Managing Uncertainty- How does the dollar affect the diamond industry Essay

Managing Uncertainty- How does the dollar affect the diamond industry in India - Essay Example In 2011, the amount of uncut diamonds was 120 million carats; as compared to the 150 million carats in 2007. This decline is alarming and is an issue of concern that needs to be addressed. The impact of the dollar on the diamond market in India Based on the complicated and complex forms of uncertainties, one can conduct an analysis of the impact that the fluctuation of the dollar has had on the diamond market in the United States. Before the 1990s, the Forex system used to be fixed; however, after the 90s, the Indian government changed the system to a model based on floating rate. The purpose of the fixed rate system was to ensure that rupee fared well against other major world currencies such as Euro, Dollar, as well as GBP. Under the floating rate, the market forces can be regarded as the determinants of supply, as well as demand of the currency. In this case, there is a decline in the value of the currency when demand is less than its supply. When the supply is less than the deman d of the currency, there is an increase in the value of the currency. ... When there are more payments made using dollars as compared to the amount of foreign currency received, what results is a huge supply of the dollar in foreign markets. Consequently, the value of the dollar will fluctuate compared to other world currencies. This has affected the diamond industry in India, which exports some of its diamond products to the United States (Poros 2011, p.65). The other reason why the dollar has witnessed massive fluctuation is because of the huge amounts of U.S dollars in foreign markets such as India. This high amount of the currency has led to its fluctuation, thus affecting the diamond market in India, which uses the US dollar as one of the major currencies while conducting trade. The fluctuation in the value of the dollar also emanates from the huge gap created by the balance of payments deficit. Over time, the U.S dollar has weakened, thus resulting to a huge BOP deficit. The fluctuation in the value of the dollar has also resulted to the reduction in the Foreign Direct Investment in India. This has significantly affected the diamond industry in India since few people wish to invest in the country. The decline in FDI does not attract investors; rather it keeps them away, thus resulting to low investments and little trade in precious commodities such as diamond (Eskeland et al 2003, p.73). The fluctuation of the dollar has also had an impact on traders who either supply the commodity to India, or import it from India after processing. The diamond market in India has also been affected by the diamond industry in China. Whereas India uses the dollar as a primary currency, China does not highly depend on the dollar. As a result, the Indian

Evaluaring Strategies Essay Example for Free

Evaluaring Strategies Essay The final results of any corporation can be measured in financial terms (profit, revenue growth, etc.) The authors of the HBR article on the use of a balanced scorecard recommend that the scorecard be used supplement these traditional financial metrics with performance measurement criteria relating to the perspectives of customers, internal business processes and learning and growth (Kaplan Norton, 1996). Since it is not possible to execute what you cannot measure, the balanced scorecard is a strategic management system that helps to measure and focus a companys strategy. The scorecard was devised to complement financial measures. It enables companies to track financial results while, at the same time, monitor progress of the mechanisms that are needed future growth. The problem with traditional management systems is that there are not able to link a companys long-term strategy with its short-term actions. So while financial measures are essential on the short-term, with the scorecard approach, they do not become the sole indicators of a company’s progress.   The scorecard introduces four new management processes that provide an avenue for the linkage between long-term strategic objectives and short-term actions. These are: Translating the vision Communicating and linking Business planning and Feedback and learning Translating the vision This process helps managers translate the organizations vision statements and strategy statements into an integrated set of objectives and measures that illustrate what drives long-term success. This process is necessary because some of the generalized statements of purpose (like â€Å"best in class†, â€Å"empowered organization†) defined by top management may not mean much in an operational sense to those tactical managers and operatives who need to carry out the mission in their day-to-day activities. Communicating and linking This process allows managers communicate their strategy upwards (to their superiors) and downwards (to their reports/subordinates) link this strategy to departmental and individual objectives. Since departments are typically evaluated by their financial performance, and individual incentives are tied to short-term financial goals, this process ensures that all levels of the organization understand the long-term strategy and aligns both departmental and individual objectives with it. Business planning Business planning is that process which ensures that business and financial plans of the organization are integrated. The prevalent occurrence of change programs in today’s organization makes it difficult for managers to integrate these initiatives with the strategic goal. However, when the scorecard approach is applied towards allocating resources and setting priorities for meeting the change initiatives, such programs can be coordinated in such a way that they line up with the overall strategic goal. Feedback and learning The authors postulate that this process gives companies the capacity for strategic learning. The scorecard enables companies to modify strategies to reflect real-time learning by evaluating strategy in the light of recent performance. By translating the vision, executives can come to such consensus as to what services and products will best stimulate growth or what customer segments to place emphasis on. The specifics of this translation will help the employees realize the vision. Applying the process of communicating and linking may result in managers understanding how business re-engineering initiatives may lead to fulfilling the goal of on-time delivery to clients. Business planning processes can include the integration of the results of budget sessions with those of strategic planning sessions and ensuring that the budget supports the strategy. Feedback and learning processes give the organization the ability to produce Chris Argyll’s concept of â€Å"double-loop learning†.   The concept suggests that cause-and-effect relationships can be identified when linkages are measured based on results from in the first 3 processes (Translating the vision, Communicating and linking, Business planning). Such relationships could result in findings such as that there are correlations between employees morale and customer satisfaction. In summary, it is important to control the short-term measures of financial performance of a company as well as longer-term parameters as learning and growth, internal business processes, and customer satisfaction for proper alignment between the overall strategy of the organization with its subsequent realization. Where such introspection is actively pursued by the organization and it results in projects like business re-engineering, marketing strategies and increased customer satisfaction, all in alignment with the organizational strategy, the end-result will cause a synergy that leads to improved financial results. REFERENCE Kaplan, R. S., Norton, D. P., (1996). Using the Balanced Scorecard as a Strategic Management System. Harvard Business Review, 74(1).

Disadvantaged Health Status of Indigenous People

Disadvantaged Health Status of Indigenous People Why are indigenous people in Australia still disadvantaged with regard to health and community services? The status of Indigenous health in contemporary Australia is a result of historic factors as well as contemporary socio-economic issues (Hampton Toombs, 2013, p. 1). The deficient health stature of Indigenous Australians is a contemporary consequence of their historical treatment as Australias traditional owners and as of a result of cultural issues that impact on the acceptance of health and community services. This historical treatment and cultural issues has led to Indigenous Australians experiencing social disadvantages, significantly low socio-economic status, dispossession, poverty and powerlessness within contemporary Australian society. Previous to the invasion and colonisation by the British on January 26, 1788, the indigenous people were the carers of Australia and the Torres Strait for a period of over 60,000 years. During this time, it is suggested that Indigenous Australians lived relatively prosperous lives and enjoyed generally better health than most people living in Europe (Hampton Toombs, Indigenous Australian concepts of health and well-being, 2013). Indigenous Australians mortality was greatly affected by the considerable loss of lives caused by the direct conflict with the British and by the arrival of introduced diseases, especially smallpox. The impact of this loss extended far beyond the immediate victims of disease, affecting the very fabric of Indigenous societies through depopulation and social disruption (MacRae, et al., 2012). Traditionally, Indigenous Australians had complete freedom over all parts of their lives such as, ceremonies, spiritual practices, medicine, social relationships, management of land and law and economic affairs (Saggers Gray, 1991). Along with the impacts of introduced diseases and conflict, Indigenous Australians also experienced harmful effects related to disconnection from Country due to the spread of colonists and their subsequent political policies. For an Indigenous Australian, Country is not just physical territory but the central aspect of their identity (Hampton Toombs, Racism, colonisation/colonialism and impacts on indigenous people, 2013). Occupation and colonialism impacted far beyond the physical, as Indigenous Australians had their culture devalued, traditional food sources destroyed, and were separated from their families and in some cases entire communities were expelled. This caused separation or loss of languages, beliefs and social structures which form the fund amental basis of Indigenous cultures. The current condition of Indigenous health has been impacted negatively by the stolen generations and other past government practises and for many Indigenous Australians, the ongoing effects have created other social, emotional and physical disadvantages. These disadvantages are evident through the social determinants of health, including; economic opportunity, physical infrastructure, and social conditions that influence the health of individuals, communities, and societies as a whole. Inequalities in these are especially evident in education, employment, income, housing, access to services, social networks, connection with land, racism, and incarceration rates. In all of these factors, Indigenous Australians experience considerably lower rates than non-Indigenous Australians, with the most disturbing being that Indigenous Australians have a drastically lower life expectancy rate and overall health status, than non-Indigenous Australians. For indigenous people, the rate of chronic disease is still 2.5 times higher than that of other Australians and they die 15 to 20 years younger than those in mainstream Australia (Australian Health Ministers, 2004). More than half of these figures are caused by chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease and kidney disease. The majority of these chronic diseases are preventable and while research is continuing to find ways to reduce the risk factors, issues such as smoking, alcohol and substance abuse, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and promoting healthy eating and active lifestyles are still major challenges in Indigenous communities throughout Australia. Healthy living choices are not easy for people living in remote communities which results in a high incidence of preventable chronic disease. Good nutrition is fundamental to the maintenance of general well-being and the prevention of sickness and disease. It plays an imperative role in pregnancy and early childhood, prevents obesity and type 2 Diabetes and can lower the risk of recurrent heart disease by up to 70%. However, remote communities face many barriers to healthy eating, including isolation, the high cost of food, the variable supply of fresh food, lack of community town infrastructure and inadequate health promotion support, are just a few of these barriers that prevent community people from being able to make healthy living choices All of these inequalities, combined with the social attitudes towards Indigenous Australians and their health in contemporary Australian society, contribute to the difficulties Indigenous Australians have accessing satisfactory healthcare. The provision of adequate healthcare for Indigenous Australians can be difficult as many service providers do not understand how Indigenous Australians view or understand health and many health services are not as user-friendly or culturally appropriate for Indigenous people as they are for non-Indigenous people. This adds to higher levels of disadvantage and a greater hesitance to utilise these services. The traditional Indigenous outlook on health is holistic. It integrates everything significant in a persons life, including land, environment, physical body, community, relationships, and law. Health is the social, emotional, and cultural well being of the whole community and the concept is therefore linked to the sense of being an Indigenous Aust ralian. Specific issues such as reducing the incidence of chronic disease requires a significantly greater effort in coordinating collective strengths, creating and delivering preventative programs and primary health care for Indigenous communities and while great work is being done, more efforts are required to reduce the high incidence of chronic disease on Indigenous people and communities. When designing and developing services to meet the needs of our Indigenous people, close collaboration and consultation with the people for whom the service will be provided is vital. It is important to remember that policies and practises of the past have had major adverse impacts on the health of contemporary Indigenous Australians, and these impacts have contributed significantly to the inequalities present in Indigenous and non-Indigenous health status. However, whilst health disadvantages experienced by Indigenous Australians are considered to be historical in origin, the perpetuation of the disadvantages relies heavily on contemporary structural and social factors. As a result of our history and because of the continuing disadvantage, our people have needs that differ from those of mainstream Australians. Therefore, it is also imperative that we acknowledge and respect the impact of events and issues in Indigenous peoples history when designing and delivering these services.

Andrew Llyod Webber BIO :: essays research papers

Andrew Lloyd Webber was born on March 22, 1948 to William & Jean Lloyd Webber. Even at a young age, Andrew loved to make his own music. Andrew also had a great interest in inspecting ancient monuments around England. It and history were what many thought he would choose to do for a career. However, his Aunt Vi introduced him to the theatre, and under her advice started writing music of his own. In 1956, Andrew went to Westminster and started composing music for the school's plays. In 1962, Andrew won a Challenge Scholarship that reduced his tuition at Westminster. Andrew won another scholarship in 1964 to transfer to Oxford. Tim Rice and Andrew met in 1965 and consequently, Andrew dropped out of Oxford to pursue music with Tim. The first musical Andrew wrote (The Likes of Us) was a failure, but soon afterwards Joseph was created. The first showing was at Colette Court in 1968. Jesus Christ Superstar came next. In 1971, Andrew married Sarah Jane Hugill. Andrew and Alan Ayckbourn, in 1975, started work on a new musical, Jeeves. Jeeves was not a success and Andrew went back to Tim. Together they wrote Evita in late 1975. The next musical, was Cats. It was an incredible hit and beat A Chorus Line for longest running musical and highest grossing musical! Cats made Andrew rich and famous and ready to start a musical about trains. Starlight Express was created in 1984, the most expensive musical created up to that point. The same year, Andrew divorced Sarah Hugill and married Sarah Brightman. Andrew's next work was Requiem. It isn't a musical, but serious music for a Mass. Sarah Brightman sang the female soprano part. Andrew's next work, Phantom of the Opera also included Sarah. One of Andrew's most famous works, Phantom was created in 1986. Aspects of Love, Andrew's next venture, opened in 1989. Its intimate setting and songs were critically praised. In 1991, Andrew and Sarah decided to call it quits and on February 15, 1991, Andrew got married yet again to Madeleine Gurdon.

Listening to Music Essay

Today stress is a factor that we have to learn living with, manipulating it to benefit us thereby preventing the development of depression and stress related diseases. This can be attributed to globalization which although it has greatly improved our lives and made our activities simpler it has also introduced negative aspects that lead to the development of stress. For instance programs and advertisements aired on our televisions are filled with violence which is viewed as eye catching and therefore tolerable. However, the violence has natured aggressive attitudes in children that are emanated in form of delinquent behavior in their teen lives thus developing stress from the prejudice and seclusion they receive from the community. Their parents too suffer from stress because of worrying about the safety and attitudes of their children. The community is also stressed by the menace of these teenagers. Many of you may be asking how stress can be managed especially with the little time that we have for ourselves, because most of our time is consumed by education and work. Worry no more because I have a solution that is easy to adapt to, access, simple to use and thus demands little effort from us; listening to music. My interest for music begun from childhood, whenever I was moody or angry I would lock myself in my room, turn the volume of my radio full blast and enjoy the tune of the music. Well this did not last for long because as you have all guessed I had to turn off the radio, orders from my parents, but the short period that I listened to the music did wonders because my anger subsided leaving me in a calm state. I can also attribute my success to music since while listening to its beats my concentration increases and thus develop ideas that will be beneficial to my life or solutions to problems that were disturbing me. Therefore, I am able to manage stress and its attributes (Chekitan & Schultz, 2005). Conducted research and studies have shown that music as a product is customer oriented because it portrays many benefits into our lives and acts as solutions to some of the demises that we suffer from. For instance today medical practitioners are using music to treat cancer patients whose treatment methods are painful and thus the patients require a relaxation factor to withstand the pain. Music is also used to treat children suffering from Attention deficient diseases (ADD) because it gives them a sense of belonging and increases their concentration, pain management, promote patients movement in wards as they will be tempted to move by the beat of the music, calm down patients, lower blood pressure, boost immunity and ease muscle tension for both the patients and medical practitioners (Laermer & Simmons, 2007). Music also penetrates into the brain cells stimulating the development of a brain wave whose resonance is in accordance to the tempo of the music. Music that contains fast, sharp and strong beats increases the concentration of the listeners thereby increasing their focus and thinking capacity. On the other hand music that constitutes slow beats results to the development of a calm state which has meditative therapy on the listeners thus relaxing them. Moreover, the ability of the brain to create different types of wave resonance is long lasting thus helping to manage stress. This is because these different brain waves also produce positive impacts onto the other parts of our bodies, for instance relaxation decreases breathing rate and heartbeat rate therefore reducing the chances for development of a chronic disease such as cardiac arrest. In the process havoc stress related responses are curbed because a positive state of the mind is maintained as the listeners develop an optimistic attitude. Furthermore, depending on the tempo of the music the relaxation soothes listeners to sleep a condition that eliminates stress, depression and anxiety effects (Kotler & Keller, 2005). Music also helps to improve the performance of students in class because the prominence of its beats eliminates environmental factors which distract the attention of students causing them to occasionally fidget and increase their desire to stand up and move around. This is because the repetition of the music beat contributes to the relaxation of muscles which reduces the hyperactive nature of the students thus increasing their focus on what they are learning. Music has also proved to be beneficial while exercising. This is because music helps the exerciser to concentrate on what he is doing as all the external factors that may contribute to his distraction are eliminated. Also the relaxation effect that the music creates reduces the strain that the exerciser may feel thus increasing his exercising capacity. Music also arouses psycho motor sensations improving the exercisers motor coordination (Barlon, 2006). Furthermore, there are many types of music that can suit the desires of everybody whether old, young, professional, rich or poor. Music as a product provides a wide range of selection that can be used to achieve certain benefits. The ability of music presenting a choice to its listeners proves that it is market oriented this is because people can change the type of music they are listening to suit a particular occasion. For instance when lifting weights music that contains fast and sharp beats should be used to help the exerciser increase the tension of his muscles and thus comfortably lift his weights. Contrary to this if slow music is used the exercisers tends to get tired quickly because the weights feel heavier due to the relaxation effect of the slow music (Silk & Harvard Business School Press 2006). The price of music is cheap because the benefit it prevails outweighs its monetary value. Listening to music is therefore affordable because little money is contributed to access music and listening devices. However, this is only done once because one remains with the music and the equipment thus will not need to contribute more money if he wants to listen to the music again. Moreover, the attention and energy needed to access music is little and in fact it is perceived as one of the music benefits because it increases the concentration and focus of the music seeker. Furthermore, the time spent when purchasing music is so little because music is sold by many people therefore, it is not a rare commodity. Also music is well classified and thus one cannot waste a lot of time looking for the type of music he/she desires to listen to (Sandhusen, 2008). Music is easily accessible because it can be found everywhere and there are so many devices that have been developed to aid in the simplification of attaining and storing music. Music can now be found in stores, online, itunes, mp3 sharing, ipods, from the television and the radio among other places. Thus people can enjoy the benefits of music without waiting for long periods of time because music is not located in a distant place that one needs to travel to purchase it or needs to wait for its delivery (Barlon, 2006). Media agencies are also promoting the benefits of listening to music by educating and advising people to seek this mechanism especially when under stress. The exposure on the benefits attained from listening to music that the media has done has increased the attention of many who have resulted to the conduction of research and studies that prove my contention to be true. This has also led to the establishment of music therapy a discipline that has now gained popularity as it can be used in all industries whether administration or medical. Furthermore, information about music therapy can be easily accessed online where the process used to perform music therapy, the cost of attaining these services and the location where these institutions can be found is well expressed and is in a language that is easily understood. Furthermore, music can be perceived as a universal language because music is globally listened to therefore, each one of us acts as an advertising agent for music influencing other people to start listening to a particular type of music in an attempt of attaining the same benefits (Barlon, 2006). From the above it is quite clear that listening to music can prevent the occurrence of negative stress related attributes such as suicide attempts, heart failures, loneliness and the pessimistic attitude among others. Therefore, everybody should make listening to music their hobby or increase the time they dedicate to this precious life extender and health maintainer mechanism. However, we must remember that although the power of music is good and results to unimaginable wonders to attain this, one must intelligently choose the right type of music to listen to at a certain time or occasion and use effective measures for instance while exercising low volume of the music is required to prevent further distraction of exerciser. Therefore, I would encourage people to listen to music which is productive and whose meaning or concept can easily be understood. Word Count: 1499 Reference List Barlon, K. (2006). The Concept of the Marketing Mix. Presentation on Marketing Management, 1, 2–7. Chekitan, S. D. & Schultz, E. D. (2005). In the Mix: A Customer-Focused Approach Can Bring the Current Marketing Mix into the 21st Century. Marketing Management, 14(1). Kotler, P. & Keller, L. (2005). Marketing Management. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Laermer, R. & Simmons, M. (2007). Punk Marketing. New York: Harper Collins. Sandhusen, R. (2008). Marketing. 4th Edition. Hauppauge, NY: Barron’s Educational Series. Silk, J. A. & Harvard Business School Press (2006). What is Marketing. Watertown, MA: Harvard Business Press.

Ethical and Socially Responsive Business essay

Ethical and Socially Responsive Business essay Ethical and Socially Responsive Business essay Ethical and Socially Responsive Business essayThe Cheesecake Factory, Inc. is a restaurant company and a nationwide distributor of cheesecakes. The company operates a chain of 175 full-service restaurants, several facilities for producing bakery and offers bakery-based menus under licensing conditions to other restaurants and food service operators. The company was founded in 1978 by David Overton, and went public in 1993. In 2011, the Cheesecake Factory, Inc. started its international expansion. Currently the companys restaurants are located in Dubai, in the UAE, in Kuwait and in Saudi Arabia. However, the major part of the companys restaurants are located in the United States.Ethics, compliance and corporate social responsibility are highly important for Cheesecake Factory, Inc. The companys viability strongly depends on customer satisfaction and engagement, and therefore it is essential for the Cheesecake Factory, Inc. to have a clear code of conduct for all employees. It is essen tial that the code of conduct is shared and that employees consistently adhere to this code. Furthermore, being an international company, the Cheesecake Factory, Inc. should pay attention to being sustainable and to being socially responsible. CSR is nowadays a critically important component of a business model (Asongu, 2007) and therefore the Cheesecake Factory, Inc. should incorporate CSR into its strategy in order to remain competitive. Key areas of the code of conduct that are of significant importance to businessThe Cheesecake Factory, Inc. has two documents formulating the companys values and rules of conduct. The Code of Ethics and Code of Business Conduct is a document that applies to all company employees, affiliates, subsidiaries and members of the Board of Directors. There is one more document named the Code of Ethics for Executive Officers, Senior Financial Officers and Directors which applies to the respective positions.The former document covers areas that are of signi ficant important to Cheesecakes Factory business. First of all, there is legal compliance which is essential for the companys normal functioning, financial well-being and reputation. The code of conduct also describes the cases when conflicts of interests might emerge; the situations with potential conflicts of interest might have an impact on the companys relationships with stakeholders, financial position (e.g. in the case when business interests are conflicting) or reputation. An essential aspect is working with external parties such as contractors and suppliers in accordance with the companys ethical principles.One more important aspect is non-solicitation of non-company related services or goods by employees of the Cheesecake Factory, Inc. Any attempts of such solicitation will have an impact on the companys atmosphere, might cause dissatisfaction among customers and lead to financial losses and reputation damages. Critically important aspects of the code of conduct are   pro tection of confidential information, protection of the companys stock against insider trading and protection of corporate assets. Key reasons for including these sections are financial reasons   and protecting the companys stock.There are many sections devoted to protecting the companys image and reputation against improper actions, e.g. protection against employees making statements on behalf of the company. Reputation is very important for restaurants, so it is necessary to include measures supporting reputation and customer satisfaction in the code of conduct. Furthermore, the code openly states that employees are expected and obliged to help enforce this code, and explains what is expected from managers and supervisors. These sections help ensure that employees follow and respect the code of conduct.In the second document, the aspects of interest conflicts, non-disclosure of confidential information and compliance with company procedures specific for senior executives are cons idered. Furthermore, the procedures of reporting violations and consequences of non-compliance are considered in this document. Senior executives have more power and more responsibility, and their actions have a greater impact on the company, so there is a need to highlight special conduct aspects in a separate document. Key steps for the company to ensure that employees follow the code of conductFirstly, there should be a system for getting employees familiar with the code of conduct. The code of conduct and basic ethics training should be included in the information set for new employees. Furthermore, it will be best to offer a short ethical review with discussion of practical situations after presenting the code of conduct and learning materials.The second method for ensuring that employees follow the code of conduct is the availability of comprehensive and confidential ethics reporting. It might be helpful to organize a system for reporting the potential violations without discl osing identity and to make ethical investigations without disclosing information about the person who requested the investigation. This system would prevent retaliation attempts and would protect the well-being of responsible employees. The Corporate Ethics Officer and restaurant managers responsible for ethics and compliance should maintain this system.Thirdly, it is necessary to organize semi-annual or annual ethical training sessions for employees. In these sessions, actual compliance cases should be reviewed along with methods of reporting. The importance of ethical behaviors and compliance should be shown during the training sessions in order to increase employee motivation to adhere to the code of conduct. Ways of engaging in socially responsible activities in the communityAs a global company, the Cheesecake Factory, Inc. should contribute to the communities in which it operates and act in a socially responsible way. In general, it is possible to identify three types of corpor ate social responsibility: environmentally responsible activities (also referred to as sustainability), ethical labor practices and philanthropic activities (investing into local communities and nonprofits) (Sims, 2013). Each of these categories of CSR can be used to benefit local communities.For the Cheesecake Factory, Inc., the following types of socially responsible activities are recommended. In terms of sustainability, the company could practice organic sourcing and purchase ingredients from local farmers and communities producing organic food. In terms of ethical labor practices, the company could provide better working conditions for its employees, cover their healthcare insurance and offer additional benefits allowing them to keep work-life balance such as flexible schedule, baby care facilities, etc. Such changes will improve well-being of employees of Cheesecake Factory, Inc. and will have positive impact on the communities.In terms of philanthropic activities, the Cheesec ake Factory, Inc. might collaborate with community organizations striving for healthier life, sponsor projects and activities of such organizations. For example, the company might offer healthy menus, sponsor runs and fitness activities in the community and market healthy way of living to its customers. All above-mentioned activities will help make the company more efficient and will improve its reputation and popularity, therefore making the company more financially viable as well.

buy custom Peter Blackmore Information Technology essay

buy custom Peter Blackmore Information Technology essay Peter Blackmore, a head of high-end hardware sales was set up to fail from the very beginning because new computer systems started working immediately he was fired by Palo Alto, a computer and printing company based in California. Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina confirmed this at a conference in banc of American scurrilities at San Francisco. In Peter Blackmores era, an unacceptable execution occurred in HP while shifting to new costumer systems that were meant to facilitate the processing of orders and management of supplies for servers and storage products. Firing Peter Blackmore as a result of the debacle in the system installation was a bad thing for him but a good thing for the company as it was a damage control tool and an assurance to its investors, customers, board of directors and its employees. The HP Companys good image was starting to get ruined because a customer among the many others was testifying about the better services Dell Computer Corporation was offering. Chris Lopinto, a CEO of Hillcrest Technologies in Patchogue New York also complained about the server he got from HP 8 months after he ordered it and it still had not been preinstalled with the operating system it was meant to have. The company would risk losing its customers if its competitors made a step of visiting HP customer sites and urged to meet the complaining customers and convinced them into striking a deal where they would offer them with high end hardware business with promises of timely and error free sales order. Its common that if we want something done, we better do them ourselves. Carly Fiorina should have gotten involved in the order-processing project in order to show his dedication towards the IT change as this would restore full confidence to Hewlett-Packard fraternity. This would make him appreciate both successes and failures emerging from that department because firing an employee for not delivering and more, so failing to give the same employee a second chance is not the way forward. Her involvement would also remove political barriers, organizational roadblocks and vendor related issues in its goal to thwart competitive threats. Buy custom Peter Blackmore Information Technology essay

Defining Psychoborg Through Michael Jackson Morimura Essay Example

Defining Psychoborg Through Michael Jackson Morimura Essay Example Defining Psychoborg Through Michael Jackson Morimura Essay Defining Psychoborg Through Michael Jackson Morimura Essay Defining Psychoborg through Michael Jackson Morimura As an artist, one’s art may be used to depict emotion, used as an outlet for expression, or even to convey a distinctive message. Whether this may be appreciative or analytical in its purpose, Yasumasa Morimura’s depiction of the pop-icon, Michael Jackson, are certainly radical in his piece Psychoborg, from 1994. As a matter of fact, there is a clear resemblance between Michael Jackson and Yasumasa Morimura himself because he uses his art in order to identify himself and construct the Other, distinguish a transformation to create a multifaceted disposition, and creates no divergence between culture, race, and gender. In his works, the Japanese artist, Yasumasa Morimura, incorporates images of himself inserted into other famous western paintings and photographs using the computer. In this particular piece, he uses a photograph of Michael Jackson in three different poses, and inserts his face into each one. By doing so, Morimura is removing himself from his own body, characteristics, and identity, which in return embody the disposition of Michael Jackson himself. The composition being divided into 3 distinct parts, well divided into the general rule of thirds, also creates balance amongst the 3 characters depicted in this photograph. It allows for the viewer to be able to distinctively notice three different dimensions in the main character. The first pose (starting from left to right) being a photograph of something superhuman which distinguishes both Morimura and Michael Jackson as individuals with animal qualities and symbolize the embodiment of someone or something other than himself. In the second pose, we see Morimura and his hands firm in a rigged pose, however his face is relaxed, seeming solitary and calm. And in the third pose featuring the character as â€Å"the freak† refers to both â€Å"Morimura and Michael Jackson as â€Å"cyborgs† rather than humans. Similarly to Michael Jackson’s Thriller video, â€Å"it is the tale of the double, the man with two selves and two souls. † Subsequently, this explains that Michael Jackson, which very similarly to Morimura, both utilize artistic methods in order to identify their Other. Through this piece, we can see that Morimura dissects his individuality and identity while placing it into another individual helps indentify himself as a charact er with dual personalities and multiple dimensions. As Joonsung Yoon states, â€Å"his artwork reveals that photography is able to deconstruct and reconstruct his own self in a new way which constitutes and realizes the self, and of our contemporary way of seeing our own absence. † We can see that Morimura uses his artwork to draw similarities between his subject(s), Michael Jackson(s), in which he is able to distinguish and establish his â€Å"Other†. As well, the photograph being black and white provides high contrast and distinction within the image. This allows the viewer to be able to differentiate the background from the 3 characters themselves, which draws attention to the rigged poses of the 3 characters. This also suggests that the one character, both Michael Jackson and Yasumasa Morimura, are in or are experiencing transformation. As this piece depicts, Morimura and Michael Jackson both being: creatures, calm, and freaks as well. The artist, Morimura believes that adaptability and flexibility are both important characteristics that both he and Michael Jackson both posses. In fact, the artist even â€Å"explained his intentions by saying he believed all people had a common desire for transformation. † By showing the different stages through diverse and contrasting poses in this piece, the viewer is able to understand the transition of the transformation in both Morimura and Michael Jackson; Morimura specifically because he is literally in transformation through his portrait being inserted into another mans body in this photograph. Michael Jackson, however, shows this through his variety of expressions figuratively through his poses. Therefore, through the transition of different poses displayed in Morimura’s piece, Psychoborg, it is clear that both individuals have numerous and diverse attributes, which are identified through transformation in his piece. In the piece Psychoborg, Morimura also breaks the barriers between race, gender, and culture. Yasumasa Morimura being of Japanese origin, places himself in the body form of an African American man, which transcends racial segregations. Joonsung Yoon expresses how Morimura â€Å"shuttles back and forth between Eastern and Western cultures. One side of the piece identifies the Western culture through the character’s outfit and attire. The piece also suggests Western cultural fragments because it is not a painting nor was it derived from a painting. The piece represents change within traditional Western art including paintings and drawings into a more radical contemporary movement, which include technological integrations from the computer. Morimura also chooses to incorporate himself into a worldly Western pop icon. Through this, he distinguishes no real distinction because he intertwines and incorporates both the Eastern and Western culture, virtually meshing them into one. Morimura transgresses his cultural territories from East to West†¦however, Morimura is not a Westerner but an Easterner. † Through the combining of a Japanese man into an African American man’s body, we can understand the integration between cultures and races. Yasumasa Morimura’s Psychoborg is a clear depiction drawing the similarities between Michael Jackson and Morimura. Morimura’s piece is extremely effective because the message presented to the viewer take on both the literal and figurative form. Through the incorporation of his own face into the body of another man, he uses his piece to identify his characteristics, and his identity, show a transformation through the multiple poses presented in the piece, and challenge cultural and racial differences between Western and Eastern cultures. Margo, Jefferson. On Michael Jackson. New York: Random House, 2006. Morimura, Yasumasa. Encyclopedia Britannica Online, 2009, Encyclopedia Britannica. 28 Oct. 2009 . Yoon, Joonsung. â€Å"SEEING HIS OWN ABSENCE: Culture and Gender in Yasumasa Morimura’s Photographic Self-Portraits. † Journal of Visual Art Practice 2001. 28 Oct. 2009 .

Mass Media Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Mass Media - Research Paper Example The reach of mass media is so vast that the Internet users who were 40 million in population in 1995 increased their numbers to above 800 million in the year, 2005 (Brym and Lie, 2006, pp.108). From a peripheral view, it can be seen that mass communication, is a one way process but mass media theorists have after deeper introspection, put forward different view points as well, regarding the nature of mass communication. Some theories focus on the top down dissemination of information. Some present mass communication scenario in a totally different light where social conflicts are reinforced and some others stresses the mutuality involved in a mass communication process with the producer and consumer on both ends. Reception of messages, the process of decoding them, giving feedback, and behavioral changes associated with this whole affair have to be taken into consideration while studying mass media. While looking into the various aspects of the social theories and their impact on the mass media as well as on the society as a whole, it can be inferred that only the three major sociology theories (functionalism, conflict, interactionism) in combination can address the complexities involved with the social institution, mass media. ... ion, social control (and) entertainment† which are the pillars on which a particular order of the society can stay firm (Brym and Lie, 2006, p.546). The four basic premises of this theory are that a) social structures and patterns mould or influence human behavior, b) a particular social structure can develop or destroy the total social stability, c) such social structures are built based on shared concepts and values, and d) it is only a matter of regaining equilibrium so that the society remains stable and peaceful (Brym and Lie, 2006, pp.13). This theory has great scope in assessing the impact of mass media in society, which can be considered as a social structure capable of maintaining and destroying social stability. The information or message that is handed over to the consumer through mass media is viewed here as having a unifying function at conceptual levels of the society. An idea is disseminated, it is discussed, and a consensual position created in the society, whic h is an outcome of shared values. Similarly, each and every individual who cater to the information disseminated by mass media, is actually going through a socialization process, which enables him/her to function in a society in an acceptable manner. It is the learning process of accepted social behavior that occurs in the mass media space. Before the emergence of mass media, the young people had to depend solely on their family, community and school for socialization but after mass media came into being, it has become the most important socializing space and tool. This is why it is observed that the youth has an inherent tendency to create and maintain their identities by processing the cultural messages that they get from the media, i.e.; they tend to imitate the outward looks as well as

The impact of american TV series 'Gossip Girl' on young adult females Essay - 1

The impact of american TV series 'Gossip Girl' on young adult females (consumerism, product placement, luxury lifestyle) - Ideol - Essay Example With more access to social media and exposure to advertisements, today’s youth are receiving overwhelming amount of information. Besides leisure choices, Television is moulding their day-to-day preferences and trying to influence them to adopt a certain unrealistic lifestyle as they view in their favourite TV series. Another major theme is unhealthy influence of media on the health and personality building decisions. Be it an attempt to follow an unhealthy lifestyle, acting like an adult or having an access to recent branded goods, there is a constant comparison between real lives and what is being portrayed on the TV (Toffoletti 2008, pp.72-5; McRobbie 2008, pp.534-42). On the contrary, these TV shows provide an opportunity to view how certain characters exhibit an ideal behaviour in difficult situations which can be learned by the audience (Hill 2011, pp.354- 357). Consumerism has affected spending patterns and buyer’s behaviours significantly all around the globe. Th e era’s prominent brands occupy major market share by strategizing techniques that appeal to the youth. This is in spite of buyers’ prior awareness of the fact that advertisements only show the brands that they want viewers to buy. The effort to induce positive perception in the consumers is so overwhelming that it has a tendency of affecting decisions of even the most knowledgeable buyers (Romeo 2009, pp.18-25). The Television sector is not far behind in this race and they also strive to increase their viewership. Television is a powerful medium that reaches billions of viewers on a daily basis (Turow 2005, pp.105-113). Trends introduced through this medium affect millions of young viewers on daily basis (Spalding, 2010). An upcoming trend that continues to gain prominence over traditional television commercials is marketing brands in television series or movies; whereby, big corporations avail their products to actors in a television series as part of costume and dec or as a marketing strategy as is the case in the TV series Gossip Girl. The TV series is based on a best-selling series of novels written by Cecily von Ziegesar about the tumultuous life of Manhattan's Upper East Side's elite young adults. The main themes in the TV series revolve around the love life, relationships, deceit, rivalry, power, and money together with luxury lifestyle of the main characters. The series, created by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, was first premiered on The CW in late September, 2007 (Spalding, 2010, p.3-67). Although, researches done by Turow (2005, pp. 105-113) and Saplding (2010) illustrate how TV, especially sitcoms, affect behavior and preferences of consumers; Keum et al. (2004, pp. 372-391) present a different opinion by saying that media creates social consciousness and status consciousness which leads to spurring an awareness of the social responsibilities associated with consuming and a pursuit of status-oriented lifestyles. These researchers were of the opinion that the shift in social and status consciousness occurs as a result of viewers’ obsession with emulating the behaviours and attitudes portrayed with the characters they hold in high esteem. This approach infers that TV series such as Gossip Girl plays a role in influencing viewers’ social and status consciousness, which in turn affects their attitudes and behaviours with regard to lifestyle and consumer choices. For example,

Economics College Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Economics College - Essay Example This event has crippled the economy, leading to a quarterly decline of 1.4% in the third quarter. The attack has "shut down the economy for several days and has had a lasting impact on tourism, the airline industry, and other businesses" (Economists Call it Recession 2001). In an annual basis, the US economy only managed to grow by 0.8% during 2001. The economy has entered a moderate state of recovery during 2002 where it posted 1.6% annual GDP growth. Recognizing the slowdown in the economy, the Bush administration planned to stimulate consumer spending and investment through the use of tax cuts. This fiscal policy was implemented in July 2003, taking immediate effect in the next quarter. The US has enjoyed an annual growth rate of 2.5% during that year which is strongly fueled by the rise in personal consumption expenditures coupled by a higher level of government spending. Also, the tax cut has been effective in creating jobs and boosting business growth. From 2004, the US economy has been posting growth at par with its pre-recession rates. GDP in 2004 rose by 3.9%, which 0.2% higher than the 2000 level. Annual growth rates in 2005 and 2006 are 3.2% and 3.4%, respectively.

In what ways does low-wage work involve more Essay

In what ways does low-wage work involve more - Essay Example (Miller, 1992) Normally, a married couple shares household expenses making it easier to support the financial needs of the family. This way, married women have ample time to do housework and duty as a mother. In the case of single mothers, the only way she could increase the income is by increasing the working hours. It means that a single mother usually ends up sacrificing her leisure time with her children in exchange for the income she would earn while working. For example: Jack is earning $5,000 a month working 8 hours a day as a manager in a five-star hotel whereas Cindy earns only around $500 a week working 8 hours on a part-time job as a waitress because she is taking care of her child as a single mother in the morning. For Cindy to be able to earn $5,000 a month, she will have to work longer hours so she financially supports her child. For Cindy to earn the same earnings of Jack, she will have to work for a total of 80 hours a month. [($500 / 8hours) = $62.50 / hour; $5,000 a month / $62.50 per hour = 80 hours a month] (Jones, 1999) Yes. I agree that the U.S. government should protect the workers and their retirement savings from a similar case with the Enron. The pension law prepared by the Department of Labor clearly states that each employer has the duty to provide the 401(k) plans for its employees. In this case, the trustees who are responsible in overseeing the 401(k) plan as well as the top executives or directors who monitors the plan should be held liable to employees in case of the court could prove that there was a breach in the fiduciary duty. (Dugas, 2002) The main cause of Enron’s bankruptcy was illegal in the sense that the top executives of the company manipulated the corporate statement of account for many years in order to mislead the public shareholders with billions of dollars and eventually abandon its employees with their pension funds. (Jezer, 2002) Setting the corporate top executives who are

Health care laws and how it affects working nurses Research Paper

Health care laws and how it affects working nurses - Research Paper Example Three types of laws govern the Public Health Law as previously discussed: Legislation, Regulations and Judicial Law. The legislative bodies of state, federal and local government, formulate the Legislative laws that have a considerable impact on the way nursing is practiced in the United States. Regulations are specific set of rules pertaining to individual while the legislation and Judicial law is based on the court’s and jury’s’ decision (Stanhope and Lancaster 124). Stanhope and Lancaster illustrate the impact of Regulations and the Judicial Law on nursing practice by stating that the state legislators will enact laws governing the board of nursing and will coin technical terms such as ‘licensed registered nurse’ and ‘nursing practice’, the board of nursing on the other hand will enforce the laws that will bring into existence a licensed registered nurse and recognized nursing practice procedures by stating all the requirements and pr erequisite (124). The writers express that in case of judicial law, courts take into consideration previous cases and give sentences in conformity with them except during the instances when the judge or the jury thinks that the old laws have become obsolete and a more valid form of it is needed. Everything that is done in a health agency has a basis in law and is subject to legal sanction of one type or another (qtd. in Maurer and Smith 124). This statement implies to health care workers and more particularly community oriented nursed since they have direct, face-to-face relationship with the patients. Rules and regulation in addition with those associated with the upheaval of the health industry; predominantly laws that pertain to the maintenance of discipline in the health sector and allotting punishment related to malpractice are applicable to nurses to a great extent. Nurses are regarded, as learned individuals with sound knowledge of the profession that they practice for their living, consumers are totally reliant on this particular knowledge for their treatment. If any patient is harmed in any way due to the nurses’ malpractice that according to a source Hall and Hall (2001) cited in Maurer and Smith (124), includes: Provision of unsafe environment, inadequate assessment, failure to follow physician’s order, erroneous medication and treatment, usage of defective technology and products, inadequate infection control and poor communication with the patient, the nurse would be held accountable for her actions and lawsuits can be filed against her. Nurses should be well aware of the laws and legislation pertaining to their legal practice of the state they are professionally working in, and should be well familiar also with any changes that might be introduced in the legislation of not just nursing but also in related professions such as those of medicine and pharmacy (Lancaster and Stanhope 125). These writer demonstrate the importance of inter disciplinary knowledge for the nursing profession by stating the example of a community oriented nurse who has reviewed the pharmacy act would be able to ascertain whether to question the right to dispense medication in the local family planning clinic or not. According to The Nurse Practice Act of New York, 1970 nursing is defined as: The practice of the profession of nursing†¦. is defined as diagnosing and treating human responses to actual or potential health problems through such services

Report 501 Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 6500 words

Report 501 - Research Paper Example One of the widely used resource centre for efficient information service management is the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL). To be precise, hundreds of organizations all around the globe are encouraged to adhere to the practices outlined in the ITIL. In essence, different groups of stakeholders comprehend that to achieve top most success in information service management, then, it is essential that the key basics of the Information Technology Infrastructure Library are put into close consideration. The library offers the best platform for ensuring that an organization can efficiently achieve its set out operational goals. It further paves way for our organization to execute the right set of procedures towards creation of a successful and innovative business environment for the future (Mar 2013, 1). To be exact, the implementation of the ITIL in an organization is seriously a key subject not only in promoting our company’s competitive advantage but also in t he achievement of all our set out business goals. On this regard, this paper aims at delivering a well-designed report on the subject matter of issues related to the implementation of the Information Technology Infrastructure Library. In simple terms, the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) entails a comprehensive and well-designed set of information technology documents that define the finest practices and techniques to be applied in an information technology environment. That is, it contains a high quality set of guidelines that are widely used in the day-to-day operations of both public and private companies (Chen 2010, 5). This is by providing them with an advanced blueprint necessary for the organization and management of the operations of an information technology company. The Information Technology Infrastructure library has aided many companies in promoting their global competitive advantage and be

In what ways does low-wage work involve more Essay

In what ways does low-wage work involve more - Essay Example (Miller, 1992) Normally, a married couple shares household expenses making it easier to support the financial needs of the family. This way, married women have ample time to do housework and duty as a mother. In the case of single mothers, the only way she could increase the income is by increasing the working hours. It means that a single mother usually ends up sacrificing her leisure time with her children in exchange for the income she would earn while working. For example: Jack is earning $5,000 a month working 8 hours a day as a manager in a five-star hotel whereas Cindy earns only around $500 a week working 8 hours on a part-time job as a waitress because she is taking care of her child as a single mother in the morning. For Cindy to be able to earn $5,000 a month, she will have to work longer hours so she financially supports her child. For Cindy to earn the same earnings of Jack, she will have to work for a total of 80 hours a month. [($500 / 8hours) = $62.50 / hour; $5,000 a month / $62.50 per hour = 80 hours a month] (Jones, 1999) Yes. I agree that the U.S. government should protect the workers and their retirement savings from a similar case with the Enron. The pension law prepared by the Department of Labor clearly states that each employer has the duty to provide the 401(k) plans for its employees. In this case, the trustees who are responsible in overseeing the 401(k) plan as well as the top executives or directors who monitors the plan should be held liable to employees in case of the court could prove that there was a breach in the fiduciary duty. (Dugas, 2002) The main cause of Enron’s bankruptcy was illegal in the sense that the top executives of the company manipulated the corporate statement of account for many years in order to mislead the public shareholders with billions of dollars and eventually abandon its employees with their pension funds. (Jezer, 2002) Setting the corporate top executives who are

Report 501 Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 6500 words

Report 501 - Research Paper Example One of the widely used resource centre for efficient information service management is the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL). To be precise, hundreds of organizations all around the globe are encouraged to adhere to the practices outlined in the ITIL. In essence, different groups of stakeholders comprehend that to achieve top most success in information service management, then, it is essential that the key basics of the Information Technology Infrastructure Library are put into close consideration. The library offers the best platform for ensuring that an organization can efficiently achieve its set out operational goals. It further paves way for our organization to execute the right set of procedures towards creation of a successful and innovative business environment for the future (Mar 2013, 1). To be exact, the implementation of the ITIL in an organization is seriously a key subject not only in promoting our company’s competitive advantage but also in t he achievement of all our set out business goals. On this regard, this paper aims at delivering a well-designed report on the subject matter of issues related to the implementation of the Information Technology Infrastructure Library. In simple terms, the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) entails a comprehensive and well-designed set of information technology documents that define the finest practices and techniques to be applied in an information technology environment. That is, it contains a high quality set of guidelines that are widely used in the day-to-day operations of both public and private companies (Chen 2010, 5). This is by providing them with an advanced blueprint necessary for the organization and management of the operations of an information technology company. The Information Technology Infrastructure library has aided many companies in promoting their global competitive advantage and be

Jasmine Revolution Essay Example for Free

Jasmine Revolution Essay Leadership or Tyranny? Summary: Within just 28 days, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali had no alternative but to step down from his 23-year presidency in Tunisia. A single spark set by Mohamed Bouazizi turned out to be a prairie fire across the whole country. Economic Growth Paradox Although the economy of Tunisia has been growing steady at an average rate of 5% for the past 23 years, the unemployment rate has been standing at over 10% since 2003, which is indeed alarmingly high. The rate is double for the young Tunisians, and even higher for the fresh graduates. A recent survey has shown that the unemployment rate stands at 25% and 44% for male graduates and female graduates respectively. If the economy is growing every year, why are there so many people out of job and struggling to survive against serious inflation? What is going on behind the scene? Surrender to Dictatorship In addition to the economic factors, the political situation in Tunisia has played a crucial role in this Jasmine Revolution. The Tunisians have been silent for years: minimal (if any) freedom of speech, deprivation of other political rights and stringent censorship over information and the press. Rampant corruption at the top tier level of the Ben Ali regime, as revealed by Wikileaks, is another burning issue. On the other hand, the Tunisians had to confront the unreliable and abusive police force from the government. Instead of being protected by the local police force, Bouazizi (who was operating as an unlicensed hawker) had his produce confiscated and his subsequent complaints entirely ignored, which eventually led to his self-immolation. Transactional Leadership The exchange relationship between the Ben Ali government and the citizens in Tunisia did not seem to be balanced. Prior to a series of protests and demonstrations and subsequent abdication of Ben Ali, the Tunisians had been resigned to the dictatorship of Ben Ali in exchange of a decent life. However, are the Tunisians getting what they are supposed to obtain? Undeniably, Tunisia has become one of the most stable countries in Arab. True, the slow yet steady economic prosperity and gradual increase in basic health care and education have made the Tunisians look better-off than their Libyan and Algerian counterparts. Nonetheless, they are also under constant threat of unemployment, corrupt officials and violent police force instead of what guarantees a decent life – law and order. Media in Play? While some critics have also partially attributed this revolution to Internet social media, Twitter and Facebook in particular, caution should be exercised in order to avoid playing up the actual influence of social media. No doubt, the speed of information transmission has been greatly enhanced with the introduction of the Internet. In the case of Tunisia, some have named it as â€Å"Twitter Revolution†. However, all social media are better seen as a vehicle or a catalyst of the protests and subsequent overthrowing of Ben Ali. In other words, they are not the sole enablers of such revolution. After all, the crux lies with the fact that when the leader realises his self-interests and benefits at the expense of the interest of the other party, such transactions can no longer be deemed as satisfactory or fair in the eye of the exploited party. What’s Next The single spark in Tunisia has already started a prairie fire in Egypt, with the flame spreading to Libya and China at a great speed. How should the leaders faced with similar dilemmas react? Adopting an even more high-handed approach on the people helps very little at best, and aggravates the problem further at worse. Stricter censorship and control over the information flow to the citizens might sound plausible, yet people can always find means to overcome such barriers. On the other hand, people do not seem intimidated by the dire consequence of their protests – arrest and torture. The self-immolation of Bouazizi is a case in point to show the ‘make-or-break’ determination of the people when pushed to the dead alley. Fair Deal If the transactional relationship is to be maintained, the leaders should identify, understand and respond to the true needs of people. Marginalizing any segment of the society is the last thing to do – frustration and disappointment of the people can evolve into a fatal blow to any regime. If people’s basic welfare were not well taken care of, could the government rest assured that social peace would be maintained? What can go hand in hand with the above is that the leader should create a vision for the people and motivate the people to pursue and actualize the same version, not for themselves only but for others as well.

Diabetes Mellitus and Erectile Dysfunctions

Diabetes Mellitus and Erectile Dysfunctions CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Diabetes Mellitus Diabetes Mellitus is a group of metabolic disorders which is characterized by chronic hyperglycemic condition with elevated blood glucose levels (Kohei., 2010). It may be either impaired insulin production or inability of cells to respond properly to the insulin synthesized from beta cells (Rudolf et al., 2012). There are majorly two types of diabetes- Type I or Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus and Type II or Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus.The later condition is characterized by fasting hyperglycemia along with a risk of thrombolytic and atherosclerotic disorders that mainly affect the cerebral, peripheral and coronary arterial trees (Grant., 2007). Diabetes is associated with various complications including micro vascular and macro vascular complications such as retinopathy, nephropathy, atherosclerosis, endothelial dysfunction and erectile dysfunctions. 1.1.1 Type-I Diabetes (IDDM or Juvenile onset Diabetes Mellitus) Type I is a form of diabetes mellitus that results from the autoimmune destruction of the insulin-producing beta cells in thepancreas The ultimate lack of insulin leads to enhanced blood and urine glucose. The hallmark symptoms are polyuria (frequent urination), polydipsia (increased thirst), polyphagia (increased hunger), and weight loss. The reason of diabetes mellitus type 1 is unknown. Type 1 diabetes can be distinguished from type 2 by autoantibody testing. TheC-peptide assay can also be used to measure endogenous insulin production. Global the number of people with DM type 1 is unknown. It is estimated that about 80,000 children developed the disease a year. Numbers of people who currently have the disease in the United States are possibly as much as three million. Rates varies from a low of 1 per 100,000 in Japan and China to 8 to 17 per 100,000 in Northern Europe and the U.S., to a high of about 35 per 100,000 in Scandinavia Caused by immune destruction of beta cells of the pancreas. Antibodies to islet cells and insulin are observed at diagnosis. Insulin secretion gradually decreases. May present at any age but most common in childhood and adolescence. Insulin by sc injection is necessary for survival. Contributing factors:- Genetic predisposition, Environmental trigger (infection or stress) 1.1.2 Type- II Diabetes (NIDDM or Adult onset Diabetes Mellitus) Type II diabetes may be caused either by insulin resistance in the liver and skeletal muscle, or enhanced glucose production in liver, or excess production of free fatty acids by fat cells and insulin deficiency. Insulin secretion diminishes with gradual beta cell failure. Reductions in blood glucose levels can be achieved with changes in food intake and also physical activity patterns. Oral medication and/or insulin injections are finally required. Contributing factors: Obesity Age (onset of puberty is associated with increased insulin resistance) Lack of physical activity Genetic predisposition Racial/ethnic background (Native American, African American Hispanic and Pacific/Asian Islander) Conditions associated with insulin resistance as in polycystic ovary syndrome 1.2 Penile Anatomy The penis composed of three bodies of erectile tissue which run in parallel; the corpus spongiosum, surrounding urethra and terminating in glans penis and the two corpora cavernosa (CC) function as blood-filled capacitors which provide structure to the erect organ (Andersson et al., 1995). The penile CC is highly organised vascular structures which are morphologically acclimatised to their function of becoming engorged of sexual arousal. The trabecular smooth muscle comprises approximately 40-50% tissue cross-sectional area, as evaluated by histomorphometric analysis (Nehra et al., 1998). There are three main arteries in penis ie, cavernosal, dorsal and bulbourethral. These three arise from a shared branch of internal pudendal artery and provide an immense anastomotic network (Tiee et al., 2010). Nowadays, there is a tendency to Role of Arginase Inhibitor and Alpha-Tocopherol in Streptozotocin Induced Sexual Impairment in Male Rats 2013-14Â  perform experiments using pudendal artery in vitro instead of cavernosal tissue to check pathophysiological aspects of ED as this artery is the vital resistance of penile engogerment during sexual stimulation. Novel research suggests that pudendal artery contributes about 70% of total penile vascular resistence (Manabe et al., 2000). The blood supply in CC is mainly fed from the penile cavernosal artery (Andersson et al., 1995) which causes corporal engorgment during erection, whereas deep dorsal artery causes glans enlargement but venous drainage is not similar to the arterial supply; there has only one deep dorsal vein which runs alongside dorsal arteries and nerves in the Buck’s fascia above the tunica albuginea which is a multilayered organized structure where emissary veins pass. The penile venous system is generally stated as a single deep dorsal vein along with a pair of dorsal arteries located between tunica albuginea and Buck’s fascia for venous drainage (Moscovici et al., 1999). The corpus spongiosu m which is erectile tissue analogous to CC but with thinner tunica albuginea. The urethra lies inside the spongiosum. The innervations of penis is both autonomic ie, sympathetic and parasympathetic and somatic ie, sensory and motor. From the neurons present in the spinal cord peripheral ganglia, the sympathetic with parasympathetic nerves merge to form cavernous nerves, which enter in CC and corpus spongiosum for affecting the neurovascular events during detumescence and tumescence (Dean et al., 2005). 1.3 Physiology of Penile Erection Penile erection involves central and peripheral pathways. Tumescence initiated after central integration and processing of visual, tactile, olfactory and imaginative stimuli. At the initial of sexual stimulation, signals are generated to peripheral tissues involved. Hence final response is mediated by coordinating spinal activity through the autonomic pathways to penis, and also in somatic pathways to perineal striated muscles. Both of the central and peripheral regulation of the PE involves several neurotransmitters, of which details are still incompletely known. Spinally, there may be a network consisting of the primary afferents from the genitals along with spinal interneurons, sympathetic, parasympathetic and (somatic) nuclei, which is capable to integrate all information. Peripherally, a balance between substances which control the degree of contraction of cavernosal smooth muscle determining the functional state of the penis (Gratzke et al., 2010). The dynamic interplay between vasoconstrictors and vasodilators within the penis establish the state of erect or flaccid. PE is determined by the pressure changes in cavernosal arterioles and sinuses. The vasculature nature of the erectile mechanism differs from most of the vascular beds as it is comprised of arterioles and hollow blood-filled sinuses, both that are lined with endothelial cells and smooth muscle (Dean et al., 2005) as previously described. During flaccidity, this tissue is tonically contracted which allow only a small amount of arterial flow regarding nutritional purposes. Partial pressure of oxygen (PO2) in blood is around 35mmHg (Sattar et al., 1995). On the other hand, dilation of penile arteries is the primary event in the consequence of erection

Money Cannot Substitute Passion :: Personal Narrative, Autobiographical Essay

Money Cannot Substitute Passion "Tuan, this is the last time I'm going to tell you, you better clean the house." said my father. "I'll do it later," I replied. "Later?" he said. "Why don't you just make some money and hire a maid to do it. Then you don't have to worry about it!" Coming from a blue-collar background, my father constantly reminded me of the importance of money. It was many years ago that he arrived in this country, carrying me in one arm and his hopes and dreams on the other. It was upon arriving in the advertised land of opportunity that he quickly learned that money was the only ticket to upward mobility. It was rough in the beginning. My father was forced to scrape and save in hopes of providing us with a better home. A family of four, we shared a bedroom in which we all slept together, never separated by more than a few inches apart. We did not have much except the daily warmth and undying devotion for one another. Through diligence and sacrifice, his hard work paid off and newfound success smiled upon us, changing our lives forever. As our new home quickly filled with all the luxuries and amenities the newly reaped profits and investments could afford, it seemed to become emptier to me. Money soon became a substitute for our slowly vanishing relationships. Lazy Sundays spent with him at the Japanese gardens feeding goldfish were replaced by late nights at the store and a brand spanking new widescreen television. The once friendly dinner table where our lives were intertwined through bowels of rice porridge and bean sprouts was abandoned for meals in seclusion. We ate not together, but in our own rooms. The doors and the walls sealing us off in our own separate worlds, closing us off from one another, and hence leaving only a bad taste lingering inside of me. It was not until I left home for college that I was able to fully comprehend what was happening. You see, I lived on the inside and my father lived on the outside. Standing on the hilltop of the university, I am able to look out and see all the possibilities my brick and ivy education has opened up for me.

probability of brest cancer :: essays research papers

Probability of Breast Cancer A National Cancer Institute (NCI) report estimates that about 1 in 8 women in the United States (approximately 13.3 percent) will develop breast cancer during her lifetime. This estimate is based on cancer rates from 1997 through 1999, as reported in NCI's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program publication SEER Cancer Statistics Review 1973–1999. This publication presents estimates of the risk of developing breast cancer in 10-, 20-, and 30-year intervals. Each age interval is assigned a weight in the calculations based on the proportion of the population living to that age. The 1 in 8 figure means that, if current rates stay constant, a female born today has a 1 in 8 chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer sometime during her life. On the other hand, she has a 7 in 8 chance of never developing breast cancer. Because the SEER calculations are weighted they take into account that not all women live to older ages, when breast cancer risk becomes the greatest. A woman's chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer is:* from age 30 to age 40 . . . . . . . 1 out of 252 from age 40 to age 50 . . . . . . . 1 out of 68 from age 50 to age 60 . . . . . . . 1 out of 35 from age 60 to age 70 . . . . . . . 1 out of 27 Ever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 out of 8 In evaluating cancer risk for a cancer-free individual at a specific point in time, age-specific (conditional) probabilities are more appropriate than lifetime probabilities. For example, at age 50 a cancer-free black woman has about a 2.5-percent chance of developing breast cancer by age 60, and a cancer-free white woman has about a 2.9-percent chance. Among the racial/ethnic groups studied by SEER**, non-Hispanic white, Hawaiian, and black women have the highest levels of breast cancer risk. Other Asian/Pacific Islander groups and Hispanic women have lower levels of risk. Some of the lowest levels of risk occur among Korean and Vietnamese women.

Healthy Habits

There just doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day to accomplish everything you need to do. And it can feel like an added stressor when you are trying to integrate healthy habits into your already hectic schedule. But if you make time for healthy habits, you’ll find yourself with extra reserves of energy that will lower your stress and help you get through life’s challenges. Here are a few things you can start doing right now to make healthy habits a relatively painless part of your routine: Drink water throughout the day.You don’t hear this nearly enough: water is an all-purpose wonder-substance. It’s great for your skin, your digestive system, and circulatory system, and aids in weight loss and cellulite reduction. If you feel fatigued during the day, it’s often because you aren’t hydrated properly. Drink water throughout the day, sipping from a large bottle or glass. If you have it nearby, it’s easy to remember. If you don ’t like the â€Å"taste† of water, keep a supply of lemon so that you can add a slice to your water – it cuts any bitterness, adds a bit of vitamin C and makes it taste more festive!Cut back on the amount of soda and coffee you drink. Sugar and caffeine dehydrate you and create energy rushes followed by crashes, which are ultimately energy-depleting. Substitute with drinks like green tea or 100% fruit juice. Replace high-sugar foods with low-sugar versions. Cutting back on the amount of refined sugar you consume helps reduce calories and weight gain and also helps you avoid the energy slumps that come from sugar withdrawal. Items high in refined sugar include most soft drinks, cereals, baked goods, and of course, candy and ice cream.Look for low-sugar or no-sugar versions of these, or simply opt for healthy snacks instead. Stock up on healthy, portable snacks. When you are grocery shopping, pick up bags of baby carrots, string cheese, nuts, fresh and dried fruit , single serving packs of applesauce, yogurt, wholegrain crackers, peanut butter, turkey jerky, etc. Having healthy portable snacks around will help you avoid bad vending-machine, convenience store and fast-food options. Read some more portable snack ideas. Take the time to plan healthy meals for the week. Spend 15 minutes or so to map out your meals. Keep it simple.Then, when you shop for groceries, make your purchases based on the meals you will make during the week. This will help you avoid relying on less healthy take-out or fast food choices. Learn even more grocery store tips. Purchase frozen, ready-to-cook ingredients. Frozen fruits and vegetables have high vitamin and mineral content because they don’t sit around losing these nutrients for long before they are preserved. Although you’ll want to keep plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables around, it’s great to have frozen produce available for quick meal additions and smaller servings.Also, some grocery st ores offer frozen boneless chicken breasts and a wide variety of seafood items in re-sealable packages. These are great for quick, healthy meals. Pack your lunch the night before. You'll have given yourself the gift of extra time in the morning and you will assure that you have a healthy meal during the day. Don’t forget to pack snack items so you can avoid the vending machine. Cook double batches of whatever you’re cooking. When you prepare dinner, especially on weekends, cook extra and freeze to use for another dinner or lunch.Then, you'll have a healthy meal ready to go when you are. Give yourself some slack. If you are stressed out about preparing healthy meals every day, use what some experts call the â€Å"80/20† rule in your eating. If 80 percent of what you eat is healthy, then allow yourself to take it a little easier for the remaining 20 percent. You and your diet will survive. Fit in exercise whenever you can. Experts recommend that adults exercise a minimum of 30 minutes three times per week. Aim for this amount, but don’t kick yourself if you can’t meet this goal. Any amount of exercise is better than none.No time to go to a gym? Build a stock of exercise tapes – many have routines that you can complete in 20-40 minutes. Use hand weights or do crunches, leg-lifts and lunges while watching television. Or invest in an exercise bike – you can pedal while catching up on your reading. Think of what would be most interesting to you and what best fits your schedule and budget. Take a walk break during the day. Even 20 minutes can make a difference in your energy level, plus it gives you time to clear your head. If you walk with a friend or colleague, it also gives you time to socialize.Whenever possible, walk. Increase the amount of time you can walk, versus sit or drive. It doesn’t take that much extra time to park a bit farther from the store entrance, or to make a personal visit to a colleague ra ther than phoning, instant messaging or e-mailing. Get enough sleep. Even if you gain more time in your day by cutting back on sleep, you will be less effective throughout the day, as your energy level and cognitive functioning will be reduced. Insufficient sleep also makes you more susceptible to illness. By getting enough sleep, you become more efficient during the time you are awake.

Reasoning Aptitude

Reasoning Aptitude Eric Gibbs BCom275 Sunday, March 31, 2013 Lisa Sanchez Reasoning Aptitude The reasoning career activity was a big help, I already knew that I was struggling in presentation and when I did this activity in my results it gave me a good amount of tips to help develop better presentation skills. I learned a lot from the tips they gave me I learned that before presenting my message, think of how I can communicate my genuine concern to the audience, and show them something in your presentation that clearly demonstrates my commitment to the message.I have to use appropriate body language to reinforce my spoken words, and ensure that the audience understands the importance of the message. Another good tip was to practice and rehearse important presentations in front of a mirror. If possible, I should gain access to a video or at least an audio tape recorder, and record my presentation. Play it back and make a note of areas that didn't come across so well and try again. Thi s tip is the most helpful of all the tips I have received. Learning from my tips, persuasive communication can help me be a better speaker in the career that I choose.The ability to persuade is crucial in the business world. On a day-to-day basis, I need it to convince employees to work toward company goals or to persuade colleagues or clients to consider your ideas and suggestions. If I can master the art of persuasion, I can not only win the support of others, but I also will be able to unify my team and encourage them to work together. Career Interests Profiler Based on what you told us, you are†¦ Download PDF Enterprising Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects.These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business. Social Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others. Conventional Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow. Competencies †¢ Strengths | | |Coping with Pressure |[pic] | |Following Instructions |[pic] | |Delivering Results |[pic] | |Adapting to Change |[pic] | |Organizing |[pic] | |Cooperating |[pic] |Work Culture Results Well resourced †¢ safe place to work †¢ comfortable, well-designed work place †¢ all the necessary resources to do high standard work Ethical †¢ emphasis on fairness †¢ active promotion of equal rights and justice for all †¢ the chance to contribute positively to society and make a difference to people's lives †¢ emphasis on social and environmental responsibility Supportive †¢ secure, stable environment †¢ clearly defined jobs, goals and expectations †¢ no conflicting demands †¢ considerate management †¢ focus on employee welfare †¢ lots of personal development and feedback †¢ lots of recognition and celebration of success †¢ fun place to work

A Research Study On Stem Cell Research Essays -- Stem cell, Embryonic st

Stem cell research is an extremely hot topic issue that is being discussed in the world for the present day. Many churches and people who are defined by the term rationalists tend to be very against the use of stem cells for research. There are two main types of stem cells that are prevalent in the science world right now which include both adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells. Religious groups tend to lean more towards the use of adult stem cells for research because of the moral issue behind the use of embryonic stem cells. In order to use an embryonic stem cell for research you must first destroy the embryo. In many religions, life begins at conception so the development of that embryo is considered to be life. Thus, the destruction of that embryo would be conside erg believes that science should play an important role in the advancement of society no matter where it falls in the issue of morality. Heisenberg says in this passage that modern science could make it easie r for people to believe if they saw it firsthand rather than just believing the bible. In conclusion, stem cell research is a very important issue that is being debated in the world during the modern day. Throughout recent years many intelligent minds have debated the morality of the use of embryonic cells over the use of adult stem cells. Over the course of history there have been a wide variety of people including Galileo and Heisenberg whom I believe would have had a very strong personal opinion on this subject. Although each author is from a different time period I believe that both would agree stem cell research on embryonic stem cells should be done.

Current Issues in Computing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Current Issues in Computing - Essay Example On the other hand there is differing perception in the manufacturers and the users in the heat density reduction parameters, which need rationalization. Thermal management also needs to be included while designing devices and the issue is likely to become more complex over the years. Reduction of power is also related to power aware computing, which is designing software and hardware to ensure optimum management of power. The growth of information technology has spawned a vast industry based around computers and information science. The impetus to economies and employment provided by computing ignores the silent yet alarming environmental hazard posed by systems compressed in small spaces requiring enormous amounts of power and generating large quantities of heat. Heat generated by computers is easily calculable, but one seldom takes into account the heat of hundreds of humans working in small spaces. There is increased awareness of environmental hazards of power and heat in computing, which are being addressed by the industry and academicians. The main issues to be considered are the nature and magnitude of the threat and measures that can be taken to minimize or overcome these. This is being carried out by a study of two prominent trends in computing environment, heat density and power aware computing. In this section we will examine the trends in power consumption and resulting heat dissipation in computers and data processing as well as storage systems and central office type telecommunications equipment. A White Paper, â€Å"Heat Density Trends in data Processing, Computer Systems and Telecommunications Equipment† is the main source of the study. (Uptime Institute: 2000). A number of other papers and presentations have also been considered to validate the trends in the Uptime Institute paper. There is a general feeling of smugness in the computing world generated by the

Wal-Mart Capital Structure and Financial Analysis Essay

Wal-Mart Capital Structure and Financial Analysis - Essay Example Total Assets (Fixed + Current) = $27,638_ x 100 $120,223 = 22.9% Debt to Equity Ratio The debt to equity ratio measures the relationship between a company's debt capital and equity capital. It shows the percentage of a company's equity that has been financed by external debts. The debt-to-equity ratio for Wal-Mart has been calculated as: Debt-to-Equity Ratio = Total Debt Capital x 100 Total Equity Capital = $27,638 x 100 $49,396 = 55.95% CALCULATION OF WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF CAPITAL In the Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) involves the calculation of separate items in the capital employed and then weighting the cost of each element by its proportion of the total capital employed. There are following factors in the Wal-Mart's total capital: Equity (Common Stock) Debt (Long-term Debts) $ % Of Total 4,311 Common Stock of $0.10 (par) 423m 1.75% Long-term Debt 23,669m 98.24% Total Capital Employed 24,092m 100% Cost of Equity The cost of equity estimates the cost of common and preferred stock. But for Wal-Mart, this calculation will not include preference stock because the company has not issued any preference shares. The analysis of Wal-Mart's annual report reveals that the company is expecting to pay $0.150 dividend per share to its common shareholders. For dividend growth, we assume it to be 10% annually. The cost of common share capital has been estimated with the help of following formula: Cost of Common Share Capital = (Next annual dividend / current market price) + annual dividend growth = ($0.150 per share / $50.49 per share) + 10% = 10.29% per annum. Cost of Debt The calculation of cost of debt will encompass all the interest bearing long-term debts of the company. According to the Wal-Mart's...There are following factors in the Wal-Mart's total capital: The cost of equity estimates the cost of common and preferred stock. But for Wal-Mart, this calculation will not include preference stock because the company has not issued any preference shares. The analysis of Wal-Mart's annual report reveals that the company is expecting to pay $0.150 dividend per share to its common shareholders. For dividend growth, we assume it to be 10% annually. The cost of common share capital has been estimated with the help of following formula: The calculation of cost of debt will encompass all the interest bearing long-term debts of the company. According to the Wal-Mart's annual report, the company's weighted average effective interest rate on long-term debt is 4.08% in 2005. The tax rate applicable to the company for the year is 34.7%. The cost of long-term debt has been estimated as: As analysed from the company's financial statements and the calculation of financial ratios, the capital structure of Wal-Mart has become evident. Wal-Mart has structured its capital funding in a way its external debts or borrowings do not exceed its total equity to a greater extent.

Conflict management system design (resolution system design) Research Paper

Conflict management system design (resolution system design) - Research Paper Example Following this, many agencies have developed approaches and models of effective complaint handling system. The stage approach provides a conflict resolution system in stages. It brings together what the customer wants and what the organisation or agency needs. That is, the interests of the organisation and the rights of the customers. However, it gives first preference to the organisation’s interests and focuses on the fulfilment of its objectives in a smooth manner. The first stage in the approach is, frontline complaint handling where the staff resolves the complaint where possible, at first contact with the customer. The members of staff then log the complaint details for later analysis. The second stage is the internal review or investigation. This is where a more senior staff or designated complaint officer reviews the complaints and resolves them informally. He then investigates the unresolved complaints with the interest of the organisation at heart. The last stage is the independent review where the unresolved complaints are referred externally. Alternate dispute resolutions are tried, for example, mediation. Complaints may also be referred to external agency or the complainant is informed of a legal procedure or another legal remedy (NSW Ombudsman, 2010). All this is done in favour of the organization’s interests. This model provides the guidelines for developing and implementing the consumer complaints management initiatives, emphasizing the interest of the organisation but still taking into account the rights of the customers. It involves eight steps that help in managing and resolving the complaints for the better performance and realisation of the agency’s objectives. The first step involves defining the problem and gathering information. Finding common ground on the problems being addressed is essential to moving ahead with solutions. All the people and organisations involved are

Strategic Plan Developement Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Strategic Plan Developement Paper - Essay Example For Riordan, their success as a leading manufacturing company has only been because of their successful sales and marketing strategies which were also responsible for preserving excellent customer associations. Riordan also realizes the fact that the company needs to redefine and redeem itself along with the time in order to progress consistently and reach the new horizons while taking the business to the subsequent height so as to remain competitive and spirited. Therefore, it becomes imperative for Riordan Manufacturing Company’s top level management to devise a new strategic plan for bring extremely important developments which may guarantee Riordan the rank they have endeavored to attain. This is also because of the fact that most of the modern day entrepreneurs and business managers are often so anxious with instantaneous subjects that they temporarily forget their ultimate objectives unintentionally. My development of Strategic plan for Riordan Manufacturing Company will revolve around the broader future vision2 of the company itself. This vision circles around producing the final products at optimum costs while focusing upon the company’s future, maintaining excellent long term customer oriented relationships, maximizing employees’ utility while incorporating employee-friendly policies, maintaining environment friendly activities while growing business’ prospects, and complimenting the quality related issues in accordance with international standards. Since Riordan is not the only company which produces molding materials made off plastic, there always remains a chance of fearsome competition in the market. However, this leads to the fact that correctly identifying and capturing of market opportunities may bring more success for the company. While having factory facilities placed in San Jose, California, Albany, Georgia, Pontiac, Michigan, and Hang Zhou in China3, Riordan has certainly found new markets around the world. Emerging

Learning and Development in Organisations Essay - 1

Learning and Development in Organisations - Essay Example I will use two other techniques along with direct observation. First, I will visit the nursing homes to interview some of the elderly residents who might have been living there at least for the last six months or so. I will interview them to know the problems that might have been facing in the nursing home. I will design a questionnaire which I will distribute to all residents of those nursing homes. This technique will be useful as I will be able to know the needs of the residents and the problems they might be facing while living in nursing homes. The collected data will help me identify the learning needs of the caregivers. I will analyze the responses to create a list of activities that the caregivers would need to do in order to be able to provide best services to the residents. The second technique that I will use to know the reasons of decreased effectiveness level of caregivers will be taking interviews of caregivers and nurses. This technique will help me know the problems t hat are making it difficult for caregivers to cope with more challenging residents. I will also inquire the reasons behind lack of confidence in dealing with paperwork. I think interviewing the target population is the best thing one can do to know the measures he/she can take to improve the conditions. Answer No. 2 Reading and analyzing the case, I have learned that the caregivers are falling short of providing best services to the residents of nursing homes. The learning needs that I have become aware of through analysis include lack of confidence, lack of knowledge and practice to deal with challenging residents, lack of ability to make quick decisions on their own, low academic qualification, and less wages. To design a learning solution to meet these needs, I would consider some key factors that are playing their role in decreasing the effectiveness level of the nursing homes. I would consider the nature of the job of caregivers to develop the learning solution. I would researc h the basic requirements of this job and the skills that caregivers should have to be employed for this particular job. To me, no job can be done without relevant skills and knowledge. Therefore, I would get an insight into the set of required skills and knowledge that is required by caregivers to perform this job effectively. Next, I would consider the job environment that the owner of the nursing homes has provided to caregivers for doing their jobs at their best. I think job environment plays a key role in determining the effectiveness level of employees of any company or organization. A good job environment makes employees more productive and satisfied with their jobs. On the other hand, a less secure and unhealthy job environment makes employees dull and ineffective which also puts a negative impact on the efficiency and productivity of the company. Therefore, I would analyze the job environment completely in order to know the factors that might have been causing decrease in th e effectiveness level of caregivers. Next, I would analyze the pay scales of the caregivers. I think high salary is one of biggest motivating factors for an employee. Employees receiving high salaries are satisfied with their companies and usually show more commitment and dedication towards their job tasks. On the other hand, employees who receive fewer wages are in constant search of some new job where they can get higher wages and that approach ad mindset decreases their level of productivity and efficiency. Therefore, I wou