Final Exame Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Final Exame - Essay Example When individual living in the society will have a clear idea about the basics of his life then the positive aspects of the culture are also adopted by the neighboring civilizations. There are various primary functions of religion. One such function is provision of mental peace. Human being is surrounded around difficulties and insecurities therefore religion provides them the binding force. Religion also promotes positive social values such as honestly and integrity. Another function of religion is the promotion of solidarity. It provides the platform at which people of different races can unite together. Question 2: Not all religious practitioners are equal in terms of their strength of their prayers. Religious practitioners are important part of the religion since these are the real people who are transferring religion to the younger generations. Religious practitioners are classified into four broad categories. These include individualistic, shamanistic, communal and ecclesiastica l. Individualistic is the basic practitioner of the religion. Shamanistic is the part time religious practitioners who practices religion on behalf of other people which could also be his clients. Communal practitioners propagate the religious values to the group of people. Ecclesiastical practitioners are those who practice religion with a proper hierarchical structure. Catholic Church can be considered as an example of these practitioners. Question 3: The whole world has become one marketplace this is an era of globalization. Therefore immigration is inevitable in this modern world. Tourism is going to flourish in this modern era because of the changing demographics and psychographic elements of the world. Indigenous will interact with international artistic works. Only those people will survive who can provide best possible things (Nanda & Warms, 2009). Question 4: Expression of body art is becoming one of the most popular artistic works in the modern world. Instead of portraying on paper, experts are of the opinion that body expressions can describe the conceptual background in an effective manner. It is a difficult task for an artist to provide attention to details. Therefore body art is the best way to project the concept clearly. Question 5: Colonialism has played an important role in the development of modern culture in majority of the regions where British has ruled. The language of colonial areas is influenced by the culture and values of those people who have ruled them. For example Hindi has adopted various words of English language. Similarly many African countries still understand French because African countries had been French colonies in the past. There are many Muslim states like Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia and Turkey which have taken influence from European Colonialism. Majority of the countries which were ruled by British, have adopted their political culture. Most of the English and French colonies are still based on democratic system. L egal system is one of the key components for the efficient and effective functioning of the state. Colonial era’s law is still followed in majority of the countries with certain amendments. People living in these areas are of the opinion that they have learnt a lot from different civilization with which they have interacted. The architecture of colonial areas reflects the adoption of English or French design in the construction. Sociologists are of the opinion that interaction of two different civilizations has brought positive results for the overall development

Emergency Preparedness Disaster Plan for state of California Essay

Emergency Preparedness Disaster Plan for state of California - Essay Example However, with a specific focus on the California State, several incidences of earthquakes as well as other disasters have rocked the region. Following this, a number of organizations have put forward several disaster preparedness initiatives to curb these natural calamities. American Red Cross is one of the non-profit organizations that have ensured meeting a wide range of emergency needs following disasters. This is always done in the most appropriate manner and on timely basis (Irwin, 2013). The organization runs two key initiatives in California State. These initiatives include the Disaster Preparedness Initiative as well as the Local Disaster Response Initiatives. The Disaster Preparedness Initiative provides support as well as assistance to the citizens of California following a myriad of disasters faced. For instance, the initiative offers support and assistance to the public when faced with earthquakes, home fires as well as floods (Irwin, 2013). A good example is the Napa Earthquake that occurred in September the year 2014. The earthquake injured approximately 200 people and destroyed several properties in South Napa. Following this calamity, the Disaster Preparedness Initiative provided health services to the affected individuals. In addition, the initiative provided clothing, relief food, comfort items as well as emotional support to the populations affected. In addition, the initiative plays the significant role of educating the public on several ways of disaster and emergency preparedness (Irwin, 2013). This helps to raise the level of public awareness and participation when faced with such calamities. It is important to be a member of a Disaster Preparedness Team for several reasons. From the nursing perspective, such memberships are important in shaping up one’s career. This follows that one would be able to gain more knowledge as well as experience in dealing with such

Beliefs Or Knowledge That Is Independent Of Culture

Beliefs Or Knowledge That Is Independent Of Culture The prescribed topic assumes that knowledge and beliefs are linked to culture .so what is knowledge?, what are beliefs?, what is culture?.Belief is defined as a principle or idea considered to be true (Websters dictionary, 2004) .By this definition the meaning that I got was belief is a conviction or an opinion without caring whether there is proof or not. So what is knowledge? Knowledge is what one knows, the body of facts accumulated over a period of time (Websters dictionary,2004). What is culture? Culture is appreciation and understanding of the arts, skills of a given people in a given period. Another definition is culture is the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a religious, social or racial group All this definitions led to the question as to how knowledge, belifs and culture are acquired by a person. So how do we acquire knowledge? Knowledge is usually acquired through sensory perception an example being a curios little boy will acquire the knowledge that cactus plants are not meant to be held by the naked hand after he/she touches the plant and feels the pain. Knowledge can also be acquired through logical operations and emotional reactions. This kind of knowledge is caused by biological responses to stimuli, and could be considered not to be dependent of culture an example being facial expressions which are not taught or learned but they are biologically determined. So how is culture acquired? Culture is basically instilled in us when we are born. An example being me as I was born in Kenya and grew up in an Islamic background. So my culture is Islamic and Swahili and we do have our fair share of beliefs. Buddhists consider that knowledge is acquired through direct experience. So how is this experience achieved? Well the Buddhists achieve this experience by meditation opposite to the western traditions, which gives emphasis on a clear expression of thoughts and argument. Buddhists believe that words tend to expose the truth on the other hand, the recognition of Buddhists beliefs and customs for discovering the truth shows dependence of the culture of that knowledge. So are beliefs independent of culture? I will have to say yes on this. ? I will have to say yes on this. People may so no because some beliefs such as you must always wear clothes and shoes when leaving the house well I wont classify that as a belief but a ritual. Most beliefs are usually based on religion and culture. In the case of religion I as a Muslim have many beliefs that are dependent on my religion some of them being I must pray five times a day, the consequence of missing prayer is that we will burn in hell for a very long time. I believe in this theorem although there is no proof of sort but its a belief based on our religion. Beliefs that are based on my culture which is the Swahili culture are numerous. Some make sense and some do not make sense but I have no other choice than to live by these beliefs and follow them no matter what. A belief that I have always been told by my mother and has never ever made sense to me is that we should not clip our nails at night. I dont see how it applies in a real life situation. I usually cut my nails at night and so far so good nothing has happened to me. Another belief that is based on our culture is that we are told not to borrow salt at night. I dont know why it had to be salt but still like I said they do not make any sense to me at all, and we are expected to follow this beliefs although I think they dont make sense. But we do have to follow them, But some beliefs that my culture expects me to follow are somewhat sensible and I do follow them, examples of the sensible beliefs and rituals are like we should respect our parents and follow there each and every comm and, that is a belief that makes sense and I do believe that the people that do not live by this rule are actually bad people. I know there is no evidence that if you do not respect your parents you are going to get punished by the Almighty God but its a belief and in order to believe you dont need evidence or anything. All you need is your mind on whether to decide that you are going to believe in that belief or not. Another belief that I tend to differ with and is totally and purely based on culture is gender equality. I did some asking around and I found out in most of Kenyan tribes as well the Swahili culture tend to believe that men are more superior to women. They claim that man was created first so making them more superior and all that the women in our cultures should do is stay at home and prepare meals and clean the house while men are the bread winners. This is not such a wise belief, men and women are both humans so why should one kind be more superior than the other?, they were all created by the same creator!. With all this said I thing that all of my beliefs are independent of my culture. Some other people like the westerners who have no culture or dont know anything about their culture also have beliefs like the men should take care of their children and women, that is a belief that is common to all cultures in the world and also to those who dont have cultures so on an Americans p oint of view not all of their beliefs are based on the culture because the clearly have or dont know their culture. Community education (sociology), is dependent on the cultural expression of human knowledge that has been repeated again and again. Alfred webwruses was studying in the sociology of culture and he came up with the term kultursoziologe which mean cultural sociology which is a specific branch on sociology which is entirely dependent on culture. Culture is a very significant concept found in many branches of sociology, social stratification in the fields of scientific and social network analysis. Is knowledge based on culture? Well I will have to answer no on this query, knowledge is not entirely independent of culture. People may argue that knowledge such as traditional medicines, herbs are based on culture and some of those herbs that the traditional men used to use are used now by the scientists to make the medicine we consume today and they end up saving lives. History, its the study of past events and the effect on present life. Some of the knowledge in history is independent on culture a good example being the creation theory which one of the three possible theories of the origin of the world is based on culture and religion. In Swahili culture , the Elders have told us to believe in the creation theory and that it is God who created the world in six days and life starts on the seventh day. Knowledge such as this is independent of culture and. I gained this knowledge just by interacting with the elders of the family and they told me all sorts of stories Knowledge such as mathematics in example has no connection whatsoever with culture and such knowledge is not dependent of culture even one bit. Mathematics is purely about numbers and in my case the Swahili culture the elders who are supposed to be the wisest of humans dont even know simple math like one plus one. So are our beliefs and knowledge independent of culture? To some extent YES! Why am I saying yes? Its simply because most beliefs are based on culture and example being me, most of my beliefs are based on my culture although I do have beliefs outside my culture like if I drink plenty water at one go It may react with my body forcing me to throw up so its my belief that we should not drink much water and slowly as well. Knowledge also is somewhat dependent on culture and an example being the community sociology which is a whole branch in sociology that focuses on just culture. I then come up with the answer that both beliefs and knowledge are dependent of culture

Industrial Revolution :: essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Industrial Revolution started in the 1700’s and was a great time period in the history of earth. It paved the way for more efficient industries and was the first step towards urbanization.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Great Britain, a large rural society, had many farms. Farming took a lot of time out of the day of the people; they needed to invent something more efficient to work on their farms. Jethro Tull invented the seed drill and the plough. The seed drill increased the percent of seeds that germinated, it spaced them out equally instead of the old method of taking a handful of seeds and throwing them all over the field. The plough turned the dirt over to be able to use the nutrients under the old crop. Another agricultural inventor was Charles Townshend. He thought up the idea of the four crop rotation instead of the one in use at that time, the three crop rotation. In this way, they had two crops to feed their livestock, which increased the nutrients in the soil, and they had two basic crops to feed themselves.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Industrial Revolution took place in Britain because of the large rural societies. After those main agricultural inventions, the plough and seed drill, the farmers wanted more land. They were only given a small square on which they could farm. The farmers that wanted more land received it, and therefore made a prosperous living. But the workers who were still on the small pieces of land couldn’t make as good as a living like the farmers with the big fields. This put them out of a job, which was ironically another big step in the Industrial Revolution.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The out of work farmers, needing a job to survive, found work at factories being built by wealthy land owners. These factories were placed in very significant spots, by rivers.

The Key Aspects of Project and Research Activities

Summarises key aspects of the: 1- project, research activities undertaken 2- ideal generation activities 3- decisions made 4- development stages 5- prototyping 6- final proposal (a summary of the group based presentation) †¦ etc. 1. Topic choose: 2. 1 Which topic we choose: We choose â€Å"the most handmade elements in an art-work† as our topic. 2. 2 Why/how to choose this topic: a) Find something we all interested b) We can easy to control (familiar)-and think about as a designer what kinds of things that we can do in the project.Practice, integrate the module we have learned. c) easy to rise target people’s interests d) positive outcomes (value for society) 2. 3 What the key design management knowledge we want to use and practice in this project: A. Design research — gather the relevant resources to analysis the background, current situation and future trend of the project. Based on which, to find out the existing gaps and opportunities, so that to positio n the project more properly. B. Design management — how to organize a team to achieve the goal. E. g. ime management, communication skill, teamwork etc. C. Design in business — (a) In strategic level: refine core value, target the audiences; (b) In tactical level: choose and develop the strategy of spread the information of the event and gather enough people to involve in, gain financial outcome†¦etc. D. Design manifestation in visual way — (a) How to make the strategic planning more tangible using visual communication in the way of gathering people. (b) How to using visual as a tool to introduce the project more easily in the presentation.E. Design brief — how to present the project in a clear and easy way. 2. 4 Challenge/difficulty of the topic: (a) This is the second time to using design research skill to go through a whole project (b) To use different language to communicate with members (c) Finish the work in only 5 days (d) Separated the task o f the project into small piece in a small team (e) Have less experience on practicing the marketing and branding theory in a practical way (f) How to visualize the idea effectively g) Find evidence to convince audience (h) Do not familiar with Guinness record 2. How to face and conquer the challenge: 3. 5 Schedule of the project process Explain the process, highlight A. We make a schedule based on the module timetable. Because we not only want to follow the module needs but also want to practice what we have learn in a more real situation. B. We did the desk research in order to gain more information about what have already done and its pros and cons. This will help us to develop our own project.Since we have less experience in the topic. C. We use code (e. g. 4 key points and 5W1H) to help us to go through the whole project. D. Based on our background we planning to take more times on research and find evidence rather than do the visualization. 3. The gap we have not fulfill: A. Re search coding and feasible analysis has not done enough so that which leads the project of the topic we choose is too large that we actually cannot control it properly. B. It is hard to negotiate members’ opinions and choose one topic C.Hard to consider each point without missing, and to find the critical point to highlight and manifested as a good idea to show. D. Oral communication and presentation 4. What we have learned: A. More professional way of design thinking in which gathers idea and narrows it, and also not make us fell stress and be lost  from the question. B. Storytelling and keywords can make the presentation more attractive and explain more effectively. C. Divided things into small part, it will become easier to control and conquer.For instance, we divided the whole project into three steps: prepare, launch, exhibition. It really helps us to keep our developing process the case more rational. D. Pay much attention on research and design prototyping is really important. Other wise, we have to face too much-unexpected problems. (e. g. The most error happened on the topic choosing part, by less consider our own ability and deepen research about Ai Weiwei’s project. We doing some real seeds that really help us to communicate the idea to others and presentation).

Netflix Leading with Data:What advice would you give to the CEO of Netflix Essay

Case: Netflix Leading with Data: The Emergence of Data-Driven Video Question: What advice would you give to the CEO of Netflix? Digital distribution market is undoubtedly the future of the video rental industry. Netflix has already taken a good lead in it but must have fresh ideas to keep its advantage in the industry. Beating its competitors in the domestic market is important, however, Netflix should jump out of its own circle into a new market to gain the first mover advantage. Looking at the global market, China is a good choice for Netflix’s next station. Using the Porter’s Five Forces model, Netflix can examine its advantages and disadvantages see whether entering China is good choice: * Bargaining power of customers China has a growing economy with a large group of new middle-class, who are able and willing to consume on entertainment. Nowadays, Chinese usually watch films on free websites with a low picture quality and slow Internet speed. While the number of people watching films are increasing, the picture quality is becoming more important for the viewing experience. Providing a fast, flexible and high-quality service, Netflix can persuade many customers into its subscription model. * Bargaining power of suppliers: China’s film and TV show makers have been facing a major problem: plagiarizing (including unpaid online watching), which substantially decreases their profits. They are finding a pathway to introduce their product to the customers. The advantages of plagiarizing products are the cheap prices and convenience, which Netflix can also provide. Netflix should cooperate with Chinese filmmakers to gain sources of authorized edition film databases and get a lower price since the Chinese filmmakers are eager to run out of the bad situation. * Competitive rivalry: Under the same business model, Netflix would be the first mover in the industry. Although China has few subscription service websites, this is only a minor part of the industry. * Threat of new entrants: The potential competitors have not released any big signals showing that they will enter this industry. Apple’s iTunes, as well as Amazon did poorly in China and have decided not to continue expanding. Netflix should cease this opportunity to enter and take China’s market. * Threat of substitute products: China’s online distribution market is dominated by â€Å"Youku†,  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Tudou† such online video provider; however, their profit model is advertising fees, focusing on the quantity of visitors. With distinct service, it’s not hard for Netflix to occupy the market share. How to focus on the targeted group and how to persuade their potential customers, who used to enjoy cheap, even free resources online, to pay for a m onthly membership, is a big concern to the corporation. To emphasize Netflix’s higher quality service is of great importance. First, Netflix’s technology can help its members build up personal own style’s videos at high efficiency. Besides that, compared with the existing Chinese video websites, like Youku and Toudu, Netflix does not contain any advertisement before or after a movie. Those movies and TV shows posted on Netflix are mostly high definition displays, and customers would like to pay for the HD movies, rather than trying to understand a blurry image on other websites. Furthermore, Netflix’s new component called Friends allows movie buffs to share reviews and recommendations. In China, the website could cooperate with Douban, which is the largest and most influential film review website, and Renren, which is regularly called Chinese Facebook, so that Netflix could not only act as a video online leasing website, but also a social network website in China’s market. Beside the high-level quality, Netflix should offer a large quantity of movies, especially the movies from Hollywood. With the Chinese movie import policy, China only imported 55 movies in 2012. The number is comparatively small compared with the amount of movies that the Chinese audience demands. Netflix could take the advantage to offer more American movies online, which is under laxer regulation both on amount and the content examination, to gain the customers who are interested to watch more foreign movies. ——————————————– [ 1 ]. Walker, Russell, and Mark Jeffery. â€Å"Netflix Leading with Data: The emergence of Data-Driven Video.† Kellogg (2010): 6. [ 2 ]. www.douban.com [ 3 ]. www.renren.com [ 4 ]. China Communication research center, SARFT. Website: http://www.sarftrc.cn/cn/ [ 5 ]. è µ µÃ¨â€œâ€°Ã¥ © §,Ã¥ · ¨Ã¦â‚¬ Ã¥Ëœâ€°. â€Å"ç ¾Å½Ã¥â€º ½Ã§â€ µÃ¥ ½ ±Ã§Å¡â€žÃ¥ ¼â€¢Ã¨ ¿â€ºÃ¥ ¯ ¹Ã¤ ¸ ­Ã¥â€º ½Ã§â€ µÃ¥ ½ ±Ã¥ ¸â€šÃ¥Å" ºÃ¥ ½ ±Ã¥â€œ Ã§Å¡â€žÃ§  â€Ã§ © ¶Ã¢â‚¬ 

Layers of the Atmosphere

Layers of the Atmosphere Earth is surrounded by its atmosphere, which is the body of air or gases that protects the planet and enables life. Most of our atmosphere is located close to Earths surface, where it is most dense. It has five distinct layers. Lets look at each, from closest to farthest from the Earth. Troposphere The layer of the atmosphere closest to the Earth is the troposphere. It begins at the surface of the Earth and extends out to about 4 to 12 miles (6 to 20 km). This layer is known as the lower atmosphere. Its where weather happens and contains the air humans breathe.  The air of our planet is 79 percent nitrogen and just under 21 percent oxygen; the small amount remaining is composed of carbon dioxide and other gases. The temperature of the troposphere decreases with height. Stratosphere Above the troposphere is the stratosphere, which extends to about 31 miles (50 km) above the Earths surface. This layer is where the ozone layer exists and scientists send weather balloons. Jets fly in the lower stratosphere to avoid turbulence in the troposphere. Temperature rises within the stratosphere but still remains well below freezing. Mesosphere From about 31 to 53 miles (50 to 85 km)  above the surface of the Earth lies the mesosphere, where the air is especially thin and molecules are great distances apart. Temperatures in the mesosphere reach a low of -130 degrees Fahrenheit (-90 C). This layer is difficult to study directly; weather balloons cant reach it, and weather satellites orbit above it. The stratosphere and the mesosphere are known as the middle atmospheres. Thermosphere The thermosphere rises several hundred miles above the  Earths surface, from 56 miles (90 km) up to between 311 and 621 miles (500–1,000 km). Temperature is very much  affected by the sun here; it can be 360 degrees Fahrenheit hotter (500 C) during the day than at night. Temperature increases with height and can rise to as high as 3,600 degrees Fahrenheit (2000 C). Nonetheless, the air would feel cold because the hot molecules are so far apart. This layer is known as the upper atmosphere, and it is where the auroras occur (northern and southern lights). Exosphere Extending from the top of the thermosphere to 6,200 miles (10,000 km) above Earth is the exosphere, where weather satellites are. This layer has very few atmospheric molecules, which can escape into space. Some scientists disagree that the exosphere is a part of the atmosphere and instead classify it actually as a part of outer space. There is no clear upper boundary, as in other layers. Pauses Between each layer of the atmosphere is a boundary. Above the troposphere is the tropopause, above the stratosphere is the stratopause, above the mesosphere is the mesopause, and above the thermosphere is the thermopause. At these pauses, maximum change between the spheres occur. Ionosphere The ionosphere isnt actually a layer of the atmosphere but regions in the layers where there are ionized particles (electrically charged ions and free electrons), especially located in the mesosphere and thermosphere. The altitude of the ionospheres layers changes during the day and from one season to another.

Projects # 1,3,5 Example

Projects # 1,3,5 Example Projects # 1,3,5 – Speech or Presentation Example Insert and box number here) MA 120 BID: 294 18 February Project 5: Linear Programming Applications An automobile manufacturer makes cars and trucks in a factory that is divided into two shops. Shop 1, which performs basic assembly, must work five man-days on each truck, but only two man-days on each car. Shop 2, which performs finishing operations, must work three man-days for each car or truck it produces. Because of men and machine limitations, Shop 1 has 180 man-days per week available, while Shop 2 has 135 man-days per week. If the manufacturer makes a profit of $300 on each truck and $200 on each car, how many of each should be produced to maximize profit?The variables when solving this particular equation include the man-days, and the machine limitations. The constraints presented in this particular problem are the man-days available per week, which vary depending on shop and task. The objective function of this particular equation is to determine the best way to maximize profi ts based upon vehicles produced. Solution: Let x be the number of trucks and y the number of cars to be produced on a weekly basis. 5x + 2y

Nile Crocodile Facts (Crocodylus niloticus)

Nile Crocodile Facts (Crocodylus niloticus) The Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) is a large freshwater African reptile. It is responsible for the most deaths from any animal as a predator preying on humans, yet crocodiles serve an important ecological function. The Nile crocodile eats carcasses that pollute water and controls predatory fish that could overeat smaller fish used as food by many other species. Fast Facts: Nile Crocodile Scientific Name: Crocodylus niloticusCommon Names: Nile crocodile, African crocodile, common crocodile, black crocodileBasic Animal Group: ReptileSize: 10-20 feetWeight: 300-1650 poundsLifespan: 50-60 yearsDiet: CarnivoreHabitat: Freshwater wetlands of sub-Saharan AfricaPopulation: 250,000Conservation Status: Least Concern Description The Nile crocodile is the second-largest reptile in the world after the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus). Nile crocodiles have thick, armored skin that is dark bronze with black stripes and spots on the back, greenish-yellow side stripes, and yellow scales on the belly. Crocodiles have four short legs, long tails, and elongated jaws with conical teeth. Their eyes, ears, and nostrils are on top of the head. Males are about 30% larger than females. Average size ranges between 10 and 20 feet in length and anywhere from 300 to 1,650 pounds in weight. A Nile crocodile may carry her young in her mouth or on her back. Gallo Images-Roger De La Harpe / Getty Images Habitat and Distribution The Nile crocodile is native to Africa. It lives in freshwater marshes, swamps, lakes, streams, and rivers of sub-Saharan Africa, the Nile basin, and Madagascar. It is an invasive species in Florida, but it is unknown whether the population is reproducing. Although it is a freshwater species, the Nile crocodile has salt glands and sometimes enters brackish and marine waters. Diet and Behavior Crocodiles are apex predators that hunt animals up to twice their size. Young crocodiles eat invertebrates and fish, while larger ones may take any animal. They also feed on carcasses, other crocodiles (including members of their own species), and sometimes fruit. Like other crocodilians, they ingest stones as gastroliths, which may help digest food or act as ballast. Crocodiles are ambush predators that wait for prey to come within range, lunge at the target, and sink their teeth into it to drag it into water to drown, die from sudden thrashing movements, or be torn apart with help from other crocodiles. At night, crocodiles may leave the water and ambush prey on land. The Nile crocodile spends most of the day partially exposed in shallow water or basking on land. Crocodiles may bask with open mouths to prevent overheating or as a threat display for other crocodiles. Reproduction and Offspring Nile crocodiles reach sexual maturity between 12 and 16 years of age, when males are about 10 feet 10 inches long and females are between 7 and 10 feet long. Mature males breed every year, while females only breed once every two to three years. Males attract females by making noises, slapping their snouts in water, and blowing water out through their noses. Males may battle other males for breeding rights. Females lay eggs a month or two after breeding. Nesting can occur at any time of year, but tends to coincide with the dry season. The female digs a nest in the sand or soil several feet from the water and deposits between 25 and 80 eggs. The heat of the soil incubates the eggs and determines the sex of the offspring, with males only resulting from temperatures between 89 Â °F and 94 Â °F. The female guards the nest until the eggs hatch, which takes about 90 days. Near the end of the incubation period, the young make high-pitched chirps to alert the female to dig out the eggs. She may use her mouth to help her offspring hatch. After they have hatched, she may carry them in her mouth to water. While she guards her offspring for up to two years, they hunt their own food immediately after hatching. Despite her care, only about 10% of the eggs survive to hatching and 1% of hatchlings reach maturity. Mortality is high because the eggs and young are food for many other species. In captivity, Nile crocodiles live 50 to 60 years. They may have a potential lifespan of 70 to 100 years in the wild. A Nile crocodile has an egg tooth that it uses to help hatch from an egg. hphimagelibrary / Getty Images Conservation Status The Nile crocodile faced extinction in the 1960s. Today, the IUCN classifies the species conservation status as least concern. However, Nile crocodile numbers are decreasing. CITES lists the Nile crocodile under Appendix I (threatened with extinction) throughout most of its range. Researchers estimate 250,000 to 500,000 individuals live in the wild. Crocodiles are protected in part of their range and are raised in captivity. Threats The species faces multiple threats to its survival, including habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting for meat and leather, poaching, pollution, entanglement in fishing nets, and persecution. Invasive plant species also pose a threat, as they alter the temperature of crocodile nests and prevent eggs from hatching. Nile Crocodiles and Humans Crocodiles are farmed for their leather. In the wild, they have a reputation as man-eaters. The Nile crocodile together with the saltwater crocodile kills hundreds or sometimes thousands of people each year. Females with nests are aggressive, plus large adults hunt humans. Field biologists attribute the high number of attacks to a general lack of caution around crocodile-occupied areas. Studies indicate planned land management and public education could reduce human-crocodile conflict. Sources Crocodile Specialist Group 1996. Crocodylus niloticus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 1996: e.T46590A11064465. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.1996.RLTS.T46590A11064465.enDunham, K. M.; Ghiurghi, A.; Cumbi, R. Urbano, F. Human–wildlife conflict in Mozambique: a national perspective, with emphasis on wildlife attacks on humans. Oryx. 44 (2): 185, 2010. doi:10.1017/S003060530999086XThorbjarnarson, J. Crocodile tears and skins: international trade, economic constraints, and limits to the sustainable use of crocodilians. Conservation Biology. 13 (3): 465–470, 1999. doi:10.1046/j.1523-1739.1999.00011.xWallace, K. M. A. J. Leslie. Diet of the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. Journal of Herpetology. 42 (2): 361, 2008. doi:10.1670/07-1071.1Wood, Gerald. The Guinness Book of Animal Facts and Feats. Sterling Publishing Co Inc., 1983. ISBN 978-0-85112-235-9.

Critically assess the significance of Understanding (Human Resources Essay

Critically assess the significance of Understanding (Human Resources Management) HRM from a gendered or Diversity perspective - Essay Example he United Kingdom and the United States, one of the most common diversity issues is perceived to be racial inequality with both countries being seen to have long histories of systematic discrimination against some of their ethnic minorities and blacks; against this background it can be found that it is important for managers and other human resource personnel to understand human resource management from gendered or diversity perspectives to ensure success in the modern day business environment. Diverse workplaces generally tend to comprise of a wide multitude of understandings, values, beliefs and different ways of viewing unique information and viewing the world. The current rapid rate of globalization and internationalization has been noted as significantly enhancing workforce diversities across the world. Nowadays, human resource management is having to develop innovative and effective methods to be used in handling the increasingly multicultural, cross-cultural and gender sensitive workforces that are common in not only western economies but also in different corporations around the world. This importance of workplace diversity has catapulted it to becoming one of the most popular hot button issues in the corporate, educational, legal and political arenas. According to Shen et al. (2009), attitudes from human resource researchers and corporate towards the modern day diverse workplace environment has largely been mixed. Since the early 1990s human resource management has grown to now be perceived as being among the most popular management concepts as is evidenced by the large scale proliferation of different texts that happen to bear the title, as well as by the large number of management and university training course that have been developed so as to address the subject. However, despite all the gains that have been made in this particular field of management, diversity and gender equality issues are still commonly found to be quite absent from human

Essential Elements of a Crime Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Essential Elements of a Crime - Essay Example Under our scenario, it is evident that conduct of Stephen of punching Vincent in the stomach is, the actus reus of battery. Battery in itself is unlawful taking into consideration that it is often meant at hurting the other party intentionally. In other words, Stephens’s unlawful offensive physical contact against Vincent is tantamount to a criminal offence. Commission acts is a significant proof for the actus reus of a crime. The case at hand can also be examined from causation point of view whereby action of the defendant resulted on a particular consequence. For instance, it can be established that Stephen’s act of punching Vincent was the major cause of Vincent’s illness. This clearly proves that in case a definition of the actus reus calls for a proof of an occurrence of a particular consequences then the prosecutor carries the responsibility of proving that the defendant’s conduct directly caused the consequences. For instance, if the prosecutor beli eves that Stephen conduct of battery was the reasonable cause of Vincent death then he/she has to prove this assertion. A conduct in criminal law does not need to be a commission only but also omission. V asserts that Clarkson (2005: 102) Omission refers to failure to take a positive action and consequently results in injury. Under general common law not only in the United Kingdom but also in other countries practicing common law, no individual can be held criminally liable for an act of omission. However, there are exceptions to omission rule such as in cases where there is: statutory duty, contractual obligation, voluntary assumption of responsibility, duty due to defendants previous conduct, and public duty. Failure to act and or respond positively to the above exceptions can result to committing actus reus by omission. In our scenario Stephen was guilty of committing the actus reus of omission. This claim can be justified by the fact that he failed respond to his prior act of ca using bodily harm to Vincent and consequently led to victim’s death. Under the common law defendant is often expected to correct a dangerous situation, which he/she is directly responsible for its occurrence (Emanuel, 2007: 95). Instead of helping Vincent who was, gasping for air on the floor Stephen just chose to run away even after punching him. Meanwhile Jim cannot be held criminally liable for committing actus reus of omission taking into consideration that he was under any statutory or contractual duty to help Vincent and there his inaction cannot attract any penalty under common law. Task 2: principles of novus actus interveniens and the ‘egg shell rule’ Principle of novus actus interveniens is widely used in the context of causation and it is used to explain interference with the chain of causation or to mean 'a new intervening act' (Hodgson, & Lewthwaite, 2007: 61). The chain of causation in criminal law refers to the series of events triggered by the def endant that leads to a particular event and consequent injury. For instance, it can be established through a post-mortem that a serious stab wounds is the major cause of a victim’s death. The relationship between a guilty action and its consequences is an important premise for establishing guilt and final liability not only in

Toxicology Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 2

Toxicology - Research Paper Example The ALAD gene may pose the danger of developing lead poisoning in humans, those who were exposed to ecological lead. Lead is a metal that takes on toxic properties, when someone inhales it or digests it. There are several lead exposure routes, from which any human can inhale or digest lead. Several health problems are associated with lead poisoning. They include; exposure where one has to work in an environment or facility that manufacture lead-containing products; lead paint which is usually indigested by young children as they tend to try to eat non-edible things; lead content in soil, from lead-containing gasoline; sometimes lead from the soil can end up in the surface water; and those animals, which are hunted with lead-based bullets. Problems associated with lead poisoning include issues relating to; the nervous system; kidney problems; blood; and the reproductive system of humans. References McGuire, M., & Beerman, K. A. (2009). Nutritional sciences: From fundamentals to food. Florence, KY: Brooks Cole.

Financial Resource Management and Healthcare Reimbursement Research Paper

Financial Resource Management and Healthcare Reimbursement - Research Paper Example There is an increase in the number of Medicaid patients and children enrolled in the children’s health insurance program of the state. This has affected our payer mixing which has consequently led to a decline in our reimbursement and the quarterly disbursement that we give to the physicians. The pediatric endocrinologist has approached me with a proposal to have his remuneration increased. He is asking for an additional stipend to his regularly covered services. Many partners have also suggested that we ought to increase the clinic services. They have come up with ideas on how to implement this plan. The increase in clinic services is a costly affair that will influence our finances. One of the partners is of the opinion that we contract a pediatric oncologist who will be seeing patients on a monthly clinic day. Another has suggested that since the contract for the Indian health contract was up for renewal soon, we can target that patient population and serve it through an ou treach arrangement where one or two pediatricians can travel to clinics reserved for the patients or the patients can come to our clinic. These ideas are quite brilliant since they are ventures that have the potential of earning additional revenue to the institution (McKeever, 2012). Many factors influence the price charged across the pediatric services worldwide. One is the remuneration that is paid to pediatric practitioners that in turn depends on the level of qualification and the number of cases that the medic attends. The other factor is the cost of conforming to the laws of the state regarding pediatric services for example the cost of obtaining a license to do the business. The type of illness also determines the charges since some diseases require more resources to treat than others can. There is also the cost of medical equipment like syringes, stethoscopes, and microscopes among others. Revenue collection is a vital process for any business since it is the only way

Solving problems Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Solving problems - Essay Example This article will also, among others, cover an action plan for the implementation and communication of the solution. In the recent past decades, the steel industry has morphed through copious changes and steel producers have had to adjust themselves to cope with the heightened competition within the industry as all players seek ways of achieving the much desired competitive advantage over rivals (Crandall, 1981). On its part, despite the massive investments in Information Technology, the competitiveness of USS has not changed much. A major concern lies in the USS’ high production cost that keeps it lagging behind its South Korean and English counterparts in terms of efficiency. This clearly came in the 1990s when the company’s inefficiency in its tracking system prompted the Ford Motor Company, one of its major clients, to threaten pulling out and to seek the services of other steel makers, citing USS’ production inconsistency as the major cause of this. The investment in IT seems to have helped but the company still faces major inventory and forecasting challenges. Prior to the major investments in IT, USS’ information flow between the company’s individual plants, factories and major clients could be summarized as inaccurate, inflexible and unmanageable (Hitt, Ireland & Hoskisson, 2007). The company’s current challenge of high production costs is the main cause for the inventory and forecasting vicious cycle. Its deficiency in a competent tracking system has prompted increased inventories which in turn has lead to lots of wastage and translated to huge costs of containing the enormous amounts of steel within its inventory. Having lagged behind the major industry players, USS has to reinvent itself if it is to make any possible contributions to its already damaged reputation. The warning from Ford Motor Company should have served as a warning enough to trigger a major

Exclusionary rule and the fruit of the poisonus tree Essay

Exclusionary rule and the fruit of the poisonus tree - Essay Example Such illegally obtained evidence was henceforth banned form use in Federal courts. Justice William Day wrote the unanimous opinion, saying that the Fourth Amendment essentially embodies the old English common law principle that ‘a man’s home is his castle’, and that it was intended to â€Å"forever secure the people, their persons, houses papers, and effects, against all unreasonable searches and seizures under the guise of law.†2 Justice Day continued with what may be one of the most damning indictments of illegal police conduct as he argued that â€Å"the tendency of those who execute the criminal laws of the country to obtain convictions by means of unlawful searches or enforced confessions . . . should find no sanction in the judgment of the courts which are charged at all times with the support of the Constitution and to which people of all conditions have a right to appeal for the maintenance of such fundamental rights.†3 The vital element of this argument is that just because the police and prosecutors had routinely performed illegal searches and â€Å"pressured† (some would say tortured) suspects into giving confessions, the mere fact that the illegality was widespread and of long duration provided no defense. Interestingly, Day’s argument was essentially the opposite of William Rehnquist’s argument for keeping the Miranda rights. Renquist argued that while the constitution may not guarantee or require such rights, the fact hat they had become part of the overall fabric of the legal system in particular and of American society in general they had become an essential fabric of the legal landscape.4 While the actual reasoning behind the exclusionary rule may be somewhat hazy at times, especially in these early cases when it was being initially being developed, and before its progeny had fleshed out the whole, its institution seems to have been catalysed by a view of

Solving problems Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Solving problems - Essay Example This article will also, among others, cover an action plan for the implementation and communication of the solution. In the recent past decades, the steel industry has morphed through copious changes and steel producers have had to adjust themselves to cope with the heightened competition within the industry as all players seek ways of achieving the much desired competitive advantage over rivals (Crandall, 1981). On its part, despite the massive investments in Information Technology, the competitiveness of USS has not changed much. A major concern lies in the USS’ high production cost that keeps it lagging behind its South Korean and English counterparts in terms of efficiency. This clearly came in the 1990s when the company’s inefficiency in its tracking system prompted the Ford Motor Company, one of its major clients, to threaten pulling out and to seek the services of other steel makers, citing USS’ production inconsistency as the major cause of this. The investment in IT seems to have helped but the company still faces major inventory and forecasting challenges. Prior to the major investments in IT, USS’ information flow between the company’s individual plants, factories and major clients could be summarized as inaccurate, inflexible and unmanageable (Hitt, Ireland & Hoskisson, 2007). The company’s current challenge of high production costs is the main cause for the inventory and forecasting vicious cycle. Its deficiency in a competent tracking system has prompted increased inventories which in turn has lead to lots of wastage and translated to huge costs of containing the enormous amounts of steel within its inventory. Having lagged behind the major industry players, USS has to reinvent itself if it is to make any possible contributions to its already damaged reputation. The warning from Ford Motor Company should have served as a warning enough to trigger a major

Friendship and Trust Showed in Books Essay Example for Free

Friendship and Trust Showed in Books Essay To Kill A Mockingbird had multiple relationships and interactions including the following; Jem and Scout, Scout and Dill, Scout and Boo Radley, and that sense of trust and well being between Atticus and Tom Robinson. Romeo and Juliet is sort of a given as an example of this theme but it adds even more to the equation, it adds love. Lastly, 12 Angry Men showed a lot of trust. In the way that the young boy must trust the Jurors to judge fairly, and how all of the other jurors must trust Juror 8s theories of innocence for the defendant. Although these four stories share different types of friendship and trust it is still just as important of a theme in all of them. The Odyssey has been dated back as far as the ninth century B. C. , yet still friendship and trust seemed to have been just as important. Arguably the most famous quote from the book is, â€Å"There is nothing nobler or more admirable than when two people who see eye to eye keep house as husband and wife, confounding their enemies and delighting their friends† (Unknown). This quote is read at weddings all the time because of what it represents. It not only represents a Good 2 perfect example of a Christian marriage, but it represents true trust and friendship as well. This second quote was said by the great Odysseus just after he heard word of his comrades being transformed into animals by a goddess At that report I slung my hefty bronze blade Of my silver-studded sword around my shoulder, Slung my bow on too and told our comrade, ‘Lead me back by the same way that you came. ’ (10, 286-290) This shows not only the valued trait of bravery, but it shows loyalty and friendship that e would knowingly risk his life to save his crewmembers. Although this book was originally written thousands of years ago, it shows trust and friendship to be just as important as it is now perceived in today’s world. 12 Angry Men only got past 5 pages because of the fact that Juror 8 trusted the defendant enough to at least give him a fair chance. The first vote count for guilty/not guilty was 11 to 1 in favor of guilty, based s olely on observations and the race of the accused party. The other Jurors didn’t trust him because of their personal prejudice. The following quote by Juror 8 shows that even our court system is based off of trust Its always difficult to keep personal prejudice out of a thing like this. And wherever you run into it, prejudice always obscures the truth. I dont really know what the truth is. I dont suppose anybody will ever really know. Nine of us now seem to feel that the defendant is innocent, but were just gambling on probabilities we may be wrong. We may be trying to let a guilty man go free, I dont know. Nobody really can. But we have a reasonable doubt, and thats something thats very valuable in our system. No jury can declare a man guilty unless its sure. (Steinbeck 82) Juror 8 had enough trust in a man that he didn’t even know that he put himself against the rest of the jury because of some reasonable doubt. Juror 4 gave us this next quote to explain himself after he switched his vote to ‘not guilty’ This gentleman has been standing alone against us. Now he doesnt say that the boy is not guilty, he just isnt sure. Well its not easy to stand alone against the ridicule of others, so he gambled for support and I gave it to him. I respect his motives. (Steinbeck 16) Good 3 Juror 4 not only trusted Juror 8’s motives in trying to find out the truth in the case. But he started a friendship which is shown again later when they exchange names after the case is concluded. Even a book such as 12 Angry Men, in which none of the characters have ever met before, shows that trust and friendship plays an important role in our every day lives. The novel To Kill A Mockingbird shows different types of friendship and trust than the past two books, yet it’s just as important in every way. When people think of friendship and trust they think of their ‘best friend’. Most don’t think of the general use of the term. Sometimes it takes a young girl such as Scout to make us realize these things, â€Å"Neighbors bring food with death and flowers with sickness and little things in between† (Lee 293). She goes on to say that Boo Radley, their neighbor, had done several nice things to them and they have failed to repay him. They had never talked in their lives yet Scout had the general sense of friendship that she felt the need to be fair and nice to everyone. The second use of the theme trust is probably the most important anyone will ever have to deal with. Atticus Finch is a lawyer defending a black man in an extremely racist county, yet he has enough pride to stand up and actually defend the man despite what the rest of the town thinks. His philosophy is as follows Theyre certainly entitled to think that, and theyre entitled to full respect for their opinions, said Atticus, but before I can live with other folks Ive got to live with myself. The one thing that doesnt abide by majority rule is a persons conscience. (Lee 114) Sure if others break your trust it is a hard thing to go through. But one’s conscience can haunt a person for what seems like an eternity. People should always trust themselves, and be confident in a decision before they make it. To Kill A Mockingbird presented types of friendship that are seldom brought to our attention, and they are just as important if not more than the types of trust shown in the two previous books. Good 4 The final novel in which friendship and trust were shown to the utmost was Romeo and Juliet. This is the tragic love tale that starts as a great friendship between two lovers with abounding trust in each other. Juliet makes it clear that trust for her is no game when. When Romeo says he swears by the moon she replies by saying Jul. O, swear not by the moon, the inconstant moon, That monthly changes in her circled orb, Lest that thy love prove likewise varies (Shakespeare Act II scene 2) If one swears by something as big and important as the moon then very few would comprehend that the moon changes so frequently. Trust is an important thing, but it must also be understood that trust being broken is not always one’s fault. There are occasions where life takes unexpected turns that change everything. Friar Lawrence played a rather large role in the love of Romeo and Juliet. The thing that some call ‘fate’ left Romeo dead because information had not reached him. Friar was left to say, â€Å"A greater power than we can contradict Hath thwarted our intents† (Shakespeare Scene V Act 3). So there are times when promises and friendships can be broken because of events that are neither persons fault, so sometimes one must resort to mercy and understanding for broken trust. Romeo and Juliet shows this as well as it could possibly be shown. It’s clear that the four novels show extremely different forms of friendship and trust. Yet they all thoroughly presented aspects that are equally important in fully understanding the concepts. Whether it’s risking your life for your friend, saving a life as a Juror that trusted that the man could be innocent, trusting one’s self, or accepting the fact that sometimes things are out of your control. Trust and friendship shouldn’t be just a figment of books we read, it should be an ongoing theme in our every day lives.

Strategic Management And Leadership Semco Case Study Business Essay

Strategic Management And Leadership Semco Case Study Business Essay Executive Summary: The purpose of this report is to identify the leadership and management styles adopted by Ricardo Semler and their impact on the strategic choices of Semco. This report will also explore various management and leadership theories and the resultant effect on organisational and leadership strategy. Introduction: The report intends to take a holistic view of the management and leadership styles and theories and their impacts on organizational leadership and strategy in the backdrop of Semco. Continuing further, the report will assess and evaluate the leadership requirements of Semco and formulate a suitable leadership development plan. A brief look into the evolution of Ricardo Semlers Semco is necessary to understand the organization. Semco, despite challenging the traditional style of corporate management, has continued to grow by leaps and bounds ever since the legendary Ricardo Semler took charge. The organization that was thought to have adopted a management style often termed as a recipe for disaster has been a champion of change with profits growing consistently. Semco had a manifold increase in profitability, growth and productivity, which is remarkable considering the many years of economic melt-down and the volatile political scenario it was operating in. Such an accomplishment requires full faith in employees and a commitment from the top management, but it was not always so. This progress was gradual and methodical as will be demonstrated in the following sections. 1: Leadership styles adopted by Mr. Semler and impact on strategy Ricardo Semmler The authoritarian: When Ricardo Semmler joined his fathers company in 1979, the company was involved in manufacturing equipment for the shipping industry. The revenues were shrinking and despite Semmlers insistence to diversify into other businesses, the management stuck to the same industry. When Mr. Semmler was made in charge in 1980, his first action was to fire 60% of the top management which opposed his radical ideas. An autocratic style of leadership, as theorized by Kurt Lewin, is evident from many actions taken by Semmler. This was combined with a traditional management style which involved following a strict policies and procedures framework for almost every task. Reports and manuals were a norm. The focus was on productivity and achievement of goals. The management performed the traditional roles, as described by Henry Fayol in his theory of 5 functions of management, namely; planning, organizing, commanding, coordinating and controlling the organization. This management style suited well to the fairly authoritarian style of leadership of Ricardo Semmler who held the power to decide for the organisation. Impact on strategy He changed the strategy of the organization, shifting the focus from shipping industry only to diversification into various industries. His vision was to reduce reliance on one industry only and expand into different businesses. This meant that the achievement of tasks were the focal point of the strategy while the employees felt stressed and de-motivated. Innovation seemed non-existent and steadily the staff turnover began to rise. Stress took its toll on Ricardo Semmler himself and his health condition became worse. This was the time for a change. The Change: Source: http://www.shkaminski.com/Classes/images/Managerial%20Grid.gif The management grid by Blake and Mouton perfectly describes the styles of management adopted by Semco. Initially, Semco was located in the bottom right section aiming for high production with low concern for people but gradually the shift towards Team management whereby the organization is divided into small teams operating fairly independently of others but in a coordinated way with high productivity while keeping employees motivated and satisfied. Ricardo Semmler The Democrat: This was when he turned the tables around, making the change by involving the employees in almost every decision made in the company. The change was not a drastic one, it was gradual yet steady. Ricardo Semmler had realized that employees involvement in the decisions related to the organization was essential. They must be well aware of what the organization wants to achieve. Employees should give in their 100% regardless of the skills set they possess. For these reasons, Semmler transformed himself and adopted a leadership style that was identical to Kurt Lewins participative style of leadership. Reforms such as removing the formal line of authority, discarding the organization chart, letting employees set their salaries, select work hours that suit them and even choose their managers and spiraling the organisition into one where there are no cabins and where employees are involved in all major decisions made by the organization are all evidences of the change in management style by Ricardo Semmler. Impact on strategy These actions have brought about a change in the overall strategy of the organization. The employees are aligned with the strategic objectives of the organization. The organization now operates with a strategy that promotes culture of overall openness sharing ideas and providing feedback. The strategy of Semco is now to involve employees in the organizations benefits through its unique profit-sharing scheme, motivating them to work for the growth of the company they can call their own. The organizations structure has been re-defined, moving from hierarchical to business unit approach with teams at the core. Teams mutually decide upon what needs to be done and who will be responsible for what tasks. For this to be achieved multi-tasking is pivotal and most employees are adept at majority of the tasks performed within the unit. This promotes ideas of self-governance and self-management and incorporates responsibility among employees into the overall strategy of the organization. The f ocus has shifted from being task oriented to more people oriented with high importance given to productivity. 2: Link between management and leadership theories 2.1 Leadership and Strategic Management: Leadership and management are two distinct systems that must co-exist in any organization. Managers tend to have a short-term orientation and usually solve problems as they appear. Leaders on the other hand are more forward looking and make decisions that suit the long term interests of the organization. Leadership and management both shape up the organization. While leaders decide on the direction of the organization, provide the resources and set the frame, managers ensure that the objectives are achieved within the allocated resources. Theoretically, managers and leaders are considered to be separate. However, managers will not be working alone and will be managing a team of individuals for achieving the targets set for them. This will require a degree of leadership skills too as this would call for influencing the actions and thoughts of other people. Henry Fayols 5 Functions of Management (1916) http://www.oppapers.com/essays/Leadership-Management/48673 Henry Fayol devised a theory which suggested that management is essentially a combination of stepped activities, namely; Planning: Plans are made, budgets are decided, limitations are taken into account and parameters of operations are established. This role is commonly shared by both the leader and the manager. A leader would usually be planning for the longer-term while the managers viewpoint is fairly shorter and focuses on immediate targets. Organizing: The second phase invariably includes the allocation of resources that would be consumed for achievement of objectives. Decisions about financial capital, human capital and the structure to be followed for attaining success are taken. Commanding: This ensues deriving the optimum out of the resources. Managers communicate clearly what is expected from the employees and lead by example. Coordinating: Teams will be striving for their individual targets and a balance needs to be maintained among all activities. Harmonization of activities is vital and so is management of conflicting interests. Leaders would take the driving seat. Controlling: Sizing up the benefits of activities is important. Controlling is measuring performance to be able to plan for the future. Leaders would again be looking at the long-term implications of the actions performed and decide on the future strategy. Managers on the other hand will be more concerned with what needs to be repeated and what is to be avoided. To sum it up, Henry Fayol proposed a management theory which describes the functions of management but in effect, it also categorizes the traditional role performed by the leaders as well. Peter Druckers 5 Management Processes (1954) http://www.oppapers.com/essays/Leadership-Management/48673 Peter Drucker, a renowned management theorist had a similar viewpoint of the process of management. According to him, management plays a predefined role in any context. These are: Objective Setting: Leaders provide the vision of the organization as a whole and managers, for their part, set the direction of their individual units. Motivation: Employees need to be motivated if managers want to extract their full potential. Leaders and managers have a variety of motivational tactics to use. Some could be financial incentives, while others are more humanistic in nature. Task Organisation: A manager needs to organize the task and organize the activities for the smooth operations leading to realization of objectives. Measurement: Performance needs to be measured in order to identify any divergences from the required performance and to find ways to fill any gaps in the desired and actual performance. Training and Coaching: Managers and leaders must develop their sub-ordinates. Managers and leaders have to train and coach their sub-ordinates in order for them to perform to the required level. Transactional Management and Transformational Leadership The transactional and transformational theories are another way of describing the inter-relationship and distinction between managers and leaders. According to this theory, managers are more involved with day to day activities of the organization while leaders are concerned with the strategic vision. Managers follow the set principles while leaders challenge the status quo. Leaders are more concerned with bringing about the change in the culture while managers implant that change in the organization. The primary role of a leader is to set the direction while managers ensure the organization is kept on track. Mckinseys 7S Framework http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newSTR_91.htm Source: http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newSTR_91.htm The model suggests that any organization has 7 building blocks. The blocks are categorized as: Soft Elements: Shared Values, Skills, Style Staff Hard Elements: Structure, Systems and Strategy The model places highest importance to the shared values placed in the middle. It re-iterates the fact that all other elements are derived from the vision for what the organization wants to achieve. The Hard elements are determined by the leadership style chosen while the soft elements are drawn from management. Leaders would; evaluate what set of skills are possessed by the employees and what should to be developed select the staff taking into consideration their abilities and the needs of the organization; and Decide upon The style in which the organization is taken forward. The style of leadership would depend on circumstances Managers on the other hand; Shape the structure of the organization using tools such as reporting lines, organization charts etc Develop a plan, allocate resources and decide the course of action. In short, devise a strategy Craft the policies and procedures and standards on how tasks are performed. Leadership style may have profound impact on the strategy of an organization. A transformational style of leadership may stir up the enterprise, motivate and spur action. Such a leader provides an insight into the future, takes the initiative, inspires followers, involves stakeholders, improvises, thoughtful about individuals and implements successfully. This form of leadership would lead to an overhaul of the way the organization operates. A transactional leader on the other hand would have a strategy of maintaining the status quo and keep the current operations. Add Emotional Intelligence 3: Utilize appropriate techniques to review Semco leadership requirements 3.1: Use appropriate methods to review current leadership requirements In order to completely understand the requirements of leadership, it is necessary to understand the environment Semco is operates in, the phase the Semco itself is going through, what pressures are exerted from an industry sector, what its structure is and what the strategic direction it has assumed by the corporate parent. Semco strives to develop a competitive advantage. This is achived by looking at four factors according to Porters Diamond. These are: Firm strategy, structure and rivalry: strategy is what the organization wants to achieve. Structure of the enterprise should be developed to support the strategy and rivalry serves as motivation. Demand Conditions: portrays the demand of products and services. Factor conditions would be developed according to these demand conditions Related and supporting industries: an industry cannot survive without its associated industries. Semmler saw this when the shipping industry was shaking and Semco was badly hit. Factor conditions: The resources of the nation are the factor conditions. Education, mineral resources, capital goods all account for here. What we already possess and what needs to be developed. STEEPLE: Semco is primarily involved in production of heavy industrial equipment and development of intelligent systems however, it also holds stakes in an investment company and energy sector.A STEEPLE analysis is used to understand the environment that Semco operates in. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/br.html Social factors: Semco has shown high concern for social factors. It pays its staff good salaries and keeps them motivated. Semcos policy is to maintain a work/life balance evidenced by initiatives such as Retire a little bit allowing employees to do what they want. Technlogical factors: Technoloical advancement is the need of time and organizations need to identify and discover new technologies to improve efficiency and effectiveness. Economic: Semco operates in the fastest growing South American economy. It is among the emerging economies that have shown revival signs. Growth is expected to be 5% in 2010 as per the Central Bank. GDP composition by sector is: Agriculture:Â  6.1% Industry:Â  25.4% Services:Â  68.5% (2009 est.) Environmental: Brazil is the 7th largest oil consumer in the world and 10th largest when it comes to electricity. This is largely because major part of economy is related to industry. This poses a threat to environment. http://www.semco.com.br/en/content.asp?content=2contentID=548 Political: Semco operates in a political environment where, in the past, the government has often changed monetary, fiscal, taxation and other policies to influence the course of Brazils economy. Such actions are beyond control and Semco cannot predict what measures or policies the Brazilian government may take to influence the economy. Legal: The legal structure in Brazil is one that welcomes foreign investment. There are no requirements for government approvals or minimum investments. http://www.lexmundi.com/images/lexmundi/PDF/guide_brazil.pdf Ethical: Ethics is a major issue of concern in Brazil. It ranked among the 15 most corrupt countries in the world. There have been cases of corruption in the public sector. http://www.brazzil.com/cvrmar97.htm STEEPLE provides an insight into the macro environment Semco operates in. It is also important to understand the phase that Semco is going through as an individual organization. The organization has taken a strategy of diversification by entering new markets and developing new products. This has been done by revolutionizing the current practices, regular reinvention and constant renewal. Semco operates in a complex environment although the environment provides plenty of opportunities that might match its strengths. Semco needs to adopt a strategy of global companionship and to partner with international, well-reputed organizations to achieve economies, compete effectively and lead the market. It has to build strong bonding between the sister concerns and develop strong networks within the group and with parties external to the group. It needs a leadership that promotes mergers, acquisitions and alliances in order to continue its long run of success. 3.2: Plan development of leadership according to future needs: Semco needs to develop leadership that has the ability to foresee the future requirements and have a strong sense of responsibility. Semco needs to make use of the corporate parent theory to productively apply the concept of diversification through mergers and acquisitions. Strong communication skills are an essential attribute that must be developed to avoid ambiguities. The leader must be able to network well with inter-related parties and command respect so that others may give to heed his ideas. The leader should have the strength to accept his mistakes and the humility to give credit where it is due. Semcos culture is the core competency that it has developed over the years. Its competitors have been unsuccessful at adopting the culture, either because of lack of resources or lack of conviction. 4: Produce a future leadership plan for Semco

Luther :: essays research papers

A thousand years is a long time. So how do you pick the most influential person of the last thousand years? Its practically impossible to do. But almost everyone will agree that one of the most influential characters in the millennium was Martin Luther, father of the protestant church.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Luther was born November 10, 1483 in Eisleben, Thuringia (a province noted for its many musical talents, including Johann Sebastian Bach). Luther was brought up in the strict religious atmosphere of the roman catholic church. After attending the Latin Schools at Mansfeld, Magdeburg, and Eisenach, he entered the university at Erfurt in 1501. From this institution he received a bachelors degree in 1502 and a masters degree in 1505. During his student years, Luther was terrified by thoughts of the wrath of G-D. He continually sought a means of finding inward peace. To achieve this goal, he entered an Augustinian Monastery on July 17, 1505 to become a monk. Two years later, he was ordained a priest. In 1508 Luther was appointed professor of philosophy at Wittenburg university, and he also studies there to get the doctor of theology degree in 1512. In 1515 Luther was appointed Augustinian Vical for Meissen and Thuringia.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  During the period of his appointment as vicar, Luther underwent a modification in his views and beliefs. He was still devoted to the church, but in his continued quest for inner peace, he turned from religious philosophy to the bible for the basis of his belief. These conclusions ultimately led Luther to combat some practices of the church.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Luther verus the church. A classic case of David and Goliath. There were many reasons Luther went against the church. But the sale of indulgences by Johann Tetzel in 1517 at a church near Wittenberg enticed Luther into action in the first place. Tetzel preached that buying indulgences would grant you a better place in heaven. On October 31, 1517, at the age of 33, Luther nailed his Ninety-Five Theses (1) to the castle church door at Wittenberg. This was not intended as a decisive attack on the church, and he did not want this to be circulated. However, the new spread quickly through Germany withing the next two weeks.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Later in 1518 Luther boldly denied the absolute power of the church. On March 3rd , 1519, Luther wrote a letter to Pope Leo X. In the letter he stated that it was not his intention to undermine the authority of the pope or the church.

Analysis of Burns Poem A Red, Red Rose :: Burn Red Red Rose Essays

Analysis of Burn's Poem A Red, Red Rose 'A Red, Red Rose', was first published in 1794 in A Selection of Scots Songs, edited by Peter Urbani. Written in ballad stanzas, the verse - read today as a poem – pieces together conventional ideas and images of love in a way that transcends the "low" or non-literary sources from which the poem is drawn. In it, the speaker compares his love first with a blooming rose in spring and then with a melody "sweetly play'd in tune." If these similes seem the typical fodder for love-song lyricists, the second and third stanzas introduce the subtler and more complex implications of time. In trying to quantify his feelings - and in searching for the perfect metaphor to describe the "eternal" nature of his love - the speaker inevitably comes up against love's greatest limitation, "the sands o' life." This image of the hour-glass forces the reader to reassess of the poem's first and loveliest image: A "red, red rose" is itself an object of an hour, "newly sprung" only "in June" and afterw ard subject to the decay of time. This treatment of time and beauty predicts the work of the later Romantic poets, who took Burns's work as an important influence. 'A Red, Red Rose' is written in four four-line stanzas, or quatrains, consisting of alternating tetrameter and trimeter lines. This means that the first and third lines of each stanza have four stressed syllables, or beats, while the second and fourth lines have three stressed syllables. Quatrains written in this manner are called ballad stanzas. The ballad is a old form of verse adapted for singing or recitation, originating in the days when most poetry existed in spoken rather than written form. The typical subject matter of most ballads reflects folk themes important to common people: love, courage, the mysterious, and the supernatural. Though the ballad is generally rich in musical qualities such as rhythm and repetition, it often portrays both ideas and feelings in overwrought but simplistic terms. The dominant meter of the ballad stanza is iambic, which means the poem's lines are constructed in two-syllable segments, called iambs, in which the first syllable is unstressed and the second is stressed. As an example of iambic meter, consider the following line from the poem with the stresses indicated: That's sweet / ly play'd / in tune.

Film Review: Boys Don’t Cry

Boys Don’t Cry is a movie examining the life of the late Teena Brandon. It is an intense movie that follows her journey to self-discovery and essentially her passing. Boys Don’t Cry not only explores how difficult it is to be queer but also what it means to have a sexual identity crisis (as Brandon puts it). Brandon goes through so much to cover his true identity and in the end nothing is enough. This adaptation of a true story engages and walks the watcher through the difficulties transgender people have in life.The opening scene of Boys Don’t Cry lets the audience know that Teena Brandon has now become Brandon Teena. Following the lines of New Queer Cinema this film gives the outside world a new way to look at transgender individuals. This film breaks new ground by showing â€Å"true crime material through the prism of New Queer Cinema† (Brooks, 2000) The fact that what happened to Brandon was true makes this movie all the more important. Both straights and queers can watch this movie in disgust and learn something from it also.Discrimination (any type and in this case especially sexual) should be stopped. Examining this movie more in depth the audience gets a look not only in the life of Brandon but of the people he surrounds himself with. In the Film Journal article Driving into the ‘Dustless Highway' of Queer Cinema By Daniel Mudie Cunningham he gives background information about Falls City, Nebraska. Being a native San Franciscan myself it helped to know what Falls City was all about because of the obvious contrast between California and Nebraska. Cunningham describes the â€Å"wall people† in his article.The â€Å"wall people† in Falls City are â€Å"bored kids who congregate against the wall at the Qwik Stop convenience store all night long. † This is actually a subculture in Falls City. The activities that Brandon and his friends do in the film are what actually happen there. Karaoke and whip-its a re the thing to do for fun in a place life Falls City. An interesting point that Cunningham brings up is that the lives the â€Å"wall people† live and essential the life Brandon wants to be in entraps them more to the rural un-open minded kind of life style.Brandon doesn’t see that moving from Lincoln to a more rural town like Falls City is a bad idea. I find it interesting that for the people in Falls City they probably would have done anything to get out of there but Brandon found refuge and called it his home. Even his love, Lana, wanted to get out of Falls City and go as far as Memphis. In actuality no one got to leave and if time could be turned back Brandon and Lana should have made their escape from the beginning. The reasons Brandon didn’t want to leave Falls City was because he thought that he had finally been accepted and he had found what he was looking for his whole life.Through out the movie we see Brandon searching for the perfect girl. His cousin , Lonnie, even says on the phone call back home from Falls City â€Å"no more girls† The romantic aspect of this film re-examines what romantic movies are really about. In this film Brandon is the apidemy of hot for a girl living in Nebraska. And even though Brandon has a secret no one cares because the way he talks and treats girls in interpreted as cute and loving so the lie doesn’t matter. When transforming from Teena to Brandon she/he chooses the sweetheart cowboy to be her male persona.With a cowboy hat and a little bit of a twang Brandon is able to sweep girls of their feet. Even with the first girl in the opening scene, Nicole, she points out that Brandon isn’t from around here and when asked where he is from she replies â€Å"somewhere beautiful. † Brandon’s boyish/girlish good looks and cowboy â€Å"I’m here to save you† charm wins everyone over. Enough so that his small physique and high voice gets left unnoticed. However no matter where Brandon would have went his identity could not be left behind.Brandon through out the whole movie was trying to be someone he wasn’t. Hiding his identity got him in all kinds of trouble. The reason he was found out was because of the petty crimes he committed trying to prove himself as a man. The beginning of Brandon’s undoing was when the gang and him were driving down the highway evading the police. Cunningham once again noted that this scene was an escape for Brandon but can also be seen as his downfall. Brandon’s life begins to swirl down the drain when little bits of is identity came out, from the ticket to the check written by Teena Brandon. As the events go by it is interesting that when Brandon finally gets some action form Lana she doesn’t freak out when she discovers he is a she. Brandon doesn’t exactly tell her but in the scene where they are first making love Lana sees Brandon’s cleavage. In the article written by X an Brooks for Sight and Sound Lana’s trust in Brandon is seen as commendable and endearing. To the very end Lana believed whatever Brandon believed and that was that he is a man.To bad for Brandon not all of his compadres were that trusting. The end of Boys Don’t Cry can definitely make one cry. The gut-wrenching finale is hard to take. When all is found out Brandon’s friends, especially John and Tom, turn against him and break him down in the worst way possible. The rape scene is crude and shows the destruction of Brandon’s life. Instantly he is turned back into Teena and is striped of all dignity and courage. All the characters worst personality traits prevail here except for Lana’s.Every one turns on Brandon including Lana’s mother who at one point was completely in love with him calling him a â€Å"movie star†. After the rape when Brandon was reporting it to the police the way the police treated him was horrible. The questions abo ut his sexuality were not pertinent to the rape and were said almost to humiliate him and insinuate that it was brought on because of his lie. A rape victim in Brandon’s case or in any other case has historically been led to believe that she brought it on herself for being sexy or for the clothes she wears.Movies like this can be used to open the doors to show the public how disgusting and unforgivable rape can be, especially when done out of the need for control by men. In the case of Brandon John and Tom had be threatened by Brandon’s cordial manner from the beginning. Brandon â€Å"who knew exactly how to please women, both carnally and emotionally† (Brooks, 2000) was more masculine in the way he treated women that when it was found out he was a she John and Tom finally found their chance to be superior and raped her. After rape death can be the worst thing to happen to a woman.After Brandon’s dignity was taken from him his life was also taken. After a beautiful scene when Lana and Brandon fully make love John and Tom find Brandon hiding out at Candice’s house and come for him. John purposefully takes Lana with them so she can witness the death of her lover. This ending scene is not typical however for a suspense movie. Brandon is killed instantly after some screaming and comes as a blunt shock to the audience. The death of Candice happens the same, very blunt and unexpected, with her child right beside her.Boys Don’t Cry was almost too much to absorb. Brandon’s intense death goes to show how closed-minded people can be. Brandon did nothing in his life but be the person he wanted to be and yet because that didn’t fit into the norm other people held he was murdered. The life and death of Brandon can be seen as a learning tool and a way to see how discrimination can only lead to bad things happening. Everyone should be left to their own devices and should be able to be whoever they want to be.

Rebuilding Employee Morale Essay

Layoffs and work-force reductions have a big impact on both those who lose their jobs and those who remain. Employees who remain after a work-force reduction may be affected for weeks or months afterwards. They may feel overwhelmed, have a hard time focusing on work, or experience low morale. This may be a stressful time for you as well. As a manager you not only have to make the transitions yourself, but you’re also counted on to help steer your team through the changes. As a manager, it’s important to be aware of what employees are feeling and to offer support in ways that can help your team get through this difficult and challenging period. And it’s important to recognize how the changes affect you as well. Common feelings employees may have Several employees, or hundreds of employees, may have lost their jobs at your company. Whatever the size of the work-force reduction, it’s likely that many well-liked people who were doing good work will be leaving the company and that the employees who remain are sad and are grieving for co-workers who were let go. The remaining employees may also be fearful about the security of their own jobs or how their roles might change. Employees may experience some or all of the following emotions, all of which can affect productivity, commitment, and morale: †¢ Sadness. †¢ Anger. †¢ Guilt. †¢ Fear and anxiety. Many may wonder, â€Å"Am I the next to go?† †¢ Envy of those who are leaving. Employees may feel that those who were laid off are moving on to new opportunities while they are â€Å"stuck at the same old job.† †¢ Apathy. They may find it hard to concentrate or get back to work. †¢ Loss of trust in the organization. Employees may lose trust in upper management’s messages and mission and may not feel that the company cares. †¢ Overwhelmed. People may feel overloaded and worried about how their workload will change. 57114-1008 2 Rebuilding Employee Morale Following a Layoff Helping employees cope A layoff or downsizing is a business decision. But before employees who remain can move on and begin working productively again, it’s important to deal with the emotional side of the job cuts and their impact on people’s lives. †¢ Hold an initial meeting with employees staying on your team on the day of the downsizing announcement. Have an open and honest discussion with them about the job cuts and why they took place and how they will help keep your organization moving forward. Employees need to know why the cuts happened and what the organization is doing to avoid more job cuts. Talk about the layoffs in terms of job functions and the business. Do not discuss specifics or specific individuals. Expect this to be a time of deep emotion, confusion, and anxiety for your employees. †¢ Hold a â€Å"jump-start† meeting. A work-force reduction can change the way your team functions. In the days following the announcement, plan and hold a jumpstart meeting to get people focused on what matters. At the meeting: – Review the organization’s goals, strategy, and new direction. Enlist your team’s support in finding ways to meet those goals. – Clarify the reasons for the change. Identify and describe ways that individual employees may have to shift their attention. – Explain fully the expected results of the team’s efforts, linking those results to the overall business goals of the organization. – Identify those things the team and individuals are already doing well that support the new direction or business strategy. Highlight what may change. – Discuss needs and develop concrete action plans for short- and long-term periods. – Provide training if employees will be asked to take on new work or functions. †¢ Give employees continued opportunities to talk about their feelings. Encourage them to voice their fears, questions, complaints, and concerns. Hold meetings. You can do this both one-on-one with employees and as a group. Have drop-in sessions. These will be helpful for employees and for you as a manager. Remember that when people are allowed to express their feelings they are better able to adjust and move on. Continue to have these discussions for as long as they seem productive. Watch that employees don’t get stuck or caught up in too much negativity. Use coaching skills to help them accept the change and move on. †¢ Be honest with employees and keep lines of communication open. The more honest and straightforward you are, the more quickly you’ll rebuild trust on your team. During times of major change, information is often incomplete. No manager has all the answers. If an employee asks a question about the reorganization that you are not in a position to answer, don’t be afraid to say, â€Å"I don’t have the answer to 3 Rebuilding Employee Morale Following a Layoff that question.† If possible, commit to finding answers and information within a fixed period of time and â€Å"close the loop† with the employee who asked the question. If relevant, share the information with everyone on the team. Remind employees that in times of flux even some of the updated information will change but that you will keep them as up to date as you can when this happens. †¢ Lead by example. Take a close look at your own attitudes and behavior and how you are responding to the workplace change. Positive, sincere, and communicative managers who demonstrate strong leadership qualities while acknowledging the difficulty and pain of the layoff are typically able to get their staff back on track during times of adversity and challenge. †¢ Offer resources to help employees reduce feelings of stress. Make sure members of your team are aware of the resources available to them to help reduce feelings of stress, including the employee assistance program (EAP) or the program that provided this publication. †¢ Recognize that, initially, employees may be so absorbed with the reorganization that they get less work done than usual. During times of major change, especially in the period right after the change, it’s common for people to look out for themselves. Employees may spend increased amounts of time on personal activities like phone calls and Internet use. By keeping employees actively engaged in constructive job-related tasks with a direct value to the business, anxiety can be kept in check and employees will be more focused on what matters. It’s important to take action to rebuild the team and help employees get back up to speed and move forward. Ways to rebuild trust and morale It can take months for employees to adjust to a major organizational change and to new systems and ways of doing things. It’s important to keep an eye on employee morale during this transitional period. Here are some ways to rebuild trust and morale on your team during this time: †¢ Spend extra time with your team and with individual employees. In times of stress managers can be tempted to spend more time in their offices away from their anxious employees, but this is just the time your employees need you to be more visible and accessible than usual. †¢ Communicate openly and often about company strategies and goals. Share information. Clarify goals. Be honest in your communications. If more change is coming, share as much as you’re able to with employees. It’s critical to check with upperlevel managers on what messages to communicate to employees. Different messages coming from managers across departments will result in mixed messages and rumors. Encourage employees to share any rumors they hear with you and address each one as quickly as you can. 4 Rebuilding Employee Morale Following a Layoff †¢ Talk about changes within the organization and how these may affect the work and your group. Talk about how the work will change as a result of the reorganization. Let everyone know that plans or tasks may change and that this is normal during times of transition. If work expectations for the department or individuals have changed, communicate this as soon as possible. Be clear and concise about new job duties and responsibilities. Remember to give frequent updates. This helps employees deal with feelings of uncertainty and confusion. †¢ Avoid complaining about the organization or telling employees your woes. Managers sometimes do this to reduce feelings of guilt — they want employees to feel that they are suffering, too. But a manager who complains to employees only loses respect and creates more anxiety among employees. Speak with other managers you trust about your feelings and concerns and to get more ideas of what steps you can take to help rebuild your team. Take very good care of yourself during this time as many managers experience additional stress as they guide their teams through challenging times. †¢ Use team-building exercises to renew relationships and commitments to goals. Work on a group or team project together. You might order pizza or bagels when you do. Offer a seminar on dealing with workplace change. Work hard to be sure everyone understands his or her role on the team and how group efforts contribute to the larger business goals. †¢ Be respectful of the people who have been laid off. Avoid comments like â€Å"He wasn’t such a great employee anyway.† Focus on the positive attributes of employees who have left. Express regret and make sure your team knows that you wish them well. This will show those who are staying that the organization treats people with respect and dignity. Your employees will assume that if they were to be laid off, you would talk about them the same way you talk about former em ployees. †¢ Help employees see the opportunities that change can bring. The reorganization may mean that people will have the opportunity to learn new skills or to take on new responsibilities. †¢ Recognize and reward good work and continued commitment. Let employees know that you appreciate everyone pulling together to do their part in meeting the company’s goals. It’s more important than ever at this time to reward employees who are staying — for meeting goals and milestones and for steady, dependable effort. Here are some ways to offer rewards: – through company recognition or incentive programs – by giving public recognition at a meeting – by sending an e-mail to upper management applauding an employee’s efforts and spelling out what those efforts were and how they contributed to the company’s goals – by using bulletin boards to call attention to someone’s good efforts 5 Rebuilding Employee Morale Following a Layoff Keep in mind that it takes time for people to let go of old ways, adapt to new ones, and recommit to the organization. The more proactive you are in helping employees through this transition, the more everyone will be able to adjust, move on, renew their enthusiasm, and confirm their commitment to the company. Written with the help of Elizabeth Bakken, B.A., M.A. Ms. Bakken has a certificate in organizational development and an extensive background in the fields of human resource development and career coaching. She writes a column, CareerWise, on executive career issues for the Rochester Business Journal.  © 2001, 2008 Ceridian Corporation. All rights reserved. 102908