Philosophy Of Man I Perception Essays - Cognitive Science

Philosophy Of Man I: Perception Philosophy of Man I: Perception Linguistic ability affects man in his specifically animal operations. Discuss with reference to any one of the senses. In the following assignment, we intend discussing the way our linguistic abilities affect man's specifically animal operations. We would like to start by pointing out the advantages this ability gives us, and how it distinguishes the human being from the animal. Moreover, we will analyse the way in which language influences us as human beings with particular reference to vision. It is a universally acknowledged fact that human beings possess a larger brain than animals. This allows us to co-ordinate our lives better and communicate with each other on a higher, more sophisticated level. We exchange information through the use of language. Language is a mode of communication where from a limited number of words we can produce an infinite number of sentences. It gives us the chance to discuss ideas, and look at the world with a critical eye. This process provides us with the opportunity to stimulate our intelligence which in turn enables us to improve our means of communication. It is of utmost importance to note that we have developed our linguistic abilities in as much as we not only have the option of interacting verbally and through signs but also on a written basis. This means that we do not always have to be face- to face with someone, but can also exchange information over long distances and refer across time. In other words the fundamental difference between man and all other creatures on the planet is that man has linguistic abilities and that we are able to reflect, whereas animals simply act on instinct. It is language which enables us to move from instinct to consciousness and self-consciousness. Through our ability to verbally communicate with each other, our language can replace and emphasise certain actions. Animals, on the other hand can only show affection towards each other by either licking each other's faces or playing together. We humans not only show affection through body contact, but also through the way we express ourselves. Furthermore, the only way that animals can solve their indifferences is through physically attacking each other, whereas we can resolve our interpersonal conflicts through a rational discussion. This is all due to the fact that human beings are able to verbally communicate their feelings, emotions and thoughts. The central question still to be examined is : How does language actually influence our specifically animal operations ? A case in point would be that when we look at an object, for example a tree, do we see it in its pure, realistic and natural way or is language imposing a certain influence on the way we look at this tree ? Do we regard it as an object of nature which is a tall woody plant having a single, usually, long and straight main stem, generally with a few or no branches on its lower part ? Or are we simply seeing it that way because of the context of the language in our culture ? One theory which supports this point of view is the Saphir - Whorf hypothesis. It suggests that the structure of a language influences the way in which its speakers view the world today. Since the languages of the world differ greatly in regard to their semantic and structural characteristics, it seems somewhat logical to argue that people speaking widely different languages would also differ in the way they viewed and thought about the world. An example may illustrate this point. If one must classify things such as camels, automobiles or snow in certain ways, then one must perceive them differently from someone who does not require to make these distinctions. Eskimos may have a number of different meanings for the word snow, whereas we only have one. In Maltese, for example, there is no word which specifically describes the word snow . It is translated as silg which literally translated means ice . From this we can deduce that it is still debatable whether we perceive the world in its real form or whether we are affected by the language of our society without us realising.

Free Essays on After The Civil War

After the Civil War INTRODUCTION From the aftermath of the Civil War through the Spanish-American War and World War I, the United States had a prominent place on the international stage of politics between 1865 and 1920. This essay will give an overview of those years and some of the roles the United States played in the international political scene. AFTER THE CIVIL WAR There were tremendous political, economic, social, and legal changes that occurred between the years of 1865 and 1877. These changes, including the Reconstruction, began around the time of the Civil War and only continued to escalate after it had ended. Indeed, there were quite a few conflicts that came out of as well as were solved by the war, but some of the most instrumental had to do with how blacks were treated by the whites. As the war raged on, black cotton farmers were looking forward to a Northern victory, which would ultimately give them their freedom; however, if the South were to win, those in the Confederate states would succumb to the ongoing imprisonment of slavery. It appeared as though the white man did not want to part with all the money the black farmers were making for them, which is why they fought so hard to make sure slavery kept on going. After the North's victory, black cotton farmers finally received the freedom they so desperately wanted. When the Reconstruction Period arrived, it looked as though blacks were going to gain even more rights alongside the emancipation that had already taken place; however, it actually proved to represent a time "of much disappointment" (Kirkendale 2002, PG) for many. It was not that laws were not in place as a means by which to protect blacks from the injustices once faced, but those laws were often ignored by the whites. The provisions, as they called them, were meant to provide blacks with the ability to perform the same as others, without the restrictions of be... Free Essays on After The Civil War Free Essays on After The Civil War After the Civil War INTRODUCTION From the aftermath of the Civil War through the Spanish-American War and World War I, the United States had a prominent place on the international stage of politics between 1865 and 1920. This essay will give an overview of those years and some of the roles the United States played in the international political scene. AFTER THE CIVIL WAR There were tremendous political, economic, social, and legal changes that occurred between the years of 1865 and 1877. These changes, including the Reconstruction, began around the time of the Civil War and only continued to escalate after it had ended. Indeed, there were quite a few conflicts that came out of as well as were solved by the war, but some of the most instrumental had to do with how blacks were treated by the whites. As the war raged on, black cotton farmers were looking forward to a Northern victory, which would ultimately give them their freedom; however, if the South were to win, those in the Confederate states would succumb to the ongoing imprisonment of slavery. It appeared as though the white man did not want to part with all the money the black farmers were making for them, which is why they fought so hard to make sure slavery kept on going. After the North's victory, black cotton farmers finally received the freedom they so desperately wanted. When the Reconstruction Period arrived, it looked as though blacks were going to gain even more rights alongside the emancipation that had already taken place; however, it actually proved to represent a time "of much disappointment" (Kirkendale 2002, PG) for many. It was not that laws were not in place as a means by which to protect blacks from the injustices once faced, but those laws were often ignored by the whites. The provisions, as they called them, were meant to provide blacks with the ability to perform the same as others, without the restrictions of be...

Overview of the Rajput People of India

Overview of the Rajput People of India A Rajput is a member of northern Indias Hindu warrior caste. They live mainly in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. The word Rajput is a contracted form of raja, or monarch, and Putra, meaning son. According to legend, only the first son of a king could inherit the kingdom, so the later sons became military leaders. From these younger sons was born the Rajput warrior caste. The term Rajaputra was first mentioned around 300 B.C., in the Bhagvat Purana. The name gradually evolved to its current shortened form. Origins of the Rajputs The Rajputs were not a separately identified group until the 6th century AD. At that time, the Gupta empire broke up and there were repeated conflicts with the Hephthalites, the White Huns. They may have been absorbed into the existing society, including leaders into the Kshatriya rank. Others from the local tribes also ranked as Rajput. The Rajputs claim descent from three basic lineages or vanshas. Suryavanshi, the Solar Dynasty, descended from Surya, the Hindu Sun-god.Chadravanshi, the Lunar Dynasty descended from Chandra, the Hindu Moon-god. They include major sub-branches of Yaduvanshi (Lord Krisha was born into this branch) and Puruvanshi.Agnivanshi, the Fire Dynasty descended from Agni, the Hindu god of fire. This lineage has four clans: Chauhans, Paramara, Solanki, and Pratiharas. These all are divided into clans who claim direct patrilineal descent from a common male ancestor. These are then divided into sub-clans, shakhas, that have their own genealogical creed, which governs the laws of intermarriage. History of the Rajputs Rajputs ruled many small kingdoms in North India from the beginning of the 7th century. They were an obstacle to the Muslim conquest in North India. While they opposed invasion by the Muslims, they also battled among each other and were loyal to their clan rather than uniting. When the Mughal empire was established, some Rajput rulers were allies and also married their daughters to the emperors for political favor. The Rajputs revolted against the Mughal empire and led to its downfall in the 1680s. In the late 18th century, Rajput rulers formed an alliance with the East India Company. By the time of British influence, Rajputs ruled most of the princely states in Rajasthan and Saurashtra. Rajput soldiers were valued by the British. Purbiya soldiers from the eastern Ganga plains had long been mercenaries for Rajput rulers. The British gave more self-rule to the Rajput princes than to other areas of India. Upon independence from Britain in 1947, the princely states voted for whether to join India, Pakistan or remain independent. Twenty-two princely states joined India as the state of Rajasthan. Rajputs are now a Forward Caste in India, meaning they do not get any preferential treatment under the system of positive discrimination. Culture and Religion of Rajputs While many Rajputs are Hindu, others are Muslim or Sikh. Rajput rulers exhibited religious toleration to a greater or lesser extent. Rajputs generally secluded their women and were seen in older times to practice female infanticide and sati (widow immolation). They are usually not vegetarians and eat pork, as well as drinking alcohol.

Governance of the EU (exact title see instruction) Essay

Governance of the EU (exact title see instruction) - Essay Example Accession of the EU to ECHR seems to bring about various legal consequences in protection of human rights. It makes the EU to be a contracting party to the ECHR The Court of Justice is a principal institution with the role of application and interpretation of the treaties law. It ensures all members’ and organizations properly follow the law. The court upholds respect for universal human rights This essay gives in-depth analysis of the Organization of Europe as the protector for fundamental freedoms for issues herein. Accession to ECHR by EU is analyzed and looks at the Charter of Fundamental Rights and its role in protecting human rights. The essay looks at the suitability of the Court as the key to guard freedoms and the challenges it faces. The paper discusses the relationship between the ECJ and the ECHR and enforcement of the Charter on Human Rights and the problem it solves. Materials that will be used are Conventions in the EU case laws an appropriate article and books as reference sources. The Charter on Human Rights has political, economic, and social rights for citizens. The European Convention drafted it but its legality was uncertain until the entry of the Lisbon Treaty in 2009. The EU is required to legislate consistently with the charter and courts. It applies to its member states, the EU, and the institutions. The charter is enforceable in its member states in implementing union laws and guidelines. This charter is central to the law in Europe and its rights are enforced by the CJEU and before national courts. All rights set out in the charter are enforced by the court that is in Strasburg. It has power to hold states accountable when they fail to protect or fulfill their obligations and rights as stipulated in the convention. This particular court has 47 judges where each comes from each member state. When an individual’s rights are violated they

The Morality Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Morality - Case Study Example d that by doing the right thing for the right reason, a person’s values and moral ideas become even more solid if undergoing a similar situation (Hamm 151). Simply put, morality of actions create less harm but not necessarily much more positive events for all parties involved (Brandt 58). As an example regarding morality is the raising of children in full awareness of all things that are universally known to be moral and ethical. Parents can either choose to let others do it for them, by letting the children become aware of what is right or wrong, under the guidance of authorities such as teachers, law enforcement officers, and the like. If the parents could possibly can, they could also teach their own children instead, and using their own words, ideas, beliefs as well as their own personal experiences, bring to them either simplified or complex thought patterns that would be accepted by the society as moral and just. Still another way of teaching children would be by using the power of punishment in cementing the ideas of morality by association with pain, physically or otherwise. However, there is still a debate as to whether punishment would be able to send the message or not to younger folk (Hamm 114). Punishment could very much bring the idea of right or wrong but at times the effect would not last as long due to other factors that may well be outside of the sphere of influence of the home. Still, despite the fact that children can be very much affected by anything from outside the home, parents would still be judged based on the actions of their offspring, thus bringing up the idea that parents have a greater moral obligation of raising children that would be functional and effective members of the society, rather than letting them grow up blind to the morals of the society. In relation to the concept of moral obligations, another aspect of morality is the application of the concept of utilitarianism, wherein the final result would justify the means by

We Propose Rhb Bank Marketing Essay

We Propose Rhb Bank Marketing Essay We propose RHB bank to have co-branding with Padini Concept Store and come out with a RHB-Padini Concept Store Credit Card to extent the RHB Platinum Card. Our target audience are workers and upper middle class who are aged at a range between 25 to 45 years old. One of the promotion strategies we propose to the RHB bank is through Sales Promotion by using various types of vouchers. And other types of promotion strategies such as Personal Selling Strategy, Advertisements and Social Media Marketing Strategy and Direct Marketing Strategy. 1. Sales Promotion Strategy Sales promotion is a short-term incentive to encourage the purchase of a sale a product or services. This may be used to help RHB bank tap into and extent the market in the Padini concept store. A cash voucher may attract customers to induce them in an instant sale and help the consumers to save more. Simultaneously, Padini Concept Store will also be able to increase their sales revenue, increase the number of RHB banks cardholder and gain loyalty from customers. This is a three wins situation to each other. The supplementary cardholders are not eligible for this Promotion. RHB bank could help the cardholders to save more money by sending Padini Concept Store a monthly 20% discount voucher to every cardholder through mail according to the applicants address. It includes seasonal promotions for example, Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Christmas, Chinese New Year, Halloween, and Valentines Day and so on. The cardholder will be given a Padini monthly discount voucher to get discount on the products among the brands available in Padini concept store. If the Padini is doing 10% discount on all items, by using this voucher, the customer can get another extra 20% discount. For example, if when there is Mothers Day, the cardholders are only allowed to redeem the 20% discount in the women department. However, the Padini monthly 20% discount voucher is only valid in every first week of the month. Upon the cardholder birthday, the existence RHB Platinum Credit Card will have 30% cash back during cardholder birthday month. In order to improve, RHB bank will contact that particular cardholder, to inform him or her to come over the Padini Concept Store to get a birthday gift voucher. The birthday gift voucher is worth RM 50. The cardholder may use this voucher to redeem any products sold in Padini Concept Store with the price at or below RM 50. However, if the price of the product is below RM 50, the extra balance is not refundable. Consequently, the cardholder will need to pay extra money to purchase the products if the amount exceeded RM 50 that offer in Padini store by using RHB-Padini Concept Store Credit Card to collect 5 times reward points. However, the voucher can only be used in Padini concept store. In the Padini Concept Store, there are several brands such as SEED, PCO, PDI, MIKI, VINCCI, and BRANDS OUTLET. The cardholders are allowed to choose to purchase any of the p roducts offered by these brands. 2. Personal Selling Strategy RHB bank may adopt the method of personal selling strategies for trying to induce potential consumer to apply for RHB-Padini Concept Store Credit Card in a road show inside or outside the shopping mall, because there are heavy human traffic and many potential customers. Personal selling is the selling of products and services by face-to-face contact with the customer. This can be done by having salespeople approaching the potential customers in person. If the customer is an existing RHB credit card holder, then the salespeople offer the customer the RHB-Padini Concept Store Credit Card as a cross selling. However, the salespeople must be well trained, because the salespeople is the person who will communicate directly and immediately to get the consumers feedback. It is a two-way communication. It can be expensive and time consuming, but also is the most effective form of promotion if compare to other mass communication because the salespeople can make adjustments to address questions or concerns to make the customer much understand about the product. Here is a relationship between personal selling and sales promotion. The first 200 applicants to apply RHB-Padini Concept Store Credit Card, no matter in bank or online purchase, the applicants are entitled to get a RM 200 Padini cash voucher and a free HP laptop bag that worth RM 70 for every cardholder. 3. Advertisements and Social Media Marketing Strategy Advertising is a form of mass communication that is paid for and involves the non-personal presentation of goods and ideas. It usually classified as two types, above-the-line and below-the-line. Through advertising, RHB bank can communicate and inform potential customers about products and services. Also, telling the consumers about the features and benefits and how to obtain it and finally persuade them to make a purchase. It is important for the consumers to know what are the company trying to offer and it create a position in the market place. Hence, it will enhance both the Padini Concept Store and RBH banks reputation and positive image. This is the relationship of Sales with advertising and promotions. Above-the-line advertising such as television and newspaper does not provide information regarding the promotions effectively and it can be expensive. Therefore, RHB bank can go for social media marketing strategy such as the internet. As internet are easily accessible and requires a relatively low cost, more information can be provided and easy for the consumer to obtain the information in the company website. They can just click on the particular advert in the website at everywhere in the world and 24 hours a day. This advertisement enables an organisation to reach every single potential consumer at a very low cost. Nowadays, popular social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook can be used to spread the news regarding the promotions. RHB bank may also consider creating a Facebook page and putting all the relevant information or pay an advertising fee to create a small advertisement on Facebook social network to build the awareness of the RHB-Padini Concept Store Credit Card am ong the Facebook users. The another method is below-the-line advertising, RHB bank may adopt direct mail to send the gift voucher together with Padini catalogues to deliver the current promotion to existing customers who already have saving account and current account or other type of RHB credit card holder to apply for RHB-Padini Concept Store Credit Card. This method is also known as cross selling. Because there are potential, it can lead to a higher probability of getting converted into actual sales. The more financial products and services they have, the more profitable the RHB bank is. The feedback from customers also will immediately be responded, therefore it is easier to measure the positive result. Because RHB bank is suggested to create a Facebook fan page in order to encourage more people to like the page, there must has a gift such as a recycle bag which is printed RHB bank logo to those who have like-ed the Facebook page during the road show. Some of the Padini Concept Store catalogue and any information about RHB-Padini Concept Store Credit Card may be printed on the recycle bag as an advertising tool. Besides, RHB bank may also distribute the company survey form during road show. For those who have completed the survey will get a free pocket umbrella that has a RHB bank logo printed on it and RHB-Padini Concept Store Credit Card image. Therefore, it can also be an advertising tool for RHB bank. The last advertisement tool suggests to RHB bank is advertising the RHB-Padini Concept Store Credit Card in a current on air movie. For example, the main character going to the RHB bank and show the RHB bank logo and the artist use the RHB-Padini Concept Store Credit Card to make payment in the film. For who have watched the movie no matter in cinema or home will also get the message. Because it is advertised in a movie, it will be impressive and positive positioning to the viewer therefore they will likely to apply the RHB-Padini Concept Store Credit Card. 4. Direct Marketing Strategy (Telemarketing and Direct Selling) Besides, RHB bank also can do direct marketing. Direct marketing is attractive because its positive results can be measured directly. Telemarketing takes the time and cost for finding new customers in the right time and right people, or generating interest in RHB-Padini Concept Store Credit Card by taking the information directly to the customer. Besides, it is easy to target the best customers and reach the prospects question with the most potential customer. The purpose of this method is to expand the market and increase the number of customer and sales. Telemarketing consistently outperforms all other forms of marketing and is the most powerful, cost-effective marketing tool available today. Thus, it should be part of RHB bank marketing plan. Direct selling is the marketing of products or services to consumers through sales tactics (give voucher) including presentations without go through any middle man. If the cardholder spends more than RM 300 in a single receipt, he or she will get a RM 30 Padini cash voucher. However, there is a maximum amount for the cardholder to get a RM 100 Padini cash voucher which is to spend RM 1799 or above in a single receipt on with RHB-Padini Concept Store Credit Card and obtain the voucher at the payment counter. As a conclusion, promotion strategy is a useful tool in attracting customers. Simultaneously, it can also help the Padini concept store to achieve higher profitability and strengthen their markets position in the clothing industry and also gain the customer loyalty in RHB bank. Promotional strategies are important for financial services to continual growth, because it is an intangible product, in order to increase the number of customer, there must be enough information and attractiveness to enhance the customer to make purchasing decision.

Home Depot

In addition they also responded to concerns bout its environmental impact by creating new standards to govern its relationship with its suppliers. The legitimacy of the company and stakeholders also showed because they wanted to make sure that Home Depot's appearance of being environmentally responsible is not a sham. Home Depot showed their urgency by responding immediately to growing need for large corporations to become economically responsible. Home Depot strategies and performance with the environmental and employee stakeholders is a proactive approach as well as doing ore than what is required in the industry.They have donated millions to Red Cross and other relief funds, they also opened workshops for women, children and new homeowners. This earned them a â€Å"A† on the Council on Economic Priorities Corporate Report Card and a Proactive on their business approach to be environmentally and socially responsible. Home Depot Justified the budgeting of so much money for ph ilanthropy as a publicly traded company because they feel that this is something the stakeholder like to see in a company.When Home depot suspended the stock uh-back program in 2007 to avoid losses and to prevent from borrowing they used their own revenues to cover their expenses. The stakeholders and customers were happy that the company could stay a float as well as donate millions to environmental and social issues. Home Depot may also benefit from some type of scholarship fund or tuition reimbursement program for the employees. Or saving as many tree in the Rain Forest as they cut down in other forests by donating. Home Depot stopping expansion of new stores and upgrading the remaining stores seem to e a good strategic plan.By using their on revenues to cover their expenses instead of borrowing prove to be a good measure as well because as the recession subsides they were still the number one in the industry and did not owe any creditors. My suggestion to the CEO is to continue doing as you are and you will continue to be number in the industry. Key Stakeholders And Concerns : Shareholders: economic and profit concerns Employees: EEOC concerns Environmental: Abiding by Environmental Principles Customers: has the stores improved Key Facts:Home Depot manage customers relations by consolidating marketing and merchandising functions; Which helped customers to do home improvement projects more effectively and efficiently. The company had its ups and downs with its ratings due to their proactive approach. They showed good customer service and social responsibility by starting workshops for women, children and new home owners to teach them basic carpentry skills, starting as young as five years old. Home depot Environmental initiates started when they adopted a set of environmental principles .Guided by these principles, Home Depot has initiated a number of programs to minimize the firm's and its customers impact on the environment. Home Depot focuses corporate s ocial responsibility efforts on affordable housing and disaster relief. In 2002 the company founded the Home Depot Foundation, which provides additional resources to assist nonprofits in the United States and Canada. 1997 the company settled a class- action lawsuit brought by female employees who alleged that they were paid less than male employees, awarded fewer pay raises, and promoted less often.Home Depot encourages employees to become involved in the community through volunteer and civic activities. Home Depot has worked to show that it appreciates workforce diversity and seeks to give all its associates an equal chance to be employed and advance in its stores. CEO Frank Blake decided to halt expansion and focus on improving existing stores. Shut down expo stores that catered to the wealthier class. Home Depot reaction to the recession was swift and decisive. Initiated new technology to improve customer service and become more efficient. Home Depot The home depot has been around for many many years. It all started out a partnership and became a corportation that it currently is today. The Home Depot was founded in 1978 by two poor men. Their names were Bernie Marcus and Arthur Blank. They were accompanied by investment banker Ken Langone and merchandising guru Pat Farrah. They not only have stores throughout the United States but the Home Depot is a multinational corporation. They have broken into Canada, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Mexico. They are the United States’ largest retailer behind Wal-Mart.They are the largest home improvement retailer though. In 2000, the arrival of the new Chief Executive, Robert Nardelli, had changed the business strategy of the Home Depot to a more militaristic style. Under Nardelli's leadership, Home Depot is becoming more centralized and the good financial reports following this are signs that it a good strategy. Nardelli started making the company look and feel like an army. H e loved to hire soldiers, because they were already trained with the discipline that he felt necessary to run a successful business.The Home Depot's stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange and is included in the Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor's 500 index. The Home Depot’s rival is Lowes. The Home Depot has benefits well from â€Å"Hurricane Preparation. † Since June, the Home Depot has outperformed Lowes by nearly 10% and most of the broader market by 6%. The Home Depot has about 500 more stores than Lowes and its expected sales growth are supposed to increase by a 4. 6% over Lowes. The sales for the fiscal year 2000 were $45. 7 billion, compared to $38. 4 billion in fiscal 1999.As of January 2001, the company was operating 1,134 retail stores in forty-seven states, six Canadian provinces, Puerto Rico, Chile and Argentina. Revenue increased from $45. 7 billion in 2000 to $81. 5 billion in 2005, while profits rose from $2. 6 billion to $5. 8 bil lion. While this was a slower growth rate than Home Depot had experienced in the past, it was because past growth was due to the company's rapid expansion. The Home Depot Direct Stock Purchase Plan (DSPP) enables you to invest a minimum amount in Home Depot stock and build your stock ownership over time.In addition for the Home Depot to grow they will be increasing their quarterly dividend $0. 29. Also the Home Depot has been paying its’ shareholders a quarterly dividend for over a 100 consecutive quarters, currently yielding at 2. 05%. In the past couple of years the profit margin of the Home Depot has gone up. In 2009-3. 17%, 2010-3. 95%, 2011-4. 90%, 2012-5. 51%, last twelve months-5. 96%. The cash flow from the Home Depot is approximately $6. 6 billion. The key for the Home Depot will be revenue growth. The future looks very bright for the Home Depot to invest stock into as long as it can grow revenue for the next year. However, this year the company reported revenues tha t seem to be in a down-spiraling situation. This month the â€Å"orange giant† is being faced with a serious drop in its earnings per share and many analysts are contributing this drop to the possibility that Home Depot may of hit the wall. With analysts banking on a 25% growth rate, Home Depot barely managed to achieve half of that; reporting only 13% in its fiscal third quarter earnings. There are many reasons for this outcome and there are ways that Home Depot plans on overcoming these â€Å"threats† that are reducing their earnings. The Home Depot is a Home Depot The home depot has been around for many many years. It all started out a partnership and became a corportation that it currently is today. The Home Depot was founded in 1978 by two poor men. Their names were Bernie Marcus and Arthur Blank. They were accompanied by investment banker Ken Langone and merchandising guru Pat Farrah. They not only have stores throughout the United States but the Home Depot is a multinational corporation. They have broken into Canada, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Mexico. They are the United States’ largest retailer behind Wal-Mart.They are the largest home improvement retailer though. In 2000, the arrival of the new Chief Executive, Robert Nardelli, had changed the business strategy of the Home Depot to a more militaristic style. Under Nardelli's leadership, Home Depot is becoming more centralized and the good financial reports following this are signs that it a good strategy. Nardelli started making the company look and feel like an army. H e loved to hire soldiers, because they were already trained with the discipline that he felt necessary to run a successful business.The Home Depot's stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange and is included in the Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor's 500 index. The Home Depot’s rival is Lowes. The Home Depot has benefits well from â€Å"Hurricane Preparation. † Since June, the Home Depot has outperformed Lowes by nearly 10% and most of the broader market by 6%. The Home Depot has about 500 more stores than Lowes and its expected sales growth are supposed to increase by a 4. 6% over Lowes. The sales for the fiscal year 2000 were $45. 7 billion, compared to $38. 4 billion in fiscal 1999.As of January 2001, the company was operating 1,134 retail stores in forty-seven states, six Canadian provinces, Puerto Rico, Chile and Argentina. Revenue increased from $45. 7 billion in 2000 to $81. 5 billion in 2005, while profits rose from $2. 6 billion to $5. 8 bil lion. While this was a slower growth rate than Home Depot had experienced in the past, it was because past growth was due to the company's rapid expansion. The Home Depot Direct Stock Purchase Plan (DSPP) enables you to invest a minimum amount in Home Depot stock and build your stock ownership over time.In addition for the Home Depot to grow they will be increasing their quarterly dividend $0. 29. Also the Home Depot has been paying its’ shareholders a quarterly dividend for over a 100 consecutive quarters, currently yielding at 2. 05%. In the past couple of years the profit margin of the Home Depot has gone up. In 2009-3. 17%, 2010-3. 95%, 2011-4. 90%, 2012-5. 51%, last twelve months-5. 96%. The cash flow from the Home Depot is approximately $6. 6 billion. The key for the Home Depot will be revenue growth. The future looks very bright for the Home Depot to invest stock into as long as it can grow revenue for the next year. However, this year the company reported revenues tha t seem to be in a down-spiraling situation. This month the â€Å"orange giant† is being faced with a serious drop in its earnings per share and many analysts are contributing this drop to the possibility that Home Depot may of hit the wall. With analysts banking on a 25% growth rate, Home Depot barely managed to achieve half of that; reporting only 13% in its fiscal third quarter earnings. There are many reasons for this outcome and there are ways that Home Depot plans on overcoming these â€Å"threats† that are reducing their earnings. The Home Depot is a