3RTO Assessment Essay

Learning outcomes: 1. Be able to explain the factors that affect an organisation’s talent planning, recruitment and selection policy. 2. Be able to identify appropriate recruitment and selection methods. 3. Be able to contribute to the recruitment and selection interviewing process for a job role. 4. Understand the importance of effective induction. All activities should be completed Activity 1 Write a short report on Talent Planning in organisations which : identifies and assesses at least 4 factors that affect an organisation’s approach to attracting talent identifies and explains at least 3 organisation benefits of attracting and retaining a diverse workforce describes at least 3 factors that affect an organisation’s approach to recruitment and selection describes the benefits of at least 3 different recruitment methods and 3 different selection methods explains at least 3 purposes of induction and how they benefit individuals and organisations. includes an induction plan that identifies areas to be covered, timelines and those involved in the process. Activity 2 Carry out the main stages of recruitment and selection activity for an identified role. Brief: You are a member of the Head Office human resources team for a national retail group and have been asked by one of your larger store managers to recruit a Human Resources Officer for his store to work 3 days per week. Their duties will include all staffing and training duties associated with the running of the store for 150 store staff. You should use this brief to inform your work in carrying out the following tasks: produce a job description and person specification for the role draft a written advertisement or a brief to your Recruitment Agency to attract talented individuals to apply develop selection criteria and shortlist from a minimum of 3 applicants who have applied for the role (application form attached) as a panel, interview 1 applicant for the role and decide if they should be offered the post identify which records you would retain with a short explanation of the legal requirements Draft an example of a letter to an appointee and one example of a letter written to a non -appointee. You will be observed and assessed by your tutor using the attached observation record. Activity Resources Application Form (3 pages) Observation Record (1 page) Assessment Criteria Evidence to be produced Activity 1 Report of approximately 1200 words Activity 2 Observation record for each member of the group. The following documents to be produced by each group: Job Description and Person Specification Agency Recruitment Brief or advertisement Selection criteria Completed short listing record List of interview questions used in the Panel Interview Interview assessment form List of records from process which will be retained with an explanation of the legal requirements Letter to both successful and unsuccessful applicants To be completed by assessor(s): Unit Code Learning outcomes Assessment criteria Assessor comments Provide rationale for judgements against each assessment criterion and identify areas for development 3RTO 1. Be able to explain the factors that affect an organisation’s talent planning, recruitment and selection policy. 1.1 Identify and explain at least 3 organisation benefits of attracting and retaining a diverse workforce 1.2 Identify and assesses at least 4 factors that affect an organisation’s approach to attracting talent 1.3 Describe at least 3 factors that affect an organisation’s approach to recruitment and selection 2. Be able to identify appropriate recruitment and selection methods. 2.1 Describe the benefits of at least 3 different recruitment methods 1.3 Describe the benefits of at least 3 different selection methods. 3. Be able to contribute to the recruitment and selection interviewing process for a job role. 3.1 Produce a job description and person specification for the Part time Human Resources Officer role. 3.2 Draft a written advertisement or a brief to your Recruitment Agency to attract talented individuals to apply. 3.3 Develop selection criteria and shortlist from a minimum of 3 applicants who have applied for the role. 3.4 As a panel interview 1 applicant for the role and decide if they should be offered the post. 3.5 Identify which records you would retain with a short explanation of the legal requirements. Draft an example of a letter to an appointee and one example of a letter written to a non appointee. 4. Understand the importance of effective induction. 4.1 Explain at least three of the purposes of induction and explain how they benefit individuals and organisations. 4.2 Include an induction plan that identifies areas to be covered, timelines and those involved in the process. Identify and assess 4 factors that affect an organisations approach to attracting talent and retaining a diverse workforce. Award Winning Training programmes on offer In the company that I work for when we are trying to attract talent into our business we promote our award winning training programmes as we want to attract people who want to move forward within the business and have the drive to do that. We offer training programmes for all levels from associate through to pub manager and area manager if that’s where our staff wishes to go. Benefits We promote our work life balance offering employees a healthy balance of each. Potential for employees to move all over the country, if they want to. We have students working in one pub in the term time and during summer and winter breaks they can transfer to a pub closer to home without losing any benefits. We offer many bonuses to working for our organisation when your particular pub does well in regards to mystery customer depending on the score your pub receives means that you could potentially earn up to 5% of your monthly salary. We also offer in house style competitions where we get the staff to compete between themselves to up sell products which not only benefits us but also the staff as at the end of the quarter there is a prize for the winner. Brand We are a very stable, company to work for and during the last 30 years we have grown to have more than a 900 pubs all over the UK and Ireland. We are investing in people who seek talent and can help us grow the business we give them opportunities to suggest ideas and how we could improve the business. Being such a well-known brand also helps us attract the right talent and to be able to retain them due to the vast opportunities that we  are able to give them. Diversity We want people from all backgrounds as without them we would not be able to move forward as a business as we need diversity to create more ideas and challenge us in our everyday lives. We also offer everybody the opportunity to be able to take up the training programmes which can only benefits the organisation diversity. Identify and explain at least 3 organisational benefits of attracting a diverse workforce. Having a diverse work force can help with productivity as they may challenge other team members to have healthy competition to come up with ideas on how to improve the business by thinking outside the box. Also having diversity can help any business and we have such a diverse community wherever you are it can only help to have that in your business as we would be able to understand the needs of our community better. Also having a workforce that is diverse can help the organisation to grow and succeed by encouraging creativity. Also within any business we need our workforce to have different skills as they can bring different ideas to the table it also helps build confidence in the team as each member would feel that they would be able to contribute to the business. Describe 3 factors that affect an organisations approach to recruitment and selection. Within each organisation has to take into consideration when recruiting is the current economic climate during the last recession company growth has slowed down so the need to recruit began to slow down as people were less likely to leave as they need the security of a well-established company that was secure in the current climate. Within every organisation whether large or small there they would have a recruitment and selection policy, there are factors that affect the way in which they recruit and select. Firstly we have to ensure that there is a genuine vacancy when we have established this  we can then put in place the recruitment and selection process. We need the authority to be able to place a job advert and dependant on the type of job we are recruiting for would depend on where we would advertise. If it is a highly skilled job we need to advertise in the right places whether that would be a website, publication dedicated to that particular profession. We also look within our business to see whether we have staff that could potential fill the role that has become vacant. We have to ensure that we when we advertise we are not discriminating against age, race, social or educational background. Also when we are advertising a vacancy there are laws that affect the way we attract talent as we need to ensure when we word an advert, application forms to job descriptions that the words are not discriminative and not showing favourable treatment with regards to age, gender or disability. Recruitment Benefits Job advert via recruitment agencies We can depending on our budget place adverts in various publications that can be dedicated to the type of person we are wanting to attract it can also help us which a wide audience. We can also use recruitment agencies as they potentially may have people who are looking for a job within our business on their files. On line with a website dedicated to certain profession Advertising on line can be very cost effective and can reach all over the country and all over the world especially if we are looking for a type of skilled person to join our organisation. National campaign If a company is expanding especially like the organisation that I work for we place adverts in all our pubs Selection Benefits Application form When we advertise a vacancy on-line we can ask the potential employee to fill out our application form as on that form we would be able to get them to  answer questions which are specific to the criteria that we are looking for in a potential employee Telephone interview Telephone interviews is a cost effective way of screening candidates for a vacancy and through this method we can short list candidates and at the same time prepare them for interview Interview Interviews are a great benefit as it’s gives the employer a chance to meet face to face. Interviews can be done with a panel to ensure that there is fair practice and ensure that no discrimination has taken place. Explain 3 purposes of induction and how they benefit individuals and organisations. Inductions are hugely beneficial to both the new starters and organisations as at the inductions is where we can introduce the new starters to the culture of the company, the history of the organisation, health and safety and also introduce them to certain policies and procedures of the organisation which need to be explained to them before they start. For the new starter it can mean that they can hit the floor running as they have an understanding of the culture of the company making them feel at ease and also benefits us as we are safe in the knowledge that we have given them the best possible start to help them do the job that we employed them to do. Day Time Topic Who Tuesday 8am-830am House keeping Welcome to the company Line manager Company history 830-845am Message from the managing director Managing director video message. 845-9am Ice breaker Line manager 9-930am Company culture Expectations required from company employees. Line manager 930-10am Breaks 10-11am Company policies and procedures. Health and safety policy Fire and bomb procedures and what we do in the event of either. Food hygiene basic understanding of food safety. Line manager 11-1130am Team task asking the group to list ideas that they feel are potential hazards in the business and what we would need to look for and how to prevent accidents in the work place. Line manager Group activity 1130-midday Q&A Tour of the company Line manager 12-1215pm Training plans to be given employees Line manager 1215-1245pm Any other business Welcome package Contracts handed out Line manager Reference used in TMA Introduction to Human resource management Charles Leatherbarrow, Janet Fletcher and Donald Currie Home learning College VLC Resourcing Talent ecompanion

Limitation Of The Study Guide Essay

Identifying limitations, and explaining how important they are There are many possible limitations that your research may have faced. However, is not necessary for you to discuss all of these limitations in your Research Limitations section. After all, you are not writing a 2000 word critical review of the limitations of your dissertation, just a 200-500 word critique that is only one section long (i.e., the Research Limitationssection within your Conclusions chapter). Therefore, in this first announcing move, we would recommend that you identify only those limitations that had the greatest potential impact on: (a) the quality of your findings; and (b) your ability to effectively answer your research questions and/or hypotheses. We use the word potential impact because we often do not know the degree to which different factors limited our findings or our ability to effectively answer our research questions and/or hypotheses. For example, we know that when adopting a quantitative research design, a failure to use a probability sampling technique significantly limits our ability to make broader generalisations from our results (i.e., our ability to make statistical inferences from our sample to the population being studied). However, the degree to which this reduces the quality of our findings is a matter of debate. Also, whilst the lack of a probability sampling technique when using a quantitative research design is a very obvious example of a research limitation, other limitations are far less clear. Therefore, the key point is to focus on those limitations that you feel had the greatest impact on your findings, as well as your ability to effectively answer your research questions and/or hypotheses. Overall, the announcing move should be around 10-20% of the total word count of the Research Limitations section. THE REFLECTING MOVE Explaining the nature of the limitations and justifying the choices you made Having identified the most important limitations to your dissertation in the announcing move, the reflecting move focuses on explaining the nature of these limitations and justifying the choices that you made during the research process. This part should be around 60-70% of the total word count of the Research Limitations section. It is important to remember at this stage that all research suffers from limitations, whether it is performed by  undergraduate and master’s level dissertation students, or seasoned academics. Acknowledging such limitations should not be viewed as a weakness, highlighting to the person marking your work the reasons why you should receive a lower grade. Instead, the reader is more likely to accept that you recognise the limitations of your own research if you write a high quality reflecting move. This is because explaining the limitations of your research and justifying the choices you made during the dissertation process demonstrates the command that you had over your research. We talk about explaining the nature of the limitations in your dissertation because such limitations are highly research specific. Let’s take the example of potential limitations to your sampling strategy. Whilst you may have a number of potential limitations in sampling strategy, let’s focus on the lack of probability sampling; that is, of all the different types of sampling technique that you could have used [see Types of probability sampling and Types of non-probability sampling], you choose not to use a probability sampling technique (e.g., simple random sampling, systematic random sampling, stratified random sampling). As mentioned, if you used a quantitative research design in your dissertation, the lack of probability sampling is an important, obvious limitation to your research. This is because it prevents you from making generalisations about the population you are studying (e.g. Facebook usage at a single university of 20,000 students) from the data you have collected (e.g., a survey of 400 students at the same university). Since an important component of quantitative research is such generalisation, this is a clear limitation. However, the lack of a probability sampling technique is not viewed as a limitation if you used a qualitative research design. In qualitative research designs, a non-probability sampling technique is typically selected over a probability sampling technique. And this is just part of the puzzle? Even if you used a quantitative research design, but failed to employ a probability sampling technique, there are still many perfectly justifiable reasons why you could have made such a choice. For example, it may have been impossible (or near on impossible) to get a list of the population you were studying (e.g., a list of all the 20,000 students at the single university you were interested in). Since probability sampling is only possible when we  have such a list, the lack of such a list or inability to attain such a list is a perfectly justifiable reason for not using a probability sampling technique; even if such a technique is the ideal. As such, the purpose of all the guides we have written on research limitations is to help you: (a) explain the nature of the limitations in your dissertation; and (b) justify the choices you made. In helping you to justifying the choices that you made, these articles explain not only when something is, in theory, an obvious limitation, but how, in practice, such a limitation was not necessarily so damaging to the quality of your dissertation. This should significantly strengthen the quality of your Research Limitations section. THE FORWARD LOOKING MOVE Suggesting how such limitations could be overcome in future Finally, the forward looking move builds on the reflecting move by suggesting how the limitations you have discuss could be overcome through future research. Whilst a lot could be written in this part of the Research Limitations section, we would recommend that it is only around 10-20% of the total word count for this section. Limitations Limitations of a dissertation are potential weaknesses in your study that are mostly out of your control, given limited funding, choice of research design, statistical model constraints, or other factors. In addition, a limitation is a restriction on your study that cannot be reasonably dismissed and can affect your design and results. Do not worry about limitations because limitations affect virtually all research projects, as well as most things in life. Even when you are going to your favorite restaurant, you are limited by the menu choices. If you went to a restaurant that had a menu that you were craving, you might not receive the service, price, or location that makes you enjoy your favorite restaurant. If you studied participants’ responses to a survey, you might be limited in your abilities to gain the exact type or geographic scope of participants you wanted. The people whom you managed to get to take your survey may not truly be a random sample, which is also a limit ation. If you used a common test for data findings, your results are limited by the reliability of the test. If your study was limited to a certain amount of time, your results are affected by the operations of society during that time period (e.g., economy, social trends). It is important for you to remember that limitations of a dissertation are often not something that can be solved by the researcher. Also, remember that whatever limits you also limits other researchers, whether they are the largest medical research companies or consumer habits corporations. Certain kinds of limitations are often associated with the analytical approach you take in your research, too. For example, some qualitative methods like heuristics or phenomenology do not lend themselves well to replicability. Also, most of the commonly used quantitative statistical models can only determine correlation, but not causation.

Relations between o. henry’s life and the story “buried treasure”

O. Henry was born in September 11, 1862 as William Sydney Porter in Greensboro, North Carolina. Porter’s father, Argentina Sidney Porter worked as a physician (Read print, 08). Unfortunately, Porter’s mother died when he was aged three and was therefore raised by his grandmother and aunt. Porter was an enthusiastic reader but he discontinued school at the age of 15 years. He started working in a drug story and later on a ranch in Texas. He then went to Houston where among other jobs he worked as a bank clerk. Money was found to be missing from the bank he was working in and he was required to stand trial but he fled to avoid trial. He returned to Austria when he heard that his wife was in her death bed in 1897. He was convicted of embezzlement of funds although there questions arose over his guilt. He was jailed in 1898 till 1901. He wrote his first works in Penitentiary at Columbus, which marked his career start as an author. In his work, â€Å"Buried Treasure†, there are various aspects of O. Henry’s life that are related to the story. It is indicated in his biography that he wrote about the life of ordinary people in New York City (On-line literature, 08). In the story, he says that his idea of a happy home is an eight room house in a groove of live oaks by the side of a charco on a Texas prime, a piano, an automatic player and ponies. This reflects the wishes of most ordinary people. Another fact in the author’s life that is related to his work on the buried treasure is his education. O. Henry dropped out of school at the age of 15 years old meaning he never attained his college education. This is reflected in the story as he reveals now and again his contempt for college education. This is brought forward by his attitude towards Goodloe Banks who is a young man from college. O. Henry wrote that Goodloe Banks ran to books, manners, culture, rowing, intellect and clothes while he was more into baseball and Friday-night debating societies and more by way of culture and good horseback ride (Classical reader, 08). O. Henry clearly brings out the fact that education is not always the key as the character Goodloe Banks is portrayed as educated but his education does not lead him to the treasure. Goodloe’s education is portrayed to be for exploitation as the character Ed exploits him to get to the buried treasure in this case Miss May Martha Mangum. Porter’s father, Algernon Sidney Porter, was a physician. Although a lot is not said about him, O. Henry at some point could be referring to him in the story ‘Buried Treasure’. In the story, May Martha’s father is said to be a man behind whiskers and spectacles. He is an etymologist. Scientists in the story are said to be apt to be absent- minded. Algernon Sidney Porter is obviously in the same category of scientists and therefore O. Henry could be indirectly referring to him as absent-minded. Finally, in the book 41 stories, Porter is said to have gone to Texas primarily for health reasons and worked on a sheep ranch and lived with a family that had close ties with the Porter’s family in North Carolina (O.Henry, 84). Porter gathered knowledge of ranch life which he describes in the story ‘Buried Treasure’. In the story, the character, Ed, is said to want to retire to a ranch with three thousand heads of cattle in Texas. Works Cited List: Classical Reader (2008). Buried Treasure (Options). Viewed on 15th March, 2008 at http://www.classicreader.com/read.php/sid.6/bookid.973/ O. Henry. Selected Stories. Guy Davenport: Viking Penguin. 1993 O. Henry. 41 Stories. Burton Raffel: New American Library. 1984 Online Literature (2008). O. Henry-Biography and Works. Viewed on 15th March, 2008 at http://www.online-literature.com/o_henry/ Read Print (2008). O. Henry-Books and Biography. Viewed on 15th March, 2008 at http://www.readprint.com/author-45/o_henry

Research-Supported Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Research-Supported - Essay Example It is therefore because of this reason that this study is aimed at discussing influences of modern technology on the children development (Internet, cell phones, TV). Presents two lines of thought where admirers of modern technology argue that it ensure swift communication and quick receipt information. Opposing side believes that technology affects cognitive and physical development of children. Modern technology is usually accredited to the Internet, cell phone, computers and television among others. The entire above mentioned are summarized as a civilization that is swift, communication rich, information and on the screen. For that reason, it is difficult for children today to imagine a life without computers, the Internet and cell phones. Numerous researchers have, thus, differed concerning the effects of technology on the growth of the contemporary kids. Some believe that technology is the advanced level of human life while others contend that technology has diverse effects on brain development. Presently, children are immersed in technology. Many children today, envisioning a life without technological gadgets is like living in the senior generation, and it is difficult for kids to imagine living in the aged generation. This is because technology has eased all aspects of life. However, in spite of increased use of technology among children, technology has both positive and negative influences which if not observed well, can lead to immorality all over the modern children. It is therefore because of this reason that this study is aimed at discussing influences of modern technology on the children development (Internet, cell phones, TV). Technology refers to advancement in scientific knowledge utilized for practical purposes, mainly in industry. Modern technology is usually accredited to the Internet, cell phone, computers and television among others. The entire above mentioned are summarized as a civilization that is swift,

How do you evaluate a stock Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

How do you evaluate a stock - Essay Example The P/E ratios are compared only in organizations within the same market or industry. The price to sales ratio (PSR) should be near one. It is computed through dividing market capitalization by revenue of the most recent trading period. It is most suitable for analyzing stocks in the same sector. The Return on Equity (ROE) illustrates the returns for shareholder’s equity. It should appropriately be more than 10%. The ratio illustrated the effectiveness of the company in generating profit per equity unit. The earnings growth should be a minimum of 10% higher than the previous year. This trend should be illustrated in several years. The higher the growth, the more investments returns. The debt to asset ratio illustrates that debts should be equal to or less than 50% of the assets. This ensures appropriate levels of leverage across several companies. The greater the ratio, the leverage degree is higher hence results to financial risks. The returns on assets for Wal-Mart and Costco in the trading period ended 2014 are; 7.86% and 6.50% respectively. The performance of Wal-Mart is thus higher due to the greater returns on assets. The returns on equity for Wal-Mart in 2014 are 21%, and that for Costco in the same period is 17.79%, thus Wal-Mart illustrates the most appropriate value. Risk identification is very important in ensuring higher investment returns. The investors and fund managers usually quantify the forecasted losses of the stock investments and then adopt appropriate actions in relation to risk tolerance and also investment approaches. The risk assessment involves the study of several factors in relation to growth, profitability, low valuation, and the fiscal strength. A stock possessing all the illustrated characteristics is the most appropriate for investments (Horcher 3). The risk management techniques ensure successful stock trading. The trading profits can be safeguarded through simple strategies like; trade planning, take-profit points,

North Korea and South Korea Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

North Korea and South Korea - Essay Example Communism is a political movement that believes in an economic system in which the state controls the means of producing everything on behalf of the people. It aims to create a society in which everyone is treated equally. On the other hand, democracy is a system of government in which all the people of a country has a right to select their representatives. There is fair and equal treatment of everyone in the nation, and the sovereign are given the right to take part in decision-making. More than the geographic boundary between these two countries, their form government sets them farther apart. The story "Saboteur" by Ha Jin, provided a clear demonstration of how communist laws are working. First of all, Mr. Chiu was caught by the policemen and was called station with for no reason at all. It can be recalled that he was having lunch with his bride before Muji train station. After they ate and were finally leaving, two policemen who sat next table, spilled tea to Mr. Chiu and his bride's direction, so their sandals got wet. However, when Mr.Chiu complained about rudeness of those policemen, they grabbed him and clamped hand cuffs around his wrists. They took Mr. Chiu to police station because Mr.Chiu kept complaining on how unfairly they have treated him. The policemen told him that he was caught because he is a Saboteur, and he disrupted public order. The story illustrated an incident which took place in China, a communist country. He did not do anything to policemen yet they persuaded him and his bride. Besides, guards arrested him and took him to the police station witho ut valid reason. Even though Mr. Chiu complained about it, he was unable to do anything and must suffer the injustice. This situation depicts how a democratic country differs from a communist one. In democratic country like South Korea or America, they cannot arrest people without a valid reason or complaint. The main duty of a policeman is see to it that laws are enforced and that people are restrained from misconduct. However, in a communist country, they have an enormous power backed by their government enabling them to do whatever they want, even if their actions are unjust. The wards of policemen or army are the law themselves. Second, when Mr. Chiu got in the police station, the chief asked him interrogated and ask him to sign on the agreement. The police made up stories involving him in a crime which he did not commit. They knew that he did not do anything, but may be they felt like make him as a criminal. They even forced him to sign an agreement stating made-up stories. In a democratic country, situations like this require proper procedures. The suspects have the right to call their own lawyer and proper hearings will be conducted in order to determine what really happened to come up with the right decision. Laws are used in judgment. In contrast, in a communist country, they do not have the pre-established process of judging a criminal. They are not given the chance to be defended by a lawyer rendering unfair judgment. Even in this story, Mr. Chiu is supposed have his lawyer, but they conducted the processing without his lawyer. It should be noted that the court has not been fair to him. The policemen made up a crime for him and pushed him to submit because there are no laws which can deter them. The military has the supreme power because they are the primary

SUMMARY Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 2

SUMMARY - Essay Example author then focuses on the support of the legislation and the author figured out that the legislation had not met with any form of criticism and no criticism is very rare. The author then focuses on the incompleteness of the legislation and states that the legislators have not provided advice regarding where the food waste was supposed to be dumped. He cites an individual belonging to the organization of The National Waste and Recycling association who believes that the food waste can be dumped in anaerobic digesters that churn this kind of waste in the same way food is churned in the stomach of a cow. The author states that the food waste can even be dumped at composite sites where this waste along with other waste is transformed into compost and the compost does not smell as bad as raw waste. The author states that companies that are involved in the production of compost will gain some new business due to this legislation and the author even states that similar legislations are gai ning popularity in other states. NPR.org,. Massachusetts Food Waste Ban Gains Broad Acceptance. N.p., 2014. Web. 6 Nov. 2014.

Product recognition Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Product recognition - Research Paper Example y designed to target the needs of the young generation who cares a lot about bad breath and, use different products to seek â€Å"freshness in breath.† Colgate Max Fresh is high-in-demand in Asian markets as compare to American and European markets. But, the brand can position itself in American and European markets successfully by associating itself with the activities especially for the youth to slowly make its place in the markets. The product is catered to meet the needs of the young generation who seek freshness and use multiple oral products to keep their breath fresh and clean. The product is segmented on the basis of age and gender. Mostly, young males are more conscious about their bad breath due to their smoking habits as compare to girls. Therefore, to reach this specific consumer group, the company has targeted the young males on the basis of â€Å"freshness†. Colgate Max Fresh owns a heavy market in Asia. But, due to high smoking habits of Europeans, the brand can have its potential growth in Europe as well. In America, the brand will enjoy a little attention as the Americans seek whitening of teeth over bad breath. Colgate Max Fresh has been introduced in the market in multiple flavors. The product is designed to target the youth. To penetrate in the market and in the minds of youth, it has associated itself with the brands such as iPods and other sports activities such as Kayaking. This association has helped the brand to develop its image of a brand which is specifically designed for the youth. To target more young consumers, the brand can also sponsor programs that are catered towards the young audience. The constant appearance of Colgate Max Fresh commercial on the TV channel will draw the young audience towards the product, hence, making a psychological effect on their minds. The brand can associate itself with MTV America and Europe to target more young consumers as they listen to music more than any other age group. Colgate Max Fresh has

Exam questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Exam questions - Essay Example Each division in the larger firm is responsible for the maximisation of its profits and production. The central office overlooks the other divisions with the primary responsibility for formulating the overall strategy for the entire business but not directly controlling the operations at the divisional levels. Large firms have adopted the M-form as opposed to the traditional Unitary structure (U-form) in which the operations of the business are centrally managed with no independence given to any sub-division. While Chandler’s multidivisional form advocates for growth through diversification across industries, markets and products, Williamson’s M-form does not make any reference to diversification. The multidivisional form explained by Chandler supports the delegation of complete power and authority to the divisions while that of Williamson is for the retention of control by the management at the major company. The advantage of the M-form over other divisional structures is based on its ability to combine the economies of scale and different brand benefits of a large collection while maintaining the operational flexibility. It provides the central optimisation level within a company (Besanko, 2010). Unlike other divisional structures, the M-form solves the dilemma of the differences observable in profit maximisation strategies, business needs, and output across the divisions when organisations grow to be too large. Each group, with its independence and flexibility, can be kept in the centralised profit maximisation expectation. Williamson proposes a perfect coordination between the general direction of the business and the daily operations of the divisions under the M-form structure. However, there lies a limitation on the wide adoption of the M-form that arises from Williamson’s requirements for this divisional structure. The largest

Bones Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Bones - Essay Example 436–443). Tendons are flexible fibrous connective tissues connecting muscles and bones. Fundamentally, they facilitate the movement of people as they act as intermediaries between muscles and bones, and are vulnerable to tearing caused by prolonged or repetitive movement of muscles, excessive muscle contraction or overstretching (Benjamin et al., 2006). They are located in areas that are characterised by bone intersection such as knees, ankles, shoulders, elbows, and feet. Ligaments are connecting tissues that attach one bone to another or muscles to other structures in the body. Even though both ligaments and tendons can withstand tension, ligaments connect bones to other bones and help in stabilizing the joints around them. They are by long and stringy collagen fibres that create bands of tough fibrous connective tissues mostly found where ends of bones intersect. They can be stretched and lengthened with caution to avoid sprains resulting from direct or indirect trauma that pre-disposition a joint (Benjamin et al., 2006). It may be easy to confuse tendons, ligaments and bursae, but these three structures represent adipose and connective tissues. Therefore, it is important to note that bursae act as an adipose tissue that protects the connective tissues whose differences have been highlighted. Benjamin, M, Toumi, H.,  Ralphs, J.,  Bydder,G., Best, T.,   and   Milz, S. (2006), Where tendons and ligaments meet bone: Attachment sites (‘entheses’) in relation to exercise and/or mechanical load. Journal of Anatomy, 208(4): 471–490. doi:  Ã‚  10.1111/j.1469-7580.2006.00540.x Shaw, M,. Santer, M., Watson, A., and Benjamin, M. (2007). Adipose tissue at entheses: the innervation and cell composition of the retromalleolar fat pad associated with the rat Achilles tendon.  Journal of Anatomy. 211(4): 436–443.

My Neighbor Has Guns Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

My Neighbor Has Guns - Essay Example Based on these statistics, there has been an intention of reducing violence by restricting guns. However, the issue generates immense controversy in the country. For example, some opines that there should be control on guns as they lead to increased rate of violence. On the other hand, others believe that the increased rate of violence calls for increased gun ownership in the society as it will help give protection. In United States, most of the private citizens own handguns. For example, statistics shows that, in 1990, there were over 200 million guns in private hands of which a third were handguns (Kleck 1). Various reasons resulted to increased gun ownership in the 1960s to 80s. First, there was increased gun ownership in the country was the formation of new households and growing wealth enabling gun owners to get more guns (Kleck 1). Second, there was increased rate of crime among people who previously had no title for guns. Ownership of guns in the neighborhood and homes should be regulated as it leads to unintended accident, intimidation, increased rate of violence, and abuse by weak in society. Guns promote weaker adversaries to attack stronger ones (Kleck 1). Therefore, there should be tight restriction on gun ownership and operation. This occurs as the weak and vulnerable finds it easier to commit a crime that would have been dangerous difficult to carry out, or physically or emotionally difficult (Kleck 1). In fact, guns make the individuals involved having impression that they wield considerable influence that cannot be matched by anyone else. The attacker feels having greater power as compared to the victim. Moreover, gun might make it possible for the aggressor to feel that the planned attack will be advantageous to the points that the victim would not be able to counteract its effect (Kleck 1). Furthermore, the aggressor may have a feel that the victims accumulate enough fear that would make it impossible for them to strike back even if they have physically capability (Kleck 1). Therefore, this relates to the statistics that show that women attack men mainly by use guns (Kleck 1). Moreover, there is more likely that an individual will attack a group rather than a group attacking an individual. Likewise, the immense courage to attack is gained from the fact that one attack from a distance. Moreover, guns lead to unintentional accidents in both homes and neighborhood. Some of the accidents may lead to death or injury of an individual with disastrous consequences. For example, a gun may go off and shoot a family member, and this may lead to guilt and emotional breakdown. A survey carried out from 3003 to 2007 showed that over 500 Americans were killed per year unintentionally with firearms (Hemenway 2). In fact, more of the deaths occurred in homes. Moreover, most of the victims were below 25 years and family or friends accidentally shot the victims (Miller, Hemenway and Barber 1). Consequently, most of the accidental shootings deaths in the homes are due to guns kept in the home. There appears that accidental gun deaths are more vulnerable in areas with more guns (Miller, Hemenway and Barber 1). The result correlates with the statistics that show that accidental firearms deaths are high in states with a high level of guns ownership (Hemenway 2). Moreover, increased access to guns by children leads to

How does Brian Friel establish the theme of language Essay Example for Free

How does Brian Friel establish the theme of language Essay How does Brian Friel establish the theme of language and its effects on communication, power and identity in Act one? In the play Translations, language and its effects is clearly one of the central themes. This is evident because the characters all show what language means to them ranging from Hugh who uses his knowledge of languages as a form of power over the British to Owen who does not show any concern for his language and identity and allows the British to call him Roland. Furthermore the title of the play Translations is ironic because although one of the themes of the play is keeping your identity the book itself looses its identity. This is because although the play is written by an Irish author and set in Ireland, it is written in English. Thus the title foreshadows the outcome of the play. One of the ways Brain Friel establishes the theme of language is by using Sarah as a device to convey the bare minimum of language. Her limited knowledge of language limits her communication. However this could also be a benefit to her as she is able to have secrets without being expected to share them. Sarah is first introduced in the play by the stage directions which say Sarah shakes her head vigorously and stubbornly this is because Manus wants her to speak so she has an identity in the world. This could foreshadow that the Irish, who do not want to speak English will be forced too for there own good as it will help their country prosper. The character Sarah can be interpreted as the symbol of Ireland due to the play opening with her trying to claim her identity by saying My name is Sarah. This achievement of Sarah saying her name at the start of the play shows just how powerful language can be as just a few words can turn you from someone who is unknown to a person who has status in the world. Manus understands this and reacts by saying nothingll stop us now. This can either be interpreted as nothing will stop Sarah from learning Gaelic now or that the now in the quote refers to all of Ireland and that as long as people are still learning Gaelic the British will not stamp out their language. The character Manus is Hughs eldest son and is a teacher at Hedge School. The relationship that Manus has with his father is made very clear by Brain Freil when Hugh first enters the play as he treats Manus like a slave by handing him his hat and coat as, if to a footman. Brain Friel shows that due to Manuss lack of communication with his father and his willingness to do all the things his father asks of him, that he has become a servant. Out of all the characters in the play it is only Manus who really sees the British as an enemy in the First Act. This is likely to be because Manus clearly loves his country and his language and sees these two things as part of his identity. Also although the play is not overtly political, political issues do run under the surface. For example when Dan Doalty moves the Britishs poles Manus says this is just a gesture to indicate a presence. However when analysing Doaltys character it can easily be seen that it is highly unlikely he was doing it for this reason and was more likely just looking to make fun of the British. Furthermore Manus is the only one who sees Owens job as traitorous to Ireland. All the other characters do not even mention it. However although Manus feels this way about Owen, he himself is guilty of betrayal as he ignores Sarah when she tells him that she said her name. As Sarah symbolises Irelands identity ignoring her is like a betrayal to Ireland. The character Jimmy, although contributing to the comedy in act one when Doalty and Bridget are making fun of him. I believe also that this represents just how different the British and Irish culture was in the nineteenth century as his character reveals that in Ireland even the most poor man can speak Greek and Latin. In England it is most likely only the richer upper class people would be able to speak these languages revealing that language doesnt represent status in Ireland. Furthermore Jimmys character is also the only character that stays true to his identity as he is unable to speak English and shows know signs of wishing to learn English I have only Irish. However although Jimmy shows know signs of wanting to learn English his love of Latin and Greek have caused him to be unable to communicate properly with other characters as they only speak Gaelic. Thus Jimmy portrays what could happen to Ireland if they do not learn English as they will be cut off from the world. Additionally Jimmys character also uses his knowledge of languages as a power over the British as he mocks captain Lancey for not being able to speak Latin Nonne Latine loquitur?. Brain Friel also shows that due to Jimmys reading of Greek stories such as the Odyssey he has created an alternative reality for himself in which figures of myth are as real to him as the people he sees everyday. This is revealed as he imagines situations when he would have to choose between Athene, Artimis and Helen. Due to these fantasies Manus calls Jimmy a bloody dangerous man suggesting that living in the past is dangerous. Thus foreshadowing that Manus, who does not embrace the English language in his country, may be dangerous as he is still living in the past The characters captain Lancey and Yolland although both working for the British army have very different views on what they have been ordered to do in Ireland. This is apparent by the way that they act when they first meet the Irish people. Captain Lancey who clearly symbolises England as his manner is polite and imperative, is very patronising when he talks, thinking that if he just talks slow and loud as if to a child the Irish will some how be able to understand him a picture- you understand picture?. However even though he uses this patronising tone it is clearly unjustified because when jimmy asks him Nonne Latine loquitur? he mistakes it for Gaelic showing that he is not as intelligent as them. Furthermore the language used by Lancey although already in English is very political and imperialistic and it is likely some British people wouldnt understand what he was saying. In comparison Yolland although a soldier has few characteristics normally associated with the military as he is shy and awkward. This is shown when Yolland says I I Ive nothing to say really -. The quote reveals that he is not uncomfortable being in Hedge Schools as he stutters. Furthermore unlike Lancey, Yolland is uneasy about not being able to speak Gaelic as he says Sorry sorry when he cant understand Maire. Additionally Yolland shows very clearly that he values language and identity as he wishes to learn Gaelic. The strong-minded, strong bodied women Maire is a very pragmatic character as she will do things to better herself. This is shown by her willing to embrace the future and learn English so that she can move to America as it is the land of opportunities. This reveals that learning English to Maire is a form of power as it will allow her to escape her poor life in Ireland. However although she desires this, there is a clear uncertainty in what Maire wants as she speaks approvingly of modern progress but on other occasions finds comfort in the belief that things will never change. This is shown when she talks about Baile Beags potato crop never failing. The repetition of the word never suggests that her willingness to embrace the future is idealistic and selective showing that she wants some things to change while finding a misplaced assurance in the belief that somethings will never change. This could suggest that although she is willing to give up part of her identity, she is comforted by the fact that it is unlikely to happen. The character Owen is Hughs youngest son an presents a striking contrast to Manus, as he is lively and charming. Furthermore although Owen is the son who left his father to pursue his own ambitions he is treated more warmly then Manus. This could be why Owen and Manuss relationship is uneasy. Owen can either be interpreted as a traitor or as a pragmatic character like Maire. This is because although Owen is helping the British standardise Irish place names, he could just be doing this as he believes embracing English is the only way Ireland will prosper. However due to Owen allowing the British to call him Roland, which is a common British name it is likely that the former is true. This is further apparent as when questioned by Manus about why the British call him Roland he replies with Its only a name. Its the same me isnt it?. This quote reveals that Owen places know value in his identity. Owens translation of what Lancey is saying on pages 31/32 also show how Owen uses his ability to communicate with the English as power over the Irish. This is because his mistranslation of what Lancey is saying to the Irish allows Owen to make it seem that the British are in their country to help them, not remove their language. The character Hugh although conveyed as a figure of dignity in Baile Beag is ironically a heavy drinker and is shown little respect by characters such as Daolty as he mocks him behind his back by impersonating the way he acts. Hugh, who is fluent in English, Latin, Greek and Gaelic is very critical of the British language referring to it as a language for traders. Furthermore the distain with which he speaks of Lancey for not knowing any Gaelic, Latin and Irish shows how he uses his knowledge of languages as a weapon against the British as he is able to show his superior intelligence. In conclusion Brain Friels uses characters, dramatic setting and many other devices to show how language plays a key role in this play. Furthermore his use of characters in the play to convey the bare minimum of language (Sarah) and the height of language (Hugh) add to the effect of how he uses language.

Vodafone Is A UK Based Telecommunications Marketing Essay

Vodafone Is A UK Based Telecommunications Marketing Essay In this case report we will provide two detailed strategic options for Vodafone as a telecommunications provider to sustain its growth internationally. We will give reason for our recommendations and evaluate the VRIO Framework of the organization and provide a clear Five Forces Analysis. Vodafone is a UK based telecommunications giant that has been a part of shaping the wireless phone industry as we know it today. Vodafone is present is most European and Asian markets. The company failed in Japan and has yet to enter the American market successfully as an independent company. We have developed two strategies for management to consider. Our first option is highly innovative and requires the company to utilize technology that already exists by forming alliances with providers of internet connections and with phone manufacturers. Our second option suggest that Vodafone should enter the American market as soon as possible providing wireless phone service in the American market place using many aspects of its existing business model. Suggesting the first option involves higher risk than option two. There is however room for sustainable growth with both options. Case 3-11: Vodafone; E Pluribus Enum Mission and objectives of Vodafone: Vodafone is the worlds largest provider of voice and data communication services to consumers and enterprise customers. The company employs about 66,000 people around the world. The company headquarter is situated in Berkshire, UK. Vodafone operates through single reportable business segment: supply of communications services and products. At the end of March 2007, the company had 206 million customers world wide. (Vodafone, 2007) Vodafones strategic objectives: Revenue stimulation and cost reduction in Europe Innovate and deliver on our customers total communication needs Deliver strong growth in emerging markets Actively manage our portfolio to maximize returns Align capital structure and shareholder returns policy to strategy Key issues and problems; Key issues and problems for Vodafone include how the company manages to coordinate its growth and to maintain its competitive advantage in the dramatically changing market environment of the dynamic telecommunication sector. VRIO: Table 1.1 The VRIO framework Value Rarity Imitability Organization Competitive implications Network infrastructure Yes No No Yes Competitive parity Diversified revenue base Yes Yes No Yes Temporary competitive advantage Leading market position Yes Yes Yes Yes Sustained competitive advantage Network infrastructure One of Vodafones key technologies and resources is the strong network infrastructure that supports its operations. To be able to provide mobile services, a strong network infrastructure is fundamental for the company. Vodafone operates 2G networks, through GSM networks, in all its mobile operating subsidiaries, offering its customers services such as voice, text messaging and basic data services. All the networks operate GPRS or 2.5G as well, which enables wireless access with mobile devices to data networks like the internet. Vodafone also controls 3G networks offering its customers mobile broadband data access services allowing data download speeds of up to 384 kilobits per second. 2006 launched High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) technology shortens download times significantly with data transmission speeds of up to 3.6 megabits per second and makes the usage of mobile broadband services much more pleasant for the customers. HSDPA is enabled in the existing 3G network with a fter software updates. (Vodafone, 2007) The strong network infrastructure is a valuable resource and enables the company to respond to the growing customer needs with high quality services now and in the future. This valuable resource is not a rarity in the wireless telecommunication industry and therefore it cannot be costly for the competitors to imitate. Many of the worlds large mobile operators have the same access to the same technology as Vodafone and a control over massive networks. Vodafone is very well organized to exploit the full competitive potential of the network infrastructure by providing the employees a productive and safe working environment with attractive performance based incentives. This resource is an organizational strength and generates a competitive parity. Diversified revenue base By acquisitions, stakes in companies, and partner networks Vodafone has strategically expanded its presence to consider the whole world. The company has equity interests in 25 countries. Vodafones partner network arrangements extend to a further 38 countries. (Vodafone, 2007) Vodafone has significant mobile operations in countries such as Germany, Italy, Spain, UK, Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. In 2007 the largest geographic region was Germany with a contribution of 17.1% to the total revenue, followed by UK 16.3%, Spain 14.1%, Italy 13.5%, and other Europe 13.5%. Arcor and Pacific contributed 9%, Middle East, Africa and Asia 8.2%, and Eastern Europe the rest 9% of the revenues. (Datamonitor, 2007) Vodafones global reach and geographically diversified revenue base is a valuable resource for the company. This valuable resource helps the company to compensate its risks and losses. As diversified as Vodafones revenue base is it is a rarity within the wireless te lecommunication industry. Vodafones strategy is to actively manage their portfolio by investing into markets that offer a strong local position. With strict financial investment criteria Vodafone maximizes its and its shareholders returns. (Vodafone, 2007) Vodafones competitors would not face a cost disadvantage in trying to imitate this resource. It is more about the strategy that a company implements than about the financial resources. Vodafone is well organized to exploit the full competitive potential of this valuable and rare resource. The Boards goal is to make sure that the companys employees are aware of Vodafones strategic goals and mutual obligations. This resource is an organizational strength and distinctive competence and generates a temporary competitive advantage. Leading market position Vodafone is the worlds leading mobile telecommunications company. Vodafone operates in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and the US by subsidiary undertakings, associated undertakings and investments. In countries with significant operations Vodafones market shares are impressive; Germany 36%, Italy 33%, Spain 31%, UK 26%, South Africa 58%, US 25%, Egypt 48%, and Australia 18%. (Datamonitor, 2007) A strong market share with the market leader position is an extremely valuable and rare resource which improves the companys brand image and gives it a solid foundation to enter new potential markets. This resource is imperfectly imitable and the competitors would face a cost disadvantage in obtaining or developing it. Vodafones market leader position is based on the passion and effort of the companys employees. The company is well organized to manage effectively its employees to reach their full potential and benefiting them selves and the company. This resource is an organizat ional strength and sustainable distinctive competence and generates a sustained competitive advantage. 5 Forces Vodafone: Rivalry: The threat of rivalry in this business is impacted by the low number of big firms in the market. There are a few numbers of large firms worldwide that competes for the market share; this lowers the threat of rivalry. The firms that are in the business however are very competitive and because of a relative slow market growth in this industry the firms fight over the market shares that are out there and that increase the threat. There is also a low level of switching costs to the consumer and a low level of product differentiation and this further brings the threat level of rivalry up. So in the mobile network industry the threat of rivalry is fairly high. Substitutes: The threat of substitutes for voice and data communication over the traditional network is moderate. People calling over long distances could instead of picking up a phone go to a computer and call through that. The low costs of computer calling could potentially take over most long distance calling. The more local calls and business calls would be more secure for the mobile market, although cell phones with the ability to use the internet to make calls are being made available and will soon take a considerable market share of calls made. The threat of substitutes can be reasonable high in this industry. Buyers: The threat of buyers in this industry can be considered fairly low. The individual buyer has no impact on the price of the products offered. Suppliers: Suppliers power in some aspects of this industry is high. In the cell phone part of the business the suppliers of the phones can have a big impact on the price of products and the condition of the deal they make with the provider. One clear example of this is when apple launched their new I-phone. They made an exclusive contract with ATT so they had the exclusive right to be the service provider to their phone in America. So the suppliers power in this industry is high. New Entry: The threat of entry is highly influenced by the economy of scale of the existing companies. The large well established companies that have a strong foothold in the market and a known brand name would make entry for a new company costly. Although there are some new arrivals the larger firms control the market and will put pressure on any new entries. The threat of new entries is fairly low for the bigger companies. Table 2.1 Market Positioning Grid: High Tele2 TeliaSonera Low DKSonofon Coverage BT Vodafone VirginMobile ATT High Market Share Low Market Share Coverage Main Problem Statement: How can WE revolutionize the wireless telecom industry? Strategic Option 1: There is a lot of buzz in the telecommunication market about 2G and 3G networks. It was the dream of the CEO of Vodafone to bring the 3G network into the hands of the American consumers a few years back, but Vodafones partner in America did not want to invest in the new 3rd generation network. The new technologies that are out in the market now can give Vodafone the opportunity to be in front of all the competition in the American market. What we propose that Vodafone enters the American market with a 6th generation phone and phone service for cell phones. The type of phone is a phone that not only works on the regular network used to day in America but can also use the internet to make calls, not only to other Vodafone customers but to all networks. The technology is not new and exists today in America, but not in the mobile phone market. Vonage and Comcast offer their customers a phone service based over digital networks and not over standard phone lines. The way Vodafone is going to differ themselves from the existing firms is to offer this to cell phones. The way that this system works is that instead of the cell phone using the regular network to connect the calls it makes, it uses any wireless internet access that it can connect to. This means that calling people from you cell is virtually free and you would only pay a monthly charge on you cell phone to Vodafone. If you cannot find a wireless network to connect to, the phone can use a regular phone network as a backup. With a strategy to enter and take a market share in America like this one, you do not have to make large fixed investments in the hardware. Instead you have a 6th generation phone that can be operated on both the old networks and on digital networks. To get these phones and plans out to a large customer group, Vodafone should concentrate on the big cities first, making a encrypted wireless network available in the city that only their phones can access. This way the company can see how the customers like being connected to a faster and better network with a more advanced phone then available in the American market. The latest hype in the American cell phone market is the Iphone; this phone is looked into one carrier and can over the carriers network connect to the internet. The phone is locked to one carrier (ATT) but can be hacked and used by others. The Vodafone would be configured so that you cannot hack it by the software allowing the consumer to connect and call for free to any phone in the world by simply not connecting that person to the Vodafone network. The phone could be free for all providers to sell but some functions on the phone like IP communication would be useless. Since this is one of the biggest selling points for the product you basically lock the customer in to your carrier. To be able to make money of you customers you set a fixed monthly payment for the plan and no extra charges for calling people over the wireless networks, but standard charges for regular charges made from the phones. Strategic Option 2: It is hard to try to develop a strategic option to revolutionize the telecom industry for a company that has already been involved in shaping the industry for many years. Option 2 will differ from Option 1 in multiple areas. For option 2 we propose that Vodafone enters the American market place as soon as possible as Vodafone the company instead of through subsidiaries. Vodafone has always focused their marketing efforts mainly through sponsorships of large sports teams such as Manchester United Football Club and McLaren Mercedes Benz Formula 1 team along with hundreds of others. We believe that Vodafone can copy many of the elements that European customers have been satisfied with directly over to the American market which is currently lagging behind by almost five years compared to Asia and almost two years compared to Europe. Providing 3G service in the United States is needed and we believe that Vodafone could successfully gain market share in the United States. Vodafone has very high brand equity world wide and we believe that it is time to establish a grip on the US market. Recommendation Implementation: It is easy to see similarities between Vodafone and Sir Richard Bransons Virgin Corporation, other than the fact that the logos look similar. They are both UK based companies that are very dynamic and the company cultures are similar. Both companies are not afraid to be innovative and to move in new directions. We therefore recommend that Vodafone choose to move forwards with Option 1. This option involves the most risk, but we firmly believe that the industry is moving more and more towards telecommunication via wireless broadband connections. Just take a look at the Apple iPhone which with just one push on the touch screen switches from WI-FI to pure telephone mode. The iPhone does not provide IP-voice communication yet but we firmly believe that it is just a matter of time before it and others will. Implementing Option 1 we recommend that Vodafone establish strategic alliances with certain US based companies to be able to provide WI-FI hotspots that the handheld devices connect to. Also establish alliances or strengthen alliances with the phone manufacturers. We recognize that there are some privacy issues with Option 1 that needs to be solved, but this could not be done overnight and those issues will apply to the Vodafones competitors, such as ATT as well. We choose to recommend Option 1 because we have identified an opportunity for Vodafone to become the industry innovator and leader also in the United States over time. And we believe that it is possible due to the fact that the company is dynamic and it is not afraid to explore new opportunities. The same level of brand equity can be achieved in the US as in Europe and Asia. Lessons Learned: There are many valuable lessons in this case. First lesson is that in order to sustain growth in an industry as rapidly changing as technology companies always has to look for ways to be innovative and renew themselves in order to stay competitive and current. Another lesson is that a dynamic company without too many constraints to change can be extremely successful in rapid paced industries. We therefore identify a significant opportunity for Vodafone to emerge into new markets in the future. iReferences: Vodafone, (2007). Annual report 2007. Retrieved November 6, 2007, from vodafone.com Web site: http://www.vodafone.com/etc/medialib/attachments/agm_2007.Par. 62252.File.tmp/Vodafone_RA_2007_web.pdf Datamonitor, (2007 July 26). Vodafone group plc, compan profile. Retrieved November 6, 2007, from EBSCOhost Web site: http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/ pdf?vid=7hid=3sid=6cebab29-68f7-4981-b9c3-485f73f9fcb1%40SRCSM1

Identity Crisis in Desirable Daughters by Bharati Mukherjee

Identity Crisis in Desirable Daughters by Bharati Mukherjee ABSTRACT: Immigrants have envisioned tales that exhibit experiences of independent and emerging countries. Cultures have taken up new form in the contemporary times, where the issues of Diaspora, globalization, consumerism, transnationalism cultural hyberidity and identity crisis have become new motif in the postcolonial literatures. The new issues give rise to identity crisis that evokes feelings of an individual that portrays socio-cultural setup that shows the blend of tradition and modernity. The new identity creates problems for Tara in Desirable Daughters by Bharati Mukherjee, where she is alienated, languishing in the angst and ennui of the diasporic experience, yet to carve out a niche for herself. In the novel, Bharati Mukherjee has struck a balance between tradition and modernity by representing past and present which is achieved through the female protagonist -Tara, who severed her links with tradition but remains tied to her native country. Tara is influenced by ancient customs and traditions, but is rooted to modern customs. She is conscious of her existential predicament which is mirrored in the epigraph: No one behind, no one ahead the path the ancients cleared has closed. And the other path everyones pathà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ goes nowhere, I am alone and find my way. Tara is alienated from the society as she oscillated between the nostalgic fascinations of a traditional past and the romantic and adventurous allurements of the present. The diasporic qualities exhibited by Tara establish the merging of the East and West which shows the clash. The Identity of the protagonist is highly assimilative, can adopt and accommodate herself both to her traditional Indian way of life and to her newly adopted American ethos. She tries to move away from the constrained identity and vacillates between two lives: maybe I really was between two lives.(251) Taras reconstruction of identity is rooted in her nostalgic and romantic recollection of her past. It is based on the flux of her thoughts about the past coming to her mind in the present but in fragments, and not whole. She tried to reconstruct her identity through her diasporic experience. She was attempting to redefine the importance of her cultures through space and time. Loneliness had made Tara a little wanton and wantonness had made her very lonely. In these five years she had changed beyond recognition, but other character Bish had not changed at all.Bish is also an upholder of tradition. He prefers the values of an imagined past than those of contemporaneity. The concept of home and migration is very much embedded in the narratology that Bharati Mukherjee presents in Desirable Daughters. It is the sense of migration which brings about a change to the identity of Padma, who has finally made New York her home, her land of choice. But her inalienable attachment to her home makes her the sustainer and preserver of Bengali tradition in America. The alien culture thus fails to subvert her traditional identity. On the other hand it only remaps nad reconstructs her cultural identity. Hence migration plays a crucial role in restricting individual identifies and cultural attitudes and perceptions. The novel is woven brilliantly which depicts the thoughts and feelings of three Calcutta, India-born Brahmin upper-class sisters, renowned for their beauty, brains, wealth, and privileged position in society. Mukherjee narrates their lives as they leave their conservative, sheltered childhood home, where they are inundated with culture, tradition, and values and inculcated with education by the Catholic nuns in their convent structured school and college. Two of them emigrate to America and the other relocates to Bombay, India. The three sisters, Padma, Parvati, and Tara, are born exactly three years apart from each other and share the same birthday.They are named after the goddessess name,hoping that they will survive and prosper in whatever they do. We are sisters three/as alike as three blossoms on one flowering tree. (But we are not), says Tara, the protagonist, quoting a poem. Desirable Daughters is the novel that takes a long time to lift itself from the surface and once it releases its themes and characters, it seems to get liberated from the trapped situation. Engrossed in Indian culture old and new, it keeps strucking down in tight little circles of detail that create an atmosphere of cramped inwardness, even suffocation. Bharati Mukherjee, like in her previous four novels and short stories, tries to portray the repression that enables the women of her culture nailed down in subservience to male desires. The feelings and emotions are discovered after exploring traditional Indian society. The novel is based on three strikingly-beautiful sisters from a privileged Bengali Brahmin family in Calcutta feel the tug between tradition and freedom as they try to meet expectations that are often wildly contradictory. The youngest, Tara Chatterjee, seems to have flown farthest from the nest. Tara is divorced from Bishwapriya (a Silicon Valley multimillionaire hand-picked for her by her father), shes raising a sensitive teenaged son on her own. The depressing part is that, she works as a lowly teacher, a choice which would be unthinkable in the culture of her birth. The story is narrated by Tara from her adopted San Francisco home, where she lives with Andy Karolyi, a strange sort of Hungarian Zen carpenter who earthquake-proofs houses. The lifestyle of the protagonist implies, a sort of free and easy hippie lifestyle, but nothing could be farther from the truth. In the novel the rebellion-gestures are merely trappings, or reactions against the gagging restrictions of Taras girlhood. Tara initiates her tale of repression in a curious way, with a legend about her namesake Tara Lata, also known as the Tree Bride a remarkable figure who became prominent in the fight for Indian freedom. After going in for more than twenty pages, Tara then delves into telling story of her own, which seems to be dislocating in nature. She recalls the utter lack of romanticism in her marriage, in which her father told her, There is a boy and we have found him suitable. Here is his picture. The marriage will be in three weeks. Tara, not knowing any other way, submitted: I married a man I had never met, whose picture and biography and bloodlines I approved of, because my father told me it was time to get married and this was the best husband on the market. Mukherjee dwells on every detail of this highly traditional occurrence. The father of the child bride is a traditionalist even though he is a lawyer educated in English and English law. The groom dies of snakebite and his family blames the bride as unlucky. Greedily the father of the groom demands the dowry. But the brides father takes his daughter into the forest where he marries her to a tree. She becomes a woman noted for her courage and generosity. Her American granddaughter visits her home. She has the same name, Tara Lata, as the old woman and like her she has two sisters. The contemporary woman is a divorced woman. Her ex-husband was the traditionally pre-selected bridegroom like his former wife a resident in America and now she lives with her lover, an American, in San Francisco. Her son introduces a young man who claims kinship as the son of her oldest sister, Padma. This is a kind of impossibility. An impossibility since her sister never had a child and a possibility since the familial relationships are so convolutedly secretive as to make the existence of the young man as her nephew plausible. It seems likely that the young mans claim is true and that Padma, Taras sister, did bear an illegitimate child. This is a momentous event for Tara. As the pampered child of wealthy Calcutta parents, she was sheltered from the poverty of the city and from all but the most severe political crises. She suffers the stress now of an immigrant with a child that belongs wholly to her new country. The discovery of Padmas child brings into focus all her inner disqu iet and the need to find valid connections. In the novel, Taras relationship with her two elder sisters is complicated, the flow of affection blocked by a certain formality and adherence to preset roles. Middle sister Parvati married a rich man and stayed in India, but by some miracle was able to select the suitable match for her. Parvati in her own way had established her identity, because of which it was said:Parvati, the pliable middle daughter had done the unthinkable: shed made a love match. He was certainly not what brains-and-beauty Parvati Bhattacharjee could have commanded on the Calcutta marriage market. Even though Paravati was given right to select her right match but after that she is depicted as one who is a meek follower and gets diminished by losing her real.She writes to Tara: I hope you arent doing bad things to yourself like taking Prozac and having cosmetic surgery. Please, please dont become that Americanized. The third, and the eldest sister of Tara, Didi, is married to a Mehta (an illustrious family which includes the conductor Zubin) and moved to New Jersey to pursue a career in television. But again, all is not as it seems. Her lifestyle is a thin veneer laid over the dense, pressed-down bedrock of tradition. She is considered to be most glamorous of all the three sisters. The other character Chris Dey, is represented as crisis in the novel. He is a young man who represents himself to Tara as Didis illegitimate son, conceived through an affair with a prominent businessman named Ronald Dey. This exposes an ugly under layer of culture to Tara, not the India of doting grandparents, not the India of comfort and privilege, but the backyard of family, the compost heap. The characters in the novel are not portrayed in the liberated form, they are trapped into different set of emotions trying to carve out a new identity for themselves. Tara is projected as a character who more of a status conscious tries to uphold the values of traditional society despite falling for different allurements in the present. Her elder sister, Didi pretends hard to be a pure character but falters when gives birth to her son, which represents misalliance.Chris Dey isnt really who he says he is, and in fact he feels like a device, something dropped into the story to keep things moving forward. In the end, the novel, tries to come back from where it started, where and the legend of Tara Lata the Tree Bride, but this device doesnt quite work either. The denouement somehow goes slack and does not yield a satisfying end to the story. The novel seems to be a family saga which could not bring out the desirable characteristics in the characters of the novel, that portrays them as a dominant in any sphere. The end is quite suspenseful and complex where the description of homeland may be magical but symbolic intention was lost. Bharati Mukherjee depicts a liquid society in her novels, ie a society in flux. It is a society of constant flow, the flow of migrants, the flow of machines, flow of criminals, flow of power structures, flow of people and commodities.  Amidst all the confusions the message was brought out clearly and it is represented as a fascinating beautifully written work of art that exhibits vulnerability that cannot be missed out.

National Identity in Julian Barnes England, England Essay -- Julian B

National Identity in Julian Barnes' England, England â€Å"The finest tax-deductible minds were brought in to address the Project’s Co-ordinating Committee. The French intellectual was a slight, neat figure in an English tweed jacket half a size too big for him; with it he wore a pale blue button-down shirt of American cotton, an Italian tie of flamboyant restraint, international charcoal wool trousers, and a pair of tasselled French loafers† (54). Julian Barnes uses his postimperial novel, England, England, to critique what England, under Tony Blair’s administration, is moving towards – a recreated Britain, an all-inclusive nation with no appreciation of its history, except that which has been distorted in order be politically correct or somehow profit the country. Through this quote, it becomes evident that Barnes sees England grasping to be defined, not by its rich past, but by other nations – possible tourists, possible residents that may add diversity and, thus, a shift towards breaking old stereotypes and becoming a modernized nation. When Sir Jack Pitman, England’s scheming tycoon, recruits the best of the best to assist him in creating his theme park of re-created English history, England, England, he calls in a Frenchman to do the job. Barnes juxtaposes this man’s nationality to the idea of the theme park: a Frenchman is assisting in the development of a project whose end entails complete Englishness. Barnes is showing the ridiculousness of Britain looking toward a new national identity but achieving it by becoming a â€Å"melting pot† of nations. Barnes is pointing out that while a nation should embrace all nationalities, it cannot simply erase its history to achieve that. Otherwise, it becomes like... ..., Britain will lose a sense of her past, just as the Frenchman only retains minimal signs of his true nationality. Barnes is using the Frenchman to help show the British that it must be decided where to draw the line. A nation must evolve and adapt but never forget or lay aside its identity as its own nation. Barnes subtly asks the British where that line will be drawn. They must not allow themselves to take things quite as far as the Frenchman. They must still retain heritage, because, after all, where would they be without it? A nation is not a nation without its own culture, its own past, its own people. A trade-off must be made in order for Britain to modernize, and England must find the middle ground. Through his book, England, England, Julian Barnes reminds the British that while searching for a new national identity, they must not become non-national.

The Lost Handwriting :: essays research papers

The Unheard Writing   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One day, in the second grade, the teacher told our class to get out their lined paper and pencils. As I made that first fancy loop, following the example on the board, I was wondering what possible situation I was getting into. Later in the year, I learned that cursive writing was time consuming and very difficult to master. In high school, I found out that we had a choice of cursive or printing. I asked myself why we needed cursive? Why are others putting aside this writing that consumed so much time? What are the pros and cons of cursive? This type of writing is established, and I never thought to evaluate its effectiveness or its need until now.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One such pro is that cursive an established form of writing. In grade school, we learned how to neatly write the cursive alphabet. The reason that so much time was spent on this area of development is because it is seen as professional writing. The teacher wanted to prepare us for the future, and without this ability we would be unable to read or write this type of writing. For example, many professional forms such as taxes, weekly paycheck and legal papers all require a signature.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Adding on to that, your signature is unique to each and ever one of us. In all the people in the world, there is only one signature that is like yours and that is your own. Yes, it is possible to forge a persons signature, but it is highly unlikely to be a precise copy of the original. For instance, most colleges require students to sign their exams. This procedure prevents the acts of cheating. Moreover, banks have convicted many people of forge checks. A unique signature prevented both of these situations. Who would of thought that personal ID’s were this important?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  On the other hand, one negative attribute is the fact that cursive is sloppy. It is hard for many of us to read cursive that was quickly written. It was hard for me to write it neatly in school. It was also difficult to read other kids’ handwriting because all the letters were smashed together and looked almost the same. Recently, there was a lawsuit involving a doctor and his cursive prescription slip. The patient received the wrong prescription. This mishap happened because the doctor was busy and wrote like a speeding bullet.

Safe Survivable and Effective Combat Systems for U.S. Military Personnel

The changes that are happening in the society have paved the way for different developments and threats to become observable in various countries. The advancement of science and technology, the advent of globalization, and other phenomena have created different advantageous effects to the everyday lives of people. However, development in various fields also come with it different threats, especially when it comes to the security and welfare of citizens. The dangers and risks to the security and welfare of citizens is greatly observable during the 9/11 terrorist attacks that caused destruction of different infrastructures and numerous casualties. Due to this incident and also other terrorist attacks that happen in different parts of the world, the importance of military personnel and other individuals that have the responsibility of protecting and safeguarding the welfare and safety of people have become more important than ever. Being the case, it is essential that the safe survivable and effective combat systems for United States military personnel are given due attention and importance. As methods of warfare and terrorism are developing in a rapid pace, it is also pivotal that safe survivable and effective combat systems for the United States military are also further developed. United States military personnel have to be properly equipped with the necessary knowledge, skills, and resources to properly and effectively perform their duties and responsibilities. The facilities that will be given focused in the project will emphasize the development that need to be done in safe survivable and effective combat systems. The strength of military capabilities is recognized as the foundation of the political prominence of the United States. The prominent role of the United States in the international arena is brought about by the military strength of the country, which becomes observable starting the Cold War. The military capabilities of the United States are necessary in order to secure the welfare of Americans. The strength and development of the United States military are heavily dependent upon the advancement of science, technology, and economic resources (Bolt et al. , 2005). Being the case, focusing the project on safe survivable and effective combat systems for the United States is justified and appropriate because it gives due consideration to the political role of the country and the welfare of the people. The project will also give importance to the seven ASIS guidelines because it provides the consensus regarding the general practices when it comes to the performance of security risk assessment. The seven-step process is an outline, â€Å"which comprises system and assess identification, specification of vulnerabilities, determining risk probabilities and event impact, developing risk mitigation options, studying the feasibility of options, and performing a cost/benefit analysis† (Landoll, 2006, p. 22). Among the seven-step process, the most challenging to complete are the first parts of the ASIS guidelines, namely: identity assets, specify loss events, and frequency of events because it requires intensive research and the collection of related data. In addition, it is also difficult to properly identify and assess the impact of events because it needs the appropriate standard of measurement in order to examine the actually impacts of the events. Contrary to the usual perception that the cost/benefit analysis is the most difficult part of the seven-step ASIS guideline, it is actually the least demanding to complete because of the needed data in order to make a comprehensive and reliable analysis are already available. The advantages of focusing the project on safe survivable and effective combat systems are observable in the range of literature that can be used when it comes to the research of the topic. There are different researchers and authors who have also explored the subject of safe survivable and effective combat in relation to the United States military personnel. On the other hand, the there are also disadvantages in using the aforementioned topic, as the focus of the project. First, since military personnel are the main subjects of the study, it is very difficult to gain the actual perspective, opinion, and experiences of these people because of the strict military rule and conduct that they abide to. Second, the development of science and technological when it comes to the field of military is often done in strict confidentiality, which can make it difficult to actual identify and study the level of development of safe survivable and effective combat systems. Nevertheless, despite the disadvantages of the topics of the project, it is still beneficial to study the safe survivable and effective combats because of the purpose and advantages objectives in conducting the study. Moreover, there will always be a source of data even though there are difficulties in acquiring some of it. In order to complete the seven steps of ASIS General Security Assessment, the process of doing the project will largely rely on the acquisition of data through research. The sources of research that will be done includes studying related literature when it comes to the topic wherein other studies will be use in order to obtain the necessary data for the project. In addition, the participation of the military population will also become helpful wherein a sample population can be interviewed or survey in order to identify the perspective and opinion of United States military personnel, which can generalized a substantial portion of the of the population. In terms of determining the probability of loss risk, frequency of events, and impacts of events a mixed methodology of both qualitative and quantitative risk assessment will be used. The project will take into focus the safe survivable and effective combat systems for United States military personnel by performing document research through the use of policy papers, organizational articles, and other similar documents. In the same manner, quantitative risk assessment will be done wherein the surveyed perspective and experiences of military personnel will be used. The security solutions and the feasibility of implementation study will be identified through the use of data obtained from the other steps of the ASIS guidelines. The use of the gathered data will enable the project to clearly identify the problem and its corresponding solutions. Furthermore, the cost/benefit analysis of safe survivable and effective combat systems will be properly done through the accomplishment of the preceding steps of the ASIS guideline. The corresponding cost and benefits of the decision that would be done in order to develop the aforementioned area will properly done through the previous steps, which are accomplished through the use of research, document analysis, and survey. The use of the mixed methodology will give substantive data that will allow the proper analysis of cost and benefits of the project, which in turn, will help in making the appropriate decisions regarding the development of safe survivable and effective combat systems for United States military personnel.

Developing Yourself-Important Skills for the Workplace Today

Developing yourself- weighty skills for the body of work today straight off employers be fashioning for battalion with analytic conclude skills, talk skills and creative thinking. But why, this is an patent problem. Beca apply all employers deprivation their companies or enterprises freighter better bewilder. They do non deficiency to hire people who do non squander competence to destroy their company. so far these above skills atomic number 18 important for the companies and enterprises. The hobby is an analysis by why employers look for people with these skills.First is the analytical reasoning skills, it is deals with your ability to assess a situation, anticipate multiple perspectives, gather more than info, and depict key issues that fatality to be addressed. extremely analytical reasoning deeming with show talent for identifying, improving, and streamlining complex work processes. The existence values people who hold in smashing analytical skills, w ho washstand watch out the tough picture from the details, and who can think in terms of multi-disciplinary combinations.According to Thomas Friedman, compose of The World is Flat, its interdisciplinary combinations jut and technology, mathematics and art that produce YouTube and Google. In this age of overflowing information, in which the bite of lecture on the Internet is adjoining to surpassing the total number of words spoken in the history of military soulfulnessnelity, we must(prenominal) know how to analyze and deal with information to know what atomic number 18 good sources of information, to be able to access it and use secernment to ferment effective use of it.As a whole, analytical ability is an important skill which the college scholarly persons or professionals must move up in order to achieve the conquest in the workplace. For example if you essential to bargain an air conditi mavinr. You analyze the air conditioner itself, is it a good brand, is i t present technology, and what around correspond to other present technologies. So what astir(predicate) your decision? And than you analyze the financial imp performance, do you have money for it, do you use cash or credit for it? latishr that you analyze do you home have a place to put it? So you look at all lay of view of the same situation.If you want to be analytical, you have to weigh up your selection, think round them before you act, and not act on first impulse about much of anything. Second is the parley skills, conference is the heart of every organization. Everything you do in the workplace results from communication. Thereby good reading, writing, speechmaking and listening skills are essential if tasks are going to be completed and goals achieved. As you develop your career you bequeath go up various reasons why booming communication skills are important to you. Shirley Taylor, March 11, 2009). why it is important to you, because you bequeath get a lot of benefits, for example you will need good communication skills to make accepted your application letter is fluency and acted upon. You will need to slide by perfect during your converse if you are to sell yourself and get the production line you want. You will need to discuss problems, fertilize instructions, work in teams, and interact with colleagues and clients. If you want to achieve co-operation and effective teamwork, good human relations skills are essential.As the workplace is likewise becoming more global, at that place are many factors to consider if you want to communicate well in such a diverse environment. The most favored corporation understands that if they want to be successful in todays business reality, good communication at all levels is essential. Todays workplace is everlastingly changing, so learning more about effective communication will military service us all adapt to our changing environments. (Shirley Taylor, March 11, 2009). cash in ones ch ips but not the least, it is the creativity. A man of great habitual sense and good taste, meaning thereby a man without originality or clean-living courage. (Sir Walter Besant). some researchers define creativity as combining existing elements in an in advance(p) way to create a fresh purpose or result. But others see creativity as the ability to give in new ideas from looking at how things are related. The book keys to success (2009, p. 110-111). Creativity is one of the most important things in the world because if each person did not have creativity then everything the same. Each person has there own grammatical case of creativity and that is why there are unparalleled art, movies, clothing, etc. And then lets talk about how we can develop these important skills while in college.Some suggest about analytical skills I think to open instructor-student relationship helps the student become a good advice. Its unenviable for the student to do this if he is not engaged or ope n to what the teacher has to say. And the other method is learning how to question. Everyone knows how to question. It is helping of what makes us human- we meet new people and ask them where they come from, what they do for a job, whether they are married. However, as you studies progress you will find that you need to think more deeply about how you question and type of questions that you ask.About communication skills there are some tips for improving your communication style. go down to the other styles of communication. Dont think it is too late to alteration your way of conversing because its been years. You had to learn to communicate in the first place and you can unlearn certain behaviors or change them. Sometimes we get stuck in a communication rut. (Peter Murphy, 2007). Dont pick on others for communication assortedly. If we all communicated in the same way, wed concisely be bored with each other. (Peter Murphy, 2007).Last is about how to develop creativity. think is also referred to as divergent thinking you derail with a question and then let your mind diverge-go in many different directions-in searches of solutions. Brainstorming is deliberate creativity thinking. When you Brainstorm, analyze to generate ideas without thinking about how useable they are evaluate their quality later. Brainstorming works well in classifys because group members can become inspired by, and make creativity use of, one some others ideas. The book keys to success (2009 p. 111).