See the attachment Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

See the attachment - Term Paper Example The Economists Dictionary of Economics defines Microeconomics as "The study of economics at the level of individual consumers, groups of consumers, or firms... The general concern of microeconomics is the efficient allocation of scarce resources between alternative uses but more specifically it involves the determination of price through the optimizing behavior of economic agents, with consumers maximizing utility and firms maximizing profit." Microeconomics is a field of economic study that focuses on how an individuals behavior and decisions affect the supply and demand for goods and services. For the purpose of microeconomics, the actions of individuals, households and businesses are crucial. One key element of microeconomics is price theory. Theoretically, all markets are perfectly competitive, with supply and demand driving prices. However, individuals and groups can directly affect the supply and demand of products and services. Labor economics, for example, is based largely on the analysis of the supply and demand for labor of different types. An economic theory contends that the price for any specific good/service is the relationship between the forces of supply and demand. The theory of price indicates that the point at which the benefit gained from the people that demanded the entity,   meets the sellers  marginal costs is the most optimal market price for the good/service. Labor is a measure of the work done by human beings. Labor economics seeks to understand the functioning and dynamics of the market for labor. Labor markets operate through the interaction of workers and employers. Labor economics looks at the suppliers of labor services (workers), the demands of labor services (employers), and attempts to understand the resulting pattern of wages, employment, and income(Freeman, 72-76). Market failure is a situation in which a market is inefficient in organizing

Corporate Finance Assignment ( Questions ) Essay

Corporate Finance Assignment ( Questions ) - Essay Example The Enron scandal and Arthur Anderson case has been the witness of this testimony. If the interest of organisation and individuals are not aligned then there are classical cases like Arthur Anderson and Enron comes up in the public world. This case tries to highlight how a corporation like Arthur Anderson came to such demise. 80 years of legendary innovative history in Corporate America that was created by Arthur Anderson was washed up in a matter of 8 years. Internal divisions came up in the company and the world started to look at Corporate America with shame. To align the principal agent theory in practice, Sarbanes Oxley came into operation in 2002. The act tried to align the best interest of the shareholders and the agent i.e. Management in the same mould. The objective of the act was to reduce the ever growing gap between the two of the main functions of the organisation. There are two main functions of any organisation which decide the fate of the organisation as a whole. The first one of them is the shareholders (Principals) who elect the Management (agent) to represent them as the owner of the company. The objective of the principal is to maximise shareholders wealth while that of Management can be the same or it can be different also. If the objectives are aligned by using good compensation strategy and urging responsibilities over the management then agency cost of the company will be reduced. If that is not the case agency cost will always increase. With this background let us have a look at the classic case of Arthur Anderson. Management of the company which was looking after the AA division of the company was less compensated compared to their counterparts in AC. This is itself a contradiction to the principal agent theory. Arthur Anderson has grown from the roots as a major auditor and the consulting division came into picture very late when they started automating the book keeping systems. AC was very successful and the compensation was not in a lignment with the kind of success they achieved. Hence the companies were separated and consulting division was now separate from auditing division. After the separation AC kept growing fast with their own set of compensation strategy while AA started facing challenges. This challenges are advent from the number of lawsuits AA faced during 1990s and 2000. Employees at AA were resenting and finding other ways to get paid and rope in extra money for the organisation and themselves. This is when they started realigning shareholders interest with theirs. This was visible in the biggest corporate scandal of America- Enron. Enron was the worst corporate scandal which shook American Corporation. Auditors at Arthur Anderson signed the financial statements of Enron without cross checking the stated facts. This was done just to rope in extra money from this big ticket client. Somewhere this is an also a case where organizational structure should be questioned. The reason for this is because f or a big ticket client like Enron, Arthur Anderson compromised its corporate hierarchy. They allowed their premier groups to go and reside at the client’s headquarter. There was no proper check on what was happening within employees and the client. 2- (Goal of financial Management )Why is the goal of financial management to maximize the current share price of the company‘s stock? In other words, why isn’

Speec - Should We Keep Animals in Captivity Essay Example for Free

Speec Should We Keep Animals in Captivity Essay Introduction Do you know that there are approximately a hundred million wild animals, and about twenty thousand species that die every year? Wild animals are in great danger from nature, diseases and worsening environment. The extinction of animals has become a critical problem leading us to think whether or not we should keep animals in captivity. Body – Danger In recent 50 years, nearly two thirds of the world’s forest has been cut down for human industry and agriculture so that a variety of wild animals find it harder to survive as usual. On average, in every 6 square kilometres of the forest, there are over 750 species of trees, 400 species of birds, 150 species of butterflies, 60 species of amphibians, and thousands of species of other plants. But with the disappearance of forests, more wild animals are deprived of shelters and food and die in large numbers. Next imagine that you travel to Africa with the hope to see wild animals, such as rhinos, giraffes, elephants and chimpanzees, only to find nothing but the samples displayed in the museum. Underneath the display, there is the sign saying† Rhinos, the world-famous animals, existed from 500 B.C to 2014 A.D., Cause of death: Human poaching†. Looking at the animal, shouldn’t we feel guilty for human indifference to animals and heavy massacre before? Poaching is the first reason that causes the extinction of wild animals. It’s increased at the rate of 3000 per cent over the past years. Especially, the demands for rhino horns in Africa has rocketed, because it is now valued the same as gold! Other animals like panther, Chimpanzees and Africa elephants are also the victims of human poaching. Another reason to cause animal extinction is the climate change. The earth getting warmer rapidly, the animals that suit cool climates are forced to move and finally lose their habituates for the amazing development of industry and great increase of green-house gases. Body Advantages Having realized the sharp reduction of wild species, some countries have set up many animals reserves to protect the rare animals. Around the world by means of captive propagation, humans have promoted the birth of 135 gorillas, 33 black rhino, and 123 leopards, some of which are restored to their habitual environment. Though captive propagation and reintroduction seem to work effectively and contribute to insurance against sudden or catastrophic losses of animals in the wild, I don’t regard them as the major ways to save animals. Body Disadvantages One of the main problems with captive propagation and reintroduction is the high cost. Capture from the wild, food, veterinary care all contribute significantly to the huge cost. Though some think this problem can be solved by fundraising. The other problem is that captive endangered animals may fail to practice their genetic traits. Animals raised in unnatural conditions where they no longer need to hunt for food, and find shelter themselves would gradually weaken their natural instincts. For example, the animals fed from birth may never learn gathering or prey-hunting skills from their parents as they would in the wild. Generation after generation, will they reduce to home pets? Conclusion It is a painful fact that there will be no more wild animals left on the planet if the climate continues to warm up, or if humans continue poaching them. In such cases, I can’t deny that captive propagation and reintroduction are effective ways to save and increase the number of endangered species. However, the animals fed and bred in artificial conditions will inevitably lose their instincts and vigour they owned in the wildness. Therefore instead of focusing on how to keep animals in captivity, we should try our best to prevent globe warming up and stop poaching with severe punishment, providing a better living condition for those innocent wild animals. Do you agree with my ideas? Or do you have better ways to settle the problem?

The Challenges Faced In International Trade Theory Commerce Essay

The Challenges Faced In International Trade Theory Commerce Essay International trade theory explains the pattern of international trade and the distribution of the gains from trade. Strategic advantage one business entity has over its rival entities within its competitive industry is called competitive advantage. Achieving competitive advantage strengthens and positions a business better within the business environment. In this report, Logitech as a case study of international trade and competitive advantage fully discussed in form of answering study questions. Background Logitech is a world leader in personal peripherals, driving innovation in PC navigation, Internet communications, digital music, home-entertainment control, gaming and wireless devices. Key product lines mice, trackballs, and keyboards webcams, speakers, headsets, and headphones interactive gaming devices network music systems video-security solutions advanced universal remote controls History 1981 established in Switzerland, opens Palo Alto office the following year 1982 introduces its first computer mouse, the P4 1984 secures first major OEM contract with HP 1985 introduces the C7, which sells for under $100 and does not require a separate power supply 1986 opens manufacturing center in Hsinchu, Taiwan, still a key center for worldwide operations and engineering 1987 reaches an OEM agreement to manufacture mice for Macintosh computers sold in Europe 1988 opens OEM sales, manufacturing and distribution hub in Cork, Ireland 1989 wins OEM contract for IBM; introduces the Series 9 mouse, the first mouse designed to fit the natural curve of the human hand 1991-92 introduces first cordless mouse, first digital still camera, and first mic/speaker combo 1994 opens first fully-owned manufacturing facility in Suzhou, China, which now employs 4,000 people 1995 introduces trackball technology; unveils first web camera and gaming joystick 1997 listed on Nasdaq; unveils first USB mouse 2000 introduces the first mouse with optical sensor to track movement 2001 acquires Labtec, expanding its audio business; unveils first cordless optical mouse 2003 surpasses $1 billion in annual revenue; ships its 500 millionth mouse 2005 opens new facility in Suzhou, China 2006 130 new products introduced; 143 million products shipped worldwide Logitech Today Global operations California marketing, finance, and logistics (some RD) Switzerland research and development (programming) Ireland design, mechanical engineering, sales support Netherlands European distribution Taiwan worldwide operations Suzhou, China manufacturing Performance more than 9000 employees distribution in more than 100 countries projected sales, $2.4 billion (11% OEM; 89% retail) Literature review International Trade Theory Brown (2005) defines comparative advantage means the comparison of relative price differences between nations to explain the pattern of trade. For example, compare the relative price of wheat in terms of cheese at home to the same relative price in the foreign economy in a hypothetical equilibrium with no trade (autarky) or with restricted trade. The country with the lower relative price of wheat is said to have a comparative advantage in wheat while the other country has, symmetrically, a comparative advantage in cheese. Buy low, sell high logic predicts that a country will export the good in which it has a comparative advantage. Theory of Comparative Advantage Free trade between international countries concept was structured and built by David Ricardo an economist. He stated that countries goes for trading with other countries would highly benefit from this trade as specialization as there in these countries. In free trade there are no any tariffs or taxes on incoming or outgoing goods and services. Typically, countries tax incoming goods in an attempt to keep domestic producers competitive. According this theory all trading partners even less efficient producers will benefit from specialization and free trade. Porters Diamond and Competitive Advantage Due to globalization, most of organizations strategies were changed towards being international wise. Even if an organization does not plan to import or to export directly, management has to look at an international business environment, in which actions of competitors, buyers, sellers, new entrants of providers of substitutes may influence the domestic market. Information technology is reinforcing this trend. Michael Porter introduced a model that allows analyzing why some nations are more competitive than others are, and why some industries within nations are more competitivethan others are, in his book The Figure.1: Porters Diamond model Competitive Advantage of Nations. This model of determining factors of national advantage has become known as Porters Diamond. It suggests that the national home base of an organization plays an important role in shaping the extent to which it is likely to achieve advantage on a global scale. This home base provides basic factors, which support or hinder organizations from building advantages in global competition. Porter distinguishes four determinants: Firm strategy, structure and rivalry Related and supporting industries Factor conditions Demand conditions Factor Conditions The situation in a country regarding production factors, like skilled labor, infrastructure, etc., which are relevant for competition in particular industries. These factors can be grouped into human resources (qualification level, cost of labor, commitment etc.), material resources (natural resources, vegetation, space etc.), knowledge resources, capital resources, and infrastructure. They also include factors like quality of research on universities, deregulation of labor markets, or liquidity of national stock markets. These national factors often provide initial advantages, which are subsequently built upon. Each country has its own particular set of factor conditions; hence, in each country will develop those industries for which the particular set of factor conditions is optimal. This explains the existence of so-called low cost-countries (low costs of labor), agricultural countries (large countries with fertile soil), or the start-up culture in the United States (well developed venture capital market). Porter points out that these factors are not necessarily nature-made or inherited. They may develop and change. Political initiatives, technological progress or socio-cultural changes, for instance, may shape national factor conditions. A good example is the discussion on the ethics of genetic engineering and cloning that will influence knowledge capital in this field in North America and Europe. Home Demand Conditions Describes the state of home demand for products and services produced in a country. Home demand conditions influence the shaping of particular factor conditions. They have impact on the pace and direction of innovation and product development. According to Porter, home demand is determined by three major characteristics: their mixture (the mix of customers needs and wants), their scope and growth rate, and the mechanisms that transmit domestic preferences to foreign markets. Porter states that a country can achieve national advantages in an industry or market segment, if home demand provides clearer and earlier signals of demand trends to domestic suppliers than to foreign competitors. Normally, home markets have a much higher influence on an organizations ability to recognize customers needs than foreign markets do. Related and Supporting Industries The existence or non-existence of internationally competitive supplying industries and supporting industries. One internationally successful industry may lead to advantages in other related or supporting industries. Competitive supplying industries will reinforce innovation and internationalization in industries at later stages in the value system. Besides suppliers, related industries are of importance. These are industries that can use and coordinate particular activities in the value chain together, or that are concerned with complementary products (e.g. hardware and software). A typical example is the shoe and leather industry in Italy. Italy is not only successful with shoes and leather, but with related products and services such as leather working machinery, design, etc. Firm Strategy, Structure, and Rivalry The conditions in a country that determine how companies are established are organized and are managed, and that determine the characteristics of domestic competition. Here, cultural aspects play an important role. In different nations, factors like management structures, working morale, or interactions between companies are shaped differently. This will provide advantages and disadvantages for particular industries. Typical corporate objectives in relation to patterns of commitment among workforce are of special importance. They are heavily influenced by structures of ownership and control. Family-business based industries that are dominated by owner-managers will behave differently than publicly quoted companies. Porter argues that domestic rivalry and the search for competitive advantage within a nation can help provide organizations with bases for achieving such advantage on a more global scale. Porters Diamond has been used in various ways. Organizations may use the model to identify the extent to which they can build on home-based advantages to create competitive advantage in relation to others on a global front. On national level, governments can (and should) consider the policies that they should follow to establish national advantages, which enable industries in their country to develop a strong competitive position globally. According to Porter, governments can foster such advantages by ensuring high expectations of product performance, safety or environmental standards, or encouraging vertical co-operation between suppliers and buyers on a domestic level etc. Questions Question 1 In a world without trade, what would happen to the costs that American consumers would have to pay for Logitechs products? Question 2 Explain how trade lowers the costs of making computer peripherals such as mice and keyboards. Question 3 Use the theory of comparative advantage to explain the way in which Logitech has configured its global operations. Why does the company manufacture in China and Taiwan, undertake basic RD in California and Switzerland, design products in Ireland, and coordinate marketing and operations from California? Question 4 Who creates more value for Logitech, the 650 people it employs in Fremont and Switzerland, or the 4,000 employees at its Chinese factory? What are the implications of this observation for the argument that free trade is beneficial? Question 5 Why do you think the company decided to shift its corporate headquarters from Switzerland to Fremont? Question 6 To what extent can Porters diamond help explain the choice of Taiwan as a major manufacturing site for Logitech? Question 7 Why do you think China is now a favored location for so much high technology manufacturing activity? How will Chinas increasing involvement in global trade help that country? How will it help the worlds developed economies? What potential problems are associated with moving work to China? Answers Answer 1: The costs American consumers would have to pay for Logitech products would increase significantly in a world without trade. Â   This is due to the face that production, assembly, resources, and sale of their products would all have to be conducted in the US. Â   Logitech would no longer be able to rely on China for cheap labor and assembly, or Taiwan for efficient and cheap manufacturing. Â   Therefore these increased expenses would require a rise in retail price for the consumer. Answer 2: Trade helps in reduction of product prices due the following: Components are procured from any part of the world where they can be produced or manufactured at the best cost. (Motorola plant in Malaysia makes the mouses chip; Agilent Technologies supplies optical sensor). The actual assembling/manufacturing is done at the place where is cab done most cost effectively. (Assembling is done in Taiwan and China) The product reach the customers the most efficient way are taking the services of the most efficient logistics company. (Marketing from Fremont) Answer 3 Comparative advantage, as proposed by Ricard, says that it is beneficial for nations to involve in trade even when there is absolute advantage for them to produce all the goods. So nations will invest a major portion of their resources to produce what they can produce with advantage. This theory is being applied to the case as follow: China: It is cost effective to manufacture in China. China has a large population of semi-literate people who lives in semi-urban areas. It is important for the Chinese government to provide avenues for its people to earn their livelihood. Mass manufacturing is a good way of employing many people. Since there is abundance of semi-literature human resources in China it can manufacture products which need semi-skilled labor most efficiently. Thus Logitech uses China to manufacture mice. Taiwan: Taiwan has invested in creating industrial parks. It is giving land in these parks at very nominal rates. It had developed a strong supply base for computer parts, it has well qualified people. Its local computer industry is also expanding. Taiwan has done all these with an objective of being a major player in the electronics components manufacturing. Logitech is taking advantage of the facilities developed. California: California is located strategically due the Silicon Valley. Having an office in California provides an opportunity for any company to interact with the other companies. It also gives insights into the emerging technologies. These advantages make Logitech choose California as a center for RD. Since California also houses many large corporation, it makes perfect business sense for Logitech to have their marketing operations here. Switzerland: It is known for precision industry. The right talent is available here for developing the software for mice. Hence, Logitech is developing primary software in Switzerland. Ireland: The design firm in Ireland is used by Logitech for ergonomics design. The Ergonomics Society of Ireland is very active in promoting the discovery and exchange of knowledge concerning the characteristics of human beings that are applicable to the design of systems and devices of all kinds. Answer 4 Logitech make $8 for every mouse being sold. Let us assume that $3 of this is spent on RD and software programming. The earning per employee writing the software are code is (3*100)/650 = 0.47 cent. The value added per employee in China is (3*100)/4000 = 0.075 cents. Hence, the value added by RD people is greater. Free trade is beneficial because, it is the free trade which is allowing Logitech to take advantage of the low cost manpower available in China. If free trade were not available, Logitech would be forced to manufacture its mice in US at much higher cost. Answer 5 It helps Logitech to stay close to its customers. It can respond to the demands of the customers more promptly. Fremont is also the place where a lot of technological innovations are happening. Logitech being in the high-tech industry, continuous innovation is a key success factor for its business. Fremont is also an important in terms of managerial talent. All these reasons make it convenient for Logitech to move to Fremont. Answer 6 Porters diamond considers four important attributes which will create an environment helps the domestic industry. The four attributes can be applied to Taiwan becoming a manufacturing hub for electronics goods as shown below: Pool of resources: Taiwan has well qualified people for manufacturing electronic goods. It has good infrastructure and transportation facility. Demand conditions: There is demand throughout the world for electronic products produced in Taiwan. All major global companies source their electronic components from Taiwan. Relating and supporting industries: Taiwan has a well-developed supply base for parts and rapidly expanding local computer industry. Firm Strategy, structure and rivalry: there is competition and rivalry among local companies which help in better efficiency. In addition, government role: The government has created Science-based industrial parks through which they encourage companies to invest in Taiwan. Land is given at very subsidize rates in these parks. Answer 7 All the factors, in Porters diamond are at play in China very efficiently. It has huge human resources, land, water and other natural resources. It has good infrastructure for transportation, ports, and communication. It has created special zones for promoting exports, thus ensuring a good demand for the goods they manufacture. The rivalry among the domestic firms is also very strong. Government supports export oriented firms through funds. The cost of labor is very low. Technical human skills are available. These factors make China a favored location for high-technology manufacturing. Chinas increase in global trade will ensure that investment flows into China for manufacturing. Its balance of payment position will become very strong. It can use the trade a lever for political mileage. As more investment happens it will help China to reap the advantages of economics of scale. It can provide better living conditions for its citizen. It will also generate funds for planned investment. The worlds developed economics will be able to take advantage of the low cost manufacturing available in China. The global companies can improve the efficiency of their supply chain be manufacturing in China. The following are the potential problems associated with moving to work in China: The political changes, when they happen, can lead to disruption of work. Decision making at the government level is opaque, which can cause problems if unfavorable decisions are taken. When there is trouble in the political relationship between the home country and China; the companies may lose an opportunity to develop an alternate to China as a manufacturing hub. Conclusion It is obviously clear to any one that Logitech has strongly satisfied Porters diamond attributes by ensuring resources (China and Taiwan), go with Demand (Taiwan), Firm Strategy, structure and rivalry (California, Swaziland and Fremont) and keep involve in what is up-to-date (Taiwan, Switzerland, California and Fremont). By achieving this, Logitech is considered one of aggressive competitors all over the world with high competitive advantage using innovation as a key tool.

There is always room for pie. :: essays research papers

There Is Always Room For Pie   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Throughout my life my parents have always taught me that a child is a product of its environment. As time has passed and I have grown older and observed the people around me I have seen this fact become more evident. I believe that no one person can mimic another’s actions or behaviors so precisely that they become identical. A person’s personality seems to be an infinitely large empty pie plate. The actions or behaviors that people portray are a small slice that they have taken from others to fill up their plate. These actions and behaviors are taken from the influential people in their lives. I do not think any one will ever have a full pie plate because it seems to me that we never stop learning new behaviors from people around us.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As I have began to talk with my mom more and more through the years I have found her constantly telling me that I act or sound â€Å"just like my father†. Whenever I do or say something around my mom I wait to hear those four words, and it seems that she says them about every four minutes. Even though I mimic many of my father’s actions and behaviors, am I my father? In my mind I do not think I could ever be my dad. I do know why I emulate him so much, because I look up to him. Quite a few sons say that sort of thing about their fathers. Even though it is a generic saying it seems to bring a unique feeling each time it is said. I am glad that I am able to take large pieces from my dad’s personality pie and add them to mine. It does not mean that I have not take anything from my mother’s, it just appears to me that a son imitates more of his father and a daughter imitates more of her mother. I know that this is a sexist statement, but in my observations I have found this to be exceedingly true.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  What things make up the pieces of the personality pie that we copy? A good example would be self-concept/self-image. Self-concept is a person’s impressions, opinions and attitudes toward their physical, mental and emotional makeup. My father had always been a physically strong person. My physical strength that has come from him, as well as body shape, is more genetic than personality.

Free College Admissions Essay :: College Admissions Essays

College Admissions: Essay for Stanford    As the beast ran rampant through the streets, I couldn't help but wonder if my work had been for naught. Trying to salvage any remains, I chased my dog from the room and stared at the havoc left in his wake. The city lay in ruins; the buildings were razed. The prospect of beginning from scratch was ponderous, but I instantly welcomed the challenge. With patience and determination, I began returning the small plastic bricks into their former glory; and then greater glory. Block by block I rebuilt my cities and block-by-block they built me. From these Legos I learned valuable lessons in versatility, creativity, and tenacity.    The sheer vastness of possibilities that Legos present is both intimidating and exhilarating. The colorful blocks lay strewn about in no particular pattern and no particular order. From this chaos virtually anything can be created. As a child I gradually learned not to be intimidated by the endless possibilities but to embrace them, to relish the opportunity to create something from nothing.    A preschool teacher recommended holding me back one year. Because I preferred the challenge of Legos to running about with the other children on the playground, she believed that I was socially and psychologically unprepared for school. Little did she realize that the creativity these blocks taught me became a cornerstone for the rest of my life. The seemingly insurmountable challenges gave me confidence and taught me to value cooperation. Watching my Lego edifices grow slowly but surely skyward taught me patience. Watching them fall again taught me the tenacity to continue onwards. Remembering how each task was created piece by piece allowed me to, line by line, memorize the works of history's greatest playwrights. I was able to join MEChA and help lead the Latino community as co-president, arranging events with our two hundred members. My organizational skills were further utilized as the commissioner of elections. Legos also taught me to help others and to ask for their help. I realized that with the creativity another person at my disposal, we could build things we had never even dreamed of on our own. During my senior year of High School I was introduced to crew. I was enthralled by the rhythmic grace of the sport. My dreams soon had me breathing the early morning air nearly flying over the surface of the water.

Practical Book Review

GUIDELINES FOR THE Practical Book Review By [Your Name] Student ID: [type ID w/out brackets] Presented to [Dr. Professor’s Name] In partial fulfillment of the requirements of Introduction to Pastoral Counseling PACO 500 Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary Lynchburg, VA PRACTICAL BOOK REVIEW [ONE]: [AUTHOR’S LAST NAME] My Summation Communication is a tremendously important part of the human experience. Any effort to improve one’s skills is valuable. Most people think they listen well when having a conversation, but the reality is that most people walk away from a conversation feeling unheard, misunderstood, and disconnected.Petersen uses real world experiences to teach the reader how to handle difficult situations and people. In Petersen’s concept, improvement in listening skills will result in an overall improvement in relationships. Peterson describes the flat brain syndrome in his book. Stomach functions consist of people’s emotions or feelings – those inner nudges that let people know when they’re uncomfortable, happy, excited, interested, attracted, irritable, angry, resentful, frustrated, and curious. Feelings are people’s internal responses to the world around them, to what they’re thinking, and to their bodies.Heart functions give and receive concerns, suggestions, and support. They are ready to consider many options and possibilities. Healthy hearts recognize that people don’t possess â€Å"the whole truth,† but are confident both in owning their views and remaining open to the views of others. The head functions incorporate thinking, planning, remembering, reviewing, deciding, and rationalizing. Petersen points out that a correct understanding of these relationships can make the difference when it comes to lessening conflicts.A unbalanced blend of either too much brain or too much stomach creates flat-brained syndrome where it is all emotion and no thought, or the flat-brain tango, all thought with no emotion. The Talker-Listener Process is the key to creating an environment where two or more people can talk and listen to each other. This promotes a healthy communication atmosphere. The Talker Listener Card, (TLC), can help those who want to improve their ability to interact with others and communicate better. This is especially true for the listening aspect of the relationship.Peterson explains that if we would all go back to our kid-learned skill of taking turns, communication , or speaking vs. listening, would be better achieved. We should focus on listening to one person’s point of view at one time to establish feeling heard, feeling safe, and feeling understood. This will also directly lead to feeling more of a human connection and thus broadening our relationships with others. The TLC helps this process because it allows for each person (the talker and listener) to roll play while having the conversation. Each has a part to play and respon sibilities to take on.The TLC simply states these roles to help remind one what to do. Peterson moves on to explain the way people communicate, especially when asking questions. He refers to this process as similar to being in a courtroom. The way people ask questions makes a huge difference in the outcomes of the questions. People tend to ask questions in a way that sort of guides ones thinking when answering instead of just getting to the point and saying what one really feels. If people would just come out and say what they are feeling, relationships would be better off according to Peterson.Peterson continues to outline several listening techniques. The art of listening has to be practiced in order to succeed. One must first provide a safe place or environment for the talker in order to promote peace and safety. After this is established, the goal is to really listen and understand what the talker is trying to say. Also, clarifying the problem for the talker is very important in order to fully comprehend the situation and how to effectively listen and respond to the talker. In the final process, Petersen puts it all together to examples how to use the process of talking and listening effectively.He gives examples of how to use his theory of â€Å"Flat Brained Syndrome† to overcome issues and people with the syndrome. In the end, he shows you how to become a person that good things happen to due to having great communication skills. My Reflection My Investigation My Application The most crucial element after reading this book is the practical application that one would start to incorporate into their life. I have learned now that I am more committed to becoming an actual listener instead of being a talker. Too often am I getting caught up in the notion that my ideas are somehow more important than those that I am listening to.Peterson said, â€Å"Listen first (and longer) and then, talk second† (125). Peterson has given me methods of becoming a better listener, which in turn will enrich my relationships with people. I will use the skills that are outlined in chapter eighteen to improve the way I listen. I will do this process slowly in order to ensure a more successful outcome by starting with one or two skills first and then moving onto another skill once the preceeding skill was mastered. As a future minister, the ability to really listen is going to be a crucial aspect.One important skill that I need to incorporate first is my ability to repeat accurately what the speaker is trying to say. I have a tendency to take what others say and rephrase it while putting my own twist on it. Peterson says that this is common. In giving feedback, listeners routinely alter the content of what other people say (Peterson 2007). I did not realize how important this is to the listener until Peterson pointed it out. The point is that most people do not seek advice to solve a problem. Most people have the ability to solve problems on the ir own but need a sounding board to bounce thoughts off of when finding a solution.In order to successfully help people as a minister, I must work on my communication skills from here on out. I will improve on being more direct with my words and thoughts so that the talking time that I do have will be more goal oriented and satisfying. I will also learn how to become a better listener. Listening to people and their feelings or thoughts is one of my main concerns when it comes to giving people the proper soul care they deserve from a minister. Peterson’s book has only helped me discover ways to put this into practice. References