Impact of Managers and Leaders in Organizations on the Motivation of Employees Essay

Any organization is always started with an elaborated target to fulfill based on arrangement and strategies to be applied in the performance of achieving those goals. Actually the objective, performance and the methodology in which the organization is set up and run, defines its kind and capability in relation to other organizations. Organization consists of staffs that are categorized depending on the duty performed and the responsibilities that are bestowed upon them. In order to achieve success an organized system is essential which will involve a specified hierarchy which clearly positions each and every individual in relation to the capacity and the type of responsibilities. Under this arrangement management and leadership are considered to be the key factors in accomplishing the targets. Management comprises duties that fully covers directly or indirectly the whole structure of the organization. It combines aspects like controlling all the operations of the company inclusive of planning events, strategic steps to be followed and even the necessary concepts that improves the organization. Management is also involved in the overall organization of the available resources that are associated with the whole operation. Management determines the kind of employees working in an organization which is brought about by the coordination and leadership that is developed towards the employees. All the functions of management are carried out by the managers in the organization. Leadership and management are related terminologies and they are inseparable in the sense that managers also play the role of leadership. A leader focuses mostly on the directives to be followed by the employers in the effectiveness of their duties. This is mostly done in an interactive method and understanding the factors that affect or hinder the achievements. Both managers and leaders play an important role in motivating their employees. Despite the fact that the employees may clearly understand their responsibilities and duties in the organization, fully desirable outcomes may be affected by lack of motivation. According to (Geary, D. C. (2005)) motivation is a key factor in influencing someone to desire to add extra effort to improve the work and achieve more than expected. Through the coordination of mind motivation also promotes the inward generation of will power which alternatively has a considerable physical contribution to human body. Depending on the type of organization leaders and managers may apply different methods in motivating the employees. Some of the ways used by managers in motivation are like organizing functions which include honoring and rewarding specific employees following their best performance. This is a common method but it enhances the spirit of positive competition amongst the employees. Satisfaction is another means applied by managers to motivate employees. A satisfied employee will have more will to work. Career and talents recognition which is mostly applied by leaders to appreciate their employees plays a part in motivating them. Leaders on the other hand recommend the promotion of hard working employees to the management which also motivates the employees. Some managers have introduced a systematic salary increase which may be annual or after a specified period. This does not necessary depend on the profit made by the company but on the period spent by the employee working in the company. Bonuses and commissions on the other hand are sometimes measured against the benefits realized by the organization within a specified duration. These are among factors of motivating the employees. Following the performance and the leadership portrayed by the leader which is mostly done through leading examples, employees feel motivated and the admiration of copying the good examples of their leaders is enhanced. In an attempt to elaborate motivation and the effects, several theories have been put forward. In this paper few theories have been borrowed to expand further the contribution of motivation. According to (Kahneman and Miller (1986)) Our human behavior will be more or less be influenced by the attitudes towards certain subjects, determinations and the capacity of attaining a specified responsibility will highly depend on the feeling of the inward drive. This is clearly elaborated in the attitude-behavior consistency theory. Leaders attempt to learn the attitude of their employee through the interaction and knowing their behaviors in which they often know or decide on the way to motivate them. They also have the responsibility in influencing their employee’s attitude may be towards the organizations strategies. Consistency theory of motivation attempts to elaborate that individuals mostly achieve their motives through distinguished coordination of the willingness and the capability to perform. Employees will always feel motivated under the circumstances in which leaders and managers create a conducive environment for them to integrate their capability led by the will to perform these responsibilities. According to (Milgram, S. , 1983) a considerable situation of the capability of the employee is essential to be applied by the managers in order to clearly understand and develop the right methods in motivating the employees. According to (Adams, J. Stacey, 1965), another theory of motivation is the equity theory. This theory dwells mostly as the appreciation done to the employees through the rewards. Considerations are always important in the determination of the employees who may be rewarded according to their contribution. It’s common that rewards differ according to the quantified duties well done by the individual employee or a group. Satisfaction of the employees is always determined by the reward attained as deserved. De-motivation is likely to occur if the distribution of rewards does not match with the effort applied in the achievements. Expectancy theory clearly defines a reason which contributes to the motivation of employees. According to (Deci, E. L. & Ryan, R. M. , 1991) either on the reliance on the previous experience in the organization or through the organization procedure, the employee will add a lot of effort in relation to the reward expected. In other words employees may improve greatly on their duties under the influence of the targeted reward which they expect to get after achieving their goals. Similar to expectations of the management towards achievements of the organizational goals, employees expects the full support from the management. This can be brought about by the keen consideration of the responsibility of the employees as previously discussed employees will aim at fulfilling their duties following the attention from the management and leaders who have the responsibility of giving correct directives. motivated employees will therefore feel to be fairly treated after being rewarded from their effort according to how much they achieved. This will therefore combine and relate equity theory and expectancy theory of motivation as discussed. Following the fact that success is among the most important goal in an organization, it is important for managers and leaders to subject their efforts in order to achieve it. In order to attain success they have to depend on their employees. In other words the performance of the employees will therefore depend on the management and leadership in the organization. One of the impacts of motivation to employees is the increase in productivity. Right motivation from the managers and leaders will cause the employees to be more active and potential which will be implemented in their duties. Motivation from the managers to their employees has also been associated with the expansion and the growth of the organization. Motivated employees will always do a quality job which can have a distinguished difference when compared with the competitors. In such a situation the intended or the targeted client will focus more on that specific organization and in return the growth of the organization will be realized. Positively motivated employee will be more innovative and they will be able to contribute to the teamwork in an organization hence minimizing the unexpected pull back which may be brought about by the lack of cooperation. Creativity will also be enhanced and this will contribute a lot in coming up with the new ideas. Sustainability of employees has been a difficult and a challenge to many organizations. This is brought about by the fact that employees need satisfaction while undertaking their duties. Managers in collaboration with leaders successfully overcome the challenges of employee sustainability through positive motivation to their employees and they eventually find that they critically reduce the level of day to day recruitment of new staff to replace the ones who have resigned. This will also improve the work that is done due to the experience gained by the employees they can comfortably and undoubtedly implement it. Motivated employees become devoted to their duties and responsibility in the organization thereby reducing the errors and careless mistakes which would reduce the credibility of the organization. Though it’s a complex exercise if the managers maximize on motivating their employees they will also in return contribute directly or indirectly to simplifying the manager’s duties of planning, controlling and coordinating the organization which is contrary to de-motivated employees. The leaders on the other hand will have more room to improve their initiatives and efficiency. Irrespective of the type and the size of the organization, motivation to the employees stands to be a key factor in the achievement of goals. Considering example of institutes like universities, learning centers, production centers and others, It is through the aspect of motivation to the employees that their abilities attitudes and their interest can be utilized which will in return promote the organization name both locally and internationally. In most parts of the world most organization has reportedly realized their goals through the hard work and coordination attributed to the employees. Following this good and improved performance there has always been a system of motivating the employees through the integrative and collaborative methods put forward by the managers and leaders. According to the chairman and chief executive officer of Coca-Cola Company Mr. Neville Isdell, the company has realized positive performance and success due to good and favorable conditions which of cause have been brought about by the cooperation of the employees and commitment. This can otherwise be affected if the employees are de-motivated hence this is a good example of the impact of managers and leaders on the motivation of their employee. Conclusion In every organization, the concept of motivation by the managers and leaders to their employees has accounted to tremendous success to many organizations through the increased productivity of the organization, expansion and growth of the organization, satisfied and lively employees, minimization of errors and accidents and so on. It has been noted also that there are several methods and ways in which the employees are motivated. It is therefore the responsibility of the leaders and mangers to fully involve themselves in practical consideration of the performance of their employee’s and the necessary improvements required. Motivation is a more complex exercise but the devotional strategies that may be applied by the leaders and managers are essential to achieve the positive outcomes.

Remembering Babylon

1. Significance of the two prefatory quotes: Malouf's choice in prefatory quotes at the beginning of Remembering Babylon are significant in revealing the way in which he wishes to establish the tone of the novel and allow for the reader to reach a place of greater psychological understanding so that they are able to make meaning of the text. In the first, â€Å"Whether this is Jerusalem or Babylon we know not†, taken from a poem by William Blake, Malouf is putting to the reader the question of whether Gemmy has reached a place where he can find redemption (Jerusalem) or entered a world of brutality and cruelty (Babylon). By putting forward this question, Malouf is inducing the readers to begin a more emotionally and ethically deep state while reading the novel, so that the ideas he is presenting are better understood and so that Malouf is able to take his readers to a more spiritually revealing level of consciousness. In Remembering Babylon Gemmy represents the unknown when he is firstly found by the Aboriginals, â€Å"What was it? A†¦creature of a kind they had never seen before†¦? A spirit†¦?†, and then again when he crosses the fence, the physical division between the Settler's and the Indigenous people, â€Å"†¦a human that†¦had been changed into a bird†¦.and now, neither one thing nor the other was hopping and flapping towards them out of a world over there†¦Ã¢â‚¬ . Readers can see that in both cases, Gemmy is a source of mystery and confusion; however it is the Aboriginal people who accept Gemmy and are willing to teach Gemmy their way of life, in contrast to his harsh and wary toleration by those in white society. This society is representative of Blake's ‘Babylon', a place of discord, confusion, enslavement and despair, whereas the Aboriginal tribe who takes Gemmy in holds a very distinct sense of tolerance, peace and love (Jerusalem). This sense of the Indigenous society being representative of Jerusalem is reinforced when, at the end of the novel, Gemmy seeks redemption with the Aboriginals after experiencing the brutality of the white society's Babylon, and returns to them in body, spirit and soul. It is therefore evident that this quote holds a significant amount of sway over the psychological level that the reader is on when beginning the novel, and therefore determines their interpretation of the ideas and meanings that Malouf conveys later in the novel. The second prefatory quote, â€Å"Strange shapes and void afflict the soul†¦.etc† is a poem written by John Clare which is used by Malouf as a comparison to the plot and main ideas presented in the novel in an attempt to prepare the reader mentally so that they are able to fully comprehend the text and take the appropriate meanings from it. In the poem, Clare presents a world in chaos with the â€Å"world on fire† where â€Å"smoke seas roll†. The first line of the poem, â€Å"Strange shapes and void afflict the soul† can be linked to the plot of Remembering Babylon where Gemmy and the Aboriginal people are considered to be the â€Å"strange shapes† who â€Å"afflict the soul† of the Settlers who fear them and the air of the unknown that accompany them. This could also be reversed, as the Indigenous people may also have viewed the white settler's as â€Å"strange shapes†, and this is supported by their reaction to their discovery of Gemmy when they assume he is â€Å"a spirit†¦come back from the dead†. â€Å"Shadow to the eye†, puts forward some of the key ideas in the novel, as it may be representative of the Aboriginals, who the settler's sometimes think of as â€Å"shadows† because of their fluid movements. The poem goes on to use apocalyptic type imagery which describes Australia's scorched landscape, â€Å"a world on fire†, and puts forward the idea that this place is a world of chaos and is morally devoid and barren. Clare uses other imagery to this effect, such as â€Å"Shall make sun dark and give no day†, which Malouf is able to use as a way of conveying the Absolute Dark, and the idea that there is a dark â€Å"thunder cloud† between the land and â€Å"Heaven† and the sun, in order to convey to the reader that there is no sunlight in this place, there is no happiness and there is no good; this is a place that God does not see. This quote therefore is also extremely significant in preparing the reader for the journey that they are embarking on whilst reading the novel and allowing them to be psychologically ready to understand Malouf's ideas concerning the Settler's and their treatment of the Aboriginal people, as well as Gemmy, as a result of their fear of that which is unknown to them. 2. Chapter titles in relation to theme Chapter 15 – Shards of my nightmares Chapter 16 – ‘Object' of my affection Chapter 17 – Playground rules Chapter 18 – Hope for a future all too far away Chapter 19 – Becoming clean Chapter 20 – Will you remember me? 3. â€Å"Gemmy is both symbol and character† Gemmy is a symbol in that he is a physical manifestation of everything that the white Settler's fear to become, whilst he is a character who the reader is able to watch evolve emotionally and spiritually throughout the text in order to reach an understanding of his own identity. As a symbol Gemmy is regarded as an object of fear and curiosity. He is proof, as the settler's see it, and a justification of their fears of the Aboriginal people, because of Gemmy's loss of his white heritage, of his civilisation, of â€Å"it†. Gemmy is also a beacon of equality in that if he is able to cross over between the two different societies, then, in essence, they surely cannot be that different from each other. Gemmy is representative of everything the settler's fear to become and as a result he is rejected and alienated in their society. As a character, Malouf uses Gemmy as a portal into both worlds; that of the Aboriginals and the world of the settlers, and because of this, readers are ab le to gain a deeper understanding of the novel. 4. Psychological profile of two significant characters: Janet McIvor is a character in Remembering Babylon whose position in society is constrained by her gender and who challenges society through her defiance of gender stereotypes. Her oppression manifests itself as a number of epiphanies which prove to be a catalyst for her mental and spiritual development throughout the novel. â€Å"†¦when the hard crust lifted, to discover†¦another skin, lustrous pearl†¦might have belonged to some other creature altogether†¦if all the rough skin of her present self crushed and came off , what would be revealed, shining in sunlight, was this finer being that had somehow been covered up in her.† Janet's longing to break free of the restraints that society has placed upon her becomes clear through these epiphanies, where the ‘creature' underneath(her true self) is far more extraordinary and exquisite than her outside shell – the mask that she is forced to wear. This shows that Janet is oppressed by the narrow minde d and Eurocentric views of the settlers. Through her epiphanies, Janet becomes closer to a higher power and therefore is able to see the world in clearer light and with more understanding, making her less prone to judgemental behaviour and prejudice over race. In the first moments that the reader is introduced to the character of Lachlan Beattie he is running wild with his imagination, â€Å"Cold air burned his nostrils, snow squeaked underfoot; the gin her carried†¦hung heavy on his arm.† This establishes psychological indications of the characteristics that he may possess as he develops. He shows arrogance as a key part of his personality and a need to be highly thought of by the adults and his peers, â€Å"For a moment back there, seeing himself as these grown-ups might see him, a mere kid†¦he felt a wave of anxiety at how shaky his power might be†. This need for power manifests itself in reality at the end of the novel when the reader sees that Lachlan has become a somewhat powerful politician. . 5. Significance of Mr Frazer's notebook In Remembering Babylon, Mr Frazer's notebook plays a crucial part in allowing Mr Frazer to act as Malouf's mouthpiece in conveying the idea of hybridity between the natives and the settlers, and in enabling readers to understand the purpose of the novel. The notebook allows for the expression of a post colonial attitude towards colonisation, where Malouf presents the concept that if the settlers were to stop exploiting the land and trying to make it habitable, they would see that it already was and could instead integrate themselves into the native society, â€Å"We have been wrong to see that†¦only by†¦sowing with the seeds we have brought with us, and by importing sheep, cattle, rabbits†¦can it be made habitable. It is habitable already.† With their â€Å"English eyes†, the first settlers only saw that they needed to shape Australia into a new England. Malouf is suggesting that colonisation fails if you attempt to make a country (England) on top of another country (Australia) and that they should stop looking for what they are expecting to see, and open their eyes to the wonders that Australia has to offer. It is this attitude, he suggests, that prevents the settlers from adapting to the native way of life; â€Å"We must rub our eyes and look again, clear our minds of what we are looking for to see what is there.† Through this, Malouf is conveying that the settlers are pompous and arrogant to think they could simply impose themselves upon the land, when they should have adapted to it instead. There is also a significant amount of implied criticism in the notebook where Mr Frazer states, â€Å"The children of this land were made for it†, allowing the reader to Malouf is trying to say that the Aboriginal people belong, whereas the settlers do not. This line of thought provokes the reader to form an opinion over who is entitled to the land. Later, Mr Frazer goes to Governor in order to appeal to him to acknowledge these ideas, however his intentions are completely misunderstood by both the Governor and the Premier, â€Å"Had he made himself so unclear?†, and this is an attempt to convey to the reader that the settlers of the time may have had some very genuinely post colonial views and ideas. However these were prevented from becoming a reality by the British government and the bureaucracy of the time, because of their complete self-involvement and lack of regard for anything that does not affect them and their progress. This idea is put forward to support the ignorance of the English settlers. Mr Frazer's notebook, therefore, plays a very significant role in conveying several key themes and ideas in the novel which in turn allow for the reader to gain a deeper and more complete understanding of the novel by forming their own opinions of these ideas. 6. Language is a recurring motif Remembering Babylon is based almost completely around the concept that language is identity – without it we cannot truly belong. Malouf puts forward the concept that everyone is defined by their language and, by extension, their associated culture. This idea is expressed in the text through three distinctly different forms; the written word, the power of language and the wordless communication that occurs on a different, more spiritual, level of consciousness. In the text there are several different examples of written communication, the most prominent of which are Gemmy's life story and Mr. Frazer's letter to the Governor. These examples are used by Malouf as a warning that the written word should not be considered as reliable or accurate as other forms of communication. In the case of Gemmy's life story, George Abbot alters Gemmy's words as he is writing them down, â€Å"†¦he had introduced into what he had set down a phrase or two of his own†¦this scrap of mistruth†, signifying to the audience that just because a piece of ‘history' is written down does not necessarily mean that it is the truth, and that perspective and translation may also have an effect on the final product. Mr. Frazer's letter to the Governor was in relation to his ideas of how the settler's should work to adapt to the land instead of imposing themselves on it, however these ideas are completely misunderstood by the Governor and the Premier, who end up offering Gemmy a job in response, â€Å"Had he made himself so unclear?† Readers are able to understand that that the written language is discouraged by Malouf as a vehicle for miscommunication, shown through Abbot falsifying Gemmy's story and the misunderstanding with relation to Mr. Frazer's letter. The manipulation of Gemmy's story fits the Eurocentric agenda as it parallels the theft by the settlers of Aboriginal land in the novel. Malouf suggests that the power of language lies in its ability to determine how we make meaning from what we see and experience, that we are defined by it and will be rejected from any society that does not support and accept that language. This is true for Gemmy, as he is never fully accepted by the settlers because of his inability to speak the language. Through this, Malouf suggests that language is culturally restrictive and that it is so powerful that it has the ability to alienate those who cannot or will not adopt the language. This draws a link between language in the text and its ability to control identity and purpose. The wordless, spiritual communication represented by the epiphanies experienced by some characters such as Jock and Janet are able to strengthen their individuality and allows for, Janet especially, the development of their own identities that are not moulded by the expectations of society. Through this, characters are able to develop a new level of understanding, where they are able to rise above the prejudice of the petty and those who have a weak sense of identity and who use the settlers' fear of the Aboriginals and Gemmy as a way to connect with them for a sense of inclusion and purpose. This is demonstrated in the text by Andy McKillop, â€Å"He was determined not to be ignored. He had a savage need to convince people of things; but had first, he knew†¦to convince them about himself.† The power of wordless, spiritual communication therefore plays a significant role in conveying the link between language and identity through epiphany. 7. Symbolism Malouf uses symbolism frequently in Remembering Babylon, and to great effect. His use of symbolism is significant in showing the ways in which the settlers attempt to create and maintain a sense of control and psychological superiority over the Aboriginal people, as well as to show how many of the characters in the novel are able to achieve a clearer understanding of the world through an epiphany, bringing them to a new level of spiritual and emotional clarity. Examples of this can be seen through the symbolism of the stick that Lachlan uses as a gun when he first encounters Gemmy, the bees and the fence. Remembering Babylon is very much centred around the theme of racial superiority. Readers are able to gain an understanding from the novel that this superiority does not truly exist, but that the settlers are determined to hold on to any power they have over the Aboriginals in an effort to maintain control. This is demonstrated through the stick that Lachlan uses as a gun when he first encounters Gemmy and the symbolic nature of what the stick represents. Lachlan imagines the stick to be a gun, and therefore a emblem of power and authority. This action is representative of how the settlers ‘imagine' their power over the Aboriginals in the same way that Lachlan pretends that the stick(equality) is a gun(power and superiority), whereas in reality the settlers are equal to the aboriginals, in the same way that the ‘gun' is simply a stick, which holds no commanding power. By imagining that the stick is a gun, Malouf is suggesting that the power and superiority that the settlers(Lachlan) have over the natives(Gemmy) is simply a psychological manifestation of the Eurocentric views that they have been brought up to believe are a reality. In essence, this one action is symbolic of how the settlers' superiority over the Aboriginals exists only in their minds and has no realistic basis. This is done in an attempt to maintain order, as Lachlan imagines the stick as a gun, he is able to maintain control of the situation. Readers understand that Gemmy is aware that the stick is not really a gun, though it may still be used as a weapon, â€Å"It had taken him only a moment of course to see that it was just a stick, but that did not mean it was harmless†, much like how the psychological beliefs of the settlers could have violent and brutal consequences in the physical realm. This is symbolic of the way that the Aboriginal's are aware that there is no real divide between themselves and the settlers as human beings; however they cooperate with the settlers in order to allow them the idea of control, as Gemmy does with Lachlan, which in turn allows for the Aboriginals to continue their lives in a peaceful manner. The stick therefore is a significant and powerful symbol of the settlers' false power, and this symbolism allows for the interpretation by readers of the th eme. The bees in Remembering Babylon are emblematic of a perfect civilization, where all parts of the society work together as a collective for the good of the collective. The nature of the bees can be linked to the nature of the Aboriginal people, who have a system of hunter gatherers who work together for the good of the tribe. This relationship can also be shown in that the bees will not harm a human unless they feel threatened in some way, much like the Indigenous people would not attack the settlers unless they are provoked. However, as can be seen in the text, Mrs. Hutchence, despite relaying this information to Janet, did not entirely believe it herself, â€Å"She saw then†¦that though her own faith had been absolute, Mrs. Hutchence's had not.† This is also figurative of the settler's view of the Aboriginals; that they may attack at any moment, without warning and without provocation, and that, despite the McIvors' insistence that Gemmy is not a threat to the community, many of the settlers are still reluctant to believe them and regard Gemmy as a threat. In the novel, the fence is representative of the dividing line between the Absolute Dark and civilization. This line is clear and definitive, clearly a physical depiction of how the settlers believe that there is a clear and distinct hierarchy between them and the Aboriginals, and this is founded by their belief in white supremacy. The fence is the dividing line between the barbaric and unknown darkness of the Aboriginals and the bright, civilized and safe world of the settlers. It provides a psychological boundary as well as a physical one that separates the Aboriginals from the settlers and allows them the pretence of safety and superiority over them. This physical boundary highlights the need for the settlers to extend this idea of superiority into the physical world through the fence in order to reinforce their unwavering belief that there are no similarities between themselves and the Indigenous people. 8. Literary Techniques used to convey values and themes Malouf uses a number of literary techniques throughout Remembering Babylon that aid in the passage of values and themes to the reader. Several of these techniques are more effective in conveying values and themes; these include Malouf's use of imagery, point of view and style. Remembering Babylon has an omniscient narrative, and therefore the reader is able to look through certain characters' perspectives. They are able to see Sir George's grandeur expectations or Lachlan's youthful view of the world, as in each chapter the narration is filtered through a particular character's perspective. Malouf may have elected to write his novel in the third person as a way to provide different views on certain situations in order to help the reader gain a more complete grasp of the significance of particular events. Third person narrative makes it easier for the reader to understand the transformation of each character in the novel and the profound ways in which Gemmy has influenced their lives, whether it be to bring out the best in them as human beings, or the worst in them through their fear of change and the unknown. Malouf's style is unique, and one of the most potent literary techniques is his restrained writing. This style of writing uses the power of suggestion, which allows the reader to form their own opinions on certain events and ideas in the novel. The most obvious example of this may be Mr. Frazer's visit to the Governor's house where he misunderstands the situation unfolding around him with the Governor's wife and the Premier. As a result of Mr. Frazer's misinterpretation of the situation, the audience is not given a clear understanding of the event; however this allows for reader interpretation and is forced to form their own ideas about what has occurred. Another such example of this style of writing is evident in chapter two of the text, when Gemmy is washed up onto the shore. Malouf has no way of knowing what the Aboriginal people would have been thinking, as he is not an Aboriginal himself and has never experienced their way of life, however Malouf uses this technique to suggest many things about their thoughts of Gemmy. Imagery is a very prominent technique used by Malouf in Remembering Babylon and can be seen when Gemmy is visited in the settlement by the two Aboriginals, â€Å"†¦as he recognised one and then another feature of it, the site of old happenings†¦felt the energy flow back into him, and saw†¦how weak he had grown in these last months†¦the land up there was his mother†¦it belonged to him as he did to it†¦Ã¢â‚¬ . This use of imagery demonstrates how Gemmy views the land the way the Aboriginals do – as his ‘mother', a living organism to be taken care of and nurtured. Imagery is used by Malouf as a way of showing the audience the differences in perspective of each of the characters in that not all of them would view the land the way that Gemmy does, and this therefore leads into the theme of how the settlers try to change the land. Gemmy does not understand this, as changing the land to him would be like trying to change his mother. In this way, Malouf is showing the audience the effect that a different upbringing can have on our perception of the world around us. 9. Malouf's sympathies Malouf conveys sympathy towards both the Aboriginals and the Settler's throughout Remembering Babylon. It is obvious that his favour lies with the Indigenous people, as can be seen in chapter two, where Malouf reveals the good nature of the Aboriginals through their partial acceptance of Gemmy after he is washed up on the shore. The tribe who took him in treated Gemmy more like a human being than any of the settlers did throughout the entirety of the novel. However, it can also be seen that Malouf has sympathy for the settlers as well, and this is shown through the characterisation of the McIvors. This is done as, if Malouf were to generalise all of the settlers and to provide the reader with evidence only to support their negative nature, audiences would assume that the settlers were ‘evil' and incapable of human emotions such as kindness and compassion. However, Malouf realises that the settlers are human beings with real emotions and that, while they have been wildly misled by their forefathers about their superiority over other cultures, are not truly evil. Obviously, the vast majority of the settlers stick to their stubborn refusal to accept Gemmy and all that he represents, which is done sometimes out of fear, and sometimes out of malice and contempt, however, some, such as the McIvors and Mrs. Hutchence, who despite being trapped in a society with very prominent Eurocentric views, are able to grow and rise above this, though they still have their reservations. If Malouf did not do this and instead was to generalise all the settlers, presenting them to the reader as the ‘evil' of the story to be hated without question or complaint, he would in essence be conveying the same attitude that the settlers have towards the Aboriginals, by assuming that they are all to be hated and feared, and that there could not possibly be any remnants of goodness in them.

Balance Sheet and Following Account Balances

Retained earnings 109,oho 712,000 712. 000 b. Actual sales for December and budgeted sales for the next four months are as follow s: – December (actual) 2800 units It is expected that sales will increase by 40% in the month of January and by a further 50% in the next month. The following month sales would drop by 50% an d then will will ream remain in cons Tanta for for the next next 2 moon months this – The management will not alter the selling price, which is currently $100 – Management wants finished goods inventory to be 20% of the following month's sales – One units of finished goods require 2 kilos of raw materials. –The price of materials is currently $10 per kilo and is expected to increase by 50% in February hereafter it will remain constant for the next four months. – The management wants raw materials inventory to be 10% of the following month's p reduction needs – Each unit of product requires 2 hours of direct materials fo r completion. – The laborers are expected to work for a total of 4000 hours per month at a wage rat e Of $6 per hour. Any additional work requires an overtime payment of time and a half. – Manufacturing overhead: variable: $5 per labor hours worked; fixed $17000 per MO nth. – Sales are 20% for cash and 80% on credit.Half of the credit sales are collected in the month following sale while the remaining half is collected in second month after the sales. The accounts receivable at December 31 are a result of December credit sales. – Monthly expenses are budgeted as follows: salaries and wages, $10,000 per month: a advertising, $70,000 per month; shipping, 5% of sales; other expenses, 3% of sales. Depreciation, I including depreciation on new assets acquired during the quarter, will be $42,000 for the quart err. – One- half of a month's raw materials purchases is paid for in the month of purchase; the to her half is paid in the following month.Shipping expenses are paid in the month following the shipment. , while advertising I s paid in one month's advance. During February, the company will purchase a new copy machine for $1,700 cash. Du ring March, other equipment will be purchased for cash at a cost of $84,500. – During January, the company will declare and pay $45,000 in cash dividends. – Management wants to maintain a minimum cash balance of $30,000. The company h as an agreement with a local bank that allows the company to borrow in increments of $1,0 00 at the beginning of each month. The interest rate on these loans is 1% per month and for is

Thirteen Days Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Thirteen Days - Movie Review Example The pressures mounted on him to authorize 'the only option' to execute air strike which could possibly lead to more catastrophes. And yet, despite more pressures the Kennedy administration was facing, he remained calm with absolute willingness to maintain world peace by not engaging in a war that could possibly lead to another world war. John F. Kennedy is the man with deep sense of duty and responsibility. This experience was crucial for America, there was a threat that was about to happen after thirteen days and yet, he had to decide what could bring more benefit to all. Of course, air strike would not be the best option for another war is at stake. It is not easy for Kennedy, as played by Bruce Greenwoods, to do decision or strategy to pressure Soviet Union to pull out their military build up because, that would lead to world war III. The film presented America's readiness for possible war; they were equipped with military weapons, and their personnel were dedicated and well-trained. And yet, despite these, Kennedy was very careful not to fire a single weapon to avoid larger war. These were shown in many instances which only proved that Kennedy respected the human rights and the law. President John F. Kennedy exemplified the character of a wise man mentioned in the book of Proverbs in the Bible - a virtuous man. Amid the pressures from his top military leaders demanding air strikes and the consistent reports of the progress of Soviet military presence threatening the world with their nuclear prowess, John F. Kennedy stood firm not to engage in aggression but exploit all possible democratic options that may lead to settlement of the situation. While top military officers saw air strikes as the only solution, he empowered his own men for back door negotiations for the sake of much greater benefits, despite of stubborn impression he is seemingly showing his military officers. The film also presents different virtues of Kennedy's men; there were those who sympathized with his idea that pursued his step-by-step instruction. While others saw only one solution, some were still heed to what the President stood for. These men stood beside the president. It is a good film which shows that America during that period resisted offensive war against another country; the success that they had seen was when the Soviet Union pull out their military weapon from Cuba. From this stand point, we can say that Kennedy and his other men including Kenneth P. O'Donnell (as played by Kevin Costner), his brother Bobby (played by Steven Culp), and other cabinet members such as the National Defense Secretary, the Ambassador for the United Nations, and others, were on in terms of maintaining world peace. They have what we call the duty triangle which are needed by anybody especially those who are in high positions when making tough decisions. Specifically the President of the United States presented the three sides of the character such as virtue, principles and consequence. He is an example of a leader who believes in the duty triangle that made him took a careful step that benefited everyone; this could be one of the possible reasons why cold war between these two world great power ended not causing any harm in the world. John F. Kennedy is a virtuous man as opposed to the propaganda of the Soviet that he was weak. He possesses good moral

Managing services 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Managing services 2 - Essay Example al, 2011). Moreover, it can also be observed that an effective strategy of service design tends to involve major dimensions in accordance with the needs and expectations of the ultimate buyers, enabling the organisations to enhance profitability (Best Management Practice, n.d.). Therefore, it is highly essential for any organisations irrespective of business industry to critically emphasise determining the role along with the importance of service design. For instance, the service management functions in fast-food service industry have been facing dramatic changes due to rapid growth of competitiveness in the respective industry. Organisations in the fast-food service industry are often recognised to critically understand the changing trends of the customers along with the markets in terms of structuring effective business strategies (Lin & et. al, 2011). Thus, taking into concern the changing trends of the global fast-food service industry along with the fiercely growing service man agement processes, the report tends to establish a critical along with a strategic understanding of s the specific requirements for service design and improvement to fast-food service industry. ... erm product/service design generally refers to the concept of demonstrating the needs, expectations and the perceptions of the customers towards any commodity or service. With respect to the conventional marketing perspective, the notion of service design is generally described as the concept of accumulating needs in accordance with the needs and the expectations of the customers (Morelli, 2002). In this similar context, according to the study of Slack and et. al. (2010), the concept of service design can be typically defined as an effective process of planning and organising people with the aim of improving the quality of a particular service. The definition also incorporates an in-depth understanding concerning the value, nature and the use of a particular product or service. Therefore, it can be stated that the design of a product or a service is a process which not only focuses on adding supplementary values, but also incorporates an effective way of delivering or presenting prod ucts or services to the ultimate customers (Slack & et. al, 2010). In relation to the conceptual perspective of product or service design, it has been critically observed that the organisations generally choose number of ways to design their range of products or services. In this context, standardisation, mass customisation, delayed differentiation, modular and robust designs are few of the major procedures that are implemented by the organisations while designing their respective products or services (Slack & et. al., 2010). According to El-Haik and Roy (2005), it has been identified that an effective and quality based service lifecycle process tends to involve five major stages including idea generation, screening, preliminary design, evaluation development along with prototyping and

Critical Thinking Paper Draft and Self-evaluation Essay

Critical Thinking Paper Draft and Self-evaluation - Essay Example I am completely motivated and geared up to stop smoking, I remember I smoked for the very first time when I was young and I knew nothing about the damage which smoking could cause, I got to know about the damage only later on and I have been trying hard to quit but the temptation always lingers on and it is quite hard to stop it but this time around I am going to do it and I have already been quite successful. I do not even remember the last time that I smoked and this I think is really a big achievement for me and I am going to carry on and completely stop it because I have realized that it is really dangerous and can cause lung cancer, I have already seen enough pain and suffering in those videos. Those videos have been really useful and have motivated me to quit. Chewing gum has also helped me a ton, whenever I feel the urge to smoke I start chewing and this has been of great help to me, the urge to smoke goes away as soon as I pop it into my mouth and the urge to smoke instantly goes away. â€Å"Nicotine replacement therapies work by giving you a small amount of nicotine, but without the dangerous effects of inhaling tobacco smoke. This helps relieve the withdrawal symptoms and cravings for a cigarette that you get when you stop smoking, and allows you to get on with breaking the psychological habit of smoking. If you are physically addicted to nicotine, using NRT has been shown to almost double your chances of successfully quitting smoking.† (Nicorette Gum) This idea was first suggested to me by a good friend and I tried it and it works like a charm for me, the first time I tried it and I was very happy with the results and I knew this was going to save me, I have bought several gums to help me quit. These are a couple of ideas that have really helped me, discipline in life is really important and I have realized this very late but I am going to follow it till my last breath, I have also understood how difficult it is to give up on vices. Developing

Product Comparisons among three Separate Retailers Assignment

Product Comparisons among three Separate Retailers - Assignment Example The second shop is located at the bus terminal. The business targets people who are about to travel or those embarking from their journeys. The owner deals with home theatre systems in addition to phones. This is an advantage when compared to the first shop due to a variety of goods for sale. The shop has services such as educating the consumer on how to utilize the product. The strategy aims at the achievement of customer loyalty with the store. The customers who buy more than one phone get discounts and rewards, as a strategy, to encourage more purchases. The third shop is located at the airport. The target market consists of tourists and domestic professionals. The consumers buy such goods before boarding the flight or due to local network compatibility issues. After sell services provided, such as internet configuration, enables the owner be competitive in the market. The other advantage is the availability of product variation of the electronics. The other strategy that the retailer employs is the ability of the business to stay operational for longer hours. This is because the airport is in operation all the

Argumentive Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Argumentive - Essay Example Similarly mass murders are carried out by boys more often. Results show that all these teens seemed to have harbored a deep feeling of hopelessness or rage. Other factors that compel boys to respond more to peer pressure includes the violence and music they face while playing video and television games (Decter, pars. 11-13). In the process of trying to prove themselves, boys tend to get attracted to power. With power comes responsibility. Misuse of it leads to delinquent behaviors. To be a part of a specific group, adolescents acquire specific traits. This helps them in socializing and the peer pressure compels them to remain rooted to those traits. A social ecological influence leads a person to adopt specific behaviors and hinders them from doing certain things. Certain studies are carried out that report the affect of peers on tendency towards delinquent behaviors. One such study is carried out that uses data from National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. They conclude fro m this data that adolescents who hang around with delinquent peers tend to be more delinquent. Also, if the choice of their friends is not structured, they develop a tendency to be delinquent. They also conclude that to some extent age, gender, institution, or family structure does not intervene from the influence adolescents accept from their peers. This study has also divided their results based on socialization and opportunity models. A number of social and parental control variables are also considered in this study. This helps understand the impact of social circle of peers and their tendency to be delinquent (Haynie, pars 1-7). Delinquent behavior is not only the result of peer pressure but also societal issues that push people towards such extremes. Studies have shown that adolescents are forced towards delinquent actions to avoid being the outcast in a society. They get addicted to please people and do things to get in their good book that they won't do under normal circumst ances. Adolescents need to stay focused on principles in order to realize they are not crossing any lines when it comes to moral values. This can be achieved through values taught at their homes. It needs to be strongly embedded in the child's brain that they understand who they are and what they need and what ways are moral or immoral to attain their goals. The development of this understanding is only possible if the family is complete and not a broken home. Single parents may not be able to instill a sense of responsibility in their teens alone. They might require additional help as in the case of Hubert who was supervised by his mother alone. She had to look after other children as well and to make his space in society among people who do not mock him, he joined a gang. The importance of the role of father supervision in a boy's life is highlighted in this case. Adolescents who get carried away due to peer pressure need to be guided by a trusted but authoritative family member w ho can influence the adolescent and make the teen realize the implications of their actions (Greer, pars 2-4). The role of parents in controlling delinquent behaviors has been discussed a lot in the past. It has been noted that parents who spend more time with their children and keep in touch with their social circle seem to prevent them from delinquent company. This phenomenon can be categorized as exposure control as the parents control who their

Gene Therapy Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Gene Therapy - Research Paper Example A vector is used in gene therapy as a package for delivering the useful DNA into the cells of the body (Mayo Clinic, 1). In line with the current challenges that continue to plague the field of healthcare such as increased incidences of antibiotic resistance, gene therapy will become a major treatment strategy in the future management and control of ailments. There is bound to be a lot of debate and emotion surrounding whether mankind should or should not embrace this treatment regime as diseases will become untreatable through conventional ways. With advanced knowledge of the subject, however, gene therapy will be useful in the future management of diseases. When gene therapy was initially thought of in 1973, the pioneers of the concept called for utmost caution in the attempts to use this technique on humans. A 1990 United States experiment treated a patient (DeSilva Ashanti) of ADA-SCID in an FDA-allowed procedure. Initially, failures with the technique led to many people writing it off but these assumptions have since changed drastically following several successful trials in the period after 2006 (Kelly, 348). As of 2014 January, over 2,000 trials were actively being pursued. Gene therapy is an important issue in healthcare as it offers immense hope in finally treating diseases that are currently untreatable such as HIV/ Aids and cancer (Kelly, 377). However, there are feared a number of consequences, especially manifesting in future generations, should the application of gene therapy go south (since very little is known about it). Gene therapy should therefore be a concern to every human being in any part of the world as we have a duty to the consequent generations. Genes house one’s DNA which is responsible for a number of human functions and characteristics. In this light, therefore, if a gene is mutated or is simply not functioning properly, diseases can result.

AUDIT & ASSURANCE - SCENARIO - AUDIT OF SUNSHINE LIMITED Essay

AUDIT & ASSURANCE - SCENARIO - AUDIT OF SUNSHINE LIMITED - Essay Example This particular aim is of significant importance for the reason that we would want to arrive and formulate the suitable and appropriate audit opinion based on a financial statement that is actual and exact. Further more, with this particular approached we will not only be able to detect material misstatements in the previous financial statement. But, it will also show to us how some factors like adequacy of internal controls, the nature of transactions that company utilises, how the company monitors and oversees the production, how responsive is the management in addressing issues, how the company responds to human resources and human relations concerns, the possibility of senior management oversight and similar concerns within the company itself may contribute to risk and to financial statement that is materially misstated. And as a rule of the thumb in the business environment, a materially misstated financial statement may lead to an inappropriate audit opinion. And an inappropria te audit opinion may in effect lead to estimations that are detrimental to the company’s growth, profit, and solvency. Second, the market of the company is highly competitive and volatile. As such is the market environment of the company, risk-approached will help us center on divisions and facets of the company that are more susceptible to risks and problems like sales, auditing, and personnel hiring. This specific strategy in auditing will allow us to focus and zero-in on the more ‘problematic’ departments and divisions of the company while maintaining the supposition that good policies are in placed and are being observed. At the same time, this style of auditing will present to us the conditions that allow the less problematic departments to function in a manner that is aligned to the company’s goals and objectives. Thus, allowing room for the possibility of coming up with a more

Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 8

Assignment Example Agency Group 06. (2012, June 1). U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood applauds Ohio for enacting ban on texting while driving by. FDCH Regulatory Intelligence Database. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.terrehaute.libproxy.ivytech.edu.allstate.libproxy.ivytech.edu/ehost/detail?sid=b5787eb8-fbf3-43f6-8076-c13444f3497b%40sessionmgr11&vid=1&hid=21&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=mth&AN=32W2353416746 The author is anonymous, but he/she writes for the FDCH Regulatory Intelligence Database. The source of authority of the writer comes from the credibility of the database. This database is accessible through EBSCOHost, which contains numerous credible articles and reports. The source has the general public as intended readers. The organization seems to have a single stance on the issue, although its reports can contain different viewpoints. The news article basically reported the support of U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood for Ohio’s texting-while-driving ban. ... Hosansky, D. (2012, May 4). Distracted driving: Should driver texting and cellphone use be banned? CQ Researcher, 22(17), 401-424. Retrieved from http://library.cqpress.com.terrehaute.libproxy.ivytech.edu.allstate.libproxy.ivytech.edu/cqresearcher/getpdf.php?file=cqr20120504C.pdf David Hosansky is a staff writer for CQ Researcher. He is not an expert on automobile safety, although as a journalist who was nominated twice for a Pulitzer Prize, he is a credible source of news information. CQ Researcher has an intended audience of educated readers. It presents detailed analyses of certain topics using diverse viewpoints. Hosansky does not offer any personal claim because he wants readers to decide on the merits of banning cellphone use while driving through providing opposing opinions from experts and stakeholders and providing studies and statistics. This writing is described as descriptive and unbiased journalism although it is clear from the tone of the writer that he does not support distractions to driving because of the costs to human life and properties. His stance is more objective than other journalists who either oppose or support texting-while-driving bans. The evidence is credible, accurate, complete, and relevant because of the diverse opinions and statistics used. I can use this article to support the claims on the negative effects of texting-while-driving. Park, A., Salsbury, J., Corbett, K., & Aiello, J. (2013). The effects of text messaging during dual-task driving simulation on cardiovascular and respiratory responses and reaction time. The Ohio Journal of Science, 111 (2-5), 42-44. Retrieved from

A Black Mans Tribute to His White Mother Essay Example for Free

A Black Mans Tribute to His White Mother Essay James McBride, has a personal element in its origin that is carried throughout the text. The author attempted to discern his race, and uncovered the touching story of his Jewish mother who experienced her own personal Diaspora: she immigrated from Poland to Virginia, and from Virginia to New York City. The latter move took much courage, because she had to abandon both her faith and her family in order to follow her heart, ultimately marrying the titular black man and founding a lasting family. The aforementioned personal element really helps carry the narrative forward: James McBride wishes to tell his own story, but realizes that he cannot tell his own without telling his mother’s. Intentionally or not, this works quite well on a meta-textual level, as it reinforces how tightly tethered his family is to one another, which serves as an extreme counterpoint to her other family (indeed, her other life) that she left behind in Virginia. See more: Homelessness as a social problem Essay The work also serves to broker a much-needed (then, as much as now) discussion regarding racial division within America. A neutral observer might view the subtitle of the work and ask why race is so important to the narrative; as McBride illustrates, one cannot discuss this particular tale of immigration, life, and success in the context of America without discussing the racism that permeated the country†¦how, even in the shadow of civil rights triumphs, many saw race as an excuse to divide, as opposed to an opportunity to come together. Despite the rather serious premise, the book ultimately comes across as more uplifting than depressing. The memoirs of times when race relations are so bad also serve to make one grateful that present day America is much more tolerable regarding matters of race (though not, of course, perfect). McBride cleverly embeds this idea in the very title of his work, implying that the color of water—transparent clarity—can only come through a mixture of race as opposed to segregation. The notion of reconciliation within the work is not limited to matters of race: the epilogue of the story features McBride becoming more in touch with his Jewish heritage, effectively bringing the journey of his mother full circle: as she had to leave Judaism behind in order to forge a new life and a new identity, James McBride has to re-discover it as a way of determining his own identity. Throughout the work, there is an undercurrent of the importance of education. The text emphasizes that all twelve of Ruth McBride’s children become college-educated, and readers feel every bump along the way as she tries to get them through college. However, even while reading about these economic difficulties (a relatively touchy subject in the shadow of near economic collapse), readers are offered a glimpse of hope: the work alternates chapters written by James and chapters written by his mother, so even as the narrative makes one concerned for how the children will turn out, the gripping narrative of James reminds audiences that they will turn out just fine. In a way, that is the pattern of this book: tension and release, tension and release†¦the tension of Ruth’s struggle with her old family, and the release of the success with her new family. There is the tension of financial hardships and the release of financial success. And in a story that is essentially about the American dream, tension comes from the possibility that America may not be ready for Ruth’s dream. In turn, the release is the joy of Ruth not settling for the American dream: rather, she creates and actualizes her own. The Gentle People: A Portrait of the Amish by James Warner provides an intimate look into a group that is still a mystery to many Americans: the Amish. True to its word, the book is primarily comprised of photographs of the Amish that are artificially made to look like washed-out, â€Å"antique† photos. These are usually accompanied by a biblical verse, so one is able to more properly get into the Amish mindset. The old versus combined with the old-timey feel of the photographs really gives a feeling that one has become â€Å"unstuck in time,† as Vonnegut might say. Would-be sociologists will find this book to be a treasure trove of information regarding Amish society, particularly regarding relationships. According to the book, public affection between married individuals is highly frowned upon by Amish society, as their affection for one another is too sacred to be shared with outsiders. As should not be surprising, many of the ideas are founded in Christian writings and have been espoused by Christian writers, though the Amish take things to their logical extreme: John Donne, for instance, counseled lovers not to weep at their beloved’s funeral, because the affection was too valuable to share with outsiders. The Amish have taken Donne’s advice about love after death and have applied it to love during life, which can be something of a shock when one first reads about it. Of course, modern day feminists will find much within the book that is upsetting to their cause. The Amish have taken Ephesians to heart, and strictly expect wives to submit to their husbands in all matters. There are even limits to how much children can be exposed to the school system, with the assumption that only God can provide wisdom, and everything else is foolishness. While these are basic precepts for Mormons and taken for granted in their society, it is jarring for onlookers (particularly liberal onlookers) to first see the number of restrictions that are placed on people and expressions. Fortunately, the author has a built in ethos: James Warner was born to a Mennonite household, so he has quite a bit of background regarding this issue. However, that is what makes the book disappointing on several levels: it does not concern itself with any deep revelations about Amish history, and does not serve well as an introduction to the Amish lifestyle simply because no historical context is offered. The book and its photos are put forth as a kind of â€Å"slice of life† view of the Amish†¦however, considering that it was first printed over four decades ago (and was arguably offering out-of-date content even back then), the work struggles to find a proper audience in the modern day. After all, it is not a book for the Amish: its pictures and passages are simply redundant for them, and more conservative Amish may even consider its author something of a traitor†¦a man who abandoned their private lifestyle, only to make a profit by publically invading that privacy. The book is also not intended for those wanting to fully learn about the Amish: as elaborated on above, it does not delve into their history, and offers no context for the actions taken by the Amish. The ideal audience for this book, interestingly enough, would be modern photography buffs: the pictures are quite striking, and the measures taken to make them seem more ancient than they are may very well offer the aspiring photographer new tricks for his or her toolbox. For everyone else? There are far better books about the Amish, especially for those who wish to know their full story.

Human resource Planning and Leadership roles

Human resource Planning and Leadership roles Human Resource Planning is the process by which an organization ensures that it has the right number and kind of people, at the right places, at the right time, capable of effectively and efficiently completing those tasks that will help the organization achieve its overall objectives (Decenzo and Robbins 2000). Vetter (1967) defined human resource planning as the process by which management determines how the organization should move from its current manpower position to its desired position. Through planning, management strives to have the right number and the right kinds of people, at the right places, at the right time, doing things which result in both the organization and the individual receiving maximum long-run benefits. Human resources planning should be a key component of nearly every  corporations strategic business planning. To ensure their  competitive advantage  in the marketplace, organizations must implement innovative strategies that are designed to enhance their employee retention rate and recruit fresh talent into their companies. In todays corporate environment, it is viewed as a valuable component for adding value to an organization. Both employees and the company will often realize many benefits of planning over the long-run. Contemporary human resource planning occurs within the broad context of organizational and strategic business planning. It involves forecasting the organizations future human resource needs and planning for how those needs will be met. It includes establishing objectives and then developing and implementing programs (staffing, appraising, compensating, and training) to ensure that people are available with the appropriate characteristics and skills when and where the organization needs them. It may also involve developing and implementing programs to improve employee performance or to increase employee satisfaction and involvement in order to boost organizational productivity, quality, or innovation (Mills, 1 985b). Finally, human resource planning includes gathering data that can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of ongoing programs and inform planners when revisions in their forecasts and programs are needed. Strategic collaboration between small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and the large businesses they partner can take many forms, such as locating a SMEs facility in close proximity to a buyers facility to enable just-in-time delivery of raw material, inputs and components; collaborating on research and development and product design to build organizational competencies and capabilities; collaborating on supply chain activities to manage costs and promote operational efficiency; or delivering outsourced human resource management activities (Doz and Hamel 1998). For large businesses, forming strategic alliances and collaborative partnerships can be critical to their ability to seize technological opportunities, to build critical resource strengths and competitive capabilities, to improve supply chain efficiencies and deliver value to their customers (Kaplan and Hurd 2002). Often these partners are small and medium sized enterprises, that are expected to perform as full partners (Ij ose, Olumide). However, there has been little to no attention paid to the role the strategic human resource management (SHRM) practices of SMEs play in their ability to be valued and trusted strategic partners in the value chain of big businesses. Like any other organization, the sophistication of their human resource management practices can lead to operational inefficiencies that can affect their ability to meet their obligations to corporate buyers (reference and relate sentence to big businesses where this has been proven). Factors that enable operating excellence include having a strong management team, recruiting and retaining talented employees, viewing training as a strategic activity, structuring the work effort in ways that promotes successful strategy execution, deploying an organizational structure that facilitates the proficient performance of strategy critical activities, instituting policies and procedures that facilitate good strategy execution, instilling a strategy supportive cult ure and tying rewards and incentives to individual and team performance outcomes that are strategically relevant (Higgins 2005). Human resource planning involves plans for future needs of personnel, their required skills, recruitment of employees, and development of personnel (Miller, Burack, Albrecht, 1980).   Human resource forecasting and human resource audit are the two most important components of this type of planning. Human resource forecasting refers to predicting an organizations future demand for number, type, and quality of various categories of employees. The assessment of future needs has to be based on analysis of present and future policies and growth trends. The techniques of forecasting include the formal expert survey, Delphi technique, statistical analysis, budget and planning analysis, and computer models. The human resource audit gives an account of the skills, abilities, and performance of all the employees of an organization (Werther Davis, 1982). Recruitment  refers to the process of attracting, screening, and selecting qualified people for a  job  at an  organization  or firm. For some components of the recruitment process, mid- and large-size organizations often retain  professional recruiters  or outsource some of the process to recruitment agencies. Types of recruitment are: 1. External Recruitment Methods Develop  relationships  with guidance and career counselors at colleges and universities and ask for help in recruiting for open positions. Reach out to professional organizations that are in line with the organizations mission, and ask to them to list open positions in their newsletters and emails to members. Organizations with financial resources should consider working with a recruitment firm, especially if the position is at a higher level or requires a specific skill or type of experience. 2. Internal Recruitment Methods Be clear about the skills and experience an applicant must possess. Post an open position internally first to assess whether there are qualified candidates within the organization. Consider interns, volunteers, temporary workers or consultants who may have been working in a similar capacity to the open position( managementstudyguide  [online]). A typical selection process consists of the following steps: completed job application, initial screening, testing, indepth selection interview, physical examination, and job offer (French, 1982). In general, extension organizations use a simple knowledge test and a brief interview to select extension personnel. An interview  is the most common form of selection as it is relatively cheap to undertake and is the chance for an employer to meet the applicant face to face and so obtain much more information on what the person is like and how suitable they are for the job. Examples of information that can only be learnt from interview and not on paper from a CV or application form are: Conversational ability-  often known as people skills Natural enthusiasm or manner of the applicant See how applicant reacts under pressure Queries on comments or details missing from CV or application form There are though other forms of selection tests that can be used in addition to an interview to help select the best applicant. The basic interview can be unreliable as applicants can perform well at interview but not have the qualities or skills needed for the job. Other selection tests can increase the chances of choosing the best applicant and so minimise the high costs of recruiting the wrong people. Examples of these tests are aptitude tests, intelligence tests and psychometric tests. Once the best candidate has been selected and agreed to take up the post, the new employee must be given an  employment contract. The training of personnel contributes directly to the development of human resources within organizations. Training programmes are directed towards maintaining and improving current job performance, while development programmes seek to develop skills for future jobs (Stoner Freeman, 1992, p. 388).   Training based on actual field experience should be emphasized.  Methods such as coaching, job rotation, training sessions, classroom instruction, and educational institute-sponsored development programmes are used to train managers. An important aspect of human resource management which needs special attention in organizations is the development of a reward system which will attract, retain, and motivate extension personnel, as well as provide training and promotional opportunities. Skinners reinforcement theory, Vrooms expectancy theory, Maslows need-hierarchy theory, Adams equity theory and Herzbergs two- factor theory are the five main approaches that have created the understanding of motivation. In 1943, Maslow gave a list of five types of needs of employees i.e.: ego, safety, physiological, self- actualizing and social. Maslow said that all type of needs of employees should be fulfilled in some priority levels, as the fulfillment of their needs would bring a great deal of motivation in the employees. Motivators and hygiene were the two categories in which Herzberg divided motivation in 1959. Job satisfaction is provided by recognition and achievements of employees which contribute to intrinsic factors and motivation. Job dissatisfaction is developed as a result of low pays and insecurity of jobs that contribute towards extrinsic factors or hygiene. Performance was the major area of relevance which contribute towards rewards and further increased performance according to Vroom in 1964. There may be positive or negative categories of rewards. The motivation of an employee depends upon the rewards as positive rewards motivate the employees and negative rewards demotivate them. According to Adams equity among workers plays a major role in motivating employees. Equity is achieved when the ratio of employee outcomes over inputs is equal to other employee outcomes over inputs (Adams, 1965). In 1953, Skinner mentioned that the positive behavior of the employees should be motivated to be repeated and negative behavior should be strictly dealt so that it shouldnt be repeated. Behavior of employees should be observed strictly by managers. Managers should be made liable to enforce the positive behavior of employees that lead to positive results and demotivate the negative behavior of employees that leads to negative outcomes. The importance of certain factors in motivating employees was studied by James R. Lindner in 1998, who was Research Associate at Ohio State University. Ten motivating factors were revealed by the study as following: (a) interesting work, (b) ) tactful discipline, (c) good wages, (d)job security, (e) feeling of being in on things, (f) sympathetic help with personal problems, (g) personal loyalty to employees, (h) full appreciation of work done (i) good working conditions, and (j) promotions and growth in the organization Some interesting factors into employee motivation were revealed by comparison of above results to Maslows need-hierarchy theory. Interesting work is a self-motivating factor which is considered rank one motivation factor. Good wages is a physiological motivation factor which is ranked two. High appreciation of work done is another major esteem factor which is ranked at number three. Job security known as the safety factor is another major motivation facto ranked at number four. In 1943, Maslow declared that interesting work, safety, esteem, physiological and social factors are the most important motivation factors that must be satisfied first. Good pay and increase in pays will be second most important factors that should be addressed by managers. Range of motivational factors suggested by Maslows study is challenged by the following study. This study doesnt confirm that Maslows conclusion of ascending order of motivational factors to be satisfied. Ken Shah and Prof. Param J. Shah re vealed the properties that a manager should have as following: Evaluate yourself-  In order to motivate, encourage and control your staffs behaviour, it is essential to understand, encourage and control your own behaviour as a manager. Be familiar with your staff-  The more and the better he knows his staff, the simpler it is to get them involved in the job as well as in achieving the team and organizational goals.   Provide the employees certain benefits-  Give them bonuses, pay them for overtime, and give them health and family insurance benefits. Make sure they get breaks from work.   Participate in new employees induction programme- Induction proceeds with recruitment advertising. At this point of time, the potential entrants start creating their own impressions and desires about the job and the organization. The manner in which the selection is conducted and the consequent recruitment process will either build or damage the impression about the job and organization. Provide feedback to the staff constantly Acknowledge your staff on their achievements Ensure effective time management Have stress management techniques in your organization Give the employees learning opportunities Listen effectively Develop and encourage creativity Adopt job enrichment-  Job enrichment implies giving room for a better quality of working life. It means facilitating people to achieve self-development, fame and success through a more challenging and interesting job which provides more promotional and advancement opportunities. Respect your team Set realistic goals : Set moderate goals. Setting too high a task creates a feeling of non-achievement, right from the beginning itself.   Think like a winner : A manager has to handle two situations, The Winning and The loosing. The crux is to think like a winner even when all the odds seem against you. It is necessary to equip yourself with all the tools of a winner. An executive must have the right leadership traits to influence motivation. Both an employee as well as manager must possess leadership and motivational traits. An effective leader must have a thorough knowledge of motivational factors for others. He must understand the basic needs of employees, peers and his superiors. Leadership is used as a means of motivating others. According to Keith Davis, Leadership is the ability to persuade others to seek defined objectives enthusiastically. It is the human factor which binds a group together and motivates it towards goals.( managementstudyguide  [online]) Characteristics of Leadership It is a inter-personal process in which a manager is into influencing and guiding workers towards attainment of goals. It denotes a few qualities to be present in a person which includes intelligence, maturity and personality. It is a group process. It involves two or more people interacting with each other. A leader is involved in shaping and moulding the behaviour of the group towards accomplishment of organizational goals. Leadership is situation bound. There is no best style of leadership. It all depends upon tackling with the situations. Leadership and management are the terms that are often considered synonymous. It is essential to understand that leadership is an essential part of effective management. As a crucial component of management, remarkable leadership behaviour stresses upon building an environment in which each and every employee develops and excels. A manager must have traits of a leader, i.e., he must possess leadership qualities. Leaders develop and begin strategies that build and sustain competitive advantage. Organizations require robust leadership and robust management for optimal organizational efficiency. (managementstudyguide  [online]) Differences between Leadership and Management Leadership differs from management in a sense that: While managers lay down the structure and delegates authority and responsibility, leaders provides direction by developing the organizational vision and communicating it to the employees and inspiring them to achieve it. While management includes focus on planning, organizing, staffing, directing and controlling; leadership is mainly a part of directing function of management. Leaders focus on listening, building relationships, teamwork, inspiring, motivating and persuading the followers. While a leader gets his authority from his followers, a manager gets his authority by virtue of his position in the organization. While managers follow the organizations policies and procedure, the leaders follow their own instinct. Management is more of science as the managers are exact, planned, standard, logical and more of mind. Leadership, on the other hand, is an art. In an organization, if the managers are required, then leaders are a must/essential. While management deals with the technical dimension in an organization or the job content; leadership deals with the people aspect in an organization. While management measures/evaluates people by their name, past records, present performance; leadership sees and evaluates individuals as having potential for things that cant be measured, i.e., it deals with future and the performance of people if their potential is fully extracted. If management is reactive, leadership is proactive. Management is based more on written communication, while leadership is based more on verbal communication.   The leadership style varies with the kind of people the leader interacts and deals with. A perfect/standard leadership style is one which assists a leader in getting the best out of the people who follow him. There are three main categories of leadership styles:  autocratic, paternalistic and democratic (tutor2u[online]) Autocratic  (or authoritarian) managers like to make all the important decisions and closely supervise and control workers. Managers do not trust workers and simply give orders (one-way communication) that they expect to be obeyed. This approach has limitations but it can be effective in certain situations. For example: When quick decisions are needed in a company (e.g. in a time of crises). Paternalistic  managers give more attention to the social needs and views of their workers. Managers are interested in how happy workers feel and in many ways they act as a father figure. They consult employees over issues and listen to their feedback or opinions. The manager will however make the actual decisions (in the best interests of the workers)   A  democratic  style of management will put trust in employees and encourage them to make decisions. They will delegate to them the authority to do this (empowerment) and listen to their advice. This requires good two-way communication and often involves democratic discussion groups, which can offer useful suggestions and ideas. Managers must be willing to encourage leadership skills in subordinates. Because the purpose of human resource planning is to ensure that the right people are in the right place at the right time, it must be linked with the plans of the total organization. Traditionally, there has been a weak one way linkage between business planning and human resource planning. Business plans, where they exist, have defined human resource needs, thereby making human resource planning a reactive exercise. Thus a final challenge in human resource planning is balancing current needs-of organizations and their employees-with those of the future. The criterion against which this balancing act is measured is whether employees are currently at the right place doing the right things but yet are ready to adapt appropriately to different activities. To ensure this, a harmonious relationship between employer and employee, and effective leadership style is essential.

Types of Life Insurance: Advantages and Disadvantages

Types of Life Insurance: Advantages and Disadvantages Overview Life insurance is one of the most popular types of insurance that people purchase. Life insurance is basically insurance that you purchase and will pay money to your beneficiaries if you die. One of the main reasons why people purchase life insurance is to protect their family financially. Life insurance will help pay for burial costs, debt, mortgages, and any other income losses that will occur if someone dies. Life insurance is paid for just like automotive insurance is. It can be paid by a monthly, quarterly, or annually premium for as long as the policy goes for (Types of Insurance Policies, 2011). There are several different types of life insurance policies that people can purchase that will best suit their needs. The main types are term life insurance, whole life insurance, variable life insurance, and universal life insurance. In this research paper, I will explain the advantages, disadvantages, time lengths, and how each of the types of life insurance fit different people. It is very important to understand how these insurance companies calculate premiums for different people. Their main goal is to assess the risk of someone dying during the policy. Just like other types of insurance, the more risk you have, the higher your premium will be. Some of the factors that are used to determine premiums are gender, age, occupation, height, weight, medical history, lifestyle, and if you smoke (Types of Insurance Policies, 2011). Recently I had to do a project in class where you had to find different premiums on life insurance. Some other things that I was asked were if I recently had any DUIs, if any relatives have died before the age of 60, if I have recently been hospitalized, and if any diseases run in my family. All of these factors do give the insurance companies a better understanding of someones risk, but it is nearly impossible to be able to determine the chances of someone passing away. It is also difficult to estimate the cost of each of the different types of life insurance because it is different for every individual. Term life insurance is very affordable, and that is why it is growing in popularity. Term life insurance is basically a life insurance policy that covers a person if they die during the length of their insurance. Term life insurance policies can be anywhere from 1 to 30 years. These policies are known as temporary because once the policies are over, you are no longer covered. For example, if you purchase a 10 year term life insurance policy, and you die the year after your policy expires, your beneficiaries wont receive any money. This also means that if you stop paying your premiums, you will no longer be covered. There are many different reasons how people decided on how long they want their life insurance policy to cover their family. A lot people that purchase term life insurance decide to make their contract until they retire. Another popular way people decide on their term is to remain covered until their children have turned 18. This is a very smart way to insure that your children will be financially protected until they are adults (Life Insurance Wiz, 2006). Another good reason to purchase term life insurance is if you are involved in risky or potentially fatal activities. Even though these factors will increase your premium, it is still worth it in case something terrible happens. The cost of term life insurance all depends on a persons risk and the length of the policy. There are several different types of term life insurance, and it is important to know the differences when selecting the best type. Annual renewable term life insurance means that each year a person may renew their term life insurance. However, each year you renew your term life insurance, the premium will go up in cost because of your age. Renewable term life insurance means that after your specific term is up, you are allowed sign a new term life insurance contract. Level premium term insurance means that your premium will not change throughout the length of the contract. This type of term insurance is good because as you get older, you dont have to pay more money for your life insurance. Convertible term insurance means that you are allowed to convert your term insurance into another type of life insurance, like universal or whole life (Life Insurance Wiz, 2006). There are advantages and disadvantages to term life insurance. Some advantages are that you get to choose how long you want to be covered for, most policies can be changed or renewed to other policies, and your beneficiaries are paid a specific amount upon your death which is decided when you start your policy. Some disadvantages are that if you pass away after your term life insurance policy, no benefits are giving to your family, and it doesnt offer as much protection as other life insurance policies offer (Life Insurance Wiz, 2006). Whole Life Insurance Whole life insurance is exactly what it sounds like, a life insurance policy that last for someones whole life. Upon death, the beneficiary receives the value of the account. Whole life insurance is also known as permanent life insurance. The main difference between whole life and term life is that whole life insurance grows in value over time. Whole life insurance is similar to a retirement account where you are putting money toward the future, except in this case it is toward your death. An interesting fact about whole life insurance is that you can actually borrow money out of your account, which you cannot do with term insurance (Life Insurance Wiz, 2006). To be able to borrow money out of your account, there must be a set minimum of money already invested into the account. Most whole life insurance policies mature when a person turns 100 years old, so if that person is still alive they will receive the face value of their account (My Life Insured, 2007). The main reason why peop le choose whole life insurance over term life insurance is because they want to be insured for the rest of their life. For this reason, whole life insurance is more expensive than term insurance. There are several different types of whole life insurance. Non participating whole life insurance means that you do not receive dividends for your policy. On the other hand, participating whole life insurance means that you do receive dividends. Level premium whole life insurance is just like level term insurance, where you pay the same premium throughout the length of the policy. Purchasing a life insurance policy with a fixed premium is a great choice because once you retire, you wouldnt want your premium to increase every year due to the loss in income. Single premium whole life insurance is a policy where you pay a large sum of money in the begging of your policy, which than eliminates having to pay premiums. This type of policy is not very popular due to the reason that you would need a lot of money up front. Intermediate whole life insurance means that your premiums change over time depending on your status (New York State Insurance Department, 2011). In the past couple years, a significant amount of people lost their homes because of adjustable mortgages, so I think that this type of whole life insurance is not a good choice. Some advantages of Whole life insurance are that they are usually fixed premiums, the beneficiaries will receive money whenever the policy holder dies, there are tax benefits, and most of the money will be returned if the policy is cancelled. The money that accumulates in your policy is tax free, which attracts a lot of people to purchase a whole life insurance policy over a term life insurance policy. Some disadvantages of whole life insurance is that it is costly compared to term insurance, and it is much more complicated than term life insurance (New York State Insurance Department, 2011). If you are interested in purchases a whole life insurance policy, it is important to know which type it is so you know you will be able to afford it for the rest of your life. Universal Life Insurance Universal life insurance is very similar to whole life insurance. A universal life insurance policy will cover someone for their whole life, so it is also considered a permanent life insurance policy. Universal life insurance policies also grow in cash over time, which is tax deferred. The interest rates increase and decrease like the money market, so there is a chance to make a lot of money in this type of life insurance (My Life Insured, 2007). The main advantage that universal life insurance has over whole life insurance is that there is more flexibility in the policy. The cash value and the death benefits parts of your policy are broken up, so a person can decide how much of their money will go in each part (Life Insurance Wiz, 2006). The policy holder can also increase and decrease their premium depending on their situation. However, the insurance companies do have a target premium, so if you pay less than it, you may be penalized (Life Insurance Wiz, 2006). This type of life in surance policy would be best for someone who wanted to be covered for the rest of their life, and would want to be able to adjust their policy to be suit their needs. Advantages of Universal life insurance are it is the most flexible, you are able to take out loans, you can adjust your premiums due to your situation, and the cash you earn in interest can be used toward your payments. Some disadvantages are that your cash value isnt guaranteed like it is with whole life insurance and it more costly than term and universal life insurance policies (Life Insurance Info, 2011). Variable Life Insurance Variable life insurance is also considered a permanent type of life insurance. It is considered a pure investment policy because the insured has completed control of how their money is invested (My Life Insured, 2007). They can decide to invest their cash account into bonds, stocks, or any other money market funds (My Life Insured, 2007). For this reason, variable life insurance is the most risky out of all the types of life insurance. If a person makes poor investment choices, they risk losing a substantial amount of their money. On the other hand, if good investments are made, the policy holder can receive a significant profit. Due to the risk of this type of life insurance, it is the most expensive one. This type of life insurance policy is only a good choice for people that understand the money market, and will remain active in watching their investments.

Registered Nurses Essay -- Careers Jobs

Registered Nurse (RN) â€Å"Registered nurses treat patients and help prevent disease, educate patients and the public about various medical conditions and health issues, and provide advice and emotional support to patients’ family members both physically and mentally.†(Registered). It is important for the individual going into this occupation to search out the pros and cons of the different areas of nursing. Sometimes gender plays a part in choosing the specific area of an RN. For instance, the strength of males is needed in areas of physical therapy. While the gentle attributes of women are needed in the care of babies. â€Å"A nurse must like people and want to help them, and must also have self-reliance and good judgment, patience, honesty, responsibility, and ability to work easily with others.†(Jacobi). The occupation of a registered nurse includes many advantages such as having the ability to assist your family in medical needs, the salary is attractive and above the average s cale, and it offers great job security. The first advantage of being a registered nurse is you have the great ability to assist your family in medical needs. Whatever happens to a family member, you’ll know what to do right away in just about any case. There could be a possibility where somebody could have a chance of dieing right away, you would have that ability to save their life. RNs are very knowledgeable and have a good education on how to live a healthy life that they could share with their family and have a good, healthy lifestyle. Registered nurses know the types of foods to eat that are essential to your body that could help expand your life and live longer. In this fast paste world that we live in where fast foods are in abundant and are cert... ...r occupations where one can dress stylist and dine at fine restaurants and climb the corporate ladder, there could not be a more honorable and satisfying career that a person could give to their community and their society. Works Cited â€Å"Become a Registered Nurse (RN).† AllNursing Schools-Your Guide to Nursing Education and Careers. 2002-2008. All Star Directories. 12 Feb 2008 http://www.allnursingschools.com/faqs/be_m.php. Jacobi, Eileen. â€Å"Nursing.† The World Book Encyclopedia. 14 ed. 1978. â€Å"Registered Nurse (RN) and Nursing Careers, Jobs, and Employment Information.† Career Overview. 2004. Career Overview. 12 Feb 2008 http://www.careeroverview.com/nurse-careers.html. â€Å"REGISTERED NURSES AND NURSE PRACTITIONERS.† Labor Market Information. 2002. Employment Development Department. 12 Feb 2008 http://www.calmis.cahwnet.gov./file/occguide/NURSEREG. HTM.