A Case of Lengthier Annual Reports Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

A Case of Lengthier Annual Reports - Essay Example It also includes the company’s mission statement and pertinent financial statements (Holmes, Sugden, & Gee, 2008). While annual reports used to fall considerably below the 100-page mark during the last decade, a survey by business advisory firm Deloitte shows that in 2010, the average length of annual reports has reached an all-time high of 101 pages (Deloitte, 2010). Interestingly enough, the lengthiest reports are littered with more advertisement-like photographs and captions than relevant narratives and figures. These are the supposed culprits of reports being lengthier than they used to be. Such a phenomenon is of primary interest because of the impact that this has on the ability of such reports to serve their true purpose. Questions arise as to whether lengthier reports actually provide readers with more information or additional confusion? Do the long reports indicate that companies are revealing more of their respective businesses’ actual performance or are they merely an effort to gloss over weaknesses that new regulatory rules aim to draw out? Do lengthier reports mean more substance or just more clutter? This paper attempts to provide answers to these questions and adequately support the claims made herein by extracts from actual company annual reports. Company reports included are those of Ericssion, Carlsberg, and Walmart. Reasons for the increasing length of annual reports According to Isobel Sharp, an audit partner at Deloitte, annual reports are significantly increasing in length because companies are now revealing their company’s business risks and even having important performance indicators disclosed in their reports. Moreover, corporates now provide a director’s responsibility statement, a requirement introduced around four years ago as a consequence of EU’s Transparency Obligations Directive (Deloitte, 2010). Essentially, the many rules that are brought up in recent years are also being blamed for the cons istently rising trend in annual report length. However, the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) of UK points out that company reports in general are trying to please too many users at the same time, hence the almost unstoppable increasing trend in the length of annual reports (UK FRC, 2010). Preparers try to put in as much additional information as they can in an attempt to make the reports as appealing to current and prospective investors as possible (Campbell & Slack, 2008). One company that illustrates this is the 163-page Annual Report by the Carlsberg Group of companies which feels so much more like a 163-page advertisement, with pages that are more fitting in a magazine than in a business report. On the other hand, Boeing’s annual report cannot be more straightforward in its layout and content. Yet, the company needed 156 pages to provide all the data needed and required by regulatory institutions. These two examples illustrate that the burgeoning lengths of annual report s are both a result of additional requirements from regulatory institutions, and the trying-to-please-everybody approach of report preparers. If these requirements are further increased in the future, then lengthier annual reports may definitely be expected. Experts are even hinting that 200 page mark may not be far from being surpassed considering the current trend of adding more and more arguably irrelevant pages to annual reports. More words: For better or for worse? Preparers of annual reports reveal that because of the need to effectively inform shareholders of what is happening in the business, and the need to be able to satisfy the disclosure rules set by regulators, more words are apparently needed (The FRC, 2011). However,

Engish Language- Discourse in Action Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Engish Language- Discourse in Action - Essay Example Us† (Text C) which use simple imperative forms of the verb â€Å"join.† There can be no ambiguity in the urge to follow this instruction, but Text C supplements the bare command with the use of the inclusive pronoun â€Å"us†, and the supplementary heading â€Å"Get involved.† The difference here is one of emphasis, whereby Text L stresses the recognition factor of its party name â€Å"Labour† and Text C stresses the element of belonging to a group. The connotations are political for Text L and personal for Text C, which indeed reflects the philosophy of collective and historic activism on the left, and individualism on the right. The most obvious linguistic difference between the two texts is the register of the preliminary introduction . Text L has an informal style, starting with an open question â€Å"Do you feel the same way we do about the kind of Britain you want to live in?† The question addresses the reader directly and suggests implicitly that a â€Å"yes† response is required. The next paragraph consists of three phrases separated by semi-colons and arranged as if they were a sentence unit. There is no main verb in this unit, however, and so it does not qualify as a proper sentence. This style is reminiscent of spoken language, where less attention is paid to the rules of formal grammar. The intention here is no doubt to make the process of joining the Labour party appear to be a casual, everyday event, which does not require any deep thought or special preparation. These three follow-up phrases make use of the rhetorical device of repetition, in a sequence: â€Å"A Britain where the re is†¦; where education is†¦and where you and your family†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Text L) This usage is reminiscent of the speech-making techniques of former Labour Leader Tony Blair, whose personal style, no doubt heavily influenced by professional script writers, included many such non-grammatical phrases The informality of Text L continues with a further command, expanding the title of the

Carrefour Company Analysis Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Carrefour Company Analysis - Assignment Example Cost leadership strategy focuses on the supply side of an enterprise and comprises of an integrated set of actions taken to produce goods or services with features that are acceptable to customers at the lowest possible cost in the market. Product differentiation alternatively creates a perception in customers’ minds that specific brands are unique and have superior qualities with respect to the image, reputation, reliability, designs, and quality compared to the similar other products in the market (Baroto et al., 2012). Niche markets are the narrow market segments having specific demands that are isolated due to geographic location or socio-economic factors. The principal risk factors in the retail industry are categorized as follows; 1) business environment: Political and social environment, Economic environment and market volatility, Environment, pressure and regulatory changes, Changes in the sector and the competitive Environment, Natural disasters and climate change, Terrorism and crime 2) strategy and governance: Strategy definition, adjustment and implementation, Compliance and fair practices, Corporate responsibility, Environment, Disputes/Litigation 3) operations: Relevance and performance of economic and business models, Operational and financial control of growth and expansion, Partnerships and franchising, Control of the supply chain, Product quality, compliance and safety, Safety of people and property, Human resource management, Continuity, integrity and confidentiality of information systems and Control and valuation of assets and 4) financial: Market risk, Liquidity risk, Interest-rate risk, Foreign-exchange risk, Equity risk, Quality of financial management, budgets and reporting and Credit risk. Specific business strategies have been articulated and designed to remain the long-term profitability of the company while successfully managing these risk factors.

Progress report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Progress report - Essay Example The discussion on the stock price performance of Samsung and Apple, for instance, shows that while Samsung’s prospects seem stable, the prospects for Apple seem less secure and sure. One notes that stock price is an indicator of how investors see a firm and that firm’s future prospects for profit and growth in revenues. The downward spiral of Apple stocks of late seems to reflect waning confidence in Apple’s ability to continue to lead in smart phones as well as tablets. On the other hand, the stable prospects for Samsung are reflected in its share price also being relatively stable, after enjoying a substantial appreciation over the past two years. At any rate, it seems that Samsung will fare well even with the results of the case finding it has infringed on vital Apple patents relating to its smart phone products (Yahoo! Finance, 2012; Google Finance, 2012). Newer data and analysis on the prospects of Apple show cause for concern. The company, after winning the patent lawsuit, has been seen as having committed some serious errors and mistakes in strategy and product implementation over the past few weeks. First was its debacle in its mapping technology, after having ditched Google as a provider of mapping services for its own homegrown but seriously flawed mapping application. Next is what analysts see as flawed pricing with regard to its new iPad Mini product. Third has to do with how Apple is seen by analysts as having a crisis of leadership. Some analysts have come to view all these as signs that Apple is in decline (Lappin, 2012; Chang, 2012). There is progress too, with regard to the details of the verdict having become public knowledge since the writing of the first parts of this paper, owing to the jury coming out and releasing their explanations for the verdict, and the warring parties coming out in the open with the documents that were used as evidence for the case. The outpouring

Arthur Miller's The Death Of A Salesman Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Arthur Miller's The Death Of A Salesman - Essay Example Although these created effects that are disturbing, the whole production does not border on being maudlin. The combinations of these impressions were effectively utilized in the play in order to reveal the ideas of self-deception and illusion. The play tells of Willy who dwells in the past to escape the financial dilemma he faces. Willy has an erroneous and rather odd notion of success, which for him requires only wealth and popularity. Linda, Willy Loman's wife, tries to persuade herself that her spouse is psychologically fit. Willy's predicament affects his two sons as a result - Happy who desires to linger in the fantasy world constructed by Willy - and Biff who eventually craves to detach himself from this delusion and accept the reality of Willy's problems which include his affair, his deteriorating career, and the family's dreadful pecuniary condition. Willy's predicament is delineated in this powerful presentation produce by Miss O Productions. Eddie Jones as Willy leads the many compelling performances. Jones has certainly gone beyond the taxing requirements of this immense character. As Willy, Jones is especially engaging which made his portrayal uniquely convincing. Although Jones exuded a very highbrow version of the role, this cerebral representation of Willy did not impede him from identifying effectively with Loman's persona. Jones was indeed Willy personified. Ivan Baccarat and Aaron McPherson take the roles of Biff and Happy, Willy's imprudent and miserable sons. Both are brilliant actors whose brotherly interaction easily convinces the audience. The strong and determined character of Linda is played by Anne Gee Byrd who sometimes exhibited vulnerability. This frailty becomes Ms Byrds strength, in fact, as the audience failed to fit her in any kind of stereotypical behavior. Linda was responsible for keeping Willy from pursuing his dream in Alaska, and Ms Byrd conveyed an intermittent intimation of dissatisfaction, which resulted to Willy's disparaging outbursts toward her more comprehensible. Jeremy Shouldis and Bob Machray are flawless in the roles as Bernard and Uncle Ben, and Alan Charof is a standout performance for the role of Willy's friend Charley. As Arthur Miller transformed the manner which contemporary plays were constructed - involving exquisite scenes and shifts in time - as when Willy's past intermingle with the present in almost harmonious beauty, this innovation cannot be emulated easily in its most fluid form. However, the set for this production fit the play superbly; the set designers constructed space as translucent as the play's fluidity of time. The set design was soundly and imaginatively planned but sometimes generates an effect of opacity. The walls and curtains bestow an unyielding firmness which contrasts with the trancelike configuration of the play. The production is replete with magical scenes emphasized by the flicker of the lights. In the opening scene, Biff talks about his dreams of owning a ranch while Linda tells her boys about her husband's great value. Ben then enters, amidst the playful glimmer of the light - its shades emphasizing this notable entrance. But there are also instances where prompts plunge, lines don't come easy, staging is dreary, fluidity is irregular and actors lose balance on the stage amidst the

LEGAL REASONING Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

LEGAL REASONING - Essay Example The state offers tax exemptions on property left to spouses after the death of their partners (Wood, 2011). However, the state denied her request on realizing that she was married to a person of the same sex. There was a federal law in force in the US, the marriage act that defended marriage, DOMA, which failed to include a same sex partner in its definition of the term ‘spouse’ (Leonard, 2013). She decided to file a suit in court challenging the constitutionality of the federal law provision after agreeing to pay the taxes. Both the US Courts of Appeal and the US District Court delivered a ruling that the provision in the statute law was not constitutional and as such ordered the State of New York to issue a refund for the sum paid by Windsor in taxes for her property (Boies & Olson, 2008). The Supreme Court, in a similar case pitting the Governor of Utah and the Salt Lake City Clerk, in their capacities against Derek Kitchen, Kate Call, Kody Partridge, Moudi Sbeity, Laurie Wood and Karen Archer, did not uphold the decision by the state of Utah to ban marriages by same sex couples in 2004. The plaintiffs complained of abuse of their rights by the state of Utah, since it failed to recognize such marriages and accord them the recognition accorded to marriages between heterosexual partners (Engdahl, 2009). One of the reasons given by the Supreme Court to justify their decision in the appeal was that the provision of that federal law encouraged the curtailment of the right of all American citizens to marry any person of their choice (Leonard, 2013). Further, it would deny this section of the population their right to establish a family as they may will, raise their children as well as enjoy the unconditional protection offered by the laws of the State concerning marriages (Fredericks, 2009). Justice Kennedy posited that the Fourteenth Amendment in the US Constitution protected these rights. It has always been a

Of Mice and Men Essay Example for Free

Of Mice and Men Essay In the novel Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, setting plays an important role as it helps the reader understand the atmosphere Steinbeck creates. The novel has four major settings that are the Salinas River, the bunkhouse, Crooks room, and the barn. The first and last setting in the novel is by the Salinas River. Steinbeck creates the setting as being idealistic and like the Garden of Eden. The place is described as `fresh’ and `twinkling’ creating a beautiful image. Steinbeck uses different techniques such as a metaphoric transition between the `golden foothill slopes’ and `strong†¦ rocky Gabilan mountains’. Steinbeck uses a metaphoric transition between the `golden’ slopes, giving a smooth and warm feeling, compared to the `rocky’ mountains. The transition represents opposites in nature but this also links with George and Lennie, being very different from one another; Lennie is described as having `bear’ like features such as `big paws’ and `wide, sloping shoulders’. However George is defined as being his `opposite’ with `slender arms’ and being `small and quick’. In the beginning of the book, the two friends shared their feelings, expectations and a combined dream of becoming independent from reality. George also planned an escape route for Lennie as he is expecting trouble ahead. The men are on their way to a ranch looking for work, as they had to run away from the troubles they left behind in Weed, although many more problems will arise through the journey. The scene is set just outside the town Soledad, which means solitary, suggesting the men’s aloneness with the world, even though George and Lennie are a pair, they have lost and lonely minds filled with empty dreams and aims. But like the Garden of Eden, not everything is as perfect as it seems. In the final scene Lennie returns to the river alone in fear of the consequences following his earlier actions. Steinbeck describes the setting with the sun `climbing up the slopes’ showing the uses of personification, and is running away from the problems Lennie is faced with, just like he has done. A `snake’ swims along the river, representing a symbol of Eden’s evil, and the end of the dream. The snake swims along the pool until it reached a heron, which represents purity and patience, the neck of the `motionless’ heron `lanced down’ and `plucked it out by the head’ swallowing the snake whole. The evilness of the snake is gently eased by the purity of the heron, until `another little water snake’ saw up the pool, gently swaying side to side. The evil of the snake represents the death caused by Lennie, and then getting eaten away by the patience heron, to return soon after. Having the beginning and end set in the same place, represents the cycle of George and Lennie’s life till the death of Lennie and the almost certain dream. The second setting; the Bunkhouse, is where Steinbeck shows the hard, basic and lonely life the migrant workers live, with very basic and shared accommodation. Steinbeck describes the bunkhouse with `unpainted’ floors and `small square windows’, with `eight bunks’ for the men with space for any personal possessions in an `apple box’ nailed above each bunk. The bare possessions owned by the men included basic toiletries, tools, medicines and Western magazines as a form of little entertainment. They seemed to have nothing valuable, sentimental or beautiful in their lives, showing doubt and unhappiness. The workers had medicines showing they were expecting to become ill at any time, living in the basic conditions with a long hard labour. The only entertainment described by Steinbeck includes `Western magazines’ and `playing cards’ showing the men’s lives are basic, plain and not many activity’s for the men. The bunkhouse gives no privacy and offers no real comfort for the men after their long day at work, through the harsh living conditions, Steinbeck shows us the brutal world in which only the fittest can survive. The men living in the bunkhouse are described as being aggressive meaning Lennie and George must constantly be on guard as the men are mistrustful of each other, and the bosses’ son, Curley, constantly itching for a fight, because of his position on the ranch. Chapter four shows the hard life for the weak, disabled black farmer Crooks. The man is isolated because of his colour, meaning he is separated from the company of other men to make his life more bearable. His loneliness has made Crooks into a bitter character, with fear of being hurt more. The room where Crooks lives is described as `a little shed’ with limited possessions including books, medicines and a pair of glasses. Crooks is shown as a intelligent man wanting more in his life, as his books include the `Californian civil code’. He is described as a `proud, aloof man, with eyes that `glitter with intensity’. The accommodation Crooks lives in shows his little value. Later in the chapter we find that Crooks used to be accepted as part of the community in Soledad, but was left alone when other black families moved away. The chapter ends as it began, lonely and bitter. As a shelter for animals, Steinbeck uses the barn to show the non-deliberate murders of Curley’s wife, and the new-born puppy, killed by Lennie and his animalistic features. Lennie doesnt understand why the puppy got killed, since it is so much bigger than a mouse causing him to `cover it over in hay’ in his frustration. Lennie’s thought quickly turn to the rabbits that he would tend in the dream as he threats his precious and meaningful role, would be destroyed. The location is best suited to the murders, as it symbolises the death of the dream and animals such as the dead mouse, the dead dog of Candy, Curley’s wife and the dead puppy.