Role of Human Resources in Managing Change Essay

Role of Human Resources in Managing Change - Essay Example Regulations by the government are another major cause of organizational change. When the government imposes new regulations, it may have an impact on the operations of a company. For example, the government could enforce new procedures for safety in factories, forcing the organization to modify their process of production to comply with the new regulations (Change Management Learning Centre 1996). Another example of a regulation that may warrant transformation is if the government mandates organizations dealing in consumer goods to enforce more measures for quality control of the consumers’ safety. These changes warrant a transformation in the modes of operation in the organization. Another cause of revolution in the organization is increased competition. New entrants into the market could, for example, create an influx of competition, causing pre-existing organizations to implement change in their marketing strategies (Kim & Hong 2006). An example of this is when, say a big r etail store opens in an area where a small one has existed primarily over a long period; the small store could change their marketing strategies. This, the store owners have to do in a way that increases the appeal to customers over the newly opened store. The final cause of change is the desire of an organization to grow. Stagnation is a cause of concern in any business or company, and could be detrimental to any positive progress by the company. Therefore, organizations that wish to grow have to change their operation tactics (Change Management Learning Centre 1996; Steir 1999). One of the ways in which this is achieved is through franchising the organization operations to...This paper discusses the role of human resources in organizational change. The discussion will look at the possible catalysts for change in the organization, resistance to the change from within the organization, and finally the part that the HR plays in the implementation of changes. The world today has creat ed a situation whereby, the systems that govern the operations of organizations are constantly changing. As productivity increases, there has been an evolution in the world of technology, sometimes creating the need for organizations to adjust and adopt the use of certain kinds of technology to avoid lagging behind. With a constantly evolving society and fluctuating demand for products and services, whether new or pre-existing, it is mandatory that organizations change their mode of operation if they are to remain competitive. It is survival for the fittest, as the organizations that remain most dynamic and receptive to change are the ones that continue to flourish in the market. Several factors may lead to a situation where the business re-evaluates its dealings. The first factor that acts as a catalyst for change in the organization is the change in, or introduction of, new and efficient technology. As productivity increases, there has been an evolution in the world of technology, sometimes creating the need for organizations to adjust and adopt the use of certain kinds of technology to avoid lagging behind. The process of change occurs in several manageable stages, in which incorporating the HR save the top management great deals of confusion and resistance.

Critically evaluate budgeting as a tool for planning and control Essay

Critically evaluate budgeting as a tool for planning and control - Essay Example According to them, not only is budgeting a time consuming undertaking, it also is prone to manipulation by the management. Proponents of the budgeting process hold that it is only through budgeting process that firms can achieve proper financial planning. Despite having its advantages, budgeting has its disadvantages too. This paper aims at evaluating the pros and cons of budgeting, with reference to previous research done by different authors. Libby & Lindsay agree that budgeting has its own advantages and disadvantages. According to Libby and Lindsay, most organizations find budgeting as an important key in managing their control systems. Budgeting plays a number of major roles to the management in fulfilling their managerial roles in an organization. Through budgeting, coordination, communication, as well as performance evaluation of an organization is possible. Consistently, and over a long time, external evaluators have used the budget as a measure of organizational performance. The ability of the organization to meet its budgetary commitments determines the organization’s performance. Although in some regions, budgeting has lost meaning, in others, such as North America, it is still a very important element of management control. While many financial experts agree on the need for adopting better budgeting methods, organizations believe that budgeting is an internal process, developed by the individual organization and the management. The fact that budgets are a means of communicating in the organization, and ensuring coordination within the organization makes the budget a very important managerial element. Therefore, organizations cannot do away with them completely. Internal as well as external communication of an organization is an important element of organizational success. Although some managers believe that budgeting is an outdated process, there are organizations that attribute their performance to their budgeting process. Libby & Lindsay (2 007, p. 48) suggests that the efficiency of budgets to an organization in achieving its goals and objectives determines the perception of the budgeting process to an organization. Some believe that budgeting is a normal process, with little or no significance ion the performance of the organization. on the other hand, there are some that believe that without budgeting, achieving organizational goals and performance is unlikely. Therefore, it is the duty of the management to determine the contribution of budgeting to its organization’s goals. Vaznoniene & Stonciuviene (2012, p. 158) argue that budgets play a big role not only in the harmonization of business activities and enhancing cooperation between business units, but also in the delegation of duties and allocation of incurred expenses. According to Vaznoniene & Stonciuviene (2012, p. 160), while some of the organizations believe that budgets only act as a means of evaluating staff performance, they also act in supporting internal control systems of the organization. Jehle does not believe that budgeting as a process has lost its significance altogether. Despite the challenges that it faces, it remains a key factor in the success of the organization. Jehle argues that good managers know the advantages of having a good budget, which is not just consolidating the numbers (1999, p. 56). A good budget according to him is a roadmap, which can guide the company to achieving a competitive advantage. Since

Personnel Management And Human Resource Management Commerce Essay

Personnel Management And Human Resource Management Commerce Essay As per the senior managements comment in the meeting: Our Company is suffering in the marketplace, as we take a personal management approach rather than a HRM approach. Report to answer Managers query: This report has been designed in order to enable the line manager to address the issue raised in the management meeting. What we understand from the managements comments is that our new store of TESCO Company is facing lot of issues and competition at the new market place. Similarities and differences between HRM and personal management? Why senior management of TESCO feels that our new store should take a HRM approach instead of a personal management approach? Personnel management expands into human resource management. In general terms, Personnel management is considered to be an administrative function of an organization. Personnel management is supposed to be organized in such a way that any changes in the organisation stimulate response from personnel management. In an organisation, a person or a team of individuals are believed to be engaged in the process of Personnel management, when they become in charge of considering programs and making sure setting policies are appropriately set so that it can have an impact on every individual associated with the company and its performance. Objective of personnel Management: By this we mean that the focus point through which personnel management is helping in development of the people in the organisation. These objectives can be divided in 4 types: community Personnel Project Amalgamation What is an excellent personnel management: Characteristics of personnel management when it is considered to be excellent has been listed below: Personnel management is expected to bring stability Personnel management should be adaptable and capable to encounter any issue Employee relation management Should have a set objective for the department or the organization Functions of Personnel Management: Following are some of the functions of Personnel Management: Assessing employees requirement Hiring employees Screening of the applicants Selecting the applicants Orientation of the new hired employees towards business 1. 1 Definition of Human Resource Management (HRM)? As per Human resource management, employees are considered the most valuable assets of an organisation. HRM is considered as a development function of an organization. Objectives of Human resource management: Management of the manpower in any company or organisation is human resource management. The main objective of HRM is to increase the efficiency and performance of the employees, staff and other department by identifying the job requirements and hiring the appropriate candidate for that post. This has both development and implementation of strategy. What is good human resource management: HRM is considered to be resource centered. The main functions of HRM are listed below, Recruiting employees Development of training programs Implementation of trusted appraisal system Provide growth opportunity in organisation Performance management HR planning Employee retention Implementation of new resources to increase efficiency of employee etc 1.3 Similarities and differences between HRM and personnel management In this part we will cover some of the similarities and differences between Personnel management and Human resource management. Similarity between HRM and Personnel Management: Even though most of the people try to evaluate the difference between HRM and Personnel management, there are lots of the similarities between these two management systems: Both work on business based strategies Both HRM and Personnel management understands the responsibility of a manager Both believe is getting right candidate for right job Both understand that interaction with employees is the key for the success of management Differences between HRM and personnel management: Stephen and Keith in their works mention Storey Js (1992 twenty seven points of difference between Personnel management and HRM, of which some key differences are: 27 points of difference Dimension Personnel Strategic aspects Key relations Labor management Initiatives Piecemeal Speed of excision Slow Line Management Management Transactional Key managers Personnel/ IR specialists Communication Indirect Key levers Selection Separate, marginal task Pay Job evaluation Communication Restricted flow Conflict handling Reach temporary truces HRM is more proactive when compared to personnel management Personnel management is in general operational whereas HRM is strategy based Personnel management focuses in workforce whereas Human resource on resource. As per personnel management employee is supposed to be utilized for companys benefits but in human resource management, not only the company but also the employee, their family should be given the benefits. In personnel management, employee is considered to be the cost center, whereas in human resource management, they are considered as profit centers Function Personnel Management HRM Approach Administrative Development Selection Targets the current needs Targets the trainability and retention Deployment Need based Skill based Performance Review Supervisor oriented Pre defined targets and goals. Aims for transparency Promotions Based on performance and need Pre developed career path 1.4 Why Senior management TESCO feels that our new store should take a HRM approach instead of a personal management approach? Comments say: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦that our company is suffering in the marketplace, as we take a personal management approach rather than a HRM approach. At first when we go through the senior managements comments, we dont see any details regarding the reason which has provoked the management to pass this comment. Even though we can clear understand that there is a serious issue that our new store or company is facing in the marketplace. As mentioned earlier reason for the poor performance has not been highlighted in the comment. Based on our assumption we can consider the problems related to staff turnover, customer handling, job satisfaction, etc. The other reason can be that the customers coming to the store are getting poor service and minimal attention to their needs. So based on this we can consider the issue to be the employee management. We know that if the staff performance is not up to the mark, it has a direct impact on the status of the TESCO Company and their other stores as well. The senior management might having the opinion that since this a new store with lots of challenging situation, it required development work. As per the managements comment, we can understand that if we want our store to be successful in the marketplace, we need to start working based on Human resource management. Task 2. Recruitment, selection and retention (L01) We all know that TESCO has both food and non-food store across United Kingdom, and they keep on recruiting staff members on regular basis for these stores as per the requirement. Use of appropriate hiring and selection process not only saves valuable amount of time as well as cash of the company. Any job position becomes available in a company: Opening of new stores Vacancies Sudden requirement at some store 2.1.1 Recruitment and Selection Procedures Usually we will see people getting confused with the terms recruitment and selection. In this section we will clearly explain the difference between Recruitment and Selection process. The HR process has two stages: Recruitment: The process of finding the correct candidates and encouraging them to apply for jobs vacancies in the company is called Recruitment process. Recruitment process involves seven steps: Job vacancies identification Preparing and consolidating specific job requirement Job advertisement Managing the responses received through the advertisement Short-listing the candidates Arranging interviews for the short-listed candidates Conducting interview and deciding on the right applicant There are two methods through which recruitment of an employee can be done: Internal recruitment: Internal recruitment is nothing but Transfers, promotions and Re-employment of ex-employee. This is performed internally in a company External recruitment: In this people are invited to fill in the job application and attend interview. This is outside the company means all the appropriate candidates can apply for the job posting. Recruitment mainly helps company in 4 different ways: Opting for highly qualified people for the job Making sure candidate stick for long time with the company Creating cultural mixture Expense and profit equalizing Selection: Selection is the process of selecting the right candidate out of all the picked candidates. This process involves lot of phases through which an applicant goes through before selection. This is a critical step as in this process the right applicants is selected as per the job opening available in the company. There are four likely out comes of Selection process: Selection of the right applicant (positive for company) Rejection of unsuitable applicant (positive for company) Selection of reject-able applicant (negative for company) Rejection of appropriate candidate (negative for company) Selection process takes place in the following order: Initial interview Application filling Verbal and written test Interview with HR manager Handover of Appointment letter 2.1.2 Tescos Recruitment and selection process TESCO- The biggest private sector employer in United Kingdom There are lot of people who are part of these stores and they are Checkout staffs, Stock handlers, Supervisors and specialist like bakers, pharmacist etc. The Recruitment process in TESCO can be summarized as follows: As Tesco recruitment is mainly done through there website or through job advertisement regarding the vacancies available at the store. This site contains all the information about the company and the requirements for the particular job vacancy. Usually TESCO site is uploaded with all the job vacancies and the candidates just need to search the appropriate job by using search option. One the application is filled, the candidate is called for interview based on screening. Any company first checks on the list of the current employees at different stores and there past work experience at store. As per qualification, education and previous job experiences, initially the candidates will be filtered. Line manager will make sure suitable candidate is selected for our new store. 2.2.3 Sample interview questionnaire: Below are some of the questions asked in interviews; Why do you want to join TESCO? What are reasons for you to leave your previous job? Tell us something about your strengths? What do you consider as your weakness? Are you good at handling work related pressure and stress? What salary expectation you have? Tell us something about yourself? What is your qualification? Tell us something about your previous experiences? What are your expectations from Managers and Team leaders? 2.2 Retention Employees or the staff members are like the back bone for company. No company can work without staff skillful staff members. Commonly employee dissatisfaction leads to resignation, hence as far as employee satisfaction is concerned; being manager of a new store, the responsibility is to achieve not only customer satisfaction but also as employees satisfaction. Employee Retention is created by Effective Managers. As recruiting a skillful staff member is difficult same way retaining them is lot more challenging. Employesses in any company expect compensation, good working environment, career growth and good working relationship. Employees tend to leave managers who cant: Clarify issues Assist in career growth Give regular performance based feedback One way of keeping your cost down will be to make sure that staff turnover is low. 2.2.1 Why Staff leaves the job? In this section we will take a look at some of the reasons that provoke an employee to leave their current job: New job: Every person looks out for better opportunity if they are not finding one their current job. Higher Salaries: This is most common reason for any staff member to leave the job Poor management Human Resources department response to employees Communication Work environment Job satisfaction No growth Biased 2.2.2 Method to retain the Staff members Following are some of the suggestion to increase Staff retention: Recruit people who have talent, ability and ready to work in any position Provide benefits like life insurance, permanent or temporary disability insurance and flexible hours. Regular feedback session based on performance Growth opportunity Celebration at workplace Proper appraisal system Regular appreciation Good work environment Should provide work and life balance opportunity Regularly address is staff issues 2.3 Legal and Ethical Issues in Recruitment Recruitment process is not simple as it sounds. Lot of legal and ethical issues needs to be kept in mind during this process. To meet legal requirement company needs to make sure that Job postings, inspecting references, interview questionnaire, and job offers all need to be done in appropriate way. As per BC Human Rights Code (Discrimination in employment advertisements), a job should not be published if it gives preference to the following: Race/Cast Color Heritage Place of origin Religious conviction Marital category Belief involving politics Family status Age Psychological disability Physical Religious conviction Any applicant can take legal action against the company if the question is in appropriate. In order to keep the staff members aware of the legal and ethical issue pertaining to company, the store manager can provide a handbook once the candidate is selected. An employer should always be ready with the appropriate documents supporting that the job requirements are legal and not against the ethics of the company. 3. Disciplinary Procedures 3.1 Introduction The main focus of implementation of disciplinary process is to bring out improvement in an employee or staff member. Implementation of Disciplinary procedure is very important in any work place. A staff member needs to be aware that when ever there is something going wrong, it was an end result. Whenever any employee breaks policies of the company or doesnt work to their expectation, disciplinary procedures is administered. Usually disciplinary procedure is applied when a staff members performance is below expectation or not up to the mark. Before an appropriate action can be taken disciplinary procedure demands an explanation of the issue from both the sides. There are two ways of handling these situations Informal and formal. An informal step involves talking to the staff personally and internally but a formal step involves other departments like HRM. There are different methods in application of discipline like Warning (verbal or written), Probation, Suspension/ transfer, Demotion, Discharge Below mentioned the issues that have been observed recently in the Store will give a clear understanding about disciplinary procedure: 3.2 Paul Wilkinson Coming late and leaving early Issue: Paul Wilkinson a 44 year old supervisor has recently been coming to work late and leaving early. You have already spoken to him about this, but unfortunately the situation hasnt improved. In this case, Supervisor is expected to be extremely punctual as they act as role models for the new staff. As this is a repeated offence from Pauls side, initially he was given verbal warning but as the situation has not improved, he will be given a written warning. Try to speak to him and offer him some other shift in which he can work with commitment without compromising on the time. Putting him on probation can also a an option. Transferring him another store is just waste of time and cash. It will only hamper other stores performance and reputation as well. Depending on seriousness of the offense, next time can lead in his demotion or removal from the job. To better understand Pauls recent activity, we need to know if He is facing any family or personal issue pertaining to time of work. Is he no longer happy working at the store Reason for his dissatisfaction if any 3.3 Sheena Johnson Stealing in the Store Issue: Sheena Johnson is 28 and a machine operator in the department. You have been informed that security found her stealing some finished and part-finished items from the department. She has been told to report to you at 9 a.m. tomorrow morning. In this case; In Sheenas case, legal action is necessary to be taken to handle this issue. In any industry or organization stealing is against the ethics of the store and legal action can be taken depending on the seriousness of the offence. Being a manager, I need to make sure that this offence is not repeated either by Sheena or anyone else. If this information becomes public, customer will not come into the store as they wont find their articles safe. Before taking legal actions, immediate terminate Sheena from her post and clear the accounts. Order her to return back all the articles stolen from the shop or pay compensation. Other information needed to understand Sheenas activity is From when she has started stealing Possible reason behind this act 4. Summary Management is getting all different kinds of people together and work as a team. We know that the management of personnel and human resource has been changing periodically. Stability in business is important and human resource management and personnel management has an important role to play. Through the above task we have got a clear understanding of how personnel management differs from human resource management as well as similar to each other. Through the report development, we will help the line manager to address the issue pertaining to the new store at the market place. We have discussed how Tesco has been of selecting right candidate through appropriate recruitment and selection process. We discussed about the reasons for the staff members to leave the job and the retention methods that are implemented to retain the skillful employees.

Freedom of Choice in Steinbecks East of Eden Essay -- John Steinbeck

Our circumstances do not determine our lives. Instead, our lives are determined by our choices. That is not to say that our lives are not impacted by the country in which we were born, the family which we were born to, or the tragedies which touched our lives. We are given a choice of how we respond to those things, and the power of choice means that the lessons and value of our lives is not determined by outside influences, but instead it is determined by our reaction to those influences. In the novel, East of Eden by John Steinbeck theorizes that all individuals have the freedom to make choices in order to triumph over evil. Steinbeck demonstrates this by his use of the word timshel, the word, which translates to â€Å"thou mayest,† is used in the story of Cain and Abel in the Bible. God t... Freedom of Choice in Steinbeck's East of Eden Essay -- John Steinbeck Our circumstances do not determine our lives. Instead, our lives are determined by our choices. That is not to say that our lives are not impacted by the country in which we were born, the family which we were born to, or the tragedies which touched our lives. We are given a choice of how we respond to those things, and the power of choice means that the lessons and value of our lives is not determined by outside influences, but instead it is determined by our reaction to those influences. In the novel, East of Eden by John Steinbeck theorizes that all individuals have the freedom to make choices in order to triumph over evil. Steinbeck demonstrates this by his use of the word timshel, the word, which translates to â€Å"thou mayest,† is used in the story of Cain and Abel in the Bible. God t...

The World is Flat †Thomas Friedman

1. Do you agree or disagree with Friedman’s assessment that the world is flat? Be sure to justify your answer I agree with Friedman that technology has made the world flat. But there is another point of view disagree with Friedman stating that there are still many people that do not have access to technology and for them the world is still round.2. What are the potential impacts of a flat world for a student performing a job search? In a flat world it is far more difficult to get a job because competition will be increasing at an incredible rate. There are currently 1 billion people online in 2006. It is anticipated that 4 billion people will be online by 2010. As the next 3 billion people come online in the next 4 years competition is going to dramatically increase. But the truth is that Students can now perform a global job search right from their apartment. A student in Chicago can accept a job in Tokyo and never leave the apartment, even when the job starts.3. What can stu dents do to prepare themselves for competing in a flat world? Businesses operate using technology and understanding how business and technology relate will help them achieve success. They can use it as advantage in their completion. And they will gain more skills and learn new ideas4. Identify a current flattener not mentioned on Friedman’s list Videophones and collaboration tools allowing people to meet face-to-face even when they are in different parts of the world Technologies such as Voice-over-IP that offer a cheap alternative to traditional long-distance carriers

Causes and Ways to Reduce Fatal Accidents

Accidents involving fatalities during the festive seasons has increased drastically. We should take this as a serious matter as it brings a lot of negative impacts to the road users and people around us. Based on a survey which has been conducted recently, the number of road accidents in 2013 has increased about 25 percent compared to last few years. Authorities believe that the number of death toll in road accidents will increase continuously throughout the year if there is no strict rules are imposed.There are many reasons why there has been an increase in fatal accidents over the year. Firstly, drunk drinking is the main reason that causes road accidents. Intake of certain amount of alcoholic drinks will make one feel unconscious and unwell. When he or she lapses into unconsciousness, he or she might not be able to drive with a sober mind. This is because their mental power is unable to function well at that moment and they tend to lose their senses as well . Besides that, neglige nce and reckless driving also cause fatal accidents.Reckless rivers usually like to break rules and even tend to challenge the police officers. Some the drivers like to tail along ambulances during emergency cases when the siren is on. Those are the irresponsible road users that should be suspended or fined . On the other hand, talking or messaging on the mobile phones while during driving is Jeopardizing your own life and the lives of your loved ones. People like to use their phones to chat incessantly and keep looking at their phones every second. Sometimes, we should limit oneself not overuse it especially when you are driving.Road users should always be caution and pay full attention while behind the wheels. In addition, exhaustion and tiredness can cause road tragedy. When a person travels long distance to reach the respective destinations, they will feel drowsy and exhausted which make them to lose focus on driving. Some of them even fall asleep behind the steering wheel. In o rder to avoid any untoward tragedy, one should get enough rest before starting your Jorney. Also, do not take any medicine while driving on the road. There are many ways to overcome the fatal incidents.Government should remind all road users to always adhere to speed limit and not to beat the red light. Observation of traffic rules and regulations will ensure a safe Journey. Government should also launch some campaigns in order to develop awareness among the motorists. In a nutshell, all parties should play their parts efficiently in order to reduce the road accidents. A I Malaysian drivers are urged to practice courtesy and consideration at all times while on the road because millions of vehicles will be sharing the same road. Remember, better to be safe than sorry.

Managing People and Organization

Managing People and Organization Abstract Sweeping changes threaten to make yesterday’s managers outdated while an awareness of the changes and how to take advantage of them offer tomorrow’s managers countless opportunities. From the extensive research on corporate culture, the challenges and barriers facing new managers wishing to change an existing organizational culture are identified.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Managing People and Organization specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More These managers are vulnerable to different environments, national cultures, organizational trends and organizational behaviors adopted in particular firms. Embedded in this research is the fact that people enter into organizations carrying cultures of the surrounding communities that also influence the existing corporate cultures. As a matter of fact therefore, the managers are tasked with learning the societal cultures especially when most of the firms h ave internationalized their operations. This paper points out that the changing social and cultural environments are exposing managers to numerous challenges related to organizational culture. A manager seeking to change an already changing culture has the responsibility of shifting the changes towards the core initiative. It is noted that the force of nature exerts much pressure on organizations to the disadvantage of management initiatives. That is, if globalization is the trend towards winning competitive advantages, managers have no other option but to develop a culture that responds to such changes. Again, if technology adoption is the answer to successful business, then it must be a priority to the management. Unfortunately, very few corporate cultures will support such initiatives and hence high resistance towards such changes. This paper provides an extensive discussion on the difficulty of changing an existing culture that is characterized by developmental changes over time . Introduction Sweeping changes threaten to make yesterday’s managers outdated. However, an awareness of the changes and how to take advantage of them offer tomorrow’s managers countless opportunities. Even though the nature of managerial function varies across organizations and changes continually, one general thread pervades nearly all managerial activities: interacting with different people. Therefore, the behavior of people and management process in firms are clearly intertwined (Scheffknecht, 2011, p.76). This paper relates the wider field of management to the specific area of organizational culture. It argues that a new leader coming into an organization will have a difficulty in changing an existing organizational culture. In that respect, the paper explores the three important environments that are considered important in changing organizational culture: social and cultural environment, global environment and technological environment.Advertising Lookin g for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Social and cultural environment Organizational culture and the general social and cultural environments can be considered to interlock in that people enter organizations from surrounding societies and bring their culture and social life with them. Therefore, the changing social and cultural environment influences corporate culture and is a big challenge to managers endeavoring to change the culture. Forces in this environment are those that effect changes in how people live and work. Mohanty and Rath (2012) think that managers must be responsive to those changes that take place in the surrounding societies as they affect all aspects of corporate culture, yet new managers will have little knowledge about those changes. For instance, new leaders are tasked with the development of corporate ethics and well-being in order to initiate change. Sims (2009) consider s corporate ethics as one element of corporate culture that is hard to change, as ethics are defined differently by individual organizations. No wonder huge ethical scandals such as Enron and Hewlett-Packard have plagued hundreds of United States firms. Unethical behaviors damages firm’s reputation and cost the firm the goodwill of employees and customers. Moreover, the losses could lead to financial and economic damage of the firm. Managers who wish to change such a culture are required to establish an ethical code that defines acceptable behaviors and develop a framework of rewards and punishments to implement ethical codes. However, to some firms, social or ethical responsibility means doing any action provided that it is legal. In such a culture, developing a code of ethics that helps the firm to protect their reputation and ensure the goodwill of employees and customers is hard for a newcomer. As Sims (2009) notes the challenge is to build an organizational culture where members oppose the temptation to act in ethical manners that promote individual interests at the cost of the firm or promote the interest of the firm at the cost of the society. Indeed, many executives have been unable to take effective measures when confronted by an ethical scandal. For example, Citigroup suffered dearly from a scandal and the executives could only chose corporate silence in order to maintain the reputation of the company (York, Gumbus and Lilley, 2009). Workforce diversity is also a big challenge to managers wishing to change an existing organizational culture. In as much as an organization is legally and socially committed, it must include employees from different diverse environments. However, some organizations are not sensitive to the diversity issue while others have overemphasized on the issue. As a matter of fact, the number of women and minorities being hired by firms is increasing.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Managing People and Organization specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The demographic composition of workers has changed considerably as more female workers and minorities enter the workforce. This means that new managers must address this factor when changing organizational culture. Studies have shown that workforce diversity is an important resource to improve performance and that quality of decision making is richer and broader in terms of diverse employees (Moran, Harris Moran, 2010). While this is an important consideration to managers, some existing organizational cultures discourage such efforts to an extent of justifying that diversification lowers the quality of management. Such believe makes it difficult for managers to change the culture as it requires the commitment of both the manager and employees. Global environment The global business environment is changing drastically thus requiring new approaches to business (Brakman, 2006, p.9). Apart from the changes in regulations, diversity and consumer behaviors, the global economic factors have experienced significant economic changes thus influencing organization cultures greatly. For many organizations, the focus is to create a culture that might improve competitive advantages and eventually the profitability in a threatening economic environment. Therefore, the organizational cultures that are witnessed today have nothing to do with the traditional emphasis on aligning corporate cultures with national cultures. Firms including small-to-medium enterprises (SME) are internationalizing their operations in search for business opportunities (Schuler, 2000). As a matter of fact, today’s managers are challenged by a myriad of factors stemming from the changing global environment. First, as noted earlier, cultural differences influence corporate culture in different countries. Management functions directed to corporate culture become more complex as the firm’s activitie s expand internationally, and coordination of organizational and decision-making issues becomes significantly difficult (Moran, Harris Moran, 2010). Managers fight in vain to create a corporate culture that balances between the needs of the foreign markets and the impact of the cultural disparities on important organization issues such as evaluation, compensation packages and promotion policies. Second, understanding global difference is a challenge to new managers in appreciating the changing global environment. There are issues related to understanding corporate behavior in diverse global settings. Corporate culture becomes especially complicated at global level since desires, attitudes and values of employees differ across countries (Moran, Harris Moran, 2010).Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Again, the issues of coordinating activities to match organizational environment become more complicated as firms expand internationally. In addition, many organizations are locating in a specific region because this permits them to increase efficiency, but in this manner, also affects on corporate culture. Third, global learning or the process of attaining and learning the knowledge, skills and corporate behaviors that have helped organizations abroad to become strongly positioned in the global market is also a challenge to new managers. For this challenge, managers will be required to create a corporate culture that might allow the firm to rotate employees to other foreign operations in order to learn the opportunities and problems that lie overseas. Apparently, this is difficult for the managers and costly to the firm. No wonder many researches on expatriation have pointed the key challenge to successful expatriation as the capacity of the organization to create a culture that ar ms the employees with the necessary skills and knowledge to fit in foreign cultures (du Plessis Beaver, 2008; Franke Nicholson, 2002). Technological environment One element of organizational culture that firms have focused on is innovation. Almost every organization creates a culture that might make the employees more creative. The most significant driver to innovation is information technology (IT) and its integration in business operations. In as much as IT is important to organizational activities, it poses a major challenge to today’s managers (Cronley Patterson, 2010). They have no other alternative but to involve IT when changing the organizational culture. In order to promote organizational learning and create knowledge, they must use IT to define, acquire, arrange, organize, input, manipulate, transmit and store information. Organizational learning can only occur if the employees can manage knowledge and information to attain a better understanding of the need to c hange. Regarding technology Melitski, Gavin and Joanne (2010) shed a light on organizational culture and its adoption. According to them, organizations are increasingly operating in uncertain, decentralized, networked environments, where adoption of IT has become essential to organizational change (p.546). Indeed, organizational cultures institutionary shape the way in which firms choose to use technology. The researchers also showed that there are environmental factors which influence employee’s willingness to adopt new technology (p.563). When the organizational culture is supportive, the probability of adoption is substantially higher. Employees who work in firms where work is well organized, their opinions are considered and they are well informed about the relevant issues in the firm will likely be more willing to adopt new technologies. Unfortunately, many organizations do not have a supportive culture that can enhance the willingness of employees to adopt new technolog ies. Recently, changes in organization culture have taken many directions with respect to technology, work and employment relationships. Technology adoption has been associated with downsizing, the growth of temporary workers or contingents, outsourcing and employees no longer spending their full careers with one firm. As a result, new managers have to work with employees whose confidence with the firm is fainted by changes taking place within and hence are likely to resist change. Conclusion Organizational culture change means changing the corporate philosophy, the values and images that tell action and this new approach to understanding the corporate life must be passed into the process of management. The reason why it is difficult to implement change of an existing culture lies in the challenges posed by changes in global, technological, social and cultural environments. References Brakman, S 2006, Nations and firms in the global economy: an introduction to international economic s and business. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. Cronley, C Patterson, D 2010, â€Å"How well does it fit? An organizational culture approach to assessing technology use among homeless service providers.† Administration in Social Work, vol. 34 no. 3, pp.286-303. du Plessis, A Beaver, B 2008, â€Å"The changing role of human resource managers for international assignments.† International Review of Business Research Papers, vol.4 no.5, pp.166-181. Franke, J Nicholson, N 2002, â€Å"Who shall we send? Cultural and other influences on the rating of selection criteria for expatriate assignments.† International Journal of Cross Cultural Management, vol. 2 no.1, pp. 21-36. Melitski, J, Gavin, D Gavin, J 2010, â€Å"Technology adoption and organizational culture in public organizations.† International Journal of Organization Theory Behavior, vol. 13 no. 4, pp.546-568. Mohanty, J Rath, B 2012, â€Å"Influence of organizational culture on organizationa l citizenship behavior.† Global Journal of Business Research, vol.6 no.1, pp.65-76. Moran, R, Harris, P Moran, S 2010, Managing Cultural Differences: Global Leadership Strategies for Cross-Cultural Business Success. Routledge, New York. Scheffknecht, S 2011, â€Å"Multinational enterprise-organizational culture vs. national culture.† International Journal of Management Cases, vol. 13 no. 4, pp.73-78. Schuler, R 2000, â€Å"The internationalization of human resource management.† Journal of International Management, vol.6 no.8, pp.239-260. Sims, R 2009, â€Å"Toward a better understanding of organizational efforts to rebuild reputation following and ethical scandal.† Journal of Business Ethics, vol.90 no. 4, pp.453-472. York, C, Gumbus, A Lilley, S 2008, â€Å"Reading the tea leaves-Did Citigroup risk their reputation during 2004-2005?† Business and Society Review, vol.113 no.4, pp.199-225.

Ancient Spartan Public Education

Ancient Spartan Public Education T. Rutherford Harley (The Public School of Sparta, Greece Rome, Vol. 3, No. 9 (May 1934) pp. 129-139.) uses Xenophons Polity of Lacedaemon, the Hellenica, and Plutarchs Lycurgus for evidence of the Spartan education system. The following is a summary of the relevant sections of his article with a few more recent references. Upbringing of Children to Age 7 A child deemed worth raising is given to its mother to be cared for until the age of 7, although during the day, it accompanies its father to the syssitia (dining clubs) where it sits on the floor picking up Spartan customs by osmosis. Lycurgus instituted the practice of appointing a state officer, the paidonomos, who puts children in school, supervises and punishes. Children are barefoot to encourage them to move swiftly, and they are encouraged to learn to withstand the elements by having only one outfit. Children are never satiated with food or fed fancy dishes. Schooling of 7-Year-Old Boys At the age of 7, the paidonomos organized the boys into divisions of about 60 each called ilae. These were groups of peers of the same age. Most of their time was spent in this company, according to Figueira. The ilae were under the supervision of an eiren (iren) aged about 20, at whose house the ilae ate. If the boys wanted more food, they went on hunts or raids. So seriously did the Lacedaemonian children go about their stealing, that a youth, having stolen a young fox and hid it under his coat, suffered it to tear out his very bowels with its teeth and claws, and died upon the place, rather than let it be seen.From Plutarchs Life of Lycurgus After dinner, the boys sing songs of war, history, and morality or the eiren quizzes them, training their memory, logic, and ability to speak laconically. The Iren, or under-master, used to stay a little with them after supper, and one of them he bade to sing a song, to another he put a question which required an advised and deliberate answer; for example, Who was the best man in the city? What he thought of such an action of such a man? They used them thus early to pass a right judgment upon persons and things, and to inform themselves of the abilities or defects of their countrymen. If they had not an answer ready to the question Who was a good or who an ill-reputed citizen, they were looked upon as of a dull and careless disposition, and to have little or no sense of virtue and honor; besides this, they were to give a good reason for what they said, and in as few words and as comprehensive as might be; he that failed of this, or answered not to the purpose, had his thumb bit by his master. Sometimes the Iren did this in the presence of the old men and magistrates, that they might see whether he punished them justly and in due measu re or not; and when he did amiss, they would not reprove him before the boys, but, when they were gone, he was called to an account and underwent correction, if he had run far into either of the extremes of indulgence or severity.From Plutarchs Life of Lycurgus Spartan Literacy It is not clear whether they learn to read. [For more on the issue of literacy in Sparta, see Whitley and Cartledge.] Physical Training The boys play ball games, ride, and swim. They sleep on reeds and suffer floggings silently, or they suffer again. Spartans study dance as a kind of gymnastic training for war dances as for wrestling. This was so central that Sparta was known as a dancing place from Homeric times. [For more on the importance of dancing in Sparta, see Dionysiac Elements in Spartan Cult Dances, by Soteroula Constantinidou. Phoenix, Vol. 52, No. 1/2. (Spring - Summer, 1998), pp. 15-30. ] Foster Sons Allowed in Spartan Schools Not only were the schools for the sons of the Spartiate, but also for foster sons. Xenophon, for instance, sent his two sons to Sparta for their education. Such students were called trophimoi. Even the sons of helots and perioikoi could be admitted, as syntrophoi or mothakes, but only if a Spartiate adopted them and paid their dues. If these did exceptionally well, they might later be enfranchised as Spartiates. Harley speculates that guilt may be a factor here because the helots and perioikoi often took in the children that the Spartiates had rejected at birth as unworthy of rearing. From Agoge to Syssitia and Krypteia At 16 the young men leave the agoge and join the syssitia, although they continue training so they can join the youth who become members of the Krypteia (Cryptia). Krypteia The passage from Plutarchs Life of Lycurgus: Hitherto I, for my part, see no sign of injustice or want of equity in the laws of Lycurgus, though some who admit them to be well contrived to make good soldiers, pronounce them defective in point of justice. The Cryptia, perhaps (if it were one of Lycurguss ordinances, as Aristotle says it was), Gave both him and Plato, too, this opinion alike of the lawgiver and his government. By this ordinance, the magistrates dispatched privately some of the ablest of the young men into the country, from time to time, armed only with their daggers, and taking a little necessary provision with them; in the daytime, they hid themselves in out-of-the-way places, and there lay close, but, in the night, issued out into the highways, and killed all the Helots they could light upon; sometimes they set upon them by day, as they were at work in the fields, and murdered them. As, also, Thucydides, in his history of the Peloponnesian war, tells us, that a good number of them, after being singled out for their bravery by the Spartans, garlanded, as enfranchised persons, and led about to all the temples in token of honors, shortly after disappeared all of a sudden, being about the number of two thousand; and no man either then or since could give an account how they came by their deaths. And Aristotle, in particular, adds, that the ephori, so soon as they were entered into their office, used to declare war against them, that they might be massacred without a breach of religion. Sources: The Public School of SpartaT. Rutherford HarleyGreece RomeVol. 3, No. 9 (May 1934) pp. 129-139.Cretan Laws and Cretan LiteracyJames WhitleyAmerican Journal of ArchaeologyVol. 101, No. 4. (Oct. 1997), pp. 635-661Literacy in the Spartan OligarchyPaul CartledgeJournal of Hellenic StudiesVol. 98, 1978 (1978), pp. 25-37.Mess Contributions and Subsistence at SpartaThomas J. FigueiraTransactions of the American Philological Association (1974-) Vol. 114, (1984), pp. 87-109

Attributes of entrepreneur

Attributes of entrepreneur Essay Confidence positive thlnklng is a major step In the direction of success 5. Positive thinker entrepreneur are positive thinkers. Wealth does not always come to the most intelligent or the most ambitious individuals. Patience -when one owns who his business, there will be times when feels like the roof of craving-in. 7. Decisiveness – one should go with his intuition and trust that he is doing the right thing 8. Experience component for growth – as a key 9. Information seeking – entrepreneur should seek information with client and competitors, seek advice. 10. Perseverance – must be willing to persevere during rough times 11. Drive – needs to be totally committed 12. Risk taking – prefer tasks, which provide them some challenges 13. Innovation creative, they do things in new and different ways 14. Opportunity-seeking – readily identifies opportunities for going into or to improve his business 15. Demand for efficiency and quality – entrepreneur always strives to find ways to do things better, faster and at a lower cost 16. Systematic planning and monitoring – introduces some system in achlevlng his goals by breaking this goal Into short term and long term goals 11. Persuasion and networking – easy establishes a network or personal and business contacts around them Attributes of entrepreneur. (2018, Oct 28).

No topic Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

No topic - Coursework Example The easiest part was the inclusion of moderate physical activity as part of a daily routine. Moderate exercises do not demand too much from the body. For example, a walking fast for thirty minutes was very refreshing. Some of the mild exercises like stationary cycling are things that I enjoy doing. The most difficult part of the recommendations is maintaining a vigorous activity for twenty minutes. The vigorous exercises were made more difficult because I had to do them after finishing the moderate exercises. For example, running vigorously for twenty minutes pushed my lungs to the limit. Managing the strengthening exercises was not a problem. The recommendations made me realizes that I need to create a routine physical activity schedule. Based on my performance, I should walk for at least 30 minutes on a daily basis. The walk will help in improving the ability of my lungs to hold air and strengthen my legs. I should also consider doing core exercises because I noticed that my core strength was very low. I struggled to finish ten sit ups. Finally, I should keep doing yoga exercises because they help with flexibility. The inclusion of these physical activities in my routine would help in increase my overall fitness. Do you believe these recommendations are easy or difficult for the average person to incorporate into their lifestyle? List your reasons for why it is easy or barriers that could make this difficult for the average person. I believe these recommendations are relatively easy for an average person to incorporate in his or her schedule. They are not too intense after some time. It is easy in the sense that the body can handle routine without interfering with normal operations. However, the incorporation of these recommendations is easy based on the types of exercises one chooses. For example, a person who loves basketball can put basketball as her vigorous activity. It makes the whole process fun. The incorporation of these

Microeconomic Concepts and Capitalism Assignment

Microeconomic Concepts and Capitalism - Assignment Example The Concept of demand states that the lower the price of a commodity the higher the demand for the same product and the higher the price of the product, the lower will be the demand for that product. Demand is important since it affects the price of products to a great level. This concept has made me realize how product prices are established in various markets. I notice that when there is high demand for a product in the market, the price of the product is bound to increase. Price elasticity of demand refers to a state where a rise in the price of a commodity leads to a greater demand for its close substitute and low demand for the complement of the same product. As a result, those venders selling the substitute commodities will register a rise in the sales volume and profit. This concept is important in that it reveals the relationship between products and their substitutes in terms of price and demand. The concept has helped me understand how substitute prices change relative to that of a particular product. The prices of similar products, hence, are somehow related and depend on one another It is a measure of the responsiveness to the change in the quantity supplied of a commodity to the changes in prices. In this case, an increase in the price of a commodity will lead to an increase in the supply of the same commodity, while a decrease in price will lead to a decrease in the quantity supplied. The concept is important given that it shows the relationship between supply and price of commodities. In the market, therefore, different products have a different price elasticity of supply as the supply side is subject to change in various markets.

Retail Analyst Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Retail Analyst - Essay Example e use of spreadsheet program, Microsoft excel, statistical software and similar programs that will help him have a big picture of how the business is going. Obviously, the retail analyst also should have strong mathematical and analytical skills because it is his duty to figure out the meanings of charts and numbers and how that information affects the success of the business. Communication skill is also essential so he can be able to make lay people understand the concepts analyzed from the data. A certification may suffice for employment but some might require a license. The job is quite enormous but to one who is inclined to the task, it is quite simple and might even be fulfilling especially that a retail analyst can be compensated from $30,000-70,000 per year. With the descriptions mentioned above, retail analysis can be said to fall under applied science, specifically in applied mathematics. Science is applied in the job by observing how a business flows especially when it comes to what sells fastest and what is stocked for a long time. Once the best-sellers or the problems are identified, solutions should be strategically planned and analyzed. Retail analyst seems to be a job that might interest me because I believe I have the mathematical and analytical skills so I just might consider pursuing such a

SLP 5 - HRM EVALUATING TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS Essay

SLP 5 - HRM EVALUATING TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS - Essay Example There are different models and tools that can be used to evaluate training and development programs that depend on the budget and the nature of the business. However, in the current situation, Kirkpatricks Four-Level Model will be used for the evaluation. The model consists of four levels namely, reaction, learning, behavior, and results. The four levels are all used for a complete evaluation. The model is the best model for measuring the effectiveness of training and development programs. The model helps one quantitatively analyze the impact and the effectiveness of the training so as to improve on it in the coming future. The evaluation model is divided into four parts: reaction, learning, behavior, and results. Reaction level measures how the trainee react towards the training (Kirkpatrick & Kirkpatrick, 2006). Notably, every instructor wants the trainee to feel that the training was accommodating to them, and they do feel good about the topic, the presentations, and the materials. The main drive of reaction evaluation is to improve the quality of training programs. This will in turn result in the improvement of performance which will be attained by measuring the participant’s reaction to the new program. Evaluation tools in this model are simply feedbacked forms and happy sheets that are based on subjective reaction to the training experiences. Learning level follows the reaction level. The main aim of evaluation at this level is to find the difference between what the trainees already knew and what they have learned from the training program (Kirkpatrick & Kirkpatrick, 2006). In other words, this is the measure of the increased knowledge from before to the end of the training. In this level, the evaluation focuses on measuring all that was covered in the training events. For this reason, the questions in this level will contain a pre-test that will be taken before practicum

International Business of McDonald's Research Paper

International Business of McDonald's - Research Paper Example McDonald’s Thailand is trying to promote their products based on price, but the bottom line is that it is trying to create an appeal to the public based on taste and revealing of new product offerings that would be highly applicable in Thailand market (McDonalds Thailand, 2012). In addition, it simply tries to promote not only the products but the company itself. In its website, the marketing proposition ‘Welcome to McDonald’s like you’ve never seen it before’ implies that it simply is trying to promote the company in general through creating an impression of an innovation of product offerings. The website simply tries to promote the company and its products in a way that the customer should create an impression that there is something new to look forward to. In other words, McDonald’s Thailand is simply creating a need for its product offerings by simply initiating a move that would link innovation or product differentiation. McDonald’ s Turkey on the other hand specifically is focusing on offering products that would guarantee high value for nutrition (McDonald’s Turkey, 2012). ... As this case, it would be noted that McDonald’s simply combined the original trademark of the company and in addition it enhances its image by understanding the prevailing market trend. Considering that it is becoming obvious that McDonald’s simply tries to create highly nutritious product offerings, there is a significant market move that it is also creating marketing effort to improve and enhance the image of its company. In other words, just like how McDonald’s Thailand promotes its company, the same general move is established in its branch in Turkey. This means that generally, the two international branches of McDonald’s so far are trying to adhere to their marketing strategy by establishing a strong company brand recall. So far, this is a specific and general marketing effort that is common to them. However, unlike McDonald’s Thailand, the branch in Turkey simply would not only establish promotion based on price and taste, but most significant ly on something new with strong emphasis on nutrition, which is the same case that applies in the UK. McDonald’s UK on the other hand also promotes its product offerings with strong consideration on nutrition and dietary-related matters (McDonald’s UK, 2012). In fact, the company’s website reveals that it seeks to inform the public with the right nutrition that could be achieved out from its product offerings. Furthermore, McDonald’s UK is also specific on how they acquired the raw materials used in their product offerings. This means that the consumers in this country are becoming more sophisticated by simply being able to understand what they exactly want or need. However, this could also be probably the result of constant education regarding dietary requirements that McDonald’s UK is trying to

Retail Analyst Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Retail Analyst - Essay Example e use of spreadsheet program, Microsoft excel, statistical software and similar programs that will help him have a big picture of how the business is going. Obviously, the retail analyst also should have strong mathematical and analytical skills because it is his duty to figure out the meanings of charts and numbers and how that information affects the success of the business. Communication skill is also essential so he can be able to make lay people understand the concepts analyzed from the data. A certification may suffice for employment but some might require a license. The job is quite enormous but to one who is inclined to the task, it is quite simple and might even be fulfilling especially that a retail analyst can be compensated from $30,000-70,000 per year. With the descriptions mentioned above, retail analysis can be said to fall under applied science, specifically in applied mathematics. Science is applied in the job by observing how a business flows especially when it comes to what sells fastest and what is stocked for a long time. Once the best-sellers or the problems are identified, solutions should be strategically planned and analyzed. Retail analyst seems to be a job that might interest me because I believe I have the mathematical and analytical skills so I just might consider pursuing such a

International Business of McDonald's Research Paper

International Business of McDonald's - Research Paper Example McDonald’s Thailand is trying to promote their products based on price, but the bottom line is that it is trying to create an appeal to the public based on taste and revealing of new product offerings that would be highly applicable in Thailand market (McDonalds Thailand, 2012). In addition, it simply tries to promote not only the products but the company itself. In its website, the marketing proposition ‘Welcome to McDonald’s like you’ve never seen it before’ implies that it simply is trying to promote the company in general through creating an impression of an innovation of product offerings. The website simply tries to promote the company and its products in a way that the customer should create an impression that there is something new to look forward to. In other words, McDonald’s Thailand is simply creating a need for its product offerings by simply initiating a move that would link innovation or product differentiation. McDonald’ s Turkey on the other hand specifically is focusing on offering products that would guarantee high value for nutrition (McDonald’s Turkey, 2012). ... As this case, it would be noted that McDonald’s simply combined the original trademark of the company and in addition it enhances its image by understanding the prevailing market trend. Considering that it is becoming obvious that McDonald’s simply tries to create highly nutritious product offerings, there is a significant market move that it is also creating marketing effort to improve and enhance the image of its company. In other words, just like how McDonald’s Thailand promotes its company, the same general move is established in its branch in Turkey. This means that generally, the two international branches of McDonald’s so far are trying to adhere to their marketing strategy by establishing a strong company brand recall. So far, this is a specific and general marketing effort that is common to them. However, unlike McDonald’s Thailand, the branch in Turkey simply would not only establish promotion based on price and taste, but most significant ly on something new with strong emphasis on nutrition, which is the same case that applies in the UK. McDonald’s UK on the other hand also promotes its product offerings with strong consideration on nutrition and dietary-related matters (McDonald’s UK, 2012). In fact, the company’s website reveals that it seeks to inform the public with the right nutrition that could be achieved out from its product offerings. Furthermore, McDonald’s UK is also specific on how they acquired the raw materials used in their product offerings. This means that the consumers in this country are becoming more sophisticated by simply being able to understand what they exactly want or need. However, this could also be probably the result of constant education regarding dietary requirements that McDonald’s UK is trying to

Feelings Of Sadness Essay Example for Free

Feelings Of Sadness Essay This question is about feelings of sadness. Look at the Burial of St John Moore choose one more where there are feelings of sadness. With close reference to the way the poems are written compare and contrast how each speaker conveys his or her feelings of sadness. Show which poem has the more powerful appeal to you emotions. The two poems I am going to use are `The Burial of Sir John Moore` at Corunna by Charles Wolfe and `Remembrance` by Emily Brontà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½. The poem, The Burial of Sir John Moore is a soldiers-eye-view of what initially appears to be the hurried and rather undignified burial at night of Sir John Moore in an unmarked grave and immediately prior to the retreat of his surviving forces by sea. The clear sadness in this poem is of a death, just what Remembrance deals with. Although Brontà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ is writing about a death of a lover her use of first person narration, presents the reader with a very powerful description of the emotions surrounding the loss. In the poem, The Burial of Sir John Moore, the funeral they have for the major still respected even though its in silence and nothing of what a man of his standards or any soldier should be having. The funeral differs a lot from what a funeral would be if the body was brought back home properly. Not a drum was heard, not a funeral note If that was back home, there would be the complete opposite from that line, all the soldiers would drum and there would be tunes. Not a soldier discharged his farewell shot But on the battlefield they couldnt make any noise what so ever, therefore the funeral was done in silence. The whole way through the poem you still see how much respect the soldiers have for Sir John Moore, even after hes dead. They still look up to him as the hero that he is. In the poem The Remembrance, Bronte is talking about her partner that has passed away. Her use of first person narration presents the reader of very powerful descriptions about her love and emotions. The month of December is a very cold and miserable season at times. Cold in the earth and fifteen wild Decembers So imagining fifteen of them is what life is like for her without her lover. She is never going to find no one like him, No later light has lightened up my heaven; No second morn has ever shone for me. The form of, The Burial of Sir John Moore, is Eight four-line stanzas. The tone is mainly sadness at the loss of a war hero. The reader also senses the loneliness and fear of the soldiers and their guilty haste and nervousness in burying their hero without any form of ceremony. It has a regular rhyming scheme. It creates a sombre and solemn beat which might remind the reader of a military funeral march. The language is simple throughout the whole poem. The imagery creates a sense of their loneliness and fear and also of their pride and courage. The form of Remembrance is a lyric poem or lament written in eight four line verses. The tone at first questioning, doubting, then certain and passionately resolved. The mood is one of despair and grief. It is a regular rhyming scheme. It has the regular beat of a hymn, with the emphasis tending to fall at the beginning and half way through each line. There is also a lot of repetition cold, severed, forget, hopes, my lifes bliss to emphasise the effect the death has on the speaker. The bird metaphor in stanza two reflects the flightiness, and inconstancy of human thought. The change of tense in the second half of the poem heralds a change of thought and tone and answers the query raised. She does remember, only too well. Fifteen wild Decembers have not succeeded in dulling the rapturous pain of memory. The hard, unfeeling words of the first half, expressing the coldness of grief such as cold, wrong, sever, hover, suffering, wild obscure give way in the second half to softer words, hymn-like words (not surprising considering her Methodist background) such as bliss, golden, joy, cherished, yearning, burning rapturous, anguish. These words inject the poem with a passion, which reflects the depth of her emotions when she allows herself the luxury of remembrance. Out of both poems I think The Burial of Sir John Moore would come across as the saddest, even though it shows fewer emotions than Remembrance. However, the poem isnt a depressing one to read, it has a kind of excitement to it, to find out what is going to happen. But the actual story line to both poems are very sad, which is clear as they both are about death.

Analysis of Values, Expectation and Environment of National Bank of Pakistan

Analysis of Values, Expectation and Environment of National Bank of Pakistan The balance sheet of NBP is better than all other banks operating locally. The services of NBP are accessible to the government of Pakistan, business units and individuals. NBP has shown a remarkable financial performance in 2006 with an estimated total asset of over 634 billion PKR. The overall deposits of NBP have grown-up to approximately 502 billion PKR. According to the annual report of year 2006 the bank earned 26 billion rupees before tax profit and the per share value increased to 24.01 rupees. The boost in revenue was attained due to the huge central banking returns. The bank issued more loans and income received by bank on these loans increased by Rs.10 billion. Bank enjoyed an increase of Rs.268 billion in its advances. To offset the threat of credit alarm NBP retains a strong hold of loans. The bank issues these loans to different range of people/ businesses. For example NBP karobar is a scheme of NBP to help people increase their business, bank also gives loans to SM enterprises and also in agriculture field as well as large business companies. The signed agreement in year 2002 with Western Union is one example of different channels that bank is facilitating for Pakistani living overseas. It provided them a convenient and competent way to transfer their funds to Pakistan. Currently bank has started an efficient online system to track the complete inward clearing. This system ensures that all the branches have complete record of every step of inward remittance until its final acknowledgment of receiving. Learning Outcome 1 Types of values, Links to Values, Vision and Mission One of the key drivers of strategic purpose in an organisation is its values. Values are part of the organisations culture those subconscious assumptions and beliefs that frame its view of itself. TYPES OF VALUES Lencioni , (2002)noted four types of company values Core Values These are the deeply ingrained principles that govern all the organisations actions. These values are the source of a companys distinctiveness. Aspirational values Aspirational values are those principles that are essential for prospect achievements. Here is where conventional morals might be out of step with a planned value. Permission-to-play values These values are also called as entrance values; these are non-core and non-distinctive values. These are the minimum principles of manners that are given in employees instruction manual. Accidental values Accidental values are those intellectual standards that are engaged for approval however these standards do not actually reflect the central or inspirational principles. Core values of National Bank of Pakistan NBP believes in reliability of premier standard Superiority in customers service is another core value of NBP NBP admits the teamwork and it has a performance based culture i.e. rewards are given on performance base NBP improves its expertise for upcoming confronts It builds an understanding of public and neighbourhood responsibility NBP creates ethics for its stakeholders Morals work collectively with visualization to produce the structure of your tactical aim, and from your structure come your exact plan and objectives. At times difference between vision and mission is unclear. A vision is an inspiring declaration of anywhere the company desires to be, while the mission is a declaration of present strategic situation. The Vision A vision declaration  is occasionally identifies an image of your business in the prospect however its so much further than an image. Your visualization is your idea, the outline for your calculated arrangements. The Mission A mission declaration  is a concise explanation of a businesss primary intention. It answers the question WHAT IS OUR PURPOSE OF EXISTANCE. The mission enounces the companys aim together for those in the company and for the community. Vision of NBP To be known as a leader and a product identical with belief, uppermost standard of service and excellence, worldwide best exercise and public duty. Mission of National Bank o Pakistan The mission of NBP is to seek the ethics that will enable the bank Infect the bank of realm it will focus on the following NBP will institutionalise a value and performance based culture. Will create a unique brand name by offering top class services. NBP will adopt the premium management strategies. It will focus on maximising the value of its stakeholders. Evaluation of NBPs Vision against its suitability There are many ways/ tools to evaluate the mission statement of an organisation. I have chosen the five ways suggested by HAMEL and PRAHALAD in year 1994. These are: Foresight NBP has a strong and powerful vision statement. The flow in its vision is very logical and arranged. All the three parts of the vision are in steady relation in an attractive way. It demonstrates the strength of the banks planning for future. The primary element of the banks vision statement says to be known as the leader face the foreseeing part of its vision. Breadth NBPs vision is vast enough to appreciate different topics. The vision is about giving answer to the continuous changing market. By covering the top international practices its vision shows its wideness. Uniqueness The desire to continue its participation to provide best global practices gives its mission statement uniqueness. Consensus As it is possible to fulfil the vision statement of the bank its vision is also consensus more over all the assembly like board of directors, chief executive officers and voice presidents are agreed on it. Action-ability Its vision clearly mentions the future opportunities in a proper manner. To enjoy being a leader in banking field NBP is applying top quality management skills. The excellent team work, high standard service and its sincerity with its work makes it well qualified to face the upcoming confront and to create values for its stakeholders. Evaluation of Mission Statement To evaluate the mission/ objectives of NBP I have chosen the SMART tool. The SMART analysis of NBP is as following: S Specific The mission statement of the NBP is to the point. It is very clear and understandable. Every point of its mission statement is well defined and logical. M Measurable Here measurable means quantity. To the best of my understanding and knowledge the term Measureable can best fit if NBP has achieved the targeted revenue, number of branches, number of customers etc. And I think the answer is yes even more than that. Because it is a purely government organisation people have trust in it. A Achievable As one can clearly see that NPBs mission statement recaps the basic strategy to realize the goals of the organisation it states the key goals that the workers should struggle to meet. This declaration is given in very clear points and I think its very much attainable/ achievable. R Realistic The approach of NBP towards its mission/ objective is very realistic. I mean there is sense of what it states. Like its says to maximise its stakeholders value, means by providing top quality services and providing its stakeholder continuous profit NBP will do its best to increase its stakeholders value and improve their life. T Time-bound The time bound factor means it should specify the time when its going to get these objectives/ missions. As far as my knowledge about the company is concerned NBP has not given any time limit for achieving its missions/ goals. Learning outcome 2 Stakeholder Analysis; managing expectations Definition of Stakeholder Freeman and Reed (1983) suggested two definitions of an organisations stakeholder i.e. narrow and broad. The broad definition says that a stakeholder is a group or individual who can either affect the achievements of the organisation or is affected by the achievement of the organisations objectives. The narrow definition says a stakeholder is an individual or a group of individuals on which the organisation depends for its continuous survival. (A stake holder rationale for risk management 1st edition 2008 Gregor Gossy) Stakeholders of National Bank of Pakistan As NBP is a very big organisation so are its stakeholders. There is a long list of its stakeholders some important stakeholders are mentioned in the list below. Shareholders Employees Government Its Creditors Board of Directors Other Businesses SBP Unions Commercial banks Depositors Influence of Stakeholders The banks shareholders have a great impact on the decision making process of the bank as they participate in the voting for the selection of directors after the previous term is expired. They are involved in the top meetings with the general secretary of the bank. Board of directors influence the companys decision as they are the strategy formulators of the bank. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) is the central bank and so has a powerful authority on all banks serving in Pakistan. SBP keeps a check on all the operations of NBP. Clearly SBP has a sturdy control on the strategy of National Bank of Pakistan. The employees of NBP also have a great impact on the strategy of the bank. They influence by the efficiency and effectiveness of the service they are providing. For example if they are motivated and working hard it will help the bank achieving its vision in a superior way. So employees at NBP affect the profitability of the banks. Competitive analysis of NBP The companys competitive analysis begins by focusing the overall industry in which a firm competes before market segment or sector level issues are considered. For the competitive analysis of NBP I have chosen the famous porters five forces analysis. Porters FIVE FORCES MODE Competitive Rivalry It is very commanding force amongst the company and its competitors. A strategy followed by a company is successful to an extent it gives to its competitive advantage to its opponents. The strategy could be providing best service, or reducing the price against its competitors price as far as NBP is concerned it is charging very low fee on DDs, transfer by telegraphy, and by post transfer it is also giving many added facilities to the clients and to the country as it states it is a nations Bank Threat from new entrants When new businesses can simply come in the particular market the number of competitor increases and so is the competition. As far as banking is concerned this industry is previously very much located in Pakistan. There are many banks that provide high quality service at a very low fee. So there isnt any risk to National Bank of Pakistan from possible new entrance. NBP as well a community sector bank and there is no chance of being taken over by any new bank. Threat from substitutes The substitute threat is the 3rd factor that can affect the competitions. It means there could be some other services that can be an alternative of the product/ service of the company. In banking sector for example they offer saving schemes, but the general post offices in Pakistan are also providing this service so there is an alternative of the service. The banks should beat their offer of saving in order to take control of the market. Another example could be the Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) which are a substitute of presenting cheques at the cash counters in banks. ATM saves the time but NBP is lacking in this ground. It should look up in this field to compete its rival. Bargaining Power of Suppliers The strength of competition is affected by the bargaining influence of the suppliers particularly when you have a great number of contractors. If you are a bank your suppliers are your customers who supply you money. So as a bank you should offer them quality services, peace of mind, gain their trust at an affordable fee. B/C offer superior services to the customers. B/C charges less on transfer of funds. As a result there is a competition between B/Cs and banks. Bargaining Power of Consumers When clients are strong or in big numbers, or the buy in huge quantity, their purchase influence signifies a key force affecting strength of opposition. Keeping that fact in mind we see that banks have a large number of customers in Pakistan and banks are offering different products to their customers. NBP as well have a big number of clients. So it should offer superior services and good products to its clients to draw their attention to NBP. LEARNING OUTCOME 3 External environment Now we will discuss the external factors affecting the strategic plan of NBP. I have used the most commonly used tool for this purpose that is the PEST analysis. PEST ANALYSIS PEST analysis is a study of the huge outside environment of the company. It is helpful for realising the Political, Economical, Social Technological surroundings that accompany works in. This analysis can be used for measuring market development or slump, to check where you business lays in the market. (The business environment 6th edition 2009 IAN WORTHINGTON CHRIS BRITTON) THE PEST ANALYSIS OF NBP Political Impact of economic science striking and NCBs Denationalization strategy of the authorities and SBPs deregulating Work patterns, Unions and affiliations Governmental obstructions and torment Commotions of high tax on banking business Economical Restraints in mobilisation of civic investments due to inflation Staff pays and other costs Operating expense is higher due to manual dealing Rising of debts Social Cultural Unsatisfactory HR Ethnical strain to investments Going down educational and employment morals Poor liability Debtor lobby Satisfactory empowerment Technological Poor communication base Inadequate I.T services Insufficient I.T training Lack of information technology tools SWOT ANALYSIS The usage of SWOT analytic thinking lets businesses to make the most of their strengths, reduce their weak points, take benefits of their chances and conquer their disadvantages. It begins by defining the aims of the project or business actions and describes the inner and outer elements that are crucial to achieve those goals. Advantages and disadvantage are generally internal to the company, whereas opportunities and risks are typically external. (The SWOT Analysis: Using Your Strength to Overcome Weaknesses, Using Opportunities to Overcome Threats) Author: Lawrence G. Fine Publisher Booksurge Llc, 2009 SWOT ANALYSIS OF NBP STRENGTHS Oldest Organization National bank of Pakistan on of the matured banks operating in Pakistan and so has large number of customers which is strength of it. People trust and believe in the bank. Being an old organisation its an additional value for the bank. Rotation of Duties If for some reasons state bank of Pakistan is not in operations NBP works as an alternative of SBP. Being a government bank and working as an alternative of SBP is strength of the bank. More Deposits than Competitors NBP has the proportional capability in holding additional deposits as compared to other banks. This is due to the trust that clients have in NBP. Employee Benefits Reasonable financial remuneration is given to the employees on both EID events in form of cash bonuses. This provides an extra help and proficiency for NBP a cause of inspiration for the workers. Wide Network One more strength of NBP is its wide network all over the country. It has most number of branches than any other bank in most productive cities. Due to large network of branches NBP provides best quality service to its customers at their nearest branch. Professional Competence The bank has hired very professional graduates in different fields like banking, business administration, economics, finance etc these are highly skillful professional. Their professionalism enables the bank to realize and achieve the goals of the organisation in a superior way. Healthy Environment The working environment at NBP is extremely conductive and supporting for more sizeable output. The relaxing environment manipulates the performance of the workers in a supporting manner. WEAKNESSES Less Marketing Effort NBP do not support its industry stature its services in an aggressive manner. Therefore it lacks in selling efforts. Now a day every organisation is in need of aggressive marketing A need for aggressive marketing in there in the era marketing in now becoming a part of every organization. Political Pressure The strong political grip of some companies government and its authorities are impacting NBP negatively. The bank sometimes has to issue loan under agencies demands that leads to odd and accommodated feelings in its employees. Discrimination The seniors often influence in the promotion system of the bank by forcing their favoritism and their own willingness and decision. This behavior leads to denomination of the employees which leads to performance degradation and lack of confidence in the employees. A Few Financial Product If we consider the innovation and announcements of new schemes NBP is far behind from its competitors. NBP did not involve itself in the competition of offering customers new products, ideas and services. It is a major weakness of the bank. Bad Service at Busy Time Another weakness of the bank is its poor management in serving the customers in busy hours. It is been often noticed that people are topping out of the doors and windows and they are not happy because they are not been serviced timely and efficiently. Lack of Network Equipments Another weakness of the bank is the lack of computer networks that could have saved the time and energy of its employees. Moreover the I.T staff is not well trained they are old aged and dont have necessary know-how of computers. If proper tainting and network is provided bank can convert this weakness into its strength. Uneven Workload The pressure of work at NBP is more on some workers than others and it is unevenly distributed. Some employees escape from their job responsibilities while others bear work overload. This is not fair and leads to de-motivation among the employees who are working hard. OPPORTUNITIES E- Banking The advancement in communication sector has made this world a global village. Now technology is very important for any business specially banking now a day depends on efficient an effective service which is impossible without technology. National bank of Pakistan can make use of technology to perform better and have a competitive edge over its competitors. Micro Finance In todays word there is a need of finance on micro level NBP can avail this opportunity as its competitors are already arrived in this field. NBP should realize this opportunity as soon as possible in order to provide current demands. THREATS New Competitors The mergers of new banks, especially foreign banks are a threat for NBP. These banks are well prepared with exceptional and innovative technology and heavy finance. They know how to promote their product and how to perform well. NBP should take steps to compete with these foreign banks to tackle this threat. Political Pressure As the government is not stable in Pakistan different political parties are coming in power. They are affecting the banks overall performance by putting pressure for issuance of unfair loans. Politically dominant people are creating a sense of anxiety and discouragement in the customers and its employees. Downsizing The current policy of the bank is to cut the staff which is a threat to its employees as they are feeling insecure about their jobs. This is affecting their overall performance negatively. Customers Complaints The customers are everything for a business but there is no formal service to deal with customers complaints. This behaviour is annoying the customer and they are heading towards other foreign banks. This is a threat for the bank. Conclusions and Recommendations National Bank of Pakistan is one of the oldest and largest banks in Pakistan. This bank is in partnership with Government of Pakistan and has largest assets than any other commercial bank. This bank has a unique part in the economical growth as it works as the agent of State Bank of Pakistan. Following are some recommendations for NBP. National Bank of Pakistan can increase its operational productivity by using latest computer technology. Employees Training programs are not sufficient. Extensive training will surely increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the employees. Privatization can have a positive impact on NBP overall performance. Modern techniques for cost cutting should be adopted by the bank. There is a strong need to change the outlook and interior lay out of the branches.

The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Essay -- Literary Analys

  Ã¢â‚¬Å"I’m never going to act like my mother!† These words are increasingly common and yet unavoidable. Why is it that as children, we are able to point out every flaw in our parents, but as we grow up, we recognize that we are repeating the same mistakes we observed? The answer is generational curses: un-cleansed iniquities that increase in strength from one generation to the next, affecting the members of that family and all who come into relationship with that family (Hickey 13). Marilyn Hickey, a Christian author, explains how this biblically rooted cycle is never ending when she says, â€Å"Each generation adds to the overall iniquity, further weakening the resistance of the next generation to sin† (21, 22). In other words, if your parents mess up you are now susceptible to making the same mistakes, and are most likely going to pass those mistakes to your children. In The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Sherman Alexie shows the beauty of hope i n the presence of a generational curse. Even though the elders are the ones who produce the curses, they are also the ones who attempt to break Junior from their bond forming mistakes. The curses that Arnold’s elders imprint on him lead him to break out of his cultural bonds and improve himself as a developing young man. Mr. P bestows the curse of hopelessness to Arnold, which inspires him to break free from the bonds of his ancestors. Even though his students see him as worthless, Mr. P is humble, poor, hurt by the ones he is trying to save, an educator, and merciful, which leads to the betterment of Junior. Going back to biblical references, the readers can see that these adjectives also line up perfectly with the personality of Jesus: the higher power capable of breaking generation... ...ibe. As Mr. P, Grandma, and Mary share a small piece of their lives with Arnold, they show him how hopelessness, insecurity, and disregard to curses can make people's lives miserable. Even though everyone in society recognizes this, they cannot break free because they do not have the opportunity of a higher power to break them from their generational curses. As Junior observes all of this, he decides to be the one who breaks free by using the hardships of the curses presented to him as a motivation. He is a symbol of hope in the midst of a generational curse. Works Cited Alexie, Sherman. The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. New York: Hachette Book Group, 2007. Print. Hickey, Marilyn. Breaking Generational Curses. Tulsa: Harrison House, Inc., 2000. Print. Moore, Beth. So Long Insecurity. Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2010. Print.

Jamaica Kincaids essay On Seeing England for the first Time

Jamaica Kincaid's essay On Seeing England for the first Time "It's shit being Scottish! We're the scum of the fucking earth! Some people hate the English. I don't. They're just wankers. We're the ones what were colonised by wankers. We couldn't even pick a decent bunch of people to be colonised by." -Irvine Welsh, Trainspotting The cultural ties to empire are not so easy to efface as the political ones. This is perhaps one of the most important lessons the world has learned from the mass movement towards independence on the part of European colonies in the past half-century. Even we Americans, more than two hundred years after having rejected the British monarchy and all it stands for, are forever poking our noses in the supermarket tabloids to find out what crisis either Diana or Fergie is embroiled in this week. Have we progressed so little? Don't we owe it to ourselves to pay our own culture the tribute which is its due? This is one of the many questions that Jamaica Kincaid's essay, "On Seeing England for the first Time," raises. Being a "colonial" herself, she is forever being forced to question where her cultural loyalty should lie. Is she first and foremost an Englishwoman? An African? An Antiguan? Kincaid's essay is an attempt to come to terms with her own identity by exploring the influence of a colonial culture on her daily life as a child as well as on her education. She inundates the reader with "English images," just as she was once inundated with them as a schoolgirl. We sicken of the surfeit of imagery just as she must have when every waking moment, an image of England somehow wormed its way into her consciousness. "Made in England . . . those three words . . . ran through every part of my life, no... ...e United States for some years, she has maintained her Antiguan citizenship. Her writings, including "On Seeing England for the First Time," are all examinations of her own past and her cultural identity. Even though she has left her island home, she is actively engaged in a struggle to achieve a synthesis of what is English and what is African in her origins. Through her writings, Kincaid attempts to assert her present self-an Antiguan woman-and all that her present self signifies. Perhaps such a synthesis-or even just the struggle for it-is the best that any of us can hope for. Works Cited Gordimer, Nadine. "Where Do Whites Fit In?" Hoy and DiYanni. 292-298. Hoy, Pat C. II and Robert DiYanni, eds. Encounters: Readings and the World. 1st ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1997. Kincaid, Jamaica. "On Seeing England for the First Time." Hoy and DiYanni. 351-360. Jamaica Kincaid's essay On Seeing England for the first Time Jamaica Kincaid's essay On Seeing England for the first Time "It's shit being Scottish! We're the scum of the fucking earth! Some people hate the English. I don't. They're just wankers. We're the ones what were colonised by wankers. We couldn't even pick a decent bunch of people to be colonised by." -Irvine Welsh, Trainspotting The cultural ties to empire are not so easy to efface as the political ones. This is perhaps one of the most important lessons the world has learned from the mass movement towards independence on the part of European colonies in the past half-century. Even we Americans, more than two hundred years after having rejected the British monarchy and all it stands for, are forever poking our noses in the supermarket tabloids to find out what crisis either Diana or Fergie is embroiled in this week. Have we progressed so little? Don't we owe it to ourselves to pay our own culture the tribute which is its due? This is one of the many questions that Jamaica Kincaid's essay, "On Seeing England for the first Time," raises. Being a "colonial" herself, she is forever being forced to question where her cultural loyalty should lie. Is she first and foremost an Englishwoman? An African? An Antiguan? Kincaid's essay is an attempt to come to terms with her own identity by exploring the influence of a colonial culture on her daily life as a child as well as on her education. She inundates the reader with "English images," just as she was once inundated with them as a schoolgirl. We sicken of the surfeit of imagery just as she must have when every waking moment, an image of England somehow wormed its way into her consciousness. "Made in England . . . those three words . . . ran through every part of my life, no... ...e United States for some years, she has maintained her Antiguan citizenship. Her writings, including "On Seeing England for the First Time," are all examinations of her own past and her cultural identity. Even though she has left her island home, she is actively engaged in a struggle to achieve a synthesis of what is English and what is African in her origins. Through her writings, Kincaid attempts to assert her present self-an Antiguan woman-and all that her present self signifies. Perhaps such a synthesis-or even just the struggle for it-is the best that any of us can hope for. Works Cited Gordimer, Nadine. "Where Do Whites Fit In?" Hoy and DiYanni. 292-298. Hoy, Pat C. II and Robert DiYanni, eds. Encounters: Readings and the World. 1st ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1997. Kincaid, Jamaica. "On Seeing England for the First Time." Hoy and DiYanni. 351-360.