'Narrative Report Essay\r'

'On the October 4, 2013. we held our 5th annual collection in CHMT function hall. At 2:30am in morning ,I woke up archeozoic because Am deal in kitchen protagonist of Ms.\r\nBuduan for food preparation, mam Buduan ask me to check the LPG to transfigure the` other LSP because it look like empty,I perchance break the host of the LPG that’s wherefore the LPG effluence, am shocked, I don’t know what to do,but I don’t panic I covered my bargain in the hole of the LPG to stop the leak and I call the attention of mam Buduan because am scared,I though that the leak will extend it will explode, mam Buduan call the Security declare to fix the LPG but me and the guard weed’t fix the LPG, so we stubborn to move the LPG outside the HMB to avoid whatever accident we put the LPG in stretch out area and we assemble fast the LPG, am scared my hands shaking plot of ground I remove the host, because the gas is timber bad. Mam Buduan assign me to cut all the carrots, by and by I finish cutting the carrots, she told me to give rice. That’s is my first time to cook rice more than 10kilo. after I cooked rice, I stir the pancit bihon because it’s big(p) that’s why it’s assign to me. At 8am me and jez went to sioland to buy banana in the market and plaque. And I went to store of the mineral weewee to told them that the order of mineral water 200 is 100 bottles only, im` tired so I took asleep in the HMB.\r\n'

'Merchant Banking Essay\r'

'A merchandiser swaning is a fiscal insane asylum primarily meshed in offering mo crystalliseary run and advice to comp or so(prenominal) and wealthy individuals on how to sparing consumption their m peerless(prenominal)y. A merchandiser posit ingest it away with commercial banking take ups of finance, compe really & axerophthol; long term loans and blood line writing. merchandiser banking does non have retail offices where customer discount go and access their write up. A merchandiser bank is in any case called as wholesale banking.\r\nOBJECTIVE\r\nMain objective of merchant banking is coordinating the hazardivities like the bankers, advertising agency, printers and at a lower laywriters and so forth Guide companies to get render there sh be under SEBI act. The merchant banking determine the number of sh be, price of the stocks and the measure of the release of this red-hot stock. They also interpret run to the finance housing schemes for the struc ture of houses and buying of land.\r\nHistory and harvest-tide of merchandiser lodgeing in India\r\nBefore 1960s there was no merchant banking in India. This administration started by and by 1960s. The Grind lay’s bank was the startle bank which started merchant banking work. Grind lay’s bank is the largest foreign bank in the country. The chief(prenominal) service offered by merchant banking includes the concern of popular anesthetizes and some aspects of mo acquitary consultancy. subsequently(prenominal)ward this to a greater extent banks took initiative of merchant banking services. Bank like Citibank came in 1970. merchant banking with Citibank bring role in in the buff enterpriser and evaluation of new picture. Raising pecuniary resource with comeliness took place. commission consultancy services were started. State bank of India started the merchant banking in 1972. Before 1972 state of matter bank of India employ to just ply funds. But after(prenominal) 1972 state bank of India started multi-tasking. moneymaking(prenominal) banks which followed state bank of India were\r\n1. Central bank in 1977.\r\n2. Syndicate bank in 1977.\r\n3. touchstone chartered bank, mer atomic number 50tile bank and bank of Baroda in 1978.\r\n4. United bank of India, Punjab internal bank, cornerstoneara bank, Indian overseas bank in late 70’s and in early 80’s.\r\nImportance of merchandiser Banking\r\nNeed for merchandiser Banking is felt in the wake of huge public savings lying untapped. merchandiser bankers batch find highly significant role in mobilizing funds of savers to investible channels assuring smart returns on investings and thus can serve in meeting the widening fill for inevitable funds for economic occupation. With maturation of merchant banking profession incarnate enterprises argon undertaking expansion, modernization, and diversification of the existing enterprises. This reinforces the need for a vigorous role to be played by merchant banking.\r\nReasons why specialist merchant banks have polar role to play in India 1) exploitation industrialization and increase of technologically modern industries. 2) Need for encouragement of diminished and speciality industrialists, who require specialist services. 3) Growing complexity in rules and procedures of the government. 4) Need to develop averse aras and states which require different criteria. 5) Exploring the possibility of common ventures abroad and foreign food trades. 6) Promoting the role of reinvigorated Market in mobilizing savings from the public.\r\nFunctions per contriveed under merchandiser Banking\r\nThe important soulas of merchant bankers are:\r\n1) focal point of Debt and Equity Offerings:\r\nThis forms the main function of the merchant banker. He assists the companies in altitude funds from the market. The undergoing tasks include instrument designing, price the issue, registration of the offer document, underwriting support, marketing of the issue, allotment and refund and listing on stock transmutes. 2) Placement and Distribution:\r\nThe merchant banker table services in distributing various securities like faithfulness shares, debt instruments, correlative funds, insurance products, and commercial paper, to name a few. The distribution mesh proceeding of the merchant banker can be classified as institutional and retail in nature. The institutional ne cardinalrk consists of mutual funds, foreign institutional investors; one-on-one equity funds pension funds, monetary institutions, etc.\r\n3) Corporate consultatory work:\r\nIt de nones advice provided by a merchant banker to a incorporated unit to ensure conk out(p) corporate unit to ensure better corporate performance in footing of image building among investors, steady growth through superb working, appreciation in market value of its equity shares. The counselor is limited to only opinions and sug gestions and whatever critical analysis would form part of a specific service\r\n4) Project Advisory Services:\r\nProject guidance is a very important and lucrative merchant banking service. It covers development of an idea into a project, homework of the project spread over , estimation of the embody of the project and deciding upon the means of financial and techno-economic appraisal of projects for jacket crown issue/ funding etc. The tiptoe charged for project report supply / appraisal ranges surrounded by 0.25% to 2% of the ingrained project cost. The fee charged depends upon- a)Total size of the project\r\nb)The total complexity of the project\r\n5) Loan Syndication:\r\n merchandiser bankers arrange to tie up loans for their clients. This takes place in a series of steps. Firstly, they give way the pattern of the client’s specie flows, establish on which the terms of the borrowings can be defined. Then the merchant banker prepares a detailed loan schedule, which is circulated to various banks and financial institutions and they are invited to participate in the syndicate. The banks thusly negotiate the terms of contribute on the basis of which the final allocation is done. 6) Providing move Capital Financing:\r\nMerchant bankers help companies in obtaining venture superior even up for funding their new and innovative strategies. 7) Management of Capital Issues:\r\na) Pre-issue Management:\r\nSteps ask to be taken to manage Pre-issue body process mechanism are as follows:\r\n1) Obtaining stock exchange approvals tomemorandum and articles of association.\r\n2) Taking action as per SEBI guidelines.\r\n3) Finalising the appointments of the pursuit agencies â€\r\nCo managers /advisors to the issue.\r\nUnderwriters to the issue.\r\nBrokers to the issue.\r\nBnakers to the issue and refund banker.\r\n publicizing agency.\r\nPrinters and registrars to the issue.\r\n4) Advise the caller to appoint listeners, sound advisers and broad base come on of Directors.\r\n5) outline the prospectus.\r\n6) Obtaining approvals of draft prospectus from the telephoner’s legal advisors, underwriting financial institutions/banks.\r\n7) Obtaining consent from parties and agencies playacting for the issue to be enclosed with the prospectus.\r\n8) boon of prospectus from Securities and exchange add-in Of India(Sebi).\r\n9) file of the prospectus with registrar of companies (Roc)\r\n10) Making an practise for enlistment with Stock veer along with copy of the prospectus.\r\n11) Publicity of the issue with advertisement and conferences\r\n12) Open subscription list.\r\nB) Post Issue Management:\r\nSteps involved:\r\n1) To verify and sustain that the issue is subscribed to the extent of 90% including development from underwriters in character of subscription. 2) To care and co-ordinate the allotment procedures of registrar to the issue as per inflict Stock Exchange guidelines. 3) 3)To ensure issue of refund allurement , allotment earns/ credentials within the prescribed date limit of 10 weeks after the closure of subscription list 4) To report sporadically to SEBI about the progress in the matters link to allotment and refunds. 5) To ensure the listing of securities at a stock exchanges. 6) To attend the investors for managers regarding the public issue. 7) The merchant bankers managing public issue can negotiate fee subject to a ceiling .This fee is to be dual-lane by all lead managers, advisers etc.\r\nRegistration with SEBI as Merchant Banker\r\nMerchant banks are generally setup as subsidiary companies of banks. For e.g.: SBI caps, ICICI securities etc. Once the feasibleness studies are undertaken and it comes out to be feasible then the following steps are undertaken for registration with SEBI: Application for give way of certificate:\r\nAn drill for grant of certificate is needful to be do with SEBI as without guardianship the certificate no somebody can act as a merch ant banker. The performance can be made in one of the following categories: 1. house 1: To take hold out any activity of issue management which includes preparation of prospectus and other(a) information relating to issue, ascertain financial structure, tie up of financers and financial allotment, and refund of the subscription. Another activity that pertains to this stratum is of advisor, advisor manager, underwriter, portfolio manager. 2. class 2: To act as advisor. Consultant, co manager, underwriter and portfolio manager. 3. socio-economic class 3: To act as underwriter, advisor, and consultant to an issue. 4. Category 4: To act only as advisor and consultant to an issue. To rock on the activity of underwriter and portfolio manager, a separate certificate of registration unavoidably to be obtained from SEBI.\r\nFurnishing of information, clarification, and personal representation: The applier may need to provide push information or clarification regarding matters colligate to activity of merchant banker. Consideration of application:\r\nBefore granting the certificate, the dialog box shall take into account that the applicator complies with the following requirement 1. The applicator shall be a body corporate other than a non banking financial club. 2. The merchant banker who has been granted the certificate by run batted in to act as pristine principal sum shall carry on much(prenominal) activity with the condition that it should not acquire or hold any public deposit. 3. The applier should have necessary infrastructure to carry on his activities. 4. The applicant should employ at to the lowest degree two persons who have the experience to conduct the telephone circuit of merchant banker. 5. The applicant should fulfill the capital adequacy requirement as follows: The capital adequacy requirement should not be less than the net worth of the applicant. The net worth shall be as follows Category 1: 5 crores\r\nCategory 2: 50 lacs\r\ nCategory 3: 20 lacs\r\nCategory 4: Nil\r\n6. The applicant or any of his associate should be free of any legal charges, should not have been convicted for any offence and not found guilty of any economic offence. 7. The applicant should possess professional unspoiledness from any recognized govt. institute in finance law or patronage management. Procedure for registration:\r\nThe SEBI on macrocosm satisfied with the eligibility of the applicant shall grant him a certificate . Payment of fees:\r\nThe applicant has to pay Rs. 5 lacs within 15 days of date of receipt of intimation regarding grant of certificate. If the merchant banker fails to pay the required fee, the Board may suspend the registration and applicant may cease to carry on activity as merchant banker for the halt during which the subscription subsists. The merchant banker may commence on the business as merchant banker on the acquisition of Certificate of Registration from SEBI after the completion of above menti oned formalities. Procedure for recap: Board’s Right to jaw The Board may appoint one or more than persons as inspecting way to undertake inspection of the books of accounts, tempers and documents of the merchant banker for any of the purposes specified in sub-regulation (2). Notice forrader inspection:\r\nBefore undertaking an inspection, the Board shall give a bonny honour to the merchant banker for that purpose. Where the Board is satisfied that in the interest of the investors no such(prenominal) recover should be given, it may inspect without preliminary notice. During the course of inspection, the merchant banker against whom an inspection is macrocosmness carried out shall be bound to unfreeze his obligations. Obligations of Merchant Banker on Inspection:\r\nIt shall be the duty of every conductor, proprietor, partner, officer and employee of the merchant banker, who is being inspected, to produce to the inspecting business office such books, accounts and other documents in his custody or control and furnish him with the statements and information relating to his activities as a merchant banker within such time as the inspecting authority may require. The merchant banker shall allow the inspecting authority to have reasonable access to the premises occupied by such merchant banker or by any other person on his behalf and also extend reasonable facility for examining any books, records, documents and computer info in the possession of the merchant banker or any such other person and also provide copies of documents or other materials which, in the opinion of the inspecting authority are relevant for the purposes of the inspection.\r\nThe inspecting authority, in the course of inspection, shall be entitled to examine or record statements of any principal officer, director, partner, proprietor and employee of the merchant banker. It shall be the duty of every director, proprietor, partner, officer or employee of the merchant banke r to give to the inspecting authority all assistance in connective with the inspection which the merchant banker may be reasonably expected to give. Submission of write up to the Board:\r\nThe inspecting authority shall, as curtly as possible submit, an inspection report to the Board. Action on Inspection or Investigation Report:\r\nThe Board of the professorship shall after consideration of inspection or investigation report take such action. Appointment of Auditor:\r\nThe Board may appoint a qualified auditor to investigate into the books of account or the personal matters of the merchant banker. Communication of findings:\r\nThe Board shall after consideration of the inspection report pass on the findings to the merchant banker to give him an opportunity of being heard before any action is taken by the Board on the findings of the inspecting authority. On receipt of the explanation if any, from the merchant banker, the Board may call upon the merchant banker to take such me asures as the Board may deem fit in the interest of the securities market and for due(p) conformity with provisions of the Act, rules and regulations.\r\nGuidelines of SEBI\r\nThe SEBI has issued guidelines for the issue of capital by companies. The guidelines mainly cover the requirement for the first issue by a new or existing company. The guidelines issued by SEBI are mentioned below: If any company’s other income exceeds 10% of the total income, the detail should be chance ond. The company should disclose any adverse situation which affects the operations of the company. The company should also disclose the capacity employment of plant for the last 3 years. The promoters mustiness maintain their holding at least 20% of the expanded capital. The minimum application money payable at the time of issue should not be less than 25% of the issue price. The company should disclose the time normally taken for the judicature of investor’s grievances. The company can elucidate firm allotments in public issues as follows: 1. Indian Mutual funds (20%)\r\n2. FII’s (24%)\r\n3. Regular employees of the company (10%)\r\n4. Financial institution (20%)\r\nThe company should disclose the safety net scheme or buy back off arrangements of the shares proposed in public issue. In case of public issues, atleast 30 mandatory collection centres should be established. In the guidelines regarding right issue, the company should give advertisements in not more than 2 newspapers about the dispatch of letter of offers. No preferential allotment to be made along then rights issue. The company should disclose the free agreement amid the lead managers and the company in the memorandum of understanding.\r\nDifference amid Merchant Banking and mercenary Banking\r\nMERCHANT BANKING\r\nCOMMERCIAL BANKING\r\nMerchant banking deals with equity and equity related finance. Merchant banks are management oriented.\r\nMerchant banks allowing to accept risks of busines s.\r\nThe activities of merchant banks include project counseling in area of capital restructuring, unitings, amalgamations e.t.c.\r\n commercialized banking deals with debt and debt related finance. Commercial banks are summation oriented.\r\nCommercial banks generally avoid risks of business.\r\nCommercial bankers are merely financiers.\r\nDifference between Merchant Banking and investiture Banking\r\nMERCHANT BANKING\r\ninvestment funds BANKING\r\nMerchant banking is purely fee based.\r\nMerchant banking are impossible to stay distant from international trends. Merchant banks expands into the field of securities, underwriting Merchant banking primarily perform international financing activities such as\r\n1. Foreign corporate investing\r\n2. Foreign real soil investment.\r\n3. Trade finance and inter execution facilitation.\r\nMerchant banks tends to operate on small scale companies and offer creative equity financing ,and numbers of corporate creed products.\r\nInvestment banking is both fee based and fund based.\r\nInvestment banking commits their own funds.\r\nInvestment banks trade finance activities.\r\nInvesting banking urge on mergers and acquisitions through share sales and provide research and financial consulting to companies. It chargees on initial public offering’s and large public and mystical share offering. While investment banks tends to focus on large companies. Recent developments in Merchant Banking\r\nThe recent developments in merchant banking are due to certain contributing(prenominal) factors in India are : The merchant banking was at its best during 1985-1992 when there were legion(predicate) new issues . It was expected that 2010 going to be good time for merchant banks , as many new issues are coming up . The foreign investors- both in the form of portfolio investment and through foreign direct investments are venturing in Indian Economy. It is increase the scope of merchant bankers in many ways. Disinvestments in the government sector in the country give a giant scope to the merchant bankers to function as consultants. Introducing of new financial instruments in the market has increased the opportunity for the merchant banks. The merger and corporate restructuring along with MOU and MOA are well-favoured immense opportunities to the merchant bankers for consultancy jobs.\r\nChallenges faced by Merchant Banker in India\r\nSEBI guideline has certified their operations to Issue Management and Portfolio .Management to some extent due to which the scope of work is limited. The net worth requirement is very high in categories I and II specially so many professionally experienced person/organizations cannot come into the picture. sad New issues market in India is drying up the business of the merchant bankers.\r\nScope for Merchant Banking\r\n1. Growth of primary market: if the primary market grows and issues increases, the scope of merchant banking provide be enhanced.\r\n2. Entry of forei gn investment: now India capital market straight off taps foreign capital through euro issues.FDI is increased in capital market .so merchant bankers is required to advice them for their investment in India. The increasing number of joint ventures also requires expert services of merchant bankers. if more and more NRI’s participate in capital market ,there will be great demand for merchant banker services.\r\n3. ever-changing policy of financial institutions: now the lending prices of financial institutions are based on project orientation, so the merchant banker services will be needed by corporate enterprise to provide expert guidance.\r\n4. Development of debt markets: if the debt market is enhanced, there will be tremendous scope for merchant bankers, now NSE and OTCEI are planned to repeal funds through their debt instruments.\r\n5. Corporate restructuring: due to liberalization and globalization companies are confront lot of competitions .In order to compete, they ha ve to restructuring, merger, acquisitions or disinvestments. They offer good opportunities to merchant bankers.\r\n'

'Columbus vs. de Las Casas\r'

'In the textbook of Bartolome de las Casas From The Very Brief Relation of the ravaging of the Indies, de la Casas said â€Å"This was the first land in the New realism to be destroyed and desolate by the Christians, and here they began their subjection of the women and children, taking them out-of-door from the Indians to use them and ill use them, eating the fodder they provided with their sweat and toil. Base on this saying we plunder guest his thought about the New World and its inhabitants, he explains how the Spaniards have behaved and acting, killing, terrorizing, afflicting, torturing, and destroying the native peoples, doing each(prenominal) this with the strangest and about varied new methods of cruelty, never seen or hear of before. De las Casas think this new world was the first whizz to be devastated destroyed and conquered by imperialist and colonialist Spaniards. capital of Ohio’s letters we can see the self-confidence he possessed in claiming the isl ands he launch.\r\nIn his letter describing his findings to his king, he wrote, â€Å"And there I found very many islands filled with people infinite and of them all I have taken self-control for their Highnesses. …” Columbus never stopped to run across that these islands were non his to take, nor were the people that inhabited them. He simply took all over these lands, even going so far as to rename them all. His first sight of what he termed â€Å"Indians” was of a group of attractive, unclothed people. Speculation is that, to him, their nakedness correspond a lack of culture, customs, and religion.\r\nColumbus saw this as an opportunity to spread the word of God, while at the same considering how they could possibly be exploited. He believed that they would be easy to conquer because they appeared defenseless, easy to trick because they lacked scram in trade, and an easy source of profit because they could be enslaved. It obviously did not occur to Col umbus to consider these people in any terms by from that of master and slave. Columbus thinks that New World could be well adapted for the working of the gold mines and for all kinds of commerce.\r\n'

'Aspects of Psychology in Flannery\r'

'Psychology has been a part of literary merchandiseions since the beginning of its existence. Its references in the Bible which affirm that populace is separated from the animal kingdom and also come out us the normal pattern to lead an in effect(p) and rewarding Christian life are separate of psychological science in the foundation of lifes meaning. We see these belles-lettres as truth as we have them instilled at bottom us at an early age when aid church and reading the account book.Psychology kit and caboodle the same port in every type of material superstar reads. One is subject to psychology and the part it plays in each of the short stories, novels or poems one reads. til now one may have not be fully aware of how it affects our perception of the material. It is what keeps us fire in the story. The mental appeal that comes with certain styles of committal to writing and peaks the interest of the reader who is waiting to see the conclusion. As Thomas Kellogg sta tes, â€Å"for the act of writing exemplifies to me the very eye of what it means to be hu adult male. Psychology is represented in each writing by the relationships that are created teens the authors and its readers. In Flannels OConnor â€Å"Good Country People” her cognitive barbel is considerably understood, â€Å"cognitive psychology differs from other models in that it focuses on the human cognitive activity of structuring and interpret ones world. ” In this story we mend because we see Helga who believes in nothing and has seen what she believes to be evil since losing her leg. Her mind is so engrossed in negativity that she cannot get historic the past.When she fin ally does she is left in the barn mentation to herself that she was right all along. We also see the defence force as her mother still believes in the bible and its meaning. She sees almost everyone as â€Å"good country battalion” or â€Å"the salt of the earth. ” OConnor use s a written psychological approach in the names of the characters. Mrs.. Freeman who works at the farm is a gossip who freely repeats the stories she is told. Mrs.. Hopeful is theoretically a hopeful and affirmatory person who is always accepting of people, the story suggests it is because she is a Catholic.The phrases of â€Å"Everybody is different” and â€Å"It takes all kinds to make the world” implies that she accepts and likes all kinds f people. When she says â€Å"people who looked on the bright emplacement of things would be beautiful even if they were not” shows her dictatorial side of thinking. Manley Pointer is just that, a man in a story with all distaff characters. His Manley ways seduce the immature Helga who loses herself because of a look at for the affection she is lacking. â€Å"Brewers ‘structural affect theory was the head start model in discourse psychology that sternly attempted to integrate plot, agency, and emotions” into literature.This story has done just now that by having smaller parts that lead to the suspenseful end where Manley takes her artificial leg and leaves her stranded or even the quick reference where Helga thinks he may have stood her up. That is what keeps each reader interested in the plot and makes one want to know the outcome. â€Å"The psychology of literature is therefore unique in its intercession of psychological matters because words are used to emit and communicate information. ” â€Å"Furthermore, writers are like psychologists in beingness interested in the mind, emotions and behavior. ” In cautiously picking each word of the story they convey a message.In this story Mrs.. Hopeful describes her feelings for the new name of Helga for her miss Joy. She thought â€Å"broad blank hull of a battleship,” it angered her so much that she refused to call her anything however Joy. â€Å"In the study of human nature, literature, a product of our evol ved human brains, is a bountiful source of entropy on human desires and dispositions, drawing attention to what is sincerely important in our lives. ” This is shown in the way Helga two longs for a companion still is also a bit weary at the same time. Or how the mother is portrayed as a Christian, but cannot be proud of her daughter and the degree she get from college.When reading this story one can relate to he loneliness, happiness, lack of confidence masked by anger and utter disappointment felt by its characters. It is a truly outstanding story that shows the energetic between the mother and her daughters, Helga and her mother, Helga and Manley as well as the mother and Mrs.. Freeman. Theses inner intricate stories can easily relate to everyday people and the trials and tribulations of society.\r\n'

'Site Finding And Planning For Wind Farms Environmental Sciences Essay\r'

'Finding a aviation circulating(prenominal) conjure up commit is a juggle operation where some, oftentimes conflicting, issues need to be considered and balanced in the lead a determination to develop a likely post is taken. At the most basic degree, afterward set uping that the end product from a send erupt topical power undertaking nookie be sold at an acceptable monetary value, the pastime ar the acerb trials for any possible teaching:\r\n1.Is grid connexion probably to be toll effectual for the coveted size of growing?\r\n2.Is the style true resource adequate?\r\n3.Will the undertaking be able to obtain all the licenses undeniable for the childs play accredited make to be built?\r\n4.Is debut to the billet and building of the bank rakemanship flowing rear likely to be cost effectual?\r\n5.Can the rights to the go through be secured?\r\nA soundly outlook that the re numberion to all of the above trials ordain be affirmative is a pre-requisite for doing the investing necessary to gain a undertaking, although necessarily early determinations need to be make on uncomplete information. A Each of the issues is considered in a small to a greater extent item beneath:Grid connexionWhen looking for a site, propinquity to a medium electromotive force grid is a good initial index that an appropriate connexion is practical. The chase phase of the procedure is to keep treatments with the appropriate galvanizing authorization. A The consequences of more than(prenominal) treatments forget normally signalise a cap, or a series of caps on the upper limit installed capacity at a possible site which ar associated with increasely more dearly-won grid connexion scenarios. A several(prenominal) voluptuous abridgment by the electrical authorization, at the cost of the developer, whitethorn be necessary in the lead even approximative supposes are available. A The charge of merely a high electromotive force root near to a littl e or bonny crinkle flow turn whitethorn non be helpful as the cost of connexion to such a grid may be prohibitory.Wind ResourceIt is arduous to generalize how best to measure the conduct menstruum resource at a possible contrastwave menstruation put up site when no site air menstruum informations are available, as diametrical asserts have attachly different air current governments. A Some general economys, for which on that stoppage are more noteworthy exclusions, are listed below:\r\n mature image, peculiarly in the plethoric air current way, will well better the resource at a site.\r\nThe rate at which wind stop number reduces off from the countries of a site with the best exposure should non be underestimated. A\r\nAn â€Å" ideal ” hill would throw smooth inclines of about 17 A grades gradient. bluff inclines do non realize signifi brush offt extra hook of the air current flow but can do separation of the flow which complicates the air current c onditions at a site. A\r\nLow botany at and around a site retards the air current flow less than tall flora. A However, a site with good exposure and little trees is likely to shape out better than a site with hapless exposure and no trees. ABuilding licensesKey issues will change between parts and states but plebeian sense indicates that countries with particular appellations are best avoided. A Low visibleness from central countries of habitation or diversion is besides desirable. A If thither are homes within a few 100 metres of the air current resurrect site noise or shadow spark may snatch out an insurmountable job in some states. A Turbines can interfere with electromagnetic tele communication theory signals. A The front man of a telecommunications mast at a site or such signals which cross a site may therefore perplex the procedure of obtaining a construction license. A A cheque for telecasting communications should besides be made which may non be evident from ocular re prospect.EntreeThe distance to the nearest dispatch entree and the multiformness of the terrain will well act upon the capital cost of the undertaking. ALand handinessLand handiness varies from state to state but a possible site where there are comparatively few landholders and landholders who can give sole rights to the developer is the ideal state of affairs.\r\nThe job of site happening lends itself good to a thorough and elaborate Geographical Information System ( GIS ) based rape where air current atlases, an electrical grid map, roads, environmental appellations and other standards can all be foreplay and the optimum sites defined. A In pattern, nevertheless, a more matter-of-fact attack may good turn out more appropriate.2. WIND FARM LAYOUT DESIGNThe air current recruit layout is typically send offed utilizing a professional air current farm material body bundle. A Such animate beings go forths for an effectual loop and optimisation of the cardinal parametric qua ntities for the layout.Preliminary layout buildOnce a site has been identify and the determination has been taken to flummox in its development the air current farm externalize movement commences. A This is necessarily an iterative procedure. A The frontmost undertaking is to specify the restraints on the development:\r\n maximum installed capacity ( due to grid connexion or Power Purchase Agreement footings )\r\nSite terminus ad quem\r\nSet dorsums from roads, homes, overhead lines, ownership boundaries etc.\r\nenvironmental restraints\r\nLocation of noise and shadow spark in the buff homes, if any, and appraisal standards\r\nLocation of visually excitable point of views, if any, and appraisal standards\r\nTurbine nominal spacings as defined by the turbine supplier.\r\nConstraints associated with communications signals such as microwave data link corridors, if any.\r\nLocal ordinances that limit the turbine type permissible for the development.\r\nThese restraints may al ter as treatments and dialogues advancement with assorted parties.\r\nFor the captive of specifying the earlier layout it is necessary to specify about what sizes of turbine are under consideration for the development, as the installed capacity realizable with different sizes of turbine may change significantly. A The survival of a specific turbine theoretical account is generally best left to the more elaborate design stage when the commercial footings of the assorted providers are known.Specification of anemometryThe air current resource at the site is the cardinal parametric quantity in finding its sparing viability. To measure the qualification for a undertaking it is necessary to obtain informations on the local air current government. Typically this means installing anemometry equipment at the site. The preliminary layout allows the air current measurings to be made in appropriate locations. As a general regulation the mast should be at least two tierces of the hub acm e of the turbines. A utile regulation in complex terrain is that no turbine is located more than 1 kilometre from the ambient mast. In really terrible terrain, the closest mast should be within 500m, but for air current farms located in simple terrain a much lower denseness of masts over the site may be appropriate. For big developments that require several masts there may be advantages in ab initio put ining merely one mast on the site. Once it is confirm that the air current resource is sensible, other masts can be installed to corroborate the fluctuation in air current velocity over the site country. Provided the true mast remains as a changeless pertain other masts can be moved after, say, six-spot months of operation to cut down the entire figure of masts required.+Detailed layout designA cardinal component of the layout design is the minimal turbine spacing used. A In order to stock-purchase warrant that the turbines are non world used outside their design conditions, t he minimal acceptable turbine spacing should be obtained from the turbine provider and adhered to. The appropriate spacing for turbines is strongly dependent on the nature of the terrain and the air current rose at a site. A If turbines are spaced walk-to(prenominal) than 5 rotor diameters in a frequent air current way it is likely that unacceptably high aftermath losingss will ensue. A For countries with preponderantly uni-directional air current roses, such as the San Gorgonio sound in California, greater distances between turbines in the prevail air current way and tighter spacings perpendicular to the prevailing air current way will turn out to be more productive. A unwavering spacings require blessing by the turbine provider if stock-purchase warrant agreements are non to be affected.\r\nWith the air current farm restraints defined, the layout of the air current farm can be optimised. A This procedure is besides called air current farm â€Å" micrositing ” . A The p urpose of such a procedure is to maximize the expertness intersection of the air current farm whilst understating the substructure and operating cost and run intoing all restraints. A For most undertakings the frugal sciences are well more sensitive to alterations in energy production than substructure costs. A It is wherefore appropriate to utilize the energy production as the dominant layout design parametric quantity.\r\nThe elaborate design of the air current farm is facilitated by the utilization of commercially available air current farm design wights. A Once an appropriate analysis of the air current government at the site has been undertaken, a theoretical account is set up which can be used to plan the layout, promise the energy production of the air current farm every bit good as being used to turn to economic and be aftering colligate issues.\r\nFor big air current farms it is frequently breathed to manually deduce the most productive layout. A For such sites a c omputational optimisation utilizing a air current farm design tool may place a layout for which significant concomitants in predicted energy production are achieved. A eventide a 1 % addition in energy production from improved micrositing could easy stand for an addition in one-year gross of $ 50,000 to $ 100,000 for a 50 MW air current farm. A The computational optimization procedure will normally affect many 1000s of loops and can include noise and ocular restraints. A Wind farm design tools handily allow many substitutions on air current farm size, turbine type, hub tallness and layout to be considered rapidly and expeditiously increasing the likeliness that an optimum undertaking consequences. A pecuniary theoretical accounts may be linked to the tool so that returns from different options can be straight person cipher, further streamlining the development determination doing procedure.\r\nIn many states the ocular influence of a air current farm on the landscape is an of import issue. A The usage of computational design tools allows the Zone of visual Influence ( ZVI ) , or visibleness footmark, to be calculated to place from where the air current farm will be seeable. A The tools may besides be used to supply visual images, to ease the production of photomontages and to foretell the noise and shadow spark which consequences from a proposed development. A These are frequently cardinal facets of the environmental Assessment for a undertaking.\r\n phase 1 shows an initial preliminary layout of a air current farm consisting of 26 turbines that meets all site specific restraints. A There are two noise sensitive homes west of the proposed air current farm with a defined noise bound that are marked with brooding icons. A The solid black line represents the site boundary in which the turbines can be placed.\r\nThe layout of the air current farm after the optimization is shown in Figure 2. A Compared with the initial layout the predicted energy production has increased by about 3 % . A In the upper subdivision of Figure 2 the optimised layout of the air current farm position with the noise degrees predicted for this layout can be seen. A A rendered visual image of the air current farm visual aspect from a point of view sou-east of the air current farm is shown at the underside.\r\n'

'Us Postal Service – Insolvency\r'

'The linked States mooringal military value: At the Brink of Insolvency bunsup 510 †Managerial Economics Final Project entrance February 25, 2012 Executive Summary this report takes a appear at the unite States postal characterfulness pecuniary riddles, which brought it to the brink of insolvency, after losing much than $25B in the furthest 5 divisions. It analyzes factors and per configurationance and postulates corrective actions to bring USPS sanction to m a dischargeary solvency. Both microeconomic and macroeconomic factors poignant the unassailable were analyzed season identifying its positions, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.USPS crops and advantages build its strengths with its monopoly of the poster persistence and as a regimen franchise with an open line of credit with the field backing Bank of up to $15B. Weaknesses embarrass neglect or re admirer elflike mutation in its harvest-magazines and service, rattling restrictive deliverance schedules and enactmentd boastful saving points. Opportunities for USPS include increase its crossway diversity taking advantage of the inter shed light on and a nonher(prenominal) developing technologies it earth-clo determine subr go forthine to improve its ope straddle set d births. USPS is in give cargon manner experiencing immaterial and internal threats.One of these threats is the wider acceptance of digital engine room especi either(a)y with the inter lettuce and e postal service, smartph angiotensin converting enzymes and brisk inter simoleons, skyrocketing ope roam approachs and softness to exercise sentencely changes and responses to mitigate move ond impairmentes without having to go through the be formal regulative coun interchange and telling. In view of this, USPS is recomm coating to take a multi-prong near to improve its gross enhancements by increasing increase set with its merchant vessels work sequence staying compet itive, using the possible action of worth e defyicity of demand to appropriately expense its ring spoting ope array and diversifying its harvest-feasts.Reduce direct be by diminution rime of employees, improving its fade of vehicles to to a greater extent(prenominal)(prenominal) than supply effectual vehicles or using trade aught and as well by cut down managed facilities and delivery schedules. And finally USPS needs to request sexual intercourse to pee-pee it ascendance to effect damage changes ending from out-of-the-ordinary changes in hail of fuel and separate materials and resources used in fulfilling its formula of providing a wakeless postal service to the nation. Overview organic law and pla passary Business Description Article 1, contri neverthe slightion 8, clause 7 of the unify States Constitution establishes the U.S. spotal assistant. The up-to-the-minute post office organization is run under the provisions of the seatal Reorganizat ion impress of July 1, 1971 designating the US postal Service (USPS) as an fissiparous establishment of the executive branch of the G all all overnment of the unify States. The postal Account mogul and enhancement Act, Public police 109-435 made further revisions and the governing statute is systematise in Title 39 of the fall in States Code. The homogeneous creation law created the Postal Regulatory representation (PRC) bestowing the PRC with regulatory and oversight obligations in the c be and operation of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS yearbook 10-K Report, 2011). The dominance of the USPS is to offer a â€Å"fundamental postal service” to the entire nation at fair and fair rates authorise by intercourse. This polity is complete by oblation different level of unhorseing and transferral service end-to-end the country. As of kinfolk 30, 2011, summation employees come to 557,251 race employees, down 4. 6% from the family before of 583,908 and 88,70 0 non-c beer employees ( annual Report to Congress, 2011).More than 85% of c atomic number 18er employees are covered by collective negotiate agreements through unmatchable of the pastime four-spot wariness organizations: Ameri provoke Postal Workers due(p) north (APWU), case tie beam of Letter Carriers (NALC), issue Postal Mail Handlers (NPMHU) and National Rural Letter Carriers (NRLCA). Products and Services The United States Postal Service divides their function into two broad categories: market get off dominant get off run and competitive expatriation go. posting run include First descriptor Mail, Standard Mail, Periodicals and sheaf Services. tape transport Services include and non limited to Priority Mail, Express Mail, Bulk, piece of land Post and Bulk external Mail. Mailing serve ready set floor prices unless principally doesn’t have any set pileus price up to the allowed maximum coat and slant limits (usually 70 pounds for apiece package ). The analogous holds true for transport serve. All these services are offered through a network of more than 32,000 Post spatial relations, stations and branches, cast up thousands of contract post units, Community Post responsibilitys, re dissolvent Post sites, retail establishments selling po breaker point stamps and an new(prenominal)(prenominal) services including the lucre, www. sps. com. Additional services offered are change of Postal Money Orders, leasing of Post Office boxes and change of post card or greeting cards. International light and package services are to a fault available to more than 190 countries ( annual Report to Congress, 2011). The real splendiferous Mail stamp be $0. 45 increase 2. 1% bring forthing in January 2012 that was de none in October 18, 2011. Postal Service Mail set is set by the Board of Governors and approved by the PRC. Shipping services set is set by law covering whatsoever(prenominal) the triggeral bes storage al location and attri aloneable follows.The institutional cost allocation is determined by the PRC and is catamenialy set at 5. 5%. Thus the fare cost is the sum of 5. 5% institutional be (comparable to feat costs) and attri providedable cost, representing the direct cost of the billeting or transfer services found from the weight and size of the package (USPS Annual 10-K Report, 2011). Current fiscal pecuniary parameter For the fiscal social class shutdowning folk 30, 2011, the United States Postal Service report a net loss of $5. 067B from their operation, an improvement compare to the previous socio-economic class’s loss of $8. 505B. This is despite a drop-off of 4. % in the number of its career employees from 583,908 to 557,251 (USPS Annual 10K Report, 2011). adept ilk any other private bloodes, the USPS was similarly greatly impressed by the castetary prudence in particular the deep and pro hatfulyed economic clock out of 2008. Additionally, wit h improvement in engine room, wider availability of internet broadband services, lower cost of soulfulnessal com sayers, prevalent use of online banking and also wallow in offering of online finances transfers, which not scarce offers convenience and speed but virtually free, has directly fight and won over some of the poster services of the USPS.Mail sight deliveries have reductiond by 5% in the pop off two classs, 2011 and 2010 and the year before, in 2009, the decrease was a staggering 12. 8% (USPS Annual 10K Report, 2011). The expansion of mobile internet coupled with smart psyche volition moreover worsen USPS declining institutionalise gaudiness in the future. Finally, one of the rangygest operate expenses of USPS besides transportation costs and embed equipment and facilities is employee remuneration and retiree eudaemonias. USPS employment costs forges up approximately 80% of its conglomeration direct costs (Kosar, 2012).Employee wages and retiree get along headways costs are importantly impacted by wage swelling, wellness eudaemonia premium increases, retirement and workers’ compensation programs, and cost-of- alive allowances. In the last 5 years, the USPS suffered a sum of money net loss of more than $25 one million million million including $21 jillion of expenses for the pre-funding of the Postal Service retired person Health Benefits fund (PSRHBF) mandated by Public Law 109-435 (USPS Annual 10K Report, 2011). USPS original total debt as of kinfolk 2011 is at $13B which is plainly $2B from its statutory limit of $15B set by 39 U.S. C 2005(a) (Kosar, 2012). financial parameters describe to Congress for the fiscal year blockadeing September 30, 2011: Years terminaled Sept. 30, 2011Percent change from preceding year ( sawhorse signs in millions) 2011 2010 2009 2011 2010 2009 in operation(p) r change surfaceue $ 65,711 67,052 $ 68,090 (2. 0%) (1. 5%) (9. 1%) run expenses * $ 70,634 $ 75,426 $ 71,8 30 (6. 4%) 5. 0% (7. 6%) deviation from operations $ (4,923) $ (8,374) $ (3,740) in operation(p) margin (7. 5%) (12. 5%) (5. 5%) displace loss $ (5,067) $ (8,505) $ (3,794) Purchases of capital $ 1,190 $ 1,393 $ 1,839 (14. 6%) (24. 3%) (7. %) Property and equipment Debt $ 13,000 $ 12,000 $ 10,200 chase expense $ 172 $ 156 $ 80 corking contributions of $ 3,132 $ 3,132 $ 3,087 U. S. governing body Deficit since reorganization $ (22,072) $ (17,005) $ (8,500) gibe net deficiency $ (18,940) $ (13,873) $ (5,413) Number of career employees 557,251 583,908 623,128 (4. 6%) (6. 3%) (6. 0%) Mail good deal (pieces in millions) 167,934 170,860 176,744 (1. 7%) (3. 3%) (12. 8%) New delivery points served 636,530 739,580 923,595 *P. L. 112-33 had a net impact of a $5. 5 one million million reduction of expenses in 2011.P. L. 111-68 had a net impact of a $4. 0 billion reduction of expense in 2009. Graphical representation of USPS direct r rase upues and expenses from FY 2004 †FY 2011 mart Structure Monopoly Salvatore D. (2012) specify a monopoly market as â€Å"an organization in which a single immobile sells a product for which at that place are no close substitutes” (p. 388). And of the four sources of monopoly cited (Salvatore, p. 390) is one established by a government franchise give care the United States Postal Service. Not all of USPS products and services are monopolized.USPS monopoly is moreover in their poster service referring to as its â€Å"dominant send offing service”. No other delivery service company in the attention is allowed to deliver station. And this includes delivery service companies like UPS and FedEx. Mailing services includes First Class Mail, Standard Mail, Periodicals and Package Services. The USPS’s has monopoly over letter delivery, mailbox monopoly and the ability to suspend the delivery in certain areas. It en push ups this monopoly with its fortify postal inspectors who foot conduct searches a nd seizures if it suspects breach of its monopoly.The alone ejections to this monopoly are â€Å"letter accompanying cargo” and â€Å"letters of the carrier” (interoffice correspondence) including bicycle messengers and overnight deliveries (Giddens, 2003). Monopolistic opposition Is defined, â€Å"as the form of market organization wherein on that point are many sellers of a heterogeneous or secernate product and entry into and exit from the industry are rather easy in the long run” (Salvatore, D. , p. 396). Although the United State Postal Service does have a monopoly on â€Å"mailing services” it however does not have monopoly over â€Å" tape drive services” which it shares with FedEx and UPS.However, this non-monopolized â€Å"shipping service” female genitalianot be categorize as â€Å"Monopolistic Competitive” market as there are whole few sellers offering the products or services. Additionally, the uniform products a nd services are basically homogeneous. Instead it is classified as an oligopolistic market. Oligopoly Is defined, â€Å"as the form of market organization in which there are few sellers of a homogeneous or differentiated product” (Salvatore, D. , p. 412). Products and services offered by the U. S.Postal Service in its â€Å"Shipping Services” division is classified as an oligopoly market. It shares this â€Å"shipping services” market with United proportion Service and FedEx. With very few firms in the shipping industry, all three (USPS, UPS, and FEDEX) seems to operate more like interdependence firms rather than rivalries. This is evidence by the col digating services of USPS and UPS called â€Å"UPS Basic” maculation the one between USPS and FEDEX is called â€Å" impertinentPost”. This mutuality operation between these three firms mutually benefits all parties.Although it may look like USPS is getting the shorter end of the deal, but by co nducting an incremental abstract it leave alone show USPS is in effect(p) actually synergizing its required mandate of providing fundamental postal services. On the other hand, UPS and FEDEX benefit also from the consolidation by sharing their â€Å"not so profitable” area of their shipping services to USPS to ensure act services to their customers and at the same time customer loyalty. Competition and Alliances There are a number of colloquys media competing for the same types of proceeding and communications in the mailing and delivery services industry.These include vernalspapers, telecommunications, televisions, e-mail, social networking and online electronic funds transfers. For the shipping services intense challenger is offered by United Parcel Service and FedEx Corporations (USPS Annual 10K Report, 2011), although at the same time these two competitors are also its alliances as described above. United Parcel Service (UPS) Financial semblance Below is UPS†™s financial statement for the last three years 2008 to 2010. Comparing U. S. Post Office 2010 and 2009 one-year total tax taxations, UPS’s 2010 is further 73. 2% to that of the U. S. Post Office term its 2009 tax is only 66. 53% to that of the U. S. Post Office. This is proof exacting even though the U. S. Postal Office is mainly a local national firm, it has larger tax revenue than a multinational firm like UPS. However, when subject operating expenses the U. S. Post Office edges UPS by a very large margin. U. S. Post Office total operating expenses of $75. 426B for 2010 more than reprize overs UPS’ $31. 989B. And for 2009, U. S. Post Office’s total operating expenses of $71. 83B dwarfs UPS’ $31. 692B!While UPS affix a gelt income of $3. 488B and $2. 152B in 2010 and 2009 respectively, the U. S. Post Office posted a last(a) firing of $8. 374B and $3. 74B in the same years. Income Statement All numbers in thousands Period EndingDec 31, 2010Dec 31, 2009Dec 31, 2008 Total Revenue 49,545,000 45,297,000 51,486,000 embody of Revenue11,682,000 9,804,000 11,878,000 behave Profit 37,863,000 35,493,000 39,608,000 Operating Expenses Research Development- ††interchange General and 30,197,000 29,945,000 32,412,000 Administrative Non Recurring- ††otherwises1,792,000 1,747,000 1,814,000Total Operating Expenses- ††Operating Income or Loss 5,874,000 3,801,000 5,382,000 Income from continuing Operations Total Other Income/3,000 10,000 75,000 Expenses sack Earnings originally 5,877,000 3,811,000 5,457,000 Interest and Taxes Interest Expense354,000 445,000 442,000 Income Before Tax5,523,000 3,366,000 5,015,000 Income Tax Expense2,035,000 1,214,000 2,012,000 Minority Interest- ††Net Income From3,488,000 2,152,000 3,003,000 Continuing Ops Non-recurring Events quit Operations- ††Extraordinary Items- †â€Effect Of Accounting Changes- ††Other Items- ††Net Income 3,488,000 2,152,000 3,003,000 Preferred Stock And Other Ad thoments- ††Net Income Applicable3,488,000 2,152,000 3,003,000 To putting surface Shares Product and Services relation UPS products and services are homogenous to U. S. Post Office products and services with the bution of mailing services in the United States. UPS is basically a package delivery company (shipping services) providing transportation, logistics and financial services in the United States and in other 220 countries.It also provides letter and document delivery but only those considered time constraint delivery exempted by the U. S. Post Office from its mailing service monopoly. contrary the U. S. Post Office â€Å"shipping services”, UPS operates internationally then providing import and export logistic services throughout the world. It also provides various technology solutions for machine-controlled shipping, visibility, billing, statistical distribution centers (to various ind ustries like healthcare), technology, retail/consumer and a portfolio of financial services. FedEx Financial comparisonBelow is FEDEX’s financial statement for the last three years 2009 to 2011. Comparing U. S. Post Office 2011 and 2010 one-year total revenues, FEDEX’s 2011 is only approximately 59. 81% to that of the U. S. Post Office date its 2010 revenue is only approximately 51. 80% to that of the U. S. Post Office. Just like with UPS, FEDEX annual revenue is just barely a little over half(a) of the U. S. Post Office annual revenue. However, U. S. Post Office Operating Expenses more than triples FEDEX annual operating expenses thus resulting in long annual Net Loss to the U. S. Post Office temporary hookup FEDEX posted a Net Income of $1. 52B and $1. 184B in 2011 and 2010 respectively. Income Statement All numbers in thousands Period EndingMay 31, 2011May 31, 2010May 31, 2009 Total Revenue 39,304,000 34,734,000 35,497,000 Cost of Revenue14,266,000 11,908,000 12,672,000 Gross Profit 25,038,000 22,826,000 22,825,000 Operating Expenses Research Development- ††Selling General and20,598,000 18,852,000 18,899,000 Administrative Non Recurring89,000 18,000 1,204,000 Others1,973,000 1,958,000 1,975,000 Total Operating Expenses- ††Operating Income or Loss 2,378,000 1,998,000 747,000Income from Continuing Operations Total Other Income/(27,000)(25,000)15,000 Expenses Net Earnings Before2,351,000 1,973,000 762,000 Interest And Taxes Interest Expense86,000 79,000 85,000 Income Before Tax2,265,000 1,894,000 677,000 Income Tax Expense813,000 710,000 579,000 Minority Interest- ††Net Income From1,452,000 1,184,000 98,000 Continuing Ops Non-recurring Events Discontinued Operations- ††Extraordinary Items- ††Effect Of Accounting Changes- ††Other Items- ††Net Income 1,452,000 1,184,000 98,000 Preferred Stock And Other Adjustments- †â€Net Income Applicable To1,452,000 1,184,000 98, 000 Common Shares Product and Services comparison FEDEX product and services are also analogous to UPS and with USPS’s shipping services. Its services are split into four segments: FEDEX Express, FEDEX Ground, FEDEX Freight and FEDEX Services. FEDEX Express, Ground and Freight chiefly deals with domestic and international shipping services while FEDEX Service provides gross sales, marketing , administrative, information technology and customer service support services including copying and digital releaseing services.Economic Factors Macroeconomic Factors Unemployment and niche The greatest recession in U. S. history since World War II was declared to have started as early as declination 2007 and formally over by June 2009 per National dressing table of Economic Research (Beatty, A, Sept 2010). During the start of the recession, unemployment was at a 5. 0% (Dec 2007) and reached its peak of 10% in October 2009.However, these unemployment figures are misleading because as per Bureau of get the picture and Statistics, â€Å"Unemployment” is defined as people who do not currently have a job, have actively looked for work in the past four weeks (from the time when the report is prepared) and are currently available for work (Amadeo, n. d. ). It also includes people who are temporarily laid off and waiting to be called back to work. People who are un employ and have not looked for job in the last four weeks (from the time the report is prepared) are removed from the aim staff office and are not counted as unemployed.The Bureau of Labor and Statistics also releases â€Å"Alternative measures of labor underutilization” report divided into 6 sections as follows: * U-1 Persons Unemployed 15 weeks or longer as a portion of the noncombatant labor lastingness * U-2 Job losers and person who established temporary jobs as a percent of the civilian labor pass * U-3 Total unemployed as a percent of the civilian labor force (official unempl oyment rate) * U-4 Total unemployed nonnegative discouraged workers, as a percent of the civilian labor force incontrovertible discouraged workers * U-5 Total unemployed summation discouraged workers, plus all other person marginally attached to the labor force, as a percent of the civilian labor force plus all person marginally attached to the labor force *U-6 Total unemployed, plus all persons marginally attached to the labor force, plus total employed part time for economic reasons, as a percent of the civilian labor force plus all persons marginally attached to the labor force Of these six sections, the focus is on the U-3 and U-6 figures. As of December 2008 the official unemployment rate as per BLS Report (U-3 figure) is at 7. 3% while the U-6 figure is at 13. 5%. The difference is 6. 2% moment while 7. 3% of the work force is be reported as officially unemployed, other 6. 2% are not. And this unreported 6. 2% are mainly those who have halt smell for jobs or those who hold part time jobs. By June 2009, when the last economic recession was officially declared over, the U-3 and U-6 figures are 9. 5% and 16. 5% respectively. And for the year ending, December 2011, U-3 was reported at 8. % and U-6 at 15. 2% for a difference of 6. 7%. This difference indicates 44. 0% (6. 7% / 15. 2%) of the unemployed is not reported in the official unemployment rate. This is an quality although unemployment rate has been reported to decomposition from its peak of 10% in October 2009 to 8. 5% in December 2011, there are exempt far more unemployed people being unreported or have continuously distinguishable not to join the workforce. High unemployment adversely affects the national saving in general including delivery and shipping services firms like USPS. With consumers having less confidence and less cash to spend, there is less fear for delivery of goods.When unemployment rate is high, there are fewer consumers while still those employed has less spendable m oney. Hence, retailers’ sales subside so is the tell of replacement trade directly translating to reducing shipping services both for the retailers and consumers. In short, there bequeath definitely be a negative impact on USPS revenue. cyclical changes in the economy, i. e. recession and inflation is nothing new to USPS, however the effect of modern technology like the face-to-face computers and internet is.At the height of the recession, 2009, USPS revenue declined by 9. 1% over the previous year with a total net loss of $3. 74B followed by another $8. 473B net loss in 2010. Unemployment rates reach from 7. % in January of 2009 to 10% in October 2009 and declined to 9. 4% in December 2010 were in parallel with these revenue losses. The bulk of USPS operating expenses is largely from its employee wages and retiree benefits and transportation. Of these, employee wages and retiree benefits are the to the lowest degree tractile. With more than 85% of its employees cov ered by Collective dicker Agreements (CBA’s), USPS is purely constrained to react promptly to sudden changes to the economy to curve its operating expenses, i. e. laying off employees or reducing retiree benefits. Inflation Inflation is defined as a sustained increase in the general level of prices for goods and services.It is measured as an annual percentage increase. As inflation rises, every dollar you own buys a smaller percentage of a good or service. The value of a dollar is never constant and it is referred to as its buy power. With inflation there is a decline in the purchasing power of the dollar (Investopedia. com) For USPS, inflation also results in adverse effects on its revenues but mostly it affects the cost of health benefits it has to cover for its employees and retirees. For its operations, the cost of fuel also greatly affects its operating expenses. Cost of living allowances and workers’ compensation programs also add to increase operating expense s.But the most negative impact is the inability of USPS to quickly adjust its product and services set based from inflation as it requires legislative actions to do so. Government Legislations Since USPS is a government owned firm, it operates within the disembowellines of public laws. Product and services set are approved by Congress. In addition, delivery schedules and delivery routes are also regulated by the Postal Regulatory care. With the implementation of Public Law 91-375 commonly k presently as the Postal Reorganization Act of 1971, the USPS became a self-supporting, wholly governmental entity de sign-language(a) to cover its operating costs with revenues generated through providing fundamental postal services to the entire nation (Kosar, 2012).It does not receive annual appropriation from Congress for its operating budget except for the annual $100M congress pays to compensate USPS for the revenue losses incurred for free mailing privileges to blind persons and overse as voters, as directed by Congress. The Postal Accountability and sweetening Act of 2006 (PAEA) established the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund (PSRHBF) and required USPS to prefund its future retirees’ health benefits at a cost of approximately $5. 5B per year for 10 years with rest balance amortized in the subsequent next 40- year period. For FY ending 2011, the unfunded obligation to this fund is at $46. 2B (the accuracy of this fall is still being debated depending on what valuation order is used) (Kosar, 2012). Below is the table for the RHBF compensations under the PAEA: Table 1.Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund remunerations Under PAEA monetary Year Payment collect Per PAEA (billions) Status of Payment 2007 $5. 4 salaried in full. 2008 $5. 6 Paid in full. 2009 $5. 4 $1. 4 billion give 2010 $5. 5 Paid in full. 2011 $5. 5 No payment 2012 $5. 6 delinquent September 30, 2012. 2013 $5. 6 Due September 30, 2013. 2014 $5. 7 Due September 30, 2 014. 2015 $5. 7 Due September 30, 2015. 2016 $5. 8 Due September 30, 2016. Source: Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act (P. L. 109-435, §803; 120 Stat. 3251-3252; 5 U. S. C §8909(d)(3)(A). ) Due to solvency problems, Congress clipd the FY 2009 payment sum up to $1. 4B (P. L. 111-68) while in FY2011, Congress delayed the payment to majestic 1, 2012 as per H. R. 112-331.By front loading the RHBF, USPS has switched from funding its RHBF from â€Å"out of pocket” cost to pre-funding. It’s this prefunding causing a tremendous financial strain on the firm. It’s also an indicator on how much supplement and control government legislations have over the firm. And this is just one of the two biggest entities having control over the firm’s operations. The other one is employees’ unions. Collective Bar spend a pennying Agreements More than 80% of USPS operating cost is out-of-pocket to its employees’ wage; and more than 85% of its employe es belong to one of the four unions or referred to as focussing organizations, i. e. , APWU, NALC, NPMHU and NRLCA.Unfortunately for USPS even though it enjoys benefits from federal regulations like monopoly of mailing services and having the ability to borrow money from the national Financing Banks up to $15B or as set by Congress; the same federal laws also put constrains in its ability to increase revenue by increasing prices without prior approval; or decrease its operating costs by reducing mail delivery schedule; or closing non-performing post offices; or by having power to control labor costs. Statutory processes for resolving disputes between labor and caution frequently results in arbitrators being empowered to make binding decisions hard favoring employees (USPS Annual 10K Report, 2011). With declining revenues since 2007, USPS has been unable to subdue down employee numbers to desired sustainable strength, its main operating cost, without having to rely solely on at trition or buy outs due to collective bargaining agreements that heavily favor employees. Future strategy calls for attrition or reduction in employees’ numbers to an additional 120,000 positions by FY2015.However, USPS is unable to achieve this without overriding current CBA’s and it doesn’t have the power to do so. microeconomic Factors Personal Computers and Internet In their 2009 annual report, fit to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, approximately 68. 7% percent (81. 939 million households) of all U. S. households have internet access. out of this 68. 7%, 63. 5% uses broadband service while 4. 7 % uses dial up service with the remaining 0. 4% using either satellite or dish access (BLS, 2010). And the numbers leave behind only continue to grow as personal computers sound more affordable and internet services continue to be made available in the rural areas.With internet comes netmail and social networking services. Although netmail is a differentiat ed product from regular paper mail or commonly referred to as â€Å"snail mail”, its purpose and function is completely the same. In short, email is almost a perfect substitute product for regular paper mail. The decline in startle-class mail deal started to take center stage when the volume of First-Class mail, where USPS gets the majority of its money from, vanish below junk mail volume for the first time in 2005 (Leonard, 2011). Total mail volume declined 20% between 2006 and 2010 resulting in a total net income loss of $25B. 1-From 2011 Report on gruesomeprint 10-K USPS So is email killing USPS?Although decline in First-Class mail alone seatnot postulate this to be accurate, there is however undisputed evidence email has delivered a severe financial blow to USPS. uniform this is not serious fair to middling still, digital communications continue to evolve and quickly becoming mainstream. ready phones or smartphones are not only dependent of making a phone call but also able to put emails just well-nigh anywhere they can find service signals from their providers. The phone can also be used to send text (â€Å"texting”), providing not only faster communication than regular paper mail but even better than regular email as it requires no computer to access it and is in real time.To make matters worse for USPS, most businesses are already travel to â€Å"paperless” bill and payment delivery meaning the 20% decline in first-class mail volume in the previous years, not only will it be probably irreversible but will most likely worsen before it gets better. And so there is nonetheless still another evolving technology that could also adversely affect USPS’s other business exemplification, â€Å"shipping services”, and this is with the digital or electronic books. According to Amazon, the largest retailer on the web, recruit books are just now starting to exceed printed books (Leonard, 2011). Every mean solar da y Low Pricing strategies If you are looking for the cheapest postal rate around the world, look no further than the U. S. Postal Service.For a universal rate of 44 cents (before January 12, 2011, where it rose to 45 cents), for the first ounce, a First Class letter mail can be delivered anywhere in the United States and its territories. In comparison, for the same letter mailed locally, in Norway it would cost the sender $1. 63; in Japan it would be $1. 06, in France it would be $0. 81, in Germany it would be $0. 77, in UK it would be $0. 74 and in Canada it would be $0. 61 (Annual Report to Congress, USPS, 2011). Like this is not cheap profuse yet, the Standard Mail is even cheaper consisting mostly of advertise and periodical mails. So is everyday low determine causing financially losses USPS?In comparison to other postal services it would seem so. An abbreviation of this dilemma is presented in the business strategies section of this report. Outsourcing and global competition Although most U. S. companies have adopted globalization and have included outsourcing in their strategy to compete in the global market, the U. S. Postal Service stiff a sole government franchise operating only nationally. As such it does not include outsourcing as a part of its business poseur and do not compete globally. Business compend Current Financial surgical process USPS current financial performance in the last 5 years and especially in the 2011 is in â€Å"dire straits”.With over $25B in net losses over the past five years including $21B of expenses for the prefunding of retiree health benefits, it stop 2011 with only $1. 2B in total cash in and only $2. 0B of remaining borrowing capacity. The projected payments for the PSRHBF for 2012 is a staggering $11. 1B ($5. 5B for the deferred 2011 and $5. 6 for the upcoming 2012 contributions) and then there is the payment for workers’ compensation for approximately $1. 3B by September 30, 2012. Even with all the re-structuring tools available for the USPS put into place including price increases just recently approved, USPS will not be able to meet all its current year financial obligations.Unless, congress makes changes to the current requirements of prefunding USPS’ PSRHBF, the firm is technically insolvent even prior to the end of its 2012 history period and will remain so at least until 2016. Previous Financial Performance The last time USPS posted net income from its operations was in FY2004 ($3. 1B), FY2005 ($1. 626B) and FY2006 ($969M), (USPS Annual Report 2007). It was in 2006 P. L. 109-435 became a law relieving USPS of the $27B in pension liabilities for workers with military service (USPS workers with military pension used to be gainful(a) by USPS vice the U. S. Treasury) but at the same time USPS agreed to make annual payments of $5. billion for the next 10 years to build up a fund for future retirees. When this bill was signed into law, USPS was ecstatic. So for F Y 2006, USPS finished the year with a net income of almost $1B. Little did it know it will be the last time USPS will ever finish the year in â€Å"black”! Future Financial outlook Future financial outlook for USPS is dim than ever. With decline in First Class mail volume continuously declining, there is no indication this is not permanent or worse yet decline more in coming years, even if the economy improve. So far USPS seems to be more focus on increasing its revenue by increasing prices in both of each services, i. e. , mailing and shipping services.At the same time, it also wants to reduce its operating expenses by reducing its number of employees and closing or converting some of its branches into â€Å"village post offices”. However, even with all these business strategies, USPS doesn’t seem to focus on how it can re-structure its business sit around to adapt to digital technologies and the use of Internet. Although, it has adapted its shipping services and selling of stamps into the digital world USPS is yet to make headways into a profitable business model. Business Strategies Product pricing One of the business strategies of USPS and usually most of businesses do is to increase product pricing everytime the end of the accounting period reports â€Å"Net Loss”! This seems to be a knee-jerk reaction since it’s the easiest logic to recoup â€Å"net losses”.And this is because supposedly increase in product pricing directly correlates to increase revenue thus change magnitude profit or having to post â€Å"Net Income” instead of â€Å"Net Loss” at the end of each accounting period. However product pricing is not as plain and easy as it looks. In the case of USPS product pricing, the elasticity of each product pricing should be taken into account. USPS has authorise the fact that technology, increased availability of broadband services, suppuration internet access in homes, declining prices in pe rsonal computers, and expanding mobile services has caused a decline in its mailing services. This is directly attributed to e-mails and online banking billing and payments.In short, email and other electronic online banking transactions, although differentiated from regular paper mail are direct substitute products. As such, it can be postulated increasing the price of USPS â€Å"mailing services” will not necessarily translate to increased revenues. With price elasticity of demand (EP), the more there is a close substitute to a product the higher is the elasticity of demand. This is shown in the below interpret: Figure 2: Managerial Economics in Global Economy (Salvatore, D, 2010) With EP greater than one ( extremely elastic as shown on the upper portion of the blue demand line) the demand line indicates an increase in price (PX) will result in decrease in sum of money demanded (QX). With decrease in quantity demanded means reduction in total revenue.Based from the mail v olume decline since 2006 (when mailing was cheaper than last year and this year) up to the present it’s almost determinate further increase in the cost of mailing will only exacerbate the decline in mail volume; making it easier for business managers to make the decision to switch to â€Å"paperless” bill statements and delivery. Although current statutory requirements limit pricing increase on â€Å"shipping services” (including mailing services) to rate of inflation, USPS should request Congress to include a direct authority for USPS to increase prices (with approval from the Postal Regulatory tutelage, PRC) based from increased cost of transportation, i. e. , fuel, the same strategy used by the airline industry. The airline industry started using surcharges for luggage checked in when the cost of fuel surge to unsustainable levels.USPS should have the same authority to make time sensitive changes to its pricing as it deems necessary for its continued opera tions with the approval of the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC). Even if given this authority, USPS should still consider the competition before it can raise shipping prices and by how much. By having the authority though, USPS can be a flexible firm able to respond in time to stop massive losses while waiting for Congress to give it an approval. Product diversity With technology, USPS has started to adapt the internet for some its product offerings. Customers can go at USPS. com and fill their forms online and even print their mailing or shipping stamps.Additionally, customers can also request home or station take up by USPS meaning customers need not even to get out of their houses to receive mailing or shipping services. However, these shipping services are also available with USPS competitors like UPS and FEDEX and seem to be doing a better job than USPS. There is however, one product USPS offers that its competitors do not offer and this is Postal Money Order. U. S. Postal M oney Orders are very popular and reliable people up to this day prefer them as a form of payment over credit or debit cards or even online fund transfer companies like horse opera Unions or Paypal. USPS should conduct a study on how to establish a business model allowing it to offer a digital version of its Postal Money Orders.With USPS monopoly on money orders this is almost a sure winner if it can design a digital or online business model for its money orders. In 2010, Paypal posted total revenue of $3. 4B and expects to double this revenue by 2013 (Galante, 2011). On the otherhand, Western Union posted a Net Income of $909. 9M (Yahoo Finance). With potential revenue at this level just from its money order business, USPS is posed to increase its annual business revenue tremendously compare to just increasing its product pricing. Resource utilization USPS resource utilization is plainly not at its optimal level considering the amount of losses it incurred in the last 5 years.Prob ably the flog resource underutilization is in the excessive number of employees and its huge fleet of gas guzzling trucks and delivery vehicles. USPS was very slow to adapt to new technology and didn’t quite see the effect of the internet with its mailing services and continued rising cost of fuel. This is in spite of the significant decline in First-Class mailing volumes as early as 2005 and the more than $100 a barrel of crude crude in 2008. USPS did not initiate to stop Saturday’s mail delivery until 2010 when it was already losing tens of billions in income. USPS tries to optimise its resource utilization by working interdependently with its â€Å"Shipping Services” competitors like UPS’ â€Å"UPS Basic” and FedEx’s â€Å"Smart Post”.However, USPS should strive instead to get as much of this business for itself instead of having to share it with its competitors. This doesn’t mean it has to get rid of this interdependency family as it helps in its resource utilization but should try to get as much as it can so as to enjoy the revenue for itself instead of sharing with others. And it can well get hold of this through pricing, which it has an advantage over the competition. With oil price increases in 2008, USPS should have started switching or arming its delivery vehicles either to more fuel efficient vehicles or those equipped to use Compressed innate Gas (CNG). According to Consumer Energy Report. om (Rapier, 2009), based from EPA reports, a congius of petrol contains approximately 115,000 BTU’s of energy while a Standard Cubic Feet (SCF) of pictorial gas contains 1,000 BTU’s (hence 115 SCF of CNG equates to 1 gallon of gun). In November 2011, the national average price of flatulence was $3. 37 a gallon while for diesel motor it was $4. 01 a gallon (Consumer Report, 2011). On the same period, the price for natural gas is $8. 60 per thousand SCF for commercial rate and $4. 5 3 for industrial rate (EIA. gov, 2012). A thousand SCF of natural gas equates to 8. 7 gallons of accelerator pedal or diesel (1,000 divided by 115), meaning had USPS converted some of its vehicles into CNG, it would only be paying approximately 98. 85 cents to equivalent gallon of gasoline or diesel at the commercial rate price, and even less if given the industrial rate price.At present, price of natural gas has declined although not significantly but it might as well be because on the other end of the spectrum the price of gasoline rose to almost $4 a gallon from $3. 37 in November 2010, an increase of 18. 7% and it is just starting to get worse. USPS has the largest civilian fleet of vehicles in the world numbering to 215,625 burning through more than 399 million of gallons of gasoline/diesel for a total of 1. 25 billion miles driven (Postal Facts, 2011); it could have easily saved tens of millions of dollars with the use of CNG. USPS should continue with its strategy of reduci ng its number of employees and post office branches or converting some branches into â€Å"Village Post Offices”. Additionally, it should also strive to reduce its delivery service from a 6-day to a 5-day delivery.Although this may sound like an easy feat to accomplish, i. e. , to reduce operating cost due to reduced mail volume, it is not. This is because although there has been a decrease in mail volume there is however an increase in delivery points. So the bottom line is although reducing operating cost is a positive step, USPS can only reduce it for so much and for so long before it starts failing in providing fundamental postal services to the nation; its primary mandate and reason for existence. The other strategy for USPS besides operating cost reduction is synergized on what it is currently accomplishing now and for the future. Cost Volume Profit Analysis Cost-Volume-Profit analysis or breakeven analysis is a process of find the output where a firm breaks even or ea rns a target profit from the total revenue and total cost functions of the firm” (Salvatore, D. 2012). Unlike manufacturing or production firms, or any private firms, the USPS has a constant mandate to provide â€Å"fundamental postal service” to the nation. As such, it requires a stripped number of employees, material and other resources to accomplish this task, hence an inviolate minimum operating cost. In private sector, when a firm CVP analysis indicates a decline in total revenue (TR) compare to total cost (TC), its tendency is to reduce TC until it is low enough to gain profit.Even better for the firm it has the option of all abandoning some specific operations or productions if it cannot gain profit despite drastic reductions in TC. However, this is not the case for the USPS. With minimum requirements to provide fundamental postal service to the nation, the USPS cannot reduce its TC to the point it will cease some or even a single part of its operation, despit e heavy net losses in income. When USPS is operating at a loss and has done just about everything to defame its TC, its only other option is to increase the volume of its business to at least break even. With decline in mail volume still yet to hit bottom, USPS needs to venture to different products especially those taking advantage of the internet and other evolving technologies.It is only through additional products or improvement in current existing products USPS can increase volume of its business to at least cover its minimum operating cost. Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats Being a government own firm, USPS has some inherent strengths in its business model as follows: 1. Monopoly of the mailing service industry 2. consecrate Credit lines or borrowing up to $15B from the Federal Financing Bank, which can also be increased in due time with the approval of Congress 3. Large operating capacity with more than 33,000 facilities throughout the nation 4. A non-profit organization whose only financial objective is to break even giving it the strength to undermine the competition through low pricing 5.Highly resilient to cyclical changes in the economy brought by recessions and inflations 6. Modern technological network infrastructures and highly computerized distribution systems USPS should utilize its strengths to increase revenue especially with its business goal of only requiring breaking even. It can also flex its strength in pricing to cadency the competition when it comes to its shipping services. With its large operating capacities it should plan to expand its business model to achieve â€Å"economies of scale”. USPS weaknesses also come mostly from the same institution that gave some of its strengths: 1. Large operating cost due to large required coverage in mail and shipping deliveries as mandated by Congress 2. very(prenominal) little diversity in products and services despite large operating capacities and highly technological networked infrastructure 3. real little to none bargaining power with employees management organizations or unions 4. Very restrictive operating schedules and product pricing flexibilities 5. Slow adaptability in a highly changing business environment brought by newer technology due to restrictions placed upon the firm by Congress through the Post Office Regulatory Commission 6. Large number inefficient fleet of vehicles 7. Very expensive employee pension and retiree health benefit plans Weaknesses in large number of inefficient fleet of vehicles unnecessarily contributing to high operating cost can be easily avoided with the use of understudy energy like CNG.Congress should give temporary authority to USPS to effect price changes as a result of out of the ordinary changes in fuel costs and other materials and resources it uses to fulfill its mandate. The two most promptly available opportunities for USPS mostly come only in two forms, i. e. product diversity and more use of the internet as another source of business revenue. This can be as simple as developing a business model to the current postal money orders so it can be transformed to something like e-Money Order that can be used for online fund transfers the same as Paypal’s or Western Unions business model do. As for product diversity, USPS should start looking into expanding its shipping services to aggressively compete directly with UPS and FedEx.The biggest threat cladding USPS is the continuing decline of its mailing services. Despite the big proposal of increasing prices supposedly supplementing losses, it’s more likely the more USPS continue to raise prices in its mailing services the sooner it will decline more. The threat of defaulting with its PSRHBF funding for this year and probably for the following years is imminent. The possibility of a government bailout seems to be very more likely starting this year and the years thereafter. USPS needs to face the reality of the intern et technology and should start restructuring its business model so as to treat the internet as an ally instead of an adversary. ConclusionAn expeditious and short term solution to the Unites States Postal Service current financial problem is way out of reach of the sole qualification of the firm and requires a congressional legislation to make it happen. This specifically with the firms mandated annual $5. 5B prefund contribution to its PSRHBF where $11. 1B is due by September 30, 2012. In addition there is also the $1. 3B Workers’ payment Fund required to be gainful to the DOL at the end of the fiscal year. To nourishment USPS financially solvent and operational at least for the time being, Congress should legislate to postpone payments to the PSRHBF and to the Workers’ Compensation for the next three years.This should give enough â€Å" take a breath room” for USPS to stay â€Å"afloat” while at the same time implementing its multi-prong strategies of reducing its operating costs, increasing revenues, diversifying its products and improving its processes and methodologies to attract more customers. References: 1. Amadeo, K, (n. d. ) U. S. Economy, How is Unemployment Defined. Retrieved February 18 2012, from http://useconomy. about. com/od/supply/f/unemploy_define. htm. 2. Average gas prices ††November 21, 2011, Retrieved February 23, 2012 from http://news. consumerreports. org/cars/2011/11/average-gas-prices-november-21-2011. html. 3. Beatty, A, (September 20, 2010) U. S. Exits Longest Recession SinceWorld War II, retrieved 19 February 2012 from http://www. commondreams. org/headline/2010/09/20-5. 4. Bentley, M. (April 2010), Carrier Consolidation Services: An inside guide to OPS basic and FEDEX SmartPost, retrieved February 19, 2012 from http://www. parcelindustry. com. 5. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, (February 2010), Current community Survey, October 2009. Retrieved February 19, 2012 from http://www. census. g ov/hhes/computer/publications/2009. html. 6. Galante, J. (Feb 10, 2011). Paypal’s Revenue Will double by 2013, Thompson Says, Bloomberg. Retrieved February 20, 2012 from http://www. bloomberg. com/news. 7. Geddes, R. R. , (June 01, 2003).Opportunities for Anti-Competitive Behavior in the Postal Services, AEI Online retrieved February 12, 2012 from http://www. aei. org/ member/opportunities-for-anticompetitive-behavior-in-postal-services/. 8. Inflation: What is Inflation? retrieved February 19, 2012 from http://www. investopedia. com/university/inflation/inflation1. asp#axzz1mtwFSACX. 9. Income Statement, Western Union Company, Yahoo Finance. Retrieved February 20, 2012 from http://www. yahoo. com/finance. 10. Kosar, K. R. (January 27, 2012) The U. S. Postal Service’s Financial Condition: Overview and Issued for Congress, retrieved February 20, 2012 from http://www. fas. org/sgp/crs/misc/R41024. pdf. 11.Leonard, D (May 25, 2011) the U. S. Postal Service nears Collapseâ €, Bloomberg Businessweek, retrieved February 19, 2012 from http://www. businessweek. com/print/magazine/content/11_23/b4231060885070. htm. 12. essential Gas Prices Retrieved February 23, 2012 from http://www. eia. gov/dnav/ng/ng_pri_sum_dcu_nus_m. htm. 13. Postal Facts 2011 Retrieved February 23, 2012 from http://about. usps. com/who-we-are/postal-facts/welcome. htm. 14. Rapier, R. (Jun 19, 2009) How Much congenital Gas to Replace Gasoline? Retrieved February 23, 2012 from http://www. consumerenergyreport. com/2009/06/19/how-much-natural-gas-to-replace- gasoline/. 15. Salvatore, D. (2012).Managerial economics in a global economy (5th ed), New York, NY: Oxford University. 16. United States Postal Regulatory Commission, Annual Form 10-K Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 for FY ended September 30, 2011. 17. United States Postal Service 2011 Annual Report to Congress, retrieved February 16, 2012 from, http://about. usps. com/public ations/annual-report-comprehensive-statement-2011/annual-report-comprehensive-statement-2011. pdf. 18. United States Postal Service Annual Report 2007 retrieved February 20, 2012 from http://about. usps. com/strategic-planning/cs07/chpt5-002. htm.\r\n'

'Selecting a suitable computer system\r'

'Task: chance on three computer corpses which be currently for deal and evaluate their specifications and select the one which you think is intimately suitable for Ben and Jerry. Write a incidented field to the family identifying the computers you prevail selected and explaining which computer that you consider to be the roughly suitable, beneficialifying your choice. (Distinction Criteria)\r\nDear Andrew,\r\nI received your letter regarding a new computer for your children and I looked up some(prenominal) computers matching the criteria you provided. I trimmed the list to on the dot three computers and I gave you my honest thoughts ab forbidden them including a critical, technical analysis of each computer. I want you find my advice helpful.\r\nThe first computer I valued you to look at was the apple mackintosh master which at �5691 is a high up end, top of the grapevine PC that is truly expensive but very fibrous nonetheless.\r\nThe Mac professional p erson has a forefingerful quad core processor with two octuple core processors capable of 16 GB of SD occlude. To make water 16 GBs is unheard of in the computing demesne so Ben should find that whatever demanding application he uses, the computer still handles smoothly. At 2 TB it has a huge inviolable disk aloofness that dwarfs other mainstream hard dumbfound sizes. Having this amount of spot would exclusivelyow Ben to store as more than games as he wants without deplorable about the size of it. The nontextual matter brain is the dramatic 512MB nVidia quaternaryro FX 4500 that has a 128 bit fund interface when just about these days only earn 64 bit. This artistic creation card however seems more appropriate for casual gamer, and those who are non in the marketplace for the latest artwork card. Im unsure that Ben is just a casual gamer or if hes a games enthusiast who is very interested in his romp. Nonetheless, this graphics card is not only supportive of the latest graphics but it also possesses enough processing power to generate smooth gaming without any obtrusive lagging.\r\nThe Mac Pro comes with one of the better(p) nonrecreational idiot box redact bundle programmes thats used by many Hollywood movie editors. Final curl Pro is one of the leading mental picture edit applications with thousands of effects and although, it looks complicated to begin with, notwithstandingtually it does shape some(prenominal) easier to use. Its purpose a line redact package is impressive as well with adobe brick Fireworks, Illustrator and Photoshop available for Jerry to land around with. Illustrator is a vector based image editor and Photoshop is simply the best application for the modify of digital images.Windows 7 Check Your Understanding\r\n angiotensin converting enzyme mustnt record bookount the Photobooth feature which uses its webcam to take pictures and telecastings. It has a lay of standard effects such as sepia tone, black and white, thermal impressiongraphic television camera, X ray, comic, mirror etc. There are carry of backdrops the resemblings of clouds, garble dots and rollercoaster available. This would please Jerry since he preferred a PC with a webcam to record. The price includes an Apple DVI to Video ar effigyr to connect the PC to your Television in golf club to view the movies you downloaded.\r\nAn slight aspect of this PC is the direct system it uses. The Mac OS snow leopard is a far more efficient OS when compared to Windows out-of-pocket to the fact that its not susceptible to viruses and its stunning exploiter interface. Every button has a glassy aspect and all applications are organised very well. The spotter application searches through the hard drive at incredible expedites to look for a document or another application. It has a futuristic feel that Windows view and 7 have recently tried to emulate, however, the certain is always the best. It was largely well received by many critics and was referred to as the nearly advanced OS in the world.\r\nApple Macs are reputed to have slight assort tonicity and its 23 inch screen is suitable for gaming and having such a wide screen would allow Jerry to have a immense desktop and to work uncaringly when editing his images or videos.\r\nThe next computer that maybe worth a look in is the dingle XPS 430 Desktop which at �670 is very much cheaper than the Apple Mac Pro; in truth this is a very matched price for a powerful machine such as this. In addition to this, Dell is market leader manufacturing high quality PCs with a vehement worldwide reputation.\r\nMost of the features match up to your criteria. For example, you verbalize that Jerry has an interest in photo editing. The XPS 430 has the latest adobe brick Elements package including Photoshop which is tailored for a person like Jerry. Adobe Photoshop is industry standard editing software that has a superfluity of ed iting effects and capabilities and I assure you that its ameliorate for an image editing enthusiast like Jerry. Granted Adobe premier elements is a scaled down version of the industry standard Adobe Premier Pro, however, its still the best exchange consumer video editing software because it has a range of advantages over its competitors. Features like real time rendering would help Jerry to immediately preview his edits to the timeline. This machine also has a deck-top docking feeing area to conveniently dock, belt and cable route for portable devices †such as digital camera, in the case of Jerry. This undubietyedly makes things much easier where all Jerry would have to do is to dock the camera and then edit straight from thither!\r\nIn addition to this, the XPS is a self-titled gaming computer which is correct for Ben. By using ATI2 and NVIDIA2 graphic solutions, the XPS 430 is capable of delivering high end multimedia features including next generation graphics and HD quality video. Most impressive of all, the machines processor is a top of the line Intel Quad affectionateness 2 processor that was specifically built to handle the most demanding games. High detailed games are rendered by four-spot hardware threads, which in turn distribute the AI and physics evenly. This powerful processor is tailor do for Ben who thrives on the latest games. Nowadays, many games take up several GBs of billet meaning smaller hard drives would struggle. The XPS 430 has 2 TBs (thats a 2000 GB) of hard drive space which is more than three times the size of a hard drive on normal computer. Plus, there are sight of USB ports (5 internal, 7 outside(a) to be precise) in case Ben wants to plug in a games controller or peg. The speaker that comes with the package is the Bose attendant 3 Series II which is a multimedia speaker system that is unlike any other conventional speaker in the sentiency that it delivers furrow live on and stunning ambience that make ups a life like atmosphere, be it filling games or ceremonial occasion a HD movie.\r\nAlso, since the computer has a Blu-Ray disk drive, it has the talent to play games or watch films in accepted high definition. Im also impressed with the Dell Ultrasharp widescreen introduction that accomplishs the High definition expertness of the PC. Since the monitors widescreen, you get the sense that its almost a widescreen television not a PC monitor. Its operating system Windows Vista is reputed to be a media centric OS so Jerry and Ben would ravish using its 3D exploiter interface which has an Apple Mac feel. The XPS 430s RAM is well above honest too with 8GB. Most computers have 2, maybe 3 GB because thats an acceptable amount. RAM is a close indicator of how good a computer is because it shows how many programmes a machine jakes outflow without having to unbend down. So the more RAM on store, the more programmes you can run without worrying about it decrease things down.\r\nF inally, we mustnt ignore the digital video capture capability in this PC. It has a built in 2.0 mega picture element camera which is capable of taking pictures, record videos and its immaculate when added with VOIP(Voice over Internet Protocol) software such as Skype.\r\nThe XPS 430 also has 1 VGA and HDMI rig to connect the PC to your TV, allowing you to watch downloaded films on your TV; This PC surely ticks all your boxes.\r\nThe last PC I picked out was the HP Pavilion Elite which is nearly twice as expensive as the Dell at �1279.\r\nThe feature you immediately notice is the processor which is twice as capable as the Intel Quad meaning 2 processor that was in the Dell XPS 430. The Intel Core i7-860 Processor is a processor that was specifically intentional for multi-tasking purposes. Thats why unlike the Intel Quad Core 2 it has 8 threads to share the workload. hotshot of its features, Intel wise Cache, was optimized to deliver a higher quality gaming deed w ith an improved capable cache system. In addition to this, other features like HD boost and Turbo Boost technology handle the most demanding programmes maximising the performance leading to an overall improvement of a plethora of multimedia and computer intensive programmes. Its clock renovate of 2.8 GHz is also marginally better than the Quad Core 2 Processor (2.66 GHz) †the clock speed measures how fast a PC can complete basic calculations and operations. This processor would be fabulously effectual for both your children as its perfect for high detail HD gaming and image editing which would need multiple applications to be open.\r\nThe OS system Microsoft 7 inhabitancy premium is the latest OS from windows and has a range of multimedia applications that would satisfy both Ben and Jerry. The latest Windows media oculus can act as a hub for all your childrens multimedia demand. Here they can watch videos, photos and even play games! Applications that are included with t he OS on a lower floor Microsoft like Movie Maker, DVD Maker and photo gallery are standard multimedia programmes that are still competent in helping the user to maximise their multimedia experience.\r\nThe graphics card would no doubt excite Ben who I understand is a games enthusiast. The NVIDIA GeForce GT 230 is a graphics card with Purevideo HD technology which like the graphics card in the XPS 430 allows the user to dip themselves in true high definition gaming. other added benefit to gaming, is the â€Å"7.1 HD audio support” that would undoubtedly create a unique gaming atmosphere.\r\nThe disk drive size of 1.5 TB is enormous even though its not as much the XPS 430 (2 TB in size) and it would mean that both your children can store plenty of games, videos and images without worrying about how big they are. It has an equal RAM capability to the XPS 430 at 8 GB, allowing the computer to run many programmes at the same time without worrying about it slowing things down. This is ideal for Jerry in special(a) who would be using multiple, highly demanding applications to edit his videos and images.\r\nThis crabby PC comes with a HP games console that has hours of free gameplay that would certainly entertain Ben. The fact that it has 10 external USB ports is useful if he were to plug in his joystick or games controller. This PC may however spoil Jerry due to the fact that it doesnt have an image editing software included. However, it does have one of the worlds best video editing software in Cyberlink DVDSuite. This application is not as competent as Adobe Premiere Elements but I still feel that its an excellent video editing software that is suited for an amateur video editing enthusiast.\r\nThis machine also doesnt have a webcam which is a downside but it does have a VGA and a HDMI port to plug the PC on to your television.\r\nIn conclusion, the HP pavilion would not be recommended by me due to the absence of an image editing software. I feel for �1279 it doesnt suit the criteria and so would be a waste of money. It doesnt have a webcam each further deteriorating its credibility. However, this PC is very suited for Ben because of the quality of the graphics card, the audio support and the free HP games console thats included and not to forget the pictorial PC monitor.\r\nOn the other extreme, the Apple Mac Pro is nearly �6000 and for that money youre getting the best OS in the world, superb image editing software and a world class video editing application in Final vitiated pro. Its Imagebooth applications boast the ability to take pictures and videos and have a range of effects. This makes it perfect for Jerry who loves editing videos and images. However, I dont hope its suitable for Ben as the graphics card is a just a mainstream graphics card that may struggle with certain demanding games. The fact that it doesnt have a blu-ray disc drive is a negative as well as it would be unable to play HD ga mes. For the amount of money, youd expect this PC to be perfect but its far from it.\r\nThat leaves me with the Dell XPS 430 which I conjecture is the most suitable PC as it satisfies the needs of both Jerry and Ben equally well. Its graphics card is incredibly powerful and the RAM it possesses is enough to handle the most highly detailed games. It even has a blu-ray disc drive to play HD games and its quad core 2 processor is one of the best for gaming. Ben is sure to be impressed with these specifications. Jerry on the other hand willing be excited to have Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Premiere which are excellent programmes for image and video editing. The XPS 430 even has deck-top docking area to conveniently dock portable devices like a digital camera.\r\nThis would without doubt be convenient for Jerry as he can simply plug in his camera and get editing without wasting much time. It has a VGA and HDMI output to connect to the television and watch movies and its sound system give s an incredible atmosphere. Whether its watching videos or playing games this sound system would simply maximise the viewing experience. One mustnt forget that it also has a 2.0 mega pixel camera that records and takes pictures and is suitable for applications like Skype. The icing on the streak without doubt has to be the fact that its the cheapest PC from the ones Ive listed at �670 and thats why I recommend that you purchase the Dell XPS 430.\r\n'