How to Write a Briefing Document Essay Example for Free

How to Write a Briefing Document Essay The policy briefs you will write will be aimed at a particular audience, and should represent that audiences perspective and reflect its interests. Content The brief should accomplish the following: †¢ Identify the problem and convince the audience of the importance of addressing it. From their perspective, what is important and what is not important? Highlight what aspects of the status quo are relevant to the problem. This should include a full treatment of any underlying technical issues. Identify a solution. This solution should include some course of action to be taken by your audience. Doing nothing is a sometimes valid course of action. Guidelines †¢ †¢ †¢ Tie the audiences interests to the means and the end. Identify other solutions and point out why the proposed solution is better for the audience (if it is useful or relevant). Discuss your solution’s feasibility and the initial steps that can be taken, as well as obstacles to its implementation. You are encouraged to explore a wide range of solutions. Think about technology (including changing infrastructure or client-side capabilities), government regulations (including direct mandates, incentives or changes in liability), and market tools (including new markets or marketing campaigns to realign incentives). Addressing your audiences needs is as important as solving the larger problem. You should understand what it is they hope to accomplish, and what tradeoffs they would be willing to make. Attributes of a successful briefing memo †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Short: Your audience will not have an attention span for a long document. Succinct: Be brief and clear; avoid empty rhetoric and sweeping generalizations. (Such as this.) Persuasive: You are aiming to convince your audience on the best course of action. Evidence-based: Cite specifics, and use empirical data wherever possible. Accessible: Incorporate critical technical facts and trends without jargon, in a fashion understandable to a non-technical audience. Realistic: Be careful with the assumptions you make. State the important ones.

The Best Lesson My Dad Taught Me Essay Example for Free

The Best Lesson My Dad Taught Me Essay The best lesson my dad taught me was†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. To always be honest. I’m glad he taught me this because at home if I do something wrong and he knows I’m lying and I tell the truth, I get in less trouble instead of getting things taken away. He tells me the odds are in my favor if I listen. I agree with him because I wouldn’t want my kids to lie to me. You always get in less trouble if you don’t lie. I only lived for about 13 years but every single second I learned more and more. It always ends up embarrassing after telling a lie and someone has found out. We all must admit it, weve ALL lied. Nobody likes a liar. My dad will say are you sure with your answer and if I say no I tell him the truth and he says don’t do it again. If your gonna lie to your friends its just stupid because eventually they will find and you will lose them. Before I ever answer some thing I ask myself, â€Å"is it worth lying about it. † Then I just follow my conscience. I don’t always make the right choice, but I learn from my mistakes. My dad is 40 years old and he told me had made more mistakes in a year than I do in 13. Just tell the truth because if you’re my kid that is the easiet part of life. I love him to death and wouldn’t trade him for the world!

Strategic Alliances: Reasons and Types

Strategic Alliances: Reasons and Types Introduction Strategic alliances and why are they formed Strategic alliances can be seen as one of the fastest growing trends for business today; Alliances are sweeping through nearly every industry and are becoming an essential driver for their super growth. A strategic alliance, by definition, is a form of affiliation that involves a mutual sharing of resources for the benefit of all of the strategic partners. â€Å"Mutuality† is key (Beavers 2001). The business consideration is whether both alliance partners need each other. Strategic alliances range in size and scope from informal business relationships based on simple contracts to joint venture agreements, some times where corporations are set up to manage the alliance. According to Vyas et al (1995) strategic alliances are cropping up across the global arena mainly due to the maturation of several trends of the 1980s, such as: intensified foreign competition, shortened product life cycles, soaring cost of capital, including the cost of research and development, and ever-growin g demand for new technologies. However, strategic alliances can be tricky. Partnerships foster mutual benefits, but the alliances exist only as long as they are advantageous to both parties. Research indicates that a high proportion of strategic alliances fail (Forbes 2002; Lorange and Roos 1991; Day 1995). This essay explores concept of strategic alliances drawing from Mintzberg et als schools of strategy and then critically identifies the main factors that determine the design and delivery of effective co-operative strategies. It does so by using the case study that pertains to Avebe and Noveon Alliance. Why? For many multinational firms, strategic alliances have become increasingly important tools for ensuring speed and flexibility in carrying out multinational strategies. A typical example is SEVEL (Societa Europea Veicoli Leggeri), the 1978 strategic alliance between Fiat and Peugeot for the production of a new light van named Ducato. Both parties were short on resources and saved time and energy by combining their RD and manufacturing efforts (Lorange and Roos 1991). Strategic alliances can be effective ways to diffuse new technologies rapidly, to enter a new market, to bypass governmental restrictions expeditiously, and/or to learn quickly from the leading firms in a given field Mintzberg et als Schools of Strategy Strategic alliance is an agreement between two or more individuals, or entities, or organisations to cooperate in a specific business activity, so that each benefit from the strength of other and gains competitive advantage. The formulation of strategic alliance has been seen as a response to the globalisation and increasing uncertainty and complexity in the business environment. Strategic alliances involve the sharing of knowledge and expertise between the partners as well as in reducing the risk and costs in areas like relationship with the supplier and the development of new products and technologies. Strategic alliances usually make sense when the parties involved have complimentary strengths. Its unlike full-scale acquisition, an alliance does not give a firm total control over its partners. Avebe and Noveon Alliance Case Study. Avebe, a Dutch company, established in 1919 as a joint sales organisation for the greater part of the Dutch independent potato starch industry. Through research and development, joint ventures and acquisition in Netherlands, Europe and Worldwide, Avebe now plays a major role in the global sales, marketing, production and development of potato starch and starch specialities used in food, pharmaceuticals, animal feed, textile, paper and adhesives. Avebes specialities are used by the textile industry for obtaining good weaving efficiency, to obtain smooth fabrics, and for sharp and durable printing of fabrics. Noveon, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio with regional centers in Belgium and Hong-Kong, is a leading global producer and marketer of technology advanced speciality chemicals for a broad range consumer and industrial application. Noveon was recognised as leading producer of polymers. It was also acknowledged as the largest producer acrylic acid for synthetic polymer. Reason for cooperation Avebe Avebe was outstanding in printing thickeners but not yet in reactive dye printing market. It was not possible for Avebe to enter into this market as it was purely a starch based industry. Only a combination of starch and synthetic polymer could help them enter this market. For this Avebe had two options- Noveon and Alloid Colloids (under ICI Corporation, England). Combination of Avebes and Noveons products in laboratory test showed excellent printing thickness for reactive printing dye market. The final selection was based on four considerations, namely- Noveon had the same synthetic polymer as that of ICI in dry form and Avebe was expert in dry blending. Dry blends resulted in more efficiency both in space and cost compared to liquid one. Noveons synthetic was proved the best when combined with Avebe than any other. Noveon had excellent market expertise in the US, which Avebe lacked. Combination of Avebe and Noveons expertise expected around 25% of the new market to either company. Reasons for cooperation Noveon Noveons alliance with Avebe started by an accident. Noveon acquired QSI in South Carolina in 1994. QSI used to purchase natural starches from Avebe for its operation. This was the start of their joint venture. Synthetic polymer Noveon had was fairly expensive; while Avebes natural starch was relatively cheap. They expected that blending of these two would result in better quality at reasonable price. Noveon expected that the price of synthetic and natural thickener blends would increase in US and Europe, due to the demand for high quality products. Combination of synthetic and natural thickeners could reduce the cost of dye stuff and chemicals. The saving was estimated to be around $ 1 million per year. Noveon selected Avebe for their technology. Far East and Europe preferred Avebe as their best choice. Initial agreement The agreement was signed by both the companies on 24th March 1995. After two year, to anticipate competition, both the companies formulated a marketing agreement for their joint product. The agreement was as follows- Division of the world market. As per this agreement, Noveon agreed market their product in America and the Caribbean. Avebe agreed to market its product in Europe, Asia- pacific and Russia. China and India was open for both. Restriction on sale of each others product. As per this agreement Avebe was forbidden to sell Noveons product and Noveon agreed not to sell Avebes products to any other company without a prior consent of other. 3) Information exchange/ training. Both Avebe and Noveon agreed for a meeting once in six months to exchange development, manufacturing and technical service information relating to their joint venture. Reasons for alliance 1) Alliances assist the firms learning and diversification into new areas of activities. Alliances help to extend a firms competitive advantage in several ways. A firm enters into strategic alliance because this can potentially provide benefits that are not possible through either internal development or external acquisition. This helps the company to acquire benefit by reducing the cost rather than taking it all by itself. An alliance stand as an intermediate to help the allies enter into new industry and markets. 2) Alliance provide useful platform to test their products in new markets. Alliances help in extending and renewing their sources of competitive advantage while expanding globally. This helps the new companies to enter into new market with little market knowledge. By this these companies learn how to compete in the global market. Working together helps in overcoming the economic obstacles too. 3)  Design School of strategic management- Henry Mintzberg This prescriptive school of Mintzberg see strategy formulation as a process of conception which is responsible for the development of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the organisation (SWOT). In this school the strengths and weaknesses are of the company are mapped along with the opportunities and threat in the market place. This is implemented in order to formulate clear and unique strategies in a deliberate process. In this the internal environment is matched to the external environment. This school mainly helps in reducing ambiguity and is mainly used in stable environments. It supports strong and visionary leadership. The main drawback of the design school is that it is weak in a fast moving environment and there are risks of resistance. It also has many variables and is inherently complex and also inflexible. Types of strategic alliances Strategic alliances can be classified into three main types: Shared- supply alliance Shared- supply alliance bring together companies which join forces to achieve economies of scale on a given component or on an individual stage in the production process. The shared elements are further incorporated in products that are further incorporated in products that remain specific to each other and that competes directly in the market. This type of alliance is formed when the minimum efficient size at a particular stage in the production process is much greater than for the entire product, and when neither of the partner produce large enough to achieve the critical size. Shared- supply alliance are usually formed between partners of comparable size. This alliance primarily involves research and development (RD) and manufacturing activities. Coordination of research activities between the partners makes it possible to optimize the use or resources. These alliances are usually formed by firms operating in the same zone. In this case of shared supply alliance the assets and ski lls that the partner companies bring to the joint project are similar in nature and their goal is to benefit from increased economies of scale. Quasi- concentration alliance This alliance brings together companies that develop, produce and market a joint product. There is no open competition in quasi- concentration alliance. Quasi- concentration alliances are primarily characterized by transactions between the consortium of allies and the market. Transactions between the companies are also carried out within the alliance. This alliance covers all the main functions involved in carrying out an activity, that is, research and development, manufacturing, and marketing. Marketing and sales are either split between the partners on the basis of geographic presence or carried out jointly. Complementary alliance. Complimentary alliances bring together companies which contribute assets and skills of different natures to bring up a combined project. Here one manufactures the product, which is marketed by others distribution channels. There is no competition within the allies. This type of an alliance is mainly formed by only two parties.

William Morris Essay -- Visual Arts Paintings Art

William Morris William Morris (1834 – 1896) was perhaps the most important British decorative artist of the 19th century. A prolific designer, craftsman and decorator, his work and ideas have had a major influence on the development of modern interior design. William Morris was one of the most influential figures in the Victorian and Edwardian art world. As a young man at Oxford he became involved with the Pre-Raphaelite movements, mixing with such artists as Dante Gabriel Rossetti, William Holman Hunt and Edward Coley Burne-Jones. Always a man of innovation, Morris soon tired of the subject matter and philosophy of the Pre-Raphaelites. His desire for social reform was also an important factor in his artistic growth and he moved on from painting to the creation of textiles, wallpapers, stained glass and highly decorative furniture. He also set up the Kelmscott Press as a medium for his writing and elegant book design. With Edward Burne-Jones, he set in motion the highly influential Arts and Crafts Movement – thereby implementing an incredible change in the vision of British art. William Morris Colours Duck Egg, China Blue, Morris Green, Weld Yellow, Chalk White, Red Ochre and Madder Red. Inspired by the large collection of Morris’ work in the Victoria and Albert Museum, these paint shades and their names are evolved from colours he used in many different media, involving interior decoration, furniture and textiles. Tulip and Willow Design This design was for Morris’ s...

Richard Feynman :: biography biographies bio

Early Years * Richard Phillips Feynman was born May 11, 1918 to Melville and Lucille Feynman. His sister, Joan, followed later, March 31, 1928. * Richard's life was charted for science before he was even born. Melville decided while the child was still in the womb that if the baby was a boy he would grow up to be a scientist. Richard, in fact, was a boy and his precocious young mind caught on quickly to his father's earliest scientific teaching. His father's practice of teaching Richard to ask investigative questions began a lifetime devoted to the wonder and mystery of the universe. * It was this process, learned early in life, of questioning and observing, the classic scientific method, that Richard credited his discoveries by. As he stated in an address to science teachers in 1966, " I think it is very important--at least it was to me--that if you are going to teach people to make observations, you should show that something wonderful can come from them. I learned then what science was about: it was patience. If you looked, and you watched, and you paid attention, you got a great reward from it--although possibly not every time. As a result, when I became a more mature man, I would painstakingly, hour after hour, for years, work on problems--sometimes many years, sometimes shorter times; many of them failing, lots of stuff going into the wastebasket--but every once in a while there was the gold of a new understanding that I had learned to expect when I was a kid, the result of observation. For I did not learn that observation was not worthwhile (What Is Sc ience?)." * In high school, Richard's aptitude for learning was most evident. He excelled at math, building a solid foundation for his physics career ahead. In fact, he won first prize in the New York University math competition in his final year in Far Rockaway high school (Wikipedia). * After high school, Richard continued his education at Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduating with a degree in physics in 1939 as well as receiving the pretigious Putnam Fellow reward (Wikipedia). As an undergraduate, Feynman took every physics course offered at the university. He then continued his education, moving on to Princeton to study for his Ph.D. Once again, Feynman showed his facility with all things mathematical, receiving a perfect score on the mathematical and physics portion of the Princeton entrance exam.

Devotion in Eudora Weltys A Worn Path :: Worn Path essays

Devotion in A Worn Path In "A Worn Path" by Eudora Welty an elderly African American woman named Phoenix Jackson picks a cold December day to make yet another perilous journey to a city to get medicine for her ailing grandson. On the way this ninety-year-old woman faces many obstacles, both natural and man-made. Phoenix draws upon her perseverance and willingness to sacrifice herself to help her throughout her journey, but it is the undying love for her grandson that truly guides and drives her to her final goal. Phoenix Jackson has a seemingly inexhaustible amount of determination. From the moment that she sets out on her trek, she must fight all the challenges that nature has made for her. From the very beginning there is the threat of attack by wild animals and Phoenix shouts "out of my way, all you foxes, owls, beetles, jack rabbits, coons and wild animals!" undauntingly challenging them. Phoenix is a very old woman whose aged, fragile body isn't suited to make such a long journey. At one point when she is climbing up a hill, she states that it seems like "there is chains about my feet, time I get this far." And yet she still trudges onward, stopping only once for a short break. On the way down the hill she gets caught in a bush, its thorns tearing at her finest dress. "I in a thorny bush," she exclaims. But she doesn't give up; she stands there untangling herself from the bush, "her fingers busy and intent." After she has overcome this obstacle she faces yet another trial. Across Phoenix's path lies a creek and across the creek lies a log, which substitutes as a bridge. It is hard enough for Phoenix to walk on flat and stable ground, so walking across the log is a dangerous challenge for her. Even though there is a large threat of her falling and badly hurting herself, "she mounted the log and shut her eyes" and crosses to the other side. Next she comes across a barb wire fence, and once again without showing any signs of fear she fords ahea! d crossing that too. Phoenix travels a good portion of the day facing many physical challenges that test her stamina, but the real trials are the physiological ones that she faces as she encounters people along her journey. Devotion in Eudora Welty's A Worn Path :: Worn Path essays Devotion in A Worn Path In "A Worn Path" by Eudora Welty an elderly African American woman named Phoenix Jackson picks a cold December day to make yet another perilous journey to a city to get medicine for her ailing grandson. On the way this ninety-year-old woman faces many obstacles, both natural and man-made. Phoenix draws upon her perseverance and willingness to sacrifice herself to help her throughout her journey, but it is the undying love for her grandson that truly guides and drives her to her final goal. Phoenix Jackson has a seemingly inexhaustible amount of determination. From the moment that she sets out on her trek, she must fight all the challenges that nature has made for her. From the very beginning there is the threat of attack by wild animals and Phoenix shouts "out of my way, all you foxes, owls, beetles, jack rabbits, coons and wild animals!" undauntingly challenging them. Phoenix is a very old woman whose aged, fragile body isn't suited to make such a long journey. At one point when she is climbing up a hill, she states that it seems like "there is chains about my feet, time I get this far." And yet she still trudges onward, stopping only once for a short break. On the way down the hill she gets caught in a bush, its thorns tearing at her finest dress. "I in a thorny bush," she exclaims. But she doesn't give up; she stands there untangling herself from the bush, "her fingers busy and intent." After she has overcome this obstacle she faces yet another trial. Across Phoenix's path lies a creek and across the creek lies a log, which substitutes as a bridge. It is hard enough for Phoenix to walk on flat and stable ground, so walking across the log is a dangerous challenge for her. Even though there is a large threat of her falling and badly hurting herself, "she mounted the log and shut her eyes" and crosses to the other side. Next she comes across a barb wire fence, and once again without showing any signs of fear she fords ahea! d crossing that too. Phoenix travels a good portion of the day facing many physical challenges that test her stamina, but the real trials are the physiological ones that she faces as she encounters people along her journey.

Jan Van Eyck

The Arnolfini Wedding Corinne Callahan, Art II The Arnolfini Wedding was painted by artist Jan Van Eyck in 1434. The painting is done in oil paint on 3 vertical oak panels. It is now located at The National Gallery in London. Jan van Eyck was a Flemish painter active in Bruges. He is generally considered one of the most significant Northern European painters of the 15th century. Jan van Eyck frequently paid attention to light, shade and texture. He has a sense of realism in his paintings. (The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed, 2011) Eyck tends to use a lot of reds and dark neutral colors.He also prefers to paint portraits or full body scenes. He aims to deceive the eye with different unique views (S. Jones, 2002) Jan van Eyck is known as the father of oil painting (Finnan, 2012). Eyck was among the first to use â€Å"atmospheric perspective† (W. Janson, H. 1995). The Arnolfini Wedding records the betrothal of the cloth merchant Giovanni Arnolfini to Giovanna Cenami. Th e title was given to this painting because it was thought to be a form of â€Å"wedding certificate†. The dog in the painting is seen as a symbol of faithfulness and love.The mirror in the background has a carved frame with ten miniature medallions depicting scenes from the life of Christ (Korroch, 2009). Also the woman in the painting that appears to be pregnant isn’t really. The queen of the time was pregnant so it was trendy to look like her (W. Janson, 1995). The figures in this painting seem awkward in a sense of that it seems like they don’t know each other. This shouldn’t be though because they just got married and the painting is a form of a wedding certificate.So if they were married shouldn’t it look like they’re in love or at least like each other? Except they don’t. Although like Art History Professor Craig Harbison said, â€Å"The painting keeps drawing me back (S. R. Buchholz, 2000). † This piece of art is unique in so many ways. With its many symbols and meanings and rich colors and detail it is definitely one of the greatest works ever done.Citations Buchholz, S. R. (2000, April 14). Retrieved from http://www. umass. edu/chronicle/archives/00/04- 14/harbison28. html Finnan, V. (2012). Retrieved from http://www. italian-renaissance-art. com/Jan-Van-Eyck. html Korroch , K. (2009, march 3). Retrieved from http://marzanme. blogspot. com/2009/03/jan-van-eyck-arnolfini-wedding-portrait. html Susan, J â€Å"Jan van Eyck†. (2002, october) Retrieved from http://www. metmuseum. org/toah/hd/eyck/hd_eyck. htm The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. (2011). Retrieved from http://www. infoplease. com/encyclopedia/people/eyck-van-the-eyckian-style-its-influence. html W. Janson, H. (1995). History of art. (5th ed. ). New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc. Jan Van Eyck The Arnolfini Wedding Corinne Callahan, Art II The Arnolfini Wedding was painted by artist Jan Van Eyck in 1434. The painting is done in oil paint on 3 vertical oak panels. It is now located at The National Gallery in London. Jan van Eyck was a Flemish painter active in Bruges. He is generally considered one of the most significant Northern European painters of the 15th century. Jan van Eyck frequently paid attention to light, shade and texture. He has a sense of realism in his paintings. (The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed, 2011) Eyck tends to use a lot of reds and dark neutral colors.He also prefers to paint portraits or full body scenes. He aims to deceive the eye with different unique views (S. Jones, 2002) Jan van Eyck is known as the father of oil painting (Finnan, 2012). Eyck was among the first to use â€Å"atmospheric perspective† (W. Janson, H. 1995). The Arnolfini Wedding records the betrothal of the cloth merchant Giovanni Arnolfini to Giovanna Cenami. Th e title was given to this painting because it was thought to be a form of â€Å"wedding certificate†. The dog in the painting is seen as a symbol of faithfulness and love.The mirror in the background has a carved frame with ten miniature medallions depicting scenes from the life of Christ (Korroch, 2009). Also the woman in the painting that appears to be pregnant isn’t really. The queen of the time was pregnant so it was trendy to look like her (W. Janson, 1995). The figures in this painting seem awkward in a sense of that it seems like they don’t know each other. This shouldn’t be though because they just got married and the painting is a form of a wedding certificate.So if they were married shouldn’t it look like they’re in love or at least like each other? Except they don’t. Although like Art History Professor Craig Harbison said, â€Å"The painting keeps drawing me back (S. R. Buchholz, 2000). † This piece of art is unique in so many ways. With its many symbols and meanings and rich colors and detail it is definitely one of the greatest works ever done.Citations Buchholz, S. R. (2000, April 14). Retrieved from http://www. umass. edu/chronicle/archives/00/04- 14/harbison28. html Finnan, V. (2012). Retrieved from http://www. italian-renaissance-art. com/Jan-Van-Eyck. html Korroch , K. (2009, march 3). Retrieved from http://marzanme. blogspot. com/2009/03/jan-van-eyck-arnolfini-wedding-portrait. html Susan, J â€Å"Jan van Eyck†. (2002, october) Retrieved from http://www. metmuseum. org/toah/hd/eyck/hd_eyck. htm The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. (2011). Retrieved from http://www. infoplease. com/encyclopedia/people/eyck-van-the-eyckian-style-its-influence. html W. Janson, H. (1995). History of art. (5th ed. ). New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc.