Contemporary Issues in Finance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Contemporary Issues in Finance - Essay Example According to financial reports the latest changes in financial markets and prices would be predict greater volatility in the market for the future years. There are also predictable oscillations and changes in credits and investments by companies suggesting a general trend towards major changes in financial markets, and fluctuations in currencies and investment flows as also fluctuations in bonds and prices. Regulation of financial institutions (Allen, 2001) and markets is a necessity along with formulation of proper monetary policies so that there is some stability in the market. This website suggests several issues - the changes in the financial markets in the last few years and the necessary measures that are required to bring in financial stability in the world markets. The focus is on the housing sector and sub prime mortgage issues that have recently crumbled many major banking institutions. The structural changes in financial markets have produced changes in the value of securities and investments and with changes in credit demands, business and households will go through economic expansions and certain financial institutions seem to be pressurized in meeting up those demands. Recent changes in financial nature of markets suggest volatility and fluctuations possibly due to rapid globalization a

Adv & Disadvantages of Leadership Development Methods Essay Example for Free

Adv Disadvantages of Leadership Development Methods Essay Professional qualifications that require refreshing will be supported if they are an essential criteria for the post| * Trust induction * Trust Essential Update training * Manual Handling * Professional re-registration training * PRINCE2, MSP, LEAN| * Provides an understanding of how the Trust works * Provides health and safety training * Sends out a clear message that professional registration is recognised, important and is supported| * Trust induction training tends to be very generic and does not necessarily relate to the job role * Training for re-registration is not always timely * Is dependent on funding * Cost implications of ensuring that the training budget can cover training| Elective Learning| Courses that are not part of the essential criteria for the post will be deemed to be elective and will be subject to the trust policy on supported learning| * Courses identified as part of the personal development plan * Influencing skills * Negotiating skills * MS Project/Other IT Skills * Meets specific needs for the individual * Can be delivered by others in the team or by a generic course * Ensures that leaders are given requisite skills| * Some generic courses do not cover specific requirements * Is dependent on funding being available| Work Assignments| Work assignments will be seen as an opportunity to help leaders develop specific competencies or practice key behaviours. * Specific goals will be set as part of personal development plans * Feedback on progress will be done either via formal appraisal or by 1:1 feedback with line managers| * Reiterates the message that lessons can always be learned * Gives leaders the growth opportunities to put theories and models into practice * Learning by doing| * Unless well managed there is a tendency to concentrate on ‘getting the job done’ * Opportunities are not always recognised or used to the full advantage| Special Assignments/Initiatives| Involvement in short-term assignments or initiatives either generated from within the team or as part of a project team| * Attendance at programme or project board meetings * Involvement in assignments/initiatives

Sole Traders, Partnerships and Limited Companies Comparison

Sole Traders, Partnerships and Limited Companies Comparison ADVANTAGES OF SOLE TRADERS: * Economical and easy to set up a new firm. Not much capital is required. * The sole trader has the total control over its firm. The owner has the, hand-on approach over its business; he doesnt need to consult with anyone. * The owner being the sole trader, keeps all the profit. * The business dealings are confidential, competitors cannot look into the accounts of the owner. DISADVANTAGES OF SOLE TRADERS: * Risk of indefinite liability. Incase of any debts, the owner is forced to sell its personal assets. * Sole traders find difficult to enjoy economics of scale. * Since the firms are small, banks will not lend them large sum of money and will be inefficient to use any other long-term finances. * Problem of continuity occurs, if the owner dies or retires. PARTNERSHIPS: a partnership is an agreement between two or more people to form a business. Profits and losses of a business are shared by each person who contributes money, assets, labour and skill. Example, doctors, dentists etc. ADVANTAGES OF PARTNERSHIPS: * It brings more flexibility as more people can contribute in the capital * Responsibilities are shared between the partners. It allows for specialization, where ones strength can complement anothers. * By introducing new partners, expanding becomes easier. * Reduction in risk of losing money, as costs can be shared among partners. DISADVANTAGES OF PARTNERSHIPS: * Dispute among the partners, can affect the decision-making process. * Partnership duration is always uncertain. * Partners are jointly and individually responsible for the debts of firm. * exploitation of resources can be raised among partners. LIMITED COMPANY: it is a legal entity. All limited companies are incorporated. They can sue or own their assets in their own right. (bbc.co.uk, 2009). It is owned by the shareholders. ADVANTAGES OF LIMITED COMPANY: * It provides limited liability to shareholders. The shareholders are not individually responsible for firms debts. * Despite of deaths, resignations, the company continues. * Name of the company is protected and has supple borrowing powers. * Management interests and obligations are defined. Shareholders and investors are easily assimilated. DISADVANTAGES OF LIMITED COMPANY: * Possibility of takeover or merger as shares can be bought by anyone. * Disputes between, shareholders and board of directors regarding the interests. * Increase in paper work and different rules. A budget is a dominant tool that helps a business to take better decisions. It is most efficient tool to direct the cashflows. A budget is planned to * Manage finances. * Assures continuity of funds for current commitments and for future projects. * Enables to make financial decisions. The basic budget factors that a business should consider are: * Projected cashflow: the cash budget tells about the future cash position on monthly basis. * Projected costs: this includes costs of production, sales and marketing costs, business administration and operation costs, fixed, variable and semi-variable costs. (entrepreneur, 2004) * Projected revenues: sales or revenues calculations are based on amalgamation of businesss sales history. Through this, business can also prepare projected profits for the next 12 months. * Collective profits and losses: each month, profit and losses are added, this total tell when the business will break even and begin earning a profit. (entrepreneur, 2004) TIM O NEIL, the founder of TT vision would also have considered the points mentioned above, when he started his business. KEY SOURCES OF FINANCES ARE: * Bank loans and mortgages: suitable for medium-sized firms. Banks can lend large sum of money for a long period of time. Rate of interest is attached to the loans. * Overdrafts: right to be able to withdraw money you do not presently have. Provides flexibility and interest is paid on the amount withdrawn. * Trade credit: it enables the firm to have access to flexible amount of funds for a short duration. High limits and interest are charged on the amount borrowed. * Venture capital: they are set-up to invest in developing countries. They offer capital to help businesses grow. * Lease: it means businesses are paying for the use of a product but do not own it. ( bized.co.uk, 2009) The Business idea can be cafà © shop can turn into a business proposition. The start-up finance for the business can be sourced out ones personal assets like money held in banks, home equity loan which is quick and inexpensive for borrowers. Finances can also be arranged through banks, credit cards to setup a franchise. Land can be hired through lease. BIBLIOGRAPHY (2009).Budgeting and business planning [Internet].Available from: [Last accessed 15 December 2009]. Tracy, B. (2004).Drafting Your Budget [Internet].Available from: [Last accessed 15 December 2009]. (2009). Sole traders and partnerships [Internet].Available from: [Last accessed 14 December 2009]. (2009).Advantages of a Limited Company [Internet].Available: [Last accessed 14 December 2009]. (2009).Public and Private Limited Companies [Internet].Available from: [Last accessed 14 December 2009]. (2009).sole trader [Internet].Available from: [Last accessed 14 December 2009]. (2009).sources of finance for business [Internet}.Available from: [Last accessed 17 December 2009].

Secret Recipe Business Plan

Secret Recipe Business Plan Secret Recipe, Dubai, UAE will be a franchise of catering company called Secret Recipe owned by ALAMERI Group. The business is in food services industry and has successfully established its brand name in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, China, Philippines, Pakistan, Brunei, and Australia by virtue of its fine quality cakes, fusion food and distinctive service. The purpose for this business plan is to provide a written guide for managing the franchise of Secret Recipe, Dubai, UAE and seek financing from relevant institution and investors by providing detailed funding business plan. This franchise of secret recipe will be owned by Taleb AlAmeri and will be primarily involved in the provision of variety fresh food products such as cheese, chocolate and fresh, cream cakes, health cakes and brownies. The business mission statement is to be solution oriented innovatively and the vision is to be one of the leading telecommunication companies in Africa. The objective of the company is to provide job opportunities youths, generate income for owners and to give 10% of the revenue back to the community. The fundamentals of this business success rest with the capacity to deliver value to the customer at competitive prices (Ajami, Cool Goddard, 2006).With the background knowledge of stiff competition in the food industry within Dubai, this franchise aims at attracting and retaining its customer through the provision of fine quality food products and distinctive service. In addition to the above, the fundamentals of this business will encapsulate best demonstration of ethical practice within both the internal and external environment. This is because of the backdrop knowledge of the stringent measures and legislations that govern the food industry. The food industry is expected to grow in the near and innovative approaches to food service and delivery will define success within this industry. Changing consumer demographics and increasingly complicated customers are pushing food service businesses to the drawing boards (Toyne Nigh, 1999). The success of this franchise will depend on the capacity to create a powerful market niche that cannot be broken. General Company Description What makes the business very unique is the realization that businesses and consumers are increasingly demanding more leading edge in service and product delivery in the most efficient, time saving and reliable way (Hill, 2008). The Secret Recipe situated at Dubai Mall, UAE a franchise of Secret Recipes will be primarily involved in the provision of fine quality cakes and fusion food. This will encompass the provision of more than 20 types of fusion food, 40 cake creations and pastries, with a flavorful range of ice cream and beverages. Mission statement: To provide world class food services to the customer. Vision: To become a leading provider in fine quality cakes and fusion food. The company will offer value addition services innovatively using the existing technology for reliability and efficiency. With a powerful website to be developed, the customers will be able to sample and purchase their preferred choice of quality fine cakes and fusion foods online. The website will be used to advertise and sell the products and services offered by the company. Company Goals and Objectives Goals To have the franchise operating exactly three months after receiving adequate funding. Obtain $ 200,000 of capital by 31st December 2010 to staff and launch the business towards achieving its long term goals. To attain the stated year goal of recruiting employees by the beginning of the year 2011. Objectives Achieve excellent levels of high ethical standards within the food industry. Have a healthy, successful company that is a leader in customer service and that has a loyal customer following. Achieve a sales target of $20,000 within the first three months of the operation. Business Philosophy: The most important aspect of this business is to provide value to the customer through distinctive service and in a manner that guarantees their return. The more than 20 types of fusion food, 40 cake creations and pastries, with a flavorful range of ice cream and beverages will be sold to all customers of different backgrounds in United Arabs Emirates. However, I envisage to draw the larger bulk of my customer base from the residents of Dubai City. Because of the increasing innovative marketing approaches, the marketing strategy will strive to reach customers of diverse backgrounds and will then be narrowed down to touch on the specific market niche. Food industry is a growth industry that has leaped from one phase to the other and is expected to record tremendous growth in the future. Changes that will arise in the future will mainly be in regard to changing demographics and the complexity in the demands of the customer. This will also include changes in technology that will define the operations and customer service delivery (Singh Delios, 2005). My company will stay in tandem with the changes in the food industry and at pace with technological advancement to reap the most out of the benefits presented by these two growth scenarios. My greatest strength and competency that will also be my competitive advantage is the unrivalled experience in the food industry and chain management. As the owner of this franchise, I plan to put in an aggressive and innovative marketing campaign within this industry that will immediately smoke away competition and enhance my entry and strong regional presence in Dubai. I strongly believe my competitors strength will be based on tears of operation that have made them acquire a deeper sense of understanding of the customer. In fact, after an intensive research on the competitors strengths and weaknesses, the company realized that the competitors strengths are based on the experience, location, advertisement, employee, technology, financial, political connection and goodwill. I plan to plough in my vast experience in management within the food industry to his business and ensure its survival. In addition to the above, my capacity to raise capital that will cover important business start-up areas will provide me a competitive advantage against my competitors who has struggling with waning confidence in small and medium sized entrepreneurs by banks. Furthermore, I expect to reap from the efforts of the main company in regards to brand and image building. This will be a sole proprietorship type of business. This is because I believe the inability to raise adequate capital forms the reason behind enlargement and partnerships. Capital is not a problem in my case. Furthermore, sole proprietorship offers the best and simplest environment in regard to decision making (Cherunilam, 2004). I plan to execute my decisions and discharge my duties within this business without any opposition and inhibition. Products and Services This will be an entirely food business that will only deal with the products of the mother company. I will sell the more than 20 types of fusion food, 40 cake creations and pastries, with a flavorful range of ice cream and beverages offered in allÂÂ  Secret RecipeÂÂ  outlets. After an intensive research on the competitors strengths and weaknesses, the company realized that the competitors strengths are based on the experience, location, advertisement, employee, technology, financial, political connection and goodwill. These will form the areas that will define my competitive disadvantages. As a new franchise, I plan to get into the market at a slightly reduced sales fee in comparison to my competitors. This will form the introductory offer of the business that is aimed at drawing the customer to the business. Marketing Plan My marketing ill revolve around the need to adapt my brands to meet local and regional culture because of the understanding that branding act as a means of linking items that are part of product line and emphasizes the individuality of product items. This emphasis can only be achieved in instances where products items fit into the local or regional culture of the target market. This is a food industry and therefore I expect very little conflict with the culture of the people in Dubai. In addition to the above, the adapting of these brands to fit into the local and regional culture of the target market is a competitive advantage that is commonly used by competing firms engaged in the sale of similar or substitute products. In essence, this means that a firm that outperforms the others in the primary goal of performance-profitability-has competitive advantage. A reference back to the branding generic model of firms can be made, where the question of whether firms are branding strategies is cost driven or value added arises. Value added competitive advantage arises in instances where competing firms attach strong cognizance to the understanding of local or regional culture before launching their product lines. Companies succeed in branding strategies that their rival because their products are positioned to capitalize on their unique characteristics of a local or regional group and which, in one or more aspects, their rivals find hard to emulate. This competitive adv antage gives it a basis for outperforming competitors because of the value that firms are able to present to the customer. These will define my marketing plan. Management and Organization As I have stated, the day to day management of the business will be my primary duty with the support of other individuals that will form part of employees in the company. The procedure of running the business will be through delegation as per the chain of current bellow DIRECTORS CEOs SENIOR MANAGER FINANCE MANAGER ASSISTANT AGENTS WATCHMEN HUMAN RESOURSE MANAGER The managers and the staff are very important for the company as they are the means through which goals are realized, duties are carried out and they provide the links between the organization and the clients. 5.2 Management team The initial management team consists of the founders who will be working jointly as shareholders. The founders of the company share a vision for the success of Secret Recipe Franchise situated in Dubai, UAE. Their duty will involve day to day running of the business which involves finance, logistics and human resource. In future the company will have a general manager, finance manager and human resource manager who must have a degree or diploma with the relevant course from a recognized University or College. 5.3 Other personnel Apart from the management team, the company is having three (3) supervisors at the head office and one (1) assistant supervisor in every department. The company is planning to employ watchmen, office messenger and more assistant agents as we will be expanding. These personnel have and will have minimum qualification of O level education and diverse knowledge in the food industry. 5.4 Recruitment The management team has been able to recruit other personnel through networking and train them within the already existing outlets before they are posted to the new outlets. The business will also consider advertising through posters, internal memo, friends and relatives, internet, electronic media like radio and printed media like newspapers. The recruitment process will involve short-listing of the applicants, interviewing of the shortlisted applicants, selection of the successful applicants and finally issuing the appointment letter. We will also recruit through confirmation of the interns and the volunteers. 5.5 Orientation, training and developing of staff Secret Recipe Franchise Company will carry out orientation, training and development of staff through induction, on the job training, contract training, refresher courses, internship and evaluation after training. The company is looking forward to become custodians of a very fragile yet integral good: customer trust, therefore the company will maintain refresher courses to ensure all our staffs are properly aligned when it comes to personal integrity. 5.6 Remuneration/incentives 5.6.1 Salaries/wages The company will offer to the personnel a very competitive basic salary according to the qualification, experience, position and expertise. The salary will also be based on what the competitors offer and the companys returns. There will be a commission for the sales personnel and prompt payment for wages. 5.6.2 Fringe benefits Incentive is also another factor that the company has put at the top of priorities. Incentives will enable, motivate or encourage a particular course of action which in turn will contribute to the company success. We will offer allowances in terms of overtime, leave, millage, hardship and many more as they may arise. There will be bonuses including awards in terms of value for money and certificates. Currently the company provides tea, soft drink and has installed a television system. The business will soon embark on taking our staff to the trips, have insurance cover for them and remit contributions on their behalf to their respective insurance companies. 5.7 Support services The company will require the following support services; financial advisor, legal advisor, banking system, security support services, infrastructure and insurance services. 9. FINANCIAL PLAN The company has at its disposal a sum total of $20,000 as a financial source from directors personal savings. We are therefore looking for funding from other investors and banks. The business finance will be used to for the facilities, equipments, materials, cash for operating expenses and salaries, fees and other costs. 9.1 Capitalization 9.1.1 Own contribution Capitalization based on the shareholders contributions is $20,000. 9.1.2 Proposed funds from borrowing sources For the business to operate as proposed, the start-up cost must be met. The company is therefore proposing funds from borrowing sources of $ 20, 000 9.1.3 Total investment Total investment is the sum of own contribution and the proposed funds from borrowing sources which is $40,000. The following sections lay out the details of the financial plan for rapid, but controlled growth for the next one year. The simple structure to be adopted by the company will provide a great deal of flexibility resulting in few coordination problems hence quick reaction to changes in the market. 9.7 Measurement of profitability 9.7.1 Operating profit margin Operating profit margin = (operating profit/Revenue) x100 First year: Operating profit margin = (1,400/101,500) x 100 = 1.38% Second year: Operating profit margin = (4,730/131,950) x 100 = 3.58% Third year: Operating profit margin = (22,009/171,530) x 100 = 12.83% 9.7.2 Current Ratio Current Ratio = Current assets/Current liabilities Projected Current Ratio by the end December 31, 2011 = 21,000/11,200 = 1.875 9.7.3 Return On Investment (ROI) Return On Investment (ROI) = Net Profit/Investment Return On Investment (ROI) for the ended December 31, 2010 = 1400/23,000 = 0.06

Hallucinations and the Human Consciousness Essay -- Biology Essays Res

Hallucinations and the Human Consciousness The idea of consciousness has been contemplated throughout the course of neurobiology and behavior. When does it begin or end? And what, precisely, is consciousness? Though researchers may only approximate the answers to these questions, a few things may be inferred. Since the subconscious mind is the sleeping mind, the conscious mind can be thought of as the awakened mind, the mind which shows itself to others most often. (1) This is not to say that the conscious mind is reality, because (as will later be explained) reality is quite subjective. (1) It is just that the conscious mind is the one most people associate with reality. For example, people who experience an event while dreaming will refer to it as a dream, because it occurred in their subconscious. Whereas, if the event had occurred while they were awake-in their conscious mind-frame, then it would be considered as an actual experience. The designation between subconscious and conscious or reality and dreamlike states seem to be cut and dry. However altered mind-sets confuse the line and cause hallucinations. When we dream, our thinking is mostly pictorial and depends on memory. (1) We may hear words, but we understand most of the dream through pictures and people from the past or present. As we awaken, our mind switches from pictorial thinking to word-based thinking. (1) Hallucinations occur when the mind does not completely switch, or switches back, to the conscious state. (1,2) The first thing to note about hallucinations is that they have long been associated with mental illness because many people become confused as to what they are seeing or experiencing. (2) Though hallucinations do occur in mentally ill peo... ...ana demonstrates how hallucinations are not necessarily negative events. Though the mind is being distorted to a certain degree, the cause of the hallucination is more important than the hallucination itself. If drug use or a mental illness brings about the hallucination, the causes themselves are problematic. However, if one chooses to hallucinate because of a culture or religion, as in the cases of meditation and peyote, their behavior is justified. There is still much to be researched in this area of neurobiology and behavior. Not only because little is known, but also because it is far more common than most people would like to think, since psychologically and biologically ill people as well as normal people may hallucinate from time to time. Internet Sources: http://bluezoo.org/ http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro98/202s98-paper1/Ebbitt.html

Genetic Engineering Essay -- Genetics Science Food Agriculture Essays

Genetic Engineering When we envision our future, we usually imagine a future free of disease and physical sickness, but have you ever wondered how a disease-free society will be accomplished? In the twenty-first century our world will be a very different place because of genetic manipulation and engineering. There are many pros and cons to this debate, but it is undeniable that the effects from the new revelations in the field of genetics are far-reaching and deep impacting. Genetic engineering is a radical new technology, one that breaks down fundamental barriers, not only between species, but also between humans, animals, and plants. By combining the genes of dissimilar and unrelated species, permanently altering their genetic codes, novel organisms are created that will pass the genetic changes onto their offspring through heredity. Scientists are now snipping, inserting, recombining, rearranging, editing, and programming genetic material. Animal genes and even human genes are being inserted into plants or animals creating unimagined transgenic life forms. For the first time in history, human beings are becoming the architects of life. Bio-engineers will be creating tens of thousands of novel organisms over the next few years. The prospect is frightening. First we must see that genetic engineering offers many potential benefits to the twenty-first century in the two fields of agriculture and medicine. In agriculture, we can now grow plants and animals faster, stronger, and easier. We can alter plants to have them grow ten times larger than their original size, and we can create animals without parents by cloning (Scott). In medicine, genetic engineering has revolutionized the field into something completely new. We now produce cures that are specifically tailored to diseases, which have lengthened the average life span by almost ten years, detect and eliminate birth defects in babies, and have people that are healthier now than at any time in history (Epstein). But with that almost unlimited power, there is a high price for the twenty-first century to pay. With each bonus we as a society receive from genetics, we also created genetically altered super-diseases. Genes from bacteria, viruses, and insects, which have never been part of the human diet, are being spliced into our food. Genetic engineering is not an exact science. Scientists can... .... They want to charge for products, and a high market share. I feel there are fundamental flaws with the genetic engineering approach, and am highly skeptical of those who would be driving its direction. I affirm our rights as individuals and as a community to make a choice about the direction we take, for if we do not have that, then why put up with all the messy aspects of having free will? So, as we approach the twenty-first century, we go into the realm of the unknown. However, it is assuredly a future that will be blessed and cursed with genetic engineering, and one that will look back at the nineteenth century and remember the development that influenced it the most as genetic engineering. Bibliography: Works Cited Epstein, Dr. Ron. "Why You Should Be Concerned About Genetically Engineered Food." 2 Nov. 1999. Hawaleshka, Danylo. "Unnatural Selection." Maclean's 20 Jan. 1997. 20 Oct. 1999. "Health, Environmental, and Ethical Concerns of Genetically Engineered Foods." 11 July 1999. 26 Oct. 1999. Scott, Mary. "Food Focus: Genetically Engineered Foods - Answers to Frequently Asked Questions." Natural Foods Merchandises Nov.1997. 26 Oct. 1999 .

Alfred Hitchcock has been called ‘the Master of Suspense’, considering ‘psycho’ state how effectively he achieves the element of suspense in this film

Alfred Hitchcock has been called ‘the Master of Suspense', considering ‘psycho' state how effectively he achieves the element of suspense in this film. The film Pycho is known for its suspense. The dictionary definition of suspense is ‘the anxious uncertainty the audience feels while waiting for an event. It's an attraction/repulsion response, or that ‘oooooh errrrr' feeling! ‘ I personally think that suspense is the feeling of not knowing what's about to happen, feeling unsure of how to react to the next thing that happens. It puts you in to a state uncertainty or excitement, like you are waiting for a decision. It makes you feel a degree of apprehension or anxiety. Alfred Hitchcock was brought up in a strict Roman Catholic environment. He always knew exactly what was right and what was wrong and was aware of other people's wrong doings. This comes across in the film. Marion was the first woman to be murdered and she was also the first person to be seen as immoral, she was seen in white underwear in the first scene as she was in bed with a man she was having an affair with. This shows her flaunting her sexuality. She was also seen flushing the toilet just before she was murdered. This is another thing that Hitchcock was brought up to think was immoral also Hitchcock was a misogynist. This might explain why he killed off the main female character in the film. Work played a huge part in Hitchcock's life, he was a workaholic infact. People would describe Hitchcock as obsessive with his films because he would devote his life to and take so much pride in them. Psycho was released in 1960. The morals and attitudes of people were a lot different in 1960 to what they are now. There were far more of the population who attended church and would call themselves ‘christian'. Also there was a much surer sense of definite rights and wrongs; moral and immoral behaviour was much more clearly defined. In the film this comes through clearly. In 1960, men were thought to be superior to woman they certainly occupied the higher status in their occupations. Marion is at work and the man who has come in to speak with her boss is talking to her. He looks old and arrogant. He is boasting about how rich he is, telling Marion about how he is buying a house for his daughter. He is trying to chat up Marion but she ignores him. He sits on her desk so that he is at a higher level than her to show that he is more important. Marion is seen in her underwear. This was a very rare thing to see in any film in 1960. Before she stole the money she was seen in white underwear which is shocking enough. After she has stolen the money, she is seen again in her underwear but this time it is black. White is seen as a pure colour so this is why she was wearing white before she stole the money where as black is not pure, a dirty colour, this is why she was wearing black after she had stolen the money, to symbolise that she has become immoral. The audience can now expect something bad to happen. Just before Marion steps into the shower were she gets murdered she flushes a check down the toilet. Films would never show a toilet being flushed in 1960. It was looked up on as an immoral thing to be seen. Now, in 2003, seeing someone flush a toilet on a film is completely normal. The film starts with a shot of Marion and Sam (her secret boyfriend) in bed. They talk about running away and getting married. Marion goes into work that day as if everything is normal. She sits down at her desk when her boss walks in with a man. The man sits down on her desk and starts telling Marion about the $40000 he has in cash to buy a house and he gives Marion the $40000 to put in the bank but Marion steals the money so that she can get married. She drives to a motel – the ‘Bates Motel', and gets herself a room. She spends sometime talking with Norman Bates, the owner, and then goes to her room for a shower but as she has a shower someone murders her. Norman then takes Marion's body and puts it in a river. Marion's sister, Lila, realises she is missing and asks Sam if he knows where she is, he doesn't. Arbogast is a detective who try's to find Marion so he goes to the motel to see if she is there but Norman says that he doesn't remember her. Arbogast still suspects something so he goes to Norman's house however as he goes up the stairs, he also gets murdered. Sam and Lila realise that Arbogast hasn't returned so Sam goes to the motel to look for him but he can't find him so then Sam and Lila go back to the motel. Marion's sister goes into the house to look for Norman's mother as Sam and Lila think that she knows something. Lila goes down to the cellar and finds a skeleton of Norman's mother just as Norman comes in to the cellar dressed as his mother with a knife to kill Lila but Sam stops him. Norman's mother was dead but he believed she was still alive, for example, he would pretend to be her and it was Norman being his mother who had murdered Arbogast and Marion. This is a horror/thriller film. It focuses on an individual who is mentally ill and it explores some of the possible consiqueses of mental illness. This is one of the most successful of Hitchcock films. This could be due to the amount of suspense in it. Hitchcock has used very successful techniques of creating suspense. There are many scenes in Psycho that are suspenseful for example the shower scene where editing was used in a bold and sharp way. The shower scene, in which Marion was brutally murdered, was a huge hit with its audiences. This is because is was so suspenseful. The quick cuts – the entire stabbing lasted only twenty seconds, the sound effects – you could hear the tearing of the flesh as the knife broke the skin but you never actually saw the knife cut the skin, the music – all strings, very high pitched, the sort of music that makes you cringe and know that something big is about to happen, all created a great amount of suspense. When Marion is in the shower we see the door of the bathroom open, but Marion doesn't. Seeing this makes us pay attention, at this point the suspense starts. Then the music starts and we see the knife. At this point we are almost certain that she is going to be murdered. Then the murderer pulls back the curtain and Marion screams. In my opinion, this is the most suspenseful point in the murder. As she is being stabbed, there are alternate shots of Marion and the knife and the music is very loud and fast. When the murderer has gone, everything slows down as Marion slides down the wall and falls to the ground. There is a close up on the blood going down the plug hole after the camera has very slowly zoomed in on it. There is then a close up on Marion's eye, as she lies dead on the ground, and the music is very low and slow and then all the action is over and the level of suspense suddenly drops. This plays with the mood of the audience, it takes them from a state of tension or anticipation, building up to the point were the murder is commited and then giving the audience a kind of release. The music plays a big part in creating suspense. The music used in Psycho is very sinister, high pitched and high tempo. The music not only creates suspense, it adds a certain amount of tension. As the camera focuses on different things, the music tempo and pitch changed to build suspense, for example, as the camera pans across the room with the money in it the music is a medium tempo but as the camera zooms in on the money the tempo of the music shoots up. This draws your attention to the money. Another of the most suspenseful scenes in Psycho is where Arbogast is murdered. He walks in to the house slowly and curiosly. This is suspenseful as the audience know he's looking for something and are waiting to see what it is. As he walks up the stairs, the audience see a door open slowly. This builds the tension and anxiety that the audience feel. We see someone step out of the room, at this point the music that was heard when Marion was murdered was played. The audience now associate this music with murder. The person who stepped out of the room starts to walk quickly over to Arbogast on the stairs. The music is very loud and quick at this point. The audience's heart rate is automatically increased and they are more exited/uncertain. You then again hear him being stabbed but don't actually see it. As Arbogast falls down the stairs, the camera is above him, and he then falls to the floor and the murderer stabs him again, then the music suddenly stops and the camera cuts straight to a different scene. All through that scene there is a lot of suspense. There is a great deal of suspense created in the scene where Lila goes to talk to Norman's mother. Lila walks down to the cellar. The audience thinks she is down there because Norman had said previously that he was taking her down there. When Lila walks into the cellar, she sees the back of who she thinks is Norman's mother. She turns Norman's mother around and find only the skeleton of her. Throughout this scene there is slow low music playing until she sees the skeleton then the music speeds up. We then see Norman running in to the cellar dressed as a woman. This confuses the audience but builds the suspense as the audience are unsure. When Norman walks into the cellar the music changes to the music played for the previous two murders. The music automaticly creates suspense as the audience presume there will be another murder. At this point, the audience immediately suspect that he is going to murder Marion's sister but then we see Sam who stops him from murdering her. This creates suspense because it is a twist to what has happened with the other murders, so we do not know what to expect. As Sam fights with Norman he knocks the light bulb so it is swaying. There is a close up of the skeleton, it is in the shadow, then in the light, then in the shadow again etc. because of the light bulb swaying. The audience feels calm at this point as the light bulb swaying slowly and quietly gives the impression that the drama is over. When Marion is driving away from Phoenix with the stolen money, the audience hear the voices in Marion head. We hear the voice of her boss, what he might say if he found out she had stolen the money. This is suspenseful because we are thinking what if her boss does know she stole the money†¦ what would he do? The voices make the audience feel anxious because they hear what Marion is thinking, and therefore they are put in Marion's position. We sympathise with Marion because we know what she is thinking. Although she stole the money, we don't feel sorry for Cassidy (the man whose money it was) he is a very arrogant man, he boasted about how much money he has and he tries to flirt with Marion. He doesn't respect Marion; he thinks he can easily get her because of his money. He says ‘I never carry as much as I can afford to lose. ‘ This tells us that he can afford to lose the money and it would be good to use the money for a good cause. If Marion had stolen the money from a charity, we would not sympathise with her because she is taking the money from a worthy cause. When Marion and Norman are in the parlour, Marion talks about Norman's mother. She suggests he puts her into a mental home. Norman's reaction to this suggestion builds suspense. He gets very angry and looks like he could get aggressive. He often compares people to birds as stuffing birds is his hobby. When Marion suggests his mother could go to a mental home, Norman compares his mother to one of his stuffed birds on the wall, he says how she is as harmless as one of them. He says how a mother is a boys best friend which makes us believe that he is very close to his mother but he is closer to her then anyone expected. Hitchcock has the title ‘The Master of Suspense'. I personally don't think that he deserves that title for this film. In 1960 he may have deserved it for this film as it was the first film like this, but now, in the year 2003, there are many films like this. It has suspense but I don't think it has enough suspense for him to have that title. Psycho is a horror/thriller film and it achieves the title of being a horror/thriller film better than it achieves the title of a suspenseful film.