Bandag Automative Case Study Essay

1. Given Bandag Auto’s size, and anything else you know about it, explain why and how the human resource management function should be reorganized. Answer: Firstly, we recommend that Bandag Automotive form a new, separate Human Resources Unit that will be dedicated to the Bandag’s new strategy. Bandag Automotive does not have a business strategy, so the new Human Resource Unit will provide this statement, which will allow strategic human resources to operate: ‘Bandag Automotive’s business strategy is to achieve superior levels of customer service and high profitability through a highly committed workforce.’ Jim will no longer have direct HR responsibilities with the employees; everything will be handled through the new HR organization chart. The new HR manager will help formulate business strategies and policies and identify workforce requirements. Jim’s father has a lot of experience with the company and has created an excellent relationship with the employees. He will be a good advisor for the new HR manager. The new HR manager will have these tasks, pulled from the Department of Labor’s O*NET: * Serve as a link between management and employees by handling questions, interpreting and administering contracts and helping resolve work-related problems. * Analyze and modify compensation and benefits policies to establish competitive programs and ensure compliance with legal requirements. * Advise managers on organizational policy matters such as equal employment opportunity and sexual harassment, and recommend needed changes. * Perform difficult staffing duties, including dealing with understaffing, refereeing disputes, firing employees, and administering disciplinary procedures. * Plan and conduct new employee orientation to foster positive attitude toward organizational objectives. * Identify staff vacancies and recruit, interview and select applicants. * Plan, direct, supervise, and coordinate work activities of subordinates and staff relating to employment, compensation, labor relations, and employee relations. * Plan, organize, direct, control or coordinate the personnel, training, or labor relations activities of an organization. * Represent organization at personnel-related hearings and investigations. * Administer compensation, benefits and performance management systems, and safety and  recreation programs. The new HR manager with the help of Jim’s father, will survey the current employees to get to know them better and to prepare for job analysis. 2. Recommend what Bandag should change and/or improve upon regarding the current HR systems, forms, and practices the company now uses. Answer: Bandag should revoke all contacts with the external HR firm that had been hired previously. Now, the new HR manager will completely separate Bandag from the external agencies. He will have prepared the HR policies that work along with the company’s new strategy. All required forms will be internally generated. To ensure independence from the HR agencies, the manager will recruit two HR assistants to assist. One will be responsible for the recruiting, orienting, and training of new employee and employee advocacy. The second will be responsible for evaluating current employees, tracking promotions, proper counseling and firing of employees, and training current employees on new policies. Of course, the legal part of HR that Jim had many problems with will now be the responsibility of the HR manager. Finally, Jim, Jim’s father, and HR will evaluate the effect of the new unit on Bandag Automotive and its HR issues. The problems facing Bandag automotive result from a lack of a dedicated HR staff. Jim’s policies are not wrong, but they are applied in the wrong way. If the HR unit is not created it will lead to continuing problems and the gap between the employees and employer will be increased. In the end, poor HR management will give Bandag Automotive a bad reputation and will lead to a drop in quality, loss of customers and lower profit. 3. Jim fired an employee for creating what the manager called a poisonous relationship. Explain whether or not the employee has a legitimate claim against the company and the actions the company should take. Answer: Henry Jacques was fired because his manager reported that while he was doing the technical part of his job well, he had serious problems interacting with his coworkers and was making his store poisonous. Jim approved Henry’s dismissal. Though Henry’s manager had heard that he has a mental illness, he did not take that into account when evaluating Henry. Henry also never brought it to his management’s attention if he indeed has a mental illness.  In that case Henry does not have a legitimate claim against Bandag Automotive. He was warned in his performance appraisals that he had problems working in a team environment, and he never brought up the fact that he has a disability. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, the employee must establish he has a covered disability. Also, we do not have enough information on Henry’s claim to know if this is his defense. We believe he was fired appropriately; however, the right thing to do in this situation was to first transfer Henry to another position and to give him a final warning. In this position, most of his work should not be on a team. If he continues to be problematic when working on his own, a discharge would be more appropriate. 4. Miriam, the controller, is basically claiming that the company is retaliating against her for being pregnant, and that the fact that the company raised performance issues was just a smokescreen. Explain whether or not the EEOC and/or courts would agree with her and the actions the company should take now. Answer: Miriam had been with Bandag Automotive for six years. She went on pregnancy leave for twelve weeks under the FMLA, and then received an extra three-week leave under Bandag’s extended-illness-days program. Miriam was recently fired by Jim because she had been turning her budgets in late and possibly forged some documents. If we assume that Jim’s claims are solid, he had a right to fire her for misconduct. We believe that her claim of wrongful discharge related to her pregnancy is unfounded. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), in our opinion, will not agree with her and will not fight the case on her behalf. In addition, she resumed work for three months after her leave, and may be angry because her request to adjust her schedule was refused. If she wasn’t happy with her schedule she could have quit. Bandag’s HR system failed here because a job description and contract could have prescribed specific working hours, which she would have to abide by. 5. An employee who is deaf has asked to switch jobs to be a delivery person and he was turned down. He is now threatening to sue. Recommend what the company should do and describe why. Answer: A truck maintenance employee who is deaf, applied for a job driving one of Bandag’s distribution trucks, and Jim directly turned him down because of his disability. We believe that the employee will win if he sues Jim, unless Jim can prove that the employee was denied because there were more qualified applicants and in no way because of his disability. Yet it is still pretty risky because the court system is very strict about the Americans with Disabilities Act. If the deaf employee can prove that Jim thinks that is absurd for a disabled person to drive a truck, he will win and cause monetary and public damages to the company. Our solution to mitigate the problem is to rescreen all applicants, including the employee to see if he is qualified for the job. If he is, offer him the job if he is still interested, and he will hopefully drop the case.

ADVANCED TRAINING METHODS

Advanced training methods are generally the contemporary training methods that are being applied in fitness training; some others authors have called them scientific methods of training basing that the results of the advanced methods of training are observable and a clear development of changes in the trainee can be easily observed.The major advanced training methods include: supersets, Forced reps, Pyramid system and finally Periodization technique. A superset basically involves a more rigorous training method that do not allow for relaxation in between the sets. Forced reps equally involve performing repetitive actions when the trainee has reached concentric and exhausted through the help of the trainer.Pyramid system also encompasses developing the muscles through the addition of more weights in a varied manner incorporating both the volume and intensity while the other method which is the periodization employs a more planed training with the time available for training being appo rtioned evenly to ensure better development of strength and muscles and also controlling if not eradicating over training.Important to note that before any of the above methods are used in training a proper understanding of each is paramount for effective and avoiding simple injuries that may also result due to over training.A proper audit of ones health is equally important to ascertain that the trainer is not suffering from any medical complication that may be increased by the trainings that at time may be intense.Its only when all these are met that one can apply the above training methods and have remarkable results to boost of from the training, since ignoring the medical concern would basically be suicidal.IntroductionIn today’s contemporary world many people have taken up training in an attempt to improve their physical fitness or just take it up as a career or sport like the body builders. Weight and resistance methods of training have become more popular with many pe ople.These methods basically uses weight stuck as well as elastic resistance to help flex the muscles, by employing various training methods like super sets, forced reps, pyramid systems and periodization.This essay thus seeks to discuss and distinguish the above advanced training methods drawing the pros and cons of each method and their applicability, in order to provide a better understanding of each.Supersets are basically one of the advanced training methods that involve performing two exercises in a row without any rest or relaxation between the two sets. Supersets are basically body building method unlike other conventional methods like straight sets.The lack of rest in between the sets, poses a major disadvantage for this method in that it cannot be used effectively in building and developing power or strength. ( Venuto, 2008) the inability to develop power or strength comes as a result of the fact that the method does not allow for time for rest, thus this reduces the amoun t of weight that one can handle with the trainees strength declining with every additional supersetBorrowing from the saying that every coin has got two sides, supersets have got numerous advantages as well in that they help save time considerably, in that no much time is spent n relaxation in between the sets. Supersets just as the forced reps also help in increasing intensity of training that in the long run would enable the trainee develop muscles faster.According to (Venuto, 2008) Supersets also help in reducing injuries while training. This is due to the fact that the sets are continuous; the muscles get overloaded and thus generate higher intensity without necessarily having to increase the weights.In addition it important to explain the three major categories of supersets which include: same muscle group supersets which involve combining different exercises for a given muscle, the second type of superset is the Antagonistic muscle groups that derived its name from the antagon istic effect that results from pairing the two muscles enabling one to rest as the other is workig.Ffinally the last category of supersets is the staggered sets which involve combining unrelated muscles with minor and major muscles thus training continuously. (Venuto, 2008)The other method of advanced training is the periodization method which can be described as the changing of volume and intensity in a phased manner to stimulate gains and give room for recovery. Under this method the volume of training equipment is reduced during training while on the other hand the intensity is increased.(Cipriani,1997)further stipulates that periodization has the advantage of bringing variations in the training that elevates development of   more strength and muscles, while at the same time helping in controlling if not eradicating over training.Periodization basically helps bring planning into training for bodybuilders in that one would be able to properly allocate his training time evenly th ought the period available for instance one year thus avoiding the temptation of training all through that is always brought by the desire to achieve fast results.Periodization thus ensures balance in training allowing for both intensive and low training that balances well with the body that needs rest after an intensive phase thus reverting to less intensive training-low phase. (Cipriani, 1997)In order to accrue the full benefits of periodization a bodybuilder must be patient and self disciplined to follow the plan or schedule of training. It’s recommended that body builders basically need to use an approximate period of 1 year with the first half being the progressive resistance phase.As the name implies the trainee should start with light weights in the early periods of the phase and progressively or gradually add on weight until he/she reaches the current maximum weight after which the increase in reps would come weekly incorporated with rest intervals in between the sets . (Cipriani, 1997)  This brings out one major difference between periodization and supersets in that where as supersets do not allow for relaxation the former does and is more planned than the latter.The other method of advanced training method is the pyramid training method that operates under the principle of developing the muscles by increasing the amount of muscular contraction when performing the various sets in an exercise. In this method the weight is varied over different sets for instance five sets of 14, 12, 8, 12 and 14 reps would involve performing the first two sets with light to gradually medium weight as a warm up to the muscles.The work set which is also the middle set would involve the use of the heaviest weight to affirm the muscles with the drop sets which are lighter being used to fatigue the muscles further.(Delavier,2001) This system thus incorporates both the volume and intensity and thus popular with body builders.The major disadvantage with this technique is its inflexibility of use by different levels of bodybuilders in that with a full pyramid the weights may be too much for a starter to handle.Equally another advance training method is the Forced reps which are repetitions performed after a muscle failure and the trainee feels exhausted and cannot hold up the weight any more or perform any other repetition effectively. At this juncture the trainers always assist by helping in spotting the trainee.The major advantage of this method is that with good exercises forced reps can actually be performed without necessarily having   a spotter or training partner for instance with one arm having strong   bicep curls the remaining arm can as well be used in helping the arm that is being trained.(Hatfield,1993)ConclusionHaving distinguished and discussed the major advanced training methods in detail, it’s also important to conclude by highlighting the benefits of training in general in that today’s world is characterized by more and more people getting treatments for problems they would keep at bay by just remaining fit through training and eating well, Training basically helps develop strong muscular strength, appearance as well as improving ones breathing process.Thus being an important aspect of human life.Body metabolic rate on the other hand increases with the increase in muscular mass, which helps in burning fat thus preventing obesity. (Runacres, 2000)Weight training also guarantees other benefits in that constant training enhances good posture and in the process reducing injuries that always occur from everyday’s activities.All this said than done, proper training cannot work in isolation .It basically has to be coupled up with good nutrition, where in this case good nutrition meaning a balanced diet with a bias in proteins   and carbohydrates to help develop the body cells and provide sufficient energy respectively.In my opinion I would recommend that the trainees follow the trainerâ €™s instructions in order to achieve results in the various training methods being used to be successful.References:Cipriani, J. (2007) Periodization. Retrieved on 11th September 2008, fromhttp://www.jimcipriani.com/article-periodization.htmlDelavier, F. (2001)   Strength training anatomy, human kinetic publishers.Hatfield, F. (1993) Hardcore body building: scientific approach, Mc Graw-hillRunacres,A.(2000)Advanced training strategies. Retrieved on, 11th September. Fromhttp://www.wabba.co.uk/upload/advanced_training_stratergies-31-july-00pdfVenuto,T,(2008)How to build more muscles in less time with supersets. Retrieved  September 10th 2008 from: http://www.fitfaq.com/supersets.html

Alcoholic Authors Essay Example for Free

Alcoholic Authors Essay Essay Topic: American literature , Alcoholism The prominence of alcoholism in American literature, at least in the first half of the twentieth century, and the relationship between great authors and alcoholism has become somewhat of a literary cliche. Icons such as Ernest Hemingway, William Faulkner, Tennessee Williams, and Jack Kerouac are as famous for their work as they are infamous for their drinking habits. These authors have created a legend out of themselves just from their notorious habits of drinking. Of the seven native-born Americans awarded the Nobel Prize in literature, five were alcoholics. The list of other twentieth-century American writers also affected with alcoholism is very long. I researched these authors’ lives to find out how they all were infected with the same disease, alcoholism. Some said that drinking boosted their creative abilities, while others thought of it more of an escape from the confines of their own imagination, to which they were bound for all hours of the day. Drinking does fit the loner lifestyle that many of these authors had. It was viewed as a cure for writers block, an escape from their own minds, and most importantly, as a tool to cure the emotional hardships that they endured. It is not a coincidence that the greatest writers and artists also had very troubled childhoods and adult lives. Look at Edgar Allan Poe and Vincent Van Gogh; both were both severely troubled emotionally and depressed, and yet they still produced artistic and literary genius. So what is this connection between alcoholism and the great authors of the early 19th century? I will take an in-depth look at a few of the most influential alcoholic authors, such as Ernest Hemingway, William Faulkner, Edgar Allan Poe, and Tennessee Williams. I will look at factors that may have led them to their alcoholic habits, such as their childhood, troubled lives, or depression. From there, I will then look at how alcohol affected their works, positively or negatively. And as we all know, alcoholism was also double-edged sword that led to the destruction of their careers, and ultimately to their deaths. â€Å"I have absolutely no pleasure in the stimulants in which I sometimes so madly indulge. It has not been in the pursuit of pleasure that I have periled life and reputation and reason. It has been the desperate attempt to escape from torturing memories, from a sense of insupportable loneliness and a dread of some strange impending doom. † This quote by Edgar Allan Poe perfectly depicts why many of these great authors fell back into the grasp of alcoholism. Many were troubled spirits who had tough lives, and used alcohol as an escape from their woes. Poe’s depression was caused by his alcoholic father, the death of both of his mothers, the death of his loving wife, the separations of his siblings, and an abusive foster father. No doubt, these losses and hardships sculpted Poe into who he was as a person and author. He relied heavily on alcohol to ease his pain. Another notable case of hardships and emotional struggle that led to alcoholism was Tennessee Williams. As a child he was exposed to a very problematic family. His hard-drinking father favored his brother, as Williams was sensitive and seemed to be homosexual at a very young age. He was closest to his sister Rose, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia and institutionalized. Later on, he had troubles dealing with his sexuality, which led to heavy drug and alcohol abuse. He married Frank Merlo, whom provided balance to his bouts of rage and alcoholic abuse. Williams sunk into even deeper depression after Merlo left him, because of his alcoholism. Williams won the Pullitzer Prize for Drama after writing, A Streetcar Named Desire in 1948. He wrote this largely based off of events from his own life, most vividly portraying his alcoholic habits through Stanley. Another example of a great author whose troubled life had led him to become an alcoholic is Ernest Hemingway. Like Williams, he was also an award-winning author who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1954. During his final years, Hemingway’s behavior was similar to his father’s before he himself committed suicide. Hemingway was diagnosed with the genetic disease Hemochromatosis, which causes mental and physical deterioration. His brother and sister also committed suicide as well. In addition to Hemingway’s mental illnesses, he was an alcoholic for most of his life. After his death, in the writing, â€Å"Ernest Hemingway: A Psychological Autopsy of a Suicide†, Christopher Martin talks about the possible causes of Hemingway’s suicide. He discovers after careful reading of Hemingway’s works, that they reveal the possibility of conditions such as, bipolar disorder, alcoholic dependence, traumatic brain injury, and narcissistic personality traits. Hemingway was obviously troubled mentally and emotionally, and relied heavily on alcohol. Hemingway is one of the most well known alcoholic authors to this day. It was a common trait amongst many of the alcoholic authors to have emotional hardships and struggles. There is no doubt that these authors’ works were affected strongly by their addiction to drinking. As discussed previously, some stated that it boosted creativity, immediately cured writer’s block, and even relaxed them from the pressure of writing. Dr. Donald Goodwin, the author of â€Å"Alcohol and the Writer,† performed research on the correlation between authors and alcoholism. He concluded that writing in itself does not encourage alcoholism. Instead, he suggests that creativity is inspired by insanity because, â€Å"creative writing requires a rich fantasy life. † Alcohol promotes this same fantasy life as it skews one’s perceptions. Goodwin concludes that writing and alcoholism are products of the same lifestyle, rather than writing as a profession encouraging alcoholism. â€Å"Writing involves fantasy; alcohol promotes fantasy. Writing requires self-confidence; alcohol bolsters confidence. Writing is lonely work; alcohol assuages loneliness. Writing demands intense concentration; alcohol relaxes. † For example, William Faulkner, from the very beginning of his career, drank while he wrote. He claimed, â€Å"I usually write at night. I always keep my whiskey within reach. † Faulkner was also a Nobel Prize winner for his novels and short stories. Hemingway found whiskey as a sort of relief from his day to day routines, almost medicinal. Hemingway once stated, â€Å"When you work hard all day with your head and know you must work again the next day what else can change your ideas and make them run on a different plane like whisky? † This sort of mindset was one similar amongst many other great authors alike. In Goodwins book, he has a chapter titled, â€Å"The Loner Theory. † Alcoholism is basically a disease of individualism. People who are affected are those who, from early childhood, have a strong sense of being psychologically alone and on their own in the world. These people feel that they can get emotional release from drinking. We can see this individualistic character in many great authors. Goodwin goes on to compare writing and being drunk. He claims, â€Å"Writing and alcohol both produce trancelike states. A gift for creative writing may involve an innate ability to enter trancelike states. Being a loner, may facilitate trancelike states when it is time to write, and encourage drinking to overcome the shyness and ? isolation when it is time to relax. † This reasoning and logic is clearly evident in many of the author’s lifestyles. As much as these tendencies helped many of them produce creative work, it also led to many of their careers’ demise and eventually, death. The infamous drinking habits of Hemingway, Poe, Faulkner, and the like, all eventually led to their death or career demise. Many of these alcoholic authors were on a slow decline creatively. Many thought that their alcoholism deadened their creative thought process and rather turned them into more drab and emotional writers. Faulkner’s prose was slowed down by his sclerosis, while Hemingway’s style was drowned in emotions. Hemingway ridiculed his friend Fitzgerald when he went public in Esquire, talking about his downfall publicly. Hemingway was disgusted, and invited him to cast his, â€Å"balls into the sea—if you have any balls left†. Many authors attempted to get sober but found they could not write without alcohol. Many would just have one big hit and then decline from there, fighting sobriety and the ability to write without alcohol. Hemingway struggled to find happiness later on in life and eventually committed suicide. Faulkner died of a heart attack that was attributed to his heavy alcohol abuse. Edgar Allan Poe’s death was largely due to alcoholism. It is still a bit of a mystery as to how he died, but according to newspaper articles at the time it was due to cerebral inflammation, which is commonly linked with alcoholism. Many of these great authors were known for their great works as well as their drinking habits. Sadly, alcoholism led to many of their declining health in later ages. Their creative spark was slowly dulled over time by drinking, and many lived unhappy lives. There is an irrefutable link between many authors and alcoholism. Many of them happened to live in the same time frame, and were legends amongst the population largely in part to their drinking habits. Their alcoholic tendencies are all largely due to their loner lifestyles that they all shared. No doubt, they had great artistic minds. Many of them were award-winning authors who are icons American literature. However, their drinking habits are just as famous as was their work. Unfortunately, these habits eventually led many of them to their downfall. Many took their own lives, drank until they passed, or died because of other health complications due to alcoholism. Drinking was a cure for writers block, an escape from their own minds, and also a tool to cure their emotional downfalls that their troubled lives had brought upon them. It is not a coincidence that the greatest writers and artists also had very troubled childhoods and even adult lives. There is a direct connection between the tendencies of â€Å"loners† to be dependant on alcohol, and the tendencies of many authors to be loners. In conclusion, many authors had troubled lives and childhoods that led them to become emotionally scarred. This led to alcoholic habits. Next, many of them enjoyed working and writing while intoxicated. It suited their personalities. Alcoholism is an individualistic disease, and writing is typically an individual art form. Just as these authors found comfort in drinking, many of them drank their lives into the gutter; quite literally in Poe’s case. The same thing that they found comfort in, used as a tool for their writing, led them to demise. Their mental and physical health deteriorated, and ultimately many of them died unhappy. However, these authors were legends in literature. Hemingway, Faulkner, Poe, Fitzgerald, and Williams to name a few, all of these authors graced us with their genius, although some of them paid the price of their genius with mental and physical deterioration due to a life-long love affair with alcohol. Works Cited Dardis, Tom. (1989). The Thirsty Muse: Alcohol and the American Writer. Fields. Goodwin, Donald W. (1988). Alcohol and the Writer. Andrews McMeel Publishing Padgett, John B. (2006, August 17). William Faulkner: Frequently Asked Questions.

Leadership Traits Required for Successful E&P Companies Essay

Leadership Traits Required for Successful E&P Companies - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that Oil and Gas exploration industry in Africa is growing at a significant rate. The continent has a lot of potential for development and growth. This potentiality is helping Africa to experience significant foreign direct investments and business deals. The leaders are considered as major growth drivers of this oil and gas industry. It is the responsibility of the leading organizations to minimize the chances of workplace hazards. It is important to ensure health and safety of the employees to attain high reputation in the business market. Several leading organizations are implementing different types of leadership traits in order to meet the demand of the global population. British Petroleum is one of the leading organizations around the globe. They are operating in almost 80 countries. The brand image and personality helped the organization to expand their business in global marketplace. Tony Hayward and John Boone took some initiatives to maintain sustainable business operation of BP in the global market. But lack of pre-assumed initiatives and safety measures by Tony took the priceless lives of 11 employees in Rig explosion. The essay effectively discusses that a global organization cannot achieve success without best sustainable business practices and ability to motivate business partners and staffs. Introduction The oil and gas companies are growing on a continuous basis in Africa. The continent supplies about 8% of the total oil supply in the world which is equivalent to about 132.4 trillion barrels of oil every year. Adding to this the continent also supplies 7.0% of the oil that the entire world consumes. The continent has a shale gas potential of 15.7% of the world production and produces about 12% of the total production of oil in the world. This had led to the development of numerous oil and exploration companies in the continent and at present, there are about 32 national oil producing companies in Afri ca. Since the continent has a lot of potential for growth and development, it experiences a lot of foreign direct investments and deals throughout the year. Most of the potential regions providing oil are in the countries of Nigeria, Libya, Algeria, and Egypt. Thus the oil and gas industry is a booming industry in Africa and the success behind the growth is the natural resources that the countries are blessed with and the leaders of the companies who channel the resources in the right direction to generate the desired outcome. Leadership Traits Required for Successful Oil and Gas companies in Africa. The leaders act as the chief drivers of the growth of the oil and gas industry. The industry is exposed to a lot of risks and therefore the leaders of the companies have to be instrumental in running the entire drilling and exploration process safe and efficient. This safety awareness in the organization is essential both at the organization level and at the individual level. Thus the l eaders must practice this principle at every level of their operations. They should also maintain a safe environment for the workers of the companies. Along with this, they have to be extremely committed to the work that they deliver and this attitude should act as a guiding behavior for the rest of the employees of the organization. The leaders should aim at optimizing the conditions of oil exploration by minimizing the risks and maximizing the productivity. That would enable the companies to provide welfare to the society by and large. The leaders in this particular industry often make wrong decisions that lead to several accidents and injuries without reaping any substantial benefits. Thus it is necessary for the leaders to not only provide a guideline to the people regarding the work proceedings but also to monitor and scrutinize the activities on a day to day basis. These services have to be rendered by the leader with a lot of honesty otherwise the desired results cannot be ac hieved.

Leadership and Management Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Leadership and Management - Assignment Example Along with nursing services, there are qualified social workers, with one being assigned to each patient, spiritual care services that are an option should the patient request them, volunteer services who are usually trained by hospice and use their time being companions and developing relationships with the patient and there is also bereavement support. This support will follow a family for thirteen months with phone calls and offers of support groups though they primarily provide support by allowing the family to talk about their lost loved one with one outside of the family circle and it also lets them know that the patient is well remembered by the staff at BHPCC. BHPCC can provide and does provide additional services as needed by the patient. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and swallowing studies and nutritional therapy designed to ensure the patient is getting the maximum amount of nutrients, often this will be quite creative when a patient does not want to eat. High protein shakes, ensures, and other high impact alternatives will be used to ensure that while the patient is exercising his or her right to refuse food they can usually be talked into one of these choices without feeling they’ve lost the ability to make the choice. BHPCC partnered with Van Dyke Hospice offer the client many other possible services and have situational arrangement should the client need. Some of those programs are Bethany Baptist Faith Program, separate special care programs for both dementia and cardiac and also pulmonary special care programs. Another very import program is the palliative care and support for family members and caregivers. The Nursing Supervisor is responsible for supervising all medical employees. Other business functions within the organizations have their own hierarchy of supervision, such as in payroll, staffing and front desk operations. Staff consists of registered and licensed practical nurses. There are also support staf f such as aids and respiratory. Support staff such as the nursing aids spends the most time with the patient and it is often up to them to notice changes in function or cognition within the patient and report this to the patient’s assigned nurse. The nurse will then contact the doctor after their own assessment with any finding so that the doctor can determine if a visit is needed or medication change. Because the unit is a hospice unit and palliative care their can and usually is a high level of stress. Families are usually upset, patients are often angry, confused or in denial. Health care workers must carefully balance the primary needs of the patient with the needs that the family will also have for support and information about the patient’s condition. The model of care was one of a team method with the RN serving in a democratic way as team leader. Morning meetings are conducted daily and nurses are to present any cases they may have questions on or that need the team leaders input. These cases can be anything from patients complaints and how to better deal with them, to family requests and if we are able to meet them. Many times, Mary, the team leader would ask the Nurse their own opinion in the matter because the nurse has much

Louis V Gerstner Jr Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Louis V Gerstner Jr - Research Paper Example In line with that, he also co-chaired Achieve, an organization that focus on improving the academic standards for public school in the U.S. In fact, he really supported quality education even when he was the CEO of IBM. He established Reinventing Education, an educational partnership with a number of states and school districts, enabling them to benefit from IBM technology, and technical assistance. His actions and advocacy did not go unnoticed; in fact, he was awarded honorary knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II in 2001. Social responsibility was already a concern for Gerstner even during his IBM days. In a speech addressed to Comdex, he already made mention of how technology and social responsibility go hand in hand, to wit: I think we will make our visions reality. I think that as stewards of our industry, we will step up to the challenges of social responsibility. We will improve the world, and the way we work, the way we communicate, live and learn as people.  (Transcript of Louis Gestner speech at Comdex) During that time that Louis Gerstner ruled IBM, social responsibility then was a concept that was uncommonly practiced by organizations. He contributed to social responsibility by erasing the barriers between class and gender within the organization which is a higher form of social responsibility. Unlike other organizations, that donated for a cause or planted a tree, Gerstner walked his talked. Gerstner established a diversity taskforce that addressed to diversity issues .Cohen (2010) perfectly describes from Drucker’s viewpoint how Gerstner practiced the It worked and understanding and its using its diversity became a major competitive advantage for IBM. As a result of Gerstner’s initiative the number of female executives in the company grew 370 percent and the number of ethnic minority executives increased by 233 percent. All of this had a

Press Release Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Press Release - Essay Example Simultaneously a warrant was served on Weinman’s mother’s house. The police searched the mother’s house, plus a shed in the backyard according to The Miami Herald. No reports are available on what, if anything, the cops seized. Weinman hired attorney David Macey, who spoke with WSVN-Channel 7 according to The Miami Herald. David Macey proclaimed his client’s innocence. Macey will be ready for the arraignment tentatively set on Monday. Weinman’s bail was set at $154,500, which has not yet been met. Weinman’s downfall occurred when he signed up for a Facebook group called â€Å"Catch the Cat Killer† reports The Miami Herald. More than 1,000 members had joined this group in hopes of catching the cat killer. A news conference was held this morning. Three police agencies worked this case. One Miami-Dade Police Major was Julie Miller. Apparently Miller tracked Weinman on tips from the local communities’ posts on Facebook, YouTube, and MySpace. What led to the arrest is the community talking and bringing us information, Miller said The Miami Herald states. No motive was suggested for the horrible attacks. Weinman’s parents are divorced living in the area. Apparently the teen felt comfortable in the area where the cats were found mutilated, since his mother and father lived in the areas. A report had been mentioned at a community meeting about a teen living between two homes in the two communities where the attacks occurred. Weinman’s parents have not released any comments. Weinman has had several run in with the laws before reports The Miami Herald. Apparently Weinman had been arrested twice as a juvenile on unknown charges. As recently as May 29, Weinman was arrested for possession of marijuana. Profilers advised the police to look for a loner, Jeffery Dahmer type. So the whole community was surprised by Weinman’s arrest. Weinman was a Swim Gym Aquatic Summer Camp counselor, a class

The Concept of Managing Organizations Strategically Research Paper

The Concept of Managing Organizations Strategically - Research Paper Example Strategic management is a stream of decisions and actions, which lead to the development of an effective strategy or strategies to help achieve corporate objectives. Strategic management is concerned with deciding on the strategy and how the strategy is to be put into effect. Strategic management allows an enterprise or an organization to base its decision on long-range forecasts. It also allows the firms to take action at an early stage of a new trend and consider the lead-time for effective management. A sound strategic management process helps to ensure that all organizational parts are working towards the same objective and purpose. Strategic management will never be a cure-all especially for incompetent management; it can go a long way in improving an organization's long-term performance. Now looking at the importance of strategic management and its relevance in the present circumstances, the subject strategic management itself is in the midst of an evolutionary process. In the course of its development, several strands of thinking are emerging which are gradually leading to a convergence of views. We now have a wealth of insights into the complexities of strategic behaviour- the observable characteristics of the manner in which an organization performs decision-making and planning functions with regard to the issues that are of strategic importance to its survival, growth and profitability. Several persons, among whom are the doyens in the field of strategy, have contributed to the formulation of these perspectives.

Capital Budgeting Statistics Project Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5250 words

Capital Budgeting - Statistics Project Example One of the most important considerations for an investment and financing decision will be proper asset-liability management. Companies will have to face a severe asset-liability mismatch if the long-term requirements are funded by the short-term sources of funds. Such a mismatch will lead to an interest risk thereby enhancing the interest burden of the firm and a liquidity risk with the short-term funds being help up in long-term projects. Whenever a business firm plans to invest in a long-term project, it needs to assess the benefits that can be reaped out from that particular long-term investment and come to a conclusion whether that particular investment is profitable for the business or not. The entire process of assessing a proposed long-term investment and coming to a conclusion whether it is worth investing or not is termed as "Capital Budgeting." The ultimate goal of any individual or a firm's maximization of profits or rate of returns - in other words market value of one's investments. Thus, investment management is an ongoing process which needs to be constantly monitored by way of information as this may affect the value of securities or rate of returns of such securities. ... c. Estimate of future profitability and growth and the reliability of such expectations. d. Translation of all these estimates into valuation of the company and the securities. The global financial markets now-a-days are getting more integrated, and people and firms are entering into more and more cross - border financial deals. In order to make these transactions feasible, a system for determination of the amount and method of payment of the underlying financial flows is needed. Since the domestic currencies of the parties involved will be different, the flows will take place in some mutually acceptable currency. All the relevant transaction taking place would hence be on account of international trade in goods or services, or due to acquisition or liquidation of financial assets, or because of creation or repayment of international credit. Measurement of Total risk Undoubtedly, all the modern forms of risk quantification find their origins in Risk is associated with the dispersion in the likely outcomes. Dispersion refers to variability. If an asset's return has no variability, it has no risk. An investor analyzing a series of returns on an investment over a period of years needs to know something about the variability of its returns or in other words the assets' total risk1. There are different ways to measure variability of returns. The range of the returns, i.e. the difference between the highest possible rate of return and the lowest possible rate of return is one measure, but the range is based on only two extreme values. The variance of an asset's rate of return can be found as the sum of the squared deviation of each possible rate of return from the expected rate of return

A Summary of Quines Problems with Carnaps Philosophy Essay Example for Free

A Summary of Quines Problems with Carnaps Philosophy Essay In his Two Dogmas of Empiricism, Quine addresses what he views as problematic claims made by Carnap. The first problem Quine has with Carnaps epistemology is about his definition of state-descriptions. The problem is in two parts: first Quine says that Carnaps version of analyticity is conditional, because it requires atomic sentences in a language to be mutually independent. The second part of the problem is that, Carnaps attempt to explore analyticity by way of his state-descriptions results in a problematic definition of analyticity, which ends up being more indicative of logical truth. In conclusion, Quine presents a solution to his problems with Carnap positing that the boundary between synthetic and analytic is imagined. In his attempt to define analyticity Quine encounters a problematic attempt at defining the term, by Carnap. Carnap has tended to explain analyticity by appeal to what he calls state-descriptions(195). Carnaps state-descriptions are problematic for two reasons; one reason is that a statement is explained as analytic when it comes out true under every state description(195), this necessitates every atomic sentence to be mutually independent- meaning that two statements that mean the same thing are supposed to exist as two completely separate meanings. However, as Quine points out this would mean there would be a state-description which assigned truth to John is a bachelor and falsity to John is married, and consequently All bachelors are married would turn out synthetic rather than analytic under the proposed criterion(195). This truth gives rise to the second problem of Carnaps state-descriptions, that analyticity as it refers to state-descriptions only works for languages that do not contain synonymous words such as bachelor and unmarried. So, Quine submits that Carnaps state-descriptions are indicative of logical truth, not of analyticity. To generalize, these problems that Quine has with Carnaps philosophical system equate to a single point of disagreement, that there is an absolute distinction between analytic and synthetic. Quine points to our pragmatic inclinations to adjust one strand of the fabric of science rather an another in accommodating some particular recalcitrant experience(207). Quine believes that Carnaps drawing a distinction between analytic and synthetic points to our quest for simplicity in science, possibly deriving from a deconstructionist belief that everything can be equated to simplified smaller elements that make up a whole. Quine challenges Carnaps methodology as well as his philosophical system. To conclude, Quine notes that he understands the philosophical approach attempted by philosophers like Lewis, and Carnap, but does not think that it is a beneficial one. Total science, mathematical and natural and human, is similarly but more extremely underdetermined by experience. The edge of the system must be kept squared with experience(207). Carnaps constructed language is a scientific one, and since science is based on our experience, when Carnap attempts to encompass our world using his language with strict rules, he does an injustice to sciences close relationship to experience, making his language based on the rules of arithmetic instead. Finally, Quine points to Carnaps employment of pragmatism as one that comes up short, and does not justify the strict division between synthetic and analytic. Their pragmatism leaves off at the imagined boundary between the analytic and the synthetic. In repudiating such a boundary I espouse a more thorough pragmatism(207). Quine feels that the division between synthetic and analytic has been too hastily assumed, and that a more thorough approach to the relationship would be helpful. He believes that the boundary between analytic and synthetic is too harshly drawn, and that the difference is only in degrees. He asks Carnap to suppress his foundations in our traditional scientific method and suggests that sometimes it is not always pragmatism that shapes our perception.

Descartes Conceivability Argument For Substance Dualism Philosophy Essay

Descartes Conceivability Argument For Substance Dualism Philosophy Essay Substance Dualism is the view that the mind and body are distinct. It pictures the world as consisting of two independent domains, the mental and the material, each with its own distinctive defining properties. We have clear and distinct awareness that the body is physical therefore it is spatially temporary and made from atoms which follow physical laws. It has dimensions, mass, texture etc. We also have clear and distinct awareness that the mind is non-physical therefore is not made from atoms or follows physical laws. The essence of the body is to be extended whilst the essence of the mind is to think. The mind is logically distinct and an independent entity to the body. So what can be asserted for one cant be asserted for the other. The mind will continue to exist without the body. It is infinite and immortal and will go to the afterlife. But the body is subject to decay because it is physical. It is not immortal and cant exist without the mind. The claim is there are two complet ely distinct substances, where substances mean a fundamental thing rather than stuff. In Descartes Sixth Meditation, he states one of his arguments for the mind and body being distinct. This is known as The Conceivability Argument: 1. I can clearly conceive existing without my body 2. What is clearly conceivable is possible 3. So it is possible for me to exist without my body 4. So I am neither identical with, nor a part of my body 5. So substance dualism is true Descartes, when considering himself, had a clear and distinct idea of myself (himself) inasmuch as I am (he is) only a thinking and unextended thing. Since he is thinking now, he must be a thinking thing. This property must be there as it belongs to his essence. If thinking ceases then he doesnt exist, an argument which he tries to prove in his early works in The Discourse. He has a clear understanding of what thought is. This allows him possibly to be non-extended as spatial temporality is not essential to him. He also has a distinct idea of body, inasmuch as it is only an extended and unthinking thing. If we think about an object we comprehend that its necessary extended and its essence is not thinking. For example, the essence of a stone is to be extended not to be a thinking thing. It is very hard to comprehend a stone thinking and if we can it is definitely not an essence of the stone. It is possible to conceive of the mind existing without the body and the body existing without the mind. Descartes uses the word possible in the sense that it is logically conceptual therefore not self contradictory that he can exist without his body. This is because it is possible to conceive of something being extended and non-thinking. Also it is possible to conceive of something being non-extended and being a thinking thing. For example we can conceive of my mind thinking but having no spatially temporality. God can create a world where whatever is conceivable is metaphysically possible because all things which I apprehend clearly and distinctly can be created by God. Thus anything conceivable becomes an actual truth. For example God cant create a square circle as it is not metaphysically possible. But God can create me, a thinking thing, distinct from my extended body since they may be made to exist in separation at least by the omnipotence of God. Therefore it is possible that my mind can exist without my body resulting in having a body not being essential to me. Descartes is moving from this doubt of his body to his essence. Descartes is using his scepticism that he is not going to accept anything that he is not certain of. He is certain of his own thinking and existence though. He concludes that this he can be sure of but this is the only thing he can be sure of: I am a real thinking thing and really exist, but what thing? I have an answer: A thing which thinks. But there are two different meanings to a thinking thing. One is something that thinks or another is something whose essence is to think, a thing that cannot not think. These are very different claims. He is making an epistemological claim to a metaphysical claim. He is arguing from how we come to know something to what it actually is. The argument shifts from a possible sense to a possible fact: It is possible that I am a thinking thing to my essence is a thinking thing. Knowing that I am thinking, it does follow that I am thinking in one sense. If I am thinking then I must be capa ble of thinking. But the claim that his essence is thinking is fallacious. If we take John Lockes claim that God can make matter think then God can make a stone think. A stone would then know that it is only a thinking thing and not know that it is extended. Therefore as its only aware of its own perceptions it can conclude that its essence is thinking. Just as God has made the stone think, God can take this away. Therefore the stone is left with its essence being extended and non-thinking. Moreover, all because the mind and body have different essences, this does not mean that they have to be two different substances. Surely they can be one and the same thing. Cant there be one entity which is thinking and extended? Jerome A. Shaffer uses the example of one entity, a man: The defying characteristic of being a husband is being a married man and the essence of being a parent is having offspring, but one and the same person can be both. Hence all because we have conceived of two entities having different properties it does not mean that they actually exist distinct from each other. For Descartes it would seem that they have completely distinct essences that it is impossible for them to not be distinct. Therefore the example of a husband and a father is seemingly weak because the actual properties of the occupier of the essences are both extended and male. Whereas the properties of extended and thinking things have, according to Descartes nothing in common. It would appear that there needs to be a stronger example from Shaffer to show that the mind and body can be one and the same thing. George Graham has a stronger example of the Gods making Oedipus marry his mother. As he didnt want to marry her he would say: very idea disgusts me, I find it unconceivable that I will marry my mother. Oedipus then falls in love with Jocasta, who is actually his mother. If we asked him what he thought about marrying her he may say: Very idea pleases me, I find it very conceivable. We would then conclude that Oedipus can conceive of himself marrying Jocasta but cant conceive of himself marrying his mother. Therefore they are not the same person. If I can conceive of myself as disembodied but cant conceive of myself without a mind you cant conclude that your mind and body are distinct as they can be one and the same thing. This is because the conclusion is aspectual and realises on aspectual knowledge. This aspectual knowledge that Graham mentions is a major downfall to Descartes conceivable argument. Gottlob Ferge explains this with the ancients knowing that Venus is the morning star whilst believing that the evening star was Venus as well or illiterate people not knowing that water is identical to H20. The mind and body could be the same thing but he they are assessed differently, one by introspection and one by inspection but this doesnt mean they can be separated and exist apart from each other. W. D. Hart creates a story to strengthen Substance Dualism and tries to show that the mind and body are not one and the same thing. This is because we can conceive the mind to exist without a body: Imagine one morning you wake up and go to the mirror. Looking in the mirror you realise that your eye sockets are empty. You can visualise your face with empty eye sockets as it would look to you in the mirror. You then saw around your head and see that your brain is not there. You can visualise how your empty brain pan would look to you in the mirror. Lastly it is still possible to visualise if you had no body. You would see the reflection of the room in the mirror. So you have a recipe for visual experience of yourself disembodied. As this is a thought experiment it could not actually occur in the real world. But the fact that we can imagine being disembodied. As we can imagine being disembodied without contradiction, it means that it is metaphysically possible. Hart would conclude that it is metaphysically possible for me to exist disembodied. Therefore the mind and body are distinct as disembodied existence can occur. Is it not possible to conceive of water not being identical to H2O even though it is metaphysically impossible? If we can then it is possible to conceive of the mind existing apart from the body doesnt show that it is metaphysically possible. For this metaphysically possible for the mind to exist with the body then the mind must be numerically distinct from the body. Kripke used his concept of rigid and non-rigid designators for Cartesian Dualism argument to prove that they are numerical distinct: If a and b are rigid designators, it follows that a = b if true, is a necessary truth. If a and b are not rigid designators, no such conclusion follows about the statement a = b The rigid designator water is identical to the rigid designator H2O. This is true scientifically. Water is identical to H20 in every possible world. If we have two rigid designators and the two are identical then this will mean that conceivability entails metaphysically possibility. This is because we cant conceive of a possible world where H2O is not Water. According to Descartes this would mean that God couldnt create a world where Water is not H2O as they are the same substance with the same essences. We cant conceive metaphysically that water is not H2O as this would make no sense. However it does not work if we use water non-rigidly. Water may not be a direct reference to H2O but a summary of the properties. This would be topic neutral as we are leaving out the nature of water. We could have a sample of water but not know that it is H2O, just like our predecessors. We cant conceive of them being identical in every metaphysically possible world therefore H2O is not water. We can easily conceive a non-rigid designation of water, for example tap fluid, rain, a lake that may not have been H2O as it is only there empirical properties that we know. As long as it is a non-rigid designator of water and we produce the properties, water can be anything. Thus we could conceive of the substance described as having a different chemical composition in a possible world. Kripke applies this to a brain state being identical to a mental state and tries to improve Descartes argument. We are immediately subjectively aware of mental states. We have immediate perceptions of them inside me. What you are experiencing when in pain is pain. It is an internal content of consciousness and this is the only way we can understand it. Therefore it is a rigid designator. If we can conceive of mental states being identical to the body then this would mean that it would be a necessary truth. If Descartes can conceive of himself being distinct from his body then Descartes is not identical to his body. Through modern neuroscience research it is possible to see that Descartes immaterial explanation of thinking being the essence of the mind is a lot simpler than getting a brain dependent theory. He believed that: Each substance is thought to have its own laws and its own range of properties; hence research on the brain is not going to yield any knowledge of the mind. But as more research occurs with neuroscience and neurology the more we realise how absurd the concept of Substance Dualism is. The mind apparently has higher functions which are reasoning, consciousness, emotion etc. All of these higher functions can be changed by drugs or an injury. For example damage to the temporal Lobe, the person with this damage will learn complex cognitive skills but will be unaware he has done so, even while engaging in them. There are many other examples of how the brain affects our higher functions. If the brain is dependent on the mind then how can this be true? How can the brain affect thinking as thinking is not its essence? Therefore it would seem that dualism fails not so much because of our limited knowledge of the mind but rather because of modern science. As the conceivable argument needs the essence of the mind and body to show that they we can conceive of them distinctly, if Descartes has got the essences wrong then he cant conceive of himself di sembodied. Doesnt entail it false as further research may discover there is a substance dualism but at the moment there is no leads.

Health Care Reform in the United States Essay example -- President Oba

Health Care Reform in the United States In the United States, more than forty million people are without health insurance. Of these people, many are employed by firms that do not offer coverage and many others fall just below the poverty line. Many are poor but still do not qualify for Medicaid. At least twelve million of those without health insurance are children. Reliable sources indicate that the number of uninsured people could rise as high as sixty million by the year 2010. There is also a dilemma that the insured United States citizens face, that their healthcare system is sick, and everyone is aware of its illness: profit. In 2008, Malike Hassan's, an HMO stockholdings CEO, salary was 166.4 million dollars. Most experts agree that the lack of plan participants' personal involvement in the healthcare system is largely responsible for inflation within the plans. However, as the debate rages on about how to best resolve the issues, it is certain that, as individuals become more involved in the healthcare process, they become an integral part of the solution. If people wish to change the system, they must change their role in healthcare reform from passive to active. In order to bring unification and unconstrained functionality to the U.S. healthcare system, people must first educate themselves on how their healthcare works, voice their opinions, and finally join together to bring reform. The first action people must take to insure their own well being and safety is to stay thoroughly informed on how their HMO plans run. Managed care is often criticized for encouraging the withholding of beneficial care from patients. People need to be aware that many HMOs contain Gag Rules. These rules, in contracts ... ...normous medical bills. Then there are citizens who are caught in the surreal world of Workers Comp, where money, if it ever shows up, is often too late. Healthcare is the one asset that affects every United States citizen. US citizens need to realize that the demand for healthcare services starts and ends with individuals. As personal involvement and education increase, people become empowered to make informed healthcare decisions, and that is good medicine for America as a whole. Bibliography: 1. Orient Jane M M.D. Your Doctor Is Not In Healthy Skepticism About National Healthcare Crown Publishing, Inc., Macon, GA, 2007. 2. National Organization of Physicians Who Care http://www.pwc.org/ 3. Daniels Norman. Benchmarks of Fairness for Health Care Reform Oxford Univ Press, London, UK, 2006. 4. Labor Party Online http:www.ipc.apc.org

Dead White Males - David Williamson :: essays research papers

"Carpe Diem" In the film Dead Poet’s Society there is an environment created that was rigid and strict. At Welton Academy there were four pillars of ideals that students must attain to and follow. These were excellence, honor, tradition, and discipline. A new teacher was appointed to teach English. John Keating brought with him a style that promoted the individual. This was in direct contrast to the four pillars of ideals. Mr. Keating’s Latin saying of Carpe Diem, which meant seize the day, was something that would cause problems to arise at the academy. A few of his students would deviate from academy’s path. Knox Overstreet was a young man who was attending Welton Academy. He had followed all the rules as everyone else and obeyed. However after a few of Mr. Keating’s classes he changed his outlook of life. Knox had an affinity towards this girl, Chris Noel, but it was against school policy to have women on campus during a semester. With the new saying of Carpe Diem in his mind, Knox ignored the rules and ensued after Chris. In his wooing he attended parties and even met her at her public high school. If the Headmaster found news of this, Knox would have been expelled. Despite all the consequences Know decided to seize the day and forget the whims of society to follow his dreams. Another student of John Keating’s was Charles Dalton. He was more laid back than Knox but he still adhered to the academy’s rules and regulations. Charles was completely taken by the saying, and changed his lifestyle. At the boys illegal Dead Poet’s Society meetings in which they read aloud poetry, he brought tobacco pipes and alcohol as well as girls. As seen by his new name, Nwanda, Charlie broke free of the strict life he had to follow at Welton. He even defied the Headmaster during a meeting by interrupting his speech with a phone call from "God". Although this new behavior ultimately led to his expulsion, the li fe at Welton was probably not suitable for an individual like him. Neil Perry was greatly moved by the Latin words, Carpe Diem. His father set forth such high demands and little choice for Neil. His disciplinarian father mapped out his career and life. Neil always submitted to his father but was always left unhappy and not content with all that his father had planned and all the rules that he had to abide by.

Electric ID Essays -- Technology Animals Essays

Electric ID Each year hundreds pets are stolen from their owners and resold because they have no permanent ID. Thousands more are turned into shelters and euthanized because their owner is unknown. These pets could have been returned to their owner if they had the proper ID. When most people look for a way to identify their pet, many people choose a simple dog tag. However, tags can fall off or the information can wear off. There are more permanent ways to ID an animal; traditionally tattoos were used but today technology has given owners a better option, the microchip. Microchip ID's are just that. A miniature microchip is placed underneath the skin of the pet and it can be used to accurately identify the owner of the animal. There are many companies that manufacture pet microchips, and the two main companies in the United States today are AVID and Destron-Fearing. Although both microchips are essentially the same in function, there are key differences that a pet owner should look at when choosing one. They include: the design of the microchip, the countries it is used in, the operating life, the species it is used in, the scanner that will read it, the databases, and the cost. Before examing the differences, two question need to be answered: what is it and how does it work? What is it? In the last twenty years, technology has produced a product that allows for an animal to be permanently identified for life. This product is called an electronic ID or a microchip. A microchip is a very small tube, about the size of a grain of rice that is injected into a specific site on the animal. Each tube contains a microchip that is encoded with a unique ID that cannot be changed. This number is read by a scanner and allows the... ...no matter where the animal is, the owner can always be traced. When comparing the cost of ID options, a simple dog tag on the collar is the cheapest route. Although the cost of the microchip may seem quite large at first, overall it can save pet owners money because it lasts for the lifetime of the pet. While both companies have good products, a pet owner needs to consider several things before choosing to use a microchip and which company they feel is best. Most biological evidence points to HomeAgain as the better choice. Between the two companies, HomeAgain has returned more pets to owners than any other company. Isn't that the point? References: AKC http://www.akc.org/love/car/ AVID http://www.avidcanada.com/thechip.html Destron-Fearing (HomeAgain) http://www.destron.com/elect.html#microchips http://www.electronicidinc.com/eidback.html Electric ID Essays -- Technology Animals Essays Electric ID Each year hundreds pets are stolen from their owners and resold because they have no permanent ID. Thousands more are turned into shelters and euthanized because their owner is unknown. These pets could have been returned to their owner if they had the proper ID. When most people look for a way to identify their pet, many people choose a simple dog tag. However, tags can fall off or the information can wear off. There are more permanent ways to ID an animal; traditionally tattoos were used but today technology has given owners a better option, the microchip. Microchip ID's are just that. A miniature microchip is placed underneath the skin of the pet and it can be used to accurately identify the owner of the animal. There are many companies that manufacture pet microchips, and the two main companies in the United States today are AVID and Destron-Fearing. Although both microchips are essentially the same in function, there are key differences that a pet owner should look at when choosing one. They include: the design of the microchip, the countries it is used in, the operating life, the species it is used in, the scanner that will read it, the databases, and the cost. Before examing the differences, two question need to be answered: what is it and how does it work? What is it? In the last twenty years, technology has produced a product that allows for an animal to be permanently identified for life. This product is called an electronic ID or a microchip. A microchip is a very small tube, about the size of a grain of rice that is injected into a specific site on the animal. Each tube contains a microchip that is encoded with a unique ID that cannot be changed. This number is read by a scanner and allows the... ...no matter where the animal is, the owner can always be traced. When comparing the cost of ID options, a simple dog tag on the collar is the cheapest route. Although the cost of the microchip may seem quite large at first, overall it can save pet owners money because it lasts for the lifetime of the pet. While both companies have good products, a pet owner needs to consider several things before choosing to use a microchip and which company they feel is best. Most biological evidence points to HomeAgain as the better choice. Between the two companies, HomeAgain has returned more pets to owners than any other company. Isn't that the point? References: AKC http://www.akc.org/love/car/ AVID http://www.avidcanada.com/thechip.html Destron-Fearing (HomeAgain) http://www.destron.com/elect.html#microchips http://www.electronicidinc.com/eidback.html

Family Assessment using Calgary Family Assessment Model Essay

The family involved has two children and both parents who have been married for close to fifteen years. The grandparents to the children are alive with the exception of the paternal grandmother who died of a heart condition. The family visits hospital to seek medical attentions for their adolescent son who presents conditions close to what is seen in asthma cases. The child is accompanied by both parents and a closer look shows his fondness for both parents. The interview starts with the nurse inquiring when the symptoms were first experienced by the sick child. The mother seems ready with the answers though as the interview progresses, the father chips in a statement or two, of course the sick child too has his own bit of the story which he does not shy from revealing. After a duration of half an hour, the nurse wraps up the interviews while observing that the family has special concern for their seek child and the problem is shared by both parents. Though they have taken long to disassociate the symptoms with any other condition for example a chronic cough, they readily agree that their family has previously suffered cases of asthma. Interestingly the cases are common in both extended families. The nurse also recognises the willingness of the family as represented in the couple to support their child in the process of medication and healing. The family is also willing to invest time and other resources to ensure that similar health problems do not face the family in future. Family Assessment During subsequent visits, the nurse engages the family in a more vigorous assessment advised and based on the Calgary Family assessment model. For the assessment to take palace as espoused by this model the nurse created a sense of importance to the family attending the session. He built communication link and opened rapport between him and the clients. He encouraged the client to consider themselves as a single unit rather than individuals in the system of family. This was done in education and information sessions which the clients were encouraged to attend either uniquely or a group of clients. The nurse took the earliest moment to explain to the said family about the assessment model he intended to use. When information is given to the client prior to their inquiry on the same, confidence about the system is built and rapid and free information exchange follows. The nurse therefore saw this as opportune. Highlight of the model were given subject to the expressions in Wright, and Leahey, (2002) as categories of family life owing from its structural, developmental and functionality dimensions. Each of these dimensions in respect to this family is discussed below: The structural assessment is meant to identify the composition and connectivity of the family within and without. In other words it explains the internal structure of the family, the external structure and the context which the family finds itself. The family was composed of two married adults in their late thirties and two children all from this marriage. One aged 14 years and the other 8 years, the latter is male and the former female. The father was observed as the head and the bread winner while the mother played a major role of taking care of the children. She also did part time work amounting to twenty hours a week, which means that she was available for the kids most of the time. The sexual orientation among the couple is heterosexual. Any other orientation would be frowned at since the family is catholic. When the father is not at work, he spends his time with the children though the boy has complained to the mother that the dad seems fond of the sister. Except for this, the family can be described as close knit. Externally, the family is related to the grandparents mentioned above. A thanks giving dinner is served at the paternal grandparents home which must be attended by all their children and grandchildren. This home has three siblings. One of them has since moved to Asia for a job with a development agency. He rarely comes to the US and after suffering divorce with his wife, he seems to have cut communications with the family. The old folks are very fond of their grand children. The grand mum even made a point of visiting the sick boy. The family also has family friends most of whom comprise of women who attend the same church. The father does not talk much about friends. He says his nature of work does not allow him much socialisation though he is glad enough to welcome those who appear courtesy of the wife. The children are fond of their classmates. The boy confided to the mother the other night that she was eyeing some girl at school. One of the family’s friends has a daughter with a similar condition which was diagnosed two years ago. The mother has been very helpful in encouraging and sharing her experiences with this family. The context of this family can be summarised as follows: their race is Caucasian, their great grand parents are said to have migrated from England in the early sixteenth century. The father is employed in white collar employment working as an accountant in a securities firm. This leaves his family enjoying a middle class income level. The family lives in a relatively safe neighbourhood free from cases of drug abuse, gangs and other types of lawlessness and children attend public school. As mentioned earlier the family is catholic. At least the mother accompanied by her children go to church every Sunday. Both parents have expressed deep feelings in prayer and hope that God will heal their sick child. During her spare time the mother is occupied in tending a flower garden in the backyard. An inquiry on whether any of the flowers and bushes would be precipitating her child condition leaves her distraught. She does not believe that she would do anything to hurt her children. In so far the developmental dimension is concerned, this family has gone through the typical stages. Sally remembers fondly the first meeting with her in-laws and the kind words she received from Joe’s father. Their wedding was a small church wedding at Sally’s home well attended by their families and friends. During the second year of their marriage, Ralph was born to them. The second child so them wait longer. The gynaecologist they were seeing talked of secondary infertility attributed to Sally but after investigations, Joe sperm count was found low. After treatment and support from Sally, the second child was finally conceived and born through caesarean section. The family is comfortable with these two children. Their aim is to give them the best care and education. There is something else worrying Sally about Ralph other than his ailment. He seems so robust and athletic. In fact he is involved in most athletic competitions in his class and even plays football for the school team. Sally believes that these activities will only worsen his condition. Joe has tried to convince Sally otherwise without success. During our last meeting, which Joe did not attend because of work commitments, Sally explained her dilemma. On my part, I showed her the positive part of her son’s behavior and the fact that exercises would help the healing process. I also explained to her that as an adolescent mother, she ought to provide more space to her children so that they may seek their own identity. Marie is keen to learn music and is taking ballet classes. The children do not come home early any more from school as they used to. May be its time Sally considered a more occupying job as part of her mid life career adjustment. On the other hand, Joe has just been promoted to the position of the chief finance officer. The only time that he seems to have time for the family is only on Sunday. In terms of functional assessment, the family has been rated as highly functional in achieving the routine duties. Children go to school, meals are shared, economics needs are well taken care of, parents report to work on time and they turn up for routine or arranged meeting with friends and medical personnel. Emotional communication is fairly good. The couple look up to each other for emotional support. Joe gave up his drinking so that he could come home early and be with the wife. Sally confided to me that their sex life is fairly active. The children look up to their parents for comfort and support. Sometimes the same comfort can also be sought from grand parent. Verbal communication is quite good. The couple however said it is something they had to work on. They remember during early in their marriage Joe was fond of complaining that Sally was doing all the talking. Frequent phone calls are made to each other during the day. Their children are quite articulate in expressing themselves, a quality they may have taken up from their parents, though uniquely, Marie has been noted to throw tantrums very often until it was discovered that she was having problems with her fourth grade mathematics teacher. Sally is the primary house keeper and it follows that problems of the home appear to her first hand. She has learnt to solve them and consult Joe latter. Sometimes there are differences on how each supposes the problems would be solved. Joe has sometimes complained though tongue in the cheek that Sally may be usurping his powers. Sally is not worried by these remarks. She believes that if every thing else is to run smoothly, then she must try and be in charge which she has fairly succeeded in doing. During one of the visit, Sally remarked that her husbands smoking behavior might have spurred their sons’ illness. I was surprised because their was nothing I had seen in Joe to point to the habit to which she clarified that he had quit smoking after an uncle of his was diagnosed with lung cancer secondary to smoking cigarette. This was when Ralph was three years old. Apparently, no respiratory conditions presented to the boy at that point in time. I also mentioned that Joe should attend a regular check up just to ensure that his health is good. Summary of assessment The assessment discussed above may be summarised as follows: The family operates as close knit system which finds harmony internally and externally even among its extended relatives and friends. This kind of set up is very ideal for promoting its health concerns. The family has adequate resources required to be invested in health management. The only constrained resource might be time since it is spent in acquiring the other resources. In terms of completing its family cycle, progression is seen though the mother of the family need to put more effort to adjusting to the sense that she now is a mother of teenagers and not toddlers. Given that the sick member is a teenager, who spends much time in school, interventions may be directed to the school setting and peers. Expressive functioning is fairly good though there are notable power struggle among the couple and overt attention seeking by the girl. The key weaknesses is that this family has enjoyed fairly good health spell and may not respond as adequately to the required intervention out of taking things for granted. There is also some element of shifting blame for the cause of the diseases afflicting them, therefore, rather than acceptance and problem solving, quality time may be spent in denial and bargaining which do not in anyway ease the disease condition. Facts are also ignored in part in favour of believes and prejudices. Exercises in most cases will aid the healing process rather than deter it. It may seem like common sense until you come face to face with prejudices. Finally, belief in God may help in appositive mind set. All the same the effect of this would have been much better in cases where the adult is suffering because there is greater resolve as opposed to a child or teenager. This summary will form the basis of health promotion strategies adopted in dealing with these case as suggested by Thomlison (2007) and Wright, and Leahey, (2002). Health Promotion Plan The health promotion plan will have the following goals: To incorporate every member of the family within the intervention, To consolidate the health effort into one unit, To meet the health concerns for the family as a unit and not for individual members, and to ensure that the family’s long-term health needs are addressed. According to Thomlison (2007), the health plan should be aimed at promoting, sustaining and improving the dimensions of family life identified above. These goals will be actualised through the following strategies: Organisational commitment This requires that the health institution that fosters the health promotion plan for families provide adequate accompanying resources to aid and facilitate the process. Documentation should be provided, scheduled meeting, locations, and general support from management required. Support should be seen to be given to nurses as well as clients attending the programs. Policies Time should be taken so that sound clear cut policies can be prepared. The promotion plan involves assessment which in itself is passing on information which is highly confidential. Policies should guide the users of this information and protect the giver from misuse and confidentiality breaches. Advocacy Advocacy means going a step further to ensure that the needs of the client and his family are met under the plan. Sometimes clients may need more than medical care, thus food, shelter and so on. Its therefore up to the nurse applying this strategy to ensure that he lobbies for these needs for his respective client. The nurse should also attempt to harness resource available in the family set up where they are currently unavailable in application. Educational resources Information and lack of it about diseases and adjustment to the fact of the disease is one of the greatest impediment. Information should therefore be sourced and disseminated to the families participating in the plan in timely interval. This information will guide decision making and action causing the health plan to succeed. These four strategies are adopted from Nursing Now (1997). Conclusion Of the four strategies highlighted above, the most applicable in building and implementing a health promotion plan for the family discussed above is educational resources since the family needs factual information to reinforce its believes and to spur action. Information will also assure them on how to prevent other health conditions from recurring. Advocacy will also play a part in ensuring that the resources available within the family setting are made available to the health care plan. May be its time Joe committed more resources in making his wife more fruitful career wise other wise the family may end up grappling with more serious and undefined health problems arising from depression. It is expected that the system and establishment will support the plan in terms of policy and infrastructure. Reference Nursing Now (1997). â€Å"Issues and Trend in Canadian Nursing: The Family Connection†. No. 003 September 1997, Canadian Nurses Association. Thomlison, Barbara (2007). Family assessment handbook: An introductory guide to family assessment and intervention (2nd ed. ). Thomson: Belmont, CA. Wright, L. M. , Leahey, M. (2002) Nurses and families: A guide to family assessment and intervention (4th edition). Philadelphia: F. A. Davis.

Drama and Handsome Captain Essay

Coursework Essay: Examine at least THREE dramatic devices used by any TWO playwrights studied in the course and discuss their effectiveness in terms of audience response and/or plot development. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary (n. pag. ), drama can be defined as, â€Å"a composition in verse or prose intended to portray life or character or to tell a story usually involving conflicts and emotions through action and dialogue and typically designed for theatrical performance. † In the two plays that I have selected, drama is definitely a depiction of life. The Ritual by Zeno Obi Constance and Your Handsome Captain by Simone Schwarz-Bart are two of the most phenomenal Caribbean performances that have been composed. They both incorporate evidence of Caribbean background and hold a certain level of credibility for situations that occur in present day society. While perusing these plays, I recognized that they both shared a number of commonalities. Some of the most evident similarities included the dramatic techniques; language, stage directions and recurring imagery. In the play, The Ritual, Constance utilizes language to make a connection with the Caribbean readers and allow them to fully comprehend the message that he is attempting to address, in their own society. It is the claim that Constance remains true to the old speech values of the Caribbean which is in relation to the last bastion of linguistic innovation known as the Calypso. Trinidad English Creole is utilized by the playwright to relate to the themes of anguish and struggle which creates an emotional unity between the audience and the actors. A quote that stood out throughout the play as a form of â€Å"branding† or labeling was, â€Å"all them little women in them school is whore† (Constance, 8). This was lamented by Omega’s mother who was very small-minded and was partially responsible for Omega’s downfall. The language employed by Constance allowed not only Caribbean dwellers to relate to the situations mentioned but also attracted persons from other regions of the world. This production was ranked one of the most performed plays in the forty year history of the Secondary School Drama Festival. Audiences from New York, Europe and the Caribbean exclaim, â€Å"There is a real need for this type of theatre†¦. I saw myself in all the characters- Great theme, great message, innovative and passionate. It made me think and feel. Bravo! † (New perspectives Theatre Company, n. pag. ). Constance believes that the language used to compose ‘The Ritual’ was symbolic as it related to â€Å"black† individuals in schools that were predominantly filled with white students during the 1970’s. He stated that it was a play that â€Å"forced the puritans to look at the pervasiveness of Omega’s situation which was a metaphor for all kinds of dysfunctional parenting and home-making† (Noel, 51). Critics believe that Constance use of language to communicate an abrasive reality and to stimulate rather than reveal on another level, the issues occurring covertly then, ‘The Ritual’ must be perceived as a triumph. Hence, language plays a pivotal role to the success of this production. Similarly, in the play, Your Handsome Captain, Schwarz-Bart utilizes the dramatic device known as language to relate her message in relation to her themes of identity, masculinity, separation and isolation, and labour and inequality. According to the New York Times (n.pag. ), the play, â€Å"relies primarily on its incantatory language and repetitious imagery to create a dream-like portrait of a couple struggling to maintain a long-distance relationship. † As we are well aware of, the script was originally written in French since the playwright is a native of Guadeloupe, however, it was later translated to English by Jessica Harris and Catherine Temerson. In â€Å"Ton Beau Capitaine†, the playwright attempts to illustrate the constrictions of poverty and the measures one must endure for love. Most of the dialogues that occur in the piece are in the form of Standard English. Traditional Haitian dances are choreographed which serves a dramatic function since they express the different moments of an individual drama rather than a collective state of mind. This is believed to be regarded as an additional language since the music and dance are expressive measures taken up by the actors to reveal their emotions. We observe that Wilnor is a very loving and faithful character who is willing to sacrifice in order to provide for his wife. Evidence of this is his migration from Haiti to Guadeloupe, in search of a job to better his state of living for himself and his wife who remained in Haiti. Language is not heavily concentrated upon in this piece, however, the dances, music and repetition of words and phrases like, â€Å"Shriveled-up†, â€Å"Wilnor, how are you? † and â€Å"Handsome Captain†. This illustrated that unlike Constance, Schwarz- Bart explored other mechanics involved with language to show Wilnor’s plight and the importance of the audio-cassette.

EBusiness Opportunity for HK Logistics Ltd. Essay

Company Service and Product: Excellence Logistics Ltd (ELL) is a privately owned logistics company specialising in the delivery of Business-to-business items within throughout Europe. The company was founded in 1992 to provide an efficient logistics service specially targeted to manufacturing firms from their network of suppliers. The emphasis for the company at this initial stage was speed and efficient service as a result of regional efficiency. At start up, the company’s headquarters was in Hong Kong with a regional distribution centre in Shanghai, China. Presently the company has 5 major distribution centres all over the world, however our strategy to be a strong player in the Asian market is still core to our operations.. Our warehouses provided storage and logistics support for our clients which at inception were mostly Chinese companies but have extended throughout the world. Our Warehouse services have continued to be a vital aspect of our business as we support clients who do not wish to own their facilities, a trend which had become popular in the late 1980s. This aspect of the business still represents a significant part of ELL’s revenue. Apart from our warehousing services, ELL is involved in contract logistics services, freight management, and logistics consulting. However, the company extended to the offering logistics support for end products and distribution to our clients’ retail and wholesale outlets which increased our freight handling requiring new skills and expertise. Size and Scope of Influence: The Company’s new goal is to be the premier logistics company serving manufacturing companies globally with a strong base in Asia. ELL’s new goal was to take the company from being seen as a logistics company primarily in the Asian region to being a global player leveraging on the use of technology to do this. The company’s employee figures have also increased from 2,300 to over 4000 within the last 2 years due to our efforts in expansion. Revenue, Ambition, Strengths and Weaknesses: HK’s profit last year was $5.7M after tax as the year marked the beginning of huge investments in technology as a result of the need for the company to be more responsive and to implement major e-commerce and parcel tracking initiatives. The company’s strength in Europe offered it huge benefits and market growth in the region despite stiff challenge from global operators. It however became obvious that the company needs to expand globally in order to benefits its corporate clientele most of whose operations required freights to other continents. This need was very important also as we extended our business to the shipment of end products form our clients to various distributors creating a new challenge. Company’s attitude and goals regarding e-commerce: Last year the company transformed its website into a portal as first steps towards new integrated e-commerce initiatives. The company is now fully aware that this is the way to go to ensure that it benefits its growing customers and stay competitive. The major challenge for ELL is to coordinate its operations and ensure the integration of its services throughout the business from collection to delivery stages. To do this, it was essential to provide real-time visibility of our operations and parcel progress to our clients to ensure efficient management. Section 2: Internet Business Scope The e-commerce Project: As previously explained Excellence Logistics Ltd has evolved a new strategy to position it as a global player through the potential opportunities that e-commerce can provide. This is important because we believe that it will also enhance our ability to collaborate effectively with other global players who will wish to tap into the Asian market. In line with this our warehousing solutions have been enhanced with four new distribution centres to give our growing client base flexibility and wider range of locations closer to their manufacturing plants. This is guaranteed to optimise cost savings, lower liabilities, increased speed-to-market and enhanced freighting and shipment services. Our fulfilment services are aimed at providing specialised services including postponement, inspection, returns and salvage to our clients who require these value-adding services. The increasing importance of Asian companies in global manufacturing supply chain has put ELL in a strategic position and we aim to optimise our advantage. Our Present Position: Our use of technology before this project was not spectacular as with most Asian companies. Like every standard company, we maintained a central database of our operations without the ability to track goods in real time. Information was shared with customers on stock levels on a weekly basis and updating of data was done manually from information received from our customers. Standard EDI transactions included advance ship notice and notice of shipment and payments by our customers was done through electronic funds transfer. This was not good enough and it became obvious that we were loosing customers who wanted to know the condition of their shipments in real time which we presently could not do. It was therefore clear that we would be limited in providing good customer service and could loose most of our valued clients. So this e-commerce project was essentially important to move EEL to the next level in terms of our global strategy Goal Setting and Corporate Communication: The importance of the internet project was clear to management as it was important in the growth of the company and new global initiatives for expansion. However, the huge financial commitments required meant that it had to be effectively explained to shareholders for approval. To do this, an internal team headed by the CIO was set up to articulate the goals and cost of the project. They were also given the responsibility for communicating this to all the stakeholders and drawing up an implementation plan. New Opportunities/Necessary Changes: It was clear that to move forward, e-business was crucial to helping us get real time information necessary for our operational efficiency. The implementation of e-business was mainly driven by the growing demands on our business. This process started with the company streamlining its operations with the intention of transforming itself from a traditional bricks and mortar logistics company to a company using e-commerce and technology strategically to enhance service quality and delivery. It also had become necessary to extend beyond Hong Kong to serve companies in Europe and United States and these regions were increasingly sourcing for products from Asia which was our primary market. Secondly, technological development in the logistics sector had advanced with the possibility of clients being able to ascertain real time locations and condition of their shipment. New software applications implementation meant that we had to expand our IT section and employ more staff. It also meant that we had to downsize in some areas of the company that increasingly became irrelevant. In terms of strategy, the e-commerce project aimed at extending our frontiers giving us the ability to compete on a global scale hence our new positioning to be a global player. The project’s twin focus was: Enhanced Value through Channel Integration: We required the integration of our distribution network with our warehousing and transportation management systems to drive overall freight costs down by consolidating orders for multiple customers.   This integration of systems also provides customers with immediate access to information with reduced order cycle times and transit times insuring that materials are in the right place at the right time. Automated Services through Integrated Technology: Our transportation management service was developed to reduce freight costs and increase on time deliveries. Transportation management services include carrier selection, pricing negotiations, real-time shipment status (via website) and automated communication.   Automated communication includes: exceptions performance management and exception reporting claims resolution reporting Section 3: Knowing the Enemy (3) One critical factor for our internet project as already expressed is the need to catch up with global competition and ensure that we offer our customers what they require. It is clear that our biggest inspiration in terms of competition is Exel, a global company originating from the United States. Exel is a global leader in supply chain management with significant interests in the Middle East and China. The company’s reputable has attracted global companies like Sun Microsystems, Ericsson, Motorola, Hitachi, and Nokia as some of the companies that it services. In a way, our service offerings are similar as we target manufacturing companies as our client base which is similar to what Exel does. Just over three years ago, the company faced a similar situation as what Excellent Logistics now faces; there was need to provide an integrated global supply chain management systems as the company had clients in every continent and serviced their clients from delivering components for manufacture to the distribution of end products. In order to achieve this, the company hired the service of Agilisys to design a web-based supply chain integrator system that aimed at offering their corporate clients an integrated view of inventory and delivery status of goods at every point in time. In the project for Exel, the company listed the deliverables expected from Agilisys as follows: Intelligent interface design to enable re-use of purchase order and inventory data Integration of disparate systems for clients and third-party logistics suppliers Ability to track stock through the entire supply chain In-depth methodology to work on the look and feel of the site Multi-tier messaging architecture, extraction and middleware technologies to enable integration with incompatible systems No doubt, the result of this project was that Exel became more able to respond to their challenges of expansion globally. This project no doubt portrayed Exel as a technologically driven company responsive to providing great services to its customers and increased its market share all over the world. We can surely say, its recent partnership with global giants DHL is a statement of the status Exel has gained over the years as a result of its e-business adoption. Our focus has been explained in section 2 is similar to that of Exel while we desire to ensure that we continue to play a strong role in Asia. The figure below shows the critical areas the e-business project was meant to address: Figure 1: E-business project concepts identified as crucial by collaboration team. Excellence Logistics Ltd. is clearly interested in using this as a relevant pattern in our quest to implement our own e-business initiative. We are conscious of this and have extended our scope with our e-business consultants to include the following: Investigation of the use of RFD technology in logistics as we intend to be one of the first companies to implement this. Integration with third party suppliers like DHL and UPS for extended services and direct deliveries to our clients’ customers. This is very essential in the delivery of end products from our warehouses. It is clear that we are essentially a Business-to-Business logistics company with particular interest in manufacturing firms particularly in the technology sector. Our target customers are likely to have the following characteristics: Be Manufacturing Companies usually in the Technology sector. With significant partnerships and interest in Asian market. Companies requiring specialised logistics services including warehouse facilities. We shall be extremely focused to concentrate on our target sector and to be the best in our sector and will look for opportunities to better understand our customers and their needs. The approach is to ensure full empowerment and information sharing with our customers and partners with constant feedback on possible areas of improvement. Section Four: eBusiness Strategy Project Procedure: To achieve our goals as a company, it is essential to articulate clearly our e-business strategy as a company. Initiation Phase: A cross-functional team headed by the Chief Information Officer (CIO) looks at our needs and in conjunction with our consultants, produce a framework for the project. Planning Phase: This involved communication with management and evolution of a time-table with which the project will be guided and also explaining the process to our partners, staff and clients to understand our aims with the project. An extended collaboration team including representatives from operations, finance, IT, customer service, and human resources department was inaugurated at this stage to help with the process to ensure company-wide participation. Execution Phase: This involves the stage by stage implementation of the project including necessary skills training and workshops. Control Phase: The objective during the control phase is to closely monitor the performance measures agreed to by the collaboration team. Any service exceptions or performance measures not met will be reviewed with the CIO who was the head of the project and reported to management on a monthly basis. Process Improvement Phase: This involved the analysis of the project and improvements on initial design based on any shortcomings found. The objective of this phase is to meet the required service levels as originally agreed for the project. These initiatives will enable us to capitalize on past successes and allow us to take our supply chain to the next level of innovation, to effectively monitor operational capabilities, improve performance levels, measure cost accurately, and develop world-class processes. Supply Chain Strategy: Our Supply Chain Management Strategy is to develop and manage a preferred supply base that enhances the success of our customers and their long term competitiveness. It is now clear that efficient supply chain management clearly impacts on the profitability of our clients. We shall therefore employ the following: Just-in-time supply management. Developing and maintaining long-term client relationships. Strong organizational and process integration to leverage on technology. Reduction in cycle times and reduction of total costs. Global Collaboration and outsourcing to reduce overhead costs. Legal Framework: Legal issues with the e-business project include the following Privacy concerns for individual customers who want to ensure that their data, communication and information is secure. Global trade issues and legislations affecting the industry. Intellectual Property protection. Security of payment transactions. Marketing Strategy: We aim to maximise our new e-business strategy and initiative be deploying online promotions, search engine strategies, co-marketing branding with customers and partners, new media advertisements and global brand development. Section Five: Public Image Organisational Goal: Our primary goal is to be a global logistics provider and the premier logistics company providing specialized services to manufacturing firms with a strong base in Asia. We have however clearly defined four essential areas that this project is focused on with supporting performance measures:  §Ã‚   Improve management efficiency  §Ã‚   Virtual meetings and collaborations.  §Ã‚   Reduced logistics cost  §Ã‚   Increased Time Deliveries  §Ã‚   Reports and event management  §Ã‚   Security and trust issues  §Ã‚   Provide secure login for partners, customers and employees.  §Ã‚   Controlling access levels.  §Ã‚   Better Customer Service  §Ã‚   Provide Online Enquiry  §Ã‚   Online viewing and real-time tracking of parcels.  §Ã‚     Provide remote consultation services  §Ã‚   Online registration and bill payment  §Ã‚   Bigger Participation and Future Opportunities  §Ã‚   For other logistics companies and potential Partners.  §Ã‚   Identifying consolidation opportunities or possible global mergers.  §Ã‚   Supports RFID technology. Our foundation as an efficient and reliable logistics provider is built on the hard work and integrity in our operations which we have emphasized from the inception of the company.   We would continue to utilize this while we aim at being responsive to new technology needs in order to improve our efficiency and keep the trust of our clients. With regards to software capability, it was important that it was customized to meet our specific needs with our focus on a paperless system based on flexibility and reduction in freight costs and increased delivery times. Security and Privacy Issues: The following issues form the framework for our policy on security and privacy issues: Data Protection: This is an important law gaining global attention with regional legislations particularly in the US and European commission. Our goal will be to ensure that all private information is obtained by obtained by fair and lawful means; relevant to the purposes for which they are to be used; should be protected with reasonable security measures to prevent unauthorized access, destruction or modification. Financial Transactions: It is essential that all payments and transfer of money is done securely and that is in line with the company’s goal of transparency and fairness. Intellectual Property: Trademark and intellectual property of our customers will be adequately protected. E-mail and communication: We would use secured e-mail communication and create effective firewalls to protect both incoming and outgoing e-mail. It is essential that communication is sent to the right department and our collaboration software ensures this with the encryption of sensitive communication. Risk Assessment: Clearly the major risk issues is Security and Technical faults . Our desire however is to turn this to a strategic marketing tool by ensuring emphasis on secure transactions. To mitigate these risks, we have done the following We have engaged IBM, a global player and foremost e-business consulting company. Ensuring that Technology used is relevant, secure and flexible to support future business changes. We have put offline software capabilities and procedures to deal with possible downtimes and internet failures. We are aware of lose of revenues by companies due to technical faults and will preempt this. Developed efficient service levels and procedures for timely intervention. Communication Strategy: We would effectively communicate and educate our customers, suppliers and partners as to the effective use of our systems for maximum benefit and ensure that responsibility is taken for our technology. We would emphasise the convenience, efficiency and the interactive experience that our e-commerce initiative provides. Section Six: Information Strategy (2) Information Gathering: As important as technology is, information is the basis and information is essential to make the business successful. As part of the initial process, the company has looked at what information is necessary to ensure we operate efficiently and provide the quality of service that we desire. It is therefore essential that information is carefully designed and assess should be monitored to ensure that it is used only for official purposes. Privacy is very important to also protect confidential information as some of our clients are competitors to each other to ensure that we operate ethically. It is also necessary to ensure proper reporting and performance measurement to enhance the future direction of this project. The figure below shows the major enterprise units and some sample information needs. Figure 2: Our Value Chain As a result of our position in the supply chain business, it is important that we ensure efficient use of information between the interacting organisations and units as shown in the figure above. A typical situation is to get an order from our customers’ manufacturing locations to our central warehouse where the order is confirmed based on inventory availability. Inventory is also automatically connected to our supplier chains who supply components once the set reorder level is reached. This same process occurs with the product retailers and individual customers who order our customer products. The essence is to maintain a just-in-time supply chain that maximises the efficiency of the value chain and reduces cost associated with poor forecast. Whenever a product or component is shipped based on an order, an invoice is automatically issued which is settled through online transactions and transfers. On the other hand, the supply chain system links with the company’s relevant departments particularly the accounts and logistics supports units.    Problems with Information Flow Dealing with different companies in the chain presents bottlenecks that hinder communication. Privacy Constraints and Data Protection differences across countries.    Strategy to enhance Information flow efficiency Work with companies, suppliers and partners who understand the value of efficient Technology and accept our strategy. Build a Customer Service Team to handle Information Keep communications from management to front office staff open at all stages of the project and with implementation. Make Excellence Customer Service the basis of our e-business project. Give ownership to everyone so that all employees can be part of improving the project and contributing to future changes. Section Seven: Future Operation and Development RFID Integration: In the long term, our business strategy is to maximize the opportunities that are available for global partnerships with other logistics providers in areas where we are not too strong, while we provide similar support in our primary area. One major benefit of the project is its suitability and implementation of RFID which is gaining global attention particularly for the logistics sector. We are conscious that this is a trend that will be the standard for the future and with this project have positioned ourselves for its implementation in a year’s time. What makes the RFID technology interesting and important?   Whereas barcodes only identify the product, RFID tags can tell what the product is, where it has been, it’s expiry date and any other information required for the product. This makes information retrieval and access automatic and complete on its own. It’ will produce adequate information about when and where merchandise is manufactured, picked, packed and shipped so that data can be stored, transmitted in real-time and shared with warehouse management, inventory management, financial and other enterprise systems. Another benefit of RFIDs is that, unlike barcodes, RFID tags can be read automatically by electronic readers. Imagine a truck carrying a container full of widgets entering a shipping terminal in China. If the container is equipped with an RFID tag, and the terminal has an RFID sensor network, that container’s whereabouts can be automatically sent to Prime Technologies without the truck ever slowing down. It has the potential to add a substantial amount of visibility into the extended supply chain. The only issue in its implementation is the cost and the fact that it will still take a couple of years before it becomes a global standard. This project has increased the potential of possible collaboration through the use of web services through which data is shared and transmitted to enhance communication between companies. Our positioning to enhance our future strategic goals will be in line with the following: Our initial strategy aimed at expanding globally will result in the implementation of our e-business project that is aimed at ensuring that we can track goods in transit and provide our customers with real-time information. The implementation of RFID to help efficient tracking of parcels and increase our efficiency at warehouses. The four major groups that our company has include: Customers that we provide complete logistics solutions for including shipping, transportation to and from factory. Customers that we provide warehousing services alone. Customers that we provide warehousing and shipping of components and materials to their factories but who handle their own distribution. Customers who handle their own warehousing but leave transportation and logistics to us. It is clear that our e-business project is essential to all these groups but will be more critical to the companies that use our operations completely. We are certain that this will enhance our ability to effectively increase our customer base in all these sectors. Strategy to Enhance Future Value While e-business benefits may be difficult to measure, we will keep working on performance measurement of the project to ensure that value is generated and sustained. That we utilise simple technology that will be easily scalable and flexible to enhance future possible changes using open-source technology as much as possible. Sensitive to cultural and language barriers in the use of technology. Employee participation, training and motivation to make everyone involved in project development. The project must continue to improve convenience, efficiency and security for all users and stakeholders. References Kendra Bonnett, An IBM guide to doing business on the internet. Mcgraw Hill. 2000. Charles Trepper, E-commerce Strategies. Microsoft Press. 2000. Charles Trepper (2000) E-Commerce Strategies. Published by Microsoft Press. 10 – 11, http://www.cio.com/research/scm/edit/012202_scm.html#scm_emerging (assessed February 18) http://www.forfas.ie/publications/ebus_ict_leg02/021029_ebusiness_ict_leg_pressrelease_s.pdf (assessed February 21) http://www.usherproject.org.uk/support/scenarios/legal.pdf