Review Of The Classic Game Show A Bit Of Bully

Blog 1 – Microgaming brings players ‘a bit of bully’ Back in the 1990s British TV was dominated not by reality shows and talent show competitions, but by family friendly game shows instead. The classic game show may not be as prominent as it once was, but they still deliver fond memories of how TV used to be. When you think about classic game shows that offered wall-to-wall fun, Bullseye immediately springs to mind. The darts based show may not have had all the credentials of a smash hit upon initial release, but as time passed it would become a national treasure. Given that nostalgia is a theme of choice in 2015, an online slots version of Bullseye was bound to arrive sooner or later. On December 1st Microgaming delivered what many had†¦show more content†¦When a game show is as fun as Bullseye, you can be sure that the online slots version is going to be just as entertaining. Available on both desktop and mobile devices, by the looks of things Microgaming is onto to a real winner with this title. Making it instantly recognisable in the eyes of players, this is an adaptation that certainly doesn’t short change players when it comes to original imagery. Replicating the contestant experience almost exactly, when you play Bullseye you will really feel like you are participating in the show. 180! The framework of Bullseye will be immediately recognisable to those who have played Microgaming titles before. You are almost assured of action through the thrilling 3-row, 5-reel, 243 ways to win setup, with reels feature plenty of recognisable Bullseye imagery. Speedboats, cars, and caravans can all be seen on the reels as they spin, but it is the famous darts symbol that players need to keep a special eye out for. Acting as the wild symbol for Bullseye, when found on reels one and five it triggers a bonus round that brings Bully into play. The famous animated bull is the show’s prized mascot and he hosts the slot variation’s bonus round. Offering up major prizes including a massive 15x multiplier, players can step up to the oche and throw darts all in the name of securing a big win. In keeping with the theme, should you locate three of more scatter symbols, you will be handed a whole selection of

Seneca Valley Virus Past Perspectives And Future...

Oncolytic Seneca Valley Virus: past perspectives and future directions This article covers the Seneca Valley Virus (SVV-001) as a hopeful for an oncolytic treatment of certain cancer types. More specifically those with neuroendocrine properties such as rhabdomyosarcoma, Wilms tumor, glioblastoma, neuroblastoma, and adult small-cell lung cancer. Each of which effect smooth/skeletal muscle cells, kidneys/adrenal glands (mainly in children), astrocytes of the brain, nerve cells of a fetus, and lung cells in adults respectively. The virus was discovered by accident in a contaminated cell culture that contained bovine serum to promote growth. The virus was later discovered to be almost exclusively found in farm animals such as cows and pigs, due to the presence of neutralizing antibodies that were later to only ever have been found in one human sample. Just as important as that, the virus only targets the cells of the above-mentioned cancers/tumors, is a self-replicating RNA virus, and its inability to infect other cells in the body all come together to resu lt in the lysis of these specific cancer cells. These properties alone give great hope for SVV-001 as a treatment for those infected by these diseases, and prompted for more research into its medicinal possibilities. Like every good research study, scientists quickly went into preclinical trials of SVV-001 as an oncolytic treatment. The plan was to test the effectiveness of the virus as a treatment through in vitro test and

Cathedral by Raymond Carver an... free essay sample

Cathedral by Raymond Carver and No face by Junot Diaz have similarities and differences. These stories are based on spiritual belief and the main characters have many similarities based on their disability. The similarities and the differences have aspects which can be pointed out as they have similar themes. Both of the stories are really interesting and have perfect story line where we can learn and demonstrate how society discriminate people who have disability but on the other hand these stories also shows that people who have disabilities they are perfect in different ways which can be their extra sense of understanding everything or be motivated with your own imagination and create a new world. These qualities reflect that no one is perfect and anyone can be perfect by their own way.Raymond Carvers short story, Cathedral illustrates a story in which many in todays world can be related in a different way. We will write a custom essay sample on Cathedral by Raymond Carver an or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page It has been presented from the main sentence of the story to a man that is, by all means, annoyed and stimulated. In the story is uncertain of the thoughts behind the mans inconvenience. The man, who is by all accounts is an immediate illustration of Raymond Carver himself, demonstrates his numbness by stereotyping a visually disabled man by the name of Robert, who has come to visit his old friend and her husband. From the earliest starting point, Carver demonstrated the narrators hate for Robert yet through the span of the story guides into solace with him and at last is instructed a lesson from the extremely one he disdained. On the other hand Junot Diazs Ysrael or NO Face is the narrative of two siblings Yunior and Rafa who were spending a run of the mill summer excursion in the Dominican Republic there they found a fascinating young men who goes on mission to find what lies underneath the veil of a nearby and his name is Ysrael or in the English version of the story he was called No Face, who was horrendously deformed when a pig destroyed his face when he was an infant. He sticks around an old church and the groundskeeper lets him inside in the warmth of the day. Lou, the maintenance person, likewise takes him to specialists and investigates him when nobody else will demonstrate to him this generosity. The specialist guaranteed him for a surgery, yet simply after he loses the capacity of muscles and ligaments because of the harm. No Face acknowledges what the doctors said but with little feeling, while as yet clutching trust that some time or another he will be entire and have a whole face. The charact er No Face is Disfigured, yet fantastically energetic, cheerful and skilled. The account of No Face exhibits how a youthfully young man like No Face is versatile while highlighting the way encouragement and transform us from inside. Both of the writers has formed a beautiful way of characterization and created a respective storyline in the stories, they reflects each other in a different way but the forms of understanding and morality stand in the same way as if it happens in our society. In the story Cathedral, the blind man reflects those people who are capable of doing things what normal person cannot do or think of, it also reflects the ignorance of those people who thinks that if someone is disabled or blind they are the only substance of humiliation. On the other hand, the character No Face in the story No Face also reflects the same theme where No Face reflect those people who are strong and always positive and spiritual they should not be judged by their face, and someones face should not be the reason to judge their goodness. The people around no face most of them refers to those people who hates people for their disabilities. The disfigured face of No Face helped him to create strong personality. No Fa ce was humiliated by his neighbors, in the story he used to get teased but only a few people used to like him and wanted him around. One of the peoples were his four years old younger brother who used to believe in him, the love and faith for his older brother reflected in this part of the story where he asks his older brother: Where have you been? Pesao asks. Ive been fighting evil. No Face replied Pesao said I want to do that. You wont like it, Replied No Face Pesao looks at his face, giggles and flings another pebble at the hens, who scatter indignantly. (Pg#3, Line 40)

The Social Mill free essay sample

Mill Avenue, a street near the ASU Tempe campus, is paved with entertainment. The northernmost section of the road before Tempe Town Lake teems with clubs, restaurants, and shops. This part of the avenue, called the Mill District, plays a critical role in the local economy and culture. There’s no livelier place to be found in all of the Phoenix Metropolitan area – come the weekend, thousands of people flock to dance, eat, and shop. But Mill suffers from a design flaw. I had just finished eating at Corleones, a restaurant about a block and a half away from the Light Rail station. According to my timetable, the next train would be arriving in four minutes. Four minutes is, at least in theory, more than enough time to traverse one and a half of Mills undersized blocks. In practice, I was held up by two traffic lights on my way there. We will write a custom essay sample on The Social Mill or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page I missed the train and had to wait twenty extra minutes in the dark, warm summer night. Wiping the sweat from my face and cursing Henry Fords name, I recalled a newspaper article that mentioned a proposal to block the street from cars. The Mill District should be permanently closed to cars to improve safety, encourage additional commerce on Mill as well as on nearby streets, and create a much-needed public place for the citizens of Tempe. Erecting barricades on either side of the Mill District to keep cars out would save the lives and time of both drivers and pedestrians. The traffic through Mill can be thought of like a university students schedule. Pedestrians are vital classes, while drivers are clubs and jobs. Though extracurricular activities are enjoyable and enhance student life, they should not be allowed to interfere with coursework. Drivers occasionally collide with pedestrians, and in pedestrian-heavy areas like Mill, the risk of a crash is higher than usual. (It should also be mentioned that a great many establishments on Mill deal in alcohol, and alcohol tends to inhibit executive faculties like staying on sidewalks.) The Mill District is one of the few places where cars cause more problems than they solve. Just as making time to study is tough, parking on Mill is difficult. The eighty minute time limit on Tempe parking meters is not long enough for most people – simply getting into a crowded rest aurant may take that long, to say nothing of actually eating. The parking garages are clustered in a group near the lake on the north end. The Mill student can avoid conflict by sticking to a strict study schedule: routing cars along a street parallel to Mill to a garage would reduce the risk of being hit. Drivers would benefit from such an arrangement as well. Because of frequent street crossings, Mill requires sudden starts and stops, both of which are liable to cause automobile crashes. A more predictable road is a safer road, just as an uninterrupted hour of study time is infinitely more valuable than a handful of ten minute blocks. Additionally, drivers would be forced to walk a few blocks from the heart of the party to get to their vehicles. Such a policy would help ensure the most inebriated individuals do not ever make it to their cars and onto the roads and highways where they threaten others lives. Roads in the Valley were not designed with bicycles in mind. Bike lanes ar e thin and dangerous afterthoughts that disappear from the asphalt whenever they become the least bit inconvenient for cars. By keeping Mill free of cars, bikers may zip north and south without fear of careless motorists, especially in daylight hours. Daylight compounds the available space for bicycles; the most popular establishments on Mill are closed during the day. With the car lanes empty, bicycles can roam without fear. Bicyclists are less common at night; when the daily commute is over would be invaluable to another group currently underrepresented in the city. Street vendors and performers, though common in other cities, are uncommon in Tempe. High temperatures are at least partially to blame, but the cool summer nights and winters bring no deviation from the mean. With a vast empty expanse between defunct sidewalks, a carless Mill would see new breeds of salespeople and entertainers. Local artists could set up stands and sell their wares as they do at farmers markets. Food carts would surely cater to shoppers unwilling to pay more and wait longer at a full service restaurant. Existing individuals could use the extra room as well. The guitarists endemic to Mill street corners could bring additional amplifiers and other musicians with them, thus expanding their operations. Restaurants could lure customers inside with samples of signature dishes without risking police citations for obstructing the sidewalk. The clothing stores might hire models to show off the latest fashions for sale. Any business can come up with a way to advertise itself given a public place to advertise in. Businesses close to Mill would also benefit. The areas surrounding Mill would see bigger profits as well. Cars that would normally travel north and across the lake via Mill would be forced west. ASU lies to the Mill Districts immediate east and prevents meaningful north-south movement. The first major street to Mills west, Ash Avenue, does not even begin to approach Mills grandeur. The buildings on Ash are generally old and run-down. The flow of cars along Ash would empower Ashs businesses by the same mechanism that begets cities along interstate highways and around seaports. With more people seeing and interacting with its businesses as a matter of course, Ash Avenue would surge along with the Mill District. One might wonder – for every cars worth of commerce Ash gains, would Mill not lose an equal amount? The Mill Districts shops are very focused in what they sell: custom-printed T-shirts, bulk candy, and designer clothing, to name a few specialties. Ash Avenue offers more general products – a gas station, convenience store, and coffee shop all sit within a quarter mile of each other. Special-interest items are not as readily desired as general ones. One might impulsively indulge in a latte before a long day, but it is hard to imagine the average person stopping to check out the new Autumn styles on their way to work. Someone buying from the Mill District is not doing so on whim, but on a firm intent, and intent does not strike at random. Times Square in New York City is proof that municipal economics is not a zero-sum game: despite carrying no car traffic, Times Square manages to eke out a simple life as the most important commerce hub in the city (not counting Wall Stre et). Tempe lacks public places; a pedestrian Mill District could act much like a park. Tempe has only one remarkable area for the public to congregate: the park on the shores of Tempe Town Lake. Because the park is among the most important in the Phoenix metropolitan area, all manner of festivals and charity events are held there. Where can residents go to relax Saturday morning when the paths by the lake are crowded with American flags or runners for breast cancer? No alternative exists. A quiet and spacious place free of traffic is ideal. The Mill District could become all of these things during the day if cars were detoured away. With the simple addition of benches, tables, and more plants, the space could serve as a park in its own right when not hosting Tempes nightlife. Tempe stands to benefit from switching off the traffic lights and painting over the lines at the Mill District. Motorists, walkers, and bicyclists alike would be safer as they move around the city. Both Mill and neighbor Ash would see economic improvements from redirecting traffic to the latter. Mills capacity to act as a park with only minor renovations is wasted on automobile traffic, particularly in a city where the only other major public place is reserved every other weekend. Mill transformed would be more than the nightlife hotspot it is reputed to be – the district would be able to serve a purpose at all hours of the day.

National Merit Finalist - How to Win the Scholarship

National Merit Finalist - How to Win the Scholarship SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Many students take the PSAT in the fall of their junior year. What a lot of students may not notice is the full name of the test is PSAT/NMSQT, or Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Thus, the PSAT is not just good practice for your SATs. It’s also the first step in becoming a National Merit Finalist and hopefully, earning a $2,500 scholarship from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). In this article, we’ll discuss what steps you need to take to become a National Merit Finalist and compete for a scholarship. We'll also give you advice on how to write a strong application and maximize your chances of becoming a National Merit Scholar. Here’s how the numbers break down: Each year, about 1.6 million students take the PSAT. Of the juniors who take the exam, about 16,000 earn scores that qualify them as Semifinalists (that's around 1%). This group is narrowed down to 15,000, who become Finalists. Of this group, about 7,500 are awarded scholarships of $2,500 a year (that can be renewed each year you're in college). This article will explain the three key steps you need to follow to win the National Merit scholarship, from meeting the entry requirements, to scoring well on the PSAT, to submitting a standout application. Step 1: Meet the Entry Requirements The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) requires you to have a few qualifications to even be considered for the scholarship: You must be enrolled as a high school student, progressing normally toward graduation. You must plan to enroll full time in college starting the fall following high school graduation. You must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. lawful permanent resident planning to become a U.S. citizen. These requirements will be checked with a few questions at the beginning of the PSAT. Step 2: Score in the Top 1% of the PSAT Becoming a National Merit Finalist is competitive and requires a top score on the PSAT. Although it varies from state to state, most students must score above 1400 (out of 1520) to qualify as a Semifinalist, which means they can compete to move on to Finalist standing. How can you achieve a top 1% score on the PSAT? Prepare with high-quality materials. Identify your weak points and work to improve them. If the Reading section confuses you, spend the majority of your time practicing those sections. If math isn’t your thing, commit yourself to drillingPSAT Math problems.The National Merit competition usesa Selection Index that is based on yourReading, Math, and Writing test scores, so mastering all three sections is key. Take control of your learning and study with practice questions and sample tests. This practice will also pay off later when you take the SATs in the spring of your junior year and fall of senior year. Bonus: Aiming for a National Merit Scholarship? If you're not sure you can self-study your way to a qualifying PSAT score, you'll love our PSAT prep program, PrepScholar. We designed our program to learn your strengths and weaknesses through advanced statistics and customize your prep to be as effective as possible for you. When you start with PrepScholar, you’ll take a diagnostic that will determine your weaknesses in over forty PSAT skills. PrepScholar then creates a study program specifically customized for you. To improve each skill, you’ll take focused lessons dedicated to each skill, with over 20 practice questions per skill. This will train you for your specific area weaknesses, so your time is always spent most effectively to raise your score. We also force you to focus on understanding your mistakes and learning from them. If you make the same mistake over and over again, we'll call you out on it. There’s no other prep system out there that does it this way, which is why we get better score results than any other program on the market. Check it out today with a 5-day free trial: For more info on prepping for the PSAT, check out ourdetailed guide to attaining National Merit Semifinalist status. Step 3: Submit an Excellent Application Complete the NMSC application requirements by fall of your senior year (usually early October). This application allows 15,000 of the 16,000 Semifinalists to move on to Finalist standing. If you don't become a Finalist or don't qualify, you may still get word that you're a Commended Student or remain as a Semifinalist, which are great distinctions that will stand out on college applications. However, only Finalists are eligible for National Merit Scholarship awards. The online NMSC application is the same as your college application in some ways and different in other ways. Similarities You must submit the following: Your academic record (transcript) SAT scores* Information about your activities and leadership roles A personal essay *You have to take the SATs on approved dates, usually in the fall of your senior year, and make sure to send along your score report to NMSC. They need to receive your scores by December 31st of your senior year. While there is no strict cutoff for SAT scores, they must be competitive like your PSAT scores (usually around 1400 or above) so they know your PSAT wasn't a fluke. Differences You must submit the following: A recommendation from your high school principal or someone the principal designates as a school official Information about your school’s curricula and grading system Let's dig into each component to maximize your chance of building a strong application to win the National Merit Scholar title. Academic Record and SAT Scores The National Merit Corporation is first and foremost looking to award academic achievement. There is no strict cutoff, but a competitive GPA (3.5 and above) and high SAT scores (approximately 1400 and above) are recommended. Your academic record should also show that you challenged yourself with honors and AP classes. When you're a high school junior, there isn't much you can do about this, other than continue to excel in your classes. Want to learn more about the SAT but tired of reading blog articles? Then you'll love our free SAT prep livestreams. Designed and led by PrepScholar SAT experts, these live video events are a great resource for students and parents looking to learn more about the SAT and SAT prep. Click on the button below to register for one of our livestreams today! Extracurricular Activities and Community Service The NMC is also looking at the skills and accomplishments shown in your application. Demonstrated leadership goes a long wayfor example, leading in Student Council or other student organizations. Your activities should reveal your passions and interestsit is usually better to show â€Å"depth over breadth.† In other words, get deeply involved in a few activities you’re passionate about rather than showing minor participation in every club, team, and organization your school has to offer. Almost all activities are valuable if they show your commitment, leadership potential, and ability to work with and help others. Recommendations Recommendations go a long way. Cultivate good relationships with your teachers, counselor, and principal and provide a â€Å"brag sheet† for them with the qualities and accomplishments you would like them to include in your recommendation. Your brag sheet may include the following: What six adjectives best describe you? What do you consider your greatest accomplishment(s)? What are your strongest goals for the next five years? What is a meaningful experience you have had during high school? These anecdotes will make writing a lot easier, and they'll thank you for this. Make sure to ask for your recommendation at least three weeks in advance of the deadline, and follow up with your writer to make sure it'll be submitted on time. The earlier you notify them, the more ahead you'll be of your classmates, most of whom will need college application letters. Personal Essay The personal essay adds your voice to your application materials. Your essay is the place where you can share your unique story and perspective and make your application materials come to life. Here is an example of a past National Merit essay question: To help the reviewers get to know you, describe an experience you have had, a person who has influenced you, or an obstacle you have overcome. Explain why this is meaningful to you. Use your own words and limit your response to the space provided. The space allows for about 500 - 600 words. You should focus on two important components of the essay. First, the NMC wants to see that you can express yourself clearly and powerfully through writing. Make sure to proofread, edit, and revise for any spelling errors, grammatical mistakes, or weaknesses in syntax and diction. Second, your essay reveals how you think about yourself, your accomplishments, and your goals. What do your experiences mean to you? What do they reveal about your identity? Spend some time brainstorming before you decide what aspects of your identity are most important to share with the NMC readers. For example, did a group science fair project show you the power of collaboration in making new discoveries? Did a Student Council debate reveal the complexity of perspectives on a single issue? Did Lisa Simpson teach you the importance of sticking to your principles, even if your family may not always agree? The topics are endless, and there is no best answer, but whatever you choose should reveal something significant about who you are. Once you have your first draft, ask a friend, family member, counselor, or English teacher for feedback on what worked and what didn’t. It’s a short essay, so make sure every sentence is there for a reason and important for telling your story. In Conclusion Staying motivated and committing yourself to all these goals will put you in the best position toward becoming a National Merit Finalist. Remember, only 15,000 students ( 1%) are chosen as Finalists, and of those, only about 7,500 students receive scholarships. On a percentage basis, it's even more competitive than getting into the Ivy League, so even with all your hard work, you’ll still need a certain amount of luck! NSMC notifies students if they have become finalists in February of their senior year. Scholarship notifications go out in March. By that time, most of your college applications will be done and submitted. Now you just have to try to relax and wait for the decisions to come! If you complete all the steps mentioned above, you can be confident that you’ve done all you can – now hopefully the National Merit Scholarship Corporation will recognize all your hard work. What's Next? Want more tips on how to get a top PSAT score?Check out our guide on how to get a perfect PSAT score for all the info you need to know. Are you striving for perfection on the SAT?Read our detailed guide by our resident SAT full scorer. Aiming to get intoa top-tier school? Check outour article: What's a good SAT score for the Ivy League? Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points? We have the industry's leading SAT prep program. Built by Harvard grads and SAT full scorers, the program learns your strengths and weaknesses through advanced statistics, then customizes your prep program to you so you get the most effective prep possible. Check out our 5-day free trial today:

Are You One of These 4 Toxic Workplace Personalities

Are You One of These 4 Toxic Workplace Personalities There are a million ways to screw up at work, and we like to think we avoid most of the obvious pitfalls. But here are a few work types you might not realize you resemble from time to time. 1. The MinimalistYou know who you are. Someone asks you for a status update on a project and you answer, â€Å"I did my part,† without following through. How much longer would it take you to trace that project through the chain and give a more comprehensive answer? To take responsibility for the task, not just your fraction of a task? You won’t be able to do this every time you’re asked, so why not take the initiative when you can and go the extra mile?2. The Negative NellyYou might think you’re an upbeat, positive person. But it’s possible you’re the workplace downer. Do you groan at each new daunting project? Weigh the cons before the pros? Complain about the extra work and hours, rather than get psyched about that new high-profile project? Make sure you keep the glass half full and distinguish yourself as a leader among your colleagues.3. The DisappointmentYou think you’re a hero because you take on so much more than everybody else- but that’s also more than can be reasonably expected. Overcommitting can sometimes lead to underperforming, missed deadlines, monster to-do lists, and disappointment. You certainly don’t want to be guilty of the opposite (never taking extra work on), but if you do step in to pinch hit, remember to make sure you have your stance in order.4. The ShockerYou’ve taken on a bit more than you can chew, and things have been going in a disastrous direction. But you haven’t let your boss in on the details, and as the big presentation rolls around, you have to drop a bomb. If only you’d shared the difficulties as they popped up along the way- your colleagues could have helped out before the situation deteriorated. But you didn’t. And now†¦ disaster.These workp lace traits turn up in every office. There’s always someone guilty of these office faux pas, and- if you aren’t careful- it could be you!Are You a Boss Botherer? Be Sure to Avoid This Workplace Behavior

Fund Transfer Pricing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Fund Transfer Pricing - Essay Example A method used to measure the performance and profitability of banks, therefore, should put into consideration the deposits and loans by banks thus considering the net interest. FTP is a management control technique that is used to calculate the true NIL component of profitability of business units, products, portfolios, and customers (Suresh 2010). It is used to calculate the cost of funding assets and credit for funds provided inform of deposits. This is mainly the net interest which is used in the income statement and balance sheet that consists of loans generated on the asset side and funds purchased from transfer funds pool on the liability side. Fund transfer pricing is a method that banks use to internally measure, allocate and assign profit contribution value to funds collected from customer deposit, given out as loans to customers (Singh & Dutta 2013). Therefore, FTP is a component in measuring the profitability of banks since the net interest margins arrived at, as a result, is what contributes to the determination of performance and profitability of banks. FTP reflects perspective market prices, including maturities and repricing characteristics of corresponding assets and liabilities (Greuning & Brajovic 2003). It, therefore, helps the banks to determine the value of their assets in the capital markets and this further helps the banks in their investment decisions that are meant to increase their lending capacity. In addition, FTP places cost of use of capital inherent in the extension of credit to an obligor (Gross, 2006). In this way, it determines the profitability of customers, which helps the banks in making lending decisions. FTP helps to calculate the cost of the portfolio, which helps the bank in making loans and lending decisions (Saita 2007). FTP determines a banking portfolio and transfer prices that apply to loans and deposit collection (Blessis 2014). Determination of portfolio helps banks to determine how much they can lend.

Performance Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 6

Performance Management - Essay Example sue that affects employee performance is the use of electronic communications especially in an era where social media has found its use in the workplaces. As such, companies us performance appraisals to evaluate their employees to reward the top performers and punish the non-performers. Therefore, the essay discusses the implications of random drug tests for current employees, establishes if it is justifiable to monitor the use of electronic communications and the importance of performance appraisals. Currently, companies are in a bid to implement policies that will allow them to random carry out drug tests on their employees. However, the random drug testing especially on the current employees is a subject to human privacy violation implying that organizations should consider the applicable regulations as well as statutes that protect the employee rights (Wall, 2011). On the other hand, random drug testing should take course under insurance and employment contract requirements to address the drug problem at the workplace. Random drug testing may be justifiable because organizations, through the executive management, have the responsibility to provide safe and healthy work environment. Employees who are on drugs may be a threat to others because they may be prone to mistakes that may result in serious injuries at the workplace. Therefore, random drug testing for the current employees is only justifiable if the employees sign the drug testing policy upon their employment to an org anization because this way, there will be a balance between privacy and safe workplace. In Canada, firing an employee can be quite a nightmare even if the employer believes that the employee is incompetent in the assigned task. The implication is that if the termination of the employee takes place in a wrong manner, the court may compel the organization to pay for damages. However, there are steps that organizations can take to reduce the chances of facing legal suit from the employee.

Student Veteran Essay Example for Free

Student Veteran Essay No matter who you are, where you’re from, what your job, and how old are you, every single person in the universe has the right to persuade the education as they wish. As the war of Iraq ended and budget cutting for military spending, thousands of newly discharged soldiers are thinking about what to do next. Most of the soldiers, Marines, Airmen, and Sailors joined the military before their 21st birthday, and it’s often the only job they’ve ever held. So, most of them are deciding to go back to school for their education. In the article of â€Å"The veterans are coming! The veterans are coming! † by Edward F. Palm, he states that It is good to know that after the soldiers come from war some of the veterans are ready for a post-secondary education. Palm gives advice to teachers and staff from college and universities on how to treat veterans on campuses. Edward Palm uses personal stories and gives some advice that helps veterans feel confident when they go back to school; also, Palm makes readers believe his credibility by employing pathos and ethos appeal combined with friendly and proud tone that creates and affective argument. After reading â€Å"The veterans are coming! The veterans are coming! †, I agreed  that student veteran in the college is feeling very alone on the campus. We should have treated them with respect and normal like any other students, and college and university should have educated students how to treat with Veteran student. Student veteran in the college can be very autistic. When the service member is discharged from the military, they feel the separation and disorientation with the society. It is because they just spent the last several years inextricably tied to military type of social system, whether it was a brigade, battalion, company, platoon, squad, team, or just one on one with a  battle buddy. During those years, solitude was rare. Now, suddenly they’re no longer attached to those systems, and the feeling of vulnerability can be terrifying. The loss of friendships, purpose, identity, structure, and income is enough to push most people to their limits. Now they are in the college society, which is completely different social system that bears no resemblance to military and command free society. Moreover, student veterans are also older and more experienced than their freshman peers, which helps them keep things in perspective and not sweat the small stuff. They can, and  do, manage huge amounts of pain, both physical and mental, without complaint. But consequently, they also bristle at trivial matters called â€Å"crises† by others, and scorn the frequent self-absorption of their peers. They often see most civilian students as not emotionally strong enough to be their friends. So, they usually isolate themselves in school. Additionally, we need to treat student veterans with respect and normal like any other students on the campus. We need to put a lot of patients to communicate with student veteran. I have a personal experience with the student veteran when I took my chemistry class two years  ago. He is one of my classmates in chemistry class. He is a return solider from Afghanistan, when President Obama ended the Afghanistan war in 2008. He lost the ability of hearing in the war. My first impression of him thought that he is only one the disable students on campus. I can feel he is so shy, fear and low self-esteem around the class because I saw him, he is setting at the corner with his deaf interpreter. I thought his low self-esteem is only coming from his disabilities, but I never anticipated that he is one of the return solider. Then, in the first day of the  chemistry laboratory, we need to choose the group to do all the experiment together for the whole semester. Most of the students have their own group with their friends, but I did not any friends because I am a college freshman. So, I formed a group with him and another college freshman. We really have not talked for a few weeks, even we try to discuss about the experiment because he is too shy around other students and also we cannot communicate orally. So, I found the way to communicate with him by writing, and he started comfortable around the group, and we become a good friend. After a few weeks, he told me that he does not want to do the experiment on the creating flame color and told me he has anxiety on the fire because he saw his battle buddy burn alive to dead in the war. Since then, he has been diagnosed with Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder. So, we discussed on his situation with the professor and made him out of the experiment. It make remember what Palm said â€Å"when it comes to what they did in the war, don’t ask; wait for them to decide if and when they want to tell. The experience of combat is largely ineffable. It  cannot be adequately expressed or shared with people who have not experienced it, and most who have are conflicted about it. If they do choose to share, do not judge. † (Palm 793). I did not ask how he loses his hearing even when we are start talking. But I believe it will not be a happy story behind it. So, I did not ask how about it and even when he told his story I choose not to judge or comment on his tragedy event. Therefore, the student veteran can be really scared and unconfident in the campus because they are really emotionally sensitive about their tragedy that happened in the warzone. But if we treat them normally, patiently and connecting them can effectively ease the social isolation, they will feel very comfortable around other students in the campus. Finally, I think the college and university should acknowledge the students how to communicate with student veteran. I think there are a few questions not to ask the student veteran and not to thank to a student veteran for not knowing their services. The question that we should never ask to student veteran are â€Å"These wars were atrocities and a waste of human life,† â€Å"I don’t get why you’re having so much trouble—you volunteered, right? † And worst of all, â€Å"Did you kill anyone? † These comments do more than upset veterans; they wound the hearts of men and women who are already overburdened with sorrow. Most students cannot image about how the warzone look like. They will very curious and will ask the questions that hurtful to a student veteran. For this reason, I think the college and university should acknowledge students to prevent a student from saying something hurtful and explain how these comments might be hurtful. Then, we should not never thank to the veteran. In the article, Palm stated that  Ã¢â‚¬Å"To thank a veteran you don’t know for his or her service is to put that veteran on the spot. It assumes an ideological and political kinship that may or may not exist. I know it makes me uncomfortable. Keep in mind as well that some will doubt your sincerity, wondering if what you’re really saying is, I’m glad you went so that I [or my son or daughter] didn’t have to go. (Palm 793). By say thank you to student veteran will make them think that you, your son or daughter can living safety in the country because they are going to war for you and your son or daughter. It  will make them feel that they are going to die for you. In conclusion, students veteran on campus are usually isolated themselves with the college society. But if we have enough patient and normal treat as other college peers, and teach other students the way to communicate with them, they will blend to the college society. Work Cited Edward F. Palm. â€Å"The Veterans Are Coming! The Veterans Are Coming! † Everything’s an Argument with Reading. 6th Ed. Andrea A. Lunsford, John J. Ruszkiewicz and Keith Walters. Boston, New York Bedford/ St. Marthin’s 2013. 788-794. Print.

The Cuban Revolution and the Triumph of Women in Cuba Essay examples --

Fidel Castro and the M-26-7 successfully seized power of Cuba’s government in 1959, after years of fighting. The M-26-7’s nationalist movement was able to knock the corrupt leader, Fulgencio Batista, out of power, and in 1961 Castro deemed the revolution to be officially of a Marxist nature. Throughout his 40-year stay as president, Castro has not allowed his revolution to stall, but rather he has allowed it to progress and adapt as he has seen fit. In relation with Castro’s revolution in Cuba has been another revolution, that of the Cuban women. Castro himself described the changes in women’s public and private lives as "a revolution within a revolution". In a true system of equality, as in the one Castro holds as his ideal, equality reaches all people across all lines whether they are lines of race, class, or gender. Throughout Castro’s campaign, starting in 1953 with the failed Moncada attack, Castro has used historic referenciality to appeal to the Cuban population. Castro’s most often mentioned historical figure is no other than the national hero, Josà © Martà ­. While Martà ­Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s view on women is suspect to debate, his opinion on equality is very clear. Martà ­ once said, "Respect for the freedom and ideas of others, of even the most wretched being, is my fanaticism. When I die, or if I am killed, it will be because of that." The crux of this prophetic quote was borrowed by Castro on a broader level when he attained power and based his entire social structure on equality. Women in pre-revolutionary Cuba Gender differences were enormous in Cuba before the Cuban revolution. The prototypical woman of the old republic according to a leading journalist of the revolution, Mirta Rodrà ­guez Calderà ³n, was Yina the prostitute. A poor wo... ...reignty against the colonizers who exterminated the auctoctonous population, of the interventionists who sought to take up our Island, of the dictators and governments in power under the disgraceful servitude of transnational mandates impoverishing the country. Resolute and brave women patriots engaged in every necessary period of the war for national liberation. When the people took power, women identified the starting revolution, as their own Revolution, which immediately established education and medical care services free for all without distinction, the land and urban reforms, measures of greatly popular benefits made it clear what the revolution intended to do, and therefore they embraced at once, participating intensively in all construction and defense works of the new society that opened its doors with all the rights and opportunities they never had before.

Partnerships working in services for children Essay

Understand partnerships working in services for children and young people Task 2 understands the importance of effective communication and information sharing in services for children and young people. 2.1 – Describe why clear and effective communication between partners is required: Clear and effective communication between partners is required because you have to share information about children’s learning and development, this is particularly important because when sharing information it is crucial that there are no mistakes made as this can then affect the information that has been shared and also you must ensure there are no barriers within the communication; also when working with partners effective communication is also needed so everyone can work towards the same aim and to achieve the best outcomes for the child and the children’s family. Another reason why effective communication between partners is required is because all partners need to plan together to meet children’s learning needs and it is important for all the key people to understand each other. Communication involves sharing information with other partners about the child’s interests and di slikes so they can build on. Lastly many children change their setting so it’s important to get the right information across effectively. 2.2 – Identify policies and procedures in the work setting for information sharing: Polices and procedure give clear messages to staff about their roles and responsibilities and set the boundaries within which they are expected to work. It is also important to remember polices and procedures are there to make sure that the best possible practice is maintained and developed to provide the best care and learning environment for the children or young people. Policy and procedures for sharing information: The data Protection Act 1998 which provides a framework to make sure that information is shared appropriately. The Children Act 2004 which sets out clear expectations for information sharing. The Children’s Plan 2007 which includes information sharing exception’s throughout. Every Child Matters. The Early Years Foundation Stage Framework. 2.3- Explain where there maybe conflicts or dilemmas in relation to share information with partners and maintaining confidentiality: If you are being asked to share information with partners but also to maintain confidentiality, conflicts or dilemmas will arise. This can often relate to a matter of safeguarding the children and young people in your care. You should always talk to your manager if you are placed in a situation. Avoid discussing this with other colleagues as much as you may trust them. The best way to disclose information is to: Only share information with relevant people If a child is any kind of danger, information must be shared Children must come first and be communicated with where possible Record all information and actions Always consult with your line manager! 2.4- Describe why it is important to record information clearly, accurately, legibly, and concisely meeting legal requirements: It is important that information is recorded clearly, accurately and concisely and in a way that meets any legal requirements on you or your setting is under. Settings will require different ways to record information like: Observations Assessments Incidents Injury Medical information Concerns about a child Risk assessment Records of meetings Records of conversations There are also different sorts of report. A factual report is a report that gives information like an accident. It should be only written starting with what has actually happened, only facts. When you record information you  have to: Get support from your manager Make notes at meetings so you can write them up later Write clearly with minimal errors Used correct format Keep to the points Store confidentially Do not use children’s names maintain confidentiality Complete as soon as possible Information has to be clear, accurate, legible and concise so that professionals/ parents/carers are able to read and understand what is written clearly, it is a legible requirement for records to be clear and legible. This ensures that any action that needs to be taken is not delayed. 2.5- Identify how communications and records are recorded and securely stored meeting the data protection requirements: There are different ways that communications and records can be made like: Electronic means Memos A communication book A required format, such as incident form These should be stored in a secure place like a computer with a password on it, or in a locked cupboard. Only necessary people should have access to them like staff dealing with medication information to have access to the medical records. 2.6- Explain why and how referrals are made to different agencies: Sometime children may need additional support from outside their setting and its necessary to make a referral. A child can be referred for: A medical condition like hearing impairment A learning need like dyslexia An emotional need, like bereavement or personal loss A physical condition, like brittle bones Multi-agency panels have been set up to support referrals in between settings, usually they: Are made up of different professional Are organised by local authorities Ensure children’s needs are quickly identified Make sure children are referred to the right setting Monitor the provision between settings Ensure that there is a close partnership between settings Include parents in the process The steps for making referrals: Step 1: find out if the child has additional needs by using the CAF checklist. Step 2: discuss the child’s needs using the CAF checklist. Step 3: a decision is made to seek support.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Essay

I. Key Problem What Steven Ells began with a small taqueria in Denver, Colorado in 1993, one may not have foreseen this venture to become the fastest growing restaurant chain in the last decade. By 2006, Ells’ idea made its initial public offering with 535 restaurants throughout the world. Things were going tremendously well for CMG until late afternoon on October 18, 2012 when Ells finished receiving the company’s third quarter results. While data indicated an overall satisfactory outcome, it was the competition from Yum Brands’ Taco Bell and their recent launch of the Cantina Bell menu that would result in what seemed to be the onset of a major problem. Taco Bell had now become a major competitor to Chipotle since the launch of their new Cantina Bell menu allowing them to enter into the fast-casual segment in offering similar ingredients and items as Chipotle had. At the same time CMG paid a significant amount more for their products forcing them to charge a higher price on their menu items. Taco Bell, however, now offered similar items for half the price. The bottom line: competition was the root of this problem. The fact that Chipotle menu prices were higher as compared to that of Taco Bell’s new menu would lead to consumers or normally loyal customers to give the Cantina Bell menu a try. After the launch of the Cantina Bell menu in the summer of 2012, CMG stock significantly declined just after third quarter results were announced. To add insult to injury, Jeff Einhorn, a hedge fund leader, presented at the Value Investors Conference in New York City proclaiming that CMG was an attractive stock for short-sellers because of the considerable competition from Taco Bell. He further stated, â€Å"23% of Chipotle customers had already tried Taco Bell’s Cantina Bell menu†¦and two-thirds of those customers indicated they would return. What’s more, the customers most likely to return to Taco Bell were also those most likely to eat at Chipotle, a dynamic that indicates to me that Chipotle is most at risk of losing its frequent customers.† This message led to CMG’s stock falling by more than 4% within hours of the conclusion of the presentation. The announcement of projected increases in food costs on the part of CMG also contributed to the competition between them and Taco Bell. While Chipotle stood by its belief that it is â€Å"Food with Integrity† because of better ingredients, the Cantina Bell menu produced something similar while lowering the cost a customer would have to pay for a meal, therefore, causing further competition between the two. II. Relevant Theory By looking at the items offered on the Cantina Bell menu versus those on Chipotle’s menu, I determined that they both have a competitive advantage. Chipotle is a premium product offered at a higher price where it reaches a broader market share that is willing to pay more money. On the other hand, Taco Bell’s main strategic course is cost leadership which enables them to reach a broader market share with a lower price for the desired item. As shown on Example 1 the Competitive Advantage and Economic Value Created are somewhat different between the two companies. Since Chipotle offers a better quality of ingredients, consumers are willing to pay a higher price. As a result, creating a higher Value (V) for a burrito is at the same time creating a greater economic value (Value-Cost.) Meanwhile the economic value created by Taco Bell is smaller since the value of their product is less and consumer’s maximum willingness to pay will be lower. Example 1 Since Yum Brands launching of the new Cantina Bell menu, this new organic ingredient-driven list of selections has been a pretty obvious attempt to compete with fast casual giant Chipotle. This is what has become the major concern for Chipotle where competition is becoming fierce and for practically half the price the Cantina Bell menu is a definite value. However, you do get what you pay for and the overall quality and taste of Chipotle still has a slightly greater edge over Taco Bell. The value someone will be willing to pay for a Taco Bell burrito will be less than the value Chipotle has created with their better quality ingredients, hence creating a greater economic value. III. Assessment of Alternatives How could Chipotle effectively approach their key problem which is Taco Bell’s new Cantina Bell menu? What seems to be the main concern for Chipotle is that Taco Bell is trying to provide a similar product for half the price. Some of the alternatives available to Chipotle to are: †¢ Buy low cost goods to reduce prices using Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) †¢ Another option could be to offer a smaller burrito for a smaller price, or to include less amounts of meat as Taco Bell does †¢ Continue doing what they do best and differentiate themselves Should Chipotle buy low cost goods to reduce prices using Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), it would allow them to offer menu items at a lower cost to the consumer providing greater competition between them and Taco Bell’s Cantina Bell menu. However, in doing so would contradict their philosophy of providing the best quality ingredients in their food. In doing so, it will change CMG’s strategy from being a premium product and higher price to a cost leadership strategy and at the same time reducing the value of its product. Another option could be to offer a smaller burrito for a smaller price, or to include less amounts of meat as Taco Bell does in its Cantina Bell menu. This would also allow for cost effectiveness on both the consumer and Chipotle’s side, however, it would go against CMG’s mission statement of being â€Å"Food with Integrity†, lower its value and become a cost leadership strategy as opposed to being a premium product and higher price. A third alternative is for CMG to continue to compete effectively by doing what they already are doing which is differentiation based on quality and sustainability. This approach supports its philosophical message of better food for the consumer and community as well as being environmentally conscious. This allows CMG to maintain its values and remain within their strategy segment. On the contrary, this alternative force Chipotle to increase their menu prices while reducing its consumer surplus. IV. Suggested Course of Action After carefully analyzing the different alternatives, the best course of action is to continue to compete effectively on differentiation based on quality and sustainability given the mounting competitive and sourcing challenges. Even thought Taco Bell’s new menu seems like a significant threat they are far from creating the same value and reputation Chipotle has created since it opened its first restaurant in 1993. Not only does Chipotle provide the freshest and best ingredients with a bold flavor, they are setting themselves apart from any other restaurant chain and main competitor since they continuously are working toward better practices. They continue to push to sustainable sourcing like getting their meat form non Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) while at the same time contributing to the promotion of good animal health and fighting against animal abuse. In addition, CMG buys products from local farms, builds restaurants to be eco friendly and LEED certified (leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) while trying to keep the cost and price of other items down. As their value statement proclaims, â€Å"Food with Integrity† is a mission of serving good quality food with inputs sourced using sustainable farming practices. Even thought new threats like Taco Bell’s Cantina Bell menu are presenting a challenge there will always be competition. CMG upholds strong beliefs to do what is best for the environment and for its communities in order to provide the best products to its consumers. This is precisely why they have grown so fast from the opening of their first taqueria, to the capital infusion from McDonald’s, to its initial Public offering (IPO.) They have been the fastest growing chain in the last decade and just like any fast growing business, regardless of their success, they will reach a slower growth as they approach maturity. There will still be opportunity for expansion. Chipotle is certainly heading toward a different direction than their competitors making them stand out and become a lot harder to imitate. This alternative is truly the only logical option for Chipotle as it continues to enforce its philosophy of providing â€Å"Food with Integrity.† There will always be competition between companies and products, however, if Chipotle chooses another route for combating this rivalry with Taco Bell, it would not allow itself to differentiate from them. V. Key Takeaways Before reading this case, I knew nothing about Chipotle but after reading it I am quite impressed by the approach CMG has taken choosing to go a different route most companies are afraid of doing because of higher cost prices. I was equally impressed they choose organic products, to buy from local farms, being against massive animal feeding as well as animal cruelty and that they are eco friendly and are looking to make all their restaurants like this. Of course, I should also mention that one knows one will be eating the best ingredients and most fresh available foods. I am confident as the values of this company are brought to the attention of more of the public, Chipotle will reach a bigger market share as the public demand will rise. I would also predict other companies and restaurants will follow similar suit. As mentioned earlier, there will always be competition in business, but a firm must find their differentiation advantage. As individuals become more educated and understand the factor facing the environment people will be willing to make a change and help make a difference.

The Outsiders2 essays

The Outsiders2 essays In this book analysis, about the book "The Outsiders" by S. E. Hinton I will discuss character and plot development, as well as the setting, the author's style and my opinions about the book. In this part of the analysis I will give some information about the subjects of the book, The author wrote the story when she was just 16 years old, in the 1950s. The book was successful, and it was sold, and still being sold, in many copies as a young adults novel. There was a movie made about it, and today there are still many schools that use this book in junior high and high schools for English classes. There were plays made about the book too. The Outsiders is about a gang. They live in a city in Oklahoma. Ponyboy Curtis, a 14 year old greaser, tells the story. Other characters include Sodapop and Darry, Ponyboy's brothers, Johnny, Dallas, and Two-Bit, that were also gang members and Ponyboy's friends. This story deals with two forms of social classes: the socs, the rich kids, and the greasers, the poor kids. The socs go around looking for trouble and greasers to beat up, and then the greasers are blamed for it, because they are poor and cannot affect the authorities. I hope you would enjoy and learn something about the book from reading this analysis. The plot development in the book, "The Outsiders" by S.E. Hinton, was easy to follow. In this part of the book analysis I will give some more details about the plot development. There were no hooks or hurdles in the beginning of the book, the first sentence starts right away with the plot-without any forewords. This is the beginning of the first sentence: "When I stepped out into the bright sunlight from the darkness of the movie house..." (page 9). As you can see, it goes straight to the point without any prologues or any kind of introduction. The plot development in the middle of the story was sensible and easy to ...

How to Maintain Sanity in Your Medical intern Year

How to Maintain Sanity in Your Medical intern Year Going into your intern year, you certainly know you’re in for long days (and nights†¦ and overnights†¦ ) with very little time to yourself.  The key to making the most of your precious free time? Planning. Meticulous, think-ahead, strict and careful planning. It may sound counterintuitive, but you’re going to have to become adept at planning relaxation and self-care well in advance. Sound silly? It’s not. If you don’t think ahead, your precious days off will come and go in an unfulfilling haze.Do you have friends you absolutely want to see this year? Nail down their availability, make dates (no matter how far in advance), and put them in the calendar. Want to spend a whole day catching up on your favorite show? Sounds great–book a huge block as â€Å"busy† and give yourself permission to laze around all day. Do you need to see a handful of doctors for annual exams? Call their offices, make appointments now, and get them down in yo ur planner.Careful organization of your limited days off–even for the fun stuff–will help you soak of every bit of your limited free time and will make you a better doctor. In order to have the mental and physical capability to care for your patients, it’s vital to take care of yourself in mind, body, and spirit.

Religion, Feminism, and Environmentalism Research Paper - 2

Religion, Feminism, and Environmentalism - Research Paper Example Buddhism holds two concepts for feminism. In the first concept it, says that it’s better for women to take another life to be born as a man. Whereas the other concept says that genders do not matter, it is spirituality that is considered important in Buddhism. Hinduism, on the other hand, deals with ecofeminism as a scared concept. They say that the power of a goddess resides within women, and this gives them an authority over everything. Perhaps this is because there is a connection between nature and feminism that gives them the authority over nature. Christianity too treats women as sacred entities and believes in the fact that there are some similarities between nature and women. Women and nature both are considered to possess the quality of reproduction in all the religions. Ecological feminism can be defined as a concept which unites or merges the movement of nature with the movements of feminism. Eco feminists have tried to portray the importance of feminism to environmentalism (Cheney 179)2. The term ecofeminism was first used by a French writer, Francoise d’Eaubonne in 1984. She used this term for the first time in her bookâ€Å"Le Feminismeou la mort†. Ecological feminism can also be defined as a concept which connects environmentalism with feminism. It can further be elaborated as the ability of the women power to work towards the achievement of balance in the ecological processes. Ecofeminist philosophy finds, analyzes and studies the connection between the behavior that dominate the women and the behavior that can be considered detrimental for the society or the environment. Ortner was the first anthropologist to raise the question of similarities between women and nature. He said that as woman is to man, similarly nature is to culture. He said that there are many similarities between women and nature. The first one, he elaborated was the reproductive function played by both. He further added that as women

Reflexive managers are required for contemporary organizations Essay

Reflexive managers are required for contemporary organizations. Discuss using examples - Essay Example Consequently, it can be affirmed that without proper strategies, companies will not able to gain a sustainable position in the market. In this regard, it is important that companies devise their objectives and strategies parallel to one another in an effective and efficient manner further enhancing the prospect for gaining utmost level of success. However, it will also be important to mention that proper execution of the strategies is also deemed to be quite vital in order to attain the benefits for the overall business. Contextually, the role of managers or management comes into being. Managers provide the ultimate guidance to the entire business from which it can move to the positive direction and yield beneficial results for the entire business. However, executing the plans of the business needs proper support from the various resources of the corporation which primarily include the human resources as well. Proper guidance to the human resources requires appropriate and innovative style of leadership from the managers (Nieuwenhuizen, 2007). Contextually, it is believed that reflexive style of leadership is quite vital as it is effective and efficient in the domain of influencing employees towards their work. In order to get a proper understanding in in this regard, the paper will provide a thorough discussion regarding whether reflexive managers are required in the contemporary organisations with the assistance of examples. Notably, the scenario of business activities has altered by a considerable extent in recent years owing to which companies have the need to develop diverse range of strategies so that they could be able to gain utmost level of efficacy and competitiveness in their operations. However, it is important to execute the plans of the business effectively in order to ensure maximum benefits from the strategies devised by the business. Contextually, the role of human resources of the business becomes quite significant

Basically Good, Bad, or Both Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Basically Good, Bad, or Both - Essay Example Human beings are a combination of both, good and evil because they are neutral and they have the free will and determination to adopt any. In order to be civilized humans have set boundaries and rules that determine good and evil. Aristotle argued that since man is a social animal and setting boundaries for good and evil is but natural because they are essential for humans remain civilized. Humans are neutral because they are equally capable and free to make a rational choice between good and evil. It is the society, upbringing and biological factors that affect a human's ability to think and decide. So it's these factors that are to be accredited blamed or for good or evil, respectively. It has been proved that the human mind is not a blank slate by Steven Pinker in his book "The Blank Slate" and the other factors like the surroundings, sociological and biological factors affect the mind's ability to think. Humans are not born good or born evil because they are capable of both as th ey grow up into adults. Education and guidance have an effect on the mind's capability to decide and choose between good and evil. ... Whereas, the developed world is a different scenario and people are usually educated and well- brought up even well-fed and well-provided with all the needs and wants and it's a fact that these people are sensitive and have made rational decisions to do good and avoid evil. Both the qualities of good and evil are present within us and we must make a choice. There are outside influences that affect the nature of the choice. The most controversial example is George W. Bush who is civilized and a good man in the eyes of many and especially his relatives but he is responsible for waging wars for oil and millions have been killed in his quest. He is a combination of good and evil. Bush is a good person to some people and maybe he himself believes that he is working in the best interests of his people and his country. But the fact remains that his actions were evil and millions of innocent lives have been lost. There is a reason for human nature to take this form and there are several theo ries to explain it. The philosophical naturalism believes that humans are superior beings and they are the result of evolution. Humanist philosophers argue that good and evil are simply labels and made up boundaries in order to civilize this world. It is the brain and the society at work that bring out this distinction. These influences affect our decisions to be good or to be evil. Man was born free and free will according to Thomism by Aquinas explains that a free will is the only essential proof of the existence of a soul. Aristotle supported this theory as well since according to his concept of hylomorphism the soul is significant and also universal and the soul makes every human being different. Therefore, when every one of us is different, every one of us has a

Importance of teamwork

Importance of teamwork 1. Introduction As organisations continue to strive towards competitive advantage and increasingly high performance standards, collaboration and team-oriented project management are increasingly providing the flexibility and innovative potential necessary to excel. Yet in spite of the dynamic characteristics of teams in practice, many organisations fail to recognise the core determinants of a team-oriented framework, instead grouping employees into non-linked, non-dependent, individually-driven models. This group-based approach is distinct from team-specific initiatives and fails to meet the rigorous determinants of dynamism and effectiveness necessary in the modern marketplace. The following sections will draw distinctions between teamwork and group work, highlighting the opportunities associated with team-driven performance. Further, several theoretical models of teamwork will be introduced, demonstrating underlying benefits of optimised team management and goal setting. Through this discussion, a framework of organisational implications will be introduced, focusing on team-generated performance and the importance of effective team outcomes in meeting organisational goals. 2. The Teamwork Paradigm In spite of their seeming interoperability, Fritz (2014:1) emphasises that the terms ‘team’ and ‘group’ hold practical distinctions when represented in the context of enterprise management. A group, in theory, represents three or more individuals who, although aligned according to similar objectives or a similar unit assignment, work and perform independently of each other to achieve organisational goals (Fritz, 2014:1). Alternatively, the definition of a team involves an alliance of three or more individuals who collaborate and work interdependently to achieve a mutual goal or objective over the course of a given project, focus, or agenda (Fritz, 2014:1). Accordingly, it is the structural segmentation of responsibilities (independent or collective) that differentiates between these two terms, creating opportunities for managers to apply appropriate solutions to resolve variable and complex organisational problems. Whilst employees may initially begin their organisational tenure as a member of a working group, it is ultimately the priority and high level objective of the leadership to stimulate functional team-working, actualising tangible, high-performing outcomes from a participative environment that are capable of supporting a broader organisational vision and agenda. Whilst group-based projects and group work solutions have been prescribed throughout a variety of educational, enterprise, and social scenarios, the distinction between individual and collaborative roles within the group work concept results in a variety of outcomes. Kwon et al. (2014:185), for example, suggest that the degree and level of collaboration is a highly variable framework, one which is defined according to the complexity of the project, the characteristics of the team itself, and the overarching objectives of the leadership. Yet, more importantly, the researchers demonstrate systematically that the roots of effective teamwork are based upon a process of competent and sustained collaboration, evading a variety of pitfalls, limitations, and challenges that arise from the individualised roots that largely characterise the group-work paradigm (Kwon et al., 2014:196). It is the ability for leaders to not only inspire employee engagement in a common goal or agenda, but collaboration within a heterogeneous, multi-functional, interdependent team that ultimately creates the necessary opportunities for maximising efficiency and stimulating higher performance outcomes over time (Hogel and Proserpio, 2004:1160). As team members continue to evolve beyond the pitfalls of group-based membership and individualised working priorities, the characteristics and capabilities of the team itself begin to emerge, providing pathways to new capabilities and programme development as members actively pursue mutual and shared goals and outcomes. 2.1 Belbin’s Team Role Theory As employees and managers strive to identify their optimal place and responsibilities within a given team-working scenario, roles and behaviours play a critical role in shaping performance outcomes and actualising group objectives. Belbin (2011:24) defines a team role as a ‘pattern of behaviour characteristic of the way in which one team member interacts with another where his performance serves to facilitate the progress of the team as a whole’. For managers, this theory has distinct implications, as through identification of particular characteristics, strengths, and skill sets amongst individual team members, team performance outcomes can be predicted with relative accuracy (Business, 2011:966). Within Belbin’s (2011:24) model of team roles, Batenburg et al. (2013:903) recognise that there are three dominant role categories including action-oriented, people oriented, and thinking/problem solving-oriented under which eight distinct role behaviours can be grouped: implementer, completer/finisher, shaper, coordinator, team worker, resource investigator, monitor evaluator, and plant. Figure 1: Team Role Theory Model (Source: Batenburg et al., 2013:903) Whilst the foundations of Belbin’s (2011:24) role theory were predicated upon a tenuous balance between role assignments and team performance, Batenburg et al. (2013:904) contest that the behavioural foundations of this theory undermine considerations of skill, intellect, and experience, failing to accurately predict team-specific outcomes. Alternatively, Prichard and Stanton (1999:664) propose that the role theory framework can be used in a more pro-active, learning-oriented manner in order to assist team members in becoming aware of skills needed for successful team work, identifying capabilities which may be absent from the team at any given time, and implement avoidance strategies to resist behaviour that may not be conducive to successful team-working. 2.2 Theory X and Y Amongst the early origins of team-oriented theory, McGregor (1957:166) introduced theory X and Y as a means of explaining how individuals are motivated according to two, diametrically opposed theories (James, 64-5). The following is a brief summation of each theory as outlined by McGregor (1957:166-7): Theory X Management is responsible for organising elements of a productive enterprise Without active intervention by management, individuals would be passive and resistant to organisational needs. The average worker is indolent and works as little as possible Workers lack ambition, dislike responsibility, and prefer to be led Individuals are self-centred and indifferent to organisational needs Workers are resistant to change Workers are gullible and not inherently bright Theory Y Management is responsible for organising the elements of a productive enterprise People are not passive or resistant to organisational needs. Workers have evolved as a result of experience in the organisation Motivation, development, and responsibility are all present in individuals and can be activated Essence of management is to arrange organisational conditions and methods to allow individuals to achieve their own goals and direct individual efforts towards organisational objectives. Purpose of management is to create opportunities, release potential, remove obstacles, encourage growth, and provide guidance. The tension between these two theories is significant, as McGregor (1957:169) outlines distinctive managerial initiatives and purposes which are either control and outcome-oriented (Theory X), or are supportive, guiding, and inspirational (Theory Y). When applied to teamwork and problem-oriented scenarios, this theory as described by DalFono and Merlone (2010:424) indicates an intrinsic pursuit of equity in efforts and organisational performance, whereby inequities may potentially lead to less effort and resistance to participation. Without managerial influence, the desire for employees to excel beyond their teammates’ performance levels (e.g. due to variable skill levels, lack of similar experience, etc.) is reduced to an internal tension, the foundations of Theory X. Yet, whereby managers offer inspirational support, contribute to employee development and self-efficacy, and create a balanced framework on which to base decisions and activate effort, DalFono and Merlone (2010:424) agree with McGregor (1957:169) that motivation and performance can be strategically enhanced. 2.3 The Hawthorne Effect First described in factory operations at General Electric, the Hawthorne Effect is a ‘phenomenon whereby individual or group performance is influenced by human behaviour factors’ (Lewis et al., 2007:40). A form of summative potential, this effect represents a group/team-activated improvement in team performance which prioritises a foundation of human resource-oriented management rather than more scientific, output-based agendas (Lewis et al., 2007:40). By recognising that teamwork is a function of social interactions including both formal and informal groups and interdependencies, the Hawthorne Effect idealises humanistic pathways by which managers are able to position, affect, and sustain meaningful performance changes in organisational teams (Lewis et al., 2007:40). This effect further explains the value which the very concept of ‘teamwork’ can have on improving and sustaining organisational performance from a motivational and participation-based standpoint. As employees strive to achieve desired performance outcomes under managerial scrutiny, Patel et al. (2012:214-5) argue that justice, as a facilitative mechanism, has a direct impact on organisational identification and perception, shaping the thoughts, feelings, and actions of individuals. When positioned in social scenarios, such justice-based effects are magnified, as identity itself is rooted to the role and position within the group, affecting an individual’s feeling of self-worth (Patel et al., 2012:215). Under likely conditions of team heterogeneity, Tore-Ruiz and Aragon-Correa (2013:555) propose that team members with higher individual performance assume an important, informative role in regards to team activity and potential. Yet, within the justice-based vein of Patel et al. (2012:214) and the overarching scrutiny of the Hawthorne effect (Lewis et al., 2007:40), there is a direct correlation between scrutiny and status and performance, an effect which is inherently magnified within the teamwork setting. Whilst group work may allow individuals to operate according to independent and individualised motivations and behaviours, continuity and predictability in team performance is critical to pursuing a broader spectrum objective, orienting members towards optimal behavioural outcomes. 3. Implications and Impacts For organisational leaders, team roles, characteristics, and values represent a critical opportunity for not only achieving organisational objectives, but for targeting specific strategic goals and priorities that can result in significant developmental growth. Van De Water and Rozier (2008:499) emphasise that the underlying value of the Belbin (2011:24) model is predicated upon managerial interventions, applying pragmatic and skills-driven techniques to team composition, role assignment, and role assumption. Yet for organisations, the realisation of such idealised outcomes is oftentimes overshadowed by various dimensions of behavioural and individual interference including personality, mental abilities, values and motivations, experience, and learning practices (Van De Water and Rozier, 2008:499-500). In order to improve upon dysfunctional and ineffective team conditions, researchers such as Dietz et al. (2014:908) have undertaken to assess the roots of teamwork in practice, describing constructive and behavioural traits that yield desirable working outcomes. Through their outcome-based assessment of nursing practice and hospital administration, the researchers reveal that structural dimensions including training, communication and HRM are used to affect work process outcomes, optimising team performance and achieving desirable organisational outcomes (Dietz et al., 2014:914). One of the challenges in empirical research as evidenced by Dietz et al. (2014:914) is that situational variability and distinctive behavioural values and agendas can significantly undermine the relative effectiveness of team-based actions and organisational performance outcomes. Gressgard and Hansen (2015:167) contend that ‘learning from failures requires sharing of information and knowledge about error experiences’; however, the researchers also recognise that such ‘holistic’ organisational learning does not always manifest by chance and must be supported by leader interventions and directional supports. This form of functional knowledge exchange represents a core component of leader involvement and activism in the organisation that not only allows for intra-unit knowledge exchange, but cross-unit knowledge transfer and absorption (Gressgard and Hansen, 2015:170). Both of the Dietz et al. (2014:914) and the Gressgard and Hansen (2015:170) studies idealise team-driven environments which, although situational in practice, are characterised by several high value traits and characteristics that can be further extrapolated and explicated: Strong Leadership: Strong, effective leadership involves not only relinquishing control of team functions and decision making to the various members, but supporting key functions such as knowledge exchange through purposeful interventions and goal setting. Direction and Vision: Effective teams benefit from a strong, purposeful vision that is capable of both directing behaviours and moderating individual values and priorities. Whilst leaders maintain responsibility for perpetuating this vision over time, it is the broader, big picture agenda of the organisation which ultimately defines and sustains the vision in practice. Interdependencies and Partnerships: In order to activate shared knowledge and maximise the benefits of heterogeneous teams, interdependencies must be built into the working dynamics, creating opportunities for members to activate new understandings and competencies within the context of the broader organisational objectives. Roles, Responsibilities, and Agendas: Focusing on the distinct, yet interwoven roles of individual team members, it becomes critical for effective teams to not only assign process-oriented tasks to members of the team, but to ensure that there is sufficient clarity and directional support to guide and sustain such processes. The pursuit of effective team-working is driven by both organisational needs and employee engagement, foundations which support, direct, and sustain goal setting and agenda-specific orientation over time. Deering et al. (2011:90-1) describe several key steps for actualising such goal-oriented outcomes, focusing on leaders as a directional force that supports team composition and role assignment, allowing teams to develop functional situational awareness (shared mental model), mutual support (cross-monitoring, cross functionality), and effective communication. Through the introduction of simulated training scenarios within a real world organisational context, Deerring et al. (2011:94-5) demonstrate how effective team-working can not only be trained, but can be solidified according to key organisational objectives, establishing foundational rules and guidelines that can then be extended over the course of the working processes. Such initiatives build upon what Laal (2013:1427) view as a necessary framework of collaborative learning which is ‘based upon consensus building through cooperation by group members’. Whilst less collaborative setting involving groups may ultimately allow individuals to pursue learning and knowledge on their own, the roots of collaborative learning are driven by commonalities and goal setting that can magnify the overall effectiveness of the team-working process over time (Laal et al., 2013:1428). Whilst training and learning in the workplace are largely holistic functions of daily operations, leaders can stimulate more directional objectives by identifying and defining specific goals and expectations that can support team performance and enhance effectiveness over time. At the core of teamwork orchestration are two leading priorities: to achieve consistent, high performing outcomes and/or to innovate or develop beyond the current state of organisational performance. Hogel and Proserpio (2004:1154) propose that team member proximity (both physical and cognitive) and role assumption play a significant role in the achievement of desirable collaborative processes. Whilst the researchers focus on the relationships between team-members across co-located, virtual teams, the evidence relating to proximity supports and coordination resources is indicative of the building blocks required for effective and high performing teamwork. Specifically, Hogel and Proserpio (2004:1160) describe the role of intermediary actors (e.g. managers) as a form of cross-location communication support system, creating communication bridges for co-located employees seeking to maintain their distinctive roles within a distributed, yet goal-oriented team. The evidence, although specific to a particular form of modern enterprise, demonstrates that regardless of status or role assignments, teamwork and the actualisation of effective outcomes in real world practice, is predicated upon effective communication and sustained interpersonal relationships that, by virtue of their group focus, are distinct from more traditional group-work and group-based assignments. The distinction between group and teamwork is important for managers to recognise, as collaborative foundations and interdependencies are unlikely evolve out of group-based activities, particularly due to the outcome-oriented priorities which inhibit more participative and collective agenda setting (Bedwell et al. 2012:128). In order to improve collaborative outcomes and organisational performance, Bedwell et al. (2012:134) recognise that collaboration requires participation in joint activities, a shared or common goal, reciprocity and support, the ability to evolve, and participation by two or more social entities. Whilst the roots of collaboration are largely intuitive, the effects of such team-driven performance on organisational practices can be directly linked to improved performance and positive enterprise outcomes. Hayne and Free (2014:309) model such team-driven performance improvements within the context of risk management and organisational monitoring. By diversifying the responsibility for risk identification and assessment in daily operations across a cross-functional team, the researchers demonstrate that not only does performance improve over time, but risks and vulnerabilities are systematically reduced, providing opportunities for new working processes and more efficient resource distribution (Hayne and Frere, 2014:325). In spite of the positive interpretation of teamwork modelled by Bedwell et al. (2012:134) and further highlighted by Hayne and Frere (2014:325), the actualisation of an effective, functional team is not a simple process, and may ultimately result in significant hurdles and organisational inconsistencies. Kwon et al. (2014:185) describe complications within the ‘interprofessional collaborative process’ that emerge from deficiencies within individual ‘collaborators’, creating hurdles and mitigating the benefits of team-working. One of the most significant hurdles identified through empirical testing and surveying was inadequate or missing socio-emotional interaction between the team members, inhibiting trust and ultimately resulting in challenges for group regulation and team participation (Kwon et al., 2014:196). Such findings indicate that for teams to move beyond the individualised hurdles affecting collaboration and mitigating participation, there must be sufficient motivation, a functional gap that establishes leader interventions and organisational vision as conduits that allow teams to evolve and achieve higher states of performance. 4. Summary Whilst the concept of ‘group’ in any team is a relative given, the concept of ‘team’ is fundamentally non-interchangeable with that of ‘group’. In spite of the fact that the distinction is relatively simplistic (individual work versus collaboration), in organisational practice, actualising an effective team is much more difficult than simply assigning individuals into groups. The multi-dimensional variables impacting upon team performance, role assignment, and member behaviour are of significant importance as managers seek to evaluate and target high performing team outcomes. From personal affiliation and value-based alignment within the organisation to collaborative learning and team-driven capacity building, the factors that influence team effectiveness are a critical consideration. In spite of long-lived, industry-leading theories such as the team role theory, Theory X Y, or the Hawthorne Effect, it is difficult to establish a consensus in regards to the roots of effective team membership, and by default, effective team-working. Individuals can be effective members of groups and fulfil their role according to their own underlying agendas; however, in order for organisations to truly activate performance and maximise their potential, a more functional, dynamic team environment is necessary. It is through the layered engagement of multi-dimensional skill sets and competencies that managers are not only able to maximise the effectiveness and efficiency of their teams, but are able to identify collaborative strengths and collective advantages that might otherwise remain obscured by individual priorities and actions. References Batenburg, R., Van Walbeek, W.V., Der Maur, W.I. (2013) ‘Belbin Role Diversity and Team Performance: Is There a Relationship?’ Journal of Management Development, Vol. 32, No. 8, pp. 901-913. Bedwell, W.L., Wildman, J.L., DiazGranados, D., Salazar, M., Kramer, W.S., Salas, E. (2012) ‘Collaboration at Work: An Integrative Multilevel Conceptualization.’ Human Resource Management Review, Vol. 22, pp. 128-145. Belbin, R.M. (2011) Team Roles at Work. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinmann, 2nd Edition. Business. (2011) Business: The Ultimate Resource. London: AC Black Publishers, 3rd Edition. Dal Forno, A., Merlone, U. (2010) ‘Effort Dynamics in Supervised Work Groups.’ Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization, Vol. 75, pp. 413-425. Deering, S., Johnston, L.C., Colacchio, K. (2011) ‘Multidisciplinary Teamwork and Communication Training.’ Seminars in Perinatology, pp. 89-96. Diez, A.S., Pronovost, P.J., Mendez-Tellez, P.A., Wyskiel, R., Marsteller, J.A., Thompson, D.A., Rosen, M.A. (2014) ‘A Systematic Review of Teamwork in the Intensive Care Unit: What Do We Know About Teamwork, Team Tasks, and Improvement Strategies?’ Journal of Critical Care, Vol. 29, pp. 908-914. Fritz, R. 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The Rise of the Individual Essay -- Enlightenment of the 18th Century

The transition from a condition of little autonomy to one that recognizes the individual is often gradual. This is evident in our own personal lives. When we were very young, our parents, in trying to guide us down the right path, pretty much dictated what we could and could not do and laid out all of our beliefs for us. As time passed and we worked our way from kindergarten to college, we were exposed to new ideas, providing us the motivation to seek more rights and allowing us to define and redefine ourselves as individuals. This same ideology is true of societal transitions. By substituting Old Regime ideals for kindergarten and various revolutions for grades in school, this can be seen. In the early 1700s, the practices and ideals of European government, which came to be known as the Old Regime, offered society little individual freedom. Gradually, as Europeans witnessed the Scientific Revolution, the Age of Enlightenment, the French Revolution, and the reign of Napoleon, they were exposed to new ideas. The people of Europe took these ideas and incorporated them into society, ultimately leading to the birth of individualism. The Old Regime was a time characterized by absolutism, both real and unreal, and an agrarian economy that grappled to produce enough to meet the needs of the general public. People felt they were powerless over nature. Because life was often "nasty, brutish, and short," family life centered on survival, and collective interest took priority over individual interest. Marriage, which took place at a young age, was normally the result of economic necessity rather than love, and after marriage, women became slaves to child bearing to ensure that they would have a male who lived until the age of inherit... ...versity of Illinois Press, 1979), 92-96. 12. Rogers, Aspects of Western Civilization, 67. 13. Rogers, Aspects of Western Civilization, 64. 14. Kagan, The Western Heritage, 466. 15. Rogers, Aspects of Western Civilization, 105. 16. Kagan, The Western Heritage, 468. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Additional Source Cooper, Barbara T., and Mary Donaldson-Evans. Modernity and the Revolution in Late Nineteenth-Century France. Newark: University of Delaware Press, 1992. This book includes historical essays about the ever-changing politics and society of nineteenth-century France. The essays were selected from papers presented at the fifteenth annual Colloquium in Nineteenth-Century French Studies, held at the University of New Hampshire in October 1989. They are relevant to the rise of the individual.