International Kidnapping as a Business Essay -- essays research papers

Summary: 5 pages. 7 sources. APA format. International kidnappings are on the rise and have become one of the fastest growing ‘industries’ in the world. This paper looks at kidnapping as a thriving business. International Kidnapping as a Business Introduction The kidnapping and ransom of individuals for profit has dramatically increased in the past decade throughout the world. While the majority of victims are wealthy businessmen, more recently, the average tourist has become a target for kidnappers looking for monetary and material gain. In recent years, kidnappers have also become more organized and are demanding more money for the safe return of hostages. Why has international kidnapping been on the increase? The simple answer is because it has become an extremely profitable form of business transaction for the kidnappers. This paper analyzes and scrutinizes international kidnapping as a thriving business. The Business of Kidnapping Kidnappings around the world have typically had one of two major goals: publicity for a local political cause or as a form of ‘fund-raising’ for the kidnappers. Recently, kidnappings for political reasons have been on the decrease, whereas kidnapping for profit has seen a dramatic increase. A prime example of this trend is in Colombia. According to writer David Williams, Colombia is considered to be the kidnapping capital of the world, with rival guerrilla and paramilitary groups consistently abducting civilians –- including businessmen, tourists and aid workers (2001, para.1). The ransom money obtained from these activities is used primarily to finance a 37-year civil war in Colombia (Williams, 2001, para.1). The U.S. State Department estimates that more than 3,000 people are kidnapped in Colombia each year (Williams, 2001, para.2). Most kidnap victims are Colombians who are either wealthy or who can at least come up with a few thousand dollars. And, according to Williams, although the kidnappings are most often performed by political dissidents, the motivation for the kidnappings is usually money, not politics (para.11). Mike Ackerman, founder of The Ackerman Group, a Miami, Florida-based firm that consults companies in kidnap and ransom cases, said "They are political groups that do the kidnapping, but they're out for money. The political groups have to support themselves and one of the ways that they support th... ...insurance policies, one can surmise that kidnappings for profit will continue to increase throughout the world and continue to grow as a ‘business’. Bibliography Auerbach, A. H., (1998). Ransom – The Untold Story of International Kidnapping. New York: Henry Holt and Company. Clancy, C. (2001). Kidnapping businesspeople has become big business. Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal. Retrieved May 22, 2003, from http://sanjose.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2001/09/24/smallb2.html Expatriation Trend, The. (1997-2003). Cyberhaven.com. Retrieved May 22, 2003, from http://www.cyberhaven.com/offshorelibrary/expatriation.html Fielding Worldwide, Inc. (1998). Kidnap, Rescue and Extortion Insurance. Retrieved May 22, 2003, from http://www.comebackalive.com/df/kidnapp/kdnapins.htm Hargrove, T. R., (2001). Long March to Freedom. New York: Random House, Inc. Wall, T. (February 26, 1997). The Kidnap Business. Salon.com. Retrieved May 22, 2003, from http://www.salon.com/feb97/news/news2970226.html Williams, D. (May 7, 2001). Kidnapping is Big Business in Colombia. CNN.com/World. Retrieved May 22, 2003, from: http://www-cgi.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/americas /05/07/colombia.kidnapping/

“Early Bird” or “Second Mouse” Essay

â€Å"The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.† Decide which of the strategies (â€Å"early bird† or â€Å"second mouse†) is the most effective in your life as a student and life in general. The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese was first recorded in 1605 in William Camden’s book of proverbs and has remained part of the misplaced work ethic ever since. The early bird gets the worm meaning it is best to start the day early and also not procrastinate on things. ‘But the second mouse gets the cheese’ meaning the first mouse got killed in the mousetrap and so you got rewarded for starting late or procrastinating. So let the other eager person screw up and then learn from their failure and then reap the reward. I am neutrally in this option. If the early bird gets the worm, then how can it be that the second mouse gets the cheese? If we need to motivate our staff to get up and get started, then we might want to state that the early bird get the worm, so let’s get up and get going so as to get there early before anyone else. On the other hand, if the competition has come out with something quicker than we have, then in order to get everyone on point we might say, â€Å"The second mouse gets the cheese.† In other words, if we build upon the original idea that may have been invented first, then we can build something bigger and better. â€Å" The early bird may get the worm† meanings that success comes to those who prepare well and put in effort. Preparation is the cost you need to pay in order to be truly rewarded. You can’t just jump in the ring and expect to win the fight without having first learned how to box and prepare your body for the required endurance. From the moment of birth till death, we work very hard to succeed. In childhood, we learn how to walk and communicate with others though persistence and willingness. Throughout our adolescence, we study hard to achieve good marks and to get a proper job. For example as I am a student, it is best to study early and in small increments well before the test. Do not cram the night before the exam is the best advice for me from my secondary school teacher that make me successfully went into university. However, â€Å"second mouse† is another effective strategies in my life as a student and life in general. Sometimes in life it is smart to learn from the risks that others take and the mistakes they make. The dead mouse in the trap saw the cheese and went for it. Did not work. But the second mouse, though still cautious, was in the enviable position of reaping the reward with no risk. We are all human, therefore we all make mistakes, but the one thing that comes out of these mistakes is we usually learn a lesson. Making mistakes is human nature, none of us are exempt. That is even true in writing this paper, I will have to write many drafts without errors, and to meet what I feel is right. It will only be natural for me to make these mistakes. But, just as in making errors on this paper and making the corrections, making mistakes in life and correcting those makes for a better human being. We need to be smart so that we will be the â€Å"second mouse that get the cheese but not the first mouse that in the trap.

Cloze Passage

My First Unforgettable Evening |remember |happened |cheeks |scene | It () many years ago, when I was a little girl. I can neither ( ) the beginning nor the end , but whenever I think of the (), tears flow freely down my (). |young |carried |trudged |imagine | |visiting |overcoat |flooded |held | When I was (), my family led a poor life in the country.One evening we were () some relatives and the weather was very bad. It rained so hard that the roads were () with water. On our way home that evening, my Dad () me on his back. My Mom ()my elder brother’s hand, and held an umbrella for Dad and me. Dad gave his ( ) to my elder brother. As you can (), many country roads are difficult to walk on. This road was especially bad after the rain. However, we ()together through the mud and the rain for more than an hour. |hard |comfortable |decreasing |fell |achieved |Though I was on my Dad's back, I wasn’t ()either. I was fat at that time and it may have been () for Dad to hold me f or such a long time. He almost ( ) down four or five times. In hopes of ()my father's burden, I tried to â€Å"carry† myself, through force of will alone. That may sound funny, but I was just a kid. Of course, I ()nothing. |arrived |caught |covered | |asleep |puddles |placing | When we () home, the inside of our house was ( ) with rain water.The rain had come through our leaky roof and ( ) were everywhere. Mom put bowls and tubs all around the house to try to catch the rain. Then she put me and my elder brother to bed, carefully () us on the remaining dry spots. I fell asleep ( ) soon. When I opened my eyes, I found Dad and Mom were sleeping in chairs, both having () bad colds. |realized |represent |mind | |earliest |forget |passed |This is my very ( )memory, and luckily, it () nothing but my parents’ love. I () the depth of my parents’ great love for the first time. Though the evening has long since( ), and now we live a happy life, I won’t () the rain w e lived through together. The rain, that evening, and especially my parents' love, will stay in my () forever. How to Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle |maintain |important |gentlemen |lead |absolutely |Good morning, ladies and (), I am here today to talk about how to () a healthy lifestyle. First of all, I am () sure that all of you will agree with me that it is indeed very () to lead a healthy lifestyle during old age. Here are some tips as to how to lead a ( ) lifestyle. |ageing |brisk |regular |exercises |promote |stamina | First of all, () exercise is very important as it slows down the () process. () walking, cycling and swimming are very good ypes of ( ). If done regularly, they can ( ) good health. Taichi and yoga are also very good for you. You may begin doing them for a few minutes a day and then slowly build up your(). |important |refrain |abstain |stroke |diseases |stand | The next most () point for healthy lifestyle is to ( ) from smoking. Smoking is the main cause of lung c ancer and it can also lead to heart(). If you () from smoking, the chances of getting a () is lower.By smoking, you may also lose some of your friends because they may not be able to () the bad smell. |wisely |consume |containing |indigestion |toxin | Eating () is also important. Older people should choose food () fewer calories because they do less physical activity. They should () more fruits and vegetables. It is also important for them to drink plenty of water because it helps to reduce () and helps to flush out ( ) from the body. avoid |interests |Listening |community |active |surfing | Another important factor is to () stress by maintaining good family relationships. It is good to do () service and take up some hobbies to keep you occupied. It is also good idea to learn new skills that () you. To keep your mind (), you can read books, magazines and newspapers and discuss issues with your friends and family. () to the radio, watching television and () the Internet are also ways to be occupied and be aware of the latest news. Thank you all for listening.

Beatniks and Hippies essays

Beatniks and Hippies essays In the times of recovery after 2 great World Wars and The Great Depression it was not hard to realize why there were some people that held negative reactions towards the lifestyle that the average American was used to living in the 50s through the late 70s and their ideals of values and beliefs of the nation. Two movements that was conceived and born of these feelings of alienation and freedom are the Beat movement and later the movement of the Hippies. These two movements are called the Counter Culture. For many people it is seen as a step backwards, and a period in the history of the United States where it is seen as a reason for all the problems in society there is today. I although however believed that the best times in the United States came from the movements of the Counter Culture and what they had done to influence popular culture and society forever for the better and I will demonstrate with this essay how that has happened. Although however most will see them as a misguided or anarchic group of individuals, they actually contributed to one of the best eras of the United States. These movements promote freedom, basically freedom from the society that America has created. Free from their ideals and their monotonous view towards the world and its politics. And also the freedom to express oneself by anyway possible no matter if it is viewed as a radical move or not. The beat movement refers to a set of literary, political, and social attitudes associated with certain American writers and artists during the 1950s. The Beat movement was an angry voice towards the complications of the problems given to us from the two World Wars. This is the rebellion against the America that is the descendant of the Lost Generation of the twenties and the Bohemians of the thirties and forties. However, this is the movement that will be known mostly for being the predecessor of the era of the Hippies...

Application Essay Personal Statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Application Essay - Personal Statement Example They were my source of encouragement and inspiration. I heeded to their advice and took my education seriously. I did excel in everything and this could at times caused envy among my peers. Some would even call me the teacher’s pet. Afterwards, I joined High School which was also a Diocese boarding school. This time I was really missing my parents at home but my father kept on promising me for good performance. Those promises motivated me so much that I had to forget missing home. My favorite discipline was business studies. I even dreamt of becoming a business consultant. My hard work paid off and I excelled well in my High school studies. Since my father owned a successful business, he supported me in applying for admission at various local and international universities. Fortunately, I got a letter of admission and enrolled for a BS in Management. I could now achieve my long-term goal of becoming a professional business administrator. I was very excited at this. Things were tough but through my zeal, determination together with a can do attitude made me work harder aiming at getting all the concepts. After four years of hard work, I managed to graduate with a BS in Management second class honors Upper Division in the year 2011.I was delighted and Dad and Mum being quite overwhelmed by my performance, they sent me to USA where I secured a job with a US based Aviation Company as an Account Leader in sales and I am currently working there. I will be enrolling for my MBA studies here at the United States of America to crown my Bachelors with advanced skills and knowledge from the studies. After I am through with my post-baccalaureate study, I will return to Indonesia and help my Father to expand his business activities, instill to its management high business administration skills and techniques. i will also register and open a business consultation company, that will provide the

Research Methods in HRM Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Research Methods in HRM - Essay Example It is an intended objective of HRM practices, undertaken under the paraphernalia of HRM, that organizational objectives are met. The most sharply defined organizational objective is performance. Performance in turn is expected to improve everything for the organization right from sales to profits. Therefore, in order to fine tune HRM practices frequent research is carried out not only to find out how past HRM practices and policies yielded but also to suggest newly improved HRM practices and policies for implementation. Often a case has been made that HRM research, say directly addressing the issue of employee performance, was conducted at great expense of time, funds and resources however the resultant improvement in employee performance after implementation of the findings of the research was not only not commensurate but grossly inadequate. While it may be possible that implementation schemata may have had serious errors and limitations however primary concern here is to explore i f the HRM research undertaken was able to truly address the HRM issues at hand; whether it oversimplified the research scenario with overbearing and sweeping assumptions; whether it focused on appropriate subjects; if it did collected sufficient data from a sufficiently representative sample(s); if the data analysis was done using correct techniques; if it missed some of the important explanatory variables or even if it was able to formulate and test a contextual research question(s) or hypotheses. These issues are called methodological issues and if ignored can lead to fatally misleading research findings. In the following paragraphs methodological issues connected with HRM research in organizational performance will be examined and discussed. Relationship between HRM and performance A lot of research has been conducted in exploring the relationship between organizational performance and HRM practices. Two broad methodological approaches can be delineated exploring this relationship. One approach is entirely within the domain of strategic HRM and tries to explain this relationship through strategic considerations ranged from external environment to internal strategies of the organization. These approaches explain the link between performance and HRM practices by weaving HRM policies within the overall strategic thrust of the organization (Wright and Snell, 1998).Another approach focuses on universal HR practices which are commonly practiced in most organizations and are such practices are slated to lead to better performance (Delery and Doty, 1996).The strategy woven contingency approach considers human factor as a means in the hand of overall organizational strategy(ies) ,sub serving the purposes of such organizational strategies, and considers HRM practices as an adjunct tool for achievement of strategic objectives. The universalistic school approaches focus on high performance work practices and considers human factor development as an organizational goal by itself. Universalistic approach