ANALYSIS OF U.S. ECONOMY Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

ANALYSIS OF U.S. ECONOMY - Essay Example This may perhaps be the reason for the speculation over the state of the economy considering that during the second quarter the gross domestic product rate fell slightly lower than that which was produced in the first quarter of the year. However, these higher numbers may not necessarily mean that the economy is going to bounce back. There is still concern over the consumer spending as this only rose to 2.4% which was less than the estimation and this may well be a concern as consumer spending constitutes about seventy percent of the gross domestic product . There have been cuts in taxes to coax the consumers from spending more and this may perhaps have helped the situation. By cutting taxes to a degree which would encourage spending there may well be a rise in the gross domestic product and this would certainly be a big boost to the recovering economy. There are some economists who believe that within next year the rate may well rise to 3% and perhaps even more but it would be too e arly to measure the specific rate. Consumers have also gained confidence are now more welcome to the idea of spending. Incomes and spending have risen, which in result have led to a fall in the savings. The Bureau of Economic Analysis has submitted the figures of savings which have dropped from $622.8 to $614.8 from September to October. Figures such as these are a good sign that consumers are becoming more confident about spending money and this is a welcome boost to the industries and especially retailers (US Department of Commerce). The rate of the gross domestic product would not be the only assessment of the economy. Unemployment rates in the United States are at a high and have even increased to a rate of 9.8% (United States Department of Labor). According to one report, the rates are still lower than what the actual situation is at the moment due to the fact that those who have stopped trying to get jobs due to the slow economy are not being

Online Banking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Online Banking - Essay Example Banks have had to adopt current technology in order to remain competitive, retain their customers and lower operation costs. Online banking was started in the 1980s by a few banks in the United States. Four major banks in New York adopted online banking to allow customers maintain electronic checkbook registers, check account balances, make fund transfers and other banking related activities. Online banking, also known as Internet banking, is part of virtual banking that began with telephone banking and automatic teller machines (ATMs). Virtual banking is a banking system that is non-branch based. Services are provided through various electronic media such as telephones, personal computers, ATMs and the Internet. Virtual banking has existed for quite some time and its transactions costs are quite low as compared to branch transaction costs. Banks are investing in various forms of banking systems to expand their geographical and market coverage with regards to banking systems. However, they are using different forms of banking, for example, some invest in bricks and mortar while others adopt the current ba nking system that uses the Internet (Cronin 42). The Internet is becoming the main channel of communication since its inception in 1969. Internet has recently gained popularity in the U.S. as the main medium for e-commerce. Its potential growth has come with opportunities and threats to businesses. The Internet is on the verge of becoming the main delivery and distribution channel. The growth and rapid diffusion of the Internet has made banking online an alternative banking system at the expense of traditional branch-based banking. Banks in the United States have started providing services via the Internet including Internet banking. Currently, the Internet has revolutionized the banking system and it is considered as an alternative strategic weapon that changes the operation system of banks. Banks are able to deliver services to customers in

Communication Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Communication - Essay Example The story kept me in suspense. There was no predictability in the plot, which always kept you guessing as to what will happen to the characters. I was half-way through the story and yet I cannot anticipate how the story will end. The main issues in the story remain unresolved even after the story ended. The story keeps running on my mind because I am trying to process the story. There is no clarity and closure even at the end. All throughout the story, I seem to be waiting for a greater surprise as to what will be the ending. The author’s style is to slowly bring the reader to the awareness of the twist in the story. The theme of running away is repeated all throughout and it is presented as an unacceptable option. The story depicts several forms of complicated relationships. The relationship between romantic partners, that of Clark and Carla, the relationship between a parent and a child, that of Carla and her parents and the relationship between friends, that of Carla and Mr s. Jamieson. â€Å"Runaway† also presents the inner struggles of a woman, her weaknesses and her strengths. It shows how sometimes a woman acts differently outside, not letting her inner being reflect her actions. The story is presented in a lucid and vivid manner but I am confused whether I like the characters or not. All the characters in the story starting from Carla, Clark, and Mrs. Jamieson surprise me as to their real persona. They are not predictable. I just cannot anticipate their actions. Munro’s writing style is one wherein she predicts her readers’ thoughts and perceptions and then she disproves the readers’ expectations by writing the opposite of what they expect. This is one quality that I admire in Munro’s literary style. It kept me at the edge of my seat. The characters are described in details which reflect true to life people. It is through this detailed characterization that one can feel an emotional attachment to the characters. I just cannot stop thinking about the characters even after reading the story. I had to analyze each character and explain to myself why they reacted in a certain way when faced with the situations in the story. I also cannot stop wondering what will happen to them in the future. Carla, the main character of â€Å"Runaway† suffered from indecision all throughout the story. Carla depicts a character with an impulsive emotion. She feels lost but she has no roots. I think Carla thought she could run away from her husband but she was actually incapable of doing so. As described in Bruner’s ten features of narrative, I can say that running away from Clark is her intentional state but as we can see from the ending of the story, her intentional state did not determine the ending of story. She wanted to runaway but later on changed her mind. She wanted to change her life abruptly but suddenly while in the bus decides to get-off. There seems to be an onset of a different set of sensations which was exactly the opposite of what she felt when she was conversing with Mrs. Jamieson and planning her escape. Just when you think that Carla is a hero, she unexpectedly shows her flaws. At the beginning of the story, I thought that Mrs. Jamieson was the antagonist in the story because of Carla’s reaction when she saw her driving along the road. She even thought in her mind, â€Å"Let it not be her.† In the end though, I realize that Mrs. Jamieson

Collective bargaining report Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Collective bargaining report - Assignment Example It is worthy noting that, collective bargaining is a recognized approach of creating a system of industrial jurisprudence. It acts as a method of introducing civil rights in the industry. It is vital to note that, this procedure enhances management by rules and diminishes management characterized by arbitrary decision-making. More over, collective bargaining is a proven procedure that aid in the establishment of regulations, which define and restrict the traditional authority exercised by the management. There are numerous benefits attributed to collective bargaining process2. They include chances of increasing the strength of the employees consequently their bargaining capacity as a team. On the same note, this study establishes that, collective bargaining increases the self-esteem and productivity of the workforce3. Furthermore, it restrains management’s freedom for arbitrary and unilateral actions against the employees. In addition, collective bargaining has played a fundam ental role in ensuring that, fair settlement of the workers’ grievances is secured. This is possible through the provision of a flexible approach for the adjustment of wages and employment conditions to economic and technological changes in the business. This is owing to the reduced chances for conflicts4. On the side of the employers, collective bargaining aid in easier resolving of issues at the bargaining point rather than taking up complaints of individual employees. In addition, collective bargaining widens the channel of communication amid the employees and thereby reducing the cost of labour turnover to management consequently increases employee involvement in decision-making. Furthermore, collective bargaining is fundamental in resolving industrial disputes. Besides benefits of collective bargaining towards both the employee and the employer, this study examines the gains of collective bargaining attributed to the society. The society gains in terms of industrial peac e stability in the country. More over, it facilitates the establishment of a harmonious industrial climate that aid the country to grow economically and socially. Another significant benefit credited to collective bargaining to the society involves constant check of worker’s exploitation and discrimination. The process of negotiation and substance bargaining is complex since it entails numerous stages, which sometimes remain derailed due to disagreements and conditions. Evaluation and selection strategy A negotiation process starts with evaluation and selection of a strategy, which is intended to guide the problem solving5. This normally involves diverse approaches or procedures of mediation or arbitration. Making contact with other parties The second stage involves making contact with the other party or parties this stage enhances building of personal credibility and promoting commitment tot he procedures set. Collection and analysis of background information The third stage involves the collection and analyzing the background information. The relevant information collected is fundamental in understanding the dynamism exhibited by the participants. In addition, it enhances verification of the data accuracy and minimizes unavailable data. Designing of the negotiation plan The fourth stage involves designing of a detailed plan for negotiation. This