Similarities Between Confucianism And Taoism - 794 Words

Confucianism and Daoism are both chinese religions. They both incorporated religious practices with daily activities in a way that it pertained to philosophy as well as religion, making the secular sacred. Confucianism was grounded in ethics and virtuous socio-political conditions. Daoism, also known as Taoism, sought to establish the proper relation between humans and the cosmos through discernment of the Tao, or Way. Confucianists are more concerned with social relationships and Taoism is of a more broader nature and more mystically oriented and more philosophical. They both focused on relationships that humans had with each other as well as the relationships that humans had with nature. They were atheistic in a sense that they had no†¦show more content†¦Similar to Confucianism, Daoism has concepts of Tien and Te. It also has philosophical and religious concepts that descended from folk traditions. The difference that Daoists has limitations confucius got somethings wr ong. â€Å"Daoists developed a counterpoint to the Confucian focus on social hierarchy, political involvement, emotional and moral discipline, and ritual regimentation, a counterpoint based on the concept of the Dao† (CIWR, 491). The two founders, Laozi and huangzi, developed harmonious life in line with Tau. Laozi had his own philosophy, and Zhuangzi believed things were better with no politics. Similar to Confucianism, Taoism have a concept of Te, only they have a different way of obtaining it. â€Å"The term de in the Daodejing refers to a ‘virtue-power’ that embodies the mystic inner power attained through alignment with the unseen world, the power that allows a sage ruler to infuse his realm with the harmony he has achieved by ‘doing nothing,’ wuwei† (CIWR, 495). Daoists believe that one can point to what something is by implicitly pointing to what it is not. â€Å"To use a finger to show that a finger is not a finger, is not really as g ood as using something that is not a finger to show that a finger is not a finger† (BC, 12-13).Basically, in order to point to a finger and say what’s around it is not a finger, it would be better not to use a fingure. â€Å"The fanciful and the historical exist side byShow MoreRelatedSimilarities Between Confucianism And Taoism902 Words   |  4 PagesThe religions, Confucianism and Taoism, both originate from indigenous Chinese beliefs and practices. Although they come from the same area in the world, they have several differences alongside their similarities. Additionally, they both are influenced by the Tao; however, they have different meanings behind the concept. Taoism can be summed up as appreciating all that is natural; whereas Confucianism is ideal society model created through a lifetime of relationship dedication. Neither of theseRead More Comparing Buddhims, Taoism, and Confucianism Essay1469 Words   |  6 PagesBuddhims, Taoism, and Confucianism There are many similarities and differences between the three religions of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism. While researching this paper, I came across this quote from an unknown source that stated, ?No civilization is monochrome. In China the classical tones of Confucianism have been balanced not only by the spiritual shades of Buddhism, but also by the romantic hues of Taoism?. As each religion is surmised the similarities and differences between themRead MoreWorld Wide Yin and Yang1735 Words   |  7 Pages The Chinese culture has a variety of religions and philosophies; behind each one there is a core of theories and principles formed by its founders. The aspects of the yin-yang principal are the basis of the three major Chinese religions: Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism. In China, people are aware of the importance of believing in the yin and yang principles. The Encyclopedia of Sex and Gender states, the Chinese view yin and yang as opposites, where yin is dark and yang is light. They areRead More Confucianism Essay example1262 Words   |  6 PagesConfucianism The religion of Confucianism is and interesting and unique religion. The various parts of this belief system deal more with humanity than with deities or supernatural occurrences. It is this fact that leads many to believe that Confucianism is more a philosophy or way of life than a religion. There are, however, various ceremonies and beliefs that those who follow Confucianism observe. In short, Confucianism has had more impact on the lives of the Chinese than any other single religionRead MorePhilosophies of China and India Essay858 Words   |  4 PagesChina and India have many philosophical schools of thought. There are multiple similarities as well as a plethora of differences. While China has a wide range of thoughts concerning eternal salvation and everyday rule, India is more narrow-minded in their approach. The differences are astounding and the similarities are few and far between. Each nation has a distinctly different school of thought, which ultimately led to the establishment of their current day societies. China has many differentRead MoreRelationship between Daoism Confucianism864 Words   |  4 Pagesï » ¿Ethan Martinez Rel1300 Dr. Benjamin Murphy October 21, 2013 Relationship Between Daoism Confucianism History has shown us, that Daoism and Confucianism have many things in common as well as many differences, let me start with what is Daoism and Confucianism. Daoism is also known as Taoism, is a religious tradition originated from China in the 550 B.C.E, it was founded by Lao Tzu, a great philosopher and the author of the â€Å"Dao De Jing† .The â€Å"Dao De Jing† or â€Å"Tao Te Ching† is a Chinese textRead MoreConfucianism and Taoism Essay982 Words   |  4 Pages Confucianism and Daoism are two influential schools of thoughts that have existed in ancient China around the 6th century BCE. The former, led by the politician and philosopher Confucius, proposed that humans live in society according to a set of predefined rules and that they transform society through political action. Whereas the latter, led by the philosopher Lao-Tzu, promoted the idea of inaction; people should go with the flow instead of taking action to control their lives and dominate theirRead MoreTaoism Is Not The True Tao1982 Words   |  8 PagesWhat is Taoism? Answering that question turned out to be much harder than I thought, is it a religion, a philosophy or a way of life? The more I researched, the deeper I got into it and the deeper I got in to it, the more it made my head spin. Taoism is described as being, indescribable, undefinable, and nameless, in the words of the great sage Laozi â€Å"That which can be named is not the true Tao†. The translation for Tao is â€Å"the way†, it is the origin of everything, and it is heaven, earth and humanityRead MoreThe Buddha Was A Very Smart Man Named Siddhattha Gotama759 Words   |  4 Pagesconsolidated Chinese power in Central Asia. Confucianism was the dominant ideology in China, which is socio-ethical principles deriving from the teaching of the sage. Buddhism seemed to conflict with some Confucian values because Confucianism regarded the family as the foundation of society, and the Buddhist leave their families and renounce. Buddhism seemed to take up where Confucianism left off, and described an unseen world about which Confucianism had little to say about. When the people enquiredRead MoreSimilarities Between Confucianism And Confucianism893 Words   |  4 Pages For centuries, Eastern religions and philosophies of Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism Daoism have been practiced by millions. Three similarities distinguishable by all four practices is the focus and teachings of virtuous humanistic practices, compassion and respect for the world around us. Although, similar in intentions each system carries unique attributes. In 1027 BCE after the rebel tribe, Zhou overthrew the Shang dynasty a time of cultural sophistication, and philosophical achievement

Application Of Quality Improvement Methodologies - 1732 Words

This literary piece is a systematic review of the application of quality improvement methodologies. The goal of the paper is to identify and evaluate the utilization and effectiveness of quality improvement methods in the surgical field. The search identified thirty-four articles with nine studies describing continuous quality improvement (CQI). Five Six Sigma, five total quality management (TQM), five Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) cycles, five statistical process control (SPC), four Lean and one Lean Six Sigma with 20 studies from the USA. The most common objectives of the papers were to improve outcomes, reduce infections and delays in care. Quality improvement methodologies from the manufacturing industry could be the key to improving the quality of care in surgery and reducing costs. The Lean methods have been applied to different aspects of healthcare successfully but the processes that are repetitive and can be standardized benefit the most. Many of the quality improvement methods h ave overlapping elements. The SPC and PDSA are standard for CQI, TQM, Six Sigma and some Lean programs. Several of these methods require considerable data collection and teammate training in the application and data analysis. Therefore, the cost to implement and maintain may be an issue but without an investment of some sort in these projects to begin there will be no evidence to determine the effectiveness of each method before widespread utilization. This study was not able to makeShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Ibm s Six Sigma1170 Words   |  5 Pagesmanagement strategy originally developed by Motorola, USA in 1981. As of 2010, it enjoys widespread application in many sectors of industry, although its application is not without controversy. Six Sigma seeks to improve the quality of process outputs by identifying and removing the causes of defects (errors) and minimising variability in manufacturing and business processes. It uses a set of quality management methods, including statistical methods, and creates a special infrastructure of people withinRead MoreQuality Insurance1712 Words   |  7 PagesQuality Improvement Plan: Part III - Managing and Improving Quality In today’s health care environment, competition remains high and many organizations are seeking new ways to improve their quality of care, as well as remain competitive with other health care organizations in the process. Various methods exist today for organizations to integrate quality improvement strategies to help in the measurement of performance improvements. This paper will discuss:1) several methodologies, the pros andRead MoreQi Plan Part Ii - St. Joseph Essay1408 Words   |  6 Pageswill focus on improving patient discharge instructions. This paper will have a description of each methodology researched as well as the pros and cons of each for the chosen performance improvement area. One of the mentioned methodologies will be chosen for the organizational plan as well as an explanation of that methodology was chosen. There will be a description of information technology applications researched as well as an explanation of they could be used to improve the performanc e area chosenRead MoreSix Sigma Articles Essay1668 Words   |  7 Pagesare the differences between theory/application/focus factors when comparing six sigma, lean and theory of constraints. Please elaborate your answer without writing article sentences, use you own words and demonstrate a comprehensive analysis. Making a comparison with a simple standpoint, the six sigma’s methodology is used to incremental improvement of existing processes, as it is the six sigma main tool, DMAIC. This tool is a strategy based on statistical quality, which gives much importance toRead MoreBusiness And Process Conditions That Required The Application Of A Lean Transformation816 Words   |  4 Pagesa. What were the business and process conditions that required the application of a Lean Transformation? Seat Belt manufacturer needed continuous improvement of their processes and to maintain a sustainable growth of the company even during the times of economical depression of 2002-2003. They identified four processes within the company that needed improvement: - Disruption of their delivery times - crowding of released work within company’s premises - Periods of low work and/or overtime hoursRead MoreOrganizational Quality Improvement1310 Words   |  6 PagesOrganizational Quality Improvement Plan Part III Lauren Dickman HCS/588 December 13, 2010 Jennifer Culotta Methods and information technology for quality improvement Various methodologies exist for the integration of quality improvement strategies into performance improvement measures. With concepts of total quality management (TQM) and quality improvement (QI) being introduced to health care organizations; administrators have had to decide which methodology is right for the organizationRead MorePlan Do Check Act ( Pdca )817 Words   |  4 Pagesimplementations of methodologies that will allow faster dissemination of quality control. Some methods and tools have provided knowledge and sustainability to the system more than others. This is the case of PDCA initially introduce by Dr. Walter Shewhart in the 1920’s and revolutionize by Dr. W. Edwards Deming in 1950’s as a methodology to increase quality. Deming introduce Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle as a learning and improvement methodology (Ransom, 2008). Under this methodology Deming emphasize onRead MoreLean Six Sigma Principles On Improving Turnaround Times At A Busy U.s. Infusion Clini c1074 Words   |  5 Pagesevent. The study revealed positive results! Implementation of Lean principles identified process-improvement strategies that improved department workflow and successfully reduced chemotherapy turnaround time from 60 minutes to an astonishing 26 minutes. This study shows promise that Lean Six Sigma methodology is applicable to healthcare and could be a more useful approach to improving healthcare quality. This paper provides a comprehensive review of Six Sigma in healthcare literature. It aims toRead MoreLean Methodology Of Health Care Article1390 Words   |  6 Pages Lean Methodology in Health Care article is a †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦article. The intent of this paper is to bring to light the methodologies used in the manufacturing industry. This systematic way of thinking can be used in health care to focus on the patient and add value to their health care experience. Plainly put, this method is to provide the best value from the patient’s perspective, while using the talents of the people in the establishment and using the least amount of resources. The article discussed the eightRead MoreQuality Management Using Six Sigma1281 Words   |  6 PagesQuality Management Using Six Sigma Over the last thirty years, the views on quality management shifting from a focus on product inspection and problem identification to the theme that product quality is determined by the process used to produce the product (Jayaraman, Kannabiran, Kumar, 2013; Kerzner, 2013). As a result many quality/process improvement initiatives and methodologies have been developed over the last few decades; one such methodology is known as Six Sigma and has become the most

Develop and Use Emotional Intelligence

Question: Discuss about the Richmont Pte Ltd for Luxury Watches. Answer: Introduction This paper focuses on the business analysis of the Richmont Pte Ltd, a luxury goods company that supplies its products to different parts of the world. While every aspect of the business analysis of the company is essential for analysis, the paper only presents detailed analysis on the PESTEL analysis of the company about the effect the factors has on the company. It also focuses n the Porters Five Forces analysis of the competitive environment of the company. It then provides suggestions to the management recommendations that can be adopted by the company so as to uncover its PESTEL and Porters analysis factors. Description of the Company Compagnie Financire Richemont SA (Richmont Pte Ltd) was formed in 1988 as a spin-off from the Rembrandt Group. The company specializes in the producing luxury goods with major strengths in accessories, luxury watches, and jewelry. It has its headquarters in Switzerland and several branches located in the different market location of the world. Through its subsidiaries, the company business is mainly in the manufacturing, development, and distribution of different luxury products with retail as its major distribution channels. The distribution channels supply the products in the global market with the Europen market as the largest market. Richmont Pte Ltd generates the largest profit proportion from the timepieces and him luxury jewelry it produces. Like many other companies in its category, Richmont Pte Ltd has been building an in-house capacity in anticipation of its shifting supply lines in the matchmaking industry of Switzerland. It good progress and high market competitive strate gy have given it the leeway to the Chinese market with a strong Chinese demand for its products. The company is also known to have strong, well-known brands that encompass clothing, writing instruments, jewelry, and notably many watchmakers. Considering the market and consumer consideration, the unpegging on the Swiss Franc (CHF) is one of the major macroeconomic issues affecting the company operations. In his study, Sinclair (2015) denotes that CHF has a resulting customer appreciation that potentially leads to a big loss in the revenues for the company. Research (2010) reports note that the company issued a profit warning in the April 2016 as a result of the losses on the contract hedges and derivatives linked to the exchange rate issues. As a result, the recent stock price has recorded a downtrend despite the fact that the profit warning is not considered as a long-term concern by the companys internal audit system. On the other hand, the new Apple Watch has seen a positive uptake as good customer reviews that pose threats to other competitors and Swiss watchmakers. The Asian market is the largest consumer base for the Richemont by country majorly China and Hong Kong. Policies such as the anti-corruption crackdown and drive on luxury Xi Jinping as well as the Hong Kongs democracy issues, as well as the cooling Chinese economy have affected the luxury sales in these markets. However, Tajeddini and Trueman (2008) reports that the positive brand image of the Swiss watches together with the strong endorsement from other celebrities such as Gong Li, its long-term horizon will be positive at any moment the Chinese economy will pick up to embrace the foreign products. Pastels Analysis PESTEL analysis is used primarily used by different companies and business organizations to have a track record of the environment and the nature of the market in which the business operates. The abbreviated word PESTEL is an acronym for Political, Economic, Social, Technology, Ecological as well as the Legal factors in the business environment in which the company operates. The PESTEL business structure that influences the business includes the factors in the diagram below according to Humair, Siegrist, and Kueffer, (2014). Figure 1: PESTEL framework in a general Business Environment The Political Aspect According to Wamrack (2014), the political aspect of Richmont Pte Ltd is majorly from the high taxation charges from the Swiss government as well as the federal states where the other branches are located. It as well includes the customs duties which are imposed on the raw materials that are purchased by the company for the production of the jewelry, watches, clothes, among other products. The resulting effect is a limited scale of sales as a result of the increase in the cost of production. Political instability in different federal states has also affected their distribution channels as a result of weakened international relations. It has thus resulted in the reduction of the production as well as the business unit market share for the products of the company (Jack, 2015). Economic Aspect In their market analysis, Wamrack (2014) points out that Banks in Switzerland indicates a possible increase in the interest rates offered to different businesses from the current rates the banks charges. The resulting effect is the increase in borrowing cost as well as the eventual rise in the cost of production thus limiting business expansion to other potential global markets such as China, Kenya, South Africa, etc. The economic status of Switzerland also reports a great reduction in the inflation rate hence resulting in an improvement in the purchasing power of the consumers with the stability of the currency exchange rates. It thus poses a great deal of opportunity to Richmont Pte Ltd to improve on its production and so as to meet the demands of the customers. Socio-Cultural Aspect The significant increase in the world population is coupled with advancement and technological innovations and change in lifestyles as denoted by Yayici (2014). As a result, Richmont Pte Ltd has the opportunity and an increase in the reciprocating demand of digital accessories which has a ready market with the digital error as the target customers. It is because the increasing population as mostly identified with the digital error, which is an opening for the company to increase its innovation strategies and flood the market with customer-winning digital accessories so as to maintain it's competitive and large market share. The noted positive reviews on its innovations, especially in CHF, is also an opening for the market preference for the company coupled with positive remunerations as well as better welfare to the customers and the employees according to Frommer (2014). Technological Aspects Richmont Pte Ltd like any other business organization has adopted the use of the modern technology in the production, advertisement and distribution process. The increased stakeholders spending in search of better technological models to improve its economics of scale has also resulted in its market expansion to different parts of the globe. On the other hand, the company also embraces the use of social media platforms such as Facebook as advertisement platforms to increase its customer base. Legal Aspects Legal laws and policies such as the safety standards, labor laws, ethical demands, as well as environmental and natural conservation procedures have a great effect on the production and distribution process of the company. With the increase in the economic status of the global market, Graw (2011) notes that many businesses are affected by the strict consumer laws that affect the production and the general sales of the products. As a result, Richmont Pte Ltd has to adjust to the legal policies with the aim of the conservation of both human and environmental factors that have become the major concern of the global conservation industries for the sake of the future generation. Environmental Aspects Conservation of natural resources, as well as the environmental issues such as global warming and climate change, calls for every business to ethically consider the use of the natural resources for their production purposes. However, most of the products of Richmont Pte Ltd are environmentally friendly and poses little or no threat t to the environment. It is attributed to the effective waste management by the company that strongly pioneers the production of environmentally safe products. It is hence a great opportunity for the products of the company as they comply with the environmental regulations. Five Forces Porters Analysis The porters five forces analytical tool is used by businesses and companies to ascertain the competitiveness of the organizations in relations to the forces from its competitions. It thus helps in understanding the nature and level of competition the company so as to examine what makes it stands out amidst the stiff global market competition. The tool thus involves the bargaining power of the buyers and suppliers, threat of new entries, competitive revelry, as well as the threat of substitution (Perman, 2016 and Citizen Holding report, 2016). Threat of Substation There are several companies that also embrace the production of watches as well as other jewelry such as Swatch Group, LVMH, and Rolex. As a result, there exist threats of the company facing threats of product substitution by the customers. In the struggle to maintain its market position, Richmont Pte Ltd ensures it maintains the uniqueness of the product features so as to hold their customers from switching to the other products from other manufacturers within the market. Brandimarte (2012) denotes that the company survives the market threats by adopting a wide and vibrant networking with the customers as well as proper inter-organizational coordination (Gretler, 2016). Competitive Rivalry According to Frommer (2014), Apple Watch has a dramatic impact on the Swiss watch industry forcing Richmont Pte Ltd to rush in figuring out its smartwatch strategies. With the uniqueness of the company products, Richmont Pte Ltd has revived the Swiss watch industry that was pronounced dead in the early 1970s. It has thus made a huge comeback and a stiff competitor to the Chinese markets as a result of the diversity in accessories and not only dependent on the watch making. While expensive and mechanical watches are having an increase in their popularity, Richmont Pte Ltd still manufacturers cheaper and affordable quartz-based watches that are preferred by most customers (Rae, 2015). Threat of New Entry The number of established firms or industries in the luxury jewelry and accessory production is low resulting in low threats in the new entrants. The low entry is attributed to the high risks involved in the process of manufacture and production as well as the distribution of the products. The uniqueness of the Richmont Pte Ltd products also lowers the threats and changes in the production industry thus increasing the economies of scale of production for the new firms in the industry (Donze, 2012). Bargaining Power of Buyers Due to the uniqueness of the industry, it becomes very difficult for new firms to enter into the production of similar products despite the stiff global competition from other manufacturers. This, therefore, makes the industry enjoy the monopoly power in the production, thereby giving them authority in the market to dictate the market prices. This lack of very close substitute of similar products that meet specific customer specification, therefore, lowers the bargaining power of customers hence they act as price takers in the market Bargaining Power of the Suppliers In his study, Rae (2015) denotes that the suppliers power in the market for every business can only be felt through a proper input specification which needs to be obtained from other suppliers. Richmont Pte Ltd thus has the power of controlling the switching costs within the markets hence giving them a greater global market share. The strategy strengthens the competitive ability of the company and makes their products stand out in the market. It is also made possible by the power of suppliers has low force in controlling the market for every business to compete in the market effectively. Management Recommendations Despite the company enjoying a great market and competitive advantage from its cost leadership and management strategies, there is still a very stiff competition in the market that needs effective and relevant production strategies. According to Rae (2015), the major drawback of the management strategies is the fact that there are instances when the competitors lower the market price for the products as a result of the improved technology in different production sectors. It is thus necessary that the organization embraces different production while still maintaining the unique features. The accessories should as well be of different sizes and prices so as to meet the demand of the nature of the market where customers have different taste and preferences as well as financial stability. The product differentiation will also enable the company to increase its market share in different segments of the industry. Factors such as the design, size, shape, and interior layout are very essenti al and should fully be considered by the company as a strategy to stand out despite the stiff market competition (Yayici, 2013). Conclusion As evident from the PESTEL and the Porters five analyses, Richmont Pte Ltd has an outstanding performance in the Swiss market and across the borders. The good market position as well as the high customer base is attributed to the uniqueness of the products that the company produces. With other matchmaking and accessories industries increasing in the global market, Richmont Pte Ltd requires adopting unique production strategies that will result in the production of unique accessories. It as well requires proper distribution channels coupled with a well-monitored supply chain management strategy so as to maintain its customer base and market demand. References Brandimarte, P. (2012). Quantitative Methods: An Introduction for Business Management, Manchester: John Wiley Sons Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd. SWOT Analysis. (2016).Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd. SWOT Analysis, 1-7. Donz, P. (2012). The Comeback of the Swiss Watch Industry on the World Market: A Business History of the Swatch Group (1983-2010).Journal Of Strategic Management Education,8(2), 99-130. Frommer, D, (2014). Six things to know about the Swiss watch industry before Apple invades, Retrieved from https://qz.com/316064/six-things-to-know-about-the-swiss-watch-industry-before-apple-invades/ Graw, P. (2011). Business Analysis Formula, International Business Journal, Vol.6, no.1, pgs.24-26 Gretler, C. (2016). An East German Challenge to the Swiss.Bloomberg Businessweek, (4473), 24-25. Humair, F., Siegrist, M., Kueffer, C. (2014). Working with the horticultural industry to limit invasion risks: the Swiss experience.EPPO Bulletin,44(2), 232-238. doi:10.1111/epp.12113 Jack, V. (2015). Switzerland Declares War on the Apple Watch.Forbes,195(6), 114-116. Perman, S. (2016). Swiss Watches Are Getting More Affordable.Fortune.Com, 1. Rae, H. (2015). The Swiss and world watchmaking industry in 2015. International Business Journal. 7 (7) 24-26, Retrieved from https://www.fhs.ch/file/59/Watchmaking_2015.pdf Research, M. (2012). Swiss Watch Market: Industry Analysis Outlook (2016-2020) - Hong Kong and China Cause Plummeting Sales - Research and Markets.Business Wire (English). Sinclair, M. (2015). Connoisseurship as a Substitute for User Research? The Case of the Swiss Watch Industry.Journal Of Research Practice,11(2), 1-20. Tajeddini, K., Trueman, M. (2008). The potential for innovativeness: a tale of the Swiss watch industry.Journal Of Marketing Management,24(1-2), 169-184. Wamrack, W. (2014). The performance and Competitive advantage of small firms: A management Perspective, International Business Journal, Vol.1, no. 2, pg.15 Yayici, E. (2013). Business Analyst's Mentor Book: With Best Practice Business Analysis Techniques and Software Requirements Management Tips, Oxford: On Demand Publishing

Saudi Arabia Public Transport Company

Introduction Overview of the Company Saudi Public Transport Company (SAPTCO) is a company offering communal bus transport within and without the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. SAPTCO covers ten major cities within the country which include Mecca, Riyadh and Jeddah.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Saudi Arabia Public Transport Company specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The company also provides special services to the religious sites during the Islamic calendars. SAPTCO further provides transport to the neighbouring countries and other Arab states such as Egypt and Sudan. In addition, SAPTCO offers VIP transport between the capital city to Bahrain through Medina and school transport (SAPTCO, 2013). The company has employed over 5000 workers of which 900 are for administration and fleet management. The bus drivers are also included in the above number of employees (SAPTCO, 2013). The company is governed by a nine member b oard of directors headed by the chairman. The chairman is appointed by the Prime Minister. The board consists of four representatives of state departments and four other members who represent the minority shareholders (Riyadh Economic Forum, 2005, p. 25; SAPTCO, 2013). SAPCO was established in the late 70s by an act of parliament. Its headquarter is in the Saudi capital of Riyadh. The Saudi government initially spent nearly one billion riyals to establish the company and still remains a major shareholder up to date; the public only owns less than 20 percent of the shares. The company has a fleet of almost 3000 contemporary buses which makes up to 600 trips a day and are connected to over 360 cities and villages within and without the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (SAPTCO, 2013). The company’s vehicles are very modern, comfortable and charge considerably lower prices than their Western counterpart (Hassan Al Hammad, 2010, p. 373). SAPTCO has expanded its business to include freight service, parcel services and luxury car hire. The latter can be hired on short term and long term basis. The company has a wide range of luxury cars including Limousines which suits the needs of all and give clients a wide range of choice. SAPTCO uses medium and heavy trucks to transport cargo and freight. The majority of the cargo and freight are transported between Riyadh and Dammam, where the short distance makes it more cost-effective than rail transport. Most of the cargo and freight transport also takes between Riyadh and Jeddah where alternative means do not exist (SAPTCO, 2013).Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Purpose of the report The main purpose of this report is to conduct a case study analysis of Saudi Arabia Public Transport Company (SAPTCO). The case study will involve exploring the background of the company, industrial analysis/porters five forces analysis, SWOT analysis and financial analysis. In addition, the report will explore the company’s business strategy, systems and structures put in place to match the strategy and make necessary recommendations. Case Analysis Industrial Synopsis In Saudi Arabia, the public sector transport plays a significant role in the economy. This sector also makes every effort to create value in the same way as the private sector. This strategy is both beneficial to the company and the passengers. The improvement in the service quality has also attracted other users, for instance, schools and tourists. In addition, the improvement in the public sector bus transport has helped to reduce perennial problems such as traffic congestion, noise and air pollution, and excessive consumption of fuel (Riyadh Economic Forum, 2005, p. 26). The country’s transport sector is not centrally managed. Saudi Port and Railways are managed independently, whereas air transport fall under the ministry of defence and aviation. Roads and transport fall under the ministry of transport (Riyadh Economic Forum, 2005, p. 26). The complex nature of the transport sector has resulted to high competition for budgetary allocation given the fact that most of these projects are funded by the government. Given the publicly-funded nature of the public transport sector, each segment has not achieved its full potential compared to their counterparts in developed economies (Riyadh Economic Forum, 2005, p. 28). Since public transport is not operating and performing to a world class standard, Saudi government has been forced to spend huge sums of money to subsidize the transport system. The government subsidies have compromised the efficiency of the public transport infrastructure and services (Hassan Al Hammad, 2010, p. 375). Therefore, the Saudi government has to facilitate public-private sector partnership to enhance efficiency and minimize heavy spending on this sector (Riyadh Economic Forum, 2005, p. 28). The government has also pumped billions of Saudi Riyals in the development and maintenance of the road network in the last two decades. However, one of the major concerns is the budgetary allocation to the transport sector which is relatively lower compared to other sectors. Budgetary limitation has forced the government to rethink of how to reform the public road transport. To narrow the financing gap, the ministry of transport and ministry of finance has considered enhancing public-private sector partnership (Riyadh Economic Forum, 2005, p. 230).Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Saudi Arabia Public Transport Company specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Porter’s five forces analysis of the public transport sector This model is based on the comprehensive stance on the company’s strategies that meets the opportunities and threats within and without the industry. The five forces as identified by porter include threats to news entrants, bargaining power of suppliers and customers, threat of substitutes, and the rivalry within the industry (Porter 2008, p. 78). Saudi Arabia transport industry is highly regulated and SAPTCO nearly controls the entire sector. Barriers to the new entrants are predominantly government legislation and policies.The law gives the company a near monopolistic right to provide intra- and intercity public bus transport services. According to the law, the ministry of transport is given the responsibility to monitor and regulate the public transport sector. Competition in this sector is very limited. SAPTCO controls more than 80% of this sector and only less than 20% of the buses are privately owned (Riyadh Economic Forum, 2005, p. 25). The company’s bargaining power in the transport industry in Saudi Arabia is considerably high. The bargaining power of the company in the public transportation industry is high because of minimal alternatives or due to its dominance in the market. The government has been trying to reduce this bargaining power through public-private sector partnership (Porter 2008, p. 80; Riyadh Economic Forum, 2005, p. 25). On the other hand, the passengers in the Saudi Arabian public transport industry have less bargaining power and cannot impose pressure on the profit margins and volumes. Fare prices charged to the passengers are influenced by company’s policies and the prevailing economic conditions. The industry is also characterized by a few transport companies and high number of passengers giving the former upper hand over the passengers. In addition, Saudi consumers are price sensitive but in matters of transport they don’t have a choice (Hassan Al Hammad, 2010, p. 373). As already been mentioned, the country’s public transport service is largely dominated by SAPTCO and this means that there are very few alternatives. Other companies (which occupy 20% share of the public transport) mainly handle freight and cargo and a sizeable number of taxi business (SAPTCO, 2013). Less than five percent provides public bus transport service and those who does operate within the city. For that reason, the public transport sector lacks rivalry at the moment (SAPTCO, 2013). But this situation is expected to change with liberalization of the transport sector and increased public-private sector partnership (Hassan Al Hammad, 2010, p. 375).Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More SWOT Analysis SWOT is an abbreviation for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. SWOT analysis is commonly used in business studies to explore the existing conditions in order to come up with possible solutions or strategies of addressing both internal and external challenges. In this case, our SWOT analysis will focus on Saudi Arabia Public Transport Company. The main objective of the analysis is to have first hand experience of the problems facing the company and gain knowledge concerning probable developments and potentials. Strengths These are the core competences of the Saudi Arabia Public Transport Company. The main foundation of the company is their staff. SAPTCO boasts of highly trained and disciplined personnel whose main focus are passengers comfort and satisfaction. Service quality and customer satisfaction have always been the core of SAPTCO as enshrined in its vision and mission statement. The company has managed to achieve all these because of its highly com petent staff, which includes the drivers and mechanics (SAPTCO, 2013). The system used by the SAPTCO vary in some aspects, however they all provide superior services than the conventional bus transport. The high level of service is achieved through various ways including restricted routes, prepaid bus system, provision of real time information to the passengers at the station and restricted stops. The company buses are exceptionally modernized to offer services for all walks of people including people with special needs. In addition, they are calmer, silkier and more comfortable than the conventional buses (SAPTCO, 2013). SAPTCO transport system is highly integrated with the existing and anticipated infrastructure. For instance, its bus routes and stations are envisaged and implemented in a way that enhances productivity, reduces travel time and promotes inter-modal connection. In summary, SAPTCO’s system serves to optimize speed and to provide convenient high quality service to the passengers compared to the conventional bus services (Anh, Tanaboriboon Hung, 2005, p. 352; SAPTCO, 2013). The use of more than one driver for buses and trucks plying international routes and adhering to strict work regulations have also helped the company to minimize accident incidence and ensure safety of the passengers. The work regulation requires that every drive takes at least five hours rest before taking another trip as well as one day off every week (Hassan Al Hammad, 2010, p. 373). In addition, the company has always been strict on road safety regulations and have employed highly skilled mechanics who maintains their vehicles regularly (Hassan Al Hammad, 2010, p. 373). The strength of the company is also in the diversification of the transport business. The company operates a portfolio of buses, trucks and luxury cars. As a result, SAPTCO has been able to spread risks and maintain profitability in the public transport business (SAPTCO, 2013). The company also of fers a very reliable and regular transport given its large fleet of vehicle. There is no single day that SAPTCO’s vehicles have not been on the roads of Saudi Arabia and the neighbouring countries. Besides high quality passenger services and safety standards, environmental protection and conservation are also in the company’s undertaking (SAPTCO, 2013). SAPTCO has put up necessary measures to mitigate emission of greenhouse gases and other forms of wastes, for instance, all their vehicles are installed with gadgets that regulate emission of toxic wastes. In addition, their old vehicles are either sold to private owners or recycled as scrap metals. Lastly, Saudi Arabia is among the top global exporters of petroleum products. Hence, the cost of fuel is very low in the country. Fuel cost constitutes the largest share of transportation cost in many countries. However, SAPTCO enjoys lower fuel prices which translate to less operational cost (Hassan Al Hammad, 2010, p. 381) . Weaknesses These are factors that distract the company from achieving its main objectives. Given the publicly-funded nature of the public transport sector, SEPTCO has not achieved its full potential compared to its counterparts in the developed economies and the Asian giants. Since SEPTCO is not operating and performing to a world class standard, Saudi government has been forced to spend huge sum of money to subsidize it. The subsidies considerably compromised the efficiency of the company (Riyadh Economic Forum, 2005, p. 25). SEPTCO has monopolised the country’s public transport and as a result has minimised the level of competition in the public transport sector. The government, who is a major stakeholder in the company, has put in place stringent policies and regulations for the public transport sector barring private sector entry into the industry. Lack of competition is not only unhealthy for the industry but has also resulted in some form of inefficiencies like the on e experienced in the company (Riyadh Economic Forum, 2005, p. 26). Fluctuating demand is also a major problem facing the company. During the holy month of Ramadan and Hajj, visitors tend to flock the country and the demand for public bus transport is very high at that time. However, when the visitors are gone the demand normally goes down. As a result, the buses are not optimally used during the low seasons. In addition, many Saudi citizens prefer to use private means of transport. This partly attributed to lower fuel prices in the country and the Islamic law that bars women from using public bus transport (Hassan Al Hammad, 2010, p. 375). Opportunities This part explores the opportunities in the public transport sector that would be beneficial to the company. Public-private sector partnership provides an opportunity for transforming the country’s public transport sector. Over the last one decade, the government has sped up structural reforms to trounce barriers thwarting th e participation of private sector in the transport business. The government has sought help from other countries, for instance, Qatar who has succeeded in this field. Present trend shows a high level of privatization and increased participation of the private sector in the public transport business. Public-private sector partnership will not only improve the efficiency of the company but also avail the much needed funds for expansion and further developments (Riyadh Economic Forum, 2005, p. 4). The Saudi Arabian government is planning to liberalize the public transport sector through a public transport policy reform. These reforms are aimed at restructuring the public bus transport sector to allow for large private-sector buses in order to enhance competition in the industry. The reforms are also aimed at eliminating obstacles that hinder the entry of private sector in public transport (Riyadh Economic Forum, 2005, p. 5). Competition will be regulated through appropriate legal and s trategic framework. Public transport policy reforms will help to eliminate the inefficiencies experienced in the company and improve SAPTCO to international standard (Riyadh Economic Forum, 2005, p. 25). Public transport is one of the sectors the Kingdom has had a competitive advantage. Saudi Arabia is also located in strategic trade routes. For this reason, the government is planning to export transport service to the neighbouring countries. Export of public transport to the neighbouring countries will provide the company with an opportunity to optimize on the use of its vehicles, especially during the low season. This will also help to improve trade between the country and its neighbours (Riyadh Economic Forum, 2005, p. 29). Owing to the growing economy, the government is also planning to increase budgetary allocation to its key ministries. The company should take advantage of these funds to improve and strengthen its performance. This is necessary because the entry of the private sector into the industry will lead to stiff competition and only the strong will survive (Riyadh Economic Forum, 2005, p. 31). A recent increase in the price of oil in the global market and subsequently local market has forced many people to leave their cars at homes. This has not only reduced overall emission of greenhouse gases in the cities but also decongest the city from heavy traffic. In addition, the city councils recently hiked packing fees and private motor vehicle licenses. This has led to increase in the number of people using public transport (Riyadh Economic Forum, 2005, p. 31). In 2012, Saudi Arabia witnessed the highest number of visitors and tourists in the country. According to the tourism ministry, this number is expected to increase even further in the coming years. Most of these tourists and visitors are Muslim pilgrims and foreign students (SAPTCO, 2013; Riyadh Economic Forum, 2005, p. 31). In addition, majority of them are from Africa and other muslim nations. The increase in the number of tourists and visitors in the country is attributed to the growth of the tourism sector and the expansion of the economy. The growth and development of the economy have enhanced opportunities in the country and as a result many people, especially from Africa, are streaming into the country in search of greener pastures. This provides the company with an opportunity to improve and expand its local transport services (Hassan Al Hammad, 2010, p. 374). SAPTCO can embrace the use of Geographical Information System (GIS) to improve its services (Blonn, Carlson Mueller, 2006, p. 6). GIS can be employed in two ways: First, computerized integrated geographical information system can be used to identify deficiencies in various routes. Second, data and information related to the bus network route are stored in a database and can be used in the future decision-making process. In other words, GIS not only helps in identifying route network deficiency but also help to enhance service and resource use (Blonn, Carlson Mueller, 2006, p. 7). Threats This section considers the overall difficulties or external challenges that the company is facing or is anticipated to face. One of the major threats facing the company is government policies in the transport sector that are more political rather than economic. Political interference in the affairs of the company has had a negative impact on the company. For instance, board and staff appointment in many occasions are not based on merits but on political affiliations. Due to political interference the company occasionally do experience the problem of mismanagement and corruption. In addition, the budgetary allocation to the company is always insufficient (Riyadh Economic Forum, 2005, p. 26). Although the Kingdom is among the top exporters of oil, changes in the global oil prices also affect the local prices. An increase in the price of petroleum products in the global market may force the Saudi Arabia n government to hike fair prices, which could hinder the residents from using public transport (Riyadh Economic Forum, 2005). The government is also expected to enact necessary laws that would allow private-sector buses in the Saudi public transport industry. As a result, there will be stiff competition which may negatively impact the company or drive it out of business if left uncontrolled (Riyadh Economic Forum, 2005, p. 28). Last but not least, the principle of reforms in the transport sector has always been deemed as vague by the critics. SAPTCO’s corporate strategy, structure and control system The company plans to expand its market share by venturing into the neighbouring countries’ markets, especially during the holy months of Ramadan and Hajj (Riyadh Economic Forum, 2005, p. 31). The company’s strategy is to further enhance private sector participation in the public transport. They intend to achieve this by expanding their fleet and enhancing service qua lity to the general public through operation and maintenance. The company is currently undertaking fleet upgrading and addition of new network routes. This is anticipated to further minimize profits and result in shortage of funds. This is where the private sector is needed to fill up the financial gap (SAPTCO, 2013). However, there are a number factors that have been discouraging private sector participation in the company. They include: first, without state financing, the company’s overall performance is supposed to worsen. Second, low demand routes may be phased out due to pressure to cut down cost. Third, an increase in the number of buses may result to poor loading and increased costs and fares. Fourth, excess number of buses may cause traffic jam, leading to high operational costs and time wastage. Last, Increased competition as a result of private sector entry may lead to unsound schedules, inconsistencies, safety challenges and fluctuating fare prices (Riyadh Economic Forum, 2005, p. 45). To avert these challenges, the company has put in place necessary structures and control system. They include: first, the proposed merger with large private-sector companies. This will not only minimise competition but also regulate profit and cost. Second, competition will also be minimised through suitable planning and policy frameworks, for instance, an urban transport policy. The policy will ensure stable fare prices and upgrading of the current transport system (Riyadh Economic Forum, 2005, p. 50). Others include operating within a limited network to accommodate private-sector and attaining autonomy. The latter will see the company generating its own finances, for instance, by floating shares and limit the use of government subsidies. All these are expected to boost efficiency in the company and improve service delivery (Riyadh Economic Forum, 2005, p. 51). SAPTCO’s financial analysis Financial analysis is a very significant aspect of case study ana lysis. Analysis of SAPTCO’s financial statements will greatly enhance our case study. In any case, financial analysis reflects on the performance of the company in relation to its strategies and structure. Even though analyzing companies financial positions is somehow difficult, ratio analysis is generally preferred. The financial ratios are normally categorised into groups. These groups include profitability ratios, Liquidity ratios, activity ratios, debt/leverage ratios, and equity-return ratios. The case study will only focus on the first four ratios since SAPTCO is nearly a monopoly with no real competitor in the public transport sector. The report will compare ratios for financial year 2012 and 2011 (Saudi Joint Stock Company, 2012). Profitability Ratios These ratios show whether the company is making progress or going down. Profitability ratios include Return on Total Assets (ROA) and Return of Stakeholders Equity (ROE). ROA= Net Profit/ Total Assets. ROA for the financ ial year 2011 and 2012 are 0.036 and 0.35 respectively. This shows a decline of 0.001. ROE=Net Profit/Stakeholders Equity. ROE for the financial year 2011 and 2012 are 0.045 and 0.050 respectively. This represents an increase of 0.005. Decrease in ROA is a result of the falling trend of revenue due to the inefficiencies being experienced in the company. However, the company is still performing relatively well. Liquidity Ratios These ratios gauges the company’s capacity to pay interim debts. Liquidity ratios include Current ratio and Quick ration. Current ratio=Current assets/Current liabilities and it should be more than one. The current ratio for the financial year 2011 and 2012 are 0.818 and 0.696 respectively. The two ratios show an alarming trend in the company and it is even worse in 2012. In real sense, the company cannot meet short term obligations unless it continues to borrow. Quick ratio=Current Assets-Inventory/Current Liabilities. Quick ratio for the financial yea r 2011 and 2012 are 0.577 and 0.53 respectively. This means that the company cannot pay the claims of short term creditors and the trend is getting worse. Activity Ratios These ratios show how the company is overseeing the use of its assets. These ratios include stock/inventory turnover and Average Collection Period. In our case, we will only look at inventory turnover. Inventory turnover= Cost of goods sold/Inventory. Inventory turnover for the financial year 2011 and 2012 are 7.02 and 8.23 respectively. The ratio shows a positive trend in the turnover rate. Leverage Ratios These ratios show the amounts of debt or equity used to finance the business. Businesses are highly leveraged if they use more borrowings than equity. The balance between the two is normally referred to as capital structure. Leverage ratios include Debt to Asset ratio, Debt to Equity ratio and Time Covered ratio. The case will only focus on the first two. Debt to Asst ratio= Total debt/Total assets. Debt to asse t ratio for the financial year 2011 and 2012 are 0.2613 and 0.3094 respectively. The ratio shows increased rates of borrowing to finance the business. Debt to equity ratio=Total debt/Total equity. Debt to equity ratio for the year 2011 and 2012 are 0.3276 and 0.4481 respectively. This also shows an increasing trend of leverage. Conclusion SAPTCO is a government funded company which offers public transport within and without the country. The company was formed through an act of parliament in 1979. SAPTCO is a near monopoly in the public transport sector and therefore has no real competitor. This is due to government stiff regulations which hinder the entry of private sector in the public transport sector. Overdependence on government subsidies has really compromised the company’s efficiency and performance. As a result, the company has not been able to exploit its full potential. To enhance the efficiency and performance of SAPTCO, the report recommends necessary reforms in th e public transport sector to allow entry of the private sector. The government should also ensure that SAPTCO becomes an autonomous entity which can run its own affairs without state interference and minimise reliance on subsidy. Lastly, the company should go on with its plan of enhancing its partnership with the private sector. References Anh, T.T., Tanaboriboon, Y., Hung, B.Q. (2005). Analysis of Bus Service in Hanoi, Vietnam. Proceedings of the Eastern Asia Society for Transportation Studies, 5, 352-362. Blonn, J., Carlson, D., Mueller, P. (2006). Transport 2020 Bus Rapid Transport: A cost Benefit Analysis. Madison, Wisconsin: Madison Area Bus Advocates. Hassan, M.K., Al Hammad, A.A. (2010). Intercity Bus Scheduling for the Saudi Public Transport Company to Maximize Profit and Yield Additional Revenue. Journal of Service Science and Management, 3, 373-382. Porter, M. E. (2008). The five competitive forces that shape strategy. Harvard business review, 78-93. Riyadh Economic For um. (2005). Saudi Arabia — Regional and Global Transport Hub: A Public-Private Partnership Opportunity. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Riyadh Chamber of Commerce. SAPTCO. (2013). Saudi Arabia Public Transport Company. Web. Saudi Joint Stock Company. (2012). SAPTCO Interim Finacial Statement. Limited Review Report to the Shareholders of Saudi Public Transport Company, 31 March 2012. Retrieved from https://www.tadawul.com.sa/wps/portal/tadawul/home/. Appendices Appendix 1: SAPTCO’s Balance Sheet As at 31st December 2012 Currency in millions of Saudi Arabia Riyals Dec 31 2011 Dec 31 2012 Inventory Other Current Assets Total Current Assets Net Property Plant and Equipment Long-Term Investments Total Assets Current liabilities Other liabilities Total Liabilities Common Stock Total Common Equity Total Equity Total Liability and Equity 74.3 178.6 252.9 1292 378 1815.6 309.5 165 474.5 1448.3 1448.3 1448.3 1922.8 71.2 228.7 299.9 1350.8 459.1 2109.8 431 221.9 652.8 1456.9 1456.9 1456.9 2109.8 Source: Saudi Joint Stock Company (2012) Appendix 2: SAPTCO’s Statement of Cash Flow Currency in Millions of Saudi Arabia Riyals Dec 31 2011 Dec 31 2012 Net Income Depreciation and Amortization, Total Other Operating Activities Cash from Operations Capital Expenditure Cash from investing Long-Term Debt Issued Total Debt Issued Long-Term Debt Repaid Total Debt Repaid Other financing Activities Cash From Financing Net Change in Cash 65.3 149.6 2.5 273.5 -275.1 -483.8 81.4 81.4 – – –59.7 21.6 -188.7 73.8 170.8 2.9 302.2 -232.5 -297.8 89.4 89.4 – – -60.4 29.0 33.4 Source: Saudi Joint Stock Company (2012) Appendix 3: Income Statement Currency in millions of Saudi Arabia Riyals Dec 31 2011 Dec 31 2012 Revenues Total Revenues Cost of Goods Sold Gross Profit Selling General and Admin Expenses, Total Depreciation and Amortization, Total Other Operating Expenses Other Operating Expense, Total Operating Income O ther Non-Operating Expenses, Total Other Non-Operating Income (Expenses) EBT, Including unusual items Income TAX Expense Earnings From Continuing Operations Net Income Net Income To Common Including Extra Items 810.0 810.0 521.9 288.1 83.2 149.6 -12.6 220.3 67.8 – – 67.8 2.5 65.3 65.3 65.3 914.9 914.9 585.9 329.1 112.5 170.8 -31.0 252.3 76.7 – – 76.7 2.9 73.8 73.8 73.8 Source: Saudi Joint Stock Company (2012) This report on Saudi Arabia Public Transport Company was written and submitted by user Giovanny Simpson 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.

100 Easy Drawing Ideas to Spark Your Inspiration

100 Easy Drawing Ideas to Spark Your Inspiration SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Whether you’re an experienced artist or a beginner, one thing’s for sure: drawing ideas are hard to come by. Though it might be tempting to wait for the inspiration to strike you, many people recommend spending some time drawing every day to build your skills! You don’t have to produce a masterpiece every day, but investing just a little time in honing your skills can make a big difference over time. But that raises the obvious question of what you’re going to draw. Rather than letting yourself get frozen with indecision, let this list of cool drawing ideas be your guide! You don't have to venture off the beaten path for inspiration... but you could! Where to Find Drawing Ideas Drawing ideas are everywhere. Unfortunately, it may often feel like you’ve exhausted every option around you. Maybe you get sick of drawing your favorite character over and over again, or there’s only so many ways to sketch your cat. You need inspiration! Where to Find Drawing Inspiration One of the most important things you’ll learn as an artist is the concept of a â€Å"creative well.† When you create things, it uses energy from that well. That’s why sometimes you might feel like you just don’t have any good ideas left- you’re working on an empty well! But an empty well is only temporary. Refill your creative coffer by seeking out art that makes you feel good and inspires you to create. You can watch artists livestream on Twitch or flip through social media like Instagram or Tumblr to see what others are creating. Browse art books by people that inspire you or go to a museum. Get really old school and do what artists of the past used to do- take a walk outside and see what the world has to offer. All these activities are ways to replenish your creative well. Once you’ve gotten some inspiration to draw from, you’re ready to get back to work! All those paint splotches are signs you're growing! What to Draw to Improve Your Skills Sometimes you run into an art block because you feel like your skills aren’t improving. This is often known as a learning plateau- when you start, your skills increase rapidly. As you continue practicing a skill, your work starts to look the same because you’re working on refinement. Later, you may spike upward again, only to hit another plateau. This is a natural part of learning, but the feeling of stagnation (even if it isn’t real!) can be discouraging. If you feel like you’ve hit a plateau, keep going! But also try spicing up your artwork with some new skills, such as: Life Drawing Life drawing challenges you to draw people from real-life models. You can take a class in real life or even online. There are also tools like Line of Action to give you the experience of a life drawing class, including short-term drawings to practice gestures and longer drawings to really hone your skills. Practice a Different Medium If your digital art skills feel stagnant, try spending a little time with old-school pen and paper. If pencils are getting you down, try watercolor. If watercolor’s no good, bust out the finger paints! Sometimes a new medium is just what you need to ignite your inspiration. You can always return to your favorite medium later, and spending a little time on something else can remind you of what you love about your favorite. Try a New Style If your art tends toward hyperrealistic, play around with a different style. Get cartoony or abstract. The same is true if you prefer a cartoony style- getting outside of your comfort zone can be a lot of fun! Fun Drawing Challenges Art block is common among artists, and people are always coming up with new ideas to combat it, such as drawing challenges. If you’re struggling to come up with ideas, try taking on one of these challenges! Inktober: Though it’s meant to be done during October, you can work on your inking skills any time of year! Lili’s Drawing Challenge Character Design Challenge Draw This in Your Style Challenge: Artists on Twitter and Tumblr often participate in a challenge to draw one another's’ images in their own style! Tons More from Doodle Addicts Sharpen your pencils and clean off your brushes! 100 Cool Drawing Ideas If you're still stuck for inspiration, good news! We've compiled a list of 100 different prompts to spark your imagination and get your creative mind working. Nature A fern Your favorite animal A succulent An animal that has gone extinct A mountain An animal that lives underground A strange cloud formation A body of water A natural rock formation Your favorite flower Ivy The animal you LEAST like drawing A pomegranate A celestial body A venomous animal I'm partial to raspberries, myself. Your favorite fruit Your state flower A poisonous plant An animal skull A mythological animal A carnivorous plant Something with fangs A crystal A mollusk Something furry People A person with a big nose Your favorite fictional character Someone you know in real life A person you’ve never met but wish you had A historical figure A criminal Arandomly generated character A bodybuilder A mythological figure A musician Three extremely adorable ghosts. A ghost Someone who has the job you’d like to have Someone you see at a coffee shop A silent film star Someone you find on Instagram A scientist A wizard Someone in historical fashion Someone wearing a complicated outfit A person wearing clothes you wish you owned A witch Someone with your ideal hair A person with a different body type than your own A person who lives under the sea A person who lives under the ground Scenes Your favorite coffee shop A place you wish you could go A place you made up Somewhere where magic might happen A scene from space A scene in the future A scene in the past Somewhere calming A scene with lots of trees Your kitchen Somewhere extremely unsafe A city street A farmer’s market A scene from a fictional setting Real places can be great inspiration. Somewhere with lots of neon lighting A fancy house A very normal house A path in the woods Somewhere you’ve dreamed about Your friend’s bedroom Your favorite restaurant A place you’ve visited as a tourist A garden A bookstore Your favorite aisle of the grocery store Objects Your favorite food Something you ate a lot as a child A dessert A ship What you use to draw Cute AND inspiring! A terrarium A magical staff A sword A laser gun An outrageous coffee cup A fantasy food A sci-fi device you made up A car A new book cover for your favorite book A made-up video game console A logo for a company you like A clock An unusual camera A bookshelf An empty bottle A full bottle A piece of armor A window with something outside Eggs of some kind Candles What’s Next? Now that you're inspired, turn your skills into a careerby checking out this list of art schools in California! Looking to turn your art into cash you can use for college? There are lots of art scholarships out there to help you do just that! Art scholarships aren't the only kind out there- there are lots of other kinds of scholarships for high school seniors!

Peter the Great

Peter the Great Free Online Research Papers Pyoter Alekseyevich, or Peter the Great, was the king of Russia in the Late 1600s and Early 1700s. Under his rule, Russia went under great change when he â€Å"westernized† society. He also achieved in government and politics. Peter the Great was a very powerful and influential absolute monarch. Peter the great had much strength. A notable area of strength was his military power. He reformed the Russian military. He westernized the military through officers brought to Russia. The quality of Russian artillery was improved. He also established military schools to train government officials and military officers. Peter the Great succeeded in many areas. He succeeded in social reformation, reforming government and politics and capturing more Russian territories. His work consisted of claiming territories on the Black Seas and on the Baltic, in order to establish direct links with central and Western Europe to end Russia’s isolation. His government and social structure remained intact until the Revolution of 1917. His remarkable military victories and the nature and impact on his reforms raised a lot of controversy in his time. Peter the Great had a huge impact on the Russian society during and after his reign. Before, Russia was controlled by Mongolians. Overthrown by Ivan the Terrible, Russia was no longer under their oppression. When Peter the Great took the thrown, he wanted to break the isolation of Russia. He reformed society and westernized the culture after taking a trip to the West. Peter decided to take on â€Å"selective westernization† of his country. He changed financial and political ways, he controlled foreign and domestic trade, and he strengthened the military and changed society in general. He also transferred the capital of Russia to the new city of St. Petersburg, where he later died. This also symbolized the Western orientation of Peter’s reign. The reforms of Russia were not only designed to strengthen Russia as a nation, but strengthen his rule. Peter’s methods withstood till modern times, and his reforms definitely had an impact on Russia’s history, caus ing Russia to emerge from its Byzantine-Asiatic medieval past. Peter the Great made a lot of changes to Russia, for the better. His reign was known as â€Å"The Great Reformation†. His rule was absolute monarchy. Although Russia’s reformations were good, all the changes were in his eyes. Peter demanded total loyalty. He punished those whole feel into disfavor or suspected of disloyalty. Peter the Great actually had his own son tortured and killed because he suspected he was involved with a plot to repeal his reformations and cooperate with Russia’s foreign enemies. Not only did he have unjust accusations, but he forced upper-class to wear western styles. He brought down the power of the richer upper-class and gave opportunities to the lower-class; the upper-class was not pleased with this movement. Peter the Great had a prominent impact on Russian society and history, and was a great ruler in his time. Research Papers on Peter the GreatAssess the importance of Nationalism 1815-1850 EuropeAppeasement Policy Towards the Outbreak of World War 2The Effects of Illegal ImmigrationQuebec and CanadaBringing Democracy to AfricaCanaanite Influence on the Early Israelite ReligionRelationship between Media Coverage and Social andPETSTEL analysis of IndiaArguments for Physician-Assisted Suicide (PAS)19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided Era

Indigenous Studies Article Summary & Analysis Essay - 1

Indigenous Studies Article Summary & Analysis - Essay Example Likewise, it clarifies how the marginalized groups keep on agitating for legitimacy and political acknowledgment as a way towards liberation1. Borrow tries to bring out the courts definition of indigenous rights, and it is to my consent that its definition is based on distinctive cultures of indigenous communities as they existed in the old days. Additionally, I note that he recognizes indigenous rights as being founded on continued recognition of the customs and the laws of the indigenous people. Borrow has additionally highlighted the subject of the rule of law. I agree with his writing that oppression of the indigenous communities can be prevented through the continuous application of the rule of law. Based on indigenous communities, affirmation of the Crown Sovereignty has been the main cause of disruptions and chaos. He views the rule of law as a supreme ideal that can be realized if unbiased and non-arbitrary approach to legitimacy of Crown sovereignty is put into practice. I find that Crown Sovereignty is the foundation for the establishment of the colonial supremacy which led to things such as peace, stability and order to colonial settlers2. In the meantime, colonial supremacy brought about disturbance to the colonized. Borrow sees the rule of law as subject to sovereign power that is characterized by its monopoly nature of power. It is from his book that I figure out that since there was and is no foundation for the attestation of colonial sovereignty, there emerged ill-use of power that demeaned the value of the rule of law. The book also helps me to identify several cases where indigenous law has failed to be recognized. Historically, native law and interests have been alleged as a problem to the Crown law that is dominant in Canada. This line of thinking has aided me to note the disappointment of recognition of Indigenous law and interests, which, has thus, brought about the legitimate, political, social and economic