Thursday, October 31, 2019

Harry potter Community Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Harry potter Community - Assignment Example Fantasy and illusion may hide these realities but they exist and I know that for sure. Perhaps this is the reason why I see myself in him. Why I am comfortable and at ease to write about this as my discourse community. I can identify with him and his world. If it weren’t for the timely response of the nephew, Harry, a person listening in on the conversation would not have known of the reason why that day was considered by Mr. Vernon as the best day of the week. So what if there is no post on Sundays? The family does not like receiving letters? Are they angry at the postman? – These are just some of the questions that the listener to the conversation would ask. The truth is, the reason goes deeper and is even uglier than the answers to these simple, innocent and trivial questions. Mr. Vernon likes receiving letters for that meant that people liked him well enough to write to him. He feels important when he receives letters. When he found out that his nephew, a â€Å"nobody† and a person who just eats scraps from his table and wears his old oversized clothes were receiving letters that angered him. How could a â€Å"nobody† be more important than him? Because of his mounting anger, he took to getting the letters addressed to the nephew from the postman and burning them. A tedious task for he had to wait for the postman. He has been doing this for a week now and he truly felt relieved that he would not be doing it again that day. On this day, the nephew was standing near the window awaiting orders as if he was a footman. He was not allowed to sit on the chairs in the living room. A privilege enjoyed only by the immediate family. This unspoken rule was meant to show hierarchies in the household. When the conversation began it was just between the immediate family. To further emphasize the exclusivity or the

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Project Planning - Integrating Professional Experience Essay

Project Planning - Integrating Professional Experience - Essay Example These same naysayer would also argue that the plan, once completed is disregarded and merely put on the shelf so the team can get down to doing some real work. To people management, we mean the planning activity that involves deciding on the types of people in form of resources that are required to fulfill the requirements of the project. In other words the types of skills and number of workers we need to complete the project (kwysocki, 1997). In this chapter, we will discuss about planning. What kind of role planning plays? Does it works in Governmental Infrastructure Projects? We will start this chapter with general talk about planning. Whenever we talk about the methods involved in the project management we normally refer those methods towards the management of people as well as resources. The management of people is the management of workers. Management of people guides us about the roles and duties that a worker can perform in a project for making a project successful. It also g uides management what type of staff should reserve for a specific project. How management will take advantage of skilled workers to making a project successful. Project Management plays an important role in Government Infrastructure Projects (Kerzner, 2003). Planning is a basic element of project management which allows management to make plan needed for the completion of project. As such, it is a most important feature of intellectual actions. This thought action is required to the creation and improvement of a plan, or integration of it with other plans, that is, it merge forecasting of developments with the research of situation of how to take action to them. The Word Planning is also used for explaining the appropriate actions used in such an effort, including preparation of documentation, designing work, or meetings to discuss about the main issues in project, how to achieve objectives, and what approach should be followed. Further than this, the

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Business Plan Of Innovative Green Product Marketing Essay

Business Plan Of Innovative Green Product Marketing Essay The coconut crop is grown in 14.3 million hectares of land which constituted about 1.1 per cent of net crop area of the world. And annual output is around 13.3 billion coconut nuts in the India. In 1000 hectares of land approximately 1,47,000 trees can be planted and which can give 23 million coconuts. India contributes about 15.46 per cent in area and 21 per cent in terms of production of coconut in the world. The coconut crop is grown in eighteen States and three Union Territories. It is concentrated on the West Coast region of the country comprising the states of Kerala, Karnataka and Maharashtra, followed by East Coast of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Pondicherry. The coconut cultivation areas also traditionally located in the coastal region of Gujarat, Goa, West Bengal, Islands of Andaman Nicobar and Lakshadweep. Kerala is considered as the land of coconut and holds the key for the development of coconut. Coconut Development Board CDB is a main organization for the expansion and development of coconut industry. It is the main body which is attached to the coconut industry. Coconut Development Board is a statutory body established by the Government of India for the integrated development of coconut production and utilization in the country with focus on productivity increase and product diversification. The Board which came into existence on 12th January 1981, functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, with its Headquarters at Kochi in Kerala and Regional Offices at Bangalore in Karnataka, Chennai in Tamil Nadu and   Guwahati in Assam. There are six State Centres situated at Bhubaneswar in Orissa, Calcutta in West Bengal, Patna in Bihar, Thane in Maharashtra, Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh and Port Blair in the Union Territory of Andaman Nicobar Islands. FUNCTIONS OF THE BOARD Imparting technical advice to those engaged in coconut cultivation and industry. Providing financial and other assistance for the expansion of area under coconut. Encouraging adoption of modern technologies for processing of coconut and its products. Adopting measures to get incentive prices for coconut and its products. Presentation of Data For starting of any business, we required some market research data. Data may be primary or secondary data. Primary data are those which are collected for the first time. And the secondary data are those data which are collected from secondary sources like research paper, circulars, guidelines, magazines etc. We have to gather data which can help us in determining the feasibility of project. Here in this business plan we have collected primary data through questionnaire and interview method. Also we have studied some important data from government agency like Coconut Development Board (CDB), Food Agricultural Organization (FAO) etc. Following are the data was collected. Consumer Survey was carried out. Around 1000 Questionnaire were filled out. 65% respondents chosen natural health Coconut Water Out of this 65%; the proportion of age group of 18-35 years was around 70%. Market Availability/ Market Potentiality The coconut is not only significant in socio cultural needs of our society, but also has gained considerable importance in the national economy as a potential source ofemployment and income generation among the plantation crops. In India soft drink and juice industry is very vast. India has a diverse agro-climatic condition due to which there exists a wide-ranging and large raw material base suitable for food processing industries. India is the largest producer sugarcane, coconut etc. If we set up a plant, the availability of raw materials and infrastructure would be available to the entrepreneur. Indian soft drink market is valued to be Rs.7100 crore: In India soft drink companies have captured a large amount of market for colas and juice products. This is because of two reasons. First is India has a large population which can afford to consume a cola product with a reasonable price. Second is penetration of marketing activities carried out by marketers. In India the market for natural and health drink like coconut water has not surpassed too much. The reason may be lack of advertising efforts and lack of awareness among people about the coconut water benefits. So if we just turn the preference of 1% of the soft drink colas consumers, it will be great or huge market for coconut water. This is the reason of focusing on soft drink market. The carbonated drinks are the mainstay and accounts for 85% of the total soft drink market. There are also around 15% of the consumers prefer juice market. So they can be a less efforts required to shift their preference. Coconut water can be the part of the $19 billion sports drink market globally: In todays fast and stressful situation energy drink and sport drink are becoming more and more famous and favorable choice of consumers. Sports drink is useful to Athletes and sports enthusiasts to replenish electrolytes lost in perspiration. Coconut water contains more nutrition than any commercial sport drink. India being the less developed in nutritional level and governments interest in growing up of nutritional products: Indias rank in health development and facilities is very lower. As the time passes, government is also taking interest in increasing the nutritional product expansion and health of the public gets superior. So it may be steering point for development of coconut water. Benefits of the product First of all to start any of the business, we have to think about the benefits of the products and how it will be marketed so that the maximum utilities of the product can be possible. The water of tender Coconut is a sterile, nutritious, thirst quenching health drink. The pure and sweet tender coconut possesses enormous therapeutic properties and is a thirst quenching refreshing health drink for all age groups. Tender coconut water has the same level of electrolytic balance as we see in our blood. Numerous medicinal properties of tender coconut water reported are:   (Given by Coconut Development Board) Good for feeding infants suffering from intestinal disturbances.   Oral rehydration medium Contains organic compounds possessing growth promoting properties Keeps the body cool Application on the body prevents prickly heat and summer boils and subsides the rashes caused by small pox, chicken pox, measles, etc. Kills intestinal worms Presence of saline and albumen makes it a good drink in cholera cases Checks urinary infections.   Excellent tonic for the old and sick Useful for different diseases Useful to Athletes and sports enthusiasts to replenish electrolytes lost in perspiration. Can be injected intravenously in emergency case. Ingredients Nutritional Facts As everyone knows about health benefits of coconut water. Coconut water is also used for long term benefits like smoothly digestion system, smooth urine system, maintains body temperature etc. In coconut water main ingredients has been elaborated as follows. These all facts about nutrition is taken into consideration per 100 ml of coconut water. Nutrition (Per 100 ml) Potassium (mg %) 247 Sodium (mg %) 48 Minerals (mg %) 0.5 Fat (mg %) 0.1 Calcium (mg %) 40 Magnesium (mg %) 15 Phosphorous (mg %) 6.3 Iron (mg %) 79 Copper (mg %) 26 Protein (mg %) 0.1 Production Process The process from the starting to its final products is very easy. It does not require a high degree of mechanicals or engineering process. Coconut Water of 6-7 month stage is first filtered through pressure filters and then mixed with the desired proportion of additives plus sugar and concentrated to the appropriate level. The water is then packed in pouches/cans and retorted in an autoclave, after which it is cooled in a stream of cold water. List of machinery to be used: Coconut   water collection tank  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚      Autoclave Filter  Ã‚   Additive mixing tank  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   coconut water storage tank  Ã‚   Volumetric filling machine   Baby boiler  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Raw material  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   10000 Coconuts Final product 3100 litres Driving Forces for Coconut Water At the time of setting up of any business, we have to see possibilities or factors that can help us in developing/expanding our product line. Generally these are called driving forces of the product. Following are the driving forces for the coconut water. Abundant availability of raw material: As we have seen that the India being the 3rd largest producers of coconut nuts globally. This production of crop has spread over the many states and union territories of India. So we can be sure about the continuously supply of raw materials throughout the year. The main season of procuring raw material is monsoon. Convenient in moving to final consumers: Generally, a coconut nut is heavy in weight and sometimes makes it difficult to carry in bulk. Even the time has come for packaged food and processing items. The marketability of packaged food and beverages has increased tremendously since last decades. So if coconut water is packaged in tetra pack or aluminum can or pouch, it will be convenient in carrying at different places for different time. Increasing awareness about health consciousness: In todays time people are tend to be more health conscious and prefer to natural eatable items. More specifically in metro cities or urban areas people have suffered too much from the disease and they are bearing the cost of hygiene foods. It is the result that coconut industry has developed by 2-3 times.Increasing dieses due to the soft drinks have awaked public more. Pure natural and hygiene product by sciences: In todays competitive era, everything has to be prove and get it to be certified and registered with the concerned agency for consumption. Coconut water is declared as pure natural and health drink by science. So it may also increase the chances of convincing people to shifts their choice. Liberal Government policy towards healthier eatable items: Government is also helping for promotion of healthy food and beverages. So for the coconut water promotion government policy may not be as strict as in the case of some others products. Increasing demand of By product like Ethanol coconut oil etc.: It has been increasing amount of petroleum products. Thereby spreading pollutions and decreasing volumes of non-renewable sources of energy. Lignocellulose can be used for this purpose. 9. Target market In the very beginning before launching of any product one has to think about their target market. Who will be their target customers?For the successful launching of Coconut Water in the market, following consumers would be targeted. Youth people [ India being the youngest country in world] Old aged people Patients (Strong Focus) Children Ladies [specially for pregnant ladies] India is the youth nation in the world. And youth people are tend to be more health awareness. Also India has a lot of opportunities for the patients as we have large number of sick people every year. We can also target pregnant ladies. Because even the doctors are also suggesting to drink coconut water as a good medicine. 10. Marketing and Communication As we have studied earlier that the reason for not popularity of coconut water product into the market. So here extremely efforts would be towards the marketing and communication aspects of marketing mix. Here we can consider important factors that affects to the final consumers. i.e. four Ps of marketing viz. Price Product Place Promotion. Pricing: Price of the product is very crucial and determinant of profit from that product. Especially here in the case of coconut water as we have to enter in that market which is dominated by giant companies with their giant operations of efficiency and marketing campaigns. At this stage we can go for two options that is capturing market share with lower pricing and creating awareness among public. And other option is charging competitive pricing with colas companies. Pricing @ introductory stage: Here we go with this option preferably. At the introductory stage of launching of product we have to pull huge customer attention. So we will keep our pricing at lower margin compare to the soft drink colas companies. At the initial stage we have decided price of Rs. 15 per 300 ml bottle. Competitive pricing to soft drinks and colas: As we start to grow our product into market, and research talks about the consumer awareness about coconut water into the market; we will be able to charge competitive pricing to the colas companies. Product: The second P of marketing is Product itself. It states following: How should be the product? How should it be packed in attractive way? How should it be in size etcà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦? How should it be looking externally? Here we will in the initial stage focus on 300 ml packaged in aluminum can. Afterwards in family size of 1 ltr,1.5 ltr and 5 ltr bottle. The main focus is on the external looking of the packing. Place: This P of marketing states about how product should be placed at different places so that there is maximum possibilities of sell. Place for Coconut Water includes following: Hospital region College areas Sports areas Gym Khana Malls Central areas etcà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ coffee houses or high end snack shops With the hope of moving the product into a more mainstream setting, our distribution strategy aims at selling to larger distributors that directly capture our niche target markets. We plan on expanding from smaller localized grocery stores into mainstream action sport retailers including: Sports Chalet, Sports Authority, larger surf retailers, 24 Hour Fitness, and Golds Gym. Our plans to move into these distribution channels with confidence, knowing the growing demand from our current selective target market. Promotion: Promotion may be of two types i.e. product promotion and sale promotion. Product promotion : Promotion of the products means making products more popular among the general public. Product promotion of Coconut Water includes:- Advertising. Free sample distribution. Health awareness programs. Social networking sites etcà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Yoga centers Sales promotion: Sales promotion means how to increase short run sales of the products. It denotes short run increase in sales. For the Coconut Water it includes:- Discounted pricing for big quantities like family pack, executive pack or party packing. Presenting lucky draw prizes. Sponsoring some social events. Point of purchase 11. By products In todays competitive era, cost reduction and maximum utilization of available resources has become very much important. It means in the production process, there should be a minimum wastage. Every component should be utilized as possible as their extent. Following are the coconut by products. Ethanol (lignocellulose waste): Though it is too much difficult to get liquid in terms of ethanol from wastage of shelf that is called lignocellulose waste. The reason for this coconut shelf has a large amount of glucose and minerals. If we are using huge amount of coconut shelf, it will be available for the by product. Coconut oil: There are so many producers in the market who makes coconut hair oil and also coconut edible oil. Coconut oil is used in the country as a cooking fat, hair oil, body oil and industrial oil. Coconut oil is made from fully dried copra having maximum moisture content of six per cent. Steam cooking of copra is also practiced by some millers to enhance the quality and aroma of oil. Refined coconut oil is also manufactured in the country for industrial uses. Refined coconut oil is mainly used in the manufacture of biscuits, chocolates and other confectionery items, ice cream etc. 12. Export Opportunities Today the extent of international trade has increased by many folds. Considering it as an opportunity we can also look forward for export efforts of coconut water in packaged form. The countries like UAE, USA, Japan and UK are the major export destination for the products. Because these are the nations which have applied and maximum users of the product. Even this nations government also plays an active role in marketing of this healthy product. First and foremost we have to acquire IEC (Import Export Code). This code can be availed through the DGFT i.e. Director General of Foreign Trade. Other than this there are so many documents required for fulfillment of the regulations like LC, Leding Letter, GR form, FEC A/c with RBI, quality certificate, contract with the overseas and domestic depository banks etc. We can also set up our plant at SEZ or EOU to avail the various government skims and subsidies. 13.Cost Analysis The very important aspect of any product or service is its price. Cost analysis includes from the beginning i.e. from the procurement of raw materials until it reaches to the final consumers. It is consisting of direct and indirect expenses. Purchase Rs. 4.50 per unit Other Cost Rs. 6.00 per unit 1. Transportation Cost. 2. Marketing Cost. 3. Packaging Cost. 4. Office Cost. 5. Other Cost. Total Cost per Unit: Rs. 10.50 Selling price : Rs. 15.00 Less (Total cost): Rs. 10.50 Profit per unit: Rs. 4 .50 Financial Aspects As we know finance is a blood for any organization. As our body will not work without blood. Similarly business activities cannot be worked or done without availability of finance. Here in this B plan we have taken model for coming five years. We have calculated financial flow for five years. Because at least we should be clear about next five years about our business, though not at all sure. Investment: Total machinery cost : Rs. 12 lakhs Other Fixed cost : Rs. 20 lakhs (Including Working Capital) Total cost Rs. 32 lakhs Total revenue : Net revenue in 1 year : Rs. 54,00,000 Total net revenue in 5 years : Rs. 3,22,82,700 Here machinery cost includes different types of machine required for carrying out the process. Other fixed cost includes land expenses, depreciation expenses, some lease expenses etc. Year wise calculation of revenue and growth Year Sales (units) Per Unit Price (Rs.) Total Value (Amount) % Growth 1 3,60,000 15 54,00,000 2 3,78,000 15 56,70,000 5 3 4,08,240 15 61,23,600 8 4 4,57,240 15 68,58,600 12 5 5,48,700 15 82,30,500 20 Total 21,52,180 03,22,82,700 Here we are setting target of monthly sales of 30,000 units thereby yearly sales in units will be around 3,60,000 units. By multiplying this by sales price of Rs. 15, we get net revenue of Rs. 54,00,00 at the end of 1st year. In the second year, we are setting target of 5% increase in sales volumes in 3rd year 8%, in 4th year 12% and in the last year 20% growth in sales volume. If we sum up, we will have earned net revenue of Rs. 3,22,82,700 in five years of time (assuming that the selling price would remain the same and growth target will be achieved through). Profit Calculation: Net revenue : Rs. 03,22,82,700 Less fixed cost: Rs. 32,00,000 Less Variable cost: Rs. 2,25,97,890 Net Surplus: - For five years Rs. 64,84,810 Average profit per year Rs. 12,96,962 BREAK EVEN POINT: FIXED COST Rs.32,00,000 - = - CONTRIBUTION Rs. 4.50 7,11,111 UNITS =============== BEP means at this stage No profit No loss. So it means till the sales volume of 7,11,111 units we will not have a profit. In second option if we want profit every year, we have to write off equal proportion of fixed cost from profit. 15 .Financial Feasibility of Project Before investing any amount in a project investor will think about its return. For this there are various method can be applied like Pay Back Period (PBP) method, IRR method or Net Present Value (NPV) method. Among this NPV is considered to be an appreciable method as it takes into account present value of future inflow. So here we will use NPV method to analyze the financial viability of project. Net Revenue Variable cost Fixed cost = Net surplus (In Rupees) Year Net Revenue (Rs.) Variable Cost (Rs.) Fixed Cost (Rs.) Net surplus (Rs.) PV factor @ 12% NPV (Rs.) 1 54,00,000 37,80,000 6,40,000 9,80,000 0.893 8,75,140 2 56,70,000 39,69,000 6,40,000 10,61,000 0.797 8,85,617 3 61,23,600 42,86,520 6,40,000 11,97,080 0.712 8,52,320 4 68,58,600 48,01,020 6,40,000 14,17,580 0.636 9,01,580 5 82,30,500 57,61,350 6,40,000 18,29,150 0.567 10,37,128 Total 32,00,000 45,51,787 We will calculate NPV @ 12% rate of return i.e. our required rate of return. We have total fixed cost of Rs. 32,00,00 spreading in five years of life. So per year we will write off equal proportion which is Rs. 6,40,000. So we will get net surplus every year by deducting variables and fixed cost from net revenue. If NPV > 1 project is selected If NPV If NPV = 1 project may be selected Conclusion: Here in this project NPV > 1. So project should be selected. As the total sum of future flow at present is greater than its investment made. Here our NPV is Rs. 45,51,787 and our investment outlay was Rs. 32,00,000. . Challenges/ Limiting factors for growth Market Dominated by soft drinks companies: As we can see in the market that the colas and drinking market is well dominated by giant colas companies. So As a new player in the market it will be tough to sell our product. And specially to convince to try a new one which is not entertaining or any status to the final consumers. So we have to work upon this and have to make proper strategies and programs to capture a market share. High popularity of soft drinks and colas among youths: As our youth people are most consuming colas. There is too much marketing penetration on youth. So Ill be difficult task to make our product more popular. Because unless our product is popular, no one is going to buy it or no one will know about our existence in the market. We have to divert maximum efforts towards the marketing funda. Challenges to maintain health standard of product as it is a natural product: As we are marketing our product as a natural product, we have to be very quality conscious and obey standards set by various laws. If we fail in that, competitors will take advantage of it and they will start spreading wrong rumors into market which will cause our ultimate sales volumes. From the view point of lower income society, it is an Exploiting business. As it reduces their employment: In majority case, coconuts are sold by small vendors on the roadside. Generally they are lower class people. They run their family on daily income basis. So if we start selling coconut water in packaged form, it may happen that small vendors sales will decline and consequently there will be negative impact on the family running. So they may also start a unethical social activities. So we have to find out solution to overcome these challenges. Here we can make them our vendors. And also we can follow the model of supplier and franchise. No longer life/Changes in taste in long period of time: If the coconut water comes in touch with air, within 24 hours it will spoil. We will not be able to drink it. The reason is some important bacteria evaporate from it. So as a solution we have to use scientific preservative technology and packaging techniques. Here we can add some additives which is natural and not harmful. We cant mix any hazardous chemicals like soft drink colas. 17. Laws For doing any business we have to follow the rules and regulations, policies of government laws. Here especially we are in processed and packaged food business. Also we are dealing with agro food as raw materials. So we have to take into consideration various laws. Below is the list of laws that we have to consider. Prevention of Food Adulteration Act (PFA), 1954 The Standards of Weights and Measures Act, 1976 The Standards of Weights and Measures (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 1977 The Insecticide Act, 1968. Export (Quality Control and Inspection) Act, 1963. Environment Protection Act, 1986. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 18. Conclusion As it is a natural and energy product People are becoming more health conscious Coming time is of natural items Market is broad Raw material and environment is appreciable Healthy government policies and subsidies Every coin has two sides. Similarly it has also pros and cons of starting up of unit. But after analyzing facts and situation, the more possible weight goes towards its favorable.

Friday, October 25, 2019

Peter the Great :: History, Informative

PETER THE GREAT Peter the Great born on May 30, 1672. He shared power with his brother from 1682, but when Ivan died in 1696, Peter was officially declared Sovereign of all Russia. Peter was important because he wasn’t just any ruler, he created a regular army and navy. During his reign the Russian military increased from around 30,000 men in 1695, to about 300,000 men in 1725, and that included the newly formed navy. He completely changed the government into a bureaucratic state with its capital in St. Petersburg. Peter also changed the calendar to the same style used in most of Europe. He paid special attention to the development of science. He was a famous and skillful diplomat and a talented military leader. Under Peter's rule, Russia became a great European nation. In 1721, he proclaimed Russia an Empire and was accorded the title of Emperor of All Russia, Great Father of the Fatherland and "the Great." Some of his accomplishments are during the Great Northern War with Sweden, which lasted for nearly his entire reign. Russia eventually won the war with the signing of the Treaty of Nystadt in 1721. Although Russia had really won the war in 1709 at the battle of Poltava, Sweden continued to fight because of support from France and Britain. The results of the war made Russia the most powerful country in Northern Europe, and the undisputed master of the Baltic Sea. The Great Northern War also, and more importantly, made Peter know throughout Europe as a powerful, successful, and ultimately Western style leader of a respected nation. Peter the Great :: History, Informative PETER THE GREAT Peter the Great born on May 30, 1672. He shared power with his brother from 1682, but when Ivan died in 1696, Peter was officially declared Sovereign of all Russia. Peter was important because he wasn’t just any ruler, he created a regular army and navy. During his reign the Russian military increased from around 30,000 men in 1695, to about 300,000 men in 1725, and that included the newly formed navy. He completely changed the government into a bureaucratic state with its capital in St. Petersburg. Peter also changed the calendar to the same style used in most of Europe. He paid special attention to the development of science. He was a famous and skillful diplomat and a talented military leader. Under Peter's rule, Russia became a great European nation. In 1721, he proclaimed Russia an Empire and was accorded the title of Emperor of All Russia, Great Father of the Fatherland and "the Great." Some of his accomplishments are during the Great Northern War with Sweden, which lasted for nearly his entire reign. Russia eventually won the war with the signing of the Treaty of Nystadt in 1721. Although Russia had really won the war in 1709 at the battle of Poltava, Sweden continued to fight because of support from France and Britain. The results of the war made Russia the most powerful country in Northern Europe, and the undisputed master of the Baltic Sea. The Great Northern War also, and more importantly, made Peter know throughout Europe as a powerful, successful, and ultimately Western style leader of a respected nation.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Habits of the Heart Essay

most is Brian Palmer. He is a successful businessman and is a top level manager in a large company. He got divorced from his first wife because of wrong priorities. When they were still married, he dedicated his time in working for his family. He was under the misconception that the role of a father and husband is to provide his family all the things that they need and for him to be a better father, he should also provide their wants. He thought that if he will earn money, which is more than enough for them, his family will live happily. However, he realized that money and work is not everything. He did not realize the toll that his being a hard working father is affecting his children and his relationship with his wife. After his divorce with his wife, their children chose to live with him. This made him realize that he is not as bad a father that he thinks he is. He might have done something to deserve this love from his children. The divorce gave him time and space to think and reflect on the things that had happened in the past and what he had done wrong for this to happen. It was not easy for him or his kids but as soon as Brian Palmer had decided to be happy with his children, that was turning point of their lives. He had changed his priorities and he had also changed his goals. Now that he is married to his second wife, who also had children with her first husband, he has devoted his life to his marriage and to all his children. He also had reestablished his priorities and he had learned that family comes first. He also learned that love is not buying his wife and children things; it is sharing. Love is sharing in terms of his time, efforts, and even thoughts. This shift of priorities had made him happy and his family happy. Although Brian Palmer’s situation and my situation are not exactly the same, I could say that I can relate with him since we now value the same thing – our family. It is a common mistake for people to dedicate their lives in their work to the point that they sacrifice their time which is supposed to be spent for their family. They often defend themselves that they are doing this for the benefit of their family. They think that by providing everything for their loved ones, they are showing their love for them. This is the common misconception of people. I can relate more to the children of Brian Palmer because I came from a broken family. When I was still young, things were going smoothly. My father had a high position in their company and my mom was starting her own business. They were busy but they still found time to spend with me and my brother. Until, things gradually changed between my parents and us, their children. It started when my parents started to miss special occasions, like my birthday or my brother’s graduation in elementary. It also pained us to see them fight at times. At first, I did not understand why they were fighting over money or why I feel awkward when I they kiss me on the cheeks. I soon realized that I now seldom see them together, except when they’re fighting. It was hard for me and my brother to grow up without our parents when we need them. It came to the point where I hated special occasions because it was just a reminder that I was alone and that I don’t have my parents to celebrate with me or to just be with me. It came to a point where my parents have considered getting divorced. My brother got very depressed that he was needed to be brought to the hospital. It was an eye opener for my parents. They got the chance to see each other and stop and talk a while. They got the chance to reflect and ask themselves, â€Å"how did we get here? † After that incident, my parents decided that family should always come first. This brought a new light to our family. With our parents’ support, my brother slowly recovered from his depression. From that time on, our parent’s lives became happier and they now got the time to be with us. I also became happy and now I could say with pride that my parents love me and I have a happy family. The character that I can relate the least is the character of Margaret Oldham. She is a psychiatrist and is trained to listen to people’s drama in life. This in turn made her flexible to the personalities of people around her. This in turn gave her the tolerance that she needs to fit in the world where diverse personalities exist. She was raised in the stable and has a strong sense of discipline. A strong sense of discipline is something that I am not very accustomed with. During the time when I felt alone and that my parents were not in good terms, there was nobody to discipline me. I was under the impression that I could do anything and everything that I wanted as long as I am not doing anything which is against the law. Margaret was an achiever in school and in her profession. I was not very good in academics since my parents did not set any standards for me. Unlike other parents, they tell their children to achieve the best in school for them to get better jobs and that education is something that they can give their children, which cannot be taken away from them. I, on the other hand, was not very aware of this. Education was something I thought was just a stage in life that I have to go through and that it is something that I should also experience for me to be â€Å"normal† among my peers. I disagree to her belief that people should not expect that a person could make them â€Å"magically happy† because when my parents finally realized their mistake on us and decided to reconcile and have a better family life, I was â€Å"magically happy†. I was blissfully happy to see that my parents were now willing to try their best to catch up on us and know us better. However, I could say that she is right in saying that people should communicate more on what they need and feel to be able to be happy. I think, it is through communication that people can understand one another and be aware of the feelings of other people. She also stated that as an adult, one should accept his/her personal responsibility; that everybody is responsible for themselves. I agree to her in a way because we are responsible of our acts and it is up to us to make decisions for ourselves. However, we should also acknowledge the impact that we have on other people’s lives. Our actions and decisions could affect the people who care for us and are dear to us. In making decisions, we should also consider the effect that the decision could give to others. She believes that a person’s fulfillment involves deep self-knowledge, a wide tolerance of the differences among people, and the willingness to accept responsibility for one’s own life. I must admit that I am not well aware of these responsibilities as a person before, but after I read Margaret Oldham’s character, I must say that it had opened a whole different perspective in my life. It made me realize that there are more things to learn in life so why spend it in self pity.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Cell Theory and Knowledge and Understanding Essay

Explain how the advance in technology allowed the progressive accumulation of knowledge and understanding of the cell theory The technological advancements, in the scientific field, have opened opportunities for scientists to accumulate knowledge and understanding of the cell theory and have thus provided justification to the living organisms that exist. Notably, prior to the proposal of the cell theory, limited knowledge and understanding of what humans comprised of was evident and thus the theory of spontaneous generation was brought forth. This theory, which has been disproved by Virchow in 1855, suggests that living matter arouses spontaneously from non-living matter. As a consequence of limited technology, many people believed this theory as technological inventions like the light compound microscope, which showed life, were non-existent at the time. Evidently, in 1665, Robert Hooke, an English scientist, invented his own compound microscope and observed the cellular nature of the cork. The topic of cells was brought forth and from this moment, in 1674 Leeuwenhoek viewed microscope ‘ animalcules’ and in 1838, Schleiden and Schwann produced the cell theory, stating that all living things are made of cells and cells are the basic unit of organisms. Moreover, the technological introduction of stains were developed and assisted scientists to efficiently see cells and their internal structures. This staining technique, as a result of technology, created a contrast between the transparent material and its background, presenting a clear image of the cell. Therefore, through the technology advancement in staining techniques, the processes of the cells and nuclear division of the cell were visible. Significantly, towards the end of the 19th century, compound light microscopes had been developed to a point where the resolving power of microscopes was diminishing, with difficulty in separating objects. The next scientific breakthrough was evident as a result of the invention of the electron microscope, in 1933, which had a magnification of up to one million times and can show detailed images of internal structures. Thus, the accumulation of knowledge of the cell theory being radical, present the idea that the advancement of technology has had a tremendous impact on the cell theory.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Frankenstein5 essays

Frankenstein5 essays Protagonist: The protagonist in the novel is Victor Frankenstein. He is the main character who contends with the conflict in the novel. His decision to create life provides a problem that he attempts to escape but eventually marks his death. Antagonist: The antagonist in the novel is also the protagonist, Victor Frankenstein. Victor may have directed all of his hate and blame towards the monster he created, but is worst enemy lay within himself and his refusal to accept responsibility for his actions. Conflict: The main conflict in the novel is based on the monster Victor Frankenstein created in his laboratory. He neglects his responsibility to the monster he created by ignoring its existence, and his cowardice leads to inner feelings of guilt and unhappiness that ultimately cause his life to unravel and the people he loves to perish. His refusal to be accountable for his action brings the misery and misfortune that constitute the foundation of the novel. Chronology: Robert Walton writes in his first letter to his sister Margaret Saville about his desire to explore the world. His second letter then tells about his preparations for a crew and more about how he desires to explore the unexplored. In this letter he also explains how he wishes he had a friend to share his life with. In his third letter, he tells how the voyage is underway and going well. His fourth letter tells how the ship became trapped between floating blocks of ice and, after being freed, the ship encounters and takes aboard a man who was stranded on floating ice. Walton tells how the man is in wretched condition and is very melancholy. He tells how he gradually befriends the man and, after talking for some time, the man agrees to tell Walton the story of his life and how he came to be where he is now. His name is told to be Victor Frankenstein. Walton, during the narration, takes notes in the form of a letter for Margaraet. Victor Frankenstei...

Monday, October 21, 2019

Sexuality with the Disability

Sexuality with the Disability Introduction Disabled people have different needs from the rest of the people in the society. Both their habitual and educational needs are changing from what is conventionally known regarding the daily living culture such as the way in which people are dressed and groomed. This is also true when it comes to the vocational and social duties.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Sexuality with the Disability specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More From research, the crux of the matter in this broad focus is mainly sexuality and the rights that the disabled have with respect to the sexual education and sexual expression. Other members of the society have stereotypical perspectives concerning those with disabilities. Such beliefs are not necessarily true though they are amazingly part of both the young and the elderly in society! This is specifically in relation to sexual behavior. The aim of this essay is to explore the a ttitudes that the society has regarding the sexuality of disabled people, the latest impediments faced by people with disabilities as pertaining sexuality and the way it affects sexual functioning. Overview It is within the last twenty years that researchers and other professionals began engaging and conducting studies on subjects that entail sex education and sexual expression among the disabled. Prior to this time, most researchers had confined themselves to the sexual dysfunction suffered by most heterosexual white men. Such impairment was as a result of injuries especially on the spinal cord. Currently, the research still borders on both the medical and rehabilitative aspects. It concentrates on the sexuality of women with disabilities and that of other disabled individuals. However, the focus of this research is still on the heterosexual majority. In the recent years, research in this area has been taking a sociopolitical dimension (Shuttleworth, 2007, p. 2). As other people wi thin the community, we are increasingly being informed of the human rights that the disabled are supposed to enjoy, given that it affects them socially, physically and mentally. Like the rest of the society, the disabled have different levels of potential with regard to reproduction, sexual response and sexual interest. It is imperative to note that like other societal members, people with disabilities have needs such as the need for affection, good interpersonal relationships and love. Studies show that even those with disabilities emanating spinal injuries, experience sexual arousal (Stolov Clowers, 2000, p. 79).Advertising Looking for research paper on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Despite the fact that the world around us has started showing interest in the sexual needs of the disabled, a lot is yet to be done. Understanding the current attitudes that the society holds towards the sexual needs of t he disabled will be helpful in both imparting and inculcating positive attitudes that the society has towards them. The latest change in attitude is causing most Americans to respond reluctantly, to the realization that people with inabilities are also sexual beings who are wired with the need for sexual gratification, love and intimacy. Attitudes on Sexuality of people with disabilities The perceptions of most people in the society regarding the disabled, in light of sexuality, are often narrow-minded. They think that this category of people is not sexual in nature. The misinformed society, therefore, end up concluding that the only people who should have sex are the physically fit. The general perception is that people with disabilities are not supposed to be sexually active. This belief is held by both the young and the aged in the society, and is known to the disabled (Marini, Glover-Graf Millington, 2011, p. 57). It is a taboo to think of sex among the disabled and denying the fact that it exists has never nullified it. According to some studies, by the society not granting a meaningful sex life to the disabled, it is tantamount to withholding them their deserved basic human rights (Carroll, 2006, p. 479). The disabled that are in need of a sexual relationship do not just express it as disapproval to the popular notion that they are not sexual beings. The issues here are more practical. Prior to having a relationship, couples ought to meet. Either poverty or transport can bar the disabled from going out for purposes of socialization. In most cases, the institutional world encompassing the disabled appears to be insensitive to their need for sex and relationships. Lack of privacy is an issue for the disabled who reside in care institutions. Staff members may get into their bedrooms without notice. Relatives become overprotective for some disabled folks who stay at home. For the disabled that receive their spouses’ care, maintaining sexual mystique is not easy since their significant other has to dress, bathe or assist them to the wash rooms. Conducting a satisfactory sexual relationship is therefore challenging due to the absence of the required choice and control that goes with it.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Sexuality with the Disability specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Therefore, this makes it difficult for the disabled to have responsible sexual relationships. The disabled thus end up being marginalized and alienated, as a result of these attitudes. They also internalize the same attitudes held by the society towards them. Barriers faced by the disabled, with respect to sexuality In their dealing with sexuality matters, the disabled encounter several hurdles. First, they have a problem accessing information related to their personal situations, on suitable expression of sexuality, and required skills in sexual communication. Besides lacking a ccess to accurate information, they receive misinformation on sexuality, as a way of discouraging their interest. Second, they lack privacy in expressing themselves sexually. This is especially for those residing in institutional settings. With shared accommodation, it is difficult for them to express themselves sexually due to lack of privacy. These conditions may therefore cause people to engage in sexual behavior that is inappropriate. Consequently, the society then begins to put stereotypes on them. Third, women with disabilities encounter both sexual and physical abuse. This is because they are perceived as victims who may not be able to report such abuse. In most cases, crisis centers, police stations and other shelters are often inaccessible. In cases where they are present, officers doubt the women’s credibility judged from their state of health and competence (Smith, 1999, p.153). In addition, people with disabilities are viewed by some members of the society as bein g asexual. The stereotype began long time ago and could be witnessed in health institutions. Here, disabled adolescents were carelessly placed in hospitals to receive medical attention. Both boys and girls could be hospitalized in adjoining beds. Furthermore, due to their physical conditions, majority of the disabled are not free to move from place to place. Most are confined in their relatives’ homes or in other health care centers. Therefore, they have limited opportunities to move around, in a bid to establish meaningful relationships. This is opposed to the nondisabled individuals who have the freedom to go to different places where they can socialize and establish relationships that matter.Advertising Looking for research paper on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Reference list Carroll, J.L. (2006), Sexuality now: Embracing Diversity. Belmont, U.S: Cengage Learning. Marini, I, Glover-Graf, N.M. Millington, M.J. (2011), Psychosocial Aspects of Disability:Â  Insider Perspectives and Counselling Strategies, NY: Springer. Shuttleworth, R. (2007). Sexuality Research and Social Policy: Journal of NSRC. Introduction to Special issue: Critical Research and Policy Debates in Disability and Sexuality Studies. May 2007. Vol. 4, No. 1 Smith, M.B. (1999), The Reader’s Companion to U.S Women’s History, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Stolov, W.C. Clowers, M.R. (2000), Handbook of Severe Disability:Â  A Text for Rehabilitation Counsellors, Other Vocational Practitioners, and Allied Health Professionals, Washington DC: DIANE Publishing.

Sunday, October 20, 2019

Get Your Resume In The Door in 8 Seconds or Less

Get Your Resume In The Door in 8 Seconds or Less With the hours we spend on our resumes and cover letter- the editing down, the asking friends to proofread, the tailoring to every job opportunity- we’d like to think that employers spend at least a few minutes taking in all our attention to detail. But they don’t. Since employers are often fighting time constraints,  they usually  spend about 8 seconds  scanning your resume for relevant info. Here’s how to make the most of all 8 seconds!Make the First Half CountI’ve never been one for resume objectives, but if I’m setting 8 seconds worth of priorities, I’m going to make sure I stand out from the other 299 people applying for this same job! The big 3: Skills, Experience, and Value. The top of your resume should reflect the qualifications that only you can offer- delete anything that could apply to anyone who has ever held a job.Use Keywords that MatterBefore you even get those 8 seconds, chances are a data-mining program has already scr eened you for an HR manager to review. Make sure you prime the hiring manager to like you by front-loading your resume with the most impressive accomplishments, specific technical skills, and other eye-catching (but accurate) terms. They should also pick up on what the job posting was specifically looking for.Lead With the Best InformationFor each position, there will be the achievements you accomplished and the responsibilities you completed. Which one do you think is more compelling to a hiring manager?Use bullets for your results and a paragraph format for roles and responsibilities so that what you achieved stands out more than just what you did. Use the active voice and avoid weak-sounding words that underplay your contribution.Don’t Make the Reader SquintYour resume font size should NEVER be smaller than 11- it’s impossible onscreen and the time it takes your hiring manager to reach for their reading glasses is precious! Use bold typeface to accent crucial inform ation, leave a healthy amount of white-space, and guide your reader through your resume with indentations and formatting that tells them clearly what information is grouped together.Make sure those 8 seconds are worth it- no typos, no sluggish passive voice, and definitely no exaggerations!

Saturday, October 19, 2019

Aviation Project Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Aviation Project Management - Essay Example Most players in the aviation industry has taken to modern principles and practices in project management and have correctly applied these to contribute to the successes that they have chopped. In this essay therefore, a detailed discussion is done on how contemporary practices and principles behind project management can be used to better the lots of the aviation industry. To this end, key areas and concepts such as the development and implementation of projects, how different functions interact and impact on project outcomes in the aviation sector, factors that are likely to promote or inhibit the success of particular projects in the aviation industry as well as practical foundation for managing projects in a typical aviation company shall be looked at. The later parts of the paper shall be a generalized review of whether or not project management has been of help to the aviation industry in general. How modern project management principles and practices have helped to develop the aviation sector Project management is not just a terminology. Indeed, it is the embodiment of several principles and practices (Anderson, Johnson and Reckers, 2004). ... opment stage of every project is one of the most important stages because it serves as the foundation point for starting the project (Arkin and Baumgardner, 2006). As with a contextual building that is being put up, any major problems that are started up at the foundation level is likely to affect the entire strength and appearance of the building. Project managers in the aviation sector therefore put in a lot of effort at the development stage of all projects to ensure that they enjoy an excellent start up. To do this, two major processes are explored. First has to do with project definition. Project definition as the name implies is the stage of the development phase of the project where the project manager labels the project that is to be undertaken (Armstrong, Stokoe and Wilcox, 1995). The project definition stage therefore gives the project an identity, that becomes an eventual reference point to all stakeholders taking part in the project as to what they are aiming to achieve a t the end of the day. It is therefore common that for a typical aviation company, there will be activities such as client communication, project brief, quality standardization and feasibility studies all taking place at the project definition stage (Arnheim, 2009). One other important application that takes place at the development stage of the project management process is planning. The planning could best be said to be the skeleton of the entire project. Without this plan, the whole project will merely be an embodiment of emptiness. It is not for nothing that the excellence of most project managers in the aviation sector is judged by the quality of their planners. Commonly, it is expected that the planning of the project will involve several activities, that include but are not limited to

Friday, October 18, 2019

Global View of Modern History Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 13

Global View of Modern History - Essay Example The transatlantic slave trade is a well-documented event that represents the rise of European economic power. It occurred between the fifteenth and nineteenth centuries in West Africa. Commercial interest drew Europeans to West Africa as trade networks expanded to and within the region. Europeans tapped the commercial value of slave trade which led to a huge migration of West African slaves across the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean basin (Bentley  and Ziegler, 559). The labour these slaves provided played a vital role in the enhancement of European agriculture, technology, and trade thereby allowing it an advantage over other civilizations (Pomeranz, 266). The Industrial Revolution was an important event that characterizes Europe’s step towards greater sophistication and technological advantage, which was critical in driving European power. Before the revolution, Europe’s backwardness lied in agriculture, means of production, land management, and inefficient use of fuelwood (Pomeranz, 32). The Industrial Revolution provided Europe with a technological lead over the rest of the world which was possible through Europe’s interaction with other civilizations. Further, it allowed the European society to transform into an industrial society characterized by mass production, paving the way for capitalism (Bentley  and Ziegler, 659). World War I is another significant event in world history, also known as the Great War, which represents a European conflict of large scale. World War I mainly involved European powers and their colonies, including the Allies and the Associated Powers and the Central Powers. The conflict which erupted as an Austro-Serbian dispute grew to involve Europe’s powerful empires. Again, the World War I represents the rise of European power because, with the defeat of the Central Powers, the European Colonialists were able to exercise power that created current conflicts such as the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

There is an ongoing debate on the use of capital punishment. Discuss Essay - 1

There is an ongoing debate on the use of capital punishment. Discuss the social, moral and historical aspects of this controversial topic - Essay Example religious leaders, and foreign press make quite a spectacle of how the Throughout the world legal systems regularly sentences people to die for the crimes they have committed. As such, many nations around the globe view the death penalty as something of a novelty (Debrevnik, 2004). From a purely economic standpoint, capital punishment is an extraordinarily expensive form of punishment. As compared with life in prison, the average cost of execution is approximately the same cost to keep a prisoner housed and fed for over 100 years (Petersen & Lynch, 2012). Currently, the average cost of execution in California exceeds 4 million dollars per criminal executed. Comparatively, the average cost to keep a prisoner housed and fed as well as ensuring proper health care and medicine usually does not exceed $35,000 per year (Semeshenko et al, 2012). At such an exorbitantly high expense, it is clear that choosing capital punishment on the grounds that killing the criminal will somehow save the state money over time is entirely illogical. As such, the argument for execution does not hinge on economic savings; instead, it hinges upon the Judeo-Christian belief of â€Å"an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth†. In this way, the major supporters of the death penalty believe that certain crimes are so heinous that rehabilitation is not possible. As such, one’s life is forfeit for certain crimes if convicted. This further raises the tangential issue of the purpose of prison; whether it is it to rehabilitate or to punish. According to death penalty activists, prison’s primary objective is to punish with rehabilitation being a very distant second. A secondary issue with the death penalty in its current form is that they death penalty has been proven not to be a significant deterrent against the crimes it punishes. It is obvious that murder rates throughout the world are comparably higher than almost any other nation that currently does not have the death penalty as

Issues in Human Resource Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4250 words

Issues in Human Resource Management - Essay Example The qualities of an effectively managed employee according to Roosevelt T. [1978], relate to his ability to answer for himself and others the following five basic job related questions: i.Why am I here [How does he identify himself within the organiation] ii.Where am I going [What is his understanding of the goals of his unit and/or that of the entire organization How can he be a part of achieving that goal The manager is to let him know all these]. iii. How am I doing [He needs to know his performance and progress towards achieving the overall goal and objective of his unit/organisation]. iv. What is in it for me [What are the rewards for him for achieving results] v. What happens when I need help [How are they reinforced for doing good job What is the process of delivering the reward A manager can define for the subordinates what rewards he can give within a specific context]. An average worker and an average employer will expect the following from each other under a typical employment contract: EXPECTATIONS By Manager By Worker T O R E C E I V E Cooperative effort Problem solving by the worker Considerable self management Production beyond the minimum required Improvements in overall group performance Open communications of any unresolved problem Cooperative effort Some problem solving Some self management Service beyond the minimum required Performances as required T O G I V E T O G I V E * Adequate compensation Sense of belonging to company Sense of importance Sense of accomplishment Sense of purpose Training & knowledge Sense of fulfillmentAdequate compensation Sense of belonging Sense of accomplishment Sense of being valued T O R E C E I V E *In this instance, "to give"... Does the manager/management carry along the staff Do they have any definite goals/objectives to which their efforts could be channeled Are the mission and vision of the organization clearly made known to the staff v. What happens when I need help [How are they reinforced for doing good job What is the process of delivering the reward A manager can define for the subordinates what rewards he can give within a specific context]. *In this instance, "to give" should read as "to facilitate realisation of." [Adapted from Lashrook 1981b, Leader Manager] and supported by Rensis Likert and Jane Gibson Likert,[Integrative Goals & Consensus in Problem Solving] Rosabeth Moss Kanter [Empowerment] and Roger Harrison [Strategy for a New Age]. Things such as reducing time spent at work, spiraling wages, fringe benefits, etc have at one time or the other failed to bring out the expected result from an employee. It goes to suggest that it takes more than these incentives to motivate some people in order to get the best out of them, i.e. in terms of job performance and behaviour. In his hygiene factors/motivation, Herzberg tries to explain that certain issues bring job satisfaction and certain issues cause job dissatisfaction. Herzberg's studies revealed that the factors involved in producing job satisfaction [motivators] are separate and distinct from those that lead to job dissatisfaction.

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Russia in the 20th Century Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4250 words

Russia in the 20th Century - Essay Example Nicholas II was the last Tsar of the Romanov Dynasty. He was born in Pushkin, Russia on May 6, 1868 on the Julian calendar, which was used in Russia until 1918. His father was Alexander Aleksandrovich, who was heir to the Russian Empire and was Tsar before Nicholas II. Nicholas II inherited the throne at 26 years old when his father died on October 20, 1894. He was quoted as saying he was not ready for the throne at this time. He married Princess Alix of Hesse-Darmstadt, known publicly as Empress Alexandra, and had 4 daughters and one son. His son, Alexei, was diagnosed with Hemophilia at an early age, and the royal family began to rely heavily on a mystical healer known as Rasputin who would play a large role in later events, and is discussed later in this essay. Nicholas II was not a well-liked ruler and carried the nickname â€Å"Bloody Nicholas† throughout his rule. Several key events that helped shaped the soon to be formed Soviet Union occurred under Nicholas II rule. Du ring his official coronation, a massive crowd formed and thousands of people were stampeded to death. Nicholas II and his wife were totally unaware of the event and proceeded to the Coronation Ball. This revealed him as a ruler who was oblivious of his subjects.

Obtain a copy of the annual report for Intercontinental Hotel Group Coursework

Obtain a copy of the annual report for Intercontinental Hotel Group PLC for the year ended 31 December 2011 - Coursework Example Financial performance and position of the Group â€Å"The big picture is 9 hotel brands, over 153 million guests annually, more than 672,000 rooms in over 4,500 hotels in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world† (IHG website, 2012), The nine renowned brands being Intercontinental Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo, Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites, Candlewood Suites, EVEN Hotels, Hualuxe Hotels and Resorts. Performance of the Brands The performance of all the brands during 2011 compared to the previous year has improved (Exhibit – I). Total gross revenue has increased by 8% to 20.2 bn in 2011 compared to $18.7 bn in 2010 for the group as a whole. Exhibit - I $ in bn. However, the performance in terms of cost and profitability in respect of the brands could not be worked for comparison due to inadequacy of details furnished in this respect. Performance can be analyzed with reference to classific ation of the business into Franchised, Managed and Owned & Leased. 12 months ended 31 December in $m 2011 2010 % Change Revenue Franchised 502 465 8.0 Managed 124 119 4.2 Owned and leased 204 223 (8.5) Total 830 807 2.9 Operating profit before exceptional items Franchised 431 392 9.9 Managed 52 21 147.6 Owned and leased 17 13 30.8 500 4 26 17.4 Regional overheads (49) (57) 14.0 Total Operating Profit 451 369 22.2 It could be observed that operating profits vary considerably due to incidence of expenses and overheads at varying levels. For example, in franchised revenue is up by 8% and operating profit is up by 9.9%, where as in managed hotels it is 4.2% and 147.6% and owned & leased hotels (-) 8.5% and 30% respectively . Key Performance Indicators The key performance indicators measure the group’s progress in the business. The KPIs over the past three years and their growth have been good. Year 2009 2010 2011 Net Rooms Supply 632325 0647161 658348 Gross Revenue ($ bn) 16.8 18 .7 20.2 CSR (Green engage hotels) 911 1122 1722 2011 2010 Earnings per share (EPS) 1.30 0.98 Revenue per available room: Revenue per available room is up by 6.2%. (Annual Report, p. 2) The Group’s reportable segments segmental information The reportable segments in the business have been classified based on the geographical locations of the hotels. There are five segments viz. Americas, Europe, AMEA (Asia Middle East and Africa) and Greater China and the central segment. Operating profit has increased in all the geographical segments. Since the central segment carries the burden of general support services provided by it to all the segments, the figures are not comparable. RevPAR growth in the Americas at 7.5% and Europe at 4.7% respectively has contributed significantly for the overall performance of the business. It is important to note that gross revenue includes revenue related to Franchised, Managed and Owned & Leased. 2011 2010 % Change % Change in revenue Operating Pro fit Americas 451 369 2.2 2.9 Europe 104 78 33.3 2.4 AMEA 84 82 2.4 1.4 Greater China 67 54 24.1 15.2 Central (147) (139) (5.8) 7.7 Operating Profit Before Exceptional Items 559 444 25.9 8.6 It could be observed that as in the case of franchised, managed and owned and leased classification of the business, % change in operating profit is inconsistent with the % change in revenue due to incidence of expenses and overheads in different reportable segments at varying levels. Impact of exceptional items on profitability The operating profit

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Russia in the 20th Century Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4250 words

Russia in the 20th Century - Essay Example Nicholas II was the last Tsar of the Romanov Dynasty. He was born in Pushkin, Russia on May 6, 1868 on the Julian calendar, which was used in Russia until 1918. His father was Alexander Aleksandrovich, who was heir to the Russian Empire and was Tsar before Nicholas II. Nicholas II inherited the throne at 26 years old when his father died on October 20, 1894. He was quoted as saying he was not ready for the throne at this time. He married Princess Alix of Hesse-Darmstadt, known publicly as Empress Alexandra, and had 4 daughters and one son. His son, Alexei, was diagnosed with Hemophilia at an early age, and the royal family began to rely heavily on a mystical healer known as Rasputin who would play a large role in later events, and is discussed later in this essay. Nicholas II was not a well-liked ruler and carried the nickname â€Å"Bloody Nicholas† throughout his rule. Several key events that helped shaped the soon to be formed Soviet Union occurred under Nicholas II rule. Du ring his official coronation, a massive crowd formed and thousands of people were stampeded to death. Nicholas II and his wife were totally unaware of the event and proceeded to the Coronation Ball. This revealed him as a ruler who was oblivious of his subjects.

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Equal Opportunity Essay Example for Free

Equal Opportunity Essay In this short story, Equal Opportunity, written by Walter Mosely, Minority Socrates Furtlow, faces the dilemma of getting a job. Socrates is an ex-con, having served 27 years in prison. While drunken, he killed two of his good friends, and now lives life as a bumb who goes around collecting bottles and cans for a living. This story tells his struggle to find honorable work as a black man in society because of his background. Because there were no jobs in Socrates neighborhood that would hire him, knowing of his background, finding a job was a complicated task for this African-American, 58 year-old man who hadn’t worked in 37 years. As Socrates travels approximately 14 miles, 3 bus transfers from his apartment in Watts, South Central, Los Angeles, he arrives at Bounty Supermarket to try and get a job. As he enters the store, he wondered what the workers would think of him working there surrounded by money because of his prison background. Socrates, though was a murderer, not a thief! During his job search at Bounty Supermarket, he attempted to retrieve an application. Being a man of his stance, he had already practiced how he would attempt to ask for â€Å"an application. Anton Crier, assistant store manager of Bounty Supermarket, was a young white male who Socrates interacted with during his first visit. Anton was reluctant to give Socrates the time of day, mainly because of his appearance. Anton’s first question to Socrates was â€Å"Uh. How old are you sir? † As an ex-convict, with the stereotype of knowing the law, Socrates knew that this question was a violation of is rights for Equal Opportunity, and he surely informed Anton. Socrates stated to him the law of discrimination, equal opportunity, and his right to basically be given a chance and to at least to turn an application. Determination allowed Socrates to â€Å"demand† his right to fill out the application and wait for a reply, based on the information submitted on the application and simply not his race! After he turned in the application with a borrowed pencil Anton loaned him, he informed Anton and the store manager Halley Grimes of his dilemma of not having a phone, but an address where they could write to him he results of his application. He had to explain to them his address was valid because they were already going trying not accept it based on the fact he did not have a phone . He also questioned them about an information section on the application about his ability to travel to work. The question asked if he had a car? Although he didn’t, he didn’t mind using the public transportation (RTD -Rapid Transportaion District) bus route. Over a five day period, Socrates proved to them both his willingness to work and get there on time even if he was using the bus. He arrived at the supermarket for those five days straight on time, and before 9:30am. On the fourth day, Halley informed him his application had not been accepted and that she had thrown the fax away stating his denial. Unable to produce proof, Socrates called the main office himself, finding out his application was never submitted. In the midst of all this, Halley had also reported that Socrates was a threat to her and was afraid that he would do her harm because of him coming in all the time demanding his application results, knowing that she hadn’t submitted them. So that fifth day when Socrates came to the supermarket for an answer, he was approached by two gentlemen in lieu of his business there. He was called into the manager’s office and then was asked explained to the men, Mr. Parker and Mr. Weems his situation. Surely as they thought about his rights, end up offering Socrates a job at one of their other locations. As Socrates faces dilemma in his position as a black man during the Harlem Renaissance period, he ultimately succeeds in doing what he set out to do†¦.. find a job. As honorable as Socrates claimed he would be while trying to get this job, he ended up lying in the end about another question on the application he had missed. That question is the one who would identify him as a felon for his past mishaps. As appreciation for Mosely’s short story, one must believe that Socrates and many other African-Americans struggled to be successful, and to survive during this time period. This story tells the struggle of a man who just wanted to work to survive, and that knowing his rights and acting on them with patience and non-violence helped him get what he wanted eventually!

Monday, October 14, 2019

Case Study the Kader Toy Factory Fire

Case Study the Kader Toy Factory Fire GROUP MEMBERS : SHAIKH MOHD AIMAN BIN SEFF AHMAD MUHAMMAD SUHAIL BIN MOHD ISA   MUHAMMAD ABDUL FATAH BIN ABDULLAH   MOHAMAD ZHAFRI BIN ZAILAINI MUHAMMAD ARIF BIN MUSA Case study the Kader toy factory fire Kader toy factory which located near Bangkok, Thailand was a fire on 10 May 1993. It can be considered the worst-ever factory fire in history. There were 188 workers died and 469 others who were injured. Most of them were young female workers and from rural area. The factory was owned by a Thai transnational corporation, Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group and one of Asia’s largest agribusiness firms. The Kader toy factory used to manufacture stuffed toys and plastics dolls mainly planned for export to the United States and other counties. There were produced forDisney,Matteland others. The site that owned and operated by Kader has been destroyed in the blaze of fire. Kader has another two sister companies that on a contract that operated at that location. PART A There were several factors that lead to this fire. Firstly, the factory was designed and built poorly. Fire exits drawn in the map or building plans were not exists; in fact not constructed, and the existing exit doors were locked. Furthermore, the building was strengthened with un-insulated steel girders which rapidly lessened and crumbled when heated by the flames. The malfunctions of fire alarms were the other factors that lead to the fire. There were four buildings on the Kader site, three of which were destroyed by the fire. The three buildings were designed a single E-shaped structure (see figure 1). Close at hand were a one-storey workshop and another four-storey structure pointed to as Building Four. Three buildings which involved in these incident Fire alarms in Buildings Two and Three had sounded and all the workers from these buildings were able to escape. Unfortunately, for Building One, the fire alarm did not sound. This part of the building was wholly committed to the storage of finished products and the fire spread quickly. The other factories were full of raw materials which also burned very quick. The fire spread extremely quickly when the Firefighters arrived at the factory, and found Building One nearly ready to collapse because of the occurrence of the combustible plastics and fabrics. Next, although each building at the plant was provided with a fire alarm system, none of the buildings had automatic sprinklers. The portable extinguishers and hose stations were installed on outside walls and in the stairwells of each building but none of the structural steel in the building were fireproofed.In addition, Kader factory did not provide its workers with decent fire safety training and the rigid security procedures. Fire drills and fire safety training were also minimal. Figure 1.Site plan of the Kader toy factory In Thailand, the Kader fire incident made a great deal for the country’s fire safety measures, especially its building code design requirements and enforcement policies. Thai Prime Minister, Minister Chuan Leekpai has made a tough action for those who violate the safety laws regarding the fire safety issues. According to theWall Street Journal(1993), Thai Industry Minister Sanan Kachornprasart is quoted that saying that â€Å"Those factories without fire prevention systems will be ordered to install one, or we will shut them down†. The leaders, safety expert and officials said that this incident would help fasten building codes and safety regulations but unfortunately, that lasting progress is still far off as employers scoff rules and governments permit economic growth to take priority over worker safety. The fire has also attracted international debate about foreign investors’ obligation for ensuring the safety of the workers in their sponsoring country because foreign interests owned majority of the shares of Kader Industrial (Thailand) Co. Ltd. 79.96% of the Kader shareholders are from Hong Kong, 20% are from Taiwan, and only 0.04% of Kader is owned by Thai nationals. A tragic industrial fire in Thailand the Kader Toy Factory fire was a fire on 10 May 1993 located in the NakhonPathom Province of Thailand. It can be considered the most focused worldwide industrial factory fire in history where officially 188 workers were killed, and over 500 were seriously injured, many seriously and also permanently. To avoid being burnt to death, they were forced to leap from second, third and fourth floors of the buildings. Most of the victims were young female workers from rural families. Moreover, this disaster was assumed as worst accidental that related to the loss of life fire in industry in history of Thailand. In addition, many of the articles was pointed due to the underlying the world changes capitalist economy that causes such a tragedy accident ever. As we all know, the previous worst industrial fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist factory in New York in 1911. Despite the years between these two disasters, they share striking similarities. In order to take the advantages of newest area of low cost labour, the company such as Kader Holding needs or should replace their operation regularly. As the result the Kader factory outside Bangkok was never intended to be a permanent structure just a temporary structure only as an instance the cheap shoddy buildings, which detected failed to achieve even the minimal Thai construction requirements, were simply packed to overflowing with workers and with their machines. Vitality safety precautions were deemed not necessary overheads. A decade later, the condition that Thailand’s workers and other Asian countries have significantly worst. Moving into a global economy connote that products are manufactured at specific location and used at other locations end-to-end the world.Having a temptation for competitiveness in this new market should not head to settle by concession in fundamental industrial fire safety provisions. There is a moral responsibility to provide workers with a sufficient level of fire protection, no matter where they are located. PART C Three proposals can improve factory safety: 1) the government need to create an independent occupational safety and health (OSH) group with regulatory powers because the government cannot generate enough money to allow civil servants to enforce OSH laws, it is doubtful that an independent group could finance itself, because it would have to be enormous, and consequently cost a fortune, to inspect all the factories concerned. Furthermore in 2000 more than two thirds of Thailand’s factories employed less than 10 workers, who are not legally protected by the Workmen’s Compensation Fund. It is unlikely that OSH standards in these factories could be policed by an outside group. 2) Increase trade union involvement in education and participation unfortunately it is improbable that campaigns by existing trade unions could effectively improve OSH accident or incident rates, since only three percent of workers in Thailand are organised into unions – the prevalence of factories with less than 10 workers as already noted, is a huge obstacle to serious improvement in the rate of worker organisation. 3) the company should Reform the OSH laws, the proposal to reform OSH laws misses the point. In both the Triangle Shirtwaist factory disaster and in the Kader fire, death tolls were so high because the buildings were illegally built or illegally operated or both. Had the laws been followed in 1911 New York and 1993 Bangkok, the fires would not have broken out in the first place, and in the case of Kader, the building would not have collapsed before the workers had escaped. These ideas are valuable components of an OSH system, but the only effective solution is for companies and governments to tackle OSH by letting workers control their own safety. Instead of repressing independent democratic trade unions, they must instead discourage the small companies that are often sweat shops, and alternatively advocate worker participation in democratic trade unions that represent all workers, and allow workers to inspect and bargain working conditions with employers. PART D References

Sunday, October 13, 2019

Psychosocially Therapeutic Aspects of The Old Man and the Sea by Heming

Psychosocially Therapeutic Aspects of The Old Man and the Sea by Hemingway This exceptional story should be used as a therapeutic aid for hopeless and depressed people who needed a powerful force for continuing struggles of life against fate. They should say as the boy Manolin, "I'll bring the luck by myself." In the story the old man tells us "It is silly not to hope...besides I believe it is a sin." Hemingway draws a distinction between two different types of success: outer-material and inner-spiritual. While the old man lacks the former, the importance of this lack is eclipsed by his possession of the later. He teaches all people the triumph of indefatigable spirit over exhaustible resources. Hemingway's hero as a perfectionist man tells us: To be a man is to behave with honor and dignity, not to succumb to suffering, to accept one's duties without complaint, and most importantly to have maximum self-control. At the end of the story he mentions, "A man is not made for defeat...a man can be destroyed but not defeated." The book finishes with this symbolic sentence: "The old man was dreaming about lions." It is a psychological analysis of Hemingway famous story that we have used it as a psychotherapeutic aid for hopeless and depressed people and also psychological victims of war in a more comprehensive therapeutic plan. The first sentence of the book announces itself as Hemingway's: "He was an old man who fished alone in a skiff in the Gulf stream and he had gone eighty-four days now without taking a fish" . The words are plain, and the structure, two tightly-worded independent clauses conjoined by a simple conjunction, is ordinary, traits which characterize Hemingway's literary style. Santiago is the protagonist of the novella. He is an old fisherman in Cuba who, when we meet him at the beginning of the book, has not caught anything for eighty-four days. The novella follows Santiago's quest for the great catch that will save his career. Santiago endures a great struggle with a uncommonly large and noble marlin only to lose the fish to rapacious sharks on his way back to land. Despite this loss, Santiago ends the novel with his spirit undefeated. Some have said that Santiago represents Hemingway himself, searching for his next great book, an Everyman, heroic in the face of human tragedy, or the Oedipal male unconscious trying to slay his fat... ...session of the later. One way to describe Santiago's story is as a triumph of indefatigable spirit over exhaustible material resources. As noted above, the characteristics of such a spirit are those of heroism and manhood. That Santiago can end the novella undefeated after steadily losing his hard-earned, most valuable possession is a testament to the privileging of inner success over outer success. Triumph over crushing adversity is the heart of heroism, and in order for Santiago the fisherman to be a heroic emblem for humankind, his tribulations must be monumental. Triumph, though, is never final. Hemingway vision of heroism is Sisyphean, requiring continuous labor for quintessentially ephemeral ends. What the hero does is to face adversity with dignity and grace, hence Hemingway's Neo-Stoic emphasis on self-control and the other facets of his idea of manhood. What we achieve or fail at externally is not as significant to heroism as the comporting ourselves with inner nobility. As Santiago says, "Man is not made for defeat....A man can be destroyed but not defeated" . Works Cited: Hemingway, Ernest (1952). The Old Man and the Sea. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons.

Saturday, October 12, 2019

Decision To Fund The Atomic Bomb :: essays research papers

"No man-made phenomenon of such tremendous power had ever occurred before. The lighting effects beggared description. The whole country was lighted by a searing light with the intensity many times greater than that of the midday sun. It was golden, purple, violet, gray, and blue..."( Groueff 355). The words of Brigadier General Thomas F. Farrell describe the onset of the atomic age, which began on July 16, 1945 in Alamogordo, New Mexico. This was the site of the first large-scale atomic test, which utilized the tool of destruction that would soon decimate the populations of Hiroshima and Nagasaki less than a month afterwards. This test consummated the years spent developing the bomb, and was the end result of the efforts of nuclear scientists who constructed it, and those of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who made the decision to fund the so-called Manhattan Project. In a letter dated August 2nd, 1939, Albert Einstein first informed President Roosevelt of the research that had been done by Enrico Fermi and Leo Szilard with unstable Uranium which could generate large amounts of power and energy (Einstein1 PSF Safe Files). Einstein also included another possible use for the uranium- the construction of extremely powerful bombs, which were capable of destroying a seaport and the surrounding territory. This information may have come precisely at the right time, for in October of 1938 Roosevelt asked Congress for a $300 million military appropriation, and in November instructed the Army Air Corps to plan for an annual production of twenty thousand planes. Later, in 1939, Roosevelt called for actions against "aggressor nations," and in the same year submitted to Congress a $1.3 billion defense budget (Boyer 861). In an accompanying memorandum that was sent with the Einstein letter, scientist Leo Szilard explained the technical science of nuclear fission and stressing the importance of chain reactions (Walls 1 PFS Safe Files). Both documents, the Einstein letter and the Szilard memorandum, were to be delivered by Alexander Sachs, an adviser to Roosevelt’s New Deal since 1933 who would know how to approach Roosevelt and the government (Lanouette 200). It was not until mid-October 1939 that Sachs wangled an invitation to get in to see the President over breakfast (Burns 250). Though Roosevelt found the documents interesting, he seemed hesitant about committing government funds to such speculative research. But after Sachs reminded him of Napoleon’s skepticism of Robert Fulton’s idea of a steamship, Roosevelt agreed to proceed. Regarding the steamship issue, Sachs went on to comment, "This is an example of how England was saved by the shortsightedness of an adversary,"; this insight made Roosevelt greatly consider the creation of the bomb. President Roosevelt authorized a study, but the decision to

Friday, October 11, 2019

Carrots Essay

Carrots is a root vegetable that originated in Afghanistan over 5000 years ago for there seeds and leaves. But today carrots are enjoyed for their fresh delicious flavours coming in all shapes and sizes in a variation of different colours like orange, red, yellow, purple, and white. Carrots can be purchased in all kinds of forms shredded, baby carrot, diced, sliced, regular size with leaf on or leaf off. Carrots can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 months but to prevent spoilage remove green leaves because the leaves draw moisture from the root causing carrots to dry out. Also carrots should be stored away from apples because they give off ethylene gas which causes carrots to become bitter. Purchasing carrots from the grocery store should be dried off if they are wet and tightly sealed in a plastic bag, what this does is it increases the nutrition value. Carrots contain B-carotene (a source of vitamin A), also it has fibres, anti-oxidants, minerals, calcium, potassium, magnesium, vitamins C,K and B6, also carrots helps improve eye sight, skin nourishment, hair growth, and reduces the risk of heart disease, and cancer. Carrots have many alternative ways they can be used like chopped for mirepoix, blended for drinks, boiled for soups & stews, fried for stir fry, steamed for side dishes, gratered for carrot cake, beauty remedies for hair & skin, or simply eaten raw. There are many recipes for carrots like carrot cake, glazed carrots, or ginger carrot soup. References www. carrotmuseum. com. uk www. foodnetwork. com / www. marthastewart. com (recipes)

Thursday, October 10, 2019

School Policy – Behaviour

â€Å"Research evidence suggests that pupils' behaviour can be influenced by all the major features and processes of a school. These include the quality of its leadership, classroom management, behaviour policy, curriculum, pastoral care, buildings and physical environment, organisation and timetable and relationships with parents. † (Elton Report, DES, 1989) The secondary education issue I have chosen to focus on for this presentation is Whole School Behaviour Policies and how such policies can influence the teaching and learning experiences in school through the use of sanctions and rewards.I chose this area to focus on because, as a student teacher on a teaching placement, behaviour in schools is one of my biggest concerns and also because, according to the Elton Report and other literature I have read, it appears that this is a major area of concern throughout secondary schools in the UK. The Elton Report, a national enquiry into discipline in schools, was established by t he Secretary of State for Education and Science in March 1989 in response to concern about the problems facing the teaching profession.Their task was to â€Å"recommend action to the government, local authorities, voluntary bodies, governors, headteachers, teachers and parents aimed at improving behaviour in schools for effective teaching and learning to take place†. (Elton Report, DES, 1989) The Elton Report has formed the basis of much of the current legislation on school behavioural policies and offers guidance for schools in drawing up their own behaviour policies.The main findings and recommendations of the Elton Report can be summarised in the following points (Teachernet, 2008): †¢School’s should adopt a ‘whole-school’ approach to their behaviour policies and the teachers’ approach should be one of consistency and fairness †¢Schools should have a clear vision for managing behaviour through establishing clear rules and boundaries, wi th emphasis on the positive. †¢All must adhere to policy principles, and teachers should model behaviour and interactions in a positive and supportive way. Boundaries should be made clear and sanctions should be in place, but the emphasis is on praise and rewarding good behaviour. †¢All staff should recognise that the quality of teaching and learning has a significant impact on pupils’ behaviour â€Å"A school's central purpose is that children should learn. Good behaviour makes effective teaching and learning possible. Bad behaviour disrupts these processes. † (Elton Report, DES, 1989) In September 2003, the government’s Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) launched the Behaviour and Attendance strand of the Key Stage 3 Strategy.This programme aims to provide advice, support and training for all secondary schools in England to promote positive behaviour and tackle issues of low-level disruption. It recommends that senior leadership tea ms in schools will carry out audits of behaviour and attendance and, from these, will establish priorities for the whole school. They will then plan actions to further improve their policy and practice and will draw up training plans for their staff. (Behaviour4learning, 2008) At my year one placement school I witnessed these recommendations put into practise in the classroom through the implementation of the school’s Behaviour Policy.The placement school is a mixed comprehensive school in the London borough of Tower Hamlets. The head teacher’s perception of the school’s catchment area is that it is a predominantly working class area of London with high levels of poverty and unemployment. According to the school’s latest Ofsted inspection report the number of pupils who are registered SEN (Special Educational Needs) is above the national average. Although not all special needs are connected to behaviour, it is largely acknowledged that if a child finds le arning very difficult it is possible that incidents of poor behaviour can occur. Cowley, 2006) The school has a behaviour policy in place and, by adhering to it, aims to promote a â€Å"positive learning and teaching community for staff and pupils. † (Swanlea School Behaviour Policy) The main aims, as summarised in the policy, are: †¢To ensure that behaviour is a whole school responsibility †¢To ensure that rewards and sanctions procedures are applied fairly and consistently †¢To foster compassion and tolerance, celebrate diversity and develop a sense of citizenship and care for the whole community and environment †¢To enable all pupils, irrespective of race, class, gender and ability, to achieve their personal best. Swanlea School Behaviour Policy) The policy also sets out the rights of staff and students, which are summarised as: †¢Every student has the right to learn at his or her optimum rate, without being hindered by others †¢Every student has the right to live each day in school without fear. Bullying, threatening behaviour, racial or sexual harassment and damage to property will not be tolerated. †¢All staff have the right to go about their work without being hampered (Swanlea School Behaviour Policy)This reflects a clear alignment with research by Cowley (2006) who states that: â€Å"Different types of school have very different and specific behavioural problems, and ideally the whole-school behaviour policy should be linked closely to the particular difficulties your school faces. † (Cowley, 2006, p172) The school’s behaviour policy is clearly in place to create a positive environment for pupils but it is also there for the benefit of teachers and staff to create a positive working environment and enable the teacher to effectively teach without disturbance. It’s important to keep in mind that the reason we need to manage behaviour at all is so that we can actually get on with teaching. â €  (Cowley, 2006, p96) The policy was established by the head teacher, deputies and heads of department together with the behaviour support team. It is managed by the deputy head teacher and is reviewed each term, through consultations with heads of department and the behaviour support team, at designated ‘Behavioural Policy Review’ meetings.These meeting allow for changes to be made if the policy appears to be ineffective and, for example, if incidents of bad behaviour have increased. In order to check the effectiveness of the policy, the deputy head teacher analyses data, in the form of exclusion rates, details of incidents of bullying and racist abuse and the use of sanctions and rewards. All of the school’s staff, including teachers and support staff, are responsible for ensuring that the behaviour policy and procedures are followed and applied.This ‘guidance framework’ has made it easier for staff to respond to incidents of bad and good behav iour consistently and fairly and for all students to be made aware of the policy. As recommended in research by Rogers (2006): â€Å"When schools have a common framework for classroom behaviour agreements, each successive year group becomes increasingly conscious of ‘the way we do things here’. â€Å"This enables some sense of common understandings and expectations about appropriate and fair behaviour and also some reasonable consistency in behaviour management by adults across the school. (Rogers, 2006, p46) The behaviour policy states that all staff are expected to model the high standards of behaviour and punctuality expected of pupils. Form tutors are also expected to support and encourage individual pupils through praise, positive reinforcement and contact with parents. The policy also advises that form teachers are directly involved with low level behaviour issues, such as addressing school uniform issues. The school believes that maintaining a level of consiste ncy across all staff and department, with regards to the behaviour policy, ensures that all pupils are aware of its contents.This is in line with Rogers’ (1995) and Cowley’s (2006) findings, who say that a whole-school behaviour policy is effective when it:- †¢Is created in conjunction with all the staff †¢undergoes a continuous process of change †¢is consistently applied All pupils at the school carry a travelling diary to lessons in which homework and behavioural issues such as lateness are monitored and recorded. The ‘travelling diary’ contains a summary of the school’s behaviour policy and expectations – further ensuring that the students are aware of the policy contents.Assemblies on the theme of respect and behaviour are also delivered to the pupils on a regular basis. â€Å"The behaviour policy is well constructed and understood by most students and applied evenly by all staff. † (Ofsted, 2007) The school has in p lace a system of sanctions and rewards to deal with negative and positive behaviour respectively. Depending on the severity of the negative behaviour in the school, the sanctions range from a verbal ‘telling off’ to the child being placed in the school’s isolation unit. Sanctions are there to offer corrective measures to indicate to the perpetrator that the displayed behaviour is not acceptable and provide and opportunity for the individual to redeem him/her self. † (Swanlea School Behaviour Policy) The behaviour policy states that the school aims to support a positive learning environment for students through the use of rewards for good behaviour. This ranges from praise from the teacher to formal awards and prizes at the school’s annual awards ceremony and during assemblies. This in reflected by Cowley (2006) who says: Using rewards is one of the most effective ways of getting better behaviour†¦. This will help you maintain a positive focus an d atmosphere in your classroom. † (Cowley, 2006, p81) However, it is challenged by Kyriacou (1998) who argues that it is ‘effective teaching’ not rewards that create better behaviour. â€Å"The most important point to bear in mind in considering discipline is that creating the necessary order is more to do with the skills involved in effective teaching in general than it is to do with how you deal with pupil misbehaviour itself. (Kyriacou, 1998, p79) To sum up, from classroom observations at my placement school I frequently observed incidents of students’ bad behaviour and how these incidents were dealt with in the design and technology department. It was apparent that the design and technology department, like the rest of the school, is closely following the guidance in the behaviour policy and is very efficient at dealing with bad behaviour. This appears to have a positive impact on the school in that it creates a safe environment for the pupils.However, on a daily basis I observed poorly behaved children being given break time detentions and several children receiving the ‘ultimate sanction’ of the isolation unit. While this appears to be effective in that it creates an ordered classroom environment for teaching and learning to take place, I frequently observed the well behaved pupils going un-noticed in the school’s efforts to stamp out bad behaviour. .â€Å"We can get trapped into giving lots of rewards to our tricky students, to keep them onside and get them to co-operate.But don’t overlook those children who work hard all the time – they deserve to receive recognition for their efforts as well. † (Cowley, 2006, p83) This suggests that their behaviour policy is not working as effectively as it could and that a solution could be to have, embedded in the behaviour policy, a system of rewarding good behaviour and recognising hard working children, as well as responding to the studentsâ€⠄¢ bad behaviour. References †¢Cowley, S. 2006), Getting the Buggers to Behave, Continuum International Publishing Group, London †¢HMSO (1989) The Elton Report: Enquiry into Discipline in Schools, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London †¢Kyriacou, C (1998), Essential Teaching Skills, Nelson Thornes Ltd, Cheltenham †¢Laslett, R and Smith, C (1984) Effective Classroom Management, Croom Helm Ltd, Kent †¢Rogers, B (2006) Classroom Behaviour: A Practical Guide for Effective Teaching, Behaviour Management and Colleague Support, Paul Chapman Publishing, London †¢Rogers, B (1995) Behaviour Management: A Whole-School Approach, Scholastic Australia, Gosford †¢Swanlea School Behaviour Policy, London Web references †¢Behaviour4Learning. Accessed 20. 11. 08 www. behaviour4learning. ac. uk †¢Department for Children, Schools and Families. Accessed 20. 11. 08; www. standards. dfes. gov. uk †¢Office for Standards in Education. Accessed 20. 11. 08 ww w. ofsted. gov. uk †¢Teachernet. Accessed 20. 11. 08 www. teachernet. gov. uk