Blades, Inc. Case Essay Example for Free

Blades, Inc. Case Essay Ben Holt, chief financial officer (CFO) of Blades, Inc., has decided to counteract the decreasing demand for Speedos roller blades by exporting this product to Thailand. Furthermore, due to the low cost of rubber and plastic in Southeast Asia, Holt has decided to import some of the components needed to manufacture Speedos from Thailand. Holt feels that importing rubber and plastic components from Thailand will provide Blades with a cost advantage ( the components im-ported from Thailand are about 20 percent cheaper than similar components in the United States). Currently, approximately $ 20 million, or 10 percent, of Blades’ sales are contributed by its sales in Thailand. Only about 4 percent of Blades’ cost of goods sold is attributable to rubber and plastic imported from Thailand. Blades faces little competition in Thailand from other U. S. roller blades manufacturers. Those competitors that export roller blades to Thailand invoice their exports in U. S. dollars. Currently, Blades follows a policy of invoicing in Thai baht ( Thailand’s currency). Ben Holt felt that this strategy would give Blades a competitive advantage since Thai importers can plan more easily when they do not have to worry about paying differing amounts due to currency fluctuations. Furthermore, Blades’ primary customer in Thailand ( a retail store) has committed itself to purchasing a certain amount of Speedos annually if Blades will invoice in baht for a period of 3 years. Blades’ purchases of components from Thai exporters are currently invoiced in Thai baht. Ben Holt is rather content with current arrangements and believes the lack of competitors in Thailand, the quality of Blades’ products, and its approach to pricing will ensure Blades’ position in the Thai roller blade market in the future. Holt also feels that Thai in the Thai roller blade market in the future. Holt also feels that Thai importers will prefer Blades over its competitors because Blades invoices in Thai baht. You, Blades’ financial analyst, have doubts as to Blades’ â€Å"guaranteed† future success. Although you believe Blades’ strategy for its Thai sales and imports are sound, you are concerned about current expectations for the Thai economy. Current forecasts indicate a high level of anticipated inflation, a decreasing level of national income, and a continued depreciation of the Thai baht. In your opinion, all of these future developments could affect Blades financially given the company’s current arrangements with its suppliers and with the Thai importers. Both Thai consumers and firms might adjust their spending habits should certain developments occur. In the past, you have had difficulty convincing Ben Holt that problems could arise in Thailand. Consequently, you have developed a list of questions for yourself, which you plan to present to the company’s CFO after you have answered them. Your questions are listed here: 1. How could a higher level of inflation in Thailand than that of US affect Blades import and export respectively in the following two scenarios? a. In the short term, US$ versus THB hold at fixed exchange rate due to a pegged exchange rate policy. b. In the long run, the Thailand trade deficit causes the pegged exchange

Force, Morality and Rights in Thomas Hobbes and John Lockes Social Con

Force, Morality and Rights in Thomas Hobbes and John Locke's Social Contract Theories Throughout history, the effects of the unequal distribution of power and justice within societies have become apparent through the failure of governments, resulting in the creation of theories regarding ways to balance the amount of power given and the way in which justice is enforced. Due to this need for change, Thomas Hobbes and John Locke created two separate theories in which the concept of a social contract is used to determine the ways in which a government can govern without forfeiting justice. In this essay, the relationship between force, morality, and rights within both theories will be investigated in order to determine the most beneficial format for society based on the ideas of the natural condition of mankind, the rights of the government, and the rights of the governed. Through this examination of ideas, a conclusion may be made concerning the ideal form of government to preside over society today. In his famous writing, â€Å"The Leviathan†, Thomas Hobbes explains that the natural condition of mankind is when a society lives together without the rule of a common authority or power; this creates a â€Å"dog-eat-dog† world in which the citizens live in a perpetual state of utter chaos and fear. The fears experienced by the citizens are not only of the unequal distribution of the power of others, but also fear of the loss of their own power. In Hobbes’ state of nature there is complete liberty for society in the idea that each member may do whatever he or she pleases without having to worry about infringing upon the rights of the rest of society; in other words, one is allowed to do whatever necessary to pursue their own happiness. Ho... ...ract to which they consented to obey, and hence, subject to his punishment. On the other hand, in Locke’s theory, the government has no sovereignty of its own; consequently, the commonwealth has the right to dissolve the power of the government if it is not working to protect its rights. The form of government proposed in the theory outlined by John Locke is much less restrictive on the rights of the commonwealth than the theory described by Hobbes, while at the same time providing equal guarantees of protection. Therefore, society today would undoubtedly function best under the ideas of Locke given that we live in a world where freedom is not only expected, but demanded. The absence of freedom, as described by Hobbes, would only create greater struggles for power resulting in the transition of mankind back into the state of nature which we so wish to escape.

Entertainment History Essay

Within this essay it describes the popular and most common entertainment in Britain, from radio to the movies, in the beginning of the 1930’s. It reveals key feature of entertainment in the early 1930’s, for instance how it started, what were their intentions and what they involved. The radio plays a huge amount in our lives that’s why when it first began it was a phenomenon for the public and became a big success for the nation. It was formed on 18th October 1922, by a group of leading wireless manufactures. Its founder, John Reith, believed that the BBC should educate, inform and entertain the public, he states this when he says ‘Broadcasting should bring †¦ all that is best in every department of human knowledge, endeavour and achievement’. Reith enforced many regulations for instance; rude jokes were not allowed; he banned light entertainment on Sundays; and presenters had to speak properly so accents or dialects were not allowed. He felt that the BBC should provide popular programmes, however he also wanted BBC to be educational and enlightening experience. Which the BBC accomplished, it broadcast all over the U. K and was able to entertain and inform those in their own home, which brought families together. Though the radio had its rivals such as newspapers, and magazines it managed to overcome this by reaching out to all types of the public for example male, female, all classes, the educated and the illiterate. It became even more popular when the new wireless sets were invented; this was a great delight to all homes in Britain, it was very accessible in letting families enjoy listening to the radio. As well as putting across the news around the world the BBC also aired other kinds of interest such as dance music and comedy. This was a great improvement for singers and band leaders because it made them a vast amount of recognitions by the public because it caused their sales of their records to increase hugely. Band leaders such as Jack Payne and Henry Hall were very popular also common programs for example ‘Bandwagon’ went unmissed. As a result, radio was a family orientated source of entertainment and became a way of spending the night in, whilst enjoying yourself, rather than spending your night out. Another big source of entertainment was the cinema. Just as the radio allowed families coming together the so did the cinema, though it was more a family outing. The film industry grew rapidly, however at first the British film industry couldn’t compete with the American film industry. It wasn’t as technically advanced as the American films and the British public preferred to watch more films from America which didn’t created a bigger obstacle for the British film industry. Consequently in 1927 the government passed an act ensuring that at least 5% of the total number of films should be shown in cinemas had to be British. And during that year sound movies was introduced this was a set back for the British film industry economically the silent movies were no match to the ‘talkies’. Such film like ‘The Jazz Singer’ starring Al Jolson was the first sound movie to be shown though the first ten minutes of the film really had sound. Sound became a sensation; people were able to engage in the films for low prices. This was a way of bringing many forms of relationships together such as, couples, friends and families. It was seen as a safe, comfortable and relaxing environment for everyone to enjoy an evening and because one ticket could be used for the whole day, people could spend the entire day in the cinema. Also Tennis became very popular, tennis clubs emerged increasingly and tennis courts were built in public parks by the local council. Though tennis was very popular it was quite expensive therefore it mainly attracted the middle and the upper class. Also because of its uniform it generally appeals to women, there dresses were shorter and movable as a result women could play much more comfortably. Cricket was a further type of entertainment that attracted the middle and upper class. This was an extremely popular sport, it grabbed a lot of attention especially the men. Matches were filled with people mostly the men. And the success of Don Bradman, who was the one who sailed through nearly every match, initiated cricket hitting headlines. Football was a tremendously popular sport that was also male dominated, however it generally drew the attention of the working class. Because this was a new sport, and the prices were very cheap crowds of 50,000 to 60,000 attended the first division matches. It was so crowded people were literally on the field, although during the early 1930’s, since this was a fresh new sport the men weren’t as rowdy and uncontrollable as the men are today. Even football pools were produced, this suggests the popularity of football and how the people of the 1930’s were influenced by this sport. In contrast to these sports greyhound racing was very popular as well though it weren’t as positive as the others. It attracted the working class and made them spend money to get money, although it didn’t work like that for the majority of people; it increased gambling; dept and led to addiction. The unemployed gambled as much as the working class but just spent less money, all of this reflected the fact of entertainment rising in the early 1930’s. Music halls were an additional strong type of entertainment in the early 1930’s, however as grey hound racing was a negative type of sport so was music halls. It was where a selection of entertainment was staged in a large hall with tables at which drinks were served. It presented a variety of entertainment involving a mixture of popular songs, performing animals, acrobats, male/female impersonators, and comedians. It also assists in many acts becoming popular such as Flanagan and Allen, Gracie Fields, Max Miller, and George Formby. The halls mostly attracted the working class because of its cheap prices; it was a place to socialize; and the availability of alcohol was one of the music hall’s attractions. People really came to music halls to unwind and have a lively time. Therefore, because the hall encouraged heavy drinking among both men and women, it didn’t appeal to families seeing as it wasn’t a place for children. Music halls went into a gradual decline after the introduction of talking films, Jazz, Swing, Big Band dance music and cinema. It’s restriction on the range of audience, which limited their customers, was another reason of their failure. Musicals were similar to the music halls as they were both centered on music and performances; however because of the two different audiences it was incredibly different as well. Because of it sophistication musicals mainly attracted the middle and upper classes, the result of this meant that there was no competition. Therefore they carried on being successful. To conclude entertainment was a break through in allowing people to overcome to effects of the depression. Therefore it gave a rise to the upcoming of entertainment and how it affects our lives today.

Geography of Kiribati

Kiribati is an island nation located in Oceania in the Pacific Ocean. It is made up of 32 island atolls and one small coral island spread out over 1.3 million square miles. The country itself, however, has only 313 square miles (811 sq km) of area. Kiribati is also along the International Date Line on its easternmost islands and it straddles the Earths equator. Because it is on the International Date Line, the country had the line shifted in 1995 so that all of its islands could experience the same day at the same time. Fast Facts: Kiribati Official Name: Republic of KiribatiCapital: TarawaPopulation: 109,367 (2018)Official Languages: I-Kiribati, English  Currency: Australian dollar (AUD)Form of Government: Presidential republicClimate: Tropical; marine, hot and humid, moderated by trade windsTotal Area: 313 square miles (811 square kilometers)Highest Point: Unnamed elevation on Banaba island at 265 feet (81 meters)  Lowest Point: Pacific Ocean at 0 feet (0 meters) History of Kiribati The first people to settle Kiribati were the I-Kiribati when they settled on what are the present-day Gilbert Islands around 1000-1300 BCE. Fijians and Tongans later invaded the islands. Europeans did not reach the islands until the 16th century. By the 1800s, European whalers, traders, and slave merchants began visiting the islands and causing social problems. In 1892, the Gilbert and Ellice Islands agreed to become British protectorates. In 1900, Banaba was annexed after natural resources were found and in 1916 they all became a British colony. The Line and Phoenix Islands were also later added to the colony. During World War II, Japan seized some of the islands and in 1943 the Pacific portion of the war reached Kiribati when United States forces launched attacks on the Japanese forces on the islands. In the 1960s, Britain began giving Kiribati more freedom of self-government and in 1975 the Ellice Islands broke away from the British colony and declared their independence in 1978. In 1977, the Gilbert Islands were given more self-governing powers and on July 12, 1979, they became independent with the name Kiribati. Government of Kiribati Today, Kiribati is considered a republic and it is officially called the Republic of Kiribati. The countrys capital is Tarawa and its executive branch of government is made up of a chief of state and a head of government. Both of these positions are filled by Kiribatis president. Kiribati also has a unicameral House of Parliament for its legislative branch and Court of Appeal, High Court, and 26 Magistrates courts for its judicial branch. Kiribati is divided into three different units, the Gilbert Islands, the Line Islands, and the Phoenix Islands, for local administration. There are also six different island districts and 21 island councils for Kiribatis islands. Economics and Land Use in Kiribati Because Kiribati is in a remote location and its area is spread over 33 small islands, it is one of the least developed Pacific island nations. It also has few natural resources, so its economy is mainly dependent on fishing and small handicrafts. Agriculture is practiced throughout the country and the main products of that industry are copra, taro, breadfruit, sweet potatoes, and assorted vegetables. Geography and Climate of Kiribati The islands making up Kiribati are located along the equator and International Date Line about halfway between Hawaii and Australia. The closest nearby islands are Nauru, the Marshall Islands, and Tuvalu. It is made up of 32 very low lying coral atolls and one small island. Because of this, Kiribatis topography is relatively flat and its highest point is an unnamed point on the island of Banaba at 265 feet (81 m). The islands are also surrounded by large coral reefs. The climate of Kiribati is tropical and as such it is mainly hot and humid but its temperatures can be somewhat moderated by the trade winds. Sources Central Intelligence Agency. CIA - The World Factbook - Kiribati.Infoplease.com. Kiribati: History, Geography, Government, and Culture- Infoplease.com.United States Department of State. Kiribati.