McDonald V Santa Fe Trail Transportation

Table of Contents The Central Legal Issue The pertinent Facts Discussion Decisions made by the courts Case Questions The HRM Implications for future Reference List The Central Legal Issue The question in this case is whether Title VII of the Civil Rights of 1964 prohibits racial discrimination of employees in private organizations against whites plus nonwhites.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on McDonald V Santa Fe Trail Transportation specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The pertinent Facts The pertinent issues in this case include discrimination against white employees which is prohibited by Title VII of the Civil Rights of 1964. The case is also based on the white employees, McDonald’s and Laird’s, participation in criminal activities, which in this case, is the theft of cargo meant for Santa Fe’s customers. Another pertinent issue is based on whether the case should be considered as a joint misconduct of the three employees or in terms of their individual participation in the criminal activity. Finally, it is also based on whether the participation of the white employees in the misappropriation of the cargo rendered them more unqualified for employment as compared to the black employee, Jackson White’s involvement in the same. Discussion The two white employees, McDonald and Laird, allege that they were discharged by their employer because of their race. On the contrary the employer argues that their dismissal was based on their involvement in a serious criminal offense which was against the company’s code of ethics. However, the most important factor in this case is whether the right procedure was followed to determine whether they were guilty of the offense or not, and whether their participation in the criminal act made them more qualified for dismissal by their employer than the Jackson White or not. It is possible that the district court might have o nly considered McDonald’s and Laird’s participation in a deliberate, unlawful activity, and not whether the employer used the conduct of his former employees to commit discrimination which is prohibited by Title VII. The argument in this case is why the white employees were discharged for their alleged involvement in criminal activity, while their accomplice was retained by their employer.Advertising Looking for essay on consumer law? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The petitioners in this case, McDonald and Laird, argue that a fellow employee who was also implicated in the same criminal offense was not equally punished, which according to them was because of his skin color, and therefore the employer discriminated against them because they are white. The pro of this argument is that it implies that Santa Fe found it logical to retain Jackson White because of his color, but reasonable to discharge McDonald and La ird for the same. It proves that the three employees were not judged on joint misconduct. This is against the provisions of Title VII. However, this argument overlooks each of the three employee’s personal involvement in the misappropriation of the cargo. The option available for this case is to reinvestigate deliberate and unlawful personal participation by each of the three employees in the misappropriation of the cargo. The results of the investigation are then used to prove or dismiss the employer’s stated reasons for the actions taken (Bennett-Alexander Hartman, 2004). Although this can be used to validate the truth in the arguments presented by both sides, it can not be used to compel the employer to reinstate the McDonald and Laird. Again, there is the option of passing judgment to dismiss all the guilty employees. This may help eliminate perceptions of racial discrimination; however, justice will not have been served in case Jackson White’s participatio n in the criminal activity was not deliberate. Decisions made by the courts The District Court had ruled in favor of the employer, stating that the claims brought forward by McDonald and Laird was not in accordance with the provisions of Title VII. The District Court therefore affirmed that their dismissal was based on their commission of the criminal activity. The Court of Appeal ruled that the District Court hard erred in rejecting McDonald’s and Laird’s Title VII claims against their employer. The court therefore reversed and remanded the ruling of the District Court, and ordered the District Court to reinstitute an inquiry into the claims brought forward by both parties. This judgment was made after finding that the District Court’s ruling was not consistent with interpretations of Title VII as regards to provisions on racial discrimination of employees in private organizations in relation to the claims brought forward by the petitioners.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on McDonald V Santa Fe Trail Transportation specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Case Questions The District Court’s ruling is not consistent with Title VII. The ruling was held based on the two employees’ participation in a criminal activity while ignoring the possibility of racial discrimination. I fully agree with the employer’s isolate case argument. The employer considered level of personal involvement, as well as, deliberate participation in the misappropriation of the cargo. This case does not relate to affirmative action, but reveals instances where an employer may selectively discipline an employee regardless of his or her race as a result of misconduct. The HRM Implications for future This case implies that an employer should institute proper investigations to prove an employee’s allegations of misconduct or participation in a criminal activity. The actions taken aft er the investigation should be in line with the provisions of labor laws or Title VII, for employers within the United States of America. Reference List Bennett-Alexander, D. D Hartman, L. P. (2004). Employment law for business, 6th Ed. Boston: Irwin McGraw-Hill This essay on McDonald V Santa Fe Trail Transportation was written and submitted by user Silas Richards to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Its Cool Cause They Say So essays

It's Cool Cause They Say So essays Advertisements are seen everywhere using all different kinds of approaches. They sometimes use direct forms such as flyers, billboards, cars, commercials, and even t-shirts; however, more recently, indirect advertisement-that is, unintended advertising is increasing in popularity. Indirect advertising is common in music, specifically African-American music. Although traditionally African American music has been mostly in ballad form had mostly been love ballads, a new genre of music has risen in the form of rap. Since its birth in the mid 1980s, rap has slowly become extremely popular and has developed into a highly influential force. Rappers have the uncanny ability to shape public thought. African American creativity in the media of music is so powerful that it can dictate what becomes popular. Their indirect advertising creativity is obvious through their songs which are complimented by their videos. Popular rappers unintentionally advertise products in their songs, but be cause of their influence, the advertisement is successful despite the cost of the products that they represent. Pass the Courvoisier. Everybody sing it now. Pass the Courvoisierso goes the chorus of the song by Busta Rhymes and P. Diddy. The song was originally written as a club song. However, the song has proven to increase the sales of the liquor by 4.5 percent in the first quarter of this year and into double digits in recent months (Holloway 1). Hip-hop is in fact that popular. Busta Rhymes and P.Diddy are major contributors to the genre of rap and they are so big now that everything they touch becomes popular and sells (Holloway 2). The fact that Busta and P.Diddy can create a song about a particular liquor and unwittingly boosts the sales of the liquor is a reflection of their influence over the minds of their listeners. Recently, Cadillac has been beneficiary of free publicity from rap also. A...

American Constitution Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4250 words

American Constitution - Essay Example It would be erroneous, however, to describe the frame of government, signed by Washington and his fellow-delegates at Philadelphia, as their invention. It is not so much a creation of political theorists as a codification by practical statesmen of doctrines which experience showed had worked well, or were needed for the well-working of government in their country. Moreover, it did not fully satisfy any of its framers, and the discussion connected with its adoption disclosed a strong popular feeling that it ought to be supplemented by a formal bill of rights. Accordingly, various amendments were prepared and ten of these were ratified within two years after the original Constitution went into effect. All of these were suggested by political experience during the revolutionary and colonial periods, while some trace their origin back through English history to Magna Charta. T is clear that the Convention which drafted our Constitution did not originate with political agitators whose heads were filled with new schemes of government. It resulted from the popular conviction that the existing federal system was a failure, a conviction which was voiced by Patrick Henry 1 and other champions of state sovereignty, as well as by those who "thought continentally." How slowly this conviction matured is shown in the stages by which public opinion advanced towards the goal of the Convention. (Taylor 1998 67) The Background of the Constitutional Convention As early as 1643 the colonies of Massachusetts, New Plymouth, Connecticut, and New Haven drew up "Articles of Confederation of the United Colonies of New England," driven thereto by the dangers which threatened them from the hostile Indians, and from the Dutch at New Amsterdam and Fort Orange ( New York and Albany). The purpose of this confederation was principally that of mutual defence, and matters of internal affairs were expressly left to the several colonies, but nevertheless the commissioners were directed to "endeavoured to frame and establish agreements and orders in general cases of a civil nature wherein all the plant cons are interested for preserving peace among themselves, and preventing as much as may bee all occasions of war or difference with others." (Tucker, 1997 74) Provision was also made for the return by each colony to the authorities of the others of runaway servants and escaped criminals. Control of the affairs of the confederation was put into the hands of eight commissioners, two from each colony, and in most matters action could be taken by the concurrence of six commissioners. 2 The confederation functioned actively until the conquest of New Netherlands in 1664, and there were occasional meetings of the commissioners for twenty years more, when the organization finally fell apart. In 1684 representatives of Massachusetts, New York, Maryland, and Virginia met at Albany to provide for measures of defence against the Five Nations, and ten years later representatives from Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey met at the same place to frame a treaty with the same Indian tribes. While in 1721 there was a gathering of New England governors

Business Strategy and Policy Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Business Strategy and Policy - Case Study Example ents are readily available, a majority of those afflicted with the disease go untreated because health insurance companies refuse to pay at all or just part a certain percentage (Walters & Rotgers, 2012).  This makes some of the victims to end up being homeless, while others may die an early death in response to a missed opportunity for treatment due to the health insurance companies’ neglect and discrimination on the issue (Walters & Rotgers, 2012).   Substance abuse comprises of two main types of addictions namely drug addiction and alcoholism.   Drug addiction refers to the dependence on a street drug or on an over the counter medication while alcoholism is the dependence on alcohol. In this context, alcohol is referred to as a drug since it fits the description of a drug, which is defined as any substance that alters normal human homeostasis.   Once an individual is addicted to a substance, he or she cannot avoid using it irrespective of their desires to stop the habit because of the harm it might be causing to them. The American Medical Association (AMA) defines drug addiction and alcoholism as some of the major lifestyle diseases in the 21st century that may be a result of genetics, environment, or upbringing. There are numerous approaches that are applied in administering substance abuse treatment. However, some of these treatment methods are ineffective because they neglect not only the substance abuse dependency but also other causative factors such as comorbid mental illness and or any previous traumatic events that may have occurred in the individuals past that may have contributed to the substance abuse. Applications of such ineffective strategies leave substance abuse victims still struggling to maintain sobriety and have a successful life with stability and security in all aspects. An effective substance abuse treatment in individuals with any other causative factors must be inclusive of all factors and illnesses to be effective not only

5 questions about China law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

5 questions about China law - Essay Example In relation to a work of a Chinese citizen, term of protection for the right to lease his publication shall be the life of the author and 50 years after his death, and it expires on December 31 of the fiftieth year after the death of the author. In case of a collective work, term of protection expires on December 31 of the fiftieth year after the death of the last of the authors (Article 21 of Copyright Law of PRC, 2001). No. The genral name / generic name or model of a product or good in respect of which trade mark is used cannot be regisered as trade mark under the Trademark Law of PRC 2001 (FN 2). Similarly, the trade marks which consist exclusively of signs or indications which have direct reference to the quality, main raw material, function, intended purpose, weight, quantity or other characteristics of goods or services and the trade marks which are devoid of any distinctive character cannot be registered.

The Portrait Of ED Students Pronunciation Education Essay

The Portrait Of ED Students Pronunciation Education Essay Introduction This chapter reveals the background of study, problem statement, purpose of the study and the benefit of the study. The explanations of these parts are presented below; Pronunciation is one of the most important things that students have to master in order to communicate appropriately and fluently. According to Fangzhi (1998:39), that it is important to pay attention to pronunciation since it results in whether or not someones message can be passed or not by other people. More over, Gilbert (cited in Otlowsky, 2004:3) stated that if someone cannot hear English well, she or he is cut off from the language. And if someone cannot be understood easily, she or he is cut off from conversation with native speakers. We can conclude from the statements above that pronunciation gives a significant effect to the meaning of what someone says. However, almost all English teachers make little attempt to teach pronunciation in any overt way and only give attention to it in passing. In ideal condition, students in ED seem to have good pronunciation because they are taught by using English as their language. As cited in Buku Pedoman Akademik FBS 2005/2006, students in English Department are expected to be able to speak and write English correctly. But in fact, based on the observation and informal talks both with lectures and students done by the researcher, students still have bad pronunciation. For example, it is hard to find MC with good pronunciation in ED. Many students speak incorrectly when they are in their thesis examination and so on. Considering this situation, the researcher is interested in conducting this study to find out ED students pronunciation portrait and its implication to the teaching and learning of English. 1.2 RESEARCH QUESTIONS Based on the background of the study above, the research questions are divided into two, they are: Major questions: 1.) What is the portrait of ED students pronunciation? 2.) What is the implication of students pronunciation portrait towards the teaching and learning of English? Minor questions: How do ED students learn pronunciation? Does the students mother tongue affect students pronunciation? What are general mistakes that students often make? What are the causes contribute to the mistakes of the students pronunciation? Is students pronunciation influenced by American English or British English? 1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The purposes of the study based on the research questions above are divided into: 1. Major purposes: The major purposes are 1.) to describe the portrait of ED students pronunciation, 2.) to find out the implication of students pronunciation portrait towards the teaching and learning of English; 2. Minor purposes: The minor purposes are 1.) to investigate the way ED students learn pronunciation, 2.) to analyze whether the students mother tongue affect students pronunciation or not, 3.) to figure out the mistakes that students often make in producing sounds, 4.) to investigate the causes that contribute to the students pronunciation mistakes , and 5.) to analyze whether students pronunciation is influenced by American English or British. 1.4 BENEFIT OF THE STUDY The results of the study are hoped to give an input for the institution, to enrich the research in pronunciation field. And it can help ED students who are interested in conducting the related research. 1.5 PREVIOUSLY RELATED STUDY The previously related study was done by Ros Dwi Wahyuni whose thesis title was The Pronunciation of Second Grade Students of SMU 77 in 2005. She conducted her study using a case study as her approach, thus the results of her study can not be generalized for the entire population. The data were gathered by using interviews and pronunciation test from December 2004 until January 2005 and processed using rank order correlation formula. The results of her study showed that most participants were intelligible in recognizing the words in their speech and the participants also had positive attitude towards pronunciation and the teaching of pronunciation. CHAPTER II LITERATURE REVIEW This chapter consists of the definition of pronunciation, related issues on TEFL and pronunciation, background of teaching pronunciation, principles for pronunciation teaching, the areas of English pronunciation, pronunciation teaching, and factors affecting students pronunciation. 2.1 Definition of pronunciation Pronunciation is the most important thing that we have to master. Otherwise, people cannot receive the message we say. According to Penny Ur (2001), Jack C. Richard (2002), Pronunciation is the sound of the language, or phonology; stress and rhythm; and intonation and includes the role of individual sounds and segmental and supra segmental sounds. Moreover, Otlowski (2004:1) stated that Pronunciation is a way that is accepted or generally understood. From those statements above, we can conclude that pronunciation is the way of someone produces segmental and supra segmental sound that is accepted or generally understood. 2.2 Related Issues on TEFL and Pronunciation There are several problems that related to pronunciation and TEFL, such as; in ED there is no subject that focuses on pronunciation. Indeed, there are some simple and enjoyable exercises to practice pronunciation. According to Jenkins (2007) mentioned on her article, Global English and Teaching Pronunciation, that an implication global English for pronunciation teaching that is students should be given plenty of exposure in their pronunciation classrooms to other non-native accents of English so that they can understand then easily even if a speaker has not yet managed to acquire the core features. For EIL, this is more important than having classroom exposure to native speaker accents. It means that students should have non-native accents of English in order to help them understand what the speaker means even though he or she can not get the RP pronunciation. Moreover, Griffiths (2007), Integrating Pronunciation into Classroom Activities, found that addressing issues (pronunciation) regularly during the language feedback or group correction stage of lesson helps to focus learners attention on its importance and lead to more positive experiences. He also described that pronunciation work can be kept simple and employ exercises which are both accessible and enjoyable for students, whatever their level is. Whenever students do a freer speaking activity, the main aim is usually at developing their spoken fluency in the language. However, the activity also serves to work on students accuracy through the feedback we give them on their use of language. It means that lecturers should give the feedback on students pronunciation regularly so that students will have positive attitude towards the pronunciation. Based on those statements above, Okita (2007), Teaching Pronunciation, concluded the activities that can be passed in teaching pronunciation are: 1.) explaining Daniel Jones phonemic symbols, using a chart of English vowels and consonants; 2.) using minimal pair exercises; 3.)getting learners to memorize pronunciation patterns to predict on which vowel the primary stress is placed in a word, and; 4.)distinguishing the differences in the sounds of a vowel or consonant in a given word. 2.3 Background to the teaching of pronunciation There are three main orientations proposed by Nunan (2003, p.112-113) in pronunciation teaching: Listen carefully and repeat what I say (1940s-1950s). In this orientation, the activities are students are to repeat the words said by their teacher for several times. The problem that can be raised in this orientation is that students differ in how effectively they are able to really listen to and discern the sound system of anew language; Lets analyze these sounds closely to figure out how to pronounce them clearly (1960s-19701s). The teacher compares features of the sound system of English with features of their native languages. It is done in order to get students accustomed to International Phonetic Alphabet; lets start using these sounds in activities as soon as we can while I provide cues and feedback on how well youre doing (1980s and beyond). The teacher gives chances to the students to use the sounds which they are right in producing. 2.4 Principles for Teaching Pronunciation In the teaching of pronunciation, there are five principles, according to Nunan (2003, p. 115-117) , which are: stated five principles of pronunciation teaching, they are: Foster intelligibility during spontaneous speech. Teachers need to keep fostering the students intelligibility to get them concentrate to pronounce words while they are doing the spontaneous speech. Keep affective considerations firmly in mind. Teachers need to give affective support to their students in order not to make them have feared to develop new pronunciation habits. Avoid the teaching of individual sounds in isolation. Giving students chances to communicate meaningfully with their friends are more interesting, enjoyable, and memorable activities. If the teachers provide such activities, in the long run, have more impact on improving students speech intelligibility. Provide feedback on learner progress. Teachers should support students efforts, guide them, provide cues for their enhancement. Unless, students would unaware where they need to place their energies. Realize that ultimately it is the learner who is in control of changes in pronunciation. According to Morley (1994, p.89), teacher is only as a language coach who supplies information; gives models from time to time; sets high stands; provides a wide variety of practice opportunities; and encourages the learner. 2.5 The Areas of English Pronunciation The areas of English pronunciation are categorized into two, they are: segmental (e.g. English consonant and vowel sounds) and supra segmental (e.g. stress, linking, weak forms, intonation), Rajadurai (2001: 25). Parker adds (2000: 25) rhythm, reduction, and deletion are included as supra segmental features. The controversial issues about which areas of pronunciation are important to be taught came arise. According to Rajadurai (2001:13) teaching supra segmental is less valued than the teaching of segmental areas. However, Harmer (2002:183) disagrees with what Rajadurai stated. He claims that overt teaching of supra segmental areas particularly gives improved comprehension and intelligibly. Wahba (1998: 32-33) supported this statement, he claimed that that if learners are aware that there is a stress pattern in English words, and the pitch of the voice can convey the meaning, they will know what to pay attention to and can build basic awareness. In conclusion, both of segmental and supra segmental areas of teaching give significant effect in affecting students pronunciation. 2.6 Pronunciation Teaching Pronunciation teaching is important to ED students, but in fact there is no lesson which focuses on pronunciation. Indeed, pronunciation can increase the quality of students speaking as Harmer stated (2001:183) that pronunciation teaching not only makes students aware of different sound and sound features (and what these mean), but also improve their speaking immeasurably. In order to teach pronunciation, here are the three kinds of pronunciation practices which are most widely used by English teacher to help students improve their pronunciation: Minimal pair drills. This is a pair of utterance-usually short- which differs in meaning, but which are exactly alike in sound except in one point. The students are to pronounce pairs of words which differ in pronunciation only in one respect, such as bid/bId/; big/bIg, and sound/saund/; round/raund; (Deterding and Pudjosoedarmo 1998:77) A series of isolated sentences. These have concentration of the sound to be practiced, but they are not sentences frequently used in everyday conversation, Fangzhi (1998:38). For example: ai: Mike tried five times to get the prize Five times five is twenty-five Tongue twisters. Playing with words is particularly useful for the students who have unique pronunciation problems. Ball (2003:8) gives examples of tongue twisters: She sells seashells on the seashore; Red lorry yellow lorry; If a dog chews shoes, whose shoes does he choose? They think that it is Thursdays the thirtieth; Fangzhi (1998:38) concluded that the practices above are good for introducing English sound to beginners and also good for building a strong basic pronunciation. These pronunciation practices might be succeeded in helping students to improve pronunciation but not in sequence. Students who are trained in these ways tend to make more pronunciation errors when speaking spontaneously. Not only that, Celce Murcia, et.al. (1996:2) introduced two approaches that can be applied in helping students pronunciation improvement, they are: An intuitive-imitative approach. It talks about the students ability to listen to and imitate sounds of a target language. He or she also can make imitate the pronunciation of other people in television, radio, songs, and so forth; An analytic-linguistic approach. It recognizes the importance of intervention of pronunciation in language acquisition. Using this approach, teacher is to identify students problem in pronouncing the foreign language by providing pedagogical aids; Beside that, Nunan (2003) also gave us teaching strategies to teach pronunciation that consists of: Openness to change. Teacher ask learner to discuss problem areas that are faced. It is important to build learners self-confidence and attend their emotional needs as a non-native speaker; Contextualized minimal pairs. Teaching pronunciation by distinguishing between specifically targeted sounds, stress patterns, or intonation patterns through the use of minimal pairs; Gadgets and props. Learners are to analyze the words on their own, and to practice saying words by using their tools in coordination with their pronunciation stress syllables. Slow motion speaking (SMS). SMS allows learners to view close up, and to imitate, the teachers way of producing specific sounds in context; Tracking. Languages learner are not being asked to repeat after the recorded voice, but to try to say the words presented in the transcript concurrent with the voices they are listening to. Techniques from drama and theater arts. Popular plays and screenplays can be interesting sources of pronunciation work; Pronunciation teaching is not as easy as the stated statements above, it has obstacles too. Because of that, Otlowsky suggested: pronunciation should be integrated into other subjects orienting to communicative competence than linguistic skill especially in segmental and supra segmental phoneme ,Morley (1991, p.481-520); listening comprehension and pronunciation have close relationship ,Gilbert (1984, p.1) and Nooteboom (1983, p.183-194) stated that there is a strong impact of speech perception to speech production; the best technique should involve teachers and students as speech trainer or trainer, Morley (1991, p.507); intelligible pronunciation is seen as essential component of communicative competence, Morley (1991, p.513); 2.7 Factors Affecting Students Pronunciation Sometimes we, as the non-native speaker, made mistakes in pronouncing words. It is because the several things, such as the differences in pronunciation area so that we are not accustomed to produce the sounds. As stated by Ur (2001, p.52) that some causes affect pronunciation mistakes: 1.) substitute second language with first language sound because there is no in first language; 2.) create wrong perception on second language sounds because the sound is an allophone in first language; 3.)use a stress pattern and first language intonation when pronouncing second language in order to create a strange accent; CHAPTER III RESEARCH METHODOLOGY This chapter reveals the methodology used by the researcher, including research design consists of time, place, and the subjects of the study; data collection process; and data analysis. RESEARCH DESIGN Since the study focuses on describing the portrait of ED students pronunciation and analyzing the implication of students pronunciation towards the teaching and learning of English, the method will be used in this study is descriptive analytical interpretive. This research does not make any intervention and judgment. It only describes the portrait of ED students pronunciation and analyzes its implication towards the teaching and learning of English. This study also describes how ED students learn their pronunciation and whether their mother tongue affects their pronunciation or not. This study applies two methods of data collection that are by recording the test of English phoneme and doing the interview. The test of English phoneme consists of the list of words; those are vowels, diphthongs, trip thongs, consonants, consonant clusters, stress, and intonation. The interview is designed to get more specific information to answer the research questions. Both data collected by means of test of English phoneme and interview will be analyzed with descriptive analysis interpretive. Descriptive analytical interpretive The study used a descriptive analytical interpretive method. Yin cited in Tunisa (2008) and Ardi (2009) mentioned that descriptive cases require that the writer begins with a descriptive theory, or face the possibility that problems will occur during the project. Surakhmad (1990:140) stated two features of descriptive study: Memusatkan diri pada pemecahan masalah-masalah yang ada pada masa sekarang, pada masalah-masalah aktual Data yang dikumpulkan mula-mula disusun, dijelaskan dan kemudian dianalisa (karenaitu metode in sering pula disebut metode analitik. Surakhmad (1990:140) It can be concluded that to implement descriptive study, the study has to (1) focus on solving the past and actual issues then (2) the collected data is ordered, explained, and then analyzed (that is why this is often called an analytical method). Geoff Walsham said on his presentation that according to Orlikowski and Baroudi (1991) interpretive studies assume that people cerate and associate their own subjective and intersubjective meanings as they interact with the world around them. Interpretive researchers thus attempt to understand phenomena through accessing the meanings participants assign to them. This definition is based on the ground that: The interpretive research approach towards the relationship between theory and practice is that the researcher can never assume a value-neutral stance, and is always implicated in the phenomena being studied. There is no direct access to reality unmediated by language and preconception. Walsham (1993) himself states that interpretive methods of research start from the position that our knowledge of reality, including the domain of human action, is a social construction by human actors and that this applies equally to researchers. Thus there is no objective reality which can be discovered by researchers and replicated by others, in contrast to the assumptions of positive science. Population The population of the study was the whole of ED classes at State University of Jakarta. Sample The samples of this study were the students from 2005, 2006, and 2007 both from educational and non-educational students. Site and place The study was conducted at English Department of State University of Jakarta from December 2008 to April 2009. Instruments Two kinds of instruments are designed for data collection. They are test of English phoneme and interview list. 1.) Test of English Phoneme The test of English phoneme is consisted of the list of words that are categorized into vowels, diphthongs, trip thongs, consonants, consonant clusters, stress, and intonation. Then, students are asked to pronounce them using tape recorder. 2.) Interview list The interview for this study is designed as a structured interview. The questions in the interview list are designed based on the research questions in chapter I. 3.2 DATA COLLECTION PROCESS The data collection was conducted on December 2008 until April 2009. The data in this study consisted of information collected by using test of English phoneme, and interview list. The collected data using an English test phoneme was conducted on December 2008 until April 2009. Meanwhile, the data from interview was done by taking notes (face-to-face individually) and sending via e-mail. DATA ANALYSIS The researcher analyzed the data by the following steps. The first was checking data completeness; the data taken were the recorded ED students pronunciation. The recorded data contains vowels, diphthongs, trip thongs, consonants, consonant clusters, stress, and intonation. To classify the data, the writer analyzed the pronunciation into the transcript based on the participants entrance year. The second was grouping data by making them in the table presentation based on the data source. The third was comparing the data in each category; by comparing the data, the writer would find the dominant and the less dominant made by students in pronouncing the sound. The forth was putting groups of data in order from the more dominant data to the less ones. The last was the taken data was interpreted based on the findings.

The Handicapped Poor in America Essay -- Disabled Poverty

In The Working Poor, David Shipler relates the plight of the invisible poor in America, sharing the stories of laborers across the nation who work but cannot get a firm grip on the slippery surface of the American dream. Shipler also touches on, but does not fully explore, the even thornier path of the disabled, impoverished individual in America. Although a relatively large segment of the population (10-20 percent of the United States population is disabled), the disabled poor encounter setbacks in their struggle to succeed in a world where one’s worth is often judged by one’s economic and educational attainment. A blind and impoverished woman from Eastern Europe directly states that the disabled poor "depend on everyone; no one wants us. We are like garbage that everyone wants to get rid of" (Wolfensohn 1). Far from the thoughts of many in the social hierarchy, including the healthy working poor, the disabled poor face numerous obstacles in their path towards a stable income above the poverty line. Addressing the problem of helping disabled individuals through legislation becomes difficult because definitions of disability differ. Some may argue that depression is not a disability because not only is it difficult to prove that an individual is afflicted with it, but it is also questionable whether it is the cause of their unemployment. Asthma may not be considered a disability for a child in the suburbs, who, with the help of an inhaler, may play soccer without suffering, but chronic, untreated asthma can be debilitating for a child living in poverty and, according to the American Lung Association, â€Å"can be a life-threatening disease if not properly managed.† The government defines disability as having a â€Å"physical or m... ... > U.S. Census Bureau: American Fact Finder. â€Å"Sex by Age by Disability by Employment Status for the Civilian Noninstitutionalized Population 5 Years and Over.† ds_name=ACS_2003_EST_G00_&-redoLog=false&- mt_name=ACS_2003_EST_G2000_P059>. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. â€Å"Child Health USA 2003†. . U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. â€Å"Disability Among Women on AFDC: An Issue Revisited.† 1993. . U.S. Department of Labor. â€Å"The United States Department of Labor Homepage, Secretary of State Elaine L. Chao.† . The University of New Mexico Center for Development and Disability. .

The Usage Of Information And Communication Technologies Education Essay

AbstractionThe universities expenditure on computing machine substructure has increased dramatically for the last five old ages, as the establishments attempts to intermix ICTs into all facets of instruction and acquisition. And with the revolution in ICTs connectivity, handiness, package and hardware handiness is no longer an major issue. As universities are puting immense sum in incorporating ICT into faculty members and the survey aims to understand the pupils and instructors positions on the usage of information and communicating engineerings ( ICTs ) as teaching-learning tools in higher instruction. The survey aims to derive a better apprehension of the function engineerings play in back uping teaching-learning activities and penetration into what pupils and teacher perceive to be the benefits and restrictions of utilizing engineerings in higher instruction. The survey focuses on the alterations in pupil ‘s communicating form with the coming of ICTs. A study was conducted utilizing a graded sampling technique and a structured questionnaire was employed to roll up informations from five 100 pupils of Anna University across all subjects. To understand the instructor ‘s perceptual experience of ICTs an in-depth interview has been conducted among 50 instructors from Anna University. The survey reveals that the pupils are able to have big content in different formats from assorted beginnings and these content fulfil the single demands of the pupils. Networking and interaction among instructors and pupils helps to unclutter the uncertainties round the clock. The technological discovery encourages the pupils to come out of their inhabitancy and is motivated to take part in capable based treatments. This transforms the University campus from the inactive to collaborative and progressive establishment.IntroductionIntegration of ICT in Higher instruction: The bend towards the computing machine based teaching-learning over the past 20 old ages is assumed to hold revolutionized and revitalized the higher instruction sector. Thus, stark ultimatums continue to be made by instruction engineers that universities must either ‘transform or decease ‘ in the face of technological advancement ( Bates, 2004 ) . Higher instruction is undergoing a paradigm displacement by incorporating engineering to leave instruction. The ICT-driven alterations have left constructs like distance and clip wholly excess. What is needed now is the right sort of models for different manners of acquisition and it is indispensable that alterations anticipated over the following decennary or two be taken into consideration. The estimated worth of ICT in India is Rs 4,00,000 crore and is turning at 20 per cent yearly. â€Å" By the twelvemonth 2020, about 25 per cent of India ‘s economic system will be accounted by ICT entirely ( Bhatkar, 2011 ) . While universities have begun to recognize that the acceptance and integrating of information and communicating engineerings ( ICT ) has become a competitory necessity, they have besides begun to recognize that there is still much to larn about how to strategically place ICT to guarantee the greatest positive consequence on university success. ( Romaniello, Rey, Carlos, & A ; Medlin, 2010 ) . Impact of ICT can non be straight measured and can merely be measured by analyzing its indirect effects on the procedure of instruction and acquisition. Universities need to see how technology-based instructional plans are mounted to guarantee that pupils use the Internet effectively as a acquisition tool for assorted reliable larning activities such as carry oning research on a given subject or happening relevant information for an assignment. The Internet can supply the undermentioned three basic types of tools in the educational sphere: Tools for enquiry, Tools for communicating, Tools for bu ilding ( Gudanescu, 2010 ) . 1.2 Information communicating engineering revolution Introduction compose up on ICT with commendations Harmonizing to the wiki books ICT is defined as â€Å" Diverse set of technological tools and resources used to pass on, and to make, circulate, shop, and manage information. These engineerings include computing machines, the Internet, airing engineerings ( wireless and telecasting ) , and telephone. In recent old ages tremendous involvement has been shown by academicians, developers and policy shapers on how computing machines and cyberspace can be efficaciously used for instruction at all degrees. ICT has a important impact in the manner instructors and pupils communicate. Communication in the learning procedure provides a transportation of information between university instructors and pupils. e.g. e-mail communicating over the Internet. Such a natural manner of communicating is verbal ( face to face ) or non-verbal where there is an absence of personal contact of consigner with the perceiver changes the natural theoretical account of communicating between instructors and pupils. The Internet has been interfering with the class of the educational procedure at universities because the modern-day coevals of pupils is sing the Internet to be a to the full natural agencies of communicating non merely between themselves but besides with their instructors. This means of communicating is characterized by important positives ( particularly for external survey ) , but besides negative facets pre-described by the clip facet and particularly by non managing the regulations of such manne r of communicating by pupils. It is for these grounds that the part is dedicated to the Internet communicating at two degrees: university instructors and pupils, the positive and negative facets, which evidently complicate the educational procedure. ( ZeleA?akova , Pavolova , & A ; Bakalar, 2012 ) 1.3 ICT integrating At Anna University: Anna University has taken several enterprises to heighten instruction both by being the content supplier and by supplying the proficient substructure. Digital acquisition is offered to the pupils in assorted formats like Cadmium, entree to e diaries and books through the intranet, audio-video talks programmes are offered free on the web. Video Conference / Video-on-demand installation enable the pupils / module to take part in talks delivered in any campus. Anna University has late introduced Wi-Fi ( wireless cyberspace connexion ) for the pupils and staff which made cyberspace entree possible anyplace, anytime in the campus. This has lead to a dramatic addition in pupils ‘ usage of omnipresent engineerings over a period of one twelvemonth. With the turning trust on information systems and increasing celerity of the debut of new engineerings into larning environment, placing the critical factors related to user credence of engineering continues to be an of import issue. 1.4 Barriers in effectual acceptance of ICT in Universities: The organisational civilization of traditional higher instruction establishments is still defined mostly by the function of the module. The propensity of the mean module member to put in new teaching methods is undermined by two features of traditional academic civilization: the famine of inducements to advance invention in learning excellence and the isolation in which most pedagogical determinations are made. In fact, module members have about absolute liberty over determinations sing instructional quality within the schoolroom, taking one perceiver to mention to higher instruction as â€Å" one of the last centres of craft-based production † ( Taylor 1998 ) . That theoretical account will stay sustainable at some, but non all, traditional establishments. Those driven by external forces to do the most marked alterations will happen their success closely linked to their ability to prolong occupation satisfaction among their module members. 1.5 Need for the survey: Despite immense attempts to place computing machine engineering as a cardinal dogma of university instruction, the fact that many pupils and module make merely limited formal academic usage of ICT during their instruction and acquisition is less discussed by educational engineers. Contradicting the impression of the ‘cyber-campus ‘ , the existent formal usage of new engineerings in undergraduate and alumnus surveies remains inconsistent and extremely variable from class to class and establishment to establishment ( Breen et al. 2001 ; Marriott et Al. 2004 ) . Classroom uses of potentially powerful information engineerings are seen to frequently take the decreased signifier of ‘mindless activities ‘ that do little to change the outlooks, premises, and patterns of higher instruction instruction ( Moule 2003 ) . Regardless of the benefits of ICT supported instruction, it is seen that ICT supported instruction has non been promoted at a coveted degree in the instruction procedure. Among the grounds stated are the concerns that pupils involvement in topic will diminish and pupils get distracted due limited figure of computing machines. On the portion of instructors they have non acquire the needed preparation to utilize ICT efficaciously for learning acquisition and are reported non to happen sufficient clip to be able to utilize computing machines, due to the deficiency of proficient support and strength of the course of study. Above mentioned are some of the issues that are barriers in effectual execution of ICT in instruction.2. Previous ResearchMillennial, Electronic Natives, the Net Generation, many names have been used to depict the new coevals of college pupils, whom experts have identified as being clearly different from the old coevalss in footings of their technological abilities, te amwork accomplishments and openness to participatory teaching methods. However there is general understanding that younger pupils do non hold the same attributes as their older opposite numbers, bookmans and observers still offer divergent appraisals of this contrast. Such contrastive histories suggest that even if younger pupils have greater degrees of comfort or proficiency with new engineerings, it is still problematic whether such traits needfully entail more unfastened, progressive, or positive positions of the educational procedure. ICT is transforming all facets of society-from instruction to civic engagement, employment to leisure. Some writers are optimistic and argue that ICTs can take down costs, supply users with more information, make markets more efficient, and better public service. Some go farther and argue that ICTs can do societies healthier, wealthier and more democratic. While others are more doubting about the adoptability of ICT in higher instruction. Any kid born since the beginning of this century is turning up in a digital universe. Those born at the start of the century, already in the in-between old ages of primary school, have been dubbed the â€Å" Net coevals † or, more descriptively, â€Å" digital indigens † ( Prensky, 2001 ) . Oblinger and Oblinger ‘s ( 2005 ) depict the features of the ‘net coevals ‘ – pupils born after 1980 – proposing that these pupils basically differ from old coevalss in the manner they process information and communicate ( and therefore learn ) . They argue that these pupils are comfy with engineerings and suggest that the ways in which they learn is task orientated and experiential. These scholars prefer to have information rapidly, are adept at treating information and multi-tasking, and utilizing multiple/multi-modal communicating channels to entree information and communicate with friends and coachs. However, Kennedy et Al. ( 2006 ) concur with Sharpe et Al. ‘s ( 2005 ) position that there is a famine of surveies looking specifically at pupil usage of engineerings, reasoning that more empirical research is needed to back up the claims made about the net coevals. They conducted a survey looking at pupils ‘ usage of emerging engineerings, concentrating on how pupils were utilizing these to pass on, print and portion information. Their initial findings point to extended usage of engineering by pupils ; they argue that this has considerable deductions for institutional policy and pattern. Kirkwood and Price ( 2005 ) reported on informations from the Open University crossing five old ages on pupils ‘ attitudes to and experiences of engineerings. They found that there was a dramatic addition in pupils ‘ entree to and usage of ICT over the five-year period. Their meta-analysis revealed that there were differences in pupil entree to, experience of and attitude towards engineerings across capable subjects. Take together these surveies suggest that engineerings are basically impacting on the ways in which pupils learn, but that more in-depth research is needed to understand the niceties of how pupils are utilizing engineerings to back up their acquisition. Surveies that focal point at a more powdered degree of analysis of pupils ‘ usage of engineering are besides of import in the context of our research. De Laat ( 2006 ) studied emergent pupil functions and battle with e-learning activities and found that pupils are actively involved in organizing and modu lating personal and shared acquisition activities. The findings showed that pupils at assorted phases of their class developed peculiar acquisition schemes and facilitation accomplishments to back up their online acquisition. Sweeping anticipations are frequently absorbing, but most alteration processes play out in nuanced and incremental ways. While alteration in higher instruction expedited by engineering is a safe stake for the hereafter, it is every bit certain that engineering acceptance will continue unevenly across the higher instruction landscape and be driven by a broad scope of factors. Switching demographic, market, political, and other forces will necessitate many colleges and universities to redefine their institutional civilizations and missions. In an exploratory survey that examined attitudes and use of ICT among undergraduate direction pupils in Barbados Glenda Gay, et Al ( 2006 ) observed that the pupils were by and large favorable towards ICT. Males were more inclined to integrate ICT in web based direction compared to other instruction activities. Older pupils were more interested in utilizing ICT merely as a addendum to learning activities. They suggest that university decision makers need to turn to the gender and age differences sing ICT use every bit good as develop schemes to keep positive pupil attitudes and high use of ICT. Our accent on digital ICT tools and applications in instruction mirrors profound structural alterations happening worldwide in communications and information industries. The ability to digitise parallel signals and convey them over telecommunications webs is ensuing in the restructuring of the wireless, telephone, telecasting, publication, amusement, and computing machine industries into new multimedia industries that create digital merchandises uniting voice, picture, text, artworks, images, and lifes, and present these signals electronically ( Bane, Bradley, & A ; Collins, 1995 ) . Indeed, the formal usage of computing machine engineerings in many countries of higher instruction could outdo be described as sporadic, uneven, and frequently ‘low degree ‘ ( in stark contrast to the frequently inventive and informal utilizations that pupils and module brand of engineerings like nomadic telephone and other personal digital devices ) . This state of affairs has prompted some observers to disregard ICT in higher instruction as nil more than a ‘service ‘ country of course of study and teaching method which many pupils and module are loath to prosecute with in an active or sustained mode ( Reffell & A ; Whitworth 2002 ) . While rethinking the topographic point of engineering Peter goodyear states â€Å" A important portion of the kineticss of invention in the field of instruction has been engineering push. As each emerging engineering comes onto the radio detection and ranging of instruction, a mix of old and new partisans spend their clip happening jobs that can be addressed by the new solutions. This is a healthy facet of the procedures of placing the educational affordances of a new tool or artifact, but it does promote an unhelpful mentality: one in which the new thrusts out the old, continuity of professional experience is undermined, and technological carts come before educational Equus caballuss. † Students are finally the chief donees of the push to capitalise on ICT to better the entree to and quality of higher instruction. Students in the twenty-first century are ICT indigens who welcome the debut of engineerings in their acquisition procedure. They may even demand the universities to overhaul their systems and learning patterns to maintain up with workplace demands. The anyplace, anytime manner of acquisition and the networked communities harmonize really good with immature people ‘s life styles and the communicating media of their clip and age. All e-learning classs will hold to be designed to fit their acquisition manners and demands. ( UNESCO, 2011 ) . A survey on pupils and university instructors questioning who reciprocally benefit from the Internet communicating in the acquisition procedure point to deficiency of a by and large acceptable degree of the Internet communicating. It indicates that on the one manus, pupils complain about the instead long clip for responses to their electronic mails from instructors every bit good as the reluctance of university instructors to take part in on-line communications. University instructors to a greater extent knock the quality of the Internet communicating with pupils but their demands are non declared clearly plenty or are non declared at all. Both pedagogues and pupils need to be trained to utilize ICT to increase the overall quality of instruction and the effectivity of the communicating between instructors and pupils ( ZeleA?akova , Pavolova , & A ; Bakalar, 2012 ) . Bennett and Bennett ( 2003 ) , who studied the impacts of sensed features of instructional engineering on module members ‘ willingness to incorporate it in their instruction, found out that the most of import factor which impedes the usage of engineering in higher instruction is non the deficiency of technological installations or fiscal financess, but module members ‘ reluctance and their incredulity in the usage of engineering. Medlin ( 2001 ) studied different variables and identified the factors which are likely to impact instructors ‘ determinations on doing usage of electronic engineerings throughout the instruction procedure and found out that the personal motive is an of import factor which forces module members to better their instruction methods and contribute to the acquisition of pupils by technological agencies. Jenny Waycott, Sue Bennett, Gregor Kennedy, Barney Dalgarno, Kathleen Gray ( 2009 ) in their survey that investigated Australian university staff and pupils ‘ perceptual experiences and usage of current and emerging engineerings both in their day-to-day lives and in instruction and larning contexts says that â€Å" For staff, the cardinal restrictions of utilizing engineerings in higher instruction were: additions to their work loads ; usability/technical issues ; the loss of face-to-face interaction.3. AimTo cognize the Teacher ‘s attitude and use of ICT for learning acquisition. To cognize the pupil ‘s attitude and use of ICT for learning acquisition. To place the spreads in the effectual use of ICT among the instructors and pupils. To propose new attacks for effectual use better the ICT.4. METHODology ( look other articles to compose )This survey explores the issues raised in these surveies in more deepness. In order to understand the difference in the perceptual experience of engineering among pupils and instructors of Engineering plan a sample of 500 pupils and 50 instructors was taken for the survey. The research worker collected informations utilizing a ego administered questionnaire. from a graded random sample of 500 pupils from different subjects of Engineering from Anna University. The study was conducted during the month of December 2011. The survey involved an in deepness interview with the instructors from assorted sections to understand their perceptual experience on use of engineering in teaching-learning procedure. A sample of 50 instructors has been taken for the survey. Out of the 50 instructor 20 are in their early 30 ‘s and 15 are in their late 40 ‘s and 15 above 50 ‘s. ( May be in consequences )( How many questionnaire distributed? No. of respondents: aˆÂ ¦ )5. RESULTS & A ; DiscussionThis survey has followed study method and in-depth interview methods to garner the information. Data collected from the different methods loosely classified in four classs like instructors and pupils Attitude to information engineering, Access to information engineering, Usage of ICT and educational content, Change in communicating form due to ICT. These provide a higher-level description of the manner in which pupils and instructors were utilizing engineerings and their associated perceptual experiences of engineerings. The consequences are presented and discussed below.Attitudes to Information TechnologyMajority favorable attitudes to the usage of ICT within the academic environmentTyping assignments 90 %Part of their surveies 95 %Supplementing other learning activities 72 %E-mailing inquiries to instructors 70 %Use computing machines as replacings to other traditional instruction activitiesMale 55 %Female 33 %Preferred utilizing the computing machine as a addendum to learningOlder pupils ( over 22 old ages ) 81 %Younger pupils ( 19 old ages and under ) 19 %Social networking site as observed by many research workersFacebook 92 %Download packages and music 94 %Small figure of pupils on-line purchasing of tickets – ?1. Opinion on ICT based instruction S. No. Description Yes To an Extent No 1 Do you experience incorporating ICT ( Information Communication Technology ) in instruction is of import? 2 Does your college encourage you to purchase new appliances and accoutrements? 3 Do you believe ICT ( information communicating engineering ) can counter the defect in traditional acquisition? 4 Is Blended acquisition ( utilizing computing machine based instruction as a auxiliary tool for learning ) beneficial? 5 Do you believe engineering has an impact on your day-to-day life? 6 Have engineering alterations the manner you communicate with your friends? List the activities you do with the computing machines? S. No. Description Regularly Frequently Occasionally Never 1 Lab work 2 Surf cyberspace 3 Prepare presentation 4 Make assignment 5 Play games 6 Look for lucifer tonss 7 Social media sites 8 Movies/song download 9 Search for intelligence updates 10 Others ( stipulate ) 9. Click the appliances you own from the list below S. No. Description Yes No 1 Laptops 2 Desktops/personal computing machine 3 Mobile with net installation ( GSM ) 4 Mobile without net installation ( GSM ) 5 Ipod 6 Ipad 7 Personal digital assistant 8 Pen thrust 9 External difficult disc 10 Others ( Specify ) This survey found that Engineering pupils were by and large favorable to ICT in an academic scene. The bulk ( 99 % ) of the sample expressed favorable attitudes to the usage of ICT within the academic environment. Computer ownership is high and pupils have become accustomed to being able to electronically entree information. The features of the net coevals are apparent in the information. Besides there is grounds from the information that there is a displacement from inactive to more synergistic facets of acquisition. Technology is at the bosom of all facets of their lives as bulk ( 87 % ) of the pupils own more than 5 appliances namly mobile phone, laptop, desktop, pendrive, mp3. However, pupils were immune to the usage of computing machines as full replacing of the regular, traditional instruction experience. This determination suggests pupils ‘ strong penchant for both signifiers of the academic experience ( i.e. , interaction with the instructor and interaction with information engineering ) . Furthermore, Frizler ( 1995 ) asserts that although computing machines can ne'er replace instructors, computing machines can â€Å" supply first-class and reasonably cheap auxiliary stuffs to heighten schoolroom direction † ( Bataineh and Baniabdelrahman, 2005 ) . Particularly, pupils were more inclined to utilize computing machines for: typewriting assignments ( 90 % ) , portion of their surveies ( 95 % ) , supplementing other learning activities ( 72 % ) , and e-mailing inquiries to instructors ( 70 ) . With regard to gender, no important gender differences were found bespeaking that both males and females by and large had a penchant for the usage of information engineering but the appliances owned by male pupils ( more than 5 ) were relatively more than the female pupils and the clip spent with engineering were higher among the male pupils. However, males ( 55 % ) , to a important grade, by and large preferred to utilize computing machines as replacings to other traditional instruction activities, compared to females ( 33 % ) . Refering comparings utilizing age, no important differences were found. However, a important age difference was found for utilizing the computing machine as a addendum to other instruction activities. Older pupils ( over 22 old ages ) ( 81 % ) preferred utilizing the computing machine as a addendum to instruction, compared to younger pupils ( 19 old ages and under ) . Students use engineerings in their mundane interactions with household and friends are different from their penchants for engineering usage in formal acquisition scenes. For many a pupil ‘s instant messaging and ( 90 % ) societal networking remain within the range of their private lives. Their preferable societal networking site as observed by many research workers remained to be face book ( 92 % ) . Apart from chew the fating over face book they besides used cyberspace to download package ‘s and music ( 94 % ) . Small figure of pupils ( 17 % ) said they do on-line purchasing of tickets, book and appliances. A complete tabular array needed and some graphsInformation seeking and managingStudents are adept at happening and pull stringsing relevant information and synthesising across different information beginnings and utilize a assortment of communicating tools to back up their acquisition demands. Students used the web extensively to widen their apprehension of constructs and supplement class stuff. Search engines and information sites such as Wikipedia were often mentioned. Several reported that seeking with Google was their first action when seeking to acquire information for an assignment. Some of the pupils have reported that they have non found relevant information and had to utilize alternate beginnings of paper- based information. A figure of pupils highlighted that a cardinal benefit of engineerings was the chances engineerings provide in footings of handiness. Despite the many favorable remarks about engineerings there were still some usability issues. Students were critical of severely designed web sites and package which appeared ‘old fashioned ‘ . They stated happening shoping through over-structured web sites, with ill designed pilotage frustrating, as they are used to the ( deceivingly ) simple and seemingly effectual interface of hunt engines. Specialised subject-based sites were often cited. Printed text editions were considered by some to be outdated and hard to digest but were still used by many as cardinal resources. A complete tabular array needed and some graphs . Purpose of internet use: Purpose of utilizing ICT S. No. Description Yes No 1 Doubt elucidations 2 To listen to Lecture 3 Research intents 4 Syllabus based entree 5 Measure yourself 6 Interaction with experts 7 To fix for scrutinies 8 To acquire depth cognition in the country of involvement 9 For undertaking plants 10 To seek occupation chances 11 To seek inside informations about higher surveiesChange in communicating formUse of communicating engineerings to back up their surveies was extended. Many pupils reported utilizing nomadic phones often to phone and text each other, to discourse issues related to their acquisition, and peculiarly for assignment questions. They expressed positive feelings about the communicating engineerings they used, though some found the frequent breaks which arose as a effect of this changeless communicating disruptive to analyze. Email was used universally and was the chief channel for communicating with coachs. About all our communications with the university are through electronic mail. They use email to pass on with everyone, particularly lectors ; set uping meetings, inquiring inquiries about work and questions over assignments, etc. Some preferable to utilize text messages and instant messaging with equals, using the extra functionality available with the latter for sharing files and organizing meetings. Instant courier, free to utilize, easy of usage to talk to people with fast response, ability to portion files across it, ability to work on group undertakings with it, and ability to video conference. Students expected and by and large received speedy responses to their electronic mails and appreciated the flexibleness this provided. Low cost communicating engineerings such as Skype ( package which allows pupils to name people for free or at a low cost via the cyberspace ) , MSN confab and electronic mail were considered priceless signifiers of communicating and were being used in a assortment of different ways ( student-student, student-friends/family, student-department/ university or coach ) . Skype was mentioned by some of the pupils as a cheap, easy manner to maintain in touch with friends and household. For some pupils text messaging and the nomadic phone, although popular, were regarded as more expensive options. Information retrieval from the web was chiefly for text-based stuffs, but pupils besides reported seeking for images ( to include in presentations ) . A complete tabular array needed and some graphs . Mode of Study stuffs circulated by your instructors S. No. Description Regularly Frequently Occasionally Never 1 Photocopy 2 Electronic mail 3 Books ( print ) 4 Pen thrust 5 Mobile 6 Others ( stipulate )Teachers perceptual experience of TechnologyMost of the instructor who were in their early 30s had some entree to computing machine in their higher instruction and hold gone about updating their cognition as they felt learning with the engineering is really effectual. They use power point slides for their category and give online mentions to the pupils. Many instructors felt that with the aid of engineering information aggregation and storage has simplified. They besides encourage pupils to make online entry and connected to pupils through groups and societal networking sites. Many of the instructors who are in their late 40 have non received any formal preparation in computing machine and have learned computing machine on occupation. They said they felt batch of trouble in the beginning but as they started utilizing it, it has simplified and enhanced their instruction. Most of the instructors still prefer books and are more comfy reading books that the vitamin E books. Almost all instructors are comfy with smart category suites and are utilizing batch of multimedia to do their instruction interesting and enlightening. Many of the instructors have besides expressed their sentiment that integrating ICT in learning is clip devouring and needs entree to batch of substructure. They want the establishment to recognize instructors to utilize ICT and supply the necessary substructure so that others who are non users of ICT will be motivated. A complete tabular array needed and some graphs 26. What do you believe is the chief hinderance for integrating of ICT ( information communicating engineering ) in teaching-learning procedure? S. No. Description Strongly Disagree Disagree No Opinion Agree Strongly Agree 1 Lack of Time 2 Syllabus force per unit area 3 Infrastructure inability 4 Addicted to the engineering 5 Not interacting face to confront with people 6 Additions disbursals 7 Others ( delight specify ) 18. Main manner of communicate with pupils S. No. Description Most frequently Frequently Sometimes Rarely Never 1 Face to confront 2 Electronic mails 3 Mobile rivers 4 Forums 5 Chat 6 Web log 7 Others ( Specify ) Mode of Teaching S. No. Description Most frequently Frequently Sometimes Rarely Never 1 Lecture 2 talk and utilize Blackboard 3 Lecture and usage OHP projector 4 Lecture and usage LCD projector 5 Tocopherol contentFINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONSelect of import points from the Results and Discussion and revision hereThis survey found that Engineering pupils were by and large favorable to ICT in an academic scene. Older pupils were more favorable to computing machine usage as a addendum to other instruction activities, compared to younger pupils. Students had entree to computing machines and the Internet off campus. There besides seems to be widespread use of assorted signifiers of information engineering such as Internet, WebCT and electronic mail. Students are comfy with engineering and see it as built-in portion of their life. They are on the whole, sophisticated users – utilizing different tools for different intents, critically cognizant of the pros and cons. Students have specific outlooks and the cyberspace is their first port of call for information and they expect entree to up-to-date/ relevant information and communicating ( with equals, coachs, etc. ) on demand. Teachers use of engineering is promotes pupil larning. Teachers are non merely actively integrating ICT in learning but are besides active web content supplier for the Engineering talks. Experiences instructors are supplying pictures based technology talks for assorted technology classs that are transmitted via orbiter to 39 attached Engineering colleges. Teachers are bit by bit change overing these picture lectures in the vitamin E content formats. Based on the above findings, it is recommended that academicians and class decision makers pay more attending sing the usage of ICT resources as a major constituent in schoolroom instruction. This should function to pull greater support for ICT and e-learning among all classs of pupils.Mentions:Farideh Hamidi, M. M. ( 2011 ) . Information Technology in Education. Procedia Computer Science 3, 369-373. Glenda Gay, S. M. ( 2006 ) . Percepts of information and communicating engineering among undergraduate direction pupils in Barbados. International Journal of Education and Development utilizing Information and Communication Technology ( IJEDICT ) , 9. GraA?inne Conole, M. d. ( 2008 ) . ‘Disruptive engineerings ‘ , ‘pedagogical invention ‘ : What ‘s new? Findingss from an in-depth survey of pupils ‘ usage and perceptual experience of engineering. Computers & A ; Education 50, 511-524. Grineski, S. ( 1999 ) . Questioning the Role of Technology in Higher Education: Why is this the Road Less Traveled? The Internet and Higher Education 2 ( 1 ) , 45A ± 54. Jef C. Verhoeven, D. H. ( 2010 ) . Information and communicating engineerings in the life of university freshers: An analysis of alteration. Computers & A ; Education 55, 53-66. Jing Lei, Y. Z. ( 2007 ) . Technology uses and student accomplishment: A longitudinal survey. Computers & A ; Education 49, 284-296. Kennedy, G. D. ( 2006 ) . The net coevals are non large users of Web 2.0 engineerings: Preliminary findings. ICT: Providing Choices for Learners and Learning. Oblinger, D. G. ( 2005 ) . Educating the net coevals. An Educause e-book publication, ( hypertext transfer protocol: //www.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/pub7101.pdf ) . Prensky, M. ( 2001 ) . Digital indigens, digital immigrants. On the Horizon, 9 ( 5 ) . Monetary value, A. K. ( 2005, June ) . Learners and larning in the 21st century. Surveies in higher instruction, 257-274.2005. Ran Wei, L. L. ( 1998 ) . Owning and utilizing new media engineering as forecasters of quality of life. Telematics and Information sciences 15, 237-251. Sharpe, R. , Benfield, G. , Lessner, E. , & A ; DeCicco, E. ( 2005 ) . Concluding study: Scoping survey for the teaching method strand of the JISC acquisition programme, hypertext transfer protocol: //www.jisc.ac.uk/uploaded_documents /scoping % 20study % 20final % 20report % 20v4.1.doc [ 21/4/07 ] . Selwyn, N. ( 2003 ) . Apart from engineering: understanding people ‘s non-use of information and communicating engineerings in mundane life. Technology in Society 25, 99-116. Selwyn, N. ( 2007 ) . The usage of computing machine engineering in university instruction and acquisition: a critical position. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 83-94.Bhatkar ( 2011 ) , ‘New larning paradigms needed ‘ , Times of India, Retrived fromhypertext transfer protocol: //articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-02-22/pune/28625169_1_distance-learning-distance-education-ict ) . Gudanescu, S. ( 2010 ) . New educational engineerings. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2 ( 2 ) , 5646-5649. doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2010.03.922 Romaniello, A. , Rey, U. , Carlos, J. , & A ; Medlin, D. ( 2010 ) . Higher instruction success and ICT. Bulletin of Applied Computing and Information Technology, 7 ( 1 ) , 109. Retrieved from hypertext transfer protocol: //books.google.com/books? id=6S0napW1w2kC & A ; pgis=1 ZeleA?akova , M. , Pavolova , H. , & A ; Bakalar, T. ( 2012 ) . Internet Communication in the Procedure of Education at Universities. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 46, 2711-2715. doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.05.552

Italian Restaurant Business Plan Essay Example

Italian Restaurant Business Plan Essay Example Italian Restaurant Business Plan Essay Italian Restaurant Business Plan Essay This business plan for The Pasta House Co. – Fenton (PHC) reflects the opportunity to purchase the assets and leasehold improvements of the restaurant currently operating as  JD Drews. The current owner  is interested in selling the operations, as the store is not doing the volume he thought it would and he would like to get out of this location and the debt service he has incurred. My  goal is to submit this business plan to his bank in the event  he is unable to make loan or rent payments and defaults on the loan. We will be a position to take over the SBA loan, and with additional funds added, convert this location to a profitable Pasta House Co. franchise  restaurant. The location is only 1/4 of a mile away from Gravois Bluffs, the largest land moving project to put in a major shopping  complex  in the state of Missouri. The rent is half  the retail shops in Gravois Bluffs, yet the location offers the same  opportunity for sales. The recently completed highway 141 offers  hundreds of thousands of local residents, shoppers from outside the area, and travelers that use this new highway. With this high concentration of customers there  are no Italian restaurants in Fenton and a tremendous need for an upscale family  restaurant that offers items for both the children and adults. This turnkey operation  seats 170 customers and  is the perfect size for a PHC family operation. With the current leasehold improvements and quality kitchen equipment it would take very little to upgrade this operation to the legendary PHC winning formula. The  growth in numbers of  high income families in the Fenton area is projected at over 30%. There is a need for a family fine dining restaurant in the Fenton area. PHC would be the perfect neighborhood restaurant in the perfect neighborhood. The Pasta House Co. in Fenton will be the second location for Dennis Boldt, who  has  operated a  successful franchise unit in High Ridge, Missouri for 20 years. The Pasta House Co. based out of St. Louis,  and now has over 34 successful company and franchise locations in the United States and Mexico. PHC Fenton will have a prime location, great food, a proven concept, super franchise support, no competition, a senior management  and crew, a fantastic neighborhood arketing program, a huge catering base to build on, personalized service in a warm Italian imported grocery store atmosphere, and the support of the community resulting in a  highly profitable PHC  restaurant in Fenton. 1. 1 Mission The Pasta House Co. mission is to be a full service, family Italian restaurant offering affordable, high quality Italian cuisine inspired by authentic family recipes. Our goal is to provide our customers with an entire dining experience that exceeds  their  expectations on every visit. We do this by recommending add-on items that will enhance their dining experience. Our restaurant is clean and the quality is always high. We value the people  who work for us. Quality employees make quality food, keep the restaurant cleaner, give better service, and stay employed longer because they like working at The Pasta House Co. We have found that friendly managers hire friendly crew people and friendly crew people attract customers. 1. 2 Objectives The objective is to purchase the current assets and leasehold improvements of the JD Drews restaurant  and convert  the existing restaurant to a  profitable and successful  Pasta  House  Co. franchise unit. I plan to duplicate the successful formula  used at The Pasta House Co. , High Ridge location that I have owned and operated for over  20 years. Using the same strategies and having an in-depth management crew to back me up  will ensure outstanding results at this new fast-growing  location. My objectives are as follows: * Provide the highest quality Pasta House Co. food and service that the community has been  receiving for over  20 years at  the High Ridge location. * Create an atmosphere where each person can work as a team member,  with clear goals and high standards  that profit everyone. Combine the corporate marketing strategies with my own to build volume quickly. * First year sales to hit between $1. 5 and $2 million with 10% growth in first few years. * High Gross margins. * Maintain food  and labor costs consistent with High Ridge. * Maintain and expand  my outstanding  reputation. * Remain a neighborhood family restaurant. * Be the first fine dinin g Italian Restaurant in Fenton (the fastest growing community in Missouri). 1. 3 Keys to Success * The Pasta House Co. name and reputation is  well known  in the  St. Louis area. The food served is voted a St. Louis favorite every year. The products we serve are of the highest quality. We combine this quality with great service and atmosphere. We then add menu items that  appeal to  all ages of the family as well as single adults. * Current management staff  and crew have a great deal of experience. * Location, Location, Location! Some people have named the intersection of Hwy 30 and 141 The Golden Circle. Fenton is the fastest growing community in the entire state of Missouri! * This shopping center location is  three years old. Every spot in the center is filled and the main anchor is a Dierbergs grocery store, the highest quality grocery chain in the area. This location offers private rooms on a reservation basis. I have developed the bulk food and catering large pa rty’s concept at my other location and plan to promote it with the party rooms. * A frequent diner program  and birthday club will be available to promote repeat customers  as well as a tool to  track sales. * Management that treats every employee equally. We create an atmosphere where employees love coming to work and can earn good money. * Great employees make for a great restaurant. The Pasta House Co. in High Ridge has been very successfully  serving the High Ridge and Fenton area for 20 years. We have sponsored 25 little league ball teams, donated to thousands of events, worked with schools and churches in Fenton to better the community, catered thousands of events in the area, and hired and worked with hundreds of young people, adults, and their families. Topic 5. 3. 1, Sales Forecast shows our tremendous yearly sales growth rate over the last 20 years. This year is on track to be another record year. Our Frequent Diner Program is in place at High Ridge with over 6,000 customers who frequent the churches. This loyalty program rewards customers with a $25. 00 Gift Certificate when they spend $250. 0, as well as a Birthday and Anniversary cards to celebrate a meal with us. The program has been a huge success for the past  three years, rewarding customers  and insuring future repeat business. Ask anyone who lives in Fenton and you will find we have developed quite a reputation in the community. The Pasta House Co. was founded in 1974, and they have built it to 34 locatio ns in Missouri, Illinois,  Kentucky, Mexico, and  The Dominican Republic. The Fenton restaurant will reflect  the intimate charm of an Italian Grocery Store with framed Italian prints and Italian American pop art. Both the menu and  ambiance  will appeal to an upscale customer as well as the entire family. Below are the current PHC Company owned locations: 1. 15601 Manchester Rd. , Ellisville, MO. 63011 2. 8213 Delmar, University City, MO 63124 3. 300 Crestwood Plaza, Crestwood, MO 63126 4. 11202 West Florissant Rd. , Florissant, MO 63033 5. 280 Northwest Plaza, St. Ann, MO 63043 6. 6214 South Lindbergh, St. Louis, MO 63123 7. 14 St. Louis Galleria, Richmond Heights, MO 63117 Below are the PHC franchise owned locations: 1. 1245 East Main, Carbondale, IL. 62901 2. 1020 Lincoln Ave. , Jacksonville, IL. 2650 3. 12 Chesterfield Mall, Chesterfield, MO 63017 4. 12445 Dorsett Rd. , Maryland Heights, MO 63043 5. 6570 North Illinois St. , Fairview Heights, IL 62208 6. 180 East Center Dr. , Alton, IL 62002 7. 1623 Big Bill Road, Arnold, MO 63010 8. 9012 Gravois Rd. , St. Louis, MO 63123 9. 3985 South Service Road, St. Peters, MO 63376 10. 4517 Highway 30, High Ridge, MO 63049 11. 309 North Euclid, S t. Louis, MO 63108 12. Concourse D. 10701 Lambert Intl Airport, St. Louis, Mo 13. 700 N. Ballas Rd. , St. Louis, MO 63141 14. 2800 Southwest Plaza Drive, Springfield, IL 62704 15. 300 South 44th St. Mt. Vernon, IL 62864 16. 205 Kentucky Oaks Mall, Paducah, KY 42001 17. 4204 Highway 54, Osage Beach, MO 65065 18. 155 West Park Mall, Cape Giradeau, MO 63701 19. 931 Valley Creek Dr. , Farmington, MO 63640 20. 1100 Knipp St. , Columbia, MO 65203 21. 318 East Washington, Belleville, IL 62221 22. 4109 S. National, Springfield, MO 65804 23. Ens Naco, Santa Domingo, R. D. Dominican Republic 24. St. Louis University Campus Franchise restaurants are independent franchisees of The Pasta House Company Franchises, Inc. The above franchise restaurants are each independently owned and operated. Company Summary 2. 1 Company Ownership The existing Pasta House Co. franchise in High Ridge is owned and operated by Dennis and Janice Boldt, with Dennis acting as President. It was established in 1983 under  Delex Corporation DBA/The Pasta House Co. in Gravois Village Center, High Ridge, Missouri. The proposed Fenton  franchise would be also owned and operated  by Dennis and Janice Boldt, with Dennis acting as President and Janice as Secretary/Treasurer. The new location will operate under the name Delex Corp. (second location)DBA/ The Pasta House Co. Fenton. . 2 Start-up Summary The JD Drews facility would come with all equipment, food, liquor, leasehold improvements,  employees, and management staff. We would assume the current SBA loan of $325,000, and start-up expense of $350,000. With cash input of interest-free loans  from  three different parties  totaling $75,000, the loan balance using an SBA secured loan would be $600,000 at 9. 5% interest over a 15 year term . As assets to secure the loan we would put up Delex Corp. dba The Pasta House Co. 4517 Gravois Village Center  in High Ridge, and our home if needed. A starting bank account of $90,000 will be used, only if needed, for unexpected costs associated with the start up. Start-up equipment list would include the following items: (quality used equipment will be purchase whenever possible to control costs, and then, only if equipment is in like-new condition) 1. Twenty quart Hobart mixer 2. Steam kettle 3. Refrigerated 4 drawer system 4. Refrigerated 2 drawer system 5. Pizza box refrigerated  stand alone box 6. Dessert display case 7. Eight-burner commercial gas stove 8. Commercial Parmesan cheese grinder 9. Meat slicer 10. Flip top refrigerated 6-foot saute box 11. Stand up Freezer 12. Kitchen and dining room small wares 13. Less trade-in or  sale of  used equipment not needed in the current operations. Start-up| | | Requirements| | | | Start-up Expenses| | Expensed Items| $0 | Small wares| $3,000 | Liquor License| $400 | Crew and Manger Training at High Ridge| $10,000 | Advertising| $1,000 | Insurance Deposits| $3,000 | Other Expensed Items| $0 | Total Start-up Expenses| $17,400 | | | Start-up Assets| | Cash Required| $90,000 | Start-up Inventory| $10,000 | Other Current Assets| $10,000 | Long-term Assets| $547,600 | Total Assets| $657,600 | | | Total Requirements| $675,000 | Start-up Funding| | | Start-up Expenses to Fund| $17,400 | Start-up Assets to Fund| $657,600 | Total Funding Required| $675,000 | | | Assets | | Non-cash Assets from Start-up| $567,600 | Cash Requirements from Start-up| $90,000 | Additional Cash Raised| $0 | Cash Balance on Starting Date| $90,000 | Total Assets| $657,600 | | | | | Liabilities and Capital| | | | Liabilities| | Current Borrowing| $0 | Long-term Liabilities| $600,000 | Accounts Payable (Outstanding Bills)| $0 | Other Current Liabilities (interest-free)| $75,000 | Total Liabilities| $675,000 | | | Capital| | | | Planned Investment| | Owner| $0 | Investor| $0 | Additional Investment Requirement| $0 | Total Planned Investment| $0 | | | Loss at Start-up (Start-up Expenses)| ($17,400)| Total Capital| ($17,400)| | | | | Total Capital and Liabilities| $657,600 | | | Total Funding | $675,000 | Market Analysis Summary The Fenton area has 48 restaurants which include: * 18 Fast Food/Pizza/Sub Restaurants * 11 Sports bars/Up Scale Burger Restaurants * 2 Barbecue  Restaurants * 6 Chinese  Restaurants * 5 Banquet/Catering Operations * 4 Breakfast/Lunch  Restaurants 1 Upscale Full Service  Restaurant   (OCharles opened 2002) Source:   1998/2003 Market Statistics Estimates, Scan/US, Inc. (800)272-2687 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  (800)272-2687  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  end_of_the_skype_highlighting The need for another fine dining family  restaurant  in the  Fenton   The marketing pl an is to provide a fine dining, full service, family  restaurant, where the entire family can enjoy a great meal, at  a reasonable price. The Pasta House Co. restaurant is the perfect neighborhood restaurant, where adults and children can always find their favorite dish, and receive consistent quality and great service. With the addition of the new Gravois Bluffs  shopping complex  less than 1/4 of a mile away, this addition will bring more  customers and families from all over St. Louis to shop and eat in the area. The market customers for The Pasta House Co. would develop from: * Local Neighborhood Marketing Program * Customer Frequent Diner Loyalty Program * Suggestive Selling Program to increase average check * Birthday and Anniversary marketing mailings * Market saturation and community outreach programs * PHC High Ridge successfully serving  customer in the community for over 20 years * PHC is known in St. Louis since 1974 * High shopping in the area * Tremendous growth in upper level family income 4. 1 Market Segmentation The market analysis table shows that within a three mile circle  98% are families. This is our customer base which we cater to. The  table below shows the tremendous growth of the Fenton area. Please take note the greater  increase in income levels the greater the projected growth levels. The chart shows the potential  upper income families who enjoy eating out. Market Analysis| | | Year 1| Year 2| Year 3| Year 4| Year 5| | Potential Customers| Growth| | | | | | CAGR| Population in Families| 5% | 113,793 | 119,710 | 125,935 | 132,484 | 139,373 | 5. 20% | Population in Non-families| 5% | 13,698 | 14,410 | 15,159 | 15,947 | 16,776 | 5. 20% | Population in Group Quarters| 5% | 1,348 | 1,415 | 1,486 | 1,560 | 1,638 | 4. 99% | Total| 5. 20% | 128,839 | 135,535 | 142,580 | 149,991 | 157,787 | 5. 20% | 4. 2 Target Market Segment Strategy Our focus is the upper income  level  families living and shopping  in the area. The Pasta House Co. will focus on the income level of at least $60,000 and above, and the 98% families living and shopping in the area. We focus on these specific groups because these are the types of people who frequent The Pasta House Co. They are the ones that are willing to spend their money on good dining and service at a value price. 4. 3 Service Business Analysis In the St. Louis market the competition for the upper level income business has been intense. National chains that were not here 10 years  ago have poured into  St. Louis. The  number of new restaurants has increased dramatically over the last several years and should continue to expand, all with the intent of capturing a portion of the upper level market. Below is a list of  new and expanding restaurants  in St. Louis:   * Macaroni Grill * Dave amp; Busters * Hard Rock Cafe * Hooters * Lone Star Steak House * Max amp; Ermas * Outback Steak House * Ruby Tuesday * St. Louis Bread Company * Bandana * Chevys * Fridays * OMacaroni * Olive Garden * California Pizza Kitchen * Tippins (out of business December 2002) * Chilis * Crazy Fish (Closed July 2003) * Red Robin (Opened July 2002) * The Cheese Cake Factory  (Opened November 2002) * Smoky Bones (Opened January 2003) * P. F. Changs (Opened December 2002) In the year 2002 McDonalds  no longer held the title as having  the most  locations in the United States. There are now more Subway restaurants in the U. S. than McDonalds. Many of the above restaurant chains will find the St. Louis area a  very competitive market. The restaurants that are still standing several years from now will be the ones who provided customers with the best product, at the best price and consistently exceeded their customers’ expectations. The Pasta House Co. will be a major player in St. Louis no matter what players are still  around. 4. 3. 1 Competition and Buying Patterns PHC High Ridge: Owned and Operated by Dennis Boldt for 20 years. (Sister Store to Fenton) Located only four miles away this Pasta House Co. ocation is in Jefferson County and seems to be outside the normal traffic patterns of the customers who live in the Fenton area. Increases in business have  shown a steady growth and should continue. We have found that over 90% of our customers come from west, south and east of the store. Because the store is located in Jefferson County, most c ustomers who live in Fenton  do not travel west  towards rural Jefferson County. With our Frequent Diner customer base we estimate  a loss in business from the customers who would  go to the new location would be about 5% of sales. This would be only a short lived loss as the entire area is growing at a  tremendous rate. OCharles: Opened in 2002, Located 1/4 of a mile away in the new Gravois Bluffs Shopping Center OCharles has a better location with a free standing building in the new Gravois Bluffs Shopping Center. They offer a full service fine dining family atmosphere. This national chain offers a complete menu of items, including a childrens menu. The inside of the restaurant is very nice, with fine woods and a warm atmosphere. Local community involvment is limited. They seem to market towards adults more than children. Given the choice, kids will choose Pasta House every time. Un-tested long term growth and management abilities. Red Robin: Opened in 2002, Located 1/4 of a mile away in the new Gravois Bluffs Shopping Center Red Robin is an  up-scale burger  restaurant with a big name and big look inside. It took over  two years to open this store because of franchise problems. Food items are served in  plastic baskets, this concept is more of an up-scale fast food  establishment than a fine dining concept. Limited adult menu, lots of noise, high priced drinks, no local marketing, and lack of a long-term track record in St. Louis  all limit this  restaurant  as real competition. Smoky Bones:  To Open in 2003 in the  Gravois Bluffs Shopping Center   This is a new concept restaurant and is backed by the Red Lobster  Corporation. Not a lot  is known about this  restaurant  expect they have a big name behind them and a great free standing location. Limited menu, no local marketing, and lack of a long-term track record  also limit this  restaurant as real competition. Strategy and Implementation Summary Every customer who has eaten at a Pasta House Co. is a potential customer. The better we run this Pasta House location the more business we will do. Customers will know that they can get better quality PHC food at this location. They will know that the service is better, and the people are better. The look of the new location will be fresh and clean. The area needs a fine dining family restaurant. The area needs a big name local operation with a home-grown name like The Pasta House Co. 5. 1 Competitive Edge This is what gives us the competitive edge to insure a profitable home-grown expansion: * Proven Pasta House Co. concept since 1974 * Proven track record of PHC High Ridge serving the area for over 20 years * Best home-grown training in the industry Senior PHC High Ridge  management  and crew to open with * Local marketing in all age ranges * Known costs with purchase of an turnkey restaurant * Current staff and management  from JD  Drews * Close and strong support of PHC  President and Senior Management * Strong food and supply vendors with very high quality products * On-going support from PHC Corporation 5. 2 Mark eting Strategy We at The Pasta House Co. ,  including all management,  crew personnel, supervisors, vendors, design people, family and friends,  and new hires will put forth  100%  effort to insure a profitable opening and on-going operations. A fine tuned advertising  campaign  and new store opening has been developed by The Pasta House Co. president Kim Tucci. Construction is handled by Joe Fresta who has built and opened over 31 locations. 5. 3 Sales Strategy The sales strategy is to sign up as many frequent diner customers as possible at the new location as well as High Ridge. Using the Frequent Diner Program in place a High Ridge for  three years, we plan to further cement the loyal customers in the area. We will honor  6,000 club members with  points at both locations. We plan on taking advantage of  The Pasta House Co. arket  saturation in St. Louis. We will build and expand  on that customer base by exceeding customer’s expectations. This will bring back old customers and  bring in new customers to the Fenton location. We plan on up-selling customers with our current suggestive selling program. From the hostess to the waiters and waitress our staff has successfully increased the average che ck for add-on sales from 5% of the average check three years ago to over 13%. This insures an increase in profit without having to depend on an increase in customer counts or price increases. 5. 3. Sales Forecast A sales forecast of 5. 0% increase in volume over the current High Ridge location is based on the following: * Increased visibility and known area of St. Louis. Everyone knows where Fenton is, and  few know where High Ridge  is located. * Increased   traffic flow with the intersection of Highways 141  and 30, with over double the traffic in the area. * Increased customers staying in the area to shop. Two major shopping centers compared to a 20 year old strip center. * Increased retail employee business. * 26% larger space inside, with 30% more customer  seating. Outside  seating area during the  spring through  fall seasons  increases the seating by 60% over HR. * Brand new PHC look inside. * Private rooms available, to cater private parties. * Closer to t he  eight hotels in the area. * Better location closer to St. Louis, where the action is. 5. 4 Milestones I have full confidence in all of the managers, designers, and PHC people who will make this a huge success. DENNIS BOLDT * SBA loan and Business Plan * Bank Account * Franchise Purchase * Legal and review of Lease * Equipment Purchase * Sign Purchases and install Software POS system install * Corporation set up, Insurance, Deposits, Liquor License * PHC Design Work with Joe Fresta of The Pasta House Co. * Oversee entire transformation and operations of the group VINCE LARATTA * Crew and manager hiring and training * New equipment installed * Food amp; liquor purchases delivery and stocking * Crew and manager scheduling * Maintenance and repairs * Advertising JAN BOLDT/CAROLYN FINCH AND COMPANY (team of 6 designers from Tulsa, OK) * PHC design work walls and floors design with Joe Fresta of PHC * Shelving nd displays in place * Design of dining room look * Record keeping of pur chases and budget * Permits, liquor licenses, start up requirements paperwork Joe Fresta, Vice President of the Pasta House Co. * PHC design work and construction work * Oversee display of dining room * Oversee kitchen equipment purchase and layout * Advise owner when needed Web Plan Summary The Pasta House Co. Corporation   has a website at www. pastahouse. com. In the year 2004 we plan on setting up a website for PHC High Ridge and PHC Fenton that will be linked to the corporate website. Using their format our site will include information about our local franchise units, however we plan on expanding the marketing of using a website by customers and the crew. In this age of communication more and more customers look to a website for information and assistance in purchasing products. We will be part of that great communication tool used by everyone every day. 6. 1 Website Marketing Strategy Marketing in an Internet retail business depends on recognition for expertise. It starts with our existing store front customer base, informing them of our Internet presence and encouraging their word-of-mouth recommendations to others. As linked to www. pastahouse. com  corporate website our local customer can come to our site for a more local flavor and personal assistance for their needs. We will develop and maintain a database of  our 6,000  loyalty Frequent Diner customers. From there the  website will  serve the following needs of our customer base. * Provide local information about our PHC locations to the local community * New customers can sign up for our   frequent diner/birthday programs * Customers can check their Frequent Diner points online * Catering information and contacts provided Provide references and pictures of  successful catering jobs * With a special password, crew can check their schedule on a moments notice * Purchase Gift Certificates from our stores * Purchase the new Gift Cards * Purchase retail items on line and have them shipped as gifts * Gift Basket information (Gift Baskets are sold at High Ridge and Fenton location only) * Employment information online * Company wide promotions and new store openings * Promotional coupons online * Provide new food items in the restaurant General information on other events in the area 6. 2 Development Requirements Because corporate PHC  has a website, I plan on working very closely with their Web designer. Each year the best websites are posted at www. techtv. com. Using this source will enable me to enhance our website to a simple but very effective tool to increase sales at the retail level. Development of the site will change based on our customers’ needs now and in the future as new ideas come forward for using this communication tool. Management Summary The management team to run  the day-to-day operations and shifts  at the new location will include Dennis Boldt, Vince Laratta, Denise Shaw, an additional dining room manager, and a kitchen manager, both  to be named closer to the  opening date. The High Ridge managers will include, Dennis Boldt, Janet Boxx, two new managers and a kitchen manager to be named later. People are the single most important element in our operations We value the managers and staff as the single most important element in running a quality operation; the managers need to be all on the same page of operations. We have found that friendly strong managers make friendly strong crew people. From that crew comes the next generation of managers and a quality operation. The customers can see it in the quality of the food, how clean the store is and how friendly and fast they are served. In the past 19 years we have had  eight crew people go on to become managers at other Pasta House locations and other restaurants. We also have a deep bench to select our management team from. The current  JD Drews  store  also has managers that I have been told are doing a fine job. We will consider them as manager andidates and make decisions based on the best interests of the restaurant. Below is our management game plan: FENTON MANAGEMENT STAFF DENNIS BOLDT, PRESIDENT/OWNER OPERATOR * Owner Operator of The Pasta House Co. franchise located in High Ridge since 1983 * Duties: strategic development, back-office administration, financial analysis, internal control, taxes and accounting records,  payroll,   daily operations, quality control, advertising, food costs, labor costs, liquor cost, oversee management controls, maintenance and repairs, and building the business  profits. VINCE LARATTA, GENERAL MANAGER General Manager of  The Pasta House Co. High Ridge for 15 years. Before that Vince worked as a waiter at several Pasta House locations. * Duties:  daily operations, new management development, scheduling, ordering, food, labor, and liquor controls, quality controls, maintenance/repairs,  crew training,  employment, crews hourly wages,  pay increases, and overall  store operations. DENICE SHAW, DINING ROOM MANAGER/KITCHEN MANAGER * Kitchen Manager of  The Pasta House Co. High Ridge for 4 years Denise has recently completed training, been promoted to Dining Room manager and has been running shifts for the past year. On her  fifth year as a manager Denise has a real talent for  dealing with all aspects of the business. * Duties:  daily operations, ordering, inventory, quality controls, kitchen procedures, labor and food costs controls, scheduling,  new hires,  crew moral, and overall kitchen operations. Denise will use her experience to train and oversee the new kitchen manager coming on board. HIGH RIDGE MANAGEMENT STAFF DENNIS BOLDT, OWNER OPERATOR/PRESIDENT * Dennis will work 2-3 shifts per week as the manager on duty at High Ridge until management staff can be trained and cover the shifts. JANET BOXX, GENERAL manager PHC HIGH RIDGE * Kitchen crew person, kitchen manager, Dining Room manager, and general manager for The Pasta House Co. for 13 years. Janet has done a fine job at PHC High Ridge as a manager for the past  eight years. One of Janets strengths is her ability to deal with people. Because of Janet and her people skills we have lost very few crew people to other locations. * Duties: daily operations,  scheduling, ordering, food, labor, and liquor controls, quality controls, crew training,  employment, and overall  store operations. POSSIBLE EMPLOYEES TO PROMOTE TO MANAGEMENT (not in any order) Al Fillenwarth, waiter  PHC  High Ridge 16 years. Al has  his  Masters Degree in accounting and is recognized as a leader among the crew. Ryan  Mulligan,  lead cook for High Ridge for  six years. Presently working with the State of Missouri and wants to get back into the restaurant  business as a kitchen manager. Janet  Koth, manager for  High Ridge  for  10 years is presently going to school part time and working at another restaurant. Janet was a  fine manager for me for  four years before she and her sister  opened their own kitchen in central  Missouri. Sara Armstrong, PHC High Ridge kitchen employee for  three years, Sara went on to work at several other  restaurants and is currently the kitchen manager of another restaurant. Sara has 10 years of kitchen experience and would be considered for the kitchen manager position if she is interested. Anna Minney, PHC employee for 16 years, has worked as our secretary at High Ridge for the past  five years. Anna has the respect of the crew as a manager and knows all aspects of the operation. Steve Bewig,   PHC lead cook  at High Ridge has excellent cooking skills and would make a fine kitchen manager. Bill Hobbs,  current manager JD Drews Bill has been the dining room manager for JD Drews for the past  three years and has worked with the owner for the past  seven years. Bill comes highly recommended as a manager. Ron Caputa,  dining room manager JD Drews Ron has been the dining room manager   for the past  three years and comes highly dining room from the current owner . As we get closer to opening the management personnel will firm up with the above candidates and others they may come into the picture. We will not promote a person who is not right for the position. Shifts will be covered with current candidate’s staff at both locations until the right person can be promoted. The entire candidate’s staff must act as a solid team. 7. 1 Personnel Plan Management fixed  costs at the Fenton location  is as follows: * Dennis Boldt @ $30,000 * Vince Laratta @ $60,000 * Denise Shaw @$39,000 * Dining Room Manager @ $32,000 * Kitchen Manager @ $25,000 * Total  Management Costs   $186,000 Management Team at High Ridge * Dennis Boldt * Janet Boxx * Dining Room Manager * Dining Room Manager * Kitchen Manager Kitchen labor at both locations would be  11. 3% of sales. Dining Room  labor at both locations would be  6. 1% of sales. Payroll taxes  10% of sales. Financial Plan 1. Growth will be moderate, cash flows steady. 2. Sales increase at a steady rate of 4% per year. 3. Costs will increase at a rate of 1% to 2% per year. 4. The company will invest residual profits into financial markets and not company expansion (unless absolutely necessary). 5. General maintenance and repairs will be kept up to maintain a solid operation. 6. Future cash investments will use NPV projections to achieve maximum return with limited risk. 8. 1 Important Assumptions The financial plan depends on important assumptions, most of which are shown in the following table as annual figures. The key underlying assumptions are: * We assume JD Drews will be unable to make their note payment or lease payment and will have to default on their loans. * We assume that we will  take over the  SBA note payment and acquire all of the assets and leasehold improvements. * We assume the equipment is in good working order. * We assume this will happen in the next  three to six months. * We assume a slow-growth economy, without major recession. * We assume that there are no unforeseen changes in the expectancy in the popularity of our candidates. We assume access to  loans and financing are sufficient to maintain and fulfill our financial plan as shown in the tables. * We assume the landlord will have no problem allowing us to take over the current  lease. * We assume The Pasta House Co. will approve our leasehold improvements and budget. 8. 2 Projected Profit and Loss The most important assumption in the Projected Profit and Loss statement is the gross margin. Although it d oesnt jump drastically in the first year, over time the restaurant will develop its customer base and reputation and the growth will pick up more rapidly towards the fourth and fifth years of business. Month-by-month assumptions for profit and loss are included in the appendix. 8. 3 Projected Cash Flow The cash flow depends on assumptions for inventory turnover, payment days, and accounts receivable management. Our projected same-day collections are critical, and are reasonable and customary in the restaurant industry. We do not expect to need significant additional support even when we reach the less profitable months, as they are expected. The  first  six months of PHC openings have shown huge sales volumes. We expect this volume; however our projections do not reflect  this high volume. We have done this in the event there are normal sales  during the first  six months. 8. 4 Projected Balance Sheet The projected Balance Sheet is quite solid. We do not anticipate difficulty meeting our debt obligations providing that we achieve our specific goals. 8. 5 Business Ratios We expect our net profit margin, and gross margin to increase steadily over the three-years. Our net working capital will increase by year three, proving that we have the cash flows to remain a going concern. The following table shows these important financial ratios. Industry profile ratios based