Personal Development Plan for Pragmatist

Introduction: This study report covering various aspects of personal and professional development of the professional student, who is going to practise all the skills and abilities in the real business world at very next step when student completes professional degree course. This report aims to fulfil the requirement the student to be professional in reality presenting the views of student on the basis of research using books, lecture notes understanding and online study material from various websites. It helps a student how to run the cycle of continuous personal and professional improvement and development to compete the globalisation. It suggest the personal development plan using time logs and carry out certain regular exercise to monitor the progress like filling questionnaire, maintain task diary and records, seeking feedback using 360 degree assessment. Professional and personal development support the body of a career and profession progression like a backbone, enabling the person to stand and touch and maintain the highest position in their working area. It can only ensured by continuous learning and observation process. Learning and observation process makes aware the person about his values, abilities, skills, attitude, learning style and hidden talents and how to use it for excellent performance. Professional and personal development and learning process starts with identifying the personality, position and learning style of the person. I would like to presents the views that how a student can be effective leader or manager acquiring professional skills namely time management, meeting, presentation and stress management. Leader/Manager: Successful professional should be effective leader and effective manager to lead positively to grow the profession and goodwill by competing with global challenges. In every organisation, each level of the hierarchical structure have leaders and managers. Managers and leaders are distinct personality with ultimate goal is to achieve organisational goals. A leader and A manager can be identified as per Waston (1983) and Hollingsworth (1999) suggestions with four distinct styles: A leader is a person who emphasis the right way of work focusing on people, sharing goals with them using their skills, inspire them to innovate and develop new style and skill which supports to achieve own as well as organisational objectives. A manager concentrating on the subordinates, system and composition, administer and manage them by controlling them to achieve the strategic objectives set by the management of the organisation. A manager stress on doing the appropriate task by result oriented strategies and systems. The Autocratic Leader/Manager: He does not value the subordinates’ skills and opinions. He has centralised power to ascertain dilemma, makes decisions and tells it to subordinate to execute task. The Semi-Autocratic Leader/Manger: He is partially autocratic, but seek some reflection from the subordinates who are going to practices it and try to convince to follow his decisions. The Democratic Leader/Manager: He just identifies the problems and seeks suggestions and recommendations from the group and then decide the solution. The Laissey-Faire Leader/Manager: He identifies the problems and set boundary within which decision must be fall and pass it to the performing group and make the correct suitable decision being with them. Democratic and Laissey faire leadership style is preferred in this globalisation and dynamic business world. Professional Skills: Time Management: Time is a money once you spent it you will never get back so right job at right time yields better fruits. Evaluation: Ask following questions to yourself: Have you followed your prioritised to-do list? Have you meet the deadlines? What effects on the final result due to incomplete task? Have you got the full participation colleagues and subordinates as per the job assigned? Do you have any spare time for contingency and further planning? If most of the answers is no, then start finding the gaps and lacking to use time effectively. Gap finds because of not exercising following activities. Acquisition: Habit to prepare and analyse the workload and prioritize it daily and weekly by preparing to-do list categorising the task as must do, should do and would like to do. Therefore, flitting will be less. (appendix 1) Set the deadlines and stick to it to complete the task, which helps him to allocate enough time to other task and be stress free as the task finish along with the spare time to plan further or allocate it to any unfinished task or contingency. Identify the best time and do hard and important task within best time. Divide the job into small discrete part and delegate it to the suitable person with all the necessary guidance and information specifying the rewards. It will motivate the subordinates by participation and decrease the workload and stress level of delegator which saves his time and energy. Conduct meetings for monitoring the progress of work as and when necessary. Avoid procrastination and time wasters which ensures needed attention to the work. Do not spent long time for perfection of the job on the cost of other activities. Maintain proper records by backup and filling, which can be used as vital tool while planning next time. Understanding about the assigned job and take responsibility as per the calibre to complete it within deadlines. It helps him to manage stress and utilize time productively. Running successful Meetings: Evaluation: Ask following questions to yourself: Have you met the goals set? Has meeting was enjoyed by the members and equally participated to express their views? Did all the mentioned agenda discussed and come to the solution? Did the meeting follows the time allocation and rules like quorum? Did the minutes recorded properly? Did you have announced the next meeting date and when members get the former meeting details? If most of the answers is no, then start finding the gaps and lacking to run meeting effectively. Gap finds because of not exercising following activities: Acquisition: Set the purpose, time, date, right place with proper infrastructural and refreshment arrangements with meeting start and end time. Prepare agenda mentioning required items with next meeting date. (appendix 2) Inform members about the purpose and agenda of the meeting well in advance. Allot sufficient time to each agenda including hidden agenda and stick to it. Specify the chair person and ensure the opportunity to express opinions. Be sure about the technology and tools used in meeting Arrange minute recording and procedure to sent to the members of the meeting. Set the disciplinary rules to be followed by members during meeting. Ensure the chair person being unbiased and objective having ability to control and negotiate. This way manager can conduct fruitful meeting which enables the organisation to achieve the objectives. The fruitful meeting will increase the morale and productivity of members saves time and efforts by proper attention to each item. Effective Presentation: Evaluation: Ask following questions to yourself: Have you met the goals set? Did your audience enjoyed and gained knowledge presentation? Did it organised in terms of matter, tools used and time bound? Did your body language and communication style attract the audience? Have you allowed audience to participate? If most of the answers is no, then start finding the gaps and lacking to present attractively. Gap finds because of not exercising following activities: Acquisition: Set the time, date, place, topic of presentation. Identify the audience and its expectations Be prepared and rehearse, support the matter with authentic data Be sure about the tools and facilities required Have confident and friendly body language with smiley face Stick to time and spare time for Q/A from audience For effective presentation, nerve control is vital because it fails the presentation no matter how strong paperwork or other skills you have. Stress Management: Evaluation: Ask following questions to yourself: Have you facing any physical or habitual disorder? Is there any financial or family problem which adversely affect your performance? Are you facing problem to deal with technology and people? Have you adjusted yourself in this working environment? Are you aware about your ability, skills, role and responsibilities? If answer of first 3 question is yes, then identify stressors and try to accept it and be free from it by following ways: Acquisition: Prime necessity is to accept the stress problem Identify the stressors and take steps to reduce it and remove it. Have some refreshment activity like change task, eat food, listen music Some concrete steps which may take long time like redesign the task/role/work environment, encourage subordinate involvement, set flexible employee friendly policy, provide social support and share reward Undergo some psychological exercise as per expert opinion like workshops, seminars Conclusion: Each above mentioned skills are interconnected with each other like, proper time management reduce the stress, increase productivity, Participation of employees in meeting and presentation encourage them to take initiatives with high moral. Personal Skill Audit The further step is how I can apply professional skills discussed in previous section to be very profitable and easy going personality. The application can be done in better and accurate way by findings positive and negative points of his personal qualities and skills. Hence, personal skill audit comes into the picture of personal development. Personal skill audit refers to the findings about the personal skills. It can be done by identifying strengths and weaknesses of the person. For that, which learning style the person have must be identified. To identify the learning style of the person, there is some tools like questionnaire and learning surveys by Peter Honey and Alan Mumford(ARPT), David Kolb(VAK), Carl Jugg and Mybers Briggs(type E/I,S/N,T/F,J/P). The student has followed Learning Style Questionnaire by Peter and Alan(appendix 3), on the basis of that the student identified his learning style ‘Pragmatist’: Strengths: Eager to try out ideas, concepts Realistic, and practical, Likes experiments Strive to meet preset goals Works autonomously Go through available options and assess it Weakness: Task oriented, does not value people Impatient ant centralize power work without any precaution tendency to take over others’ task independent working style do not involve the people Pragmatist can develop by exercising the work where person is: Problem and chances to progress is attached with the job Show the practical techniques to do right thing at a time Take chance to try out theories in practice supported by feedback from expert Showing the experts and models to follow them Equipped with techniques and knowledge useful for job Offer opportunity for progression and experiments Focus on practical matters by suggestions, tips Pragmatist find difficulties to improve his skills, where Job is not related to identified important requirement or not any practical gain Learning is far from real practical issues just theoretical concepts without clear guidance People not getting any point just going round and round Political diplomatic personal bias barriers to put thing into practice No proper reward for outstanding performance Some findings helps me to be effective and role demanding personality like using people by delegating task can manage the time and stress fruitfully. Giving values to the people in organisation can ensure high moral and motivation to work. Forecast the possible results of experiments before acting and use if it is beneficial to the organisation and people who practices it. Autocratic way to manage the people is discouraging, so its better to be a democratic or a member of the performing group. Team approach helps me to overcome from impatient and self centric personality by working in team and respecting human values and ability. Once finds out the lacking and gaps , he can use detective skills to find the ways to fill it. And come up with best suitable method by evaluating each available options to him, as very keen to use techniques, apply it to job to make it easy, speedy and accurate and recognise the use of the advance resources applicable in job. Strive to meet the specified goals and act accordingly is the great strength which differentiate his personality. He learn from the trail and error by experimenting various concepts in practice. To delegate the job to subordinates, he shows his skills of persuading presentation of idea and conduct meeting to convince the subordinate to work on it to meet the targets. Like this way, interconnecting his strengths to overcome his weaknesses he can be prove himself as effective personality at work place or anywhere. Thus, I would like to focus on the team work approach, learn to delegate the task and value others being diversified personality. At the end, knowledgeable, team friendly, stress free, happy, open and flexible, initiative and motivating work approach gives ripe fruits to individual and the organisation. Personal Development Plan: As per the discussion in previous sections, now I am going ahead to develop the own personality development plan. Where learning style identified is key to design personal development plan with the professional skills required to gain from the global challenges. In today’s ever-changing world, to be an effective manager core skills namely effective time management, running successful meetings, making effective presentation and managing stress tactfully is prime necessity. As per the previous discussion, now I am well aware about my strengths and weaknesses as a pragmatist regarding the achievement of organisational and personal objectives to ensure continuous growth. For deep understanding about my learning style and personal traits, i would like to do SWOT analysis of my personal traits. SMART objectives will help me to use the SWOT beneficially in practice. Using SWOT analysis, I analyse my strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to the personal skills and traits considering four core competent skills discussed in first section. At the end, I present a personal development plan to use, which suggest the practical way to utilize the personal attributes profitably and draw attractive picture of my personality and organisation as a whole. In section two, I have already identified my strengths and weaknesses to put the things into practice and achieve desired result. Strengths and weaknesses are the own internal favourable and unfavourable points which helps the person to rise up. It can only improved by self observation and improvement. The analysis introduce my following strengths and weaknesses: Strengths: Practical and realistic way to solve the problems by evaluating all the possible alternatives Like to experiment different theories and ideas ascertained using detective skills Set the goals and work autonomously to act upon Weaknesses: Being self centric and impatient under values other people and their ability to perform better Strive to do other’s work without taking into account the personal feelings Work independently without seeking participation of others Not arrive at the possible results and like to experiment proves wrong Being a task oriented does not take care of personal feelings Opportunity and Threat are external forces influencing the personality positively as well as negatively. This has connection with internal forces like strengths and weaknesses of the person to attain personal and organisational objectives as well. As a result of this analysis, now, I know my following would be opportunities and threats: Opportunity: Chance to get and test knowledge in business world. Learn by experiments and arrive at the best suitable practical solution to make easy business complexity Less chance of work error as work independently, evaluating PESTAL factor Chance to use advanced technology in practice Chance to undertake other projects and explore gaps to use it profitable as I have time bound working style Drive all the forces to attain preset goals and emerge with distinct personality Less chance to fail in planning due to practical and realistic work practice considering all the available alternatives Threats: Be frustrate and nervous if goals are not attain within time frame due to impatient attribute. As working autonomously sometimes decisions or analysis may prove wrong Diversified market needs and expectation of global business world Emerging business complexity and customer awareness Now, after performing self appraisal, I have a feasible knowledge of my positive and negative points to be an effective administrator or an effective manager to face the global challenges and create my own value in the organisation and business market as well. At this stage, SMART will help me as powerful tool to overcome my weaknesses and turn them into positive force to touch the sky of business world. S-Specific: On the basis of the weaknesses, i arrived at the solution that although I have practical and realistic work approach, sometimes decisions proves wrong and cannot complete the task within time limit set. This can be improved by adapting team working style emphasising on co-ordination and co-operation with and of colleagues and subordinates in the organisation. Therefore, focus on work delegation and team work is necessary to work within deadlines and try to get optimum using all the available resources. M-Measurable: to delegate the job, it is necessary to design proper job description and draw the skills required to perform it by using various techniques like feedback of the colleagues, looking at other company. Set the system and ways to measure the performance of people and the system laid down to achieve the objectives. So, it ensures active participation with clear understanding of job and achievements. A-Achievable: To do the task within time frame the right job should be assigned to a right person,. For that, I have to value the other person’s ability to perform specific job and assigned him that job with required guidelines and data to perform productively. The meeting and effective presentation of the delegated job to each subordinates and colleagues is necessary to achieve the goals. So here comes the presentation and meeting skills to convey the idea and communicate regarding the role they have to play to drive towards the achievements of objectives. So, here I have to concentrate on my interpersonal skills and getting co-operation and co-ordination with colleagues and subordinates to perform time bound duties. R-Relevant: It should be take care that subordinate have no ambiguity relating to his roles and targets to be met as a team member and organisational goals. Therefore, all the efforts must be towards the achievement of organisational objectives. The roles and targets can be communicate by way of successful meeting and effective presentation by the manager. As it saves time, efforts, money of people and organisation as well. T-Time Defined: If all the things are right doing in right way by the right person, it is also necessary that it should be complete within time defined. Because time is money, and to be successful it should be utilize effectively by allocating sufficient time to each an every activity as per its importance to do. Evidence of Monitoring and Feedback: As per the outcome of the SWOT and SMART, I have to follow the diary and records of the subordinates and colleagues achievements and skills to perform better. Other necessary thing is to is maintain and analyse time log until I follow the proper time schedule as prepared. Periodic performance review by 360 degree assessment which aware me about my improvements and necessity to improve. With all this, unbiased regular self assessment using SWOT helps me to ride the cycle of continuous development. Likewise, I can get measurable, achievable, relevant time bound active participation of the specific subordinates. I am following time log daily as well as weekly when i was explained in class lecture and now at the end of this 9th week I found that I am very much nearer to follow the time schedule set weekly. And I followed daily time log and I achieved time frame in working day not in weekends and I am trying to achieve it. I am taking feedback at workplace using 360 degree assessment when I finished one project and before starting new project and from my family members that how I am successful to meet their expectations. Without such monitoring and feedback one cannot have a clear idea about his improvement and progress. This is the vital axes of the progress chart of personal skill development. Review and Conclusion: At the end of the personal development process, I noticed that above discussed matter draw the conclusion that time management, stress management, running meetings and presentations are supportive pillars of the building effective personality and achieve personal and organisational goals. This is the basic necessity of today’s global dynamic business market and learned customers. This report reveals the successful professional career as an effective manger can be ensured by aligning personal objectives with organisation’s objectives. Reference: Pedler Mike, Burgoyne John and Boydell Tom,(2001), A Manger’s Guide to Self Development, 4th edition, McGraw-Hill,ISBN-0-07-709830-7 www. decs. sa. gov. au(Accessed on 27/10/2009) www. nwlink. com (Accessed on 27/10/2009) Appendix 1 Honey and Mumford Learning Styles Questionnaire This questionnaire is designed to find out your preferred learning style(s). Over the years you have probably developed learning â€Å"habits† that help you benefit more from some experiences than from others. Since you are probably unaware of this, this questionnaire will help you pinpoint your learning preferences so that you are in a better position to select learning experiences that suit your style and having a greater understanding of those that suit the style of others. There is no time limit to this questionnaire. It will probably take you 10-15 minutes. The accuracy of the results depends on how honest you can be. There are no right or wrong answers. If you agree more than you disagree with a statement put a tick by it. If you disagree more than you agree put a cross by it. Be sure to mark each item with either a tick or cross. Scoring And Interpreting The Learning Styles Questionnaire The Questionnaire is scored by awarding one point for each ticked item. There are no points for crossed items. Simply indicate on the lists below which items were ticked by circling the appropriate question number. TOTALS *Activist Reflector * Theorist Pragmatist Learning Styles Questionnaire Profile Based on General Norms for 1302 People Learning Styles – General Descriptions Activists Activists involve themselves fully and without bias in new experiences. They enjoy the here and now and are happy to be dominated by immediate experiences. They are open-minded, not skeptical, and this tends to make them enthusiastic about anything new. Their philosophy is: â€Å"I'll try anything once†. They tend to act first and consider the consequences afterwards. Their days are filled with activity. They tackle problems by brainstorming. As soon as the excitement from one activity has died down they are busy looking for the next. They tend to thrive on the challenge of new experiences but are bored with implementation and longer-term consolidation. They are gregarious people constantly involving themselves with others but in doing so; they seek to centre all activities on themselves. Reflectors 90997322447 Reflectors like to stand back to ponder experiences and observe them from many different perspectives. They collect data, both first hand and from others, and prefer to think about it thoroughly before coming to any conclusion. The thorough collection and analysis of data about experiences and events is what counts so they tend to postpone reaching definitive conclusions for as long as possible. Their philosophy is to be cautious. They are thoughtful people who like to consider all possible angles and implications before making a move. They prefer to take a back seat in meetings and discussions. They enjoy observing other people in action. They listen to others and get the drift of the discussion before making their own points. They tend to adopt a low profile and have a slightly distant, tolerant unruffled air about them. When they act it is part of a wide picture which includes the past as well as the present and others' observations as well as their own. Theorists Theorists adapt and integrate observations into complex but logically sound theories. They think problems through in a vertical, step-by-step logical way. They assimilate disparate facts into coherent theories. They tend to be perfectionists who won't rest easy until things are tidy and fit into a rational scheme. They like to analyse and synthesise. They are keen on basic assumptions, principles, theories models and systems thinking. Their philosophy prizes rationality and logic. â€Å"If it's logical it's good†. Questions they frequently ask are: â€Å"Does it make sense? â€Å"How does this fit with that? † â€Å"What are the basic assumptions? † They tend to be detached, analytical and dedicated to rational objectivity rather than anything subjective or ambiguous. Their approach to problems is consistently logical. This is their â€Å"mental set† and they rigidly reject anything that doesn't fit with it. They prefer to maximise certainty and feel uncomfortable with subjective judgments, lateral thinking and anything flippant. Pragmatists Pragmatists are keen on trying out ideas, theories and techniques to see if they work in practice. They positively search out new ideas and take the first opportunity to experiment with applications. They are the sorts of people who return from management courses brimming with new ideas that they want to try out in practice. They like to get on with things and act quickly and confidently on ideas that attract them. They tend to be impatient with ruminating and open-ended discussions. They are essentially practical, down to earth pile who like making practical decisions and solving problems. They respond to problems and opportunities â€Å"as a challenge†. Their philosophy is: â€Å"There is always a better way† and â€Å"if it works it's good†. In descending order of likelihood, the most common combinations are: 1st Reflector/Theorist 2†³d Theorist/ Pragmatist 3rd Reflector/Pragmatist 4th Activist/Pragmatist Appendix 2 Time Log {draw:frame} Activitists (Do) Immerse themselves fully in new experiences Enjoy here and now Open minded, enthusiastic, flexible Act first, consider consequences later Seek to centre activity around themselves http://www. archives. org. uk/careerdevelopment/continuingprofessionaldevelopment/professionaldevelopmentplan. html http://www. thegateway. org/browse/17801 http://www. excellencegateway. org. uk/page. aspx? o=152477

Policy of Containment Essay

Americans believe that if Franklin D. Roosevelt would have lived longer, that he would have been able to stem the tide of tensions between the Soviet Union and the United States. His successor lacked greatly the Talent of FDR. The new president, who was more comfortable with machine politicians than with polished New Dealers, liked to talk tough and act defiantly. Truman complained that the U.S. Negotiations had been a â€Å"one way street† just ten days after he took office. He then vowed to not â€Å"baby† the Soviet no longer. A crisis in the Mediterranean prompted President Truman to show his colors. On February 21, 1947, amid a civil war in Greece, Great Britain informed the U.S. State Department that it could no longer afford to prop up the anti-Communist government there and announced it’s intention to withdraw all aid. Truman concluded, Greece, Turkey, and perhaps the entire oil-rich Middle East would fall under Soviet control, without U.S. Intervention. On March 12, 1947, the President made his argument before Congress in bold terms: â€Å"At the present moment in world history, nearly every nation must choose between alternative ways of life†¦ One way of life is based upon the will of the majority, and is distinguished be free institutions†¦and freedom from political oppression. The second way of life is based upon the will of a minority forcibly imposed on the majority†¦ And the suppression of personal freedoms.† Never mentioning the Soviet Union by name, he appealed for all-out resistance to a â€Å"certain ideology† wherever it appeared in the world. The preservation of peace and the freedom of all Americans depended, the president insisted, on containing communism. Congress approved a $400 million appropriation in aid for Greece and Turkey, which helped the monarchy and right-wing military crush the rebel movement. Truman’s victory buoyed his popularity for the upcoming 1948 election. It also helped to generate popular support for a campaign against communism, both at home and abroad. The significance of what became known as the Truman Doctrine far outlasted  the events in the Mediterranean: the United States had declared it’s right to intervene to save other nations from communism. As early as February 1946, foreign-policy adviser George F. Kennan had sent an 8,000-word â€Å"long telegram† to the State Department insisting that Soviet fanaticism made cooperation impossible. The USSR intended to extend it’s realm not by military means alone, he explained, but by â€Å"subversion† within â€Å"free† nations. The Truman Doctrine described the differences between the United States and the Soviet Union as absolute and irreconcilable, as an ideological breach that resonated far beyond foreign policy. It was now the responsibility of the United States, Truman insisted to safeguard the â€Å"Free World† by diplomatic, economic, and, if necessary, military means. He had, in sum, fused anti communism and internationalism into an aggressive foreign policy. The Truman Doctrine complemented the European Recovery Program, commonly known as the Marshall Plan. On June 5, 1947 the plan was introduced in a commencement speech at Harvard University by secretary of state and former army chief of staff George C. Marshall. The plan sought to reduce â€Å"hunger, poverty, desperation, and chaos† and to restore â€Å"the confidence of the European people in the economic future of their own countries and of Europe as a whole.† Although Marshall added that â€Å"our policy is directed not against any country or doctrine,† the plan that bore his name additionally aimed to turn back both socialist and Communist electoral bids for power in northern and western Europe while promoting democracy through an economic renewal. The most successful postwar U.S. Diplomatic venture, the Marshall Plan supplemented the Bretton Woods agreements by further improving the climate for a viable capitalist economy, in western Europe and in effect bringing recipients of aid into a bilateral agreement with the United States. Western Europe nations, seventeen in all, ratified the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), which reduced commercial barriers among member nations and opened all to U.S. Trade and investment. The plan was costly to Americans, in it’s initial year taking 12 percent of the federal budget, but effective. Industrial production in the European nations covered by the plan rose by  200 percent between 1947 and 1952. Although deflationary programs cut wages and increased unemployment, profits soared and the standard of living improved. Supplemented by a multimedia propaganda campaign, the Marshall Plan introduced many Europeans to American consumer goods and lifestyles. The Marshall Plan drove a deeper wedge between the United States and the Soviet Union. Stalin was invited to participate but he denounced the plan for what it was, an American scheme to rebuild Germany and to incorporate it into and anti-Soviet bloc that encompassed all western Europe. The president readily acknowledged that the Marshall Plan and the Truman Doctrine were â€Å"two halves of the same walnut.† The policy of containment depended on the ability of the United States to back up it’s commitments through military means, and Truman invested his faith in the U.S. Monopoly of atomic weapons. The U.S began to build atomic stockpiles and to conduct tests on the Bikini Islands in the Pacific. By 1950, as a scientific adviser observed, the U.S. â€Å"Has a stockpile capable of somewhat more than reproducing World War II in a single day.† The U.S. Military analysts estimated it would take the Soviet Union three to ten years to produce an atomic bomb. In August 1949, the Soviet Union proved them wrong by testing it’s own atomic bomb. â€Å"There is only one thing worse than one nation having the atomic bomb,† Noble prize-winning scientist Harold C. Urey said, â€Å"that’s two nation’s having it.† The United States and Soviet Union were now firmly locked into the Cold War. The nuclear arms race imperiled their futures, diverted their economies, and fostered fears of impending doom. Prospects for global peace had dissipated, and despite the Allied victory in World War II, the world had again divided into hostile camps.

Windshield Survey

According to Stanhope and Lancaster (2008) defines a community as: â€Å"A social group determined by geographic boundaries and/or common values and interests. Its members know and interact with one another. It functions within a particular social structure and exhibits and creates norms, values, and social institutions† (World Health Organization [WHO], 1974, pg. 7). Stanhope and Lancaster (2008) defines community health as having: â€Å"three common characteristics, or dimensions: status, structure, and process. Stanhope & Lancaster (2008) also go on to say: â€Å"Each dimension reflects a unique aspect of community health: (pg. 45). Community health in terms of status, or income, is the most well known and accepted approach; it involves biological, emotional, and social parts. The biological (or physical) part of community health is often measured by traditional morbidity and mortality rates, life expectancy indexes, and risk factors profile† (pg. 345). The communit y is the client if a nurse is helping individuals even one at a time in the community. Stanhope and Lancaster (2008) states: â€Å"The community is the client only when the nursing focus is on the collective or common good of the population instead of on individual health† (pg. 44) and â€Å"Although the nurse may work with individuals, families or other interacting groups, aggregates, or institutions, or within a population, the resulting changes are intended to affect the whole community† (Stanhope and Lancaster, 2008, pg. 344). One Healthy People 2020 health indicator that applies to this particular area, which is Oklahoma City, would be â€Å"Quality of life and well-being† (Healthy People 2020 at a glance. (2010). There is a large population of poverty level residents. Many people in the community of the south side Oklahoma City are living in homes that are not safe or are unclean. Additional aspects will be discussed in the Window Survey of south Oklahoma City. The boundary for the north part of Oklahoma City runs almost parallel to interstate I-44 from the east to the west. It is located in the central metro area of the state of Oklahoma, with boundaries east of the cities of Mustang and Yukon, and west of the cities of Spencer and Del City. The southern boundary of Oklahoma City overlaps interstate I-240 that runs from east to west and is north of the cities of Moore and Norman. The economic boundaries for the southern part of Oklahoma City can run the ambit from residents below poverty level to those that would be considered to be upper-class in their monetary value. There are neighborhoods that many would not feel comfortable after dark because there has been a rise in crime to those areas. The zoning of these homes are single story, quarter acre lots that are approximately one thousand to fifteen hundred square feet. These impoverished areas have small, o lder homes that are two to three bedroom homes that are unkempt and, at times, are cockroach infested. The houses are built closely side by side and do not have much open space throughout the neighborhood. Most of these homes show signs of decay related to the amount of repairs that need to be made to the home. Many of the residents are renting and cannot afford to make the necessary repairs or have landlords that are unwilling to comply with the safety of their occupants. The stores in the south part of Oklahoma City are ones that cater to a lower income, such as, Payday loans, Buy For Less, Ross, Payless shoes, Wal Mart, etc. Race representation in this area of south Oklahoma City is a majority of Hispanic, black, white, and Native American. When driving through this community, there are men and women who can be seen each day standing on the corners of busy streets holding various cardboard signs which ask for help and state they are out of work. The houses have children’s toys laying in the front yards and dogs can be seen in the backyards roaming or on chains. The transportation for many, are cars that range from 1980’s to the 2000’s. They appear to be in need of repair in many cases. Since many of the residents in this area have little money, there are service centers, such as Auto Zone, and Midas that aide in â€Å"do it yourself† repairs. However, there is a divide in the income level because within five to ten miles there are neighborhoods with homes that are valued from a quarter of a million to half a million dollars. These upper class neighborhoods are surrounded by brick walls with gates that require codes for entrance. One higher class neighborhood is called Rivendale. Surrounding these areas are higher end shopping centers, such as Chasity Square. This particular shopping center has stores called Mann’s Best Friend that provides all natural dog food and baked goods for pets. In both of the low income areas and higher income areas, there are many churches of various religions that are represented, including Catholic, Baptist, Non-denominational, Methodist, Lutheran, and Jehovah’s Witness. These are common meeting places for many in both communities. Aspects that would affect the health in this community, would be alcohol, tobacco, and drug abuse. For those in the low income areas, stress of everyday life in which they struggle would draw them to these vices, for those in the higher income areas, it would be the stress of working to maintain their lifestyle. Other health concerns would be obesity of those who cannot afford healthy eating habits, high blood pressure affects both low and high incomes for different reasons, diabetes, and for the low income, lack of preventative care. There is Planned Parenthood for well woman checks, organizations that provide blood pressure checks and diabetes screening, and the YMCA works on a sliding scale of income for membership to the gym to help prevent obesity. Media is covered by local news stations and the Daily Oklahoman. ? References Healthy People 2020 at a glance. (2010). PT in Motion, 2(6), 22-23. Retrieved From EBSCOhost. Stanhope, M. & Lancaster, J. (2008). Population-Centered Health Care In the Community. (7th ed. ). St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier. World Health Organization: Community health nursing: report of a WHO expert committee, Geneva, 1374, World Health Organization. Windshield Survey A windshield survey is an assessment and evaluation of a community performed by traveling throughout the community in a car or public transportation to make observations about a community. The data gathered will help identify health care strengths and weaknesses in the specified community. A community is a social group established by geographic boundaries or common values and interests. Its members know and interact with one another and function in a particular social structure and exhibit and create norms, values and, social institutions (Stanhope, 2008). Community health has three mutual traits, or aspects: status, structure, and process. Community health in terms of status or outcome, is the most familiar and received approach; it involves biological, emotional, and social parts (Stanhope, 2008). The biological or living part of community health is often measured by established morbidity and mortality rates, life expectancy indexes, and risk factor profiles. The emotional part of health status can be measured by consumer satisfaction and mental health indexes. Crime rates and functional levels refl ect the social part of community health. Other status measures, such as worker absenteeism and infant mortality rates, reflect the effects of all three parts. Community health, when perceived as the structure of the community, is commonly explained in terms of services and resources. Measures of community structure incorporate demographics, such as socioeconomic and racial distributions, age, and educational level. (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2008) The community is the client only when the nursing emphasis is on the common good of the population instead of on an individual’s health. When focusing on the community as client, direct clinical care can be a part of population focused community health practice. This type of care decreases the risk of an epidemic in the community. The community client also highlights the complexity of the change process. Implementing changes which, will improve the community client often occur at a number of levels, extending from the individual to society (Stanhope, 2008). Healthy People 2020 maintains tradition with the launch on December 2, 2010 of it’s 10-year agenda for improving the Nation’s health. Healthy People 2020, 2011) A society in which all people live long, healthy lives is the mission statement of Healthy People 2020. (Healthy People 2020, 2011) A health indicator that applies to my specialty area is substance abuse. Substance abuse produces control on an individuals life and creates havoc among the families and communities. The effects of substance abuse are increasing, drastically contributing to costly social, physical, mental, and public health problems(Healthy People 2020, 2011). According to Healthy People 2020, (2011) some problems include:teenage pregnancy, Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), domestic violence, child abuse, motor vehicle crashes, physical violence, crime, homicide, and suicide. A role nursing would perform in affecting this indicator would be education in the community. Adolescent abuse of prescription drugs, such as prescription pain relievers Vicodin and OxyContin, has remains on the rise and continues to devastate lives and families involved (NIDA InfoFacts: Understanding Drug Abuse and Addiction, 2011). The accessibility of prescription drugs is growing from several places, including the family medicine cabinet, the Internet, and doctors. Drug addiction is a needless disease. Results from NIDA-funded research have shown that prevention programs including families, schools, communities, and the media are successful in decreasing drug abuse. Although countless events and cultural influences affect drug abuse trends, when youths sense drug abuse as harmful, they reduce their drug taking. NIDA InfoFacts: Understanding Drug Abuse and Addiction, 2011) Education and outreach programs are essential in assisting communities to understand the risks of drug abuse. This is a Windshield Survey of Philadelphia, PA, 19154 completed on June 16, 2010. The information collected in this survey displayed basic ideas about this community and identified needs for a certain population in the community. Housing and zoning- The homes and buildings were builtafter 1950. The homes and buildings are constructe d from brick, vinyl siding and are a mix of row and single homes and the homes are in excellent condition. These homes vary in size and land. | Transportation- The most common means of transportation 19154. area include driving a car alone, carpooling and public transportation SEPTA(Southeastern Public Transportation Authority)During observations in the community, many bus stops werehad 6-8 people waiting. Somewere in their school uniforms, some work attire, and others were casually dressed. Theconditions of the roads need minor repairs most are newly paved. | Race and ethnicity- The chief ethnic group in the 19154 is a heavily populated, urban zip code in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The population is largely white, and mostly married couples. Total Population: 35,606 White Population: 31,896 Black Population: 1,678 Hispanic Population: 1,030 Asian Population: 812 Hawaiian Population: 13 Indian Population: 48 Male Population: 17,313 Female Population: 18,293 Median Age: 36. 2 Median Age of Males: 34. 9 Median Age of Females: 37. 6. (Neighiborhood Link National Network, 2011) . | Open space- There is not much open space, but the areas around the Dunksferry Rd and Academy and Knights roads are designated for the athletic teams and school sports. | Service centers-19154 has several service centers. On Southampton Rd there is the VA. Community Center, S. P. I. N. (Special People in the Northeast, mentally challenged individuals), W. I. C. offices and Social Security center. There are many schools, High school, grade school (public and Catholic) and headstart programs in our community. Also off Academy Rd. there is a health center and a dental facility. There are 3 major hospitals and several medical facilities in the community. | Religion and politics- In our community the primary religion is Catholic with a mix of protestant and Jewish. The primary party is republican. | Boundaries- The geographical boundaries for 19154 include Interstate I-95, Route 1 and the PA Turnpike. The income is middle class. The estimatedmedian income is $60,000 per year. Theneighborhoods are named and identified by street names. Some of theneighborhoods include Parkwood, Liberty Bell, Chalfont, Comly, Somerton, Morrell Park and Bustleton. | Stores and street people-Major stores in the community are Kohl’s, Target, and Wal-Mart, many grocery stores such as, Pathmark, Reddners and Acme Markets. There is not any type of street people as in homeless in the community. The community is primarily devised of law enforcement, fire fighters, teachers and healthcare providers. Health and morbidity-Substance abuse is increasing by our youth and adults in this community. There are no obvious drug dealings going on in the community but, there are dealers. Observations made were several people smoking on the bus stops, very young looking, and other smokers of appropriate age. There are several fast food restaurants in the area as well as finer restaurants, which may have resulted in the large number of people living in this area living with cardiac issues. Other observations made were the adolescents in the streets during school hours and some looking as if they were under the influence. Commons-In 19154 there are several churches, the park and recreational facilities restaurants and clubs. off Southampton Rdis the Community College of Philadelphia and off Street Rd there a several tech schoolsLocal eateries such as Chickie & Pete’s. Chili’s. Carraba’s, Outback Steakhouse, Texas Roadhouse, Friendly’s, Applebee’s, Nifty fifties and TGI Fridays. There are a number of fast food restaurants, such as McDonald’s, KFC, and Burger Kingwhere many people like to hang out. There is also a few -11, Wawa and playgrounds that teens usually hang out. These gathering areas are easily identified by signs. They are open to everyone and usually people with the same interests gather in these areas. | Signs of decay- There are no evident signs of decay, although at some playgrounds there were several graffiti tags on the buildings. | Media- The local newspaper is the Philadelphia Inquirer and the community newspaper is The Northeast Times. The TV news stations are ABC 6, Eyewitness News and NBC 10 news. The internet is a source of the major attributes of the media and the common providers are Verizon and Comcast and the cable providers are Comcast, Verizon Fios, The Dish and DIRECTV. References: (2011). Retrieved June 18, 2011, from Neighiborhood Link National Network: http://www. neighborhoodlink. com/zip/19154 Healthy People 2020. (2011, February 22). Retrieved June 18, 2011, from Healthy People: http://www. healthypeople. gov/2020/about/default. aspx NIDA InfoFacts: Understanding Drug Abuse and Addiction. (2011, March). Retrieved June 18, 2011, from National Institute of Drug Abuse: ht tp://www. drugabuse. gov/infofacts/understand. html Stanhope, M. L. (2008). Public Health Nursing. St. Louis: Mosby Elsevier. Windshield Survey Keyes, California is a census-designated town in Stanislaus County. Keyes is located off Highway 99 in the California Central Valley. This small town is unknown to many due to its 2. 8 mile radius (â€Å"City data†). Numerous health concerns plague this small town due to its size and population. A windshield survey and internet research provides information on the people, the land, and the health of those living in this small community. The People According to the 2010 census, Keyes has a population of 5,601 residents with a 50/50 male to female ratio (â€Å"City data†).The median age of these residents is 29. 5 years old. The majority of the Keyes population has a household annual income of $29,943 for a family of 4. Annual income is just above or right at the poverty line. In 2011 it was recorded that 32. 1% of the population was living in poverty. A staggering 12. 9% of Keyes residents are unemployed as of July 2013. About 18% of Keyes residents work in construction, agriculture, or retail. Keyes is a predominately Hispanic community accounting for 60. 9% of its residents.Whites average 34. 3% of the population followed by 2% Asian and 0.4% Black. The residents of Keyes are 54% Catholic in faith followed by 5% Baptist and 5% Mormon. Keyes lacks a municipal government but is a part of Stanislaus County (â€Å"City data†). The Land Keyes, California is located between Ceres and Turlock off Highway 99. The town’s appearance is unattractive at first look. No landscaping or sidewalks are provided in most of the community. The majority of homes are enclosed by a fence and most do not have a driveway. Although the homes are aged and tattered, many of them have nice yards with minimal refuse.Homes in this location were built in the 1980’s. The average price of a home located in Keyes, Ca is $89,952 (â€Å"Zillow†). Few people were out walking in the community. The residents of Keyes had a wide range of dogs in almost every y ard. A large park is located in the eastern part of the town. Hatch Park has a walking path and a playground for children. The park is relatively new, according to its residents. Safety does not appear to be an issue before dark. The park is open from sunrise to sunset, although, it is not patrolled by police.There is no police department located in Keyes. Stanislaus county sheriff responds to calls for this small town. The fire department is located in the southern end of the city. According to Paramedic Rhodes of the Keyes Fire Department, there are an average of 20 calls per week 85% being medical, 10% motor vehicle accidents, and 5% fire. Most medical transports are sent to Emanuel Medical Center in Turlock located 5 miles southeast of the town. There are no doctors offices or urgent care’s located within Keyes. There are no pharmacies or dentists located in the immediate area.Neighboring cities have these services within five to eight miles. Stanislaus Regional Transport (START) provides bus services to Keyes (â€Å"Stanislaus regional transport†). There are four bus stops in Keyes all located near the freeway and the schools. The buses stop about every two hours from 5 am to 9 pm (â€Å"Stanislaus regional transport†). The bus stops had several people waiting and appeared to be used in the community by various age groups. There is a local post office with P. O. Boxes. Keyes does not have a postman to deliver mail to individual homes (â€Å"USPS†).Stores located in this little community consist of two convince stores and one grocery store consisting of a limited supply of fresh fruits and vegetables. The nearest full service grocery store and pharmacy are located 3. 8 miles away in Turlock, California (â€Å"Google maps†). No chain fast food restaurants were note during the survey however there are several taco trucks located in the area. Minimal businesses are present. Local businesses consist of construction companies of various sorts. Schools are present in this community. The local Elementary school teach students years K-8.Keyes to Learning Charter School instructs students K-12. The Stanislaus County Library has a branch located in Keyes for students of all ages. The Health Overall health is a concern in this community. No access to medical, dental, or pharmacies directly affects these residents. Locals may have access to healthcare but they may not have access to transportation to and from doctors appointments in neighboring cities. Low socioeconomic status prevents many from seeking necessary treatment for medical conditions. The inability to pay for prescribed medication can lead to worsening health conditions.Limited access to a full service grocery store can limit the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables consumed by these residents. In Stanislaus County the rate of diabetes is 1. 6% greater than the California average and the rate of obesity is 6. 7% greater (â€Å"City data†). D iet and exercise plays a role in these statistics. Although there is a local park it is not widely used. A sedentary lifestyle is common in this community. It is concerning to have such high incidents of obesity and diabetes in a town where the average householder is younger than 30 years old.A large percentage of the community is considered vulnerable (â€Å"Cdc†). The community health status indicators displays that Stanislaus County has a large vulnerable population. A vulnerable population includes 39% of individuals without a high school diploma and a 12. 9% unemployment rate. The county has a total of 23,378 people diagnosed with major depression and 38,337 involved with drug use in the last month (â€Å"Cdc†). Many other factors are affecting this town’s health including; smoking associated heart disease, cancer and respiratory illnesses (â€Å"Cdc†).As a goal, Healthy people 2020 is seeking to improve maternal, infant, and child health. Education is a crucial aspect in improving health in all stages of life. Mothers who are educated about their health and the health of their families can in turn make choices that can positively affect their families future. Nurses in the community could arrange classes at the local schools after hours to provide education on diet, exercise, and disease prevention. These classes could be taught in English and Spanish to better meet the needs of the community.Keyes, California is a small community with no access to many basic needs. The health of the community is deteriorating due to the lack of proper nutrition and healthcare. This town is living at or below the poverty line. The needs of the community outweigh the resources made available by Stanislaus County. More research should be conducted within the central valley to determine the needs of this vulnerable population. Keyes can become a healthier place to live in the future with help from the surrounding cities, local governments, and he althcare providers.

Managing a global and diverse workforce Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Managing a global and diverse workforce - Essay Example Organizations have realized the significance of diversity management as the focus has shifted from earning revenue to enhancing employee satisfaction. In essence, globalization is one of the key contributors to the establishment of workplace diversities making it essential for a human resource manager to build a culturally tolerant environment. The core practice of incorporating this management concept is ensuring that managers utilize all the tools and resources at their disposal in order for the process to be successful. With this, this essay will delve into the compliance-based model of enforcing workplace diversity practice used in the USA in relation to hiring and assigning employees. History of the compliance-based model in the US Initially, the concept of applying workplace diversity began through the introduction of affirmative action as a provision of the law in which human resource professionals had to give equal opportunities to job seekers (Kandola & Fullerton 2003, p. 4) . As per the law, employers cannot use racial, ethnic affiliation, or gender as the basis to offering employment or as a tool for filling out the diversity gaps that may exist within an organization. The process began as a voluntary aspect in which those that desired to apply it could, but it later evolved to be a mandatory practice because of the increase in cases of substandard treatment by employers. In essence, for those that could not comply with the developed legal structures that aimed at enforcing equality at the workplace became subject able to legal penalties. By the mid twentieth century, the quest to achieve workplace diversity had begun in Europe and USA where those that sought employment opportunities in these regions could not experience discrimination (Ozbilgin 2004). The Civil Rights legislation of 1964 and the Directive 2000/78/EC are some of the laws developed in order to protect job seekers from discrimination. Both of these laws safeguard the employees against p rejudicial treatment at the work place because of their religion, gender, sexual preference, personal experience and their ethnic background. Racism as a workplace issue For many years, racism has been a predominant workplace issue that has attracted civil lawsuits because human resource professionals have failed to eradicate out of their organizations. Kumra and Manfredi (2012, p. 101) suggest that the significant fraction of the population that has continued to experience workplace discrimination is the African American population. They argue that blacks experience ‘everyday racism’ at their places of work as compared to any other immigrant population hence making some companies to advocate for institutional racism. Britain is one of the super economies that have minimal regard for people from the black and the ethnic minority groups in relation to positions of power, education, and employment. Further, the percentage of the unemployed from the BME groups stands at 8. 5% because the percentage managers from this community tend to be minimal. The implication of this is that the high percentage registered in the unemployed population is because of having fewer managers at the management levels that can ensure that there is diversity and equality in their places of work (Gold 2009, p. 56). However, this challenge takes from the fact that a significant

Products, Brands & Their Distribution Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Products, Brands & Their Distribution - Essay Example E-Bay has proved the point that consumers have relationship with their brand. E-Bay is an online market place built to enable local, national and international customers to buy jewelry online. The convenience provided by E-Bay to its customers has helped in building a strong brand image. Customer can shop for the jewelry online and receive the jewelry conveniently through courier. E-Bay has provided a convenient shopping technique for its customers and hence maintains a close relationship with its customers and communicates with them on a personal level. On the other hand customers of auto repair centre do not have a relationship with the branded auto repair centre. Example: a Ford repair centre does not maintain a close relationship with the customers. People prefer to repair their cars within a short period of time so they do not stick to a branded auto repair centre, rather they go to local auto centre where they can get their vehicles repaired within a short period of time. According to Susan Fournier consumers have a relationship with their brands but this does not hold true in case of all products. In case of tinned tomatoes and auto repair, the customers do not have a relationship with its brand. When a customer brings his car for repair, he will prefer an auto centre where his car can be repaired within a short period of time. He is more inclined towards the time duration of the repair so he would prefer any auto repair centre. While the consumer of tinned tomato will prefer that brand that is easily available in the market. He will not develop a relationship with a particular brand. The distribution strategy for Hunts is to provide their product through many distributors and to as many grocery shops as possible. This strategy is appropriate because Hunts deals with perishable goods which need to be delivered within a short period of time. The distribution strategy of E-Bay is to provide an online market place where a variety of products of various

Managerial accounting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Managerial accounting - Essay Example It  states  that, in measuring net income  for an  accounting period, the  costs  incurred in that  period  should be matched against the revenue generated in the same period† (Business Dictionary.com). Decision relevance on the other hand focuses on those cost and revenues aspects that the conventional accounting principle of matching may ignore. The main difference between the fundamental accounting principle and the decision relevance theory is that the former tends to focus on the amount actually paid for any expense incurred whilst ignoring any other incremental costs that may be incurred in the future if any company wishes to undertake any given project. Besides such issues, the conventional accounting principle also ignores the impact of opportunity costs. Decision relevance on the other hand tries to focus on all such costs which might be incurred due to the incidence of any given project. Opportunity costs are also given a high regard in decision releva nce and they are considered as an important aspect in any given decision. According to the conventional accounting principle, Option A seems to be more appropriate as it reduces the loss which is to be endured by the company. Under this principle, the company bears a loss of ?31.9 million (?31,966,666.66) and if the company follows Option B it faces a loss of around ?33.2 million (33,200,000). There is an evident saving of ?1.2 million (?1,233,334) if Option A is selected under the Conventional accounting principle. Option A leads the company to close all its operations and tend to receive the Revenue from the existing catapults produced. Under Option A the existing catapults produced by the company would generate ?15 million and the costs incurred in this regard would be approximately ?49.6 million (?49,666,666). On the other hand the revenue generated under Option B would be ?35 million (?35,000,000) which would be much higher than the revenue generated from Option A, this increas ed revenue would be generated because of the increased sales of the existing 500 units of catapults and the extra 500 units to be produced by the company. The costs to be endured under Option B are ?68.2 million (?68,200,000). The increased revenue generated by selling 1000 units at a higher rate are over shadowed by the increased costs tolerated by the company. Such increased costs have put up extra burden on the incremental revenue generated from Option B. As a result of these inflated costs, the loss generated through Option B would be References Business Dictionary.com, â€Å"

Course Project Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Course Project - Coursework Example In this case, the body that is in power to manage disaster should be focused to deal with is matter. Decision-making is a fundamental element that can be described as a daily routine matter. This is because in everything that is done decision should be put in the first place. Thus, decision-making can be defined as a process of gathering cognitive choices among many alternative possibilities (Köksalan, 2011). The person making the decision should select the logic choice from the available options (Köksalan, 2011). However, the nature of its existence and the historical background of the events (Köksalan, 2011) describe the decision-making. Therefore, in order to have a quality decision making the problem must be identified. Secondly, the outcomes should be clearly noticed. While managing the vulnerable hazards like flood wise decisions should be made to make sure that people do not die because of its effects. In many areas where floods are experienced malaria, turns to kill large number of such poeple like children and pregnant women (Hardman, 2009). Additionally, chole ra turns also to become a killing disease because of poor sewage. Thus, floods as they are prone in many areas in the corrective measures should be implemented to in order to meet the level of its risks. In this scenario, the article is hereby to identify disaster/emergency problems such as floods. According to the facts of scholars, floods are storms that are because of natural occurrence (Hardman, 2009). Since, the flashing of flood occurs unexpectedly the decision should be wisely made because of its consequences (Hardman, 2009). For instance, floods might cause the death of animal, people, and destruction of properties (Hardman, 2009). It is the responsibility of the state government to make clear decisions towards how to deal with such problem if it is experienced (Hardman, 2009). In this case, the government might decide to evacuate the residents

A New Wave of Competitors Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

A New Wave of Competitors - Case Study Example The company mainly targets the wealthy and high income customers that have an average income that is at least 12 percent higher than the rest of the population and currently Reed owns 14 percent of the market share. Reed Supermarkets has a reputation of around 80 years for its service as a supermarket chain. Reed is now known nationwide and is serving a huge population. This creates a competitive advantage for the company and places them at an upper position relative to its competitors. The layout of the stores of Reed Supermarkets is attractively planned. Attractive stores and good service allowed Reed to differentiate itself from other competitors in the industry. Among the factors the most distinguishing are long store hours and short time for checkout, adequate number of staff, elegant and creative serving-case displays, extensive customer service and runners carrying bags of the customers to their cars. Customers are not required to provide tips to the staff while leaving. The p laces in which the stores are located show high population growth and even in many of these places, the growth rate of population is above the average rate of growth in the rest of the country. This shows that there is high prospect for the company to increase store traffic. The store visibility is also enhanced since large number of customer would visit the store and they would act as word of mouth promoter. Weaknesses Reed offers high quality products to its customers, but, according to the perception of a considerably large segment of the target customer, prices charged by Reeds is high. Therefore only a selected slice of the market can buy products from its stores. There is no harmony among the management of the company about the appropriate strategy that must be implemented for increasing market share. Contradiction exists among managers about discounts, high-margin items, introduction of low price specials and double couponing. On this issue, they have not been able to choose the most apt solution from the different opinions provided by each of them. The company has drawn a line on its capital expenditure for at least the coming two years starting from 2011. Such freezing on capital expenditure would affect the operations and growth path of the company. In order to meet higher revenue objectives more stores have to be opened. However, stringent capital expenditure policy might hamper such ambitions and impair the growth of the business. Opportunities Political/Legal The supermarket industry in the USA faces the support of strong lobbying form farm groups, transporters, and food processors. This facilitates the supermarket by removing barriers to trade, maintaining symmetry in information sharing across the market and allowing smooth expansion. Economic The economy of the USA has the GDP of 15.94 trillion (according to 2012 estimate). It is a developed country and therefore has the ready ground for development of flourishing supermarkets. Columbus, being situated in the largest state in the United States of America therefore offers a good opportunity for growth to Reed. The average citizen in the state has a high purchasing power. Socio-cultural There is an increasing trend among the American consumers that they are gradually becoming more health conscious besides being price sensitive. The emerging trend

Na Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 3

Na - Essay Example Many children mimic the television ads and would wish that their body conformation be the same to some popular celebrities in the advertisements they encounter daily in the social media, television, and the internet (Jennifer Siebel Newsom). In order to save the coming generation from various health issues related to underweight models it is recommended that underweight modeling be banned as a way of promoting good health among young adults and celebrities. According to recent news posted in the daily mail, Israel introduced a law in 2013 to burn ultra-skinny models as a way of fighting anorexia (Reynolds). Most women have refused to believe that they can get old and have engaged in facial make up in order to look good. In addition to this, some have been forced to enter into difficult diets that end up destroying their natural looks. It is no wonder that one out of 200 American women is suffering from anorexia just for beauty (Lauren Langman and Devorah K). On the other hand, one third of adults in the US are suffering from obesity due to misleading concepts of beauty from the advertisements. My opinion is that advertisements are doing more harm than good for the women to an extent that women are forced to change their diets to suit the advertisers and the social media. Reynolds, Emma. Underweight models BANNED in Israel to fight anorexia: New law forces women in ads to stay healthy (and faked images have to be identified too). 2 January 2013. 2014

Theoretical Approaches to Counselling- Case Study Essay

Theoretical Approaches to Counselling- Case Study - Essay Example His wisdom enables him to spot clients whose ideal self-concept is far from the truth, (i.e. the mistaken perception of one’s greatness in a skill when in reality, he is very poor at it). His goals include helping his clients have an openness to experience, a trust in themselves, an internal source of evaluation and a willingness to continue growing (Corey, 2005). The ability of a therapist to accurately empathize with a client’s subjective experiences on an interpersonal, cognitive and affective level is essential in fully unlocking the client’s perceptions, feelings and motivations for his behavior (Corey, 2005). The therapist’s enormous capacity to understand and accept the client no matter what communicates to the client that he is a worthy person. However, the therapist must caution against being swayed by emotions of his clients to justify excuses for wrong decisions, as he must always have a firm grasp of what is right and wrong. As the saying goes, â€Å"Love the sinner but not the sin†. This is not to say that the therapist holds the moral compass in the therapy sessions, but he is in a position to influence the â€Å"awakened† client to come up with his own appropriate decisions from the therapy point forward. A client comes to a counselor with a feeling of helplessness, powerlessness and an inability to make decisions or effectively direct his own life. He finds refuge in therapy with a warm, trustworthy and accepting friend who is there for him in his seemingly lowest point. He feels safe enough to shed his mask and just be. He finds freedom to express his innermost feelings, be they positive or negative, and is assured that he will remain acceptable. In this kind of relationship, the client finds opportunity to grow and overcome his feelings of failure – and commences his healing by deciding on a positive action towards self-actualization. Assessment procedures are not given

Negligent misstatement is based on a special relationship being Essay

Negligent misstatement is based on a special relationship being proven. By discussing relevant case law, explain how this - Essay Example Special Relationship in negligent misstatement Special relationship in law is regarded as a situation in which a party relies on a professional’s skills and experience of a professional to undertake certain actions or omissions. It is worth noting that professionals are people with impeccable knowledge and skills on myriad of issues depending on their area of expertise. Charlesworth (2008) says that due to their unique skills and experience, majority of people usually depends on their input before they act. Whenever one seeks the services of another in a professional capacity, the professional has a duty of care and as such should offer his advice or act with caution. In court proceedings where the subject matter is negligent misstatement, the court considers several factors in order to determine if there is any form of material misstatement. In fact, the courts consider three critical elements whenever they are dealing with the issue of special relationship in the context of negligent misrepresentation. One such factor is that the plaintiff relied on the skills and judgment of the defendant to make certain acts or omission. The other element is that the defendant ought to be aware or was aware of the fact that the Plaintiff was relying on him to make certain acts or omission. ... The court of appeal established that the case qualified for negligent misrepresentation by the defendant and that there existed special relationship between Dick Bentley Productions and Harold Smith. The case, therefore, satisfied all the requirements of material misrepresentation, which include the fact that the plaintiff, Harold Smith Ltd, relied on the skills and judgment of the defendant, Dick Bentley Productions, to make certain the decision of purchasing the Bentley. The other element is that the defendant, Dick Bentley Productions, was aware of the fact that the Plaintiff, Harold Smith Ltd, was relying on him to make certain acts or omission. Finally, the circumstances reasonably alluded to the fact that the defendant was aware that the defendant was relying upon his advice. The defendant was a dealer in Bentley and as such; he was in a better position to tell the correct mileage of Bentley because he was a dealer in Bentley. For the special relationship to hold in court proce edings involving negligent misstatement there is need to prove that, the defendant was a professional who had the knowledge, experience, and judgment on the subject matter. In Oscar Chess Ltd v Williams (1957) 1 WLR, the defendant had falsely stated the age of the car to the dealer in a part exchange transaction. The court held that although there was a statement, the defendant was not in a position to tell the true age of the car to the plaintiff since the former was not a professional in the field. The statement of the defendant was therefore held to be representational. In his judgment, the judge alluded to the fact that the plaintiff could have at least bothered to verify the details that were

Roll of Thunder Essay Example for Free

Roll of Thunder Essay The novel, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, by Mildred D. Taylor is about the struggle between the blacks and whites, about thirty years after slavery. Set in the 1930s, in the Mississippi, where slavery was very much supported, growing up is harsh for a young black girl. The story is about Cassie, aged nine, growing up learning about the harsh situation, fighting her own personal fights and discovering her feelings about T. J. . Cassie has to persevere by remembering her mothers words: every body born this earth is something, and nobody, no matter what colour, is better then anybody else. Cassie, the main character, tells the story from her own perspective; this helps the reader think like her. She is a mother figure and has a strong sense of her individuality, shown throughout the book. She is loyal, inquisitive, clever and forthright. T. J. , also a main character, is quite different to Cassie; he is disloyal, a cheat, lazy and he talks a lot. His disloyalty is shown especially when he lets others take the blame for his own wrong doing like the cheating incidents. He ,like Cassie, is very clever, but uses it in the wrong way. Both Cassie and T. J. speak in the southern dialect and accent. Cassie does not, and cannot accept the way things are between black folks and white folks. This is shown in chapter one when Cassie refuses to take the new school book, like her brother Little Man, because the front page classified them as nigre and that they got the book last: See Miz Crocker, see what it says. They give us these ole books when they didnt want em no more. It is also shown in chapter five when Cassie goes to Strawberry and Cassie cant accept the reason thems white folks wagons, and later on, Cassie fights back to Mr Barnett because she thought it was unfair he served white folks first, especially a child. She is persistent and her short-temper shows through. She takes revenge, is outspoken and says things like you got no right. I aint nobodys little nigger. and I already know what I am, but I betcha you dont know what you are, you ole . After this, while still in much distress, she bumps in to Lillian Jean, who demands an apology. Cassie doesnt want to as Lillian Jean is not much older than her but is forced to by Big Ma: her voice cracking as she spoke. go on child, apologise. and a painful tear slid down my cheek, Im sorry M-Miz Lillian Jean. This is because, in the Mississippi, things like this happening is very risky and I dont think Cassie understands this and so far, she has been lucky. Cassie is also very clever, in school and out. Cassie got top exam marks for her year but she is clever also for the readers benefit; she asks lots of questions for the reader, many of which she already knows the answer of: like in chapter four when she asks questions about their family history, for which she already knows the answers. Cassie also eavesdrops quite a bit and is curious; without this, the story would be quite different. This is also an example of her knowing what others want to know and what people are thinking e. g. in chapter three when Cassie realises Stacey, her older brother, blames himself for the night men coming she says: aint no call to go blaming yourself, we all done it . Cassie knows the difference between right and wrong, but doesnt always follow the right and covers up! Cassie still has a lot to learn about the bitter situation and her family are reluctant to show her. Cassie thinks through carefully her actions before doing them. This is shown in chapter seven when, at the beginning, she talks through to herself as she wonders about how she can deflate Lillian Jean for making her apologise. The actions are carried out in chapter eight when Cassie made out she understands why she should apologise and later she led Lillian Jean into the under growth and fought back and made her swear not to tell anyone about the incident. Cassie refers to it as just a game. This is because Cassie thinks what she did was only fair and doesnt fully understand the reason as she is still quite young. Cassie is also caring and protective. This is shown in chapter four when T. J. cheats in a history test and allows Stacey to get the blame. Stacey follows T. J. up to the Wallace store to take revenge, even though they were forbidden to go there. T. J. and Stacey fight and Cassie cheers on. It is also shown in chapter eight when they meet up with T. J. , just after Mama had been fired because of what T. J. said. Cassie and her brothers all went against T. J. and stood up for Mama. Cassie also gets jealous- of Miss Wellevers new dress.

EU Environmental Policy Criticisms

EU Environmental Policy Criticisms EU environmental policy is no environmental policy at all; it is in fact no more than an extension of economic policy. Discuss. Detailed below is a wide-ranging discussion of the arguments for and against the notion that EU environmental policy is no environmental policy at all and is merely in actuality an extension of the community’s economic policy. The EU Commission has certainly made claims about the importance and the extensive scope of its own environmental policy in recent years, especially since the late 1980s. There are arguments that can be made to defend or refute the notion that the EU’s environmental policy is not so extensive or indeed as far ranging as it might appear to be. Arguments in favour as well of the idea that environmental policy are only an element or an extension of the EU’s economic policy. The links between the EU’s environmental and economic policy, as will be discussed, are not necessarily straightforward even if the origins of environmental policy would appear to be so. Due to the founding principles and structures of the EU it could be argued that all non-economic policy areas originally developed from a starting point within the community economy, as it was originally a community that confined its remit to economic policy except in the most exceptional of circumstances. However, there has been most notably in the form of the EU Commission, elements within the EU that believe the community should have a much wider sphere of policy making than just economic policy. Primarily to drive the integration processes forward and solve any common problems or issues upon a community basis rather than on a national basis. The origins of EU environmental policy are undeniably rooted in the economic policy of the EU. There are various reasons as to why that is the case. The EU as an organisation was established to promote strong economic growth within its member states. As far as the founders of the EU were concerned, there was no need to have separate environmental policy as nobody in the 1950s knew or believed that environmental issues were even a concern, let alone of critical importance to the long term future of Europe. The first stepping stone on the way to the formation of the EU was the establishment of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) in 1952 that integrated coal and steel production in the six original member states. Coal and steel production were regarded as being the most important elements of promoting high levels of growth in Western Europe (Judt, 2007, p.156). The success of the ECSC led to the formation of the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1957 with an expanded scope t o integrate economic policy within the member states. It was an expansion, which led to the introduction of the Common Agricultural Policy to protect the agricultural sectors of the countries within the community. There were obviously environmental consequences of the economic policy pursued by the inception of the community, these were not known (James, 2003, p.400). The EU and none of its member states had detailed or systematic environmental policy in the 1950s or the 1960s; even if there were any environmental problems those problems would be resolved upon an ad hoc basis. Very few people at that time took a serious view of environmental issues (Thompson, 2001, p.199). When the EU Commission began to regard environmental issues of being some relevance to the quality of life, it found it difficult to persuade the governments of member states that they needed to take action to improve the environment (Sawka Stevens, 2000, p.156). Arguably, it took longer for the EU to develop env ironmental policy, as its member states did not believe that there were any viable reasons for the establishment of such environmental policy. Some governments of the EU member states were more likely to be receptive to the ideas of environmentalist groups than other governments are. For instance, West Germany and the Netherlands (Eatwell Wright, 2003, p.233). The EU Commission did regard the development of environmental policy as an addition on to its economic policy, which bore its first fruit in the adoption of an environmental programme in 1972. The first programme aimed at reducing the pollution linked with industrial and agricultural production techniques (Jones et al, 2004 p.696). In terms of actually helping to improve the environment the early programmes of the EU were limited in outlook and did not have to be fully adopted by the member states of the EU. Certainly when referring to EU environmental policy in the 1970s, claim that EU environmental policy was not policy at all could be fully justified. The EU Commission was well aware at that time as to the limits of its own ability to pursue policy that diverged too far from its economic policy and the limited extent to which such policy would actually be carried out (Wallace Wallace, 2000 p. 62). The limited EU environmental policy that emerged during the 1970s was influenced by increased scientific evidence of environmental pollution and change, there were political and economic reasons for the attempts at forming policy. One factor was the slowing down of economic growth, which had previously been impressive during the 1950s and the 1960s; the EU Commission explored ways of stimulating economic growth in alternative ways. Another factor for considering the adoption of environmental policy was provided by the Oil Crisis of 1973. The Oil Crisis was prompted by the United States support for Israel during the Yom Kippur War that resulted in the Arab oil producers cutting off oil supplies to the United States, the EU and Japan. The Oil Crisis led to significant price rises that provoked an international economic downturn (Hobsbawm, 1994, p.245). The effect of the Oil Crisis upon the EU environmental policy would prove to be short term and temporary. Member states reacted differe ntly to the realisation of just how dependent their economic growth was on oil. The Netherlands and West Germany made limited efforts to improve fuel efficiency, France concentrated on maintaining good relations with the Arab States and only Britain at that point had its own oil supplies (*). For the EU Commission the Oil Crisis of 1973 was ample demonstration of the need for more integrated economic and even environmental policy, rather than leaving individual member states to make their own decisions. Environmental policy was definitely secondary to economic policy and if economic policy was not sufficient, then environmental policy was arguably no policy at all (Bache George, 2006 p. 10). Concerns about pollution remained the main factors influencing the development and expansion of the EU’s environmental policy. The EU Commission and the new Environment Directorate-General it established in 1981 sought to give EU environmental policy a higher public profile in the early 1980s. However, the impact of such publicity was negligible in comparison to the hard hitting recession prompted and worsened by the sharp rise in crude oil prices during 1979, which were a consequence of the Iranian Revolution (Jones et al, 2004, p.695). The Environment Directorate-General attempted to increase the impetus of the EU’s environmental policy by setting tougher targets to reduce air, water and land pollution, as well as seeking to amend the Common Agricultural Policy to decrease levels of soil erosion and use of chemicals. When the EU commission and the Environment Directorate-General sought to reduce the use of chemical fertilisers, pesticides to reduce the environmental d amage caused by the intensive farming methods actively promoted by the Common Agricultural Policy. In the early 1980s the demands of the EU’s environmental policy decision-makers to reduce the environmental impact of the Common Agricultural Policy were to a great extent ignored. Indeed the only demands to alter the Common Agricultural Policy that stood any realistic chance of being successful related to the EU considering the option of reducing the Common Agricultural Policy expenditure (Cini, 2003, p.256). The impact and influence of the EU’s environmental policy would start to increase from the middle of the 1980s. Although prior to that time its policy had been so limited when put into operation that it only made a minimal difference at best to reducing environmentally harmful practices within the EU. Observers of the EU’s environmental policy could certainly had been forgiven that there was no policy in operation at all (Sawka Stevens, 2000, p.156). The ine ffectiveness of the EU’s earliest environmental policy was down to member states putting their economic interests first. It was due to the lack of coherent policy and strategy put forward by the Environment Directorate-General and the EU Commission, as well as the widespread belief that environmental issues were not that important (Wallace Wallace, 2000 p.30). There are however, arguments that EU environmental is actually now a distinctive and increasingly important policy area within its own right. Environmental policy may have evolved as part of the EU economic policy, yet it is an over simplification to contend that it is not an environmental policy at all. The original structures of the EU meant that the primary focus of the community is economic, as full agreement could not be reached on other features of the EU. The governments of member states were mainly content to share power with the EU when it came to economic policy than other policy areas, such as defence and foreign policy. There was two alternative concepts of how the EU should operate as a Europe of Nations, or as supranational organisation that closely integrated all policy areas for its member states. The ineffectiveness of early attempts to establish an extensive environmental policy were not helped by the slow pace of integration until the mid 1980s, it is no coincidenc e that the effectiveness of the EU’s environmental measures have increased whilst the EU has gained extra powers (Sawka Stevens, 2000 p. 156). Undoubtedly, the importance attributed to the pursuit of successful environmental policy within the EU was increased due to much stronger evidence of environmental damage which emerged during the 1980s especially in relation to the greenhouse effect (Eatwell Wright, 2003, p.234). Stronger scientific evidence had increased the media and the public awareness of the need for more effective and extensive environmental policy by both the EU and the governments of all member states. Taking measures to protect the environment transformed from being the preserve of environmentalist groups to an important issue for national governments and the EU to consider. As the EU already had an environmental policy it just had to consider ways of making its policy more extensive in scope and more effective in operation than before (Jordan, 1999, p. 74). Therefore the EU Commission and the Environment Directorate-General had a strong case for expanding the scope of the EU’s environmental policy. They could contend that environmental problems are on a global scale so that regional solutions would be of greater use in protecting the environment than the solutions put forward by the governments of the EU member states upon an individual basis. Of course, not all the member states of the EU had the same impact upon the environment. For instance, Britain, West Germany and France had a greater impact due to their larger populations and higher consumption levels. Some member states such as West Germany and the Netherlands had already begun measures to protect the environment earlier than the other EU member states (Bache George, 2006 p. 10, Duff, 1997 p.237). The institutional changes of the EU which were a consequence of the Single European Act had a strong influence upon the EU being able to adopt tougher and more extensive measures within the scope of its environmental policy. Prior to the signing of the Single European Act, the governments of member states were able to veto any legislation or proposed EU policy within the framework of the Council of Ministers. The EU Commission had thus generally worked hard to achieve compromise over proposed legislation to avoid such proposals vetoed. Such a structure was blamed for slowing down the process of EU integration, as well as reducing the scope and the effectiveness of EU policy. The EU structure had been stretched by the enlargements of the 1970s and the 1980s, which had also slowed down the deepening of the integration process. The primary objectives of the Single European Act were of course economic and political, although the move towards qualified majority voting on the Council of Mi nisters meant the EU found it easier to pass directives and legislation. That was due to legislation or directives were part of its environmental policy that no longer needed unanimous agreement to become adopted throughout the community. With the need to gain unanimous agreement over EU environmental policy within the Council of Ministers gone, it allowed the EU to put forward policy proposals more frequently and for those proposals to be carried forward more quickly with less chance of being watered down. The rationale behind the single market provided further justification of the EU to expand its environmental policy, so that all member states were implementing the same standards and aiming to achieve the same targets in reducing environmental damage through enhanced policy integration and co-operation (Bache George, 2006, p.253). To argue that the EU environmental policy is no policy at all also ignores the efforts that the EU has made to limit and reduce the damage done to the environmental by its member states. The notion of there not been an environment policy fails to mention its efforts to reach global agreements over the reduction of pollution and damage (). To its credit the EU Commission decided to act upon the evidence of the greenhouse effect, global warming and the shrinkage of the ozone layer. Action to stop the use of CFCs and thus stop the damage to the ozone layer, that was proven to be causing major levels of environmental damage. The agreement to phase out the use of CFCs was the first major worldwide accord to take action to protect the environment. The EU would be a prime mover in instigating further worldwide agreements culminating in the Rio Earth Summit and the Kyoto Protocol. In political terms the Rio Earth Summit and the Kyoto Protocol were notable achievements, in the fact that envir onmental protection was recognised as a major problem for the planet’s future. The agreements reached at the Rio Earth Summit and the Kyoto Protocol were criticised in some quarters for not going far enough to protect the environment, yet they are necessary steps in countering the greenhouse effect (Wallace Wallace, 2000 p. 293). The EU had to readjust its environmental programmes to reflect the greater levels of pollution in the former communist states of Central and Eastern Europe before they were allowed to join the EU. The only exception was the former East Germany, which because subject to all EU legislation and programmes as soon as it reunited with West Germany in 1990. In the former communist states of Central and Eastern Europe programmes in how to improve the environment were introduced at the same time as economic and political reforms to make these states liberal democracies that would eventually be ready to join the EU (Sawka Stevens, 2000 p. 176). The EU Commission realised that enlargement to include the former communist states of Central and Eastern Europe would also have implications for its regional development funds and the Common Agricultural Policy, as well as for environment programmes. Enlargement makes it harder to reach agreements over budgets and programmes, whilst obviously those p rogrammes that are adopted and implemented will have more of an impact upon the environment (Cini, 2003 p.257). The enlargement of the EU has complicated the policy making process meaning it can take longer to develop and implement programmes that will protect the environment (Bache George, 2006 p. 30). Therefore, the EU environment policy was derived from its economic policy. As the whole original rationale of the EU was to promote economic growth and prosperity within its member states it is hardly surprising that economic programmes dominated its policy-making processes. It certainly took a couple of decades before the EU Commission began to develop a separate environment policy and even longer to make those policies more than superficial or merely symbolic. The delay in forming an effective environment programme was due to the lack of evidence of the greenhouse effect or global warming which meant that the EU contented itself with putting general measures to reduce pollution. At that point stating that EU environment policy was no policy at all would have been completely justified. From the 1980s the scope of policy was increased due to concerns about the greenhouse effect and global warming. The capacity to pursue a more proactive environment programme was enhanced as a consequ ence of the Single European Act, which allowed environmental measures to be approved by a qualified majority, rather than by a unanimous vote. The greater commitment of the EU to adopting more effective environment protection programmes and agreed targets at the Rio Earth Summit and the Kyoto Protocol. However, despite efforts to make the environment a more prominent issue the EU is still primarily an organisation that has economic agendas that are the most important of its policy objectives and remits. Bibliography Bache I George S, (2006) Politics in the European Union, 2nd edition, Oxford University Press, Oxford Duff L, (1997) The Economics of Governments and Markets – new directions in European public policy, Longman, London Eatwell R Wright A (2003) Contemporary Political Ideologies 2nd Edition, Continuum, London Hobsbawm, E (1994) Age of Extremes, the Short Twentieth Century 1914-1991, Michael Joseph, London James H, (2003) Europe Reborn – A History, 1914 – 2000, Pearson Longman, Harlow Jones B, Kavanagh D, Moran M, Norton P, (2004) Politics UK, 5th edition, Pearson Longman, London Jordan, (1999) The Implementation of EU Environmental Policy; a policy problem without a political solution, Government Policy, Vol 17, no 11 Judt T, (2007) Post-war – A History of Europe since 1945, Pimlico, London and New York Sawka R Stevens A, (2000) Contemporary Europe, MacMillan Press, Basingstoke Wallace H Wallace W, (2000) Policy – Making in the European Union, 4th edition, Oxford University Press, Oxford