How Setting Goals Lead to Success Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 19

How Setting Goals Lead to Success - Essay Example Goal setting is one of the most likely natural things that we do as humans.   We tend to move from one region to the other with goals.   The challenge is that most people fail to harness the power of it fully.   Therefore, I learned that there is a magic in setting goals.   More specifically, a written down goals is essential towards my success as the writing clarifies my thoughts.   It helps in committing towards something that I am passionate about, be it in the short term or the long run.   Therefore, a well-written goal instils the inspiration on how to move forward having the goal in mind (Rouillard, 2010).Goals give a direction in all areas of success, be it in personal life or career. It gives a purpose to carry on with a particular task. Working on a well-set goal gives hope and determination to succeed in all activities. Without goals, it is rather difficult to focus and to have a direction in a particular task. Therefore, goal setting provides a benchmark for de termining whether one is succeeding or not. A well-set goal is a secret to success. As the saying goes, â€Å"a goal well set is halfway accomplished† (Rouillard, 2010). Setting goals is the foremost and the most important step towards any achievement in life. The action level, as well as the action itself, stands as the catalyst to turn a particular goal, which is inert, into something that is dynamic. Therefore, to realize the objectives, it is recommendable to know how to set the goals. It is not a matter of merely saying, â€Å"I want it, â€Å" and it happens all of a sudden. Goal setting starts with a careful consideration of what should be achieved and ends with hard work in the process of obtaining it. At the intermediate, there are rules that one has to embrace to make the set goals a success (Rouillard, 2010). The rules noted as follows. At the foremost, it is important to set a goal that motives a person. It is substantial that the set goal is valuable to the set ter, and similarly, there should be an interest in the outcome. It is important to set goals that relate to the high priorities in life. Without such focus, it is possible to end up with too many goals leaving less time to devote to each objective. Hence, goal achievement needs a commitment to maximizing the likelihood of success.

Comparative Literature Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 1

Comparative Literature Paper - Essay Example People from all over the world wish to embark the â€Å"land of milk and honey†, only to find out that there are still enormous challenges they have to face to obtain that elusive â€Å"milk and honey†. More than stories about poverty, their ugly house and their families, A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry and The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros are similar in many ways as these weave tales about strong women (both immigrant women of color) as they confront their lives in the US together with their families. They will show their courage and forge enormous strength to conquer the challenges they have to face. They will have to prove something, not just for themselves, but for their families as well. Comparing the two essays, we could almost smell the characters’ well-being as they are bound to resolve the various conflicts that they face. In the past twenty five years, the field of women’s immigration history in the United States has transformed itself from a minor disciplinary field to a major way of understanding one of the largest 20th century topics for the social sciences in general: the mobility of people and its impact upon the relationship of genders. In fact, the study of women immigrants has also served as a major connector between traditional disciplines and fields of inquiry in the United States (Schneider, 2003). The two stories by Hansberry and Cisneros, incidentally by women too, weaves a showcase of what immigrant women have to face living in the US. The common thread that binds these tales is the challenges they face as minority women in America as they look for their own place in an unknown country; and seek the liberation and freedom from lives slowed down by bondage. Not only these women demonstrate the assorted hostilities many women face as they are viewed as the inferior sex, but they also seek to supersede the discrimination caused by the color of their

Gender Equality Essay Example for Free

Gender Equality Essay Paying more attention to the differences between boys and girls, or men and women, starts getting people to have many ideas about them. The question remains whether we should ignore them or not. I don’t blame the family in the rural Canada for making the girl feel like she’s nothing more than just a girl, because simply these people there could be ignorant. There is a difference of course between men and women, but not that one is inferior to the other, rather as equal but distinct beings. Right before writing my opinion about boys and girls, I asked my dad whether he though there was a difference, and that maybe a girl is a girl because of influence and experience. He told me how he used to take my sister and me to Toys‘r’Us when we were small. He would bring us to what he thought were the cool toys such as mechanical gadgets and how we wouldn’t even look at them and directly walk off like zombies to the Barbie section. This explains how maybe it is in our genes, which bring off a kind of barrier, a difference between a boy, and a girl. Now maybe feminists take it a little to the extreme about female rights, but isn’t that because people (mostly men) have taken the difference between boys and girls to an extent where they forget about equality and what woman are really capable of doing? I still believe that there are many ways of stereotyping men and women these days, even as distinct as they were in the rural Canada in the selection. It is possible, but I believe the more educated we are, the less we will care about whether we are a man or a woman. In some countries, it is the communities’ traditions which still give to men more rights and privileges than to women. This is mostly because people in those areas are not yet socially evolved to the Western level. For example, in Saudi Arabia woman wont dare revolt or express their ideas of what’s really unfair or unethical to them or not. We need to stop buying into the myth about gender equality. It isnt a reality yet. Today, women make up half of the U.S. workforce, but the average working woman earns only 77 percent of what the average working man makes. But unless women and men both say this is unacceptable, things will not change. Men have to demand that their wives, daughters, mothers and sisters earn more—commensurate with their qualifications and not their gender. Equality will be achieved when men and women are granted equal pay and equal respect. Humanity requires both men and women, and we are equally important and need one another. So why are we viewed as less than equal? These old attitudes are drilled into us from the very beginning. We have to teach our boys the rules of equality and respect, so that as they grow up, gender equality becomes a natural way of life. And we have to teach our girls that they can reach as high as humanly possible. We have a lot of work to do, but we can get there if we work together. Women are more than 50 percent of the population and more than 50 percent of the voters. We must demand that we all receive 100 percent of the opportunities.

Airborne infectious disease

Airborne infectious disease Tuberculosis (TB) is an airborne infectious disease which is caused by bacteria belonging to Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex1. There are approximately one third of the worlds population are infected with tuberculosis where nine millions of new cases reported annually2. Although tuberculosis is essentially curable and preventable, it continues to cause millions of deaths every year2. When infected individual coughs, sneezes or spits, M. tuberculosis is propelled into the air and infected those who breathed in the bacteria that existed in droplets of saliva3. Primarily, tuberculosis will affect the lungs, known as pulmonary tuberculosis3. It will also affect other parts of body, for instance lymph nodes, bones, brain and kidneys3. Once a person is infected with tuberculosis, there are basically three possible ways may occur. Firstly, the immune system plays a vital role and strong enough to kill the bacteria3. Secondly, immune system is not strong enough to fight off the bacteria bu t is able to build a defensive barrier against the bacteria3. Individuals who are latently infected with M. tuberculosis show asymptomatic where these bacteria lie dormant in the lungs and able to reactivate after years1. The disease is often reactivated in those who are immunocompromised or generally weakened. Lastly, the immune system fails to kill bacteria causing the bacteria to grow and spread towards other parts of body which is called active tuberculosis3. In the fight of tuberculosis, World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends universal Bacille Calmette-Guà ©rin (BCG) vaccination in the countries with high TB burdens4. BCG vaccine contains weakened form of M. tuberculosiswhich will induce antibodies to fight against this type of bacteria. The efficacy of BCG vaccination can be ranging from 0% to 84%5. This may be due to the frequency of TB exposure and quality of vaccine used, leading to arguments on BCG vaccination efficacies4. One of the greatest arguments is that BCG vaccination causing positive reactions to tuberculin skin testing and hence interfere with the diagnosis of latent TB4. Existence of evidences showing the rates of efficacy also depends on geographical location, age at vaccination and form of TB further complicate the situation. Currently, TB chemotherapy is made up of a cocktail of first-line drugs isoniazid (INH), rifampicin (RIF), pyrazinamide (PZA) and ethambutol (EMB) 6. If the treatment fails due to bacterial dr ug resistance, or patient unable to tolerate, second-line drugs for instance para-aminosalicylate (PAS), fluoroquinolones, ethionamide and cycloserine are introduced6. These are considered as second line drugs generally either less potent with larger doses or more toxic with serious side effects6. Tuberculosis is presently treated in two phases, namely initial phase and continuous phase7. In initial phase, the patient will be treated with concurrent use of four first line drugs, with the aim to eradicate or control bacteria population to replicate in rapid motion and also avoid the emergence of bacteria resistance7. The treatment choices available for initial treatment include isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide and ethambutol7. Streptomycin is used rarely but can be used in patients who infected with bacteria that are resistant to isoniazid before the therapy is commenced7. The duration for initial phase is 2 months whereas the continuous phase takes 4 months7. During the four months of continuous phase, patients are treated with isoniazid and rifampicin at same doses7. Most of the TB treatment is supervised where drug administration needs to be fully supervised by healthcare professions since lengthy duration of treatment causing incompliance in patients7. These patients who are unlikely to be compliance will be given the drugs three times a week until the course is completed while patients who able to comply with the treatment will not be supervised7. Despite the chemotherapy treatment and BCG vaccine, TB remains as a significant infectious disease due to increasing emergence of drug resistant TB and co-infection with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) 6. Since the host defense in HIV patients is suppressed, they are more susceptible to TB infections. Moreover, drug- drug interactions between antiviral therapy and anti-TB also causing complications in treating co-infected patients6. Drug resistant TB has evolved mainly because of improper treatment or incompliance in patients who stop taking their medications before the bacteria is being fully eradicated since the duration of treatment is lengthy which takes 6-9 months8, 9. The mechanism involved includes chromosomal mutations in genes that responsible for drug targets encoding9. When there is a sequential accumulation of mutations, multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) emerges where the M. tuberculosis strains will resistant to two of the most commonly used drugs, Isoniazid and Rifampicin9. Patients with MDR-TB are then relying on the second-line drug classes, fluoroquinolones and the three injectable agents namely amikacin, capreomycin, and kanamycin10, 11. The chances to cure would dramatically be reduced for patients who infected with extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB), a situation where the isolated strains are resistant against any one of fluoroquinolones and at least one of three injectable drugs12. In order to combat with the MDR-TB or XDR-TB and optimize the tuberculosis drug regimen, it is crucial to understand the mechanism of action of current using first-line drugs and how resistance is developed against these drugs. Isoniazid (INH) or isonicotinic acid hydrazide is discovered in 1952, a bactericidal agent which active against organism of the genus Mycobacterium, especially M. tuberculosis, M. bovis and M. kansassi6, 13. In vivo, INH has shown to be bactericidal in culture over the first 48 hours which become bacteriostatic after this particular time frame13. This indicates that INH is bacteriostatic for slow growing or resting bacilli but is bactericidal for rapidly dividing mycobacterium. The minimal tuberculostatic concentration is 0.025 to 0.05ug/ml14. INH is a prodrug that needs to be activated by catalaseperoxide hemoporotein, KatG before acts by inhibiting mycolic acid synthesis and cell wall disruption in susceptible mycobacterium14, 15. This inhibitory action is very specific since mycolic acids are unique to mycobacteria14. INH acts by inhibit enoyl acyl carrier protein (ACP) reductase, InhA, and a beta-ketoacyl-ACP synthase, KasA that are crucial in fatty acid synthesis system for myco lic acid16. Resistance to INH is believed due to mutations in gene encoding catalaseperoxidase katG or InhA or lacking KatG9, 15. Isoniazid is metabolised in the liver, mainly by acetylation and dehydrazination where slow acetylator may experience higher concentration leads to potential toxicity before excreted in the urine within 24 hours14. Rifampicin (RIF), discovered in 1963, is a lipophilic semisynthetic derivative of rifamycin antibiotic which is produced by the fermentation of a strain of Amycolatopsismediterranei6, 9, 17. RIF has bactericidal activities against a broad spectrum of microorganisms including gram-positive and gram-negative. RIF will inhibit the action of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase of mycobacteria that is encoded by rpoB through formation of a stable drug-enzyme complex9. This will suppress the initiation chain formation in RNA synthesis and hence prohibit protein synthesis in M. tuberculosis9. Development of resistance to RIF is mostly due to mutation in 81 base pair region of rpoB gene thus facilitate a straightforward approach to detect MDR-TB since 85-90% RIF-resistant strains are also resistant to INH9. RIF produces peak plasma concentration of 7ug/mL in 2 to 4 hours after ingestion of 600mg18. It also distributed well to most of the body tissues and fluids, including cerebrospinal fluid since it is lipophilic18. Following absorption from the gastrointestinal tract, RIF is eliminated rapidly in the bile with fewer amounts excreted through urine18. Pyrazinamde (PZA) is discovered in 1954 and it produces excellent sterility effects against semidormant tubercle bacilli at slightly acidic pH6, 9. The antimicrobial activity of PZA is through interference with mycolic acid synthesis in M. tuberculosis by pyrazinoic acid, an active moiety of PZA9. Conversion of PZA to pyrazinoic acid is mediated by pyrazinamidase enzyme that is encoded by pncA gene in M. tuberculosis, thus indicating that these bacilli are sensitive to PZA9. Resistance against PZA evolved when mutation occur at pncA gene that is responsible for pyrazinamidase, hence affecting the activity of this enzyme9. PZA is well absorbed from gastrointestinal tract and is widely distributed to most tissues and fluid too18. The oral administration of 500 mg PZA produces plasma concentrations of 9-12ug/ml after two hours and 7ug/ml after 8 hours18. PZA is metabolized in liver whereas the metabolites are excreted through renal glomerular filtration18. Ethambutol (EMB) is discovered in 1962, acts as bacteriostatic agent and is active against undergoing cell division6, 19. EMB primarily targets on impairment of cell wall polymerization by inhibits arabinosy transferase, a vital enzyme responsible for mycobacteria cell wall biosynthesis9, 19. Since arabinosy transferase enzyme is encoded by embC-embA-embB genes, resistance against EMB evolved is believed due to mutation of these genes9. EMB is currently used as one of the first-line treatment for tuberculosis mainly because of its synergistic effect with other front-line drugs and its low toxicity property19. There is roughly 75-80% of an oral dose of EMB is rapidly absorbed in gastrointestinal tract with absorption unaffected when administered with foods20. In addition, EMB is distributed widely to body tissues and fluid, including cerebrospinal fluid before being metabolized in the liver and excreted in urine20. Streptomycin (SM) is an aminoglycoside antibiotic, used as first line treatment for TB when it first discovered in 19441, 6. Streptomycin is isolated from the bacteria Streptomycesgriseus and its antimicrobial effects against M. tuberculosisis highly effective when use in combination with other first line agents21. However, SM is no longer considered as first line treatment as resistance against it has developed rapidly1. The optimum pH for SM is at pH8 where its bacteriostatic activity will reduce with increasingly acidic environment21. SM acts by binding tightly to A site of 16S ribosomal RNA subunit, interferes with mRNA translation, causing faulty protein being produced1, 9. Resistant emergence when the mutation occurs at gene rpsL and rrs that encoded for 16S and S12 ribosomal protein1, 9. Upon administration, SM is poorly absorbed from gastrointestinal tract and mostly administered parentally1. SM is mostly excreted in urine and patients with low renal profile might experience toxicity such as neurotoxic reactions1. When the first line treatment is no longer suitable for patients or patients develop multi-drug resistance TB, second line drugs will then be introduced in combating the TB. Second line drugs that are mostly used include Ethionamide (ETH), Cycloserine (CS), Para-Aminosalicylic Acid (PAS) and Fluoroquinolones (FQ). ETH has been in use since 1960s, is a structural analogue of INH and it targets at inhibition of mycolic acid biosynthesis in tubercle bacilli9, 22. INH however is much more potent than ETH since the minimal inhibitory concentration for ETH is 0.5-5.0ug/mL22. Resistance evolved due to mutation at gene InhAand ethA which encode for oxygenase enzyme in activation of ETH 9. In vitro, CS has inhibitory effect on M. tuberculosis at 5-200ug/mL and there is no cross resistance occurred between CS and other drugs14. CS acts by interfereing the biosynthesis of bacterial cell wall14. CS is well absorbed in gastrointestinal tract and also widely distributed to body tissues and fluid including cerebrospinal fluid14. PAS was first introduced as first line drug but being replaced by Ethambutol in 1960s1. It acts bacteriostatically with possessing inhibitory effect at concentration less than 1mg/ml by interfere with folic acid metabolism in bacteria1. PAS is readily absorbed from gastrointestinal tract and distributed well throughout the body. Approximately 80% of the drugs will be excreted via kidney after being metabolized to acetylated form1. Moxifloxacin and Gatifloxacin are both been synthesized and evaluated as excellent bactericidal agents through inhibiting DNA gyrase, an ATP-dependent enzymes topoisomerase II which is responsible in bacteria DNA transcription9. DNA gyrase is consisted of two subunits that is arranged in a complex, is encoded by two different genes, gyrA and gyrB where mutations at gyrA will normally cause bacteria resistance to these new generation of flouroquinolones9. Due to the increasing incidence of multidrug resistance TB, it is highly desirable to develop new drugs that are not only potent and effective against current resistant strains of M. tuberculosis but also possess shorter treatment duration since most of the incompliance of patients is brought up by lengthy TB treatment. Most of the mechanisms of action of current treatments are involved in interfering the bacterial DNA synthesis, protein and mycolic cell wall biosynthesis. The enzymes that participate in these pathways could also be the target of newly designed drugs such as TMC207, one of the new drugs which are currently under investigations and clinical trials. TMC207 is a member of diarylquinoline class of compound which target at adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthase by binding to subunit C of the synthase, blocking the energy pathway of mycobacteria23, 24. In vitro, TMC207 not only possesses ability to inhibit both drug sensitive and resistant M. tuberculosis isolates, but also able to sterilize the patient through killing the dormant bacilli bactericidally23. TMC207 showed a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.03ug/mL against M. tuberculosis, suggesting a more potent agent compared to current first- line treatments such as isoniazid and rifampicin24. Apart from that, its synergistic effect with pyrazinamide could promise as effective drug combination for sterilizing the patients against TB23. A phase I clinical trials which involved short terms administration of TMC207 in healthy individuals showing no adverse effects and the subjects are well tolerated with it24. However, it is essential to investigate the selectivity of TMC207 again st mammalian ATP synthase with longer periods to ensure the patients safety when administered with TMC207. Thiacetazone (TAC) is widely used as second line anti-TB agent against multiresistant tuberculosis at present25. TAC acts by interferes the biosynthesis pathway of mycolic acid in tubercle bacilli25. The fact that M. tuberculosis has been difficult to eradicate and remains persistent is due to its cell wall that composed of mycolic acid which is resistant against chemical injury, dehydration and also has low permeability to antibiotics25. Mycolic acid contains cyclopropane rings that is activated through cyclopropane mycolic acid synthase (CMASs), has a significant contribution to tuberculosis25. By inhibiting the cyclopropanation, the cell wall biosynthesis will then be interrupted, introducing the bactericidal effects25. The aim of this research is to synthesis and evaluates the analogues of Thiacetazone which might be potential anti tuberculosis agents. The analogues will be tested against different strains of mycobacteriain lab. The target actions of these analogues will also be identified based on the structure of the analogues. The above analogue is synthesized when a benzylaldehyde reacts with a primary amine. This is a condensation process and an imine is produced. The changes at position R1 to R3 with different electron withdrawing groups are first planned to be evaluated. However, the plan is prohibited since the corresponding structures are either unavailable or too expensive that falling outside the budget. After revised on the previous analogues that were discovered and their respective MIC values obtained from lab, the structures of new analogues that are going to be evaluated are finally sorted out. The R1 to R3 positions would be replaced by either a -chloro or a -methoxy with R8 position would either be an amine, a methyl or a benzene ring. A chloro is used at position R1 to R3 since it is electron withdrawing, big and lipophilic molecule whereas the methoxy group is electron donating, small and quite lipophilic. For R8 position, an amine is selected because it is electron withdrawing and small. A methyl is also selected since it is quite lipophilic, small and electron donating. On the other hand, benzene ring which is highly lipophilic, neither electron donating nor withdrawing group might have a different effect on the analogue synthesized.

Theories of Motivation Essay -- Management Employee Motivation

Theories of Motivation According to Greenberg (1999) motivation is defined "as a process of arousing, directing and maintaining behaviour towards a goal." Where ‘directing' refers to the selection of a particular behaviour; and ‘maintenance' refers to the inclination to behave with consistency in that manner until the desired outcome is met. Motivation is therefore the force that transforms and uplifts people to be productive and perform in their jobs. Maximising an employee's motivation is necessary and vital to successfully accomplish the organisation's objectives and targets. However this is a considerable challenge to any organisation's managers, due to the complexity of motivation and the fact that there is no ready made solution or an answer to what motivates people to work well (Mullins, 2002). It is my intention in this essay to explore some issues around motivation and cite work based experiences to illustrate and substantiate any arguments or points of view. Main Body Mullins (2002) classifies motivation into Intrinsic and Extrinsic types. Intrinsic motivation involves psychological rewards to enhance job satisfaction, such as the opportunity to use one's ability, a sense of achievement, receiving appreciation and positive recognition or being treated in a considerate manner (Mullins, 2002:P490). Such methods ensure employees are constantly motivated while being engaged in activities that are enjoyable and rewarding. I was formerly employed by a supplier of automobile parts where in addition to using compensation as a means of motivation; they too were dedicated in ensuring their employees had maximum job satisfaction. This was achieved by giving autonomy in their job functions and assigning significa... ...its employees. In today's complex business environment; traditional approaches like monetary incentives are not the only prime motivators. In addition to expecting financial incentives for their performance, employee's expectations are much more. Appreciation, recognition and opportunities for personal growth; must be catered for to harness maximum productivity. Furthermore in an era where change is imperative for the organisation's survival, highly motivated employees, represent flexibility and show willing to change; a vital component for the success of any organisation. References Greenberg, J. (1999) Managing behaviour in organisations, Prentice Hall. Mullins, L (2002) Management and organisational behaviour, Prentice Hall FT Benabou, R. & Tirole, J. (2003) ‘Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation', The Review of Economic Studies, vol.70, pg.489-520.

The Traditional School Schedule :: essays papers

The Traditional School Schedule The traditional School schedule is set up so students go to school for 9 months and then have a 3-month summer Vacation. This system dates back to a time when most people's lively hood was farming; therefore, the educational schedule was built around the times of harvest and planting. But in modern day, with so little farmers this schedule is severely out dated. The long break in the summer encourages students to forget knowledge that they learned that previous year, forcing teachers to review information for 4-6 weeks, time that could be well used teaching students new and enriching things. This schedule also isn't very cost effective, for three months schools stand empty and unused, which is ridicules due to how over crowded the educational system is. Does it really make sense to use an outdated schedule when with every other aspect of our lives we want the newest and the best? Year Round Education The year round educational (YRE) system was implemented in 1904, to solve the problem of overcrowded schools.( Bemis & Palmer ,1998)Now this system is used to solve many other problems that the educational system has been facing. A YRE schedule allows students the same amount of time in school as the traditional calendar. But instead of a 3-month vacation, students in year round school have smaller breaks throughout the year. YRE can also be made into a single or multi-track facility of education this allows more students in schools and also gives teachers a way to earn a living in the summer months. Optional Plans Available There are several plans that schools offer in order to distribute the vacation throughout the year in many smaller breaks then in one three month block. Examples of these plans would be 45-15,60-20, and 60-15. The 45-15 plan is the most widely used plan, it is the simplest plan to use at any level of education, and also can be used for a multi track school. With the 40-15 plan student's go to school for 45 days and then have a 15-day break. Next the 60-20 plan follows the same pattern as the 45-15, students go to school for 60 days and then have a break for 20. Most teachers like this plan because it allows them a little more time on a particular subject. The Traditional School Schedule :: essays papers The Traditional School Schedule The traditional School schedule is set up so students go to school for 9 months and then have a 3-month summer Vacation. This system dates back to a time when most people's lively hood was farming; therefore, the educational schedule was built around the times of harvest and planting. But in modern day, with so little farmers this schedule is severely out dated. The long break in the summer encourages students to forget knowledge that they learned that previous year, forcing teachers to review information for 4-6 weeks, time that could be well used teaching students new and enriching things. This schedule also isn't very cost effective, for three months schools stand empty and unused, which is ridicules due to how over crowded the educational system is. Does it really make sense to use an outdated schedule when with every other aspect of our lives we want the newest and the best? Year Round Education The year round educational (YRE) system was implemented in 1904, to solve the problem of overcrowded schools.( Bemis & Palmer ,1998)Now this system is used to solve many other problems that the educational system has been facing. A YRE schedule allows students the same amount of time in school as the traditional calendar. But instead of a 3-month vacation, students in year round school have smaller breaks throughout the year. YRE can also be made into a single or multi-track facility of education this allows more students in schools and also gives teachers a way to earn a living in the summer months. Optional Plans Available There are several plans that schools offer in order to distribute the vacation throughout the year in many smaller breaks then in one three month block. Examples of these plans would be 45-15,60-20, and 60-15. The 45-15 plan is the most widely used plan, it is the simplest plan to use at any level of education, and also can be used for a multi track school. With the 40-15 plan student's go to school for 45 days and then have a 15-day break. Next the 60-20 plan follows the same pattern as the 45-15, students go to school for 60 days and then have a break for 20. Most teachers like this plan because it allows them a little more time on a particular subject.

Explain the process that you went through to create and market your band, you must use specific media vocabulary

In this term, we have been studying media. During this time, we have created a band as our ‘product'. My band has been targeted at teenagers and young adults. The image I aimed create for my band, was a ‘bad-boy' or ‘gangster' image. The name I have given to my band was ‘Bad Behaviour', this portrays the image given, – that they behave badly, bringing across a gangster similarity. Their profile also puts across their image, because of their; age, where they grew up, their style, and the way they speak (street talk). The words which detonate their band name, such as trouble, and sexy, also depict their ‘bad – boy', ‘gangster' image. Having decided on an image, and created a ‘product', I took steps to create and gain publicity for my band. To start off I created a leaflet, advertising a gig where the band would be performing, including where and when it would be. I made my leaflet colourful, so that it stood out to passers by, our second step was to gain publicity for the band. To do this, I thought of a stunt for my band, I decided to have them pull up outside the gates of Walton Prison in Liverpool, and perform some of their tracks. Later, we wrote some newspaper reports publicising the facts of the incident, which was all good free publicity. We created reviews, commenting on their new single that they were bringing out, which would also create publicity, as it would be placed in a popular teen magazine such as ‘smash hits', so this might tempt people to go out and buy their debut single. Our final publicity stunt was to get our band on a local radio station. We worked in groups and pretended to interview our band. This would gain publicity as well, because listeners to that radio station would hear about the band and their music, using recommendations from the radio dj, and from the image the band put across from their first, to last publicity stunts, which may get the band their first fans. My band has recorded their debut single, my review reflects this. The review reinforces the image of my band because it refers to bands that play the similar music, who also have influenced my band. This is where their influences originally grew from. The image that my band puts across is a ‘bad – boy' image which their influential bands, like So Solid crew, and Blazin' Squad also have. After creating and marketing my band, I am aware that famous bands don't just appear with their fame and money, they have to earn it. They take careful steps in order to ensure that they are a success. A lot of hard work is needed in order to complete these steps. It is very important to work towards a specific target audience, because peoples taste in music differs as they get older. This means that you would need to include ranges of different types of music in your single, which would be incredibly difficult to achieve music that a majority of people all like.

The Lord of the Rings in the 21st Century

Films or movies are representative of cultures and the nature of the generation from which it is spun. Films or movies seem to represent a piece of reality within them that seeks to inform its viewers, transform thoughts and ideals of its audience, influence change, and such. However, in this case, the role of the film or movie is to represent our society as it is now in the 21st century.  The Lord of the Rings trilogy, adapted from the books written by J. R. R. Tolkien, represents our generation in the 21st century as it illustrates the war between good and evil that we are battling at present. We exist in a world in chaos, where nations battle for peace and harmony amidst a war-stricken world, and yet like the purpose driven by the Fellowship of the Ring, the people struggle and hope that we may be able to withstand the turmoil to reach tranquility.The Lord of the Rings Trilogy follows the structure of a typical â€Å"good versus evil† movie. The theme was instigated by en compassing feelings of fear – fear from being corrupted and restricted by the malevolent and iniquitous nature of man. Moreover, the vulnerability of man to be seduced by power and authority establishes the central theme of the trilogy.The evil that entices man will lead him to destroy the peace and goodness that exists on earth and seek to annihilate everyone who dares to oppose him in his quest for supremacy. This poses the thought that man is feeble, unable to resist his surrender to wickedness for his personal vested interests.Sauron, the antagonist in the film trilogy, represents the greed for power. The ring, which Sauron seeks, is the symbolism of power, and with this power, the ability to rule all of earth according to his desires. Perhaps this builds on one cultural myth that illustrates the growing need of man to earn power or a valuable position in society. As the world grows and deteriorates into a society that nurtures unfairness, inequality, deceit, war, value f or money and status rather than life, the mind set of people grows and changes along with it.This kind of society builds on competition, such that the more power you have, the more authority you gain to obtain what you want and need. Moreover, this kind of society has instilled in the minds of the people that they need to struggle and compete with other people no matter the cost, just to obtain power. Sauron is greed that grows inside every human being, always in search for that ring of power, believing it to be their saving grace to survive in the mess of the world.On a more practical or technical perspective, the society that we live in at present is more of a capitalist society. The foundation of capitalism is built on the kind of competition already discussed in the previous paragraph. People compete for ownership and profit, without being controlled or restricted, which will lead them to occupy a highly revered position.Under the context of business, capitalists manipulate the people into purchasing what they sell in order to earn profit and obtain ownership over the majority. Moreover, capitalists compete among themselves and will do everything at all costs to obtain an advantage over competitors.Like the characters of Isildur and Smeagol (Gollum) in the trilogy, capitalists have been corrupted by the greed for power (Sauron and the ring).Isildur was a great king and Smeagol was an innocent hobbit, however, their brief possession of the one ring has corrupted them. Isildur chose not to destroy the ring but keep it for himself in order to maintain his position as king, while Smeagol became fixated on the ring which hindered him from having a good and happy life.This is similar with what is happening now. Capitalists have built a world according to their terms where people are urged to earn more money in order to spend it on what capitalism has dictated as their wants and needs – and this is all motivated by greed.Instead of thinking about equality and justice, capitalists chose to be in power and from there obtain more of it by relying on the weaknesses of the people who are at a disadvantage. The people too, who submit to the deceit that capitalists impose on them, are being tempted like Smeagol.People nowadays are never happy about earning a regular salary – they have to earn more. People are not contented with having a roof above them – it has to be a big house with large windows, a pool, overlooking the mountains, etc. The discontentment is caused by the influence of capitalists for people to have more, and by having more, they mean having more from them.

How Technology and Environment Might Influence the Structure of an Organisation

Student Name: Adeniyi Adebowale Module: Principles of Organising and Managing Student Number: 500188225 Due Date: 15th of March, 2010 Title: Explain how technology and environment might influence the structure of an organisation; support your answer with examples. Paragraphs: 25 Charles Perrow (1974) suggests that there are four types of technology that determines an organisation's most effective structure and success in the market. The following are the types of technology: Non-routine Technology are characterized by high task variability and low task analyzability, examples include tasks performed by research chemist, advertising agencies, high-tech product designers and top management teams. With this type of technology, an organization has to develop structure that allows employees to respond quickly to manage exceptions and create new solutions like an organic structure. Engineering Technology is characterized by high task variability and high task analyzability, examples of these includes civil engineering companies that build roads and bridges another example includes motor manufacturers that produce customized cars. Craft Technology is characterized by low task variability and low task analyzability, examples includes an accountant preparing a tax return and a plumber fitting a bath or shower. Robbins (1993) further argued that technology has and will continue to influence growth and development in organization. Technology has made a fundamental impact in the education sector, providing a competitive advantage that has come to be essential to many organizations. For example, education institutes must also use technology to improve the educational learning process. In the past decade, computers and the Internet have changed the way in which education can be delivered to students since it is currently possible to engage in distance education through the Internet. There are two means in which technologies can be used in delivering education to students and they are listed below: Synchronous Technologies is a mode of online delivery where all participants are â€Å"present† at the same time requiring a timetable to be organized. Web Conferencing is an example of synchronous technology. Asynchronous Technologies is a mode of online delivery where participants access course materials on their own schedule. Students are not required to be together at the same time. Message board forums, e-mail and recorded video are examples of asynchronous technology. draw:frame} {draw:frame} Source: Andrzej Huczynski and David Buchanan (2001), page 36. Placid, Randomized Placid, Clustered Disturbed, Reactive Turbulent Fields {draw:frame} The figure below outlines the suggested points in details: Source: Andrzej Huczynski and David Buchanan (2001), page 49. Source: Andrzej Huczynski and David Buchanan (2001), page 47 References Stephen P. Robbins, 1993, Or ganizational Behaviour, 6th Edition, Prentice Hall International, U. S. A. Stephen P. Robbins, 1994, Management, 4th Edition, Prentice Hall International, U. S. A. David Faulkner, 2002, Strategy_: Critical Perspective on Business and Management_, Volume 1, U. K. Lloyd S. Baird, James E. Post and John F. Mahon, 1990, Management: Function and Responsibilities, Harper Collins Publisher, U. S. A. Harold J. Leavitt, Louis R. Pondy, and David M Boje, 1988, Readings in Managerial Psychology, 4th Edition, The University of Chicago Press Ltd. U. S. A. Charles Perrow, 1974, Organizational Analysis: A Social View, Tavistock Publications, London, U. K. Alan Fox, 1974, Beyond Contract: Work, Power and Trust Relations (Society Today and Tomorrow), Faber Publishing, London, U. K.

Doctrine of Repugnance

From time immemorial, legislative bodies have been enacting laws all over the world. With the enactment of laws by different legislative bodies all over the world, conflict of laws is an unavoidable issue. However, in this article I will mainly be focusing on the conflict of laws with regard to India. In India, there are three wings of the Government, namely, The Legislature, The Judiciary and the Executive. The legislature has the law making powers for the entire country. The legislature is further divided into the Centre and the State. Doctrine of Repugnancy deals with the conflict of laws between the State and the Centre. Part XI of the Indian Constitution describes the legislative relations between the States and the Centre. The legislative field of the Parliament and the State Legislatures has been specified in Article 246 of the Constitution whereas Article 254 of the Indian Constitution describes the mechanism for resolution of conflict between the Central and the State legislations enacted with respect to any matter enumerated in List III of the Seventh Schedule. Various judicial pronouncements have declared the pre-conditions for the application of the doctrine of repugnancy. In the case of M. Karunanidhi v. Union of India, the Constitutional Bench laid down the tests for the application of the Doctrine of Repugnancy, which is as follows: â€Å"1. That in order to decide the question of repugnancy it must be shown that the two enactments contain inconsistent and irreconcilable provisions, so that they cannot stand together or operate in the same field. 2. That there can be no repeal by implication unless the inconsistency appears on the face of the two statutes. . That where the two statutes occupy a particular field, but there is room or possibility of both the statutes operating in the same field without coming into collision with each other, no repugnancy results. 4. That where there is no inconsistency but a statute occupying the same field seeks to create distinct and separate offences, no question of repugnancy arises and both the statutes continue to operate in the same field. † In National Engineering Industries Ltd. Vs. Shri Kishan, the Supreme Court observed : In order that a question of repugnancy may be arise, two conditions must be fulfilled, namely that the State Law and the Laws of the Union must operate the name field and one must be repugnant or inconsistent with the other. † From the plain reading of the Articles 246 and 254 it is clear that in case of a conflict between the Union laws and State laws, it is the Union law which shall prevail if it is made within an entry of List III of the Constitution. In such a scenario if any provision of a State-made law is in conflict with the Parliament–made law under such circumstance the State-made law is declared void to the extent of repugnancy. However, this general rule is subject to Clause (2) of Article 254 of the Indian Constitution. The Clause (2) of the said Article says that that the State law will become void to the extent of repugnancy unless the State law has been reserved for the assent of the President. If the Preseident grants his assent to the said state law, then the Union law, to the extent of its repugnancy will become void in that state. However, this does not curtail the power of the Parliament from enacting at any time any law with respect to the same matter including a Law adding to amending varying or repealing the law so made by the legislature of the State. Thus, what is visible to us by analyzing the various judicial pronouncements and by going through the Constitution is that both the Centre and the State have supreme powers with regard to enacting the laws for their respective domains but in the presence of a conflict, it is the Centre-made laws which shall prevail in most cases. The Supreme Court in Zameer Ahmed Latifur Rehman Sheikh Vs. State of Maharashtra has examined the law relating to the Doctrine of Repugnancy. In essence, Part XI of the Indian Constitution describes the legislative relations between the States and the Centre. Further, Article 254 establishes the doctrine of Repugnancy which acts as a safeguard to solve disputes arising between the states and the Union. The term ‘Repugnancy’ means inconsistency between the State-made law and the Union-made law. The relevant extracts from the judgment are reproduced hereunder; 46. Before we proceed to analyze the said aspect, it would be appropriate to understand the situations in which repugnancy would arise. 47. Chapter I of Part XI of the Constitution deals with the subject of distribution of legislative powers of the Parliament and the legislature of the States. Article 245 of the Constitution provides that the Parliament may make laws for the whole or any part of the territory of India, and the legislature of a State may make laws for the whole or any part of the State. 48. The legislative field of the Parliament and the State Legislatures has been specified in Article 246 of the Constitution. Article 246, reads as follows: – 49. We may now refer to the judgment of this Court in M. Karunanidhi v. Union of India, [(1979) 3 SCC 431], which is one of the most authoritative judgments on the present issue. In the said case, the principles to be applied for determining repugnancy between a law made by the Parliament and a law made by the State Legislature were considered by a Constitution Bench of this Court. At para 8, this Court held that repugnancy may result from the following circumstances: â€Å"1. Where the provisions of a Central Act and a State Act in the Concurrent List are fully inconsistent and are absolutely irreconcilable, the Central Act will prevail and the State Act will become void in view of the repugnancy. Where however a law passed by the State comes into collision with a law passed by Parliament on an Entry in the Concurrent List, the State Act shall prevail to the extent of the repugnancy and the provisions of the Central Act would become void provided the State Act has been passed in accordance with clause (2) of Article 254. 3. Where a law passed by the State Legislature while being substantially within the scope of the entries in the State List entrenches upon any of the Entries in he Central List the constitutionality of the law may be upheld by invoking the doctrine of pith and substance if on an analysis of the provisions of the Act it appears that by and large the law falls within the four corners of the State List and entrenchment, if any, is purely incidental or inconsequential. 4. Where, however, a law made by the State Legislature on a subject covered by the Concurrent List is inconsistent with and repugnant to a previous law made by Parliament, then such a law can be pro tected by obtaining the assent of the President under Article 254(2) of the Constitution. The result of obtaining the assent of the President would be that so far as the State Act is concerned, it will prevail in the State and overrule the provisions of the Central Act in their applicability to the State only. Such a state of affairs will exist only until Parliament may at any time make a law adding to, or amending, varying or repealing the law made by the State Legislature under the proviso to Article 254. † In para 24, this Court further laid down the conditions which must be satisfied before any repugnancy could arise, the said conditions are as follows:- â€Å"1. That there is a clear and direct inconsistency between the Central Act and the State Act. 2. That such an inconsistency is absolutely irreconcilable. 3. That the inconsistency between the provisions of the two Acts is of such nature as to bring the two Acts into direct collision with each other and a situation is reached where it is impossible to obey the one without disobeying the other. † Thereafter, this Court after referring to the catena of judgments on the subject, in para 38, laid down following propositions:- 1. That in order to decide the question of repugnancy it must be shown that the two enactments contain inconsistent and irreconcilable provisions, so that they cannot stand together or operate in the same field. 2. That there can be no repeal by implication unless the inconsistency appears on the face of the two statutes. 3. That where the two statutes occupy a particular field, but there is room or possibility of both the statutes operating in the same field without coming into collision with each other, no repugnancy results. 4. That where there is no inconsistency but a statute occupying the same field seeks to create distinct and separate offences, no question of repugnancy arises and both the statutes continue to operate in the same field. † 50. In Govt. of A. P. v. J. B. Educational Society, [(2005) 3 SCC 212], this Court while discussing the scope of Articles 246 and 254 and considering the proposition laid down by this Court in M. Karunanidhi case (supra) with respect to the situations in which repugnancy would arise, in para 9, held as follows:- â€Å"9. Parliament has exclusive power to legislate with respect to any of the matters enumerated in List I, notwithstanding anything contained in clauses (2) and (3) of Article 246. The non obstante clause under Article 246(1) indicates the predominance or supremacy of the law made by the Union Legislature in the event of an overlap of the law made by Parliament with respect to a matter enumerated in List I and a law made by the State Legislature w ith respect to a matter enumerated in List II of the Seventh Schedule. 10. There is no doubt that both Parliament and the State Legislature are supreme in their respective assigned fields. It is the duty of the court to interpret the legislations made by Parliament and the State Legislature in such a manner as to avoid any conflict. However, if the conflict is unavoidable, and the two enactments are irreconcilable, then by the force of the non obstante clause in clause (1) of Article 246, the parliamentary legislation would prevail notwithstanding the exclusive power of the State Legislature to make a law with respect to a matter enumerated in the State List. 11. With respect to matters enumerated in List III (Concurrent List), both Parliament and the State Legislature have equal competence to legislate. Here again, the courts are charged with the duty of interpreting the enactments of Parliament and the State Legislature in such manner as to avoid a conflict. If the conflict becomes unavoidable, then Article 245 indicates the manner of resolution of such a conflict. Thereafter, this Court, in para 12, held that the question of repugnancy between the parliamentary legislation and the State legislation could arise in following two ways:- â€Å"12. †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ First, where the legislations, though enacted with respect to matters in their allotted sphere, overlap and conflict. Second, where the two legislations are with respect to matters in the Concurrent List and there is a conflict. In both the situations, parliamentary legislation will predominate, in the first, by virtue of the non obstante clause in Article 246(1), in the second, by reason of Article 254(1). Clause (2) of Article 254 deals with a situation where the State legislation having been reserved and having obtained President's assent, prevails in that State; this again is subject to the proviso that Parliament can again bring a legislation to override even such State legislation. 51. In National Engg. Industries Ltd. v. Shri Kishan Bhageria [(1988) Supp SCC 82], Sabyasachi Mukharji, J. , opined that the best test of repugnancy is that if one prevails, the other cannot prevail. Case Study – Vijay Kumar Sharma V State Of Karnataka (Air 1990 Sc 2072) by Sayontika Das Part XI of the Indian Constitution describes the legislative relations between the States and the Centre. Article 254 to establish the doctrine of Repugnancy is one of the laws laid down under the Indian Constitution as a safeguard to solve disputes arising between the states and the Union. Repugnancy’ is meant to express ‘conflict’, whereby there is an expressed inconsistency between the State-made law and the Union-made law. Case details:Bench Majority opined- Mishra Rangnath, Sawant P. B and desenting view Ramaswamy. K. Relevant statutory provisions (i) Karnataka Contract Carriages (Acquisition) Act (21 of 1976); s. 14 & s. 20; (ii) Motor Vehicles Act 1988; s. 74 & s. 80(2); and (iii) The doctrine of Repugnancy: Article 254 of the Indian Constitution. Reference cases (i) Ch. Tika Ramji v. State of Uttar Pradesh (AIR 1956 SC 676) ; (ii) Hoechst Pharmaceuticals Ltd. v. State of Bihar (AIR 1983 SC 1019). Case Study: The doctrine deals with List (III) schedule (VII) which declares both the Union and State legislatures competent to legislate. However in case of conflict between the laws, the Union law will prevail if it is made within an entry of List (III), irrespective of whether it the Union law is made by before or after the State Legislature. According to Article 254 (1) an overriding effect is provided to the provisions of a Parliament-made law which the Parliament is competent to enact or in with respect to any matter as enumerated in the List III of Schedule VII. In such a scenario if any provision of a State-made law is in conflict with the Parliament–made law under such circumstance the State-made law is declared void to the extent of repugnancy. Under List III named as the Concurrent List in Schedule VII of the Indian Constitution both the Union and State Legislatures are competent to make laws on any of the entries mentioned therein. However they are subject to Clause (2) of Article 254 only in case, there is no conflict between the provisions of the said State-made law and a Central Act on the subject. However in case there is a repugnancy in question of a State law and Union law enumerated on one of the subjects of List III, the State law must yield to the Union law unless it has already been reserved for the assent of the President and has duly received so under Article 254 (2). The question of repugnancy therefore rightfully arises when there is a direct conflict between the provisions of the State law and the Union law on the same occupied field. Laws are said to be repugnant ideally when they get involved into taking responsibility for obedience to a higher authority. Simultaneously however certain inconsistent enactments to each of these laws may sometimes be possible without disobeying the other. Thus a suitable instance for repugnancy arises only when legislation falling in List III, the Concurrent List can be cured by resorting to Article 254 (2). The question of repugnancy under Article 254 arises when the provisions of both laws are fully inconsistent or are absolutely irreconcilable and it is impossible to obey without disobeying the other, or conflicting results are produced when both the statutes covering the same field are applied to a given set of facts.

The Amazing and Horrifying Story of Kurt Gerstein

The Amazing and Horrifying Story of Kurt Gerstein Anti-Nazi Kurt Gerstein (1905-1945) never intended to be a witness to the Nazi murder of the Jews. He joined the SS to try to find out what happened to his sister-in-law, who had mysteriously died in a mental institution. Gerstein was so successful in his infiltration of the SS that he was placed in a position to witness gassings at Belzec. Gerstein then told everyone he could think of about what he saw and yet no action was taken. Some wonder if Gerstein did enough. Kurt Gerstein Kurt Gerstein was born on August 11, 1905, in Mà ¼nster, Germany. Growing up as a young boy in Germany during the First World War and the following tumultuous years, Gerstein did not escape the pressures of his time. He was taught by his father to follow orders without question; he agreed with the growing patriotic fervor that espoused German nationalism, and he was not immune to the strengthening anti-Semitic feelings of the inter-war period. Thus he joined the Nazi Party on May 2, 1933. However, Gerstein found that much of the National Socialist (Nazi) dogma went against his strong Christian beliefs. Turning Anti-Nazi While attending college, Gerstein became very involved in Christian youth groups. Even after graduating in 1931 as a mining engineer, Gerstein remained very active in the youth groups, especially the Federation of German Bible Circles (until it was disbanded in 1934). On January 30, 1935, Gerstein attended an anti-Christian play, Wittekind at the Municipal Theater in Hagen. Though he sat amongst numerous Nazi members, at one point in the play he stood up and shouted, This is unheard of! We shall not allow our faith to be publicly mocked without protest!1 For this statement, he was given a black eye and had several teeth knocked out.2 On September 26, 1936, Gerstein was arrested and imprisoned for anti-Nazi activities. He had been arrested for attaching anti-Nazi letters to invitations sent out to invitees of the German Miners Association.3 When Gersteins house was searched, additional anti-Nazi letters, issued by the Confessional Church, were found ready to be mailed along with 7,000 addressed envelopes.4 After the arrest, Gerstein was officially excluded from the Nazi Party. Also, after six weeks of imprisonment, he was released only to find that he had lost his job in the mines. Arrested Again Not able to get a job, Gerstein went back to school. He began to study theology at Tà ¼bingen but soon transferred to the Protestant Missions Institute to study medicine. After a two-year engagement, Gerstein married Elfriede Bensch, a pastors daughter, on August 31, 1937. Even though Gerstein had already suffered exclusion from the Nazi Party as a warning against his anti-Nazi activities, he soon resumed his distribution of such documents. On July 14, 1938, Gerstein was again arrested. This time, he was transferred to the Welzheim concentration camp where he became extremely depressed. He wrote, Several times I came within an ace of hanging myself of putting an end to my life in some other way because I hadnt the faintest idea if, or when, I should ever be released from that concentration camp.5 On June 22, 1939, after Gersteins release from the camp, the Nazi Party took even more drastic action against him regarding his status in the Party - they officially dismissed him. Gerstein Joins the SS In the beginning of 1941, Gersteins sister-in-law, Bertha Ebeling, died mysteriously at the Hadamar mental institution. Gerstein was shocked by her death and became determined to infiltrate the Third Reich to find out the truth about the numerous deaths at Hadamar and similar institutions. On March 10, 1941, a year and a half into the Second World War, Gerstein joined the Waffen SS. He was soon placed in the medical services hygiene section where he succeeded in inventing water filters for German troops - to his superiors delight. Gerstein had been dismissed from the Nazi Party, thus should not have been able to hold any Party position, especially not become part of the Nazi elite. For a year and a half, the anti-Nazi Gersteins entry into the Waffen SS went unnoticed by those that had dismissed him. In November 1941, at a funeral for Gersteins brother, a member of the Nazi court that had dismissed Gerstein saw him in uniform. Although information about his past was passed on to Gersteins superiors, his technical and medical skills - proven by the working water filter - made him too valuable to dismiss, Gerstein was thus allowed to stay at his post. Zyklon B Three months later, in January 1942, Gerstein was appointed the head of the Technical Disinfection Department of the Waffen SS where he worked with various toxic gases, including Zyklon B. On June 8, 1942, while the head of the Technical Disinfection Department, Gerstein was visited by SS Sturmbannfà ¼hrer Rolf Gà ¼nther of the Reich Security Main Office. Gà ¼nther ordered Gerstein to deliver 220 pounds of Zyklon B to a location known only to the driver of the truck. Gersteins main task was to determine the feasibility of changing the Aktion Reinhard gas chambers from carbon monoxide to Zyklon B. In August 1942, after having collected the  Zyklon B  from a factory in Kolin (near Prague, Czech Republic), Gerstein was taken to  Majdanek, Belzec, and  Treblinka. Belzec Gerstein arrived at Belzec on August 19, 1942, where he witnessed the entire process of gassing a trainload of Jews. After the unloading of 45 train cars stuffed with 6,700 people, those that were still alive were marched, completely naked, and told that no harm would come to them.  After the gas chambers were filled: Unterscharfà ¼hrer Hackenholt was making great efforts to get the engine running. But it doesnt go. Captain Wirth comes up. I can see he is afraid because I am present at a disaster. Yes, I see it all and I wait. My stopwatch showed it all, 50 minutes, 70 minutes, and the diesel did not start. The people wait inside the gas chambers. In vain. They can be heard weeping, like in the synagogue, says Professor Pfannenstiel, his eyes glued to a window in the wooden door. Furious, Captain Wirth lashes the Ukrainian assisting Hackenholt twelve, thirteen times, in the face. After 2 hours and 49 minutes - the stopwatch recorded it all - the diesel started. Up to that moment, the people shut up in those four crowded chambers were still alive, four times 750 persons in four times 45 cubic meters. Another 25 minutes elapsed. Many were already dead, that could be seen through the small window because an electric lamp inside lit up the chamber for a few moments. After 28 minutes, only a few were still alive. Finally, after 32 minutes, all were dead. 6 Gerstein was then shown the processing of the dead: Dentists hammered out gold teeth, bridges and crowns. In the midst of them stood Captain Wirth. He was in his element, and showing me a large can full of teeth, he said: See for yourself the weight of that gold! Its only from yesterday and the day before. You cant imagine what we find every day - dollars, diamonds, gold. Youll see for yourself! 7 Telling the World Gerstein was shocked by what he had witnessed. Yet, he realized that as a witness, his position was unique. I was one of the handful of people who had seen every corner of the establishment, and certainly the only one to have visited it as an enemy of this gang of murderers. 8 He buried the Zyklon B canisters that he was supposed to deliver to the death camps. He was shaken by what he had seen. He wanted to expose what he knew to the world so that they could stop it. On the train back to Berlin, Gerstein met Baron Gà ¶ran von Otter, a Swedish diplomat. Gerstein told von Otter all he had seen. As von Otter relates the conversation: It was hard to get Gerstein to keep his voice down. We stood there together, all night, some six hours or maybe eight. And again and again, Gerstein kept on recalling what he had seen. He sobbed and hid his face in his hands. 9 Von Otter made a detailed report of his conversation with Gerstein and sent it to his superiors. Nothing happened. Gerstein continued to tell people what he had seen. He tried to contact the Legation of the Holy See but was denied access because he was a soldier.10 [T]aking my life in my hands every moment, I continued to inform hundreds of people of these horrible massacres. Among them were the Niemà ¶ller family; Dr. Hochstrasser, the press attachà © at the Swiss Legation in Berlin; Dr. Winter, the coadjutor of the Catholic Bishop of Berlin - so that he could transmit my information to the Bishop and to the Pope; Dr. Dibelius [bishop of the Confessing Church], and many others. In this way, thousands of people were informed by me.11 As months continued to pass and still the Allies had done nothing to stop the extermination, Gerstein became increasingly frantic. [H]e behaved in a strangely reckless manner, needlessly risking his life every time he spoke of the extermination camps to persons he scarcely knew, who were in no position to help, but might easily have been subjected to torture and interrogation. . .  12 Suicide or Murder On April 22, 1945, near the end of the war, Gerstein contacted the Allies. After telling his story and showing his documents, Gerstein was kept in honorable captivity in Rottweil - this meant he was lodged at Hotel Mohren and just had to report to the French gendarmerie once a day.13 It was here that Gerstein wrote down his experiences - both in French and German. At this time, Gerstein seemed optimistic and confident. In a letter, Gerstein wrote: After twelve years of unremitting struggle, and in particular after the last four years of my extremely dangerous and exhausting activity and the many horrors I have lived through, I should like to recuperate with my family in Tà ¼bingen. 14 On May 26, 1945, Gerstein was soon transferred to Constance, Germany and then to Paris, France in early June. In Paris, the French did not treat Gerstein differently than the other war prisoners. He was taken to the Cherche-Midi military prison on July 5, 1945. The conditions there were terrible. On the afternoon of July 25, 1945, Kurt Gerstein was found dead in his cell, hung with part of his blanket. Though it was apparently a suicide, there is still some question if it was perhaps murder, possibly committed by other German prisoners who did not want Gerstein to talk. Gerstein was buried in the Thiais cemetery under the name Gastein. But even that was temporary, for his grave was within a section of the cemetery that was razed in 1956. Tainted In 1950, a final blow was given to Gerstein - a denazification court posthumously condemned him. After his experiences in the Belzec camp, he might have been expected to resist, with all the strength at his command, being made the tool of an organized mass murder. The court is of the opinion that the accused did not exhaust all the possibilities open to him and that he could have found other ways and means of holding aloof from the operation. . . .Accordingly, taking into account the extenuating circumstances noted . . . the court has not included the accused among the main criminals but has placed him among the tainted.15 It was not until January 20, 1965, that Kurt Gerstein was cleared of all charges, by the Premier of Baden-Wà ¼rttemberg. End Notes Saul Friedlnder,  Kurt Gerstein: The Ambiguity of Good  (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1969) 37.Friedlnder,  Gerstein  37.Friedlnder,  Gerstein  43.Friedlnder,  Gerstein  44.Letter by Kurt Gerstein to relatives in the United States as quoted in Friedlnder,  Gerstein  61.Report by Kurt Gerstein as quoted in Yitzhak Arad,  Belzec, Sobibor, Treblinka: The Operation Reinhard Death Camps  (Indianapolis: Indiana University Press, 1987)  102.Report by Kurt Gerstein as quoted in Arad,  Belzec  102.Friedlnder,  Gerstein  109.Friedlnder,  Gerstein  124.Report by Kurt Gerstein as quoted in Friedlnder,  Gerstein  128.Report by Kurt Gerstein as quoted in Friedlnder,  Gerstein  128-129.Martin Niemà ¶ller as quoted in Friedlnder,  Gerstein  179.Friedlnder,  Gerstein  211-212.Letter by Kurt Gerstein as quoted in Friedlnder,  Gerstein  215-216.Verdict of the Tà ¼bingen Denazification Court, August 17, 1950 as quoted in Friedlnder,  Gerstein  225-226. Bibliography Arad, Yitzhak.  Belzec, Sobibor, Treblinka: The Operation Reinhard Death Camps. Indianapolis: Indiana University Press, 1987.Friedlnder, Saul.  Kurt Gerstein: The Ambiguity of Good. New York: Alfred A Knopf, 1969.Kochan, Lionel. Kurt Gerstein.  Encyclopedia of the Holocaust. Ed. Israel Gutman. New York: Macmillan Library Reference USA, 1990.

Organization of the Federal Government of Canada

Organization of the Federal Government of Canada Canadian Federal Government Organization Chart A simple way to understand how the Canadian parliamentary system of government is organized is to take a look at its Organization Chart. Canadian Federal Government Institutions For more in-depth information, the Federal Government Organization category covers the major Canadian government institutions - the monarchy, governor general, federal courts, the prime minister, parliament, government departments and agencies. A quick way to find your way around the thousands of pages of information put out by the Canadian government is to use the Canada Online Subject Index to federal government departments and agencies. Once you find the relevant department, most government sites have a search function that will guide you from there. Canadian Federal Government Employees Another valuable piece of information on the Web is the Canadian federal government telephone directory. You can search for individual federal government employees, by department if you like, and it also provides useful inquiry numbers, as well as organization information. Continue: How the Federal Government Works Canadian Federal Government Operations Eugene Forseys How Canadians Govern Themselves is an important introduction to how government works in Canada. It covers the origins of the Canadian parliamentary system and its day-to-day operations, and explains the major differences between the federal and provincial governments in Canada. It also highlights some of the differences between the Canadian and American systems of government. Canadian Federal Government Public Policy For information on public policy and how it is made, try the Policy Research Initiative (PRI). The PRI was started by the Clerk of the Privy Council to strengthen public policy development and information sharing. The Privy Council Office, the public service organization that provides support to the Prime Minister and Cabinet, is a useful source of online publications and information resources on a wide range of current Canadian public policy. The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat is another good resource for information on the inside operations of the Canadian federal government. Its Web site posts many of the policies and regulations covering human resources, financial management and information technology of the federal government. As an example, this is where youll find information on the Government On-Line Project, the federal governments effort to put its most frequently used services on the Internet. The Speech From the Throne opening each session of Parliament outlines the legislative and policy priorities for the government for the coming session of Parliament. The Prime Ministers Office announces major public policy initiatives introduced by the federal government. Canadian Federal Government Elections To get an overview of Canadian elections, start with Elections in Canada. Youll find additional reference information in Federal Elections, including the results of the last federal election, information on who can vote, the National Register of Electors, federal ridings and Members of Parliament. Continue: Federal Government Services The Canadian federal government provides many different services to individuals and to business, both inside and outside Canada. Here is just a small sample. For more information, check the Government Services category. Citizenship and Immigration Canadian CitizenshipInformation on becoming a Canadian citizen, including applications, test and fees.Immigration to CanadaInformation for those planning to come to Canada, including requirements, how to apply and visas. Contracts and Purchasing Selling to the Canadian Federal GovernmentThe information you need to get the federal government as a client.Government PurchasingAdditional information on both federal and provincial government purchasing policies. Employment and Unemployment Federal Government Employment ServicesGovernment services to help you find work, from job banks to labour market information.Canadian Employment InsuranceIf you lose your job in Canada, youre probably eligible for Canadian Employment Insurance. Heres how to apply and how it works. Retirement Canadian Government PensionsThe Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS) and other Canadian government retirement, survivor and disability pensions.RRSPsOne of the biggest breaks youll get from the Canadian federal government. Taxes Personal Income TaxesInformation to help you complete your Canadian personal income tax return.Business TaxesCanada Revenue Agency information for business. Corporate income tax, Business Number, payroll deductions, importing, and exporting. Travel and Tourism Canadian Travel and TourismFederal government services including border protection, travel safety regulations, tourism offices, management of national parks and government funded museums.Canadian PassportsInstructions on how to apply for a Canadian passport.Canada Customs at the BorderCanadian government customs regulations and services when you or your goods cross the Canadian border. Weather Weather in CanadaEnvironment Canada provides weather forecasts across Canada, as well as safety information on extreme weather conditions and research on climate change.

Cricket in Times Square book report Essays

Cricket in Times Square book report Essays Cricket in Times Square book report Paper Cricket in Times Square book report Paper Name Class Date Imagine that you were living In a peaceful country with grass, trees, birds And suddenly you were moved to an extremely crowded clay Everything Is strange, and new for you. Do you think you will like it? This is the story of a fictional book called The Cricket in Times Square by George Selene, where a cricket who came from Connecticut starts living a new life in New York. Chester, the cricket is a very good singer. His owner is a newsstand boy called Mario. He finds Chester under a pile of papers, and he felt like he wanted to have Chester as a pet immediately when he first sees it. The problem is that Chester is from the country, which Is different from New York. So, Tucker the mouse and Harry the Cat helps Chester get used to this new city, and also become friends with Chester. As Chester Impresses people by singing Its songs, they make their own concerts. Tucker becomes the manager, and Chester sings the songs. People in the station enjoy and even poke their fingers in Cheaters cage, which Chester doesnt like. He wants to go home, but he also doesnt want to because he just didnt want to leave money who took care of him everyday. Also, he doesnt want to leave his new friends behind. Will Chester choose home or friendship? This is a great book that shows friendship. For example, usually mice and cats are enemies. But in this book, the mouse and the cat are friends. And usually when you see a cricket In the streets, what would you do? If I was In that situation, I would say Newman. , and run away. But Moral accepted Chester as a pet regardless of what Mama and Papa Bell said. The book has no enemies between the characters, which makes it appropriate for all ages. But since it is not a picture book, I do not recommend it to kids under six years old. But once you read the book, you will get sucked into the book like me, and not put it down Cricket in Times Square book report By zee_teacher Imagine that you were living in a peaceful country with grass, trees, birds And suddenly you were moved to an extremely crowded city! Everything is strange, and new for you. Do you think you will like it? This is the story off fictional book called room the country, which is different from New York. So, Tucker the mouse and Harry As Chester impresses people by singing its songs, they make their own concerts. Wants to go home, but he also doesnt want to because he Just didnt want to leave you see a cricket in the streets, what would you do? If I was in that situation, I would say Mew. , and run away. But Mario accepted Chester as a pet regardless of what Mama and Papa Beeline said. The book has no enemies between the characters, sucked into the book like me, and not put it down!

Arrive To vs. Arrive At

Arrive To vs. Arrive At Arrive To vs. Arrive At Arrive To vs. Arrive At By Maeve Maddox A prepositional error usually associated with ESL learners seems to be gaining ground with native English speakers. It’s the error of following the verb arrive with the preposition to: The 23-year-old actress arrived to her taping of  The Tonight Show sporting a long blonde beard to match her hair.   When many early Europeans first  arrived to  our shores,  they  were surprised at the lack of organized law enforcement. As soon we arrived to the restaurant she made  sure she was secretive about my daughters [sic] Bday surprise!!! Ipanema Flip Flops have  arrived to  Tony Walker Co. To is a preposition of movement. One travels to a restaurant, but arrives at a restaurant. Prepositions that can follow arrive include at, in, and on. Use at to express arrival at a small place: The 23-year-old actress arrived at her taping of The Tonight Show. As soon as we arrived at the restaurant, they brought out the cake. Use in to express arrival when the destination is a large one like a country or a city: We arrived in France in November. When did you first arrive in Milwaukee? The sentence that has the Europeans arriving â€Å"to our shores† can be rewritten with on: When many early Europeans first  arrived on our shores,  they  were surprised at the lack of organized law enforcement. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Grammar category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:10 Grammar Mistakes You Should AvoidDoes "Mr" Take a Period?Uses of the Past Participle

Analysis of Gryphon by Charles Baxter

Analysis of Gryphon by Charles Baxter Charles Baxters Gryphon originally appeared in his 1985 collection, Through the Safety Net. It has since been included in several anthologies, as well as in Baxters 2011 collection. PBS adapted the story for television in 1988. Plot Ms. Ferenczi, a substitute teacher, arrives in a fourth-grade classroom in rural Five Oaks, Michigan. The children immediately find her both peculiar and intriguing. They have never met her before, and we are told that [s]he didnt look usual. Before even introducing herself, Ms. Ferenczi declares that the classroom needs a tree and begins drawing one on the board an outsized, disproportionate tree. Though Ms. Ferenczi executes the prescribed lesson plan, she clearly finds it tedious and intersperses the assignments with increasingly fantastic stories about her family history, her world travels, the cosmos, the afterlife, and various natural marvels. The students are mesmerized by her stories and her manner. When the regular teacher returns, they are careful not to reveal whats been going on in his absence. A few weeks later, Ms. Ferenczi reappears in the classroom. She shows up with a box of Tarot cards and begins to tell the students futures. When a boy named Wayne Razmer pulls the Death card and asks what it means, she breezily tells him, It means, my sweet, that you will die soon. The boy reports the incident to the principal, and by lunchtime, Ms. Ferenczi has left the school for good. Tommy, the narrator, confronts Wayne for reporting the incident and getting Ms. Ferenczi dismissed, and they end up in a fistfight. By the afternoon, all the students have been doubled up in other classrooms and are back to memorizing facts about the world. Substitute Facts Theres no question that Ms. Ferenczi plays fast and loose with the truth. Her face has two prominent lines, descending vertically from the sides of her mouth to her chin, which Tommy associates with that famous liar, Pinocchio. When she fails to correct a student who has said that six times 11 is 68, she tells the incredulous children to think of it as a substitute fact. Do you think, she asks the children, that anyone is going to be hurt by a substitute fact? This is the big question, of course. The children are enthralled enlivened by her substitute facts. And in the context of the story, I frequently am, too (then again, I found Miss Jean Brodie pretty charming until I caught on to the whole fascism thing). Ms. Ferenczi tells the children that [w]hen your teacher, Mr. Hibler, returns, six times eleven will be sixty-six again, you can rest assured. And it will be that for the rest of your lives in Five Oaks. Too bad, eh? She seems to be promising something so much better, and the promise is alluring. The children argue about whether shes lying, but its clear that they especially Tommy want to believe her, and they try to produce evidence in her favor. For instance, when Tommy consults a dictionary and finds gryphon defined as a fabulous beast, he misunderstands the use of the word fabulous and takes it as evidence that Ms. Ferenczi is telling the truth. When another student recognizes the teachers description of a Venus flytrap because hes seen a documentary about them, he concludes that all her other tales must be true as well. At one point Tommy attempts to make up a story of his own. Its as if he doesnt just want to listen to Ms. Ferenczi; he wants to be like her and create his own flights of fancy. But a classmate cuts him off. Dont you try to do it, the boy tells him. Youll just sound like a jerk. So on some level, the children do seem to understand that their substitute is making things up, but they love hearing her anyway. Gryphon Ms. Ferenczi claims to have seen a real gryphon a creature half lion, half bird in Egypt. The gryphon is an apt metaphor for the teacher and her stories because both combine real parts into unreal wholes. Her teaching vacillates between the prescribed lesson plans and her own whimsical storytelling. She bounces from actual wonders to imagined wonders. She can sound sane in one breath and delusional in the next. This mix of the real and the unreal keeps the children unsteady and hopeful. Whats Important Here? For me, this story is not about whether Ms. Ferenczi is sane, and its not even about whether shes right. Shes a breath of excitement in the childrens otherwise dull routine, and that makes me, as a reader, want to find her heroic. But she can only be considered a hero if you accept the false dichotomy that school is a choice between boring facts and thrilling fictions. It isnt, as many genuinely wonderful teachers prove every day. (And I should make it clear here that I can stomach the character of Ms. Ferenczi only in a fictional context; no one like this has any business in a real classroom.) Whats truly important in this story is the childrens intense longing for something more magical and intriguing than their everyday experience. Its a longing so intense that Tommy is willing to engage in a fistfight over it, shouting, She was always right! She told the truth! in spite of all the evidence. Readers are left pondering the question of whether anyone is going to be hurt by a substitute fact. Does no one get hurt? Is Wayne Razmer hurt by the prediction of his imminent death? (One would imagine so.) Is Tommy hurt by having a tantalizing view of the world held out to him, only to see it abruptly withdrawn? Or is he richer for having glimpsed it at all?

Childrens ESL Lesson Old MacDonald Had a Farm

Children's ESL Lesson Old MacDonald Had a Farm Level: Beginner (children)Focus: Vocabulary Note: This work was prepared to take advantage of all the potential of a song like â€Å"Old MacDonald Had a Farm† may offer to work with different kind of animals. The methodology used permits any teacher to adapt the matter according to their necessities. Grade Level: Young ChildrenSong: â€Å"Old Mac Donald Had a Farm†Lyric: Old MacDonald Had a Farm Traditional Old MacDonald had a farmEe-yi-ee-i-ohAnd on this farm there was a dogEe-yi-ee-i-ohWith a woof woof hereAnd a woof woof thereHere a woofThere a woofEverywhere a woof woofOld MacDonald had a farmEe-yi-ee-i-oh†¦. 2nd verse: cat/meow Optional from 3 to 6: 3rd verse: horse/neigh4th verse: duck/quack5th verse: cow /moo6th verse: pig/oink Objectives Make the students have fun making sounds.Children should have an active part in singing, making his or her animal sounds.The children will also learn to work with each other by presenting their piece in the song. Materials Needed to Teach the Lesson The songbook and tape of â€Å"Old Mac Donald Had a Farm.†The pictures of the animals of the song that contain the sound that each animal reproduces.Sheets of paper that children will use to match animals and the sound they make. They must have some pictures.Sheets of paper that contain the lyrics of â€Å"Old MacDonald Had A Farm† but the lyrics should have some blanks to be completed by each child. They should include some pictures. Teaching Procedure I. Preparing the Class: Choose animals the children know or pre-teach the animals for the song – ducks, pigs, horses, sheep etc.Make pictures of each animal for all children in the class. These pictures should have written the sound that the animals produce.Prepare sheets of paper to match animals and their sounds II. Introduction to the Lesson: Create a classroom mural titled What We Know About Farms.†Set up a farm display area to generate interest in the new classroom theme (might include straw hats, overalls, farm toys and of course animals).Hand out the pictures of each animal to all children in the class. Check that they know the English word for their animals.Make the children think about their favorite animal that lives on a farm.Make the student listen to the recording of â€Å"Old MacDonald Had A Farm†, and think about what animal from the song they want to be. (Then, they will be asked to participate according to the choice they made). III. Step by step Procedures for Teaching the Focus Concepts: Listen to the recording of the song line by line; Old MacDonald Had a Farm and ask children to join you according to the animal they have selected. If it is necessary, stop the song line by line until they get the idea.Sing the song together with the accompaniment provided on tape. Remember children may learn very easily by using echoic memory.Promote mimics, gestures, etc. associated with  the meaning to make children play a participative role freely. Remember children have energy and want to make noise. Songs will channel these natural inclinations positively. IV. Closure and Review of the Lesson: Divide up the children into their animal groups to sing Old MacDonald Had A Farm song without the accompaniment of the tape. Assessing Understanding of the Concept Taught Make the children sing in a cappella with their farm animal group. In this way, you will listen more closely to discover if the children are pronouncing correctly the most important words of the song such as the name of the animals and the sounds they produce.Hand out the sheets of paper that have the lyrics with some blanks.Finally, as an option, children may use a paper to match animal sounds to the correct farm animals at class or home. This lesson has kindly been provided by Ronald Osorio.

Pentateuch Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Pentateuch - Essay Example â€Å"For most of the first eighteen centuries of the Christian era, Pentateuch authorship was considered pretty much settled matter. Most people accepted the view that the Pentateuch was composed by Moses, the great law giver and deliverer of Israel from Egyptian bondage.†(King, 2001)Later intellectuals intervened and did the obvious. Outside the faith based conservative seminaries and churches, the scholars held the view that Moses was not the author of the books and they are compilations of works of many writers over an extended period of time. Jean Astruc (1684-1766) was a renowned Professor of medicine at Montpellier and Paris. Apart from his treatise on medicine, he wrote a book that was published anonymously relating to a critical textual analysis of works to scripture. He discussed the fundamental part in the origins. According to him, the Genesis was composed by using many sources and manuscript traditions. This approach is known as The Documentary Hypothesis. Most of the universities teach in the religious studies that Pentateuch is a composite work relating to four literary strands. These strands are identified by letters, J, E, D and P. Each syllable represents a document or the source that has been incorporated in to the Bible. Documentary theory and the Graf-Wellhausen theory, support this approach. According to this view, the letter "J" stands for the Yahwist ("J" from the German Jahweh) narrative, coming from the period of the early Jewish monarchy, about 950 B.C. "E" stands for the Elohist narrative from the region of the Northern Kingdom dating from about 750 B.C. "D" is best represented by the book of Deuteronomy and is said to have originated in the Southern Kingdom about 650 B.C. or later. And finally, "P" is the priestly document that comes from the period after the fall of Israel in 587 B.C. The composition of Pentateuch reached its consolidated form by about 400 B. C. Some

Human Resource Management in Context Assignment - 1

Human Resource Management in Context - Assignment Example The significance of understanding the business environment in promoting employee retention, career advancement and job security has been highlighted. The advantages and practical difficulties with doing this as well as ways of overcoming these difficulties have been discussed, emphasizing on PESTEL analysis as a significant strategy that can assist HR professionals to understand the external business environment. 2.0 Introduction Human resource management is concerned with the advancement of human capital through a tactical and articulate approach to the management of workers, who are the most treasured assets that are considered to be the underpinning element in the accomplishment of the organizational goals. It involves empowering people to utilize their potential to the maximum in line with the organizational objectives. The activities in strategic human resource management entail measures for improving the workplace environment, recruitment, performance and reward management amon g other activities that enhance the productivity of employees. Businesses maintain competitiveness through inventiveness and uniqueness in their operations. In the contemporary operating environment they have been compelled to maintain continuous changes to cope with the political, economic, social and technological needs. This development has made it necessary for human resource professionals to assume the role of business partners. As such, they need to be aware of changes and development in the business environment in order to support the business. 3.0 Significance of Understanding the Business Environment 3.0.1 Changing Technology The constantly changing technological landscape requires regular upgrading of skills to ensure the business maintains a competent workforce. It is important for HR professionals to understand the technological changes and their impact on employee motivation and productivity. Employees need to be kept informed regarding the new developments in technolog y for them to be capable of effectively utilizing the emergent technology (Viswesvaran & Ones, 2000). Increased innovations in information technology have led human resource managers to encourage workers to acquire computer skills for greater productivity. It is important for HR professionals to encourage leaning in the work place. This is accomplished through training and development, especially when an organization operates in a dynamic environment where technological advancements are constantly occurring. The faster the organization grows, the more training it requires for employees to cope with the rapidly changing operating environment (William, 2004). Training and development allows employees to acquire essential knowledge that is important in the accomplishment of tasks in the workplace. The human resource management’s role is to ensure that employees are exposed to training opportunities. It is therefore important to maintain focused on any opportunities for employees to learn that may arise in the operating environment (Viswesvaran & Ones, 2000). The skills acquired from this kind of training allow the employees to understand the operating environment better and to be aware of the business goals as well as the practices that can lead to their successful accomplishment. Employees gain confidence in undertaking their tasks when they realize

Lloyds Banking Group Integration Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Lloyds Banking Group Integration - Essay Example One of the outcomes of the Housing Bubble Bust and the concomitant recession was the recognition of a pressing need for industry self-regulation bolstered by commensurate statutory and institutional reforms (Global Finance 2009). Especially, the financial markets in Europe today are governed by a general agreement and consensus as to the inevitability of internal and external monitoring of the banks and financial institutions (Global Finance 2009). The banks in Europe are increasingly under the state and stakeholder driven pressure to affect structural and remuneration reforms that positively discourage and restrain extreme risk taking and promote productivity and efficiency. Lloyds Banking Group, which performed miserably during the subprime mortgage debacle, is no way different from any other bank, as far as the requirement for restructuring and going lean is concerned (Fleming and West 2010). This essay intends to analyze as to varied organizational structures that the Lloyds Bank ing Group could resort to and the accompanying managerial, cultural and performance related aspects associated with the proposed options. Lloyds Banking Group It goes without saying that Lloyds Banking Group is indeed a prominent and important British Financial Institution. Lloyds Banking Group came into existence, after Lloyds TSB acquired HBOS in 2009. The British Government commands near to a 41 percent stake in the organization’s shareholding. Lloyds Banking Group comprises of four business divisions that are Retail Banking, Wealth & International, Wholesale and Insurance (Lloyds Banking Group 2010). The bank has business interests and operations scattered around a significant part of the world, including Asia, Middle East, US and Europe (Lloyds Banking Group 2010). Until now, to sell, promote and manage its highly diversified range of financial services and products, the group has predominantly relied on a divisional model, which is primarily a vertical structure, with i ts advantages and the accompanying bureaucratic arrangements, organizational hassles and inflexibility. Lloyd Banking Group’s behemoth size is what worries the regulatory bodies, organizational management and the common and institutional investors (The Economist 2010). Even as per some of the conservative estimates, Lloyds Banking Group has a hold over say 1/5th to 1/4th of the overall UK market for mortgages, small business loans, personal loans, retail accounts and credit cards (The Economist 2010). Added to this, when one takes into consideration the Groups constrained borrowing options, Lloyd Banking Group qualifies to be called a task, which is still far from being over (The Economist 2010). No wonder, the Group is definitely in the need of a desperate restructuring job that boosts its organizational efficiency and profitability, thereby enabling it to assure sustenance with its limited deposits and dried up borrowing sources. Need of Adopting the Right Structure It goes without saying that organizations and especially the financial institutions like banks are not static entities, but organic structures that imbibe sustenance, support and nourishment from the external micro and macroeconomic environment and do react and respond to external and internal changes and stimuli (Earley 1997). It is this very ability of a financial institution to be sensitive to the economic and regulatory changes that ensure its success and viability in the long run. The busting of the