Gordon Allports Impact on the Field of Psychology

Gordon Allport's Impact on the Field of Psychology History and Biographies Print Gordon Allports Impact on Psychology of the Personality By Kendra Cherry facebook twitter Kendra Cherry, MS, is an author, educational consultant, and speaker focused on helping students learn about psychology. Learn about our editorial policy Kendra Cherry Updated on September 16, 2019 Bettmann / Contributor / Getty Images   More in Psychology History and Biographies Psychotherapy Basics Student Resources Theories Phobias Emotions Sleep and Dreaming In This Article Table of Contents Expand Early Life Meeting Sigmund Freud Approach to Psychology Career Trait Theory Contributions Selected Publications View All Back To Top Gordon Allport was a pioneering psychologist often referred to as one of the founders of personality psychology. He rejected two of the dominant schools of thought in psychology at the time, psychoanalysis and behaviorism, in favor of his own approach that stressed the importance of individual differences and situational variables. Today he is perhaps best remembered for his contributions to the trait theory of personality. In a review of the most influential psychologists of the twentieth century, Allport was ranked as the 11th most eminent psychologist. Early Life Gordon Allport was born in Montezuma, Indiana, on November 11, 1897. He was the youngest of four brothers and was often described as shy, but also hard-working and studious. His mother was a school teacher and his father was a doctor who instilled in Allport a strong work ethic. During his childhood, his father used the family home to house and treat patients. Allport operated his own printing business during his teen years and served as the editor of his high school newspaper. In 1915, Allport graduated second in his class and earned a scholarship to Harvard College, where one of his older brothers, Floyd Henry Allport, was working on a Ph.D. in psychology. After earning his bachelors degree in philosophy and economics from Harvard in 1919, Allport traveled to Istanbul, Turkey, to teach philosophy and economics. After a year of teaching, he returned to Harvard to finish his studies. Allport earned his Ph.D. in psychology in 1922 under the guidance of Hugo Munsterberg. Meeting Sigmund Freud In an essay entitled Pattern and Growth in Personality, Allport recounted his experience of meeting psychiatrist Sigmund Freud. In 1922, Allport traveled to Vienna, Austria, to meet the famous psychoanalyst. After entering Freuds office, he sat down nervously and told a story about a young boy he had seen on the train during his travels to Vienna. The boy, Allport explained, was afraid of getting dirty and refused to sit where a dirty-looking man had previously sat. Allport theorized that the child had acquired the behavior from his mother, who appeared to be very domineering. Freud studied Allport for a moment and then asked, And was that little boy you? Effect on Approach to Psychology Allport viewed the experience as an attempt by Freud to turn a simple observation into an analysis of Allports supposed unconscious memory of his own childhood. The experience would later serve as a reminder that psychoanalysis tended to dig too deeply. Behaviorism,  on the other hand, Allport believed, did not dig deeply enough. Instead, Allport chose to reject both psychoanalysis and behaviorism and embraced his own unique approach to personality. At this point in psychology history, behaviorism had become the dominant force in the United States and psychoanalysis remained a powerful influence. Allports approach to human psychology combined the empirical influence of the behaviorists with the acknowledgment that unconscious influences could also play a role in human behavior. Career Allport began working at Harvard in 1924 and later left to accept a position at Dartmouth. By 1930, he returned to Harvard where he would remain for the rest of his academic career. During his first year at Harvard, he taught what was most likely the first personality psychology class offered in the United States. His work as a teacher also had a profound effect on some of his students, which included Stanley Milgram, Jerome S. Bruner, Leo Postman, Thomas Pettigrew, and Anthony Greenwald. Trait Theory of Personality Allport is perhaps best known for his trait theory of personality. He began developing this theory by going through a dictionary and noting every term he found that described a personality trait. After compiling a list of 4,500 ?different traits, he organized them into three different trait categories, including: Cardinal Traits: These are traits that dominate an individuals entire personality. Cardinal traits are thought to be quite rare.Central Traits: Common traits that make up our personalities. Traits such as kindness, honesty, and friendliness are all examples of central traits.Secondary Traits: These are traits that are only present under certain conditions and circumstances. An example of a secondary trait would be getting nervous before delivering a speech to a large group of people. How Many Personality Traits Are There? Contributions to Psychology Allport died on October 9, 1967. In addition to his trait theory of personality, he left an indelible mark on psychology. As one of the founding figures of personality psychology, his lasting influence is still felt today. Rather than focusing on the psychoanalytic and behavioral approaches that were popular during his time, Allport instead chose to utilize an eclectic approach. Selected Publications Here are some of Allports works for further reading: Allport GW. Personality: a Psychological Interpretation. New York: Holt, Rinehart Winston; 1937.Allport GW. The Individual and His Religion. New York: McMillan; 1950.Allport GW. The Nature of Prejudice. Cambridge, MA: Addison-Wesley; 1954.Allport GW. Becoming: Basic Considerations for a Psychology of Personality. New Haven: Yale University Press; 1955.Allport GW. Pattern and Growth in Personality. New York: Holt, Rinehart Winston; 1961.

Online Public and Charter Schools, K-12 in Indiana

Indiana offers resident students the opportunity to take online public school courses for free. Below is a list of no-cost online schools currently serving elementary and high school students in Indiana. In order to qualify for the list, schools must meet the following qualifications: classes must be available completely online, they must offer services to state residents, and they must be funded by the government. Virtual schools listed may be charter schools, state-wide public programs, or private programs that receive government funding. List of Indiana Online Charter Schools and Online Public Schools Indiana Virtual Charter School (off-site link) About Online Charter Schools and Online Public Schools Many states now offer tuition-free online schools for resident students under a certain age (often 21). Most virtual schools are charter schools; they receive government funding and are run by a private organization. Online charter schools are subject to fewer restrictions than traditional schools. However, they are reviewed regularly and must continue to meet state standards. Some states also offer their own online public schools. These virtual programs generally operate from a state office or a school district. State-wide public school programs vary. Some online public schools offer a limited number of remedial or advanced courses not available in brick-and-mortar public school campuses. Others offer full online diploma programs. A few states choose to fund â€Å"seats† for students in private online schools. The number of available seats may be limited and students are usually asked to apply through their public school guidance counselor. (See also: 4 Types of Online High Schools). Choosing an Indiana Online Public School When choosing an online public school, look for an established program that is regionally accredited and has a track record of success. Be wary of new schools that are disorganized, are unaccredited, or have been the subject of public scrutiny. For more suggestions on evaluating virtual schools see: How to Choose an Online High School.

Technology And Counseling Services And The Code Of Ethics...

Abstract Technology has been increasingly adopted in counseling services impacting on the field immensely. Counselors use various forms of technology to communicate with their clients, offer their counseling services, educate clients and do clinical supervision. The various forms of technology used in communication by counselors and their clients include telephone, social media, emails, videoconferencing, text messages among others. The aim of this paper is to study the implications of use of technology in counseling services and all the parties involved. We seek to understand how various forms of technology are used by counselors in offering the counseling services to their clients considering the code of ethics set and their effectiveness. In this paper, we identify the effectiveness of various forms of technology used in counseling services and the code of ethics relevant to their use. We also identify strategies and techniques we can implement to increase their effectiveness and efficien cy in offering quality counseling services to clients. Summary The chapter presents a discussion about use of technology in counseling and its implications on people and the counseling process. Recent technology advances have contributed immensely to the counseling process. Many counsellors have increasingly adopted technology in their profession for communication. However, it is important they adhere to ethical standards set especially 2014 ACA code of ethics while using various formsShow MoreRelatedExploring Ethical Codes and Possible Ethical Issues in Responding Therapy Clients through E-Mail921 Words   |  4 Pagesethical codes, possible ethical issues, and possible solutions to any issue that Dr. Lyne could face. While Dr. Lyne may have found responding to clients via email as â€Å"high quality service†, I believe that responding via email could become controversial while discussing therapeutic issues. There are several ethical codes that address the use of electronics. While using electronics one must inform the client of the limitations, and risks. In Section H of the ACA Code of Ethics booklet,Read MoreThe Codes Of Ethics Of The American Counseling Association1667 Words   |  7 PagesContent Comparison Professional associations establish codes of ethics to ensure that clinicians uphold the standards of their association in order to protect the clients they serve and the profession they are affiliated with. This paper will compare the codes of ethics of the American Counseling Association (ACA), American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), and National Association of Social Workers (NASW). ACA Code of Ethics The ACA is an educational, scientific, and professionalRead MoreLegal Ethical Issues with Advertising and Online Counseling1385 Words   |  6 PagesWorld War 2, the technology one sees around them and uses everyday has grown exponentially. In the field of counseling, phones, fax machines, copiers, and computers are all used to run everyday operations and transfer information. Despite how great technology can be, ethical issues can arise because of it. For example, talking on the phone with a client in a crisis situation can create a condition in which confidentiality can be breeched. (McMinn, 1999). 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Canfield February 26, 2008 Abstract This paper explores the different ways in which group counseling can be used for the purpose of Vocational Rehabilitation. It also gives detailed information of how technology can be used in group counseling during Vocational RehabilitationRead MoreFederal Administrative Law And The Department Of Education1185 Words   |  5 Pageseducation records while protecting the information located in the students’ educational record from misuse. The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) protects an individual’s health and well-being. The HHS maintains 11 operating divisions with eight agencies in the U.S. Public Health Service. The HHS established the Health Insurance Portability and Accountably Act (HIPPA). For example for HIPPA: 45 CFR  §164.524 (a) (1) entails no access to a patient’s psychotherapyRead MoreThe Ethical Issues Within Counseling891 Words   |  4 Pageshe is contemplating suicide the same evening and the counselor is aware that he has attempted suicide in the past and has the means to carry out his threat (Argosy University Online. 2015). Because confidentiality is such a critical issue within counseling, exceptions to confidentiality must also be heavily considered. What if not breaking confidentiality leads to harm? Section B.1.c. outlines the exceptions to confidentiality including the fact that confidentiality does not apply, when disclosure

Japanese Foreign Policy and Economic Aggressions Free Essays

A major part of Japan†s history from the late Nineteenth Century up to 1914 was military aggression. During this period there were many economic, social and political pressures that facilitated military expansion. Japanese militarism manifested on the Asian mainland in wars, aggression and military presence on foreign soil. We will write a custom essay sample on Japanese Foreign Policy and Economic Aggressions or any similar topic only for you Order Now Japan†s foreign policy was influenced by it†s government, education, religion and social structure. Economic pressures facilitating military expansion up to 1914. Japan was a new consumer economy that had changed from feudal economy in a very short time period of forty years. This caused many problems and in the 1890†³s Japan was in a severe economic depression and Japan was importing far more than they were exporting. Japan found it difficult to break into established overseas markets where countries had been trading for much longer than Japan. And so Japan was under pressure to expand it†s borders for raw materials and new overseas markets to sell to. Japan also wanted recognition from the western powers as a valuable market. During this time period there was also social pressures for Japan to expand. The traditional Bushido, the fighting spirit of Japan enabled the military to expand, as opposed to if Japan were a more peaceful, pacifist country. A change in social structure meant that anyone could become part of the army from the old class of the Samurai warriors. In 1873 conscription was introduced mainly from peasants to serve three years, with the motto, â€Å"Enrich the country, strengthen the army†. Another social pressure to expand was increased urbanisation. By 1907, Tokyo and Osaka had waterworks and other public facilities, but before this and in many other cities they had no amenities like modern sewerage systems. There was also pollution, a problem encountered by every country during industrialisation especially prominent due to the cramped conditions of Japanese cities. Political pressures also helped Japan to expand up to 1914. There were many changes to the political system that moved it towards a more centralised and democratic system. This meant that there was national power, which led to nationalism within the people of Japan. Despite this nationalism there was widespread discontent within Japan with new land tax on the peasants and low wages for workers in the cities. The government saw expansion as a way to distract them from their problems and focus on wars abroad. Again Japan wanted international recognition as a power, the government saw examples of other strong countries expanding like Britain in India and France in Indo-China. Japan needed this recognition for bargaining power with the Western Powers. Japanese Militarism manifested on the Asian mainland in the Sino-Japanese War(1894-95). This war was over China†s and Japan†s interest in Korea, where both countries wanted to influence the government and prevent Western influence. China had claimed control over Korea for many years, but as it was in such close proximity and was rich in the raw materials of coal and iron, Japan was interested. Japan forced Korea to trade and declare itself independent of China, while China continued to financially assist conservative officials in connection with the royal family. After troubles in Korea both countries sent in troops, but war was avoided by the signing of the Li-Ito Convention(1885). But in 1894 both China and Japan sent forces into Korea on the request of the King due to a rebellion. After this Japan refused to remove troops from Korea and so war was declared on 1st of August 1894. Western countries were amazed at how easily Japan defeated China. China had a large and fairly modern navy, but it†s army lacked trained men and so they lost badly. China did not have the modern warfare methods of Japan which soon had total control over Korea. China agreed to pay a large indemnity to Japan and to give all the trading privileges to Japan. Japanese victory marked the emergence of Japan as a major world power and demonstrated the weakness of the Chinese Empire. Later though the victory was dampened by the Triple Intervention of France, Russia and Germany, which forced Japan to return the Liaotung Peninsula to China. In the Russo-Japanese War(1904-05) Japanese forces also manifested on the Asian mainland. War began on the 8th of February 1904 when Japanese Navy launched a surprise attack on a Russian naval base in Port Aurthur. Russia had huge numbers of manpower but the war 8000km from Moscow, linked by only one railway and lacked support of the Russian people. Meanwhile Japan was within easy distance of the battle and although they had few soldiers in comparison they were well led and supported. After a long battle at sea where both parties had suffered high casualties the war was ended by the American President, Roosevelt. Russia was forced to recognise Japan†s intense interests in Korea, transfer the lease of the Liaotung Peninsula to Japan and give Japan power over the railway between Port Arthur to Mukden. Japan was refused their request of indemnity from Russia but was not willing to fight another war for it. The Russo-Japanese War forced Russia to abandon its expansionist policy in the Far East and it was the first time that an Asian power had defeated a European power. In 1910, Japan formally established a protectorate over Korea. The Japanese government assisted foreign policy and was influenced by it. The government was backed by the army, which was important as no government could continue without it. In return the government introduced conscription and provided monetary support. With a successful foreign policy, the government grew more confident in dealings with other countries. The Anglo-Japanese Alliance(1902) was a definite confidence booster for the government. By it, Japan and Britain agreed that if two powers attacked either then the other must help. Education also assisted in and influenced by the success of Japan†s foreign policy. In Japan education became compulsory in 1872, and was centrally run. The Japanese education system glorified the Emperor, and the idea that the interests of the nation is more important than one†s own. Uniformity and nationalism were incorporated into the education system along with obedience to authority, all attributes associated with the armed forces. In turn the education system grew more militaristic and praised Japan†s successes in foreign policy. Religion also helped foster a successful foreign policy. Shinto co-existed peacefully with other religions in Japan until the late 1870†³s when the modernizing government suppressed other religions and adapted Shinto teachings for government propaganda in support of the military. The government stressed that Shinto was the best religion as it wasn†t a foreign religion, like Buddhism and Christianity and so was better for the Japanese. Shinto taught loyalty, respect and obedience to the Emperor. And so the Emperor†s decisions in relation to foreign policy was not questioned. Religion was successfully influenced by Japan†s foreign policy as it became even more obedient to the Emperor and in the land that Japan acquired through their foreign policy, Shinto was spread. Japan†s social structure also assisted foreign policy. Japan†s social structure was organised in such a way that they were not to question authority, and so the armed forces did not have to look for approval of their foreign policy. In Japan it was considered a privilege, not a duty, to fight for one†s country. The social structure was influenced in the way it looked up to the military and as Japan became a world power with annexes in Korea and Taiwan, it boosted confidence and nationalism within all classes of society. Japan was pressured in economic, social and political areas to expand it†s borders. Japan†s military manifested on the Asian mainland during the Sino-Japanese War(1894-95) and the Russo-Japanese War (1904-05). Nationalism and Militarism filtrated into every aspect of Japanese life, including government, education, religion and social structure. How to cite Japanese Foreign Policy and Economic Aggressions, Papers

There are many problems that face the US Essays - Demography

There are many problems that face the U.S. right now. In most of the recent presidential primary debates, there is a question on what the candidates will do about illegal immigration. The candidate's proposed solutions range from complete amnesty to shipping all illegals back to where they came from. Illegal immigration is a growing problem in America. There are many reasons that illegal immigration is a problem, and as usual what the government has tried to do to solve the problem has just made the situation worse. However there are a few things that can be done to help solve the problem of illegal immigration. Illegal immigration is a problem in this country. The fact is that most illegals do not or will not speak English. The chancellor of the University of California at Berkley, Chang Lin-Tin, says that by the year 2050 most Americans will be able to trace their roots to Latin America, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the Pacific Islands. However, before Mr. Chang's vision can come to pass, the United States will have at least 2 official languages. America would have to have two official languages for the immigrants to be able to function in society. It is impossible to even buy groceries without knowing English. However, there are several flaws to this idea, the first of which is that not speaking English goes against the purpose of immigrating to America. The purpose of immigrating to America is to become an American. This means that immigrants must adapt to America's way of life, not the other way around. This includes learning English. The whole idea of providing bilingual schooling and such to people who do not speak English does not make sense. If immigrants want to fit into society, they need to change their ways to fit that society, not make the society change to fit them. Still another problem with the idea of two official languages is that it is illogical. The whole purpose of having an official language is so that everyone can communicate and function in society. Having two official languages will completely ruin this system and the country. The U.S. would be split up into two almost separate countries. There would be the English speaking part of the country, and then there would be the Spanish speaking part. Neither of these parts would be able to interact with each other unless everyone knew both languages, and that goes against logic, as everyone would need to learn a new language instead of just the immigrants. In order to exist in peace amongst each other, immigrants should be required to learn English in order to live in the United States. It doesnt make sense for Americans to tip toe around immigrants and change our life style to make it easier for them. Learning English would show dedication and unveil how greatly each immigrant truly desires to live in the United States.

Sources of Finance Essays

Sources of Finance Essays Sources of Finance Essay Sources of Finance Essay Source of finance Match the source with advantages and disadvantages State if advantage/disadvnatage ordinary share capital: money given to a company by shareholders in return for a share certificate, which gives them part ownership of the company and entitles them to a share of the profits 21 . lncreasing ordinary share capital can make it easier to borrow more funds from a bank as the share capital can purchase assets that can be used as collateral. advantage 22. Bringing new shareholders into a small business often means that further expertise is brought into the business. vantage 3. 0rdinary share capital is permanent † the business does not need to pay it back advantage 17. As the business grows, the percentage shareholding of the original owner(s) will probably decline. This can ultimately lead to a smaller share of the profit and even a loss of control of the business. disadvantage 28. They are generally cheaper than other sources 20. 1n profitable years, ordinary shareh olders will expect high dividends. disadvantage 12. The original aims of the business may be lost due to having too many shareholders disadvantage . t is not necessary to pay shareholders a dividend if the business cannot afford it venture capital: finance that is provided to small or medium-sized firms that seek growth, but which may be considered risky by typical share buyers or other lenders. . 2. It is possible that venture capitalists will exert too much influence, so the original owner may lose his/her independence. disadvantage 10. Venture capitalists will sometimes allow interest or dividends to be delayed 19. 1n return for the high risks, venture capitalists will often want high interest . Venture capitalists will often want a significant share of the business. 1 . lt is useful for high-risk firms that are unable to get finance. advantage 14. Venture capitalists will often provide advice too personal sources of finance: money that is provided by the owner or owners of the business from their own savings or personal wealth 1 5. There may be insufficient funds available 9. They may be the only option possible. 23. Security is not usually required. 6. They can cause family tensions They allow the owner to keep control. . They may cause stress for the entrepreneur bank loan: a sum of money provided to a firm or an individual by a bank for a specific, agreed purpose. 16. The size of the loan and the period of repayment can be arranged to match the exact needs of the firm. advantage 4. 1nterest rates are normally lower because of the security provided. advantage 1 1 . There is less flexibility in a bank loan, so the business will tend to pay interest for the agreed period, e ven if it gets into a position where it can pay off the loan early. 27. is more expensive than alternatives such as personal finance. 26. The interest rate and thus the repayments are fixed in advance, making it easy to budget the schedule for repayments. advantage 25. The size of the loan may be limited by the amount of collateral that can be provided rather than by the amount of money needed by the business. disadvantage bank overdraft: when a bank allows an individual or organisation to overspend on a current account held with the bank up to an agreed (overdraft) limit and for a stated time period 18. The decrease in demand for goods and services as resulted in the closure of many small businesses in the UK. During the first 5 months of 2009, there was a 52% rise in the number of small businesses filing for commercial bankruptcy. According to the Automated Access to Court Electronic Records (ACER), there were 36,103 filings compared to 23,829 this time last year'(AsaGhaffar,2010). As I stated earlier the economy has begun to show signs of a recovery but Banks remain sceptical of the future of small firms. In order to maintain the current state of growth, further business activity is needed this will require banks to loan more money to firms. However, this has not been the case. A recent article states In a survey of 1,045 directors, the Institution of Directors found that 60% of businesses are being turned down for credit by the banks despite repeated claims made by UK lenders that they are fulfilling demand for loans (Lucy McCann, 2010). In addition, an increasing amount of firms have been refused overdrafts. This may be a result of the increase in loan guarantees and securities required by the Banks and the reason why banks are sceptical about the future of small businesses. Working Capital can be defined as the day to day finances needed to run a business- generally seen as the difference between the values of a firms current assets and its current liabilities.(I.Marcousà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½, 2008). Efficient working capital management involves ensuring there is sufficient cash available to meet the cash requirement at any one time. In a business operation working capital is highly important. Irrespective of the firms size insufficient working capital is the commonest cause of business failure (I.Marcousà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½, 2008). In preparation for a fall in demand effective working capital becomes even more important for small firms. During a period of falling demand consumer will save more and buy less goods and services this will result in a decrease in sales revenue for many small businesses such local restaurants, pubs and small shop owner. In time small firms will begin to experience a shortage of cash or working capital due to falling revenue and may not be abl e to purchase as much stock or pay bills on time. In such a situation like falling demand and revenue small firms will have to make drastic changes to their working capital and reconsider their source of finance. During an economic downturn many small firms are likely to experience rapidly decreasing revenue and problems with their working capital. In addition, the more conventional source of finance such as a bank loan or an extension on the firms banks overdraft may become difficult to attain as banks will be aware of the dilemma facing firms and may require more guarantee for their money. Therefore small firms will have to consider alternative sources of finance. Trade credit is a possible alternative source of finance for a small firm. Defined as when suppliers agree to accept cash payment at a given date in the future (I.Marcousà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½, 2008).This is possibly the cheapest finance option available as it cost the business nothing to arrange such an agreement. Trade credit will allow the firm spend their already declining capital on other aspects of the business operation in order to accommodate for the falling demand. For example a local restaurant will be able to pay their electrical and water bill allowing them to continue operation. However, during a period of falling demand the future of a small firm may not be certain an as a result there is a risk the firm will not be able to pay suppliers when the time comes and this could damage the relationship between the firm and supplier and mitigate chances of attaining trade credit in the future. In addition, the chances of obtaining trade credit will be low considering the possibility that falling demand will also affect competitors and as a result they may also try to attain trade credit thereby creating heavy competition. A small firm may consider debt factoring as an alternative source of finance. Debt factoring is when A business sells its outstanding customer accounts (those who have not paid their debts to the business) to a debt factoring company (tutor2u). The possible advantages are; the firm will be able to raise cash quickly and will no longer have to continue chasing there debtors this will save them t ime and resources. However, firms will have to sell their debt at a loss. This will negatively affect the profit of a firm. Furthermore, in a period of falling demand debtors are likely to default and this will make it difficult for firms to sell their debts. Stocks are the organisations assets in the form raw material, work in progress and finished goods, in order to make best use of warehousing facilities and stockholding costs (J. Sutherland and Diane .Canwell, 1995). There are 3 different types of stock. Raw materials and components are stocks purchased by the business from outside suppliers. Work in progress, these are stocks which are incomplete as they are still in the production progress, for example a car chassis on a convey belt in a factory. Finally, finished goods are stocks which are held by the firm for a period of time until they are sold. This may be due to numerous reasons such as; the products are seasonal or the firm only sell products in batches ( I.Marcousà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½, 2008). In an economic downturn a small firm will likely experience falling demand and at this point consider the possible advantages and disadvantages of reducing stock. If a small firm is to reduce their stock they will require less storage space and a s a result save money allowing them to spend it on other aspects of the operation. Furthermore, a smaller stock increases the liquidity of the firm. Less stock increases the chances of the firm selling all their products thus making them more liquid, thus enabling the firm to gain short term cash quickly which is highly important in an economic downturn as demand falls and revenue drops. In addition, the cost security will be less. The less space consumed will require less security personal to monitor. Conversely, by reducing stock a small firms risk losing their competitive advantage. If the economy was to suddenly recover and demand begins to rise for goods and services the firms may not be able to meet the sudden demand. In such a circumstance a firm may lose future customers to competitors who will be able to meet demand. In the long term this will have a negative impact on sales and could eventually lead to bankruptcy. Reducing stock may be beneficial in a period of economic downturn but the ability for a firm to reduce the stock may depend on the type of business. For example, in comparing a local store to a small building firm the difference in reducing stock can be seen. In order to reduce stock a local store could simply offer discounts to customers which will increase the demand for the goods and thereby allow the shop to get rid stock quicker. In addition, most of the stock are finished goods and as a result are ready to sell as soon as they arrived. On the other hand a, building firm hold stock such as sand and cement and tools which are mostly raw materials and work in progress and vital to their operation and as a result cannot be sold to the customers in a period of falling demand. It can be argued; depending on your business reducing stock will be beneficial for a small firm as it reduces cost in terms of storage space and security, also allows the firm to accommodate for the falling demand resulting from the economic downturn. However, from my perspective debt factoring will be the best course of action for a small business during a time of falling demand. In an economic downturn there is likely to be high unemployment and as a result falling demand thus reducing the circulation flow of income. Consumers will have less cash available and this means there is a greater chance of individuals not paying their debts on time or even defaulting. For this reason, assuming the firm has debtors, firms which require a short term form of finance will want to consider debt factoring. Seeing as it is likely debtors will not pay on time or at all it will be greatly beneficial for the firm to sell off their debts. Although a firm are selling at a loss and may face difficulty selling the debts in an economic downturn as debt factoring company will also be aware of problems facing debtors, if possible it will provide the small firm the capital they need to finance their operation, thereby giving the firm a better chance of surviving the economic downturn. In addition, survival should be the likely objective for any small firm in such a period.

A Reedsy Success Story Matt Biebers Life in the Loop

A Reedsy Success Story Matt Biebers Life in the Loop A Reedsy Success Story - Matt Bieber’s Life in the Loop We launched Reedsy 6 months ago. Since, we’ve had an incredible amount of authors working on a daily basis with our fabulous editors, proofreaders, designers and illustrators. But we haven’t really followed up on their success. So when Matt Bieber dropped us a line to thank us and tell us about his book, we thought we’d give him a spot on our blog!  My name is Matt Bieber, and I’m the author of Life in the Loop: Essays on OCD. The essays in this collection are an effort to come to grips with life as an obsessive-compulsive. Some of them deal with big, dramatic stuff – sex, religion, death – while others are about the million mundane-but-excruciating facets of OCD.Writing about this stuff is helpful to me, but publishing is always a challenge. I’m fairly tech-illiterate, and my forays into the blogosphere have provided OCD with endless freak-out opportunities: â€Å"Did I save those changes on WordPress? Why does it keep formatting that way? Is this post even gonna be legible if readers re-size their browsers?† And so on, forever.When I decided to collect my OCD writing into book form, then, I knew that designing a cover and an interior layout were way beyond me. â€Å"If I just stick to the writing and let a pro handle the rest, this’ll be doable.†I shared my plans with a friend, and he pointed me toward Reedsy. (He’d been a fan of Reedsy’s own design for some time.) I agreed to check it out, but I was nervous; was this gonna be yet another frustrating, overwhelming platform, a web world with nonsensical navigation and no way out?Merely arriving at the site, then, was a relief. It was straightforward! And kind of pretty! And you could find stuff! After a long print publishing career, Jason knows how to work magic with fonts, headers, and spacing. In just a couple of weeks, he turned my Word manuscript into a beautifully laid-out volume.The one glitch in the project, however, was that Jason didn’t know how to make an e-book. (He’d told me this from the outset, and we’d agreed that he’d explore it as we moved along). As he discovered, though, creating an e-book isn’t just a matter of converting file types: in his words, it’s a bit more â€Å"like designing web-pages; it’s a different animal altogether.† Thankfully, Jason was willing to call a buddy named Mick in Scotland, who handled the final conversions. (Thanks Mick!)Here was the best part: Jason didn’t treat my book any differently than those of his higher-profile clients. At every stage of the process – from our first contacts in mid-December through completion and publication at the end of March  œ Jason was incredible: professional, responsive, and straight-up cool. He anticipated my questions, took stuff off my plate before I even realized it was bothering me, and stayed patient through a long series of tiny edits and adjustments.The pace of the process varied: sometimes, we each retreated to our tasks for a week or two. Other times, we exchanged several emails per day. And at a certain point, it dawned on me: he cared – about the book, about the process, and about me. Instead of chasing down some elusive freelancer, I was working side-by-side with a generous partner.So it was the journey, then – but it was also the destination. Because at the end of the process, we had this book in our hands (and on our Kindles) – this thing that, by some miracle of text and color, reflected the hazy vision that had been floating around my brain for so long.So now the sucker’s up on Amazon and selling nicely, and the reviews are starting to come in. This feels great, of course – but it feels even better to know that my work with Jason will help this little volume reach folks who can really use it.Matt Bieber is the author of Life in the Loop: Essays on OCD. He blogs at mattbieber.net and coaches young writers.Learn more about book layout design and book cover design on Reedsy's design page.Read our other success stories here!