Portfolio of work Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Portfolio of work - Article Example This medium will allow the company to benefit from direct sales of the publication. Unlike online sources which often rely on advertising revenue, a print magazine can take advantage of both direct sales of the product as well as advertising proceeds. Furthermore, it will be easier to estimate the readership and market share of the product when this format is adopted (Williams, 2009). The magazine will have giveaways and prizes attached, so a tangible medium is the best alternative. Mothers are the target audience for the monthly edition. These women are likely to be educated, working and social. Age may not be a relevant segment because stories will target mothers with teenagers, infants or children of school-going age. Nonetheless, the design of the magazine will be biased towards fun-loving and upbeat personalities. These women will not be one-track minded. They may be administrators at their places of work, members of the local rotary club or volunteers at their churches. A numbe r of them are likely to wear the proverbial ‘many hats’. This explains why the magazine will contain a rich mix of topics. Since the publication will be relatively cheap, it is probable that readers will not belong to one income status. It is meant to be all-encompassing and accessible, even to those who are struggling to make ends meet. This idea is ripe for the local print magazine market because women require an unpretentious and accessible reading item. The current magazines in the market do not cover a wide range of topics like the ones that this magazine will contain. Most of them have very narrow topic selections. ‘Real Mom’ will be different because it will address all manners of lifestyle issues. Furthermore, its emphasis on people’s real-life experiences will make it personal and relatable. The magazine will go for a $1.5, which is much lower than other magazines in the market. Low prices often guarantee a wide reach and thus high circulati on. Furthermore, this amount will lure infrequent magazine readers to try out this new brand. Part 2: Cover letter Dear ‘Real Mom’ Hiring Manager I would like to submit my application for the position of staff writer as described in your newspaper advertisement. Real Mom is a publication that is at the heart of my personal interests. I have been an advent reader of the magazine since its inception. Its engaging topics have always been delivered in a fun and heartwarming manner. As a former writer for ‘Fitness Fanatic’ magazine, I have submitted 150 articles and published 75% of them. I wrote about various lifestyle topics like â€Å"the unpalatable taste of artificial sweeteners†, â€Å"Cheat days," â€Å"Etiquette rules for weight watchers," â€Å"Halle Berry’s workout regimen† and â€Å"Unrealistic expectations at the gym." I relied on interviews, newspapers, books and online authorities for these articles. These topics were often original ideas that I pitched to my superiors. Therefore, I meet one of the requirements you described in the advertisement about conducting research and conceptualizing ideas. Prior to the submission of topics, members of my organization gave the senior editor suggestions on possible areas of publication. Sometimes the magazine leaned towards particular angles, which we needed to build on. I am thus familiar with group dynamics after collaborating with several staff members in such sessions (Conley and Stephen, 2006). This is

India: the 2015 Budget and the Stock Market

India: the 2015 Budget and the Stock Market Introduction The Union Budget 2015-16 was presented by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on 28th February and was a highly anticipated event for all sections of the Indian society. It was the first budget of the newly formed Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The government was formed with full support from the people of India, who considered P.M. Narendra Modi to be a change agent with the widely publicized campaign â€Å"Ache Din Aane Waale hainâ€Å". The BJP led campaign received widespread support not only from the masses but also from the corporate and stock market watchers. The stock market was not performing well since the last few years due to loss of investor sentiments, low return on investments and badly performing shares across sectors. On the day of the election result announcement, the stock market shot up to higher levels. This created widespread cheer among the investors and the corporate. They surely wished that better days are coming ahead. Hence the Budget was highly awaited by the business houses and the stock market players with a positive outlook, against the economic backdrop of a still-nascent recovery in the economy. The stock market response to the budget is often viewed as an important summary statistic of the â€Å"quality† of the budget in terms of improving the macroeconomic prospects of the country. Expectation of Stock Markets Fuelled by hopes and expectations, the stock market opened higher on the Budget morning. The experts were predicting a volatile market and it sure did not disappoint. Just like any other day, trading started at 9:15ISTand concluded at 15:30 IST. Analysts were ready to scrutinize measures in the Budget for financing infrastructure projects as well as the governments own capital expenditure on infrastructure for the year ahead. This was the first full fledged Budget of the  Narendra Modi  government and analysts looked for a roadmap for economic growth for the next few years. Before the Budget Day Indian stocks surged on 27 February 2015 after the Economic Survey 2014-15 tabled in parliament by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley stated that the government remains committed to fiscal consolidation and said that there is a scope for Big Bang economic reforms. Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) bought shares worth a net Rs 1957.10 crore on 27 February, as per provisional data. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) sold shares worth a net Rs 491.93 crore on 27 February, as per provisional data. On the Budget Day The benchmark index, Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) Sensex, opened at 29,411.33 points. The Sensex, which was trading with a gain of over 200 points before Finance Minister Arun Jaitley began his much-awaited Budget speech, swung between positive and negative terrain as he announced different measures. However, as the budget speech got under way, volatility set in and at 11:59am, markets slipped into the red. After some seesawing through the day, the markets closed with gains, with the equity benchmark Sensex adding 141.38 points or 0.48%., and closed at 29,361.50 points. It raised 141.38 points higher on promise of lower corporate tax rates logging the first rise on a Budget day in four years. In the previous three sessions on Budget 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Sensex had ended lower. However, the difference between the days high and low was 678.3 points. The best performing sector of the day was BSE Bankex, which gained 3.27%, followed by BSE Healthcare at 2.03%. Meanwhile, the worst performing sector was BSE FMCG which fell 4.09%, followed by BSE Consumer Durables, which fell 2.05%. The broader National Stock Exchange (NSE) index Nifty also moved up by 57.25 points to end the week at 8,901.85, after hovering between 8,751.35 and 8941.10. To better understand the effect of the Budget on the Stock Market and across the various sectors and companies listed in the Sensex, it is better to understand the major points mentioned in the budget which led to such widespread reactions. Budget Highlights Finance Minister Arun Jaitley announced a budget aimed at high growth, saying the pace of cutting the fiscal deficit would slow as he seeks to boost investment and ensure that ordinary people benefit. Mentioning below some of the major highlights from the Budget Fiscal deficit seen at 3.9 percent of GDP in 2015/16. Will meet the challenging fiscal target of 4.1 percent of GDP. GDP growth seen at between 8 percent and 8.5 percent. Expects consumer inflation to remain close to 5 percent by March, opening room for more monetary policy easing. Market Reforms Propose to merge commodities regulator with SEBI To bring a new bankruptcy code They plan to amend the RBI act this year, and provide for a monetary policy committee To set up public debt management agency Proposes to introduce a public contract resolution of disputes bill. To establish an autonomous bank board bureau to improve management of public sector banks. Inflation Monetary policy framework agreement with the RBI clearly states objective of keeping inflation below 6 percent GENERAL ANTI-AVOIDANCE RULES (GAAR) Government defers rollout of anti-tax avoidance rules GAAR by two years. It is ananti-tax avoidanceregulation ofIndia. GAAR to apply prospectively from April 1, 2017.Retrospective tax provisions will be avoided. It was considered controversial because it had provisions to seek taxes from past overseas deals involving local assets retrospectively. Taxation Major highlights were: To abolish wealth tax Replaces wealth tax with additional 2 pct surcharge on super rich Proposed to cut to 25 percent corporate tax over next four years as they consider that corporate tax of 30 percent is uncompetitive FM proposed modification of permanent establishment norms so that the mere presence of a fund manager in India would not constitute a permanent establishment of the offshore fund, resulting in adverse tax consequences. Extends withholding tax concession on foreign debt purchases by two years Expects to implement goods and services tax by April 2016 To reduce custom duty on 22 items Infrastructure Investment in infrastructure will go up by 700 billion rupees in 2015-16 over last year. It plans to set up national investment infrastructure fund. It also proposes tax-free infrastructure bonds for projects in roads, rail and irrigation project. Investments It proposed to do away with different types of foreign investment caps and replace them with composite caps to allow foreign investment in alternative investment funds Stock Market Reactions Positive Reactions the Companies/Sectors Benefitted The Union Budget 2015-16 presented by Arun Jaitley on Saturday is widely considered a good Budget. It announced many measures that cheered the common man and even industry bodies. India Inc was happy with the budget with most calling it a pro-reform and a positive budget. The lower corporate tax tied with fewer exemptions was accepted to simplify the tax structure and promote investment. Sentiments were lifted after FM announced a cut in corporate tax by 5 per cent to 25 per cent over four years starting April 2016. The government’s focus on investment in the infrastructure sector was also viewed positively by the market In order to boost infrastructure spending, the finance minister proposed to reintroduce tax-free bonds. These are secured, redeemable, non-convertible debentures issued by government entities to mobilize funds needed for infrastructure development. This should help attract savings looking for stable long-term risk-free return. Among other measures, foreign investors have been allowed to invest in alternate investment funds. Besides, the proposal to defer applicability of General Anti-Avoidance Act (GAAR) by two years, April 1, 2017, also boosted buying. Among the 30 Sensex scrips, Axis Bank topped the gainers by surging 8.1 per cent. Governments initiative to bring in a Comprehensive Bankruptcy code for the ease of doing business by 2015-16 is a big welcome step from the banking sector perspective. Stocks in banking, healthcare, auto, oil and gas and IT rose. Major Sensex gainers were Tata Motors, ICICI Bank, Dr Reddy, Hindustan Unilever, Cipla, GAIL, Tata Steel, HDFC Bank, Infosys, RIL and MM. They gained between 1-3 per cent. Meanwhile, foreigners bought shares worth a net Rs 1,957.10 crore on the day. Says KPMG India CEO Richard Rekhy: â€Å"The Finance Minister has come out with a pragmatic Budget which is directionally focused at achieving growth and keeping the fiscal prudence in mind. The focus is on ease of doing business in India and increased infrastructure spend. Measures like New Bankruptcy legislation, startup entrepreneur’s funds, GST rollout by FY 2016, deferral of GAAR will definitely support the cause of ease of doing business in India.† Negative Reactions the Sectors/Companies Impacted Media companies:Companies in the media space like PVR, Eros, Dish TV and Hathaway could be affected by the change in service tax rules. Now, the entertainment sector would be brought under the service tax net. Metal and mining stocks: The Budget announced two measures that could directly impact metals and mining companies like Hindalco, Sesa Sterlite and Kalyani – the increase in clean energy cess on coal to Rs 200/tonne from Rs 100/tonne, and the hike in basic custom duty on metallurgical coke to 5% from 2.5% earlier. PSU banks: The public-sector banks like PNB, Bank of India, Syndicate Bank and Dena Bank are heavily dependent on government finances.The Budget announced that the government will infuse Rs 7940 crore in PSU banks in the next fiscal. The Budget indicated the setup of a Holding Company for PSU banks, which would give them more freedom and control. It also indicated that PSU banks could issue more stocks in the market. This will help them raise money by themselves, thus lowering their dependency on government capital. ITC, Cigarettes Industries: The government usually reduces taxes for essential goods and increases tax burden on goods which are not essential and/or harmful. One such product which sees high taxation is cigarettes. The Budget further increased tax burden by hiking excise duty in certain cigarette products by 25% and 15%. This would make the cigarettes costlier from April 2015. Any rise in price negatively impacts demand and thus corporate profits. Shares of cigarette major ITC fell 8 per cent following the Budget proposal to increase excise duty on cigarettes. The government came down heavily on smokers and tobacco consumers in Budget 2015-16 with a steep increase in excise duty.Citing need for promotion of public health, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday said: Excise duty on cigarettes is being increased by 25 percent for cigarettes of length not exceeding 65 mm and by 15 percent for cigarettes of other lengths. Similar increases are proposed on cigars, cheroots and cigarillos. Plastic Industries : The government wants to deter plastic consumption to reduce its harmful effects on the environment. For this reason, the Budget increased excise duty from 12% to 18% on plastic products (polymers). This would make plastic products costly. Conclusion Budget 2015 operates on some clear themes, and Government explains not just the challenges it faces but also the key ideas it is banking on. Declining agricultural income, the need for increasing investment in infrastructure, the need to remain on the fiscal consolidation path, a perceptible decline in manufacturing and the impact of the greater devolution of taxes to states have been highlighted in this Budget as the major challenges. This Budget was expected to be a ‘Big Bang’ Budget. It was expected to announce a slew of reforms to get India back on the growth path. While the Budget did announce small-scale reforms for the industries, it did not mention any big reforms. As a result, market benchmarks Nifty, Sensex slipped back into the red after the Budget speech. They were earlier up 1% because of the deferral of GAAR and a cut in corporate tax by 5%. Overall, Budget 2015 shows the Governments commitment towards increasing competitiveness of the Indian economy while managing the expectation of domestic corporate and the common man too. The real test lies in how efficiently the new government would be able to execute the ambitious proposals brought forth in Budget 2015 and how it helps in the bull run of the Stock Markets. References The Hindu : Union Budget Live http://www.thehindu.com/business/budget/live-union-budget-2015/article6944394.ece Business Today : Stock Market Sensex on 28th February http://businesstoday.intoday.in/story/stock-market-bse-sensex-nse-nifty-union-budget-2015-16/1/216277.html

Analysis of Human Perception Essay -- essays research papers

When it comes down to our understanding of the world it is ultimately the result of our sensual means of perception. In other terms, can we really trust the truth, or anything that we know of scientifically? What does it mean to know something is true and also why it is important to distinguish between what you know and do not or cannot know? It is very difficult to be able to believe everything you hear, unless you experience it for yourself. Let?s say the perception is like viewing through goggles. If the tint of the goggles is green, the world appears green, if it?s black the world too 'becomes' black. You want to see poverty, you can. You want to see or feel corruption, and you can get that. If you want to see happiness you can see that too. Throughout the thousand of years, people?s opinions of perception have changed dramatically. My definition and opinion of perception is how I distinguish life. What is significant to me, and what do I not care for? My perception was defined by how I was raised in society. I think it is important to have a strong educational background, and have a close relationship with my family, and friends. To other individuals, they may think my perception isn?t correct, they could presume that working hard for money is significant to them, and family or friends is just a minor thing in life. Life is all in the matter of how each individual perceives it. Also it can be different for each person, as mentioned above, depending on his or her lifestyle. It is the substantiality of opinion of what you believe is true. At one point in time, people didn?t require evidence in order to consider something. The world was naive, and di... ..., geographer, astronomer, and astrologer who lived in the Hellenistic culture of Roman Egypt.? (Ptolemy, Encyclopedia) Ptolemy assumed that the earth revolved around everything, and continued to believe this fact, until Eratosthenes proved him wrong. ?He is noted for devising a system of latitude and longitude, and for being the first known to have calculated the circumference of the Earth.? (Eratosthenes, Encyclopedia) All in all, perception has grown an incredible amount. Perception can be taken any way by any person, but my following examples are good ways of looking at how it can only be believed if you have evidence, or how perception has changed dramatically throughout the years. I thought this topic was very interesting to research, and it never dawned on me how I interpreted perception, until I had to write about it.

Food Report-Pakistan

Also the times of these meals are different as breakfast or known in Pakistan as â€Å"Cherish† is eaten afore sunrise and dinner or â€Å"Fatal is after sunset. As people are fasting during the day, lunch does not exist. Breakfast Breakfast is one of the three most common meals of the day, in Pakistan (Udder) â€Å"Nashua† in their native name for breakfast. The most common food eaten in breakfast includes eggs either boiled, fried. In addition, the egg is complemented by a piece of bread.Although tradition bread is known as â€Å"root† that is eaten. Some other food accompanied by the already listed is butter on bread or other various pitas. In Canada, coffee is the beverage of preference in the morning, although in Pakistan, as they were formerly a rites colony, they adopted tea also known as â€Å"chaw† and this is their drink of choice. Lunch A traditional lunch in a Pakistani household is as follows: typically a type of meat inside of curry, some lu nches include â€Å"Chicken Curry' and â€Å"Beef Curry'.In addition, to add variety to the meal, some households enjoy rice with beef and potatoes or chili soup. Another common type of lunch in Pakistan is â€Å"Deal Chalk†. Although, family lunches are not very common as the breadwinners are usually at work and return home for dinner. Although lunch for breadwinners may vary as traditional food is not eaten at work, due to its cent and thus they either buy food or have sandwiches for lunch. As no attention is given to the five food groups, some people may lack the suggested serving of the food groups.Dinner unlike Canada, in which breakfast is considered to be the most important meal of the day, Pakistan differs as dinner is the most important meal as the entire family is gathered together and the quantity of the meal in greater. Furthermore, dinner is served late in comparison to Canada as the work hours are longer so families have dinner at around In addition, families usually have the most tasteful meal of the day. One of the cost common meals in a Pakistani household is Brain. This meal includes rice, spices and other various meats depending on the person's choice. Desserts include sweets such as Gulag Jam or fruit platters.Family Relationships Family relations to food are known for to be very stereotypical in Pakistan as women are in charge of cooking the food while the men are the breadwinners. In Pakistan, the rate of employment of women low thus most breadwinners are men and the women are left to do housework. Also the food choices may be limited as children are eating the same type of food again and again and this limits their choices. As Pakistan has such a high poverty rate choices of food is limited thus children cannot acquire unique taste although individuals with a large amount of wealth proper.Economy The Pakistani economy consists of a large part of the food families consume. If food prices were to ever rise, some families would not be able to meet the budget to be able to purchase all the products needed to prepare a meal. Statistics show that an average income of Pakistani household averages around 79,1 58 RSI. ; which further shows that for a balanced diet an average Pakistani citizen needs about 1 1,454. 20 RSI. Average families consist of four members, which would require 45,816. 80 RSI. To purchase a sustainable amount of food for the family.

B Wordsworth

â€Å"B. Wordsworth† is the creation of V. S. Naipaul about the story of a boy and a man who felt like being a poet but, unfortunately, could never be one. As one of the most widely read and perhaps interpreted writers of Caribbean descent, V. S. Naipaul presents a poetic view of the challenges of being part of Caribbean society during that time. It reflects the impact that a foreign culture and a foreign language had upon the natives. Yet, it does not condemn this fact but rather embraces it in an unfamiliar way.The main character, B. Wordsworth, is a tramp, a vagabond who resides in a very simple one room hut that is surrounded by weeds, trees and bushes that are overgrown. He not only lives a life of modesty and simplicity but he also has an unusual appreciation for nature. This is shown by his comments on the stars and during the time when he shows the young boy the different trees. The thing that made him different, however, was the fact that while he was a man of simple means he spoke English in a peculiar, unnatural manner.It is this fact which draws the attention of the young boy and invites the scorn of his mother. A critical analysis of the circumstances and the events that transpire in the story will reveal that there is an internal struggle that the characters have to face. The misplaced English that the boy speaks as compared to the flawless English of B. Wordsworth mirrors the social climate in the Caribbean during that time.This contrast also reveals the irony that exists in the life of not only the boy but also the vagabond as the realization of having a dream but not the capacity to pursue such dawns upon him in the twilight of his years. B. Wordsworth and perhaps the boy who followed his dream wanted to be poets but could never be one. The seemingly poetic language of the boy and the poetic nature of B. Wordsworth show that the poetry existed not in language but in his lifestyle. The magically garden that existed amidst the concrete jun gle is a testament to this but is sadly one that was torn down only to exist in the boys memory.