Friday, November 29, 2019

A Guide to Business Letters Types

A Guide to Business Letters Types There are a number of types of business letters in the English language. Accomplished English speakers should be able to write the following types of business letters to be successful in business. Its helpful, to begin with, gaining a clear understanding of business letter writing basics. Once youve understood the basic layout styles, standard phrases, salutations, and endings, you should continue to improve your business letter writing skills by learning to write the following types of business letters. Do you know what type of business letter you need for a task? Making an Inquiry Make an inquiry when you are requesting more information about a product or service. The inquiry letter tends to include specific information such as product type, as well as asking for further details in the form of brochures, catalogs, telephone contact, etc. Making inquiries can also help you keep up with your competition. Use this letter template to ensure you receive a prompt reply. Sales Letters Sales Letters are used to introduce new products to new customers and past clients. Its important to outline an important problem that needs to be solved and provide the solution in sales letters. This example letter provides an outline, as well as important phrases to use when sending out a wide variety of sales letters. Sales letters can be improved through the use of personalization in some means in order to ensure attention. Replying to an Inquiry Replying to inquiries are one of the most important business letters that you write. Successfully replying to an inquiry can help you complete a sale or lead to new sales. Customers who make inquiries are interested in specific information  and are excellent business prospects. Learn how to thank the customers, provide as much information as possible, as well as make a call to action for a positive outcome. Account Terms and Conditions When a new customer opens an account it is essential to inform them of account terms and conditions. If you run a small business, it is common to provide these terms and conditions in the form of a letter. This guide provides a clear example on which you can base your own business letters providing account terms and conditions. Letters of Acknowledgment For legal purposes, letters of acknowledgment are often requested. These letters are also referred to as letters of receipt and tend to be rather formal and short. These two examples letters will provide you with a template to use in your own work and can be easily adapted for a number of purposes. Placing an Order As a business person, you will often place an order. This is especially true if you have a large supply chain for your product. This example business letter provides an outline to make sure your order placement is clear so that you receive exactly what you order. Making a Claim Unfortunately, from time to time it is necessary to make a claim against unsatisfactory work. This example business letter provides a strong example of a claim letter and includes important phrases to express your dissatisfaction and future expectations when making a claim. Adjusting a Claim Even the best business may make a mistake from time to time. In this case, you may be called upon to adjust a claim. This type of business letter provides an example to send to unsatisfied customers making sure that you address their specific concerns, as well as retain them as future customers. Cover Letters Cover letters are extremely important when applying for a new position. Cover letters should include a short introduction, highlight the most important information in your resume and elicit a positive response from your prospective employer. These two examples of cover letters are part of a larger section on the site providing all the information you will need on taking an interview in English during your job search.

Monday, November 25, 2019

Reason for Facebooks Age Limit

Reason for Facebook's Age Limit Have you ever tried to create a Facebook account and gotten this error message: You are ineligible to sign up for Facebook? If so, its very likely you dont meet Facebooks age limit. Facebook and other online social media sites and email services are prohibited by federal law from allowing children under 13 create accounts without the consent of their parents or legal guardians. If you were baffled after being turned away by Facebooks age limit, theres a clause right there in the Statement of Rights and Responsibilities you accept when you create a Facebook account: You will not use Facebook if you are under 13. Age Limit for Gmail and Yahoo! The same goes for web-based email services including Googles Gmail and Yahoo! Mail.​ If youre not 13 years old, youll get this message when trying to sign up for a Gmail account: Google could not create your account. In order to have a Google Account, you must meet certain age requirements. If youre under the age of 13 and try to sign up for a Yahoo! Mail account, youll also be turned away with this message: Yahoo! is concerned about the safety and privacy of all its users, particularly children. For this reason, parents of children under the age of 13 who wish to allow their children access to the Yahoo! Services must create a Yahoo! Family Account. Federal Law Sets Age Limit So why do Facebook, Gmail, and Yahoo! ban users under 13 without parental consent? Theyre required to under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, a federal law passed in 1998. The Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act has been updated since it was signed into law, including revisions that attempt to address the increased use of mobile devices such as iPhones and iPads and social networking services including Facebook and Google. Among the updates was a requirement that website and social media services cannot collect geolocation information, photographs or videos from users under the age of 13 without notifying and receiving consent from parents or guardians. How Some Youths Get Around the Age Limit Despite Facebooks age requirement and federal law, millions of underage users are known to have created accounts and maintain Facebook profiles. They do so by lying about their age, often times with full knowledge of their parents. In 2012, published reports estimated some 7.5 million children had Facebook accounts of the 900 million people who were using the social network at the time. Facebook said the number of underage users highlighted just how difficult it is to enforce age restrictions on the Internet, especially when parents want their children to access online content and services. Facebook allows users to report children under the age of 13. Note that well promptly delete the account of any child under the age of 13 thats reported to us through this form, the company states. Facebook is also working on a system that would allow children under 13 to create an account that would be linked to those held by their parents. Is the Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act Effective? Congress intended the Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act to protect youths from predatory marketing as well as stalking and kidnapping, both of which became more prevalent as access to the Internet and personal computers grew, according to the Federal Trade Commission, which is responsible for enforcing the law. But many companies have merely limited their marketing efforts toward users age 13 and older, meaning that children who lie about their age are very to be subjected to such campaigns and the use of their personal information. In 2010, a Pew Internet survey found that: Teens continue to be avid users of social networking websites – as of September 2009, 73% of online American teens ages 12 to 17 used an online social network website, a statistic that has continued to climb upwards from 55% in November 2006 and 65% in February 2008.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Introduction to financial modelling Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Introduction to financial modelling - Assignment Example From figure 3 below, it is clear that, as the volatility for Standard & Poor’s (S&P) SMALL CAP 600 Index increases, the average rate of return declines rapidly up to a point where, if the volatility level continues to increase, the average returns start to increase rapidly (Lachance, 2003). In effect, when this portfolio is less volatile, its average return tends to decline, but when the rate of volatility is very high, the average returns tend to increase. In situations of high volatility, the risk of a stock tends to be high while on the other hand, when a stock is less volatile, its return is almost assured and hence less risky. The characteristic exhibited by this portfolio is that an investor should expect to make more returns when the stock is highly volatile. As such this stock is suitable for those investors who are comfortable with highly volatile stocks, who invest with the expectation of getting high returns. Considering that I am a risk averse investor, and would prefer stocks with more stable incomes even if it means lower returns - I would not go for this stock (Merton, 1969). From figure 4 below, the pattern of the graph has an implication that higher returns are expected in situations of less volatility. This is precisely the type of portfolio that suits my risk profile because I can invest in conditions of low volatility and still expect some returns albeit low. This also shows that this index performed better, as it is less volatile and hence almost guaranteeing investors some returns. The chance of getting returns from the S&P portfolio is very uncertain and hence considered as having performed poorly on such grounds (Milevsky, 1998). If I invested in equal amount in the above two portfolios, I could have formed a diversified investment, which could have balanced my risk with return. The S & P portfolio is more risky, but attracts higher returns while the New

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Opportunity Corridor Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Opportunity Corridor - Essay Example In some instances, the program may lead to urban sprawl as well as less congestion when cities receive expressways and freeways. Large-scale urban renewal programs across the U.S. commenced during the interwar period. The purpose of the program was to clear slums and transform them into cities thereby rehabilitating and repopulating the cities (Schmitt 34). Thus, the program addressed social, economic, and environmental concerns affecting the suburban sprawl. In Ohio State, Cleveland constitutes one of the regions where urban renewal program is ongoing through the Opportunity Corridor road Project amounting to $331 million (Schmitt 37). The paper aims at discussing the contentious Opportunity Corridor project. However, I believe that the Opportunity Corridor project is of great benefit to the Clevelanders Cleveland’s City Charter through the City Planning Commission adopts a comprehensive plan aimed at developing and improving the city. Since the city has plans of achieving social, economic, and environmental sustainability within its districts, various plans are therefore underway. One of the plans entails the Cleveland Opportunity Corridor Study Project. The study examines the potential to develop a transportation system as well as support premeditated economic development growth in regions ranging from I-490/I-77and University Circle within Cleveland. The region is regarded as Forgotten Triangle since it lacks economic activity (Greater Cleveland Partnerships 1). This region has been a center of heavy industrial activities since the 1880s. Both investment and population within the area have recorded a dramatic decline with the neighborhood recording abandonment and neglect in the recent years. Besides transportation benefits, the project will create and increase the potenti al for new jobs, novel economic development as well as a fresh identity for the community. Grassroots group of citizens oppose the construction of the Opportunity

Monday, November 18, 2019

Management, Organization and Media Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Management, Organization and Media - Essay Example Likewise, organizational behavior to a large aspect normally focuses on managerial and organizational behaviors within an organizational setup. The movie â€Å"the devil wears Prada† focuses on Andy who is an aspiring journalist who gets himself a job or position considered to be dream a job for many girls (Bell, Warren & Schroeder, 2013). Andrea is hired as a second assistant to Miranda Priestly, who is described as a powerful and ruthless executive of the magazine company where Andy finds her job (Champoux, 2001). To Andy, her new job position is seen as a stepping stone into the famous world of publishing and she tries her best to last in the position for a period of one year in spite of the position demanding too much from her. However, her time at the position opens up a new world for Andy for another journalist position she desires in her future. This essay, therefore examines management and organizational issues raised in the movie â€Å"The Devil Wears Prada† di rected by David Frankel in 2006 (The devil wears Prada, 2006). In the movie â€Å"the devil wears prada† issues of leaderships have been displayed in different characters and especially the main characters in the movie. Leadership can be described as the act of influencing others to follow a certain path or take a different direction from the one they choose to achieve certain set objectives (Czarniawska et al, 1994). The two characters in the movie that exudes leadership qualities are Miranda Priestly and Emily Charlton. What makes these two characters execeptional in the movie in regards to the leadership and managerial issues? Emily, who was acting as Miranda’s second in the power position, however deteriorates when Andrea Sach is appointed to occupy her position. This means that the privileges and powers she was enjoying while serving in her position are taken away, and given to someone else. Just like many

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Classifying Sport As Religious In Postmodern Times

Classifying Sport As Religious In Postmodern Times This paper will examine the question of if sport can be classed as a religion? It will then go on to discuss the implications this could have on religion and societies beliefs, looking specifically at the sporting event of football. Where the paper speaks of religion it will refer to the Christian religions that are widely practiced in the United Kingdom (UK), unless otherwise stated. The paper will explore various definitions of religion, from a traditional and postmodern perspective as well as briefly examining the term postmodern. After this arguments both for and against the notion above and any similarities in the values, rituals, beliefs and practices that football and traditional Christian religions in the UK hold will be explored. It is important to draw comparisons between religious life and that of a supporter of footballs life to fully understand if football is religious. I shall endeavour to examine such notions as does classing football as a religion take away the sacredness of religion or is it positive and progressive that people can choose their own religions rather than simply being lead, or following traditions passed on from generation to generation. There are many definitions of religious. In fact within Sociology it is well known that sociologists cannot agree on a single complete definition. For the benefit of this paper the definitions quoted here shall come from sociological or religious organisations. Below one can reflect on various definitions of religion, even if it is only to gain a sense of how vast and different the interpretations can be. Emile Durkheim defined religion as a unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things, that is to say, things set apart and forbidden beliefs and practices which unite into one single moral community called a Church all those who adhere to them. This statement could be related to traditional belief systems and religions and to sporting events, especially football as will be explored later on in this paper. According to the Oxford English Dictionary postmodernism is described as a late 20th -century style and concept in the arts, architecture, and criticism, which represents a departure from modernism and is characterized by the self-conscious use of earlier styles and conventions, a mixing of different artistic styles and media , and a general distrust of theories. In sociology the term postmodern has been defined as argues against the idea of objective truth So, form this it could be argued that if postmodernism is against the idea of a truth, then religion, as we have known it, can play no part in a post modern society. Religion would, at the very least be individualistic and would give members of society the opportunity to interpret religion as a personal belief system and way of life. Postmodern views on religion are far removed from some of the more traditional views within the UK. Before one can understand ant definition of religion via postmodern terms one must look to outline postmodernism. Again, this is hard to pin down due to the many variations. The post modern era, is for many the period of time post world war two (WW2). Postmodernists would state that society is in a constant state of change, it is ever evolving. Therefore there are no absolute truths, only relative ones. Basically each individual shall choose their own set of beliefs, values and understandings that shall replace religion as it has been known. One could describe it as a pick and mix where an individual takes from each traditional religion what they like, understand or believe and, in effect, create a personal religion that they and they alone are at one with. Where traditional religions would mean the coming together of communities in post modern times if the people are picking and mixin g then there is no formal meeting place for them to worship as they do not fit into one set religion. According to Furlong Cartmel (sociology introductory readings 2001) postmodernists such as Lyotard and Baudrilland argue that recent social changes have been so far-reaching that it is no longer possible to predict individual life chances or patterns of behaviour. Consequently they reject the validity of social science and key concepts such as class and race Religion can be applied to this idea, as religion has always been a key concept in the way one lives their lives, the groups they belong to and the moral and spiritual beliefs that they hold. Parry (2007) argued that, spirituality came about in force during the 20th century. Spirituality was originally associated with a formal religion, but then came postmodernism, and along with it many people developed their own views of religion, which is now more often described as spirituality. Spirituality in sport is different for every individual involved, from the feeling of exhilaration and exhaustion caused pushing the body to its limits, right through to a crowd of supporters who have returned to their own church to support their own religion. Janet Leaver ( Sport culture and society, 2006) states that Sports is one institution that holds together the people of a metropolis and heightens their attachment to a localeThe pomp and pageantry of sport spectacles create excitement and arouse fervour, doing for the people of the metropolis what religious ceremonies do for people in communal societies The sociologist Karl Marx once said, Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of heartless conditions, the soul of a soulless world. It is the opiate of the people. However,as the world evolved and people realised that they had a choice. In turn, Illya McLellan stated in the article named The Cult Of Football: A Religion for the Twentieth Century and Beyond(September 2008) But as the world moved on from this time there arose a new opiate of the people and, in its own way, a new religion. A religion that would in some ways inspire more devotion and fervour than its tired counterparts that were still mired in the doctrines of yesteryear. Briefly moving away from to UK to touch on our neighbours in the United States of America (USA) Harry Edwards (1973) argued that the universal popular religion of the USA is, in fact sports. To be considered a religion, sport must hold a number of characteristics that are also common within religion. Edwards states that there are thirteen factors that sport shares with religion. This paper will now go on to examine some of these thirteen characteristics, as well as other characteristics that this paper holds in high regard when comparing the two subjects, and ultimately show how sport can, at the very least show startling similarities between the two . The research that has been conducted in order to compile this paper has seen many, many similarities between football and religion. Below one can look at what one could argue are the perceived key issues and similarities between the religion and sport specifically football. As one can see the information provided below is quite compelling in answering part of the paper title In postmodern times can sport be classed as religious? Coming together as a community Within traditional Church settings the Church community has always held great importance; this extends to such organisations as the local Church fates, womens church groups and youth clubs that centre on their shared beliefs and faith. Within a football environment these past times have been replaced by the drink down the pub prior to a match, the meeting to organise the away events and such like. The community is centred on their followers beliefs and faith. Places of worship and pilgrimages Within the Church community it is expected that the worshippers have a place they can call their religious home, somewhere they can reflect upon their religion and travel to on a regular basis to hear the word of God. Within football this Church could be substituted for the home ground the football stadium of the followers team where they can attend to worship their team and call their spiritual home. It could be argued that football even has its own Cathedrals in the guise of places such as Wembley stadium, and even for some this could be considered a pilgrimage Belief Systems. Within football belief is an important part of football religion and culture. Every Saturday as the team in top position of the Premier League take on the relegation favourites there are thousands of people willing and believing that, against all odds their team will come through. They hold faith and belief that their team are the best, that their faith will see them through. The atmosphere is made up of the chanting and singing and many other rituals that will, hopefully turn their beliefs into a reality after ninety minutes. Much in the way that a traditional religious person will believe that they go to Church to be close to God, so the football fan believes that by attending week in week out their team will have support and the faith to go on and win the three points each team supporter believes they deserve. Edwards (1973), states that both religion and sport have a formal set of beliefs that its attendees must adhere to. Fans are told to have faith in their team in testing time s, just as Church attendees are expected to look to their faith in times of need. Gods and Saints v managers and players Religions pray to, and believe in their God and Saints, within football the followers idolise, and on occasion, chant and sing songs of praise about their players or managers. This could be seen as a distinct difference between traditional religions and football. However one could argue that followers of traditional faiths can, did, and do sometimes change their beliefs. Examples that spring to mind are when Christianity split between Rome and Constantinople and so formed the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. Another example could be when Martin Luther split to form the Protestant Church as a revolt against Catholic Doctrine. However, it must be said that within football splits, changes and opinions do change much quicker than the traditional religious examples cited here. Symbols. The Cross and chain v the replica kit Within traditional religious communities it is common to see Church-goers adorning a cross on a chain and many attendees can be seen to clutch Rosary Beads. Some cross and chain wearers will, at certain times, be seen to kiss their cross as a symbol of faith, or for guidance and re-assurance. Within the religion of football the cross is exchanged for the team colours in the way of scarves, badges, flags and replica shirts.and football fans can often be seen to kiss the crest of their club that appears on the scarves and shirts they wear. Rituals and Hymns v rituals and chants When a football fan enters their home ground they will be welcomed with the familiar chants of their chosen team. Many of such chants will concentrate on club history, great victories, club saints and heroes, the famous pilgrimage to Wembley not to mention the chants they save especially to rejoice when their team scores that all important goal. Within the Church community these chants and songs are replaced by hymns that rejoice in the name of Jesus and God. Football provides a ritualistic weekend gathering for the devoted, as does Church and for the more lax followers they can catch up on match of the day, some may say its the football followers Songs of Praise. This very statement shows that football can be practiced amongst the masses, or more in private like night time prayers for the more traditional religious believers. Festivals. According to Stephen Tompkins in his article Matches made in Heaven he states that September is footballs Christmas, a joyful celebration of new birth after a season of expectant waiting The close of season brings Easters mix of grief and (if you are lucky) triumph, followed by the long Lenten period of summer. As one can see from this citation the similarities between religious festivals and sporting events are evident. Celtic v Glasgow Rangers religion and football can unite and divide It has been said that religion has been the cause of wars throughout the world, due to different peoples ideologies and beliefs. The very same can be said for football if we look at what is the most famous rivalry in the UK Celtic and Glasgow Rangers. Rangers Football club has always been portrayed as a Catholic football club and Celtic have always been portrayed as a Protestant football club. If one was to look at the BBC News website (www.bbc.co.uk/news) they would see that there is an article named A rivalry tied up in religion. This article goes on to state that this is such deeply rooted in supporters that The mutual animosity was outlined four years ago when some Celtic fans began flying Palestinian flags and some Rangers supporters responded by fluttering Israeli flags. Lever comments that a Celtic fan may feel his Catholicism most strongly when he faces a Rangers fan. It is important that this paper highlighted the fact that religion and football are already walking (or batt ling) hand in hand within the UK. Obviously there are groups that will argue what has been divulged so far within this paper is not religion, but a group of people who have a sense of belonging within a community, but that does not make the sport religious in its own right. The Church would be the first to argue that football is not religious as it does not worship God or Jesus. Michael Novak argues a sport is not a religion in the same way that Methodism, Presbyterianism, or Catholicism is a religionthese are not the only kinds of religion. There are secular religions, civil religions (Novak 18). Sports can easily fulfil the role that religion plays in society if the individuals seeking that spiritual influence allow for it. One could even go as far to compare footballs rites of passage to the Sacraments of the Catholic Church. Such things as baptism could be substituted for the first match, confirmation for the attendance your first match independently of your parents. Confession could be substituted for the after match analysis, where you admit your team could do better and that you feel you start to question your own faith. Indeed, some people are even indoctrinated into football and the following of a certain team from a young age. Followers may also, in extreme circumstances face fear in the thought of informing their parents that they no longer wish to follow their team and wish to follow another, much in the same way some Catholics may feel fear in wishing to turn to the Protestant faith or vice versa. It is clear that the more closely we analyze the mystique of sports, psychologically and functionally, the more we tend to use religious language to describe it. And no wonder: from its beginning athletics was regarded as a religious cultà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦-Cornish Rodgers, The Christian Century As this paper has shown football is indeed a religion to many people around the UK and many similarities can be drawn between sport and religion. They meet in their thousands every week at the 92 football league grounds around the UK to profess their faith and beliefs with their fellow believers . I feel that, the notion that football can be classed as religion is true for all the reasons explored above. Of course there will be people who disagree with my findings, but these people will probably be of a Church community. In the 21st Century, sport does indeed fulfil the most common definition of religion as a system of beliefs and practices by which a group of people struggles with the ultimate problems of human life. Religion does not have clear-cut physical properties, nor are its characters readily ascertained and agreed upon (McGuire 1987, Religion: The social context) Now, what does this mean for religion and beliefs in society? Undoubtedly it means that the traditional norms and values of society have shifted, congregating in Church to pray to God has, for some, been replaced with meeting on the terraces to cheer on their local football teams. Undoubtedly, if sport is a religion it will, for some take away the sacredness that religions have previously held. But, is that due to the fact that religion, as the UK has traditionally known it, is redundant and has moved on to give way to spirituality. The community of religion is similar to that of sport For many, the worry lies in the fact that footballs moral teachings are not in line with what society needs for guidance and reassurance. It is imperative that people do take some moral guidance from the teachings of the Church and the Ten Commandments; however it could be argued that the law within the UK can draw direct comparisons to the Commandments themselves. By making the decision to not abide by the law the individual faces the risk of being held in custody. So, maybe the moral underpinning that the Church teaches can be sought and taught by other mediums? It must be said that although football is, for many, classed as a religion I can see no evidence that sport answers some of the age old questions of what happens to us after death and the likesbut maybe the post-modern society that we now live in makes such ponderings redundant so therefore there is no longer the need answers to such questions? Finally, if I had to categorise sport I would ideally prefer to say that football is more spiritual than religious, but as we have explored that religion does not really fit in with a post modern society. It is up to the individual to find what is for them, a spiritual journey.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Is anything really being done? :: Essays Papers

Is anything really being done? In April 2001, Timothy Thomas, age 19, was shot and killed by Cincinnati Police Officer, Stephen Roach. Thomas ran from the officer while Roach was trying to arrest him for violations that were brought against him in the past. Timothy Thomas was wanted for 14 various minor misdemeanors for driving without a driver’s license and two of those misdemeanors were for not wearing a seat belt. However, Roach had said that his life was in danger that dark April night, when Thomas ran to the threatening alley, so Officer Roach’s instincts told him to shoot the gun. Riots broke out and â€Å"Mayor Charlie Luken declares a state of emergency† (Goetz). This led to countless arrest among many young citizens of Cincinnati. â€Å"Small groups of vandals roamed several neighborhoods†¦ breaking windows, looting stores and assaulting at least one white motorist who was dragged from her car, police said† (The Associated Press). The Enquirer states, â€Å"Protest er’s overturn planters and hot dog stands† as well (Goetz). This vandalism persisted for three days and it was getting out of hand so there was a â€Å"citywide curfew beginning at 8 p.m† (Goetz). The curfews ended in four nights. Mayor Charlie Luken said, â€Å"We may call in the National Guard to help quell the violent protest† (The Associated Press). Thomas’ mother spoke out in grief; however, she did not want this conflict between the city to continue. Nonetheless, since the April riots, the community has not been the same for Cincinnati. Everything is a race issue, for African Americans, they feel things aren’t going their way. As for Whites, they feel everything is now going the African Americans way. However, Mayor Charlie Luken is creating ideas to get this city back on its feet. Things are being done to help Cincinnati. Since these out breaks have happened in Cincinnati in April, many citizens are scared to go downtown. One woman said, â€Å"One of the most unusual effects of the discord was that it kept on going, seemingly without end† (Enquirer). Another youth says that he was â€Å"effected by all of the riots, curfews, the disruption on the businesses, effects on race relations, and has heard all kinds of reactions† (Kuley).