Geography of Southeast Asia

Mark is a significant part of any record or understanding between two gatherings. Just manually written marks are legitimate for authoritative reports. The advanced world is presently doing part of recommendations and understandings through PCs and web. So as to use in the online reports, technologists has built up another mark strategy called computerized signature. This paper analyzes the innovation, legitimacy and dependability of computerized marks Introduction Digital mark is an electronic mark which is utilized to distinguish the legitimacy of a document.With the assistance of advanced mark one can confirm that the message he got is unique and unaltered. It's not possible for anyone to dismiss the parenthood of a message on the off chance that it is marked carefully. Advanced mark is a procedure which includes an encryption and decoding of information. The individual who sends the message will scramble the message which can be unscramble just by the recipient. â€Å"A computer ized mark is a â€Å"stamp† places on the information which is interesting to someone, and is hard to forge.In expansion, the mark guarantees that any progressions made to the information that has been marked can't go undetected. † (David Youd) Digital marks 3 Digital mark †Technology â€Å"After making a record, utilizing exceptional programming one can acquire a message hash (scientific outline) of the message. At that point utilizing a private key acquired from an open private key position, the message is been hashed. This encoded hash is the computerized mark of the message.The beneficiary of the message makes a hash of the got message to guarantee the legitimacy of the message. He will at that point utilize the open key gave by the sender to unscramble the message hash. On the off chance that the hashes coordinated, at that point the got message is legitimate. † (Digital mark) Legality of Digital mark Many nations like, US, European Union, and Australia have affirmed computerized marks legitimately simply like other transcribed mark archives. The greater part of the internet business exercises are utilizing computerized marks to verify the documants.â€Å"Stimulated by the advancement of the American Bar Association Digital Signature Guidelines, electronic mark enactment started with the Utah Digital Signature Act, which was established in 1995 and concentrated exclusively on issues raised by cryptography-based advanced marks. Before long, enactment was presented in a few other states† (Thomas J. Smedinghoff and Ruth Hill Bro) Digital marks 4 Issues and worries of computerized marks Like the greater part of the other secure archives have endured by the interruption of programmers, advanced mark innovation is likewise under the consistent dangers from the e-frauds.â€Å"How do you confirm the real assent and authority of an individual identifying with these new electronically-marked exchanges, or realize that the electronic mark wasn't taken from a PC by some inside or outside substance? † (Lauren Weinstein) Conclusion Digital marks are widely utilized in online business exercises. It is lawfully endorsed in numerous nations simply like the manually written marks. Like a large portion of the other secure records in web, the computerized marks are likewise under danger from interlopers or programmers.

Students Need Extended Essay Help

Students Need Extended Essay HelpIf you are looking for a way to improve your grade on an AP exam, there is a good chance that you need extended essay help. It may be a difficult task to complete if you have never studied essay before, but as long as you are prepared, it can be a very effective way to succeed. There are many options available for those who want help in writing essays, and this article will explain the different options that are available to you and help you make an informed decision.You will first need to learn about the types of essays that you may be required to write for your AP classes. These include high school level essays, college-level essays, and AP exams. You should know that every type of essay will take a bit more time than the last. Be prepared for the work that will be required of you by completing a research paper or a thesis essay.In order to get help in writing essays, you will want to find a resource that has a library full of resources that you can use to help you write your essay. If you choose a local resource, you should be able to get the help that you need. A larger national resource will be able to help you write your essay more effectively and efficiently.For those who want more help with writing essays, look for course syllabi that will provide examples of essays that other students in the class have completed. These examples will give you ideas about what to write and how to structure your essay. You should be able to find these resources in the bookstores in your community, but online resources are also available for those who would like to receive the help in writing essays that they need.One thing that you should avoid when looking for a resource that provides help in writing essays is the 'quick' option. Those that do not have the time to spend on this should turn to a national resource instead. The number of resources available will vary greatly, so it is important that you narrow down your options to find the r ight one for you.Writing an effective essay takes time and practice. You should be able to find the resources that you need to help you start improving your writing skills and get help in writing essays from a nationally recognized resource. Remember that each one of these resources will be able to give you specific help in writing essays that will help you increase your writing ability and boost your grade on the AP exam.You should also take the time to find out exactly what you will be expected to write. This will help you plan ahead for your essay, and it will give you an idea of how long the essay will take to complete. If you are unable to complete the essay yourself, you should consider asking for help from someone that is trained in writing essays.A guide for students who need help in writing essays will teach you about all of the different writing techniques that you should know, as well as help you identify the proper format for any new material that you are studying. Since the topic of the essay will largely determine the length of the essay, it is essential that you understand the content that you are researching in order to fully prepare for your essay.

Green IT for Services Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Green IT for Services - Research Paper Example Portrayal of these reasons is a significant piece of this paper. It contains the current circumstance of the way toward making IT green. It discusses the Green IT items that are as of now available. Besides, it additionally discusses the significant IT organizations that are spending critical volume of assets in making IT green by creating Green IT items. Notwithstanding these, this paper incorporates the eventual fate of Green IT. It very well may be anticipated that throughout the following barely any years, a great deal of endeavors will be made in making IT greener and this will unquestionably change the standpoint for the business. Data Technology (IT), in the present worldwide society, goes about as the ‘central anxious system’ for the business associations, governments just as for the social frameworks. Worldwide people group are associated with one another by methods for IT. Today business associations are ‘Going Green’ as the social orders have gott en progressively cognizant about the earth which is feeling the squeeze because of enormous modernization, industrialization and flippant deforestation all through the world in the course of recent decades. ... Uncontrolled utilization of power squeezes the money related limit of an association. Such practices really make the whole framework an impractical one (Baroudi et al, 2009). Moreover, so as to satisfy the developing need for power more force plants would be out of luck and this would at last undermine the earth. Consequently, it is critical to make IT green. There is not really any broad meaning of ‘Green IT’. As per Gary Hird, Green IT can be viewed as the assortment of strategic just as key activities that straightforwardly trims down the organizations’ carbon impression or potentially that utilization data advancements for diminishing carbon impression as well as that boost the ‘greener behavior’ by the partners of the associations (Hird, 2008). During the most recent couple of years ‘Green IT’ has been a mainstream subject of research for the associations like IBM, Sun Microsystems, and Cisco and so on. These enormous global IT firms have just begun to create items which are more vitality proficient and condition cordial. There are associations like Green Grid that helps the worldwide IT industry in tending to the issue of vitality use (Baroudi et al, 2009). Notice that IT has a natural ‘Green aspect’. Data advances manage information which is a nonpolluting substance. They empower virtual customer visits and virtual gatherings which require moderately less vitality. Be that as it may, the volume of utilization differs with the idea of the business. For example, IT if there should arise an occurrence of aircraft industry expends essentially more vitality when contrasted with different ventures (Baroudi et al, 2009).â â

Database Management System and Database Design - 275 Words

The Selection of a Database Management System and Database Design (Essay Sample) Content: The Selection of a Database Management System and Database DesignStudentà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s NameInstitutional AffiliationThe Extent to which End-user Should Participate in Database Management System and Database Design SelectionA software that centralizes logically related data is the database management system (DBMS). Presently, many organizations have adopted the use of database management systems because such a system increases efficiency and eliminates data redundancy. In addition, data management systems have proved to facilitate data processing, increase consistency and improve data management (Pathak, 2008). Notably, the effectiveness of a database system depends on the value it adds to the user; thus, this paper discusses why the management team should involve the end-user in the database management systems and database design.Firstly, the administration expects the employeesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ efforts to conform to the organizational strategic plans. Importantly, the type o f database system in place will determine an employee performance. The end-user regularly interacts with the system; thus, the system should be user-friendly. One should note that this is possible only if the managers allow the end-user involvement in the system design. Secondly, some employees are change averse; hence, have to take part in the design as a form of reducing resistance. In fact, involving end-users in the system design boosts their morale; thus, increasing teamwork actualizing more gains.The third factor is that end-user involvement in database design reduces unnecessary costs both long-term and short-term beca...

The Theory of Behaviorism - 900 Words

A significant piece of several psychological theories in the late nineteenth century was introspection, which is â€Å"the examination or observation of ones own mental and emotional processes† (Press, 2013). In retort to this theory behaviorism came about. Behaviorism is predominantly concerned with observable and measurable aspects of human behavior. In other words behaviorism does not look at the biological aspects but it suggests that all behaviors are learned habits and changes in response to the environment. It endeavors to explain how these particular habits are formed. Behaviorism claimed that the causes of behavior was not necessarily found in the complexities of the mind but could be observed in one’s immediate environment, from stimuli that produced, reinforced, and punished certain responses also known later on as conditioning. It wasn’t until the twentieth century that the scientist began to discover the actual systems to learning, thereby laying a f oundation for behaviorism. A theorist by the name of Ivan Pavlov was a major contribution to the discovering of significant behavioral theories. Ivan Petrovich Pavlov was born on September 14, 1849 in the small village of Ryazan, Russia. He was the son of Peter Dmitrievich Pavlov, who was the village’s own priest. As the son of a priest, Ivan went to church school and attended the theological seminary. The family hoped that Ivan would follow in his father’s footsteps and become a priest as well, but Ivan had other plans.Show MoreRelatedBehaviorism Theory On The Theory Of Behaviorism Essay1221 Words   |  5 PagesOne of the theories we have studied this semester in Knowing and Learning in Mathematics and Science is the Behaviorism theory. 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It is essential to point out the differences between the two theories so as to study how these two theories have been implemented to educational experiences. Studies have been made on the comparison on the two theories and their contribution to educational experiences. Bates (2016) had detailed analyses on the both theories and how they can beRead MoreLearning Theories : Theory Of Behaviorism1037 Words   |  5 PagesLearning Theories Essay Behaviorism focuses on a new behavioral pattern being repeated until it becomes automatic. The theory of behaviorism concentrates on the study of overt behaviors that can be observed and measured (Good Brophy, 1990). It views the mind as a black box in the sense that response to stimulus can be observed quantitatively, totally ignoring the possibility of thought processes occurring in the mind. Some key players in the development of the behaviorist theory were Pavlov,Read MoreTheories Of Behaviorism And Constructivism754 Words   |  4 PagesIntroduction Behaviorism and constructivism are learning theories which stem from two philosophical schools of thought which provide a structured foundation for planning and teaching instructional tasks. Behaviorism is based on observable changes in behavior. Any concept can be learned if it is repeated enough until it becomes automatic. Some key players in the development of the behaviorist theory include Pavlov, Watson, Thorndike and Skinner. Constructivism is based on the premise that weRead MoreA Reflection On Behaviorism Theory849 Words   |  4 Pages My assessment also shows my behavior reveals that I’m a loving individual. I always want the best for people and depart out of my way to do little special things for them by nature I am a giver. I choose behaviorism theory because I’m more intimate with this theory, it’s the most theory that I will have to deal with more when I began the job that I am going to because there will be a lot of children and teenagers with different behaviors around me, some good and some that are bad. With this behaviorRead MoreThe Theories Of Psychology And Behaviorism2081 Words   |  9 Pagesdo are all topics that psychology cover. Many great thinkers and scientists have taken up their time into developing laws and theories in this broad field of science. Among the vanguard of some of the more eminent scientists is Abraham Maslow. Before the time of Maslow, psychology was much more negative in nature. Theories like psychoanalytic psychology and behaviorism were more attentive on the primal nature of humans. For Sigmund Frued, the founder of psychoanalysis, human behavior is deeply subjective

The Success Of An Entrepreneur - 1209 Words

We live in a country where entrepreneurs who are willing to put themselves out there and work hard to accomplish their goals can find success in the current economy. An entrepreneur is defined as, â€Å"A person who risks time and money to start and manage a business† (Nickels, McHugh, McHugh 4). Being an entrepreneur is something that interests me for what I would like to do after getting out of the Army. If I was to start my own business it would be a bar and grill in the town of Sierra Vista, which is located close to Fort Huachuca. I would name it JJ’s Bar and Grill and create an environment that caters to soldiers and their families. I would like this business to focus on providing to service members of the past and present. There are too many establishments in this area that take advantage of soldiers and don’t understand what they go through. I’d like to design a business that provides food and drinks to everyone at a reasonable price and is a plac e where soldiers feel safe and comfortable. The first steps of opening this establishment would be deciding on a location and getting the proper licenses to open the business. A good location is essential to any successful business. An article from smallbusiness.chron.com states, â€Å"You do not want to spend the time and money to open your bar only to find out the neighbors want to shut you down every night† (Root, George III smallbusiness.chron.com). Having the support of the community is vital when running a bar. You have toShow MoreRelatedThe Success Of An Entrepreneur1652 Words   |  7 PagesWhenever you get in your car in the morning, or go to the movies or dinner, thank an entrepreneur. When you go to work to earn a living, thank an entrepreneur. When you pick up your groceries from the store, thank an entrepreneur. 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Wal Mart Annual Report Analysis free essay sample

Eduardo Castro-Wright Vice Chairman, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. M. Susan Chambers Executive Vice President, Global People Brian C. Cornell Executive Vice President, President and Chief Executive Officer, Sam’s Club 2 010 Financial Report 15 Five-Year Financial Summary 16 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 30 Consolidated Statements of Income 31 Consolidated Balance Sheets 32 Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity 33 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 34 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 52 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 3 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting Thomas M. Schoewe Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 54 Management’s Report to Our Shareholders 55 Fiscal 2010 End-of-Year Store Count H. Lee Scott, Jr. Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors 56 Corporate and Stock Information Leslie A. Dach Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Government Relations Michael T. Duke President and Chief Executive Officer Rollin L. Ford Executive Vice President, Chief Information Officer Thomas D. Hyde Executive Vice President, Legal, Ethics, nd Corporate Secretary C. Douglas McMillon Executive Vice President, President and Chief Executive Officer, Walmart International S. Robson Walton Chairman of the Board of Directors Steven P. Whaley Senior Vice President and Controller 14 Walmart 2010 Annual Report 107077_L01_FIN_02. indd 14 4/6/10 12:10:45 AM 2010 FINANCIAL REVIEW Five-Year Financial Summary (Amounts in millions except per share and unit count data) As of and for the Fiscal Years Ended January 31, 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 (1) Operating Results Net sales Net sales increase Comparable store sales in the United States (2) Walmart U. S. Sam’s Club Gross pro? t margin Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses, as a percentage of net sales Operating income Income from continuing operations attributable to Walmart Per share of common stock: Income from continuing operations attributable to Walmart, diluted Dividends $405,046 1. 0% -0. 8% -0. 7% -1. 4% 24. 8% $401,087 7. 3% 3. 5% 3. 2% 4. 9% 24. 2% $373,821 8. 4% 1. 6% 1. 0% 4. 9% 24. 0% $344,759 11. 6% 2. 0% 1. 9% 2. 5% 23. 4% $308,945 9. 8% 3. 4% 3. 0% 5. 0% 23. 1% 19. 7% $ 23,950 14,414 19. 3% $ 22,798 13,254 19. 0% $ 21,952 12,863 18. 5% $ 20,497 12,189 18. 0% $ 18,693 1,386 3. 72 1. 09 $3. 35 0. 95 $3. 16 0. 88 $2. 92 0. 67 $2. 72 0. 60 $ 33,160 102,307 170,706 36,401 70,749 $ 34,511 95,653 163,429 34,549 65,285 $ 35,159 96,867 163,514 33,402 64,608 $ 33,667 88,287 151,587 30,735 61,573 $ 31,910 77,863 138,793 30,096 53,171 Unit Counts Walmart U. S. Segment International Segment Sam’s Club Segment 3,708 4,112 596 3,656 3,605 602 3,550 3, 098 591 3,443 2,734 579 3,289 2,158 567 Total units 8,416 7,863 7,239 6,756 6,014 Financial Position Inventories Property, equipment and capital lease assets, net Total assets Long-term debt, including obligations under capital leases Total Walmart shareholders’ equity $ (1) In connection with the company’s ? nance transformation project, we reviewed and adjusted the classi? cation of certain revenue and expense items within our Consolidated Statements of Income for ? nancial reporting purposes. Although the reclassi? cations impacted net sales, gross margin and operating, selling, general and administrative expenses, they did not impact operating income or income from continuing operations attributable to Walmart. The changes were effective February 1, 2009 and have been re? ected for ? scal years 2010, 2009 and 2008. 2) Comparable store and club sales include fuel. For ? scal 2006, we considered comparable sales to be sales at stores and clubs that were open as of February 1st of the prior ? scal year and which had not been converted, expanded or relocated since that date. Fiscal 2008 and ? scal 2007 comparable sales includes all stores and clubs that have been open for at least the previous 12 mon ths. Additionally, for those ? scal years, stores and clubs that are relocated, expanded or converted are excluded from comparable sales for the ? rst 12 months following the relocation, expansion or conversion. Fiscal 2010 and 2009 comparable sales include sales from stores and clubs open for the previous 12 months, including remodels, relocations and expansions. Fiscal 2008 and prior ? scal years’ comparable sales do not re? ect reclassi? cations effective February 1, 2009, as noted above. Walmart 2010 Annual Report 15 107077_L01_FIN_02. indd 15 4/6/10 12:10:45 AM Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Overview Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (â€Å"Walmart,† the â€Å"company† or â€Å"we†) operates retail stores in various formats around the world and is committed to saving people money so they can live better. We earn the trust of our customers every day by providing a broad assortment of quality merchandise and services at every day low prices (â€Å"EDLP†), while fostering a culture that rewards and embraces mutual respect, integrity and diversity. EDLP is our pricing philosophy under which we price items at a low price every day so that our customers trust that our prices will not change under frequent promotional activity. Our focus for Sam’s Club is to provide exceptional value on brand name merchandise at â€Å"members only† prices for both business and personal use. Internationally, we operate with similar philosophies. Our ? scal year ends on January 31 for our U. S. , Canada and Puerto Rico operations. Our ? scal year ends on December 31 for all other operations. We intend for this discussion to provide the reader with information that will assist in understanding our ? nancial statements, the changes in certain key items in those ? nancial statements from year to year, and the primary factors that accounted for those changes, as well as how certain accounting principles affect our ? nancial statements. We also discuss certain performance metrics that management uses to assess our performance. The discussion also provides information about the ? nancial results of the various segments of our business to provide a better understanding of how those segments and their results affect the ? nancial condition and results of operations of the company as a whole. This discussion should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements as of January 31, 2010, and the year then ended, and accompanying notes. Our operations comprise three business segments: Walmart U. S. , International and Sam’s Club. The Walmart U. S. segment includes the company’s mass merchant concept in the United States, operating under the â€Å"Walmart† or â€Å"Wal-Mart† brand, as well as walmart. com. The International segment consists of the company’s operations outside of the 50 United States. The Sam’s Club segment includes the warehouse membership clubs in the United States, as well as samsclub. com. Sales By Segment Net sales in ? scal 2010 were a record $405. 0 billion, up 1. 0% from ? scal 2009. Sam’s Club 11. 5% International 24. 7% Throughout this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, we discuss segment operating income and comparable store sales. The company measures the results of its segments using, among other measures, each segment’s operating income which includes certain corporate overhead allocations. From time to time, we revise the measurement of each segment’s operating income, including any corporate overhead allocations, as dictated by the information regularly reviewed by our chief operating decision maker. When we do so, the segment operating income for each segment affected by the revisions is restated for all periods presented to maintain comparability. In connection with the company’s ? nance transformation project, we reviewed and adjusted the classi? cation of certain revenue and expense items within our Consolidated Statements of Income for ? nancial reporting purposes. The reclassi? cations did not impact operating income or consolidated net income attributable to Walmart. The changes were effective February 1, 2009 and have been re? ected in all periods presented. Comparable store sales is a measure which indicates the performance of our existing U. S. stores and clubs by measuring the growth in sales for such stores for a particular period over the corresponding period in the prior year. In ? scal 2008, our method of calculating comparable store sales included all stores and clubs that were open for at least the previous 12 months. Additionally, stores and clubs that were relocated, expanded or converted were excluded from comparable store sales for the ? rst 12 months following the relocation, expansion or conversion. During ? scal year 2008, the company reviewed its de? ition of comparable store sales for consistency with other retailers. As a result of that review, since February 1, 2008, Walmart’s de? nition of comparable store sales includes sales from stores and clubs open for the previous 12 months, including remodels, relocations and expansions. Changes in format continue to be excluded from comparable store sales when the conv ersion is accompanied by a relocation or expansion that results in a change in square footage of more than ? ve percent. Since the impact of this revision is inconsequential, the company will not restate comparable store sales results for previously reported years. Comparable store sales are also referred to as â€Å"same-store† sales by others within the retail industry. The method of calculating comparable store sales varies across the retail industry. As a result, our calculation of comparable store sales is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. In discussions of our consolidated results and the operating results of our International segment, we sometimes refer to the impact of changes in currency exchange rates. When we refer to changes in currency exchange rates or currency exchange rate ? ctuations, we are referring to the differences between the currency exchange rates we use to convert the International segment’s operating results from local currencies into U. S. dollars for reporting purposes. The impacts of currency exchange rate ? uctuations are typically calculated as the difference between current period activity translated using the current period’s currency excha nge rates and the comparable prior year period’s currency exchange rates, respectively. We use this method for all countries where the functional currency is not U. S. denominated. Walmart U. S. 63. 8% 16 Walmart 2010 Annual Report 107077_L01_FIN. ndd 16 4/6/10 8:25:50 PM Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations The Retail Industry We operate in the highly competitive retail industry in both the United States and the countries we serve internationally. We face strong sales competition from other discount, department, drug, variety and specialty stores, warehouse clubs, and supermarkets, many of which are national, regional or international chains, as well as internet-based retailers and catalog businesses. We compete with a number of companies for prime retail site locations, as well as in attracting and retaining quality employees whom we call â€Å"associates†). We, along with other retail companies, are in? uenced by a number of factors including, but not limited to: general economic conditions, cost of goods, consumer disposable income, consumer debt levels and buying patterns, consumer credit availability, interest rates, customer preferences, unemployment, labor costs, in? ation, de? ation, currency exchange ? uctuations, fuel and energy prices, weather patterns, climate change, catastrophic events, competitive pressures and insurance costs. Further information on risks to our company can be located in â€Å"Item 1A. Risk Factors† in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the ? scal year ended January 31, 2010. Company Performance Metrics The company’s performance metrics emphasize three priorities for improving shareholder value: growth, leverage and returns. The company’s priority of growth focuses on sales growth; the priority of leverage encompasses the company’s metric to increase our operating income at a faster rate than the growth in net sales by growing our operating, selling, general and administrative expenses (â€Å"operating expenses†) at a slower rate than the growth of our net sales; and the priority of returns focuses on how ef? iently the company employs our assets through return on investment (â€Å"ROI†) and how effectively the company manages working capital through free cash ? ow. Growth Net Sales Fiscal Years Ended January 31, (Dollar amounts in millions) 2009 2010 Percent increase Net sales Percent of total 2008 Percent increase Net sale s Percent of total Net sales Percent of total Walmart U. S. International Sam’s Club $258,229 100,107 46,710 63. 8% 24. 7% 11. 5% 1. 1% 1. 3% -0. 4% $255,348 98,840 46,899 63. 7% 24. 6% 11. 7% 6. 9% 9. 1% 5. 8% $238,915 90,570 44,336 63. 9% 24. 2% 11. 9% Net Sales $405,046 00. 0% 1. 0% $401,087 100. 0% 7. 3% $373,821 100. 0% O ur net sales increased by 1. 0% and 7. 3% in ? scal 2010 and 2009, respectively, when compared to the previous ? scal year. Net sales in ? scal 2010 increased due to increased customer traf? c, continued global expansion activities and the acquisition of our Chilean subsidiary, Distribucion y Servicio (â€Å"DS†) in January 2009, offset primarily by a $9. 8 billion unfavorable currency exchange rate impact in our International segment and price de? ation in certain merchandise categories in our Walmart U. S. segment. Net sales in ? cal 2009 increased due to our global expansion activities and comparable store sales increases, offset by a $2. 3 bi llion unfavorable currency exchange rate impact. Despite the unfavorable impact of currency exchanges rates, the International segment’s net sales as a percentage of total company net sales increased in ? scal 2010 and 2009, respectively. Volatility in currency exchange rates may continue to impact the International segment’s net sales in the future. Comparable Store Sales Comparable store sales is a measure which indicates the performance of our existing U. S. tores by measuring the growth in sales for such stores for a particular period over the corresponding period in the prior year. Comparable store sales in the United States decreased 0. 8% in ? scal 2010 and increased 3. 5% in ? scal 2009. Although customer traf? c increased in ? scal 2010, comparable store sales in the United States were lower than ? scal 2009 due to de? ation in certain merchandise categories and lower fuel prices. Comparable store sales in the United States in ? scal 2009 were higher than ? sc al 2008 due to an increase in customer traf? c, as well as an increase in average transaction size per customer. As we continue to add new stores in the United States, we do so with an understanding that additional stores may take sales away from existing units. We estimate the negative impact on comparable store sales as a result of opening new stores was approximately 0. 6% in ? scal 2010 and 1. 1% in ? scal 2009. With our planned slower new store growth, we expect the impact of new stores on comparable store sales to stabilize over time. Fiscal Years Ended January 31, 2010 2009 2008 Walmart U. S. Sam’s Club (1) -0. 7% -1. 4% 3. 2% 4. 9% 1. 0% 4. 9% Total U. S. -0. 8% 3. 5% 1. 6% (1) Sam’s Club comparable club sales include fuel. Fuel sales had a negative impact of 2. 1 percentage points in ? scal year 2010, and positive impact of 1. 2 and 0. 7 percentage points in ? scal years 2009 and 2008, respectively, on comparable club sales. Walmart 2010 Annual Report 17 107077_L01_FIN_02. indd 17 4/6/10 12:10:46 AM Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Leverage Fiscal Years Ended January 31, (Dollar amounts in millions) 2009 2010 Operating income Percent of total Percent increase Operating income 2008 Percent of total Percent increase Operating income Percent of total Walmart U. S. International Sam’s Club Other $19,522 5,033 1,512 (2,117) 81. 5% 21. 0% 6. 3% -8. 8% 5. 2% 1. 9% -8. 1% -9. 9% $18,562 4,940 1,646 (2,350) 81. 4% 21. 7% 7. 2% -10. 3% 6. 8% 4. 6% -0. 1% 30. 3% $17,383 4,725 1,648 (1,804) 79. 2% 21. 5% 7. 5% -8. 2% Total operating income $23,950 100. 0% 5. 1% $22,798 100. 0% 3. 9% $21,952 100. 0% We believe growing operating income at a faster rate than net sales growth is a meaningful measure because it indicates how effectively we manage costs and leverage operating expenses. Our objective is to grow operating expenses at a slower rate than net sales. nd ending total assets of continuing operations plus accumulated depreciation and amortization less accounts payable and accrued liabilities for that period, plus a rent factor equal to the rent for the ? scal year multiplied by a factor of eight. Operating Expenses In ? scal 2010, operating expenses increased 2. 7% when compared to ? scal 2009, while net sales increased 1. 0% over the same period. Operating expenses grew at a faster rate than net sales due to higher health bene? t costs, restructuring charges and higher advertising expenses. In ? scal 2009, operating expenses increased 9. % compared to ? scal 2008 while net sales increased 7. 3% over the same period. Operating expenses grew at a faster rate than net sales in ? scal 2009 primarily due to higher utility costs, legal matters, higher health bene? t costs and increased corporate expenses. ROI is considered a non-GAAP ? nancial measure under the SEC’s rules. We consider return on assets (â€Å"ROA†) to be the ? nancial measure computed in accordance with GAAP that is the most directly comparable ? nancial measure to ROI as we calculate that ? nancial measure. ROI differs from ROA (which is income from continuing operations for the ? cal year divided by average total assets of continuing operations for the period) because ROI: adjusts operating income to exclude certain expense items and adds i nterest income; adjusts total assets from continuing operations for the impact of accumulated depreciation and amortization, accounts payable and accrued liabilities; and incorporates a factor of rent to arrive at total invested capital. Operating Income For ? scal 2010, we met our objective of growing operating income at a faster rate than net sales. Our operating income increased by 5. 1% when compared to ? cal 2009, while net sales increased by 1. 0% over the same period. Our Walmart U. S. and International segments met this objective. Our Sam’s Club segment fell short of this objective primarily due to a $174 million charge to restructure its operations, including the closure of 10 clubs. For ? scal 2009, we did not meet our objective because our operating income increased by 3. 9% when compared to ? scal 2008, while net sales increased by 7. 3% over the same period. The Walmart U. S. and Sam’s Club segments fell short of this objective due to increases in operatin g expenses. The International segment fell short of this objective due to accruals for certain legal matters and ? uctuations in currency exchange rates. Although ROI is a standard ? nancial metric, numerous methods exist for calculating a company’s ROI. As a result, the method used by management to calculate ROI may differ from the methods other companies use to calculate their ROI. We urge you to understand the methods used by another company to calculate its ROI before comparing our ROI to that of such other company. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Operating Income (Amounts in millions) 24,000 Returns Return on Investment Management believes return on investment is a meaningful metric to share with investors because it helps investors assess how effectively Walmart is employing its assets. Trends in ROI can ? uctuate over time as management balances long-term potential strategic initiatives with any possible short-term impacts. ROI was 19. 3 percent for both ? scal years ended January 31, 2010 a nd 2009. $18,000 Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. operating income increased 5. 1% in ? scal 2010, driven by a 5. 2% increase in Walmart U. S. $12,000 $ 6,000 We de? e ROI as adjusted operating income (operating income plus interest income, depreciation and amortization and rent expense) for the ? scal year divided by average invested capital during that period. We consider average invested capital to be the average of our beginning 0 08 09 10 Fiscal Years 18 Walmart 2010 Annual Report 107077_L01_FIN. indd 18 4/6/10 10:19:20 PM Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations The calculation of ROI along with a reconciliation to the calculation of ROA, the most comparable GAAP ? nancial measurement, is as follows: For the Years Ended January 31, Dollar amounts in millions) 2010 2009 Numerator Operating income (1) + Interest income (1) + Depreciation and amortization (1) + Rent (1) $ 23,950 181 7,157 1,808 $ 22,798 284 6,739 1,751 = Adjusted operating income $ 33,096 $ 31,572 Denominator Average total assets of continuing operations (2) + Average accumulated depreciation and amortization (2) Average accounts payable (2) Average accrued liabilities (2) + Rent x 8 $166,900 38,359 29,650 18,423 14,464 $162,891 33,317 29,597 16,919 14,008 = Average invested capital $171,650 $163,700 CALCULATION OF RETURN ON INVESTMENT Return on investment (ROI) 19. 3% 19. 3% CALCULATION OF RETURN ON ASSETS Numerator Income from continuing operations (1) $ 14,927 $ 13,753 Denominator Average total assets of continuing operations (2) $166,900 $162,891 Return on assets (ROA) 8. 9% 8. 4% As of January 31, 2010 Certain Balance Sheet Data (1) Total assets of continuing operations Accumulated depreciation and amortization Accounts payable Accrued liabilities 2009 2008 $170,566 41,210 30,451 18,734 $163,234 35,508 28,849 18,112 $162,547 31,125 30,344 15,725 (1) Based on continuing operations only and therefore excludes the impact of closing 23 stores and the divesture of other properties of The Seiyu, Ltd. now Walmart Japan) pursuant to a restructuring program adopted during the third quarter of ? scal 2009. All of these activities have been disclosed as discontinued operations. Total assets as of January 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 in the table above exclude assets of discontinued operations that are re? ected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets of $140 million, $19 5 million and $967 million, respectively. (2) The average is based on the addition of the account balance at the end of the current period to the account balance at the end of the prior period and dividing by 2. Walmart 2010 Annual Report 19 107077_L01_FIN_02. indd 19 /6/10 12:10:47 AM Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Free Cash Flow We de? ne free cash ? ow as net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations in a period minus payments for property and equipment made in that period. We generated positive free cash ? ow of $14. 1 billion, $11. 6 billion and $5. 7 billion for the years ended January 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The increase in our free cash ? ow is primarily the result of improved operating results and inventory management. The following table sets forth a reconciliation of free cash ? w, a nonGAAP ? nancial measure, to net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operati ons, a GAAP measure, which we believe to be the GAAP ? nancial measure most directly comparable to free cash ? ow, as well as information regarding net cash used in investing activities and net cash used in ? nancing activities. Fiscal Years Ended January 31, (Amounts in millions) Free cash ? ow is considered a non-GAAP ? nancial measure under the SEC’s rules. Management believes, however, that free cash ? ow, which measures our ability to generate additional cash from our business operations, is an important ? ancial measure for use in evaluating the company’s ? nancial performance. Free cash ? ow should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, income from continuing operations as a measure of our performance and net cash provided by operating activities as a measure of our liquidity. Additionally, our de? nition of free cash ? ow is limited, in that it does not represent residual cash ? ows available for discretionary expenditures due to the fac t that the measure does not deduct the payments required for debt service and other contractual obligations or payments made for business acquisitions. Therefore, we believe it is important to view free cash ? ow as a measure that provides supplemental information to our entire statement of cash ? ows. Although other companies report their free cash ? ow, numerous methods may exist for calculating a company’s free cash ? ow. As a result, the method used by our management to calculate free cash ? ow may differ from the methods other companies use to calculate their free cash ? ow. We urge you to understand the methods used by another company to calculate its free cash ? ow before comparing our free cash ? ow to that of such other company. We generated positive free cash flow of $14. 1 billion, $11. 6 billion and $5. 7 billion for the years ended January 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The increase in our free cash flow is primarily the result of improved operating results and inventory management. Net cash provided by operating activities Payments for property and equipment Free cash ? ow Net cash used in investing activities Net cash used in ?nancing activities 2010 $26,249 (12,184) $ 14,065 2009 2008 $ 23,147 $ 20,642 (11,499) (14,937) $ 11,648 $ 5,705 $(11,620) $(10,742) $(15,670) $(14,191) $ (9,918) $ (7,422) Results of Operations The following discussion of our Results of Operations is based on our continuing operations and excludes any results or discussion of our discontinued operations. Unusual or infrequent items that impacted our income from continuing operations during the ? scal years ended 2010, 2009 and 2008 were as follows: †¢ In ? scal 2010, the company announced several organizational changes, including the closure of 10 Sam’s Clubs, designed to strengthen and streamline our operations. As a result, we recorded $260 million in pre-tax restructuring charges. †¢ In ? cal 2010, we recorded $372 million in net tax bene? ts primarily from the repatriation of certain non-U. S. earnings that increased U. S. foreign tax credits. †¢ In ? scal 2009, the company settled 63 wage-and-hour class action lawsuits. As a result of the settlement, the company recorded a pre-tax charge of approximately $382 million during the fourth quarter of ? scal 2009. †¢ In ? scal 2008, we reduced our accrued liabilities for our general liability and worker’s compensation claims. As a result, operating expenses were reduced by a pre-tax amount of $298 million. 20 Walmart 2010 Annual Report 07077_L01_FIN. indd 20 4/7/10 12:14:15 AM Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Consolidated Results of Operations Fiscal Year Net Sales (1) % Change from Prior Fiscal Year 2010 2009 2008 $405,046 401,087 373,821 1. 0% 7. 3% 8. 4% Operating Income (1) Operating Income as a Percentage of Net Sales Comp Sales Unit Counts Square Footage (2) $23,950 22,798 21,952 5. 9% 5. 7% 5. 9% -0. 8% 3. 5% 1. 6% 8,416 7,863 7,239 952,204 918,008 867,448 (1) Amounts in millions (2) Amounts in thousands Our consolidated net sales increased by 1. 0% and 7. 3% in ? cal 2010 and 2009, respectively, when compared to the previous ? scal year. Net sales in ? scal 2010 increased due to increased customer traf? c, continued global expansi on activities and the acquisition of DS in January 2009, offset primarily by a $9. 8 billion unfavorable currency exchange rate impact in our International segment and price de? ation in certain merchandise categories in our Walmart U. S. segment. Net sales in ? scal 2009 increased due to our global store expansion activities, comparable store sales increases, offset by a $2. 3 billion unfavorable currency exchange rate impact. Volatility in currency exchange rates may continue to impact the International segment’s net sales in the future. Our gross pro? t, as a percentage of net sales, (our â€Å"gross pro? t margin†) was 24. 8%, 24. 2% and 24. 0% in ? scal 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Our Walmart U. S. and International segment sales yield higher gross pro? t margins than our Sam’s Club segment. In ? scal 2010, gross pro? t margin increased primarily due to the continued focus on enhanced merchandising strategies and better inventory management in our Walmart U. S. and Sam’s Club segments. The gross pro? margin increase in ? scal 2009 compared to ? scal 2008 was primarily due to lower inventory shrinkage and less markdown activity as a result of more effective merchandising in the Walmart U. S. segment. Operating expenses, as a percentage of net sales, were 19. 7%, 19. 3% and 19. 0% for ? scal 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. In ? scal 2010, operating expenses increased primarily due to higher health bene? t costs, a pre-tax charge of $260 million relating to the restructuring of U. S. operations and higher advertising expenses. In ? scal 2009, operating expenses increased rimarily due to higher utility costs, a pre-tax charge of approximately $382 million resulting from the settlement of 63 wage-and-hour class action lawsuits, higher health bene? t costs and increased corporate expenses compared to ? scal 2008. Our effective income tax rate was 32. 4% for ? scal year 2010 and 34. 2% for ? scal years 2009 and 2008. The ? scal 2010 effective tax rate decreased compared to ? scal 2009 due to $372 million in net tax bene? ts that primarily resulted from the repatriation of certain non-U. S. earnings that increased our utilization of U. S. foreign tax credits. As a result of the factors discussed above, we reported $14. 9 billion, $13. 8 billion and $13. 3 billion of income from continuing operations for the ? scal years ended January 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Walmart U. S. Segment Fiscal Year Net Sales (1) % Change from Prior Fiscal Year 2010 2009 2008 $258,229 255,348 238,915 1. 1% 6. 9% 5. 6% Operating Income (1) Operating Income as a Percentage of Net Sales Comp Sales Unit Counts Square Footage (2) $19,522 18,562 17,383 7. 6% 7. 3% 7. 3% -0. 7% 3. 2% 1. 0% 3,708 3,656 3,550 602,908 589,299 566,629 (1) Amounts in millions (2) Amounts in thousands The segment net sales growth in ? cal 2010 resulted from an increase in customer traf? c and strength in our grocery and health and wellness categories, as well as our continued expansion activities. In ? scal 2009, the segment net sales growth resulted from a comparable store sales increase of 3. 2%, in addition to our expansion activities. Strength in the grocery, health and well ness and entertainment categories, as well as strong seasonal sales throughout the year also contributed to the ? scal 2009 net sales increase. The segment net sales growth in fiscal 2010 resulted from an increase in customer traffic and strength in our grocery and health and ellness categories, as well as our continued expansion activities. Walmart 2010 Annual Report 21 107077_L01_FIN. indd 107077_L01_FIN. indd 21 4/6/10 8:25:51 PM Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Comparable store sales were lower in ? scal 2010, despite increased customer traf? c, due to a decrease in average transaction size per customer driven by price de? ation in certain merchandise categories. Comparable store sales were higher in ? scal 2009 due to an increase in customer traf? c, as well as an increase in average transaction size per customer. In ? scal 2010, gross pro? margin increased 0. 7 percentage points compared to the prior year due to more effective merchandising, better inventory management and lower inventory shrinkage. In ? scal 2009, gross pro? t margin increased 0. 4 percentage points compared to the prior year primarily due to decreased markdown activity and lower inventory shrinkage. The improvements in both years were attributable to merchandising initiatives that have improved space allocation, enhanced our price leadership and increased supply chain ef? ciencies. Segment operating expenses, as a percentage of segment net sales, increased by 0. 4 percentage points in ? cal 2010 compared to ? scal 2009 due to lower segment net sales increases compared to the prior year, higher health bene? t costs, higher advertising expenses and a pre-tax charge of $73 million relating to the restructuring of Walmart U. S. operations. Segment operating expenses, as a percentage of segment net sales, increased 0. 4 percentage points in ? scal 2009 compared to the prior year due to hurricane-related expenses, higher bonus payme nts for store associates, higher utility costs and an increase in health bene? t costs. International Segment Net Sales (1) 2010 2009 2008 Operating Income (1) Operating Income a s a Percentage f Net Sales Unit Counts Square Footage (2 ) $100,107 98,840 90,570 Fiscal Year % Change from Prior Fiscal Year 1. 3% 9. 1% 17. 8% $5,033 4,940 4,725 5. 0% 5. 0% 5. 2% 4,112 3,605 3,098 269,894 248,803 222,583 (1) Amounts in millions (2) Amounts in thousands At January 31, 2010, our International segment was comprised of our wholly-owned subsidiaries operating in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Japan, Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom, our majority-owned subsidiaries operating in ? ve countries in Central America, and in Chile and Mexico, our joint ventures in India and China and our other controlled subsidiaries in China. The ? scal 2010 increase in the International segment’s net sales primarily resulted from our expansion activities and the inclusion of the results of DS, acquired in January 2009, offset by the unfavorable impact of changes in currency exchange rates of $9. 8 billion. For additional information regarding our acquisitions, refer to Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The ? scal 2009 increase in the International segment’s net sales was primarily due to net sales growth from existing units and our international expansion program, offset by the unfavorable impact of changes in currency exchange rates of $2. billion. The fiscal 2010 increase in the International segment’s net sales primarily resulted from our expansion activities and the inclusion of the results of DS, acquired in January 2009, offset by the unfavorable impact of changes in currency exchange rates of $9. 8 billion. In ? scal 2010, the International segment’s gross pro? t margin i ncreased 0. 2 percentage points compared to the prior year. The increase was primarily driven by currency exchange rate ? uctuations and the inclusion of DS. In ? scal 2009, the International segment’s gross pro? t margin decreased 0. percentage points compared to the prior year. The decrease was primarily driven by growth in lower margin fuel sales in the United Kingdom and the transition to EDLP as a strategy in Japan. Segment operating expenses, as a percentage of segment net sales, increased 0. 3 percentage points in ? scal 2010 compared to the prior year primarily as a result of the inclusion of DS, acquired in January 2009. Segment operating expenses, as a percentage of segment net sales, in ? scal 2009 were consistent with ? scal 2008. In ? scal 2010, currency exchange rate changes unfavorably impacted operating income by $540 million. In ? scal 2009, currency exchange rate changes unfavorably impacted operating income by $266 million. Volatility in currency exchange rates may continue to impact the International segment’s operating results in the future. 22 Walmart 2010 Annual Report 107077_L01_FIN. indd 107077_L01_FIN. indd 22 4/6/10 8:25:51 PM Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Sam’s Club Segment Fiscal Year Net Sales (1) % Change from Prior Fiscal Year Operating Income (1) Operating Income a s a Percentage of Net Sales Comp Sales Unit Counts Square Footage (2 ) $46,710 46,899 44,336 0. 4% 5. 8% 6. 6% $1,512 1,646 1,648 3. 2% 3. 5% 3. 7% -1. 4% 4. 9% 4. 9% 596 602 591 79,401 79,906 78,236 2010 2009 2008 (1) Amounts in millions (2) Amounts in thousands The decrease in net sales for the Sam’s Club segment in ? scal 2010 primarily resulted from lower fuel prices compared to the previous ? scal year. In ? scal 2009, the segment net sales growth resulted from a comparable club sales increase, including fuel, of 4. 9% and continued club expansion activities. Membership and other income, as a percentage of segment net sales, decreased slightly for ? scal 2010 when compared to ? scal 2009. Membership and other income, as a percentage of segment net sales, decreased slightly for ? scal 2009 when compared to ? scal 2008. Liquidity and Capital Resources Comparable club sales decreased during ? scal 2010 due to the negative impact of 2. 1 percentage points from lower fuel prices when compared to the previous ? scal year, partially offset by sales increases in fresh food, consumables and certain health and wellness categories. In ? scal 2009, comparable club sales increased due to growth in food, pharmacy, electronics and certain consumables categories, as well as an increase in both member traf? and average transaction size per member. Fuel sales had a positive impact of 1. 2 percentage points in ? scal 2009 on comparable club sales. Gross pro? t margin increased 0. 6 percentage points during ? scal 2010 compared to the prior year due to continued strength in sales of consumable, fresh food and other food-related categories. Gross pro? t margin increased 0. 1 percentage po ints during ? scal 2009 compared to the prior year due to strong sales in fresh food and other food-related categories, consumable categories and the positive impact of a higher fuel gross pro? t rate. Segment operating expenses, as a percentage of segment net sales, increased 0. 8 percentage points in ? scal 2010 compared to the prior year due primarily to a pre-tax charge of $174 million related to the restructuring of Sam’s Club operations, including the closure of 10 clubs. Segment operating expenses, as a percentage of segment net sales, increased 0. 2 percentage points in ? scal 2009 compared to the prior year. In ? scal 2009, operating expense increases were impacted by higher utility and health bene? t costs and hurricane-related expenses. Cash flows provided by operating activities upply us with a significant source of liquidity. We use these cash flows, supplemented with long-term debt and short-term borrowings, to fund our operations and global expansion activities. Generally, some or all of the remaining free cash flow funds the dividends on our common stock and share repurchases. Cash ? ows provided by operating activities supply us with a signi? cant source of liquidity. We use these cash ? ows, supplemented with long-term debt and short-term borrowings, to fund our operations and global expansion activities. Generally, some or all of the remaining free cash ? w funds the dividends on our common stock and share repurchases. Fiscal Years Ended January 31, (Amounts in millions) 2010 Net cash provided by operating activities Payments for property and equipment Free cash ? ow 2009 2008 $ 26,249 $ 23,147 $ 20,642 (12,184) (11,499) (14,937) $ 14,065 $ 11,648 $ 5,705 Net cash used in investing activities Net cash used in ?nancing activities $(11,620) $(10,742) $(15,670) $(14,191) $ (9,918) $ (7,422) Cash ? ow provided by operating activities was $26. 2 billion, $23. 1 billion and $20. 6 billion for the years ended January 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The increases in cash ? ws provided by operating activities for each ? scal year were primarily attributable to an increase in income from continuing operations and improved working capita l management. Working Capital Current liabilities exceeded current assets at January 31, 2010, by $7. 2 billion, an increase of $789 million from January 31, 2009. Our ratio of current assets to current liabilities was 0. 9 at January 31, 2010 and 2009. We generally have a working capital de? cit due to our ef? cient use of cash in funding operations and in providing returns to shareholders in the form of stock repurchases and payment of dividends. Walmart 2010 Annual Report 23 107077_L01_FIN. indd 107077_L01_FIN. indd 23 4/7/10 1:06:36 AM Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Capital Resources During ? scal 2010, we issued $5. 5 billion of long-term debt. The net proceeds from the issuance of such long-term debt were used for general corporate purposes. During ? scal 2009, we issued $6. 6 billion of long-term debt. Those net proceeds were used to repay outstanding commercial paper indebtedness and for other general corporate purposes. Management believes that cash ? ws from continuing operations and proceeds from the issuance of short-term borrowings will be suf? cient to ? nance seasonal buildups in merchandise inventories and meet other cash requirements. If our operating cash ? ows are not suf? cient to pay dividends and to fund our capital expenditures, we anticipate funding any shortfall in these expenditures with a combination of short-term borrowings and long-term d ebt. We plan to re? nance existing long-term debt as it matures and may desire to obtain additional long-term ? nancing for other corporate purposes. We anticipate no dif? culty in obtaining long-term ? ancing in view of our credit ratings and favorable experiences in the debt market in the recent past. The following table details the ratings of the credit rating agencies that rated our outstanding indebtedness at January 31, 2010. The rating agency ratings are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold our commercial paper or debt securities. Each rating may be subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating organization and should be evaluated independently of any other rating. Global Expansion Activities Cash paid for property and equipment was $12. 2 billion, $11. 5 billion and $14. billion during the ? scal years ended January 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. These expenditures primarily relate to new store growth, as well as remodeling costs for exist ing stores. We expect to incur capital expenditures of approximately $13. 0 billion to $15. 0 billion in ? scal 2011. We plan to ? nance this expansion and any acquisitions of other operations that we may make during ? scal 2011 primarily from cash ? ows from operations. Fiscal 2011 capital expenditures will include the addition of the following new, relocated and expanded units in the U. S. : Fiscal Year 2011 Projected Unit Growth Walmart U. S. Segment Sam’s Club Segment 145-160 5-10 150-170 Total U. S. Additionally, the International segment expects to add more than 600 units during ? scal year 2011. The following represents an allocation of our capital expenditures: Rating Agency Commercial Paper Standard Poor’s Moody’s Investors Service Fitch Ratings DBRS Limited Long-term Debt A-1+ P-1 F1+ R-1(middle) AA Aa2 AA AA To monitor our credit ratings and our capacity for long-term ? nancing, we consider various qualitative and quantitative factors. We monitor the ratio of our debt to our total capitalization as support for our long-term ? nancing decisions. At January 31, 2010 and January 31, 2009, the ratio of our debt to total capitalization was 36. 9% and 39. 3%, respectively. For the purpose of this calculation, debt is de? ned as the sum of short-term borrowings, long-term debt due within one year, obligations under capital leases due in one year, long-term debt and long-term obligations under capital leases. Total capitalization is de? ned as debt plus total Walmart shareholders’ equity. Our ratio of debt to our total capitalization decreased in ? scal 2010 primarily due to a decrease in short-term borrowings. We expect to incur capital expenditures of approximately $13. 0 billion to $15. billion in fiscal 2011. We plan to finance this expansion and any acquisitions of other operations that we may make during fiscal 2011 primarily from cash flows from operations. Allocation of Capital Expenditures Projected Capital Expenditures New stores, including expansions and relocations Remodels Information systems, distribution and o ther Total U. S. International Total Capital Expenditures Actual Fiscal Year 2011 Fiscal Year Fiscal Year 2010 2009 31% 15% 29% 17% 34% 10% 21% 23% 20% 67% 69% 64% 33% 31% 36% 100% 100% 100% Common Stock Dividends We paid dividends of $1. 09 per share in ? scal 2010, representing a 15% increase over ? cal 2009. The ? scal 2009 dividend of $0. 95 per share represented an 8% increase over ? scal 2008. We have increased our dividend every year since the ? rst dividend was declared in March 1974. On March 4, 2010, the company’s Board of Directors approved an increase in the annual dividend for ? scal 2011 to $1. 21 per share, an increase of 11% over the dividends paid in ? scal 2010. The annual dividend will be paid in four quarterly installments on April 5, 2010, June 1, 2010, September 7, 2010 and January 3, 2011 to holders of record on March 12, May 14, August 13 and December 10, 2010, respectively. 4 Walmart 2010 Annual Report 107077_L01_FIN. indd 107077_L01_FIN. indd 24 4/6/ 10 8:25:52 PM Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Company Share Repurchase Program From time to time, we have repurchased shares of our common stock under a $15. 0 billion share repurchase program authorized by our Board of Directors on June 4, 2009 and announced on June 5, 2009, which replaced and terminated a $15. 0 billion share repurchase program approved by our Board of Directors on May 31, 2007 and announced on June 1, 2007. As was the case with the replaced share repurchase program, the new program has no expiration date or other restrictions limiting the period over which we can make our share repurchases, and will expire only when and if we have repurchased $15. 0 billion of our shares under the program or we terminate or replace the program. Any repurchased shares are constructively retired and returned to unissued status. We spent $7. 3 billion, $3. 5 billion and $7. 7 billion in share repurchases during ? scal year 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. We consider several factors in determining when to execute the share repurchases, including among other things, our current cash needs, our capacity for leverage, our cost of borrowings and the market price of our common stock. As of January 31, 2010, the program had approximately $9. 2 billion remaining authorization for share repurchases. Contractual Obligations and Other Commercial Commitments The following table sets forth certain information concerning our obligations and commitments to make contractual future payments, such as debt and lease agreements, and contingent commitments: Payments Due During Fiscal Years Ending January 31, (Amounts in millions) Recorded contractual obligations: Long-term debt Short-term borrowings Capital lease obligations Unrecorded contractual obligations: Non-cancelable operating leases Interest on long-term debt Trade letters of credit Purchase obligations Total commercial commitments Additionally, the company has approximately $11. 2 billion in undrawn lines of credit and standby letters of credit which, if drawn upon, would be included in the liabilities section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Purchase obligations include legally binding contracts such as ? rm commitments for inventory and utility purchases, as well as commitments to make capital expenditures, software acquisition/license commitments and legally binding service contracts. Purchase orders for the purchase of inventory and other services are not included in the table above. Purchase orders represent authorizations to purchase rather than binding agreements. For the purposes of this table, contractual obligations for purchase of goods or services are de? ned as agreements that are enforceable and legally binding and that specify all signi? ant terms, including: ? xed or minimum quantities to be purchased; ? xed, minimum or variable price provisions; and the approximate timing of the transaction. Our purchase orders are based on our current inventory needs and are ful? lled by our suppliers within short time periods. We also enter into contracts for outsourced services; however, the obligations under these con tracts are not signi? cant and the contracts generally contain clauses allowing for cancellation without signi? cant penalty. Total 2011 2012-2013 2014-2015 Thereafter $37,281 523 5,584 $ 4,050

The Father of Our Fathers Review Essay Example

The Father of Our Fathers Review Paper Essay on The Father of Our Fathers Who is this person and how we appeared on the Earth an issue of interest to all, perhaps, since people learned to think. Thats only answer to it is still there and But in science there are many versions, also on the subject written many articles in the press, books, and not only scientific but also artistic. One of them the Father of Our Fathers from the pen of the famous French writer Bernard Werber In general, I have great respect for this author, thats just reading it is necessary to break.. Otherwise, the brain might explode, digesting the information. In any case, the conclusion I came to after reading several books by this author in a row. And yet, today we are not talking at all about Werber., And about a particular book. So, the novel Father of Our Fathers, I associate with the sea Why? Just the interest in the book dies, then there is a new force, the storm and calm. We will write a custom essay sample on The Father of Our Fathers Review specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The Father of Our Fathers Review specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The Father of Our Fathers Review specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Roman lured me from the first page. Still, journalists, briefings, assignments, investigation It is native. But, by the middle of the first part, I was bored and had already begun to blame Bernard Werber, because it can not sustain the interest of the reader throughout the book. However, barely perelistnuv page, I realized that a little heated, but still, it was convinced that the French writer could actually surprise It is said also that Werber amazing style. Alas, I can neither confirm nor deny this assertion, that how to read it only in Russian, and any artwork when translating a lot to lose. No matter. I and without it many thoughts and impressions. For example, do you think, how many years ago the world was a man. Through the mouth of his characters Werber offers several options 1. Theory Professor Sanderson man was the result of a disease caused by a virus of extraterrestrial origin 2.. Theory Professor Conrod man was the result of a random combination of genes 3.. Theory of Dr. Wang Lisbeth man was the result of a conscious adaptation to climate change 4. Theory of Dr. Elyuana man appeared as a result of the need to beat the other animals to get food 5. There is another nailyubopytneyshaya theory, but about it I keep silence, so as not to spoil the impression of the book to those who have not read it It is better to talk about something else about the meaning of words, however, all the analogies in the novel are built on the peculiarities of the French language, but still interesting. you know, where there was the word fool ? From the Latin imbecille, which means not having the stick. A hint of what always has when walking rely on a cane to live without relying to any dogma, any one solid principle, not leaning to anything -. it needs to be brave ? Nce, though I hope I am a fool, and I want to keep them as long as possible I do not take offense, and on the definition of fool continued Katzenberg Gulupets3 derived from Latin stupidos startled amazement fool around surprised and pleased I hope the whole long stay foolish Idiot in Greek means special idiom -. this language feature I want to be special PS In general, this book I was really impressed, made me think about many things. We would like to ask a question and you, dear associates: what do you think, where there are people on Earth ?

Swot Analysis of Ambuja Cement Essay Example

Swot Analysis of Ambuja Cement Essay Example Swot Analysis of Ambuja Cement Essay Swot Analysis of Ambuja Cement Essay PIONEER INSTITUTE OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES (PIPS) (Diligence Excellence) Since 1996 SWOT ANALYSIS Phase # I II Ambuja Cement Limited SUBMITTED TO : SUBMITTED BY : Prof. Vidushi Sharma Akhilesh Shrimore MBA-IIISem(MH-I) Roll No. -10010011 CONTENT : * Company profile * SWOT analysis * Recommendations/ suggestions * Conclusion * References sources COMPANY PROFILE * Ambuja Cements Limited formerly known as  Gujarat Ambuja Cement Limited  is a major  Cement producing company in  India. The Groups principal activity is to manufacture and market cement for both domestic and export market. * Founded in : 1983 * Founded by : Narotam Sekhsaria * The company’s management control got acquired by the global cement major Holicim in 2006. PROMOTERS Mr. Narotam Sekhsaria Mr. Suresh Neotia Mr. Onne Van Der Weijde Mr. A. L. Kapur Mr. B. B. Tandon Mr. P. K. Laheri Mr. Manmohan Malhoutra Mr. Sharadchandra Kale VISION To be the most admired and competitive company in the cement industry†. MISSION Create value for all – Delighted customer Motivated employees Enlightened partners Energized society Loyal shareholders Healthy environment TOP M ANAGEMENT CHAIRMAN : N S Sekhsaria VICE CHAIRMAN : Paul Hugentobler    DIRECTOR : M L Bhakta Markus Akermann Nasser Munjee Rajendra P Chitale Shailesh Haribhakti Omkar Goswami COMPANY SECRETARY : B L Taparia MANAGING DIRECTOR : Onne Van Der Weijde PRODUCTS PRODUCT NAME UNITS Cement Metric Tonnes Clinker Metric Tonnes CORPORATE OFFICES Head Office : MUMBAI Elegant Business Park, MIDC Cross Road B, Off Andheri Kurla Road, Andheri (E), Mumbai 400059 Tel: 022 – 40667000 LOCATION OF MANUFACTURING UNIT * Rabriyawas (Rajasthan) * Ambujanagar (Gujarat) Dhaulagiri(West Bengal) * Suli ; Rauri(Himachal Pradesh) * Daburji(Punjab) * Maratha Cement Works (Maharashtra) FINANCIAL ASPECTS OF THE COMPANY Year | 10-11 | 09-10 | Sales(Cr. ) | 4411. 54 | 4107. 15 | Gross Profit (Cr. ) | 1304. 69 | 1328. 27 | Depreciation (Cr. ) | 213. 48 | 176. 79 | Interest(Cr. ) | 48. 69 | 22. 43 | Taxation(Cr. ) | 336. 23 | 318. 16 | PBDIT(Cr. ) | 2,074. 70 | 2,104. 38 | PBDT(Cr. ) | 2,026. 01 | 2,081. 95 | E P S(Cr. ) | 7. 28 | 7. 79 | OPM(%) | 27. 77 | 31. 53 | GPM(%) | 28. 86 | 31. 93 | NPM(%) | 16. 70 | 20. 51 | Dividend Per Share(Cr. ) | 2. 60 | 2. 40 | Net Profit / Loss(Cr. ) | 754. 98 | 853. 40 | SHAREHOLDING PATTERN – AMBUJA CEMENTS LTD. Holders Name No. of Shares % Share Holding Promoters 12081909 0. 79% Foreign Promoter 759661201 49. 60% Foreign Institutions 363631987 23. 74% Financial Institutions 19688942 12. 85% General Public 117606774 7. 68% N Banks Mutual Funds 27357102 1. 9% Foreign NRI 17312703 1. 13% Other Companies 8847097 0. 58% Others 1036570 0. 07% Foreign Ocb 12870 0. 00% TOTAL 1327237155 100% SWOT Analysis STRENGTHS * ACL enjoys a reputation of being one of the most efficient cement manufacturers in the world. * The company has strategic partnership with  Holcim, which is the second largest cement manufacturer in the world. Having major share of Holcim so can take advantage of being MNC. * Best Quality. * Good Packaging. * Logistics Management. * Low Energy Consumption. * Ability to sell total production. * Consumer Preferences. * Consistency in Performance. * Cost Leadership. * IT integration. * Organizational structure. * Lower energy cost due to improved value coal and use of non conventional fuels. * Lower transportation cost due to increased transport through sea router for bulk shipping. * Excellent management team to cope with changing environment. * Very less dependent on government coal and power. High distribution efficiency and sound to cope up with economic situation. * Processing own Jetty and Ships useful for timely and cheap transport. * Lower transportation cost due to increased transport through sea router from bulk shipping. * Excellent innovation engineering and technological skill useful for operating excellence. * Excellent management team to cope with changing environment. * The su pply chain management system in the ACL is quite focused and good. WEAKNESSES * No International presence * Not able to exploit the advantage of being near the sea coast. * No national geographic coverage as in case of competition. Very limited fragmentation of plant, which avoid is presence in very sub regional markets. * The pace of new capacity addition by the industry has not been as fast as previously, therefore pricing pressure. * Does not match international Quality standard. OPPORTUNITIES * There is increase in Demand in India * They can undertake some Projects in Future * They can go Global * Company’s financial condition is good so they can start a new manufacturing unit and can increase production. * Basic raw material is easily available hence they can reduce cost to compete with other. Housing construction in the urban, affordable housing loan provision by bank, that can hike demand. * ACL Can get more foreign exchange by increase bulk cement capacity through th e ship. * Easy loan availability for housing finance. * Increased investments in infrastructure. * To penetrate in Southern India. * Not many restrictions by government. THREATS * Increasing Competition day by day. * High Capital Cost. * Raw Material ,Transportation and Power cost are increasing so it will lead to low profitability. * Threats from the economic cycles. I. e. Recession or growth. Government policies, local political changes interruption in management. * Exchange rate fluctuation having direct effect on bottom line as well as on export. * Market competitor’s price. * Surge in Oil prices. * RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Acquire poor performing cement factories outside India. 2. Venture into new business that requires cement. CONCLUSION Today, ACL has become one of the larger and profitable cement units in the Indian Cement Industry. It has done his job within a very short time by providing itself as an efficient unit. From the very beginning it has maintain high quality standard and it has been approved by granting it ISO 9002. Now slowly it is going towards the international market and has started to spread its wings over there. It is slowly and steadily moving towards the grand success. REFERENCES * www. ambujacement. com * www. wikipedia. org/wiki/Ambuja_Cements * www. scribd. com/doc/12881357/Gujrat-Ambuja-Cement * www. companiesandmarkets. com/ /ambuja-cements * www. live-pr. com/ /ambuja-cements-limited-ambujace * www. marketresearch. com/ /Ambuja-Cements-Limited THANK YOU !

Business communication Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Business communication - Essay Example Joe recently asked me if he could take his annual two-week vacation in the very near future. I have tried to get Joe to reconsider and possibly postpone this vacation because I know that our department will be extremely busy over the next few weeks. To this, Joe politely turned me down. However, it gets worse. What he then said to me was that he would not be returning after he has taken his annual leave. This is potentially a small problem for our department because it would take us at least two to three weeks to recruit and hire a qualified replacement. Also, I know that it is the company’s policy not to give paid vacations for employees who will not be working for at least three months after a vacation. I think that I have come up with a solution that will satisfy all parties, namely Joe Smith and our company. I have already discussed my opinion with Joe at length and he is willing to go along with what I am proposing. My idea is that Joe splits his annual vacation up into two parts—one week on two separate occasions. The first week would be taken almost immediately. Our department could manage without Joe for a week as long as we all pulled together. Then, after Joe has had a week off, he would return to work for the next three months. Because of this, his first week of vacation would be paid. During our busy period over the next couple of months, Joe would be working as hard as he always has. Once these three months are up, Joe would then take another week’s vacation. However, he would not be returning to work after this second week’s vacation period. The compromise would be that this would also be a paid vacation even though it goes against company policy. T his would be our company’s way of extending a hand in thanks that Joe worked three months longer than he planned to. Joe had originally planned to find another job after his two weeks of vacation—he already has a job lined up. Joe has

Evaluating Impact of Corporate Culture and Pressure to Meet the Case Study

Evaluating Impact of Corporate Culture and Pressure to Meet the Numbers in Accounting Reporting Environment - Case Study Example This was a move to counter-to-counter competition from J&J. Another approach was also the routine of frequently rolling over unpaid bills to ensure that customers did not return surplus goods in addition to offering numerous promotions for clients who purchased or ordered large lenses packages. The managers also shipped unordered lenses and glasses to clients such as doctors. Some managers, such as Johnson in U.S, forced their local distributors to take extremely large stocks of older Optima lenses by deceiving them that they would not be required to pay for the unsold lenses. The excess glasses ended up being stuffed in the warehouses. The actions taken by B&L managers were both unethical and illegal. The overall impact was eventual dropping of profits since the sales were phony and resulted in deceitful profits. The B&L shares dropped to 30 shillings in 1994. Another likely long-term effect was the loss of trust on the companies by customers hence decline in the shareholder value (Maremont and Bamathan Web). The corporate pressurized B&L managers to achieve illogical target since the culture lacked ways to monitor and alter its objectives Environmental variations can make existing policies and objectives inappropriate thus top management should ensure the plans are adjusted constantly to fit the fluctuating environment. B&L top management did not alter the targets even when the constraints in the external environment demanded so thus the managers invented inappropriate ways to meet the incongruous targets. B&L corporate culture and pressure to meet the numbers in accounting reporting environment numbers drove B&Ls manager some reasonable degree to engage in the malpractices (Maremont and Bamathan Web). The managers came up with strategies to maintain phenomenal records which enabled them to get bonuses and compensation. They

Victorian England Essay Example for Free

Victorian England Essay When Oliver reaches London he falls into the hands of Fagin who is likened to the devil by Dickens who upon Olivers first meeting is described to be wearing a red cloak and holding a fork in front of a fire, he then continues with a more frightening description, whose villainous-looking and repulsive face was obscured by a quantity of matted red hair. Dickens cleverly does this as Fagin like the devil tempts people into a life of sin and crime. Even the colours black and red suggest that it was not a nice place, that it was evil and dangerous. Something that Nancy, in the book struggles to break free from like many of the paupers in those situations. Like Oliver, Nancy has a sense of right and wrong, after playing a part of the re-capturing of Oliver she realises what she has done is wrong but it is her loyalties to Sikes and his gang that keep her from taking action sooner. Although she does save Oliver, Dickens keeps the story realistic, when she is discovered to have alerted Mr Brownlow and Rose, Sikes clubs her to death. The one person that ever truly cared for him, who he constantly abused he eventually killed. Dickens based him on typical hardened criminals in Victorian England. Children in Victorian England were intensely used by adult gang members, as pick pockets, prostitutes and even in organised robberies. Once involved in crime there was no escape unless you were very lucky as Oliver was. Oliver is taught to pickpocket and winds up in trouble when he is thought to have stolen from a wealthy man when in fact it wasnt him. Mr Brownlow shows compassion and takes him into his home even though he has been wronged, this is an ideal that Dickens holds dear and tried to vent it through his writing even if he does make it comical when he ridicules the rich by comparing Olivers terrible illness and suffering to Mr Brownlows worrying for his health when he uses a slightly damp cloth. As the future begins to look bright for Oliver you discover that Fagin is not far and he wants Oliver back as he could be a danger to them, this is an example of the never-ending crime cycle in Victorian England. Oliver is captured and forced to help Sikes in a robbery where he is shot and then left presumed dead. Dickens uses this as an example of how harsh Victorian England could be Sikes and his gang had fled when it had gone wrong leaving anything that would slow them down.

The Irresponsibility of Firestone :: Exploratory Essays Research Papers

The Irresponsibility of Firestone â€Å"It was extremely difficult to control the truck at the time, and I had both my wife (two months pregnant) and my 16-month-old daughter screaming and crying in a panic...My wife has developed a fear of the only vehicle we have, understandably so. She fears other tires may also be defective and that we may be in danger† (Nathan). Much like the 4,300 similar complaints the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has received, this Firestone tire consumer warned the agency of the faulty product and asked it to take action. Imagine a similar problem happening to you. While leisurely traveling down the highway, your SUV is suddenly thrown to the pavement. The tire tread on your left rear tire separates from the steel belt, and your vehicle can not overcome its speed of 65-mph, and crashes uncontrollably. The SUV rolls over, killing your family. Even though you complain, the NHTSA does nothing about the problem, and you hear about other similar accidents. On August 9, 2000, Bridgestone/Firestone, an international tire manufacturer, issued a recall of all its ATX, ATX II, and Wilderness AT tires. To date, the company has replaced 6.5 million tires (â€Å"Firestone death...†). Ford had contracted with Firestone to supply tires for all the SUV’s it produced. Together Firestone and Ford investigated the problems with the recalled tires. Despite much bickering between the two companies, the tires failed due to flaws in Firestone’s manufacturing and production. The NHTSA has reported a total of 148 deaths and 525 injuries involving tread separations, blowouts, and other problems with Firestone tires. The Middle East has reported at least seven deaths and Venezuela has reported forty-six due to the same kind of problem (â€Å"Firestone death...†). From both foreign countries and the United States, complaints state that the tires lose their casings when traveling at high speeds. The tire maker claimed it knew nothing of the tread problems until late July, yet consumers have warned the company since the mid 1990’s (Nathan). It also stated that the complaints it finally received did not raise any â€Å"red flags† because in relative terms, few tires had failed; less than one in every 10,000 of the 47 million ATX, ATX II, and Wilderness AT tires produced since 1991 have failed (Nathan). Most of the recalled tires came from the Decatur, Illinois plant, the main concentration of the investigation. The company claimed that a workers’ strike at that plant in the nineties, when replacement workers made the product, caused most of the problems.

McCarthy’s power Essay

We also see this clearly when the corrupt Putnam ruthlessly and heartlessly kills off his neighbours to buy their land, using his daughter and Tituba as mediums to accuse people with and feeding names into their mouths, as he does with the words, â€Å"Sarah Good? Did you ever see Sarah Good with him (the devil)? Or Osburn? Before his daughter Ruth has even admitted to witchcraft, he spreads the word of witchcraft, cruelly calculating his next move. The words, â€Å"That is a notorious sign of witchcraft, a prodigious sign,† indicate his joy at the opportunity to make some money and settle some old grudges. His disregard for his daughter’s health is yet another example of his lack of humanity. Parris is equally selfish and cold. When questioning Abigail about her dancing in the woods, Parris proceeds to say, â€Å"I must know it now, for my enemies will, and they will ruin me with it†¦ you must understand I have many enemies†¦ there is a faction sworn to drive me from my pulpit,† like Putnam lacking any concern for Abigail. It is clear that people like Danforth, Parris and Putnam aren’t in the business of helping Salem’s society, as people of their status should be, but in furthering their own possessions. Without these individuals keeping order and maintaining justice in the town, all of the old grudges and petty grievances are allowed to run riot and influence the proceedings in court, as we see when Ann Putnam accuses Rebecca Nurse, arguably the most respected person in the town, of killing her babies. This is also an example of how little scientific knowledge was available at the time, and how eager people were to place blame on other people. Aside from the few individuals with integrity, like Proctor, Corrie and Rebecca Nurse, the rest of Salem’s society will sacrifice others to safeguard their name in the town. When questioned by Hale, Abigail seems to instinctively play the innocent child which the audience knows she is definitely not, an example of dramatic irony. â€Å"I’m a good girl! I’m a proper girl! † These words highlight how quick she is to defend herself, and her insecurity about her image and reputation in the village. Once she is safe, she proceeds to shift blame onto others, like Tituba. â€Å"She tried (to make me drink the soup) but I refused†¦ She made me drink blood! † Abigail realises her word is taken over Tituba’s because of the racial prejudice at the time the play is set in. People like Abigail, Parris and Putnam aren’t afraid to use this discrimination to their advantage, which only serves to kill more people, or to ruin their lives. It is ironic that one of the few admirable qualities that are found in the town is the reason that so many people die. Ultimately, people like Hale and Proctor realise that it isn’t being seen as a good Christian or letting people think you are innocent that matters, but knowing yourself that you are innocent and have nothing to fear. It is this that convinces them that everything should be done to protect your innocence, even giving your life, in Proctor’s case. People like Proctor and Reverend Hale are purified by Danforth’s crucible but for the wrong reasons. While Danforth’s words, â€Å"We burn a hot fire here; it melts down all concealment,† would appear to be correct, they are ironic, in that the only way the truth comes out is if innocent people die first These men, along with the many others who are convicted, struggle long and hard with the decision of confession and lies versus integrity and righteousness. For others like Rebecca Nurse the choice is already decided, as her words, â€Å"Let you fear nothing, another judgement awaits us all,† suggest. She is firm in her belief that they will be repaid by God for maintaining their innocence. John’s dilemma is much worse, as he has family and children to worry about, and his name is ruined in the village already, as news of his adultery charges would have circulated. The impact of outpourings like, â€Å"I lie and sign myself to lies! I am not worth the dust of the feet of them that hang,† gives you the feeling that he realises the complexity of his situation, and that he is trapped either way. The real problem to him is that he believes it is his fault. Elizabeth’s last line, â€Å"He has his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him,† lets you know that she understands his choice and she respects and forgives him once again, which is ultimately what he wanted. The society has the ability to let innocent people die, not only because they are loyal to themselves and no one else, but because these people are willing to die for what they believe, or what they want, in Proctor’s case. There are many other people in the village who try to speak their mind, and do what is morally right, but whose aspirations are crushed by the opposing factors, like Parris, Danforth and Abigail. Mary Warren is a good example of this, as she hides from her fears, but then confronts them, only to be brought to her knees by the sheer callousness of Abigail. We can also attribute this to the earlier mention of Danforth’s interrogation-style cross examining as well, as he repeatedly asks the same question to Mary, â€Å"Has Mr. Proctor ever threatened you for this deposition? †¦ Has he ever threatened you? †¦ Has he threatened you? † It personifies the disorder of the court’s legal system, as if Danforth doesn’t get the answer he wants, you will suffer, whether you are right or wrong. Mary eventually caves in to the pressure, condemning Proctor in the process, although sympathy is felt for her, as all of her weaknesses are ruthlessly exploited by the girls, betraying Mary and leaving her with no other alternative. When Mary goes to court, she feels as if she is on trial and it is her credibility that is questioned, even though it is she who is accusing the girls, again linking to Hale’s earlier comment, â€Å"Is every defence an attack upon this court? † Danforth refuses to question the girls, as if they are found to be guilty, his reputation will be ruined and his judgement will be compromised. Instead he turns a blind eye you any damning evidence against the girls, and with the help of Parris, forces people to lie to save themselves, vindicating his decisions in the process. This is revealed when Parris declares, â€Å"There is either obedience or the church will burn like Hell is burning! † This is ironic, as Parris’ church is already â€Å"burning like Hell† as a result of his wayward leadership. Outbursts like this not only show the real character behind Parris’ fai ade, but they also serve to highlight the way he and Danforth work against the community, with an attitude that only helps the corrupt. Once Danforth has weakened the accuser, he provides them with a way out, as he does with Mary, slowly pushing her to convict Proctor with suggestions like, â€Å"It may well be Mary Warren has been conquered by Satan,† practically putting words in her mouth. His desperation becomes much more apparent when he threatens Mary, â€Å"You will confess or you will hang,† another example of his twisted logic and self-serving nature. This pressure to do what is expected draws parallels to the McCarthy era, when Un-American activities were seen as wrong, and the one person who should represent hope, Danforth in the case of The Crucible, is in fact an antagonist in the whole predicament. This pressure again links to fear, but in this case it is fear of authority that reigns supreme, as there are few people who have the courage to challenge the decisions made by Danforth, and face the harsh consequences. Any Salemites who enter the court are forced to choose between Danforth’s and Parris’ version of right, and the Christian right, which, in a just system, should be the same thing. As the play goes on, the audience’s antipathy for Parris grows, as they see him twisting the words of others and lying in court to protect himself, hardly the actions people expect of a priest. A prime example of dramatic irony is witnessed as the audience can see straight through Parris’ false exterior, as he desperately tries to cover up anything that could point to his knowledge of the girls â€Å"just dancin’ in the woods†. Few Salemites have any knowledge of his ulterior motives, or that anything he does or says is purely for his own well being, and the manner in which he projects himself is a far cry from his real character. Parris attempts to use theology to secure his position in the good books of Danforth and the community, often referring to the Bible during the proceedings in court. He leads most of the society to believe that he is trying to help them and, by lulling them into a false sense of security, he then seizes the opportunity to rid the town of anyone he believes is a threat to himself, or his position. Utilising his status and reputation, he preaches, â€Å"You should surely know that Cain were an upright man, and yet he did kill Abel,† in an attempt to have Proctor convicted. No court can provide unbiased or uncorrupted justice if its own minister is trying to have the defendant killed. His words, â€Å"The devil lives on such confidences! Without confidences there would be no conspiracy,† are ironic but true, as it is he who as kept much greater secrets, and it is he is the devil of Salem. In this sentence he is accusing someone who contrasts greatly with him, Giles Corey. Miller uses Corey to bring humour to the play, but he also stands alongside Proctor and Rebecca Nurse as one of the main symbols of integrity and righteousness. Although he is revealed as a nai ve, slightly puzzled man, he isn’t afraid to speak his mind, albeit with some harsh consequences like his wife’s death. Unlike Parris, he values his friends, which eventually leads to his death. His response to the choice of betraying his friend or dying is admirable, his integrity clear as he replies, â€Å"I stand mute. † The audience feels a great deal of sympathy and admiration not only for Corey, but also Proctor and Rebecca Nurse who set a great example that, few others follow. There is immense injustice, as the only people who die are innocent, and they are the privileged few who have integrity. Although he can’t stop the proceedings in the court, Hale disassociates himself from the fraudulent proceedings in the Salem court, with the statement, â€Å"I denounce these proceedings, I quit this court,† ruining his reputation in the process. His efforts to correct Danforth’s judgement are brought to a halt, often by Danforth himself who quips, â€Å"I will have nothing from you Mr. Hale! † This again highlights the stubbornness of Danforth, as he refuses to listen to anyone The structure of the play is quite regimented, as there always appears to be a glimmer of hope in each act, but the end of every act ends with chaos. This shows that the situation could never be resolved, as the paranoia and hysteria undermined any efforts to do this. In reality, it was the Salem society that was the devil, as Proctor declares, â€Å"A fire, a fire is burning! I hear the boot of Lucifer, I see his filthy face! And it is my face, and yours Danforth! † This again shows the humbleness of Proctor, as he has the integrity to face up to his shortcomings, while Danforth would prefer to hide, frantically trying to drown out Proctor’s words with his own, with the frenetic cry, â€Å"Take him (Proctor) and Corey with him to the jail! † This is another illustration of Danforth’s cowardice, and his inability to confront his flaws. Proctor’s earlier quote, â€Å"God is dead! † also serves to show the disorder in the justice system. The people who should represent God, like Parris and Danforth, are now the devils. We see further irony when Danforth states, â€Å"I will not deal in lies,† in a bid to obtain Proctor’s confession, when in fact, every pardon or conviction was based on a lie. No one can be sure if Danforth believed he was right in doing what he did, but it is obvious that he wasn’t right. In contrast, it is more obvious that Parris had a hidden agenda. However, both were responsible for the deaths of innocent people, although it seems that this was the only thing that could bring their reign to an end. One of the reasons Miller wrote this play was to denounce McCarthyism, and the end again draws parallels to this period, as the whole saga only came to an end when someone took a stand against the state. There were very few people who were willing to stand up for their beliefs, not only in Salem, but also during the McCarthy era, which is understandable given the consequences. . Miller projects other figures as unlikely heroes, everyday people like Rebecca Nurse, Giles Corey and John Proctor, who have the courage and integrity to admit to their faults, and die for their beliefs. In this era, with the town steeped in anger, vengeance and despair, these individuals stand alone making their achievements even greater. Once a stand had been taken however, the repercussions suffered by the corrupt leaders of these eras were also similar. Danforth’s power over the public diminished rapidly and Parris â€Å"walked the highroad, and was never seen again. † McCarthy’s power ceased as well, highlighting again, that a few individuals with a conscience can make a difference, one way or the other.