Professional Development Portfolio Essay

My role within the workplace My primary role within the organization is as a shop assistant at Asda there are lots of various roles that require core skills to be able to do fulfil the job sufficiently. I have other side roles within my occupation other than my primary role as our organization operates a job enlargement system of human resource management so therefore I am trained on other areas of the organization aside of my primary job description. The skills I already process will be highlighted in the following SWOT analysis, it will also highlight areas that I have discovered that are of weakness currently also Identifying a problem The problem I have identified was a problem at work that occurred earlier in the year. The problem was that there was no policy regarding the allocation of available overtime; it was just made available on a board on a Saturday morning and was up to anyone to pick up as many/few shifts as they pleased. This led to a problem I identified, which was that for people that were not  contracted to Saturdays were at a disadvantage regarding the shifts that they could pick up, weather this be amount of shifts or certain days etc. From this I came to the conclusion that I would form a problem solving analysis upon this problem. The analysis I found most simple and useful was a SWOT analysis. Strengths My strengths in approaching this problem were; †¢I managed to identify that there was an issue and was causing slight friction within the workplace and more specifically our department †¢I realized that I could have skills to assist in resolving this problem †¢The strengths I could adapt to this situation are the ability to be articulate and speak to people in an appropriate manner †¢Another strength I have is to be able to explain things to people individually in a appropriate way they can understand †¢After evaluating my reflective practice I discovered that I was very strong at taking full responsibility for my actions for if a project fails, this would be an appropriate strength as posting and implementing new ideas at work can go wrong and it is right to accept this and reflect upon it by taking the positives and working on the areas that did not go so well Weaknesses My skills weaknesses in approaching this problem were; †¢My active approach to learning often hinders me from being pragmatic and reflective regarding input from others in work or problem solving situations †¢Another weakness of mine is my ability to evaluate practical points in order to make the most relevant points get across to becoming action †¢The time it takes me to notice problems of this nature is often quite a large time scale †¢Another weakness of mine is time spending to find relevant links between different things, this is relevant because problems can be spotted earlier if problems between links on projects are spotted and addressed early which limits their overall negative impact in an area of work, this weakness links with the earlier one of evaluating practical points Opportunities †¢However the opportunities that finding this problem were initially that it made the managers think of an alternative to the current operations of overtime allocation †¢It revealed personnel opportunities for myself that showed I have skills to find problems and niggles †¢Skills such as problem finding, conversational and interpersonal skills in order to communicate the problem to the right people, identifying a possible solution to the problem, and forming an input into a new policy that solved the problem and was fair to all †¢This problem also showed the opportunity of self realization of some skills that I had acquired and helped me reflect on skills that I needed to work on. Threats †¢One threat is I need to allocate my skills more accordingly to relevant situations †¢I also need to be more aware of the skills I have to offer †¢Threats to this work situation are that initially the management does not embrace the change accordingly †¢Also that they do not make the policy aware to the masses (0.1)Professional Development Action Plan Template As I develop my Action Plan, I will use the SMART model by ensuring all of my goals and action steps are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and within a specific Timeframe. Complete a plan for each of my goals. Goal: To implement a new policy at work in relation to allocating overtime in a fair and proper manner Relevance – how will this goal help me: It will help me be able to highlight strengths in skills that I already possess and will also show gaps in my skills and my weak areas, whilst assisting in solving a problem within the workplace What are the steps or strategies I will take?What is the realistic timeframe to accomplish the step or strategy?How will I evaluate each step or  strategy?How will I know the step or strategy has been accomplished? Firstly, to look if there is any overtime allocated practices or policies in place 3-5 daysTo analyze policies regarding overtime and shift patterns within the department to therefore begin to looking to find a solutionWhen I have compiled enough knowledge on our current policies, or after realizing if there are any current policies in place or not Thought shower some potential policies or means that could assist solving the issue 1 weekTo find as many potential solutions or potential policy changes that could help address the issueWhen there is enough relivent ideas and data that can potentially contribute towards the solving the problem Use a problem solving technique such as a SWOT analysis 2 weeksAllocate characteristics of the problem into strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to find the problemWhen the technique is concluded and its findings are apparent Decide and allocate which solution is best to solve the problem and is most relevant to its characteristics 6 weeksFind the solution and start putting in foundations to build steps to it implementationWhen I have the final solution and have considered the methods to applying it without causing any other operational issues Look at the results of the SWOT analysis and thought shower to beginning to find a solution to the problem 4 weeksLook at the key issue in relation to the problem an then derive ways to solve it without causing any more problems of grievancesWhen a solution, or many solutions are tangible or available (1.0)Professional development Progress towards targets section 2 (BIS00093) (1.1)Introduction To develop my skills this year we have been set the task of a reflective piece of writing in relation to shown we tackled the targets we had set  earlier in the year to develop professionally and reflect on how we have improved our own skills both at work and in an academic place of vocation. In order to complete this we set out a set of skills that were both areas that we could develop and ones that were already strong but aspects could be built on and in my case I have related this skill set to my highlighted problem at work that I set earlier in the year in order to make my portfolio coherent which is in the first part of this portfolio prior to this report. (1.2)Introduction This professional development report is a progress report on the skills I have chosen to develop in my action plan which was highlighted earlier in the year, in order to get to the point where I might be in a position to solve my highlighted problem. This was to try and create a policy to fairly rationale the overtime that is available at my workplace of ASDA living at Cortonwood, Barnsley. The importance of reflection in this account cannot be underwritten, and the whole aim of this account is to show my reflection on my skills set and how I have developed my skills, and how other skills still require some development in order to move my professional development foreword. I highlighted seven skills which need addressing in order to fulfil my further professional development. (2.0)Approach to problem situations The first skill I highlighted was my ability to approach problem situations, Initially I believed that I needed to be more pragmatic and reflective in my approach to not just solving this problem but any problem in life, as my initial way of solving a problem is to just get stuck in and do things instead of checking and reviewing matters. This was also highlighted in my skills assessment audits. To develop and improve this skill my action plan was to go and initially speak to my peers at work about how they solve their problems and what approach they take. This would also help me open up other avenues and perspectives to problem solving. The conclusion I came to after divulging over many opinions and reflecting on my own failures in this skill was to keep persevering with my new approach of learning new ways to approach problem situations and then after refining these methods to learn to use appropriate ones for certain situations. For example you can approach  some problems by stepping away from the situation and being pragmatic and ordering objectives, but some problems require you to just take my original approach to all problems which are to just jump in and do things to solve the problems. Through my development I have been able to develop new approaches to problem situations such as finding myself solving a problem, and simultaneously being able to find other problems in the topic or situation and pose new questions regarding how to solve internal problems and issues within the bigger initial highlighted problem. (3.0)Evaluate relevant points The next skill I chose to develop was being able to evaluate relevant point, in relation to developing this skill I highlighted that I needed to focus on critically in order to complete a task more efficiently, rather than trying to do lots of different tasks simultaneously and never really completing the initial task that was set. My initial targets to combat this skill gap was to focus on one job at a time, I asked my manager at work to also asses and keep an eye on my work from the point of addressing this skills gap in this manner (appendix A, manager minutes). After concluding a few tasks I had a conversation with him regarding my development and he commented that I had improved my skill in relation to just committing to relevant points and tasks within work and was pleased with my approach to combating my skills gaps within the workplace. In reflection to this skill I believe it went very well and my professional development plan directly addressed the issue highlighted which is an addition to this development of this skill as I have been able to identify a skills gap and fulfil my own planning to a degree of success and formality. I have also been able to notice this skill of evaluating and addressing critical points and areas of a job come into play further and slowly has become a more refined skill of mine to the point where I am able to strip a task down to its bareness and simplify it for others to follow my structures and planning in there conquest to assist completing the job or project. (4.0) Time management The next skill I needed to develop in order to gain an overall solution to my problem was to develop my time management skills, which at my skills assessment were set at the lowest level of skill initially as having little  experience of this skill, I believe it is one of my main skill’s weaknesses and has been for some time, it is something I have always found very difficult. I have decided to address this skills gap by trying to use more time management tools. I have tried to develop this skill very slowly as I have limited and poor quality experiences of this skill nature in the past. Therefore initially I started off with simple methods such as keeping a calendar of my day to day events in order to give me at least some time management structure as I was basically very fluid beforehand with no structure whatsoever, I have not developed this skill any further as I am having some success with the calendar on its own as of present but it is a skill that I am going to look to develop further, particularly next year when I am studying for my honours top up degree as I believe this skill will be imperative at this point, however I can attribute the lack of development in this skill down to my previous poor levels of experience in this skill nature and the fact that I am a very impulsive and spontaneous type of person and therefore have never really considered time management as a way of progressing my skills platform and skills matrix. On reflection I believe I would be able to describe my development in the skill of time management as one That I have shown some development in but not of a sufficient manner towards assisting solving the problem, however I have being able to reflect on these issues and have shown how they can be overcome and stated reasons that it is essential to overcome these issues and given the skills gap a focus in order to assist its completion to be competent in the skill of time management. (5.0) Identifying problems The next skill I identified and chose to develop was the skill of identifying problems, I evaluated this as one of my stronger skills towards being able to solve my problem, it is also very applicable to any problem that needs solving as in order to solve a problem it needs to be indentified beforehand in order to focus resources on the problem in hand. I am quite strong at this area of skill, both in the workplace and academically. This has been noticed and occasionally complemented by my peers in both of these areas of my life. However it has been highlighted by my peers in the past that sometimes I am not very confident in expressing my abilities in regards to identifying problems and could push myself foreword more in relation to  this. I have reflected upon this and also noticed there are times where I identify problems but lack confidence to express theses problems to a superior due to a lack of confidence and diligence, however I also have reflected on my strength in this field and have made it more of a prerogative to continue my good work in relation to identifying problems in order to assist the overall bigger identified problem which is to compile a policy to allocate overtime at work out more fairly between employees in order that everyone gets a fair share of the hours available. In relation to my slight weakness in this aspect however I shall try to be more outgoing when expressing my opinion on problems or potential problems and assist in identifying other diverse problems that are not always directly addressed to me in the most appropriate way possible. In relation to this there is an abstract on my mind map (appendix B) that relates to this aspect of problem identification and what it can be used for. (6.0)Verbal communication The next area of skill I have identified that I will need to solve this problem set is the ability of verbal communication. As this is a problem that influences everyone on the department it is an area that will be quite sensitive in nature to the vast majority of people. Therefore being able to communicate ideas and possible ways that the policy could be moulded are essential, the ability of verbal communication and having this ability along with the needs to take on board feedback from organisational members is vital in relation to this policy. In truth I believe this has always been one of my strongest areas in skills regarding developing this policy at work. This is because I am articulate and am very good in changing both my language, demeanour and body language appropriately according to the situation, characteristic of the third person and the age and intellectual level of the person that I am speaking to, this is because I am an empathetic type of person when it comes to social exchanges of this matter. My only self criticism and gap within this skill is that I can sometimes go over the top and digress away from the original issue. On reflection I just need to continue being articulate and selective with my demeanours in relation to the type of social situation, I also need to keep taking on board feed back within verbal communication and being selective towards  which feedback I find useful and not so useful, and applying these ideas towards the final outcome and solution to the problem. Also, as previously mentioned I can digress away from the point in my verbal communications, they way I have tackled this aspect in my skills development is to for a small structure (Appendix C) to just keep my conversational points work related and retain focus on the subject matter in hand which is ultimately solving the problem and drawing up some sort of policy. (7.0) Influencing peers The next area of skill I have identified as an area of skill that will be required to solve my problem in the workplace is the ability to influence peers and others within both the organisation and life in general. I believe this skill is particularly applicable to this problem and is a key cog in order to get to a solution for the problem, as after taking into account the views of the departments employees and gaining their feedback it is only possible to use some of the best ideas and fuse them into the policy and therefore create a solution to this problem or issue, and for this reason alone it is important that influence on peers is a strong skill in order to influence one’s own ideas and impress them on the masses in the working environment in order to keep a harmonious working environment and not cause further problems by implementing a policy of this nature in the first place, so for this alone I believe this skill is a very important one for getting everyone on side to find some common ground for all so that the policy can be successful when, or if it is implemented. My level of skill on influencing my peers is quite high, in situations both at work and in other areas of life such as sport. However during this experience of solving or trying to solve my problem I have found a few cracks in this skill even though it is one of my stronger skills. I highlighted the fact that I needed to be more confident to press my influence on others and try to become a motivator which I can potentially do. To do this I have tried to take more charge in workplace situations and influence others into potential directions that they can go with their own projects at work, I have also approached management about things and issues I believe have occurred at work, for example I believe the budgeting programme for our business being historical is incorrect given the businesses size and turnover. This shows  that I have tried to be influential on all levels of personnel at work and have built up the confidence to approach members of the organisation that are higher in the hierarchy about myself with issues I believe could be addressed. On reflection I believe I have move this skill foreword slightly and improved in the areas I have highlighted that I would like to in my plan, however I would also like to take my influential persona and use it to my own benefit in other areas if and when I graduate to have as a skill that employers might find as an attractive one. (8.0) Plan work The final skill I believe is essential to finding a solution to this problem presented is having the ability to plan work and have plans that are both flexible for external influence but structured towards attaining a result in the workplace that satisfies the needs of both myself and the organisation. This skill has often been a challenging one for me as I stated earlier regarding my time management that before I attended university I often worked on spontaneity and impulse and never really planned my time and planning work also falls into a similar category in regards to planning work as the go hand in hand in some conduct. As I have highlighted this as a weakness or gap in my current skills I have drawn up a detailed action plan with this in mind. I have highlighted in my plan to spend more time planning both at work and at university and to do this I have stated that I need to write more things down and be more formal as regards to planning. After writing this in my plan and reflecting on how I will approach this matter I decided to start using the built in diary on my phone as I believed it was a more practical solution to the planning aspect, I have had to attempt to be innovative in order to improve this skills gap as I don’t like the idea of carrying a diary or journal around as I will not keep it up to date and potentially could lose it. I have however drawn up my formal plans at work in a small notebook and kept line of my tasks and have found this useful, particularly on busy days when there are many tasks it is easy to forget something that could be essential when you have no or little structure as regards to planning and planning time towards certain critical tasks. It has been very applicable to the problem that has been highlighted, as in order to form the policy and therefore a general solution to the problem it is very important that the stages to get there are put in place and planned  accordingly. This is for many reasons, particularly if something goes wrong during getting to the solution as it is easier to trace the steps that are written down or recorded in some way than if there is no structure at all which would make the locating of the key area that created to problem a near impossibility, and would make it very

A Synopsis of the Movie I, Robot Essay

I always asked myself if those stories about robots overcoming humankind will become real. Sci-Fi books are being my favorites since I was a kid and I watched every major movie about this subject. My favorites is â€Å"I, robot† that tells the story of a society in the future that relies on robots for all its domestic activities, but somehow one of those robots became aware of his own self and started to develop a mind, but most important, a soul. The robot started to develop a sense of what is right and wrong, and not because some program installed in its memory or an algorithm protocol of orders, it begun making decisions not based on instructions or learning by mistake process, but by searching deep on its â€Å"heart† what was the right thing to do. The robot’s name is Calvin and the movie, starred by Will Smith, is based on a set of short stories by Isaac Asimov, prolific writer considered a master in hard science fiction. On his â€Å"I, robot† short stories, one of them titled â€Å"Three Law of Robotic†, and which he considered his maximum contribution to human kind of the future (Asimov wrote the book on 1950), he came up with three laws that he thought a future society must input on robots in order to coexist with them as part of their day by day living. Those laws are: 1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. 2. A robot must obey the orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. 3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Laws. These laws seem to be really basic, but their logic really doesn’t have any gaps, at least at first impression. When Calvin (the robot) encounters a conflict with those commands, he started to develop its artificial intelligence and becoming more human. When Calvin is in a situation that its deactivation will be harmful for his two human friends, he decided to fight for his existence, and a new era of robots was born. Like Asimov there are several authors and scientists that predicted a future where robots and artificial intelligence are a big part of society. And they have reasons to believe on this. After the Industrial Revolution took place, we have being searching for more productive ways to increase manufacture. Industrialization and mass production levels demand better, faster and smarter ideas to satisfy the greater demand of consume based societies. To achieve those exigent goals, technology and specially robotics is used more and more often. Some factories are made only on robots that build equipment parts or process food in a way no human can do. Major companies know where we are heading and invest more and more in robotic technology and artificial intelligence, like we read in the following citation of the article of Nicholas Carr â€Å"Is Google Making us Stupid?†: â€Å"Where does it end? Sergey Brin and Larry Page, the gifted young men who founded Google while pursuing doctoral degrees in computer science at Stanford, speak frequently of their desire to turn their search engine into an artificial intelligence, a HAL-like machine that might be connected direct ly to our brains. â€Å"The ultimate search engine is something as smart as people—or smarter,† Page said in a speech a few years back. â€Å"For us, working on search is a way to work on artificial intelligence.† In a 2004 interview with Newsweek, Brin said, â€Å"Certainly if you had all the world’s information directly attached to your brain, or an artificial brain that was smarter than your brain, you’d be better off.† Last year, Page told a convention of scientists that Google is â€Å"really trying to build artificial intelligence and to do it on a large scale.†Ã¢â‚¬  There is no doubt for me that there is a future where robots will be everywhere: Some robots might be performing precise heart surgeries, controlling traffic and overseen proper transit on the streets, cleaning our houses as domestic service or maybe even teaching English Composition at the local Community College (no offense to Ms. Patrice Fleck), but let’s be ready if some day they become aware of their own existence, giving the next step on their evolution as metallic beings. Let’s hope that their intentions towards us are attached to the Three Laws of Robotic stipulated by Asimov, they could be the difference between our survival and coexistence, or our total annihilation.

Ethnocentrism, Geocentrism and Polycentrism Assignment

Ethnocentrism, Geocentrism and Polycentrism - Assignment Example   To begin with, it may be logical to present reasons that support the position in question. First of all, it must be noted that the use of land which once used to be a forest will significantly enhance food production which will benefit the entire mankind. Indeed, the new territories will be free of pollution and other negative impacts of the humanity which will contribute to the quality of food that is produced on it. Other than qualitative enhancement, one may also observe quantitative enhancement since people will have more soil to grow crops and this will boost the production of food making sure that there is enough for everyone and the people will no longer experience hunger.Another point that should be mentioned lies in the fact that by clearing the forests and using the territories as new farmlands people will connect urban and rural areas. Indeed, it often happens so that the former have excess of food resources, but there are few people to consume them; on the other hand, cities virtually have no farmlands per se, but they are inhabited by people who are willing to pay for food. Therefore, if the forests are cleared, the infrastructure that connects the two kinds of areas will improve and so will the quality of life of the people on the both sides. So, this will be an important strategic move. Finally, one should also note that by using the lands that are cleared from forests the people will reclaim certain territories that used to be outside the scope of agriculture.   

Law Equity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Law Equity - Essay Example (Tom Myers, 2006) It is therefore imperative that a distinction between an ideological society and a non-ideological or post-ideological society should be made for purposes of discussing Zizek's view. In the former, politics is subjugated by the exploration for ultimate societal goal, the ideals and aspiration to realize a particular conception of the better society. It is a society where a dominant view of the better life is dispersed through society and influences people's consciousness. This process assumes different category, ranging from the totalitarian societies of fascism and Stalinist communism to liberal societies where concepts of ideological hegemony is sought. However, in present day society, the issues of political debate can no longer be fixed within the parameters of any single ideology. Over the centuries, society evolved to a much liberated system from a massive framework. Nevertheless, there is a clash between the politics of identity and the politics of ideology: the former explores in political action the recognition of the particular interests and goals of the individual, or cultural group. Ideological politics, on the other hand manifests in a collective manner of public action. The domain of ideological politics is geared towards total social transformation. However, modern political life does not operate anymore in like manner, but of fragmented or piecemeal basis, i.e., particular groups working its way for recognition, special interests claiming that governments take action to their demands (John Schwarzmantel, 2004). To these, Zizek view of the shape of politics in the contemporary society is anything but ideological. That the apparent fact of the perils of ideological politics in their totalitarian form paves way to a disparate reaction which receives the politics of difference and diversity is easily contested by Zezik. If ideologies would lead to the destruction of pluralism, then a healthy and diverse society has no place in a myriad of ideologies which seek to manipulate such diversity into one ideal. Ideologies seeks to present one ideal of a better society and attempts to reorient or direct different aspects of life towards one goal. Thus, an ideological movement is a collective movement, which stimulates people's loyalty, influences their emotions through the employment of myth and symbolism. It seeks to captivate state power to oblige that goal on the whole of society. Hence, the proponents of what Zezik's opposes acknowledge that ideological movements are not recognizable entities in the present society. (Tom Myers, 2006) Thus, its proponents insist that we have moved to a different kind of society which can be appropriately termed as post-ideological. However, Zezik's views differ on this as may be perused in his views as discussed below. Points de Capiton The question thus Zizek asks about ideology is that what maintains an ideological field of meaning consistent This is because of the fact that signifiers are dynamic and are prone to take its meaning to variousninterpretation. So how does ideology maintains its consistency The answer to this question is that a given ideological field is "quilted" by what he terms a point de capiton or the "anchoring point". Zisek argues that a point de capiton is a signifier which averts meaning from moving about inside the ideological quilt. A point de capiton provides identity to an ideological fi

Case Study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 32

Case Study - Essay Example Under normal circumstances, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was expected to take a leading role in providing relief to the affected people but in this case, it is seen working against its mandated task. The then director, Brown, turned down offers of assistance from the police, army as well as the other relief agencies and this was only compounded by a directive that prohibited all the emergency services departments not to respond to any call to assist the victims of the hurricane without being lawfully requested. A year passed after the devastating Katrina but a greater part of New Orleans remained in ruins with little reconstruction taking place. In my own opinion, I think the responsible authorities neglected the areas that were hardest hit by the hurricane. Instead of responding positively through offering assistance to the affected people, they are seen blocking emergency relief as if the disaster was premeditated. Natural disasters are not controlled by man and they cause untold suffering to the affected people, hence the need to put measures in place that are meant to avert the impacts of these disasters. The government is the main body representing all the citizens and it has the responsibility of ensuring that the welfare of its citizens is up to standard. In case of unprecedented natural disasters, all the levels of government in collaboration with other relief providers should take a leading role in ensuring that all the affected people get the needed assistance. Measures to ensure disaster preparedness should always be in place and the government should offer quick responses whenever there is a serious disaster unl ike the case of New Orleans where the responsible authorities are seen blocking aid. It is recommended that public policies which do not discriminate against race or creed must be enacted and fully implemented in all states. It is highly probable that the victims of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans were neglected on the

The Failure of Coca-Cola Blak Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Failure of Coca-Cola Blak - Case Study Example It is evidently clear from the discussion that in the idea of products, the mind of the potential buyer is very important because it determines whether the consumer will buy it or not. The coca cola company chose to use to use iconic glass bottles in packaging this drink and topped it with some plastic cap which is not professional in marketing and promotion of a new product it needs to be packaged well in a way that it is pleasing to the customers from afar. In terms of place, the good was readily available though it could be distributed better by the leading supermarkets in the US. In promotion, this would involve creativity and imagination in order that the information about the product would be where other competitors’ information does not reach, though we find that the internet advertising is slowly replacing the traditional ways of promotion. The coca-cola company did not put this into consideration and no wonder the massive failure. The bottle also comes in a tightly wr apped plastic sleeve that did not allow the customers to see what was packaged inside unless the consumer poured a bit of it in some glass. Also, the drink was more of Dark Brown in color whereas the name suggested more of black in color. The name should give more details of the product. It was billed as carbonated fusion beverage which means that it is a fusion of coke and coffee though this is not mentioned anywhere in the packaging only shown in the ingredients list as almost the last and indicating coffee extracts. When the coca-cola company announced the launch of it in 2006, there was nothing in the search in support of the announcement and there was nothing in their website to support the product. The big brands should always take into consideration that the internet and the websites go a long way in marketing their new products because it helps to capture some buzz usually created by those huge announcements. In pricing, this company had failed because it was relatively expe nsive. Consumers will always choose to buy the cheaper goods in the market if the two goods will add the same value to their lives. In marketing this product, the market research would have been very important in knowing the companies that they would partner with in order to market the new product better. The promotions too were not to standard and the product would have or would do better if the marketing and promotion part did its work very well. The product was also a bit expensive considering that it was a new product on the market. It was also more expensive than what most people expected of the product. Coca-cola Blak is full of artificial sweeteners and so it does not have the gritty, sticky mouthfeel and it is not so much caloric. It gave a toffee scent on opening. It also gives a lightheaded, detached feeling. This drink was certainly unique and tasty. If it is marketed in the best way it would do very well in the market. The packaging of the soft drink should also be chang ed in order that it would be appealing to the consumer. In the business, for the product to have lived on and if it comes back to the market the company should ensure a very good mix of the very right product that the consumers need, the coffee being sold at the very right and convenient price and in the most convenient place and use the best efficient and suitable promotion strategy.

Strategic Management Unit 5 IP Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Strategic Management Unit 5 IP - Assignment Example A business is as good as its planning, controlling and implementation. During this study different strategic discussions will be there which would help the company to keep its footsteps in the Tennessee market. Strengths: - It is a very well known company throughout the USA. As it is very well known people can easily recall its name. Management of the company would not find any problem regarding their recognition of their products. Company makes good quality of musical instruments. Products are of very high quality. Customers are very stratified with the products made by company. Quality assurance is a real strength for the company. Price ranges of their products are also well within the reach of normal customers. Company is having a great pool of experienced work force. Tools Corp Corporation is having great after sales services facilities for their customers. After sales service is also a great strength for the company. Weakness: - Modern day musical instruments companies are coming up with different kinds of innovative products. Company is having certain set of products. Company is lacking in innovative products. Company has lesser stocks of products for sudden demand in the market. Company’s total working model is not that much technically advanced like other companies in the industry. Company is over dependent on one or two vendors. Every other player in the industry are giving importance to promotion and branding. Company is lacking in this aspect also. Opportunities: - Tennessee is a music loving state. People here are very fond of their music. As a musical instrument company it would create lots of opportunity for the company. Opportunities are very high as cost-effective musical instrument companies are in few numbers in this market. Whole lot of middle income people of Tennessee can be opportunity for the company. New and young people are making new bands. These types of new budding members of the state can be opportunity for the

What was Socrates accused of and why What can we learn about Athenia Essay

What was Socrates accused of and why What can we learn about Athenia the outcome - Essay Example Socrates was accused by Meletus of two crimes, namely that he was guilty â€Å"of corrupting the young and of not believing in the gods in whom the city believes†. This means that there were both moral and religious reasons behind the charges brought against them. A closer analysis of the documents written by Plato reveals, however, that these two charges reveal a great deal about the state of Athenian democracy at that time, and they demonstrate how much of a danger Socrates and his teaching represented to those in power. The first charge of corrupting the young relates to the habit that Socrates had of gathering his pupils around him and engaging in long discussions about a wide range of subjects. His method of teaching was to construct dialogues with his pupils, urging them to question everything and use their minds to think through the issues of the day and their implications. He did not write things down, or require his students to repeat his ideas, but instead he concent rated on helping people to formulate their own ideas. He taught a method of arguing that led people into illogical conclusions, so that they could learn about how to think and argue. This necessarily brought Socrates and his students into conflict with people who had high status and authority. D’Amato (1975, p. 1082) explains that the type of radical training that Socrates offered was perceived as a way of encouraging young citizens to challenge their elders. This was frowned upon because it caused embarrassment when these supposedly clever elders did not have the counter-arguments to defeat their younger critics. It seems, then, that Athenian society was not ready for the wit and courage that the young people acquired from Socrates, and that this was one of the main reasons why he was brought to trial. Young people were expected to defer to the wisdom of their elders, and to adhere to the long traditions of the city, whereas Socrates was perceived as a disturbing element who threatened to upset the natural order. The second charge relating to the way that Socrates allegedly did not adhere to the worship of the gods of the city suggests that there was a fundamental issue in the teachings of the philosopher which ran counter to the prevailing ideology of the city. Socrates attempts to clarify whether he is being accused of atheism (Plato, 2000, p. 29) which he denies, or of teaching students to worship a wider range of gods than the ones preferred in Athenian society. It is confirmed that Meletus accuses him of â€Å"impiety† (Plato, 2000, p 37) which implies a denial of the existence of the gods altogether as well as bad behaviour resulting from this alleged lack of respect for the traditional gods. This accusation reveals that it is the practice of philosophy itself which is perceived by the authorities as a crime. Socrates argues that here have been many different gods in Greek history, and many different thinkers have suggested a myriad outlan dish ideas which do not necessarily fit exactly with prevailing opinion (Plato, 2000, pp. 9-10). The dialogues which Plato records show Socrates as a man concerned precisely with â€Å"moral virtues like justice, courage, moderation and wisdom (the four â€Å"cardinal virtues† of the Ancient Greeks)† (Roochnik, 2004, p. 82). By bringing these matters into a debate, he suggests that the truth is not yet truly known about them, and this in turn can be interpreted as a criticism of the prevailing customs and habits in the world around him. Greek society was not perfect by any means, and Socrates was trying to encourage reflection, rather than promoting immoral conduct. Socrates taught more than just the obedience to the laws and traditions of Athenian society, or literal belief in every point of the old stories about the gods. He wanted his students to think about what it actually meant to lead a virtuous life and to turn that theoretical knowledge in to practice by chang ing the way that

Evaluate the career opportunities and challenges for a new Essay

Evaluate the career opportunities and challenges for a new practitioner in the film discipline - Essay Example It should be noted that the film industry have evolved majorly since 1880 and for nearly century and half it has become the main source of entertainment for the society (Rousseau 2012, p.132). The growth in the film industry has also led to the growth in the size; thus, the employment opportunities. The film industry has engulf numerous sectors due to the advancement in the technology and societal expectation thereby providing numerous job opportunities in line with acting, producing, directing, editing, special effect management, designing, and even adaption and translation (Hjort 2013, p.45). Other than acting, film discipline offers development in dram techniques that involves particularly fiction. Fiction is a human performance of theater. It is complex and combines numerous transitional elements to arouse feelings, ideas, as well as unique state of mind to the audients. Despite the career opportunities in filming industry, the industry also poses the numerous challenges; thus, t his easy aims at analyzing numerous career opportunities and challenges in the film profession. Career opportunities that practitioner of the film discipline varies with the interest line or profession that an individual is in interested to pursue. Despite the general introduction to the discipline, the practitioners may opt to specialize at different levels of study mainly in undergraduate or graduate levels. Some of the major career opportunities that filming for the practitioners includes animation, narrative, documentary, production, and screenwriting as well as dancing (Smith & Dean 2009, p.167). The studies of films and its related disciplines involve critical examination of theatre, film, music, dance, performance, and dramaturgy. Moreover, film production also requires the analysis of the performance of actors and film producers. Despite the career line of film studies, the field requires the studies of history of theatre, acting, dramatic theory and criticism,

Human Devoloped Theories Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Human Devoloped Theories - Research Paper Example Diverse human development theories have been developed to predict, explain the different stages of the development. The paper will do an introduction to the key concept of the human development theory, the research evidence and the contemporary issues of the cognitive and psychosocial theories of the human development. The cognitive theory refer to ego development that is understanding of how the child emerges and shapes a personal identity with goals, beliefs and strategies for achieving goals within the constraints of the society. On the other hand, the psychosocial theory describe development stage that are assumed to be build upon accomplishment of the earlier stage that help to identify factors and processes that are likely to contribute to the observed decline in self-esteem of the children. These theories are outlined in turn, their similarities and differences are noted, and common criticisms are discussed to help understand the importance of each theory. The theories use stage models with similar concepts but organize them in different ways; the psychosocial theory has eight development stages that show how the child develop at each stage; on the other hand cognitive theory has four development stages that discuss the mental development of the child. Finally, the dominant stage in the two theories, the adolescent stage, is described, and some vital areas of the stage and the research based on it are mentioned.

Disabled Identity Essay Example for Free

Disabled Identity Essay The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how, from a historical perspective, media representation has impacted on the lives of people with disabilities, with a focus on facial disfigurement. A comparison between the terms ‘impairment’ and ‘disabled’ will clearly identify a difference between the concepts in terms of the medical and social models of disability. The paper will continue by analysing how negative media imagery has served to diminish the lives of people with facial disfigurement and ultimately been responsible for creating a ‘disabled identity’. Furthermore, the paper will highlight the shift from the medical model to a social model of disability, while taking into account the views and perceptions of groups of people with disabilities. It is important to consider the difference between the terms ‘impairment’ and ‘disabled’. Mason (2000) describes impairment as a characteristic, feature or attribute within an individual which is long term and may affect an individual’s appearance or affect the functioning of that individual’s mind or body, because of, or regardless of society. Mason further suggests that disabled people are those with impairments who are disabled by barriers in society. This includes people with physical impairments, people with visual impairments, people with learning difficulties and those who have experienced mental illness. The two terms ‘impairment’ and ‘disabled’ signal a difference between the concepts, in terms of the medical and social models of disability. According to Clough and Corbett (2000) the medical model points to practices which call on pathology. The model focuses on sickness, rather than health and reactive measures instead of preventative measures. Hence, under the medical model, disabled people are defined by their impairment, illness or medical condition. Open University (2006) suggest that the medical model promotes the view of a disabled person as dependent, needing to be cured or cared for. It justifies the way in which disabled people are excluded from society. Brainhe (2010) suggests that the social model is a concept which recognises that some individuals have impairments which can affect their ability to function in society. However, it is society that causes the individual to become disabled. According to Shakespear (1996) Identity is viewed by the medical model negatively as the focus in relation to disability is primarily based on adjusting, mourning and coming to terms with loss. Furthermore, identity is about belonging, what you have in common with others and how you differ from others. Conversely, the social model focuses on oppression within society and calls for change, empowering and promoting a different self-understanding. According to Changing Faces (2008) The word â€Å"disfigurement† is used to describe the aesthetic effects of a mark, rash, scar or skin graft on a person’s skin or an asymmetry or paralysis to their face or body. Furthermore, disfigurement can affect anyone in childhood or adulthood, from any ethnic group, whether it is the result of an accident, trauma, violent attack, caused by a disease such as cancer or the aftermath of a surgical procedure. Moreover, 112,000 young people in the United Kingdom have a significant facial disfigurement. Safran (1998) suggests that as a culture of mass media consumers, messages from newspapers and television impact on public attitudes towards individuals with disabilities and help shape social attitudes, through the provision of information about the nature of exceptionalities. Furthermore, encouraging social attitudes and acceptance are critical to inclusion for successful community and educational integration. Research by Bogdan (1988) indicated that during the nineteenth and twentieth century, media representation reflected the medical model of disability. Furthermore, people with disabilities have been used for entertainment and profit as human oddities and freaks for hundreds of years. Bogdan (1988) refers to two different styles of representation. The exotic mode presented the performer in a way that would ‘appeal to the spectator’s interest in the culturally strange, the primitive, the exotic’. Whereas in the Aggrandized mode of presentation, the emphasis was that despite condition, the performer was an upstanding, high status person. At the turn of the nineteenth century, audiences turned away from Freak shows, for reasons of exploitation. This resulted in isolation for the performer from society and the economy. Consequently, most performers spent the rest of their lives in institutions. Bogdan (1988, pg. 65) concluded: Freak shows disappeared because the performers had become curiosities of pathology and the scientific world. stigmatizing performers with a link to deviance. This stigma was such that visibility produced fear and repulsion and led to segregation and invisibility. According to Safran (1998) early film portrayal used disabilities to heighten the effect of slapstick comedies and melodramas, and frequently presented stereotypes of individual as victim or villain. Since 1904, wheelchairs presented a wide range of images including humor, evil, helplessness and confinement. After 1929, screenplays depicted physical disabilities. The horror film Frankenstein adapted various disabling characteristics, including motor difficulties; facial disfigurement to provoke fear (Longmore,1985). The portrayal of physical disabilities during the late 1940s was handled with greater sensitivity, spearheaded by images of returning veterans overcoming obstacles. Films such as The Best Years of Our Lives in 1946 and The Men (1950) focused appropriately on the shock of becoming disabled and accurately portrayed the rehabilitation process. During the civil rights era in the 1960s, people with physical impairments appeared in the mainstream, facing obstacles to live independently and by the late 1980s, more realistic portrayals evolved e. g. Born on the Fourth of July (1989) highlighting the trauma of coping with paralysis. In more recent years, representation of disability has been portrayed using positive images in films including My Left Foot and Gaby – A True Story (1987). However, negative themes of villainous disability continued e. g. The Fugitive (1993) which included Captain Hook imagery. According to Byrd (1989) between 1986 and 1988, sixty seven people with disabilities were portrayed in 53 of 302 films (17. 5%). More than half were victimised and less than one in five were heroes. Zola (1985) described the media as metaphorical, representing disabled people as a menace to society and victims. Bogdan et al in Safran (1998) examined the symbolism of disabilities in horror films and emphasized that portrayal of scarred, deformed and physically handicapped monsters in film, lead to a fear of people with disabilities. Furthermore, this could manifest as prejudice and unintentional social isolation. Films such as The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923), Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931) and Peter Pan (1953) exploit disabilities to create fear in the viewers as a consequence of negative imagery. Longmore (1985) examined a variety of negative themes and images across a range of films and concluded that villainous and evil characteristics are reflected in three different stereotypes; disabilities as punishment for evil, persons with disabilities as embittered by their fate, and persons with disabilities resenting able-bodied individuals whom they wish to destroy. According to Whittington-Walsh (2002) in 1932, Tod Browning made a film called Freaks which demonstrated a visual display of ‘normalcy’ of the characters, showcased by actors who were physically or mentally disabled. The film attempted to project the real oppression they experienced from socially created attitudes and stigmas. However, it was a box office disaster and banned in England for 40 years. Critics argued that it perpetuated the stereotypical image of people with disabilities as psychotic killers, seeking revenge for their disempowerment. Whittington-Walsh (2002) suggested that what truly offends and shocks audiences is not only the visibility of the actors with disabilities, but the fact that the actors had no shame in showcasing their diversity. Furthermore, it is within the criticism of Freaks where institutional rejection of human diversity is found, not in the images Brown showcased. Whittington-Walsh (2002) refers to the term idiot savant which has been linked with disability and success. This image is used by the film industry as the ‘norm’ for disability representation. Charlton (1998) in Whittington-Walsh (2002) argues that if a person with a disability is successful, they are seen to be brave or special. Films including Forest Gump, My Left Foot and Rain Man portray characters with disabilities as savants. It is argued by Charlton (1998) in Whittington-Walsh that a constant portrayal of characters as savants serves to diminish the abilities and lives of people with disabilities. Furthermore, the films discussed also include themes of isolation and pathology, which relates to the idea of a ‘cure’, as evident through a medical model way of thinking, which ultimately links disability with illness. Wardle et al (no date) presented findings which showed that broadcasters often fall into stereotypical portrayals of disfigurement, for example as reclusive, devious or villainous characters. Factual coverage can also often be overly ‘medicalised’ with documentaries presenting them as quirks of nature, abnormal or in need of surgery. Furthermore, people with facial disfigurement are rarely given a voice and are often positioned as the object of a voyeuristic gaze. Schroeder (1998) notes, to gaze implies more than to look at it signifies a psychological relationship of power, in which the gazer is superior to the object of the gaze (Schroeder, 1998). Wardle et al(no date) suggests that issues such as stigma are generally neglected for the sake of programmes which focus on unusual or extraordinary disfigurements, in order to attract high viewing figures. Goffman (1968) describes stigma as a physical or social attribute or mark that devalues a person’s social identity which consequently disqualifies them from complete social acceptance. Furthermore, stigmatized groups include ethnic minorities, the physically handicapped and the facially disfigured. Moreover, although there are face to face differences between the groups, there is a common thread relating to obstacles, prejudice and discrimination. It is evident through research conducted by Wardle et al (no date) that recent understandings of disability have shifted to the social model largely due to disability rights movement. This movement was the start of developmental changes within society and to further support disabled people to gain equal social status and to eliminate oppression and discrimination. In addition, The Disability Discrimination Act emerged. Disability activists acknowledge ‘difference’ but identify the problem as societies who are unable to adapt in order to accommodate difference, rather than the individual who has the disability. The research concluded that both audiences with and without disfigurement wanted more every day, informed and balanced coverage. In interview, Margaret, 58, revealed that she had been disfigured for 54 years, but had never seen or read anything which portrays a positive image of a disfigured woman. Wardle, et al,no date) Norden et al (2007) suggests that in television and film there is evidence that representation is gradually undergoing a process of change which reflects social change. However, according to Wardle et al (no date) while the traditional side show context largely died out in the nineteenth century, the impulse to look/curiosity and fascination and the spectacle of disabled bodies are still evident in modern media coverage. Cumberbatch and Negrine (1992). carried out a study which highlighted that factual programming did represent disabled people and 16% of all factual programmes included disabled people. Lucas (2003) who was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition called Cherubism discusses her appearance on a television programme called What Are You Staring At? This is a BBC documentary on the subject of facial disfigurement. She reflects on her personal decision not to have plastic surgery and why she felt it important that society should consider prejudice towards people with disfigurement, rather than just concentrating on trying to fix or cure disfigured faces. To put it simply, my attitude was Yeah, lets look at the medical options and if people want surgery, thats fine. But lets also look at building up their self-esteem. Wouldn’t it be nice if we also worked at making a more tolerant society too? Lucas (2003) Lucas (2003) suggested that it is not her face that is the problem, but peoples prejudices. Furthermore she feels that we live in a society that says physical difference is bad and beauty is good. But this has resulted in disfigured and disabled people being treated like second class citizens because their bodies are different and they are seen as less than human. Moreover, societal ideals that cause us to question self image are nothing more than learned traditions and customs passed down through generations. According to Erin (2005) in KASA( 2012) who suffers from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome; typical stereotypes that characters in the media fulfill and have been fulfilling for decades on end, disabled innocence (Tiny Tim), disabled inspiration (Helen Keller), and disabled evil (Captain Hook). Furthermore, unfortunately still today, few movies seem to contain the element of disability at the end. The movie usually concludes with the character with being cured or dying, leading the viewer to the assumption that life with a disability can in no way be rewarding or fulfilling. Moreover, most media representation in unrealistic in relation to portrayal of life with a disability. Falsehoods regarding disabilities are spoon fed to society today, only to be regurgitated as ridiculous pressures on individuals with disabilities to conform to a misleading societal standard of beauty†¦ So just how has over a century of media lies and scattered truths affected us as disabled individuals? Is our self perception warped and self esteem damaged as a result of false images and stereotypes? †¦(Erin, 2005 in KASA, 2012) McEachran (2012) who has a facial disfigurement (non malignant growth on one side of his face) reflects on a recent episode of Top Gear, where TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson compared the size of a Japanese car to people with growths on their faces; mimicking Joseph Merrick (the Elephant Man) in the process: â€Å"You know sometimes you meet someone and they have a growth on their face and it is bigger than their face†¦ one of those really ugly things†. McEachran (2012) strongly believes that the crass remarks from Clarkson has reignited the stereotypes and phenotypes that have been socially and culturally constructed around the fallacy that there is a difference between a ‘figured face’ (whatever that means) and a ‘disfigured face’. Furthermore, TV and film are partly responsible for making disfigurements be seen as something unapproachable and not aesthetic to look at. Pearson (2012) was born with Neurofibromatosis. A rare condition that caused benign growths to grow on his head and face). He recently took part in the channel 4 programme; ‘Beauty and the Beast –Ugly Face of Prejudice’, in order to convince people to see beyond the exterior and judge others by their characters rather than their appearance. This paper has highlighted that representations of disfigurement in the media have changed dramatically over the past three centuries and consequently, has been responsible for some c hange in relation to societal attitudes. Television has been responsible for making the invisible, visible, as evidenced through more recent programmes, where people with facial disfigurements have been given the opportunity to give an insight into their lives and ultimately portray a more positive identity, while attempting to break down negative, stereotypical perceptions. Reflection In my early childhood, I remember becoming friends with a girl, Emma, whose face and body was predominately covered with red/purple marking. She walked with a visible limb and had a curled and deformed hand. I innocently asked why she had these ‘differences’ and she told me that they were just birth marks and that I couldn’t catch them by being her friend. Our friendship continued for many years and after that point, I never thought about her as ‘different’ and accepted her for who she was, my lovely friend. I now realise that this perception was through a child’s eyes because as a young woman my attitude changed. I began to experience a deep sense of pity for people with disabilities, particularly in relation to facial disfigurement and this was prevalent prior to completing the module. I feel that this pity may be a result of my own insecurities, and lack of confidence, as well as the realization that I don’t believe I would have the coping strategies to deal with a facial disfigurement. Furthermore, I have been drawn in by media portrayal of what ‘beauty’ looks like. Throughout the module, my perceptions have completely changed after listening to the experiences of people with facial disfigurement. I now consider that beauty comes from within and having a facial disfigurement should not have negative implications. I agree with Lucas (2003) that learned traditions and customs are passed down through generations. Consequently, educating children from a young age about impairments could have a profound impact on the way people with impairments are perceived in the future. I believe that with knowledge and understanding comes power, resulting in a more positive approach to disability, achievable through education and as a result passed on to other generations, ultimately challenging the term ‘disabled identity’.

Restrictive health, safety and technical standards Essay Example for Free

Restrictive health, safety and technical standards Essay Technical Standards: Standards and standards-related technical regulations are pervasive features of global commerce, affecting an estimated 80 percent of world commodity trade. These technical specifications make up much of the vocabulary in the exacting language of industry, consumer protection, and government regulation. As such, foreign standards and methods used to assess conformity to standards can either facilitate efficient international trade and its resultant benefits, or they can impede access to export markets. Divergent standards peculiar to a nation or region, redundant testing and compliance procedures, unilateral and non-transparent standard setting exercises, and a confusing thicket of other standards-related problems are now recognized as major impediments to free trade. For example: Vietnams Ministry of Science and Technology publishes a list of imports and exports requiring mandatory quality inspection. Importers and exporters of the products on the list must subject their products to inspection and obtain a permit from the relevant government agencies (such as the Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Fishery, and the Ministry of Science and Technology) at the time they go through customs. In the inspection, some products are subject to national standards, some are subject to regulations of the functional agencies, and some are subject to both. China is very concerned with the transparency of Vietnams mandatory quality inspection system. Language Barrier: Communication is the key to building successful business relationships. However, communication becomes complex when more than one language is involved. Interpreters and translators can play a critical role assisting exporters with the delivery of key information to prospective customers and clients. Interpreters and translators fulfill different roles in different cultures. For example, an interpreter in North America or Europe is expected to relay an unbiased account of the information to the audience. In Japan, however, an interpreter will translate the language and quite likely interpret gestures, context and meanings for those in attendance. Exporters should enlist the services of an experienced, fluent translator or interpreter who is also immersed in the culture of the target market. Working as a team, the exporter and the interpreter can review the text, presentation or other materials together to ensure that there will be no difficulties with background information, technical terms or potentially ambiguous messages. Non-tariff Barriers. Non-tariff barriers (NTBs) refer to the wide range of policy interventions other than border tariffs that affect trade of goods, services, and factors of production. Most taxonomies of NTBs include market-specific trade and domestic policies affecting trade in that market. Extended taxonomies include macro-economic policies affecting trade. NTBs have gained importance as tariff levels have been reduced worldwide. Common measures of NTBs include tariff-equivalents of the NTB policy or policies and count and frequency measures of NTBs. These NTB measures are subsequently used in various trade models, including gravity equations, to assess trade and/or welfare effects of the measured NTBs. Conclusion The world has a long history of international trade. In fact, trading among nations can be traced back to the earliest civilizations. Trading activities are directly related to an improved quality of life for the citizens of nations involved in international trade. It is safe to say that nearly every person on earth has benefited from international trading activities. This may be a good time to reinforce the idea that trade barriers are designed to protect some industries but, in fact they may hurt other industries or even consumers. Economists have found that sanctions dont often reach their political objectives and they come with high costs. A good example is the steel tariff imposed by the Bush administration, on foreign-made steel. President Bush imposed the tariffs, ranging from 8 percent to 30 percent, on some kinds of foreign steel in March 2002, in order to help the U. S. steel industry compete with foreign steel producers. Many U. S. manufacturing companies that use steel, including manufacturers of auto parts and appliances, say that the steel tariffs have raised costs for manufacturers and caused thousands of manufacturing losses. Also, people who buy cars or appliances may have to pay higher prices because of the steel tariffs. The U. S. International Trade Commission recently concluded that the tariffs have caused a $30 million net loss to the U. S. economy. In addition, the European Union is considering retaliatory tariffs against the U.S. TBR (Trade Barrier Regulation) is Europes way of removing obstacles to trade, ensuring that countries abide by the rules of international trade, and providing procedures for resolving international trade disputes. Through the European Commission, its procedures interface directly with WTO dispute resolution procedures, affecting all countries subject to WTO rules and agreements notably the United States and Japan and whose industries have been the subject of recent international decisions. Free trade is usually most strongly supported by the most economically powerful nations in the world, though they often engage in selective protectionism for those industries which are politically important domestically, such as the protective tariffs applied to agriculture and textiles by the United States and Europe. The Netherlands and the United Kingdom were both strong advocates of free trade when they were economically dominant, today the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Japan are its greatest proponents. However, many other countries (such as India, China and Russia) are increasingly becoming advocates of free trade as they become more economically powerful themselves. As tariff levels fall there is also an increasing willingness to negotiate non tariff measures, including foreign direct investment, procurement and trade facilitation. The latter looks at the transaction cost associated with meeting trade and customs procedures. Traditionally agricultural interests are usually in favour of free trade while manufacturing sectors often support protectionism. This has changed somewhat in recent years, however. In fact, agricultural lobbies, particularly in the United States, Europe and Japan, are chiefly responsible for particular rules in the major international trade treaties which allow for more protectionist measures in agriculture than for most other goods and services. During recessions there is often strong domestic pressure to increase tariffs to protect domestic industries. This occurred around the world during the Great Depression leading to a collapse in world trade that many believe seriously deepened the depression. The regulation of international trade is done through the World Trade Organization at the global level, and through several other regional arrangements such as MERCOSUR in South America, NAFTA between the United States, Canada and Mexico, and the European Union between 27 independent states. The 2005 Buenos Aires talks on the planned establishment of the FTAA (Free Trade Area of the Americas) failed largely due to opposition from the populations of Latin American nations. Similar agreements such as the MAI (Multilateral Agreement on Investment) have also failed in recent years. Bibliography 1. Barriers to entry: Coping with protectionism. UK Investment. 18 April 2007 http://www. ukinvest. gov. uk/10415/en_GB/0. pdf 2. Boone, L. , and Kurtz, D. Contemporary Marketing. New York: Dryden Press. 2003 3. Brue, S. , and McConnell, C. Economics. New York: McGraw-Hill. 2003 4. Churchill, G. , and Peter, P. Marketing: Creating Value for Customers. Austen Press. 2004 5. Czinkota, M. R. , and Ronkainen, I. A. International Marketing. New York: Dryden Press. 2005 6. Competition and Market Power. Econoclass – Sources for Economics Teachers. 18 April 2007 http://www.econoclass. com/imperfectcompetition. html 7. Deardorff, Alan V. , and Robert M. Stern. Measurement of Nontariff Barriers: Studies in International Economics. 2005 8. Debra Ann Skaradzinski. Testing chaotic dynamics via Lyapunov exponents. Journal of Applied Econometrics 20:7, (2003): 911. 9. Fisher, Ronald, and Pablo Serra. â€Å"Standards and Protection. † Journal of International Economics 52 (2004): 377-400. 10. Farese, L. , Kimbrell, G. , and Woloszyk, C. Marketing Essentials. Mission Hills, CA: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill. 2003 11. Henson, Spencer, and John S. Wilson, eds. The WTO and Technical Barriers toTrade, in the Critical Perspectives on the Global Trading System and the WTO series, Northampton, MA: Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd. 2005 12. Impact of Standards and Technical Regulations on Trade. Press Release from Commerce Ministry (2003). 18 April 2007 http://www. commerce. gov/opa/press/Secretary_Evans/2003_Releases/March/19_Standards. htm 13. Journal of Behavioral Finance, Vol. 4, No. 2, (2003): Pages 65-70 14. Kee, Hiau Looi, Alessandro Nicita, and Marcelo Olarreaga. Estimating Trade Restrictiveness Indices, World Bank Policy Research Working Paper # 3840.2006 15. Kotler, P. , and Armstrong, G. Marketing: An Introduction. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall. 2004 16. â€Å"Methodologies, Classifications, Quantification and Development Impacts of Non-Tariff Barriers: Note by the UNCTAD Secretariat,† Document TD/B/COM. 1/EM. 27/2. (2004). 18 April 2007 http://www. unctad. org/TEMPLATES/meeting. asp? intItemID=3411lang=1m=10489info=not 17. Non-tariff Barriers Centre for Rural Agricultural Development (2003). 18 April 2007 www. econ. iastate. edu/research/webpapers/paper_12703. pdf 18. RSIE Working Papers. University of Michigan.(2005). 18 April 2007 http://www. fordschool. umich. edu/rsie/workingpapers/wp. html 19. The Impact of Regulations on Agricultural Trade. Working Paper, Centre d’Etudes Prospectives et d’Informations Internationales, Paris. (2003). 18 April 2007 www. econ. iastate. edu/research/webpapers/paper_12703. pdf 20. Trade, Environment and Development. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). (2005). 18 April 2007 www. unctad. org/trade_env/ 21. Vousden, Neil. The Economics of Trade Protection. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. 2005.

Maintaining Communication in Nursery Management

Maintaining Communication in Nursery Management In this unit I will be looking at how to maintain effective communication through a nursery setting with staff, parents and children. I will be going through the importance of staff appraisals and how records of staff should be logged and the reason for this. Disciplinary and grievance issues will be discussed as it is crucial to know the procedure of these in the unfortunate circumstances that they may occur. Finally, I will evaluate the appropriate employment policies that are put in to place for the recruitment and management of the staff in a nursery organisation. Task 1.1 â€Å"Explain the process for maintaining effective communication within the setting team† We know that communication is the transfer of information between people. It can be verbal or non verbal. In a nursery we utilize constant communication between a practitioner and child, management and staff, staff and parents and many others. In a larger setting it may be a complicated process however there are many different ways of easing this process. It is essential that we know what the key factors should be in the communication process, how to improve our skills and the potential problems that exist with errors in communication and how to overcome this to have minimal faults. In order to have successful communication there are normally three major components; a sender, a receiver and a message. For example in a nursery setting the practitioner may be teaching there key child a certain colour/number and in order to do this they set an activity. In this example we have a sender (practitioner), a receiver (child) and a message (activity). For staff we frequently have a great deal of information to send within a short period of time. To do this effectively, it is important for management to know that there are factors which could influence how our message is interpreted. Breakdown of important information can help give receiver a better understanding of what is expected from them. In situations where this does not occur and important information is not conveyed, allergy advice, medicine or parents preferences for their chid may be missed. For example, in one situation, there was a member of staff from preschool that had come to cover for the toddler room leader. Unaware that one child is allergic to wheat she incorporated play doh in her activity. This error could have been prevented if the communication between staff had been complete. In my current place of employment we have a ‘communication book’ kept in each room. This book contains ALL messages from managers, staff and parents. Every member of staff should check this every time they enter the room and sign once they have read any new message. Staffs are all told verbally any messages and it is also written down in the communication book to make sure everyone has understood the message. I understand from my experience that the trust of our parents and families of children that attend nursery is an extremely important part of providing effective childcare. If they don’t trust us, any communication that we attempt to send to them may be disregarded. The first step to effective communication is honesty. It is important not to promise staff and children that we are going to do something unless it can be followed through. It has been said as much as 80% of our communication is non verbal. We need to pay attention to our body language, eye contact and tone of voice when addressing staff, parents and children. Conflict among co workers can impact the setting we work in and can prevent important communication. Also, cultural awareness can be an important part of knowledge base that we need to have when communicating as practitioners/managing staff. For example, we may want to pat the arm of an unhappy member of staff, but we need to make sure that this behaviour is acceptable and not seen as inappropriate. Regardless of how busy the day to day running of the nursery we need to ensure that each room and management has â€Å"protected† time. This allows staff to communicate about important issues such as, child protection issue, staffing levels and medical advice given by parents for a particular child. In order to have effective communication it is essential to have an active listener. To show you are an active listener it is important to pay attention, respond appropriately and provide feedback. In business there are 4C’s of communication which are; comprehension, credibility, connection and contagiousness. Starting with comprehension, it is important to see whether our message can be comprehended by staff/parents/children. If they don’t understand or it has to be repeated it is likely to be a fault in our communication. Secondly, credibility is an extremely important factor. This must be perceived in the correct way to parents what you are trying to convey as if they don’t understand they will have lost interest from the very start. Thirdly, we have connection. It is important to have a connection with everyone whether it is the staff, children or parents. It makes communicating with one another a much easier process when we have the confidence and connection to discuss openly any matters. Finally, contagiousness; this is what motivates staff. It is important for staff and managers to portray an enthusiastic working environment and to keep each other mo tivated. This action should be a result of what has been communicated. We know what needs to be done to have effective communication however 60% of business failures are because of poor communication. The 2 main types of communication we use are verbal and non verbal. Within these 2 categories we have many barriers which may affect staffs understanding or unwillingness to communicate and be active listeners. Verbal communication coexists alongside non verbal communication, which can affect people’s perceptions and exchanges in subtle but significant ways. Non verbal communication means how people read our body language such as gestures, facial expressions, eye contact and posture. The sound of our voice, including pitch, tone and volume are also forms of non verbal communication. In order to make staff comfortable and to help them understand what is being expected from them it is important to express non verbal communication in the correct manner. We use verbal communication to inform, whether it is to inform others of our needs or to impart know ledge. Verbal communication helps to clarify misunderstandings and provides missing information. The environment we are in may make communication difficult. If we are in a large nursery setting it may be harder to convey a message to all staff straight away as they may be located in different areas. It is important to be clear when giving instructions as the way some staff perceives messages may differ. There are also many other ways verbal messages can be misread. If staff are stressed, or have personal issues it can affect the way they choose to communicate. However, this should be dealt with at a separate time and should be resolved when the member of staff or manager are a lot calmer. Task 1.2 â€Å"Understand the importance of the appraisal process and how records for staff can be logged† A formal appraisal is important for professional development, to meet a goals or objectives. Other benefits that can be gained from an appraisal include enhanced communications, an opportunity to effectively address performance problems, and improved employee morale. The appraisal form should be completed during annual appraisals by both the manager and employee. It is good practice for employees to complete a self-appraisal form prior to the interview. This could identify areas where they feel they have excelled, areas they feel they need more support on, any training they have completed and any they would benefit from. The appraisal process looks at what the employer has learned over the last 6 months and they can discuss goals and targets they have achieved. The appraisal process gives a chance to employees and managers to discuss any further training they feel is necessary. When the employee is completing the appraisal form, it is important to complete this with the previous year’s appraisal to ensure that any targets which have been set in order to gain the pay rise have been reached. If they have not been reached, it gives the employee an opportunity to complete them (if this is possible) before the appraisal takes place. At my previous nursery all staff were asked to make a personal development plan at the beginning of the year so every year we were able to see what skills we had developed, what new skills we are looking to develop and what we need to improve. With this plan we used SMART targets in order to have effective goals and so that our progress can be measured. The appraisal pr ocess is very effective if carried out in the correct process. Task 1.3 â€Å"Identify the correct procedures to follow with regards to disciplinary and grievance issues† Disciplinary and grievance procedures are frameworks which provide clear and transparent structures for dealing with difficulties which may arise as part of the working relationship from either the employer’s or employees’ perspective. They are necessary to ensure that everybody is treated in the same way in similar circumstances, to ensure issues are dealt with fairly and reasonably, and that employers are compliant with current legislation and follow the ACAS code of practice for handling disciplinary and grievance issues. Disciplinary procedures are important as they help resolve any issues that have come up in the setting without needing to go to an employment tribunal. A disciplinary procedure normally consists of three stages. The first stage is a letter which tells the employee why the meeting is going to be taking place and has to be given to the employee at least 72 hours prior to the second stage. Following the letter, the employee is invited for a meeting and is able to bring along a companion to be present at the meeting. Prior to the meeting it is important for management to ensure all the facts are investigated in advance (including consulting the individual’s personal file for relevant information) and plan how the meeting is to be approached. It is also important for another member of the management committee or management team to be there to take notes and help conduct the interview. Finally management come to a decision of whether the employee should be dismissed or kept on. If t he employee feels they should not be dismissed they are able to appeal. After the disciplinary meeting there are three possible outcomes. The first one is where the manager decides not to take any actions. They may just decide to refer the employee for counselling or training. Secondly, management may decide to give the employee a formal warning. There are three different types of warnings that can be given. They can either be a written warning, or made as a general rule or employee may find they are given their final written warning. The third possible outcome is of course dismissal. However, if a manager decided to dismiss a member of staff it is important the ACAS code is followed. It is essential that grievances from employees are treated in the same fair manner and all levels of management are familiar with their organisation’s grievance procedure. Staff should be encouraged to discuss ordinary, day to day issues informally with their relevant manager. This helps concerns to be heard and responded to as soon as possible instead of turning to employment tribunal. The grievance and disciplinary issues can also be used to tackle problems such as persistent lateness, bullying, inappropriate use of the nursery resources and fighting. Task 1.4 â€Å"Evaluate relevant employment policies required for the recruitment and management of staff in the organisation† Many businesses, especially Childcare feel the staffs are the company’s greatest asset. This is because it is down to the staff on how well the children and parents are being cared for. â€Å"Employees are a companys greatest asset theyre your competitive advantage. You want to attract and retain the best; provide them with encouragement, stimulus, and make them feel that they are an integral part of the companys mission.† [Anna M Mulcahy. (2001).Assets.Available: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/annemmulc424886.html?src=t_asset. Last accessed 6 February 2015] Employing a new member of staff is a lengthy process. The company starts off by advertising the vacancy. The company should make sure that the vacancy is advertised in a variety of places and locations so that all applicants are given an equal opportunity. The advertisement should be circulated to underrepresented groups in the community both externally and internally. Which means the job role should be advertised in local job centres, colleges, schools and community notice boards. The next stage is the recruitment and selection stage. All the completed application forms are given to the nursery and the management team then score each application and select candidates that fit the job description. The manager then chooses however many candidates they feel should be invited for an interview. When the recruitment and selection process takes place two staff from management should be involved in the process, making sure they are also trained for equal opportunities to insure there is no discrimination against any candidates. After the interview process the successful candidate should be notified by telephone. However, a formal letter is then sent to the candidate containing the job offer. The three important policies when recruiting staff are induction of staff, staff development and the promotion policy. The induction of staff policy is normally carried out on the first day of the job to allow the employee to see the day to day running of the nursery. The new staff member is handed the book containing all the policies and is asked to make sure they familiarize themselves with them. At my current work place I was allocated to an existing member of staff who showed me what responsibilities I would have in the nursery. It is important to familiarize the employee about the health and safety policy, fire safety, child protection issues, arrival and departures policy, children’s medical information, and allergies children may have and how to complete sickness/injury forms, sleep and nappy charts which are required to be completed regularly. This should be done at least within the first week of employment. The second policy which is staff development is put in to place so that parents are guaranteed excellent childcare. If staffs are being trained frequently and ensuring they are stretching their personal targets and knowledge they will be able to provide a higher level of care for the children of the nursery and this can be done with management looking in to how they are able to develop staff learning. Employees can look at their personal development plans and then suggest appropriate training they would like to have. Finally the promotion policy is put in to place in order for staff to work towards personal targets so they can continue to receive professional development. It is important management carry out the appraisal process in order for staff to receive this opportunity. If the management feel there is an appropriate candidate they refer back to the selection and recruitment policy. In conclusion I feel all policies and procedures are extremely relevant as it helps the setting meet all the correct statutory requirements and have regard to the statutory guidance laid out in the EYFS. It also gives staff and parents a clear understanding of the services the nursery has to offer. It sets out rules and guidelines so everyone has equal opportunities. As a manager it is important to make sure that the company’s vision is seen through all the staff and they work according to the policies and procedures that have been set when running the day to day activities in the nursery.

Free Handmaids Tale Essays: The Oppression of Women :: Handmaids Tale Essays

The Oppression of Women in Handmaids Tale  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Within freedom should come security. Within security should come freedom. But in Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood, it seems as though there is no in between. Atwood searches throughout the novel for a medium between the two, but in my eyes fails to give justice to a woman’s body image. Today's society has created a fear of beauty and sexuality in this image. It is as though a beautiful woman can be just that, but if at the same time, if she is intelligent and motivated within acting as a sexual being, she is thought of as exploiting herself and her body. Atwood looks for a solution to this problem, but in my eyes fails to do so. In the Handmaid's Tale women are supposed to be more secure then they have ever been. Their bodies and their ability to reproduce are worshiped by society. Crimes against women have been erased. There is no longer rape, or domestic physical and mental violence against women. There is also no abortion. For women to exist in a space like this, one would think that they had the freedom to be powerful, strong women. Yet they are enslaved to this idea of being "protected." Atwood tries to define a woman’s security as being powerful, but really she just contributes to the idea that women are incapable of taking care of and protecting themselves. The novel also portrays a space where a woman’s body is something to fear and hide. "My nakedness is strange to me already. My body seems outdated. Did I really wear bathing suits at the beach? I did, without thought, amoung men, without caring that my legs, my arms, my thighs and back were on display, could be seen. Shameful, immodest. I avoid looking at my body, not so much because it's shamefull or immodest but because I don't want to see it. I don't want to look at something that determines me so completely."(P.63) Women fear their own bodies, they don't love themselves. Which is unfortunate because having love for your body can create a very powerful space for a woman. When women learn to love themselves and their bodies and not fear what they can do with them, they gain self-esteem and confidence to do whatever it is they want to do. A society such as this, defined as having a basis on women, truely, does not.

Spanish Influenza Outbreak, 1918 :: American America History

Spanish Influenza Outbreak, 1918 In the midst of perfect health, in a circumscribed community... the first case of influenza would occur, and then within the next few hours or days a large proportion- and occasionally every single individual of that community- would be stricken down with the same type of febrile illness, the rate of spread from one to another being remarkable... Barrack rooms which the day before had been full of bustle and life, would now converted wholesale into one great sick room, the number of sick developing so rapidly that hospitals were within a day or two so overfull that fresh admissions were impossible. -Dr. Herbert French to the British Ministry of Health (Hoehling,18)    Between the months of August and November of 1918, Spanish influenza spread quickly across the United States and around the world in epidemic proportions. The disease was thought to have been brought from country to country by sea-faring vessels passing through major port cities around the world, with illness striking men of French troops, the British Royal Navy, civilians in America, and more. The Public Health Service sanitation officer and member of the First Navy District, Dr. William M. Bryan, was aware of the conditions in Boston and was worried by them, where hot, dusty, and dry conditions exacerbated the problem, forcing sailors and soldiers into crowded conditions in Boston, where the close conditions and poor housing aided in the quick spread of influenza from person to person (23). Although influenza itself did not cause the deaths, but caused the pneumonia which did cause deaths, the number of deaths were still striking and rising. The deaths of three men in one afternoon in Quincy, Massachusetts caused the public to take notice. Bostonà ­s church closed on September 22 to keep the public separated from each other (33). The disease proceeded to cause death in large numbers throughout the country. At one point, Philadelphia was stricken with 289 deaths within 24 hours(71). If the problems involving the quick spread of the disease could have been foreseen, it would have been wise to take precautions concerning the close quarters in the major port town of Boston. There may have been a way to separate people to a greater degree and not allow them to be on such close terms that they could have passed the virus so quickly from one to another. A larger number of available places to board, though impractical, would have been helpful because the disease would have had more difficulty spreading than in the close confines that existed. Spanish Influenza Outbreak, 1918 :: American America History Spanish Influenza Outbreak, 1918 In the midst of perfect health, in a circumscribed community... the first case of influenza would occur, and then within the next few hours or days a large proportion- and occasionally every single individual of that community- would be stricken down with the same type of febrile illness, the rate of spread from one to another being remarkable... Barrack rooms which the day before had been full of bustle and life, would now converted wholesale into one great sick room, the number of sick developing so rapidly that hospitals were within a day or two so overfull that fresh admissions were impossible. -Dr. Herbert French to the British Ministry of Health (Hoehling,18)    Between the months of August and November of 1918, Spanish influenza spread quickly across the United States and around the world in epidemic proportions. The disease was thought to have been brought from country to country by sea-faring vessels passing through major port cities around the world, with illness striking men of French troops, the British Royal Navy, civilians in America, and more. The Public Health Service sanitation officer and member of the First Navy District, Dr. William M. Bryan, was aware of the conditions in Boston and was worried by them, where hot, dusty, and dry conditions exacerbated the problem, forcing sailors and soldiers into crowded conditions in Boston, where the close conditions and poor housing aided in the quick spread of influenza from person to person (23). Although influenza itself did not cause the deaths, but caused the pneumonia which did cause deaths, the number of deaths were still striking and rising. The deaths of three men in one afternoon in Quincy, Massachusetts caused the public to take notice. Bostonà ­s church closed on September 22 to keep the public separated from each other (33). The disease proceeded to cause death in large numbers throughout the country. At one point, Philadelphia was stricken with 289 deaths within 24 hours(71). If the problems involving the quick spread of the disease could have been foreseen, it would have been wise to take precautions concerning the close quarters in the major port town of Boston. There may have been a way to separate people to a greater degree and not allow them to be on such close terms that they could have passed the virus so quickly from one to another. A larger number of available places to board, though impractical, would have been helpful because the disease would have had more difficulty spreading than in the close confines that existed.

Influence of Culture on Human Technology :: Sanders The Men We Carry in Our Minds

Influence of Culture on Human Technology The influence that culture has had on human technology is undeniable. One could even go as far as to say that sometimes, it is difficult to distinguish between the two. The term â€Å"culture† is extremely difficult to define because of the vast array of meanings that people attach to it. For this very reason, it is imperative to examine the most basic notion of culture, namely: â€Å"the totality of socially transmitted behavior patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, and all other products of human work and thought† (as taken from www.dictionary.com). Given this definition, it seems reasonable to conclude that human technologies fall under the category of â€Å"all other products of human work and thought†. Yet, although human technologies are closely linked to culture, we must draw certain distinctions between the two. Today, for example, pop culture is thought of as the exportation of American music, food, and cinema. This is a legitimate example of a culture because it encompasses the ideas/beliefs/traditions of a vast group of people. Computers on the other hand, although great as inventions, cannot be considered a culture. One might argue that computers are part of a culture, or may have even led to a culture (namely, the information age), but in and of themselves, computers and other such human technologies are just that, technologies. Technologies can either be of the mechanical/scientific sort (such as the car) or they can be a type of innovative idea that changes life in some profound way. Having established workable definitions for both culture and human technology, we can now deal with the question of how culture has affected human technology. Given the broad scope of the question, there are several ways to answer it. One way of doing this would be to examine several different cultural movements or characteristics (i.e. art, religion, etc.) and see how they have helped create different human technologies. Another way of analyzing the relationship between the two however, is to look at a human technology and see how culture has altered it. This will be the method employed in this essay. I) Religion and War One of the most obvious examples of a culture or a cultural aspect influencing a human technology is the relationship between religion and the nation-state.