Casuals by Steve Madden - summary Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Casuals by Steve Madden - summary - Essay Example This is one of the reasons as to why casuals came into the market. They ensure that the heel is folded into a flat when it is not needed (Simmons 1). SWOT Analysis The product has concentrated on several factors that have ensured it has actively and wholly penetrated the market. It has paid heed to its strengths in the fashion industry. The strengths include focus oriented approach for the customers, community and their employees. In relation to their employees, the company has ensured that they have the space to conduct their activities in the company. This ensures that they come with new strategies for the company, ensuring maximized profits (Simmons 1). They give back to the community as part of their corporate social responsibility and this augurs well with the community that surrounds them. As for their clients, they have created this classic yet comfortable lifestyle that many ladies have craved for in the fashion industry. The aspect of versatility and convenience is an added advantage as the shoe can be used for any occasion. This has led to the fact that many clients are aware of the shoes existence and they love it. One of the major weaknesses noted lies on the limited style ranges of the shoe. This is because of the limited capacity to incorporate different shoe ranges into the specific design in question. Another weakness is pegged on the fact that issues of access are limited to retail and online stores. This reduces the stores general revenue collected. The opportunities for the product lie in the broad market segment that is targeted by the product. The population of women who are looking for elegant style and comfort provide a wide array of potential consumers. The fact that the convertible shoe is new in the fashion industry creates the platform that many consumers will want to sample the new product in the fashion line. The innovation is threatened by competitors from other shoe companies. The companies are either adopting the same strategy or incorporating certain aspects and features that are giving the company a run for its money. The fashion industry is a very unpredictable industry (Kotler 12). The issue of economic and fashion trends are constantly hampering the way that the company plans to meet its set goals and objectives. These are the two threats to the creative innovation of elegant but stylish shoes that have been brought into the market. Segmentation, Targeting and Positioning The product has segmented the market based on the concentrated marketing strategy. This is the strategy that ensures that each and every aspect of the market is segmented and dealt with. It has concentrated on women and their willingness to spend to access the product. This is based on demographic segmentation. The market has also segmented based on the ability to arouse the risk taking nature of many in the fashion industry. This forms the psychographic aspect of independent women who love to take risks at each and every point. The b enefit oriented segmentation approach is based on the women who know the benefits of wearing a heel at the right time and getting comfortable when they need to. This is without the excess baggage of carrying an additional pair of shoes. This segmentation works hand in hand with the geo demographic segmentation. This is the specific one that targets the specific women who are in the profile areas. They include the women in

Spring Festival Gala Essay Example for Free

Spring Festival Gala Essay A Comparative Study of the CCTV Spring Festival Galas, 1984-86 and 2004-06 Xiaoyan Xu Abstract The Spring Festival, or Lunar New Year, is the most important festival in China. On every Lunar New Year’s Eve since 1983, the state-run China Central TV (CCTV), the only national TV station in China, has held a celebrating gala. This thesis attempts to examine the CCTV Spring Festival Galas as a case study of China’s statist nationalism. The research questions of this thesis are: what techniques and technologies have the CCTV Spring Festival Galas used to construct a Chinese national space? How have the CCTV Spring Festival Galas describe the Chinese national space? And what changes have taken place in these techniques and technologies as well as in the descriptions? To answer these questions, this thesis conducts a comparative research, comparing both the commonalities and differences between the galas of 1984-86 and those of 2004-06. Employing an interpretative textual analysis approach, it analyzes the videos of these six years’ galas and explores the political meanings of words and programs in the galas. This thesis finds that in order to imagine a united Chinese national space, the galas mainly represent China in terms of classes, ethnic groups and places. With the presence of minorities and people from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, the galas focus on the boundary of the Chinese nation to construct the unity of China. Furthermore, in order to construct the greatness of this united Chinese national space, the galas use heroes and sites to symbolize China. The presence of traditional elements helps create a temporal dimension of the Chinese national space. As a result of, and in response to, the socio- economic changes in the last two decades, the techniques and technologies used by the galas have changed. Besides the great changes in stage settings and technologies, the major changes in the techniques include: in the 2004-06 galas, hosts play a much more important role in interpreting the political meanings of the programs and presenting the state’s nationalist narrative to the audience, the Chinese Communist Party occupies a more central place in the galas, and home increasingly means individual family instead of the country of China. Correspondingly, the way the galas treat singers, actors, and hosts from Hong Kong and Taiwan has also changed. Acknowledgements The past three years have passed fast. At this moment, my heart is full of thanksgivings. I am especially grateful to: Dr. Timothy Luke, my committee chair, for his advising and helping me with revising this thesis for several times, as well as for his patience. Dr. Scott Nelson and Dr. Yannis Stivachtis, my committee members, for their support and suggestions on this thesis and future research. Dr. Christopher Clement, for his acceptance for my TA work and his kind flexibility for my responsibility during my pregnancy. Dr. Ilja Luciak, Chair, Department of Political Science, and Dr. Deborah Milly, former Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Political Science, for their great support. Pat, Kim, Melissa, and Karen, staff of the Department of Political Science, and Jenny and other staff of the Graduate School, for their great help. God, for giving me life and abundant graces. My parents and other family members, for their love and encouragements. Examples of these studies are Guan Ling, Zhixing Guiji [The Tracks of Knowledge and Actions] (Beijing: Beijing Radio College Press 2000); Xu Yingchun and Wang Ying, â€Å"Dui ‘kan chunjie wanhui’ chengwei xin minsu wenti de sikao [Some Reflections on Watching the Spring Festival Galas Becoming New Customs],† Shiting Zongheng [On TV and Radio], No. 1 (2003); and Wang Xiaoyu, â€Å"Chunjie lianhuan wanhui de ‘zhaohuan jizhi’ [The ‘Calling Mechanism’ of the Spring Festival Galas],† Meiti Piping [Media Critique] (Guangxi Shifan Daxue Chubanshe, 2005), Vol. 1, http://www. usc. cuhk. edu. hk/wk_wzdetails. asp? id=4891. 22 is Wang Xiaoyu’s study. 34 Based on the concepts of â€Å"TV community† and â€Å"collective emory,† Wang analyzes the â€Å"calling† mechanism that renders individuals to join the audience of the Spring Festival Galas every year. He argues that the high viewing- audience-rates of the CCTV Sp ring Festival Galas can be partly attributed to the â€Å"TV community† emerging in 1980sthat is, the phenomenon that many people gather together to watch the same TV programs. Wang argues that the CCTV Spring Festival Gala is creating a new and special â€Å"TV community†. Many families gather to watch a TV program together, along with eating the reunion dinner. What is more, people’s discussions on the CCTV Spring Festival Galas afterwards make the galas a â€Å"collective

Death of a child and the impact to parental grief

Death of a child and the impact to parental grief Adulthood is the stage in  the human lifespan that captures the stages of acquiring independence from the family of origin, establishing loving relationships and having and raising children.   When adults transition into the role of spouse and parent they are not likely to attribute this meaningful time of life to crisis.   The death of a child disrupts the biological order of the lifespan and challenges a parents understanding of their world (Rogers, Floyd, Seltzer, Greenberg and Hong, 2008). Researchers have labelled the death of a child as one of the most tragic events a parent must endure.   In a study by Sanders (1980) comparing bereavement in individuals who experienced the death of a parent, spouse and child, Sanders identified more intense grief reactions among those who survived the death of a child (as cited by Arnold and Buschman Gemma, 2008).   A childs death impacts the parent on multiple levels; as an individual, as a partner and as a contributing member of society.   Grief is often complicated by the addition of anxiety and fatigue which impedes communication in relationships and with other members of a family (Toller and Braithwaite, 2009).  Ã‚   According to Emmons, Colby and Kaiser (1998) grief is often equated to the destruction of the persons assumptive world (as cited by Rogers, Floyd, Seltzer, Greenberg and Hong, 2008, p. 204).   Additionally, Colin Murray Parkes (1970) defines the assumptive world as represent[ing] the totality of what the individual knows or thinks he knows. It includesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ our plans and our prejudices (as cited by Tedeschi and Calhoun, 2004, p. 21).   The length of parental grief has been estimated by some to last upwards of a decade following the childs death while other researchers acknowledge parental grief as lasting indefinitely (Rogers, Floyd, Seltzer, Greenberg and Hong, 2008).   The negative effects of prolonged grief have implications on bereaved parents mental and physical health well into midlife (Rogers, Floyd, Seltzer, Greenberg and Hong, 2008).    This paper will explore the impact that the death of a child has on the mother and father as individuals and together as a couple.   It will examine how individuals use coping mechanisms and a quest for meaning to transform this crisis in adulthood into the potential for personal growth and a renewed sense of purpose for life.   For the purposes of this paper bereavement and grief will be defined.   According to Parkes and Weiss (1983) bereavement is à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦encompassing the entire experience of anticipating a death, death itself and the subsequent adjustment to living (as cited by Meert et al., 2009).   In addition, Therese Rando (1993) defines grief as the process of experiencing the psychological, behavioural, social and physical reactions to the perception of loss (p. 22). Although crisis in adulthood is inclusive of both men and women, research shows gender specific styles of grieving and coping with the death of a child.   In a study conducted with bereaved parents by Toller and Braithwaite (2009), mothers identified the need to express their grief through discussing the death and the shedding of tears.   In her book When the Bough Breaks: Forever after the Death of a Son or Daughter, author Judith Bernstein (1998) discusses womens grief response as frequently revealing and more likely desolate.   Bernstein (1998) explains that mothers expressive grief may be the result of the degree mothers are invested in their parental role.   Ã‚  Expression of emotions can be significantly difficult in a mothers grief experience of a stillborn baby when societal support may be absent or limited due to the inability of society to recognize the birth and death as a meaningful event (Cacciatore, 2010).   Cacciatore (2010) identifies that parents presumptio n of support from family, friends and medical staff may be based in their own value and understanding of the loss which contradicts the support actually afforded them.   Additionally, Shainess (1963) challenged that childbirth that ends with the death of a baby not only has the potential to devastate a womens self-image but also may alter how she relates herself to others (as cited by Cacciatore, 2010).   Stillbirth has been coined as the invisible death because very few people knew or met the child, the mother has very few keepsakes to memorialize their child and inevitably the mother may feel pressure to forget the child by their social network (Cacciatore, 2010).   Li, Laursen, Precht, Olsen and Mortensen (2005) found that bereaved mothers, compared with nonbereaved mothers, were at much higher risk for first time inpatient psychiatric care.   The risks remained notably higher for more than five years following the death of a child (as cited by Rogers, Floyd, Seltzer, Greenberg and Hong, 2008).   In addition, Radestad et al. (1996) identified bereaved mothers of stillborn babies experience higher rates of anxiety up to three years following the death as compared to mothers who had live born children (as cited by Cacciatore, 2010). Bereaved mothers often question their ability to be successful at motherhood following the death of a child (Cacciatore, 2010).   Children within the family unit are often impacted by the death of a baby when their parents grief makes them unavailable to their emotional demands (Cacciatore, 2010).   Interestingly, a study by Peterson (1994) found that the death of a baby continues to affect future generations.   In the study, adult daughters of mothers who experienced a stillbirth, reported fear during their own pregnancy, in addition to guilt, anxiety and grief in adulthood that impacted attachment with their own children (as cited by Cacciatore, 2010). Mothers may illicit varied strategies to cope with the death of their child.   In a study of 47 bereaved mothers, Cacciatore (2010) found that 21% acknowledged using alcohol and illegal drugs as a form of coping, while 45% of respondents reported contemplating self-harm.   All of the respondents indicated that the death of their child had considerably altered their identity (Cacciatore, 2010).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Men and women do not always experience grief following the death of a child in the same way.   It is not uncommon for fathers to experience societal messages that encourage a traditional male role of strength that bravely supports the mother following the childs death (Aho, Tarkka, Astedt-Kurki and Kaunonen, 2006).   Not surprisingly, these messages may explain why research has found men are more likely to deny grief or grieve in private while suppressing reactions or hiding feelings (Aho, Tarkka, Astedt-Kurki and Kaunonen, 2006). In a study of fathers reactions to infant loss, Colsen (2001) examined conscious and unconscious responses to grief.   The study showed that some fathers had pronounced grief reactions in the unconscious while denying the presence of grief consciously (as cited by Aho, Tarkka, Astedt-Kurki and Kaunonen, 2006).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In analysis of the research, several studies have indicated that fathers use physical activity as a means to cope with grief as well as to assimilate control over their emotions (Aho, Tarkka, Astedt-Kurki and Kaunonen, 2006; Toller and Braithwaite, 2009).   In addition to feelings of physical pain, often attributed to the physicality of mens grief, fathers identify strong and prolonged feelings of guilt, anger and bitterness after the death of a child directed at themselves, God and caregiving personnel (Aho, Tarkka, Astedt-Kurki and Kaunonen, 2006).   Interestingly, in a study by Barrera et al. (2009) concerning parent adjustment following the death of a child, researchers found that the fathers interviews were significantly longer than those of the mothers.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   As indicated in the discussion surrounding maternal grief, several studies have concluded that increased alcohol consumption also contributes to the fathers grief experience (Aho, Tarkka, Astedt-Kurki and Kaunonen, 2006).   In fact, in a study by Vance et al. (1995), concerning gender differences and psychological grief reactions for bereaved parents, research found that alcohol use in parents directly after the death and up to three years following, was significantly higher than the control group who had not experienced a death (as cited by Aho, Tarkka, Astedt-Kurki and Kaunonen, 2006).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Parents may also share common experiences of grief following the death of a child. In a study of parental adjustment six months after the death of their child, participants identified that they mourned a future without their children and that they would never see the child meet milestones such as their graduation or wedding (Barrera et al., 2009).   In addition to missing milestones these same participants reported a significant need to physically touch their children again (Barrera et al., 2009).   Some parents of children who died in the pediatric intensive care unit indicated that they needed mementos to assist them in feeling connected to their child.   Mementos ranged from a stuffed animal to a locket of the childs hair (Meert et al, 2008).   In fact, researchers argue that the ability of the parents to establish a continued connection with the deceased child through the use of memories is integral to the parental experience o f bereavement and coping (Barrera et al., 2009).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In addition to continuing the bond with their deceased child, parents have additional stress in establishing commonalities and differences in grief within the marital relationship.   Meaning is derived from telling the story of the childs death and this can be particularly difficult for bereaved parents who often feel that their social network is not receptive to talk of the death experience (Toller and Braithwaite, 2009).   Alternatively, parents may turn to one another as a means of support but this can also prove difficult since both partners are experiencing the death simultaneously (Toller and Braithwaite, 2009).   In a study by Toller and Braithwaite (2009) of bereaved parents they found that parents wanted to grieve with their spouse while concurrently indicating that they also needed space to grieve separately from their partner.   The parents in this study reported that grieving together was difficult due to the differing ways in which they and their partners approached and even expressed grief (Toller and Braithwaite, 2009). A fear for many bereaved spouses is the statistical relevance of divorce among bereaved parents.   Although some research indicates a higher occurrence of divorce following the death of a child, other research challenges the methodology and difficulties in tracking divorced couples in order to make concise conclusions (Rogers, Floyd, Seltzer, Greenberg and Hong, 2008).   Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚   A more alarming finding is the evidence of depression and long term health concerns among bereaved parents.   In their study, Rogers, Floyd, Seltzer, Greenberg and Hong (2008) analyzed data from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study (WLS) and found that bereaved parents, in midlife and on average 18 years following the death of their child, reported more symptoms of depression   and cardiovascular problems than their nonbereaved cohort.   In fact, 83% of bereaved parents in the WLS reported depression within three years of their childs death (Rogers, Floyd, Seltzer, Greenberg and Hong, 2008).   The researchers of this study concluded that the return to employment, social and family roles may indicate full recovery following the death of a child but persistent episodes of depression and health related issues suggest internal turmoil that may not be recognized and acknowledged by friends and family (Rogers, Floyd, Seltzer, Greenberg and Hong, 2 008).   Furthermore, this study showed that the ability to function was not greater with the passing of time since the death and suggested that the bereavement following the death of a child may lead to continued health concerns for decades (Rogers, Floyd, Seltzer, Greenberg and Hong, 2008). Bereaved parents do find ways to cope and manage the grief both individually and as a couple.   Many parents indicate that surviving children provide them with a sense of purpose and parents reinvest energy into ensuring these children are learning how to cope with the death of their sibling (Barrera et al., 2009).   Barrera et al. (2009) identified the presence of surviving children at the time of death to be linked with lower instance of marital discord.     Researchers in multiple studies found that bereaved parents who did not have surviving children reported a strong desire to have another child through pregnancy, adoption or fostering (Barrera et al., 2009; Arnold and Buschman Gemma, 2008). Interestingly Videka-Sherman (1982) found evidence that parents who had a subsequent child following death were more likely to have better psychological adjustment to grief (as cited by   (Rogers, Floyd, Seltzer, Greenberg and Hong, 2008). In the study conducted by Toller and Braithwaite (2009) the majority of bereaved parents indicated that although they experienced grief differently than their partner, they were eventually able to identify and empathize, even accept the differences.   Bereaved parents who recognized that grieving is unique to each individual and in turn gave their spouse room to grieve or engaged with others for support found that they were able to navigate the differences and maintain a healthy relationship (Toller and Braithwaite, 2009).   Although therapeutic models encourage an ability to be open and heal, Toller and Braithwaite (2009) suggest that selective closedness has shown evidence of health in grieving (p. 273).   In fact, nonverbal communication between spouses is possible to create connection in grieving through hand holding, physical closeness and expression through letter writing (Toller and Braithwaite, 2009). Many parents have identified the need to redefine themselves integrating the experience of being a parent to a child who has died (Barrera et al., 2009).   Parents have described the need for their child to be validated and recognized in a societal context, given worth in order to aid them in their ability to grieve that child (Meert et al, 2009).   Of additional importance is the acceptance from family, friends and parents social network to allow bereaved parents to grieve in a way that is meaningful to them at their own speed and without judgement (Meert et al., 2009). Ultimately, bereaved parents incorporate a variety of support strategies to assist them in coping with the death of their child (Barrera et al., 2009).   Many bereaved parents identified an eventual revitalized purpose to life, commonly associated with a desire to give back to the community and support other bereaved parents (Barrera et al., 2009).   Following the death of a child, Calhoun and Tedeschi (2001) theorise that individuals undergo a reorganization of beliefs surrounding significance of the world and oneself. According to Calhoun and Tedeschi (2001) posttraumatic growth is the positive changes in relationship to others, spirituality or philosophy of life, and sense of self that follows bereavement (p. 344).   A study by Engelkemeyer and Marwit (2008) of bereaved parents found that parents who reported growth were also the parents who identified having a positive outlook regarding self-worth and characterised themselves as being lucky.   The death of a child has a profound effect on the parents as individuals and as a couple that creates a crisis in their transition through adulthood.   Bereaved parents may experience negative or positive consequences of the grief experienced following their childs death and these effects will be felt throughout the remainder of their lifespan. A quote from one bereaved mother eloquently sums up the enormity of death on the life experience: Death being such a major part of life is something that only those who experience it firsthand can truly attest to being at the very core of our existence.   Death changes who we are and what we feel about life entirely.   Death even steals our perception of time and how a month ending, or a year ending or the celebration of new life affects us.   Death comes in and manipulates everyone we come in contact with, while making us an alien to everyone (Ruffin, 2010, p.9).

Use of Model Rockets in Education Essay -- Education Essays

As students go about their lives in school, many of them are disengaged and what they do learn, they manage to forget over the matter of a few days. Many teachers have tried to find new ways of teaching that will both interest the students and help them to retain what they learn. Some of these ideas have worked well, while others do the opposite of what they are meant to achieve and disengage the students even more. One activity that a few organizations, such as Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Core, the Boy Scouts of America, and the Girl Scouts, have begun to use is the activity of building model rockets. Model rocketry has been a fun pass-time for many youth for years; they find it fascinating to watch something that they built soar hundreds of feet into the air, and then as the parachute deploys, see their masterpiece drift slowly back to them. All that these clubs are doing is taking this activity and using it to explain and teach the many concepts that go into th e launching of the rocket. James Goll and Lindsay Wlkinson, professors at Edgewood University, once said rockets can spark â€Å"classroom discussions about the chemistry topics of homogeneity, intermolecular interactions, kinetics, thermodynamics, and oxidation—reduction chemistry† (Goll & Wilkinson). In addition, Sylvia Nolte (Ed. D., Estes Educator) said, â€Å"rocketry is an excellent means of teaching the scientific concepts of aerodynamics and Newton’s Laws of Motion. It integrates well with math in calculating formulas, problem solving and determining altitude and speed.† (Nolte) One example where rockets help students in school is science. Chemistry, one branch of science, is a huge part of rocket building because of the fact that the fuel is comp... ...act right surface area, while making a shape that allows the rocket to do things that the designer desires such as be free standing, to spin on the way down as to stay straight, or even just to look cool. These are just the tip of the iceberg of the ways that model rocketry can help students. Model rocketry is a way that any organization can help their members to understand anything that they are trying to learn. Model rocketry will keep students engaged, help them retain what they learn, and let teachers teach in a new way. Works Cited Goll, James G., and Lindsay Wilkinson. â€Å"Teaching Chemistry Using October Sky." Edgewood.edu. Edgewood College, n.d. Web. 7 Mar. 2014 Nolte, Sylvia, Ed. D. â€Å"hysics and Model Rockets.† EstesEducator.com. Ed. Thomas E. Beach, Ph. D., Tim V. Milligan, A.E., and Ann Grimm. Estes-Cox Corp, 20123. Web. 13 Mar. 2014

An Investigation of Vietnam’s Barriers of Economic Growth and Development Essay

Over the past few decades, Vietnam has made remarkable recovery from the damage of war and political reforms. Under Vietnam’s communist party, the country’s economy has transitioned from a centrally planned economy to a socialist-oriented market economy. Making it a multi-sectored commodity economy regulated by the people, whilst under state management and ownership. Numerous reforms, along with the modernization of the financial system, have led to rapid growth for Vietnam economically. In 2010, the Gross Domestic Product (PPP) of Vietnam was $275,639 million and ranked 40 out of 182 listed countries according to the International Monetary Fund. This is most likely due to rapid industrialization that has and is taking place. Industry and construction contributed approximately 40.9% of GDP in 2010 whereas the share of the agriculture sector has fallen to 21%. Although the rise in GDP has brought about a decline in poverty, larger school enrolment rates, bettered infrastructure, etc, this rapid growth rate has also brought with it negative factors that may hinder subsequent economic growth and development. For instance, Vietnam is facing large budget and trade deficits. In 2010, the current account balance (CAB) of Vietnam was -8.51 billion US dollars based on the International Monetary Fund, with the country’s trade deficits amounting to US$12.4 billion. CAB value, being a negative, shows that the amount spent on imports coming into Vietnam is higher than that earned from the country’s exports. The problem is that the imports are of a higher value than the exports and this is the consequence of relying on a narrow range of primary products (This point on low value exports will be elaborated on, under cultural factors). Similarly, the government is blowing its budget, causing the fiscal deficit to rise to 7.4% of GDP in 2010, which shows the extent at which the government’s total expenditure has exceeded the revenue that it generates. This overshot the government’s target of 6.2%. On one hand, the government expenditure on basic social and physical infrastructure is a necessity for any developing country. However, this continual over-spending can place the government in a state of debt, which may interfere with economic growth and development. Also, the corrupted state misspends and embezzles a good share of export earnings, foreign investment and revenue (To be covered later under political instability). In order to taper down trade deficits, the government has been forced to devalue the Vietnamese currency (dong) to the exchange rate of 17,961 dong : US$1. However, the dong is continually being devalued. According to Le Dang Doanh of the Economic College of Hanoi, â€Å"devaluation might temporarily help to reduce Vietnam’s imports, but it will also boost inflation because the imported fuel will rise.† Doanh’s views are very apt as devaluation of the exchange rate will make exports more competitive and appear cheaper to foreigners. This will increase demand for exports whilst making imports more expensive. Hence, reducing the demand for imports. However, this devaluation has caused a rise in the inflation rate in Vietnam. In January 2011, the consumer-price index rose to 12.17%. This is higher than the 11.8% increase in December 2010. Bring about higher prices for education services, food, housing and building materials within the country. These high prices are not easily met by the poorer of the country. It is no surprise, therefore, that Vietnam’s per capita GDP (PPP) of $3,123 (ranked 128) by the International Monetary Fund, meaning that the average income of a person living in Vietnam is approximately $8.70 per day. This is equivalent to earning US$3.20 a day according to nominal per capita GDP. One reason for this is that Vietnam’s rate of growth of population is higher than that of its GDP. Vietnam, with a growing population of over 89 million, is the 13th most densely populated country in the world. The Human Development Index (HDI) re-illustrates Vietnam’s lower development and welfare. It weighs real national income per year, the adult literacy rate, average years of schooling, and life expectancy in ranking a country in terms of development. The closer the HDI value is to 1, the more developed the country is said to be. The 2010 HDI value of Vietnam is 0.572, ranking the country 113 out of 169 countries with comparable data. Having a HDI value between 0.5 and 0.8, Vietnam is said to have â€Å"medium human development†. However, this value still remains below the average HDI value of East Asia and the Pacific (0.650) and that of the world (0.624). On a scale from 0 – 1, the index for health is 0.869, education is 0.480 and income is 0.448. Additionally from the 2010 report, 21.45% of the population is living below US$1.25 per day and 25,632 per million of the population is affected by natural disasters. It appears that the prime reason for the relatively low HDI value of Vietnam seems to be due to the decline in infrastructure and income amongst its citizens. This brings us to the next section of my investigation. Along with the problems arising in Vietnam, its current economic situation could have been and still remains a result of the various factors below: Income Poverty The Vietnam government has made effective attacks on poverty, reducing the countries share of income poverty from 58% to 21.45% in 1993-2010. Due to industrialization and reforms, more jobs and opportunities were created. The rise in income for people working in industrial zones resulted in more than a third of the population being pulled out of poverty. However, the increasing number of people moving into the city areas has caused property demands, and hence prices, to rise. Additionally, inflation is increasing the prices of staples remarkably, making it difficult for low-income urban and rural residents. In fact, a study in 2006 by the Vietnamese Academy of Social Sciences concluded that even higher growth rates will be required than in the past as poverty is still deep and widespread, and the remaining millions of people vulnerable to poverty fall far below the poverty line. This prevalent income gap in Vietnam, particularly the income disparity between the rural and urban areas not only lowers the basic standard of living in the country due to inequitable development, but also reduces consumption. This drop in consumption, coupled with the investment fever of the higher income-earners, might cause deflation. Although deflation may seem to help lower-income citizens to purchase more goods, price drops will hamper profits of firms and, hence, the overall economic growth of Vietnam. This will lead to even lower income distributed to workers, and even retrenchment, as companies would need to cut down costs. As a result, economic development is hindered, as the government will not have sufficient funds to spend on improving infrastructure in the country. Therefore, the basic standard of living subsequently drops. Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, is already feeling the negative effects of this lack of infrastructure due to the poverty cycle as it is constantly plagued by power blackouts (See lack of infrastructure below). Political Structure/Corruption To date, the government continues to maintain control of the largest and most important firms in the country. The government recently issued new limitations for state-owned enterprises (SOEs) on the extent at which they can diversify away from their core business. Conversely, policy changes tend to take a long time to be put into effect and SOEs will take an equally long period of time to respond to such directives. One way to overcome this conservatism, the minimal or gradual change in society, is if the government gives up political control of the economy and diminishing the bureaucratic nature of commerce in Vietnam. However it is unlikely that the Communist leaders will allow this to happen. Additionally, Vietnam relies heavily on SOEs to generate wealth for the nation. Under each company, workers enjoy the same share of benefits from growth despite any disparity in productivity. Therefore, there is no incentive for workers to perform better at their job and the economy will not be able to reach high growth rates or attract foreign investors. Public officials and state employees, thus, resort to getting extra money any way they can. The current state structure creates loopholes for corrupt people to plunder state budget. Already, there have been cases where government officials have been arrested for squandering a significant share of investments that come into the country. The 2010 Corruption Perceptions Index placed Vietnam 116th out of 178 countries, with a transparency score of 2.7. Corruption and lack of political transparency causes citizens to lose confidence in their leaders and weakens national unity. Possible uprisings may occur and instability hinders national construction and defense (Continued in lack of infrastructure below). Lack of infrastructure Vietnam’s energy-generating capacity is not at a high enough level yet to support its production in industrial zones. However, at the moment the government budget is not enough to solve the electricity supply problem. First of all, if fewer goods are produced due to lack of electricity to operate machinery efficiently, economic growth will decrease. Furthermore, power surges disrupt the everyday lives of citizens, transportation, etc. Lowering the standard of living in Vietnam. As mentioned above, the bureaucracy of official procedures stops the country from building the roads, power stations and other public works due to the slow speed at which such changes take effect. These factors are needed to maintain efficient production of goods and services and, hence, growth rate. Particularly, the lack of road systems hinders economic development, as it is difficult for citizens to gain access to different areas of the country. Cultural Factors Initially an agriculture-based economy, Vietnam depends on seafood and rice as main exports for the country. Many of these low-value products are the livelihood of people living in rural areas. The school attendance is much lower in rural areas as compared to urban areas and this lack of education leads to the lack of skills necessary to carry out jobs in industrial zones. Therefore, their focus on agriculture has translated to the country over-depending on primary products as its main exports. This narrows the range of products, which can be purchased through international trade. This negatively impacts potential economic growth. On the other hand, an increasing number of people living in urban areas own cars and factories are producing goods constantly in order keep up with the ambitious growth targets of Vietnam’s Communist leaders. The emissions from choking traffic and constant construction are starting to take a toll on the environment. The pollution, therefore, impedes the economic development of the developing country. In conclusion, we can see that despite Vietnam’s improving economic growth, numerous debts accumulating in the country and the devaluation of currency can hinder further potential growth rates. These factors overlap with the Communist Party’s political control of the economy and the slow change of economic policies, lack of infrastructure to support capital production and exporting low-value products, which in turn hinder economic growth. Additionally, over-population, growing income gaps between rural and urban areas, inefficient building of infrastructure and environmental damage created by excessive and rapid industrialization, have impeded on economic development by lowering the basic standard of living of the country. In order for Vietnam to grow and develop economically in the future, the political structure needs to allow a more efficient change in both social and economical policies. More importantly, the country needs to stop prevalent corruption and give firms incentives to generate more economic growth and, thus, attract more foreign investments for the country. Sources -http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTPOVERTY/Resources/WDR/English-Full-Text-Report/ch2.pdf -http://www.arcadia-asia.com/commentaries/201003-Arcadia%20Market%20Commentary.pdf -http://www.viet-studies.info/kinhte/vietnam_OxfordAnalytica.pdf -http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTPRS1/Resources/383606-1106667815039/gov_spending_vietnam.pdf -http://www.economist.com/node/11041638?story_id=11041638 -http://www.icsead.or.jp/7publication/workingpp/wp2006/2006-18.pdf -http://www.economywatch.com/economic-statistics/country/Vietnam/

Manipulation of the Socialization Aspect of Schools Essay Example

Manipulation of the Socialization Aspect of Schools Essay Example Manipulation of the Socialization Aspect of Schools Essay Manipulation of the Socialization Aspect of Schools Essay Manipulation of the Socialization Aspect of Schools Kierra Snyder Education tends to become a first priority in the lives of young people, and as it does it assumes some of the responsibilities of socialization previously held within the family unit. One major aspect of this is the development of respect for peers and their individual cultures and identities. In this day and age this form of socialization is becoming more important as it teaches children to accept those around them, elping to prepare these children for the cultural diversity they will undoubtedly be surrounded with in their adult lives. This socialization also assists in reaffirming morals that may have been taught at home, if not supplying a new set of guidelines for their new environment at school. In my opinion this socialization process can and should become the most direct teaching of general morality for our youth, and by creating an emphasis on appropriate social interaction we can improve childrens ense of conscience while subsequently teaching both self-love and freedom of expression. Socialization, in its most basic form, is the process of learning through social interaction and is the perfect vector for teaching morality. Most early socialization outside of the home occurs in a school setting. This can make it incredibly easy to standardize moral learning in the same ways we do instruction of math or history. Most of our morals are based on appropriate human social interactions; we shouldnt injure or kill other people, steal others things, or mistreat he people who are there to help us, and we should always respect our environment. All of these morals are important to maintaining a peaceful environment in schools, making them very easy to enforce in our childrens consciences. Once a punishment is observed for an action it becomes a deterrent and most children will have a natural aptitude for learning morality simply because they fear the repercussions of their words and actions. This can be easily modeled with properly supervised social interaction to teach how to respect those around us. If we focus in on the aspect of teaching respect for others as a moral within the school systems, the argument can be made that this is where there is a tendency for educators to slack off on moral teaching. It is generally accepted and even expected that people should have respect for others cultures and individuality in the adult world, but this is not well taught or explained to most children. They leave school assuming that the entire world operates with the same clique mentality that they witnessed for the past thirteen years. This is pretty destructive in most cases as it means that these children have higher tendencies toward bullying and hazing practices, and beyond that shun and shame those that express a sense of self or any outward signs of individuality. Teaching children that this is morally wrong at a younger age may even circumvent the cycle of abuse that leads to self-harm and suicidal tendencies for many teenagers. It must also be taught that self-harm is not an acceptable escape tactic for those feeling uncomfortable in their skin. The tendency for younger and younger hildren to pick up self-harm as a coping mechanism is alarming. This problem is composed primarily of young girls that are so desperate to be thin theyre willing to risk their lives. This is why we need appropriate moral learning in our schools; it could save thousands of lives to Just teach our children that they shouldnt mock others for any reason and that they should respect themselves and their own bodies. It would be beneficial to teach self-love to our children as another moral, this may be especially helpful in lowering teen suicide rates. It should certainly be kept in mind that the Bible is not the only source of morals to learn, and perhaps should not be emphasized in moral teachings. Altogether we need to teach children how to treat all people morally. There could be a major benefit in teaching children to regret disrespecting themselves and others. I agree with Immanuel Kants view of the human conscience as inevitable and that the more it is ignored the weaker it gets. I dont see how we can go on allowing the future generations to weaken their consciences by bullying. I dont want to see where the world would be in twenty years if all of the children in our schools were no longer taught the most basic rules of social interactions. Kant does not go so far as to say that the conscience can be taught to Judge certain actions or thoughts as wrong and requiring regret, but I believe it does, and should be used to help develop better social norms in American culture at least for positivity towards all other living things. Education systems should include the most basic of morals and ones that teach our children to love who they are.

Nucleotides essays

Nucleotides essays I. nucleotides: sub units  ³ DNA B. 5-carbon sugar molecule (deoxyribose) Chargaff  ³ base pairing rule: 1 = 3 and 2 = 4 II. Maurice Wilkins and Rosalind Frankilin  ³ X-ray diffraction photos of DNA molecule - DNA molecules: tightly coiled helix and composed of two or three chains of nucleotides III. Chargaff builds a model of the double helix:  ¡a spiral staircase ¡ of 2 strands of nucleotides twisting around a central axis. A. alternating sugar and phosphate units B. purine and pyrimidines paired up - A can only form hydrogen bonds with T - C can only for  ¡  ¡ with G.  ³ 2 strands that are complementary to each other A. Replication: process of synthesizing a new strand of DNA. B. Helices: open up the double helix by breaking the hydrogen bonds that link the complementary bases. C. Two strands separated: additional enzymes and proteins attach to the individual strands and hold them apart  ³ twisting prevented D. Replication fork : where double helix separates 1. DNA polymerases: enzymes that move along each strand  ³ adding nucleotides to the exposed bases.  ³ one old and one new DNA strand - genes hold info specifying how to build particular proteins - affects the phenotype of an individual because of the activity of the protein that it specifies - DNA encoded info that specifies particular proteins; each gene is made of a specific sequence of nucleotides A. interruped by necleotides that have no coding info. 1. Introns:: noncoding sequences/ intervening 2. Exons :nucleotide segments that code for amino acids -stitched together once all introns are removed II. Multigene families: clusters of almost identical sequences; cells exist in mult ...

PENA - Surname Origin, Meaning and Famous Penas

PENA - Surname Origin, Meaning and Famous Penas Individuals with the Peà ±a surname may have originally lived near a cliff, large rock, or rocky land, The surname  derives from the Spanish word peà ±a, meaning rock, crag or cliff.  The name is especially common  in Galicia, Leà ³n, and Castile, Spain. Peà ±a is the 42nd most common Hispanic surname. Surname Origin:  Spanish Alternate Surname Spellings: PINA, PINILLA, PENNETTA, PENNAZZI Famous People with the Surname PENA Enrique Peà ±a Nieto - Mexican lawyer and politician; president of MexicoPaco Peà ±a - Spanish flamenco guitarist and composerMichael Pena - American actor Genealogy Resources for the Surname PENA 50 Common Hispanic Surnames Their MeaningsGarcia, Martinez, Rodriguez, Lopez, Hernandez... Are you one of the millions of people sporting one of these top 50 common Hispanic last names? The PENA DNA ProjectThis Y-DNA and mtDNA project is open to all families with the Pena surname, of all spelling variations and all locations. Use DNA to connect and work together to discover your common Pena ancestors.   PENA Family Genealogy ForumSearch this popular genealogy forum for the Pena surname to find others who might be researching your ancestors, or post your own Pena query. FamilySearch - PENA GenealogyFind records, queries, and lineage-linked family trees posted for the Pena surname and its variations. PENA Surname Family Mailing ListsRootsWeb hosts several free mailing lists for researchers of the Pena surname. DistantCousin.com - PENA Genealogy Family HistoryFree databases and genealogy links for the last name Pena. Looking for the meaning of a given name? Check out First Name Meanings Cant find your last name listed? Suggest a surname to be added to the Glossary of Surname Meanings Origins. - References: Surname Meanings Origins Cottle, Basil. Penguin Dictionary of Surnames. Baltimore, MD: Penguin Books, 1967. Menk, Lars. A Dictionary of German Jewish Surnames. Avotaynu, 2005. Beider, Alexander. A Dictionary of Jewish Surnames from Galicia. Avotaynu, 2004. Hanks, Patrick and Flavia Hodges. A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford University Press, 1989. Hanks, Patrick. Dictionary of American Family Names. Oxford University Press, 2003. Smith, Elsdon C. American Surnames. Genealogical Publishing Company, 1997. Back to Glossary of Surname Meanings Origins

An Investigation into the Current Success Factors for Small and Medium Essay

An Investigation into the Current Success Factors for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Thailand - Essay Example The type of businesses involved in this study is small and medium business enterprises (SMEs), which are characterized by being relatively smaller than larger enterprises (LEs) in terms of the number of employees or amount of fixed assets. The geographical region in focus is the country of Thailand in South East Asia. A range of different types of SMEs will be included from various sectors so that the findings are representative of Thai SMEs in general. Thus, it includes the production, wholesale and retail sectors. We shall adopt the classification of SMEs as defined by the Thai Institute for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (ISMED, 2010) as follows: Enterprises in the production/service sectors: no more than 200 employees or no more than Baht 200 million in fixed assets. Enterprises in the wholesale trading sectors: no more than 50 employees or no more than Baht 100 million in fixed assets. Enterprises in the retail sectors: no more than 30 employees or no more than Baht 60 million in fixed assets. Similarly, the study will not be confined to SMEs in a particular area of Thailand because that would not necessarily be representative of Thai SMEs. ... These are primarily related to the areas of administration, management, finance, technology, human resources, and marketing (Garengo, and Bernardi, 2007). For example, the problem of gaining access to sources of funding is very common. Often, SMEs are unaware of potential sources of finance, lack the management skills to satisfy lenders, and are unable to meet lenders’ rigorous assessment criteria and screening process (Atrill, 2006). Even then, SMEs are often not able to receive sufficient access to credit, as do LEs. The nature of this particular problem however is not unique to Thai SMEs as it is a similar situation with SMEs elsewhere, even in developed countries such as Europe (European Commission, 2006). Other problems include lack of employee-training (Thassanabanjong et al., 2009), especially in family-owned SMEs (De Lema and Durendez, 2007) an informal approach if not negligible regard to human resource management (HRM), and consequently low productivity (Huang, 2003) . SMEs seeking to grow are often unable to cope with globalization and e-commerce challenges (Tiessen et al., 2001) and in addition have difficulty gaining access to international markets (Worthington & Britton, 2009) and in developing successful growth models to expand regionally or globally (Li & Tan, 2004). Global SMEs looking to expand into Thailand often have difficulty in establishing ties with local networks (McNamara, 2005). Managers of SMEs typically have full responsibility for the organization, so management issues tend to be more acute in SMEs than in LEs where there are typically several tiers of management. In addition, as Kotey (2005) noted, management practices in SMEs tend to be â€Å"informal, unstructured and seldom focus on strategic

Holistic brand positioning of NB Entrust Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Holistic brand positioning of NB Entrust - Essay Example These combines proven expertise, tailored packages and bulk purchasing power with tailored packages vital for enhancing the business property value to both investors and occupiers. Many systems of NB Entrust have been developed from company services, as well as, adapted them from property management services. They refer tenants as clients and this is a significant aspect of the company philosophy. The company internally manages the delivery of varied property services and facilitates effective management integrator. The company outsources delivery of direct services to varied specialist providers in significant areas including landscaping, electrical services, security and cleaning. The company currently has nine principal supplier partners and they intend to expand them to more than 20 diverse companies. The revenues for the year 2007, was approximated 6.2 million dollars for the group companies, where by NB Entrust contributed to 18.9 percent. Thus, the company owner, Nelson Bake w ell has made significant efforts; thus, the company facility management services have now improved in terms of performance level. Holistic Brand Positioning of NB Entrust Branding theory is an effective approach for conveying and enabling customers to understand products and services available in the market. In the contemporary business environment, which is characterized by high competition, companies have made significant efforts by implementing effective marketing strategies vital for achieving their business goals successfully. Before employing branding strategy, companies should understand the strategic and detailed approach effective with a clear aim of meeting the desired needs of their customers (Burton 31). Trust is among the companies that have attempted to employ branding theory as an effective model for communicating about the management facilities they offer to their clients in the market. Dann and Susan (71) argue that brand positioning is an effective strategy that co ntributes to increased sales; hence driving business growth. NB Entrust employs varied business strategies effective for creating value to customers. Therefore, the holistic brand positioning focuses on brand details, and also evaluates these strategies based on the concerning levels, as well as, constraints, which offer a basis for recommendations. Culture Culture is one of the effective aspects that should be taken into consideration before implementing a branding strategy for a property brand. This is because culture may impact severely business performance in case it is not taken into considerations effectively (Bearden, Richard and Kelly 45). The organizational culture consists of varied aspects including the assumptions that the group has invented such as values, relationship with clients and many others; enabling the corporation to learn or cope up with problems within the internal and external environment. NB Entrust understand the significant of building property brands and they also understand that implementing a brand, which suits best in the cultural environment is effective. Relationship with NB Real Estate NB Entrust has attempted to maintain their relationship with NB Real Estate. Although the establishment of NB Entrust contributed to separation of the two companies, they have made significant attempt to work together in the new estate. Branding deals with two significant elements of delivering performance and establishing a relationship

Tourism Industry Trends Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Tourism Industry Trends - Essay Example Initially, most hoteliers and investors in the tourism industry thought that most consumers were not willing to pay for a premium greens service. This is major because of the high costs attached to these health-assuring services. However, if the developments in China are anything to go by, and especially considering the current environmental situation in Shanghai city, more and more consumers are even willing to pay double for the same service as long as it comes with the green concept in mind. The customers want to go green and to avoid the health hazards of living in an environment full of carbon gases and the thorny issue of the ever-increasing global warming, which has significant indices and effects in China.As such, most hoteliers in Shanghai are attracting more consumers than ever especially if the consumer realizes that they are adopting green practices. Some of the green practices adopted by these hoteliers include using the solar energy instead of coal for warming rooms and heating the water, using energy saving bulbs, recycling waste and sewerage water, and, adopting technology as a tool of communication instead of using printed papers for printing in an effort to save the trees and forests from extinction. This is major because China is the leading country in the world in industrialization, but its fast pace in industrial growth has detrimental effects on its environment. As such, the country has to conserve and guard jealously its forests reserves in order to have a countermeasure.

Cultural differences Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Cultural differences - Essay Example ould like to state that the importance of understanding different cultural factors is limited to business but it is vital for eliminating several societal problems prevailing in the community that comprise racism, gender inequalities and differences in social classes among others (Littlechild, 2012). According to my viewpoint, understanding cultural differences in the light of theories postulated by certain distinguished researchers and their implications on cultural diversity leads towards significant outcomes in terms of facilitating greater understanding different unaddressed cultural issues. Moreover, I believe that these theories guide an individual with necessary insights that promotes displaying of specific behaviour at varying cultural environment. Hence, in order to critically address the issues of cultural differences, I have chosen six primary topics like culture as well as lived experiences, working with the Spanish and Japanese, cultural intelligence, teams and cultural differences, historical perspective of British class of society and leadership along with management development. Bruce Parry is one the most well-known activists who possess a comprehensive understanding about different cultures. He strongly believed that there is only one way of understanding cultures. According to his observation, in order to understand the culture for any particular tribe, it is quite important to live with that particular tribe for a certain time period. He also realised that taking part in the daily cultural lives of tribes with all its richness as well as diversity would certainly enable to understand their culture better. One of the tribes that he observed was the Penan tribe that has its existence in the state of Sarawak in Malaysia. It has been observed that there lay the presence of a significant portion of Penan tribe in the Malaysian state of Sarawak. (BBC, 2008). In relation to determine Bruce Parry’s view i.e. ‘to understand a culture you need to

Unemployment in the United States Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Unemployment in the United States - Essay Example Since then, the American has tried all means to revive the economy and decrease the unemployment rates in the country. Consequently, there has been an impressive progress in the rates of unemployment marked by a trend of decline. Currently, the rate of unemployment is at 5.5%, a figure similar to the rate reported in February. Despite this lowest rate in over 7 years, unemployment is still a massive issue that affects a significant number of Americans. A number of factors contribute to this unending state of employment in America, namely, global factors, economic conditions, minimum wage, part-time jobs, and the dynamics of the oil industry. As the world opens up to trade and business opportunities, a number of issues arise the affect countries either negatively or positively. For instance, offshoring is one of the issues that have arisen due to globalization. Multinational companies among other businesses prefer to outsource services in low-cost labor nations in order to cut on costs. Companies are engaging in offshoring practices both for service jobs and for manufacturing jobs. The driving force behind this conduct is to operate in countries where they can save on labor costs, avoid regulatory laws, and productivity. Thus, offshoring has greatly affected job creation and availability of jobs in the United States leading to unemployment. According to a report by Forrester Research released in 2004, by 2015, 3.4 million service jobs will be moved abroad during 1.2 million jobs were expected to be offshored between 2003 and 2008 (Levine, 2011). Additionally, according to Bureau of Labor of Statistics estimates one-fifth of workers in the United States were working in industries subject to offshoring. An example of multinational company that has actively engaged in offshoring practice is Apple. As of 2012, Apple had 20,000 workers based in other countries and 43,000 workers in America. Additionally, the 700,000 engineer who develop Apple’s products by

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

Employee Development - Essay Example It is the role of a particular organization to come up with a strategy or plan to develop the abilities of their employees, to increase their productivity or suitability with regard to advanced technology, management skills, marketing strategies, financial management, project management and business environmental management among other sectors. This work would focus on the main methods applied to identify employee development needs in the current market. Employees’ assessments There are several ways to ascertain employee development needs. Employee regular assessment is majorly applied in the management and technology sectors or departments. The employer can organize for internal or external assessment. Internal assessment implies the departmental heads having a test session to determine whether the employees are conversant with a certain technology or skills. Assessment plan should be established to ensure all employees undergo the system (Noe, 2009). The plan should also ens ure that the organization’s operations are not compromised by the process, in other words, the assessments should be done in an organized shift module to enable other employees continue with their duties while others are being assessed. It is important to alert all employees in a certain department on their assessment date so that they can make adequate preparations with regard to the assessment details. This can be done through internal memos or departmental heads can be used to pass such information. Internal assessment can take many forms depending on the nature of the organization. In technological arena, a specific number of employees will be required to complete some practical connections in the technology laboratories. During the process, safety measures should be observed to limit any chances of accidents. Employees should wear special protective clothing like boots, goggles and helmets among others. Top departmental teams or supervisors would monitor the process to a scertain areas the t need reinforcement. All areas of weaknesses will be noted so that a relevant training session can be organized later. However, one would suggest that the top departmental team or supervisors ought to have been equipped with that particular technology or skill because it will no sense if they are as green as other employees. Currently there are different firms that offer special trainings to department heads or employees depending on the arrangement with the top organizational management team. Organizations dealing with humanity issues like counseling and social and psychological therapy among others can use fellow workers or external volunteers to practice their new skills. I would mention that this should be done in a very critical manner due to the fact that the skills tested might be new, meaning it had never been used before, this might have some negative implications for the volunteers, secondly, volunteers may take legal actions should any of their rights be violated in any of the sessions. It is important to maintain a friendly work environment while ascertaining the development needs within the organization. First it is important to let the employees know the aim of the exercise. The assessment is not any kind of punishment but a way of increasing the productivity or suitability of employees. Secondly, Employers should ensure that all the rights of

Cultural differences Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Cultural differences - Essay Example ould like to state that the importance of understanding different cultural factors is limited to business but it is vital for eliminating several societal problems prevailing in the community that comprise racism, gender inequalities and differences in social classes among others (Littlechild, 2012). According to my viewpoint, understanding cultural differences in the light of theories postulated by certain distinguished researchers and their implications on cultural diversity leads towards significant outcomes in terms of facilitating greater understanding different unaddressed cultural issues. Moreover, I believe that these theories guide an individual with necessary insights that promotes displaying of specific behaviour at varying cultural environment. Hence, in order to critically address the issues of cultural differences, I have chosen six primary topics like culture as well as lived experiences, working with the Spanish and Japanese, cultural intelligence, teams and cultural differences, historical perspective of British class of society and leadership along with management development. Bruce Parry is one the most well-known activists who possess a comprehensive understanding about different cultures. He strongly believed that there is only one way of understanding cultures. According to his observation, in order to understand the culture for any particular tribe, it is quite important to live with that particular tribe for a certain time period. He also realised that taking part in the daily cultural lives of tribes with all its richness as well as diversity would certainly enable to understand their culture better. One of the tribes that he observed was the Penan tribe that has its existence in the state of Sarawak in Malaysia. It has been observed that there lay the presence of a significant portion of Penan tribe in the Malaysian state of Sarawak. (BBC, 2008). In relation to determine Bruce Parry’s view i.e. ‘to understand a culture you need to

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

Employee Development - Essay Example It is the role of a particular organization to come up with a strategy or plan to develop the abilities of their employees, to increase their productivity or suitability with regard to advanced technology, management skills, marketing strategies, financial management, project management and business environmental management among other sectors. This work would focus on the main methods applied to identify employee development needs in the current market. Employees’ assessments There are several ways to ascertain employee development needs. Employee regular assessment is majorly applied in the management and technology sectors or departments. The employer can organize for internal or external assessment. Internal assessment implies the departmental heads having a test session to determine whether the employees are conversant with a certain technology or skills. Assessment plan should be established to ensure all employees undergo the system (Noe, 2009). The plan should also ens ure that the organization’s operations are not compromised by the process, in other words, the assessments should be done in an organized shift module to enable other employees continue with their duties while others are being assessed. It is important to alert all employees in a certain department on their assessment date so that they can make adequate preparations with regard to the assessment details. This can be done through internal memos or departmental heads can be used to pass such information. Internal assessment can take many forms depending on the nature of the organization. In technological arena, a specific number of employees will be required to complete some practical connections in the technology laboratories. During the process, safety measures should be observed to limit any chances of accidents. Employees should wear special protective clothing like boots, goggles and helmets among others. Top departmental teams or supervisors would monitor the process to a scertain areas the t need reinforcement. All areas of weaknesses will be noted so that a relevant training session can be organized later. However, one would suggest that the top departmental team or supervisors ought to have been equipped with that particular technology or skill because it will no sense if they are as green as other employees. Currently there are different firms that offer special trainings to department heads or employees depending on the arrangement with the top organizational management team. Organizations dealing with humanity issues like counseling and social and psychological therapy among others can use fellow workers or external volunteers to practice their new skills. I would mention that this should be done in a very critical manner due to the fact that the skills tested might be new, meaning it had never been used before, this might have some negative implications for the volunteers, secondly, volunteers may take legal actions should any of their rights be violated in any of the sessions. It is important to maintain a friendly work environment while ascertaining the development needs within the organization. First it is important to let the employees know the aim of the exercise. The assessment is not any kind of punishment but a way of increasing the productivity or suitability of employees. Secondly, Employers should ensure that all the rights of

Cover Letter Essay Example for Free

Cover Letter Essay I would like to apply for the role of Intermediate Support Developer in your organization as the details of the job role and company itself are very appealing to me. I have enclosed my resume for your consideration. I am an enthusiastic and high-achieving IT professional with a Masters of Computer Science. I have exceptional technical and analytical skills, with over 3 years’ experience in providing application support at level 1 and 2 for critical business applications with additional duties of unit and integration testing, technical documentation and prioritising and allocation of user tickets. I possess the ability to take initiative with a positive and friendly attitude. My excellent communication skill helps me understand user’s requirements to provide them with an excellent customer service. Working in a highly dynamic work environment, has given me the sound knowledge of interacting with business users and external stake holders, finding technical solutions, answering questions quickly, and leaving a mark of satisfaction in customer’s mind. You will find me to be positive, ready to learn and hardworking who has ability to multitask and communicate effectively with non-technical users. I believe my attitude, expertise, skills, and excellent time management skills will prove to be an asset to the organization. Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you.

Investigating Service User And Care Involvement Social Work Essay

Investigating Service User And Care Involvement Social Work Essay Introduction The following review will discuss the issue of service user involvement in the discharge/transfer procedure. The review was compiled by the author within a nineteen bedded Forensic Mental Health unit. The ward was at full capacity at the time of writing this review. The service users all had different levels of mental illness, each with a different history, level of cognitive awareness, degree of institutionalisation and willingness to adapt and change. This review will assess to what extent service users are involved with the care planning/discharge planning process in the ward and give possible recommendations on how this process may be improved. The review will consist of an introduction, aims of the review, methods of data collection, findings on a series of questions and answers on the extent of service user involvement in the discharge process, conclusions, and possible recommendations for change. It will conclude with a reflection piece. 148 Aims of The Review During this placement the author decided on a subject to review, this subject was service user involvement in discharge planning. While collating information for the review some questions arose these questions were: Does the service user feel included in decision making? How does the staff involve the service user in the decision making if at all? Has discharge been discussed with the service user? These questions lead to the author constructing some key questions to carry out in the review these will be discussed further in the findings. 91 Methods used to Construct review The data for the review was collected over a ten week period within the ward. The author consulted service users notes, attended multidisciplinary team meetings and conducted a series of semi-structured, one to one interviews with service users and staff, including a consultant, doctors, ward manager, nurses, nursing assistants and occupational therapists. A literature search was also carried out using accredited databases including CINAHL and the British Nursing Index. Relevant journal articles were found on these databases using keywords such as service user, involvement and mental health services. Nursing research books were also used to gather information along with web sites underlining national policies and models for mental health nursing. 110 Findings How are decisions made within the placement area regarding discharge planning? Throughout the weeks on this placement research was carried out by the author on policies and procedures for discharge planning. The one in particular that was found to be relevant was the Care Programme Approach (CPA). CPA is about early identification of needs, assignment of individuals or organisations to meet those needs in an agreed and co-ordinated way and regular reviews of progress with the patient and care providers. CPA is also about involving family or carers at the earliest point. The Care Programme Approach requires that patients should be provided with copies of their care plans and it has been increasingly common for patients who have been the responsibility of forensic psychiatrists to have copies of documents relating to their care. (DOH 2008). Systems were in place for comprehensive care planning. There was evidence to show that the service users social, educational and occupational needs were taken into account in the care planning process and other specialist interventions were available. In addition to this, in some cases, discharge planning was evident from an early stage (not long after admission), although in other cases a few months had elapsed before any document noted those discussions. Discharge planning is enhanced by the Care Programme Approach (CPA) a multi-disciplinary care planning systematic approach that involves service users and their carers. Care Programme Approach is the framework for care co-ordination and resource allocation in mental health services. Decisions for discharge are made through the multi-disciplinary team which consists of consultants, ward manager, nursing staff, occupational therapy and social workers. This will go forward to a tribunal where the service user will be invited to take part, here all the evidence will be put forward and a decision will be made. If the service user is restricted then the decision will be made by the First Minister. Most service users have long term mental health problems and complex social needs and have been in contact with mental health services for more than twenty years so never think about discharge. Being in hospital for so long has become part of their lives so service users see it as pointless being discharged, what would I do 360 What decisions/involvement does the service user have in this process? Service users are encouraged to be fully involved in all aspects of their care as far as they are able to. Service users past and present wishes should be taken into account, their views and opinions with regards to their treatment plan must also be recorded, as stated in the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) Act 2003. The principles of the act underpin any decision made relating to a detained service user in Scotland. The Milan Committee devoted a chapter in the act that referred to high risk patients it stated that service users should have the right of appeal to be transferred from a high or medium secure facility to that of a facility with lower security conditions. (Mental Health Care and Treatment Scotland Act 2003). Within this placement care and treatment plans are reviewed on a regular basis. Service users are expected to meet with their key worker and other team members on a regular basis, care plans are reviewed at these meetings and a mutual agreement will be decided, on the best way forward, once the care plan has been agreed by all the service user has to adhere to the care plan. Service users have the opportunity for regular one-to-ones with their key workers (weekly basis) or more regularly if they require. Service users have the opportunity to put forward their thoughts on discharge and any other aspect of their care at the review, such as their rights beliefs and their right to a tribunal (The Human Rights Act 1998).The review takes place every four months, again this is a multi-disciplinary meeting and service users are invited to attend with the support of advocacy or someone of their choice. The Human Rights Act 1998 gives legal effect in the UK to certain fundamental rights and freedoms contained in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). These rights not only affect matters of life and death like freedom from torture and killing, but also affect your rights in everyday life: what you can say and do, your beliefs, your right to a fair trial and many other similar basic entitlements. During the time spent on this placement it was noted that service users and key workers met at the beginning of the week to discuss how they felt things have been for them, the service user has the opportunity to discuss what changes they would like to happen, this is then recorded in the service users notes and taken forward to the clinical team that week where it would be discussed if any changes in care and treatment would take place, the service user is then informed of any changes and decisions made. The opportunity arose for the author to take part in these weekly reviews, during this one-to-one time most service users were able to express their thoughts and feelings about issues they had encountered that week and describe what therapeutic strategies they used to get through it. The service user will be provided with a copy of the Treatment Plan Objectives, or informed in detail of the contents of the treatment plan, in the event that any learning or specific reading or language difficulty information should be provided in a way that is most likely to be understood. Arnstein (1969) constructed a ladder of participation which described eight stages of user participation in services, including mental health. These stages ranged from no participation to user controlled services. The above service users would be placed on the sixth rung of the ladder in the partnership range as they agree to share planning and decision-making responsibilities. 599 Does this placement area reflect its practice on local or national policies regarding service user involvement in discharge planning? When asked their views on the subject the Ward manager and senior nursing staff presented documentation which reaffirmed current practice within the ward. The Ten Essential Shared Capabilities (ESCs,) he explained was the model now being followed on the ward, has just been implemented into this area of placement within the last two years, which the ward staff have adopted well by providing a person-centred approach as much as possible. This new person-centred model embraced the ethos of the above, and senior staff stressed that good practice dictated that service users have the opportunity to appropriately influence delivery of care and support. A review of policies and procedures as well as discussions with staff provided evidence that the policies were actually in place. Throughout the placement, the author noticed that efforts were being made all the time to nurse according to the new model. Included were regular one to one sessions between nurses and service users to hear their views and thoughts, these already took place before the ESCs were introduced. Moreover some staff do find it difficult to adopt the ESCs and the mental health act due to the restraints of the environment (secure ward), however they are prepared to embrace the opportunity for further education and support. 226 Identify barriers and constraints. While on placement and conducting this review the author noted that one of the barriers to effective involvement came from some of the service users, due to the complex nature of the area the service users had become institutionalised and found it difficult to be thinking about discharge at this stage in their lives, so they just accept the way things are and do not get too much involved as far as care plans are involved and just say what they think the staff want to hear. In secure settings engagement of service users in assessment and treatment can be difficult, as there is a potential risk of perceived coercion. Moreover with the lack of medium secure facilities around this can hinder service users from moving on within the specified time limit agreed, as there are no provisions. . 138 Recommendations for Development Most service users were more concerned about their futures and life post discharge. They wanted their time between now and then to be concerned with preparing them for discharge. It was frustrating for many service users that they felt that little in the way of such preparation was taking place High secure units should ensure that at the point of discharge patients have a copy of their discharge care plan in a suitable format which includes appropriate information about the circumstances that might result in their return to secure mental health provision. However a recommendation that high secure units should ensure that factors to be weighed in assessing relapse are part of the risk assessment included in the discharge plan of all patients. The National Service Framework for Mental Health states that Service users and carers should be involved in planning, providing and evaluating training for all health care professionals (Department of Health, 1999). This is the case in most health care provisions but for more education, training and information to be more readily available. Strengthening the user perspective and user involvement in mental health services has been a key part of policymaking in many countries, and also has been encouraged by World Health Organization (WHO) in order to establish services that are better tailored to peoples needs and used more appropriately. .174 Reflection In this review, I need to reflect on the situation that took place during my clinical placement to develop and utilise my interpersonal skills in order to maintain the therapeutic relationships with service users. In this reflection, I am going to use Gibbs (1988) Reflective Cycle. This model is a recognised framework for my reflection. Gibbs (1988) consists of six stages to complete one cycle which is able to improve my nursing practice continuously and learning from the experience for better practice in the future. During the first week of placement I was encouraged to work closely with my mentor. This gave me the opportunity to orientate myself to the ward and get an overview of the needs and requirements of the service users. This also provided me with the chance to observe how the nursing team worked on the ward. During this time I have learned that if the concept of interprofessional working is to succeed in practice, professionals need excellent team working and communication skills. Good communication, as we have staged in our group work theory, is crucial in the effective delivery of patient care and poor communication can result in increased risk to the service users. I have learned the valuable skills required for good communication and will transfer these into practice by adapting to the local communication procedures. The NMC advices that at the point of registration students should have the necessary skills to communicate effectively with colleagues and other departments to improve patience care (NMC, 2004). In conclusion of my reflective assignment, I mention the model that I chose, Gibbs Reflective Cycle(1988) as my framework for my reflective piece. I state the reasons why I am choosing the model as well as some discussion on the important of doing reflection in nursing practice. I am able to discuss every stage in the Gibbs (1988) Reflective Cycle about my ability to develop my therapeutic relationship by using my interpersonal skills with service users for this reflection. 369

Philosophy of Education Essay examples -- Philosophy of Teaching State

According to my knowledge the word "philosophy" is the study and understanding of knowledge in relevance to studying the wisdom of the universe. The word "education" is the act of developed knowledge. When put together the phrase, "philosophy of education," has extremely deep meaning within the context of knowledge. Therefore, before I can accurately state my position on the issue, I must examine my past, present and future experiences with knowledge. My view on education and my experience with knowledge was very sheltered until I came to Ball State University. My education was developed through private schooling from kindergarten to my senior year in high school. Throughout those eighteen years I was trained for the moment I am currently situated in today, known as college. Those preparatory schools opened my eyes to not only the act of reproducing presented material, but also the process of analysis and free thought. To my surprise from the school observations I performed this year in my education courses, I found that all school systems are not the same in structure or in curriculum. There are many ways to educate, express or unveil knowledge to the student. These processes all depend on one basic thing, which is what I am going to produce today. This belief is named the "philosophy of education." The student’s education greatly depends on the school and teacher’s practiced philosophies. A philosophy appears to be the one true belief that is constant in the classroom no matter what curriculum is presented to the student. An individuals philosophy is the belief a person lives by and expresses to their peers in society through their actions and spoken or written word. In terms of developing a philosophy for the classroo... ...Graff, Gerald. "Disliking Books at an Early Age." Falling into Theory: Conflicting Views On Reading Literature. Ed. Elizabeth M. Schaaf . Boston: Bedford Books, 1994. 36-44. Menand, Louis. "What are Universities For?" Falling into Theory: Conflicting Views On Reading Literature. Ed. Elizabeth M. Schaaf . Boston: Bedford Books, 1994. 88-100. Morrison, Toni. "Black Matters" Falling into Theory: Conflicting Views On Reading Literature. Ed. Elizabeth M. Schaaf . Boston: Bedford Books, 1994. 256-269. Richter, David H. Falling into Theory: Conflicting Views On Reading Literature. Boston: Bedford Books, 1994. Rose, Mike. Lives on the Boundaries. New York: Penguin Books, 1989. Searle, John. "The Storm over the University" Falling into Theory: Conflicting Views On Reading Literature. Ed. Elizabeth M. Schaaf . Boston: Bedford Books, 1994. 80-88.

How Nutrients Get in, and Wastes Out :: essays research papers

How Nutrients Get in, and Wastes Out. In a human being, nutrients are necessary for survival. But how are these nutrients obtained? This report will go into depth on how the food we eat gets into our cells, and how the waste products that we produce get out of the body. Also, the unicellular organism Paramecium will be compared with a human being, in terms of all of the above factors. Dietary Nutrients The chief nutrients in a diet are classified chemically in four groups: carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins (Which do not require digestion) and fats. Carbohydrates in the diet occour mainly in the form of starches. These are converted by the digestive process to glucose, one of the main nutrients needed for cellular respiration to occour. Starch is a large molecule, a polymer of glucose. Dextrin and maltose are intermediate products in the digestion of starch. Some foods contain carbohydrates in the form of sugars. These are the simple sugars, such as sucrose (cane sugar) or lactose (milk sugar), that must be processed into smaller units. Occasionally, the simplest form of sugar, a monosaccharide such as glucose, is present in food. These monosaccharides do not require digestion. Proteins are polymers composed of one or more amino acids. When they are digested, they produce free amino acids and ammonia. Vitamins are a vital part of our food that are absorbed through the small intestine. There are two different types of vitamins, water-soluble (All the B vitamins, and vitamin C) and fat-soluble (vitamins A, D and K). Neutral fats, or triglycerides, are the principal form of dietary fat. They are simple compounds, and within digestion are broken down into glycerol and fatty acids, their component parts. Ingestion Intake of food in the Paramecium is controlled by the needs of the cell. When food is sensed, the organism guides itself towards the food, and guides it into the oral groove, then enclosing it in a vacuole. Enzymes are then secreted to digest the food, which is then absorbed into the cytoplasm and made available to the various organelles. But, a Paramecium has to be able to move to its food source, while a human cell has his food brought to it through the circulatory system. In man, a much more complicated system exists than that of a unicellular organism, for the size of the animal and the fact that all of the cells within the animal must be able to absorb food and get rid of wastes, just like the Paramecium does. Digestion in the Mouth Upon entering the mouth, the food is mixed by mastication with saliva, which

Attachment Report: Kenya Seed Company Limited Essay

As per the requirement of the Bachelor in commerce and economics course structure, I was obliged to undertake an industrial attachment at an organization of my choice for a period of eight weeks. This exercise was meant to enable me glamatise with work environment, exercise skills and knowledge acquired in university and gain more competence in my area of specialization. The application process begun as early as third year 2nd semester and I must say it was not an easy task because I can’t count the number of application I made through both letters and e-mail True to say, opportunities as it has been penned down knocks ones at every mans door or a woman’s door if I am allowed to appreciate gender parity. If not so they come ones in a blue moon and as somebody with superior minds has advised, in order for one to acquire this rare ‘commodity’ he/she has to keep jumping and if any comes across in the process of jumping grasp it and capitalize on it. I would link these wise words to be me being accorded an opportunity to work and exercise the skills and knowledge that I have acquired through the years I have been undertaking my under-graduate degree programme at the Institution of Global excellence in Training, innovation and development(JKUAT). As explicitly indicated in the cover page this rare opportunity was accorded to me by the Trans-National Bank Management. I began my industrial attachment on 13th of June 2011 to 26th of August 2011.This translates to around ten weeks. The first day basically involved an orientation programme where I was taken through the various departments in the bank and introduced to the staff members. The departments that I was taken through were customer care, clearing department, cash department, marketing department and credit department where I worked under the supervision of the branch manager Jacinta Ndolo and school based supervisor Dr. Margret Oloko. I must say that it was an exciting opportunity working in an organization which forms part of the pillars of the economy. In one way or another I knew I would extend my services in economic building while there. These may probably be evidenced in the duties that I will perform. 2.0 Objectives of the attachment The main objectives of the attachment were as follows * Impact and allow the learner/ student glamatise with the work environment through partaking accorded roles and duties in the organization. This forms a good basis for their future placement in the work industry. * It acts as a measure where student or an individual can relate what has learnt and what is on the ground therefore becoming a gauge for his/her future success in the chosen field specialization * Beside what is learnt in the university, the student gets an opportunity to acquire more skills and knowledge * Gives an opportunity for an individual or the student practically exercise the theoretical part learnt in school or at the university. * Attachment is like a pace setter for an individuals or the student future work. That is the student knows where to position him-self or her-self in the market. * It also forms a good basis for the organization employee out-sourcing processes because from the interns they are able identify potential future employees for the organization. * Instill courage and sense of responsibility in the students even as they purpose to seek job opportunities in future 3.0 Mainframe of the report: 3.1 General description of the organization and the departments where attached. 3.1.2 Brief History of the organization and its role Trans-national Bank always abbreviated as TNB is a private company which came into existence in 1985 as a SACCO. In the late 80s it was fully chattered as a private bank that would provide both personal banking services and cooperate banking services in the republic of Kenya. It has excellent products for small account holders and offers congestion –free banking, innovative and responsive products and services, affordable bank charges and speed in decision making are its strong point over competition. 3.1.3 Physical Address of the Organization. Trans-National Bank (Kirinyaga Road Branch. P.o Box 69963-00400 TOM MBOYA NAIROBI, KENYA: TEL224235/6, 252188-90 Email:managerkirinyagard@tnbl.co.ke 3.1.4 Vision and Mission of the Bank The organization is driven by a number of factors which include their vision and mission. These driving forces are as out-lined below: VISION: To be the  regional financial service provider of choice MISSION: Provision of convenient financial services and solutions to customers through high standards of service while increasing stake holders’ value. 3.1.5 The Core Values of the Organization Professionalism Integrity Efficiency Innovation Team work Good cooperate governance and social responsibility. 3.1.6 The role of the organization The main and core role of the organization is simply provision of banking services in the republic plus engaging corporate social responsibilities 3.1.7 Expectation of the Organization. The bank plans to win a large personal banking clientele over the coming years and continue to expand and spread its wings across all the corners of the country. The bank also expects that its net profit is going to continually rise year in year out. Beside this it also expects that its marketing team will continually seek to come up with tailor made products for its customers 3.1.8 Structure and Management of the organization Like any other organization it has a structure of management composed of the Directors, chief Executive officer(C.E.O), Audit committee, Credit committee, strategy committee, risk committee, Assets and liability management committee, Human resource committee, secretaries, Registered Office, Auditors, Advocates, managers, operations officers and staff members. The above can be summarized by the table below: The Board of directors Chief Executive Officer Audit committee Credit committee Strategy committee Risk committee Assets & Liability committee Human resource committee Secretaries Registered office Auditors Advocates Operations Officers IT committee Tellers &cashiers other staff members 3.1.9 The Organizations Branches The head office is in Nairobi (Trans-National Plaza) city hall way. The company boasts of several branches across the country ranging from Nairobi Branch(city hall way) JKIA branch Kirinyaga Road Branch EPZ(Export Processing Zone) Mombasa Branch Mombasa International Airport Branch Eldoret Branch Nandi Hills Branch Kericho Branch Nakuru Branch Kabarak Branch Olenguruone Branch Kabarnet Branch, Sheik Karume branch among others 3.2.0 The Services and Products being offered at the Bank The Bank offers a variety of services and products ranging from Current accounts Savers Accounts Transaction Account, Mshahara Account (Salaried individuals) Mrembo Acount (Ladies Account) Msomi Account (Students Account) Angels Account ( Children’s Acount) Investment Account, Hazina Account (Self Employed Individuals) Mint Account, Fixed Deposits SWIFT Remmitances Standing Instructions, Air Time Top Up SMS Banking e.t.c. 4.0 Departments at the organization. The main departments found at the station where I was attached and I happened to traverse across were as follows. * The customer care Service * The marketing department * The clearing department * The cash Department * The credit department 5.0 General activities Undertaken in the Organization Filing of account opening forms for clients Filing of RTGS( Real Time Gross Settlement Forms) and their confirmation Memos Filing of TTS( Telegraphic Transfers Forms) Filing of clearing documents, cheque book request forms, expenses receipts e.t.c Issuing of cheque books and recording them Photocopying and printing Turning on and off the systems, setting them up and general updating of the software’s. Documents and parcels delivery between the branch and main Head Quarters at the Central Business District (C.B.D) Stock taking (That includes posting of all received stock i.e stationery in the system) Assisting clients fill the BRITACK (British American) I.P.O (Initial Public Offer) forms. 6.0 Specific activities undertaken during the attachment The core activities were undertaken at departmental level during the period of attachment and they are as stipulated below. 6.1 The customer care service Department Attending to general inquires from clients/customers. Availing account balances and statements of accounts to clients Assisting new clients open new accounts. Closing of in-active accounts. Activating of de-activated accounts upon clients request. Updating clients accounts. The Marketing Department. Marketing the organizations products and services within the branch area and Nairobi environs in general Visiting both present and potential clients at their business premises to find out their progress, challenges facing them, seeking their opinion on the level of satisfaction and possible improvements on our products and services. Preparing call reports after every marketing outing. Phone calls to unreached clients during call visits for updates or follow up exercise. Attending marketing meetings with the marketing managers. Providing a readily available, service-focused, knowledgeable and experienced point of contact for new customers. Cross-selling the bank’s products effectively. Identifying customer needs effectively and open new accounts accordingly. Managing the customer portfolio which comprises of high net worth local investors; Updating and continually maintaining KYC (Know Your customer) on all clients held in our portfolio, including up to date information on clients’ financial background. Identifying market for the organization 6.2 The clearing Department Receiving and verification of cheques Recording of unpaid cheques Issuing and recording of bankers cheques Running the cheques through Checkpoint Truncation System (CTS).This involves capturing the images of all cheques through a scanner, undertaking amount entry, verification and generating their commission. Posting of cheques in OMNI (Omni is network that allow posting of cheques online so that respective recipients can access them wherever they are. Undertaking TR (transfer) this is done for inward cheques and is simply transferring the money from drawers account to the payee account and the same applied to KRA(Kenya Revenue Authority) tax remittance by clients. Recording of received cheque books, issued ones and balancing the books on daily basis. Sorting cheques in order of bank codes and amounts in preparation for cross checking with the Outward Clearing Report (OWCLG). 6.3 The Cash Department * Organizing Cashier’s cubicle, stamps in readiness of the day. * Acquiring controlled balanced cash at the start of the day. * Scrutinizing cash withdrawal cheques and slips for correctness before accepting them. * Scrutinizing cash/cheque deposit pay in slips for correctness of technical details before receiving. * Forex transactions i.e. buying and selling of foreign echange * Verifying customer’s signature. * Paying cash within the limit and referring cheques for limit authorization. * Posting of cash deposits, withdrawals and Cheques for local clearing. * Issuing of Banker’s cheques. * Sorting of soiled notes. * Assisting in cash confirmation ready for sealing and lodgment. * Making references to the operations manual to ensure compliance. * Reconciliation of accounts as assigned by the branch Manager * Any other back office work assigned by the branch manager. 6.4 The credit Department The credit department basically deals with provisions of loans and asset financing to the clients. The core activities involved; Receiving loan application forms/documents from applicants. Analyzing, scrutinizing and assessing their loan documents which include their securities. Undertaking account statistics which included analyzing applicant’s transaction turnover, commissions, interest and ledger fees. Making call visits to applicants business premises to ascertain the following facts as part of loan lending process; The location of the business and their offices The type of business one is operating i.e. company, partnership, sole- proprietorship e.t.c The description of goods and services being offered by the business e.g. Hard-ware, stationery, Hotel, e.t.c. The major suppliers and customers of the loan applicant Whether they do any importation or exportation The mode of payment to suppliers i.e. through cash, cheques,TTs(Telegraphic Transfers) or RTGS(Real Time Gross settlement). Their new investment plan i.e. new products, fixed asset acquisition , , how long they have been in business, the expectation from the investment and if they have had any changes since their establishment. The key management number of employees and their qualification. After all this exercise I was expected make an appraisal report for the applicant in conjunction with other members in the credit department. This would then be passed to manager for approval before being forwarded Head office. 7.0 A profile of skills and competencies gained I must acknowledge that during this period numerous skills and impartment was gained and they are as outlined below: Further improved my communication skills as being most important skill through interacting with clients through marketing exercise, customer service department and general communication to clients in the departments that I worked Handling of bulk cash including verification, sorting, sealing e.t.c Never new much about loan procedures but got an opportunity to know them as has been stipulated under the activities under-taken in the credit department. Writing of bankers cheques was a key skill gained. Never in my life had I written one. More to it I learnt that bankers’ cheques permit no alteration of any magnitude because if it goes with alteration chances are high that it will bounce. Preparation of call reports and appraisals for loan applicants and new customers was also a key thing that I learned. How to identify original and fake cash by observing certain fe atures through a special cash scanner. 8.0 Activities which I applied my skills for the benefit of the organization. Being through a learning and education system, I came to agree that it is an essential and critical instrument in an individual life and as many institutions would phrase their mottos and vision, true to say education is key, light or avenue to many things in an individual’s life. Therefore to me the skills I have acquired in institutions of learning enabled me serve the organization in the following ways My communication skills enabled me to owe a number of new clients to the organization during the marketing spree and while at customer service. The computer skills that I gained earlier in my life also enabled me solve a few computer errors and software hitches at the organization. The courage I have accrued by embracing leadership positions enabled me interact with clients of all personalities. Through entrepreneurial knowledge gained in university I was able to make significant and immense contribution during marketing and other staff meetings for branch evaluation and addr essing pressing issues. 9.0 Strategy for utilization of the contacts established during attachment Serving at the branch as an intern enabled me to expand my public relation territory by a significant percentage. I have brushed shoulders with people of divergent personalities and caliber both during office work and during marketing sessions and call visits. This exposed me to the market and thus I believe was able to position myself well in the job market. Therefore the contacts, I believe will give me an edge both now and in future as I seek personal and societal establishment. The ideologies also gained through contacts will be used in constructive manner through the daily processes that I will be undertaking or engaging myself in. 10. 0 Challenges of internship. Getting the attachment in the first place was a major hurdle that was difficult to jump across. Many application were made but almost 90% were almost unfruitful Expenses incurred in the whole process of attachment ranging from application to actual working period were very high. That included the travel cost, accommodation among others proved quite challenging Uncooperative clients. Some clients at work place would fail to follow stipulated bank procedures and one had to be patient enough in directing and reminding them what they are supposed to do. Dealing with dead-lines. At times dealing with date-lines proved wanting because of bulk of work, time given to accomplish it and the labor force available to accomplish Work overload. Sometimes work was so much more especially during end-months where organizations are paying salaries to their workers and tax remittance by the organizations 11.0 Suggested solutions to the above challenges The University should chip in by liaising with various organizations to assist students get attachment. Availing of any attachment information at their disposal e.g it came to my notice that some organization needs a prior of like three months before the actual date of attachment commencement. Provision of allowances: The organizations should consider providing some allowances to interns for their upkeep during the attachment period and also act as source of motivation. Civic education on clients on organizations rules and etiquette. The organizations should organize forums where clients can be taught operational etiquette, rules, terms and conditions of operations Provide reasonable date-lines. This should put into consideration the amount of work to be done and available time and also the number of workers Increase the staff members: This would counter the problem workload and beating date-line 12.0 Analysis, observation and critiques 12.1Analysis and observation It was conspicuously observed that there was a significant relationship between what is learned in the university or in the school and what is practiced or exercised in the industry. A few of the things I have learnt and were being used in the industry included the Amortization schedules concepts, reducing balances concepts, reconciliation concepts, market segmentation concepts, partnership, competitive pricing, required improvement on existing banks products and new ones, strategies on improving the companies corporate brand strategy state of sales team and possible improvements, staffing systems e.g adequacy of staff members and skills responsive to business growth, efforts to enhance performance of staff, efforts to create a conducive and professional environment that embeds bank values, efforts to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness in customer service delivery and alternative delivery channels. If one keenly cuts across this we can conclude that quite a number of these things we have learnt in the units that we have covered so far ranging from accounting, finance, marketing, Human Resource Management among other units. Therefore if approximately analyzed I can conclude that 80% of what did was related to what I learnt in the university. 12.2 Critiques Poor communication and feedback system. I would say that there were frequent break down in communication system at place of attachment due to poor network or unstable network in the system that was being used to relay clients information. This created a lot of inconviencies both to clients and workers who had to work overtime because of such failures Under-staffing: Serving clients adequately and finishing work on time was a problem because of less labor force at the firm Lack of motivation to the staff: if one compares the staff re-numeration with the amount work done, it was not really motivating. Workers also worked over-time as late as 9pm but with no extra time allowance which was a really de-motivating experience. Lack of privacy i.e absence of closed door office. The back door offices were open that is the window panes were trans-parent allowing clients see all the transaction under-taken there therefore posing a security threat to the organization which mainly deals with fina nces. 13.0 Recommendation Interns who have successfully completed their attachment and have proved their worth in their area of specialization should be absorbed back in the organization. This would aid the organization in cutting cost on training, orientation of new employees’ e.t.c Increase the staff. The staff numbers should be increased in the organization to facilitate improvement in service delivery hence profit realization. Aggressive marketing. The organization needs still to do a lot in terms of marketing itself and its products in the republic if it needs to proof its worth in the market. Motivation should be embraced. The employees there need a lot of motivation if the organization is to up its performance in the banking industry Quick service delivery to clients should be looked into consideration and this would be solved by staff increment and improvement in the communication net-work at the organization. 14.0 Summary and conclusions. I must acknowledge that going for an attachment was one the most interesting and captivating things in my life. One of the most valuable lessons learnt from the internship is that it is of the essence that one enjoys their job. It is unimaginable that a person should go through so many years of schooling just to end up sulking each and every day of their work – such people were met during the attachment; it is not a desirable state to be in. In most of the cases,the internship served to teach more of what not to do rather than what to do. It clearly brought out the importance of integrating one’s personality and interests with their occupation, although this may not be easy in the light of the highly competitive job market in today’s world. However, it should be noted that enjoying one’s job does not necessarily imply that one has the ideal job they have always envisioned since this may be based on hypothetical beliefs and expectations; rather, it implies finding that job that brings the best out of one’s personality; that occupation that will bring fulfilment and satisfaction and that will lead to a perfection of the human person. In addition to the above, it can be concluded that flexibility in terms of career choice is necessary. It is not guaranteed that one will necessarily end up working in the specific field of study that they have undertaken in their undergraduate program; after all, job dynamics are better learnt on the job itself than in class. It is therefore important that one is open to any viable opportunities that may present themselves, other than the ideal job that may have been envisaged, provided they bring the best out of one’s capabilities.