Recent orders
Mark Zuckerberg 2016-2018
Mark Zuckerberg: 2016-2018
Student’s Name
Institution Affiliation
Mark Zuckerberg: 2016-2018
While Facebook is a successful leading social media site in the world in relation to the other sites such as Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok, the company has faced several tumultuous periods in its history notably one being the year 2016 and 2018. In 2016, the company was associated with a political firm named Cambridge Analytica, which was able to access the information of at least 50 million Facebook users without their consent. In the same year also, the company was accused of failing to thwart Russia’s attempts of interfering with the U. S’s 2016 elections. Also, in 2018, the company was faced with another scandal that involved a security data breach after hackers had managed to take advantage of a vulnerability in the “view as” feature on the online platform site. As a result, the hackers had been able to access the information of at least 50 million users while an additional 40 million were also considered to be vulnerable to the attack (Isaac & Frenkel, 2018). For this reason, the company was facing an uphill task in repairing their image considering that their stock market prices were crashing as well as the number of its users.
To salvage the situation, the 35-year-old tech Tycoon took it upon himself to repair the company’s image. He decided to testify before Congress in response to an allegation on its role in influencing the 2016 federal elections (Kirkpatrick, 2018). Also, he opted to apologize to the public and its users for the mess that the company had made (Kirkpatrick, 2018). As a result, the CEO and the company released a 5,700-word document which was its manifesto on what they would do to earn their customers’ trust once again (Kirkpatrick, 2018). Due to this, the company’s image was getting repaired and as of now, the company’s stock market has been improving drastically (Trefis, 2020, par. 2). Besides, due to the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, the tycoon has also opted to continue to assert his control on the firm by pushing aware dissenters (Seetharaman & Glazer, 2020). Also, the CEO has been vocal in championing various community organizations as well as projects that are aimed at reducing diseases. In return, this has managed to repair the firm’s reputation in some way. While the company still has a long journey ahead of them in terms of challenges, they do have the right form of leadership to overcome such changes.
References
Kirkpatrick, D. (April 2018). The Facebook Defect. Time. Retrieved from https://time.com/5237458/the-facebook-defect/
Isaac, M & Frenkel, S. (September 2018). Facebook Security Breach Exposes Accounts of 50 Million Users. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/28/technology/facebook-hack-data-breach.html
Seetharaman, D & Glazer, E. (April 2020). Mark Zuckerberg Asserts Control of Facebook, Pushing Aside Dissenters. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from https://www.wsj.com/articles/mark-zuckerberg-asserts-control-of-facebook-pushing-aside-dissenters-11588106984
Trefis, T. (Feb 2020). Facebook’s Stock Has Gained 70% Since 2017. Why? Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspeculations/2020/02/27/facebooks-stock-has-gained-70-since-2017-why/#33a1ae64bf9ds
Letter of Advice. Your Proposed Start Up Picture Framing Business
Name
Professor
Course
Date
Letter of Advice
Our Ref:
12 April 2013
John and Fred
New York 9087
BY Email HYPERLINK “mailto:jfpicframe@hotmail.com” jfpicframe@hotmail.com
Dear Client,
Your Proposed Start Up Picture Framing Business
First we would like to express our gratitude for giving us an opportunity to advise you on various aspects of your business. The letter consists of the vital procedures and some background information about the business you are about to start. We also included the cost agreement that helps to set our fees and estimated costs.
Introduction: we give advice concerning the legal procedures involved before you start your business. Our team carries out extensive research to ensure that you get the most accurate information. We also assure you that the advice we provide is always credible and your interests are valuable to us. Our company does not dwell much on the finances involved in businesses, so we advise you to seek professional help for commercial or financial viability. The letter does not include profitability and aspects such as competition because we are not aware of the number of picture frame businesses in the area.
Due Diligence: Like any other business venture, the photo frame business requires a thorough evaluation of the financial and commercial aspects. Financial documentations are essential for smooth running of your business. They will help you manage your finances in an appropriate manner. You may also want to find out about the preferred picture sizes to determine the appropriate picture frames that will meet the needs of your clients. The accountant must complete the business plan and we should confirm that you completed the task before you go ahead with the transaction. The business plan may also include the materials you may use for your frames. This aspect requires you to carry out extensive research on marketable picture frames.
We highly recommend the following searches:
The zoning certificate
Outstanding issues under Council notices
Enquire about the landlord to know the solvency status and any unresolved charges or liabilities.
If the landlord is a company, evaluate each of the directors to acquire a solvency status.
Building inspections
Extensive research to ensure that no Authority has interests that could have negative effects on the business
Ownership: there are several business structures, but the main ones are:
Sole trader: this is business by one person. An individual carries out all the transactions in the business alone.
Partnership: a business by various people but not as a company. It involves various people who have common interest in the business and also make contributions to the development of the business.
Trust: holds the property to ensure that everyone benefits from the business. When many individuals run a business, they should trust each other to ensure smooth running of the business.
Company: a legal entity that does not include shareholders. It includes a group of people who may have a common interest but may not make contributions to the run the business.
We also require all the details necessary for the operations in the business. A purchase structure is also vital because it will help you determine the right measures before you enter any lease. Liability issues may also have an immense impact on the structure of the business. You should analyze every aspect of your business to help you give an account of all the activities. After you determine the corporate structure, you should give us relevant details of the business for us to register the entities with the local authorities. The accountant should carry out an appropriate review before they make any approval.
Ownership and related Issues:
Intellectual property Issues: this helps to protect the trade name of the business. It involves the registration of a trademark with the country’s IP. The trademark will give you ownership and private use of the name you register. We request you to advise us in case you want us to proceed with this issue.
Business Name: you should consider whether the business will possess the same name as the company. You should also determine whether you should register a different trade mane. You may contact us in case you have any queries concerning this aspect.
After registration of the business entities you may register a trademark to protect business transactions and also reduce the chances of exploitation of commercial interests. For instance, your trademark may consist of the name of the business or an image that suggests the activities involved in your business.
Town Planning (Zoning): The zoning of the land for carrying out the proposed business should be effective. You should consider council zoning because the council makes most of the approvals regarding the business. The council must approve all the building work on the land.
The Building Department of the council is also vital because they will advise you in case you wish to make changes on the use of the business or building work. They will help you evaluate the constraints and opportunities offered by various authorities. This may help you make appropriate decisions regarding the significance of the business on the property. You will need a written permission from the owner of the property to review the council’s files. You should also find out about proposed future developments that would affect the business in future.
You should visit the council offices to review the files related to the development work of the property. We do not have immense experience on such matters, so you should seek professional advice.
Rates: the buyer and the seller apportion the council and water rates at the date of completion.
State of Premises
State of Repair: Appropriate professionals should inspect the business premise and relevant inventories before you sign the Lease.
Building Reports and Pest assessments: Pests may destroy the pictures frames and other documents stored in your premise. This may cause immense loss and mistrust especially by clients. Pest control may also be a menace, so you should investigate the premise before you start the business.
Development Application/ Approval: Development Applications and Certificate of Compliance are the documents that will help you in this research. They will help you determine the legality of buildings around your premise to be sure about the status of the land you want to use for the business.
Finance: Finance is a crucial aspect in any business. You informed us that the bank will fund this venture. This requires you to know various terms and conditions and the processes involved to acquire funds from the bank. You should know the loan
You should have extensive information on the terms of loan facility agreements or other financial accommodations offered by any financial institution. You should also know the security required by the institution in case you need to extend your funds. You should also know the legal effect of providing guarantors in case of any default.
Insurance: we do not have essential information to provide financial and insurance advice. You should seek advice and also insure your business for full replacement of equipment and stock. Lenders would also want you to name them in the policy as individuals with interest in the business, so you should also insure the contents under a policy. Worker compensation cover and public liability insurance also require an appropriate level.
Stamp Duty: a stamp duty is necessary in case you borrow money to finance the business. Your financial institution may give you the relevant details in this issue.
Lease: if the current tenant has a lease, then they should assign it to you. Below are the key provisions related to leases that may be useful to you.
Item Lease Provision Comment
1 Term: Five year term with an choice of additional five years.
Options: 2 Lessor:
Lessee: ensure that the lease has correct entity 3 Premises: provision of correct description of the premises
Folio Identifier: 4 Rent: rent should appear in the overall expenses
Rent review: 5 Costs: outgoings payable by tenant are part of the landlord’s legal costs for negotiation, planning and completion of the lease.
Lessee’s proportion: you should check to know how much you are accountable for. 6 Promotion Levy: not always necessary 7 Assignment: you should know your rights to determine the appropriate consent and circumstances that withholding of the consent. 8 Permitted Use: you should specify this detail because th breach of lease may have effects. 9 Business hours: the council regulates the business hours, so you should enquire about this information at the council offices. 10 Redecoration date: some leases may not require this. 11 Maintenance: you may have to contribute to the maintenance costs 12 Insurances: a tenant should possess insurances such as:
Public risk
Building Insurance
Plate Glass
Worker’s compensation
Public Liability Insurance: may vary between $15- $25 million dollars 13 Default (Essential Terms): these are provisions that give the landlord authority to terminate the lease in case you breach the agreement. They include,
Lack of proper insurances
Lack of property maintenance and repair
Inappropriate use of the premises
Obligations to make necessary payments
Failure to submit Rent and outgoings 14 Guarantees: These ensure that the tenant meets the requirements of the Lease. The guarantee should be an individual who promises to face the consequences in case the other party defaults. This is a secondary obligation
Bank Guarantee: equivalent to three months Rent
You should have an idea of all the costs you should pay in relation to the Lease. These may include Rent, insurances, bank guarantee and outgoings. This will help you determine the necessary ones and the inappropriate ones.
We are also aware that you will be present during the negotiation of the Lease.
You should read the Lease carefully to ask any other relevant questions. We may also request the Landlord’s solicitor to make amendments if you have special requests.
General Taxation Implication: We do not have the essential details to offer taxation and financial advice. We cannot provide details concerning taxation implications and penalties of this business transaction. Your accountant should carefully examine the taxation preparation of the proposed purchase. They should also provide written advice concerning this information.
If you have any queries and would like further explanation, you may contact the us any time.
Yours Faithfully,
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx
Part B
Question 1
Corporate governance is the set of systems, processes and principles that govern a company. They act as guidelines for controlling and directing the procedures in the company as it strives to achieve its goals and objectives. They also ensure that stakeholders benefit from the processes of the company. The stake holders include the board of directors, customers, shareholders, employees, management and the society. Corporate governance may include aspects such as transparency with regard to all transactions involved in the company, accountability towards stakeholders and enhancement of fairness in all the transactions.
Corporate governance is significant because it enhances foreign investment. Many foreign investors analyze the procedures involved in running a company to determine whether they can rely on the company. Corporate governance is a way of selling the company to the investors. It also enhances the relationship between the shareholders and the management. It also attracts customers because they want to associate themselves with companies that value their needs. Corporate governance also motivates employees to perform their duties efficiently. The society also benefits from appropriate corporate governance through community development projects. Corporate governance also improves the relationships of companies and the the authorities, for example the local government.
Question 2
An executive director is an employee of a company who is also part of the board of directors. They have a specified role in the company, so they take part in the daily procedures that take place in the company. They may act as the finance managers of the company. A nonexecutive director is a member of the board who actively takes part in decision making of the company, but they are not employees. They may take part in suggesting disciplinary actions against significant members of the company’s management. A non-executive director only takes part in the board proceedings of the company. An executive director may also enter into contracts that benefit the company. He also has extensive knowledge on every scope of the company, but a nonexecutive director has vague knowledge on the field of the company. A nonexecutive director provides external information to the board members of the company. He also takes part in ensuring that the company meets the interests of its stakeholders.
Question 3
The concept of fiduciary refers to a legal relationship based ion trust. A company may entrust its development funds to another company because of their ethical relationship of trust. A fiduciary is an individual or a party that acts on behalf of another in relevant circumstances. A fiduciary duty is the top most standard of care. Each party must place the interest of the other party before theirs.
Fiduciary is relevant in the context of management of companies because it enhances development. The managers should build a trust relationship with the employees to acquire information that may improve the company. The employees will also be free to air their views because they know that the managers will strive to make decisions that have positive effects on the employees. Fiduciary also helps a company to compete effectively in the market. The employees will not disclose any private information about the company, so the managers will share all the relevant information with their employees. Employees get motivated when they realize that the management respects their decisions.
Bad Things Always Happen to the Good People- Analogy of Hector
Name:
Professor:
Course:
Date:
Bad Things Always Happen to the Good People- Analogy of Hector
Summer has always been my favorite season. The long days and short nights, warm temperatures, getting together with friends and family, fun activities, and the relaxation everyone seems to get from the slow rhythm of these three months bubbles my joie de vivre. Well, one summer ago, I got a fantastic opportunity to work as a personal assistant for a family friend whose other assistant had gone for her maternity leave. I would hold this position till the school’s reopened for the fall semester. I was thrilled to get this position since it meant I would move to California as the Law firm our family friend works in was set up there. My mother implored me not to go so far away. She tried to lure me into staying by promising me gifts such as a new car but the experience of working in a law firm in Los Angeles was more enthralling (Pg. 543: Book XXII: 74-75). Moreover, the fact that I did not have to wait tables in the scorching sun was enthralling. I could not wait!
After arriving in the multi-specialty law firm, I was quickly introduced to the team I would join. This team comprised of the secretary, the personal assistant (me), five paralegals and a three law interns. This team worked for Tim Jones, a criminal defense lawyer who also happened to be the family friend. During my orientation, it was made known to me that nothing but my best was required, I had to be well-organized and disciplined. Everything I did was linked to the success of the organization. After two hours in the firm, I knew that the success of the firm was everything. Everyone drummed it in, from the interns to the paralegals, to Mr. Jones himself. My responsibilities included managing Mr. Jones’ diaries, meetings, and appointments, preparing his reports, handling the biometric attendance system database, and organizing his work in the tray. I was being paid by the hour and therefore had to bill my hours. I was on a grace period of three days, and in these three days, the former P.A. would show me how the job was done. By the end of the third day, I had taken up the duties. I did not find it difficult but sometimes I had to stay long nights while Jones worked. I did not mind this since I would bill this and get paid for overtime.
After the first two weeks, I got used to my new job. I did not stand in awe every morning marveling at the height of this building that held the law offices, neither did the vastness of the lounge at the entrance make me feel tiny and insignificant. I enjoyed walking on the luxurious plush carpeting that covered the floors of the firm. The first days had been a little dull as I did not have any friends and had to work for long hours. However, after a fortnight, I had metamorphosed into a social butterfly and was starting to enjoy the summer in Los Angeles. During the weekend, my colleagues would take on a tour of the city and hang out at the Marina Del Rey Beach. Mr. Jones had commended my work and said that he would always find a slot for me to fill when on school breaks. Moreover, he would find me a job after school due to the proper working ethics I displayed. The summer had never been better than this. However, I did not know that this would be short-lived.
The interconnectivity of our work made Jack Riley and me very close. He was Mr. Jones’ secretary and had been helpful in my settling in at the firm. I had grown to trust him and sooner than later, we were hanging out after work. Jack Riley energetic and vivacious, he lit up our office. Unlike other people in the office, Riley did not mind sharing his staplers, paper clip, and files. However, this generosity almost always led to his tools of work missing. He would then result in using mine. We developed a fine friendship and later on, one of the paralegals, Michael Smith, joined in on the friendship. We would have lunch together and
One warm Friday afternoon, when the office was slowly grinding to a halt to usher in the weekend, Michael strolled to my desk to check on me about the weekend’s plans. He found me updating the database on billable hours for all employees in Tom Jones’ office. He was inquisitive about the working of the database. I explained to him just as I had been taught. He then asked if it would be possible to alter these hours and if one would be caught. I was surprised at this question since I had never thought of robbing the firm, He seemed to notice my shock and quickly brushed it off my laughing and said that he was just curious. I forgot about this, and we quickly resumed into our conversation about plans that weekend. Jack Riley then entered the office and walked straight to us smiling asking what he agreed upon. Smith told him that we had made plans that evening and that he was invited. Since our boss was absent that Friday, Riley suggested that we leave the office early. I told him that it would not be possible since the FRID devices would easily show that we left work early. Smith then lit up and told me that since I worked with the database, I would only tamper it this once to cover our backs. I was reluctant at first, but after some convincing, I decided to do it this one time. I knew it wrong, but I did not want to fail my friends. I tried talking Smith out of this, but he was reluctant. Just like Hector had talked to his brother Paris in a bid to make him return Helen to Menelaus King of Sparta, I explained the consequences of this deed to Smith, but he stated that he would take the blame for it if trouble arose (131. Book III: 69-98).
The following Monday, I reported to work as usual. Like other Mondays, I was swamped with work, and the office telephone was continuously ringing with new clients looking for Mr. Jones. Mondays were always busy and the hours flew by so quickly that I did not realize it was five already. Today I was working late because I wanted to clear Mr. Jones’ tray before he came in the next day. It would not be a bad evening since Smith and Riley were keeping me company. However, as night approached, I realized I had not seen them yet. At eight pm, I was done with my workload and decided to leave for home. As I passed Riley’s and Smith’s cleared desks, I knew they had left for the night. This baffled me for they had not clocked out in the biometrics system. I called Riley as I checked out of work,
“Hello, I thought you guys were working late tonight?” I asked.
“Oh, yeah. We forgot to inform you. We stepped out for a quick drink then one thing led to another, we could not make it back to the office. You know what to do, don’t ya?”
Riley’s answer froze me as I walked out of the firm’s revolving doors. My mind raced as I heard those words. My throat was dry with apprehension, I grunted some words and hung up. “What had I got myself into?” I asked myself as I hailed a cab.
Bad news travels fast. Soon, the other seven employees in Mr. Jones office knew about this incidence and smiled politely when they saw me. One evening, two paralegals approached me and asked me to do whatever it is I do to the systems and show that they had billed in more hours. I could not say no since I knew that denying their request would land me in big trouble. Just like Hector had rushed to announce that his brother Paris would fight King Menelaus to end the war, I thought that things would get better if I accepted to bill in more hours for everyone (pg. 125: Book III: 910-930). I, therefore, billed in more hours for all the people in the office hoping that the summer would end before I got caught.
That week, Mr. Jones asked to shut his office door and asked me about the billing and why there had been an increased expenditure on wages in his particular office. I told him that I did not know anything about it, but I knew that my pink face, sweaty palms, and tremor in voice had given it all away. I could not concentrate on my work, and could not get anything right. Mr. Jones told me to help prepare the conference room since there would be an inquest into the matter by the firm’s finance department. It was just routine to ensure that there was nothing fishy going on. Everyone would be questioned about their working hours and whether or not they clocked in and out at the right time.
After I heard the words “inquest,” I knew that this would be over for me. Later that fateful Thursday, Smith came to talk to me and assured me that he would defend me. Due to my naivety, I believed him. Later on, I realized that just as Athena had tricked Hector by disguising as his ally Deiphobus, so had Smith had tricked me. I knew it was over for me and I attempted to save face by facing the inquiry committee and being honest. I attempted to make amends for my behavior, but just as Hector had lost to Achilles, I could not convince the committee of my innocence, I knew that my time in this beautiful city was up and that I had lost my job just as Hector had lost his life (pg. 551: Book XXII: 350-360).
After everyone had been interviewed, I was called back and asked to write a letter explaining why I had committed the crime. The committee explained that Smith had incriminated me and had promised to show them how I had achieved this. He said that he did not want to report because of my relationship with the boss and was scared that it would cost him his job. His testimony not only killed my chances for retaining my job but dragged my name and the little hope I had for a career at the prestigious firm as Achilles did to Hector’s body (pg. 554-555: Book XXII: 460-480). On the plane back home from California, I went through my ordeal over and over, until I realized that there was a lesson in this. I had learnt never to be a pawn- just like Hector had fought a battle that was not his and got destroyed, so had I.
Works Cited.
Homer, , Stanley Lombardo, and Sheila Murnaghan. Iliad. , 1997. Print.