Academic Skill Vs Soft Skill. Which Is More Important? Essay

Having a scroll of degree or master would be great and that could be a pass for you to have your dream job. But do you ever thought that having those qualifications are enough for you to survive in your career phase? Nowadays, the employer has a high demand towards the workers as they want the worker to have more than the education as a one’s forte but good in the other ways. What they want are the individuals to own a good amount of soft skills. From my point of view, I strongly believe that having a great soft skill would benefit me more rather than having the academic skills only. Unlike  academic skills, which describe a person’s level of intelligent and that skill are also considered as an ability to perform specific tasks broadly applicable across job titles and industries. It’s often said that academic skills will get you an interview, but you need soft skills to get and keep the job. That are aspect from your personality that be streets ahead as your professional assets. Being working or involved in certain industries could be challenging for each of us since each industry do have their own requirements regarding the skill that the job wanted the employee to have. Even nowadays, more employer stated that having a good CGPA would benefits those job seekers but at the end of the day the employer would hire someone with more than that which one with the soft skill and the one with a higher CGPA would loss the opportunity to gain the job. It is apparent that soft skill is really important to compare with just an academic skill to survive in these new eras. So, before we’re going through the example of soft skill, what actually soft skills mean? Basically, what is soft skills? Soft skills are a synonym for â€Å"people skills.† The term describes those personal attributes that indicate a high level of  emotional intelligence. Soft skills refer to a set of personal qualities, habits, attitudes that can potentially make good students and comply with academic requirements. In short, they are the way you talk, you move, hear and present yourself. They are the behaviors learned, which develop from willingness and commitment to understanding the emotions of others and others. One of the impacts of having a soft skill is a conflict resolution. Conflict resolution is a way for two or more parties to find a peaceful solution to a disagreement among them. The disagreement may be personal, financial, political, or emotional. When a dispute arises, often the best course of action is a negotiation to resolve the disagreement. The first thing you need to do when you’re going to resolve a conflict is that you need to be able to view the problems and issues from multiple perspectives and possess strong problem-solving skills. Try to put your shoes in his place and figure it out the best way to conceal without having a commotion. Since all these commotions will not only affect the problematic parties but also the surrounding atmosphere will become cold and cheerless as everyone is annoyed with those situations. Also, it is very important that the problem solver to have an ability to empathize, meaning that you’re able to perceive and understand the fee lings and emotions of others. Active listening is another skill important for you to have, which is a listening technique that requires you to provide feedback to the person to whom you are listening by restating or paraphrasing what someone is communicating to confirm your understanding. To solve a conflict requires you to be a good and active listener by not only hear from only one side. Some careful thought can be taken after listening to their explanation. Can you just imagine if only everyone has the ability to become an active and good listener, all the misunderstanding and miscommunication stuff could be prevented? That just shows how owning a soft skill can help you become a better person and how does it affect one’s life. We should bear in mind that while we can use scientific ways (hard skills) in realizing the solution, mode and manner of communication (soft skills) is equally very important to achieve the proper solution. When resolving a conflict, you also need to be able to control and manage your emotions; use and interpret nonverbal cues; and think critically and objectively. Don’t let the emotion controls all over your mind that can cause some serious circumstances. Finally, it’s very important you can compromise, which refers to the willingness to concede something in exchange for an opposing party’s concession and no bias or favoritism so that the conflict can be resolved the issues and try to deal with one’s emotion as everyone. Do be patient in solving a conflict and don’t ever let the surrounding affect your right mind. In brief, the best thing about owning a soft skill is the fact that you don’t need qualifications to get them and you can start working on them right now, whether you are at school, in training or in work as it comes from experience. By having this kind of advantage, it not only gives a small impact on one’s life but is also a very precious asset that’s not everyone can simply get it. Despite the difference between soft, and hard skills, the main purpose of this article is not to narrow one’s focus to distinguishing between these two skills, nor is it an aim to portray one as being more desirable than the other. Both are important for academic success as well as succeeding in life. What is of importance, however, is to know how these two skills interact and serve to complement each other, and how this would benefit other especially students’. For example, hard skills will help you to write well and construct well-founded and objective arguments; sof t skills will equip you with, say the social skills and confidence to communicate your point across. Essentially. employers want candidates who comprise a combination of both ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ skills. These skills empower them to understand who they are and how best they can come across as competent individuals in any given situation. Because learning and fulfilling requirements are often expanded to improve job prospects, it is inevitable that employers will make their criteria factors when selecting the right candidate. Therefore, the skills exposed to the students and expected to practice in the academic field must represent, and meet the needs of the business world.

Discipline and Management: Different Yet Related Essay

In a classroom setting, discipline and management are two key components for classroom success. Teachers often use the terms classroom management and classroom discipline interchangeably. However, the two ideas are very different in their application. Management and discipline are two halves of the same coin, they are intrinsicly connected to each other, but they have their own individual properties, with their own look and feel. Classroom management deals with how things in a class are done. Classroom management is the sole responsibility of the teacher. It encompasses all of the teacher’s interactions with students, classroom environment, rules and procedures, instructional strategies and development of engaging work. In a well managed classroom, the teacher implements policies and develops routines that stabilize and direct the flow of a class. Effective teachers manage their classes so that students spend their time more productively. Elements of classroom management vary. No two classes are alike. However the foundational elements a teacher takes into account before students ever set foot in the build can lend to better classroom management. Things such as classroom layout and organization .A neat and organized classroom tells your students you mean business and you expect them to keep the classroom organized as well. Deciding how to divide up classroom time is another important aspect to classroom management.Lunch, recess, breaks, down-time between lessons and activities, moving from one classroom to another, interruptions, and other periods of non-instructional time can account for at large percent of an elementary school day. By establishing routines that eliminate wasted time and confusion, using learning centers, independent assignments, and seat work to allow time to work with small groups, and creating a classroom environment that allow students and activities to move smoothly from one activity to the next, a teacher can increase their students time on task, and raise their students engagement with the material. Classroom discipline is a companion to classroom management, part of a routine class session, and a system to maintain desired behaviors.What system is the best and how do I implement it? there are many experts telling teachers how to handle discipline problems in the classroom. Yet these experts do not always agree. Thomas Gordon, creator of Teacher Effectiveness Training staunchly opposes Lee Canter’s Assertive Discipline concept. Yet, both have enjoyed a great deal of success with books and conferences and classes taught all over the USA. Trying to decide who is right and who is wrong seems quite difficult. Instead, let us assume that both of them are right, that they just are not talking about the same students. There is no cure-all for classroom discipline. There are no magic words that will solve classroom discipline. No other teacher has the answers for your classroom discipline either. Every elementary, middle and high school educator has to deal with the unenviable task of enforcing classroom discipline. there is no one-size-fits-all for classroom discipline. However the goal is still the same for every classroom, which is for students to be engaged in the classroom at all times.

Ojt Experience

INTRODUCTION On the job training or OJT is one method by which students is given chance to apply the theories and computations that they have learned from the school. It also helps the students to acquire relevant knowledge and skills by performing in actual work setting. Colleges and universities require their students to  undergo such  training within  a  specific  number  of  hours  as  part  of  the curriculum.For the students, an OJT or internship program provides opportunities togo  through  the  actual  methodologies  of  a  specific  job  using  the  real  tools, equipments and documents. In effect, the workplace becomes a development venue for a student trainee to learn more about his chosen field and practice what he has learn from academy. On the  other hand, an effective OJT program also benefits the companies who accept trainees.First OJT or intern provides additional manpower for lesser labor cost than a regular employee. Most of them are all eager to learn the ropes so chances are high that they will cooperate. Employers can use this internship strategy as a method in recruiting new employees. Since the trainer or the supervisor can follow the trainees’ progress, he can gauge based on performance, behavior and attitude if the trainee will make a good recruit after the completion of his internship.OJT’s can bring fresh ideas  into the organization. Given the opportunity to speak  their  minds  freely  and  without  fear,  they  maybe  able  to  contributesignificantly in brainstorming sessions or research and eventually help improve the organizations productivity. While training the interns, employers are in fact also teaching their employees to process of guiding the trainees stretches their  patience, develops teaching skills and makes them more sensitive to the needs and mind set of the younger generation.The course of supervision also teaches them how to sh are what they know and be receptive to questions. Hence, theinternship  also  becomes  an  avenue  in  training  for  future  managers  of  thecompany. Accommodating on-the-job trainees can truly be beneficial not only to the trainees but also to the companies that provide opportunities for this type of  learning. There is wisdom in the front lines. Such training can be

Discussion 2 Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Discussion 2 - Term Paper Example A lot of information can be obtained easily from both countries hence helping the researchers to compare their progress. This may not be an appropriate topic for a dissertation in management. This is because the topic is not wide and darned few considerations have to be made. In fact, the topic is remarkably general hence darned little information can be gathered. For a dissertation, adequate information is required, and a lot of sources have to be considered. This topic is exceedingly shallow, and information can be gathered from one source for one to come up with an inclusive report (Damon et al, 2011, p.87). Therefore, any student intending to come up with a dissertation on this topic should consider such points. Dissertations require one to study a wide field which can provide diverse information hence making their work easy. This topic is not wide enough to be considered for a dissertation. In fact, if it has to consider the company’s computers, it means that kind of information to be collected is extremely limited. This is because an organization has only one point of information hence devilish little information can be obtained. Company technicians can be used to offer all they know about company computers, and validity of this information depends with the technician (Ongino, 2009, p. 67). It is necessary for anyone working on a dissertation to consider interviewing various people to ensure that the information is reliable. Authenticity of information is extremely beneficial because it ensures that the report has dire credibility from its audience. This topic is tremendously famous for any student intending to write a dissertation in management. Since the topic is about many countries, chances of attaining a lot of information. In addition, a lot of people may be involved in data collection hence providing researchers with diverse information (Aslib, 2000, p.98). This is hugely significant because

Introduction to art theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Introduction to art theory - Essay Example The lack of realism, knowledge of perspective in art and understanding of the human figure were lost with the fall of Rome. But the historians at that time claim that medieval artist concerned simply trying to send a religious message. Byzantine art culture comes next, which is often referred as one of the finest art of Middle Ages in terms of quality of material and workmanship. The Gothic art, which appeared around 13th century (art and architecture) was unique. Gothic art merged with Renaissance art at different times in different places making internationally renowned. Renaissance art culture led to many changes in both technical aspects of painting and sculpture, as well as their subject matter. Renaissance enhanced realism in the work, such as three dimensional perspectives in more authenticated manner. Tone contrast of Titan’s portrait and sfumato and chiaroscuro by Leonardo da Vinci are notable. Art has gone through evolution as the centuries passed. The idea of renaissance emerged to sculptor Donatello who classical techniques included David as a free-standing bronze nude created in Europe since the Roman Empire. Following him, High Renaissance artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo Buonarroti and Raffaello Santi emerged. They exhibited astounding mastery both technical and aesthetic. As the time passed many artists were repulsed by the ornate grandeur of the artistic styles and sought to revert to earlier which created intellectual movement known as Enlightenment or Neoclassicism culture. Eugene Delacroix, Francisco Goya attempted centrist approaches of Neoclassicist and Romanticist styles. The middle of 19th century marked the industrial revolution across Europe. The European art as well became radically altered by industrialization. 1860s artistic styles were more of Neoclassicist and romanticist type. In the latter year’s poverty, squalor, and desperation were the theme of the art. The fate of the working class has

Economics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Economics - Essay Example The short-run or long-run of one industry is often different from another. (Moffatt, 2011) A given firm’s costs may be reliant upon the time or period under consideration. Most of the decisions are fixed when a short-run time frame is taken into account and thus the long-run and short-run cost curves are different. Short-run costs and costs in the long-run are, however, related. For instance, a long-run average cost curve is more flat in comparison to a ‘U’ shaped short-run average cost curve. Short-run cost curves usually lie upon the long-run cost curves. Figure1. A graphical illustration of a short-run cost and a long-run cost curves Average costs LATC SATC1 SATC2 SATC3 Quantity Note: SATC stands for Short-run Average Total Costs while LATC stands for Long-run Average Total Costs. Short-run Average Total Costs of a firm differ from the Long-run Average Total Costs since the fixed costs in the short-run can be varied over the long-run. (Mankiw, 2008 p256) In the case of an operator of a port, cost efficiency occurs efficiency occurs where the throughput is made available at the lowest cost possible with resource-prices paid by the operator put into consideration. The economic cost of a port is represented by the relationship depicted by minimum costs of handling any given throughput levels. Over the short-run time period, there must be at least one of the port resources that should be fixed with regards to amount. For example, the buildings or the wharf of a port are some of the resources that cannot be varied in the short-run period. Unit costs in relation to a port’s costs are usually compared by dividing them with their throughput amounts. Figure 2: A graphical presentation of Short-run Total Costs, Short-run Variable Costs and Short-run Fixed Costs. That is; STC, SVC and SFC. Cost STC SVC SFC Port throughput Figure 3: Average costs in the short-run Cost per unit SATC SAVC SAFC Port throughput Note that SATC stands for Short-run Average Total Costs, SAVC for Short-run Average Variable Costs and SAFC for Short-run Fixed Costs. Short-run average total cost is gotten by dividing short-run total cost with throughput. On the other hand short-run average fixed cost is the short-run fixed costs divided by the throughput and short-run average variable cost is short-run variable cost divided by throughput. Average fixed cost reduces in a continuous manner as the level of throughput rises; that is, since a fixed cost continues to be divided by bigger and bigger amounts of throughput of the port. As the amount of throughput rises, average variable cost as well as short-run average cost reduce initially, get to a minimum and afterwards rise. In the port’s long-run, the costs in whole are variable. Therefore, long-run total costs that are incurred by the operator of the port of the port for the given throughput amounts are a total of variable costs. Long-run average total costs are equal to long-run total costs d ivided by total port’s throughput. A long-run average total cost curve has a negative slope for a given range of throughput and then it starts to increase. Figure 4: Long-run Total Cost curve and a Long-run Average Total Cost Curve. cost port throughput cost per unit LATC Port throughput (Talley, 2009 pp98-100) A convenience store is usually a type of retail business. Costs of a convenience store that maybe short-run may include costs of

Ethical issues raised in contemporary media Essay

Ethical issues raised in contemporary media - Essay Example However, the real trouble begins when there is no limitation on what the press can print, because the press will become less reliable over time. In addition to the pressure from the need to attract advertisers, private media must sell copies, even if those sales do not generate the major income, because advertisers want wide dispersal of their ads. Advertisements are priced on two factors: the size of the ad and the circulation of the paper. Even where the press is privately owned, not government controlled and the owners try to insure objectivity, the news is still filtered. Someone chooses what news to present to the public. As long as there is a profit motive in any enterprise, total objectivity is impossible. In the media the big money comes from advertisements, and not subscriptions, so it would be nearly impossible for the media to publish any news which adversely impacts its advertisers. In a tight market where newspapers are struggling to survive, this is doubly so. The free press is not at all free: it has a cost. The main cost is watchfulness. Historically the press has the power to influence the public. In truly participatory governed countries, the press is mandated to provide objective reports on whatever happen in the world. Many of the journalists try to do this, but of late, credibility has been severely strained by the failure of some papers to stay objective. The Staples deal in 1999 is a case in point. The Los Angeles Times was reported as having devoted an Oct. 10 issue of its magazine section to coverage of the new Staples Center sports arena, under a deal to share revenues with the center. This is decidedly a conflict of interest for an objective newspaper. (Jurkowitz, Mark 1999) Worse than this kind of conflict of interest is the exploitation of the public in order to sell newspapers. Sensational stories sell newspapers. Tabloids sell well,

HY 1110-08F-2, AMERICAN HISTORY I (HY1110-08F-2) Essay - 7

HY 1110-08F-2, AMERICAN HISTORY I (HY1110-08F-2) - Essay Example The rituals of behavior which governed blacks under Jim Crow included such norms as restrictions on blacks and whites eating together, prohibitions on blacks shaking hands with whites, right-of-way at intersections for whites, the non-usage of titles of respect or courtesy for blacks, expecting blacks to remove hats or caps when talking with whites, and other customs and standards of behavior which unequivocally demonstrated the inferiority of African-Americans. This racial etiquette could be violated at the risk of life and family, as the threat of lynching was very real. In addition to the above, many southern states passed legislation which excluded blacks from public transport, facilities and some neighborhoods. There were statutes which provided separate train cars for blacks, reserved seats in coaches for whites, denied blacks the right to vote through discriminatory clauses, literacy tests and poll taxes, established separate schools, rest rooms, water fountains, telephone boo ths and burial grounds, mandated segregated rooms at libraries, prisons, hospitals and bars, and strictly banned interracial marriages. Most of the laws were directed towards the prohibition of social interaction between the two races. The Jim Crow laws may be considered to have ended by the mid 1960’s. Gradually, America has universally acknowledged that racial discrimination in any form is unjust, and corrective justice, as implied in affirmative action and reparation have gathered support. This broad consensus has led to the acceptance that discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender or class is against the beliefs of American society. The laws of the U.S.A. are now firmly against any discrimination and an egalitarian society has been established, with the shining example of Barack Obama as

Strategic Audit Report Ford Motor Company Assignment

Strategic Audit Report Ford Motor Company - Assignment Example The company trades in cars, trucks and heavy vehicles with the tractors of the company forming some of the global iconic brands. In an attempt to understand the ford motor company, this paper will focus on the business model, business line, the products, customers and analysis of the value chain. The paper will equally focus on the diversification of the company, overall performance and analysis of the mission statement. Currently, Ford company trades its products under four main brands; Ford, Mercury, Lincoln, and Volvo. The company utilizes a labour force of more than 200, 000 employees who are specialized to work in different departments of the production process. The Ford Company has devised a strategy to make the feasibility of its products through separation of the firm into two segments. The company is separated into the automotive services production segments and the financial services. The financial segment of the company has the provision of the ford credit, which offers financing to vehicles in both merchant shoppers and retail shoppers. The automotive section of the Ford company is separated into districts according to the strategic plans of the company (Davis, 2013). The districts under this umbrella are thus; South America, North America, Asia, Pacific, Africa and Europe. The automotive section of the company is involved in the manufacturing and servicing of the cars. The Ford Company has a retail dealership program that works under the dealership model. Under this program, dealerships sigh specific contracts with companies that the Ford Motor Company supplies with vehicles and service their automotive. This works by increasing the sales of the products of the company through the formation of long-term partnerships. According to the 2008 Ford dealership statistics, the company secured approximately 4000

Entire Course (Managerial Economics) Essay Example for Free

Entire Course (Managerial Economics) Essay Firm Objectives. Why do some business firms pursue a triple-bottom-line outcome while others focus only on profit maximization? Please, use a real company example to illustrate your points Decision Making Under Uncertainty. To save on gasoline expenses, Edith and Mathew agreed to carpool together for traveling to and from work. Edith preferred to travel on I-20 highway as it was usually the fastest, taking 25 minutes in the absence of traffic delays. Mathew pointed out that traffic jams on the highway can lead to long delays making the trip 45 minutes. He preferred to travel along Shea Boulevard, which was longer (35 minutes), but rarely had traffic jams. Edith agreed that in case of traffic jams, Shea Boulevard was a reasonable alternative. Neither of them knows the state of the highway ahead of time. After driving to work on the I-20 highway for 1 month (20 workdays), they found the highway to be jammed 3 times. Assuming that this month is a good representation of all months ahead, should Edith and Mathew continue to use the highway for traveling to work? How would you conclusion change for the winter months, if bad weather makes it likely for traffic jams on the highway to increase to 6 days per month? How would your conclusion change if Mathew purchased a new smart-phone app that could show the status of the highway traffic prior to their drive each morning, thus reducing the probability of them getting into a jam down to only 1day per month (where on this day, the app showed no traffic jam, but a jam developed in the meantime as they were driving along the highway). Economics of Risk and Uncertainty Applied Problems. Please, complete the following 3 applied problems in a Word or Excel document. Show all your calculations and explain your results. Submit your assignment in the drop box by using the Assignment Submission button. 1. A generous university benefactor has agreed to donate a large amount of money  for student scholarships. The money can be provided in one lump-sum of $10mln, or in parts, where $5.5mln can be provided in year 1, and another $5.5mln can be provided in year 2. Assuming the opportunity interest rate is 6%, what is the present value of the second alternative? Which of the two alternatives should be chosen and why? How would your decision change if the opportunity interest rate was 12%? Please, show all your calculations. 2. Volkswagen is considering opening an Assembly Plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for the production of its 2012 Passat, tailored for the US market. The CEO of the company is considering two potential options for the size of the plant: one is a large size with a projected annual production of 150,000 cars, and the other one is a smaller size plant, which is cheaper to build, but can only produce up to 80,000 cars per year. Depending on the expected level of demand for these cars in the US, Volkswagen has to decide which option is more profitable. The discount rate is 6% and for simplicity purposes, the CEO is only evaluating a two-year horizon. The initial factory setup cost, the expected demand scenarios, profit, and probabilities are shows in the below table. Calculate the Net Present Value in each of the two options. Which option should the CEO choose and why? Please, show all your calculations. 3. An angel investor is considering investing in one of two start-up businesses and is evaluating the expected returns along with the risk of each option in order to choose the better alternative. Business 1 is an innovative protein energy drink, which has ENPV of $100,000 with a standard deviation of $40,000. Business 2 is a unique chicken wings dipping sauce with an ENPV of $60,000 and a standard deviation of $25,000. a) Apply the coefficient-of-variation decision criterion to these alternatives to find out which is preferred by the angel investor, assuming that he/she is risk-averse. b) Apply the maximin criterion, assuming that the worst outcome in Business 1 is to lose $5,000, whereas the worst outcome in Business 2 is to make only $5,000 in profit. c) If you were the angel investor, what is your certainty equivalent for these two projects? Are you risk-averse, risk-neutral, or risk-lover? Week 2 Marginal Rate of Substitution. What is the marginal rate of substitution (MRS) and why does it diminish as  the consumer substitutes one product for another? Use examples to illustrate Demand Elasticity. Please, read the article Hainer, R. (2010), provided in the required readings section for this week. The tobacco industry is a prime example to consider when talking about price elasticity of demand. While nicotine use can be addictive for many users, it is not addictive for the so-called social smokers. What can we say about the price elasticity of demand for nicotine products (such as cigarettes, pipes, tobacco) in the group of nicotine addicted users, versus the group of social smokers? Can we say whose demand is likely to be more elastic? Why? Consumer Demand Analysis and Estimation Applied Problems. Please, complete the following 3 applied problems in a Word or Excel document. Show all your calculations and explain your results. Submit your assignment in the drop box by using the Assignment Submission button. 1. Roshima is researching universities where she could study for her MBA degree. She is considering 3 major attributes that she considers important in her choice: ranking, price, and location. The value she places on each attribute, however, differs according to whether she remains full-time employed during her studies or quits her job and focuses on her degree. If she continues to work full time and takes all her courses online, then ranking is the most important attribute, twice as important as price and three times as important as location. If she quits her job and attends school full time, then location becomes three times as important as ranking and twice as important as price. She is considering two universities, respectively, the MBA program at Arizona State University (ASU) and the MBA program at University of Phoenix (UOP), both of which are priced at approximately $25,000. She has rated each attribute on a scale of 1 to 100 for each of the two schools. a. Which of the two options should Roshima pursue of she wants to keep her full-time job? (Calculate the total expected utility from each school option and compare. Graph is not required) b. Which of the two options should she pick if she plans to quit her job and dedicate to her studies? c. Which option should she pursue if the probability of being laid off and unable to find a new job is estimated as  0.6? Show your calculations and explain your reasoning. 2. The demand function for Einstein Bagels has been estimated as follows: – 40.73Px + 84.17Py + 0.55Ax  where Qx represents thousands of bagels; Px is the price per bagel; Py is the average price per bagel of other brands of bagels; and Ax represents thousands of dollars spent advertising Einstein Bagels. The current values of the independent variables are , , and a. Calculate the price elasticity of demand for Einstein’s Bagels and explain what it means. b. Derive an expression for the (inverse) demand curve for Einsteins’s Bagels. c. If the cost of producing Einstein’s Bagels is constant at $0.10 per bagel, should they reduce price and thereafter, sell more bagels (assume profit maximization is the company’s goal)? d. Should Einstein Bagels spend more on advertising? 3. The consulting firm that you work for has been hired by the US Government to provide an independent analysis of the demand-side effects of a contemplated increase in the tax on gasoline. They provide you with a data set relating to the period 1962-1987, which they say contains valuable historic lessons relating to the impact of volatile pump prices due to the supply restrictions imposed by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), and the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) regulations that required car manufacturers to increase the fuel efficiency of the cars they sold, while at the same time Real Disposable Income (RDI) per capita was rising, the number of passenger cars (NPC) almost doubled, and inflation was pushing up the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Week 3 Relevant Costs. Two partners own together a small landscaping business in North Carolina, called Summer Lawn Care. They have been specializing in summer grass seeding, installation, and maintenance. Recently, the partners acquired special technology and know-how for winter grass installations and maintenance. They also added a tree cutting service as recent storms in the  area had caused demand for this service to soar. One of the partners insists that the name of the business should change to Lawn and Tree Care, so that it better reflects the range of services and, thus, generates more customer interest, and thus contracts. The second partner wants to keep the old name and argues, â€Å"We have already paid for business cards, vehicle paint, signage, and ads in Yellow Pages†. Evaluate the arguments of the two partners. Explain and illustrate their points by identifying the relevant and irrelevant costs for this decision. Contribution Analysis. Explain what is meant by â€Å"contribution analysis†. Carefully define the term and provide examples to illustrate it. Production Cost Analysis and Estimation Applied Problems. Please, complete the following 3 applied problems in a Word or Excel document. Show all your calculations and explain your results. Submit your assignment in the drop box by using the Assignment Submission button. 1. Jennifer Trucking Company operates a large rig transportation business in Texas that transports locally grown vegetables to San Diego, California. The company owns 5 large rigs and hires local drivers paid fixed salaries monthly, regardless of the number of trips or tons of cargo that each driver transports each month. 2. The Palms Dry Cleaning Shop in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, faces a highly seasonal demand for its services, as the snow-birds retirees flock to Florida in mid-fall to enjoy the mild winter weather and then return to their main homes in mid-spring. Given this seasonality, Palms tries to keep the overhead costs as low as possible and therefore, often uses seasonal contracted labor to man its operations. The following table shows the labor costs in each month of operation over the past 12 months as well as the total number of garments that were dry-cleaned in each month. Palms pays fixed wages per hour to each employee, and we can assume that the costs of other variable inputs (such as chemicals, electricity, etc) have remained constant. 3. Over the past 12 months the Four Winds Novelty Company firm has recorded its internet sales (equals monthly output levels) and its monthly total variable costs (TVC) for a particular novelty item as shown in the following table. Sales have grown over this period with  relatively few shocks due to uncontrollable weather, political and sporting events. This online retailer carries no inventories; when it receives a pre-paid on-line order from a customer, it simply buys the product from a supplier and ships it out to the customer. Week 4 Strategic Behavior Oligopolies. An interesting example of strategic behavior comes from a 1997 article about Microsoft’s investment in Apple (New Straits Times, 1997). The article is included in the Required Readings list. Facing tough anti-trust scrutiny from government agencies, Microsoft provided financial support to Apple in order to ensure Apple’s survival and, therefore, to ensure that competitiveness in the industry remains. Moreover, the partnership with Apple provided an additional market for Microsoft’s products – the MS Office and the IE products were to be bundled with the MAC OS as one of the conditions for this financing. Discuss this case in the context of market structure and strategic behavior. What market structure do these firms operate in? Why did Microsoft need to preserve competitiveness in the industry? What was Microsoft afraid of in the event that Apple did not survive? Local Market Power. Bulls Eye department store specializes in the sales of discounted clothing, shoes, household items, etc. similar to the offerings at a regular Walmart or Target. Bulls Eye is the only department store in Show Low and the nearest other discount retailer is Target, located 49 miles away in Eagar. Bulls Eye, therefore, has some market power in its local area. Despite having some market power, Bulls Eye is currently suffering losses. An analyst at Bulls Eye is recommending to the manager to raise prices, so that profitability can be improved. The manager is unsure of this strategy as recent data points to increasing numbers of individuals shopping more and more. What are the pros and cons of raising the prices at Bulls Eye and would that strategy be profitable? Market Structures and Pricing Decisions Applied Problems. A small business which produces plastic vacuum-suction covers for round household dishes has  a monopoly that is protected by a utility patent. The market demand curve for this product is estimated to be: – 25P where Q is the number of plate covers per year and P is in dollars. Cost estimation processes have determined that the firm’s cost function is represented by + 2500Q -0.25*Q2. 2. Greener Grass Company (GGC) competes with its main rival, Better Lawns and Gardens (BLG), in the supply and installation of in-ground lawn watering systems in the wealthy western suburbs of a major east-coast city.Last year, GGC’s price for the typical lawn system was $1,995 compared with BLG’s price of $2,100. GGC installed 9,130 systems, or about 55% of total sales and BLG installed the rest. (No doubt many additional systems were installed by do-it-yourself homeowners since the parts are readily available at har dware stores.) Week 5 Good Will in Price Bidding. Sometimes, a bidder on a work contract may bid lower than what would maximize his/her profit from the contract and the reason for that is to create goodwill (to increase expected future business from the buyer). How would you value the goodwill that is obtained in this way? New Product Introduction. Bayer Schering Pharma AG, Germany owns the Alka-Seltzer, which was launched in 1931 and was meant for relief of minor aches, pains, inflammation, fever, headache, heartburn, sour stomach, indigestion, and hangovers. The Alka-Seltzer Plus was a spin-off of the original medicine, meant to relieve colds and flu. The company has recently introduced a new and improved Alka-Seltzer Plus, as described in the TV ad: â€Å"The Cold Truth†, (please, watch the ad listed in the Required Readings) Price Quotes and Pricing Decisions Applied Problems. Please, complete the following 3 applied problems in a Word or Excel document. Show all your calculations and explain your results. Submit your assignment in the drop box by using the Assignment Submission button. Maxim Motronics A.G. have been marketing a new product in Europe that has achieved notable market success and it now plans to introduce this product into the United States market. Week 6 Game Theory and Strategic Behavior. Suppose that GE is trying to prevent Maytag from entering the market for high efficiency clothes dryers. Even though high efficiency dryers are more costly to produce, they are also more profitable as they command sufficiently higher prices from consumers. The following payoffs table shows the annual profits for GE and Maytag for the advertising spending and entry decisions that they are facing. Based on this information, can GE successfully prevent Maytag from entering this market by increasing its advertising levels? What is the equilibrium outcome in this game? Sustainable Competitive Advantage. Describe the circumstances under which a firm chooses a low-cost strategy to attain sustainable competitive advantage. What about the situations when a differentiation strategy is chosen? Provide specific real world examples. Focus of the Final Paper Research a specific company of your choice and identify some of the managerial decisions that were made over time and in response to changes in its market or competitive environment. Use the Ashford University Online Library and web-based sources for your research. At least three external scholarly sources must be used. Address all of the following areas: Describe the company and provide a brief history of its operations. Find or use graphs to illustrate its financial performance over the years. Identify any sources of risk or uncertainty in its operations. Do the financial reports indicate risky or uncertain activities or changes to the economic environment that ultimately appear to have affected the company’s financial outcomes? Be specific. Are there any government regulations that have affected this company’s operations domestically or abroad? Explain.

Functions of Human Resource Management

Functions of Human Resource Management Contents (Jump to) Synopsis Challenges Faced by HRM Functions of Human Resource Management Important Recruitment Factors Methods of Recruitment Selection Processes Training and Development of New Employees Retaining New Employees Appraisals Methods of Appraisal Theories of Employee Motivation Maslows Hierarchy of Needs Herzbergs Motivation Hygeine Theory Critique of Employee Theories Today New Trends in International HRM Trends in Human Resource Management Conclusion Bibliography SYNOPSIS In this assignment the author has done a detailed study of human resource management and studied in detail the functions of human resource management staffing, maintenance, motivation and training and development. In this the author has gone into details of staffing which involve the function of recruiting and selection. In motivation the author had done a detailed study of employee motivation by doing a study of theories and the author has connected these theories to his employees and has tried to find out various ways in which employees can get motivated. Then the author has done a study of employee maintenance which means to find out various ways to maintain the employees in the organization and find out various ways in which the employees can stay in the organization. The last function is training and development in which the employee has tried to find out ways of training the employees and also how does the training of employees help in the overall development of the organizati on. This assignment has altogether helped the author to understand well the importance of human resource management. As it says, the author has tried and connected each function of human resource management with the authors assignment of restaurant development and it has helped the author to understand as to what employees want and what gives them employee satisfaction. HUMAN RESOURCES Human Resources is a term with which many organizations describe the combination of traditionally administrative personnel functions with performance management, employee relations and resource planning. Human resources is an increasingly prominent field that is taking shape throughout industries and workplaces world wide. Recognizing the fact that people are a companys greatest asset, business leaders across the globe are coming to rely more and more upon an effective management policy that applies specifically to the area of human resources. HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT The Human Resources Management is the strategic and coherent approach to the management of an organizations most valued assets the people working there who individually and collectively contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the business. The terms human resources management and human resources have largely replaced the term personnel management as a description of the processes involved in managing people in organizations. Human Resource management is evolving rapidly. Human resource management is both an academic theory and a business practice that addresses the theoretical and practical techniques of managing a workforce. The Human Resources Management (HRM) function includes a variety of activities, and key among them is deciding what staffing needs you have and whether to use independent contractors or hire employees to fill these needs, recruiting and training the best employees, ensuring they are high performers, dealing with performance issues, and ensuring your personnel and management practices conform to various regulations. Activities also include managing your approach to employee benefits and compensation, employee records and personnel policies. The goal of human resource management is to help an organization to meet strategic goals by attracting, and maintaining employees and also to manage them effectively. The key word here perhaps is fit, i.e. a HRM approach seeks to ensure a fit between the management of an organizations employees, and the overall strategic direction of the company (Miller, 1989). HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT The Human Resources Management function provides significant support and advice to line management. The attraction, preservation and development of high caliber people are a source of competitive advantage for businesses. An effective HRM system allows organizations to address human resource issues strategically. This helps the workforce deliver high quality health services, despite internal and external challenges to the organization. A strong human resource management system helps organizations prioritize their organizational and business strategies while effectively managing the changes inherent in health sector reform and decentralization. HRM helps attract and retain competent employees, assists employees and managers in adapting to organizational change, and facilitates the use of technology to determine how and where work is done. HRM is perhaps one of the most misunderstood, but most important management systems. Employees are an organizations most important asset, as well as its most expensive: personnel costs often consume 70-80% of an organizations budget. With a strong and equitable HRM system, employees: Receive compensation that reflects their level of responsibility. Feel more motivated and understand how their work relates to the organizations mission and values. Are more satisfied with their jobs. With a strong and equitable HRM system, organizations: Are better equipped to achieve their goals. Increase the level of employee performance. Save costs through the improved efficiency and productivity of workers. improve their ability to manage change. CHALLENGES FACED BY HRM Workforce diversity As organizations become more diverse, employers have been adapting their human resource practices to reflect those changes. Many organizations today, such as bank of America, have workforce diversity programs. They tend to hire, promote, and retain minorities, encourage vendor diversity; and provide diversity training for employees. Workforce diversity requires employers to be more sensitive to the differences that each group brings to the work setting. For instance, employers may have to shift their philosophy from treating everyone alike to recognizing individual differences and responding to those differences in ways that will ensure employee retention and greater productivity. They must recognize and deal with the different values, needs, interests and expectations of employees. They must avoid any practice or action that can be interpreted as being sexist, racist, or offensive to any particular group and of course must not illegibly discriminate against any employee. Employers a lso must find ways to assist employees in managing work life issues. Contingent workers, issues and HRM All contingent workers are needed to be treated differently in terms of practices and policies. Human resource managers must make sure that contingent workers do not perceive themselves as second class workers as they are not given various amenities such as health and paid leave benefits what full time employees get. So, in this way contingent workers may tend to view their work as not critically important. Accordingly, they may be less loyal, committed to the organization or motivated at the job. When an organization makes its strategic decision to employ a sizeable portion of its workforce from the contingency works, other HRM issues come to the forefront. These include having these virtual employees available when needed, providing scheduling options that meet their needs and making decisions about whether benefits will be offered to the contingent workforce without sufficient planning. When strategic divisions are made, HRM must be an active partner in the discussions. After all, it is HRMs responsibility to locate these temporary workers and bring them into organization. Finally, HRM must be prepared to deal with the potential conflicts between core and contingent workers. The core employees may become envious of the higher pay rates and flexibility in scheduling that the contingent workers receive. FUNCTIONS OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT STAFFING Staffing is the function by which managers build an organization through the recruitment, selection and development of individuals as capable employees. (Definition by Mc Farland, Management Principles and Practices, New York : Macmillan, 1979) The managerial function of staffing is defined as filling positions in the organization structure through identifying workforce requirements, inventorying the people available, recruitment, selection, placement, promotion, appraisal, compensation, and training of needed people. (Definition by Koontz, in L.M. Prasad, Principles and Practice of Management) Staffing is the process of acquiring, developing, employing, appraising, remunerating and retaining people so that right type of people are available at right positions and at right time in the organization. Staffing function is related to employment of personnel of all types managerial as well as operative in the organization. It includes a variety of activities through which an organization tries to ensure that various positions remain filled by the most suitable personnel. This function is performed by every manager in the organization like other managerial functions viz. planning, organizing, directing and controlling though they receive considerable staff assistance in performing staffing function. RECRUITMENT Recruitment is the process of finding and attracting capable applicants for employment. The process begins when new recruits are sought and ends when their applications are submitted. The result is a pool of applicants from which new employees are selected. (Definition by Werther and Davis, in Human Resources and Personnel Management, New York, McGraw Hill,1996) Recruitment is a form of competition. Just as corporations compete to develop, manufacture and market the best product or service, so they must be compete to identify, attract and hire the most qualified people. Recruitment is a business, and it is a big business. (Definition by J.S. Lord, in External and Internal Recruitment, Wayne F. Casico, 1989) Recruitment is process of creating a common platform between the employers and the prospective employees, so that both of them evaluate each other and take a decision which is mutually beneficial. The three important recruitment factors are: Job Specification It is a written statement of qualifications, traits, physical and mental characteristics that an individual must possess to perform the job duties and discharge responsibilities effectively. The first step in the program of job specification is to prepare a list of all jobs in the company and where they are located. The second step is to secure and write up information about each of the jobs in a company. Usually, this information includes: Physical specifications Mental specifications, Emotional and social specifications Behavioral specifications Physical Specifications: Physical specifications include the physical qualifications or physical capacities which vary from job to job. Physical qualifications or capacities include physical features like height, weight, chest, vision, hearing, ability, to lift weight, ability to carry weight, health, age, capacity to use or operate machines, tools, equipment etc. Mental Specifications: Mental specifications include ability to perform, arithmetical calculation, to interpret data, information blue prints, to read electrical circuits, ability to plan, reading abilities, scientific abilities, judgment, ability to concentrate, ability to handle variable factors, general intelligence, memory etc. Emotional and Social Specifications: Emotional and social specifications are more important for the post of managers, supervisors, foremen etc. They include emotional stability, flexibility, and social adaptability in human relationship, personal appearance including dress, posture, poise, features and voice required by the job. Behavioral Specifications: Behavioral specifications play an important role in selecting the candidates for higher level jobs in the organizational hierarchy. This specification seeks to describe the acts of managers rather than the traits that cause the acts. These specifications include judgments, research, creativity, teaching, ability, maturity (capable of accepting responsibility) trial of conciliation, self-reliance (self-starter sticks to own decisions), dominance (giving orders in a personal way) etc. Employee Specifications Job specifications information must be converted into employee specification information in order to know what kind of a person is needed to fill a job. Employee specification is like a brand name which spells that the candidate with a particular employee specification generally possesses the qualities specified under job specification, for example, the employee with the educational qualification of MBA generally knows the concepts, managerial skills like decision-making, inter-personal relationships, leadership etc. Employee specification is useful to find out the suitability of particular class of candidates to a particular job. Thus, employee specification is useful to find out prospective employees (target group) whereas job specification is useful to select the right candidate for a job. Job Description A Job Description is a list of the general tasks, or functions, and responsibilities of a position. Typically, it also includes to whom the position reports, specifications such as the qualifications needed by the person in the job, salary range for the position, etc. A job description is usually developed by conducting a job analysis, which includes examining the tasks and sequences of tasks necessary to perform the job. The analysis looks at the areas of knowledge and skills needed by the job. Note that a role is the set of responsibilities or expected results associated with a job. A job usually includes several roles. Job Analysis Job Analysis is a process to identify and determine in detail the particular job duties and requirements and the relative importance of these duties for a given job. Job Analysis is a process where judgements are made about data collected on a job. An important concept of Job Analysis is that the analysis is conducted of the Job, not the person. While Job Analysis data may be collected from incumbents through interviews or questionnaires, the product of the analysis is a description or specifications of the job, not a description of the person. Methods of Recruitment The following are the different recruitment methods: Internal Search Many large organizations develop their own employees for high level jobs. This is done by posting new job openings and allowing employees to bid for the position. There is nothing inherently better about either internal or external recruitment. However, there are some advantages to internal recruitment. First, internal recruitment may lead to increased morale for employees; the organization is perceived to reward good performance or loyalty. Often, one promotion leads to another vacant position and this chain effect contributes further to increased morale. Another advantage to the firm is that Human Resource data is immediately available for any employee recruited internally. Further, the employees work habits are known and previous performance appraisals are on record. Similarly, an internal recruit will be familiar with the firm. This employee will be familiar with the firms products, clients, organizational policies, and corporate culture. Therefore, the firm might be able to save money insofar as orientation sessions for such an employee may not be necessary. Advertisements Advertisements are one of the oldest and the most popular method of recruitment. This form of recruitment is mainly used for high level jobs like maybe for a vice presidency. Blue collar jobs are hardly advertised and even if they are the company just mentions a post box number where the applicant can communicate. Much details and job specification are not mentioned. Employee Referrals and Recommendations The idea behind employee recommendations as a source of potential applicants is that the present employees may have specific knowledge of the individuals who may be their friends, relatives or acquaintances. If the present employees are reasonably satisfied with their jobs, they communicate these feelings to many persons in their communities. Employment Agencies Many organizations get the information about the prospective candidates through employment agencies. In our country, there are three types of employment agencies : public employment agency, private employment agency and management consulting firms. Campus Placements Many organizations conduct preliminary search of prospective employees by conducting interviews at the campuses of various institutes, universities and colleges. The organization hold interviews on the campus on predetermined date and candidates found suitable are called for further interviews at specified places. Professional Organizations Many professional organizations like labor unions operate placement services for the benefit of their members. These include varied occupations such as industrial engineer, psychologist and seafarer. These organizations also publish job vacancy rosters and distribute it to their members. Unsolicited Applicants The concept of Unsolicited Applicants or Gate Hiring is to select people who approach on their own for employment in the organization. This happens mostly in the case of unskilled and semi-skilled workers. Cyberspace Recruiting It provides access to a worldwide databank of jobs, on line application and information resources through the Internet. One of the benefits of Cyberspace Recruiting is the provision for swift feedback and follow up. Recruitment Alternatives This includes getting the work done through other methods such as Hiring independent contractors, outsourcing a particular department etc. For example, the banking industry will very soon outsource the clearing and cash operations of the bank. SELECTION Selection, as the name implies, picking for hire a subset of workers from the total set of workers who have applied for the job. Selections are done by comparing the requirements of a job with applicants qualifications. An attempt is made to find a round peg for a round hole. In doing so naturally many applicants are rejected. This makes Selection a negative function. The Selection process consists of 8 steps: Initial Screening Completion of Application Form Employment Tests Comprehensive Interview Background Investigation Conditional Job Offer Physical Examination Permanent Job Offer Thus, Selection process is very important as it helps in eliminating poor performers. This programme also helps in identifying people with a hobo syndrome i.e., tendency to frequently change jobs. It is a proven fact that providing potential candidates with accurate and complete information about organizational opportunities and constraints, and the job itself prevents high employee turnover. TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT The act of increasing the skills of an employee for doing a particular job. (Definition by Edwin B. Flippo, Personnel Management, McGraw Hill, 1984) Training is a process of learning a sequence of programmed behaviour. This behaviour, being programmed, is relevant to a specific phenomenon, that is a job. The process of training begins with Socialization and ends with Organization development. Three factors which necessitate continuous training in an organization are technological advances, organizational complexity and human relations. Socialising It is the means through which an employee understands the culture of an organization. This culture includes longstanding and often unwritten rules and regulations which govern the organization and its employees. There are three stages in the socializing process : Pre arrival stage During this stage a person arrives in the organization with a set of values and expectations. Encounter stage During this stage an employee considers the difference between his expectations and the reality. Metamorphosis stage During this stage the employee discovers the changes and adapt to them. Orientation Orientation includes the activities involved in introducing a new employee to the organization and his work unit. It is not unusual to confuse Orientation with Socializing. This programme familiarises an employee with the organizations objectives, history, philosophy, procedures and rules. This helps reduce the initial anxiety faced by new employees. Employee Training Training provides a particular skill set required to do a job. The focus of employee training is on the current job requirements. Employee Development Employee development focuses on unveiling the hidden potential in the employees for future manpower requirements which might need additional competencies. Career Development Career development programs are designed to assist employees in advancing their work lives. The main focus of career development is to provide the necessary information and assessment in helping employees realize their career goals. It is the responsibility of an individual not an organization. Organization development Organization development deals with facilitating changes in the organization. The focus of organization development is to change the attitudes and values of employees according to the organizational strategic directions. Methods of Training Job Rotation Job Rotation involves movement of a manager from one job to another job, from one plan to another plan on a planned basis. The movement is not meant for transfer but, is meant for learning interdependence and broadening the perspective. This helps to develop more co-operative approach to different functions in the organization. Assistant to positions Employees which have potential are made to work under a seasoned and successful manager, often in different areas of the organization. Under the watchful eye of a supportive coach, individuals perform many special duties and serve some special duties and serve some special duties too. All this gives a wide experience to employees and they come across a wide variety of management activities and they are groomed too for assuming the duties of the next level. Committee Assignment This provides an opportunity for the employee to have a say in managerial decision making and to investigate organizational problems. It also helps in increases the employees exposure to other members of the organization, broadens his understanding and make recommendations. Lecture Courses and Seminars This is one of the oldest method of training the employees. Lecture courses and seminars offer an opportunity for managers to acquire knowledge and develop their conceptual and analytical abilities. Simulations Simulations were first introduced at the Harvard Graduate School of Business. Simulation exercises include case study, decision games and role plays. Though it is not possible to simulate the real life exactly in the learning situations, simulated training provides participants an opportunity to learn which may be useful in their actual work situations. Outdoor Training The main motive behind Outdoor Training is to teach the employees the importance of team work. Activities might include trekking, games or surviving in the jungle. The purpose is to condition the employees in various stress related situations. Learning Logs Learning logs is a mechanism which encourages a disciplined approach to learning. It can be focused only on one activity and is usually designed to encourage the writer to explain what happened, how they have reflected on this, what conclusions have they made and what future learning actions they wish to make. Self Development Groups A group of individuals involved in a series of meetings where they discuss their personal development, organizational issues, or individual work problems. Groups may begin operating with a leader who is a process expert and who can act as a facilitator. MAINTENANCE Maintenance is the last phase which puts all the activities into place which further help retain productive employees. Human resource management must ensure a safety and healthy working conditions, caring for employees well being has a major effect on the commitment. It must also be realized that any problem an employee faces in his personal life will ultimately be brought to the workplace. This calls for employee assistance programs, which help individuals deal with stressful life situations. It calls for employee assistance programs such as programs that help individuals deal with stressful life situations. It is concerned with the maintenance of employees commitment and loyalty to the organization. This includes: Employee Health Organizations are obliged to provide employees with a safe and healthful environment. Health is a general statement of physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Safety is protection of a persons physical health. The main purpose of health and safety policies is the safe interaction of people and the work environment. Poor working conditions may affect the employee performance badly. Employees may find it difficult to work. It would be too taxing for them to work for longer hours. Accidents and injuries may multiply causing enormous loss to the company. Absence and turnover ratios may grow. A company with a poor safety record may find it difficult to hire and retain skilled labor force. Each and every company need industrial health so that physical, social and mental wellbeing of workers can be promoted and maintained, the productivity and the quality of work can be improved, accidents, injuries, absenteeism, labor turnover can be reduced and workers can be protected against any healt h hazard arising out of work and conditions. Employee Safety The main purpose of employee safety programs in an organization is to prevent work related injuries and accidents. There should not be any physical hazards such as collision and obstruction, equipment, fire, hazards from falling objects. Employee welfare Employee or labor welfare is comprehensive term including various services, benefits and facilities offered to employees by the employer. The welfare amenities are extended in addition to normal wages and the other economic rewards available to employees as per the legal provisions. The working environment in a factory adversely affects the health of employees because of excessive heat or cold, noise, downs, fumes, dust, and lack of sanitation. Such oppressive conditions create health problems for workers. Communication The rules of communication are being rewritten as comprehensive, integrated information networks remove constraints on its uses. Employees should be able to communicate with anyone in the organization, no matter what the hierarchy says. The open communication system breaks down historical organizational pattern flows. They also refine how meetings, negotiations, supervision and water cooler talk are conducted. Human resource management must operate the effective communication programs in the organization and such programs help employees know what is occurring around them and vent frustrations. Employee relations programs should ensure that employees are kept well informed through the companys intranet, bulletin boards, town hall meetings, or teleconferencing and foster an environment where employee voices are heard. Employee relations Employee relations have several major responsibilities and it is divided into employee relations and labor relations. Labor relations involve dealing with the labor unions. In a unionized organization, a specific grievance procedure might be detailed in the labor management contract, and might involve the union, management and the allegedly wronged employee. In an nonunion organization, employee relations specialists perform many tasks. One of their key responsibilities is to ensure that open communication permeates the organization. This entails construction of such an environment where employees talk directly to the supervisors and settle any differences that arise. ER specialists are also intermediaries in helping employees understand rules, policies, procedures etc. Appraisals Performance Appraisal is the systematic evaluation of the individual with regard to his or her performance on the job and his potential for development. (Definition by dale S. Beach, Personnel: The Management of People at Work, New York: Macmillan, 1980) It (performance appraisal) is the process of evaluating the performance and qualifications of the employees in terms of the requirements of the job for which he is employed, for the purposes of administration including placement, selection for promotion, providing financial rewards and other actions which required differential treatment among the members of a group as distinguished from actions affecting all members equally. (Definition by C. Heyel, The Encyclopedia of Management, New York: Reinhold Publishing, 1973) Performance appraisal is the evaluation of quality, worth or merit. It is also described a s merit rating in which one individual is ranked as better or worse in comparison to others. Methods of Appraisal Absolute Standards In this method the employees are evaluated according to a standard. Here, each employee is graded independently without any

Biography of Mark Twain Essay -- biography biographies bio

Biography of Mark Twain Mark Twain was a writer whose works revolved around his childhood experiences growing up on the Mississippi River. The main source of his writing was the time he spent in Hannibal, Missouri as a young boy. He also used his childhood friends in many of his work, such as modeling the character Sid in Huck Finn after his brother Henry. Twain also used the happy times in his life to express his feeling in his writings. Twain used the trials of his life to make his works humorous and all-time American classics. Twain's life began in the sleepy town of Florida, Missouri. After a few years of living in Florida, Twain's family packed up and moved to Hannibal, Missouri, about 30 miles away from Florida. Hannibal is where most of Twain's thoughts turned into his writings. Hannibal was a small town of 50 people and 3 stores when the Twain family moved in (Foner 16). By the end of the decade it boasted 1,034 persons, a newspaper, a cigar factory, a whisky distillery, and several slaughter houses (16). The key to Hannibal's growth was the main source of Twain's writings the Mississippi River- "the great Mississippi, the magnificent Mississippi, rolling its mile wide tide along" (16). While in Hannibal the young Twain led a life like any other young boy. He played with friends, went swimming, and of course went to school. But tragedy struck while Mark was only 12 years old: his father passed away. Six years later Twain left Hannibal on May 27, 1853 (21). In the autograph album of one of his girl fr iends, he bade his farewell to Hannibal: "Good-by, good-by, I bid you now, my friend: And though 'tis hard to say the word, to destiny I bend" (21). Twain was four years old when he was brought to Hannibal; he was eight... ...cluding Twain himself. In closing Twain was a writer that took in surroundings and somehow turned them into some of the greatest books in the world; such as his life in Hannibal, working as a river boat pilot, fighting in the civil war, moving to Nevada, and his lectures during 1868 -- 69. All of these events in his life somewhat effected the writing style he used. Twain also used these times in his life to make his writings humorous to his public. Twain didn't write stories that were complicated because he was a fairly "laid back" guy. This style that Twain used was one that anybody could understand or relate to. This is why Twain's name will live on and on for generations. Bibliography: Foner, Philip., Mark Twain Social Critic. New York: International Publishers, 1981 Twain, Mark., The Autobiography of Mark Twain. New York: Harper and Row, 1959

Act 3, Scene 1 of William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet Essay

Act 3, Scene 1 of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet is one of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies, written in 1597. The story itself was not anything new or different, but the way Shakespeare wrote it was its gateway to its popularity. The original tale of Romeo and Juliet was composed in the form of a poem aptly named ‘The Tragical History of Romeus and Juliet’ which I have found was in itself a translation from a French short story by the 16th-century Italian writer Matteo Bandello. The poem which Shakespeare gathered his inspiration from was first published in 1562 and the story set over a period of four months. Shakespeare’s adaptation was placed over four days. This significantly heightens the tension involved in the play as everything happens so hastily. The story itself is about a young couple who met and fell in love despite belonging to feuding families. With the two lovers at the marrying age of fourteen immersed in violence, hatred and hostility the play captivated the audience at the time including Queen Elizabeth I, the protestant queen. The drama is also engrossed in history, being considerably biased towards protestant followers and showing the Catholics in the play as untrustworthy, A good example being Friar Lawrence, a catholic priest who is portrayed as deceitful and dubious after marrying Romeo and Juliet in secret. This essay will show how Act 3, Scene 1 becomes the pivotal scene in the play whilst being the most dramatic. Before this scene the audience find out about the rivalry involved between the two families and the meeting of Romeo and Juliet. Overall the tone of the play is a ... ...s about her love for Romeo to the audience in a monologue, illustrating her happiness and serenity. Of course the audience know of the terrible news that awaits her-another use of dramatic irony. Overall act 3, scene 1 is the pivot point of the play. Before it, the play was considered a romance which contrasts heavily with the scenes after this act-a tragedy. This scene not only changes the course of action in the play but it marks a disastrous turning point in Romeo and Juliet’s relationship. I believe it also adds to the overall drama in the play. Writing techniques such as imagery and dramatic irony are used to great effect and again increase the play’s emotional quality. In this scene alone the amount tension in the audience is significantly high ending up in the death of two main characters, Mercutio and Tybalt.

mathew shepard :: essays research papers

I think that Mathew Shepard was a good person. That stupid church guy that said gays are evil, Matt’s in hell, and stuff like that are the â€Å"evil people. It’s not evil to be gay. All that stuff religious people say about gays is nothing that really is true. The religious people take in everything that the bible says about everything so hard. The bible wasn’t even written by god. The people that beat Matthew up were just raised to hate gays. It’s not right to kill a gay person for hitting on you, and that’s not even what it sounded like. Sounds like there were just being stupid. They sounded like they were just doing it for fast cash or something. Knowing that someone would do such a thing isn’t that great. It feels like this world is full of hate. Bin Ladin, the Matthew Shepard thing, and the list goes on. The real reason I think stuff like this goes on is because people aren’t raised right and the parents expose the bad stuff, and that’s why a lot of people kill. That’s what I think caused Matthew Shepard’s death. The parents were not very good if the kids took drugs and killed and beat people up. The aids thing didn’t surprise me. All my life I’ve been told from various places that 1 in 5 gay men have aids. First I heard about it in school in sixth grad I think. Then I hear it on the radio. Then I hear it on the TV. Matthew Shepard seemed like a good person. Doesn’t have bad habits as far as I saw. The incident made me think of how people use the word gay or fag. I have used those words a lot. I used them in the sense of stupid and ahole. When I was mad that’s what I would say. You can’t help saying it. You hear it all the time. I never used it to offend a gay person. I heard at my old school millions of times. I don’t think I’ll use that word any more.

An American Tragedy: How a Good Company Died Essay

This case study tells us the story of Burgmaster Corp which is a machine tool maker company. Burgmaster was a thriving enterprise by 1965, when annual sales amounted to about $8 million. Although it needed backing to expand, it sold out to Buffalo-based conglomerate Houdaille Industries Inc. The case study also, inform us too many machine- tool and auto parts factories are silent, too many U.S. industries still can’t hold their own. Holland uses Burgmaster’s demise to explore some key issues of economic and trade policy. The LBO chocked off Burgmaster’s investment funds when foreign competition made them most necessary. Houdaille’s charge that a cartel led by the Japanese government had injured U.S. tool makers. Holland offers plenty of ammunition by creating enormous pressure to generate cash. Burgmaster pushed its products out as fast as possible. It shipped defective machines . It promised customers features that engineers hadn’t yet designed. The External Forces for Burgmaster Corp Demise : 1- The Government policies : tax laws and macroeconomics policies that encourage LBOs and speculation instead of productive investment. 2- Pentagon procurement policies for favoring exotic, custom machines over standard, low cost models. 3- The indusrial policy: Domestic tool makers were too complacent when imports seized the lower end of the product line, the ill prepared for change and struggling to restructure. 4- A cartel led by the Japanese government had injured U.S. tool makers. 5- Foreign competition made. The Internal Forces for Burgmaster Corp Demise : 1- The system for computerizing production scheduling was too crude . 2- High cost and much expensive machines  3- Defective machines as a result of pushing products as fast as possible without regarding to quality and customers’ needs 4- NO Cash to fund process and procedures to face competition. 5- No formula was a substitute for management involvement on the shop floor . 6- A dramatic depiction of supply snafus that resulted in delays and cost increases. The role of the operations management in that demise: Companies must be competitive to sell their goods and services in the marketplace. This company didn’t follow the operations management principles or functions in its three major departments : finance , operations and marketing. Burgmaster Corp didn’t identify customer needs. It didn’t follow the policy of low price and high quality.   It didn’t be able to reflect joint efforts of product snd service design . No match between financial resources , operations capabilities , supply chains and consumer needs. It didn’t follow inventory strategy to be competitive . It neglected operations strategy. It didn’t develop productivity measures for all operations. It didn’t develop methods for achieving productivity improvements such as : soliciting ideas from workers and reexamining the way work is done.

Flood

Flood Essay The Epic of Gilgamesh and Genesis are ancient texts that were widely read and are continually examined today. Although both stories discuss global floods enforced by the gods, there are both similarities and differences of time, historical background and context, the way the stories are told, and the animals and people on board the arks. These two stories have similar plots that involve the lessons that teach one to embrace the reality of their mortality, to do right, and stay on the straight and narrow which will lead to reward.In modern day life, these morals are still enforced and can lead to success, good fortune, and honor. The two floods incorporate long, treacherous processes to gain lengthened life. Utnapishtim from The Epic of Gilgamesh and Noah from the Bible portray the benefits of sacrifices made. The Epic of Gilgamesh was written around 2000 B. C. , while the oldest parts of the Old Testament of the Bible were written around 1000 B. C. This suggests that â₠¬Å"The Story of the Flood,† from Genesis, was based off the original â€Å"Story of the Flood† from The Epic of Gilgamesh.In correspondence with time, the duration of the flood was a precise period of time in both texts. However, in The Epic of Gilgamesh, â€Å"For 6 days and 6 nights, the winds blew, torrents and tempests and the flood overwhelmed the world,† and in Genesis, â€Å"†¦the rain was upon the earth for 40 days and 40 nights,† (7:12). The time it took to build the ark was approximately seven days for Utnapishtim and up to one hundred years for Noah.The time period that these two renowned pieces of literature were written are important parts of information that affect the historical background and context. The historical contexts of the two works are similar in the sense that both stories took place in the Middle East. However, after the flood, the ark was grounded on Mount Nisir in The Epic of Gilgamesh while it was grounded on Mount Arara t in Genesis. The Epic of Gilgamesh specifically takes place in Mesopotamia, one of the first civilizations, which explains why this epic was the oldest work of Sumerian literature.Both stories were passed down and continually reshaped. The Epic of Gilgamesh was reshaped by Babylonians and preserved in an Assyrian King’s library. Although both of the texts were narratives, The Epic of Gilgamesh was written in first person point of view, told by Utnapishtim, and Genesis was written in third person point of view. The authors of both stories are undetermined because The Epic of Gilgamesh does not have a determined single author and many people believe the Bible to be â€Å"the word of God. The two pieces of literature have many constant underlying similarities. In relation to the animals and people on board the ark, there are common occurrences with slight variations.A man was chosen to survive both floods. Utnapishtim in The Epic of Gilgamesh, explained to Gilgamesh, â€Å"Ea because of his oath warned me in a dream. He whispered their words to my house of reeds, ‘†¦tear down your house and build a boat, abandon possessions and look for life, despise worldly goods and save your soul alive. † On the other hand, Noah was told to â€Å"make thee an ark,† (6:14) because â€Å"†¦Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord,† (6:8) and was â€Å"perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God,† (6:9). Both men could bring others upon the ark. Utnapishtim says â€Å"I loaded into her all that I had of gold and of living things, my family, my kin, the beasts of the field both wild and tame, and all the craftsmen,† while God informs Noah that â€Å"thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons’ wives with thee,† (6:18).Utnapishtim and Noah each brought a male and female of each animal, but in Genesis, Noah took â€Å"†¦every clean beast thou shalt take to thee b y the sevens†¦ and of beasts that are not clean by two. † Man and mankind as a whole were the reasons behind the flood. Specifically, â€Å"The uproar of mankind [was] intolerable and sleep [was] no longer possible by reason of the babel. † in The Epic of Gilgamesh, and, â€Å"†¦God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart were only evil continually,† (6:5), in the Bible.Once the floods ended, both men sent birds to test for land; a dove, swallow, and then a raven from Utnapishtim and a raven and dove from Noah were used. After the flood, both heroes made sacrifices. Utnapishtim â€Å"†¦threw everything open to the four winds, made a sacrifice and poured out a libation on the mountain top,† using the seven cauldrons, and Noah â€Å"†¦builded an altar unto the Lord; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean foul, and offered burnt offerings on the altar,† (8:20).The gods in both stories smelled the â€Å"sweet savor,† protruding from the sacrifices. The two stories discussing the destructive floods put into action by the gods portray the morals learned by Utnapishtim and Noah. These morals include: coming to an understanding of their mortality, embracing their humanity, and being rewarded for doing something right. After both floods, the chosen men were granted an â€Å"extension of life† or â€Å"ensured safety. † Utnapishtim was granted immortality in The Epic of Gilgamesh.God made a promise to Noah of the Bible, â€Å"I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake†¦ neither will I again smite any more every living thing, as I have done,† and â€Å"I will establish my covenant in you, [Noah],† (9:11). This covenant, or promise, was established in Noah and symbolized by a rainbow. The variations of historical background and context, the way the stories are told, and the ani mals and people on board the arks illuminate how stories with similar plots, archetypes, symbols, themes, and underlying ideas can still differ from one another and also share many similarities.

Chemistry and Chemical Reactivity Essay

The Kinetic Molecular Theory of Gases (KMT) is an explanation and description of the motion and behavior of molecules. It looks into the kinematics of molecules, wherein focus on the forces exists between molecules and the energy generated by the motion of these molecules (Poseidon Software and Invention, 1997). Etymologically, the KMT comes from â€Å"kinetic† which means moving, and â€Å"molecular† which comes from the root word molecule, classically the smallest unit of particle. The KMT includes several postulates which describe how the molecules of gases behave. The following are characteristics of how gas molecules behave: (1) Gases are composed of very small particles called molecules; (2) the molecules are very large in number; (3) they are perfectly spherical in shape and elastic in nature; (4) their volume is negligible which implies that they can move freely (Dogra, 1984); (4) the average distance between molecules is relatively large as compared to their size (Kotz, et al. , 2008); (5) they behave in a state of constant, random motion following Newton’s Laws (Selvaratnam, 1998); (6) they move in a straight line until they â€Å"collide with another [particle or with] the walls of the container† (Whitley, 2005, n. p. ). (7) the collisions of the gas molecules with other particles or with the walls of the container are perfectly elastic such that the total kinetic energy after the collision is equal to the total kinetic energy before the collision; (8) there are no attractive or repulsive forces between the molecules, and only during collisions do the particles exert forces on each other (Wulfsberg, 2000); (9) there is no energy lost during the collisions; energy is conserved; and (10) the average kinetic energy of the particles depends on the temperature of the system. These postulates can be further illustrated in terms of the interpretation of the temperature and pressure of a gas. Temperature, being a macroscopic characteristic of matter, is â€Å"interpreted in terms of the kinetic energy of the molecules† (Selvaratnam, 1998, p. 183). There is a directly proportional relationship between the temperature and the kinetic energy of the molecules of a gas. This means that an increase in temperature causes a similar increase in the kinetic energy or rapid movement of the molecules. â€Å"The hotter the gas is, the faster its particles move† (Whitley, 2005, n. p. ). Pressure, on the other hand, is â€Å"due to the incessant bombardment of the walls of the container vessel by the billions and billions of molecules present† (Selvaratnam, 1998, p. 183). This only means that if more collisions occur, the pressure is higher. The individual gas laws could be put into perspective in relation to the KMT. According to Boyle’s Law, â€Å"at constant number of moles and temperature, pressure and volume are inversely proportional† (Whitley, 2005, n. p. ). Charle’s Law, on the other hand, states that â€Å"at constant number of moles and pressure, the volume and the temperature are directly proportional† (Whitley, 2005, n. p. ). A third Gas Law consists of the theory that â€Å"at constant number of moles and pressure, the volume and the temperature are directly proportional† (Whitley, 2005, n. p. ). These individual gas laws, if combined, would produce an â€Å"ideal† gas. In relation to the motion of the molecules, the molecular activities in the three states of matter differ in several aspects. In the solid state, the particles are packed in a more closely manner. They are held closely to one another by their attractive forces (Poseidon Software and Invention, 1997). These strong, attractive forces between the particles cause them not to move freely and instead, vibrate. This feature results in a definite shape and volume of solids. In the liquid state, the intermolecular forces only permit the particles to flow or glide over one another. As compared to solid, the motion of the molecules is more random. The shape and volume of a liquid is dependent on its container. The intermolecular forces are also essential in understanding the dissolution of things. In the dissolving process, the molecules of the solute are surrounded by the molecules of the solvent. Here, â€Å"molecular bonds between molecules of solute have to be broken and molecular bonds of the solvent also have to be disrupted† (Educating Online, 2007, n. p. ). References Blauch, D. N. (2001). Kinetic Molecular Theory. Retrieved March 6, 2009 from http://www. chm. davidson. edu/chemistryapplets/kineticmoleculartheory/BasicConcepts. html. Dogra, S. (1984). Physical Chemistry through Problems. India: New Age International. Educating Online. (2007). Solubility of things. Retrieved March 6, 2009 fromhttp://www. solubilityofthings. com/basics/why_things_dissolve. php Kotz, J. C. , Treichel, P. & Weaver. (2008). Chemistry and Chemical Reactivity. U. S. : Cengage Learning EMEA Poseidon Software and Invention. (1997, November 16). Kinetic Molecular Theory. Retrieved March 6, 2009 from http://www.psinvention. com/kinetic. htm. Selvaratnam, M. (1998). A Guided Approach to Learning Chemistry. South Africa: Juta and Company Limited. The Kinetic Molecular Theory. (2009). Bodner Research Web. Retrieved March 6, 2009 from http://chemed. chem. purdue. edu/genchem/topicreview/bp/ch4/kinetic4. html. Whitley, K. (2005, May 13). Kinetic Molecular Theory of Gases. Retrieved March 6, 2009 from http://www. chemprofessor. com/kmt. htm. Wulfsberg, G. (2000). Inorganic Chemistry. U. S. :University Science Books.

Progect Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Progect - Essay Example Forecasting economic forces is one of the major challenges for many organizations. Some of the market forces include changes in the inflation rate and economic recesses. Currently, the economic system is stable and the country is not experiencing economic changes. Our product is expected to make maximum sales in these economic times (Beckwith 14) Social forces are also great determinants of the success of any business operation. Social issues are directly related to the customers, who are the end receivers of the product. Some of the social forces include the beliefs, cultures, customs and traditions of people. Our product is targeting sports men and women in the university. Most of the students are multicultural and our product has considered this, coming up with a product that is sugar free (Beckwith 18). For any organization to succeed in the contemporary market environment, then it should consider the technological issue. Our company has adopted computer technology in coming up with our budget and other strategic plans. Apart from technological, legal factors are also very import6ant because they determine the marketability of a product (Beckwith 19). Our company has however fulfilled all the legal requirements, which include search for an operating license and paying the required legal fee to the required councils. Our target customers in this case are university sportsmen and women. According to Beckwith (22), all the stakeholders in any business environment are affected by these macro-environmental forces. An increase in the government tax will definitely force us to increase our prices. This will later on affect the consumers. Social factors might also affect our customers because we have only decided to produce sugar free drinks and there those sportsmen and women who prefer drinks full of sugar. By employing technology in our company, will effectively create a competitive advantage that will make us relevant on the market. According to Beckwith

Drug Companies Monopolies, Profits and Ethics Essay

Drug Companies Monopolies, Profits and Ethics - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that in this present era, consumers are forced to spend a huge amount of money for buying prescribed and brand-name drugs. This is because all big pharmaceutical companies are allowed to charge whatever they want from the consumers. These companies possess the patent rights due to which they can easily stop the competition in the market and can set the price at its highest level. The drug companies’ monopolies refer to the situation where big companies are controlling the sale of the brand-name drugs. These drugs are becoming the most expensive component of the health care expenses. According to the research, Americans are now spending more than $500 billion annually to buy prescription drugs. These monopolies can be categorized as the government made monopolies. Actually, whenever the big pharmaceutical giant makes a new drug, it applies to the government to possess the patent right. And after getting the patent, the company gets th e right to become the sole seller of that drug for a specific time period. The researcher states that this allows companies to charge maximum prices for the patented drug and, as a result, the company can generate immense profit. These higher prices enable companies to recover its R&D cost for that particular product and also allow companies to focus on further research. But due to this monopoly, consumers have to pay a large amount of money for buying that product.... The most common price increase was related to the three types of drugs including anti-infective, cardiovascular and central nervous system drugs (Hoskins, 2012). Patents make monopoly in drug companies Patents are intellectual property rights and this is granted by the government to the company for the purpose of preventing others to copy its new invention. In the drug industry, the patent is given to the brand-name drug companies to stop competitors from selling, making or importing that particular drug. These types of restriction cause monopoly in the drug industry as few companies are controlling the sale of the drugs. This also leads to higher prices due to decreased competition. Pharmaceutical companies can easily take patent right for 20 years based on different aspects of innovative drugs. The World Health Organization program which was based on essential drugs indicated that patented drugs can only be marketed under the proprietor’s brand and this leads to more monopol ies which increase price pressure on the consumers and results in generating higher profits for the drug industries (Elliot et al., ?2002). Drugs are available at lower prices in developing countries Developing countries and underdeveloped economies make similar expensive medicines with generic or alternative sources. The major reason is that the purchasing power of the consumer in these areas is very low and they cannot afford high-priced medicine. The prices of these drugs are much lesser than the original one. Moreover, they can produce the same drug with such ingredients that are not healthy but are cheap. Sometimes, they find out local herbal ingredients to make similar medicines. These medicines give relief to patients for a very short time period (Angell?, 2004). They can also import