Paradise on the Outskirts Essay Example For Students

Paradise on the Outskirts Essay An oral story has been inherited in my family for generations. On a May afternoon, the time came for me to receive this heirloom from my grandmother. We traditionally spend our time together by enjoying her beloved plants from her porch in silence. On a blistering afternoon, we found ourselves on her porch swing. The smoke from the cigarette in her hand permeated the fresh air with vogue. She sighed, and so, breaking the silence, she began. â€Å"They woke up every morning in what you could call paradise. Paradise was found on the outskirts of Matamoros, Mexico, where peace once reigned. A step outside presented sweet scents from the Rosales and the soothing sound of a rippling resaca. The vast, secluded landscape consists of orange, ebony and mesquite trees. Uneven red cobblestones beneath their feet radiated energy. In the midst of this place was the home of the influential Reyna family. Great, wooden doors on a plastered wall open into a vast room. A boy, a girl, and their grandparents inhabited the ancestral family home. The boy’s delightfully unkempt room, littered with sketches, and brandished a window facing the resaca in which he loved to swim. Rosy walls surrounded the girl’s quaint room; toys and dolls were lined in cabinets. The handsomest room was the grandparents. It had grand, wood furniture, stone floor, elegant chandeliers, and crystalline windows. Thirty-five years later, on the outskirts of Matamoros, continued this paradise. A man, with his wife in mind, walked past the wild trees and Rosales. Despite its chaotic unkemptness, great peace and energy resonated in the landscape. He walked towards the worn, wooden front doors of the abandoned home where he and his deceased love once lived. Her death created an air of melancholic indifference. The door creaked at opening and revealed dull, wooden floors. The man dragged his feet across the threshold and onto the wooden staircase. With his hands on the iron railing, he made his way up. Crossing the hall where his children once played and his wife watched starry-eyed, a sad smile crept on his face. The girls pink wall peeled, the dolls no longer seen, and the closet was empty. His boys walls were peeled, the sketches torn away, and emptiness haunted the room. The man made his way towards his own room, where he travelled to the past, and pain and loneliness consumed him. Despite its abandonment, it continued to be as grand as always. Five years passed, and the man and his wife were laid to rest in their beloved home. This home was left to the grown boy, who loved the lands. He moves with his family to this paradise on the outskirts of Matamoros. In this isolated area, away from chaos, he began to care for the home. The walls were re-painted, and wooden floors and furniture polished. Love and warmth radiates again. Joyful memories overwhelm him as he makes his way up the wooden stairs. Now, the girl’s room is remodeled, and the boys room has a TV, reflecting a contrast between past and present. The couples room is a trip to the past, as it continues to reflect its antique elegance. † My grandmother sat me down to tell me about the rupture in this pattern. The story is an account of a past tradition in my families’ lives. Despite the children’s departure, eventually, they returned to their roots. Previously, it was told to generations in the house in paradise, but I heard it in Brownsville, Texas, instead. My great-grandparents deceased, but my grandmother and her siblings never returned to the beloved home, breaking the ancestral pattern. Instability and violence in Mexico has exiled many families from their homes and roots. The injustice of the situation had an everlasting impact in my life’s course. This traumatic event would change my life’s purpose forever. I now dream to prevent injustice to rule the United States like it sadly has in Mexico. As a lawyer, I aim to maintain justice for the people of the United States and adhere to the law.

Taxation in the United States and Deduction free essay sample

Depending on the nature of the expenditure, expenses incurred in a trade or business may be deductible for or from AGI. True False 4. All employment related expenses are classified as deductions for AGI. True False 5. The only  § 212 expenses that are deductions for AGI are those related to rent and royalty income. True False 6. Alice incurs qualified moving expenses of $12,000. If she is reimbursed by her employer, the deduction is classified as a deduction for AGI. If not reimbursed, the deduction is classified as an itemized deduction. True False 7. Expenses incurred for the production or collection of income generally are deductions from adjusted gross income. True False 8. The Code defines what constitutes a trade or business. True False 9. For an expense to be deducted as ordinary, it must be recurring in nature. True False 10. Amos, a shareholder-employee of Pigeon, Inc. , receives a $400,000 salary. The IRS classifies $125,000 of this amount as unreasonable compensation. The effect of this reclassification is to decrease Amos’ gross income by $125,000 and increase Pigeon’s gross income by $125,000. True False 11. A salary that is classified as unreasonable by the IRS is disallowed as a deduction to the corporation. True False 12. Generally, a closely-held family corporation is not permitted to take a deduction for a salary paid to a family member in calculating corporate taxable income. True False 13. Under no circumstance can a loss on the sale of a personal use asset be deducted. True False 14. The income of a sole proprietorship are reported on Schedule C (Profit or Loss from Business). True False 15. The cash method can be used even if inventory and cost of goods sold are an income producing factor in the business. True False 16. Because it has only one owner, any sole proprietorship is permitted to elect the cash method of accounting. True False 17. A cash basis taxpayer who charges an expense on a bank credit card is allowed to claim a deduction currently, whereas a cash basis taxpayer who charges an expense on a department store credit card is not allowed to claim a deduction until payment is made. True False 18. Under the â€Å"one-year rule† for the current period deduction of prepaid expenses of cash basis taxpayers, the asset must expire or be consumed by the end of the tax year following the year of payment. True False 19. None of the prepaid rent paid on November 1 by a calendar year cash basis taxpayer for the next 18 months is deductible in the current period. True False 20. The period in which an accrual basis taxpayer can deduct an expense is determined by applying the economic performance and all events tests. True False 21. The amount of the addition to the reserve for bad debts for an accrual method taxpayer is allowed as a deduction for tax purposes, but is not allowed for a cash method taxpayer. True False 22. All domestic bribes (i. e. , to a U. S. fficial) are disallowed as deductions. True False 23. Fines and penalties paid for violations of the law (e. g. , illegal dumping of hazardous waste) are deductible only if they relate to a trade or business. True False 24. Susan is a sales representative for a U. S. weapons manufacturer. She makes a $100,000 â€Å"grease† payment to a U. S. government official associated with a weapons purchase by the U. S. Army. She makes a similar payment to a Saudi Arabian government official associated with a similar sale. Neither of these payments is deductible by Susan’s employer. True False 5. The cost of legal advice associated with the preparation of an individual’s Federal income tax return is not deductible because it is a personal expense. True False 26. Two-thirds of treble damage payments under the antitrust law are deductible. True False 27. The legal cost of having a will prepared is not deductible. True False 28. Legal expenses incurred in connection with rental property are deductions from AGI. True False 29. Legal fees incurred in connection with a criminal defense are not deductible even if the crime is associated with a trade or business. True False 30. The ordinary and necessary expenses for operating an illegal gambling operation (excluding such items as fines, bribes, and other illegal payments) are deductible. True False 31. Ordinary and necessary business expenses, other than cost of goods sold, of an illegal drug trafficking business do not reduce taxable income. True False 32. A political contribution to the Democratic Party or the Republican Party is not deductible, but a contribution to the Presidential Election Campaign Fund is deductible. True False 33. A football team that pays a star player an annual salary of $20 million can deduct the entire $20 million as salary expense. If the same amount is paid to the CEO of IBM, only $1 million is deductible. True False 34. The expenses incurred to investigate the expansion of an existing business are deductible even if the expansion is not accomplished. True False 35. Investigation of a business unrelated to one’s present business never results in a current period deduction of the entire amount if the amount of the investigation expenses exceeds $5,000. True False 36. In determining whether an activity should be classified as a business or as a hobby, the satisfaction of the presumption (i. e. , profit in at least 3 out of 5 years) ensures treatment as a business. True False 37. If a taxpayer cannot satisfy the three-out-of-five year presumption test associated with hobby losses, then expenses from the activity cannot be deducted in excess of the gross income from the activity. True False 38. If an activity involves horses, a profit in at least two of seven consecutive years meets the presumptive rule of  § 183. True False 39. A hobby activity can result in all of the hobby income being included in AGI and no deductions being allowed. True False 40. If an item such as property taxes and home mortgage interest exceed the income from a hobby, the excess amount of this item over the hobby income cannot be deducted if the taxpayer itemizes deductions. True False 41. Hobby activity expenses are deductible from AGI to the extent of hobby income. Such expenses not in excess of hobby income are not subject to the 2% of AGI floor. True False 42. Martha rents part of her personal residence in the summer for 3 weeks for $3,000. Anne rents all of her personal residence for one week in December for $2,500. Anne must include the $2,500 in her gross income whereas Martha is not required to include the $3,000 in her gross income. True False 43. If a vacation home is rented for less than 15 days during a year, the only expenses that can be deducted are mortgage interest, property taxes, and personal casualty losses. True False 44. If a vacation home is classified as primarily rental use, a deduction for all of the rental expenses is allowed. True False 45. If a vacation home is classified as primarily personal use (i. . , rented for fewer than 15 days), none of the related expenses can be deducted. True False 46. The portion of property tax on a vacation home that is attributable to personal use is an itemized deduction. True False 47. If a vacation home is classified as primarily personal use, part of the maintenance and utility expenses can be allocated and deducted as a rental expense. True False 48. A vacatio n home at the beach which is rented for 170 days and used personally for 16 days is classified in the personal/rental use category. True False 49. If a vacation home is a personal/rental residence, no maintenance and utility expenses can be claimed as a deduction. True False 50. Beulah’s personal residence has an adjusted basis of $450,000 and a fair market value of $390,000. Beulah converts the property to rental use on November 1, 2012. The vacation home rules that limit the amount of the deduction to the rental income will apply and the adjusted basis for depreciation is $390,000. True False 51. Ralph wants to give his daughter $1,000 for Christmas. As an alternative, she suggests that he pay the property taxes on her residence. If Ralph pays the property taxes, he cannot deduct them. True False 52. LD Partnership, a cash basis taxpayer, purchases land and a building for $200,000 with $150,000 of the cost being allocated to the building. The gross receipts of the partnership are less than $100,000. LD must capitalize the $50,000 paid for the land, but can deduct the $150,000 paid for the building in the current tax year. True False 53. Landscaping expenditures on new rental property are deductible in the year they are paid or incurred. True False 54. Marge sells land to her adult son, Jason, for its $20,000 appraised value.

How to Write Better With Sample Compare and Contrast Essay Templates

How to Write Better With Sample Compare and Contrast Essay TemplatesSample compare and contrast essay templates are widely available, but a lot of students want to know if they really work. The truth is that they do work, but only if you use them correctly.Students have different expectations when it comes to writing a test. Some like to get the toughest and hardest one first, while others like to get the easier ones second. Most students, however, would prefer the latter, as it lets them experience all the possible challenges.There are various factors that can influence your experience. The type of subject being tested, the level of difficulty of the essay, the type of writing style used, the number of writing sections, etc. All these factors can influence the results.Some students like to do everything by themselves, but this is not advisable for different students. If you want to test yourself and see how well you can do, then you should prepare in advance. Do not hesitate to ask for help from the teacher or even a friend, who knows the subject best. This way, you will be able to judge how much you need to improve.Sample compare and contrast essay templates will only help you if you can remember to follow the instructions precisely. This means that if you are given one line that you should highlight to make sure you have done it correctly, then don't skip it and just keep working on your paper. Doing it the wrong way will just leave you frustrated.In addition, you need to write on various topics that you think are most interesting. Make sure you have studied on different types of essays before writing yours. And be aware that each essay has a certain way of determining your grade.One very important factor is to be careful with your grammar. If you cannot write something in proper English, then you should always get help from a good copy editor. If you are unsure about the rules, there are some online editors who can help you out.You should also make sure tha t you use the right words to convey the required message. Reading in general is good, but it is also important to understand what is being said when reading and understanding essays. When you do so, you can start to get to the best parts of your essay without any problem.

Product Evaluation Apple iPhone 3G

Today, the smartphones produced by Apple Inc. are familiar to many persons. This market is competitive, and new versions of the products are presented almost every year when the production of the outdated models is regularly discontinued. The market is based on improvements and innovations in the sphere that is why the outdated models cannot compete during a long period of time. It is possible to discuss this idea using the example of the Apple iPhone 3G.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Product Evaluation: Apple iPhone 3G specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More From this point, it is necessary to assess the qualities of the Apple iPhone 3G which was launched in 2008 as a revolutionary variant of the smartphones of the second generation with GPS and 3G possibilities, then it was proposed as the budget model, and later its production was ceased. The Apple iPhone 3G can be discussed as an outdated model of smartphones in r elation to such criteria as the software used, hardware features, Internet connectivity, and additional specifications presented in this model as innovative. The software and hardware are the important characteristics of smartphones which influence the aspects of the device’s work. The Apple iPhone 3G used iPhone OS 2.0 as the software which can be discussed as improved for the period of 2008, but it is updated in comparison with the modern versions of the operating systems for the family of Apple iPhones. Furthermore, the main specifications of the smartphones’ hardware did not change much in comparison with the previous model’s characteristics. The designers did not reinvent the model, but added some new features to it (Mannion 32). The Apple iPhone 3G operated the support memory of Numonyx which was the Intel/STMicro spin-off, and it included 16 Mbytes of NOR flash and 8 Mbytes of pseudo-SRAM (Mannion 30-32). Moreover, the communication function was based on the Skywords SKY77340 824-to 915-MHz quad-band GSM/EDGE, and it is important to note that this component was also used in the original iPhone. The work of battery was based on the Linear Technology LTC4088-2. Such features as the absence of significant differences in the look in comparison with the original iPhone and the usage of the same 2-Mpixel camera can be discussed as negative characteristics of the model which were determined after the release of the Apple iPhone 3G (Mannion 30-32). Launching the product, the company declared the considerable improvements related to the Internet connectivity. Thus, the interactive experience of clients was based on ATT’s High-Speed Packet Access 3G network. In spite of the fact the manufactures paid attention to the clients’ Web browsing experience, the download speed was rather low in comparison with the expected speed of 700K to 1.7Mbps. It is also low in comparison with the contemporary standards which are approximately 4,29 0Kbps.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More However, some innovations and improvements in the model were also presented. They are the built-in GPS, the exchange support based on Microsoft ActiveSync, the possibility to use Cisco’s IPSec VPN client, the orientation to Wi-Fi Protected Access 2, and the access to new developed App Store (Cox 14; Shaw 28). Although these improvements were current and necessary for 2008, today the Apple iPhones and the other smartphones have all these characteristics as basic ones. Basing on the examined criteria, it is possible to conclude that the Apple iPhone 3G as the representative of the second generation of smartphones was the improved model of the original iPhone, but the basic characteristics were almost unchanged. Thus, the features and specifications of the Apple iPhone 3G cannot be discussed as innovative in comparison with the mode rn standards developed for the iPhones of the sixth generation. Works Cited Cox, John. â€Å"IPhone 3G Has Corporate Feel†. Network World 16 Jun. 2008: 14. Print. Mannion, Patrick. â€Å"Apple iPhone 3G Exposed†. Electronic Engineering Times 10 Nov. 2008: 30-32. Print. Shaw, Keith. â€Å"Review: iPhone 3G Makes Great Greater†. Network World 21 Jul. 2008: 28. Print. This essay on Product Evaluation: Apple iPhone 3G was written and submitted by user Phoebe A. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Censor The Internet Essays - Internet Memes,

Censor the Internet The freedom of speech that was possible on the Internet could now be subjected to governmental approvals. For example, China is attempting to res5trict political expression, in the name of security and social stability. It requires users of the Internet and e-mail to register, so that they can monitor their activities (Gates). In the United Kingdom, state secrets and personal attacks are off limits on the Internet. Laws are strict and the government is extremely interested in regulating the Internet with respect to these issues (Gates). Laws intended for other types of communication will not necessarily apply in this group. Through all the components of the Internet it becomes easy to transfer material that particular governments might find objectionably. However, all of these ways of communicating on the Internet make up a large and vast system. For inspectors to monitor every e-mail, every article in every Newsgroup, every webpage, every IRC channel, every Gopher site, and every FT P site would be near impossible. Besides taking as extraordinary amount of time and money, attempts to censor the Internet violate freedom of speech, a right that is included in democratic constitutions and international laws (Silencing the Net?). It would be a breach of the First Amendment. The Constitution of the united States of America Declares that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to asse3mble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances" (Constitution). Therefore it would be unconstitutional for any sort of censorship to occur on the Internet. Even though it is illegal, restrictions on Internet access and content are increasing worldwide under all forms of government. In France, a country where the press generally has a large amount of freedom, the Internet has been in the spotlight. A banned book on the health History of former French president Francois Mitterrand was republished electronically on the World Wide Web (www). To enforce censorship of the Internet, free societies find that they are becoming more closed, and closed societies find new ways to crush political expression and opposition (Silencing the Net?). Vice President Al Gore, while at an international conference in Brussels about the Internet, said that "Cyberspace is about protecting and enlarging freedom of expression for all our citizens? Ideas should not be checked at the border."(McCullagh) Another person attending that conference was Ann Breeson of the American Civil Liberties Union. She is quoted as saying, "Our big victory at Brussels was that we pressured them enough so that Al Gore in his keynote address made a big point of stressing the importance of free speech on the In ternet."(McCullagh) Many other organizations have fought against laws and have succeeded. A prime example of this is the fight that various groups put on against the recent Communication Decency Act (CDA) of the U.S. Senate. The Citizens Internet Empowerment Coalition, on February 26, 1996, filed a historic lawsuit in Philadelphia against the U.S. Department of Justice and Attorney General Janet Reno to make certain that the First Amendment of the U.S.A would no be compromised by the CDA. Just the range of plantiffs alone shows the dedication that is felt by many different people and groups to the cause of tree speech on the Internet (Silberman). "Words like *censored*, *censored*, piss, and tits. Words of which our mothers (at least some of them) would no doubt disapprove, but which by no means would be regulated by the government. Bet it's not just about dirty words. It's also it's also about words like AIDS, gay, and breasts. It's about sexual content, and politically controversi al topics like drug addiction, euthanasia, and racism" (Irwin). In France, a high court has struck down a bill that promoted the censorship of the Internet. Other countries have attempted similar moves. The Internet cannot be regulated like other things can simply because it is not the same as anything else that we have. It is a totally new and unique form of communication and deserves to be given a chance to prove itself. Laws of one country cannot be enforced in another country and

Essay on Jefferson Essays - Thomas Jefferson, Free Essays

Essay on Jefferson Essays - Thomas Jefferson, Free Essays Essay on Jefferson Essay on Jefferson Jefferson had destroyed political traditions. From his contradictions and defecting his priciples, Jefferson destroyed the political precedent and is a exemplatory hypocrite, which can be seen throughout his administration. Jefferson was an admired statesman who was grappling unsuccessfully with the moral issue of slavery. Thomas Jefferson, the author of the Declaration of Independence, opposed slavery his whole life, yet he never freed his own slaves. He championed Enlightenment principles, yet never freed himself of the prejudices of his soceity. Jefferson was extremely hypocritical in the issue of slavery. Jefferson was a plantation owner early in his life, and had slaves working for him throughout his life. Jefferson had tolerated while he didn't accept others who owned slaves. Jefferson denounced the slave owners, while he was owning and using slaves. Although Jefferson was supposedly a good slave owner, his hypocritical nature made him accuse others not to own slaves while he, himself was owning slaves. Another part of the hypocrisy was that Jefferson believed that the slaves were dependent upon the white man, while he, himself was dependent upon the slaves. Jefferson also was hypocritcal in his acquisition of the Loisiana territory. In Jeffersonian principles, large expansive governments were bad, and small was good. This was a antithesis of that principle. Jefferson knew that the acquisition of the Loisiana territory was beneficial to the welfare of the U.S. According to the constitution, nowhere in the constitution is the acquisition of land a right of the government, Jeffersons' predisposition was to strictly go by the constitution (as seen with the national bank controversy), this is another contradiction during his administration. Since the appropriation of the Lousiana territory was important for the expansion of the united states, he temporarily dismissed his principles, therefore destroying political traditions. Another hypocritical event during Jeffersons' administration was his acceptance of the National Bank. Early in Jefferson's political career, Jefferson had debated with Hamilton on whether to have the National Bank. "When this government was first established, it was possible to have kept it going on true principles, but the contracted, English, half-lettured ideas of Hamilton destroyed that hope in the bud, We can pay off his debts in 15 years." Early in Jefferson's Administration, Jefferson had denounced the National Bank. At the end of his administration, Jefferson realized that the National Bank was important and this is hypocritical by disregarding his principles. The Burr conspiracy depicted Jefferson as a ruthless, and a individual who will do anything inorder to achieve his goal. Jefferson championed civil liberties and unalienable rights. Yet, Jefferson violated civil liberties by coercing witnesses, arrested with out habeus corpus and prosecuting in a "court" of his own. Jefferson and Jeffersonians are hypocrites from the start and they destroyed political tradition as seen during Jeffersons' administration. Jeffersonians show an immense amount of hypocritism in their policies. For example, Federalists had supported high tarriffs, inorder to protect national manufacturers and american industry. The tarriffs were a vital determinent, which kept the economy of the United States viable. The Jeffersonians, not the Federalists began the American system of protecting american industry which initially was a major constituent of the federalist platform.

Individual Management and Leadership Plan The WritePass Journal

Individual Management and Leadership Plan Introduction Individual Management and Leadership Plan ). This would mean that not only is goal-setting beneficial for the organisation but for the people working on these goals as well. Increasing my preference for team work over individual work in accomplishing goals Since leadership is about leading people, individual work is not the paramount aspect of goal achievement, but teamwork. In a team, people work together towards achieving desired goals, have full and sufficient understanding in the importance of these goals, how these goals may be achieved successfully, and what each one and the whole team may contribute to their successful achievement. If the leader and even the team members are more focused on working individually rather than as a team, the essence of teamwork is lost. (Ricketts and Ricketts (2011) indicate that working as a team is more effective than working individually; thus, the motivation to utilise teamwork and the various literature on the importance of this concept (e.g. Dyer, Dyer, and Dyer, 2007; Morgeson, Reider, and Campion, 2005; Valle and Witt, 2001).   Since the results of my Four Temperaments Personality Test indicate that I have an extraverted temperament, this temperament would help in my ability to build team work.   The result of my Four Temperaments Personality Test on the phlegmatic aspect, specifically self-indulgence, is a good point to consider in my current preference for individual work over team work. On the other hand, since my dominant sanguine and choleric propensities show that I am inclined to being extraverted, this preference is likely to be changed with ease, given such initial knowledge for its imperative change. Heneman and Greenberger (2002) state that the facilitation of team work is through the efforts of some extraverted individuals. Placing the Plan in an Organisational or Industry Context/Strategy Having accomplished the plan, the next step would be to place this in an organisational or industry context, creating clear links to organisational strategies. First of all, leadership is an important concept in the success of an organisation, which is why organisations always gear for effective leadership or management in the workplace. Leadership is different from seniority or one’s position in the hierarchy of his or her organisation. It is an influential relationship that takes place between a leader and his/her followers as they pursue certain changes or objectives that mirror shared meanings, purposes, and strategies (Mills, Mills, Forshaw, et al., 2007). The potential skills and limitations, on which the plan has been established, will eventually add up to my series of strengths identified by the Belbin Test. After implementing the plan, the expected outcomes for me would be above-average interpersonal skills, ability to communicate with others with relative ease, improved team-based problem solving ability, setting many goals for team projects, and increased preference for team work over individual work. These skills are useful in an organisational context; specifically in managing people where the leader/manager needs to unify his/her team towards successful goal attainment. By being able to work in a team and foster good communication skills, problem solving ability, and other skills thus cited as my strengths, I and my team would together work on the necessary aspects of several tasks, which we are responsible to accomplish. The retail industry is the specific industry context on which the plan is placed. This industry is characterised by several challenges in attaining competitive advantage because of the presence of new entrants, substitute products, bargaining power of customers and suppliers, and rivalry between existing competitors (Stonehouse, Campbell, Hamill, et al., 2004).   These challenges serve as a factor for my pursuit for effective leadership and team roles, on which the plan is established. My ability to effectively resolve conflict with teammates and to plan and coordinate with them plays a significant role in smooth working relationships within the team. This importance is further seen in the claim that conflict and lack of team coordination serve as a barrier to attaining desired goals (e.g. Lencion, 2012; Rout and Omiko, 2007). Moreover, my improved interpersonal skills will enable me to communicate my ideas more effectively across people and departments. It has been noted that inte rpersonal skills refer to analytical and decision-making skills (Grant et al, 2010), which means that my possession of these skills will aid my team and the organisation in addressing the competition that retail companies commonly experience.   These together with my improved ability to communicate with others with relative ease, improved team-based problem-solving ability, setting many goals, and increased preference for team work over individual work – will help the company develop strategies for competitive advantage. Incorporating Appropriate Professional Reflection at Relevant Intervals This research has enabled me to identify my own strengths, limitations, and potential skills in leadership and team roles. Apparently, I had no prior ideas of these skills and limitations on a systematic basis, but the Belbin Test and the Four Temperaments Personality Test enabled me to find out approximately what these skills are. I certainly have an initial knowledge of myself, but these tests confirmed them and even added some more which I was not very aware of, such as my satisfactory level of my interpersonal skills, a need to communicate with others with relative ease, a need to improve my team-based problem-solving ability, and my inclination to set only a few goals instead of many goals for team projects. Some of the skills that I am already aware of are effective conflict resolution and ability to plan and coordinate with teammates. Moreover, the Four Temperaments Personality Test made me understand the ease that the potential skills and limitations may be improved. This is because of my dominant combination of sanguine, choleric, and melancholic temperaments, which have positive traits for leadership abilities (e.g. extraversion, being a people-person, optimism, and enthusiasm, being task-oriented, being competition-focused, and being success-specific and strong leadership skills). A further realisation that I have derived from this exercise is the importance of knowing oneself – strengths, skills, abilities, potentials, and limitations – since such knowledge serves as a prelude to being able to manage teams and the organisation as a whole. By being able to systematically identify my strengths, I have been personally assured of my abilities. By being able to also systematically identify my potentials and limitations, I have found out the areas that need improvement. These limitations and potentials allow me to better focus on what I must take an effort to improve on, whilst seeing them as a way for constructive criticism. In addition, no effective leader can function without self-realising his own strengths, skills, and limitations since only when he/she has fully realised them can they be able to function more effectively.   Conclusion This paper has provided an investigation of one’s own individual management and leadership plan, using such diagnostic tools as the Belbin test and the Four Temperaments Personality Test. These tools helped identify and own my individual leadership development requirements. Through the Belbin Test, certain strengths were thus identified along with the potential skills and limitations. The Four Temperaments Personality Test also identified the dominant temperaments that helped in the assessment of one’s leadership propensities and abilities. The plan for development of the skills is centered on improving my interpersonal skills from satisfactory level to above-average level; increasing my ability to communicate with others with relative ease; improving team-based problem-solving ability; setting several goals for team projects instead of only a few ones; and increasing my preference for team work over individual work in accomplishing goals. The retail industry is the specific industry context on which the plan is placed. A professional reflection is conducted, focused on how the entire work is done. References Adair, J. (2007) Develop Your Leadership Skills. London: Kogan Page. Banhegyi, s. (2007) Fresh Perspectives: Management. Cape Town: Pearson Education South Africa (Pty) Ltd. Butterfield, J. (2011) Illustrated Course Guides: Teamwork and Team Building. Mason, OH: Course Technology Cengage Learning. Dyer, W. G., Dyer, W, G., and Dyer, J. H. (2007) Team Building: Proven Strategies for Improving Team Performance. 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