The qualitative characteristics of financial report preparation Essay

The qualitative characteristics of financial report preparation - Essay Example This essay discusses that qualitative characteristics influence the financial information’s effect. The users of the financial information rely on the qualitative characteristics of the financial statements for their decision making activities. The creditors use the financial statements as one of the tools for deciding whether to grant loans or credit terms to the credit applicant. Financial statement indicating the company generated a profit trend for the past two years will persuade the creditors to grant the loans or credit applications. The net profit portion of the financial statements indicates the company will be able to pay its maturing loan and credit obligations on time. On the other hand, the creditors will be discouraged to approve the credit or loan application of a company having a net loss financial picture. The net loss financial picture indicates a strong probability that the company may close shop in the next few years. The credit or loan applicant may not be able to comply with its duty to pay its loans or credits when the maturity dates crop up. In addition, the customers use the financial statements as one of the major tools for deciding whether to grant loans or credit terms to the credit applicant. The customers use the financial statements to determine if the company will stay long enough to supply their wants, needs, and caprices. A financial statement indicating a loss will persuade the client to start looking for other competitor suppliers. A net loss figure creates an impression on the minds of the customers that the company may not qualify as a going concern entity. A net profit ensures the customers that the company will provide the clients’ needs. Furthermore, the managers use the financial statements as one of the major tools for benchmarking their performance. The managers will have a passing performance grade if the financial statements indicate the company generated net profits during the past year or years of su pplying the needs of its clients. On the other hand, the manager will receive a failing performance grade if the financial statements indicate the company generated a net loss for the past year or years of service. The managers need financial statements that obey with the qualitative characteristics standard. Also, the current and prospective investors use the financial statements as one of the major tools for deciding whether to grant loans or credit terms to the credit applicant. The current and prospective investors will be encouraged to invest their hard earned cash in the company, if the financial statements indicate the company generated profits for the past year or years of service. On the other hand, the current and prospective investors will be discouraged to invest in a company that generated a trend of net loss for the past year or years of operation. The current and prospective investors need financial statements that comply with the qualitative characteristics standard. Based on the above discussion, the entities must resolve the threshold quality of materialityiv. Materiality is not easy to define and can be misunderstood. The financial information is material if the omission or misstatement could influence the economic decisions of the financial sta

Juvenile fire setting Essay Example for Free

Juvenile fire setting Essay Findings indicate that of all victims of fires set by a child; about thirty four percent of the victims are children themselves. The leading cause of death in residential fires in the United States has been found to be playing with fire. Children are often engaged in games that involve playing with fire. These games are normally played in the bedroom where many things can easily catch fire. Older children on the other hand play with fire outside the home. The majority of these children are often under the false impression that they have the capacity to control the fires that they have set. A large percentage of children who set fire have no possession of fire safety education and are also not supervised by their parents. Statistics indicate that more than fifty percent of individuals arrested for arson in the United States are juveniles. About eighty thousand structure fires are caused by children who play with fire. From this, seven hundred and sixty deaths and more than three thousand five hundred injuries result. The annual estimates of damages from juvenile fire setting stand at 1. 2 billion dollars. It takes less than two minutes for an entire room to be set on fire by a flame from a single match. In only under five minutes, the entire house can be engulfed in flames. Over three hundred deaths and two thousand injuries result from juvenile arson and fires set by youth annually. Again, property damage resulting from these fires amount to over three hundred million dollars. Forty percent of deaths related to residential fire are caused by children playing with fire. Characteristic of fire setters Juvenile fire setters can be categorized into three groups according to age. The first category is made up of children aged less than seven years. The majority of fires caused by this category of children are mainly as a result of accident or curiosity. Some studies indicate that the childrens interest in fire begins before the age of three (Kolko Kadzin, 1999). Naturally, children are curious about fire even though there are various factors that determine whether a child actually sets fire or not. Such factors include the availability of fire supply and their exposure to fire. The majority of children under this category who set fire are not aware of the potential consequences. The second category is comprised of children between the age eight to twelve. Fire set by children within this category may also emanate from curiosity. However, it may also be the result of an underlying psychosocial conflict (Slavkin, 2000). Children under this category may be completely aware of the consequences of their actions and set fire as a strategy for attracting attention. They are likely to continue setting fire until their concerns become addressed or until their needs are met. The third category consists of adolescents aged between thirteen years and eighteen years. A major feature of these young people under this category is that they seem to possess a long history of playing with fire and fire starting behavior that had not been detected. Their fire setting actions may either be motivated by psychosocial conflict and turmoil or an intended criminal behavior. The history of such young people is characterized by behavior problems and school failure. They are highly vulnerable to peer influence. Another classification of juvenile fire setters lives out those that start fire out of curiosity. As such, it classifies intentional fire setters. The first group within this category is made up of those children who set fire as a way of seeking attention. The second category is made up of children who are motivated through delinquent activity. The final category is composed of juveniles who have severe emotional disturbances. Regardless of the mode of classification, what is apparent is that the older the child, the more hey experiment with more sophisticated materials. As children advance in age, their fire setting tend to be externally directed toward locations such as barns, garbage dumpsters, grasslands, schools and automobiles (Little, 1998). There exist various varieties of psychosocial, behavioral, conduct and aggression problems exuded by juvenile fire setters. Among these are a tendency of playing with matches or lighters, cruelty to animals, item burning and extreme enthusiasm and curiosity about fire (Foerger, 1999). The potential for setting fire becomes high when these factors are combined with the circumstance, the ease at which matches and lighters can be obtained and a general misunderstanding about the consequences of fire. Juvenile fire setters may possess a number of characteristics. These children tend to be curious about fire and do not understand the dangers associated with fire. In some cases, these children may be experiencing some changes in the family life such as death, divorce or separation. They may also have a history of behavioral problems and poor peer relationship. Parental involvement Families are often reluctant in responding to what they normally take to be a one time occurrence. Families in most cases tend to ignore the seriousness of the behavior. Every child who has engaged in fire play or fire setting tendencies requires intervention. Children need to be educated on the dangers of playing with fire by their parents so that they may stop the behavior. The most important thing that parents need to do is to take notice of their children. Parents also need to talk to their children about the dangers of fire. They also must set a good example as the majority of children learn about the use of fire from their parents. If the parents are reckless with fire, the child is likely to handle fire carelessly. Access to matches and lighters should also be restricted. The only way to ensure that children do not access them is by keeping them safely. Problems are likely to occur when children begin to handle fire in ways that are dangerous. Parents should therefore seek appropriate help before any serious problem occur. Professional guidance is more appropriate as threats and punishments are in most cases ineffective. Without any form of intervention, fire setting cannot stop. The past decade has witnessed the establishment of various programs in numerous jurisdictions across the United States to address concerns about juvenile fire setting. These programs primarily fall under the fire service. Their aim is to prevent the recurrence of fire setting by identifying, evaluating and treating the juvenile fire setter. Early programs were mainly designed by local mental health professionals and personnel in the fire service. Based on models developed by the United States Fire Administration, various programs have been established. Apart from the fire department, juvenile fire setter programs obtain referrals from the police departments, mental health agencies, social service agencies, schools and parents. A working relationship exists between the programs and a number of these major community agencies. The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and the United States Fire Administration, in seeing the need for increased knowledge on how the problem of juvenile fire setting can be minimized, funded an initiative known as the National Juvenile Fire setter/Arson Control and Prevention (NJF/ACP) Program which ran from 1987 through 1993. Possible solutions The most appropriate solutions to children with fire setting behavior are those focused on brief therapy (Little, 1998). The solution focused on brief therapy was developed as a family counseling theory. The therapy is made up of sessions with the first session being the most important. It employs â€Å"solution talk† to change cognitions from negative focus on weakness and problems to the positive attitudes of expressing optimism and strength. This may in particular satisfy the powerful need of juvenile fire setters for security and love. The problem can also be solved through fire safety education, collaboration with the community agencies and empathy training. These methods can especially be used by school counselors to bring about positive changes for juveniles with fire setting behaviors and the general society. Current trends It has been noted that during the winter months, there is always an increased rate of child fire injuries and deaths. The distribution of injuries and deaths are even throughout the week. Deaths and injuries also seem to take place between 8 P. M and 8 A. M. (Kolko, 2002). The majority of child fares are residential with more than ninety percent of such fires resulting in injuries and death. Fires often originate from the bedroom. Arson still continues to be a major United States problem.

Structural Interconversion of Holin Transmembrane Domain I

Structural Interconversion of Holin Transmembrane Domain I Structural Interconversion of Holin Transmembrane Domain I is Dictated by a Single Proline: A FRET-based Analysis and its Functional Importance in Pore Formation. Muralikrishna Lella,†  Soumya Kamilla,†¡ Vikas Jain†¡,* and Radhakrishnan Mahalakshmi† ,* KEYWORDS (Word Style â€Å"BG_Keywords†). If you are submitting your paper to a journal that requires keywords, provide significant keywords to aid the reader in literature retrieval. ABSTRACT: Mycobacterial cell lysis during the lytic D29 bacteriophage infection is timed by perfect orchestration amongst/between components of the holin-endolysin cassette. In Gram-negative bacteria, progressively accumulating holin in the inner membrane, retained in its inactive form by anti-holin, is triggered into active hole formation, resulting in the canonical host cell lysis. However, the molecular mechanism of regulation and physical basis of pore formation in the mycobacterial inner membrane by D29 holin, particularly in the nonexistence of an anti-holin, is poorly understood. In this study, we report, for the first time, the use of fluorescence resonance transfer measurements to demonstrate that the first transmembrane domain (TM1) of D29 holin undergoes a helix ↔ ÃŽ ²-hairpin conformational interconversion. We validate that this structural malleability is mediated by a centrally positioned proline, and is abolished in the conformationally rigid substitution mutants containing Ala, DPro, or Aib. Using electrophysiology measurements coupled with calorimetric vesicle assays, we demonstrate that due to the conformational switch, native TM1 exhibits sluggish self-association in membrana, while its rigid variants show accelerated lipid bilayer disruption. The biological implications of D29 holin structural alteration is presented as a holin self-regulatory mechanism and its implications are discussed in the context of data-driven peptide-based therapeutics. The fatal host cell lysis step during bacteriophage infection is one of the most precisely programmed events, coordinated by the mechanical membrane disruption by a hole-forming membrane protein termed holin and the peptidoglycan-degrading enzyme endolysin.1 In the canonical holin-endolysin cassette, holin accumulates in the bacterial inner membrane and is retained in the inactive form until membrane depolarization drives holin assembly into holes that are large enough for endolysin release.1b,2 It is believed that ion leak through pinholes formed in holin-enriched lipid rafts would result in local membrane depolarization, which would exponentially propagate throughout the bacterial inner membrane and result in the formation of >300 nm diameter holes.2g,3 Historically, genetics of the coliphages T4, ÃŽ », and 21 have been extensively investigated, and therefore our current understanding of holin function and regulation is largely derived from the lysis effector S105 (or S2168) holin and the antiholin S107 (or S2171).2d,2g,4 Based on more recent functional characterization of members from eight holin superfamilies comprising several bacteriophages,5 we now know that the number of transmembrane ÃŽ ±-helical segments (TMSs) can vary from 1-4; of this, the 3-TMS is widely prevalent.1b,6 Despite conceptual and experimental advances in our understanding of holin function, very few studies have translated these findings to the mechanism of holin regulation in mycobacteriophages (Mφ). Currently, >4000 documented Mφ species exist, of which >600 have been sequenced.7 Of particular interest is the lytic Mφ D29, which is the predator for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, among other mycobacteria. Mφ D29 possesses a putative holin sequence coded by the gp11 gene, and is predicted to possess two transmembrane segments, typically observed in class II holins.8 However, an antiholin sequence is conspicuously missing in the Mφ D29 genome, raising concerns on how this phage achieves holin regulation. A previous finding from our laboratory demonstrated that the first transmembrane domain (TM1) of D29 Mφ holin could undergo a conformational switch from a helical form to an extended structure, and a centrally located Pro-Gly segment was important for such interconversion.9 This opened further questions on the biophysical nature of such a conformational conversion, the functional implications during holin assembly and whether such interconversion did indeed possess any regulational role within the mycobacterial cell. In this study, we demonstrate that the D29 Mφ TM1 undergoes a helix ÃŽ ²-hairpin conversion that is abolished in Pro -> Ala/DPro/Aib mutation. We also show that proline internally regulates assembly of TM1 in the membrane, and could potentially function as the ‘missing’ antiholin in D29 Mφ. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ASD ASD METHODS Peptide synthesis and labeling with fluorescent probes. All peptides were synthesized using Fmoc chemistry on a Rink Amide AM resin with a 0.63 mmol/g loading capacity, using DMF as the medium. Deprotection of Fmoc was achieved using 20% piperidine and the progress of the reaction was monitored using Kaiser test and mass spectrometry.9-10 Final peptide was generated using the cleavage cocktail (TFA : water : phenol : ethanedithiol : thioanisole in the ratio 85:5:5:2.5:2.5), followed by cold ether precipitation, and verified by mass spectrometry. On-resin labeling of the fluorophore (Alexa Fluor ® 350 or dansyl chloride) at the N-terminal residue was achieved using HOBt or DIPEA in DMF. All labeling reactions were carried out at least twice and confirmed by mass spectrometry. Labeling efficiency was calculated using labeled peptide absorbance at fluorophore ÃŽ »max ­ and unlabeled : labeled peptide ratios for all reactions were maintained at ~1.0:0.5. Details are in the electronic supplementary information (ESI). Peptide folding and circular dichroism experiments. Desired quantity of peptide in the powder form was dissolved in 100 mM LDAO (lauryldimethylamine oxide) or 100 mM DPC (n-dodeyclphosphocholine) micelles prepared in 50 mM sodium phosphate pH 7.2, and were subjected to repeated cycles of heating and vortexing to promote peptide folding.9 All biophysical experiments were carried out using 0.022-0.024 mM samples, unless otherwise specified. Quantification was achieved using a molar extinction coefficient of 8408 M-1 cm-1 at 280 nm.CD spectra were acquired in various micellar conditions at 25  °C, using a 1 mm path length quartz cuvette at scan speeds of 100 nm/min. Data were integrated over three acquisitions and converted to molar ellipticity values using reported methods.9,11 Thermal denaturation and recovery measurements were carried out between 5-95  °C and 95-5  °C, respectively at a ramp rate of 1  °C/min. Details are provided in the ESI. Fluorescence and anisotropy measurements. Steady state Fà ¶rster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) measurements were carried out using Trp excitation at 280 nm ( ±2 nm slit width) and emission spectra were recorded between 295-550 nm ( ±3 nm slit width). Inter- and intra-molecular FRET was demarcated by titrating unlabeled peptide into labeled peptide samples to achieve stepwise dilutions and final unlabeled: labeled ratios of 1:1, 1:0.8, 1:0.6, 1:0.4, 1:0.2, 1:0. Data were normalized against Trp emission intensities and acceptor intensity at ÃŽ »max ­ were plotted (Alexa Fluor ® 350 ÃŽ »max = 442 nm and dansyl chloride ÃŽ »max = 500 nm). Anisotropy values were acquired using ÃŽ »ex-max = 442 nm and ÃŽ »em = 345 nm for both the labeled and unlabeled peptides. Lifetime measurements were carried out using time correlated single photon counting. Trp excitation was achieved at 292 nm using a pulsed LED and fluorescence decays were monitored at the ÃŽ »em-max for the respective samples (345 nm in LDAO; 347 nm in DPC; 355 nm in buffer). All data were fitted to a triple exponential decay to derive lifetimes (Ï„i) and their respective amplitudes (ÃŽ ±i). The average lifetime was given as = ÃŽ £Ãâ€ži.ÃŽ ±i.12Details are provided in the ESI. Pore formation measurement using planar lipid bilayers. Black lipid membranes were generated using DiPhPC (diphytanoyl phosphatidylcholine) on a planar lipid bilayer workstation in which the membrane bilayer was painted across a 150 ÃŽ ¼m aperture generated in the septum of a Delrin cup. A constant 10 mV voltage was applied in both cis and trans sides of the chamber, pre-filled with mM sodium phosphate pH 7.2 containing 0.5 M KCl. 0.022-0.024 mM peptide was added to the cis chamber and electric current was recorded using a 50 Hz filter, sampling frequency of 10 kHz, and digitized. Opening and closing event frequency was calculated throughout the recording and converted to conductance using the formula: [observed current in pA] / 10 mV = conductance in nS. Details are described in the ESI. ASSOCIATED CONTENT (Word Style â€Å"TE_Supporting_Information†). Supporting Information. A brief statement in nonsentence format listing the contents of material supplied as Supporting Information should be included, ending with â€Å"This material is available free of charge via the Internet at http://pubs.acs.org.† For instructions on what should be included in the Supporting Information as well as how to prepare this material for publication, refer to the journal’s Instructions for Authors. ABBREVIATIONS CCR2, CC chemokine receptor 2; CCL2, CC chemokine ligand 2; CCR5, CC chemokine receptor 5; TLC, thin layer chromatography. REFERENCES (Word Style TF_References_Section). References are placed at the end of the manuscript. Authors are responsible for the accuracy and completeness of all references. Examples of the recommended formats for the various reference types can be found at http://pubs.acs.org/page/4authors/index.html. Detailed information on reference style can be found in The ACS Style Guide, available from Oxford Press. (1) (a) Smith, D. L.; Young, R. J. Bacteriol. 1998, 180, 4199-4211; (b) Young, R. Current Opinion in Microbiology 2013, 16, 790-797; (c) Young, R. Microbiological Reviews 1992, 56, 430-481. (2) (a) Young, R.; Wang, I.; Roof, W. D. Trends Microbiol. 2000, 8, 120-128; (b) Ramanculov, E.; Young, R. Gene 2001, 265, 25-36; (c) Wang, I. N.; Deaton, J.; Young, R. J. Bacteriol. 2003, 185, 779-787; (d) Park, T.; Struck, D. K.; Deaton, J. F.; Young, R. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 2006, 103, 19713-19718; (e) Savva, C. G.; Dewey, J. S.; Deaton, J.; White, R. L.; Struck, D. K.; Holzenburg, A.; Young, R. Mol. Microbiol. 2008, 69, 784-793; (f) Pang, T.; Savva, C. G.; Fleming, K. G.; Struck, D. K.; Young, R. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 2009, 106, 18966-18971; (g) White, R.; Chiba, S.; Pang, T.; Dewey, J. S.; Savva, C. G.; Holzenburg, A.; Pogliano, K.; Young, R. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 2011, 108, 798-803; (h) Young, R. Journal of Microbiology 2014, 52, 243-258. (3) (a) Dewey, J. S.; Savva, C. G.; White, R. L.; Vitha, S.; Holzenburg, A.; Young, R. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 2010, 107, 2219-2223; (b) Pang, T.; Fleming, T. C.; Pogliano, K.; Young, R. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 2013, 110, E2054-2063; (c) Savva, C. G.; Dewey, J. S.; Moussa, S. H.; To, K. H.; Holzenburg, A.; Young, R. Mol. Microbiol. 2014, 91, 57-65. (4) Blasi, U.; Nam, K.; Hartz, D.; Gold, L.; Young, R. EMBO Journal 1989, 8, 3501-3510. (5) Reddy, B. L.; Saier, M. H., Jr. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 2013, 1828, 2654-2671. (6) Wang, I. N.; Smith, D. L.; Young, R. Annu. Rev. Microbiol. 2000, 54, 799-825. (7) http://phagesdb.org/. (8) (a) Catalao, M. J.; Gil, F.; Moniz-Pereira, J.; Pimentel, M. J. Bacteriol. 2011, 193, 2793-2803; (b) Hatfull, G. F.; Jacobs-Sera, D.; Lawrence, J. G.; Pope, W. H.; Russell, D. A.; Ko, C. C.; Weber, R. J.; Patel, M. C.; Germane, K. L.; Edgar, R. H.; Hoyte, N. N.; Bowman, C. A.; Tantoco, A. T.; Paladin, E. C.; Myers, M. S.; Smith, A. L.; Grace, M. S.; Pham, T. T.; OBrien, M. B.; Vogelsberger, A. M.; Hryckowian, A. J.; Wynalek, J. L.; Donis-Keller, H.; Bogel, M. W.; Peebles, C. L.; Cresawn, S. G.; Hendrix, R. W. J. Mol. Biol. 2010, 397, 119-143; (c) Payne, K.; Sun, Q.; Sacchettini, J.; Hatfull, G. F. Mol. Microbiol. 2009, 73, 367-381. (9) Lella, M.; Mahalakshmi, R. Chem. Commun. 2013, 49, 9594-9596. (10) Makwana, K. M.; Raghothama, S.; Mahalakshmi, R. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2013, 15, 15321-15324. (11) Maurya, S. R.; Chaturvedi, D.; Mahalakshmi, R. Sci. Rep. 2013, 3, 1989. (12) Maurya, S. R.; Mahalakshmi, R. J. Biol. Chem. 2013, 288, 25584-25592.

Factors that affect the rate at which Sodium Thiosulfate (Na2S2O3) reac

I am to investigate the factors that affect the rate at which Sodium Thiosulfate (Na2S2O3) reacts with Hydrochloric Acid (HCl). When sodium thiosulfate is mixed with hydrochloric acid, a reaction takes place, leading to a precipitate of sulphur being formed. This turns the solution cloudy. I shall use this clouding to investigate a factor that affects the rate of reaction, the factor being temperature. To do this, I shall react Sodium Thiosulfate with Hydrochloric Acid at a range of temperatures, between 20 °C and 40 °C, at 5 °C intervals, leading to 5 results. The experiment shall be carried out twice, to give accuracy, and allowing me to check for agreement between results. I predict that as the temperature that the reaction takes place at increases, the less time it will take for the reaction to take place and for the solution to cloud. My prediction is based on the collision theory, which says that  · Reacting species must hit together  · Species must hit together with more than the activation energy needed Increasing the temperature of the atoms taking part makes them move more and faster, enabling more collisions to take place, speeding up the reaction. The added heat energy also allows more collisions to have the required activation energy, again, speeding up the reaction. In order to make this experiment a fair test, I changed only one input variable, the temperature. I kept the amount and concentration of the liquids the same (20m...

Citibank Credit Card in Asia Pacific

Launching the Credit Card in Asia Pacific Ankit Bhardwaj Apaar Malik Neha Sharma Shashwat Bhanti Sidharth Shah Introduction ? ? ? ? ? ? Citibank, a major international bank, is the consumer banking arm of financial services giant Citigroup. Citibank was founded in 1812 as the City Bank of New York, later First National City Bank of New York. Citibank has retail banking operations in more than 100 countries and territories around the world. Founded in 1812 as the City Bank of New York, ownership and management of the bank was taken over by Moses Taylor, a protege of John Jacob Astor and one of the giants of the business world in the 19th century. In the 1960s the bank entered into the credit card business The card, known as â€Å"The Everything Card†, was promoted as a kind of East Coast version of the Bank Americard. ?Products: ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? CitiOne Account Mortgage Power Citibank Auto Loan Citibank Ready Credit CitiGold Service Citi Phone Banking ATM Business Banking Citibank NRI Business International Personal Banking Citibank ·s presence Africa Europe Middle East Central America South America North America Asia Citibank ·s Net Income till 2008 Citibank ·s Assets/Liabilities ratio *The company is financially strong Case Introduction Credit Card Functioning Years in which Citibank entered countries. Population statistics Economic statistics Manager ¶s Opinion. ? Credit Card Functioning Card holder makes purchase at merchant Merchant submits transaction to merchant bank or acquiring company Cardholder ($100) Merchant ($100) Merchant Bank or Acquiring Company ($97) Credit issuer bills card holder for total of Transactions made in month ($100) Card holder makes full or partial payment to the card issuer (minimum to $100) Merchant bank or acquiring company reimburses merchant less merchant service charge Interchange network reimburses merchant Bank for amount of Transaction less interchange fee($98. 50) Merchant bank or acquiring company submits transactions to interchange network ($100) Credit Card Issuer $98. 50 ($100) Interchange Network ? Years of Citi Bank ¶s Entry in Asian Countries Hong Kong (1902) Taiwan (1964) Australia (1965) The Philippines (1902) Guam (1969) Singapore (1902) India (1902) Malaysia (1904) Indonesia (1918) Thailand (1967) Korea (1967) Population Statistics 797 300 800 300 250 200 167. 7 150 Population(In Millions) Urban Population(In Millions) 100 69 50 16. 514 0 5. 6 5 42 31 16. 9 6 2. 7 3 19. 8 14 11 61. 9 55 Countries Economy 12 11 9. 7 9. 8 8. 7 8 8 7. 6 7. 37. 4 6. 8 6 4. 8 4 4 3. 8 Growth Rate(In percentage) Inflation(In percentage) 8. 1 7. 3 10. 8 10 2 2 1. 5 1. 2 0 Manager ·s Opinions Bob Thornton(Country Manager- Indonesia) -> History of poor consumer payment on installment debt. -> High levels of fraud in the financial sector. > Legal infrastructure in inadequate. -> Small market for card product but a potentially large population of 180 mio. ? Dave Smith(Country Manager- Singapore) -> Small 2 mio population. -> Saturated card market with American Express. -> Late entry may result in losing money. ? Jaitirth Rao(Country Manager- India) -> Very large country with poor infrastructure. -> It ¶s a dog and delay it. ? ? Jeannine Fa rhi(Recently moved from USA to Asia) -> Poor implementation may lead to huge losses. -> Asian countries suffering from inefficient postal services. Launching the Card Market Entry Cost Card Business Operation Economics Customer Acquisition Success Probability Dollar Vs Local Currency Central Data Processing Focus on Existing Business Direct Mail Infrastructure Problem Market Entry Cost Green Field Market Development Direct Mail Take-Ones Direct Sales ¶ force Bind-Ins Market Acquisition Facilitates quick entry into market. Easily leverage existing Operations infrastructure and Human Resources in order to consolidate the market share. Choosing of right bank very critical. Very critical to manage the acquired organization ¶s workforce to match up Citi bank ¶s standards. Very difficult to divest in case of calamity. Cost implications in trainings. Card Business Operation Economics Setting a proper business Joining Fee. ? Setting a proper business Annual Fee. ? Right price to be set for Citi Bank ¶s credit card. ? Options to maintain a balance between Joining Fee and Annual Fee. ? Customer Acquisition Success Probability Prospects Reached 300000 2000000 30000 3000000 5330000 Response Number of Qualified Rate(%) RespondantsRespondants Respondants 2 1. 5 50 1 6000 30000 15000 30000 81000 4000 10000 10000 10000 34000 Card Holders 3200 8000 8000 8000 27200 Channels Direct Mail Unit Cost($) 1. 5 Take Ones 0. 25 Direct Sales 18000/Sales force person Bind Ins Total 0. 15 Only 0. 51% of success rate Dollar Vs Local Currency Advantages of Dollar as currency ? Disadvantages of Dollar Dollar would strengthen against the local currency due to its global usage. ? Extra charges for currency conversion. ? Fluctuation of exchange rate each day will hurt customers free expenditure. ? It is a global currency which is accepted everywhere. ? It is easily convertible at any bank. ? Paying in Dollars is treated by some people as a status symbol. Existing systems using Dollar as base currency and replication will not be difficult in other countries. Central data Processing Would slow down system response. ? System developers will be cut off from local markets. ? Local resources could be upgraded instead of spending on a new Centralized System. ? Focus on existing business Managers Advice in Asia pacific Focus on Existing Business Since lack of talent poo l available in the region Lack of Infrastructure to support such IT enabled product. Direct Mail Infrastructure Problem Postal Services is the backbone for Card delivery. Postal Services in Asia Pacific experience not satisfactory. ? Poor Logistics will only lead to dissatisfied customers. ? Business Problems ? Citibank wondered whether they could adopt a mass-market positioning to acquire enough credit card customers and still maintain its upmarket positioning with the current upscale branch banking customers Pricing the card too low would conflict with Citibank ¶s stated positioning however pricing it too high might mean low customer acceptance Citibank ¶s management were concerned that consumers ¶ attitudes and credit card usage patterns differed by country ? Country Profiles Australia Strengths ? Citibank considered as a Global Bank. ?Citibank making profits worldwide. ?Strong Financial backbone to launch a new product. Weakness ? Hold of Local Banks is very high. ?Austral ia is a saturated market Opportunity ? Western based developed economy ? AMEX and Diners club reputation is low ? High usage of credit card for travel and entertainment. Threat ? Hold of Local Banks is very high. ?Australia is a saturated market ? Lucrative offers already in market Hong Kong Strengths ? Citibank considered as a Global Bank. ?Citibank making profits worldwide. Strong Financial backbone to launch a new product. Weakness ? Hold of Local Banks is very high. ?Hong Kong is a saturated market Opportunity ? AMEX and Diners club reputation is low ? Rapid Industrialization. ?High annual average income. ?Active use of credit card Threat ? Hold of Local Banks is very high. ?Lucrative offers already in market. ?Hong Kong is a saturated market India Strengths ? Citibank considered as a Global Bank. ?Citibank making profits worldwide. ?Strong Financial backbone to launch a new product. Weakness ? 80% Population is in rural areas. ?Card acceptance is low. Political corruption is hi gh. ?Privatization not encouraged in 1980 ¶s. Opportunity ? Card considered as a prestigious owning. ?Higher income group will aspire. ?Credit Card penetration low. Threat ? Joining Fee and Annual fee low for local banks. ?Diners Club and AMEX already present with some market share. Indonesia Strengths ? Citibank considered as a Global Bank. ?Citibank making profits worldwide. ?Strong Financial backbone to launch a new product. Weakness ? Large National Debts. ?Political corruption. ?Banking Fraud already prevalent in country. ?Per Capita income is only $500. Opportunity ? Card considered as a prestigious owning. Threat ? 3 Banks already eating up the market chunk. Malaysia Strengths ? Citibank considered as a Global Bank. ?Citibank making profits worldwide. ?Strong Financial backbone to launch a new product. Weakness ? Politically unstable. ?Largely a rural country. ?Malaysian law very stringent towards credit card ownership. Opportunity ? Culturally acceptable to revolving credit. ?Large successful business population. ?Bank acquisition not very difficult. Threat ? AMEX with some handsome market share. ?AMEX already having a superior customer image. Foreign banks only were allowed 3 banks in Malaysia. Taiwan Strengths ? Citibank considered as a Global Bank. ?Citibank making profits worldwide. ?Strong Financial backbone to launch a new product. Weakness ? No infrastructure for new products. ?Culturally not acceptable to people to owe money. ?before 1989, laws restricted credit card business Opportunity ? Deregulation of credit allowed re cently. Threat ? 50% market share with AMEX. ?It was mostly cash oriented society. Singapore Strengths ? Citibank considered as a Global Bank. ?Citibank making profits worldwide. ?Strong Financial backbone to launch a new product. Weakness ? Minimum age requirements and income requirements. Opportunity ? Worlds largest centre for trading and services. ?High standard of living of people. ?Hold of Local banks very low. ?Card usage high in the country. Threat ? International banks having a good hold in the market. Philippines Strengths ? Citibank considered as a Global Bank. ?Citibank making profits worldwide. ?Strong Financial backbone to launch a new product. Weakness ? Political corruption. ?People awareness is very low. ?Only local currency and transactions to be adhered with. Opportunity ? Credit Card market is under development. Customer acceptance toward revolving credit. Threat ? AMEX having handsome market share. ?AMEX already having a superior customer image. ?Foreign banks only were allowed 3 banks in Philippines. Thailand Strengths ? Citibank considered as a Global Bank. ?Citibank making profits worldwide. ?Strong Financial backbone to launch a new product. Weakness ? No infrastructure for new product s. Opportunity ? High consumer affluence and spending. ?Not many Credit Card company working. Threat ? 50% market share with AMEX & Diners club. Korea Strengths ? Citibank considered as a Global Bank. ?Citibank making profits worldwide. Strong Financial backbone to launch a new product. Weakness ? No infrastructure for new products. ?Strict government regulations regarding Revolving credit. ?Only local currency card can be issued. Opportunity ? Growth in the existing Diners club market already existing in Korea. Threat ? Existing companies experiencing huge financial losses and labor problems. Positioning the Card Positioning the Citi Silver ? Positioning the Citi Gold Target market to be Upper Middle and High income population. ? Premium features with attractive offers on Air Travel and Shopping available with a high credit limit. A separate relationship manager to tackle customer issues. ? Target market to be Lower and Middle income population. ? Standard features of shopping and a lower credit limit. ? Customer care to take care of customer issues. Customer Acquisition Cost Infra, S/W Development, Cost/Card of mailing, Total Cost incurred correspondence, in acquiring 1 mio Advertising Cust Support, Merchant Cost/ Customers Costs/Country Liaison Total Cost customer direct cost customers 250000 250000 250000 250000 1600000 35000000 12000000 12000000 12000000 36600000 12000000 12000000 12000000 72600000 146. 48 48 48 72. 6 6000000 78600000 Income from Card Holders Citi Silver Card % customers 70% Citi Gold Card 30% 32 9600000 40 12000000 33000000 60100000 27100000 Joining fee 25 Total Joining fee 17500000 Annual fee 30 Total annual fee 21000000 Grand total Break Even No. of Years Total Cost —————-Total Income = No. of years for Break Even 78600000 —————-60100000 = 1. 3 years ? For reaching the break even it will take approx 1. 3 years for any country. Recommendations Countries to ENTER ? Singapore ? Malaysia ? Philippines ? Thailand ? Hong Kong ? Australia Countries NOT TO ENTER ? India ? Indonesia ? Taiwan ? Korea Recommendations Citibank should focus on Acquisition of a local Bank. ? There should be very minimal or low joining fee and a moderate Annual fee charged. ? The Bank should keep local currency as the currency of exchange. ? There should be a central as well as a local data processing system. ?

Trends in Communication Technology

TechnoloCharlotte Cole XCOM 285 November 23, 2012 Technology Trendy Communication Technology changes constantly and it may be difficult for businesses to always be able to keep up with the new technological trends that arise. Many companies do what they are able to and try to use technology as much as they can to promote their business and communicate with their current and potential customers.In today’s technological world we have the internet, cellphones, and social media to communicate with customers in addition to the old fashion way of commercial and other ads. Many businesses use Facebook and Twitter to promote their business because they are and the only cost involved (if you do not work on these accounts yourself) would be the manpower to keep these pages up-to-date. Cell phones are another way to communicate with customers but sending out mass text messages and coupons that can be used; I am not sure what cost is involved with this method.I do see many businesses use social media and other forms, but the larger companies seem to take advantage of technology the most. Keeping up-to-date websites is extremely important, but again this can be costly due to hiring someone to keep the site up and time consuming. My company is having a problem with this, which I feel affects our business because I daily have to contact customers with corrections on designs and colors of our products.I see there is a cost in using some of the different methods, such as running a banner on specific websites, having your own website or having your business website appears on Google, so this may limit many smaller businesses from using technology as much as they would like to. I do think that businesses use technology as much as they can and try to constantly look into new ways to promote.

Writing content with clout - Emphasis

Writing content with clout Writing content with clout Ever seen the TV game show Supermarket Sweep? The premise is pretty simple. After answering a series of questions, the contestants are instructed to find certain groceries in the supermarket. Not surprisingly, no-one methodically paces through the aisles. With the clock ticking, they race around frantically searching for visual clues that point to their prized items. Browsing the internet is much the same. Studies have shown that we adopt the same search and seize approach when looking for information online. In fact, only one in six people actually read websites sentence by sentence. Instead, most people scan the text for keywords, bullet points and subheadings. Some studies have even shown that people read only the first two words of headlines before losing interest. And its generally a given that you only have a maximum of 10 seconds to impress your readers before they click to another page or site. The key is to make your writing as direct as possible. As any Twitter fan will know, if you cant say it in 140 characters or less, it simply isnt worth saying. Apply that principle to all your web-based writing and youll be onto a winner. Thats not to say that you cant elaborate on points, make explanations and create coherent arguments. Its just that long rambling sentences are best left to novelists or poets. When it comes to the web, short and sweet is best. Prune through your writing and cut out any meaningless words. And rearrange your sentences so that theyre as punchy as possible. The tips below will help you to create a high-impact writing style A clear focus Know your audience. Ask yourself who youre writing for and what information they want to read. Then focus on one main message per web page. If youre not sure what your main message is, write down the headings who?, what?, where?, when? and why? Then brainstorm your ideas to help clarify your thoughts. Create powerful sentences by speaking directly to the reader. Use words such as you, we, us and our. And use the active voice as much as possible. For instance, we formed the company in 1999 is far more effective than the company was formed in 1999. Ready, aim, fire! Break up the information into digestible chunks and keep your paragraphs short. Use subheads and make sure that, when combined, they tell the story of your article. Bullet points are also a great tool to use when writing for the web. Remember that bullet lists always need an introduction (like this one). They are good for: conveying key information breaking down complex lists summarising main points instructions (especially if numbered). The advantage of using bullet points is that they: make lists clearer, as they are more visual use white space well grab attention help readers scan information reduce word count. Create a call to action By their very nature, websites are interactive. A static site that doesnt involve its readers is like an out-of-date concert poster. Keep inviting your readers to contact you or click other internal links for more information. Try to anticipate your readers needs and then give them what they want. You cant stop them jumping around searching for keywords. But if you give them something of value, you can help them to stick with your website for longer. Remember, be bold with what youre offering and dont be afraid to shout out your content. Give your readers the satisfaction of finding the prized information instantly. The secret is to rig the game so that they win every time. Robert Ashton is the Chief Executive of Emphasis.