Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Vocational training

Swift's Utopian Visions and Literary Influences

In the tradition of extraordinary voyages, most significant for Swift were the two posthumous works of Cyrano de Bergerac (1619-1655):

• Histoire comique des états et empires de la lune (1656)
• Histoire comique des états et empires du soleil (1657)

Cyrano de Bergerac: A Key Influence on Swift

The Society of Moon Dwellers: Cyrano's Utopia

Cyrano's lunar society is depicted as:

• A crimeless idyll with a natural abundance of food, minimal work, beautiful females, and eternal spring.
• As there is no crime, there are no lawyers.
• Physicians are unnecessary since the Lunarians live healthy lives.
• Upon death, there is no grief but a kind of rejoicing at passing into heaven.

Cyrano's Lunar Voyage and Brobdingnag Parallels

Swift... Continue reading "Jonathan Swift's Utopian Satire and Literary Roots" »

Essential Commercial and Financial Documents

Understanding the various commercial and financial documents is crucial for smooth business operations and international trade. Each document serves a specific purpose, ensuring clarity, legality, and proper record-keeping.

Order Proposal

An Order Proposal is a document by which the buyer or customer agrees to acquire goods ordered from the supplier.

• It is always signed by the person who makes the request.
• Each company will settle its own order.

Delivery Note

A Delivery Note is a document issued by the supplier or seller, detailing the goods being delivered.

• It accompanies a shipment of goods.
• It lists the description and quantity of the goods delivered.
• It is returned to the seller or consignor as proof of

Employment Contracts

What is an Employment Contract?

An employment contract is an agreement between an employer and an employee. The employee provides services to the employer in exchange for remuneration. The contract marks the beginning of the employment relationship and establishes a series of rights and obligations for both parties. The employee works under the direction and organization of the employer.

Key Elements of an Employment Contract

Essential components include:

• Consent: Represents the free will of both parties to agree, without deception or fraud.
• Object: Defines the obligations of each party. The work performed must be personal, voluntary, paid, and dependent (under the employer's direction).
• Cause: The reason for the agreement –

Candidate Assessment: A Comprehensive Guide

Profile Study

• Assessment of CV presentation
• Analysis of cover letter
• Check for 5/6 essential profile factors: Age, degree, training, experience.
• Selection of suitable candidates
• Communication to rejected candidates

Preliminary Interview

Important for removing unsuitable candidates.

• Short
• Informs the candidate of basic workplace features: salary, contract type, position, specific location.

Assessment and Psychometric Tests

• Aims to measure personality, skills, and knowledge.
• Predicts future behavior in a specific job.

In-Depth Interview

• Introduce the candidate to the job and company.
• Evaluate the candidate's real potential for development.
• Evaluate opportunities for future development.
• Report on past behavior in similar

Relive the sound of Summer 2012 with the official tracklist from Flaix FM.

1. Sak Noel – Where? (I Lost My Underwear)
2. Nicki Minaj – Starships (Radio Edit)
3. DJ Antoine feat. The Beat Shakers – Ma Chérie (DJ Antoine vs. Mad Mark 2k12 Radio Edit)
4. Pitbull & Chris Brown – International Love (Album Edit)
5. Bob Sinclar feat. Gilbere Forte, Dragonfly & Fatman Scoop – Rock The Boat
6. Alexandra Stan feat. Carlprit & Jason Ray - 1.000.000
7. Havana Brown – We Run the Night
8. Deniz Koyu – Tung!
9. Victor Magan & Aritz feat. Lessus – Give (Radio Edit)
10. Ian Carey & Rosette feat. Timbaland & Brasco – Amnesia
11. Basto – Again And Again
12. Elena – Your Captain Tonight
13. Tom Hangs & Shermanology – Blessed (Avicii Radio Edit)
14. Mike T feat. Rawanne

Twisted Pair Cable Subclassifications

Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP)

• They do not have a conducting screen.
• Advantage: Very flexible.
• Disadvantage: Very sensitive to interference.

Shielded Twisted Pair (STP)

• Each pair is surrounded by a protective mesh.
• Disadvantage: Less flexible.
• Advantage: Improved immunity to noise, reducing interference.

Shielded/Foiled Twisted Pair (S/FTP)

• An overall screen is added to all cables.
• Advantage: Enhanced noise immunity (even better than STP).

Foiled Twisted Pair (FTP)

• They have an overall conducting screen in the form of a braid.
• Advantage: Reduces interference.
• Disadvantage: More expensive than STP.

Analog vs. Digital Signals

• Analog signals represent continuous functions and can take any value within a range.
• Digital signals

What is Marketing?

Marketing is fundamentally about identifying and profitably meeting human and social needs. It encompasses the activity, set of institutions, and processes for creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging offerings that hold value for customers, clients, partners, and society at large.

Defining Marketing & Management

Marketing management is both an art and a science. It involves choosing target markets and then attracting, retaining, and expanding customer relationships by creating, delivering, and communicating superior customer value.

Marketing vs. Selling: A Key Distinction

Managers sometimes mistakenly view marketing as solely “the art of selling products.” However, many are surprised to learn that selling is... Continue reading "Understanding Marketing: Core Concepts & Applications" »

Passive Voice

This shirt needs to be ironed

This shirt needs ironing

The house needs to be painted

The house needs painting

Both sentences are correct

Both sentences have the same meaning

Instances of Passive Voice

• When the agent is unknown
• When the agent is irrelevant
• When the agent is obvious from the context

Uses of 'Have Something Done'

• A service provided: I had my house painted
• Describe something unpleasant: John had his passport stolen
• Future statements (promises): I will have my homework done for tomorrow

Conditional Sentences

I went to the optician yesterday and I tested my eyesight because you do not test yourself, the optician does it.

Zero Conditional

Also called real factual, is used for general truths

IF + PRES SIMPLE + PRES SIMPLE

First Conditional

Also... Continue reading "English Grammar: Passive Voice and Conditional Sentences" »

Understanding Competences and Skills

Defining Competences

What are competences or skills?

• They are what make people competent: the prerequisites for effective action.
• They should take into account all general and specific knowledge, skills, and motivations needed for effective action.

Action Categories for Graduates

According to Allen, Ramaekers, and van der Velden (2005), higher education graduates may find themselves in nine primary action categories:

• Directing productive tasks
• Directing the work of others
• Planning
• Coordination
• Control
• Innovation
• Information management
• Maintaining relations with personnel
• Maintaining relations with clients

Types of Competences: General and Specific

General Competences Explained

General competences can be applied across a range... Continue reading "Defining Competences: Skills for Career Success" »

Marketing Innovation

Innovation in marketing is critical. Imaginative ideas on strategy exist in many places within a company.

Senior management should identify and encourage fresh ideas from three underrepresented groups: employees with youthful or diverse perspectives, employees far removed from company headquarters, and employees new to the industry. Each group can challenge company orthodoxy and stimulate new ideas.

Scenario analysis: Develop different ideas. “What will we do if it happens?”

Dimensions of Business Innovation

• Offerings (WHAT): Develop innovative new products or services.
• Platform: Use common components or building blocks to create derivative offerings.
• Solutions: Create integrated and customized offerings that solve end-to-