Pro Gun Control Speech Essays and Term Papers Essay

Pro Gun Control Essay Persuasive Pro Gun Control Essay Gun control is a vital necessity to the welfare of our nation. Many people out there are supporting the â€Å"anti- gun control cause† with the excuse of â€Å"self-defense†. I believe that not everyone will handle a gun for self-defense. The possession of a gun is†¦ Premium1048 Words5 Pages Gun Control Speech Gun Control Speech By Sam Casey Could we cure the mass gun killings in America by distributing a free, and very effective chill pill? Or is it just the insane people holding guns? The issues with the American Politics and gun control is that A- They don’t consider just putting guns in the hands†¦ Premium488 Words2 Pages Pro Gun Control Name Date Class Professor Pro-Gun Control With the Second Amendment giving American citizens the right to bear arms, and approximately fifty percent of Americans owning some form of a firearm, issues involving the ownership and possession of guns has led to debates in American society. Many†¦ Premium707 Words3 Pages Pro. Gun Control Lashea Williams 11/6/05 In some ways, gun control isn’t as irrational as it may seem. Even though it is said to violate the people’s second amendments right, which says, â€Å"A regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to bear arms shall not†¦ Premium713 Words3 Pages Gun Control Gun Control In 1988, Handguns killed 7 people in Great Britain, 19 in Sweden, 53 in Switzerland, 25 in Israel, 13 in Australia, 8 in Canada, and 8,915 in the United States. The figures are shocking, but what is the solution? Gun control is a problem that our country has faced for many years. In†¦ Premium2068 Words9 Pages Gun Control Is Needed Gun Control Is Needed Regulation of guns is a necessary action that needs to be taken in order to save lives. A good definition of gun control is needed to understand the sides and issues. Gun control is an effort to stop the rise in violent crime by strengthening laws on the ownership of f†¦ Premium1472 Words6 Pages Gun Control Gun control is a controversial issue, opposing and splitting the American society, it is a crossway of different arguments and states on whether there should be stricter gun laws. It could be argued that on the one hand guns provide safe and security, fun and adventure for some people; on the other†¦ Premium1061 Words5 Pages Gun Control Gun Control Issues With the Second Amendment giving American citizens the right to bear arms, and approximately fifty percent of Americans owning some form of a firearm, issues involving the ownership and possession of guns have led to heated debates in American society. Most notably is the is†¦

Celebration to Individualism in Mary Shelly’s “Frankenstein” Essay

What comes to mind when the idea of â€Å"Romantic Literature† enters your head? Immediate imageries consisting of two lovers, a rose, or even a starlit sky may come to mind. In Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein, she disproved these imageries by creating her own scenario with grotesque images and lonely characters. Many have overlooked this novel as a romantic literature but it is actually one that contains the most elements of a romantic literature. Romantic literature emerged through a movement called Romanticism. Romanticism can be defined as a movement in art and literature that revolted against rigid social conventions. In Frankenstein, Mary Shelly stresses the importance of individualism in Romantic Literature by developing various narratives of the story to generate perspectives of the same environment through different narratives. Robert Walton begins the novel through an epistolary frame for the actual story to build on. We learn that Walton is on a journey to venture to an area where no man has gone before and is also in search for a close companion. Although he is amongst a huge crew of men, he felt as if he was on the voyage by himself. He narrates the story through several letters to his sister until we learned that he encountered a new friend, â€Å"Victor Frankenstein†. Frankenstein then began to tell his story as the narrative switched from Walton to Frankenstein, the main narrator of the book. As the story shifts to Victor Frankenstein, we begin to understand his life story as an individual that was much isolated from everyone else. With the congregation of his life studies, Frankenstein was able to bring life or artificially gave birth to a grotesque monster. At first he was proud of his work but he later abandoned the creature due to its hideous looks. The monster proceeds to kill the people that are closest to Victor in his life, leaving him totally alone. Though torn by remorse, shame, and guilt, Victor refuses to admit to anyone the horror of what he has created, even as he sees the ramifications of his creative act spiraling out of control. Frankenstein then finds himself next to the monster in a cave as the monster decides to describe the loneliness he had felt ever since he was â€Å"born†. The monster that Frankenstein created began narrating his life and the  cruelty he had to endure alone. It is born eight feet tall and enormously strong but still has a mind much like a newborn. Abandoned by his creator, it was confused as it tried to integrate himself into society, only to be shunned universally. Looking in the mirror, he realizes his physical grotesqueness, an aspect of his being blinded society to his initially gentle, kind nature. Seeking revenge on his creator, he kills Victor’s younger brother. After Victor destroys his work on the female monster meant to ease the monster’s solitude, the monster murders Victor’s best friend and then his new wife. It was once in a gentle spirited nature, it had become angry and violent as it remained in solitude. The emphasis on the individual’s expression of emotion is displayed through out the novel. The development of the characters in the story is presented by each character alone. The split narratives of these three characters allowed the story to unravel all the mysteries that the other narrators left out. Robert Walton, Victor Frankenstein, and the monster isolated themselves from others as each one told their own story. The celebration of individualism in the novel permitted a better understanding of each character individually as each one of them are left alone in the end.

Religion - Lumen Gentium Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Religion - Lumen Gentium - Essay Example Only the religion or churches can help us with convincing answers when science fails. Science always makes judgements based on observable or measurable evidences. Unlike religion or churches, science will never accept any principles which are based on beliefs. Many of the traditional church beliefs were questioned by science. In order to counter the attacks from science, contemporary churches made certain changes in their beliefs. I would like to analyse the future of churches, strengths and weaknesses of churches now, the role of churches in developing peace, compassion, hospitality, justice, etc on the basis of first two chapters of lumen gentium solemnly promulgated by Pope PAUL VI on November 21, 1964 â€Å"The Church, in Christ, is in the nature of sacrament--a sign and instrument, that is, of communion with God and of unity among all people† (DOGMATIC CONSTITUTION ON THE CHURCH LUMEN GENTIUM - PROMULGATED BY HIS HOLINESS POPE PAUL VI ON NOVEMBER 21, 1964). We are living in an era of globalization at present. Globalization principles ask us to work for the progress of entire population in the world rather than the growth of a particular community or group of people. The first chapter of lumen gentium stressed the importance of unity of people much before the introduction of globalization. Church urged its believers to unite in the name of God. A common platform is required for people to work together for a common aim. All the people like to attain salvation and only the religion or churches talk about the ways of attaining salvation. Neither politics, nor philosophy succeeded in bringing people together under one umbrella. Under such circumstances, I strongly believe that churches may succeed in future in bringing people together in the Holy Communion with God. â€Å"All men are called to the union with Christ, who is the light of the world, from whom we go forth, through whom we live, and towards whom our whole life is directed† (DOGMATIC CO NSTITUTION ON THE CHURCH LUMEN GENTIUM - PROMULGATED BY HIS HOLINESS POPE PAUL VI ON NOVEMBER 21, 1964). Current churches have lot of strengths and weaknesses. In fact churches are the only entity which gives the believers some hope about another life after death. Science failed miserably in unveiling the mysteries surrounding our spirit or soul. Science educates us that souls or spirit is the driving force of our body. However, it failed to explain what will happen to the soul after death. Only the churches have the answer to that question which is the major strength of the current churches over science. On the other hand, there are different churches and different beliefs in this world even though all of them accept Jesus Christ as their savior. â€Å"The head of the body of church is Christ. He is the image of the invisible God and in him all things came into being. He is before all creatures and in him all things hold together† (DOGMATIC CONSTITUTION ON THE CHURCH LUMEN G ENTIUM - PROMULGATED BY HIS HOLINESS POPE PAUL VI ON NOVEMBER 21, 1964). When Jesus remains as the head of all the churches, it is illogical for churches to spread different beliefs in the name of Jesus. Jesus taught us the ways of attaining salvation; but the current churches are trying to misinterpret it in different ways. For example, Pentecost churches urge its believers to take one more baptism for attaining salvation whereas other catholic and protestant churches do not advice baptism other than child baptism for getting salvation. This discrepancy in teachings if often creates problems for the contemporary churches. In short, wrong interpretation of the Jesus’ teachings is the major drawbacks of current churches. Current churches

The aftermath of the global financial crisis 2007-2008 Essay

The aftermath of the global financial crisis 2007-2008 - Essay Example Aftermath of 2008 financial crisis In a nutshell, the financial crisis has been the reflection of the imbalance between the growth of real markets and financial sectors. Some major US banks made easy availability of housing loans to its customers, which in turn had led to unprecedented debt-levels, as accounted to be three times the GDP in the US and Europe. Many of the banks’ customers defaulted in repayments of these loans and this bubble burst added liquidity and caused bankruptcy and closing down of these banks. The total economic impacts of this crisis has been accounted as one third of the total values of all companies worldwide. More significantly and obviously, millions of employees lost their jobs and many of them were pushed to poverty. When the recent financial turmoil has hit several economies worldwide, it was observed that due to the crisis, assets prices have been inflated, currents accounts reported larger deficits and slowed-down economic growth of most nation s. Though these were quite commonly reported and widely discussed impacts of the crisis, changes in equity prices, employment and output were more dangerous impacts being studied and reviewed by some literatures. Reinhart and Rogoff (2009, p. 466) found that financial crisis in rich countries and emerging markets like Brazil, Russia, India and China have caused tremendous changes in economic variables in common. Broadly speaking, there have been major changing-patterns in housing and equity prices, unemployment rate, government revenues and debt. They detailed that major three impacts of the global credit crisis were a) collapse in assets market, b) profound declines in output and increase in unemployment and c) government’s debt explosions. The financial crisis has caused accumulation of stock of wealth with greater risks and losses in stock markets in almost all developed and emerging economies. The losses in stock market have been accounted as between 30 and 70 percent in 2008. The value of fund-assets have been declined by 25 or more percent by 2008 September and 2009 April. A number of companies found that their capitalization as already wiped out and as a result many of such companies became bankrupt. One very significant sign of this crisis has been falling housing prices in all those crisis-hit countries (Germain 2009, p. 672). Another major consequence of the recent financial crisis was decline in real per capita GDP. During the crisis, the decline in real GDP was smaller for advanced nations as compared with those of emerging countries. The financial crisis has been contaminating smooth functioning of the economy as it has generated a decline in the GDP during 2008 and 2009. According to IMF’s findings, the global activity would be contracted by 1.4 percent in 2009. GDP in real terms would be declining by 2.6% in the US, 4.8 % in the Euro-zone, 6.2 % in Germany and 4.2% in Spain (Pike and Tomaney 2010, p. 507). The 2008 financial crisis has increased the rate of unemployment worldwide. As a result, absolute poverty was more likely to rise in many countries. income disparities were found in most regions of the world due to severe financial crisis. It was projected that global unemployment would be increased by

AC3908 international finance environment Coursework

AC3908 international finance environment - Coursework Example The EVA methodology was implemented in order to improve resource allocation across Asahi Glass’s number of business around the world as well as to evaluate the managerial performance of top level executives (Mir and Seboui, 2008; Brown and Caylor, 2005). The case study explores the way the company calculated EVA and the weighted average cost of capital for the different business segments based in different countries (Desai, 2006). In this report we will analyze the impact of the bank based system on the company, the reforms associated with corporate governance, the barriers faced by the CEO while bringing about the reforms and lastly the implementation of the EVA methodology. Corporate governance framework constitutes of a bunch of mechanisms that are both market and institutional based which encourages the controllers of an organization to make decisions that are aimed towards maximizing the value of the shareholders. These mechanisms are meant to tackle agency problems. Normally, two basic models are utilized; control model that focuses on control from internal boards and market control that usually constitutes of independent boards, scattered ownership and policies that promotes transparency. It is however tough to determine the model that is the most appropriate one (Talamo, 2011; Handley-Schachler, Juleff and Paton, 2007; Thomsen, 2004). Corporate governance comprise of a variety of internal as well as external factors in companies such as Asahi glass. First of all, the ownership concentration in companies based in Asia is much higher than in companies based in the Western countries. This is precisely because majority of the big organizations in Asia are either family enterprises or state-owned. This results in the creation of an unequal and unfair selection system. This type of governance framework existing in organizations might have

Competencies Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Competencies - Assignment Example d nurse to combine knowledge from an assortment of fields such as humanities, health sciences, genetics, health economics and public health for constant improvement of the quality of care they deliver. They are also more qualified than their baccalaureate prepared counterparts to collect, analyze and interpret statistical data in order come up to identify problems within the health sector and design solutions to these issues. This paper discusses the competencies the masters’ prepared nurses acquire during the program and how they aid in improving the health sector. Nursing as an education and a profession is able to address some of the critical issues that arise in this evolving health care system. A study conducted in the USA showed that the US government could save up to 8.75 US dollars annually if hospitals used advanced practice nurses (APNs) in place of physicians for some medical cases. This way they can also plan for their career (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2007). They also help the consumers because they ensure that the service the patients they receive is of high quality and meets set standards. This paper will examine masters’ level competencies for determining the areas that need improvement and if they are still viable given the health care system. I will hence discuss competencies from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), Quality, and Safety Education for Nursing (QSEN) and National League for Nursing (NLN). The AACN outlines master-level competencies for adult nurse practitioners that add to the core competencies for all nurse practitioners (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2007). The adult nurse is the provider of direct health care services. Within this role, the nurse applies nursing theories, scientific knowledge, and contemporary clinical knowledge to assess and manage the health and illness state of a patient. In the assessment of health, the adult nurse practitioner assesses all aspects

Leadership Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Leadership - Assignment Example The operations function plays a significant role in transformations of inputs into finished products and services, in any successful organization. Operations are directly responsible for decisions and activities relating to design of product and delivery issues. Resourceful implementation of this goal adds value to productivity of an organization as it; determines how material resources are consumed in the production of products, checks on quantities of available inventory in line with the demand of the customers, and determines whether what is produced match the wants of customers. Continuous improvement in the efficiency of operations and functions affects the productivity of an organization in a number of ways. When referring to efficiency in organizational operations, it entails ensuring effectiveness in activities such as suitable and effective communication link between the operations and related business functions. Operations management works hand in hand with business functions such as the purchasing and marketing function; in an organization’s supply chain, in order to understand the demands of specific group of customers. The operations managers achieve this function by designing products that exactly meet the demands of customers and creation of production processes that efficiently produce these products. Meanwhile, the marketing function must properly understand the capabilities and limitation of the operations in producing the desired products and services. Moreover, the operations must work closely with purchasing to comprehend readiness o f material required, cost and quality of material and the reliability of suppliers. Therefore, operations must understand the needs of customers; ensure timely sourcing of material to support product design. Through continuous improvements in communication routines between the operations, purchasing and marketing function, the organization finds itself in a place where it produces

A Letter to the President Barack Obama Assignment

A Letter to the President Barack Obama - Assignment Example Several concerns inform this view. The pipeline's construction is to facilitate transportation of high carbon content tar sands oil across America's heartland to Texas from Alberta in Canada, the final products of which will be exported after processing. This leaves our country to bear the most of risks involved in the whole process. Our agriculture and water will suffer deadly blows from spills if they occur. Many living things and human beings in this country and beyond would be affected if you approve this carbon project. Thus, Mr. President, it is within your capacity to save us. The project will stimulate Canadian tar sands industry expansion. As you are aware, this will have a direct contribution to global warming. I am concerned that it is not tenable for us to continue implementing carbon-intensive projects as the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are already approaching dangerous levels. Tar sands oil is especially dangerous as it contains a bigger percentage of carbon than conventional oil. This project would thus contribute in a big-time way to global warming, all to our detriment. Further, your approval will come by as a strong signal to the whole world of Americas non-commitment to carbon dioxide reduction as you have claimed severally. It may be argued that stopping Keystone XL may not altogether stop the exploitation of the Alberta tar sands deposits which I view as a threat to the environment globally. However, its construction would offer a critical link to the best refineries in the world. As such, if not signed, this would avert expansion of the deposits as lesser of the oil would get to be transported. Use of trucks and rail would also make the exploitation expensive and as such not viable. This would greatly reduce the number of greenhouse gases to be released into the atmosphere.  

Redwood Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Redwood - Essay Example The destruction of old-growth forests will also mean the extinction of wildlife, most of them already endangered today. Aside from the economic value for potential lumber, large tracts of old-growth forests may also be used to address climate change by sequestration of greenhouse gas emissions which makes conservation a key to the overall strategy of stabilizing atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations (Sempervirens, 2008). A company like Maxxam's interests in the ancient redwood forest of Pacific Lumber is purely a commercial one, a profitable investment, and it seems from the Case Resource, only a source of immediate revenues for personal gain or to solve financial problems occurring in the other areas of business of its owner. There is no doubt that a forest would have economic value for its owner. In terms of this value, the owner should weigh against immediate and huge cash returns from depleting the forest or sustained and long term returns through application of proper commer cial forest management. For the owner and the company's employees, it should be important that there be trees and income not only for them but for their children's children (Blencowe, 2008). This author's opinion is that redwoods are equally important as jobs. To maintain the jobs, the redwoods must be maintained. 2. 2. Is it morally permissible for private owners to do as they wish with the timberland they own Explain why or why not What's your assessment of Hurwitz Is he a robber baron or a socially responsible business person, or something in between Although current laws in the United States still hold private enterprise sacrosanct in that property as well as employees are not covered by specific rights but only those granted by the private owners, there is a growing concern for ethical business practices which includes environmental issues. This is forms part of evidence that indicates that it is not only not morally permissible for private owners to do as they wish with property such as timberland that they own, it is also unethical, as well as possibly detrimental to the business and the personal interests of the owners. There have already been several cases which have been publicized involving large companies and their misuse of the environment that it is now incumbent upon companies to seriously implement corporate ethics to comply with laws and regulations, corporate governance, risk management, as well as environment preservation activities and social contribution (Nichicon, 2008). Hurwitz is purely a businessman whose s ingular objective seems to be to amass money in the quickest way possible. He is indeed a robber baron without any sense of social responsibility. Whereas, the previous owners of Pacific Lumber had been socially responsible in conducting their business by only logging timber at the same rate that trees can be regenerated, Hurwitz had done away with this practice and over logged to take advantage of the high demand for redwood after his takeover. 3. Are mainstream environmentalists right to try to thwart Hurwitz, or are they simply trying to impose their values on others Does a radical group like Earth First! That engages in sabotage go too far, or do its ends justify its means This author's opinion is that it is right for mainstream environmentalists to try to thwart Hurwitz, because Hurwitz was practically destroying the forest to the point of extinction, as well as the wildlife which uses the

The Evolution of Eukaryotic Cells from Prokaryotic Cells Essay Example for Free

The Evolution of Eukaryotic Cells from Prokaryotic Cells Essay DNA- Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), a self-replicating material present in nearly all living organisms, is the acid that carries genetic information. RNA- Ribonucleic acid (RNA), is an acid that is present in all living cells, it’s main role is to act as messenger and carry instructions from DNA fro controlling the synthesis of proteins. What are Eukaryotic Cells and Eukaryotic Organisms? A eukaryotic cell is a cell that contains complex organelles like nuclei or mitochondria enclosed within a membrane and eukaryotic organisms are organisms that are made up of eukaryotic cells like us, humans. What are Prokaryotic Cells and Prokaryotic Organisms? Prokaryotic cells are cells that lack nuclei and other organelles within the cell membrane; they have strands of DNA and RNA in them instead of nuclei. However, prokaryotic cells are not as simple as they look or sound. â€Å"The DNA in the prokaryotic cell unzips to make a molecule of RNA, and then the RNA makes proteins that help rebuild the cell wall. Sometimes the DNA reproduces itself, and then the new DNA molecule clings to the cell wall while the cell divides to make a new cell with the new DNA inside it. Prokaryote cells also have a little string of protein molecules that hangs off the end like a tail, called a flagellum. The cell can move this flagellum by pushing protons or energy at it, and it can use the flagellum to move itself from one place to another.† http://scienceforkids.kidipede.com/biology/cells/prokaryote.htm

Lulu Hypermarkets In Dubai Commerce Essay

Lulu Hypermarkets In Dubai Commerce Essay Lulu Hypermarkets belongs to EMKE Group which is a leading consortium in Dubai. There are 78 hypermarkets of the group that are operating within the GCC Gulf Cooperation Council Countries (Bahrain, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the UAE). The hypermarket competition in Oman is composed of: Lulu Hypermarkets with the French company Carrefour Hypermarkets, the Kuwait-based Sultan Center Hypermarkets, Oman-based Safeer Hypermarkets, the Dubai-based KM Trading Hypermarkets, and the new entrant from Dubai Al Maya Hypermarkets (opened in April 2009). Lulu is operating currently four (three in Muscat, one in Sohar) hypermarket retail outlets (in the metropolitan areas) and eight supermarket retail outlets (in small towns and upcountry areas) in Oman and will be opening its fifth hypermarket in Salalah the third largest city in Oman after Muscat and Sohar. The Companys central warehouse for Oman is located in the capital city Muscat. The Problem Situation Lulu Hypermarkets has been facing tough price competition from the Dubai-based: KM Trading Hypermarkets and the new entrant Al Maya Hypermarkets. With the current global economic crisis and fluctuating oil prices Oman too is facing the need to tighten finances and the same applies to consumers in Oman. The result is consumers have become more careful and frugal in spending and sometimes end up cutting their volume of purchases and are more motivated here in Oman by discounted prices and Sale since the middle of year 2008. A major proportion of the inventory of Lulu Hypermarkets is made up of imported grocery items and consumer electronic items, fashion goods, clothes, stationery, toys, and furniture) from Australia, India, China, the EC, Malaysia, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Thailand. This merchandise goes into stocking via Lulus vertically integrated supply chain. The stores staff in Lulu hypermarkets and supermarkets report to their floor supervisors and each of the supervisors (there are 3 floor supervisors one for each floor in each of the hypermarkets and 1 floor supervisor (only ground floor) in each of the supermarkets) directly report to the purchasing supervisor in each hypermarket and supermarket. The purchasing supervisors directly report to the Purchasing Manager (see Figure 1 below for a simplified Lulus organisation structure of its purchasing department). Figure 1: Organisation Structure of Lulus Purchasing Department, Oman The purchasing manager receives orders from the purchasing supervisors who base their order requisitions from the informational output generated from the EPOSs at each hypermarket/supermarket outlet. Thereafter the purchasing manager orders stocks from abroad and liaises with overseas suppliers through and with the Tendering Contract Specialist. [As is common here in the GCC countries, Lulu too has a very conservative top management that includes its Board of Directors]. However, currently Lulu is actively engaged in replacing the old IT architecture and revamping its Management Information Systems (MISs), including a Inventory Management System, soon (around end of September 2010) to take advantage of online ordering systems with the introduction of its own web-portal. Customer retention is a key factor for successfully operating any business at all times (Hurley, 2004). This is all the more critical now given the global economic crisis which most of the countries worldwide, including Oman, are going through. Of late (since mid 2008) there have been frequent shortages of stocks (spray dried milk and other staple grocery items leading international brands) and as a result Lulus customers (both the Omanis and expatriates) are unhappy over the non-availability of items/brands of their choice that were retailed by Lulu. In certain lines of grocery items there were excess stocking and on others there were shortages. And in order to overcome the shortages orders were made to be transported by air which significantly increased the freight cost of imported goods. On the other extreme, some grocery items (low bulk) that are supplied to small institutional buyers (e.g. coffee shops in Muscat) could not be sourced from the exporters in time for delivery as several orders had to wait to be bunched to make up the bulk to obtain low cost freight from the shipping companies. These mistakes have been caused by weak or bad decision making resulting from poor information and communication flows between the store outlets (sales) and purchasing department (purchases). For example, the Inventory Status Analysis Report and Customer Sales History have been found to be not that accurate during a specially commissioned operational audit in February 2009. Furthermore, Lulus warehousing space in (Muscat) Oman is limited. Although the EMKE Group is capable of building a new warehouse in Muscat, the mountainous terrain makes it difficult to construct warehouse buildings in the short run. In consequence, poor inventory management is a serious issue which is threatening Lulus efforts in customer retention and loyalty and the profitability of its business in Oman. An attempt has been made in this paper to analyse the above issue in Lulu, Oman by applying Checklands (1981; Checkland Scholes, 1990) Soft Systems Methodology (SSM). Metaphors Problem situations such as the above can be effectively tackled by the application of critical systems thinking (Jackson, 2003). Critical systems thinking approach employs a wide range of organisational metaphors (images) which can help in understanding the organisations as well as to explore and analyse the difficult problem situations which managers need to tackle (Flood Jackson, 1991). Metaphors can be viewed as cognitive lenses through which people make sense their situations for obtaining a better understanding of the same (Kendall Kendall, 1993). The most common archetypal metaphors that can be used to guide systems thinking are (Jackson, 1993; Morgan, 1997): Organisations as machines Organisations as organisms Organisations as brains Organisations as cultures Organisations as political systems Organisations as psychic prisons Organisations as flux and transformation Organisations as instruments of domination Metaphoric expression of the organisation helps to understand how its stakeholders make sense of their organisation and their worldviews and also encourages its managers to think creatively about their organisations as well (ibid). This is because metaphors provide a useful avenue to make creative assumptions in organisational analysis for describing and exploring the problem situation effectively (Morgan, 1980 1997). To guide the critical systems thinking, in relation to the above problem situation, the organisms metaphor has been chosen at the dominant metaphor and the machines metaphor as the dependent metaphor. The organisms metaphor represents open view and the machine metaphor represents closed view (Flood Jackson, 1991). According to Jackson (1993) an organisation when viewed as a machine is seen as a tool created for achieving the purposes of the owners of the organisation. Managers are assumed to be rational in their decision-making (ibid). Control in the organisation is enforced through strict rules and procedures within a rigid organisational hierarchy of authority (ibid). An organisation when viewed like an organism appears as a complex system composed of sub-systems that coexist together (ibid). The main aim of the organisation is survival from which the derivatory objectives are set for each of the organisations sub-systems to accomplish (ibid). If there are functional failures then the sub-systems should be examined as whether they continue to meet the organisations objectives and needs and also the organisation should be cross-checked as to whether it is properly aligned with and well-adjusted to its environment (ibid). To this end the managerial sub-system must be entrusted with this important task (ibid). Accordingly with regard to the Lulus problem situation above, the organism metaphor is considered as the dominant metaphor as the inventory management and costs involve external environmental participants (for e.g. suppliers and customers) and the machine metaphor as the dependent metaphor since it produced negative effects through poor information and communication flows in relation to purchases and sales as well as wrong decision making in relation to ordering supplies. Hard Systems Thinking and Soft Systems Thinking Problem situations in organisations can be tackled by managers by using a hard systems thinking approach or soft thinking approach. Hard systems thinking approach is useful when systems exist and the objectives of the system/s can be easily defined (Checkland, 1981 1988). Hard systems thinking approach is based upon rational and scientific methods where a single optimal solution is found (Checkland, 1981). However, the hard systems thinking approach is not useful to handle messy, unpredictable, and ill-structured problem situations wherein the human participants constitute an important variable in the complex problem situation (Checkland, 1981 1989). Soft systems thinking approach does not require systems to exist and views the human activity systems (HAS), which indicates the human activity to accomplish a certain goals, quite distinct from other systems in the organisation (Checkland, 1981). The strong emphasis placed upon systemness sets hard systems thinking approach distinctly separate and different from soft systems thinking approach (Checkland Holwell, 1998). The System of Systems Methodologies (SoSM) For exploring the complex problem situation of Lulu Checklands (1981; Checkland Scholes, 1990) Soft Systems Methodology has been chosen from Jackson and Keys (1984) the System of Systems Methodologies (see Table 1 below). The reason behind choosing SSM was that Lulus problem context involved unique participants separated by locations and the unique nature of the inventory system which is significant both in the problem context as well as for Lulu to satisfy its customers needs. Table 1: The System of Systems Methodologies (Jackson Keys, 1984). PARTICIPANTS Soft Systems Methodology SSM Checklands (1981; Checkland Scholes, 1990) Soft Systems Methodology is a useful methodology for applying systems thinking to complex problem situations in organisations to analyse both qualitative and quantitative information for the same, since Lulus problem situation involves complex human, political, and social elements. SSM Process The SSM is a 7 stage process of enquiry wherein the logical connections of the SSM process help the actual problem solving activity to move more flexibly between one stage and the other in the SSM (Flood Jackson, 1991). Although the SSM is a 7 stage process the stages need not necessarily to be used in a strict sequential order (Checkland Scholes, 1990). Figure 2 below illustrates the 7 stage SSM process. Figure 2: 7 Stage Model of SSM (Source: Adapted from Checkland Scholes, 1990) Stage 1- The Problem Situation In this first stage of the SSM the participants of the HAS start investigating the ill-structured problem situation without any assumptions which eventually lead to a common understanding of the messy-problem which requires immediate attention (Jackson, 2003). Lulus messy problem situation represents the shared need of the participants of the organisational (Lulu) human activity system (HAS) to collect the available information together as a team in order to explore. The HAS in Lulus problem situation is represented in the form of a Review-Group composed of: the Director and Assistant Director Purchasing Warehousing -, Purchasing Manager, Purchasing Supervisors (Muscat only), one floor staff from each of the Lulu Hypermarkets, two general stores staff members from Lulu hypermarkets and supermarkets, and the Tendering Contract Specialist. Accordingly, the information was gathered and sorted through data collection on physical and social structures and processes (departmental, for e.g. Accounts Finance) by studying the inventory records, large samples of daily till rolls, minutes of the purchasing department meetings, interacting with customers, etc. In addition to this 3 workshops were conducted, at Lulus Head Office (its first Hypermarket at Darsait a metro in Muscat) with the above participants where open discussions were encouraged. Stage 2- Problem Situation Expressed through Rich Pictures Rich picture/s is/are used to represent the available information which was gathered from stage 1 of the SSM process to depict the actual situation involving the human activity (Paucar-Caceres Rodriguez-Ulloa, 2007). In other words, the rich picture helps to visualise the generalised characteristics of the problem situation better. The following key characteristics emerged from the workshop with the participants of the Review-Group: Poor Inventory Management Stock-out situations Limited inventory storage space May lose customers to competitors Poor information and communication flows between the store outlets and purchasing department Inadequacy of the existing inventory management system. The rich picture shown in Figure 3 (on the next page) illustrates the review groups impressions and viewpoints on Lulus problem situation. Figure 3: Rich Picture for Lulu The above rich picture in Figure 3 illustrates the concerns of the Lulu staffs and the members of the Purchasing Department in the problem situation. Dotted line indicates the inadequacy/ lack of good communication and information flows. Stage 3- Root Definitions After examining the rich picture in detail, a systematic description of the viewpoints or the worldviews from different angles are made. Root definitions help capture the core purpose of the activity systems to explore effectively into the problem situation and improve it (Checkland Scholes, 1990). Root definitions in effect are verbal descriptions about the systems which are being examined (Hicks, 1991). The root definitions help to describe the transformation processes and the situational-changes in the real world (Paucar-Caceres Rodriguez-Ulloa, 2007). Accordingly a single root definition was derived from the above rich picture and has been reproduced below: An inventory management system owned by the Company with the objective of improving the inventory control through timely and efficient procuring and purchasing of goods by utilising the available resources effectively in order to sell profitably. This inventory management system will be used to manage the purchase routines effectively through better communication and exchange of information among all the staffs for satisfying customers by providing improved customer services. The abbreviation CATWOE is consisting of the six key elements: Customer, Actor, Transformation, Worldview, Owner, and Environment, are used for formulating the root definitions. The CATWOE elements for the above root definition are: Customers: Lulu and its customers Actors: The entire staffs of Lulu Transformation: Improved inventory control and better communication flows World view: Provision of improved customer services Owners: The Managing Director and Shareholders Environment: Market competition and the organisational sub-systems. Stage 4- Building Conceptual Models The root definitions serve as the basis for building the conceptual models for the problem situation. The conceptual model (see Figure 4 on the next page) from the above root definition indicates the following: The purchasing department of Lulu must establish an effective feedback system to improve decision making in purchasing as well as in inventory control. Effective management of information and communication flows. Motivate the staffs to participate positively in the inventory management. This feedback system should also inform Lulu about its customers needs. Figure 4: Conceptual Model The conceptual model in Figure 4 depicts the activities that are required to carry out the transformation processes from the above root definition. The conceptual model indicates that for timely imports to be made a number of key activities have to be carried out like inputting the customer history, maintaining an active cooperation with the overseas suppliers etc for improving the inventory management system and thus ensure that Lulus business operations run efficiently and effectively with least disturbances. Stage 5- Comparing Conceptual Models with the Real World This stage is to promote constructive debate (open discussion among the Review-Group participants) based on the conceptual model. This is carried out by comparing the conceptual model with the real world and identifying the differences therein to determine any changes for implementing them successfully in such a way that the reality matches closely to the conceptual model derived from the application of systems thinking approach (Jackson, 2003). Stage 6- Systematically Desirable and Culturally Feasible Changes The debate in the form of open discussion is continued in this stage as well. The main aim of this debate is to identify systematically desirable changes relevance and culturally feasible people oriented -. The purpose here is to determine changes that need to be made for improving the problem situation rather than the conceptual models (Checkland Scholes, 1990). The Review-Group identified the following systemically desirable and culturally feasible changes for intervention: Introduction of an up to date Inventory Management System (new application software) which is capable of keeping the stock levels under control such that adequate (optimal) quantity levels and lines of stocks are available at all times. Ensure that the staffs are motivated to work in a cooperative way, especially, the staffs that are involved in Lulus purchasing function. It would be necessary to incorporate customer sales history for having control over slow moving items (that still have customers who buy them but not frequently). Although Lulu maintains an excellent rapport with all its overseas suppliers, the group felt that more active cooperation from the suppliers should be elicited. Timely imports through enhanced purchasing procedures. With improved purchasing procedures and optimal re-order sizes better discount deals from the suppliers should be actively negotiated and obtained. This could give a competitive advantage for Lulu over its rivals in Oman through competitive pricing. Increasing the capacity of storage space for holding stocks would involve capital budgeting procedures by the Top Management. Stage 7- Taking Actions to Improve the Problem Situation This stage involves taking systematically desirable and culturally feasible actions for improving the problem situation. The taking of systematically desirable and culturally feasible actions can help further to improve the problem situation (Jackson, 2003). Accordingly, the information gathered from the 3 workshops with the Review-Group participants was helpful for Lulu in creating recommendations that require intervention in the real world for improving the problem situation, through the possible implementation of the systemically desirable and culturally feasible changes identified in Stage 6 above. Conclusion This paper attempted to apply the Soft Thinking approach to complex problem solving in the case of Lulu Hypermarkets, Oman through the application of Checklands (1981; Checkland Scholes, 1990) Soft Systems Methodology. Lulus operations in Oman is driven by the need to totally import all of its stocks from overseas (which is inevitable in Oman as the industrialisation is being developed only since 1995 after the implementation of privatisation by the Omani Government) and the objective of Lulu to keep all its customers satisfied with availability of goods as and when the customer requires. (Part A: 3,021 words without Contents References) Part B The present day business environment is dominated by rapid and continuous global changes, which businesses and other organisations as well as their managers cannot afford to ignore these changes today and continue (Turban et al, 2005). Further organisations have become and are becoming more complex due to the changes in the business environment in economic activity, population, and technology as a result of which organisations need to build their ability to adapt to these changes in order to meet the challenges imposed by the changes (Sterman, 1994). Todays managers require effective strategies to facilitate their organisations to adapt to the changing business environment and allow their organisations to continue their operational existence successfully into the future (Hitt, 1996). Fifth Discipline In order to face the changes in the business environment an organisation need to be a learning organisation (Senge, 1990). A learning organisation is one which is expanding its capacity continually for the purpose of obtaining a sustainable continued operational existence into future (ibid). In other words a learning organisation is one where it continually renews itself to stay in step with the changing times in the present as well as into the future. A learning organisation is distinctly unique from the other forms of traditional organisations in terms of the following five disciplines (ibid): Building shared vision Mental models Personal mastery Team learning Systems thinking. The Five Disciplines of Learning Organisation Building Shared Vision Shared vision according to Senge (1990) is the common mutual image /view which people in an organisation have in regard to the activities of the organisation they are in and the organisation itself. The main purpose of the shared vision discipline is to ensure that the individuals goals and objectives are aligned with the organisational goals and objectives in order to promote a mutual shared understanding of the organisation to which they belong. The discipline of shared vision is aimed at bringing about voluntary and wilful commitment from the people in an organisation. Mental Models Mental models are the embodiment of deeply seated generalisations and assumptions, images and pictures as to the worldview held by individual from his or her own perspectives (ibid). In other words, the mental models allow an individual carry out introspection for deeper exploration within him or her for the mutual benefit of the individual and the organisation. Personal Mastery This discipline involves the continual clarification and strengthening ones personal vision to facilitate concentrated focus of human energies by learning to be patient and developing the ability to see the real world in an objective way (ibid). This is usually the highest of human aspirations which we all strongly endeavour to achieve. Team Learning The team learning discipline is about individuals thinking in a unified way where US is more important than I. The core of the team learning discipline is about mutual dialogue that permits s thinking together (ibid). Team learning is indispensable for the learning organisation where teams are the dominant resource for learning in order to remain adaptable to changes in the organisational environment. Systems Thinking Systems thinking is a modern approach to decision making that is composed of valid knowledge that help in the understanding of the problem patterns more clearly to formulate better improved solutions (ibid). Systems thinking is the key discipline of the learning organisation. Thats why Senge (1990) calls it as the Fifth Discipline in his book. Senge states that the systems thinking discipline integrates the previous four disciplines of the learning organisation. In his view the systems thinking discipline facilitates managers to obtain a better understanding of their organisational systems in order to plan and carry out action that are more appropriate to the problem situations in question. Systems thinking implies and indicates to the modern approach to thinking about systems that systems are important (Forrester, 1994). Systems thinking can help managers to handle complex problems more effectively by allowing them to view their organisational systems holistically (Checkland, 1981). In other words, the systems thinking approach helps managers to reconceptualise complex issues as well as find workable solutions to them (Senge Sterman, 1992). Using the conventional approach, assuming linearity, managers used to break a problem into their separate constituent parts to formulate a solution by analysing each of these parts and form conclusions in a scientific way (Kofman Senge, 1993). However, the modern problem situations which managers face in todays complex world do not yield to the conventional linear approach and hence would require systems thinking that forces to look into the circularity of the variables that make up the problem situations (ibid). Further systems view manifest systems thinking approach by helping and banding people to make their mental models that can foster group learning and obtain a shared understanding of the purpose (Turban et al, 2005). Given the current globalised world it is imperative to understand the importance of systems thinking in making decisions to address the challenges imposed by the changes in the global business environment (ibid). According to Senge (1990) systems thinking has three core elements that provide the basis for systems view of the organisations. These are (ibid, p.373): Practices: What you do, Principles: Guiding ideas and insights, Essences: The state of being those with high levels of mastery in the discipline. Leaders and managers can bring about the desired behaviour from their people in the organisation by focusing on the four levels of the behavioural perspectives of their people (ibid). These are (ibid): Events observable behaviours and actions; Patterns of behaviour repetitive behaviours and actions; Systemic structures the interrelationships between the patterns of behaviour; and Purpose story forming mental models that keep that hold the systemic structures. Summary The cornerstone of Senges learning organisation is systems thinking discipline and systems thinking helps the individuals to learn in their organisations with a holistic view of their organisation as a system. This is because systems thinking is a unifying discipline which integrates all the other disciplines (the disciplines of: shared vision, mental models, personal mastery, and team learning) of the learning organisation to meet the challenges of changing and turbulent business environment in order to sustain the organisations continued existence. Systems in the learning organisation are composed of interrelated mental models (composed of each of the individuals perceptions) from its people. For a successful learning organisation to take place individuals must share their mental models without inhibition in order to obtain a coordinated understanding of the actual system holistically through a shared vision. It should be noted here that the concept of shared vision help individuals to learn more willingly and actively in a cooperative way. However, to do so managers should be free willing and equally actively extend their cooperation as well. Also managers should come out of their traditional mindsets to allow new systems thinking to get in (Senge, 1990). Fifth Discipline Lulu Hypermarkets (Muscat, Oman) Application of the Soft Systems Methodology, the soft systems thinking approach to Lulus complex problem situation, in Part A of this paper is good example of applying Senges Fifth Discipline Systems Thinking. Global Economic Crisis The current global economic crisis has impacted Oman also. As a result the private sector as well as the public sector is facing challenges due to the global economic crisis. One of the major effect of the current global economic crisis is businesses in Oman, including Lulu Hypermarkets, are cutting back on their investments as well as their current pending capital projects. A key challenge faced by Lulu is the reduced spending pattern that has become noticeable since August 2008 in Oman (as is indicated by the drastic fall in the resale-value of the beach-side prestigious properties of the Wave project in Muscat). Lulu wrongly estimated that its sales would remain either unaffected or marginally affected by the impact of the global economic crisis. This is because about 78% of Lulus sales revenue comes from selling food and grocery items. But the inventory management problem situation coupled with reduced customer spending on food and grocery items threatened not only Lulus sales but also made it vulnerable to tough price competition from its rival hypermarkets. Together these indicate the unpreparedness of Lulu to changes in the external environment such as the one caused by the current global economic crisis. Systems Thinking Systems thinking is the vital element for learning organisations that aim to continually have organisation renewal (Senge, 1990). And the use of systems thinking discipline implies that the organisation and its managers in question are willing to adapt to changes and meet the challenges posed by those changes to overcome them successfully. Systems thinking presupposes (although not necessarily) the use of shared vision, mental models, personal mastery, and team learning disciplines. The above SSM study for Lulu from Part A can be used to illustrate these disciplines in order to obtain a better understanding of the reduced spending arising from the impact of the global economic crisis. Shared Vision The formation of the Review-Group for applying the SSM process brought together the participants from Lulus different locations in Oman, though many of them were sharing similar job responsibilities, in a face-to-face and peer-to-peer contact with one another as a group as well as workshop participants, allowed direct personal and open interactions with the members of the top management (the Purchasing Director and the Purchasing Manager). During the entire period of each of the workshop debates within the SSM process the open interactions helped one another to share their ideas and opinions regarding the problem situation, more so due to the close proximity of the factors that revealed the inventory management problem. In doing so the Review-Group members and the members of the top management and thus Lulu were on the same track to address the problem situation. Mental Models The exercise of

The American Dream in John Steinbecks East of Eden :: East of Eden Essays

The American Dream in East of Eden It is what every American strives for in life, but no one ever seems to achieve fully; it is the hopes and aspirations of every American, yet rarely are these goals ever met. It is the American Dream. In East of Eden, John Steinbeck displays different aspects of the American Dream through the desires and wishes of each character. Though each character in East of Eden may have a slightly different idea of what the American Dream is, becoming rich and wanting a better life for one's children seem to be a common thread in the lives of Faye and Cathy, Adam, and Cyrus. Becoming rich and financially stable is arguably the most important part of the American Dream. Every character seems to think it important, even those who do not have a lot of money. Faye obtains her wealth by running a successful whore house. When adopting Cathy as her daughter, Faye tells her, "I--no, we--have cash and securities in excess of sixty thousand dollars. In my desk are notations of accounts and safe-deposit boxes. I sold the place in Sacramento for a very good price" (233). Upon hearing this news, Cathy knows that her act of being daughterly has worked and she will inherit a lot of money. Being financially secure is important to both of them and they think it is the only way for them to enjoy the pleasures of life. Adam Trask is also a strong believer that money is the only way for one to live a life of luxury. When inheriting the money form his father, Cyrus, Adam is anxious to spend the money to build a better life for his brother and himself. While his brother is skeptical, Adam decides that he should move west in order to buy a nice farm to raise a family on. Upon his arrival at Salinas, Adam is willing to pay whatever it takes to buy the best plot of land. Only with money would this have been possible and would he be happy. Cyrus Trask believes that money makes a better life, too. If he did not think this, he would not have thought it important to leave his

Adolescent Gangs and Violence in Schools Essay -- School Violence Essay

Dave Reichert once said â€Å"Gang violence in America is not a sudden problem. It has been a part of urban life for years, offering an aggressive definition and identity to those seeking a place to belong in the chaos of large metropolitan areas† (Dave Reichert Quotes). These days, gangs are not only made up of adults on the streets, but teens who are in school as well. Various experts say that â€Å"gang membership is particularly widespread among urban youths under the age of 18† (Teen Gangs). As a result, gangs are now seen in many schools, and as a result may lead to increased violence among students. Schools must take a firmer stand against these gangs in order to reduce the increased violence. Throughout the history of the United States, gangs have always been groups that regularly use threats to commit crimes. Crime rates escalated during the 1960s and 1970s, partly because of the large number of teenagers involved in crime. During the 1980s, juvenile crime continued to rise even though particular types of crime fell. But according to most reports, â€Å"gang activity declined somewhat in the 1990s. Experts attribute the decline to a combination of factors, including an improved economy, a decline in crack cocaine use, stricter law enforcement and more violence-prevention programs† (Teen Gangs). Statistics show that the number of gang members dropped to â€Å"780,000 in 1998 from 846,000 in 1996, according to the OJJDP† (Teen Gangs). Another report coming from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that â€Å"the proportion of high-school students who reported carrying a weapon during the past 30 days declined to 18% in 1997, from 26% in 199 1† (Teen Gangs). Various people come to believe that membership in a gang is a severe dan... ...eb. 22 May 2012. . "School Safety." Issues & Controversies On File. Web. 23 May 2012. . "Teen Gangs and Crime." Issues & Controversies On File:. Web. 23 May 2012. . "Teen Gangs." Issues and Controversies. Facts On File News Services, 09 Apr. 2009. Web. 22 May 2012. . "Update: School Safety." Issues & Controversies On File: n. pag. Issues & Controversies. Facts On File News Services, 11 May 2007. Web. 5 June 2012. . "Zero Tolerance." Issues & Controversies On File: n. pag. Issues & Controversies. Facts On File News Services, 13 July 2001. Web. 5 June 2012. .

ACC cements Company Essay

ACC was among the first Indian companies to adopt automation of information technology. We started computerizing our systems as early as 1968 – a commitment to progress through the harnessing of relevant available technologies, a practice that continues even today. We have traveled a long way from our early days when we were using simple keypunching machines. Significant improvements have been made in application systems and infrastructure since then – from Batch processing to on-line systems, from IBM 1401 and Data General system to the latest Linux/UNIX and Windows 2003 based machines. We have made timely transitions determined by available technologies and business requirements. In February 2007 the company made a quantum jump from in-house developed systems using Oracle 9i and Developer 6i to an ERP (SAP) based solution. This decision was based solely on our strategic objectives and the business benefits that we expect to derive from implementing such a solution. With this move we also aligned people, business processes and technologies across the country. The Company has an Intranet Portal called ‘Accelerate’ which is dedicated to employees. The portal’s content is based on Personal information relating to Human Resource matters, Performance Management, as well as other information of use to employees such as the latest news on company affairs, developments on sustainable development, house magazines and newsletters. Being a large organization with a countrywide network of manufacturing, marketing and R&D centers, we have invested in the creation of a comprehensive infrastructure that allows free flow of information across the organization. This enables almost instant communication between all levels in the organization. A hybrid WAN network connects each of our 275 plus locations. A judicious mix of VSAT and VPN links ensure adequate connectivity between these locations. Each manufacturing location has a well designed LAN to meet its needs. IT in ACC is well placed to master future expansions of our core businesses. DID YOU KNOW ? _Patni Computer Systems installed India’s first Data General computer in ACC in 1978 and deployed a team of their best employees to manage it. The team comprised the legendary Narayanamurthy, then among the earliest employees of PCS. They were given an office in Cement House. Later when he and others from PCS established Infosys Technologies in Bangalore 1981, ACC was among their first customers._ Cement major ACC’s Tikaria plant in Sultanpur has become the first unit of the company to implement an innovative logistics management program called â€Å"Speed† which is aimed at enhancing productivity, increasing efficiencies and save time, fuel costs as well as enviornment. The success of the program at the 2.6 million tonne Tikaria plant has led to the company adopting the programe at its two more cement units in West Bengal and Karnataka and hopes to bring all 16 plants ofACC under the ‘Speed’ fold in about two years time. Speed is essentially a logistics and supply chain management project which is a major part of any cement plant with hundreds of heavy duty trucks bringing in raw material and picking up cement for further distribution in the market. Director, Logistics-North, ACC Ltd, Deepak Gulati, said â€Å"at any given point of time our Tikaria plant had atleast 500-600 trucks lined up for uploading cement. The efficient management of this huge fleet on a daily basis was a major concern. After studying various logistics projects abroad we evolved our very own program called ‘Speed’ and now besides saving costs which results in cheaper product to customers, we have better functioning among drivers, truck owners, customers and ACC employees. Delivery timelines are also efficiently adhered to with this project†. He said that while earlier 500 odd trucks used to be parked outside the plant gates waiting for their turn almost 110 trucks were lined up inside the  plant for uploading cement, which became a big task to handle. But now due to effective adoption of Speed there are only 27 trucks inside the plant at any point of time and only 200 trucks outside. ACC’s Tikaria plant engages nearly 4,000 trucks for this exercise. Due to the speed initiative the tonnage per truck has increased increasing productivity and is time saving thus allowing trucks to make more trips to the plant in the same given time. ACC has also deployed Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) and Global Positioning System (GPS) in all vehicles for effective tracking of vehicles and keeping in constant contact with drivers. â€Å"Inward and outward transportation forms a significant share of ACC’s overall costs and the Speed initiative has allowed about 5% saving in costs. With 30 million tonnes cement moved across the country by various ACC plants which engage about 12,000 heavy duty vehicles the savings from this initiative can be huge when adopted across all plants† said Director ACC Tikaria Plant, N Keshav. Tikaria was the first cement plant in the country to adopt such a logistics project and would soon take it to all 16 plants of the country said, Director-Logistics, Tushar Dave. He said that the program has also led to manpower efficiency and drivers find it more convenient and comfortable to do their duty. Acc to hindu ACC Ltd. has embarked on an initiative to improve the efficiency of its supply chain, which include 10,000 trucks that carry cement from its plants to sales outlets across the country. Transportation costs account for 35 per cent of the total sale price of cement and ACC, the subsidiary of Swiss cement major Holcim, hopes to bring down this cost by 4 to 6 per cent. ACC has deployed radio-frequency  identification (RFID) and global positioning system (GPS) technologies to radically change the way cement is supplied to the market. RFID has been deployed at its cement plants in Tikaria (Uttar Pradesh), Damodhar (West Bengal) and Thondebhavi (Karnataka). Over 400 trucks have been GPS-enabled so far. Within two years, 10,000 trucks and all plants would have GPS and RFID. This project, which is in its pilot stage, has yielded satisfactory results, and a veteran logistics professional has been hired to spearhead the initiative. â€Å"Considering the huge costs involved in road transport, as well as to address the issue of time and asset efficiency, we embarked on a new journey 12 months back. Through automated and technology-enabled process we have improved the asset utilization in road logistics,† said Tushar Rameshchandra Dave, Vice-President, Central Logistics, ACC. He said RFID and GPS would together increase the utilization of assets (trucks) which, in turn, would lead to freight savings and optimization of resources. â€Å"Fixed costs of trucks will go down as the same number of trucks can now ship more cement in lesser time. A truck that was doing up to 4000 kms a month can now do 6000 kms. Apart from financial benefits, it will help in curbing pollution,† Mr Dave said. â€Å"There is an increase in evacuation of 15-20 per cent and betterment of service levels up to 40-50 per cent,† he added. With RFID, a truck that was taking 220 minutes to drive from the entrance to the exit gate of a plant, is now doing it in 75 minutes. RFID tracks the historical data of a truck and the time taken to go from the entrance to the exit gate of the plant. It is also helps in tracking the non-value added time. GPS, however, tracks the movement of a truck once it is outside the plant. â€Å"RFID and GPS together are ensuring better visibility of trucks and helping in complete transparency of operations,† Mr Dave said.

The Cunning of Iago in Othello

So Iago is this extremely interesting, cunning, evil character. But over all of these trait’s Iago’s jealousy is what drives him to scheme and plot to take down othello and weave his elaborate web of destruction. Does anyone know exactly when in the play does Iago’s intense jealousy come into play? In the very 1st act scene one iago and roderigo are arguing in the streets and iago starts to rant about his hatred for Othello and how Othello passed him up over cassio for promotion to ancient.Iago had an enormous amount of battle experience, experience that Othello has witnessed firsthand â€Å"And I, of whom his eyes had seen the proof At Rhodes, at Cyprus, and on other grounds Christian and heathen, must be belee’d and calmed† while cassio has no battle experience and only knows the theory of leading men into battle, â€Å"I have already chose my officer. And what was he? Forsooth, a great arithmetician,One Michael Cassio, a Florentine(A fellow almo st damned in a fair wife)That never set a squadron in the field,Nor the division of a battle knows More than a spinster—unless the bookish theoric, Wherein the toged consuls can propose As masterly as he. Mere prattle without practice is all his soldiership.But he, sir, had th' election he has no clue how to put into practice this theory and is therefore unqualified according to iago. Later on in the play iago shows his jealousy of Othello because Othello is rumored to have slept with his wife toIago becomes jealous of cassio getting the promotion over him so he devises a plot to get revenge.

Angelina Jolie Biography

Angelina Jolie Biography Angelina Jolie, born Angelina Jolie Voight on June 4, 1975, in Los Angeles, California, is an American actress famous for her tattoos and her acting ability. Jolie, which in French means pretty, was born to an Academy Award-winning actor, Jon Voight and Marcheline Bertrand with only one brother named James Haven. Just like any other children at her age, she also had a favorite cartoon character that she liked very much, which was the flying elephant Disney character â€Å"Dumbo. † She said that she cried when he was able to fly.Meanwhile, unlike her friends in general, little Jolie had had her own â€Å"different† childhood dream, which was to be a funeral director. Hence, it's not surprising that she has an interest in mortuary science and that she also has lots of â€Å"weird collections,† including her many tattoos and knives collection. Since her age of 11, Jolie attended the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute before then at her 14 years age started modelling. Later on she was majored in film at New York University after she graduated from Beverly Hills High School at age 16.In the year of 1999, she starred in the film â€Å"Girl, Interrupted,† which was both starred and produced by Winona Ryder, as Lisa Rowe, for which she received an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Besides, she has also starred in five different movies, all of which directed by her brother James Haven, with whom she's extremely close to and protective of. Their close relationship has, in many times, provoked public rumours that the two had an incest love affair (2000), but Jolie denied the issue and stated the speculation was absolutely false.That being so the show must go on. Despite all the media coverage on her relationship with her brother, Jolie has the letter â€Å"H† tattooed on the inside of her left wrist which is, for her, is a reference to two people she is close to who have this letter in their names: her brot her James Haven, and Timothy Hutton. However, she says the H tattoo stands only for James for she has already broken up with Hutton. Any other tattoos she has in her body include the Japanese sign for death, two pointy black American Indian symbols, a dragon, and a large black cross.The same holds true for her movie career big deal. Jolie, who is able to speak French, is known for her action in some famous movies. Some of her success movies are the â€Å"Bone Collector† (1999) and a 2000 action film â€Å"Gone in Sixty Seconds† which concerns a former car thief being forced to return to his former trade and steal 50 cars in only one night for a crime boss who is threatening to kill his brother. Mainly, Jolie is best known for her acting in a film based on the popular â€Å"Tomb Rider† (2001) video game series featuring her as its main character, Lara Croft.Then in 2003, she gained more success through the second film based on the same video game series entitled â€Å"Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life†. Besides being an actress, she also worked as a professional model in London, New York and Los Angeles. Having Madonna, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, The Clash and Matchbox 20 as her favourite music, Jolie has appeared in numerous music videos, including those of Meat Loaf, Lenny Kravitz and The Rolling Stones.Not only Jolie is a beautiful and attractive woman, but this respected actress, who has 3 Golden Globes in her hand, is also known for her humanitarian endeavours. She once published â€Å"Notes from My Travels† (2003), a collection of journal entries chronicling her early work with U. N. after she actively been a Goodwill Ambassador for its High Commission for Refugees since 2001 that made her frequently traveling to far-flung countries to draw attention to the unfortunate people in Third World nations.Unfortunately, Jolie's success as an actress and U. N. representative doesn't work in balance with her marriage as all her two marriages end in divorce. On March 28, 1996, she married British actor Jonny Lee Miller whom she co-starred with in the movie â€Å"Hackers† and for whom she attended her wedding in black leather trousers and a white shirt with his name painted in her blood on the back. Sadly, the marriage wasn't last long as they were divorced on February 3, 1999.After that she married to the American actor Billy Bob Thornton on May 5, 2000, with whom she adopted a son from Cambodia, Maddox Chivan Thornton Jolie, born on August 5, 2001. On May 27, 2003, both of them had legally separated with Jolie won Maddox custody. In early 2005, along with public shock on the issue of her becoming one cause of Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston's â€Å"eternal marriage† end, Angelina Jolie denied public rumours she's dating Colin Farrell, citing the many similarities they have made them wanted to save their â€Å"mutual attraction† best for last.Still in the same year, it has lat er been revealed that all the tidings concerning this matter were true as Pitt's publicist openly stated by early January 2006 that the actor and Jolie were expecting a child together to at the end welcome the new addition to their family, a girl named Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt, on the night of May 27, 2006 in Namibia, Africa. Two girls with only one boy, the actress adds a son into her and Pitt's clan to make the family whole adopted a Vietnam orphan Pax Thien from the Tam Binh orphanage outside Ho Chi Minh City in March 2007.Back to her acting career, Jolie sure encountered no difficulties in continuing her path on the upper rank of show business as offers of roles kept coming heavily for her, like those for â€Å"Beyond Borders† (2003), â€Å"Taking Lives† (2004), and â€Å"Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow† (2004). Though slightly stumbled in the critically panned â€Å"Alexander† (2004), she wonderfully managed to bounce back in her next vehicle, the adventurous â€Å"Mr and Mrs Smith† (2005), when the Fox production scored a fantastic domestic gross of over $186 million in its run.Next seen in â€Å"The Good Shepherd† (2006) then â€Å"A Mighty Heart† (2007), she kept piling up stints into her resume, signing on as the star of â€Å"The Changeling†, â€Å"Wanted†, and â€Å"Atlas Shrugged,† all slated to come up in 2008 while providing the voice of Grendel's mother in â€Å"Beowulf† (2007) and Tigress in â€Å"Kung Fu Panda† (2008). Website: http://www. aceshowbiz. com/celebrity/angelina_jolie/biography. html Words: 995

Assertion of Indian Values and Ethos Essay

â€Å"Certainly we should take care not to make intellect our God. Intellect has, of course, powerful muscles but no personality. It cannot lead. It can only serve. It is not fastidious about its choice of leaders (Mind or Soul). The intellect has a sharp eye for tools and methods but is blind to Ends and Values†. – Albert Einstein This paper endeavors to present systematically the essential components of human values andEthos and their evolution. The first part of the paper examines the principal values that represent the Indian ethical system. Tyaga (renunciation), Dana (liberal giving), nishtha (Dedication), satya (truth), ahimsa (non-violence) and upeksha (forbearance) are examined as the keynotes of the Indian values system. The second part looks briefly at the historical context of the evolution of this values system. Enumerating the broad gamut of ideas which emanated In the Upanishad age and underlining the contributions made to the sustenance of human Values in India by the various reform movements in the five thousand years of Indian history, the paper unearths the richness and resilience of Indian ethos. India’s socio-cultural heritage includes the principles and values of plurality, respect for Diversity, tolerance and compromise, which are highly relevant to the global community as a Whole while being largely shared by other Asian peoples . The paper concludes that for the perpetuation of the Indian values system, the Indian concept of dharma has acted as a Sustaining principle through the ages. Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary defines Ethos as â€Å"the set of beliefs, ideas, etc about social behaviors and relationship of a person or group † while Oxford AdvancedLearner’s Dictionary defines it as â€Å"the moral ideas and attitudes that belong to a Particular group or society†. Indian Ethos is al l about what can be termed as â€Å"National Ethos†. A man without morals is worse than a monkey. Darwin attributed to the monkey the claim â€Å"Without me you man would not exist. † Whatever may be the truth (about the evolution of man from the ape), the monkey does utter a challenge to man in these terms: â€Å"I am present in the human mind and form. I involve you in the affairs of the world. I make you forget the divine. That is why man’s mind is described as a monkey mind. I am indeed greater than you. I rendered service to Sri Rama. You are serving Kama (the demon of desire). Because I became a servant of Rama, Kama became my servant. Rama is God. Kama is a demon. † It is only when man cultivates moral values and manifests, the divinity within him that his true personality as a human being will be revealed. This means that man should strive constantly to cherish good thoughts and act righteously. One is called a Purusha (Person). Only a man with a personality can be called a person. This paurushyam (personality) is a term applicable only to a person who leads a model and truthful life, filled with good deeds. The Latin word â€Å"Persona† means one who is a spark of the Divine. Only by recognizing the inherent divinity in him can man become truly human Avoid imitating practices of other countries There is no meaning in one country simply imitating or copying the management practices of another. Such imitation often leads to waste of resources and many undesirable results. This is what is happening in many countries, including India. What is good or suitable for one Country need not necessarily be good for another. We should have regard to the circumstances, The individual attainments and the specific requirements of our country. Our culture and values are different from those of others. These different situations cannot be treated alike. The attempt to combine different sets of values may result in the loss of values of the less developed country . There is a story which illustrates how by listening to the views of all and sundry one makes himself a laughing stock and a loser in bargain. A fruit vendor put up a board over his stall to the effect: â€Å"Fruits are sold here. † A passerby told the shopkeeper the word â€Å"here† in the sign board was superfluous. The vendor arranged to get the word erased. Another man came along to say that there was no need to announce that fruits were being â€Å"sold† as that was obvious to anyone. And so, the word â€Å"sold† was erased. A third man said that there was no need to mention that â€Å"fruits† were being sold , as it was patent to any one what was being sold in the shop. Ultimately, all that remained was a blank board, while the sign painter presented his bill for painting the board and then erasing the words. The fruit vendor realized the folly of acting on the opinions of every passerby without relying on his own judgment. In the sphere of business management, a similar situation has developed in India. By following the advice of one country or other India has made a hash of its economy and finances. In ancient times, India served as an example to other countries. There is much talk these days of â€Å"the family† and the importance of teaching values and morals to our children. It is not a thing they can learn at school or from a textbook, but rather they must see it in action. Children are always watching. They aren’t going to pick up on â€Å"the golden rule† if they see mom and dad treating the neighbors in a way that is totally against the golden rule. They watch, and they take it all in. A good way to be able to discuss these things with children is to set aside a certain night for â€Å"family time. † Play games, watch a movie, bake cookies, but do it together. That is the secret. Complaining about not having family time isn’t going to work. Find some family time. It doesn’t need to be three or four hours. A much shorter time could do wonders. Use the time to talk about values. Let the children SEE what family values are about. Allow them to choose some of the activities for your special night. One activity might be to have the children take a few minutes to tell what they like most about the siblings. It will be a great self-esteem boost to the others to hear good about themselves, but also a reminder to each as they’re voicing good in their siblings, that brother or sister really isn’t so bad after all. Parents can certainly get in on the action, too, by naming things they’re extremely proud of for each child. Although values and morals seem to intertwine often, it is often more difficult to let children â€Å"see† morals at work. It is more of an inner thing, so what you wish to pass onto the children about morals will need to be discussed, perhaps more in depth than letting them see you practice these things. Oh, they’ll still watch, but they’ll also have a firm knowledge of what you feel is right and wrong. You can’t teach, for instance, the evils of smoking, while puffing on a cigarette. The term â€Å"family values† to many is practiced by the loving and caring of those we call â€Å"family. † We love them, we protect them, and we that they would do the same for us. That is what children need to see and at that point, a value system is born. reathe easy in the comfort of knowing As moral standards in society have come under attack, there has been a predictable two-pronged reaction. First, those who believe that morality has no fixed basis of validity rejoice as barriers and social taboos are broken down. Second, those who believe that society without clear moral underpinnings will disintegrate are alarmed by discernable trends in this direction. One group sees â€Å"progress† while the other sees society in a downhill slide. Voice, a union for education professionals in the United Kingdom, is decrying the absence of parental training in the children they are called upon to teach. They say that children are no longer learning moral values at home, and that the lack of discipline is making the classroom an unruly place where teaching anything is becoming more difficult. I’m making no judgment on this, but the focus on the primacy of the individual, rather than community; the changing pattern of family structures; the shortening of the length of many relationships; the creation of many more step families; the emphasis on parents going out to work and the consequent perception of the reduced value and worth of the full-time parent have all changed the way we behave. Are we now in a time when those children who have been reared in the moral relativity of the educational system are now producing offspring who are taking moral relativity to new levels? Are we seeing cause and effect? It cannot be denied that moral values are not being taught in many homes as they used to be, but is this not the result of previous conditioning? Maybe it is time to rethink who has the primary responsibility to teach moral values.

Employability Skills Essay

Employability Skills for Team Manager Fresh Days Morrison’s. The role at Morrison’s of being team manager at fresh days will require the applicant to have certain qualities and skills. You will need to be a high performer in order to be successful in the Morrison’s job role. To be eligible for this team manager job you will need a certain list of employability skills to ensure that you are the right applicant for the job of team manager at fresh days Morrison’s. For the job at Fresh Days Morrison’s you will defiantly need to have good verbal communication as team manager because you will have the responsibility of your team members day in and day out and you will be overseeing projects which you would be in charge of so you will need to be able to communicate with colleagues to make sure everything will run smoothly and then you will need to report back to the director. You will need to be able to plan and organise well so you are able to plan out and then organise a project well and then carry it out effectively. Time management is an essential employability skill that will be required, you will need to be able to perform efficiently to the amount of time you have and manage it effectively within projects and daily work days. As a team manager you will need to be able to have exceptional leadership skills, being able to motivate your team and being someone that they come to for guidance is really important in this job. Flexibility is a good skill to have in this job as you will need to adapt to different situations, tasks and environments quickly as team leader so that you team members are able to come to you for help if they are unable to adapt quickly. Morrison’s are looking for these specific employability skills as they know that without these you will not be suitable for the job and will not succeed, then neither the applicant of Morrison’s will benefit from this. Personal Skills for Team Manager Fresh Days Morrison’s. You will need to be a natural born leader to be successful in the team manager fresh days job at Morrison’s, you can’t be shy or held back you have to be able to take charge of a situation straight away without any difficulty and you will have to be a good directing others by making sure all the tasks are complete. It is very important that you are confidant within yourself so that people in your team can respect and look up to you, without confidence you will not succeed in being a team manager and you would not be best suited for this job. We require that you’re an ambitious person so that we know the goals of the company that are set can be achieved without any problems and if we set harder goals you are motivated to reach these goals. Something that we think is essential in a team manager is motivation because if your team members see that you are motivated it will motivate them to perform well in their work. You will need to have a skill of reporting back to people as this job position requires you to report back to the director on a daily basis. Morrison’s are looking for a real leader to be their team manager at fresh days Morrison’s to help the business succeed. Communication Skills for Team Manager As a team leader you will need to be a very good listener, you will have to take on your team members problems within the tasks, their ideas and anything else they have to say, without this communication skill your team will not succeed in the tasks and daily requirements that are set. You will be the leader of your team and it is your job to hear everything everybody has to say even if you don’t necessarily want to. It is necessary that you are able to take feedback from your bosses with good intentions, you have to be able to take bad feedback and then learn from it and take good feedback and be proud of it. If you want to be a good team leader you will need to be assertive in this job so that everything that you know needs to be done will be done with no complications or without any colleagues saying that didn’t know what you were talking about, you need to be assertive so that tasks and projects are completed efficiently. You will defiantly need to be a good talker to get your colleagues attention and to be able to share everyone’s ideas and thoughts on the task set for that day so everyone in that team feels like and equal member of the team.

Company analysis of Ooredoo (previously known as Q-tel) Research Paper

Company analysis of Ooredoo (previously known as Q-tel) - Research Paper Example The company is headquartered in Doha, Qatar and is growing ambitiously by capturing the opportunities that exist in the emerging market in the world. The Ooredoo Group operates with a wide range of brands in the communication industry and provides a collection of services which include mobile telephones, broadband, digital technologies and fibre technologies to serve their customer and the business industry. The core vision of Ooredoo is to enrich the lives of the people by being the leading communications company at the international stage. The Ooredoo group is committed to let their customer live their aspiration. This has been achieved for a huge customer base in international societies who are closely connected with their operators. The operators of Ooredoo keep close linkages with the communities and fulfil their daily needs. The markets of Ooredoo are present in Iraq, Indonesia, Oman, Algeria, Tunisia, Kuwait, Maldives, Palestine and Qatar. The chairman of Ooredoo, H.E. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed Bin Saud Al Thani enjoys the status of minister of state and has been instrumental in implementing effective corporate governance, corporate accountability and maximizing the wealth of its shareholders. In line with the vision statement, Ooredoo has a mission to become the leading international communications company in the world. ... For this Ooredoo maintains underlying ethics of true financial disclosures. Ooredoo group is committed to fulfil its corporate social responsibility by extending support to the communities and groups for charities in Qatar thereby returning the benefits to the society. The group also has a vision of contributing actively to social causes in the field of healthcare, education, sports, environmental aspects and welfare of the society. Ooredoo supports the national program for spreading awareness towards electronic wastes and their disposal techniques which helps in protecting the environment. Apart from that the company sponsors school events, educational projects. Ooredoo also supported construction of a full-fledged kidney dialysis centre in Qatar. As an outcome of adhering to the core values in line with the vision and mission statement, Ooredoo has achieved an eight fold growth from $800 million to $7.5 billion at the end of 2010 under the leadership of its management. Identificati on of stakeholders The stakeholders of the Ooredoo have increased as the company has expanded its operations in several markets all over the world by catering to the emerging needs in telecommunication. Ooredoo being a leading international communications company has both internal as well as the external stakeholders. The chairman of the Board of Directors, the governing body, representatives of the government and representatives of the private sector present in the governing body, the shareholders of the company and the employees of Ooredoo comprise of the internal stakeholders. The framework of policies of the organisation and implementing of those

Prison system in America Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Prison system in America - Essay Example Arguments against imprisonment include the idea that prison is not being used as a last resort to deter criminal behavior, housing prisoners is expensive, imprisonment doesn’t deter crime and it is cruel and inhumane. Despite statistics that confirm these contentions, imprisonment has experienced a growing attraction as a political response to crime. An increased prison population and its inherent human and financial costs have little effect on the attitudes of some. Despite the obvious and extensive failures of our penitentiary system, more people are being sent to prison for more reasons primarily as a result of tougher sentencing laws specifically involving the ‘war on drugs.’ Over the past quarter century, the U.S. has added to its prison population and therefore to its social problems. Anyone who has seen a prison movie likely has witnessed the stereotypical ‘shower scene’ where gang members viciously attack a lone inmate. They put a knife tightl y against the victim’s throat and threaten to kill him if he puts up a fight. The lone inmate is then repeatedly raped by the gang and afterwards is too frightened to notify prison officials fearing retribution. This Hollywood recreation is not unlike the actual events taking place inside prison walls. Being brutally raped in prison is not simply a physical violation; it is an emotionally scarring event. According to the Human Rights Watch, this and other forms of gang-related violence occur regularly in prisons across the country. â€Å"Gang assaults are not uncommon, and victims may be left beaten, bloody and, in the most extreme cases, dead† (â€Å"No Escape†). However, violent and blatant rapes are but one type of sexual abuse many prisoners must endure. The most prevalent form of rape does not occur by means of violence nor have many of the victims been overtly threatened. Nevertheless, they engage in sex acts unwillingly because they do not believe they ha ve a choice. Prison is an intimidating place. Prisoners, especially those new to the system can be easily coerced into doing things such as allowing themselves to be raped or committing violent acts against others out of fear. This type of prison rape is easier to conceal than violent attacks and much easier for prison staff and the general public to ignore. â€Å"For some prisoners, the atmosphere of fear and intimidation is so overwhelming that they acquiesce in their sexual exploitation without putting up any obvious resistance† (â€Å"No Escape,† 2006). The intimidation begins early and forcefully. According to the account of a first-time offender arriving in prison, â€Å"as soon as I walked on the wing, the catcalls started.† According to another prisoner, â€Å"Most of prison is a mind game. People get taken advantage of when they’re green and don’t know what to expect† (â€Å"No Escape,† 2006). Prison is described by its detra ctors as inhumane, a brutalizing and damaging experience. The prevalent imprisonment trend invokes a high human cost to those who caused no harm to another individual or property. The war on drugs is policy based on morals, not on public health, and is taking a grave toll on the economics and civil liberties of our society. Crime is on the rise overcrowding the prison system while inner cities are becoming unlivable decreasing chances for the economic revival in those areas, all as a consequence of a misguided war on drugs to prevent the misuse of drugs. These governmental drug programs have had very little if any reduction in the use of drugs but a great many innocent victims have had their lives ruined. â€Å"

Valued Employee Program Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Valued Employee Program - Essay Example ?†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦....10 References†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.12 Appendix†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦...13 Appendix A†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦...14 Abstract Due to the global recession, the world is also experiencing global employability crisis especially in the country. To answer this problem, new talents must be f ound. This can be achieved by renewing business and management strategies. This would also include a program to enhance talent already in the company. Rewards and recognitions must be given either formally or informally. Other incentives may also be given. Successful implementation of these programs or strategies would contribute to the success of the company. Keywords: Rewards and recognition, valuing employees, global employability crisis Valued Employee Program Introduction â€Å"People are definitely a company's greatest asset because a company is only as good as the people it keeps.† This is a famous quote from Mary Kay Ash, a very successful American businesswoman. For a company to be a globally competitive one, it should know how to make its people competitive at the same time knowing how to keep them for long-term. This means having or discovering new talents and also giving rewards and recognitions to employees. According to Gallop (2006) as cited by Ascent Group (20 08), companies with high levels of employee satisfaction enjoyed higher return on investment. This is what our program wants to achieve. Satisfaction to the employee like rewards, recognitions, benefits, incentives, bonuses and satisfaction to the company in terms of increased sales, revenues and profits and also credibility will be achieved. Labor Force Situation As leaders transition toward growth, there is an increased focus on human capital which involves identifying and actively engaging the most critical employees, rapidly aligning the workforce around change and ensuring getting most of the dollar they spent (Aon Hewitt, 2011). Also, according to ManpowerGroup (2011), talent becomes increasingly difficult to find heading towards a global employability crisis. This means lesser assets to the company. Companies must reconsider work models and workforce strategies to execute their business strategies. Old assumptions on structure and organization of work plus the development of talent must be changed so as not to put the business in danger. These new strategies entail much effort to be put upon. It is becoming more and more difficult to find and engage the right employees (Ascent Group, 2011). Thus, more jobs are being difficult to fill. Based from the 2011 Talent Shortage Survey by the ManpowerGroup, the Top 10 Jobs Employers are Having Difficulty Filling Globally are as follows: 1) technicians; 2) sales representatives; 3) skilled trades workers; 4) engineers; 5) laborers; 6) management/executives; 7) accounting and