun, Always, Gillette, Mach3 Health and Well-being Health-care 17 21 Feminine care, oral care, dish care, fabric care, surface care Lams, Pringles Snacks and Pet care 4 2 Pet food, Snacks Ariel, Dawn, Downy, Duracell, Gain, Tide Household care Fabric, home 29 26 Baby Wipes, Bath tissue, Diapers, Facial Tissue, Paper Towel Bounty, Charmin, Pampers TARGET MARKETING PG uses target marketing. To put in other words, PG innovatively launches products for specific segment of the society. Therefore, it offers a wide range of products in its product line on demographic basis. For example, the shampoo range covers many brands that target different people of the society. Head and shoulders shampoo for dandruff while Pantene for shiny and soft hair as the company claims. The segmentation is made on the basis of demography, psychographic, and geography. PROMOTIONS PG has established its position as a leader in promotion campaigns. The company utilizes and invests a considerable amount annually for promotion of its brands. Advertising costs include advertisement on TV, Dish, Cable, Net, Radio, Magazine, and other media. PG utilizes the local media as well to advertise its brands on the local Television, Radio, and other print media. STRIVING AGAINST THE STRIDES PG has had bad times during the course of its history. However, it has fought against the tides successfully by virtue of un-defatiguable efforts, effective plans, post mortem analyses, and taking necessary corrective steps to over come the shortcomings, and putting the company back on the business tract ensuring efficiency and effectiveness.

Conservative Legislation and Trade Union Power Essay -- Essays Papers

Conservative Legislation (during the 1980s and early 1990’s) and Trade Union Power Trade Unions can be defined as: ‘ Organisations of workers set up to improve the status, pay and conditions of employment of its members’. Salaman, ‘Industrial Relations’, P77 From the end of the second world war, and up until the 1970’s trade unionism was continually growing. By 1979, 57.3% of all people employed were members of trade unions. Annual abstract Statistics, 1990, ‘Industrial relations’, M.P. Jackson, 1991, P57 ‘Trade unionism may be seen as a social response to industrialisation and capitalism’ Salaman, Industrial relations, P79 In the early days of trade unionism, there was a direct need for workers to be represented, in areas such as manufacturing, there were little channels of communication and as a result of this workers had little or no representation. The collective bargaining approach, is a system used by trade unions to regulate industrial conflict. If conflict arises, the collective bargaining approach allows the trade unions to come together in a public forum to discuss any conflicting issues. The collective barganing approach in Trade Unionism assumes that the Trade Union is bargaining for the collective group rather than individuals. The collective bargaining group is given the opportunity to resolve any conflicting issues and in some cases but not all can prevent disputes from occurring. Harbison concludes that collective bargaining ‘Provides a drainage channel for worker dis satisfaction’ Harbison in Industrial Relations, M.P.Jackson In 1970, Britain saw the return of the Conservative government under the power of Edward Heath. After the minors strike, the Conservative government lost power and Britain reverted back to a Labour government. After the ‘winter of discontent’ in 1979, Britain once again saw the return of the Conservative government, however this time it was under the power of Margaret Thatcher. Previous to Margaret Thatcher, the government had always seen their main focus to be the achievement of ‘full employment’, a solution which in times of 1979 could prove somewhat impossible. The new Conservative government saw their future, as one of creating more jobs and encouraging greater success in competitive product markets, this was in an attempt to achieve full employment. The main priority of the new Conservati... ...strial Relations in Britain Edited by: Geoge Sayers Bain Published : 1983 Basil Blackwell Publisher Ltd, Oxford 2. The Origins of British Industrial Relations By: Keith Burgess Published: 1979 Croom Helm Ltd, London 3. The Free Economy and the Strong State- The Politics of Thatcher, second edition By: Andrew Gamble Published: 1994 MacMillan Press Ltd, Hampshire 4. Contemporary British Industrial Relations By: S Kessler & F Bayliss Published: 1988 MacMillan Press Ltd, London 5. Human Resource Maanagement Rhetorics and Realities By: Karen Legge Published: 1995 MacMillan Press Ltd, Hampshire 6. Workplace Industrial Relations in Transition By: Millard et al. Published: 1997 Dartmouth Publishing Co., Aldershot 7. Industrial Relations in the Future By: Poole et al. Published: 1984 Routledge & Kegon Paul Plc, London 8. Human Resource Management: A Strategic Introduction, second edition By: G Salaman & C Maby Published: 1988 Blackwell, Oxford 9. Industrial Relations: Theory & Practice By: Micheal Salaman Published: Prentise & Hall, Hemel Hamstead

Identify the Strategies for Strengthening Local Financial Capacity in Malaysian Local Government.

Identify the strategies for strengthening local financial capacity in Malaysian local government. The first strategy that can be used to strengthen the financial capacity in Malaysian local government is by generating the new avenues for revenue source which are sought to supplement the income of the local authorities. This may include sale of the municipal bonds, rezoning of the land from the residential to commercial purposes or taking the equity share in the privatization project.Another alternative that available to be taken by the Malaysian local government is by increasing the assessment tax imposed to the local people. The public should be explained on what extent the local authority increasing their assessment tax. For example, due to the increase of the demand for the local government functions and services, it requires high cost and unfortunately, the current condition of the local government cannot fulfil it urges them to do so.Before the local government wish to increase the tax, it is important for the local people to be informed in order to know their view as well as they may discuss with the local authority for the betterment of the services provided in their area of jurisdiction. The third strategy that can be used to strengthen the local financial capacity in Malaysian local government is by offering land pooling. It is an activity which is mostly practiced in the countries like Australia, Japan, Korea and Taiwan.It is a situation whereby owner of small plots of land will be encouraged to combine their land together for profitable development under the local authority concern. For example, the land owners surrender their land to the local authority for the provision of infra and development, after which area are re-allocated to the owners. The local authority retains a small portion of the readjusted land as its contribution and can utilize this land for its own purpose. The next way that can be taken by local authority in Malaysia to become a strategy in strengthening the financial capacity is through re-zoning process.It is the process of changing the status of the land usage. For example, from the status of residential, change to commercial status where it can generate more income in term of tax where a higher assessment rate can be imposed. Generally, this can be applied to certain residential areas whereby a large number of houses have been permitted to operate their businesses from or within their premises, but is still being assessed by the local authority under residential status.

Brazil leading the BRICS case study Essay

As of the date of the case and as explained in the case: is Brazil leading the BRICs? Please explain and defend your position. (We will discuss more recent data in class if time.) From the case I can see that for the past decade, Brazil has experienced greater integration into the global economy which has been characterized by significant growth in economy and reinforcement of the country’s weight in international trade negotiations. Brazil played an increasingly important leading role in the BRICs. However, Brazil was the underperformer of the BRICs in many areas. It faced significant obstacles to growth, including rising inflation, high interest rates, an appreciating exchange rate, poor infrastructure, excessive bureaucracy, and persistent crime. Overall, I think that Brazil plays a more and more important role on the international stage but is not leading the BRICs. BRAZIL PLAYS A MORE AND MORE IMPORTANT ROLE ON THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE STRONG ECONOMIC GROWTH Brazil had sustained an average annual GDP growth of 4% since 2000. Between 2002 and 2009, inequality and poverty had declined significantly and more than 30 million Brazilians had advanced from lower income strata to the middle class. Goldman Sachs expected the BRICs to be among the five largest economies in  the world by 2030, forecasting a growth rate of more than 5% per year for Brazil. INTENSIVE INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND FOREIGN INVESTMENT In 1964, Brazil was opened to foreign direct investment an expansion in manufacturing and services generated GDP growth averaging more than 10% annually. By 2008, Brazil was in the top 20 countries ranked by international trade. After Brazil joined the WTO, over time, the number of Brazilian firms on a list of the world’s 2,000 largest public companies grew from 13 in 2003 to 33 in 2010. Foreign investors had transferred more than $30 billion in portfolio investment to Brazil in 2010 alone. A MAJOR PLAYER IN MULTILATERAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS During numerous meetings of trade ministers from more than 140 countries, Brazil stood out as a leading voice of emerging markets. President Lula led the creation of the WTO G-21, a block of developing countries that negotiated collectively at WTO meetings. Brazil took a leading role in WTO negotiations and it also held important leadership positions in the Group of Twenty (G-20). AN AGRICULTURAL POWERHOUSE Brazil had become an agricultural powerhouse, ranked as the world leader in the production of six crops, ranging from sugarcane to dry beans, and among the top five producers of 32 other agricultural goods. BRAZIL IS NOT LEADING THE BRICS. UNFAVORABLE HISTORICAL FACTORS Brazil became independent in 1822, which was the latest independent country among the BRICs. Brazil had been in a climate of political unrest for a long time inundated with rebellions, individual dictatorship, and tensions between the landowners and slaveries. THE GOVERNMENT’S DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY IMPOSED OBSTACLES ON ENTREPRENEURS Under the Import substituting industrialization (ISI) development strategy, State-owned enterprises expanded but new businesses were pushed out of the formal economy. Labor laws made it costly for companies to hire or fire workers FINANCIAL ISSUE High interest rates and barriers to borrowing blocked market entry for entrepreneurial Brazilians. Brazil had a long time relying on aggressive growth which fueled import consumption and to a large extent worsened Brazil’s balance-of-payments, while government debt ballooned. RED TAPE AND POOR INFRASTRUCTURE Brazil’s infrastructure is in terrible shape and the country isn’t saving and investing enough. Red tape and poor infrastructure made it difficult for Brazilians to start companies. LOW-QUALITY TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM In 2011, Brazil still transported many agricultural exports distances of 1,500 kilometers or more on low-quality roads in order to arrive at ports with backlogs and ineffective logistics. The World Economic Forum’s â€Å"quality of roads index† ranked Brazil 105th out of 139 countries. THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION REMAINED LOW Brazil’s students ranked near the bottom in the Organization for Economic Coordination and Development’s Program for International Student Assessment. COMPLEX DIPLOMATIC RELATIONSHIPS Brazil’s success in World Trade Organization dispute, use of compulsory licensing provisions to break patents, and diplomatic negotiations with Iran had generated tensions with the United States and the European Union. In Africa, Brazil found itself competing with China for development projects and political influence. (2) Was Brazil or the U.S. correct in the Merck dispute? Please explain and defend your position. THE MANUFACTURING COST OF THE EFAVIRENZ WAS VERY HIGH. The combination of prescription drugs that made up the HAART approach historically cost more than $15,000 per patient annually in the United States. The high price in the home country already showed that the relevant R&D, manufacturing cost was very high, let alone the other extra cost for selling in a foreign destination. BRAZIL THREATENED A COMPULSORY LICENSE TO FORCE PHARMACEUTICAL FIRMS COMPROMISE ON THE PRICE. In 2005, Abbott Pharmaceuticals made a compromise deal because Brazil’s  health minister threatened a compulsory license. Brazil governments saw it an effective way of pushing the pharmaceutical firms to compromise, so they started to make the same step towards other pharmaceutical firms. What they considered was their own benefit but did not carefully rethink whether it was inappropriate. MERCK OFFERED MODEST DISCOUNTS AND SOON AFTER LOWERED THEIR PRICE AGAIN BUT BRAZILIAN OFFICIALS DID NOT STOP AND INSTEAD DEMAND MORE. Brazilian officials intensified negotiations with Merck after they received discounts from the company in 2005. Over the course of 16 official meetings, Merck lowered its price again to $570 per patient per year. Brazilian health and trade officials demanded better, citing generic suppliers ready to provide the drug at $240 per patient per year. BRAZIL IGNORED MERK’S MULTIYEAR STAGED TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER TO FARMANGUINHOS. To protect its IP, Merck proposed a multiyear staged technology transfer for efavirenz to Farmanguinhos, Brazil’s national drug manufacturer. In the process, Farmanguinhos can learn and develop progressively with the help of Merck, but Brazil government was too anxious to obtain the short term benefit and did not realize that the multiyear staged technology transfer would benefit more in the long run. MERCK ADOPTED PRICING RELATED TO THE COUNTRIES’ ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LEVELS WITHOUT DISRESPECT OR DISCRIMINATION. As the world’s 12th largest economy, Brazil was able to pay a little higher price, which on the other hand can help the countries that are more underdeveloped to lessen budget for the medicines. However, Brazil only compared the price with some of the more inferior countries and condemned that Merck did not respect them and charged them unfairly. MERCK WAS NOT PROFIT-ORIENTED AND IGNORED THE PUBLIC INTERESTS AS BRAZILIAN OFFICIALS SAID. Merck operated several donation programs for medicines valued at more than $750 million annually, which showed their sense of social responsibility and care for the public interests. THE COMPULSORY LICENSE WOULD CAUSE INVESTMENTS TO GO ELSEWHERE. Breaking off discussions with Merck and seizing its intellectual property sent a dangerous signal to the investment community. In Brazil, more than 550 domestic and international firms were involved in pharmaceutical. All these firms were taken aback by the compulsory license and getting worried that their intellectual property could be expropriated. THE EFAVIRENZ COMPULSORY LICENSE ALSO POSED A CHALLENGE TO FARMANGUINHOS. Farmanguinhos initially was unable to manufacture efavirenz with little more to go on than Merck’s patent. It had to work very hard to obtain the know-how to manufacture efavirenz. INTERNATIONAL OR PRIVATE COMPANIES FELT THEY INCREASINGLY LOST COMPETITIVE POWER. Since companies like Farmanguinhos that are owned by the government paid no tax and did not need to go through the public bid pathway to sell their products, they had original considerable advantages over the other international or private companies. Moreover, intensive help and attention were given to them that made them overwhelmingly dominant. THE GOVERNMENT REACTION CONTRADICTED ITS PROMISE. To reassure investors and firms, the Brazilian government sought that patent laws remained in force. The Ministry of Science and Technology declared that they would respect the international intellectual property legal framework. However, soon after Brazil’s health minister announced that the AIDS drug tenofovir, manufactured by U.S.-based Gilead Sciences, was â€Å"of public interest,† and the company’s patent application for the drug was rejected.