A credit card allows short-term credit for purchasing products and services, with American Express being the most recognized company. Unlike credit, credit cards have a set due date and no predetermined maximum credit line. Credit card companies charge for card use and penalties for unpaid balances. Some credit cards allow for repayment over time, but […]
R&D management involves overseeing the investment of money and effort in research and development projects. It includes determining which projects to pursue, cost accounting, project management, and product lifecycle management. It is essential for companies in manufacturing, science, and product development to devote resources to R&D as part of a long-term management strategy. R&D management […]
Old English, spoken in Britain for 700 years from the mid-5th century, was influenced by Germanic and Celtic languages and later Latin. It used the runic alphabet until adopting the Latin alphabet. Wessex became the standard dialect, leading to the language spoken today. Surviving texts include Beowulf and the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. Old English is different […]
Platitudes, or meaningless and condescending statements, are often used in emotional situations but are not preferred. Sincere expressions of grief and support are better. In the workplace, platitudes can irritate workers and lead to problems of commitment and morale. Managers should listen to employees and provide honest feedback to retain qualified employees. The word “flatness” […]
An idiot savant is a person with a mental disability who displays extraordinary abilities, often due to extreme autism. Not all autistic people have savant skills, but some may have greater abilities in certain areas. Left-brain disruption can also lead to savant-like abilities. The term “idiot savant” is outdated and inappropriate, and most people now […]
Critical incident stress debriefing is a counseling process that helps people who have experienced trauma return to normal life as soon as possible. It can be done individually or in groups and involves three stages: defusing, debriefing, and follow-up. The goal is to reassure victims that their feelings are normal and provide coping strategies. Critical […]
“Shadow stock” can refer to a publicly traded stock that gains value when a similar new stock trends higher, or to a phantom stock plan where employees receive compensation based on rising stock values without receiving shares in the company. This is used as an incentive for employees to increase the company’s value. Payments are […]
Strategic communication is a plan for marketing and promoting a business, involving all levels of the organization. It requires strategic thinking and measurement tactics to increase sales and achieve business objectives. Strategic communication is a well thought out plan for marketing and promoting a business. It involves promoting and marketing a brand, product, or service […]
A frame story is a literary technique where an initial story is used to set up a second story with more emphasis. The narrator or character introduces the second story, inviting the reader to follow. This technique is popular in literature, film, and television, and has been used for centuries. An example is Washington Irving’s […]
The pilcrow, a backward P with two vertical lines, is used in publishing to mark new paragraphs and separate text blocks. It was once used to identify new thoughts and has specialized uses in legal and academic writing. It is rarely used in finished text and is more commonly used in editing. Some religions use […]
Scripophily is the study and collection of old stocks and bonds, with many collectors interested in the aesthetic and historical value of documents from the 19th and early 20th centuries. While many stocks and bonds are now issued electronically, there are still opportunities for collectors to study and collect historical documents. International and regional scripophile […]
A senior purchasing manager oversees a company’s procurement process, establishing policies and procedures for purchasing goods and services from authorized vendors. They are responsible for identifying the company’s purchasing needs, developing sources of supply, negotiating contracts, and evaluating supplier performance. A senior purchasing manager oversees a company’s purchasing process. It defines the policies and procedures […]
A grace period is a time when a payment can be made without penalty. Credit cards, insurance, rent, utilities, and student loans often have grace periods, but it’s important to pay on time to avoid fees. A grace period is a period of time when someone is late on a payment, but there are no […]
Idylls are idealized poems, images, and music that romanticize rural peasant life, particularly shepherds. The term comes from the Greek word eidyllion and was popular during the Romantic period. Theocritus wrote some of the earliest idylls, and the subject often includes the concept of the “noble savage.” Famous writers of idylls include Goethe, Leopardi, Tennyson, […]
Cerebral palsy is a medical condition where children cannot control muscle movement, which can be diagnosed at 18 months. The cause is unknown, but it may be due to genetics, drug addiction, or lack of oxygen during birth. There are different forms of cerebral palsy, and there is no known cure, but physical therapy can […]
Normal loss is an expected loss that occurs during business operations, such as evaporation or non-compliant products. Companies may sell inferior products as second quality to recover some investment. Normal loss is a classification of loss that occurs during the routine course of a business operation. Losses of this type are anticipated and often result […]
A source text can refer to the original version of a literary work, primary sources for historians, contemporary evidence for journalists, or raw text for computer programs. Translations and edits alter the meaning of literary works, while historians critically analyze sources for biases. Journalists use vetted sources, and computer programs format raw text data. A […]
An epistle is a formal letter, often used in the Christian New Testament, attributed to authors such as Paul, Peter, and John. The word comes from Greek, meaning “letter” or “message.” Paul wrote 13 epistles, but authorship of some is disputed. Epistles generally follow a formal structure, but can vary in length and style. An […]
A man’s man engages in traditionally masculine activities and earns respect from other men, but changing gender roles have led to a redefinition of manhood. Such men pride themselves on being practical, tough, and logical, and may prefer self-sufficiency. Some find this culture off-putting, while others view it as a prime example of how to […]
Completion bonds ensure projects are completed even if the owner runs out of funds. They are common in mortgages for large construction projects and in the production of major motion pictures, protecting both the mortgagor and mortgagee from financial reversals. The completion bond prevents investors from losing funds and protects project initiators from unforeseen circumstances. […]
