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EDGAR ALLAN POE 1809 - 1849 â€Å"Quoth the Raven, â€Å"Nevermore† Edgar Allan Poe – Darkness   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Dark what is dark? It is defined in the dictionary as: Darkadj 1.Being without light or without much light. 2. Not a light in colour 3.Gloomy. 4. Being without knowledge and culture 5.Secretive – darklyadv – Dark-ness n.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  dark2n 1.Absance of light: Darkness; esp.: night 2. A dark or deep colour – in the dark 1. In secrecy. 2. In ignorance.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Dark is a major part of Edgar Allan Poe’s work. Take for example â€Å"The Pit and the Pendulum†: The main character is locked in a dungeon with no light to see his surroundings. â€Å"I quickly unclosed my eyes. My worst thoughts, then, were confirmed. The blackness of eternal night encompassed me.† (Edgar Allan Poe, story and structure Canadian edition, â€Å"The Pit and the Pendulum† pg.357 line 33.) Take also for example â€Å"The Mask of the Red Death†. The seventh room was black. â€Å" But in the western or black chamber the effect of the fire light that streamed upon the dark hangings through the blood – tinted panes, was ghastly and extreme †¦ It was in this apartment, also, that there stood against the west wall a gigantic clock of ebony.† These are just examples of literally darkness with no light. There is also the literary darkness Like in the â€Å"Tell Tale Heart†, the man murders his employer â€Å" He shrieked once – once only. In an n instance I dragged him to the floor, and pulled the heave bed over him... the old man was dead†¦I took for the concealment of the body. The night warned, and I walked hastily, but in silence , first as I dismembered the corps. I cut off the head and the legs and the arms†. â€Å"The Raven† the man is mourning over the lost love Lanor. When a raven comes only to torment his already tired soul. With those words of pain â€Å"Never More†. †On this home by horror haunted – tell me truly I implore – is there – is there balm in Gilead? – tell me – tell me – I implore!† â€Å"Quoth the raven â€Å"never more†Ã¢â‚¬    Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In conclusion it is said that the greatest writer either write about sex or death and Edgar Allan Poe is one of the greatly misunderstood writers of our day due to the lack of information on him and his life.

Money supply in the United States Essay

Money supply in the United States, and indeed any other economy using a central banking reserve system, is controlled and managed by a limited number of private banks working together for their own benefit instead of the benefit of the nation. As Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States allegedly once said, â€Å"I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around [the banks] will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered. The issuing power should be taken from the banks and restored to the people, to whom it properly belongs (Quotations Page). Money supply in the United Stated is expanded in line with a fractional reserve policy. This policy whereby the banks retain a fraction of their total deposits, and are then able to lend the rest means there will always be a constantly expanding money supply, and this will always be a multiple larger than the actual amount of base money that is made by the Federal Reserve. This multiple is known as the money multiplier and is calculated by the Federal Reserve based around its reserve requirement and other fiscal regulations. The importance of financial intermediation cannot be understated, as this is required in order to manage the banking and monetary system and to try and avoid banking panics, to serve as the central bank for the government, and to manage the nations’ supply of money through economic policies which try to maximize employment, minimize taxation, and produce positive gross domestic product. The significance of banker’s taste for excess reserves on the Fed’s ability to expand the money supply shows that the fractional reserve system is not perfect and that to gain maximum control over the money multiplier and the supply of money, reserves are needed to manipulate fiscal information to the banker’s benefit. These assets are counted as reserves due to the fact that they are not necessary for the bank to hold these reserves as collateral against its lending, hence they are considered excess. The banks could use these reserves to aggressively increase loans or investments if they so wish. This is a key factor to consider here, that the banker’s taste limit the power of the Fed, as they may be able to undermine the central banking system of the United States by manipulating the money supply.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Works Cited Quotations Page. 13 May 2010 .

Business Proposal for Mcdonalds Essay

McDonalds has always been a company that shares in the happiness of a child. Recently after taking my own children to McDonalds, I have found that there is not a breakfast option for children. McDonalds should add a happy meal option to the breakfast menu. Current demands by consumers are to add a happy meal option allowing parents to purchase child sized portions of breakfast items. This option could help McDonalds to increase profits by attracting more consumers. Shareholder reports show a quarterly cash dividend per share increase of 15% and annual dividend of $2.80 per share. Comparable sales grew 5.6%. Cash by operations increased $808 million to $7.2 billion. Return to shareholders $6.0 billion (McDonald’s.com, 2012). Elasticity of demand and the market structure for the company’s good or service. * Profit-maximizing quantity is figured by determining the elasticity of the product. * By dividing the change in quantity sold by the corresponding change in price, you get a coefficient that tells you how elastic or inelastic your product is – with coefficients between zero and one being inelastic and coefficients greater than one being elastic. * The elasticity of this particular product is determined by the individual instead of the population. Considering this fact, fast food is considered an elastic good. An elastic good is more of a luxury, and fast-food is not a requirement to survive. * An elastic good, the price must be set at a reasonably low level to increase the revenue. * McDonalds can use the formula of marginal cost = marginal revenue to determine its pricing. Demand is elastic when it is easily affected by the raising or lowering in the price of a product or service. * When McDonalds raises its prices, sales will decrease. Decreasing prices, McDonalds will see an increase in sales. * McDonalds has such a competitive market. To stay ahead of competitors, they have a lower price alternative from competitors. Therefore, pricing must be given a great deal of weight in your marketing strategy because other conditions exist. * The degree of elasticity will tell McDonalds how much they can raise prices before sales start to decline. Not everyone can afford to eat out all the time and people who do go out for breakfast are usually going to work or dropping children off at school. * Calculation Elasticity of Adding Happy Meal (Q2-Q1/Q1) Q1 – 20 Q2 – 23 total quantity demand increase total 15%. (P2-P1/P1) P1 – $6 P2 – $3 total price decreased by 5%. Divide percent change in quantity by price 15% divided by 5% = 3% elasticity. Company’s Strategies to Increase Revenue * Exploring the competition to see what the others are doing in terms of fast-food breakfasts and children. * Customer focusing strategies to see what other customers want in the children’s breakfast meals. This can be done through questionnaires and feedback surveys both in and out of the store. * Using proper training methods to ensure quality service to customers. * Proper introduction in promoting the new breakfast will ensure customers know about the new product. Define the Economic Theory and Show How You Can Determine the Profit-Maximizing Quantity. * Economic theory is a theory of commercial activities (such as the production and consumption of goods), (McConnell, Brue, & Flynn, 2009). * Determining the profit-maximizing quantity requires and understanding the economic concept of marginal analysis. Marginal analysis is the study of incremental changes in profit. The quantity that maximizes profit is where marginal profit shifts from positive to negative (eHow.com, 2013). How Could You Use the Concepts of Marginal Costs and Marginal Revenue to Maximize Profits? What Information Do You Need to Determine This? Without This Information, How Would You Make a Decision? * Determine the profit at each level of sales. As sales increase, account for labor costs, quantity discounts, increased shortage (loss, theft and breakage) and other variable costs. * Determine the marginal profit at each incremental increase in sales. Marginal profit is defined as the change in profit for each additional unit sold. * Determine the profit maximizing quantity. This is the point before marginal profit becomes negative. Why? It is likely that the more items sold, the higher variable costs are. Variable costs include labor, commissions, raw materials and shortage. In addition, when large quantities are sold to one party, a quantity discount is often given, resulting in lower per-unit revenue. * Determine where expenses could be lessened and revenue could be increased to optimize sales. Marginal analysis is not static (eHow.com, 2013). * $3@50 = $150, $3@70 = 250, $3@90 = $550, $3@110 = $500 -50 negative marginal profit. * Without this information, you are taking a guess on the decision causing potential risk. Pricing and Non-Pricing Strategies * Price is one of the essential elements of the four P’s of marketing, which include price, promotion, place and product. * Research should be conducted in a number of areas including the customer market, competition and the life cycle of the product. * By examining each of these areas, McDonalds can develop a pricing strategy for its products and services. * McDonalds must find a way to attract their customers. The children’s portions will be smaller than regular portion so the price will be less. * The non-pricing strategy will be the new menu marketing options. Using children’s television and radio stations will help in this strategy. What Are the Barriers to Entry For Your Chosen Product? Can You Create or Increase Barriers to Entry? If so, how? * Entry barriers are the result of competitive behavior by existing businesses within the marketplace. There is no limit to the barriers a particular business may face (eHow.com, 2013). * Barriers are McDonald’s competitors of the same market and right now the competition of a fast-food breakfast kid’s meal option is non-existent among the competition. * According to the current economic state of our country, credit borrowing from lenders will not be needed. * Costs of supplies will not be a barrier because the items are already a part of McDonald’s menu. Demand by customers will increase or decrease cost supplies during the implementation stages. * McDonald’s internal countries will also help to increase profits. * Choosing long-term goals for competitors following McDonalds will eventually cause competition barriers. Consistent analysis of current market conditions will help McDonalds to continue a profit growth. Are There Other Ways to Minimize Costs for the Company or Product? * Analyze labor costs. Offering flexible work schedules, recognition, additional benefits and ongoing training can help retain employees. * Reduce supply costs. Supplies have two major categories–product materials and office supplies. Check multiple sources to ensure lowest cost. Research the use of the supplies. * Reduce operating expenses. Review electricity expense. Ideas such as this can have multiple benefits, including boosting employee retention, saving on utilities. (eHow.com, 2013). Conclusion The above business proposal outline will help in defining what McDonalds would do when implementing the idea of adding a child’s happy meal to its menu. This proposal would help in achieving McDonald’s goals of quality food and customer service.

Top English Food Service Vocabulary Words

Top English Food Service Vocabulary Words Every worker in the foodservice industry is expected to have a base-level understanding of food service vocabulary to help them identify tools, responsibilities, rights, benefits, and elements of their jobs. Fortunately, the United States Department of Labor lays out 170 of these vocabulary  terms in the Occupational Handbook. Terms included in this list are important for service industry workers because they help clarify a common understanding of each element necessary to delivering excellent food service and also lets employees know the legal means in which to discuss issues with particular elements of the workplace or management staff.   The full list of essential vocabulary words for food service workers is as follows: Addition Customers Maintain Retail Alcoholic Demand Manage Room Area Department Manager Run Assist Diners Marketing Safety Assistant Dining Meals Salads Attendants Dishes Meat Sales Baggers Dishwashers Menu Sandwiches Bakers Drinking Merchandise Schedules Bars Eating Move Section Bartenders Employees Moving Select Benefits Entry Nonfood Selection Beverage Equipment Nonsupervisory Selections Beverages Establishment Numerous Sell Butchers Establishments Offer Selling Cafeteria Fill Office Serve Cafeterias Fillers Operation Service Cash Fish Order Services Cashiers Floor Orders Serving Chains Food Oversee Shifts Change Foods Package Shop Checkout Fresh Patrons Smaller Chef Groceries Perform Snack Chefs Grocery Performance Specialize Clean Group Place Specialty Cleaning Growth Poultry Staff Clerks Handling Premises Stock Coffee Health Preparation Store Company Hospitality Prepare Stores Compared Hostesses Prepared Supermarket Computer Hosts Preparing Supermarkets Consumer Hourly Prices Supervisors Consumption Hours Processing Supplies Contact Increase Produce Systems Convenience Ingredients Product Tables Cook Inventory Products Tasks Cooking Items Proportion Tips Cooks Kitchen Provide Trade Counter Kitchens Purchase Train Counters Level Recipes Training Courtesy Line Register Variety Culinary Local Replacement Waiters Customer Longer Required Waitresses Restaurant Workers The Importance of Knowing Proper Vocabulary Working in the food service industry often offers young workers their first exposure to the idea of corporate speak and jargon used in the workplace to simply and make communication uniform across the full market, from larger companies like McDonalds to locally owned diners in rural America. For this reason, its important that employees understand the basic difference between common phrases in the industry as well as how to properly refer to stages of preparation, tools for handling food, economic concerns of the business, and day to day operational tasks like training and hours. What may be more important to note is that when it comes to legality and contracts, these terms have very strict definitions according to the government, so if, for instance, a contract says that Training is unpaid, and a person winds up training for three weeks, theyre essentially providing free labor, but have agreed to such in their contract - knowing these types of words, especially in a legal context, can help protect new employees. Jargon and Colloquialisms That said, another key element to a successful career (even if short-lived) in the food service industry hinges upon teambuilding and understanding the language of the workplace, even in a less professional and technical way.   Because food service relies on a team of individuals, from the line cook to the waiter, the hostess to the busboy, employees of dining and food service establishments often form familial bonds with one another and develop their own jargon and colloquialisms to communicate with one another secretly, even in front of patrons of the establishment. Understanding the legal, technical, and colloquial vocabularies of food service are essential to being successful in the field because most of this industry relies entirely upon interaction not only with the customers but with coworkers as well.

Properly Using Je Suis Plein in French

Properly Using Je Suis Plein in French Its common for non-native French speakers to make mistakes in conversation, especially if theyre using a phrase like  je suis  plein.  Imagine this scenario: Youre at a bistro and have just had a delicious, filling meal. The waiter comes by to ask if youd care for dessert. Youre stuffed, so you politely decline by saying youre full. The waiter smiles awkwardly. What did you just say? Understanding Je Suis  Plein The French translation of full is plein, except when it comes to your stomach.  Correct ways to say Im full include jai  trop  mangà ©Ã‚  (literally, I ate too much), je  suis rassasià ©Ã‚  (Im satisfied), and je  nen  peux  plus  (I cant [take] anymore). But if youre new to the language, you may not be aware of this subtle nuance. Although it may seem logical to use je suis plein to mean Im full, most people in France interpret the phrase as meaning Im pregnant.Its not a very nice way to say it,  either, because the phrase à ªtre pleine is used to talk about pregnant animals, not people. Many visitors to France have anecdotes involving the misuse of this expression. Whats interesting is that if a woman actually says je suis pleine to a native French speaker, he or she will probably understand that to mean shes pregnant. And yet if you talk about this expression in the abstract with a native speaker, s/hes likely to tell you that no one would ever take it to mean youre pregnant  because its only used for animals.Note: Je suis plein is also a familiar way of saying Im drunk. In Quebec and Belgium, unlike France, its perfectly acceptable to use this phrase to mean Im full.

Multinational Corporation Expansion Research Paper

Multinational Corporation Expansion - Research Paper Example After examining the international market most favorable for expansion, Abercrombie and Fitch should consider entering the Brazilian market as this chosen market maintains national economic policy and market conditions that will provide A&F with considerable opportunities for revenue growth. The first dimension of international finance favorable for Abercrombie & Fitch in Brazil is the movement of financial institutions across international borders, including securities firms, banks and various investment companies. Brazil currently maintains an annual GDP growth rate of five percent annually, influenced by growth in financial institutions both domestic and related to foreign direct investment. Brazil maintains membership with a variety of economic institutions including Mercosur, G20, the World Trade Organization and the Cairns Group, giving the market more exposure in Europe as a viable market for financial investment and institutional development. High volumes of financial lenders and a strong stock market provide economic sustainability that provides for commercial business development and support from governmental leadership. The only legitimate risk in this dimension is that the majority of investment institutions stem from foreign markets and are not being developed by domestic financial institutions that would not be reliant on significant exchange rate differences that impact pricing for exported products. Secondly, Brazil has positive movement of capital across its borders triggered by rising interest in foreign direct investment into Brazil. The International Monetary Fund identified billions of dollars of investment moving into Brazil, including derivatives and new corporate capital development projects. The growth in capital movements into Brazil provide for a more enhanced distribution and supply infrastructure that will benefit Abercrombie and Fitch in relation to marketing expenses and retail center distribution. The risk in this dimension of int ernational finance is that these improvements are private constructions not controlled by governmental regulators whereby a corporate pull-out of investment could limit the scope of infrastructure growth during a period where Brazil is working through a long-lasting economic recovery affecting domestic investment potential and opportunities. The third dimension of international finance relevant to Abercrombie is the regulatory system currently in place that guides economic policy. In the 1990s, Brazil was plagued with considerable inflation (approximately 15 percent annually) that caused a supplementary increase in utility costs, fuel and oil costs, and up to 25 percent interest on corporate and personal credit cards (Selva, 2010). The government has been more adept in recent years at changing index prices and employee wages as well as a variety of consumer price freezes to stimulate spending (Selva, 2010). Continuing governmental influence in economic policy and monetary stimulatio n tactics have reduced risks of ongoing inflation on the consumer price index that will provide A&F with a more stable consumer market where real wages are in-line with expectations for a consumer price index equalized with real GDP. The risk to this dimension of international finance is that not all efforts to curb inflation in certain supply sectors has been achieved, thus adding potential burden to supply budgets in a price-inflated value and supply chain. Brazil is currently the eighth largest economy

Qualitative research and quantitative research Essay

Qualitative research and quantitative research - Essay Example dentifies a subjective approach and applies strategies such as â€Å"case studies, personal experience, life story, interview, and observation† among other techniques (Neergaard and Ulhoi, 2007, p. 5). Quantitative research however defines a scientific approach to measurement and evaluation of relationships between variables. It involves a systematic and predetermined approach that develops hypothesis from background information on a topic of interest, collects data, and analyses data for evaluating the set hypothesis (Nykiel, 2007). Quantitative research is more valid than qualitative research and difference in characteristics of the two research methods support this. Level of objectivity of quantitative research than qualitative research methods establish higher-level validity on quantitative research than on qualitative research because qualitative research is subjective and therefore susceptible to bias from researchers and research participants. This is contrary to the scope of quantitative research whose data and data analysis methods are, significantly, independent of researchers and research participants’ influence. Quantitative research designs, such as experimental and quasi-experimental designs, also ensure accuracy of collected data towards validity. The deductive approach of quantitative research as compared to qualitative research’s inductive approach also supports higher-level validity in quantitative research (Hays and Singh,