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Meditations
Name
Professor
Course
Date
Meditation
The seventh passage is the one chosen to meditate upon. The meditation is for people, who are troubled, by many worldly things. The person needs to ensure that they find a place, which is quiet, so that they can meditate. This is extremely beneficial, as the person obtains a lot of knowledge from the process. In turn, the person will be able to rest, as well as acquire goodness, which helps improve their lives in many ways. Meditation helps prevent people from being affected by bad luck. Foolish people spend most of their time in matters, which do not help them, but instead, suffer from the consequences.
There is a need for people to show courage in everything that they do. They should also find ways, which they can obtain will power, as this is needed by every human being. Those who are successful should be praised, so that they continue with the work, which they seek to do. Also, it should be known that those who fail should be encouraged. Meditation is a form of encouragement, which is needed, when a person is facing difficult times in their lives, it is needed.
The chosen passage relates in many ways to the work of the author. One is able to know that the main themes deal with human nature and how they try to overcome the challenges, which they face. During the time, which the author wrote the reading, most people were dealing in matters related to meditation. This is why the reading is beneficial to those who have problems in their lives. Meditation is the best cure for their problems.
Academic Research Portfolio. Differences between Carleton University and Dammam College of Technology
Academic Research Portfolio
Name
Professor
Course
Date
Academic Research Portfolio
There are a number of differences between Carleton University and Dammam College of Technology. The difference to be looked at in this report is the teaching and education differences of these two institutions. Both of them are institutions of higher learning and they offer degree programs in different fields. Carleton University has programs in diverse fields such as public affairs, engineering, journalism, social sciences, film studies, science and technology, business, government studies, public policy and art based courses. Dammam College of Technology has most of its courses being in the field of technology, such as Electronic technology, Mechanical technology, Computer technology, Electrical technology and Administrative technology.
Both institutions have academic support services, which differ in their education delivery, and in the way they offer services to students. Carleton University has academic support services that have a wide range of areas. There is the student academic success centre that facilitates services that foster student personal direction and academic competence. They also develop effective study skills, assist students in choosing or changing degree programs, and also identifying strategies to enhance their academic portfolios. This center as well fosters independence by providing students with the decision making and academic skills they need to be successful. Another academic support service is in the learning support area that is in the library which has open spaces in which students can study with friends, classmates or study groups, drop-in sessions, supportive peer helpers and networked computers to further assist in comprehensive studying.
Another student service in Carleton University is the CUOL, which is Carleton University Online that offers students a range of unique ways to pursue their studies. This educational service is an area with a department which offers a range of ways for students to view course lectures. The CUOL currently offers over sixty credited courses to over 4000 students across Canada and the United States. There is a career center that provides students and alumni with the resources and services needed for career exploration. This includes workshops that can cover a wide range of topics such as resume writing, interview skills, accessing the hidden job markets and proposal writing. This center also offers career counseling, employment advising and information sessions from industry representatives.
Carleton University in its education system also has co-operative education opportunities in more than 80 academic programs, streams, and concentrations at the undergraduate level and four programs at the master’s level. There is the Paul Menton Centre for students with disabilities, which promotes equal access to the educational experience of all students regardless of disability. This is consistent with academic standards and all aspects of services, programs, and degrees that are provided by Carleton University to all the students.In addition, a student experience office orients students as soon as they join the university. It creates an environment that enables students to transit successfully into the institution by preparing them to achieve their personal and academic goals and a have a way that enables students to engage well with each other and with their lecturers. The last academic support service is the office of the Associate Vice-President that deals with students and their enrolment issues. This section works with students, the administration, different student faculties, and the student government to ensure the smooth running of students’ life in the University (Dammam College of Technology, 2013).
On the other hand, Dammam College of Technology has a different support center that has five categories. The first is the Community Service Center, which aims at upgrading the relationship between the community and the institution through research, studies, consultancy services, and continuous training in accordance with the needs of the community. It empowers the citizen to cope with the development of technology through the provision of programs, lectures, forums, and training (Carleton University, 2013). In addition, a computer center deals with the College’s computer network, database and supervises all services that link the computer with the training process. A director who is directly linked to the Dean of the college heads it. The other category in the support center is the follow up unit, which is the department that follows up internal and external decisions as well as issues regarding the attendance of staff in the college.
The college has a Public Relations Section that deals with developing the relationship between the College and all its external and internal public in order to fasten relations within the work environment as well as to improve relations with the external public. This area also has the responsibility of providing all possible services and information to agents through the best possible media and it is connected administratively with the Dean of the college. The final category in this area is the quality unit that usually trains high quality cadre. This category is capable of developing and integrating in the labor market efficiently and effectively and to improve the quality of administrative procedures in the College under the directives of the management to improve management and quality in the corporation. This is also administratively linked to the dean of the college. From the comparison above, for both Carleton University and Dammam College of Technology, there are differences in the way education systems and their structural arrangement are for both of the institutions.
In the two institutions, education systems and teaching modes are different in that, in Carleton University, there is more involvement of students with their lecturers and professors. The various service centers are seen to be more in touch with the students. Their priority is the students and benefits, which the students get through their course work at the university. It has a large base on which students can express their views, opinions, and interact in a conducive learning environment. The education support service center is also well divided in terms of the services it provides for the students. This education system is very much effective as it gives students priority and freedom with responsibility therefore molding the students to be all round as they interact with other members of society and as they study with their fellow students. An interactive environment for students gives them confidence even as they graduate from their course work and join the job market.
Dammam College of Technology mainly concentrates on the use of technology to empower and teach students who enroll for courses in the institution. The education system and training is so much based on technology whereby even the support centers are connected very much administratively with the dean. In addition, most courses offered are technology based while Carleton University has a wider variety of courses. Even the Community Service Center is linked administratively to the institution because the provision of services to the community through training is done through the dean’s office. The administrative system runs most of the student affairs and therefore there is not much interactive environment for the students. This is further because of the technology courses which are more practical and requires a lot of working with machinery and other devices. Therefore concentration is more on how technology works and students and their lecturers interact when being given instructions about the ways to deal with technological devices.
Carleton University also uses research-based methodologies in training and teaching of their students. Having a number of faculties and departments, the institution aims at ensuring student needs are met. Lecturers and students interact at academic and personal levels and the learning is very interactive even among the students themselves as they are expected to present course work in class sometimes so as to engage more with each other. On the other hand, Dammam College of Technology involves more of dealing with technology, and research in this case is based on finding out how technology works as well as the innovations that are coming up in the area of technology. It being a middle level college for post high school students, Dammam College of Technology’s training is more focused on helping students to acquire some technical skills in different areas of technology.
This comparative study of the modes of teaching and the education system in the two institutions is aimed at showing how different education systems impact on students and their life in college or university. Moreover, it is meant to bring out the common grounds with which the teaching process in both institutions is carried out. How students learn and interact in higher institutions of learning is important because it helps in shaping them for the future one they get into the job market. Students with a more interactive learning environment are more confident and become more productive in the work place because they acquire skills that enable them to work independently or in groups with confidence (Ram, 2007).
Overall, education and teaching methods generally are meant to enable students to have different skills and enhance their talent. Use of technology is as equally important as the use of interactive learning method because the result is what matters and if a student is able to excel in his/her specialty, then the objective of the education methodology used is achieved.
Business Plan for a Diversified Fast-Food Establishment
Business Plan for a Diversified Fast-Food Establishment
Students Name
Student Number
Submission Date
Business Plan for a Diversified Fast-Food Establishment
1. Business Model
1.1 Project Background
There has been a robust growth in the fast-food industry in Chinese market since the last decade (Al-Shargie, & Ahmed, 2019). The major cause of the increased growth is attributed to the high number of tourists visiting the Middle East Countries especially China. It is also due to the large population of China, the Chinese living in China are said to be 1.378 billion according to 2016 (Al-Shargie, & Ahmed, 2019). The large population turns out to be the major contributor to the fast growth of the fasts food industry in China.
Picture 1: A graph of the general growth of the fast-food industry in China up to 2019 (Al-Shargie, & Ahmed, 2019)
1.2 Organizational Form
Success in establishing and running the fast-food joint requires effective acquisition of the investors. This way the whole project is able to acquire the required financial support. Through investors, the project can also benefit from the diversified business skills. These are mainly the skills that are brought to the table by the investors. For the business to achieve success in attaining investors and general establishment it should assume the corporation form of business. Corporation business has a limited liability to all investors, which is a crucial point in attracting investors. Corporations are also beneficial in that they are not limited to the number of investors. Therefore, for expansion and other future intentions the corporation organizational form, acts on the best interest of establishing and running the intended fast-food joint.
1.3 Business Model
A business success is highly attached to the type of business model adopted by the specific business. According to Hendriarto (2021), a suitable business model is crucial to achieving growth and viability of a business for a long time. The proposed food joint should be set up so as to serve the proposed qualities and specifications. The project is expected to assume the direct sales business model. This model benefits the project in that major control of the business is left to us as the creators (China Chain, n.d). Direct sales business model helps us implement the right strategies for the business. This business plan is crated for a diversified fast-food joint which can only be achieved only when the decision-making role and the management role is left to us as the creators. Franchise business model does not favor independent decision making. Major decision making is done by the franchising company. Independence in decision making is vital to build and grow the diversified fast-food joint. Therefore, the proposed business project assumes the direct sales business model.
2. Financial Projection
2.1 Project Introduction
Lease a two-storey mini hall along one of the busy streets of Shanghai China.
Hire a contracting company to renovate the space such that it should offer kitchen space and customers serving and eating area.
Hire qualified chefs, waiters, cleaners and security agency.
Hire renown and reputable marketing agency to create our brand awareness.
Create an IT department and hire IT personnel to avail our services on an online platform for online orders and deliveries.
2.2 Fixed Cost Description
Item Description
Registration Fee This is the amount of money paid in order to have the business legally known and controlled by the laws of the government.
Leasing Fee Includes the amount of money paid to the landlord for using his/her space
Renovation and Labor cost Includes the money paid in acquisition of materials of renovating the space as well as the wages for the workers in action during the process.
Furnishing Cost Involves the cost of the furniture, Kitchen equipment, IT equipment, lighting products among other products used for furnishing the place.
Operation Expenses Involves the money to be spent on all employees working in the business.
Marketing Cost This is all the money paid to the agency hired to market the business to create brand awareness.
Maintenance cost This is the money used in sustaining the condition of the equipment in operation.
3. Cost-Volume-Profit Analysis of a store in Beijing
Earning forecast within five years (Currency in RMB Yuan)
Description Price/Cost
(RMB) Remarks
Average cost of a meal/person 20 RMB Yuan
(variable costs/day)
Average daily sales
(Physically and online) 24 000 Electricity and Water bill 4000 Cleaning services 3 000 Cooking fuel consumed 4 000 Ingredients Cost 7 067 Gross Profit 8 367
(Fixed Cost/Day)
Registration fee 6 500 Staff Wages/ Salaries 136 000 Annual registry of salary
Lease fee 650 000 Furnishing cost 70 000 Marketing Cost 45 000 Maintenance Expenses 80 000 Operation Cost 50 000 Total Cost 1, 037, 500 Daily profit is calculated as an average value of the completed orders made both physically and through online platform. Upon deduction of the daily expenses of 485 RMB the daily profit is left at 1056 RMB. On the other hand, the annual expenses accrued total to 1,037,500 RMB, therefore the break-even volume sales can be calculated as 1037500/ 8 367=124
So the turn over period of the business is expected to be 124 days in a single year
Earning forecast after five years. (Currency in RMB Yuan)
Description Price/Cost
(RMB) Remarks
Average cost of a meal/person 20 RMB Yuan
(variable costs/day)
Average daily sales
(Physically and online) 24 000 Electricity and Water bill 4000 Cleaning services 3 000 Cooking fuel consumed 4 000 Ingredients Cost 7 067 Gross Profit 8 367
(Fixed Cost/Day)
Registration fee Staff Wages/ Salaries 136 000 Annual registry of salary
Lease fee Furnishing cost Marketing Cost 45 000 Maintenance Expenses 80 000 Operation Cost 50 000 Total Cost 311, 000 4. Financing Plan
According to the financing forecast results obtained, assuming all the acting factors remain constant or within the margin of error allowed, then;
The one-time investment on the store is as follows
Registration fee Leasing fee Furnishing cost
Amount 32500 650 000 70 000
One time Investment 3,632,500
Daily annual expenses (along the error margins considered)
Staff wages/Salaries Marketing cost Maintenance fee Operating cost
Amount 136,000 45,000 80,000 50,000
Daily Expenses 311,000
The business has two types of capital requirements, one-time investment and the annual amount of daily cost of operation. The first and initial phase of the business establishment requires a large capital investment. For the larger amounts of capital requirements, loans may not form the best source of the financial acquisition. Loans are tied to a percentage of interest per year causing time extensions for the business to break even. Therefore, for this kind of capital the business should consider equity financing. Equity should be allowed for three to four shareholders taking up to 40% of the total business equity. For daily operational cost financing, we should consider low interest business loans. This phase of the business does not require a lot of capital. Low interest business loans can be the best way to sort this phase. The low amounts of capital required for operation may not accrue large interests upon payment. Considering the low interest rates, the business loans are suitable for the daily operations cost financing.
5. Risk Assessment
The large population of China creates a large market that is highly diversified. Despite the large market of food and hospitality industry, there still lie risks within this industry.
5.1 Risk of consumer preference
The numerous types of fast food available for consumers possess the risk of customer preference. A single mistake in marketing or the encroachment of bad reputation from a prior consumer may impact the business fatally. We should work on the marketing to ensure that all information getting out concerning the business service is clean and promotes the business.
5.2 Risk of competition
The food industry is densely populated with different business offering different differentiated products and services. The high number of businesses creates a highly competitive environment. We should ensure our services are high end with low to none chances of mistakes.
6. Investment Income Analysis
As the brand gradually grows, there are noticeable changes especially in sales and the cost of marketing (Timothy, 2020). Growth of the brand brings with it the loyalty of certain customers and the continuous flow of new customers. An increase in customers results to increased sales. Consequently, brand growth reduces the need of intensive marketing. Reduction of the cost of marketing results to higher profit margins.
Cash flow= Average annual sales within the expected error limits- staff salary/wages-marketing cost-operation cost-Maintenance cost
NPV Analysis=Cash flow × (1 + discount rate) × number of years
According to the NPV results obtained, the business idea is worth investment. The analysis generally proves the survivability of the business plan.
7. Research
The general demand for snack-oriented food has highly increased in China and the greater Middle Eastern countries. The world has seen a increment of 33.2% increase in the consumption of fast foods in Asian countries which is higher than that of the United States of America at approximately 9.9% (Li et al., 2020). Adolescents have been classified as the group in high consumption rate of the fast food. 55.2% of the world adolescents have been considered to consume fast food at least once a week.
The fast-food industry has as a result grown exponentially. The industry marks revenue of more than a billion dollars in the current year 2021. This is said to rise by approximately 2.5% in the future five-year margin (Wang et al., 2016). The major aspects of this market include: the age of consumers, the time of meal consumption and the type of meal choice.
References
Al-Shargie, F., & Ahmed, E. (2019). Fast Food Industry Growth in China. https://doi.org/10.31232/osf.io/w74vqChina Chain: Fast Food: Business Revenue. CEIC, https://www.ceicdata.com/en/china/fast-food/cn-chain-fast-food-business-revenue.
Hendriarto, P. (2021). Understanding of the role of digitalization to business model and innovation: economics and business review studies. Linguistics and Culture Review, 5(S1), 160-173.
Lian, L., Ning, S., Lina, Z., Guodong X, Jingjing, L., Jingcen, H., Zhiying, Z., Jianjun L., Hongxia, D., Zhisen, Shen., & Liyuan, H. (2020). Fast food consumption among young adolescents aged 12–15 years in 54 low- and middle-income countries, Global Health Action, 13:1, DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2020.1795438Robin, R., Lorelle, F., & Park, T. (2020). A Western franchise in Shanghai, China: a late entrant’s success, Journal of Strategic Marketing. DOI: 10.1080/0965254X.2020.1823457Wang, Y., Wang, L., Xue, H., & Qu, W. (2016). A Review of the Growth of the Fast Food Industry in China and Its Potential Impact on Obesity. International journal of environmental research and public health, 13(11), 1112. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13111112