Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 35

Marketing - Essay Example The goal will be to let people know that aero mobile is a service in use by some airlines since 2008. This service allows people to use their cell phones while they are in the air. For example, airline passengers can talk to their friends using their blackberries and send emails through 3G. In addition, this is very helpful for people because it saves them money. For example, when a traveler uses his own cell phone on a flight, he will pay the regular or normal rate for a call. But, if he is going to use an airplane phone, it will be very expensive, as the rate per minute for an airplane phone is as high as US$5. Also, the sound of a call will be clearer with a cell phone because the signal is stronger than an airplane phone. Moreover, we have found that the airline industry is the one industry that can use this service because this technology was specifically made for airline flights. I believe that this technology is very important in this era because there are many people who travel on long flights, and they may need to use their cell phones for business purposes. For example, business man sometimes needs to make sure his work is going on correctly while he is in flight. This service will help him to feel more comfortable because he uses his cell phone and he can talk any time during the flight.   We are sure that if the airlines start having the aero mobile in their system or planning to have it as soon as possible, they will attract more people to travel in their airlines. For example, if you have a business man and he has a chance to travel from Dubai to Los Angeles. He can travels by three airlines which are British airways, Emirates airways, and Etihad airways. He will choose the Emirates airline because they have the new technology which is aero mobile and he will has the chance to use his cell phone any time during flight even if the flight is long way.   Since we have only three Airlines are using this technology, the other

Monday, October 28, 2019

Organizational Structure Essay Example for Free

Organizational Structure Essay In this paper, I will analyze the elements of a job analysis and discuss its significance to the hiring and employee development aspects of human resource management. I will describe the importance of a PAQ, proposing two ways the results can be used to redesign a customer service job for efficiency. I will develop two strategies that HR professionals can in the selection for a customer service position using a Fleishman Job Analysis System. I will examine the challenges for designing this job for efficiency and suggest two ways to redesign it. Finally, I will propose three ways a HR manager can use the information from a job analysis to measure the performance of customer service representatives. One of the most important aspects of human resources is recruiting. In order to recruit the best applicants, job recruiters have to be knowledgeable in all aspects of the position. The best source of information about a position comes from a job analysis. A job analysis is the process of getting detailed information about jobs. A job analysis helps recruiters to match job requirements with the best applicants. It is also essential in employee development, performance appraisals and compensation. A job analysis includes many steps but only three elements. Those elements are the sources of job information, the job specification and the job description. The first element of the job analysis is the source of information used. In doing the analysis, human resource professionals gather information about jobs through interviewing employees, observing performance of certain tasks, asking employees to fill out questionnaires and worksheets, and collecting information about a job from secondary sources. Other sources within the company include existing job descriptions and supervisors. Some of those  secondary sources include existing job analysis information from a competitor and O*NET. Next, the job specification includes the tasks that make up the job, the conditions under which the job is performed and what the job requires in terms of aptitude, knowledge, skills and abilities (Noe, Hollenbeck, Gerhart, Wright, 2014). This will provide a lot of data. It measures the amount of time the employee spends on major duties. It provides a description of the major duties in order of importance. It determines whether any licensures, certificates or security clearances are needed to perform the job, as well as the physical, environmental and mental demands of a position. This information is essential in creating a job description. The last element is the job description. â€Å"A job description is a list the tasks, duties, and responsibilities that a job entails (Noe, Hollenbeck, Gerhart, Wright, 2014).† A well-written job description can sell jobs to perspective employees and develop training programs as a job position evolves. Sometimes the needs of business changes and therefore some duties may change within a position. â€Å"For the employer, the job description is often used as a recruiting tool and by supervisors to outline position expectations. The job description may be used to indicate salary or reporting structure and as a reference during performance evaluations (Richards, 2014).† Once all the information has been assembled for a job analysis, it can be further analyzed by using a position analysis questionnaire (PAQ). â€Å"A PAQ is a standardized job analysis questionnaire containing 194 questions about work behaviors, work conditions, and job characteristics that apply to a wide variety of jobs (Noe, Hollenbeck, Gerhart, Wright, 2014).† The purpose of the questionnaire is to measure the job characteristics and its relation to the human characteristics. The PAQ can be used for a few different things. Common uses include developing a compensation model, selection criteria for a specific job and to study the nature of work (PAQ.com, 2014). A PAQ can be used to redesign a customer service job to be more efficient and improve quality. â€Å"Using the PAQ provides an organization with information that helps in comparing jobs, even when they are dissimilar (Noe, Hollenbeck, Gerhart, Wright, 2014).† In making those comparisons, analyzers might find ways to be more efficient. The collected data from this approach helps in developing or revising a job description. In the customer service business the needs of each customer can vary. Therefore, responsibilities of a customer service representative can vary to meet those needs. Those things might not be listed in the job description but will need to be added in order to keep the job description updated. Furthermore, information learned from the PAQ helps in evaluating the position for appropriate classification. A good source to use for worker requirements is the Fleishman Job Analysis system. The Fleishman Job Analysis system (F-JAS) is a job analysis technique that asks subject-matter experts to evaluate a job in terms of the abilities required to perform the job (Noe, Hollenbeck, Gerhart, Wright, 2014).† Because the results of a F-JAS, provides a picture of the ability requirements of a job, than recruiters know what abilities to scan for when reviewing resumes. Typing skills might be a skill that is important in a customer service position. The F-JAS can give us an idea of just how important typing is to a job so that we would be able to make reasonable accommodations for an applicant with disabilities. Human resource professionals can also use F-JAS to update job descriptions. As processes change the need for some abilities change as things may become automated, therefore job responsibilities change. â€Å"Kannisto adds, â€Å"With the compliance environment and legal implicati ons, the stakes are a lot higher for job descriptions to be crystal clear with essential responsibilities. If you have a measure of performance that doesn’t appear on the job description and you have a case brought against you, depending on the agency [involved], there could be punishment,† he explains (Tyler, 2013).† When considering the job of a customer service representative (CSR) who handles consumer inquiries for a company that sells items online and by catalog, a few challenges of designing this job for efficiency, come to  mind. The first challenge that comes to mind is monotony. Over time, employees will be bored of doing the same job over and over. Even more so if the job is divided into departments, such as sales, returns and customer service, employees will lose interest. A suggestion for redesigning the customer service representative position is job enlargement. Employees might find the job more engaging if all the calls came through on department. We could cross-train employees to be able to handle all the calls that come through the queue. Another suggestion is job rotation. Maybe every week, we could rotate the tasks. We could also make some customer services responses automated for customers. So if a customer wanted to check status on an order, we could generate a system automa ted response so that those calls don’t come into the call center. Another challenge for designing a customer service representative job is defining authority. Sometimes, customer service requires problem solving and quick decisions. Waiting to speak to a manager can be frustrating for the customer and it makes the employee look incompetent, because it increases hold time. The employee probably feels impotent having to get permission to make a decision, especially when they know what to do. A suggestion for redesigning the CSR’s position is job enrichment. CSR’s need a certain amount of authority when it comes to resolving customer service issues. This is a way to raise productivity levels and employee satisfaction from a sense of personal achievement in taking ownership of problems and meeting the challenge of increased responsibility. A human resource manager (HRM) can use the information obtained from job analysis to measure the performance of a customer service representative. Job analysis is a set of procedures or methods for determining what workers actually do on the job and for describing which aspects of worker knowledge, skill, ability, and other characteristics are needed for job performance. This process defines a productive employee and gives human resource managers a place to start for measuring performance. One way HRM can use this information is in making personnel decisions. This tool can help determine whether an employee should receive a promotion, transfer, pay increase or be fired. It can also be used for employee development. A performance  appraisal will determine the strengths and weaknesses of employees. This is key to helping our CSR’s grow, because we can create training programs to increase their skills levels. Taking the time to strengthen their weaknesses will make them perform better, which is great for the company. Finally, the performance appraisal can be used as documentation to protect a company from lawsuits, because it is used as the basis for personnel decisions. In conclusion, the job analysis is the foundation of most human resource functions. With its use, job descriptions are created and updated which standardizes recruiting. It is a perfect outline for measuring performance of new and existing employees. Job analysis provides training and employee growth opportunities. Personnel decisions are also validated by job analysis, because it creates a system of checks and balances for hiring, performance appraisals, promotion and demotion and/or firing. Works Cited Noe, Hollenbeck, Gerhart, Wright, (2014). Fundamentals of Human Resource Management. (5th ed., p. 103). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education. Noe, Hollenbeck, Gerhart, Wright, (2014). Fundamentals of Human Resource Management. (5th ed., p. 107). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education. Noe, Hollenbeck, Gerhart, Wright, (2014). Fundamentals of Human Resource Management. (5th ed., p. 108). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education. PAQ.com. (2014). The paq program. Retrieved from http://www.paq.com/?FuseAction=Main.PAQProgram Richards, F. (2014). Key parts to job descriptions. The Houston Chronicle. Retrieved from http://work.chron.com/key-parts-job-descriptions-12366.html Tyler, K. (2013, Jan. 01). Job worth doing: Update descriptions. Retrieved from http://www.shrm.org/publications/hrmagazine/editorialcontent/2013/0113/pages/0113-job-descriptions.aspx

Saturday, October 26, 2019

Analysis of Mores The Prince and Utopia Essay -- essays research pape

i. Introduction Sir Thomas More was born in London to Agnes and John More a lawyer in 1477. Tomas after being a page in the Morton Household was sent to Oxford University and became a successful lawyer. After becoming an MP for the Under-Sheriff of London he started writing the book Utopia and finishing it 1516. After writing the book he was appointed as the privy councilor to King Henry VIII in 1518. He was latter executed in 1535 for refusing King Henry VIII to be the head of the church. Utopia is a fictional book about Mores talk with Raphael Nonsenso and his travels to Utopia. Niccolo Machiavelli was born in Florence, Italy in 1469 to a middleclass family. The time in which Machiavelli lived Italy as a country was not united but divide and split into little providences and republics. He latter became responsible for the Florentine militia against the Medici government and rule. When the Medici power reclaimed Florence Machiavelli was arrested for conspiracy he was tortured and then banished from Florence. During his banishment he wrote the book The Prince in 1513 which is dedicated to the new prince of Florence Lorenzo De Medici. The book was a discourse to the prince on how to run a country and also a way Machiavelli can get a job working in politics again. ii. Towns & Local Governments The local towns and governments in Utopia are split up into 54 separate large towns all equally alike in language, laws, customs, education and is no more than 26 miles apart from the next town. Each town in Utopia has about 30 houses that hold about 40 people each and 2 slave per house. Each house sends 20 members out to country for farming every 2 years the first year is spent training and the... ... instruction manual to run a kingdom and at the same time it?s a resume for a job. The reason in which Machiavelli is writing this is to re-enter a political life and political job for the prince. vii. Thesis Sir Thomas Mores Utopia and Niccolo Machiavelli?s The Prince both concern themselves with the basic issues of how a society works and maintains itself. Utopia?s aim is to show and portray of a perfect government and society. The Prince is telling how to run a country successfully and not to be hated or demised in the end. Both of these books deal with the central message of governments and how they should be run from different view and from two very different men. The one issues that they both did agree on is the issue on communism where both said no to the issues both agreeing in the same fact that communism is a government for the lazy.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Course Syllabus

In order to prepare for this intensive weekend of work you are encouraged to: Read the course syllabus. You may want to bring a hard copy to the first day of class. There is substantial reading associated with the classes to be covered during the residence weekend. You should try to at least scan the relevant chapters in the text for the classes before the residence. It will be helpful to scan some of the early required readings before the residence to minimize the workload during the residence. In brief, prepare as much as possible for time will be scarce during the residence.The focus should be on gaining a basic understanding of the topics to be covered, and NOT on trying to memorize all of the concepts that will be discussed. This will enhance your learning and reduce the strain on you during the residence weekend. Am looking forward to our time together. David Bess Text: Essentials of Organizational Behavior by Stephen Robbins and Timothy Judge. This text covers the essentials o f what we will be covering in class. A supplemental resource is: Occupational Outlook Handbook [8 January' 2014] This is a HRS resource that may be of interest.It is for your information only and is not required. Http://vim. Bells. Gob/ooh/ Students will also be required to take the DiSC PRIOR TO RESIDENCE WEEKEND. Instructions will be forthcoming electronically. You should bring a printout of the report to class on Saturday morning of residence week. Office Hours: am generally in my office each day from and always the hour before class. You can drop by or call†¦ Or arrange a specific appointment by phone or e-mail. Lima: The syllabus, Powering slides, readings, and other materials are on the Class Lima site.Students should review this resource to prepare for classes. Disability Access Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact the KOKI-IA Program for information and services. Seen,'ices are confidential and students are not charged for them. Contact KUAKA at 956-7511 (voice/text), [email  protected] Du, or Student Services Center, Room 13. Course Objectives: To provide students with an advanced knowledge of management and organizational behavior and the role of Human Resources. This includes increasing the knowledge about individuals' personalities, motivations, etc. ND how they are best utilized in an organizational setting with special focus on groups and teams and the role of leadership. Students will also gain an appreciation of how such concepts as organizational design and culture are utilized in undertaking organization change. Special issues such as diversity in the workplace, ethics, and social responsibility will be addressed, as will the overarching topic of the global dimensions of the competitive environment. The focus of the course will be in the application of these concepts as they relate to Human Resources professionals and their special role in organizations.Learning Outcomes: Gain an understanding of the relevance of a glob al society, cultural sensitivity ND knowledge and the utilization of this knowledge by leaders. Gain an appreciation of personality/individual differences and utilization of this knowledge in better understanding ourselves and in leading and motivating others. Gain an understanding of the use of teamwork and how to improve team effectiveness. Gain an understanding of the concepts of power and how they relate to the development and use of leadership skills.Gain an understanding of effective communication concepts to improve both personal and organizational communications. Gain an understanding of leadership concepts and how to use them in various situations. Promote critical thinking using the concepts and skills/knowledge in managing both your professional and personal lives. Gain an understanding of the concepts of conflict and decision making and how they can be utilized in organizational settings. Gain an understanding and use Of the strategic utilization Of human resources manag ement.Course Procedures: The course will utilize a combination of lectures, class presentations and discussions, videos, experiential and non-experiential exercises, all of which dictate both attendance and participation in all class meetings. Some exercises will require pre-class work. Student oral and written reports will add to the learning experience of both the individual as well as the other members of the class. Students are expected to have read the materials from the text and the required articles for each class as stipulated in the course schedule.Students are then encouraged to read selections from the outside readings that appear to be most applicable to their individual situation/interests. Students are also expected to have prepared the appropriate self-assessments/cases/activities for class before class commences. Further, the professor will make available to the students set of Powering slides on each topic, on the class CD. Students are encouraged to bring hard copi es of the slides (probably best in the three or six slides per page format) with them to class for note-taking purposes.Course Requirements: End of Class Discussion Notes (Group): At the end of each most classes we will break into groups and discuss applications of the concepts covered in that session. The class time is to be augmented with group meetings outside of class. The purpose is to discuss the concepts covered and see how they may be utilized differently in different organizations. At least three pages of Ritter notes should be recorded at each session and submitted to the instructor as indicated in the course syllabus.The quality of these discussions as reflected in the notes is a critical part of the course. Note that these notes will also serve as input into your individual Reflective Notes. Notes on sessions 1-7 will be due at the beginning of our September 3rd class. Notes on sessions 8, 9 and 10 will be due at the beginning of class on September 10th. Notes on session s 11 – 12 will be due on at the beginning of class September 24th. Reflective Notes (Individual): Students will turn in two sets of reflective notes f readings, speakers, and topics covered in classes.These are designed to help you integrate the materials from class into your personal/professional lives to make the topics directly â€Å"relevant† to you. In essence, they are an opportunity for you to tell yourself â€Å"What I learned from these sessions, videos, exercises, readings, etc. That can use in my organization. † As you can imagine, applications will differ from organization to organization. To increase learning you must include in these notes comparisons with applications in at least two other organizations of your classmates†¦ ICC you will learn via the End Of Class Discussion Notes experience. This will be discussed in class. RAN#I on sessions 1-7 is due Wednesday September 3rd, and RAN#2 on sessions 8 – 10 is due September 10th. Paper # 1 (Individual): Each student will read What Got You Here Won't Get You There and then write a comprehensive paper on how you can apply the concepts to your professional development. At a minimum you will address the 21 habits in Section Two, and then apply Section Three. In doing this you will focus on how you can utilize the concepts in developing your leadership attention.References to past work experience are useful. This will be discussed in class. The paper is due on Wednesday, September 17th. Paper #2: Team Project: The class will be divided into groups of approximately 5. Each group will select an organization. The group will then analyze the changing environment of that organization, and study the changes that are taking place inside the organization, with a special focus on the changing demands on the Human Resources function/practices. The output will be a written report and discussion in class on Wednesday, September 24th.While a formal class presentation will not be requ ired, each team should be prepared to present their major/most interesting findings. ) Details of this project will be discussed in class. Paper #3: Individual Integrative Paper: The Group Project will enable the students to observe how other organizations operate, and to discuss differences among their organizations as well as the organization studied. Each student will write this third, related, paper in which comparisons of the target organization for the Group Project and team members organizations are compared to the individual's organization.Students will relate what they have learned, and provide insights into how what they have learned from that paper and how the contents of this course can be utilized to improve operations in their own organizations. Special focus should be on the HRS function/operations. Due Wednesday, September 24th. Details of this project will be discussed in class. Note: For all written reports, critical thinking, creativity, and accuracy are the keys. In addition, the papers should be: 1. Well organized, including an introduction and conclusions. 2.Grammatically correct 3. Typed in Times New Roman #12 font. 4. Single spaced. 5. Two sided printing is preferred to save paper. 6. Good documentation (bibliography, and footnotes as appropriate). But in writing the reflective notes bibliography/footnotes not required for the required readings. 7. Appropriate use Of charts and diagrams. 8. Neat and properly presented. Pages numbered and stapled together. Plagiarism is prohibited and will result in a failing grade. All direct quotes should note the source, and any significant paraphrasing should be noted.If students have any doubts as to what constitutes plagiarism I suggest studying websites on this subject. Some good ones can be found at: http:// sibs. Tama. Du/Eden/plagiarism. HTML. I grade from the assumption that everyone earns a â€Å"B,† satisfactory completion of the work, unless the individual â€Å"distinguishes† her/himself in a positive, or negative, manner. Grades will be determined as follows: In order to earn an A for the course all written work must be graded A and class participation must be graded B+ or better. Course Syllabus In order to prepare for this intensive weekend of work you are encouraged to: Read the course syllabus. You may want to bring a hard copy to the first day of class. There is substantial reading associated with the classes to be covered during the residence weekend. You should try to at least scan the relevant chapters in the text for the classes before the residence. It will be helpful to scan some of the early required readings before the residence to minimize the workload during the residence. In brief, prepare as much as possible for time will be scarce during the residence.The focus should be on gaining a basic understanding of the topics to be covered, and NOT on trying to memorize all of the concepts that will be discussed. This will enhance your learning and reduce the strain on you during the residence weekend. Am looking forward to our time together. David Bess Text: Essentials of Organizational Behavior by Stephen Robbins and Timothy Judge. This text covers the essentials o f what we will be covering in class. A supplemental resource is: Occupational Outlook Handbook [8 January' 2014] This is a HRS resource that may be of interest.It is for your information only and is not required. Http://vim. Bells. Gob/ooh/ Students will also be required to take the DiSC PRIOR TO RESIDENCE WEEKEND. Instructions will be forthcoming electronically. You should bring a printout of the report to class on Saturday morning of residence week. Office Hours: am generally in my office each day from and always the hour before class. You can drop by or call†¦ Or arrange a specific appointment by phone or e-mail. Lima: The syllabus, Powering slides, readings, and other materials are on the Class Lima site.Students should review this resource to prepare for classes. Disability Access Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact the KOKI-IA Program for information and services. Seen,'ices are confidential and students are not charged for them. Contact KUAKA at 956-7511 (voice/text), [email  protected] Du, or Student Services Center, Room 13. Course Objectives: To provide students with an advanced knowledge of management and organizational behavior and the role of Human Resources. This includes increasing the knowledge about individuals' personalities, motivations, etc. ND how they are best utilized in an organizational setting with special focus on groups and teams and the role of leadership. Students will also gain an appreciation of how such concepts as organizational design and culture are utilized in undertaking organization change. Special issues such as diversity in the workplace, ethics, and social responsibility will be addressed, as will the overarching topic of the global dimensions of the competitive environment. The focus of the course will be in the application of these concepts as they relate to Human Resources professionals and their special role in organizations.Learning Outcomes: Gain an understanding of the relevance of a glob al society, cultural sensitivity ND knowledge and the utilization of this knowledge by leaders. Gain an appreciation of personality/individual differences and utilization of this knowledge in better understanding ourselves and in leading and motivating others. Gain an understanding of the use of teamwork and how to improve team effectiveness. Gain an understanding of the concepts of power and how they relate to the development and use of leadership skills.Gain an understanding of effective communication concepts to improve both personal and organizational communications. Gain an understanding of leadership concepts and how to use them in various situations. Promote critical thinking using the concepts and skills/knowledge in managing both your professional and personal lives. Gain an understanding of the concepts of conflict and decision making and how they can be utilized in organizational settings. Gain an understanding and use Of the strategic utilization Of human resources manag ement.Course Procedures: The course will utilize a combination of lectures, class presentations and discussions, videos, experiential and non-experiential exercises, all of which dictate both attendance and participation in all class meetings. Some exercises will require pre-class work. Student oral and written reports will add to the learning experience of both the individual as well as the other members of the class. Students are expected to have read the materials from the text and the required articles for each class as stipulated in the course schedule.Students are then encouraged to read selections from the outside readings that appear to be most applicable to their individual situation/interests. Students are also expected to have prepared the appropriate self-assessments/cases/activities for class before class commences. Further, the professor will make available to the students set of Powering slides on each topic, on the class CD. Students are encouraged to bring hard copi es of the slides (probably best in the three or six slides per page format) with them to class for note-taking purposes.Course Requirements: End of Class Discussion Notes (Group): At the end of each most classes we will break into groups and discuss applications of the concepts covered in that session. The class time is to be augmented with group meetings outside of class. The purpose is to discuss the concepts covered and see how they may be utilized differently in different organizations. At least three pages of Ritter notes should be recorded at each session and submitted to the instructor as indicated in the course syllabus.The quality of these discussions as reflected in the notes is a critical part of the course. Note that these notes will also serve as input into your individual Reflective Notes. Notes on sessions 1-7 will be due at the beginning of our September 3rd class. Notes on sessions 8, 9 and 10 will be due at the beginning of class on September 10th. Notes on session s 11 – 12 will be due on at the beginning of class September 24th. Reflective Notes (Individual): Students will turn in two sets of reflective notes f readings, speakers, and topics covered in classes.These are designed to help you integrate the materials from class into your personal/professional lives to make the topics directly â€Å"relevant† to you. In essence, they are an opportunity for you to tell yourself â€Å"What I learned from these sessions, videos, exercises, readings, etc. That can use in my organization. † As you can imagine, applications will differ from organization to organization. To increase learning you must include in these notes comparisons with applications in at least two other organizations of your classmates†¦ ICC you will learn via the End Of Class Discussion Notes experience. This will be discussed in class. RAN#I on sessions 1-7 is due Wednesday September 3rd, and RAN#2 on sessions 8 – 10 is due September 10th. Paper # 1 (Individual): Each student will read What Got You Here Won't Get You There and then write a comprehensive paper on how you can apply the concepts to your professional development. At a minimum you will address the 21 habits in Section Two, and then apply Section Three. In doing this you will focus on how you can utilize the concepts in developing your leadership attention.References to past work experience are useful. This will be discussed in class. The paper is due on Wednesday, September 17th. Paper #2: Team Project: The class will be divided into groups of approximately 5. Each group will select an organization. The group will then analyze the changing environment of that organization, and study the changes that are taking place inside the organization, with a special focus on the changing demands on the Human Resources function/practices. The output will be a written report and discussion in class on Wednesday, September 24th.While a formal class presentation will not be requ ired, each team should be prepared to present their major/most interesting findings. ) Details of this project will be discussed in class. Paper #3: Individual Integrative Paper: The Group Project will enable the students to observe how other organizations operate, and to discuss differences among their organizations as well as the organization studied. Each student will write this third, related, paper in which comparisons of the target organization for the Group Project and team members organizations are compared to the individual's organization.Students will relate what they have learned, and provide insights into how what they have learned from that paper and how the contents of this course can be utilized to improve operations in their own organizations. Special focus should be on the HRS function/operations. Due Wednesday, September 24th. Details of this project will be discussed in class. Note: For all written reports, critical thinking, creativity, and accuracy are the keys. In addition, the papers should be: 1. Well organized, including an introduction and conclusions. 2.Grammatically correct 3. Typed in Times New Roman #12 font. 4. Single spaced. 5. Two sided printing is preferred to save paper. 6. Good documentation (bibliography, and footnotes as appropriate). But in writing the reflective notes bibliography/footnotes not required for the required readings. 7. Appropriate use Of charts and diagrams. 8. Neat and properly presented. Pages numbered and stapled together. Plagiarism is prohibited and will result in a failing grade. All direct quotes should note the source, and any significant paraphrasing should be noted.If students have any doubts as to what constitutes plagiarism I suggest studying websites on this subject. Some good ones can be found at: http:// sibs. Tama. Du/Eden/plagiarism. HTML. I grade from the assumption that everyone earns a â€Å"B,† satisfactory completion of the work, unless the individual â€Å"distinguishes† her/himself in a positive, or negative, manner. Grades will be determined as follows: In order to earn an A for the course all written work must be graded A and class participation must be graded B+ or better. Course Syllabus Finance Course Description A study of the financial forms of business organization, with special attention to the corporation and its advantages and disadvantages; capital stocks and bonds; budgeting; dividend policy; failure and reorganization; financial accounting; and cash Rationale This course Introduces the student to the role of the corporate finance manager In both raising and using funds. It highlights the usefulness of knowing tax, law, accounting, Investment principles, and the mathematics of finance. L. Prerequisites Junior statusII. Required Resource Purchase Disclaimer: The above resource provides information consistent with the latest research regarding the subject area. Liberty university does not necessarily endorse specific personal, religious, philosophical, or political positions found In this resource. Ill. Dilation Materials for Learning A. Computer with basic audited output equipment B. Internet access (broadband recommended) C.Microsoft Word (Microsoft Office i s available at a special discount to Liberty university students. ) D. Financial Calculator It is strongly recommended that the student have access to a financial calculator that is capable of TV (time-value of money), NP (net-present value), and AIR (internal rate of return) calculations. The Texas Instrument BAA II Plus series is an excellent solution. IV. Measurable Learning Outcomes upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to: A. Interpret and analyze financial statements for the measurement of liquidity, profitability.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Multiple Intelligences by Howard Gardner

‘Multiple intelligences’ is a theory first created by Howard Gardner.   They describe eight different ways that people can be smart without falling into the traditional description of what people think of as smart.   It is good to know what one’s own intelligences are, and to know the intelligences of one’s students in a teaching situation, because everyone learns differently. The multiple intelligences were first described in the early 1990s by Howard Gardner, a psychologist who was interested in the ways that people learned.   He noted that most traditional intelligence tests looked at visual/spatial ability, mathematical/logical ability, and verbal ability.   However, Gardner was convinced that people did not have to have these abilities to be smart. He saw that people were ‘talented’ in music, sports, or even in their ability to be reflective or relate to others.   Whereas most people considered these abilities ‘extra’ or ‘talents,’ they did not consider them as intelligences.   Gardner disagreed. Gardner felt that people were considered smart in seven different ways (the eighth intelligence was added later).   The original intelligences were visual/spatial, logical/mathematical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, musical, bodily/kinesthetic, and linguistic.   The eighth intelligence is naturalistic. Visual/spatial intelligence deals with the ability to understand pictures and objects in two and three dimensional space.   Someone with this strength is good at art, reading maps, and related visual abilities. Logical/mathematical is about the ability to reason and work with numbers.   People with this intelligence are good at math, logic puzzles, and other forms of reasoning. Interpersonal deals with the ability to relate to others.   People with this intelligence are good at making friends, winning people over (like in politics or leadership situations), and understanding others. Intrapersonal deals with one’s ability to understand oneself.   People with this ability are usually reflective and introspective, and may keep journals.   They continually try to understand themselves better and to improve themselves based on their reflection. Musical is exactly what it sounds like, the ability to understand music.   These people are often musicians, and find understanding and hearing patterns in music easy, and find learning instruments easy as well.   They are ‘gifted’ in the field of learning music. Bodily/kinesthetic refers to being good at physical motion and coordination.   These people are good at sports, hand-eye coordination, and other physical pursuits.   They find motion easy, and may be basketball players, dancers, and gymnasts (or other athletes). Linguistic is the ability to understand languages.   These people often find it easy to learn and understand foreign languages.   They also enjoy reading, writing, and relating in written fashion. Naturalistic intelligence, which was added later, is about understanding nature.   People will be interested in nature, find it easy to understand the way plants and animals live and function, and are soothed by being in nature. All of these intelligences are equally important in Gardner’s model.   Also, everyone has more than one of these intelligences and may, to some degree, have all of them.   Each person has two or three real strengths; some have more or less.   Some people are very strongly intelligent in only one area while others may have four or five that are all fairly strong. Knowing what a person’s strengths are will determine how they learn.   A person who is kinesthetic tends to be very hands-on, and to want to try things.   A person who is musical may learn by using songs or chants.   A person who is linguistic may want to read when learning.   It is important to know a person’s preference for learning so that whenever possible, classroom activities can be geared towards as many students as possible. After completing the inventory, I have discovered that I have intrapersonal strength, logical strength, interpersonal strength, and kinesthetic strength.   In these areas, I scored far higher than I did in other areas.   My scores were section 1-4, section 2=6 section 3=8 section 4=7 section 5=8 section 6=8 section 7=4 section 8=10 section 9=2.   This analysis sheds light on my strengths and weaknesses, and I can use this knowledge to learn in the ways that make sense to me.   This can also help teachers to understand their students.   Multiple intelligences are a good way to assess and understand students.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

ShoreIndie Webinar How to Refine your Novels Blurb and Opening

ShoreIndie Webinar How to Refine your Novels Blurb and Opening ShoreIndie Webinar: How to Refine your Novel's Blurb and Opening Pages A free webinar for authors: Saturday, May 20th | 12pm EST (New York) | 9am PST (Los Angeles) | 5pm BST (London). Register below!#mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; } /* Add your own MailChimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block. We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ The blurb and the opening lines of a novel act as an invitation for the reader to keep reading. Just like your cover, they need to hook the right readers in and clearly identify your novel's genre.But there is more to a blurb than just a good hook. How you word your blurb, along with the categories and keywords you choose,  are the main factors that'll get Amazon's algorithms to "place" your book in front of the right reader. This is what makes writing it such a crucial and tricky exercise.Fortunately, we've got you covered! We have partnered with ShoreIndie  to put together an exclusive (and free!) webinar to help novelists refine their blurb and manuscript opening. The webinar will feature two top Reedsy fiction editors, Rebecca Heyman and Katie McCoach, along with a professional book marketer: Bree Weber. Together, they'll teach you:How to write a strong "hook" in your blurbHow to optimize your blurb, title, and other metadata to leverage Amazon's algorithmsHow to refine your opening pages to hook readers in and keep them  engagedAnd we'll finish with an extended QA session where you'll be able to get their expert opinion on  your novel!The webinar will run on Saturday, May 20th, at 12pm EST (New York) | 9am PST (Los Angeles) | 5pm BST (London). Sign up below and we'll send you all the info you'll need to join!Note:  A replay will be made available after the webinar, along with some bonus content. So even if you can't attend live, sign up below to make sure you get the replay and bonus content!#mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; } /* Add your own MailChimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block. We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */

Monday, October 21, 2019

The Great Dream of a Great Person

The Great Dream of a Great Person Free Online Research Papers On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his infamous I Have a Dream speech that forever changed Americas perception of the black people. Up until then, the blacks were segregated in almost every aspect of life and had very few rights. It can be said today, some 35 years after his death that King was truly one of the greatest black activists in history who helped shape the lives of every black person in America. This speech by King was the pinnacle moment of his movement. He was already well-known by the whole country before this speech for his involvement with racial discrimination. His beginning as a national figure began when he was named president of the Montgomery Improvement Association, an organization that directed a bus boycott. The black people were not happy that they had to give up their seats to white people, prompting the bus boycott. After taking this issue to court in 1956, the Supreme Court upheld a lower court decision, which ordered that buses needed to be desegregated. King also helped found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1957, a group aimed at ending racial segregation. He was in charge of leading marches, boycotts, and demonstrations. Through this, he was also able to make strategic alliances with whites that later helped him influence the public opinion in the United States. It is very clear, through his actions and involvement, that King was a very informed man who had more than enough expertise and credibility to give this speech to over 200,000 people. This speech was directed to every person in the United States. It was geared mostly towards the white population which did not treat the black population with respect. To the black people, King told them to fight this struggle with dignity and discipline. He did not want them to use violence in order to get their point across. By looking at the large audience of white people in the crowd, King realized that progress was already being made. He urged the blacks to trust their white brothers who have seen that all men deserve the same amount of respect, no matter what their skin color may be. The white population was given a different message. King said that the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence was a promise note to all men that they would be guaranteed the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. White America, until now, had not followed through on this promise note. King compared this promise note to the blacks as a bank check which was returned due to insufficient funds. He said, We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. The time was now to cash this check. The black oppressors needed to realize that the black people had the same rights as the white people. Kings dream, from the speech, was to see a united country. He wanted to see this nation live up to its creed that all men are created equal, where the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave-owners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood. Ultimately, King wanted to see a free country for all, free from any segregation or oppression towards the black population. Until all people were treated equally, King, and the rest of the blacks, could never be satisfied. By having slavery completely abolished, removing segregation, and giving voting to all citizens of the country, King would become a very happy satisfied man. Three decades later, we can more clearly see the great impact that this speech had on all of America. Black people have never had more rights than they do today. Slavery and segregation has been removed. Also, black people have been given the permission to vote. Blacks have just as many rights as whites do now. With all this said, the racial discrimination problem has not been completely solved. However, there still remains racial discrimination in many aspects of life. Typically, a white person will make more money than a black person for the same job. Also, more often than not, a white person will most likely get a job over a black person. Recently in the NFL, a rule had to be made that every time there is a head coac hing position, the teams have to interview at least one black candidate. Black people are considered to not be as smart as white people who are why the discrimination still exists. Currently, there are only one or two black head coaches in the NFL out of 30, a very low and unfair number. Overall, King would be happy with the progress that has been made as a result of his speech, but would feel that there is still a ways to go. If it was not for that speech, the blacks might have been in the same situation today as they were back then. This speech has been priceless in terms of uniting this great country of ours. Research Papers on The Great Dream of a Great PersonComparison: Letter from Birmingham and CritoWhere Wild and West Meet19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraThe Masque of the Red Death Room meaningsHonest Iagos Truth through DeceptionCapital PunishmentBringing Democracy to AfricaQuebec and CanadaCanaanite Influence on the Early Israelite ReligionAssess the importance of Nationalism 1815-1850 Europe

Sunday, October 20, 2019

Eritrea Today

Eritrea Today In the 1990s, great things were expected of Eritrea, then a brand new country, but today Eritrea is most often referenced in the news for the flood of refugees fleeing its authoritarian government, and the government has discouraged foreign travelers from visiting. What is the news out of Eritrea and how did it get to this point? Rise of an Authoritarian State: Eritreas recent history After a 30-year war of independence, Eritrea achieved independence from Ethiopia in 1991 and began the difficult process of state building. By 1994, the new country had held its first - and only - national elections, and Isaias Afwerki was chosen as the President of Ethiopia. Hopes for the new nation were high. Foreign governments dubbed it one of the renaissance countries of Africa expected to chart a new path away from the corruption and state failures that seemed endemic in the 1980s and 90s.   This image collapsed though by 2001, when a promised constitution and national elections both failed to materialize and the government, still under the leadership of Afwerki, began to crack down on Eritreans. Development in a Command Economy The shift to authoritarianism came during a border dispute with Ethiopia that erupted in 1998 into a two-year war. The government has cited the ongoing stalemate over the border and the need to build the state as justifications for its authoritarian policies, particularly  the much-hated national service requirement. The  border war and droughts reversed many of Eritreas earlier economic gains, and while the economy - under the governments strict controls - has grown since, its growth has been below that of sub-Saharan Africa as a whole (with the notable exceptions of 2011 and 2012, when mining boosted Eritreas growth to higher levels). That growth has not been felt equally either, and the poor economic outlook is another contributing factor to Eritreas high emigration rate. Health Improvements There are positive indicators. Eritrea is one of the few states in Africa to achieve the United Nations Millennium Development Goals 4, 5, and 6. According to the UN, they have drastically reduced infant and young child mortality (having cut mortality of children under 5 by 67%) as well as maternal mortality. Exponentially more children are getting important vaccines (a shift from 10 to 98% of children between 1990 and 2013) and more women are receiving medical care during and after delivery. There have also been reductions in HIV and TB. All of this has made Eritrea an important case study in how to implement successful change, though there are continued concerns about neonatal care and the prevalence of TB. National Service: forced labor? Since 1995, all Eritreans (men and women) are forced to enter national service when they turn 16. Initially, they were expected to serve for 18 months, but the government stopped releasing conscripts in 1998 and in 2002, made the term of service indefinite.   New recruits receive military training and education, and afterwards are tested. The select few who score well enter coveted positions, but still have no choice about their occupations or wages. Everyone else is sent into what are described as menial and degrading jobs with extremely low pay, as part of an economic development plan named  Warsai-Yikealo. Punishments for infractions and evasions are also extreme; some say they are torture.   According to Gaim Kibreab the involuntary, indefinite nature of service, coerced through threat of punishment, qualifies as forced labor, and therefore is, according to international conventions, a modern form of slavery, as many in the news have described it. Eritrea in the News: Refugees (and cyclists) Events in Eritrea have gained international attention largely due to the large numbers of Eritrean refugees seeking asylum in neighboring countries and Europe. Eritrean emigrants and youth have also at high risk of human trafficking. Those who manage to escape and establish themselves elsewhere send back much-needed remittances and have sought to raise awareness about and concern for the plight of Eritreans. While refugees by nature represent the disaffected within a country, their claims have been borne out by third party studies. In a very different note, in July 2015, Eritrean cyclists strong performance in the  Tour de France  brought positive media coverage to the country, highlighting its strong cycling culture. The Future While it is believed that opposition to Aswerkis government is high, there is no clear alternative in place and analysts do not see change coming in the near future. Sources: Kibreab, Gaim. Forced Labour in Eritrea.  Journal of Modern African Studies  47.1 (March 2009): 41-72. United Nations Development Project, Eritrea Abridged MDG Report, Abridged Version, September 2014. Woldemikael, Tekle M. Introduction: postliberation Eritrea. Africa Today 60.2 (2013)

Saturday, October 19, 2019

Compare the depictions of society and its effects on the individual in Essay

Compare the depictions of society and its effects on the individual in Emerson's Self-Reliance and Thoreau's Walden - Essay Example Society is not meant to be carbon copies of each other which is why we were created differently. He further sees society as deceiving themselves by not expressing themselves. He basically uses the same maxim as Aristotle â€Å"Know Thyself†. Moreover, he instructs the reader to explore the person that they truly are. He acknowledges that a person presents themselves as the person that they want society to see but that beneath that is an entirely different human being and that it is the inside person that should be exposed, not the carbon copies that we demonstrate to others simply to insure general acceptance. He also makes the reader wonder why it is that acceptance by others is so wanted by society. Why is the acceptance by society such a prized virtue? It is not, he answers because there is no quality in pleasing others for the sake of acceptance. minks and muskrats.† Clearly, Thoreau had the same sentiments as Emerson. He too felt that society had spent far too much time deceiving itself into copying one another. Additionally, he makes it clear that it is the retreat from society that allows an individual to figure out who they are and what their capabilities are. The key is to have the courage to find yourself. Further, he sees that society is its’ own down fall. By living his solitary existence, he notices that there really is not much that an individual needs and that through solitude living, one truly finds out what it is that they need and do not need in life. Finally, in comparing the two writers, it is clear that both maintain a certain loathing for society and what it has become. Additionally, they advise the reader as to what they will become if they simply decide to become a robot designed by the futile mores and fickle mandates that society endorses. It is up to the individual to decide what they need or do

Friday, October 18, 2019

Strategic Management of HMV Group Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5500 words

Strategic Management of HMV Group - Assignment Example (Refer to appendix 1) Competitive advantage is the response of afirm to the pressing need to organize and perform discrete activities. While these needs may not be perpetually spelt out, it is the responsibility of the planners and executers of policies to foresee such situations when catering for growth and development of the firm n various levels. So this implies that the HMV Company needs to employ an individual perspective with an affiliation towards the basic industry type. There are various activities to take into consideration in the case of the HMV Company. The activities performed when competing in a particular industry can be grouped into categories, as these activities can be divided broadly into primary activities and support activities. It has been noted that primary activities are those involved in the ongoing production, marketing, delivery, and servicing of the product. Whereas support activities are those that provide purchased inputs, technology, human resources or the overall infrastructure functions supporting the other activities. Every activity employs purchased inputs, human resources, some combination of technologies, and draws on firm infrastructure such as general management and finance. Activities vary in their importance in regard of competitive advantages from industry to industry. ... While this is a good theory to reckon with, cynics are of the opinion that in today's world there are 'n' number of influences on a firm's activities and not just a set number of the same. In this regard, the HMV Company may make use of clusters which are groups of firms and other broad industries linked to each other on the basis of various skill and their subsets. These function in the sphere of providing the necessary technical and research based support for various customer services, by making use of various institutions and universities apart from interns and other individuals. In the context of the HMV Company, does Porter's theory ask the relevant questions What must the company do to ensure that the industry evolves in a way that is maximally advantageous for the organization in particular What skills and capabilities must the company begin building now if it is to occupy the industry high ground in the future How should the company organize for opportunities that may not fit neatly within the boundaries of current business units and divisions The answers are to be found in not in this theory but in the theories propounded by Gary Hamel, C.K. Prahalad titled Competing for the Future. The authors are of the firm belief that when armed with the information in their findings and subsequent theories, a company can create a pro-active agenda for organizational transformation and can control its own destiny by controlling the destiny of its own industry. Few companies that began the 1980s as industry leaders ended the decade with their leadership in tact and undiminished. Many household name companies saw their success eroded or destroyed by tides of technological, demographic and regulatory change and order-of-magnitude productivity gains made by nontraditional

An Investigation Into a Contemporay Health Issue Essay

An Investigation Into a Contemporay Health Issue - Essay Example The ‘Right to Die’ group argues that euthanasia is ethically wrong and is driven by some socio-ethical issues that are propagated by the society. Euthanasia is usually done on the critically ill, physically disabled and other people who are considered a burden to the society. The group cites that the debate on ethical implications of the process has a psychological effect on those who are targeted. This may affect and influence the affected to think in terms of euthanasia as the only way to become independent of their problems. While this may seem like voluntary euthanasia, although it has been aided by depression of the victim, the likelihood of people committing involuntary euthanasia in the future is very real. The argument countered fro by the proponents of Right to Life, questions the ethicality behind killing disabled people in the interests of the society. Governments have a duty to protect the fundamental human right to life, which will be seriously hindered by e uthanasia. The argument that people with disabilities are a burden to the society and should therefore have their lives terminated evokes a feeling of society riddled in unethical and immoral behaviors (Cauldwell, 2007). On the other hand, terminating someone’s life on the basis of incapacitation violates people’s right to life. The unethical nature of euthanasia has been experienced in many cases where people are killed through decisions taken by medical professionals and interested parties. If such a trend continues, the professional ethics and moral obligations will be eroded completely. The Futile-Care Theory and Health Rationing have been used to make euthanasia look ethical and moral. In some countries, healthcare professionals are prohibited from helping patients with certain levels of problems. While in other countries like Holland, euthanasia is legal. Even without the patients’ knowledge, the healthcare professionals result to euthanasia. This deprives people of their

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Critical Thinking about the Viet Nam Conflict Research Paper - 2

Critical Thinking about the Viet Nam Conflict - Research Paper Example The media was allowed more unfiltered access to this war than any previous and was extremely instrumental in shaping opinion back home. The reporting during the first part of the conflict essentially mimicked the government’s â€Å"domino theory† justification, that the U.S. was preventing the spread of communism. However, events during the later part of the war such as My Lai and the Tet Offensive turned the media and therefore public opinion against American involvement. The close-knit relationship between the media and military turned adversarial which affected public opinion and ultimately brought an end to the war. The debate continues whether or not the reporting was unbiased and accurate, if the folks back home knew the real story and if history has recorded the war according to fact or an agenda driven fiction. Media accounts of war consisted mainly of photographs during the First World War. The public saw only what passed the Press Bureau’s censorship guidelines however, a move to ensure public opinion stayed positive. Moving pictures in the form of newsreels shown prior to movies depicted America’s involvement in the best possible light. The people back home saw their soldiers bravely gaining ground against the fascist and Japanese menaces that threatened to take over the world and end the American way of life. In these days before television, these accounts helped theater goers to feel a sense of pride and security. Support for the war was practically unanimous. Everyone wanted to pitch-in for the war effort. The stories coming out of Vietnam were similar at least at first. The general public bought into the idea of America’s fighting men fighting and dying to preserve freedom and democracy in another foreign land. â€Å"This attitude stemmed from the journalistic style that had been used in the preceding American wars of the twentieth century and also from sheer patriotic support for the United States†

Lyndon Johnson and how he handle the Tet offensive Research Paper

Lyndon Johnson and how he handle the Tet offensive - Research Paper Example Johnson the president of United States. His domestic public support for the war waned leading to his abandonment of re-election in the 1968 elections. As for Giap the North Vietnamese army general â€Å"they were not able to destroy enemy forces but the offensive sent shudders through vital points† (Willbanks, 2008, p. 66). However, the question we need to ask ourselves is: why was the Tet offensive carried out in the first place and how did Lyndon Johnson handle it? Americans under General William Westmoreland took troops to Vietnam for continuity of its foreign policy of containing the spread of communism and for nation building just like Lyndon’s predecessor John Kennedy. North Vietnam under General Giap wanted to win the war fast and weaken South Vietnam military and at the same time provoke an uprising that would see the overthrow of government which was under Thieu. However, they underestimated the military power of allied forces hence the defeat. Many criticisms have been leveled against Johnson on the way he handled the whole affair. The doves believed American should not have been involved in the war in the first place while the hawks supported the effort. This paper will argue that Johnson was guided by his domestic as well as foreign policy when handling the offensive. He only had two options: leave his domestic program of â€Å"Great Society† and get involved in war thus risk losing all programs at home or seek peace and let the communists win the war but this option would have rendered him a coward. He could not have the â€Å"guns and butter† as Eisenhower used to say (Bringham, 2008, p. 119). He had an option of granting Westmoreland more troops to finish the war but this would have resulted into full-scale war attracting China and Soviet Union into the war. On the other hand, withdrawing the troops and seek peace but this would definitely result in defeat. The withdrawal of the troops in the end gave North Vietnam the edge and when war finally ended in 1975, South Vietnam was under control of the communists. Background Tet Offensive of 1968 was carried out in the midst of Vietnam War. The war was an extension of the cold war between two superpowers: U.S and U.S.S.R after the Second World War. Though the two nations collaborated against common enemies such as Japanese and Germany, it was clear that the two had tense relations filled with suspicions and lack of trust. The two super powers had very divergent political ideals; the U.S wanted states to free and democratic under capitalism form of government while the U.S.S.R viewed capitalism as a source of all evil and the cause of world war in the first place. It thus wanted to eliminate capitalism and replace it with communism hence the beginning of cold war. The cold war shaped U.S foreign policy for decades to come with Harry S. Truman’s doctrine of containment being the guide. It was meant to contain the spread of communism by using U.S funds to promote economic development in affected nations especially Europe and South Eastern Asia. A developed nation which takes care of the well-being of its people and lets them determine their future by electing a democratic government would combat communism spread. U.S.S.R on the other hand, was bent of spreading communism especially to border countries for security reasons. Various indirect wars were fought in the struggle for dominance

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Critical Thinking about the Viet Nam Conflict Research Paper - 2

Critical Thinking about the Viet Nam Conflict - Research Paper Example The media was allowed more unfiltered access to this war than any previous and was extremely instrumental in shaping opinion back home. The reporting during the first part of the conflict essentially mimicked the government’s â€Å"domino theory† justification, that the U.S. was preventing the spread of communism. However, events during the later part of the war such as My Lai and the Tet Offensive turned the media and therefore public opinion against American involvement. The close-knit relationship between the media and military turned adversarial which affected public opinion and ultimately brought an end to the war. The debate continues whether or not the reporting was unbiased and accurate, if the folks back home knew the real story and if history has recorded the war according to fact or an agenda driven fiction. Media accounts of war consisted mainly of photographs during the First World War. The public saw only what passed the Press Bureau’s censorship guidelines however, a move to ensure public opinion stayed positive. Moving pictures in the form of newsreels shown prior to movies depicted America’s involvement in the best possible light. The people back home saw their soldiers bravely gaining ground against the fascist and Japanese menaces that threatened to take over the world and end the American way of life. In these days before television, these accounts helped theater goers to feel a sense of pride and security. Support for the war was practically unanimous. Everyone wanted to pitch-in for the war effort. The stories coming out of Vietnam were similar at least at first. The general public bought into the idea of America’s fighting men fighting and dying to preserve freedom and democracy in another foreign land. â€Å"This attitude stemmed from the journalistic style that had been used in the preceding American wars of the twentieth century and also from sheer patriotic support for the United States†

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Cybersecurity Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Cybersecurity - Article Example Different companies hire famous personalities from the film industry for the commercializing their products to increases sales of their products because the public loves to follow such celebrities. The principle of authority can be used for both good and evil. For instance, if a celebrity works for promoting awareness among people would be the beneficial-use of the authority he has. One of the recent examples is the participation of celebrities from the Indian film industry in the â€Å"Neat and Clean India† program initiated by the Indian Prime Minister Mr. Modi. The negative impact could be observed when individuals observe the person in authority smoking, and imitate him or her by adopting a bad habit The cyber security also follows one’s authority and laws about the security of cyber are also formed by the order of a person in authority. For instance, on February 12, 2013, President Obama, who has the highest level of authority in the US, announced a new legislation for the sake of cyber security, which is now in practice to protect the cyber from external

Monday, October 14, 2019

Climate Change in Nigeria Essay Example for Free

Climate Change in Nigeria Essay Climate change has always occurred in different Nigeria; however the effects have become more noticeable recently over the years. The effects have affected the daily lives of many for better or worse. A peer reviewed research done by an unknown source, which was accepted by the Journal of Geography and Regional had concluded that the average temperature of Nigeria has increased by 1. 7Â °C in the period of 1901-2005. The increase has however been higher in semi-arid areas and is lower in coastal regions. The paper has also shown that the rate of change has increased in the 1970’s. The consequences of the increase in temperature have resulted into the desertification of the north as well as the coastal erosion in the south. A combination of overgrazing, abuse of woodland for fuel as well as the unreliable rainfall, the Sahara desert is advancing at an estimated rate of 600 metres each year. This means that an estimated 55 million or more would be affected in the northern states such as Sokoto. However in the south, increasing sea levels have threatened the coastal region. A given example is Bar Beach, Victoria Island, Lagos. Bar Beach, once a family spot for relaxation is currently under reconstruction after 100m of the shoreline had been eroded over the past 20 years. Lagos State also teamed up with Chagoury Group to build a 1km sea defence to prevent further damage. Another region is the Niger Delta, which is the source of Nigeria’s oil wealth but however is vulnerable to the flooding due to its low-lying terrain with criss-crossed waterways. The protective mangroves have also been reduced by a drastic amount due to human intervention. Many people may not know but half of the 15 million people in Lagos live less than 6 feet away above sea level. Also in the rural economy, most small farms always assume stable rainfall patterns for their time of seeds and planting. Therefore the Government strategies for poverty in semi arid areas in the north as well as arable regions are at risk due to the variation in the weather pattern. Due to awareness campaigns made by organizations such as NCF, Nigerians are able to relate the disturbing issues of very high temperature as well as the uncertain implication for disease carrying pest and insects. Nigeria’s adaptation to climate change has not received much funding from external bilateral or multilateral sources. This may be due to the Nigeria’s slow moving institutional response to climate change. However locally, adaptation strategies are consistent with existing responses to that of hunger and poverty. For example trees are being planted in order to stop desertification. The use of substitute fuels such as biogas is also being used as well as the adoption of more versatile livestock. In more conventional farming regions, they have been encouraged to diversify their corps and adopt more efficient rainwater harvesting and irrigation techniques. The coastal region has also approached climate change with better management of existing resources. A short film Water Runs Deep talks about the impact of climate change in Nigeria. It gives an insight on how climate change has affected the lives of many for the worst. The movie shows how crops have been destroyed by flooding as well as schools being ruined. Various interviews give tale of their hardship and how they cope with it as well as the predicted change in weather for Nigeria and how adaptation strategies have been used to help the rural communities cope with Climate Change. According to the 2010 MDG progress report, Nigeria’s forest cover has reduced from 18. 9% to 9. 9% in the last two decades. This is one of the highest rates of deforestation in the world. The main reason for such is due to the high demand for wood fuel. In the absence of affordable alternative energy sources, charcoal is popular even in cities, which boosts its uncontrolled production

Sunday, October 13, 2019

Electoral systems in the UK and US

Electoral systems in the UK and US The United States of America and Great Britain have a lot of in common but the same times have a number of differences. The electoral systems of the UK and the US differ a lot. The United Kingdom uses different electoral systems and among them we could mention.  First Past the Post, which is used for the whole national elections and also when the local government is elected in England and Wales (earlier it was used in Scotland too). Additional Member System was invented after submission of the regional devolution in 1999 for the Scottish Parliament, Welsh meeting and London meeting.   It is rather modern invention, which was undertaken after electoral system reform.   Single Transferable Vote system is used for the election into the Assembly of the Northern Ireland and also is used for the Local administration.  Party Lists are used for the elections to the European Parliament and that is also rather modern invention and applied as the UK is the member of the European Union. And finally, Supplementary Vote, is used for the mayors election in the different cities, for example London. We see that the electoral system of the United Kingdom is rather complicated and strongly depends on the territorial division of the country. It should be noted that the United States is also dependent on the territorial division and each state has its constitutional and the elections to the local governmental organs are held due the legislation of the each state. But if we speak about electoral system globally we should mention about the Primaries, which are used for the President elections. This the first type of the election, when one candidate from the party is elected. Between the chosen candidates the general election is held and the core idea of the Primaries is in the fact that candidates from different parties should not take the votes of each other on the main elections, as their electorate is quite the same target group. Sometimes those who have lost the primaries took part in the president elections, but as independent candidates, without support of their party. Primaries could be opened, when everyone could take part in the elections and closed, when the members of the party, holding the primaries, could vote. The Primaries are the core peculiarity of the United States electoral system. It should be noted that a number of states refused from primary use of the Primaries. The different system are used for counting the votes and different schemes. A number of southern states have a tradition to support the candidate, which would take the arithmetic majority of the votes. In southern states the break between the winner and the nearest competitors. It should be noted that the both systems differ a lot and the United Kingdom has developed the electoral systems suitable for their political structure and the United States for theirs. I think that the core role in the difference between these states is that they have different political structure and this causes so severe difference in their electoral structure.   References: Michael Thrasher and Colin Rallings. British Electoral Facts. W. Wormell:London,UK, 2010 Bibby, John, and Holbrook, Thomas. Politics in the American States: A Comparative Analysis, 8th Edition. Ed. Virginia Gray and Russell L. Hanson.WashingtonD.C.: CQ Press, p. 62-100. 2004

Saturday, October 12, 2019

Lord of the Flies :: essays research papers

By comparing and contrasting the characters of Jack and Ralph it allows the reader to fully understand their characters and how each develops throughout the novel. Once this has been achieved the reason the rivalry occurs becomes evident and the novel’s most important qualities and themes emerge from these two characters. It is then that we are able to see why Ralph and Jack’s friendship can never develop into anything but rivalry. Throughout the novel we see that Ralph and Jack share similar qualities, but there is a great difference in the way they use these attributes to benefit both themselves and others. Ralph uses his power to create a democracy, where each person has the right to voice their opinions and ideas. â€Å"I’ll give the conch to the next person to speak. He can hold it when he’s speaking...and he won’t be interrupted.† The conch becomes a symbol of the right of a speaker to a fair hearing. While Jack uses his authority to produce a fascist, hostile environment where he controls the doings of his tribe. â€Å"Tomorrow we shall hunt† and â€Å"He said we weren’t to let you in.† Whilst both characters have the chance to exercise their power, both do so in a disparate way, with Ralph aiming to benefit the group as a whole, and Jack himself profiting from his actions. Ralph and Jack begin the novel with similar beliefs, both wanting to implement rules. â€Å"I agree with Ralph. We’ve got to have rules and obey them.† Ralph concentrates on being rescued and Jack goes along with this taking on the responsibility that he and his choir will mind the fire. â€Å"We’ll be responsible for keeping the fire going-†, but while Ralph remains focused on being rescued, Jack’s newfound interest in hunting leads him to forget about rescue. â€Å"Jack had to think for a moment before he could remember what rescue was. ‘Rescue? Yes, of course! All the same, I’d like to catch a pig first-.† As the story evolves, so to do Ralph and Jack’s different opinions. The pressure on Ralph and Jack’s different ideas peak when Jack forgets about his responsibilities in order to hunt. When Ralph tells Jack a ship had passed, and Jack had let the fire go out, because he had been hunting, all Jack can say is â€Å"You should have seen the blood!† Now Jack is faced with two choices. â€Å"There was the brilliant world of hunting, tactics, fierce exhilaration, skill; and there was the world of longing and baffled commonsense.

Friday, October 11, 2019

National Territory

This experience Is part of my most memorable happenings In my life. Meeting other people In an unexpected time and place. Asking their piece of trust and time to asks some questions Is such a thrilling and a little bit awkward experience but honestly I really enjoy this actively with my classmates. By the way, the man that I'm with In the picture is Mr.. Abraham. He is a tourist here in the Philippine.He is a designer, 24 years old, living in united Arab Emirates. He was with his family at that time I conduct an interview with him. He is a nice and approachable person. Honestly the time I approached him, He was wearing shades and during our interview he take off his shade and I was really captured in his pleasing eyes. He is really handsome with a good tone of voice. He's religion is Muslim. I also like his sense of humor because, He didn't tell me first his true age but when IM going to write the first age that he said, e stopped me and asking me† am I really look like 21 year s old? And I say yes you do look younger than 21 and he really laughed about it. Another is that I share also that my mother was also converted into Muslim and he asked me and tapped my back while he Is laughing at me, If I have also a plans to be converted into Muslim but I answered No.

Thursday, October 10, 2019

Torn thread

The setting in the story Torn Thread written by Anne Isaacs was taken place in Bedizen, Poland, and Parachutist, Czechoslovakia, where the characters were forced to move to a Jewish ghetto. Main Characters: The main character in this story was Eva who is twelve years old who was forced to spin thread for the Germans and had to look after her sick sister, Rachel. The minor characters in Torn Thread are Rachel who was always sick with colds, coughs, high fevers, and shortness of breath.Rachel was very ill and was taken to the hospital frequently. Another minor character was Eve's and Earache's father who was taken away from them when they were taken to the Jewish ghetto, Things I Learned: In the story Torn Thread I learned that the Mans took young and Innocent Jews and forced them to do heavy labor and live In Jewish ghettos. I learned that the Nazis killed people that were too old or unhealthy to work anymore. I also read how the guards of the camps would swear and hit the prisoners w ith clubs and rifles if they ere angry.So practically saying they would beat someone just to get their anger out. Another thing learned in this story was the Nazis blamed everything on the Jews since they hated them so much. Significance of the Title: I think the author chose Torn Thread as the title for this story because Eva was forced to spin thread to make blankets and uniforms for the Germans. But her life is getting harder and torn apart hence the title Torn Thread. Plot: The story Is set In a Nazi labor camp during World War II.After her older sister Rachel is taken by the Nazis and transported to a labor camp, Eve's father arranges for her to also be transported to the same camp so that she can look after her sister and so that, no matter what happens to the rest of the family, they will be together. Because he works as an accountant for the Germans, he has learned that Jews are being sent to concentration camps to be exterminated, and he hopes that he will be able to save h is daughters by insuring their place in a slave labor camp.Eva finds Rachel at the Parachutist camp, and together they survive the work they were forced o do adding on to taking care of each other. Changes in the Main Characters: Throughout the story Eva and Earache's relationship grew stronger with each other. When Eva had to take care of Rachel, Rachel realized how much her sister cared for her. Rachel and Eva than started helping each other through the difficult times and became closer In their relationship. Eva became more brave and Intelligent as the story progressed. Rachel became more caring and brave like Eva did.Personal Torn thread was a powerful work of fiction. It explains the horrors of the Holocaust and how brutal it was at the concentration camps. I enjoyed reading this book because I like learning about history and how it was to live back then, especially for the Jews. If I were to ask a question to one of the characters I would ask Eva how she felt when having to le ave her father and if it was hard taking care of her sister by herself.. Torn thread was an exciting novel written about the Holocaust, I would recommend it to anyone looking for a fictional story about the Holocaust.

Mission and Vision Statements Essay

It often reflects the values and beliefs of top managers in an organization. A mission statement is the broad definition of the organizational mission. It is sometimes referred to as a creed, purpose, or statement of corporate philosophy and values. A good mission statement inspires employees and provides a focus and direction for setting lower level objectives. It should guide employees in making decisions and establish what the organization does. Mission statements are crucial for organizations to prosper and grow. While studies suggest that they have a positive impact on profitability and can increase shareholder equity, they also support that almost 40 percent of employees do not know or understand their company’s mission. Not only large corporations benefit from creating mission statements but small businesses as Photo by: sellingpix http://www. referenceforbusiness. com/management/Mar-No/Mission-and-Vision-Statements. html Page 1 of 12 Mission and Vision Statements – strategy, organization, examples, advantages, definition, company, disadvantages, business 5/19/13 2:42 PM well. Entrepreneurial businesses are driven by vision and high aspirations. Developing a mission statement will help the small business realize their vision. Its primary purpose is to guide the entrepreneur and assist in refining the planning process. By developing a strategic plan that incorporates the mission statement, entrepreneurs are more likely to be successful and stay focused on what is important. The mission statement encourages managers and small business owners alike to consider the nature and scope of the business. Business Week attributes 30 percent higher return on several key financial measure for companies with well-crafted mission statements. COMMON ELEMENTS While mission statements vary from organization to organization and represent the distinctness of each one, they all share similar components. Most statements include descriptions of the organization’s target market, the geographic domain, their concern for survival, growth and profitability, the company philosophy, and the organization’s desired public image. For example: Our mission is to become the favorite family dining restaurant in every neighborhood in which we operate. This will be accomplished by serving a variety of delicious tasting and generously portioned foods at moderate prices. Our restaurants will be clean, fun, and casual. Our guests will be served by friendly, knowledgeable people that are dedicated to providing excellent customer service. This mission statement describes the target market, which are families and the geographic domain of neighborhoods. It clearly states how it expects to be profitable by offering excellent customer service by friendly, knowledgeable people. When defining the mission statement it is important to take into account external influences such as the competition, labor conditions, economic conditions, and possible government regulation. It is important to remember however, that mission statements that try to be everything to everybody end up being nothing to anybody. http://www. referenceforbusiness. com/management/Mar-No/Mission-and-Vision-Statements. html Page 2 of 12 Mission and Vision Statements – strategy, organization, examples, advantages, definition, company, disadvantages, business 5/19/13 2:42 PM Companies should have mission statements that clearly define expected shareholder returns and they should regularly measure performance in terms of those expected returns. If the major reason for a business’s existence is to make a profit then it stands to reason that expectations of profit should be included in the organization’s mission. This means that management should reach a consensus about which aspects of the company’s profit performance should be measured. These might include margin growth, product quality, market share changes, competitive cost position, and capital structure efficiency. A mission statement sets the boundaries for how resources should be allocated and what strategic and operational goals should be set. The mission statement should acknowledge the company’s strengths and then inform employees where to direct their efforts in order to take advantage of those strengths. Before writing a mission statement organizations should take a look at how they are different from the competition, whether it is in technology, image and name brand, or employees. It can often be thought of as a recipe for success because it not only defines the organization’s accomplishments but it also provides employees with directions to help them develop plans and look for opportunities for improvement. The organization defines what is acceptable behavior through the mission statement. Values and beliefs are the core of a strong mission statement. For example: Quality and values will secure our success. We will live by our values, have fun, and take pride in what we do. Our values are to maintain a work environment where people enjoy coming to work, to serve our guests and exceed their expectations, and to be profitable and result oriented. This mission statement is simple and straightforward. It does not, however, specify the products or target market. The mission statement also provides meaning to the organization by stating not only what goals the company wants to achieve but also why it wants to achieve these goals. It is not effective unless it is challenging and forces workers to establish goals and means to measure the achievement of those goals. A mission statement should inspire employees and get them involved in the organization. It has been called the glue that holds the organization together through shared values and standards of behavior. A mission statement should be relevant to the history, culture, and values of the company. Many statements refer to the social responsibility of the organization. For example, a company can show their concern for the community in the following: http://www. referenceforbusiness. com/management/Mar-No/Mission-and-Vision-Statements. html Page 3 of 12 Mission and Vision Statements – strategy, organization, examples, advantages, definition, company, disadvantages, business 5/19/13 2:42 PM To be involved as good corporate citizens wherever we are around the world. We will treat customers and distributors with honesty, courtesy, and respect. We will respect and preserve the environment. Through all of this we will prove to be the worldwide leader in industry trade. One important issue in organizations today is the concern with diversity. While it is not a traditional point included in mission statements, more and more companies are including it because of the globalization of the economy and the increased diversity of the workforce. Before writing a mission statement, leaders in the organization must have an idea of what is in store for the future. This vision is the foundation for the mission statement. The vision provides a strategic direction, which is the springboard for the mission and its related goals. A vision statement differs from a mission statement. Vision statements are a view of what an organization is striving to become. For example: To bring back to neighborhoods all over America the importance of family unity. We will view ourselves as a family so these attributes will be carried over into our service. They guide an organization into the future while mission statements are a reflection of the present. Because vision statements are a glimpse into the future, they are often not realized for several years. Organizations go through many changes and can face times of confusion and uncertainty. Changes are not always expected or easy, so a well thought out vision statement will help everyone stay focused and meet the organization’s goals. Some examples of well-known companies’ mission statements: Wal-Mart: â€Å"To give ordinary folk the chance to buy the same thing as rich people. † 3M: â€Å"To solve unsolved problems innovatively. † Walt Disney: â€Å"To make people happy. † Historically, these may have seemed arrogant. But consider the outcome of the following mission statements from each company’s early days: Ford Motor Company: â€Å"Ford will democratize the automobile. † Sony: â€Å"Become the company most know for changing the world-wide poor-quality image of Japanese products. † Wal-Mart: â€Å"Become a $125 billion company by the year 2000. † http://www. referenceforbusiness. com/management/Mar-No/Mission-and-Vision-Statements. html Page 4 of 12 Mission and Vision Statements – strategy, organization, examples, advantages, definition, company, disadvantages, business 5/19/13 2:42 PM WRITING A MISSION STATEMENT When creating a mission statement there are a few simple guidelines that can be followed. It is important to remember the basics so the mission statement stays simple and straight to the point. Some researchers agree that it should be kept to between 30 and 60 words, while others believe it does not necessarily have to be that brief. Some organizations have mission statements that are only one sentence, while others are a paragraph. An example of a mission statement that is limited to one sentence is â€Å"Our business is selling houses and our mission is total customer satisfaction. At a minimum, each mission statement should answer the following three questions: (1) What are the opportunities or needs the organization addresses? (2) What does the organization do to address those needs? and (3) What principles and values guide the organization? In other words, defining the organization’s purpose, business and values. Avoiding jargon and buzzwords will keep the mission statement clear and easy to understand. It should be universal and simple to comprehend for all employees in the organization. It should be unique and identify the organization. A mission statement is often what sets one company apart from the competition. It should outline the organization’s competitive advantages and differentiate it from everyone else. Specific products/services offered as well as markets or customers should be included. Also a general business definition, behavioral standards, and desired competitive position can be added to a strong mission statement. EMPLOYEE INVOLVEMENT It is often helpful to allow company-wide input when creating a mission statement. This â€Å"bottom up† approach results in greater commitment to the organization and a better understanding of the organization. Employees from throughout the organization can help identify the core values of the company. In order to encourage employee participation, many companies have created competitions inviting employees to submit suggestions. Cash prizes are sometimes provided as an incentive for creative and inspirational statements. Some companies find it useful to invite customers to assist in writing a mission statement because they can provide an honest perspective. Another option is to review mission statements from other companies. This can help provide ideas as the writing process begins. It is important to keep in mind that there will be a draft process involved in creating the mission statement. Employees can often provide invaluable insight on how to improve on each draft. In the end, the mission statement should reflect the personality of the organization. Thus, each company should be creative and unique in developing its own statement. Creating a mission http://www. referenceforbusiness. com/management/Mar-No/Mission-and-Vision-Statements. html Page 5 of 12 Mission and Vision Statements – strategy, organization, examples, advantages, definition, company, disadvantages, business 5/19/13 2:42 PM  committee that consists of members of management, frontline employees, and customers is another way to begin writing a mission statement. The major benefit of this strategy is the inclusion of all areas of the organization to ensure that everyone is represented. Another benefit is that employees will be more willing to work toward accomplishing the mission if they know they had a vo ice in its creation. A â€Å"top down† approach can be effective in smaller organizations or even sole proprietorships. There is less time involved in creating a mission statement when it comes from the top. Also, many times frontline employees and lower level managers lack the insight necessary to see the big picture. They may not be able to conceptualize the entire organization and therefore miss important aspects of the business. Participation may not always be a good option for small businesses. In small businesses that are started by entrepreneurs the mission statement is generally a vision of an individual and therefore may not be negotiable. When the mission statement comes from upper management, employees are more assured of the organization’s commitment to the statement. A word of caution should be noted when deciding whether to adopt a â€Å"top down† approach or a â€Å"bottom up† approach. If the mission statement is to be created with a wide variety of input from both employees and customers then it will take longer than a â€Å"top down† approach. There must be a sharing of views and ideas with compromises made. A consensus should be developed without the problems associated with groupthink. There is always the possibility that too much compromise will distort the mission statement and the end result is something different from the original intent. The â€Å"top down† approach is not always effective because it rarely consults employees when making important decisions. Therefore, although it is the fastest route to take it isn’t always the most effective. While the mission statement should be able to change with the times it is also understood to have a certain degree of permanence. As new businesses begin to grow and hire more employees the mission statement should provide a strong sense of stability and a clear definition of the culture. A mission statement is worthless unless it has the support of the employees in the organization. It will only be successful if each employee commits to its success and internalizes it. Once the statement is completed it is extremely important that the organization not put it on the shelf to collect dust. It should be shared with the entire company. The introduction of the mission statement should come directly from top management in order to set the example. Organizations should be creative in making employees aware of the mission statement. Placing it strategically in locations where employees gather will increase awareness and remind them of the goals of the http://www. referenceforbusiness. com/management/Mar-No/Mission-and-Vision-Statements. html Page 6 of 12 Mission and Vision Statements – strategy, organization, examples, advantages, definition, company, disadvantages, business 5/19/13 2:42 PM organization. Videos outlining the details of the new mission statement are often useful; however, it is critical that employees have the opportunity to discuss the statement with members of management. Setting up meetings with members of management and frontline employees can often help uncover areas where the company does not meet the standards set by the mission statement. Communicating the mission statement to customers will make them feel valued and important. It can be sent to customers in a mass mailing or posted on signs in areas those customers frequent. It sets forth the goals of the organization so customers know what to expect when doing business with the company. SWOT ANALYSIS SWOT is an acronym for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. SWOT analysis is a strategic planning tool that helps an organization match its internal strengths and weaknesses with external opportunities and threats. SWOT analysis is important and useful in creating and executing the organization’s mission statement. Often the best strategies for accomplishing the organization’s mission are revealed through the SWOT analysis. The best strategies are those that take advantage of strengths and opportunities, offset threats, and improve weaknesses. Organizations should first begin by reviewing internal strengths and weaknesses. When analyzing an organization’s strengths it is important to identify distinctive competencies or strengths possessed by only a few competing firms. These distinctive competencies often become the competitive advantages that are included in the mission statement. Distinctive competencies can be found in financial resources, quality products and services, proprietary technology, or cost advantages. Organizational weaknesses are skills and capabilities that prevent an organization from implementing strategies that achieve its mission. They can be problems with facilities, lack of a clear strategic direction, internal operating problems, too narrow a product line, weak market image, or the inability to finance changes. The next step is to identify external opportunities and threats. Organizational opportunities are circumstances in an organization’s environment that if capitalized on will result in above normal increases in economic performance. Examples of opportunities are related to the possibility of adding a new product line, increasing market growth, or diversifying into related products. Threats are viewed as circumstances that give rise to normal or below normal economic performance. They can be found in the ease of entry of competitors, increased sales of substituted products, demographic changes, slowed market growth, or increased competition. EVALUATION http://www. referenceforbusiness. com/management/Mar-No/Mission-and-Vision-State ments. html Page 7 of 12 Mission and Vision Statements – strategy, organization, examples, advantages, definition, company, disadvantages, business 5/19/13 2:42 PM Evaluation of the mission statement is necessary to ensure the organization is meeting its goals. If needed, new goals may have to be created in order to accommodate changes in the organization. It may be time to reevaluate what the organization is doing or where it is headed. This is a good time to think about entering into new areas or to begin doing things differently by rewriting part or all of the mission and vision statements. In evaluating an organization’s performance, management must look at several different aspects of the organization. First, managers need to determine if the organization’s plans are clearly linked to its mission statement and related goals. Plans should be developed for both the short run and long run. Secondly, assigning jobs that are directly related to the achievement of organizational goals will help ensure they are attained. The goals should be communicated clearly so employees understand what tasks need to be carried out and what the rewards will be. Finally, when evaluating individual performance, the information gathered should be recent and compared to established standards. Mission statements are often difficult to evaluate because they are written in a somewhat abstract form. They are, many times, not directly measurable and vaguely worded. Figure 1 presents an example of how mission statements can be measured from the top of the organization to the bottom. Strategic goals are directly tied to the organization’s mission statement and apply to the organization as a whole. Tactical goals are departmental goals that support the strategic goals. Finally, operational goals are written at the individual level. Each one of these makes it possible to measure the organization’s mission statements. An organization’s likelihood of accomplishing its mission is increased as it creates strong and measurable goals at each level. It is not necessary that the mission statement be measured in quantifiable terms. It may also be measured qualitatively. For example, â€Å"We will answer all of our customers’ questions and if we don’t know the answer, we will find out. † While this is not a quantitative statement it can be measured by monitoring customer service calls and setting operational goals for employees that revolve around follow up and thoroughness. Mission and vision statements give organizations a focus and a strategy for the future. According to Bart and Tabone, they have become the cornerstones of organizations. They contribute to organizations’ success and can lead to increases in productivity and performance. They do not have to be reserved for the entire organization—each department or division can benefit from developing a mission statement, as long as they are not in contradiction to the company’s overall mission. Preferably, an individual department’s mission links it to the fulfillment of the overall http://www. referenceforbusiness. com/management/Mar-No/Mission-and-Vision-Statements. html Page 8 of 12 Mission and Vision Statements – strategy, organization, examples, advantages, definition, company, disadvantages, business 5/19/13 2:42 PM company mission. Mission statements for functional Figure 1 departments provide the same benefits as they do for the entire organization. In conclusion, mission statements provide a sense of direction and purpose. In times of change and growth they can be an anchor and a guide in decision making. The benefits far outweigh the disadvantages and challenges when looking at the potential for increases in profitability and returns. Defining an organization by what it produces and who it satisfies are major steps towards creating a sound and stable mission statement. Setting a company apart from the competition is probably one of the biggest advantages. SEE ALSO: Strategic Planning Failure ; Strategic Planning Tools ; Strategy Formulation ; Strategy Implementation ; SWOT Analysis Amy McMillan Revised by Deborah Hausler FURTHER READING: Bart, C. K. , and J. C. Tabone.