essay 3

Iman Ahmad                                                                           11/18/08

Prof. Arenstein

English 1000C-133- 70891

Essay 3

Essay 3

People express many different views towards the superstore dubbed Wal-Mart. These opinions people hold towards Wal-Mart are both negative and positive. The positive feelings towards Wal-Mart have made the superstore the world’s largest company and the probably the most successful American business ever in history. Wal-Mart shows no signs of slowing down either, its sales keep going up. In fact Wal-Mart’s profit rose by ten percent just recently according to The Arizona Republic which reported in New York. The positives aspects Wal-Mart shares with the world are great and a real economy booster; however the negatives that Wal-Mart sheds throughout America’s communities really pinch a nerve with the superstore’s attackers. So many protests, petitions, and lawsuits have been organized and filed. Each one of these movements has one goal in mind and that is to hurt Wal-Mart and hopefully rid of the superstore in their smooth running communities. Middletown, New York, home of a Wal-Mart experiences the same attention by adversaries of the superstore.  One inquiry question that I have come up with which needs answers to is: How does this Wal-Mart affect Middletown New York’s community and the community’s people?

 

            I lived near Middletown, New York for about four years and all those years our shopping for various items in Wal-Mart has been prevalent. I personally don’t have anything against Wal-Mart, but I know many people around here do. My home area is Goshen which is ten to fifteen minutes away from Middletown.  Goshen is more of a suburban area where there is hardly any crime and the residents are mainly middle class or higher. Now Middletown, New York is different.  Middletown is an area with more crime and struggles. Wal-Mart’s employment base is people who mainly live in Middletown.  So how does this Wal-Mart affect the people of Middletown? Wal-Mart’s associates don’t earn enough money to support a family. To meet basic needs an average family which is one parent and one child needs to make twenty-seven thousand nine hundred and forty-eight dollars. Basic needs are basically what a family needs to survive like shelter, food, and clothing.  The full time Wal-Mart associate doesn’t even come close to the twenty-seven thousand dollars. In fact the average annual wage for a Wal-Mart associate is a little above seventeen thousand dollars. According to some quality research a wage increase would cost Wal-Mart very little and will only help the employees. For example if Wal-Mart increased a pairs of socks from two dollars to two dollars and one cent, Wal-Mart employees would have an extra one thousand eight hundred dollars added to their annual earnings.

           

            The people who live in Middletown, New York make up its community. A major source of income for Middletown’s residents is employment at the local Wal-Mart. It is already a proven fact that a poverty stricken area or a low income area is more prone to crime than any other type if area. The lower the wages are at Wal-Mart means less money for the community. This also means the residents of the community have less money to spend on towards goods and services in the community.  The inhabitants of Middletown New York do live with various struggles which is why Middletown is heavy with crime. Less organization for good works in the Middletown community is un- influential towards its other residents which can make Middletown a harder place to live in. Wal-Mart also instigates many protests in Middletown and everywhere Wal-Mart is constructed.  The people progressively learn the negatives Wal-Mart brings upon the community and its residents.  After the people learn what is being done by Wal-Mart, they act and try to advance their cause and concerns. For example a California court ordered Wal-Mart to pay one hundred and seventy-two million dollars in damages for failing to grant meal breaks to about one hundred and sixteen thousand hourly workers which is required under state law.  Wal-Mart obviously appealed this case. And who knows what the Wal-Mart in Middletown, New York is doing to its workers under the covers?

 

            There are also many other negative factors Wal-Mart contributes to Middletown, New York.  We know how damaging Wal-Mart can be to other businesses around the superstore. Middletown, New York has first handily witnessed the closing of a barbershop. Wal-Mart doesn’t only destroy the communities businesses but it affects the community’s environment. There have been so many instances in other states where the environment was brutally harmed. Some examples: in Georgia Wal-Mart was fined one hundred and fifty thousand dollars for water contamination, in Connecticut a one million dollar fine was administered because Wal-Mart allowed improperly stored pesticides to pollute a couple of the state’s streams. One noticeable environmental problem that has been prevalent for quite some time is the vehicle traffic.  The extra miles that the cars travel could cost the Middletown community a substantial amount of money for infrastructure repair and harmful environmental conditions. The traffic jams also cause heavy air pollution. Usually when I travel to Wal-Mart I see the smog and all the gases up in the air and coming out of each car. Understandingly traffic is everywhere but Wal-Mart arguably causes the most traffic in Middletown, New York.

One more aspect Wal-Mart takes credit for is its industry standards regarding health care. Wal-Mart’s spending on healthcare falls below industry and national employer averages. According to the Wall Street Journal, in 2002, Wal-Mart only spent three thousand five hundred dollars on each employee in comparison to the other big corporations which spent an average of four thousand eight hundred dollars.  In 2004 Wal-Mart spent a little over one billion dollars on health insurance. After all the calculations, Wal-Mart spent only seventy-seven cents an hour per employee on health benefits. That is less than half of Wal-Mart’s two hundred and eighty-five billion dollars in sales in 2004.  Wal-Mart really focuses more on sales than anything else. In fact Wal-Mart increases more on advertising than on healthcare. The total amount spent in 2004 was just below the healthcare cost of one billion dollars.  In recent years Wal-Mart has increased its advertising expenditures by over four hundred and thirty million dollars compared to only increasing employee health care by one hundred million dollars.  It’s now forty five percent on advertising and seven percent on healthcare.

            Now if Wal-Mart is spending more on advertising than healthcare then there is a big problem. Wal-Mart is going to get its customers regardless because of its amazingly low prices on an assortment of the tens of thousands of items in stock. The employees of Wal-Mart need to be a big priority. The Wal-Mart in Middletown is no different than the other Wal-Mart’s around the country and even the world. The Middletown Wal-Mart is part of the entire corporation. The people in Middletown are greatly affected by this Wal-Mart strategy of spending more on advertising. Many of the residents are in dire need of healthcare. And since most of the residents work at Wal-Mart, the people will look at Wal-Mart’s option first. Now if they don’t think Wal-Mart is reliable or affordable enough the people will choose to go without health coverage. No health insurance is a risky move. The only suggestion Wal-Mart should take into consideration is improve health insurance options. Judging by new information Wal-Mart did improve health insurance options. The residents in Middletown New York can now look into these options and fully can become insured.  

            Another major concern Wal-Mart poses towards Middletown and its citizens is the healthcare issue. Since the majority of Wal-Mart’s employees reside in Middletown, New York the problems surface and like the people the community is affected negatively.  In the whole U.S only forty three percent of Wal-Mart employees are covered by Wal-Mart’s healthcare. Middletown’s people are in quite of a struggle so the majority of the people do tend to go without the health insurance. The average annual wage for a Wal-Mart employee is a little over seventeen thousand dollars, and about seven to twenty-five percent of the income will have to cover the health insurance for only one person. The healthcare system is just too costly for the people who are having money issues. However Wal-Mart states that its health insurance options are improved. In 2008 Wal-Mart has expanded its options and employees now have a wider array to choose from.  Wal-Mart eliminated many unnecessary fees like the monthly one hundred and fifty dollar fee covering the spouse and also the one thousand dollar hospital stay.  Wal-Mart explains its recent jump from forty three percent covered to now over forty eight percent covered. This fact proves Wal-Mart has indeed advanced its healthcare options. But still fewer than fifty percent of Wal-Mart’s employees are covered. The uncovered workers usually get public assistance. In fact a Wal-Mart CEO and president Lee Scott was quoted saying “In some of our states, the public program may actually be a better value – with relatively high income limits to qualify, and low premiums.” However Lee Scott said this in 2005 and in 2007 was when Wal-Mart insisted its healthcare options are better and workers will be satisfied.

                The healthcare system affects Middletown’s community because the residents are taxpayers. Wal-Mart is a pretty large burden for taxpayers. Wal-Mart employs a large amount of employees. An average two hundred worker store can cost taxpayers over four hundred and twenty thousand dollars per year. Some of the cost comes from low income housing assistance, free or reduced lunch for just fifty qualifying Wal-Mart families, additional federal health care costs, federal tax credits and deductions for low-income families and others. The people living in Middletown are already struggling, Wal-Mart’s negatives only makes it harder.  The people around each Wal-Mart including the Wal-Mart in Middletown continue to fight the cause and improve Wal-Mart’s conditions so each community can become healthier.

           

            Overall, Wal-Mart is a controversy no question about that. Its unbeatable low prices keep shoppers coming back. However the opposition is determined and makes moves. Currently there are many lawsuits still in place and awaiting a decision. The communities are greatly affected by Wal-Mart as is the environment.  Even though the employees still stick with the job, they do feel distress and do face Wal-Mart’s negative affects also.  However the boost Wal-Mart gives to our struggling U.S economy makes Wal-Mart and undeniable place to shop. The variety of items at extremely affordable prices just can’t be rejected and people everywhere do take advantage. Over eighty percent of the U.S shopped at Wal-Mart at least once last year. The rest were Wal-Mart protestors. Wal-Mart continues to make news everyday because it is the most successful business in the United States. Whether you here negative news which isn’t too uncommon or good new regarding Wal-Mart’s sale, Wal-Mart is still in the headlines. My area of Middletown, New York has felt the negative and positive effects of Wal-Mart. The community has endured losses but has also received gains and satisfaction just by shopping at the superstore. In the future Wal-Mart will probably only expand and diversify into the rest of the world. It is only a matter of time.

           

roc 3

Iman Ahmad                                                                           11/08/08

Prof. Arenstein

English 1000C-133- 70891

ROC 3

Part 1:

For roc 3 I have found two new sources that are beneficial towards my next essay.  One source talks about how Wal-Mart improved is healthcare options for its employees. This article is golden for the next assignment because in essay 2 I talked about how Wal-Mart’s healthcare options were inadequate and too expensive. This article arises many questions that I must answer. This article helps explain about improvement of healthcare options.  Ideas that arise are also prevalent. What are the ideas that the employees have? What do the employees choose? This article is helpful because it challenges what I said about the healthcare system Wal-Mart provides.  Now I can learn more and incorporate more information and use it to even further explaining and analyzing my object text.

The other article is a scholarly article which is progresses the assignment. This scholarly article talks about many aspects about Wal-Mart and doesn’t focus on just one topic like the other article I found.  This article will be very useful to the assignment because it give me more insight about Wal-Mart and its affect about the world and my object text.  Some questions do arise as do many ideas.  Some truths about Wal-Mart are presented and stated. Many facts that can bring great strength to next essay are also presented. One question that arises is about Wal-Mart and its employers and the international expansion of the corporation. I believe more can be written with strong information for the upcoming assignment.

Part 2:Reverse outline

·         Topic of the article is Wal-Mart improves its health insurance options. But corporation still insures less than half its U.S employees.

·         The inquiry question? What are some new options Wal-Mart proposed?

·        Thesis is: The company, according to data available for the first time, is offering better coverage to a greater number of workers. Wal-Mart, the nation’s largest private employer, provides insurance to 100,000 more workers than it did just three years ago.

·         Some major pieces of supporting and complicating evidence:  it still insures fewer than half its 1.4 million employees in the United States.   Now, the chain is even considering weight-loss clinics in its 4,000 stores and is toying with the idea of selling health insurance, hoping to finally bring coverage within reach of most Americans. In the fall of 2005, Wal-Mart made its first stab at responding to its critics, introducing a health plan with premiums as low as $11 a month. A family can pay as little as $250 a year in premiums if it is willing to have a $4,000 deductible and be responsible for as much as $10,000 in medical bills, roughly the same plan that cost them $1,500 a few years ago. There is also a lot more but I will save some information.

Reverse outline scholarly:

·         The topics of the articles are trouble on the home front, home truths,  extended international family and family values. By home it means Wal-Mart as does family. These two words are just substitutes for the word Wal-Mart.

·         The inquiry question: What are some of the realities of Wal-Mart as a factor in each community?

·        The Thesis: The strongest opposition to Wal-Mart in the US, however, comes not from retailing opponents but from activists.

·             Some major pieces of supporting and complicating evidence: The strongest opposition to Wal-Mart in the US, however, comes not from retailing opponents but from activists. In 2004, 1.2 million people were employed by Wal-Mart in the US, and 1.5 million worldwide. Wal-Mart have responded by promoting the messages of “good works” and “good jobs” to counter these perceptions. In Canada, Mexico and the UK success has been swift. In countries such as Brazil, continental European countries, China and Japan conditions have been more difficult.  There is also a lot more information however I am storing it and will use it when the time is right.

Part 3:

Article one (non-scholarly) explains Wal-Mart’s improvements for its employees about health insurance options. The thesis of the article basically states that for the first time Wal-Mart is offering better coverage to its employees. More options are also in play.  The most significant premise of the article is the information about the new options of healthcare. Also what the employees think and the statistics and the prices of the new systems. The evidence is all there because prices are being showed from years ago to the current year. We can clearly see the changes if the healthcare options are beneficial or not. The article also brings light to if the employees are accepting this new proposition.

 

The scholarly article has a whole array of subjects presented throughout the read. Many topics about Wal-Mart are presented and information is given out. The thesis of this scholarly article is: The strongest opposition to Wal-Mart in the US, however, comes not from retailing opponents but from activists. However I do believe there is more than one thesis in this article because there is more than one topic. The most significant premise of the article is hard to determine. There are many important premises throughout the article. One is the activist that oppose Wal-Mart. Some other are: the international expansion of the corporation, employees, its suppliers, and its values as big business, and its effect towards America’s communities. 

 

 

 

 

 

Part 4:

            Two new interesting, yet informative sources have risen for me to grasp. I have searched far and long, but finally two sources have fulfilled my requirements and the assignment’s. Before I found these two sources, I used other sources and compared the similarities and difference between them. But now I must see the relationship between the two new discoveries I found using the internet. After reading each of the sources, the relationship between the two is strong. As I finish reading each source, I found working with the two sources to be similar and durable.

            Foremost I will look at the relationship between these two sources. The first source that I will use in my next essay will be an online article I found. This article’s main topic is Wal-Mart improving its employee’s health insurance options. I opposed this subject and brought out the negatives of this topic in essay two. This article explains how Wal-Mart improved its healthcare options and made them more affordable for its workers. However this article states that the corporation still insures less than half its employees. There are many facts and information on this subject throughout the article. Prices for the health care systems are prevalent throughout the article. Employees’ views about this subject are also mentioned.

            The next article I scowled up was a scholarly article on Wal-Mart. This article talks about many subjects about Wal-Mart but it does build a relationship with my first article. My first article complements this scholarly article. This article talks about some troubles Wal-Mart faces. The troubles tie into my first article because; the healthcare options are troubles that employees face. And in the scholarly article employees are written about heavily.  Other topics the scholarly article talks about international relations to Wal-Mart, which is the growth outside the U.S. The scholarly article is filled with helpful information that will guide me throughout the next assignment.

            Overall the relationship is quite well. These two article share a couple of similarities and the differences are obvious. The non-scholarly article really complements the scholarly article by going more in depth on one of the subjects the scholarly article writes about. Quality information can be acquired from both these articles. After reading each article I can work with both articles nicely. I can easily dig up information and incorporate the info into the essay.

 Works Cited:

“Wal-Mart’s Family Firm.” Strategic Direction Vol. 22 (2006) 9-12 http://www.emeraldinsight.com/Insight/ViewContentServlet?Filename=Published/EmeraldFullTextArticle/Articles/0560220203.html

 

Barbaro, Michael and Abelson, Reed “Wal-Mart Improves Employee Health Insurance Options.”

New York Times Nov. 13, 2007. http://www.reclaimdemocracy.org/walmart/2007/improves_health_plans.ph

Essay 2 revised

Iman Ahmad                                                                           October 30, 2008

Prof. Arenstein

English 1000C-133- 70891

Essay 2 covernote

 

            This essay was difficult to write. I spent loads of time writing this essay because, just incorporating answers through research of my inquiry question took some good time. I developed inquiry question through both my lens text then I answered them with regards to my object text. Overall this essay was filled with effort and time. I believe I achieved the assignment’s goal.

 

 

Iman Ahmad                                                                           October 30, 2008

Prof. Arenstein

English 1000C-133- 70891

Outline

 

I.                   Inquiry Question: What are Wal-Mart’s negative and positive aspects towards the United States’ communities?

II.                Thesis: Wal-Mart’s negativity towards America is mostly behind the scenes but also some are out and about.

III.              Introduction:  a) What is Wal-Mart

b) Stores in U.S and around the world

c) product variety

d) prices

IV. Body paragraph: first negative regarding competition and other small businesses.

a)      Barbershop in Middletown, New York.

IV.               

V.                 Body paragraph: another negative

a)      Negative towards employees

VI.             Body paragraph: China connection

VII.          Body paragraph: one positive for the superstore.

VIII.       Conclusion

 

Works Cited:

“One, Two, Three, Four… We Don’t Want Your Superstore.” Nov. 2004 http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/walmart/transform/protest.html

“Is Wal-Mart good for America?” Nov. 2004 http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/walmart/transform/isgood.html

    

 

Iman Ahmad                                                                           October 30, 2008

Prof. Arenstein

English 1000C-133- 70891

Essay 2

 

 

 

 

Wal-Mart, a positive or negative?           

           

Wal-Mart is a shoppers dream. The store’s main aim is delivering always low prices on every item in stock. By low prices, Wal-Mart beats out all its competitors in that statistic.      However Wal-Mart is not all positive towards America’s communities. Wal-Mart does have a negative side, and many citizens of their communities still try to eliminate Wal-Mart from their town for good. Many questions arise when Wal-Mart is a topic for discussion. Defenders of the superstore and protesters of the superstore have addressed many constructive and pessimistic aspects of Wal-Mart respectively. One big inquiry question that I have to find answers to is: What are Wal-Mart’s negative and positive aspects towards the United States’ communities? Wal-Mart’s negativity towards America is mostly behind the scenes but also some are out and about.

            First off what is Wal-Mart exactly?  Wal-Mart is a public corporation that runs a chain of department stores. Wal-Mart is the biggest public corporation in the world by revenue. Wal-Mart is the most efficient company in the history of American business. Wal-Mart is the largest grocery and music retailer in the United States. It also owns and operates another superstore called Sam’s Club which runs like Wal-Mart. In a sense both superstores are the same store but have a different name. Wal-Mart’s store base in the United States is huge. Not only are there thousands of Wal-Marts in the United States but there are approximately two thousand nine hundred and eighty stores in fourteen different countries. And each one of these superstores fulfills the primary objective of delivering always low prices. Wal-Mart is also a rather large store hence superstore. The sizes of the stores range from ninety-eight thousand square feet to two hundred and sixty-one thousand square feet. The average Wal-Mart superstore is about one hundred and ninety- seven thousand square feet.  The product variety is immense. Basically anything you can think of, there is a great chance Wal-Mart provides it. The array is from apples to bullets, baby food to diet pills, a dog house to a flat screen television, books to sporting equipment. The product range is beneficial to all and each merchandise stays at the low price.  Overall Wal-Mart helps the United States economy by producing items consumers want to buy at very low prices.

            Near my home area of Goshen, New York there is a Wal-Mart ten minutes from my house in Middletown, New York. For the past three years we lived in Goshen, our main grocery and necessity shopping place is Wal-Mart. Judging by my non-scholarly article “One, Two, Three, Four…We Don’t Want Your Superstore,” it states that Wal-Mart the superstore destroys small businesses. These small businesses have been in the community for decades and make the community unique. Some of these small businesses sell only specifics, like a floral shop, or a candy store. So one question that helps answer the inquiry question is if Wal-Mart, the superstore hurt any businesses around it and if so what were its effects? This question arises because one big complaint against Wal-Mart is that it gives no chance for small businesses to thrive. The destruction of small businesses is a negative towards the United States, and Wal-Mart plays a big role. One prime example of Wal-Mart closing out a business happened in my Goshen, New York area. Across from Wal-Mart, there was a barbershop running for some good years. The business was smooth up until Wal-Mart was built. The Wal-Mart had a legitimate barber salon in the superstore! The barber salon gave haircuts for a cheap price. After about a couple of months, the barbershop progress began to decline, and eventually was shut down.  Wal-Mart actually really hurt the communities’ people by closing down a distinctive barbershop. And to look back I have actually helped Wal-Mart ruin a small business by getting haircuts at Wal-Mart.

            Another negative aspect of Wal-Mart is towards its own employees.  Wal-Mart’s healthcare benefits are poor and sometimes the coverage is so expensive that many employees chose to go without it.  The question that comes to mind when this topic comes about is: if many Wal-Mart employees choose to go without Wal-Mart’s healthcare benefits than what type of coverage do the employees have? Also, are taxpayers affected by this? These two questions help answer the major inquiry question and address the negative aspects towards U.S communities. The Wal-Mart near my home area of Goshen goes through this same dilemma. A popular choice for health coverage among Wal-Mart employees are state programs like Medicaid, and some have to accept hospital charity. The inadequate benefits that Wal-Mart provides, the local taxpayers are forced to pick up the burden. One New York Times article found that in the state of Georgia, taxpayers were forced to pay over ten million dollars in taxes because of Wal-Mart’s employees were in state healthcare systems.  The negative of tax burdens have had to been prevalent in every area where Wal-Mart is placed. Middletown, New York is no different; Wal-Mart’s employees who go without health coverage affect the community’s people will large taxes. And over a span a family does lose a substantial amount of cash which could have gone to better use.

 

            Wal-Mart does contribute both positively and negatively towards the United States. The source for American job losses and prosperous Chinese exports is Wal-Mart. Each Wal-Mart in the U.S including the one in Middletown, New York contributes to job losses here in the United States. So how is Wal-Mart’s involvement with China a negative towards America? For Wal-Mart, China has become the cheapest most reliable production source in the world. Over eighty percent of Wal-Mart’s products from global suppliers are from China.  The colossal overseas shift towards China in the production of U.S consumer goods result in thousands and thousands of lost jobs. Americans need jobs in today’s society because of the struggling economy. Here in my area of Goshen, New York which is mostly middle class, people have good jobs, but people in Middletown, New York which is a poorer area, jobs are needed.  Whether the job is working as a Wal-Mart employee or a job for the corporation or in industry as a factory worker, the Americans should really be considered first. The China connection also hurts the U.S as a country with the trading between the two countries. The trade deficit is unbelievably high over hundreds of billions of dollars. The negative that China produces towards the U.S is that is leaves Americans with lost jobs, and the trade deficit continues to grow which affects the U.S economy and the U.S people.

            On the brighter side, Wal-Mart does have an immense positive affect towards America. Wal-Mart brings extremely low prices to hundreds of thousands of different products. Every American wants low prices on top notch products. Wal-Mart fulfills the shoppers promise. With the struggling U.S economy, Wal-Mart is the positive with its low prices. All communities near a Wal-Mart now get productive shopping done since only one store; Wal-Mart serves the peoples’ needs. Wal-Mart minimizes traveling from store to store to obtain needed items. Wal-Mart really is a superstore because it stocks about everything one can think of. The low prices are great and the store’s service is extremely beneficial. Wal-Mart continues to grow and develop in more areas around the United States. The Wal-Mart in Middletown, New York now is beginning to add fast food restaurants inside the superstore. Last time I went I saw a Subway, which is a sandwich store. Other Wal-Marts around the U.S have different fast food chains inside the superstores. Wal-Mart really is a superstore with all the diverse substances inside each store.

 

In conclusion Wal-Mart, the superstore both negatively and positively affects United States’ communities. The superstore helps the U.S economy by placing extremely low prices on each one of its items, making it affordable for almost every customer. On the other hand, local taxpayers like the people in Middletown, New York are forced to pay taxes to help cover the state healthcare system. Also the China connection deepens the U.S trade deficit almost every year. Wal-Mart does contribute to lost jobs by involving with China. Overall over eighty percent of American people shop at Wal-Mart and the others are boycotting because they feel the negatives Wal-Mart has are too costly towards the United States. In the end I believe Wal-Mart is beneficiary to the United States, what’s your take?

 

 

 

Essay 2

Iman Ahmad                                                                           October 17, 2008

Prof. Arenstein

English 1000C-133- 70891

Essay 2

 

 

Is Wal-Mart good for America?

 

            Wal-Mart is a public corporation that runs a chain of department stores. Wal-Mart is the biggest public corporation in the world by revenue. Founded by Sam Walton whose main objective was delivering always low prices. Now not only are there thousands of Wal-Marts in the United States but there are approximately two thousand nine hundred and eighty stores in fourteen different countries and every store fulfills Walton’s primary aim. So why does this question, is Wal-Mart good for America even a topic for discussion? Wal-Mart’s negativity towards America is mostly behind the scenes but also some are out and about.

            Wal-Mart is the most efficient company in the history of American business. It amazingly low prices benefit everyone.  It produces everything consumers want to buy. Wal-Mart has an immense product variety. Almost anything you can think of Wal-Mart probably sells it.  The store is extremely productive. What I mean by extremely productive is that instead of going store to store for items needed, you can find them all at Wal-Mart, while the kids can get their haircut, or venture off into the electronics section, or magazine aisle, or the clothing department or the sporting sector. A customer can save gas by shopping at Wal-Mart because chances are everything on the checklist is sold at Wal-Mart. Basically the efficiency of Wal-Mart is outstanding and the prices are greatly affordable. So why does the question, is Wal-Mart good for America even a topic for discussion?

The article “One, Two, Three, Four…We don’t Want Your Superstore,” explains just exactly why Wal-Mart is an undesired business, and why Americans don’t want to shop there. One negative Wal-Mart has toward America’s communities is that the store destroys small businesses. Wal-Mart stores continue to grow and are being placed where it is easily accessible. Not only are the stores growing but its adding in more retail departments, like flowers, jewelry, haircutting, optical, and many others. Take Bonnie Neisius’s example explained in the Los Angeles Times, she is a small business owner of a UPS franchise In Las Vegas, Nevada. A Wal-Mart store came about her area near her business. She described how she watched her surroundings businesses close down and her own business decline by over forty five percent. This article was published in the early 2000’s and her business now is probably shut down thanks to Wal-Mart. There was a good chance that Neisius’s small business was her primary source of income, and now she probably is off working somewhere where she isn’t her own boss and just a regular employee.

            I personally have experienced a small business shut down in my area of Goshen, New York. All our shopping for groceries is done at Wal-Mart in Middletown, New York ten minutes from Goshen New York. Across from the superstore was a home run barbershop. This barbershop where I have gone to only once is officially out of business because the Wal-Mart across the street also does haircuts also. Now to make things more efficient, while my mother shops around for the groceries and whenever I need a haircut I would go to Wal-Mart. Gas is at an all time high so why would someone drive to the barbershop then to Wal-Mart for groceries, when both can be accomplished at Wal-Mart.

            Small businesses make communities unique. These small businesses like a flower shop, or gift shop have been in communities for years. A person’s parents and grandparents have been shopping at these local shops and they have been the community’s representation. But now slowly Wal-Mart is putting each small store out of business.

            Another problem Wal-Mart poses towards America’s communities is that the company provides inadequate benefits, and local taxpayers are forced to recover the burden. Wal-Mart’s healthcare system is so poor and the coverage is so expensive that many workers chose to go without it. So without Wal-Mart’s healthcare benefit, the employees instead get their benefit through state programs like Medicaid. Many even have to accept hospital charity for their health problem.  A 2004 article in the New York Times published a study about Wal-Mart’s employees in Georgia. It found that about ten thousand children of Wal-Mart employees were in state healthcare systems that cost local taxpayers over ten million dollars a year. The same article states that in one North Carolina hospital, that over five hundred and eighty nine people out of one thousand nine hundred patients were Wal-Mart employees on Medicaid. Also some other Wal-Mart employees were uninsured and either had to accept hospital charity or accept full responsibility (frontline).

            Wal-Mart’s healthcare premiums are also relatively high for an associate’s salary. Currently Wal-Mart employees have to pay thirty-three percent of their healthcare costs. This equals to be a little over thirty dollar for the individual and between one hundred and thirty-two dollars and two hundred and thirty dollars for families every month. Critics also state that Wal-Mart encourages its employees to apply for public assistance programs. In an interview, Jon Lehman, a former Wal-Mart manager thought he was “doing a good thing,” telling his employees to apply. But he realized that Wal-Mart doesn’t even pay a living wage to its employees or help them with their medical costs (frontline).  

            Wal-Mart’s healthcare benefits are a problem because it burdens the local taxpayers, and provides inadequate help to its employees. The employees of Wal-Mart need to live a healthy life and the communities don’t need hefty loads. However, Wal-Mart continues to deliver on each causing problems throughout.

Wal-Mart also has a big connection with the most populous country in the world, China. For Wal-Mart, China has become the cheapest and most reliable production source. China’s imports secure the fact of Wal-Mart’s everyday low prices. However, Wal-Mart’s focus on delivering the extremely low prices, which help contain the United States inflation, does have a negative affect. Wal-Mart’s shifts overseas to China for the production of consumer goods result in hundreds of thousands of lost jobs here in America. (Frontline). And with the struggling of today’s U.S economy, job losses are the least affordable right now

U.S involvement in trade with China is also developing into a heavy burden. The United States and China also have another negative between them.  America says China is guilty of dumping- that is, producing exports and selling them in the United States below the price in China, or below what it cost to manufacture and ship abroad.  American companies have accused China of dumping various good from shrimp to household goods. The fact that Wal-Mart obtains over seventy percent of its items from China hurts the U.S industry. The U.S industry helps the economy from further falling, and Wal-Mart isn’t really helping the U.S industry. Already the trade deficit with China is over one hundred and twenty four billion dollars, which puts the U.S in an even bigger hole.

            Wal-Mart’s involvement with China is further affecting the negatives of the U.S economy. Thousands of Americans are losing jobs as well as quality of home life. The U.S economy today is in a crisis and Wal-Mart and other ventures are not really helping with dealing with China and other out sourcing.

Overall, Wal-Mart affects America in a positive way but also a negative way. Wal-Mart supplies hundreds of thousands of different products at extremely low prices. In fact all of Wal-Mart’s product’s prices are between eight to thirty-nine percent lower than other store’s prices. This fact makes Wal-Mart probably the most affordable superstore in the world. And over eighty percent of Americans shopped at Wal-Mart at least once in the last year. The other percent took into account Wal-Mart’s negative affects towards American communities.

Wal-Mart negatives towards its workers health benefits, and the destruction of small businesses, and its involvement with China as a production platform doesn’t stop people from shopping there. Wal-Mart has sparked many strikes by its workers, petitions have been organized to stop building Wal-Marts, and Wal-Mart has been taken to court several of times. Still Wal-Mart continues to thrive and continues to grow and continues to be the world’s most efficient business.  Wal-Mart looks like it’s going to be here for centuries whether for the good or the bad.

 

           

 

 

roc2

Iman Ahmad                                                 10-04-2008

Prof. Arenstein

English 1000C-133- 70891

Roc2

 

                The two sources used for roc2 are two articles, one from a scholarly journal and a non-scholarly journal.  The non- scholarly source is a blog question simply asking; is Wal-Mart good for America? The participants for this question include a professor at Duke University, vice president for research at the Cato Institute, a wal-mart store manager, and Wal-Mart’s vice president for federal and international corporate affairs. This blog question will provide major information because each of the repliers’ state solid facts about Wal-Mart’s positive and negative effect. The other source is an article on a website which also interprets Wal-Mart’s presence among us. The article goes more in depth with the information and analyzes what Wal-Mart really affects negatively.

 

 

 

Reverse outline: non- scholarly

• 1. The topic is about Wal-Mart. 2. And the question the participants answer is if Wal-Mart is good for America?
• Each contributor gives their opinion about wal-mart. And state facts why it is good or a problem.
• Some major pieces for the positive side of Wal-Mart are that it is affordable, most efficient company in history of American business, the range of goods are unbelievably wide, it helps a lot of poor people buy necessities, and it gives Americans jobs.
• Some negatives about Wal-Mart are that the workers feel the negativity first hand, the workers still have problems with health care issues.

Reverse outline: scholarly journal

• The topic is about Wal-Mart and what is affects negatively. This article really addresses the negative effect.
• Negative affects towards small businesses
• Negative affects towards the community
• Negative effects on its workers. 

 

Part 3 Observation:

            The blog question gave good strong information about Wal-Mart and if it is good for America.  The opinions of the participants varied. The most significant premises the blog displays are the real facts. Information involving numbers and about the economy is useful.  The question that arises from this blog is the same question of is wal-mart good for America. I want to insert my opinion in all this. But also other questions that arise are dealing with the workers and how they are affected and if any changes have been made.

“Is Wal-Mart good for America?” Nov. 2004 http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/walmart/transform/isgood.html

 

One, Two, Three, Four… We Don’t Want Your Superstore is the article which gives tons of information on the negative side of the subject. The article talks about the negative affects towards small business, the communities “health”, and the workers problems. This scholarly article could very easily help me develop a deeper understanding of the negative effects and even some positives. This article will also open the views of other people because it did for me.

“One, Two, Three, Four… We Don’t Want Your Superstore.” Nov. 2004 http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/walmart/transform/protest.html

 

Part 4:

            Wal-Mart is one of America’s biggest businesses ever. The affordable prices on a variety of items please customers to the fullest. Instead of going store to store to find a needed item, the probability that Wal-Mart has it in stock is very high. Almost anything you need or can think of Wal-Mart supplies it.  So of the easiness of shopping at Wal-Mart and its daring low prices then why are people saying the superstore is negativity to the U.S?  Is Wal-Mart good for America? Well these two articles, one scholarly and one non-scholarly help decide the inquiry question whether or not Wal-Mart is good for America? Both of these articles talk about Wal-Mart’s effect on the community, on its workers, on small business, as well as positive information.

            First off I never knew Wal-Mart was even a problem. I always saw the superstore as being helpful to all people. What really intrigued me about both articles was the negativity stated. The real facts show a negative effect towards the communities around Wal-Mart. The issue to me that seems to be the most significant is the “health” of the communities. This topic seems to be the most significant because the community is vital. People make up society and if Wal-Mart is a negative factor then the community is the number one priority. I want to see how Wal-Mart affects the people.

            My inventory includes many subjects. For example I list the Wal-Mart’s effect on the community, small businesses, the workers, the foreign partnership, the low prices, the efficiency, and the range of items.  These articles definitely have similarities and differences. Both articles talk about Wal-Mart as a superstore and what is provides to the people. The negative side is also addressed heavily between these two sources. For example these articles state that Wal-Mart is a big burden on taxpayers. Because of the health care of Wal-Mart employees who are in a state system it costs tax payers $10 million a year. The two articles also state how efficient Wal-Mart is. The affordability of all its products is what each of these sources stress.

            In conclusion the scholarly journal and the non-scholarly article help with the progress of this roc. These sources basically gives out all the information needed in proceeding. Both articles gave me a new sense about Wal-Mart as a superstore and as a negative business. Overall the next essay will be done fantastically.

Essay 1 revised

Iman Ahmad  Works Cited:  Fulbright, Jenny. “How to Start a Successful Consulting Business.” http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol83/consulting.htm

Arenstein

English 1000C-133- 70891

Essay Outline

 

I.                   Inquiry question: Due to lacked resources how does a small consulting business continue on?

 

II.                The development of thesis.

 

A.     Hypothesis: The lacked resources are too much for a consulting business to continue on.

B.     Thesis:  Despite not having accountants, financial advisors, an adequate business place, superb advertisements, and a steady customer pace a consultant business can still be successful.

III.             Introduction

IV.             Supporting evidence a consulting business.

A.    What is a consulting business, and what does it take to be a consultant.

V.                Competing evidence lacked resource

A.    No accountants

B.     No financial advisors

VI.             Competing evidence lacked resource

A.    No adequate working enivorment

VII.          Competing evidence advertisement

A.    Poor advertising use

 Competing evidence customer pace.        XI. Conclusion.   

Iman Ahmad                                                                           September 26, 2008

Prof. Arenstein

English 1000C-133- 70891

Revised Essay 1

           

Inquiry question: Due to lacked resources how does a small consulting business continue on?

 

            A great option for aspiring small business owners is starting a home consulting business. Selling business expertise is a hot trend and has the potential of a healthy income. Today’s business landscape continues to change and consultants are in demand.  However there are a bunch of negative factors that can hurt the consulting business. One major negative factor that does keep a consulting business from soaring is the lack of resources.  Despite not having accountants, financial advisors, an adequate business place, superb advertisements, and a steady customer pace a consultant business can still be successful.

            Like all businesses a consulting business needs to take the necessary steps to become a benefactor.  A consultant is simply someone who gives expert advice or service. Anyone can become a consultant as long you have the experience, skill, and professional knowledge about the particular field of advisement.  A consultant business can’t run without a legal structure, a business plan, and an office.  Usually the legal structure of a consulting business is sole proprietorship and the office is a place where the majority of the meetings between clients take place. After the set up of the consulting business is ready, the next motive is pushing it into action. Finally the main focus can officially be on the guap.  But be aware of the negativity that might destroy the business altogether and put an end to your business venture.

            One weakness of running a small consulting business is the fact that an accountant is not used.  An accountant is someone who audits and inspects the financial records of individuals or business concerns and prepares financial and tax reports. In a consulting business you are all alone with basically everything. A consultant can even give advice to an accountant if the business area is accounting consultant. Basically an accountant would be absolutely useless because there would be nothing for the accountant to do. But in big businesses an accountant is vital and helps secure the successful flow of the venture.  A consulting business also lacks the assistance of a financial advisor.  A financial advisor first takes note of the client’s current finances and the future financial goals. Using the noted down information the financial advisor devises a thorough plan that offers solutions to problems as well as identifying them.  A financial advisor is extremely helpful to a business, but a consulting business again can’t use the assistance.  These two lacked resources could have been extremely useful in ensuring consulting success. A consulting business can work just as well without them and they are not needed. It is only less work hiring an accountant and a financial advisor, and more money for the business.

            Another resource that a consulting business lacks could be an adequate and beneficial working environment. Usually a consultant does all the transactions, meetings, paperwork, and directing in a home office. A home office for consulting work is so unprofessional because the location doesn’t seem like a real business. A home office can make the customers feel like they are not getting the best advice since the atmosphere might look amateurish. The advantage of having a legitimate office type building is that people could see the consulting building near other builds and could just easily walk in. The home office is actually inside the place where you live and random people can’t just walk in.  Because of the home office customers are going to have to set up appointments which make the consulting business actually move slower. As with a office building the advising could take place that minute. The consulting business could be stronger, more progressive, and more successful with an office building.

            In any business, advertisements are key for getting the project running. Potential customers get interest through advertisements. Advertisements find the customers. In a consulting business it is difficult to advertise since all you do is give expert advice to someone in need. The commercials on television succeed in drawing customers to the presented business. Also radio commercials work just as well in pulling in potential shoppers. A consultant on the other hand has to use other tactics in obtaining clients. The top source that consultants use in obtaining clients is advertising in newspapers. But still the consulting business can draw in customers with low key advertisements like newspaper articles, word of mouth, and recommendations from past clients. 

            A consulting business also has a sporadic customer pace. A consultant might be giving advice to two customers in a span of a week and then the next customer might not show up for the next three months. A consulting business is nowhere like a regular store business. A store business and a consulting business have absolutely nothing in common. For example Shoprite sometimes overflows with shoppers, and a consultant might not see a customer for months. A steady customer pace is tough to obtain because people just don’t need advice sometimes. That is why a consulting business is only beneficial to you as a part time job. You can still work a regular job and come back to your consulting business. Having customer after customer can be stressful since you are by yourself and it does take time in offering the absolute best advice. The time gap between future customers is beneficial because until your next customers shows up you can prepare advice and ensure your best advisement.  

            Overall, a consulting business can only pump up income as a part time business. A consulting business won’t see a new customer every day so keeping a job related to a consultant would be for the best since you can keep up to date with information and when a client shows up, professional advice can be given. However the consulting business should be prevalent in your mind because good money can be made. In order for the consulting business to become successful with some lacked resources, a consultant must keep up with the new information; keep trying to advertise the business. A consulting business is recommended as a part time business to someone that has business knowledge and is looking for some more money.  

 

Iman Ahmad                                                                           September 28, 2008

Prof. Arenstein

English 1000C-133- 70891

Essay 1 revised cover note

 

The revised essay one was tough. It took me some good time just developing my inquiry question. I used the advice from the writing center and my partners and incorporated it into the essay. I did strong research on this essay and I believe it turned out better than essay 1. The revised essay is much stronger and definitely interprets the object text the full extent. Overall I think the essay shows hard work, effort, and answers the question

 

 

 

essay 1

Iman Ahmad                                                                           September 13, 2008

Prof. Arenstein

English 1000C-133- 70891

Essay 1

 

                Writing essay one was challenging. It took me a couple days to finish the product. I definitely used my primary sources about eighty eight percent of the time. So using my primary source which was my conversation and my whole ROC1 helped very much writing this essay. I believe this essay was strong and really developed a better understanding of my object text.  Disappointingly there were some weaknesses in the essay. Some of the paragraph I believe could have been stronger with additional information. But overall the essay is strong and did interpret the object text well with a deeper meaning. 

   Iman Ahmad

Arenstein

English 1000C-133- 70891

Essay Outline

I.                   Inquiry question: What economic, social, cultural, and external factors affect the overall value of my business and what role does my home office play among the factors?

 

II.                 The Development of Thesis

A.    Hypothesis: Business is defective when negativity in the environment begins to cause interference.

B.     Thesis: The overall value of any business decreases because factors including lack of resources, lack of business knowledge, cultural clashes, and competitors interfere with the progress made by your business through the home office.

III.              Introduction

IV.             Supporting Evidence Standard Business

A.    Tasks of standard business

V.                Supporting Evidence  Consulting Business

A.    Task of consulting business

VI.             Supporting Evidence Negative factor

A.    Lack of resources

B.     Affect on object text

VII.          Supporting Evidence Negative Factor

A.    Cultural aspect

B.     Affect on object text

VIII.       Supporting Evidence Negative Factor

A.    Competitors

B.     Affect on object text.

IX.              Important aspect needed to succeed.                              X. Conclusion

 

 

Iman Ahmad                                                                           September 10, 2008

Prof. Arenstein

English 1000C-133- 70891

Essay 1

 

            Inquiry question: What economic, social, cultural, and external factors affect the overall value of my business and what role does my home office play among the factors?

 

My Home Office, So What About It?

 

            People come up with brilliant ideas and use their creation to collect millions of dollars. The idea turns into a fully fledged money formulating business. As the business keeps rolling, a home office begins to develop and becomes the control room. Now through the home office business owners begin to maneuver around the negative factors depleting business income. The home office is the cornerstone of business success especially if you run a consulting business. However there are many unconstructive harms that try to damage your self- accomplishment. The overall value of any business decreases because factors including lack of resources, lack of business knowledge, cultural clashes, and competitors interfere with the progress made by your business through the home office.

            Any type of business is tough to run and necessitates almost all your time. In a standard business, there are many aspects the business owner needs to look at. For example you need to understand how many employees are needed to be hired in order for the business to operate efficiently. If you hire too little then, customers become unsatisfied with the slowness of the service. Now hiring too many employees you will end up losing money and money loss should be the first of your worries. Also the business owner has to be concerned with the set up of his store. An easy accessible store is always for the better. Another stress for the owner is buying the entire product supply for the store.  Despite all the stresses of administrating the business, there are also many factors that affect the business from obtaining profit. Some of these factors are more harmful to a store running business and other factors are disgraceful towards a home consulting business.

            A consulting business is selling your expertise of a chosen field to others in need of some guidance. A requirement for starting up a consulting business is a workplace for all the transactions, and the meeting with clients. Usually the workplace is a home office. The home office is the core, the heart and soul of the success of your business. The home office keeps the business organized and beneficial to you. Working through your home office gives you comfort and more confidence to make a good sale of advice which can generate money. 

            One negative factor that damages your business representation is the lack of resources. In a consulting business the legal structure most people follow is sole proprietorship. And in a sole proprietorship all the legal liabilities become personal liabilities. So the resource lacked is something other than a personal liability. The factor also affects the home office because then your business could get officially shut down.  The consultant must make sure this personal liability never happens and by working in the home office can stop this cautionary act.

            Another unconstructive factor could be a cultural aspect. The clients will range from anyone who needs some great advice from a consultant to get them self out of the gutter. Suppose a foreigner who came to America to develop a small business of his own and wants to incorporate his country’s flavor here, saw your advertisement and seeks your guidance. This immigrant might not speak any English, or doesn’t understand any of the American traditions. The role your home office must play is a comforting role. The home office must be a place for progress. And every time he comes back you get paid. So despite the negative aspect that is cultural, the role of the home office must be to bring back the client and develop trust.

            Competitors are definitely what every consultant needs to look out for. The advertisements you put out in newspapers, or on the radio and television, must be top notch. Mentioning a comforting and helpful meeting place in each of your ads can be extremely helpful in drawing customers. The home office plays the role of aficionado. Your home office must be welcoming in order for your consultant business to soar. As long as the home office is better than your competitors then it’s one less step to further success.

            An important aspect that you as a consultant must have is obviously business knowledge. Skill, experience, and knowledge in your specific field on consultation are desirable credentials. The vital credentials must be evident throughout your home office. The clients you serve must be able to have trust in your word. As long as they can see you’re qualified and capable the customers will keep coming. And all the recommendations your get from your patrons, the more likely your business will grow. As long your consulting business keeps growing the more of a chance for profit and ultimate success and self satisfaction. Therefore the home office also acts as an area for exhibiting your achievements and furthering your cliental

Overall the home office becomes a big key towards success of the set consulting business. The main role the home office plays is maneuvering your consulting business around the negative factors trying to harm the possible income in pursuit. The home office acts as a display for your achievements, the control room of all transactions, a comforter to all clients, and a source for furthering success. The center, most essential and fundamental element of your consulting business is the home office. After all the research and conversations, the home office is the make or break you part of consulting business. 

 

 

ROC1

Part 1:

An innovative and creative way to make money is by starting your own small business.  To truly feel self accomplished and inventive is by using your own pioneering idea to better the growing market place and set in stone your product or service to the world.  This conversation will be mainly about starting your own successful small business. How can we start a successful business will be the core question of this discussion. The participants will vary from already successful entrepreneurs, aspiring entrepreneurs, college students, and college professors. Some important issues will be how to get started. Various articles will be about of successful business owners, rags to riches stories, how to get started and other topics involving small businesses. There are many ways to locate and gather information on the conversation of starting your own business. Loads of books have been published solely on business starting. The internet is an undying and colossal source for beginners. All you need is an idea and the opening steps to start which are everywhere. So basically the semester conversation will be about starting a successful business.

 

Part 2: 

            Reverse Outline

How to start a successful consulting business

 

·       A good start from home business is selling your expertise as a consultant. Learning how to market your expertise can lead to a profitable consulting business. This type of business gives total independence and flexibility and has true income potential.

·       What you need to become a consultant is right there with you. Basically a consultant gives professional advice or service. Spread your expertise in your expert area. Simply share tips, techniques and some trick you may have up your sleeve. Anyone can become a consultant. All you need is some experience, knowledge and skill in your mastered field. Really selling yourself and making yourself plausible is a needed ability. Keep an up to date understanding of your specific field is also needed. The key is to choose an area in which you’ve had some experience, or spent some time learning about. To succeed in the consulting business, you must be a specialist at recognizing problems and generating solutions to those problems.

·       Take some time to acquire what you need to start a future successful consultant business. First choose your business structure including sole proprietorship or partnership. Most aspiring consultants tend to choose sole proprietorship because it is the easiest to set up and want to be independent and self accomplished. However you must watch out for the liabilities since you are on your own and take full responsibility. The next step preparing your business plan. Even though you will not present the plan to prospective investors, the business plan can help you think through your strategies for keeping the business afloat and profitable. Lastly, create your home office.  You may not have a mammoth budget, so starting from home is just fine. Your created office all relies on the type field you chose. Equipment more than likely will be used. Also you may be working with more than one client so a spacious meeting spot will be useful.

·       Marketing your consulting business to is the next step after you have finished setting up your consulting business. Your marketing should focus on desiring yourself as a professional in your field. Display your value to your clients. Let everyone know you are the best in your field and through you their problems will be solved. Act as a catalyst and influence others. Interacting with players in your specific industry is one of the most, effective ways of promoting your consulting business. The more acquaintances you have, the better your chances of getting consumers for your consulting business. Maybe you can start with people you already know like friends or colleagues. Participation in network opportunities is required because the more visible you are, the more likely your name will be on top of potential customers lists. Also ask for recommendations and referrals from fulfilled clients. This application will make yourself even more of a top choice. You will need to address yourself in some way, and public speaking is it. Start off small, and as you gain more confidence in yourself as a public speaker you can deliver to bigger audiences.   As an expert, you need to be clear talking about your capabilities. Public speaking is an outstanding opportunity to present your expertise to an interested audience that need assistance. However there are other ways in addressing yourself. Another way to address yourself is to get published in either a book or newspaper. Getting published establishes a better reputation for excelling in your mastered field. Get your word out that you can help and continuously submit articles to publishers and newspapers. You acquire customers, by marketing in your region’s most popular and productive newspaper. Maybe a radio or television advertisement can boost your reputation as well.

·       Overall, starting a successful consulting business easy if you follow the necessary steps. Know what a consultant does and how he/she should act and think. Also take time to necessitate all the starting tools in order to begin rolling. Prepare your business plan, create a work environment in your home in dedication to your work, market your consulting business, advertise, speak about yourself and what you can bring to the table, try to get published to expand your reputation. Following the basic steps will sure lead to profit.

 

 

 

Work Cited:

Fulbright, Jenny. “How to Start a Successful Consulting Business.”

http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol83/consulting.htm

 

 

My semester topic is how to start a successful consulting business.

 

 

 

Part 3:

            How do I really know if my consulting business is in full swing and truly is working and I am not just wasting my time?    

 

Some questions that are arising from my semester topic include:

How many clients should I be getting a month or year to actually know if my business is worth my time? 

How many hours should I be working a day?

What should I do if my marketing strategies are slow in achieving customers?

When do I really know when to shut down my business?

What should I do if my business soars and customers are flocking in my office like birds?

What are some indicators for a successful business?

Questions that need to be answered are:

What are some indicators for a successful business?

When do I really know when to shut down my business?

How many clients should I be getting a month or year to actually know if my business is worth my time? 

 

I need to investigate on knowing if my consulting business is truly successful. Why are my customers showing up erratically? I need to better understand my businesses progress. The main focus is whether or not this business can really work or could I make more money working for a company.

After some research I did find indicators for knowing that my business is running smoothly and that it does work and that I made an enormous accomplishment by my ideas and thinking. An article was suggested by my professor which is called “Three Indicators of a Successful Business” by George Rodriguez. The whole article basically comprises of need to know information on whether the business is in fact a real profitable business.

 

 

Iman Ahmad

            Every one shops at local stores or big name stores for food, clothes, electronics, furniture, or anything. We all purchase from businesses whether it’s from a small business like a local bakery, or a big business like Dunkin’ Donuts. We the people make businesses successful because our guap keeps our favorite stores running. We aspiring entrepreneurs ask many questions so we can become more knowledgeable of maintaining a successful business. We read articles in the newspaper, discover books, surf the web, hear on the radio, converse with veterans   or watch on a plasma television on how to become a successful business owner. 

            The fall 2008 semester conversation in my exploration is how to start a successful small business. I want to learn how I can use my creative innovations and my plausible ideas and begin a small business that hopefully a substantial profit would be achieved.  Using various sources including the internet, newspaper articles, books, and my knowledgeable college professors I seek guidance and look for answers of beginning a business.

            One article I found to be extremely helpful was about starting a consulting business. Basically it helps you use your specialty and advance it into a business.  The article tells you what a consultant is, what he does, and how to become a consultant. Then it soars off in what you need to get started for example it gives information about a business plan and creating a home office.  And lastly it ventures into marketing and advertising and really getting your business known to the world.  Since the semester conversation was about starting a small business, this article gives you the basis of starting a consultant type of business. Now the big question that is open ended essentially is, how would you know if your consultant business is in full swing and truly working and that you are not wasting your time? With asking this question the conversation expands and broadens and becomes more engaged.

                        So we could converse long enough to finally discover the answers to all the questions that arise. Progress will be made after exploring the solutions. Finding indicators for a successful running business will be the keys to answer the majority of the questions that came up after the inquiry.  In the end hopefully we can achieve our goal.   

 

Part 5:

            A development from the inquiry question which came up as an object is the created office. In order to set up a consulting business an office is needed. The question asked how you would surely know that your consulting business is running at an above average pace.  Well the answer to this question can depend on the way your home office is shaped.

                An office with slow progression would probably be what you started with and no additions. All the papers would still be organized to an excessive degree and the floor would be immaculate. Also every time a meal was eaten there the dishes were taken back to the kitchen because you weren’t grounded in work and had time to take back the plates. You might even have a pillow handy because when you became extremely bored a little nap took place right on the work desk. The overall extra tidy office shows a weak and slow business.

One way to tell your business is moving smoothly and it is better than or as good as a corporate job could rely on the shape of your home office. Papers scattered all around the desk and more on the floor. The garbage can is overflowed with snacks, fruits, inkless blue pens and more crumbled papers. The room also might smell of week old pasta, and still contain other plates from other meals. Also does it seem that in you’re in the office most of the day? Check out the carpet in the office. A stain filled carpet from accidently knocking down your dinner might also take place. There might be dust on about every piece of furniture because you were too busy to think about the filth.  The office is a reckless mess and can’t be cleaned up in less than a day.  The organization stage would seriously take days because the papers are just too much. You might even have to call in a professional organizer to do this arrangement. Maybe a cleaning person could come in handy to help with the stench swirling around the room. The office might get so bad that a secondary office may be necessary. So overall an untidy and foul office can lead your knowledge that your business is in full swing and flowing.

 

 

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