Saturday, December 28, 2019

The Rising Competition Between Estate Management Companies

The article is about the rising competition between estate management companies in U.S. The 4Ds that stands for death, divorce, debt, and downsizing, are commonly claimed to be the factors that have stimulated the growth of these estate sales businesses, which caused a fierce competition within these estate sales agents or firms. As the parents of baby boomers reach the end of their lives, and the boomers themselves retire and downsize, more and more firms are entering this business because the demand for it increases. The fierce competition is also the result of the absence of regulations in the market. With the absence of government regulation, the competition would become uncontrollable and will create a negative impact to the customer. According to the president of the American Society of Estate Liquidators, there could be 14,000 companies operating within this market in America. Companies are trying to stand out from their competitors by including more services such as moving c ompany referrals, resettlement assistance and help with how to downsize. Although there are often disagreements between sellers and sales people over what to charge for certain valuable items, these businesses are still highly demanded because it makes it easier for the family to manage the estates when death, divorce, debt, and downsizing occur to a family member. Based on what I have studied in class, I found this article to be related to the competition between firms that was driven by theShow MoreRelatedHistory And Background Of Keller Williams1100 Words   |  5 PagesHistory and Background Keller Williams Realty is a real estate broker founded in 1983 with 46,189 employees. It’s headquarter is located Austin, Texas, although it is a national brand (Keller Williams Realty, 2016). Keller Williams ranked third for top real estate firms in 2011 with 13% market share (Lazich, 2014). Keller Williams allows for realtors to essentially become small business owners and create their own team and build a brand. The Fry Group is a team that has capitalized on this opportunityRead MoreEssay about Panera Bread Case Study1002 Words   |  5 PagesPanera Bread Case Study: Rising Fortunes? Executive Summary: In 1993, AU Bon Pain Company purchased the Saint Louis Bread Company. In 1995, top management at Au Bon Pain instituted a comprehensive overhaul of the newly-acquired Saint Louis Bread locations. The overhaul included altering the menu and the dining atmosphere. The vision was to create a specialty cafe anchored by an authentic, fresh-dough artisan bakery and upscale quick-service menu selections. This acquisition proved successfulRead MoreThe Relationship Between A Homeowner s Outstanding Mortgage Debt And The Market Price Of The Property Essay1427 Words   |  6 Pages 127.241 Albany Internal Assignment 1 Tutor: Susan Flint-Hartle Name: Songlei Liu Student ID: 14119892 Section A 1.Necessities of practical. The distance to company Mobility of labor The relationship between a homeowner’s outstanding mortgage debt and the market price of the property. 2.Because pricing RE is an guesswork used by part of science, and RE is a heterogeneous product. There is no rule on pricing and RE market is floating. Each houseRead MoreQuestion 1: Open Skies Agreement. . Open Skies Agreement1447 Words   |  6 Pagesskies agreement is a covenant between the U.S and Gulf Nations. It is a document that binds and enhances good relationship between U.S, Gulf nations and its Open Skies Partners, (Hannah E. Cline, 2016). 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Elements impacting Nissans performance prior to the global alliance with Renault Internal factors: Emphasis on short-term market share growth instead of a long term success strategy; Advanced engineering and technology, plant productivity, quality management. However, less attention was given to design and innovationRead MoreThe Global Financial Crisis Of 2007-20081123 Words   |  5 Pagesmassive credit availability existed, fueled by large inflows from Russia and Asia. The large transfers of foreign funds facilitated housing construction boom and promoted spending in consumer markets. With real estate, a bubble was also formed thanks to loose lending standards and rising real estate prices. This ensured fast obtainable loans for consumers, allowing unprecedented loan levels (Bernanke, 2009). Foreclosure became a desirable option when home prices started falling. Consumer’s wealth wereRead MoreEssay Panera: A Competitive Plan For Success1347 Words   |  6 Pagesto ensure a high quality dining experience at a reasonable price. This sophisticated concep t for Panera began when a cookie company and a fast casual restaurant, called Au Bon Pain, synergized their efforts and found a propitious niche between fast food and fine dining (Repetti Vincelette, 2005). By 2003, the company was able to generate significant revenues through company-owned stores, through the sale of fresh dough to franchisees, and through royalties and fees paid by franchisees (Repetti Read MoreFinancial Statement For Cmg Operation1350 Words   |  6 PagesThe financial statement for CMG operation in 2012 showed total revenue increased by $461,676 or 20% increase change from $2,269,548 to $2,731,224. This growth pattern continued into 2013 where the company had a dollar value increase of $483,367. Gross profit for 2012 was $740,340 which represents a $151,113 increase over 2011 operations. The gross profit margin of 26% in 2011 increased by 1% in 2012 and remain constant in 2013 showing that CMG’s operation was profitable enough to manage its

Friday, December 20, 2019

The Art Industrys Use of Human Resource Concepts in...

The definition of an organisation is an organised group of people with a particular purpose, such as a business or government department. For this reason, an organisation is unable to function or operate without their human resource, which shows how crucial and significant human resource management (HRM) is in every organisation. The functions of HRM include several functions such as recruitment and selection of the employees, industrial relations, change management and discipline and grievances. In this paper, we will discuss about how the arts industry makes use of human resource concepts or functions in achieving their task towards caring for their employees. Moreover, relevant case studies will be analysed and examined in relation to the discussion, which will also act as evidences or examples of good human resource practices. Lastly, given that the arts industry is a very broad topic, this paper will emphasised more towards the human resource functions in the museums sector. The paper will focus on several human resource functions for instance, recruitment and selection, industrial relations, change management and discipline and grievances. An organisation may possess the assets of the latest technology or physical resources. However, if these assets are not used or performed to its optimum due to the employee’s ineptness, it will hinder the organisation’s path in achieving their goals and results. Hence, recruitment and selection of the right employees is crucialShow MoreRelatedHr Essay4808 Words   |  20 Pagessuccess in the implementation of strategic human resource management, the HRM function needs to be truly strategic in its orientation. Discuss how Netcare endeavours to this strategic position through their various HRM practices. Fred R. David (2007:5) defined strategic management as â€Å"the art and science of formulating, implementing, and evaluating cross-functional decisions that enable an organisation to achieve its objectives. Strategic human resource management as described by Nel et al. (2011:562)Read MoreHr Essay4816 Words   |  20 Pagessuccess in the implementation of strategic human resource management, the HRM function needs to be truly strategic in its orientation. Discuss how Netcare endeavours to this strategic position through their various HRM practices. Fred R. David (2007:5) defined strategic management as â€Å"the art and science of formulating, implementing, and evaluating cross-functional decisions that enable an organisation to achieve its objectives. Strategic human resource management as described by Nel et al. (2011:562)Read MoreJet Blue Airways Case Study Summary3720 Words   |  15 Pageswith achieving this rapid growth while building a values-based, high commitment organizational culture. Her experience as head of human resources for Southwest Airlines from 1988 to 1994 provided her with both appreciation for the challenge and expertise to meet it. 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Pioneers of the health care industry and overall human health and well being, Johnson and Johnson is guided by its â€Å"Our Credo† and founding principle that â€Å"doctors and nurses should use sterile sutures, dressings and bandages to treat peoples wounds† (Johnson and Johnson - Our History). Most of Johnson and Johnsons success can be attributed to its emphasis on decentralizedRead MoreMakeup Artist Business Plan8414 Words   |  34 Pagesfacial or applying makeup. The industry has evolved and matured with an increasing emphasis on health and fitness, total well-being and bringing out the best - the natural beauty - in all of us. A makeup artist is an artist whose medium is the human body, applying makeup and prosthetics for theatrical, television, film, fashion, magazines and other similar productions including all aspects of the modeling industry. 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Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Income Tax Assessment of Australia Free-Samples for Students

Questions: 1.Discuss whether or not the three Payments are Income from Personal Exertion. Would your answer differ if she wrote the Story for her own Satisfaction and only decided to sell it later? 2.Discuss the Effect on the assessable Income of the Parent.3. Based on the Information above, determine Scotts Net Capital Gain or Net Capital Loss for the year ended 30 June of the Current Tax Year. 4.How would your answer to 1 differ if Scott sold the Property to his Daughter for $200,000? 5.How would your answer to 1 differ if the Owner of the Property was a Company Instead of an Individual? Answers: 1.The material facts of the case indicate that Hilary who is professional mountain climber has been extended an offer to pen down the story of her life for a consideration of $ 10,000 which she has accepted. Eventually, she completes the story without any assistance and is paid $ 10,000 for selling the story along with associated copyrights. Also, she derives a total revenue of $7,000 by liquidating the manuscript expedition related photographs to a library. The key concern is to opine if the above payments can be treated as personal exertion income under the ambit of s. 6-5, ITAA 1997. Income from story writing It is interesting to note that despite having no writing experience whatsoever, Hilary is approached by a newspaper and extended a hefty amount of $ 10,000. Also, Hilary completes the story without services of ghost writer and this work is accepted by the newspaper. These two facts clearly reflect that interest of the newspaper does not lie in Hilarys literary skill but rather on the personal information which is considered valuable on account of her fame. The act of writing is merely a mode for passing on the personal information and is otherwise not generating any income. Hence, the receipts would be capital as they relate to the transfer of asset i.e. personal information about Hilary (Barkoczy, 2016). This is in line with the arguments advocated by the honourable court in Brent vs Federal Commissioner of Taxation(1971) 125 CLR case (Gilders et. al., 2016). Income from photographs and manuscript- In line of the above reasoning, it may be argued that the commercial value of photographs does not lie in the skills of photography but rather the content and association with Hilary. Similarly, the manuscript could hardly be considered as a piece of literature having commercial worth but the consideration extended is because it contains details about life of Hilary. Hence, these would also be considered as non-taxable capital receipts (Woellner, 2013). Changed Intention- In case, Hilary pens down the story solely driven by self-satisfaction, then also the income derived would be capital receipts. The argument would still remain the same as the books commercial value would be on account of the content and not because of the writers literary skills. Hence, through the medium of the book essentially an asset transfer would take place which would result in proceeds being capital and non-taxable (CCH, 2015). Conclusion- Neither of the payments would be termed as income on account of personal exertion as the underlying activities have not produced anything having commercial worth. 2.As per the relevant information, mother has extended a loan of $ 40,000 to her son which she expects would be repaid back at the end of five years. The son also offers paying interest @5% per annum which the mother promptly denies and conveys to the son that she expects principal repayment only. The son cleared the debt by making a payment of $ 44,000 through cheque after two years had elapsed. The key concern is to advice in relation to the tax assessability of the proceeds received from the son. Out of the total proceeds received, $ 40,000 is directed towards the principal repayment and therefore will be tax exempt as the receipts are of capital nature (Coleman, 2011). The concern is therefore to ascertain whether the $4,000 paid as interest would be tax assessable or not. In order for the proceeds to be tax assessable they should be either classifiable as ordinary or statutory income (Hodgson, Mortimer and Butler, 2016). The given payment of $ 4,000 is outside the ambit of s. 6-5 as the taxpayer is not engaged in business of money lending. This is apparent from the fact that she denies wanting any interest which is quite contrary to the way business transactions are conducted (CCH, 2015). Further, this may not be taken as profit from isolated transaction as covered under s.15-15. This is because the underlying motive to profit in the form of interest income is lacking (Wollner, 2013). Besides, the $ 4,000 payment cannot be considered as statutory income under s. 6-10 as it is easily cash convertible (Gilders et. al., 2016). Hence, the $ 4,000 payment is a gift in line with the conditions outlined in TR 2005/13 such as the actual transfer of benefit on voluntary basis without any expectations for future and derived from benefaction towards the other party (Barkoczy, 2016). Therefore, no tax would be levied on $ 4,000 and hence the whole $ 44,000 is tax exempt for the parent. 3.As land parcel has been bought before September 20, 1985 while the house construction has been enacted after that, hence land is exempted from paying CGT (Capital Gains tax) but the same cannot be said about the house. Thus, on capital gains made by house, CGT would be applicable (Woellner, 2013). Total valuation of property in 1986 Land = $90,000 Construction cost of house = $60,000 Total cost attributed to house = (Cost of house/Total asset cost) = (60000/150000) = 0.4 or 40% Total valuation of property at present Value of property in auction = $800,000 Property value that could be allocated to the house = 40% of 800000 = $ 320,000 The capital gains may be computed using either discount method or indexation method. Discount method (CCH, 2015) Capital gains (Gross) = Selling price Cost base = 320000 60000 = $ 260,000 Discount of 50% would apply since individual taxpayer and gains are long term Capital gains (Net) = Capital gains (Gross) Discount = 260000 130000 = $ 130,000 Indexation Method (Gilders et. al., 2016) Taxable capital gains = Selling price Inflation adjusted cost base = 320000 - 60000*(68.72/43.2) = $ 224,600 The discount method would be preferred by Scott as the tax liability is minimised in that case. 4.In this case, Scott sells the property for a consideration of $ 200,000 to his daughter even though the market value is $ 800,000 but still the capital gains remain the same as s. 116-30 dictate that computation of taxable capital gains should consider the higher of the market valu and the sale value (Austlii, nd). Thus, $200,000 would be discarded and gains would be computed using $ 800,000 leading to the same value. 5.The owner of the property is a company and not an individual taxpayer. Thus, discount method of capital gains computation is not available and indexation method would be used which would lead to taxable capital gains of $ 224,600 (Coleman, 2011). References Austlii nd, INCOME TAX ASSESSMENT ACT 1997 - SECT 116.30, Austlii Website, [Online] Available at https://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/itaa1997240/s116.30.html [Accessed April 19, 2017] Barkoczy,S 2016, Foundation of Taxation Law 2013,8theds., North Ryde: CCH Publications, CCH 2015, Australian Master Tax Guide 2013, 53rd eds., Sydney: Wolters Kluwer Coleman, C 2011, Australian Tax Analysis, 4th eds., Sydney: Thomson Reuters, Gilders, F, Taylor, J, Walpole, M, Burton, M. and Ciro, T 2016, Understanding taxation law 2016, 9th eds., Sydney: LexisNexis/Butterworths. Hodgson, H, Mortimer, C and Butler, J 2016, Tax Questions and Answers 2016, 5th eds., Sydney: Thomson Reuters, Woellner, R 2013, Australian taxation law 2013, 7th eds., North Ryde: CCH Australia

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Emergence of sociology free essay sample

Sociology is ‘the study of the development, structure and functioning of human society’ and therefore is pertinent to our very existence as human beings. Sociology shines a revealing light on our everyday practices and examines the question why do people do that? Sociology today has emerged as an attempt to understand why our past behaviour and our past beliefs are part of the times we live in. The emergence of sociology began as an attempt to understand what are the determining factors of the world changing. As has been pointed out by Rocher, G. Introduction to Sociology pg. 210 Macmillan Co. of Canada 1972), the advancement of the study of sociology, and its principal support, is its desire to understand modern society much better. Sociology research was developed to try and describe these changes and to predict future events. To understand modernity and why it is impressionable, it is important to compare current society with that of the past. We will write a custom essay sample on Emergence of sociology or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page When we examine the changes in social behavior we see that these changes result from the adjustments in industrial development and religious beliefs. Society shifts with the introduction of new technologies and the availability of education throughout and thus allows us to understand what developments have occurred and why they have come about. Sociologists such as Marx, Comte and Durkheim explore the development of sociology today and examine what has brought about the shifts in society. These founders of sociology look to understand why these changes came about. Comte, Marx and Durkheim became aware of the need to study society in its current form as opposed to the tendency of past philosophers on imagining the ideal society (Macionis, Plummer, 1997, p. 15). One factor, which has had an immense impact on the change and development of society, was the industrial revolution. The industrial revolution began in England during the second half of the 18th century. The industrial revolution involved a transition from heavy reliance on agricultural production to reliance on the manufacture of goods. According to (A. Gliddens and P. W Sutton, Sociology seventh edition, page 72 Polity Press 2013) The industrial revolution radically transformed material conditions of life and ways of making a living forever, initially bringing with it many new social problems such as urban overcrowding, poor sanitation, disease and industrial pollution on an unprecedented scale. Social reformers looked for ways to mitigate and solve these problems, which led them to gather evidence on their extent and nature to reinforce the case for change. It also created new profound changes in the economics of society. Many peasant workers left their agricultural work to go and seek work in industrial factories in the overgrowing cities. The developments during the industrial revolution resulted in a shift in transportation, the introduction of the steam engine and as a direct result the availability of information. Industrialisation bought about great wealth and improved living conditions for some but it left the large majority of workers with poor living and employment conditions. The working class was devoid of any industrial rights and the use of children in factories provided cheap labour. The system proved that only some people were profiting whilst the greater number of people worked for longer hours and received lower wages. This led to dissatisfaction and as a result led to the labour movement and other radical movements dedicated to overthrowing the capitalist system. The industrial revolution forced many people to move into urban areas and the expansion of cities led to an increase in social problems, which attracted the attention of sociologists. Sociologist, Karl Marx was very critical of the capitalist society in his writings and was actively political to encourage its failure. Since the early 19th century it is clear that the industrial revolution transformed mans living conditions and his social organisation. The industrial revolution saw massive changes in society by the destruction of the feudal system and the establishment of capitalism, which is a key area of discussion within sociology. The industrial revolution provides us with answers as to how things have changed and the influence it has had on our modern society therefore it can certainly be noted as a factor contributing to the emergence of sociology. Sociology explores topics, which help us to understand the reasons for how our modern society is today. As pointed out by A. Giddens and P. W Sutton (Sociology seventh edition, introduction, Polity Press 2013) the task of sociology is to understand and explain an ever- changing social world. As discussed in the previous paragraph, Sociology emerged in the wake of the major transformations wrought by the industrial Revolution which had disrupted the previous type of social order and changed the human world forever. Although social change did not simply stop in the 19th century and we can see how our society is still developing and changing as a result of the ever-changing technological developments and industrial inventions still affecting our lives today. Another effect on our changing view is the effect religion has had on society. Many sociologists came from religious backgrounds and sought to understand the place of religion and morality in modern society. Today religion does not play as much of a prominent role in society as it did in the past. In Ireland, for example, Catholicism has suffered an enormous loss of faith in the last 20 years as a direct result of the sexual and physical abuses carried out by people in the religious orders. These abuses opened the door for open dialogue on the morality of the religious and standards and hold they have had on society. There has been a shift in values as to the importance of practicing ones religion in the developed world as opposed to the continued stranglehold religion still has on the countries of the developed world. It remains debatable how benefiticial the process of secularisation will have long term on society. Sociologists question the reasons why the changes of beliefs and the importance of religion have come about. Sociological approaches to religion have been influenced by the ideas of Marx, Durkheim and Weber. Marx himself writes about religion: religion, he says is the heart of a heartless world a heaven from the harshness of the daily realities of capitalism. (A. Giddens and P. W Sutton Sociology seventh edition, page 723,Polity Press 2013). Although it may not be widely agreed with, Marx believes that religion should and will disappear. This view can be said to be shared by the writings of Richard Dawkins in his book â€Å"The God Delusion†, where is argues that â€Å"Religion is not only irrational but potentially deadly†. Durkheim had quite different views towards religion as that of Marx, it is said that Durkheim did not focus on the significance of religion until later on in his career, this proves that religion can not be avoided as a factor of the development of sociology. There have been so many factors which have influenced the many changes in our society, each century has seen the development or discovery of an idea, an invention, a new thinking process and these changes have effected the way society views itself. With the advent of new ideas and technologies we bring the world closer together and sociology helps us understand the world as a whole.