Cleopatra as a Historical Figure Essay -- William Shakespeare Literatu

Cleopatra as a Historical Figure In symbolic representations, the name peruses â€Å"Kleopadra†. It is a name which in Greek methods â€Å"Glory of Her Race† (Weigall, 44). It is a name having a place with a lady who has risen above the limits of time so we may know her story. What better approach to portray Cleopatra, the last Queen of Egypt, Ruler of the Nile, sent from the Gods themselves to lead her kin, than â€Å"Glory of Her Race†? Cleopatra, the last decision relative of the Ptolemaic Dynasty, has apparently unrivaled distinction as a female chronicled figure. However we should ask ourselves: why? What is it about this person that strikes us as so fascinating that we, similar to the Elizabethans before us, hundreds of years prior, similar to the Romans two centuries past, ought to occupy such a large amount of our consideration into translating the inspirations driving the puzzling figure that is Cleopatra? We should look not exclusively to Cleopatra, yet in addition to the recorded occasions encompassing the most recent couple of long stretches of her standard, so as to really comprehend the chronicled criticalness presented to her. It was a blend of the wild political change and common agitation of Rome c.a. 40 B.C. that permitted Cleopatra to use her colorful supernatural quality and extensive political shrewd to control the circumstance trying to satisfy her at last energetic beliefs. It is her imperative and special job in these colossally huge verifiable occasions that makes her similarly essential in the records of history. The place where there is Ancient Egypt has perpetually been a wellspring of interest and secret, both to the individuals who lived outside of its impact, and to those of us living a huge number of years after the Pharaohs administered the Nile. The polarity that existed during the hour of Cleopatra between the West, Rom... ...ction).† The Norton Shakespeare: Tragedies. Eds. Stephen Greenblatt, Walter Cohen, Jean E. Howard, and Katherine Eisaman Maus. London: Norton, 1997. 854-847. Shakespeare, William. â€Å"Antony and Cleopatra.† The Norton Shakespeare: Tragedies. Eds. Stephen Greenblatt, Walter Cohen, Jean E. Howard, and Katherine Eisaman Maus. London: Norton, 1997. 856-934. Volkmann, Hans. Cleopatra: A Study In Politics and Propaganda. London: Elek Books, 1958. Weigall, Arthur. The Life And Times Of Cleopatra. New York: Greenwood Press, 1968. Works Cited Deats, Sara Munson. Hares and Ducks. Literature Film Quarterly 20.4 (1992): 284-294 Rabkin, Norman. Shakespeare and the Problem of Meaning. Chicago: University of Chicago (Press), 1981 Shaw, William P. Literary Ambiguities and Cinematic Certainties in Henry V Literature Film Quarterly 22.2 (1994): 117-123

Forgotten Kids with Mental Illness Essay -- Children with Mental Disab

Overlooked Kids are youngsters that have incapacities that are scarcely obvious. They have their arms and legs, can see and hear, run, play, and so forth., yet most have never been welcome to a birthday celebration or to a rest over. They are the last to be picked to play and the first to be accused. Their sicknesses aren’t lethal, yet a little piece of their substances bite the dust with each dismissal. Their practices appear to be odd or capricious to themselves as much as to society. They are misjudged and ignored, subsequently the name â€Å"Forgotten Kids.† Maybe I can bring understanding by appearing and giving knowledge into the life of a youngster hit with psychological maladjustment and ideally individuals will understand that my kid is similarly as exceptional as the following.      An evaluated 7,000,000 youngsters in Missouri that experiences these â€Å"invisible disabilities.† Mental ailment influences the life of the kid as well as the entire network. I live with this reality consistently in light of the fact that my child experiences Bipolar, also called Manic Depression. Bipolar youngsters long to be liberated from the abnormal sentiments of misery or rapture and the voices that torment them. They wish for a decent evenings rest and trust in a day when they can write their words down. They long for companions who don’t relinquish them when their temperaments change; and look at for a marvel without flinching of specialists who don’t consistently accept that bipolar can happen to a youngster. Until society turns out to be progressively mindful and tolerating of these sicknesses, our future youngsters with these disab...

Finding the Perfect Housing Option for You

Finding the Perfect Housing Option for You Hello, Illini! Now that you have accepted your offer of admission to Illinois (yay!!!), I am sure you are making your way through your Admitted Student Checklistâ€"housing included. With this blog, my hope is to answer any questions you may have about our many housing options on campus. All freshmen are required to live in residence halls. With so many options (37, to be exact), I am sure you will find the perfect place to call home. Illini can choose from any residence hall categorized as eitherUniversity Housingor Private Certified Housing. University Housing is owned by the University of Illinois, while Private Certified Housing is privately owned and operated but certified by the University of Illinois. One option is not necessarily better than the other; it is more about your personal preferences. University Housing There are 24 housing options, including 11 Living Learning Communities, within University Housing. With so many options, you may feel a little overwhelmed … … but do not worry! University Housing has a great comparison toolthat explains key features of each hall in order to help you narrow down your search based on your amenity preferences. As mentioned above, you have the option of selecting a Living-Learning Community. These communities are located in various residence halls throughout campus and provide students with in-hall course offerings and specialized programs around a common theme. Before making a decision, I also encourage you to make a trip to campus to view the options for yourself. University Housing offers tours Mondays through Fridays (except on holidays or university break periods) from 2 to 4 p.m. If you are unable to come to campus, you can tour these options virtually. After looking at all of your options, you may feel like University Housing is the right fit for you. If this is the case, you will be able to apply for University Housing starting 24 hours after accepting your offer of admission to Illinois. The priority deadline to register for University Housing is May 15. If you submit your housing contract by this date, youll be put in a lottery that will randomly assign you a time ticket to register for housing. Youll then be able to choose from available rooms across campus. At this time, youll also be able to set up your meal plan and state your roommate preferences. You can either room with someone you already know or choose to be randomly matched with a roommate (who could very well become your new best friend!). To learn more about the University Housing contract process, I encourage you to browse Housings website.They have many helpful resources, including a frequently asked questions page andvideos that go into more detail. Private Certified Housing One of our Private Certified Housing options may also be a great fit for you. Private Certified Housing options accommodate anywhere from 4 to 710 students, and they each offer something unique, from pools to in-room kitchens to weekly housekeeping. Just like University Housing, Private Certified Housing has a comparison tool on its website to help break down the amenities and opportunities offered at each facility so you can determine the best fit for you.Before making a decision, I encourage you to tour the Private Certified Housing options you are interested in. Tour times vary depending on location. However, the application process is very different from University Housing. With University Housing, theres just one application for all residence hall options. With Private Certified Housing, each facility has its own application and process. The sooner you can apply to Private Certified Housing the better, because it is on a first-come, first-served basis, and some options have limited space availability. I hope you found this information helpful. With so many options available to Illini, I have no doubt that you will find the perfect place to call home! Kaitlyn Admissions Counselor I have lived in central Illinois my entire life. When I was a little girl, it was my dream to attend the University of Illinois. After first attending community college, I graduated from Illinois with both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Communication.

The Problems With The Overuse And Overdependence On...

The Problems With the Overuse and Overdependence on Technology Today The ever growing technology that humans use as a part of their modern day life is a disputable issue. Some individuals believe that the contribution of technology has made a positive impact on present-day life and improves the quality of life for people. Others see that the contribution of technology has negatively impacted modern life and that technology is a power that has gotten out of human control. In today’s world it seems that kids are born with technology in their blood. From the time kids are born they begin to use and depend on technology. Technology is beginning to dominate school classrooms. It is taking over people’s social relationships with their family, friends, and partners. All of the different elements of technology are really taking a toll on children s, as well as adult’s, mental health and the function of their brains. A small amount of technology use for legitimate reason s is healthy, but it is easy to overdo it. â€Å"The average American spends about 10 hours and 45 minutes plugged in per day† (Dodgen-Magee) An individual s overuse and/or overdependence on technology is damaging to individuals, families, and societies. Children are becoming hooked on technology from a very young age. Parents begin to use technology such as television as entertainment for their children as soon as they can focus on it. â€Å"On average, children from birth to 23 months old are watching 55 minutesShow MoreRelatedOver-dependence on Technology Essay855 Words   |  4 Pages(Tran). All around the world, technology has taken over the lives of many, especially children. Each year younger children are being introduced to new technology to help them learn and grow, but the effects of this may be different from what is expected. Rather than seeing growth, the overuse of technology is leading to many issues, including a decline in creativity, less active lifestyle s, and difficulty falling asleep. The growing overdependence on and overuse of technology is affecting young childrenRead MoreThe Negative Effects Of Technology1541 Words   |  7 PagesToday, about 9 in 10 Americans use the Internet and 77% of Americans own a smartphone. Compare these statistics to the early 2000s when 5 in 10 Americans were online and in 2011, when only 35% of Americans owned a smartphone. Just a few decades ago, the technology we have today were merely ideas in science fiction novels or gadgets seen in a futuristic movie. There is no doubt that technology use has increased dramatically within this decade and these numbers may continue to rise as technology becomesRead MoreEffect Of Smartphones On Teenagers1570 Words   |  7 PagesTeenagers Any given teenager has their own insecurities or social ills, however, are smartphones the paraphernalia leading to teenagers being easily able to not think for themselves along with feeding their issues, fears, and desires? As the use of technology has reached an all-time high, the dependence on smartphones has peaked as well. Scientists, especially psychologists, have taken an interest in the uprising of the interconnected world as some believe the constant access to smartphones is harmlessRead MoreDeveloping Management Skills404131 Words   |  1617 Pages978-0-13-612100-8 1. Management—-Study and teaching. 2. Management—Problems, exercises, etc. Kim S. II. Title. HD30.4.W46 2011 658.40071 173—dc22 I. Cameron, 2009040522 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 ISBN 10: 0-13-612100-4 ISBN 13: 978-0-13-612100-8 B R I E F TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S Preface xvii Introduction 1 PART I 1 2 3 PERSONAL SKILLS 44 Developing Self-Awareness 45 Managing Personal Stress 105 Solving Problems Analytically and Creatively 167 PART II 4 5 6 7 INTERPERSONAL

The Tragic Tragedy Of William Shakespeare s King Lear

Tear stained eyes, puffy noses, and pensive faces are just a few of the physical signs of truly reaching an audience following a tragic drama. A purging of emotion that inspires fear and pity is what the ancient Greeks called, catharsis. William Shakespeare was a master of catharsis, as was evident in many of his tragedies. Many of these tragedies ended with the majority of characters, including the main protagonist meeting their death. The unfortunate heroes of these dramas helped the audience feel catharsis through what is known as their hamartia. Hamartia is another Greek drama term that means a character trait that is â€Å"missing the mark†. This archery-turned-drama phrase does not necessarily mean that the trait was always bad; it could have been a trait that initially made the person wonderful. The important part of hamartia is that the trait leads to the character’s undoing. The title characters in King Lear and Macbeth are two individuals that while they share the same hamartia of hubris, the resulting catharsis is different due to their ending circumstances. The superior view of ‘self’ in appearances extends to both characters and leads them to becoming a different person. King Lear’s pride in appearance manifests when he suggests a game between his daughters to compete for sections of his already divided kingdom. King Lear asks his daughters to publicly declare their love for him, their father. When Cordelia, the youngest and the apple of his eye, refuses toShow MoreRelatedIs King Lear A Tragic Hero Essay1358 Words   |  6 PagesKing Lear, one of William Shakespeare s greatest tragedies, depicts a society in grim circumstances. As with all tragedies, there exists a tragic hero [1] , one who possesses a fatal flaw that initiates the tragedy and all the sufferings that follow. In this play, the tragic hero is undoubtedly the title character, King Lear. The plot is driven by the power and consequence of losses, more specifically, the losses of Lear. In the course the play, King Lear, because of his flaws, loses his authorityRead MoreUnchecked Power in Shakespeares Macbeth and King Lear1458 Words   |  6 Pagesplays by William Shakespeare, the central character goes through internal and external changes that ultimately shake their foundations to the core. Numerous theories have been put forth to explain the sequence of tragedies Shakespeare wrote during this period by linking it to some experience of melancholy, anger, despair, and the antagonist s ultimate fall from grace in their lust for power. But such theories overlook the fact that it is in this very same period and in the same tragic works thatRead MoreAnalysis Of Shakespeare s King Lear, Hamlet, Othello And Macbeth1206 Words   |  5 PagesEnglish 3.7: Achievement Standard 91478 Introduction Shakespeare was an English poet, playwright, and actor. Through analysing four tragedy texts by Shakespeare, I have noticed he uses the fall of the main character as the primary focus in his tragedies as this creates good suspense and climax as an added attraction for the audience. A Shakespearean tragedy, is a five-act play and they usually revolve around a similar idea of conflict. This is the Internal and external Conflict within the characterRead More Tragic Figures in King Lear by William Shakespeare Essay1332 Words   |  6 PagesTragic Figures - Good/Evil in King Lear      Ã‚  Ã‚   King Lear, by William Shakespeare, is a tragic tale of filial conflict, personal transformation, and loss.   The story revolves around the King who foolishly alienates his only truly devoted daughter and realizes too late the true nature of his other two daughters.  Ã‚   A major subplot involves the illegitimate son of Gloucester, Edmund, who plans to discredit his brother Edgar and betray their father.   With these and other major characters in theRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Romeo And Juliet, King Lear, And A Midsummer s Night Dream1037 Words   |  5 Pagesof Avon, commonly known as William Shakespeare is one of the best known playwrights in the (Video). A few of his most famous plays include Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, King Lear, and A Midsummer’s Night Dream (McArthur). Although he was popular during his time, Shakespeare’s influence continued to grow after his death and today he well known around the world. He added 2,000 words to the English dictionary and he is the 2nd most quoted after the Bible (Video). Shakespeare is one of the most influentialRead MoreThe Tragic Hero Of King Lear1310 Words   |  6 PagesKing Lear, one of William Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies, depicts a society in uninviting circumstances. Tragedy is depicted by the downfall of a noble hero, usually through a combination of arrogance and fate. The tragic hero s wish to achieve a goal encounters limits, those of human inability, the gods, or nature. As with all tragedies, there exists a tragic hero, one who possesses a calamitous flaw that establishes the tragedy and all the sufferings that follow. In this play, the tragic heroRead MoreEssay about William Shakespeares Relevance Today2257 Words   |  10 PagesWilliam Shakespeares Relevance Today For as long as formal education has existed in Britain it has been a largely standard assumption that teaching the works of William Shakespeare is relevant and necessary. Perhaps the relevance of his writing is taken for granted, perhaps it is necessary to re-examine the role of Shakespeare for the modern audience. There are indeed many people who question the relevance of this 440 year old playwright to a 21st century audienceRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s King Lear3086 Words   |  13 PagesJerion Young Ms. Woods English IV 4 March 2015 King Lear William Shakespeare uses several literary elements in his writing, elements which are especially apparent in his play, King Lear. Shakespeare uses excellent creativity and description when writing this tragedy. â€Å"Neither has Shakespeare placed in the mouth of any other character in this play such fatalistic expressions as may be found in King Lear and occasionally elsewhere†(A.C. 2003). The way King Lear talks in this play is very evil compared toRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s King Lear1550 Words   |  7 PagesINTRODUCTION: By facilitating the growth of evil within William Shakespeare’s King Lear, it is evident that the tragedy’s protagonist, King Lear can be held accountable for his own victimization and ultimate downfall. The most notable aspects of this self-induced victimization include Lear’s own lack of practical wisdom and divergence from the natural order, combined with the neglect of kingship, that enables Lear as a tragic hero to create the conceptual framework in which the ulterior motives ofRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s English Literature Essay1667 Words   |  7 PagesWilliam Shakespeare has been best known for his poems, plays and masterful piece of writings in the English language. He has been referred to as the England s national poet and the Bard of Avon. He produced over thirty eight plays, hundred fifty four sonnets, five poems, and more verses. Shakespeare s plays consist of mainly tragedies, comedies and histories which are regarded as one of the best in those genres. The plays, the poems, and the sonnets have had a significance influence in English

To Kill A Mockingbird Closing Speech - 1580 Words

Atticus’ Closing Speech As Abraham Lincoln once said, â€Å"The leading rule for the lawyer, as for the man of every calling, is diligence.† Being thorough is a prodigious factor in being a lawyer. In the book, To Kill a Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee, the main character, Jean Louise Finch, also known as Scout, portrays her life events and displays how much segregation occurred in her early childhood. Her father, Atticus Finch was a lawyer who was assigned to a case that dealt with a young adult, Mayella Ewell, who was accused of being raped by an African-American, Tom Robinson. This book has been written during the 1950’s and originally published in 1960. The book is based on Lee’s observations of her family, neighbors, and an event that†¦show more content†¦He said, I have nothing but pity in my heart for the chief witness for the state, but my pity does not extend so far as to her putting a man s life at stake, which she has done in an effort to get rid of her own guilt (Lee, 231). He then stated that she did this because she felt â€Å"guilty† about breaking the law, by having sexual emotions towards Tom Robinson. Atticus felt pity for Mayella and got the jurors to feel the pity as well. He got his audience to feel what it was like to be lonely like Mayella. She did not go to school and had any friends at all. Her father was an alcoholic, and she had to take care of her many siblings, who were still too young to take care of themselves. Atticus knew that Mayella is not an evil person, she was just involved in nonsense that got out of control. After building pity for Mayella, Finch connected it to Tom Robinson. He said, â€Å"And so a quiet, respectable, humble Negro who had the unmitigated temerity to ‘feel sorry’ for a white woman has had to put his word against two white people,† (Lee, 232). Feeling sorry for a white person while being black was an insult, but in this case, it was an inevitable fact that Mayella was tr uly below Tom Robinson. By using words like unmitigated temerity, he stated how Tom was actually confident when he said he felt sorry for Mayella. By saying this statement, Atticus revealed how Tom Robinson is in a much worse case than Mayella for going upShow MoreRelatedTo Kill A Mockingbird Symbolism Essay787 Words   |  4 PagesTo Symbolize a Mockingbird Throughout the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, we are introduced to two characters who represent her main theme. Understanding the roles the two play in this well-known classic, helps the reader understand the true meaning, and uncover various uses of clever symbolism in the book. Tom Robinson, a humble Negro, and Boo Radley, the mysterious Maycomb recluse, are both innocent in their grave situations†¦Tom, being dragged through an unfair trial with a racistRead MoreThe English Assessment Task For Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee1360 Words   |  6 PagesEnglish Assessment Task 1 - ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ Essay â€Å"Whether Maycomb knows it or not, we’re paying him the highest tribute we can pay a man. We trust him to do right.† To what extent are life values and lessons reflected throughout the novel ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’? The great degree that Harper Lee reflects life values and lessons throughout ’To Kill A Mockingbird’ is elucidated through the teachings of the main adult protagonist, Atticus Finch. Over three summers, Atticus guides his childrenRead MoreAnalysis of to Kill a Mockingbird2365 Words   |  10 PagesI’d like to analyze the extract from a book which is entitled â€Å"To kill a mockingbird†. The author is Harper Lee, an American author known for her 1960-Pulitzer-Prize-winning and who is considered now by many to be a literary icon. Harper Lee was born in 1926 in the state of Alabama. In 1945-1949 she studied law at the University of Alabama. Her novel ‘To kill a mockingbird’ which deals with the issues of racism that were observed by the author as a child in her hometown was awarded the Pulitzer PrizeRead MoreThe Civil Rights Movement and To Kill a Mockingbird1015 Words   |  5 Pagesplace. The fictional town of Maycomb is in Alabama, the same state where Martin Luther King Jr. would rise to be the voice of African Americans aching for equality. The actual movement may have started in 1960 but that is the same year that To Kill a Mockingbird was published and huge events were rupturing the south, throughout the novel readers can see the attitude of a want and need for equality in characters and some events. The civil rights movement was introduced to national headlinesRead MoreConflicting Perspectives - Snow Falling on Cedars993 Words   |  4 Pagesthese perspectives eventuating in conflict with another. These ideals are represented through the character construction and narrative style displayed in David Gutterson’s â€Å"Snow Falling On Cedars† and the filmic version of Harper Lee’s â€Å"To Kill a Mockingbird† directed by Robert Mulligan. Body: A key character in â€Å"Snow Falling on Cedars† who represents the ideals of bias and self-interest affecting ones perspective is Etta Heine. Etta Heine’s character has been constructed to represent the strongRead MoreTo Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee Essay1326 Words   |  6 Pagestranscend these values and mirror the true sentiments of our nation’s constituents. These laws cannot serve to uphold equality if that intention does not come to fruition in their practice and application to societal issues. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Tom Robinson, a black man in a mostly white community, faces accusations and a subsequent trial for the rape of Mayella Ewell, a white girl of the town. As the Southern setting of the novel implies, the racial aspect of this trial consumesRead MoreComparing The Kill Of Mockingbird Book And Movie1829 Words   |  8 PagesComparison of The Kill of Mockingbird Book and Movie Many people assume that conversion of a novel into a film is an easy task, as they would argue that it is a matter of the lines in the books into dialogue in the movies (Baines 615). However, those who do the work to make it happen understand the challenge well. Some of the fans of movies at times have problems with an adaptation of the film depending on how they have read the book, and some of the elements that people are keen on including theRead MoreRhetorical Analysis of Speeches in to Kill a Mockingbird, Battle of Falkirk, and Brave Heart1270 Words   |  6 Pageschosen to study are the closing speech of Atticus Fitch in the novel to â€Å"Kill a Mockingbird† and the â€Å"Battle of Falkirk† by William Wallace in the movie â€Å"Brave heart.† Atticus’s speech occurs in a courtroom in Maycomb in Alabama State at the trial of Tom Robinson, who had been accused of raping a white woman. This was in the 1930s. Alabama was in the Deep South was very racist at the time. Mrs Maudie said â€Å"Atticus Fitch won’t win, he cant’t win†. The purpose of Atticus speech was to raise the issueRead MoreEssay on To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee2189 Words   |  9 PagesTo Kill a Mockingbird To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee seems like a complete replica of the lives of people living in a small Southern U.S. town. The themes expressed in this novel are as relevant today as when this novel was written, and also the most significant literary devices used by Lee. The novel brings forward many important themes, such as the importance of education, recognition of inner courage, and the misfortunes of prejudice. This novel was written in the 1930s. This was the periodRead MoreAtticus Finch Should Have Defended Tom Robinson1872 Words   |  8 PagesUndoubtedly, one of the most controversial subjects in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, would be whether or not Atticus Finch should have defended Tom Robinson. However, in order to understand this controversy, a person must first be able to understand Atticus Finch himself. Atticus as a character is a very intellectual person who possesses the fortitude to stand up for whatever he believes is right and will not let ot her people’s choices affect his own. Furthermore, it is also important to

Public Health for New Zealand Defense Force - myassignmenthelp

Question: Discuss about thePublic Health for New Zealand Defense Force. Answer: The New Zealand Defense Force (NZDF) announced the bid to become smoke free by 2020. The aimed to do this by reducing rate of defense personnel from 12% to 5%. The ban on sale of cigarette and making houses smoke free will improve the quality of life of the wider defense community[1]. This change can be regarded as a standalone health promoting intervention because its focuses mainly on reducing the rate of smoking and the objective is not dependent on combination of other interventions. It had standalone objective of banning the sale of cigarette and no other health promotion activities like mass advertising campaigns, peer education program, health warning or marketing restrictions on tobacco products. The change can be framed as a systems approach to health promotion if it had included other complex system too to achieve the smoke free objective. This means focusing on taxation of tobacco products, controlling the sale of such products, educating the public about risk of smoking, adequately displaying health warning on cigarettes and conducting motivational interviewing. This might have ensured that all the complex system involved in promoting smoking is covered as part of health promotion activities[2]. Overall, the systems approach to health promotion would be more effective in bringing the change. The change that NZDF has proposed is not relevant to the systems approach of health promotion because it did not focused on transforming the complex system that is involved in selling and buying tobacco product. The focus was just on banning the sale of product and no other activities such as influencing people to discourage smoking was done. Other influences in the system such as factors leading to smoking among people and the motivation behind smoking are not addressed. A report also mentions that improving the population health is dependent on changing the societal structure and functions[3]. Hence, campaigns regarding raising the awareness of people regarding ill effects of smoking would be an effective primary tool for smoking prevention and cessation. Unintended consequence of change: There might be unintended consequence of change as proposed during health promotion activities. For example, immediate banning of cigarettes might lead to mass resistance of people and people might take this as infringement of their rights. Hence, preparing for such resistance during health promotion planning is important to counteract different effects of the change process. The article covered the New Zealand defense plan of becoming smoke free by 2020. However, this plan was a standalone health promoting activities where the complex system involved in promoting smoking was not included. Secondly, there was no action or framing regarding the unintended consequence of change. Hence, the appropriate step in this condition would have been to be prepared for unintended effects too. On this basis, unanticipated actions can be readily identified and the NZDF might be prepared for dealing with these effects too[4]. This approach would help to respond to different policy environment and Reference 'About good health' - Defence Force to stamp out smoking on bases by 2020. (2017). 1 NEWS NOW. Retrieved 28 August 2017, from https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/good-health-defence-force-stamp-smoking-bases-2020. Golechha, Mahaveer. "Health promotion methods for smoking prevention and cessation: A comprehensive review of effectiveness and the way forward."International journal of preventive medicine7 (2016). Healton, Cheryl G., Donna Vallone, and Julie Cartwright. "Unintended consequences of tobacco policies."American journal of preventive medicine37.2 (2009): S181-S182. Leischow, Scott J., et al. "Systems thinking to improve the public's health."American journal of preventive medicine35.2 (2008): S196-S203.

A Closer Look into Healthcare Spending Essay Example

A Closer Look into Healthcare Spending Essay Example A Closer Look into Healthcare Spending Paper A Closer Look into Healthcare Spending Paper More and more, the rising expenditure in healthcare is getting a closer long-overdue attention from both the American public and the policymakers in Washington. The glaring disparity between US spending on healthcare which stands at sixteen percent (16%) of the GDP as against other industrialized nations which only average between eight to ten percent (8 10%) of their GDP says a lot about the need for an overhaul of the existing policies and systems at work. Moreover, According to a recent report released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services or CMS, the healthcare expenditure in 2006 was estimated at $2.16 Trillion and is projected to reach over $4 Trillion per annum by 2016 [1]. If this is computed at individual spending, it would cost an average of $7,110 for the year 2006. The projected aggregated increase in spending would mean that about $12,320 per person per annum will be spent by 2016 [1]. These issues on the unabated rise of health care expenditure warrants a closer look not only into the spending itself but more on how it is being spent and the efficiency and quality by which healthcare is being delivered. Clearly, in comparison with other developed countries, the US healthcare system spends more but not necessarily delivers it more efficiently nor is the quality of care above and over what the other developed nations have as iterated in the position paper published by the Commonwealth Fund (Davis, K., et. al. Jan. 2007) . In fact, if we look closely into the CMS reports on how these monies were being spent, hospital care comprise of thirty percent of the total expenditure, twenty percent went into Physician and other clinical services, Nursing homecare at six percent, Prescription drugs at ten percent, Program administration and Net Cost at seven percent and twenty five percent went to other cost like dental services, home health, durable medical products, sundries, other personal health care, research, structures and equipment [CMS, 2005 Report]. Closely related to the topic of spending is where the monies to pay for these expenditures came from.   According to the same report from CMS, National Health Statistics Group, the biggest portion came from the Private Insurance group at 35%, Medicare came next with 17%, Medicaid and SCHIP at 16%, Out of Pocket expenses (or from individuals at 13%, Other public funds at 13% (Public meaning Worker’s Compensation program. Public Health Activity, Department of Defense, Department of Veteran’s Affairs, Indian Health Services, State and local health subsidies and school health subsidies), Other Private funds at 7% (Other private funds include industrial in-plant, privately funded construction and non-patient revenues including philanthropy from private parties. Given the above most recent data, several studies both government and private sector initiatives have submitted and made public their position on the issue.   One such position was from the Commonwealth Fund Group, whose authors include Karen Davis, Ph.D., Cathy Schoen, M.S., Stuart Guterman et. al.   In their position paper, the group also sourced their references from the CMS [5] and zeroed in on two possible areas where cost cutting measures can be made. These two areas focused on one time savings and the other on a more long term and recurring basis.   The one time savings can apparently be derived from â€Å"high levels of U.S. expenditures, inefficiency and waste†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ [K. Davis, Jan. 2007]. Among these â€Å"inefficiencies† were the apparent â€Å"overuse, inappropriate, or ineffective uses of care;   payment incentives that reward the delivery of more services, without consideration to clinical value or cost-effectiveness; market power of insurers, providers, and the health industry, including pharmaceutical companies, device manufacturers, and other suppliers to set prices above competitive market levels; a low ratio of primary to specialty care physicians and services; access barriers to preventive and primary care that contribute to avoidable hospital admissions, emergency department use, and complications of chronic and acute disease; a lack of well-coordinated care that leads to unsafe. D uplicative, or conflicting care; inadequate information systems and information exchange; and High administrative costs, including the high proportion of insurance premiums used to cover overhead costs, the complexity of insurance benefit design and duplicative and uncoordinated requirements, and administrative costs for providers† (K. Davis, et. al.   Jan. 2007). The group further stated strategies could be geared towards making substantial savings that could accumulate to $1.39 Trillion (over an eight year period from 2007 to 2015) if a one-time reduction of 5% in health care expenditures can be effected.   Specific areas were recommended that could well provide the strategies that everyone from the public to the private sector is looking for. These areas are concentrated on the following: first is the provision of more access to information about health providers and cost to give more options to the paying public and promote greater competition among providers, thus increasing quality of care provision over a period of time. Second is an across the board reduction of administrative cost for insurers for them to extend the savings to their clients. Third is the re-focusing of resources into primary and preventive care instead of palliative health care. Fourth is the re-allocation of resources into information technology infrastructures and exchange of information for the greater benefit of the public. Lastly, and fifth, to put investments into strategic areas to ensure access, affordability and equity for all Americans. I tend to agree to the recommendations of the group over the other studies and recommendations that I went through.   Although for sure, these recommendations need further detailed planning and further studies to substantiate the claims and conclusions. Overall, the same sources of funds as cited by the CMS would have to shell out the same level of resources for a period of time until the recommendations outline for cost cutting and more effective means of healthcare delivery system will have been in place.   A projection or timetable of five to seven years may be more feasible for both further study and a detailed manual of operationalization can be in effect. For the meantime, however, both the government at all levels – federal, state and local should be responsive to the calls for changes and heed the transformation doctrine once it is passed by legislation and put into place.   Furthermore, a call for uniformity of enforcement at the local levels should be ensured to avoid the pitfalls of having a huge disparity of healthcare cross in different parts of the country.. References: [1] Centers for Medicare and Medical Healthcare Benefits. Various reports including   Ã‚  Ã‚   Projections for Health expenditure Projections from 2005 to 2016. From: cms.hhs.gov/NationalHealthExpendData/ [2] Snapshots: Health Care Growth (Kaiser Permanente). Retrieved on Feb. 23, 2007, From:kff.org/insurance/snapshot/chcm050206oth2.cfm [3] Medical Expenditure†¦ Retrieved on Feb. 23, 2007, From: ahrq.gov/qual/nhdr06/methods/meps.htm [4] SAMSHA reports. Retrieved on Feb. 23, 2007. From: samhsa.gov/spendingestimates/chapter1.aspx [5] The Commonwealth Fund website: Retrieved on Feb. 23, 2007, From: cmwf.org/publications/publications_show.htm?doc_id=449510

Exercise Is Good

Exercise Is Good Introduction Do you want to live a good life feeling great with improved mental psyche and energy levels void of some chronic diseases coupled with sound sleep all in one package? Look no further; regular exercising will offer this all-inclusive package of benefits. Many people just know very little about goodness of exercise; regrettably, they do not know how good it can get over time.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Exercise Is Good specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The good news is that, exercise delivers results regardless of sex, occupation, physical ability, or age. Exercise results are yours for taking; once you put the input, the output is almost certain. Unfortunately, people will always find excuses for not exercising and even some will quote myths associated with exercise for them to stay out. Many exercise activities are not strenuous and require very little efforts; for instance, dancing for fun. The trut h is; exercise is good because it will help you have good moods, manage chronic diseases, and manage weight giving you good shape. Goodness of Exercise Exercise helps in improving one’s mood and mind status. Mood is a state of mind. Physical activity triggers the body to release chemicals known as endorphins. These chemicals enable one to be happy and peaceful. The contemporary society is set in a way that people can work without involving a lot of physical exercise. Moreover, many people are being forced by circumstances to take jobs that they do not like. Chances that such people will slump into stress, depression, low self-esteem, and insomnia are high. However, exercising improves all these by improving one’s mood. For instance, during exercise, individuals set goals and by beating the timeline to accomplish these set goals, make one feel good and this improves his or her self-confidence and self-esteem. It is logical that a confident and self-esteemed person will have good moods. Human body is made up of active cells and they need to be kept active; exercise offers these. As Mayo Clinic Staff posit, â€Å"As you exercise, your body gets fitter and stronger, and thus, your mind starts seeing everything, including yourself in a better light† (Para 4). Have you ever heard of people claiming the only thing they do when stressed up is exercise? These few individuals have discovered the secret to let go of in-built pressure. Brain is made up of muscles and exercise is good for brain muscles just as food is good for the body.Advertising Looking for essay on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Good news to those battling with chronic diseases as hypertension, diabetes and osteoporosis among others; exercise is the way out. Research indicates that regular exercise combats these diseases. According to Hawk, â€Å"exercise is the silver bullet for improved healthâ €  (Para. 1). In combating heart diseases, exercise strengthens heart muscles, increases High Density Lipoproteins (HDLs), and reduces Low Density Lipoproteins (LDLs). These lipoproteins are cholesterol derivatives and scientists term HDL as ‘good’ cholesterol and LDL as ‘bad’ cholesterol. Reduction of LDL with subsequent increase of HDL promotes smooth blood flow and replenishes heart functions. In Type II diabetes, the body is insensitive to insulin probably due to weight gain amongst other causes. Exercise helps in shedding weight and this makes the body insulin sensitive. Consequently, this insulin breaks down sugar molecules in the body thus lowering blood sugar levels eventually combating diabetes type II. Nowadays, poor feeding habits and little or no exercise makes people as young as fifteen to suffer from osteoporosis. However, exercise offers reprieve to this nightmare by strengthening bone tissue formation and maintenance. Finally, research in dicates that exercise improves immune system response and this helps to keep minor infections at bay. Finally, exercise helps in keeping body shape. No one likes obesity or out of shape body. Unfortunately, many people love talking how they hate their over weight bodies without doing anything about it; lip service. Exercise is the way to attaining that elusive figure you have always craved for, over the years. It is natural that, during physical exercise, the body burns thousands of calories. Body weight results from excess energy, which is converted to fat and stored in different body parts. As one exercises, metabolism rate increases leading to breakdown of fats making your body slimmer and healthy. Research indicates that, â€Å"To lose one pound of fat, you must burn approximately 3500 calories over and above what you already burn doing daily activities† (Buemann Tremblay 193). These researchers make it clear that normal daily activities are not sufficient to burn the re quired calories in the body; therefore, exercise is the way out. Fortunately, you do not need to check into a gym to manage weight loss; far from it, 20 to 30 minute walk every day or cycling for fun is enough to keep weight gain under control. Unfortunately, many people complain that exercise is not good because it is not fun. This is true and it does not apply to exercise alone; it applies to anything that someone does. If you do not enjoy what you are doing, it can never be fun. However, the claims that exercise is not fun are only excuses; not reasons. The fact is, there are many exercise programs, and out of them, every one can find a program that excites him or her. Exercise can be done in a group or individually.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Exercise Is Good specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Moreover, most of practices that people do for fun qualify as exercises. For instance, taking a stroll in the neighbo rhood in the evening is enough to relax one’s mind. Teenagers are fond of cycling for fun; however, even though they do not know it, cycling is a great lot of exercise. So, what is the way out of these excuses? Identify an exercise that excites you; an exercise that you will do without much hustle. For instance, decide to engage in flexibility training exercises like yoga and sit-ups or even join a dancing group. By doing something that excites you, fun will be inevitable. However, remember to do whatever you are doing on purpose with discipline. Discipline is the key to any successful story you will ever hear. Conclusion Exercise is all-inclusive package that will enable you live almost a stress-free life, full of energy with improved self esteem and sound sleep not forgetting how you will be able to combat some diseases like hypertension and diabetes type II. During exercise, the body releases endorphins that restore peace and felicity. Moreover, nothing equals the thrill t hat one gets by accomplishing set goals and exercise offers this opportunity to set both short and long-term goals and accomplish them. Again, exercise prompts the body to produce more ‘good’ cholesterol and eliminate the ‘bad’ one thus improving blood flow thus keeping hypertension at bay. Any good doctor will tell you exercise is as essential as sleep or feeding. Finally, exercise enables you to maintain body shape by shedding those extra pounds. Unfortunately, many people complain that exercise is not fun; however, this is just an excuse, not a reason. There are many exercise programs to choose from, every one can get a program that excites him or her, and as the excitement sets in, fun follows. Anyway, who does not want to live a peaceful and happy life? Not even you, start exercising and start today. Buemann, Baines Tremblay, Albert. â€Å"Effects of Exercise Training On Abdominal Obesity and Related Metabolic Complications†. Sports Medicine. 2007, 21(1): 191-212. Hawk, Patricia. â€Å"Here’s why Exercise is good for You.† 2009.Advertising Looking for essay on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Mayo Clinic Staff. â€Å"Exercise: 7 Benefits of Regular Physical Activity.† 2010. Web. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/exercise/art-20048389

Taking the Next Step in the Death Industry Essay

Taking the Next Step in the Death Industry - Essay Example Raji (2007) stated that consumer passes through various stages of decision making process before taking a decision regarding the purchase of product (p.13). It is further mentioned that need for a product is the first stage in buying decision process (Raji, 2007, p.13) and various researches suggest that customers go through five stage decision making process which includes information search, evaluation of alternatives, purchasing and post purchase evaluation apart from need recognition (http://tutor2u.net). Morticians may follow the decision making process of buyers and could include the webpage service in the package of funeral products explaining the benefits to the consumer and friends like allowing long distance relative and friends to send condolence messages and other notes. According to Clow (2007) dual channel marketing is â€Å"when firms sell the same goods or services to both consumers as well as businesses†(p.107). In present scenario, Nancy and Margo are targeting morticians as they are in direct contact with the relatives and friends of the deceased person. It is further pertinent to mention that the website will also setup links to the newspaper wherein the short obituary will include the web address which itself will create direct customer relations for the website. This makes it clear that Nancy and Margo, through morticians are creating market for themselves as well as developing direct relations with the customer, thus giving an indication of the use of dual channel program. The strategy of Nancy and Margo, not directly promoting the service to patron, is correct because morticians, who deal with funeral materials and accessories, can strike a deal with them along with the materials instead of Nancy and Margo going to the patrons and promoting their website. The concept of providing website dedicated to deceased person is innovative and may strike a chord among people living in technological era. Though

Effects of Engery Drinks on the Human Body Essay

Effects of Engery Drinks on the Human Body - Essay Example The energy drinks are beneficial and effective when consumed in right quantity and in right combination where the individual responses vary from person to person. All possible negative effects known to date are only because of their inappropriate usage and all the effects are reversed once refrained from these drinks. The negative effects of energy drinks are; Blood pressure and heart related problems: Caffeine and taurine in the energy drinks effects the functioning of heart and affect blood pressure and also alter the effectiveness of their medications. The increased body metabolism by the energy drinks causes impairment in blood pressure which could adversely affect cardiac functioning. Hence people with Hypertension and heart problems are advised to refrain from energy drinks. Combination effects: Generally all energy drinks contain caffeine. Caffeine in combination with other drinks exerts different effects. However when combined with alcohol like vodka it is proved to be lethal due to the combination of two opposite qualities where alcohol is a depressant and energy drink is a stimulant (Istvan and Matarazzo, 1984) where as caffeine in combination with glucose with herbal flavoring fractions improve aspects

Human Resource Management At Hyatt Hotels

Human Resource Management At Hyatt Hotels Hyatt Hotels Corporation is a global hospitality company with more than 434 properties around the world. The mission of the company is to Provide Authentic Hospitality. They incorporate this mission in everyday operations by focusing on the development of a relationship with associates, owners and customers. Hyatts business is conducted by its employees and officers, under the direction of the President and Chief Executive Officer and the oversight of the Board of Directors to enhance the long-term value of the Company for its stockholders. The Board of Directors is elected by the stockholders to oversee management and to assure that the long-term interests of the stockholders are being served. The Board recognizes that the long-term interests of stockholders are advanced by taking into consideration, as appropriate, the concerns of other stakeholders, including associates, guests, property owners, suppliers, the public and members of the communities in which Hyatt Hotels Corporation operates. History In 1957, Mr. Jay Pritzker purchased the Hyatt House Motel near Los Angeles Airport. This started the story of this large company that manages, owns and franchises over 434 hotels around the world. The Pritzker family converted the company into a public entity in 1962. In 1968, a new company known as Hyatt International was formed to take care of properties around the world apart from North America. Hyatt Corporation and Hyatt International merged into a single entity in 2004 forming the Hyatt Hotels Corporation. Mission, Goals and Values Hyatt defines that its mission is to Provide authentic Hospitality. They try to practice this in a way that respects all people and all ideas. The company is looking at Superior results by working in an efficient manner. The Goals of the company are to be considered the preferred brand in each of the segments they serve which include: Employees Guests (Customers) Owners (stockholders as well as third party property owners) These goals clearly state that the strategy of the company is based on its people apart from the basic need for a companys existence. This will be discussed in detail when speaking about the strategy model that best fits the hotel chain. The company claims to have certain values that are imperative in forming the culture as well as the strategies of the organization. These are mentioned below: Mutual Respect They are a people based company and believe in respecting ideas, thoughts and beliefs of others Listen well Verify Acknowledge Intellectual Honesty and Integrity Hyatt wants its employees to be loyal to the company which can form the basis of the culture of the company. Tell and accept the truth Honor your commitments Humility Hyatt does not believe in advertising loudly and gaudily. They expect the reputation of the company to be built on experience. Let actions speak for themselves Recognize the contributions of others Fun Hyatt tries to ensure that employees enjoy their workplace in order to ease the stress of the hospitalty industry. Dont take yourself too seriously Creativity and Innovation Hyatt promotes new ideas and concepts. They handle change well due to the following steps they use to promote innovation amongst employees. Challenge conventional wisdom Take action/risks Evaluate Strategy The word strategy, deriving from the Greek noun strategus, meaning commander in chief, was  ¬Ã‚ rst used in the English language in 1656. The development and usage of the word suggests that it is composed of stratos (army) and agein (to lead). In a management context, the word strategy has now replaced the more traditional term long-term planning to denote a speci ¬Ã‚ c pattern of decisions and actions undertaken by the upper echelon of the organization in order to accomplish performance goals (Bratton, 2005) Hyatt Hotel Corporation Strategy The mission and goals of the company are clear in the above diagrammatical representation. The policies of the company are based on fulfilling this mission of the company. The value chain given above shows the prioritization of the companys strategy. Hyatt believes in keeping the customer satisfied by fulfilling the customers needs and demands. Hyatt wants to be the preferred company for customers. This can be done through excellent service (smooth operations) which can be achieved only through engaged employees. Engagement of employees is defined by Hyatt as the experience of the employees through their career at the company. The more satisfied the employees are at the workplace, the more the engagement which leads to efficient work. Employee engagement can be improved when the company grows increasing the opportunities for the development of the team members. The performance of the hotels helps the company grow. And this performance is again determined by the customers who would prefer Hyatt over other hotels. This value chain developed by hyatt is the basis of formulation of policies for Human Resources, Marketing, Finance and Operations. Hyatt has developed its strengths by concentrating on the most important aspects of running a company. They are making sure all employees concentrate on developing the brand image by providing excellent service according to the standards set by the company. This can be done only when the employees are clear about the brand value and quality expected. Hyatt also makes it clear in its strategy to ensure the profitability of the company in order to maintain a steady growth cycle. They have included manpower development in their strategy and mentioned that people are the companys key assets and that the company strives to keep their employees satisfied and motivated at the workplace. Aligning the business strategy with Human Resources International Operations The International Human Resources Department is made up of team members that are located in the Corporate Office in Chicago, as well as Hyatts Divisional Offices in Zurich, Dubai and Hong Kong. Their collective goal is to drive the People Brand ensuring the provision of an authentic employee experience. The roles and responsibilities at the Corporate and Divisional level are focused on creating employee preference through Employee Engagement, Top Talent Management, Workforce Planning, Succession Planning, Training and Development, effective Human Resources systems and Competitive Total Rewards. The team in Chicago concentrates on the development and oversight of Human Resources strategy while the Divisional teams focus on strategy implementation as well as hotel pre-openings. Human resources strategies may be defined as the patterns of decisions by management formulating policies and procedures to design work and select, train and develop, appraise, motivate and control workers. Creating these models are appealing to academics as they can analyse various configurations or clusters of HR practices and develop and test theories with the help of conceptual models. (Bamberger Meshoulam, 2000) In theory, academics have proposed at least three different models on Human Resource Strategy. These models have been based on various methodologies and policies developed by organizations to align the Human Resource strategy with the company strategy. These models are Control Based Model where the management tries to control and monitor the role and performance of each employee; Resource Based Model where the concentration is based on the behavior and attitude of the employee and the manager subordinate relationship in the organization; The third model is a combination of the two above which integrates them in order to bring together the advantages of both.(Bratton, 2005) Hyatt and its Strategy Model After a careful study of the three models and analysis of Hyatts Human Resource Strategy, it can be derived that Hyatt uses the combination model which is an integration of the control based and resource based strategic models. More details and explanations are provided below. Hyatts strategy emphasizes on people being its key asset and concentration on the growth and development of the employees. This can be analysed to say that Hyatt concentrated on its employees needs to be fulfilled in order to achieve efficient work from the team members which leads to better results for the company. There is a mutual relationship between the employer and the employee focusing on the development of both. The table given below shows various Human Resource strategies adopted by companies based on the nature of the organisation and their requirments. The table states Human Resourse strategies for three components the behavior required from employees, long or short term focus of the company and the concern for quality in the organisation. These components are reviewed in terms of Innovation, quality enhancement and cost reduction. We can derive that the companys Human resource policies are based on the company strategy as per quality enhancement. Hyatt works out its Human resource strategies with an emphasis on quality enhancement. The job profile and description of the employees are mostly fixed with a particular set of tasks ad responsibilities, it has little or no scope for innovation or change depending on the level of responsibilty. The hotel industry operates with many Standard Operating Procedures and a carefully planned and fixed way to perform tasks. This leaves very little scope for change in an individuals job description. These job descriptions are extremely elaborate and detailed in order to keep the employees aware of what is expected of them, on a day to day basis as well as overall. Maintaining procedures and standards for operations ensures that the brand can provide consistent service around the globe making the customer feel comfortable in any hyatt hotel without any surprises. This strategy helps Hyatt keep its brand image. The appraisal system in the company is in place . They have an individual appraisal on a regular basis conducted by supervisors and managers but the team performance as well as the hotels overall performance is taken into consideration when offering incentives and salary hikes. The employees are made to feel comfortable in the organisation which is required due to inconsistent work hours and the need for motivated employees. This ensures the employee putting in his/her best effort to maintain the work ethic and follow the procedures in order to benefit the company and increase productivity. The Training and Development team of the hotels as well as the corporate offices are very elaborate and active as there is a need for extensive task as well as competency training for the employees. The training involves keeping the employees up to date with changing policies as well as ensuring that tasks are fulfilled as per the set standards. Constant coaching and emphasis on following SOPs maintain a low-risk environment whch is beneficial for the organisation. As discussed before, the human resource strategy of organisations have been classified into three different models- Control based, Resourse based an Integrative model which combines the other two. Hyatt follows the integratve model of Human resource Strategy. This is explained below with the help of many examples in terms of Selection policies, Training and development and other such strategies that the company implements. The Integrative model This model is a combination of two models, one based on managerial control in the organization and the other based on a reward-effort exchange. Bamberger and Meshoulam have labeled the conrol based model as locus of control and the resource based model as acquisition and development. Locus of control concentrates on monitoring the employees compliance with the standards and procedures set in place while acquisition and development is the strategies used to recruit the right candidates and then train and develop them in order for them to learn the processes and operations. These two main strategies of the organisation yield four different ideal types of dominant HR strategies. The table below signifies these four strategies and how they play a vital role in the alignment of Human Resource strategies with the Organizations strategy. These strategies as depicted in the table show the organizations Human Resource strategies based on acquiring and managing their employees. Hyatt follows the Paternalistic and Commitment strategies for recruitment as well as appraisals of employees. Hyatt believes in a strong training and development system therefore it ensures that after recruiting a candidate, it is imperative to keep the candidate off operations and in orientation for a week. They develop their employees according to the brand and standards that are meant to be followed. This is an illustration of the Paternalistic HR strategy. Hyatt also believes in regular appraisals and personal growth of the employee. Performance of the team is closely monitored by managers and supervisors to ensure the process being followed and the desired outcome being achieved. There is a strong emphasis on compliance of standard operating procedures which is monitored with individual employees and they are appraised on their efficiency as well as their productivity. Selection Process at Hyatt Hyatts selection process is done through interviews. The application (recruitment) is done with the help of an online tool named Taleo and shortlisted candidates are called in for interviews. There may be various rounds of interviews but the initial screening is done by the Human Resources department. Hyatt also has a training module meant for senior managers in Interviewing. This is to make sure that everyone is on the same page to select the perfect candidate and there are lesser conflicts. The training module also mentions other factors such as conduct during the interview, venue, interaction etc. Hyatt uses competencies as the foundation for the selection decision. The Selection Interviewing Module provides the people responsible for interviewing with the skills necessary to evaluate candidates using carefully developed behavioral and situational questions. This approach allows the interviewer to identify behaviors that demonstrate the personal skills, abilities and knowledge that make up the companys core and leadership competencies. Hyatt has a guide with instructions and techniques to conduct interviews. This guide mentions how the the employees shuld be marked in terms of competencies they possess. Hyatts core and leadership competencies used to select the right candidate are mentioned below: Definition of a Competency Competencies are behaviourally defined personal characteristics that are required by employees for effective performance. These personal characteristics may include, but are not limited to: knowledge, skills, and abilities. What top performers do more frequently or more effectively than other performers Leads to performance excellence Consistent with our direction and future business needs Hyatt Competencies Hyatts Core Competencies, for which they interview line applicants, are: Action Oriented Adaptability Communication Customer Focus/Quality Integrity Interpersonal Skills and Teamwork Time and Task Management the leadership competencies which are used for candidates applying for managerial positions are as follows Core competencies, plus: Change Management Commercial Awareness Decision Making Managing the Work of Others Motivating and Influencing Others Organisation Savvy People Development Problem Solving Strategic Orientation Hyatt tries to ensure that all their selected candidates either possess the above mentioned competencies or can be developed through training to fit in to the organization with the mentioned characteristics. The interviewers are supposed to grade the employees according to what they perceive from the candidate during the rounds of interviews. This fits in to the Hyatt strategy by ensuring that the right fit of people are employed keeping in check the overall mission of providing authentic hospitality. The competencies mentioned are characteristics required in employees to best match the manpower need of the company. The core competencies include a basic framework of the employees personality and how he or she will be able to adapt to the culture of the company. Hyatt requires peope who are proactive with good communication skills and can fit in to a team by working in coordination with others. Hyatt does not concentrate on the skill as much as the overall personality of the candidate as they have an extensive training and development module to teach the employees the standard operations. This is done through various extensive task training modules and sessions that are conducted for the employees. This is discussed further in detail below. Given below are evaluation sheets which are used to grade the inerviewee and compare the candidates to see who fits the job descriptions most accurately. This is a sample evaluation sheet for line candidates. As discussed earlier, the focus is not on skills that the candidate has, it is based on the compatability of the candidate in terms of the competencies required for the individual to fit in to the hotel and help achieve the organisations goal and increase productivity. Training and Development Training may become necessary in a hotel for a number of reasons, including: new Corporate Strategy, new business goals, other changes in the hotel, external changes in the local market, employee performance shortcomings, and many other factors. Identification of training needs is done by the Training department of the hotel based on the following factors: New computerization Organizational changes New procedures Changed business goals New product (e.g. restaurant.) New legislation in areas which impact employee involvement Specific need of a new client/organization/supplier New/increased competition. Sources of information to help identify training needs: Corporate Strategy Articulation Results from the Employee Opinion Survey Business Plan Observations of employees Questionnaires Interviews Performance Development Plans Guest Feedback and Comment Cards Competition visits Management Log Books Accident Reports Performance and Productivity Report Consumer Audit Report. Training at Hyatt is classified into two. Skill training and Attitude training. Skill training is handled by indivisual departments with the help of task breakdowns and rotational training sessions for the employees. The following factors will impact the degree to which Skills Training is a priority need: Competency levels of employees The rate of employee turnover Prior experience of employees Quality and quantity of Departmental Trainers Availability of time in which to train Maturity of established standards Degree of empowerment. The following is a Departmental training record form which is used as tool to observe and keep a check of the training being conducted in the department to help hone the skills of the employees. Department: Room Service Position: Waiter / Waitress Employee Name and Start Date Date and initials of Trainer: Who was the Trainer and when was task completed X: Trainee does not have to be taught the task Blank: Training not carried out yet Name and Start Date Tasks Kate 4/5/96 Brad 3/1/97 Tom 2/3/98 Jack 5/3/98 Mary 6/5/98 Hotel Orientation Day 1 JM 4/5/96 JM 3/1/97 JM 5/3/98 JM 6/5/98 Hotel Orientation Day 2 JM 5/5/96 JM 4/1/97 JM 6/3/98 JM 7/5/98 Departmental Orientation DM 5/5/96 DM 4/1/97 DM 2/3/98 DM 6/3/98 DM 7/5/98 Tray Set Up PP 6/5/96 PP 4/1/97 2/3/98 PP  ´ Answering the Telephone PP 6/5/96 PP 4/1/97 PP 2/3/98 PP 7/3/98 Folding Napkins NM 6/5/96 NM 4/1/97 NM 3/3/98 NM 7/3/98 Cleaning glasses NM 6/5/96 NM 4/1/97 NM 3/3/98 NM 7/3/98 Coffee/Tea set up NM 6/5/96 NM 4/1/97 NM 3/3/98 NM 7/3/98 Learning about DND PP 7/5/96 PP 5/1/97 PP 6/3/98 PP 8/3/98 Cleaning floors PP 7/5/96 PP 5/1/97 PP 6/3/98 PP 8/3/98 Set up of breakdown area RM 7/5/96 RM 6/1/97 RM 6/3/98 RM 8/3/98 Clearing breakdown area RM 7/5/96 RM 6/1/97 RM 6/3/98 RM 8/3/98 Depositing soiled equipment RM 7/5/96 RM 8/3/98 Storing clean equipment RM 7/5/96 RM 7/1/97 RM 6/3/98 RM 9/3/98 Polishing silver  ´ RM 7/1/97 RM 6/3/98  ´ Reading a docket RM 7/5/96 RM 8/1/97 RM 9/3/98 This document is imperative to ensure that the employees are being trained well in their day to day tasks so they are able to increase productivity in the hotel by following standards and doing their jobs the way they are supposed to. This is aligned to the strategy of the hotel by developing the emplyees to enhance efficiency and performance. Attitude Training is required to communicate the values, attitudes and behavior expected by the hotel/company. Examples of Attitude Training: Grooming standards Telephone techniques Dealing with guest complaints Principles of Upselling Exceeding Guest Expectations This may be impacted by the following factors: Local culture Rate of employee turnover Degree of motivation Length of service Age of employees Union relations/activity Interdepartmental/hotel transfers Repositioning of hotel standards Local unemployment How competitive the hotel market is. As discussed above, Hyatt believes in the paternalistic approach to Human Resource strategy by conducting extensive training and developing the personnel to become Hyattians as well as learn the day to day tasks. The objective of this extensive training is to finally achieve the companys goal of satisfied customers and increased financial performance. Performance Development and appraisals Hyatt International Operations approach to Performance Development (formerly Performance Appraisal and renamed to reflect the positive, forward-looking aspect of this process) is part of the companys continued commitment to the implementation of Human Resources Programs that put into action  The People Philosophy, which builds on our Values, culture  and competencies, all of which help to build consistent Human Resources programs and practices.   Relative Importance of Each Competency to Specific Job Titles The Performance Development Plan Evaluates the employees performance in each competency and space has therefore been provided alongside each competency to indicate whether the competency is of low, medium, or high importance to the specific job held by the employee: Low   where the competency is not critical to the job (although it could still be important as part of the employees overall personal development plan). Medium   where the competency is important to the job, but other competencies may be more important, and High   where the competency is crucial to the job The Relative Importance will not vary from year to year where the employee is in the same position. However, it will vary considerably between different positions. Six Month Review Hyatt International Operations recommends a Six Month Review as a best practice in employee Performance Development. Formally reviewing an employees performance on a six month basis has the following advantages: It demonstrates to employees our ongoing commitment to their personal development, and reinforces the principles of The People Philosophy It allows for adjustments in the employees personal development goals in real time and not too long after the event It increases the opportunity for dialogue between an employee and his/her manager a powerful way to improve employee communication. A sample performance development form is shown below. 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Barn Burning - Charcter Analysis :: essays papers

Charcter Analylis Barn Burning Character Analysis William Faulkner’s â€Å"Barn Burning† In â€Å"Barn Burning† the setting is a time when people drove horse wagons and the workingmen were generally farmers. The major character in this story is Colonel Sartoris Snopes, called â€Å"Sarty† by his family who is a ten-year-old boy. In the beginning, Sarty is portrayed as a confused and frightened young boy. He is in despair over the burden of doing the right thing or sticking by his family, as his father states,† You got to learn to stick to your own blood or you ain’t going to have any blood to stick to you.† Sarty’s father, Abner Snopes is accused of burning down a barn and Sarty is called upon to testify against his father and to tell the events of what happened. He wants to tell the truth because it is the right thing to do, but he knows he might have lie to save his father from being reprimanded. To his relief, it is decided that Sarty will not have to testify and is dismissed from testifying. It is decided by the Justice of the Peace to order Abner and his family to leave town at once. Sarty has moved twelve times in his ten years of age and although the story does not state clearly, that this is not the first time his father has set fire to a barn, but shows that the chances are, that he probably has done this in the past which has affected Sarty in how he feels about his father. Sarty’s other family members include the mother, aunt, an older brother, and two twin sisters who are minor contributing factors in this story. The family knows the father is responsible for the burning of the barns and they even unwillingly help him at his requests. This story describes the family somewhat concerned for the father, but they never challenge his decision to burn the barns even though it is wrong. The critical point of the story is when Sarty decides to tell Mr. De Spain that his father is going to burn his barn. Sarty is in disarray because he doesn’t know what is going to happen to him next and is probably speculating that his family will never forgive him because the of the harm that will come to their father if he is caught in the act.

The Manufacturing Practices of the Footwear Industry: Nike vs. the Competition

The Manufacturing Practices of the Footwear Industry: Nike vs. the Competition Steven Van Dusen The current manufacturing practices of the sneaker industry, in particular companies such as Nike, Reebok, Adidas, Converse, and New Balance, takes place throughout the globe. With the industry experiencing severe competition, and the product requiring intensive labor, firms are facing extreme pressure to increase their profit margins through their sourcing practices. The following paper will analyze the sneaker industry, while examining the multitude of viable manufacturing options, and critiquing their current manufacturing structure. Footwear Industry – Players, Revenues, Market Share To properly review the manufacturing in the footwear industry, it is necessary to first gain an understanding of the dominant leaders in the marketplace. The industry is currently experiencing hypercompetition, led by six main firms – Nike, Reebok, Adidas, Fila, Converse, and New Balance (see exhibit 1), with nearly $7 billion in revenues domestically. Nike is the industry leader, with a 47% market share, followed by Reebok, a distant second at 16%, and Adidas at 6% (see exhibit 2). This category is facing decreasing demand and the rising popularity of alternative footwear, resulting in more pressure than ever before to achieve high gross margins through effective global sourcing practices. Manufacturing options Footwear companies have two basic options in the manufacturing of their products, they can both own and operate the factories that produce their products, or subcontract their products out to secondary manufacturers. These facilities can be located either domestically or internationally, and both present a myriad of positives and negatives. Firms that produce domestically benefit from ease of monitoring, skilled workforce, government stability, job creation, and well understood labor rules, while suffering from the relatively high wages required in the U. S. as compared to developing countries. By manufacturing products overseas, in particular in third world economies, tremendous efficiencies are gained in the form of reduced wages, but are countered by the increased difficulty of monitoring the quality of their products and the actual working conditions in the factories. Companies that are vertically integrated, who own and operate the factories where their products are manufactured, are faced with large capital expenditure requirements and the management of the factories themselves, resulting in lower profit margins. Strategic Outsourcing In analyzing the sneaker industry, we are faced with the question, â€Å"What are these firms core competencies? † If manufacturing falls under this umbrella, then firms should look to produce internally. However, the core skills that set these companies apart from the competition, are their marketing, distribution, and technological expertise. Applying the dominant sneaker companies areas of expertise, let’s review the following questions: Is internalization a source of competitive advantage? Is manufacturing a skill our firm does better than anybody else? Will firms be able to leverage their manufacturing expertise in the future? Are we releasing any of the firm’s proprietary skills/information by outsourcing? With all of the above questions posed to any of the big four sneaker companies, they would respond with a resounding â€Å"no†. Therefore, in today’s global environment, the most strategically viable manufacturing strategy is the outsourcing of their products. The efficiencies that are gained, in the form of shifting of risk, reduced capital requirements, lower wages, and ability to focus on their core competencies, strongly outweigh all other manufacturing options. The Evolution of Manufacturing in Third World Countries As the economies of countries around world expand, so does their ability and skill level in all facets of manufacturing. Beginning in London in the early 1900’s, and followed through to the present day, manufacturing in its simplest form consists of light manufacturing, which uses unskilled labor to produce items such as shirts, shorts, and jeans. As the economy develops along with the skill of manufacturing, countries begin moderately technical light manufacturing, which includes footwear, outerwear and, performance sportswear. The next step in this growth involves the production of technical consumer products such as radios, calculators, and wristwatches. With the most developed economies gaining high levels of technical expertise, manufacturing grows to include technical durables, which includes automobiles and computers. This progression represents the advancement of economies throughout the world today, and provides the reasoning behind sneaker companies manufacturing beginning in the United States and Germany, and passing through Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, to its present day central areas of China, Indonesia, and Vietnam. As these three countries progress over the next decade, and large amounts of new capital is pumped into their economies, their standard of living will rise along with their manufacturing expertise. Companies will be forced to relocate their manufacturing in countries such as Cambodia, Pakistan, and underdeveloped regions of Africa in search of lower wages. Nike Nike currently enjoys a 47% market share of the domestic footwear industry, with sales of $3. 77 billion. Nike has been manufacturing throughout the Asian region for over twenty-five years, and there are over 500,000 people today directly engaged in the production of their products. They utilize an outsourcing strategy, using only subcontractors throughout the globe. Their majority of their output today is produced in factories in China, Indonesia, and Vietnam, but they also have factories in Italy, the Philippines, Taiwan, and South Korea. These factories are 100% owned by subcontractors, with the majority of their output consisting solely of Nike products. However, Nike does employ teams of four expatriates per each of the big three countries (China, Indonesia, Vietnam), that focus on both quality of product and quality of working conditions, visiting the factories weekly. They also developed their code of conduct in 1992 and have implemented it across the globe, as its goal is to set the standard for subcontractors to follow if they wish to do business with Nike. However, due to a manufacturing network of this magnitude, they have faced numerous violations involving factory conditions and human rights issues, which have been widely publicized. They have responded to these issues through the Andrew Young report, the Dartmouth Study, and Ernst & Young’s continual monitoring, but are still approximately two years away from completely addressing these problems throughout the globe. Reebok Reebok, as the second leading manufacturer of footwear, has domestic revenues of $1. 28 billion and a market share of 16%. Similar to Nike, they also utilize a 100% outsourcing strategy and manufacture their products throughout Asia. They have created and implemented their own code of conduct for manufactures to follow, but have less infrastructure than Nike across the globe to enforce it. They are facing scrutiny in regards to wage, overtime, and air quality issues, and like Nike, are working to address these issues. However, their strength, the creation and distribution of a global brand, is allowed to foster under this manufacturing strategy, as they focus on their core competencies, and outsource their production. Adidas Adidas is currently enjoying the fastest growth of any brand domestically, with a market share of 6% and revenues of $500 million. They have been shielded from bad publicity by the two Goliath’s of the industry, Nike and Reebok, and are reaping the rewards substantially. They have adjusted their manufacturing strategy, from a vertical operation in Germany in the 60’s and 70’s, to an outsourcing focus today throughout Asia. Unlike the big two, they do not have a code of conduct, and their factories are considered to be the worst in the industry. It is just a matter of time before they are exposed, with an underground swelling of negativity already occurring today. In order to avoid the negative effects and lost revenues that Nike and Reebok have received, they need to immediately begin to take a proactive stance in regards to the working conditions of their factories. Converse With a market share of 3% and revenues of $280 million, Converse manufactures their products both domestically and internationally. It is important to note that the only product they continue to manufacture in the U. S. oday, is the Chuck Taylor All Star, with plants in Lumberton, NC and Mission, TX. This is a product where the â€Å"Made in the USA† label is crucial to its success, and internalization is a source of competitive advantage. These two factors serving as the sole reason why the production remains within the U. S. All other shoe models are outsourced in Asia, with the explanation of reduced wages driving this strategy. Converse, lik e Adidas, must also generate a higher degree of internal monitoring of their subcontractors, or they will soon face increased scrutiny New Balance New Balance is the one company that has kept a substantial amount of manufacturing in the United States, and has a 3% market share with sales of $260 million. They currently operate five plants in New England, employing over 1400 workers, that produces 50% of their output. With this mixed strategy, of vertical integration and outsourcing, they are very unique, with their strategic reasoning based on the advantages gained through higher levels of quality domestically, and the â€Å"Made in the USA† label. They are in a highly specialized, niche business, running shoes, and closeness of factories is more essential to their customer base than the other companies because of special orders. For their most technical products they employ outsourcing, following the strategy of their competitors. Although there is something to be said for manufacturing domestically, they are straying away from the skills that they do better than anybody else – the design and marketing of the premier running shoe in the industry. Their long-term strategy should shift to a 100% outsourcing model, allowing them to control this niche for the future. Summary Manufacturing in the footwear industry has evolved dramatically over the course of the last century. As economies grow and skills are enhanced, production has been forced to spread to less developed regions around the world. While Nike, Reebok, Adidas, Converse, and New Balance each have their own manufacturing structure, the reason behind their rise to dominance in this industry is their ability to focus on the core skills that they perform better than anybody else. The outsourcing trend that dominates the industry today will only increase in the future. The major issues facing these firms today, working conditions and human rights, must be addressed in the short-term. Through either one firm’s leadership, or all footwear companies strategically aligning, these issues will be addressed; the question is â€Å"Just how long will it take before the footwear companies say Just Do It? † Copyright, 1998 Van Dusen, INTS 092 UNC – Chapel Hill

Movie Analysis Think For Yourself - 1633 Words

Meera Kohli March 17, 2016 Period 4 â€Å"Think For Yourself† As a young population growing up in the twenty first century and being surrounded by social media’s newest tweets and pop culture’s varying memes, we seem to let this electronic world determine what our actions as young people will be. We can find conformity take a huge role in this society. As we flip out our overpriced and fragile gadgets from the back pocket our tight unbreathable skinny jeans, we scroll through the infamous Instagram and find ourselves looking at the recent post of those popular kids at school. The gal sports her new one hundred dollar Lulu Lemon leggings as her boy toy continues sagging his Levis pants. The next day at school you can walk around and see many†¦show more content†¦Conformity is also not run by one person or thing; it is us joined together making up these synthetic ideas. Along with Emerson, our other transcendentalist, Henry David Thoreau, pleases us with his work, Walden. Walden revolves aro und the idea of simplicity and finding one s spirit. Thoreau also touches on the idea of needing the companionship of others. As a person living amongst this crowded world with people’s opinionated ideas I can only agree with Emerson and Thoreau on their ideas of Self-Reliance. These authors discuss ideas on self-reliance and urge us to become a better person by not constantly relying on others, to live life candidly and simply, and most importantly think for ourselves and escape these ideas of conformity. â€Å"Self-Reliance† discusses how people should learn to escape the concept of conformity. With regards to this, this concept has been shaped and represented in many famous novels, and movies. For example, in the virtuous movie Dead Poets Society, Robin Williams played as Mr. John Keating is a new teacher at Dalton Prep, who brings up unheard ideas to his students like thinking for themselves and the idea of â€Å"Carpe Diem†. Tom Schulman, the writer of this movie, was able to portray the harsh realities in this world. It makes me wonder that if our generation is so immersed into ourselves, what will our children be like? Can it get any worse? Many intellectuals