Organic food Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Organic food - Essay Example The main benefits of organic foods can be derived from their healthy and nutritious nature. Organic foods are produced using the best agricultural practices, which do not rely on synthetic fertilizers and chemical pesticides. The foods are also appealing to environmentally conscious consumers. These consumers prefer food substances, which have positive environmental impacts (Williams 21). The production of organic food is based on precise standards and practices of production. The main premise of labeling food substances as organic is the requirement for non-pesticide application (Reed 21). Organic foods refrain from the use of chemicals such as fungicides, herbicides, veterinary drugs, additives, synthetic preservatives and pesticides. As a result, hazardous residues are restricted to the lowest possible levels in organic foods.Organic foods avoid the use of chemicals and synthetic compounds because studies have established a negative correlation between exposure to pesticides and t he development of dangerous health conditions (Hasler 3774). The presence of pesticides in food substances has been associated with acute health conditions such as eye and skin problems, vomiting, abdominal pains, nausea and headaches (Ungoed-Thomas 1). Long-term exposure increases the risk of severe chronic conditions such as memory deficits, respiratory problems and miscarriages.Besides the fact that organic foods have low pesticide and chemical residues, they also have high nutritional values and good taste.

Political Realism Essay Example for Free

Political Realism Essay According to realists, the conduct of international leaders differs very little from the conduct of a leader of a criminal organization. Realists’ underlying assumption, i. e. that the international system is in the condition of perpetual anarchy, is close to how crime bosses perceive the neverending competition between different gangs, clans or â€Å"crime families†, like the one Tony Soprano heads. Just like in relations between competing crews or between criminals and the government, no progress towards lasting peace is possible in international relations. International relations are by definition conflictual, unlike domestic matters of a state, since there is no supreme authority over sovereign subject which would possess monopoly on force similar to the one a state has on its territory. Conflicts in international relations, according to realists, are always resolved by the use of force. Here the analogy of Tony Soprano is particularly applicable, since he has killed at least eight people. Similarly, power in international relations, according to realists, is associated with military superiority and ability to defeat enemies. Crime families pursue their own interests using resources they command, but they are well aware of resources and capabilities of their competitors. The same way states in international relations make calculations of their power and interests vs. power and interests of their rivals. Therefore, intelligence information (everything that can be used against competitors) is equally valuable in international relations and criminal activity. Peace and stability is only possible when a durable balance of power exists that reflects actual standing of great powers on the international arena. The same happens in the criminal world. Although gangs and crime families have no moral obligations towards each other, they can sometimes cooperate against a common enemy (states on their part form international alliances). Balance of power among criminal organizations is of a paramount importance for peace and quiet in a city or neighborhood. As Sullivan (2000) informs, criminal groups sustain â€Å"spatial or economic spheres of influence – ‘turf’ or ‘markets’† (p. 86). The states act the same way when they perceive certain regions of the world as their spheres of influence. For the U. S. , the Middle East is a region of strategic importance, as its enduring military presence there clearly indicates. Similarly, Russia â€Å"is treating the former Soviet republics as a priority†¦in an effort both to obtain lucrative assets and to enhance its political influence† (Trenin 2006, p. 91). Realists also believe that there is a difference between private and political morality: for the public and private spheres, there should be different codes of ethical conduct, and some actions inacceptable in private morality terms can be indispensable in politics. This argument can be perhaps extended further to state that different ethical codes are applied to domestic matters and international relations: some actions that would be deemed inacceptable by domestic publics are carried out in or against foreign states, sometimes with the approval of the population at home. Here, an interesting example is the involvement of Henry Kissinger in the uprooting of Allende’s democratic regime in Chile. While it would be a plausible to assume Kissinger believed that democracy served the interests of American people (since he hasn’t made attempts to subvert the public order), he has been reported to comment on the Chilean election of socialist Alllende in the following way: â€Å"The issues are much too important for the Chilean voters to be left to decide for themselves† (cited in Zarembka 2006, p. ix). He has in fact denied that Chileans had a right to elect their own leaders, while Americans could teach other countries about right and wrong. In everyday life, this would be referred to as hypocrisy; however, according to political realists, this is how politics is made on the daily basis. In a similar fashion, many crime bosses are good at maintaining two distinct sets of values, one to be applied to intra-organizational matters and another one for the rest of the world. Inside their â€Å"crime family†, gangsters exhibit such qualities as loyalty, honesty, and nobility. All criminal organizations have a code of conduct that is strictly enforced, although such codes have little to do with morality and ethics in the conventional sense. That is why to the outside world, they appear as cruel, self-interested beasts. Similarly, political leaders have to maintain two sets of values: in their private affairs, they have to be an example of integrity and righteousness, as the scandal with Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky shows. Also, they have to be good to their electorates and even political rivals. However, in international relations, they are expected to defend vital interests of their country with determination and firmness. The Road to War This section will look into strange and unusual circumstances and events that lead to wars. The extent to which types of government and domestic publics have an impact on war proneness of states will be discussed. At a first glance, the recent U. S. attack of Iraq is an example of a war between a democracy and undemocratic country, so it is not particularly applicable for testing the democratic peace theory. In fact, the official reason for going to Iraq, as Scowcroft (2002) reports, was regime change: Saddam Hussein oppressed his own people and posed a threat to international security. It was exactly the undemocratic nature of Iraq that made it a tangible threat to the U. S. ; it was deemed that its democratization would automatically provide for peace. Saddam was portrayed as a leader that was impossible to deter by diplomatic means, sanctions, or the threat of force, therefore the invasion was deemed the only viable option for preventing Iraq from acquiring and deploying WMD (Mearsheimer Walt 2003). However, even before the actual deployment, there were forces in the foreign policy establishment calling for a more careful balancing of various U. S. interests at home and abroad. The war on Iraq, as Scowcroft (2002) then argued, would divert U. S. resources from other important pursuits such as the war on terror or resolution of Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As the difficulties in Iraq have powerfully brought home, realism for the U. S. nowadays does not mean the use of force but rather refraining from it. The Bush doctrine implied going to war and falling out with allies for the sake of furthering American ideals (Rose 2005), on the aforementioned assumption that democratization is a necessary prerequisite for peace. This neoconservative line is sometimes referred to as â€Å"democratic transformationalism†, which is essentially liberal interventionism (Goldberg 2005). In his second term, however, Bush has been increasingly more inclined towards realism and looking out for actual American interests. To that end, he mended relations with Europe and returned to negotiating with rogue states (Rose 2005). This is in line with the need to balance one’s power and interests against those of other great powers. Such a change in orientation once again suggests that changes in leadership have a significant bearing on the war-proneness of a democratic state, a conclusion Elman (1997) has reached after analyzing the 1982 war between Israel and Lebanon. While no change of leadership has taken place in the U. S. , a change in President’s orientation and some reshuffle in the foreign policy establishment were responsible for the shift. While people like Henry Kissinger are vilified as amoral hypocrites, moralism in foreign policy has never led to anything good for the U. S. : Harry Truman was responsible for the Korean War, John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson have initiated the Vietnam War, and Bill Clinton has presided over the Balkan conflict and a deterioration of relations with China. However, right- or left-wing moralists have almost always been succeeded by realists and foreign policy pragmatists who helped to clear the mess (Rose 2005). This mirrors the discussion by Postel (2004) of how democracy-spreading ambitions of George W. Bush worry American realists (together with libertarians and traditionalists). Realism’s main assumption is the primacy of state sovereignty, therefore an interference into the affairs of another state is only justified if an existential threat exists to one’s own country. Before that point is reached, â€Å"the internal organization of another country is [not] any of our business† (Goldberg 2005, para. 25). A far more important reason to worry about the spread of â€Å"democratic transformationalism† is the human and economic cost of it. As Johnson (2000) clearly shows, the U. S. is an overextended empire struggling to sustain its military commitments abroad, and â€Å"the people of the United States are neither militaristic enough nor rich enough to engage in the perpetual police actions, wars, and bailouts their government’s hegemonic policies will require† (p. 221). This argument suggests that populations at home ultimately have some say over foreign policy or at least over the economic cots of overseas military exercises. This point will be explored in greater detail further in this section. The supporters of â€Å"democratic transformationalism† think that the threat posed by Saddam at the turn of the century was the natural consequence of the limited nature of the U. S. intervention during the first Gulf War. Then the U. S. , in accordance with the U. N. mandate, focused on removal of Iraq from Kuwait and not the removal of Saddam from Iraq. Neoconservatives called it â€Å"an unfinished job†: the focus on stability instead of democratization has lead to the current mess, in their opinion (Goldberg 2005). Some commentators believe that the sole reason why the U. S. did not go to Iraq then was the â€Å"Vietnam syndrome† (Ferguson 2004). While historical evidence is mixed wit regard to the democratic peace theory (and therefore the feasibility of â€Å"democratic transformationalism†), it is too early to dismiss it as trivial. This theory might as well be applicable in the 21st century, even if it has failed for most of the 19th and 20th centuries, for two major reasons. First of all, with the advent of new technologies, the level of interconnectedness between peoples of the world has increased dramatically. Citizens of democratic states enjoy unrestricted access to the Internet and the ability to travel to other democratic countries, usually without a visa. Therefore, public opinion in a democratic country is unlikely to support a military action against another democratic country, since there are personal ties between citizens of both, or the consumption of cultural products from another country (e. g. French cinema or Danish design) has created an emotional attachment to a foreign land. The EU can be held up as a prime example. The European continent has been at war for most of its existence. However, nowadays no one can imagine a war between two EU members. Perhaps it was not the participation in common decision-making institutions (which are still weak and contested) but the strength of people-to-people contacts (encouraged by student mobility programs, the rise of an international professional class, cross-border marriages, and even the proposed mobility program for military staff) that has delivered the change. A valid objection to this reasoning would be that professionalization of armies has diminished the level of control publics have over armed forces. As Johnson (2000) explains, for most of the 20th century, national armies were formed by universal conscription, by volunteers, or by a combination of both. It was of paramount importance to sustain patriotic spirit among troops and persuade them by means of propaganda that an enemy poses an existential threat to their nation. If states failed to maintain a firmness of purpose among soldiers, insubordination, desertion and sabotage render an army effectively non-battleworthy. However, professional soldiers perceive their mission merely as a special kind of employment. Although states still initiate massive campaigns to convince their publics of necessity of a war, like it was in the case of Iraq, professional soldiers would be ready to battle any enemy their state commanded them to. Moreover, a state can hire private security providers to wage wars for them. Although there was no case when a war was waged by using such providers only, the involvement of private military companies (PMC) and private security companies (PSC) in Iraq has received a lot of attention (Singer 2004). Thus, a government can still wage a war against another country in opposition to domestic public opinion by relying on a professional armies or private security provides.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) SWOT and PESTLE

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) SWOT and PESTLE INTRODUCTION The main theme of this assignment is to critically analyse Pakistan International Airline and to appraise the level of effectiveness of the organisation. It includes strategic, financial and resource management analysis. This is carried out in three parts. Overall strategic position is scrutinized and external and internal environment is evaluated through different models such as  SWOT  and PESTLE STEEP analysis in the first part of an assignment. The second part is an overall review of human resource management in PIA and different approaches for their employees retention and performance are thoroughly assessed as to point out their weaknesses and reasons for those flaws in overall system. The final part is the ratio analysis which helps in analysing the financial position of the business and impact of resource management decisions on organisations growth and stability. INTRODUCTION OF PIA: Pakistan International Airlines Corporation (PIAC) is the premium airline of Pakistan with its head office on the grounds of Jinnah International Airport in Karachi. PIA is one of the largest airlines in Asia, operating scheduled services to 24 domestic destinations and 39 international destinations in 25 countries across Asia, Europe and North America. Its main bases are at Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. (Khan A., 2008). ANALYSIS OF RELATIONSHIP OF STRATEGIC LEVEL PLANNING AND LOWER LEVEL Relationship between higher and lower levels of management is that Planning is done at higher level and execution is done by the lower level but the lower management is not involved in any decision making and planning in PIA. In fact its Lower management just plays role in gathering information for each step of strategic planning. Mission Statement: PIA Corporation has stated its mission statement as a symbol of national pride, aspired to be an airline of choice, operating profitably on modern commercial concepts and capable of competing with the best in the International as well as Domestic markets (www.piac.com.pk, accessed date: 08/10/2010) Mission statement of PIA is mentioned in a way that: Employee team will contribute towards making PIA a global airline of choice through: Offering quality customer services and innovative products. Using state of art technologies. Ensuring cost effective measures in procurement and operations. Developing safety cultures. On Jan 15, 2010 strategic objectives of PIA were given in 33rd BOD meeting i.e. Introduction of new additional flights, real time tax revenue management system Introduction and success of Pakistan remittance initiative Increasing market share by 5 % Successful monitoring of routes In PIA Mission and objectives are set by the higher management for the overall organization that provides track to middle and lower level employees so that they can bring the company at an established position because Higher management can not directly take part in improving customer satisfaction so team work is required from ticket reservation to landing of plane. Employees work in different teams such as office staff, ground staff, cabin crew and flight attendants as to perform day to day operations and to achieve overall objectives and mission. 2.2 Environmental Scanning: Goal achievement of any company is greatly influenced by the overall environment, so in PIA before doing strategic planning higher management also scans over all environment that involve internal and external environment both along with the analysis of firms industry. 2.3 Strategy Formulation: Management at the top level of PIA utilizes all the information gathered by the lower management and formulate its strategies by using its strengths and availing its opportunities to overcome its weaknesses and threats so as to create competitive edge in the airline industry. 2.4 Strategy Implementation: Implementation in any organization involves restructuring of firms resources and high level of motivation for lower and middle management. But in PIA strategy implementation becomes really complicated as they do not change their structures according to their new and modified strategies, and their employees are highly demotivated as their suggestions are not welcomed in formulating the strategies. Ultimately the strategies are misunderstood by them. 2.5 Evaluation and Control: Implementation of strategies are evaluated and controlled by PIAs higher management but they are very much rigid in making adjustments in their overall strategies. 2.6 Vision: PIA Corporation has stated its vision as To be fiercely competitive, consistently exceeding customer expectations and be the choice employer that embraces modern technology in all spheres of its activities. INFLUENCE OF VISION, MISSION, VALUES AND GOALS OF PIA OVER ITS STAKEHOLDERS Mission, vision, values and goals for PIA have great influence over its stakeholders that involves: 3.1 Customers: In the vision and mission statements of PIA; their customers expectations and satisfaction is highly focused so they are increasing their market demand by offering different services such as: Magazines like hamsafar and newspapers are given to all customers of PIA Different flyer programs also attract customers as they can get free tickets and excess baggage vouchers etc PIA continuously changes its plane design after every 3 years as to gain more and more customer attention PIA also introduces cargo service namely PIA Speedex. PIA is also doing brand marketing through sponsorship to become more and more popular e.g. PIA is sponsoring Shandur polo gala, ABN Amro patrons trophy, destination Pakistan 2007 festival PIA also supports non profit organizations like Al Shifa trust, Zindagi trust etc. PIA is also maintaining high safety culture for its customers 3.2 Employees: PIA believes in team work and without that they cannot achieve their goals and mission but they do not empower their employees to participate in decision making process so they are not involved in setting goals, vision and mission for their company. 3.3 Shareholders: PIA does not focus on shareholders income or their satisfaction in its vision and mission statements which shows its low level of interest. And it is proved by the fact that it is not achieving its goals so facing financial crisis that results in loss for its shareholders as share price decreases from 3.17 to 2.61 and loss was PAK Rs.5822 million in 2009. SWOT ANALYSIS 4.1 (S)TRENGTHS: Leading Market Position: According to Annual report of PIA (2008), PIA is one of Pakistans leading air carriers, with more than 800 daily flights. Around 150,000 passengers fly a month on PIA, making it one of the major operators in the domestic market in terms of passenger destination. PIAs international market share was 43.5%, In the Domestic market, its market share was 69.4%. On a system-wide basis, PIAs market share was 51.2% at the end of year 2009. Its strong market position is driven by consistently low fares as well as reliable service, frequent and convenient flights, use of new technologies like e-ticketing and self check-in terminals, comfortable cabins and superior customer service. Superior Operating Structure: PIA has maintained its position as the low cost carrier. It has been first class Pakistani airline to use the latest technology. Factors contributing consists of different series of Boeing and Airbus and an efficient, high-utilization and point- to-point route structure. Network Presence: PIA enjoys a global strong network and international destinations. The companys network includes three the major airports in Pakistan, as well as major international airport such as Dubai International Airport. Having a strong network means that PIA can generate traffic feed for both its domestic and international Flights. Effective Use Of Technology: PIA has successfully incorporated latest technology in all its systems, giving it an edge over competitors. PIA takes credit for introducing most new technologies to the Pakistani market. It was the second carrier in Pakistan to incorporate the c-ticketing system and the second in South Asia to introduce self check in systems at the Jinnah International Airport, Karachi. 4.2 (W)EAKNESSES: Worse Govt. Rules: The key policies, strategies and set of laws are designed by the upper management. The centralized system is one of the biggest obstacles of long term success of PIA. PIA centralizes structure lead to barrel between different level of management, decreased motivation, and hard access to information. Debt: PIA has a significant amount of 42 billion debts. Current and future debts could have important consequences for stakeholders of the company. Reliance On Oil Prices: PIAs sustainability, growth and revenues directly depend on oil prices. A steep rise in oil prices can seriously damage the long term viability of any airline. Recently many airlines around the world went bankrupt due to rising oil prices. Airlines need to hedge against this risk by taking proper measures. 4.3 (O)PPORTUNITIES: Having The Maximum Route And Fleet: PIA is having the maximum route and fleet domestic and international destinations network in Pakistan as compared to its Competitors. Route and fleet expansion will positively impact the companys operations by increasing revenues. Growing Demand For Low Cost Airlines: The growing demand for air travel is driven by lower fares and consumer confidence. A survey by International Aviation Authority showed that ticket price is the number one criterion for passengers when selecting a flight, well ahead of the availability of a non-stop service. Shifting Customer Needs: The needs of air passengers are increasingly changing, as they are becoming more and more price sensitive. If PIA succeeds in making its prices more competitive, then the company will be able to gain significant market share. Industry Recovery: Market analysts believe that the global airline industry will experience an upturn in fortunes over the next few years. This represents an opportunity for PIA, as it could generate increased revenues and command market share if it capitalizes on increases in demand. 4.4 (T)HREATS High Interest Rates: The past few years have seen State Bank of Pakistan impose high as well as low interest rates to check inflation and the overheating of Pakistani economy. Inflation in Pakistan may see another raise in the short-term. Strong Competition By Airblue: PIA is now competing against carriers such as Airblue and Shaheen Airline. PIA remains Airblues strongest competitor because of the huge market it has gained over time, strong brand image and customer loyalty. Interest And Foreign Currency Exchange Rates: Fluctuating foreign currency exchange rates can have a significant impact on PIAs earnings. For example, as PIA is providing its services to the UK. Negative or positive effects arise from exchange rate movements as change in expenses. PESTLE AND STEEP ANALYSIS PESTLE and STEEP factors including political, social, economic, technological, legal and environmental factors (Ireland R. et al 2008). (P)OLITICAL FACTORS: According to Ireland R. et al (2008), political factors always have a great influence on the way where businesses operate in the airline industry and the spending power of customers. Pakistan has achieved some political stability in recent years. If the management of PIA believes that the present government will perform well (consistently), then there will be more investment in the form of purchase of new airplanes and latest technology. (E)CONOMIC FACTORS: Currently, Airlines industry has three major players: PIA, an Airblue, Aero Asia and Shaheen Airlines. Their target market includes domestic travellers as well as Pakistanis living abroad particularly in the UK and USA. Economically, the new millennium has been highly volatile; the September 11 attacks revolutionized the whole world. Consequently, there was a global depression in the North America, South America, Australia and Europe. (S)OCIAL FACTORS: Customers are more aware of market conditions and available options and want to get best value for their money (Johnson Scholar, 2001). They spend considerable time and money on entertainment hence increasing the need of in-flight entertainment systems. Hajj attracts a huge number of customers. (T)ECHNOLOGICAL FACTORS: Major technological changes are taking place in the airlines industry with innovations in the reservations and booking systems. In-flight entertainment systems and auto check in counters are two examples of such innovations. Internet plays a key role in e-ticketing as consumer can easily reserve tickets or check the status of the flight. (L)EGAL FACTORS: Airlines legislations and policies have a direct impact on the performance of PIA. PIA has attacked new  legislation which will force them to pay greater compensation to customers in the event of overbooking, cancellations and delays. (E)NVIRONMENTAL FACTORS: PIA, as a symbol of national pride, should be a choice airline operating profitably on modern commercial concepts, capable of competing with the best in its entire international and domestic markets, consistently exceeding customer expectations. It should be a choice employer deploying modern technology in all spheres of its activities. APPROACHES TO HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT TO AID THE DEVELOPMENT OF BUSINESS STRATEGY With an understanding that global economic downturn and ever rising operating costs further exacerbated by fluctuating crude oil prices. According to Greg J. et al (2009), human resource practices should be focused in PIA to address whether a brighter future is possible through management practices that fully engage employees and achieve genuine partnerships with their unions to rescue an ailing airline. Failure to elicit employee commitment through human resource practices could mean that PIA is doomed to fail in competitive aviation industry in which private sector is increasing its market share by catering to customer satisfaction. Creating a culture in which employees are close-knit and where top management focuses on its personnel asset by taking care of them so that they are ready to face and respond to every days job challenges wont be easy unless PIA starts building better relationship at various levels within its hierarchical organization. When an organization nurtures values of friendliness and loyalty among its staff then eventually customers benefit from improved service quality and creating a customer-centric culture becomes relatively easy. High employee morale and high quality delivery of service to customers are both inter-related and inter-dependent variables and airlines like Southwest Airlines, SWA, that based its business model not only on its customers but also its employees satisfaction have seen its profits growing when others were all losing revenues in post 9/11 period. Human resource management department of PIA could be used as a valuable agent of change that creates a strategic partnership among different levels of management and improves collaboration between different departments by defining policies and procedures that eventually results in a higher level of service throughout the organization. Properly trained human resource professionals that not only understand intricacies of organizational culture but also possess knowledge of global aviation industry can create a work environment that promotes dignity and respect and prepares PIA for 21st century challenges. Turnaround of Continental Airlines that used human resource management as a tool of corporate strategy to alter its work and communication practices throughout the organization is another example of the pivotal role that human resource department in PIA can play to improve its brands strength and reverse its financial losses (Carrig 1997). To remain competitive in global market where technology can perform many of the operations traditionally performed by human agents, PIA needs to take some measures to reduce its workforce by utilizing technology to its benefit. Moving to online ticketing save us at least 8-9 per cent in costs, the managing director of PIA once said. This partially resolves over-employment that burdens companys dire financial condition. The next step should be online check-in for domestic and international flights. PIA should invest further in its website to offer options to amend itinerary as and when required. Political influence and interference that affects fairness of recruitment policies poses challenges for human resource management when they are forced to make decisions that does not align with PIAs strategy but serves political purposes. I cannot emphasize enough on the importance of transparent recruitment. PIA needs to learn the importance of hiring as its success depends on the ability and style of its people. An organization that is in desperate need of leadership and role models should decorate its headquarters walls by photographs of employees who conform and promote company policies by achieving excellence in their respected roles. This practice would encourage healthy competition within employees and they would work with more dedication to get recognized. PERFORMANCE AND REWARD MANAGEMENT INCLUDING THE ROLE OF PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL Nowadays according to my point of view any type of reward plays a vital role in employee performance either it is financial or non-financial .Financial includes increase salary benefits like medical, travel, children benefits , pension etc and non-financial are personal recognition , appreciation , promotion etc. PIA must conduct a employee survey in which first they identify the needs of different employees like what type of rewards PIA should provide them so that they can motivate and perform better to make it first choice . Performance Appraisal or Career development discussion is method by which the job performance of an employee is evaluated in term of qualitative, quantities, cost and time typically by super ordinate boss or supervisor Performance appraisal is a part of guiding and managing career development .It is the process of obtaining, analysing and recording information about the relative worth of an employee to the organization. Performance appraisal is an analysis of an employees recent success and failures personal strengths and weaknesses, and suitability for promotion or further training. It is also the judgement of an employees performance in the job based on considerations other than productivity alone. Its a tool by which management can give feed back on employees performance identify his/her training needs .Facilitate communication between employee and administration/management .It improve performance through counselling , coaching and development . Simply when ever you tell any body about his/her weakness strengths you he/she will perform better towards achieving organizational goals. STRATEGIES FOR EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT AND REDEVELOPMENT The study is intended to check the development of employees in the organization. A good development program and procedure are essential to achieve goal of the organization. To cope with poor performance and to retain employee and always keep them sustainable we have lots of strategies but what I found in my research that not all are play a vital role but someone plays a significant role (Svend Hollensen, 2005). Decentralization Employee will better develop in decentralized decision making where they feel they are part of team whenever you involve employee in decision making you can easily achieve you desire objective in better way (Jeston J. Neils J., 2006). If we talk about PIA (Pakistan international Airline) in PIA delegation of authority is limited due to centralized decision making .The authorities reserve the right to make decisions in Board meeting or you can say that only top level management can make decision in board meeting. The middle and lower level management is not allowed to speak for against the top level management whatever top level make or implement they have to follow the decision Job Rotations According to Price A. (2005), job rotation is organic part of development; it is practiced to allow qualified employees to gain more insights into the processes of a company and to reduce boredom and increase job satisfaction through job variation. More rotation more satisfies an employee. Job Rotation is not common in PIA (Pakistan International Airline) thats why PIA employees are not fully satisfy Feed back Feedback plays a vital role in development and Redevelopment of employee and retains them on the job (Mercer, 1996). People need feedback.Most people do not see themselves as others see them. Feedback is essential to learning. If people dont fully appreciate their strengths, how can they use them to their advantage? People who take a professional attitude toward their work want feedback. If we talk about PIA quarterly employee co-ordination meeting are held where all employees can share their views with their bosses and subordinates and subordinates take feedback from super ordinates it helps to reduce the conflicts within the organisation and employee satisfaction. Training and development Programs Training leads towards development and when employees skills more develop organisation can easily achieve its objectives training is essential to make employee more dynamic to perform task (Price A. 2005). Training is strategy to retain an employee in the organisation it is duty of top level management to review the performance appraisals of employee and if they feel lack any where they should provide proper training to cope with that problem. This strategy is some sort of investment on employee. When employee feels that company is investing on he/she they always try to perform better. Analysis of the Liquidity Ratio: It is apparent above chart that the PIA is running with a negative working capital in both financial years. Similarly the percentages of current quick and cash ratio are also very low that reveals the fact that the current asserts of the company is not enough to meet its current liabilities. Either it should be equal or above the maiden industry level or it should be in Positive Percentage. Leverages ratio shows the amount of debt utilized by the firm to finance its asserts (Wight R. et al, 2009). It can be either by using share holders equity or by the amount of borrowing. Leverage ratio of the PIA shows the greater amount of debt to finance its asserts. The figures of the activity ratio indicate the low credibility of the PIA in utilizing its assets to generate the sales. As it is apparent from the fact that ratios for both the years are quiet low and the company will require a greater period of time to convert its assets to generate sales. Analysis of Profitability Ratio: The financial statement shows a slight decline in the gross profit margin in the 1st quarter of year 10 over the previous year. Similarly there is slight increase for the Return on equity ratio, though it is low but as an investor it is somehow encouraging. On the other hand operating profit, net profit margin and return on assets are in real bad condition as they are in negative. CONCLUSION: Reason for PIA down fall is that the company is goal oriented instead of focusing on means used to achieve those goals. So the problem comes at the implementation stage as they are not people oriented, mean the company does not involve its middle and lower management in decision making. That is the reason weaknesses occur and they fail to cope their upcoming threats and unable to create competitive edge in their respective PIA has boosted in last few years. Corporate level is planning forward for next upcoming years. PIA has to changed organisational structure so that it can bring a change and motivation in employees. This will solve all the problems and conflicts among the company structure from corporate level down to the lower level. They should motivate their employees and as well as less the over head cost expenses and other expenses like labour cost .It should be like less input and high out put to improve the corporate level they should heir responsible people so that they are good in decision making and strategic planning. This can be only done by good marketing policies.

Edvard Grieg’s Morning Mood and In the Hall of the Mountain King :: Art

Edvard Grieg’s Morning Mood and In the Hall of the Mountain King When one thinks of the Romantic composers, the names Beethoven, Wagner, Chopin, or Liszt come to mind. Looking even further into the period one sees the names of nationalist composers like Glinka, Tchaikovsky, and Smetana. Unfortunately, there are still many composers of the Romantic era whose music is known, but for some reason there names have grown apart from there music. Edvard Grieg, a Norwegian nationalist composer, is one of these men. Many people would know Grieg’s work â€Å"In the Hall of the Mountain King† if they heard it, but would be unable to tell you who had written it or where the work originates from. Despite his lack of fame in today’s world, his music still is a prime example of the Romantic period and tendencies. Two works in particular are â€Å"Morning Mood† and â€Å"In the Hall of the Mountain King†, both from his Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, despite their very conflicting styles. Edvard Grieg is thought of in the music field as a symbol of Norway. He was born in Bergen, Norway on June 15th, 1843 the fourth of five children. Music interested Grieg from a young age and at the age of six he began piano lessons with his mother. His mother, Gescine Hagerup, was known as the best piano teacher in Bergen and led him firmly, but lovingly into the music field. At the age of fifteen in October of 1858, Grieg left to attend the Leipzig Music Conservatory. He did not have an easy time at the conservatory. During his time there, Grieg suffered an attack of pleurisy that caused permanent damage to one of his lungs. He also had problems with the institutional nature of the school. However, despite the hardships he faced, he graduated from Leipzig at Easter in 1862 with high marks. After graduation, Grieg moved to Copenhagen to broaden his musical scope. While in Copenhagen he met people that would become life long friends and idols. One of Grieg’s first idols, which he met in Copenhagen, was Niels W. Gade, the first great Scandinavian composer. Another of Grieg’s idols was Rikard Nordaak, a fellow Norwegian, whose enthusiasm for all things Norwegian was transferred to Grieg. One of the most important people he met in Copenhagen was his cousin Nina Hagerup. They were secretly engaged in 1864 and married by 1867.

Half The Sky Essay

With Pulitzer Prize winners Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn are great authors who give us true stories of girls and woman from Africa and Asia and their extraordinary struggles. We view the Cambodian teenager sold into sex slavery and an Ethiopian woman who suffered devastating injuries in childbirth. Drawing on the breadth of their combined reporting experience, Kristof and WuDunn view our world with anger, sadness, clarity, and, ultimately, hope. Through these stories, Kristof and WuDunn help us see that the key to economic progress lies in unleashing women’s potential. They make clear how so many people have helped to do just that, and how we can each do our part. In much of the world, the greatest unemployed economic resource is the female half of the population. Countries such as China have prospered precisely because they emancipated women and brought them into the formal economy. Realistic, and inspirational, this book is essential reading for everyone. They tell of an attempt to help a woman dying in childbirth in an African hospital, and the institutional, social, and financial problems that block efforts. They discuss how their support for legalization of prostitution was undercut by the more sordid reality they discovered behind the apparent success of just such a legal zone in India (in Kolkata), and examine how legalization of prostitution in the Netherlands compares as an anti-trafficking technique with the criminalization of sex-service purchases in Sweden. They point out how the campaign against female circumcision has been set back by the campaigners’ use of terminology (â€Å"female genital mutilation†) that turned the people they wanted to help against them. Kristof and WuDunn emphasis how important it is for individuals speaking up and resisting—but it’s here that their proposals (or, at least, their exhortations) seem questionable. (Mukhtar Mai) name we have heard before, Usha Narayane, and Sunitha Krishnan are clearly remarkable women, and deserve every support, but it is also true that they are very brave, and driven individuals—and lucky, because of their risk.

Plumbing Business

INTRODUCTION Plumbing (from the Latin plum bum for lead as pipes were once made from lead) is the skilled trade of working with pipes, tubing and plumbing fixtures for drinking water systems and the drainage of waste. A plumber is someone who installs or repairs piping systems, plumbing fixtures and equipment such as water heaters. The plumbing industry is a basic and substantial part of every developed economy due to the need for clean water, and proper collection and transport of wastes.Plumbing also refers to a system of pipes and fixtures installed in a building for the distribution of potable water and the removal of waterborne wastes. Plumbing is usually distinguished from water and sewage systems, in that a plumbing system serves one building, while water and sewage systems serve a group of buildings or a city. The name of my small plumbing business is water tubes plumbing co. it is located at obehie, very close to veritas university, it provides homes with the best of plumbin g services, with a great range of new equipment. Executive SummaryWater Tubes Plumbing  is a Eugene-based plumbing company that has chosen residential new homes as their niche. Water Tubes will be able to handle any service request for plumbing of volume home builds or custom new homes. By concentrating on a specific segment of the market, Water Tubes will be able to rapidly gain market share  demonstrating their proficiency and professionalism in serving a specific market niche. Water Tubes will leverage their competitive edges of professionalism and trim quality by properly training all of their employees and impress customers who are used to the lackadaisical attitude of most plumbers.Water Tubes will have a total of four employees and will reach profitability by month eight. Objectives The objectives for the first three years of operation include: To  develop a  company whose primary goal is to exceed customer's expectations. To increase sales so in four to five years Do n can hire another master plumber. To create a sustainable business, surviving off its own cash flow. Mission Water Tubes Plumbing's  mission is to provide the finest new house plumbing installation. We exist to attract and maintain customers. When we adhere to this maxim, everything else will fall into place.Our services will exceed the expectations of our customers. Keys to Success The keys to success are to provide the customer with a fair price and outstanding service. Materials Water systems of ancient times relied on gravity for the supply of water, using pipes or channels usually made of clay, lead, bamboo or stone. Present-day water-supply systems use a network of high-pressure pumps, and pipes are now made of copper, brass, plastic, or other nontoxic material. Present-day drain and vent lines are made of plastic, steel, cast-iron, and lead. Lead is not used in modern water-supply piping due to its toxicity.The ‘straight' sections of plumbing systems are of pipe or t ube. A pipe is typically formed via casting or welding, where a tube is made through extrusion. Pipe normally has thicker walls and may be threaded or welded, where tubing is thinner-walled and requires special joining techniques such as ‘brazing', ‘compression fitting', ‘crimping', or for plastics, ‘solvent welding'. Fittings and valves In addition to the straight pipe or tubing, many fittings are required in plumbing systems, such as valves, elbows, tees, and unions. The piping and plumbing fittings and valves articles discuss these features further. FixturesPlumbing fixtures are designed for the end-users. Some examples of fixtures include water closets (also known as toilets), urinals, bidets, showers, bathtubs, utility and kitchen sinks, drinking fountains, ice makers, humidifiers, air washers, fountains, and eye wash stations. Equipment Plumbing equipment, not present in all systems, include, for example, water meters, pumps, expansion tanks, backflow p reventers, filters, water softeners, water heaters, heat exchangers, gauges, and control systems. Now there is equipment that is technologically advanced and helps plumbers fix problems without the usual hassles.For example, plumbers use video cameras for inspections of hidden leaks or problems, they use hydro jets, and high pressure hydraulic pumps connected to steel cables for trench-less sewer line replacement. Systems Copper piping system in a building with in tumescent fire stop being installed by an insulator, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The major categories of plumbing systems or subsystems are: Potable cold and hot water supply Traps, drains, and vents Septic systems Rainwater, surface, and subsurface water drainage Fuel gas pipingFor their environmental benefit and sizable energy savings hot water heat recycling units are growing in use throughout the residential building sectors. Further ecological concern has seen increasing interest in grey-water recovery and tr eatment systems. Self-leveling silicone fire stop installation in mechanical service penetration in 2 hour rated concrete floor. Fire stopping is required where mechanical pent rants traverse fire-resistance rated wall and floor assemblies, or membranes thereof. This work is usually done worldwide by the insulation trade and/or specialty fire stop sub-contractors.Regulation Much of the plumbing work in populated areas is regulated by government or quasi-government agencies due to the direct impact on the public's health, safety, and welfare. Plumbing installation and repair work on residences and other buildings generally must be done according to plumbing and building codes to protect the inhabitants of the buildings and to ensure safe, quality construction to future buyers. If permits are required for work, plumbing contractors typically secure them from the authorities on behalf of home or building owners.In the United Kingdom the professional body is the newly Chartered Institut e of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (educational charity status) and it is true that the trade still remains virtually ungoverned; there are no systems in place to monitor or control the activities of unqualified plumbers or those home owners who choose to undertake installation and maintenance works themselves, despite the health and safety issues which arise from such works when they are undertaken incorrectly – see Health Aspects of Plumbing (HAP) published jointly by the World Health Organization(WHO) [8] and the World Plumbing Council (WPC) [6].WPC has subsequently appointed a representative to the World Health Organization to take forward various projects related to Health Aspects of Plumbing. Starting up a plumbing business Well, if you are starting your own business involving skilled workers working with pipes, tubing and plumbing fixtures for water systems and drainage, then you should know exactly where your plumber is. If you wish to launch your own plumbing busi ness, the first thing that you should decide on is what kind of plumbing business you wish to start: service-oriented or product-oriented.If you are a business entrepreneur and you want to start a product-oriented plumbing business, you basically act as a supplier of pipes and tubing paraphernalia. You can also sell tools and other equipments to supplement your plumbing supply business. On the other hand, a service-oriented plumbing business can go two ways: a plumbing and heating business, and a fix-‘er-upper. The former is a business arrangement where you set up the necessary components of plumbing, heating and drainage in any architectural structure. The latter, on the other hand, is the most common type of small business plumbing type.The fix-‘er-upper (from the term fix her up) is when a house owner calls up a plumber to fix a broken sink or a clogged toilet, etc. This kind of business can still be categorized further as contractor and small business plumbing. For p urposes of discussion in this article, we will detail what business entrepreneurs need to do in order to start a fix-‘er-upper plumbing business. Obviously, you would need a plumber for this trade, preferably a skilled plumber who can install and repair piping systems, plumbing fixtures and water heaters.If you are a contractor, you need to know where to find reliable and trustworthy plumbers. Try to hire ones that have the most experience and are able to do quick work with minimal supervision. If you have inexperienced workers, it would be best to apprentice them with your veteran plumbers on their first few runs. As a contractor, it is your duty to buy the equipments and tools your workers need, get them to your clients when called and bill your clients accordingly. The plumbing business is a lucrative trade, if and when your plumbers can get to a job on time.Starting a plumbing business like this entails registering your business, acquiring a plumbing business license and e ven maybe acquiring plumbing business software so that you can bill your clients immediately and precisely. Transportation is important. The other type of fix-‘er-upper plumbing business involves just you, provided of course that you are a plumber. As a micro-entrepreneur, you can start this business from home; you don’t even need a complicated business set up as long as you’ve got the skills and tools to do the job.A successful business of this sort still needs to be registered and licensed, so don’t overlook that. Your business success is actually dependent on two things: how well you do your job (that your clients will seek and refer your services often) and how well you advertise your trade. As a plumbing business owner, you know that your services will not have a running start unless people know that you are a plumber, and that your services are available. Plumbing business cards are essential.If you can’t afford these as of yet, putting up fly ers and home-made posters can do most of the advertising for you. However, nothing beats word-of-mouth advertising. So tell your friends and family members that you are starting a plumbing business and ask them to help refer you to potential clients. Know the local requirements In addition to understanding the general guidelines for setting up any small business, you must explore the specific professional, legal and regulatory guidelines that are required to set up and operate a plumbing business in your locality.Licensing Professional licensing and certification requirements must be obtained to start and operate a plumbing business. Each state may have a different name for its licensing agency, but typically they have a name like The Department of Business ; Professional Regulation or the Construction Industry Licensing Board. Seek assistance from local business development providers You can also seek guidance and assistance from organizations in your area such as the local chapter of score or a local Small Business Development Center. Seek assistance from trade groupsBefore setting up a plumbing contracting business, find out if there is a local chapter of a national trade association like the Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association (see link below) who can provide you with information about the requirements of setting up a plumbing business in your area. After being established, a membership in such organizations can provide you access to business and management training, along with professional development resources. Marketing a plumbing business It takes time and effort to grow any small business.As is the case with most service industries, plumbers tend to find most of their customers through word of mouth. The key to great word of mouth referrals is to provide great service at a reasonable cost to your current customers. Traditionally, telephone Yellow Page listings are important to developing business for residential repair and maintenance bus iness. Internet advertising, especially search advertising, is becoming more and more important to any professional service provider like plumbers. You need to know how to make sure that potential customers find your company's name when they search for a plumber in your vicinity.Franchise and cooperative marketing plumbing businesses Rather than create a totally new plumbing business, some plumbers consider buying a franchise of a national or regional franchise plumbing company. (Be sure to read the SmallBusiness. com Guide to Franchising for important suggestions and background on things you should explore when considering becoming a franchisee. ) In some locations, independent contractors may enter into joint marketing cooperatives that allow them to gain referrals and other marketing services in exchange for a recurring fee or commission. Plumbing Business PlanIf you are to open A Plumbing Business you will need to do a lot of things! We have no doubt that if you are to open A Pl umbing Business you will understand everything about the Plumbing Business but we can help you with a simple checklist of the things that every business has to do. Decide whether to buy an existing business, start a new business, or buy a franchise. Decide on the form of business: partnership, limited company, corporation or sole proprietorship. Estimate how much cash you will need to start your business advertising, fixtures, decorating, inventory, fees, working capital, etc. and estimate your monthly expenses.If the business will be incorporated you must decide where. If you will form a partnership, draft the partnership agreement. Check local laws in regard to zoning, permits, and licenses your business may require. Obtain a minute book, corporate seal, and stock certificates. Conduct a market analysis to determine the viability of your enterprise. Select and reserve a corporate name (first and second choices). Select officers and directors (names, addresses, and Social Security numbers). Develop marketing, advertising, and public relations plans. Develop a capitalization / borrowing / credit / debt service plan and cash flow plan ObjectivesThe objectives for the first three years of operation include: To  develop a  company whose primary goal is to exceed customer's expectations. To increase sales so in four to five years Don can hire another master plumber. To create a sustainable business, surviving off its own cash flow. Profitably carry out quality Hydraulic projects within Australia whilst:  · Producing workmanship in excess of our clients requirements.  · Completing projects earlier than the contracted completion dates.  · Ensuring the health and safety of employees and the general public.  · Minimising disturbance to and effects on the environment. Providing secure and satisfying employment for all employees. A sample of a company’s plumbing plan Company Summary Water Tubes Plumbing, soon to be located in Eugene, OR, will offer pl umbing services for residential new houses as well as custom new houses. The business will be based out of Don Roto's house. Water Tubes will have four employees by the end of the year. Start-up Summary Water Tubes will require the following equipment and materials: Two trucks (used) fitted with a pipe rack on top. Assorted pipes (different diameters and materials). Assorted fittings.A 30 gallon bucket to store fittings. Pipe wrenches. Reciprocating saw. Circular saw. Whole hog (high torque right angle drill). Cordless screw gun. Propane torch. Cast iron pipe cutter. Extension cords. Pipe dope (Teflon tape in paste form). Computer with CD-RW, printer, Microsoft Office, QuickBooks Pro. Desk, chair, and filling cabinet, and assorted stationary. Mobile phone. Please note that the items which are considered assets to be used for more than a year will be labeled long-term assets and will be depreciated using G. A. A. P. approved straight-line depreciation method.

Movie Before Sunset

Movie Before Sunset Urban planning is defined as the process of controlling the utilization of design and land of an urban development, with the aim of ensuring that communities and settlements in the urban areas are orderly developed. Urban planning is concerned with analysis and research, urban design, policy recommendations, strategic thinking, management and implementation of recommended policies. Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Movie Before Sunset specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The modern urban planning methods started to be used during mid-19th century, as a solution to the disorder experienced in the industrial cities. In addition, urban planning includes urban renewal, under which urban planning methods are adopted to an existing city that has been undergoing a fast decline. Paris is one of the cities that underwent the adoption of urban planning methods under the Haussman plan that was used to give modern day Paris its pres ent structure. Though Before Sunset is a romantic movie set in Paris in 2004, it can be used to analyze such aspects of urban planning as neighborhood gathering places, importance of open spaces for a big city, mixed use concept as well as urban density and elements for physical design. Neighborhood gathering places are places where people from the same neighborhood meet to connect and socialize. Places like tea or coffee shops, parks, town squares, outdoor spaces, bars, restaurants or public access buildings form major neighborhood gathering places. The fact that urban planning ensures orderly development of communities and settlements makes neighborhood gathering places very essential. This is because they are evidences of an orderly developed settlement, as they provide the people of one neighborhood with the chance to connect and socialize. Such places are represented in the movie by the cafà © and garden that Jesse and Celine visit during their time together. The sequence o f the movie might not have capitalized on the people in the cafà ©, as this sequence focused more on Jesse and Celine, but all the people in the cafà © were involved in a series of conversations and most of them seemed to know each other. This clearly happens between people from the same neighborhood and if more investigations were made on the crowd in the cafà ©, evidence would have been collected to show that most were from the same neighborhood. Advertising Looking for essay on art and design? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In many cases, people strolling in a garden come from the neighborhood in which the garden is situated. For this reason, the garden through which Jesse and Celine passed can be identified as a neighborhood gathering place. Proper urban planning puts open places into consideration when designing a big city. Such open spaces include parks and rivers, which are important because they improve t he overall urban life quality, strengthen the community, form an urban oasis, enhance recreation and health, promote relaxation and reduce stress, enhance property values, ensure ecological conservation and promotes creativity. In Before Sunset, the open spaces are represented by the garden and The Seine that forms the major places that Jesse and Celine visited during the short period they spent together in Paris. Many properties and companies are located along the Seine. This is because the properties and companies located along the open spaces are know to be of a higher value as compared to their counterparts that are situate in other areas. Recreational and commercial boats are used in negotiating the river, which increases the value of the properties along it. Essentially, the recreation boats are utilized by most people to promote relaxation and relieve stress as well as enhance health and recreation. Many creative artistic expressions can be found in the garden that Jesse a nd Celine passed through and hence it is used for promoting creativity. In addition it is used for ecological conservation. Mixed-use development forms a fundamental aspect of urban planning that ensures the utilization of a set of buildings, neighborhood or building for many uses. In many Paris boulevards, commercial activities, jobs and housing are located in close proximity, with the aim of increasing the transportation options. Additionally, such developments increase property values as they are located in urban areas or new town centers. Le Corbusier is a modern architect who was an advocate of the Syndicalist Movement that proposed the mixed-use developments of such areas in Paris as Ville Contemporaine, Ville Radieuse and Plan Voison. Some scenes of Before Sunset are shot in street that have the same plans as those proposed for Ville Contemporaine, Ville Radieuse and Plan Voison by Le Corbusier. Though these scenes capitalize on the conversation between Celine and Jesse, the major characteristics of Mixed-use developments can be witnessed in such streets. Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Movie Before Sunset specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Some of these streets have a combination of commercial, office, industrial, residential as well as other land uses. Additionally some of the streets seen by Celine and Jesses as they negotiate the Seine in a recreational boat have the same characteristic of the Mixed-use developments. These therefore form a major aspect of urban planning in the movie. Urban density as utilized in urban planning and design refers to the number of people living in a give urban area. This term is used to help people understand how cities work. In many cases, urban density is measured using Floor area ratio, Residential density, population density, employment density, gross density, net density, and weighted density. In many cases, urban density is utilized as a major e lement of the physical design of a city. The main difference between Paris and Los Angeles is their physical design that is dependent on their urban density. The urban density of Paris is less as compared to that of New York. This is the reason why New York is characterized by greater road congestions, higher air pollution and more expensive real estate as compared to Paris. As Celine and Jesse walk in the street, their conversation spans through many subjects that span over the major differences between New York and Paris. Such conversations make the main basis for differentiating between the urban density of Paris and New York. Essentially, this conversation and the evidence collected as they walk through the streets ascertain the reason why the urban planning and design of Paris is as it is. This is because it is dependent on urban density. Before Sunset is a movie that has been reviewed from different aspects, but no reviews have never been made based on urban planning. In thi s case, urban planning forms the basis of this review and it is defined as the process of controlling the utilization of design and land of an urban development with the aim of ensuring that communities and settlements in the urban areas are orderly developed. Neighborhood gathering places, importance of open spaces for a big city, mixed use concept as well as urban density and elements for physical design, are the main aspects utilized to analyze urban planning in the movie. The cafà © and garden that Jesse and Celine visit form the neighborhood gathering places in the movie. The importance of spaces for a big city is brought out by the Seine and garden visited by Celine and Jesse. Advertising Looking for essay on art and design? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The streets that Celine and Jesse traverse bring out the Mixed-use concept in the movie and the conversations between Celine and Jesse bring out the aspect of Urban Density and elements of physical design. In conclusion, though Before Sunset is a romantic movie set in Paris in 2004, it can be used to analyze such aspects of urban planning as neighborhood gathering places, importance of open spaces for a big city, mixed use concept as well as urban density and elements for physical design.

Ever Since and Every Sense of the Word

Ever Since and Every Sense of the Word Ever Since and Every Sense of the Word Ever Since and Every Sense of the Word By Maeve Maddox Many misspellings are the result of mispronunciation. The first time I saw the expression â€Å"ever since† written as â€Å"ever sense,† I assumed that it had been written by the speaker of a regional dialect. For example, where I live, it’s often impossible to tell if someone is asking to borrow a pen or a pin. Since is an adverb. The expression â€Å"ever since† means, â€Å"from that time until now.† For example, â€Å"He was elected in 1983 and has served in the Senate ever since.† Sense is used as both noun and verb: The sense of sight is perhaps the most treasured of the five senses. (noun) Do you sense the excitement in the room? (verb) When I started searching the Web for examples of the â€Å"ever sense† error, I was surprised to find them all over the map. Of course, there’s no way to tell if a writer grew up in the American South, but I did find examples of sense for since on sites originating outside the South–in Utah, Michigan, and even in the United Kingdom. And not just on blogs or in forums, but on professional sites as well. Here are some of my gleanings: Ever sense the update, my iPhone 4S will randomly shut off at least once a day. Let’s assume for the sake of argument that this was the only bad thing [he’s] ever done in his life and he’s behaved perfectly ever sense. Ever sense the Maryland Senate elections, I’ve wondered He started mock elections in Payson and has been doing it ever sense. They have been talking about term limits ever sense term limits was made [a] word about 100 years ago. The resultant settlement has commanded broad consensual support ever sense. This example from a site offering research papers for sale uses the word since correctly in the same sentence as the error: .has been present since the 1950s and has only been growing ever sense. In the course of tracking this misuse of sense in the expression â€Å"ever since,† I encountered numerous examples of the misuse of ever in the idiom â€Å"in every sense of the word.† In â€Å"every sense of the word,† every is an adjective describing the noun sense. â€Å"In every sense of the word† means â€Å"in all the ways this word may be defined.† Ever is an adverb. The phrase â€Å"ever sense of the word† is meaningless, but that doesn’t stop it from being widely used: A real Palace in ever sense of the word Excellent in ever sense of the word! [The game] Ihan Crystal is flawed, in ever sense of the word. 2012 was a disaster in ever sense of the word. I mean big in ever sense of the word you can come up with. I am an optimist in ever sense of the word. Like the Elephant’s Child, I’m a little warm (in every sense of the word), but not at all astonished. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Expressions category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Masters Degree or Master's Degree?26 Feels of Insufficient Hyphenation

Business Performance Measurement Using Balanced Scorecard Critical Review Accounting Essay

The outlooks of directors are high, and this explains why academic and managerial involvement in this direction tool is on the addition. This paper critically examines plants or research done by outstanding writers on this topic to see the verve of Balanced Scorecard as a concern public presentation measuring tool in modern economic system. Literatures on Balanced Scorecard are on the rise as its methodological analysis become popular among top concerns. Gumbus and Lussier ( 2006 ) in their work, examined Balanced Scorecard and its characteristics ( ) , and why little medium concerns are recommended to utilize it as a metric for concern public presentation. Their surveies came at the clip when Balanced Scorecard is non been widely adopted by SME but by the large companies as a public presentation measuring method. Braam and Nijssen ( 2008 ) discuss factors impacting Balanced Scorecard acceptance and the two cardinal constructs of Balanced Scorecard use in recent clip: as a public presentation measuring system ( PMS ) and as a strategic direction system ( SMS ) . [ 4 ] carried out researches to look into if the Balanced Scorecard add values to companies that adopt it and how it does contributes to the public presentation of an organisation. [ 5 ] examines a outstanding characteristic of Balanced Scorecard cause and conse quence relationship and if Balanced Scorecard can associate operational prosodies with scheme which can be understood and influenced by directors as a valid strategic direction tool. [ 7 ] took a practical attack in discoursing ways that Balanced Scorecard can be used by undertaking directors to step and better the operational public presentation of their squad and besides clarifies aims and concern scheme. These literature discuses extensively on public presentation measuring with Balanced Scorecard cutting across assorted use and industries every bit good as farther elaborated in the advancement of this paper. Most surveies focus on large companies the scarceness of surveies associating to Balanced Scorecard been used in SME for concern scheme motivated [ 1 ] to ship on shutting this spread. They used a instance survey methodological analysis attack on three little concern endeavors. Research was conducted through personal interviews with executives at Hyde Park Electronics, Futura Industries, and Southern Gardens Citrus ( SGC ) . [ 1 ] examine each of the SME to place how of their concern scheme and public presentation aligns with the Balanced Scorecard features both in the short footings and long term. Financial metric, as indicated in their survey, is sale from new merchandise accounting for high net income of the organisation. The Operational Quality was identified to same-day bringing, bringing within five yearss, and on-time bringing. Customer Satisfaction metric was detected to be indicated by increased gross revenues and increased income that would ensue from merchandise credence a nd the coevals of repetition clients. Learning and Growth metric see the induction of employee public assistance plans such as benefits, net income sharing, preparation, and employee communicating and employee activities. By the above findings, [ 1 ] farther cited that about half of the large corporations in recent times has improved public presentation with the usage of Balanced Scorecard as operational and strategic measuring. The instance surveies affecting the SMEs rhenium seen to besides profit from utilizing this direction tool. [ 1 ] The consequences of the instance surveies of Hyde Park Electronics, Futura Industries, and SGC support the anterior literature from big companies. The consequences once more indicated that enterprisers can excessively profit from developing and utilizing a BSC. The benefit or value gotten from utilizing BSC was investigated by [ 4 ] , and in their survey, two research hypotheses were developed: how much does the Balanced Scorecard create value and secondly, how does the Balanced Scorecard create value? For the first inquiry [ 4 ] adopted the usage of Activity-Based Cost Management ( ABCM ) model, in comparing to BSC effectivity in happening how organizational ends aligns to people ‘s public presentation. The 2nd inquiries saw the usage of the Strategy-Focused-Organisation ( SFO ) to research the beginnings of possible value created by BSC. The methodological analysis used was quantitative in nature and an empirical study and analysis of informations collected from EU companies that have used BSC. In their findings, [ 4 ] argued that value is so been added to companies by the usage of BSC. They indicated that the public presentation of an organisation comes chiefly from what it does during scheme interlingual rendition, its consistence in act uponing managerial patterns, and its function in resources alignment to strategic aims i.e. from the agencies to the terminal. The surveies of [ 4 ] hinted the construct of following BSC for PMS every bit good as SMS. Thus, [ 2 ] , in their research differentiate these lifting constructs of Balanced Scorecard ( public presentation measuring system ( PMS ) and strategic direction system ( SMS ) ) , and factors impacting their acceptances by companies as shown the survey done by [ 2 ] . Hypothesiss were developed to steer and develop their methodological analysis which involves quantitative attack. Data aggregation was done by questionnaires sent to 40 Dutch houses gotten from database of companies which had responded to a benchmark study for best patterns in direction control and public presentation measuring in the four areas/domains of involvement of the Balanced Scorecard. [ 2 ] indicated in their findings that the acceptance of both types of Balanced Scorecard benefits from top direction engagement. Consequences besides show that utilizing Balanced Scorecard as PMS will profit from the support of the admi nistration ‘s finance section. They besides cited that Balanced Scorecard as PMS accent on an inclusive measurings of both fiscal and non-financial values which gives valuable image of the company ‘s place in the market. However, public presentation metric indexs cut across the cardinal characteristics of BSC itself, as such [ 5 ] in their survey analysed the cardinal premises of BSC and the relationships among the four countries of measuring suggested ( the fiscal, client, internal-business-process and learning and growing positions ) and its consequence on scheme and public presentation of an organisation. Research inquiry to steer their survey was besides raised: is there a causal relationship between the countries of measuring suggested? The methodological analysis that was used is analytic because, as argued, increases preciseness and lucidity degree in understanding the BSC construct and theoretical account. Past and present literatures were widely analysed. [ 5 ] one cardinal findings indicated that companies ‘ do non necessitate to see priori concern scheme before planing a coherent set of public presentation measurings reasoning that the design of public presentation indexs can work as a accelerator for scheme preparation. The preparation of scheme entails the development of undertakings to transform them into operational aims. This is further discussed by [ 6 ] in their survey. They used the BSC methodological analysis in their survey to develop, trial, and use a strategic measuring system, specifically for undertakings. The attack adopted was a comparing and study of two undertakings monitored by the writers and undertaken by undertaking squad. Their consequence indicated that BSC plays important function in bettering undertaking direction effectivity. They besides argue or indicated that balanced public presentation measuring is an of import technique for set uping on-strategy undertaking bringing The above surveies further give more penetration on the construct of BSC as a public presentation measuring tool that is best used in exciting thought of comparative steps in the critical success factors of any concern. Thus, organizational public presentation sees an addition when, as the chief tool, BSC is used to interpret the scheme of the house. In this respect, BSC contributes positively [ 4 ] [ 6 ] . However, the acceptance of BSC in an organisation depends to a great extent on the degree of top direction and product-market kineticss every bit good as the finance section. If a company is in a competitory market, client satisfaction and fiscal values are of extreme importance to exceed direction and finance section. These public presentation prosodies influence the preparation of scheme and therefore the acceptance of BSC particularly as public presentation measuring system [ 2 ] . However, the support of top direction and the employees ‘ deduction do non look to be requi rement conditions to do the successful development of a BSC [ 4 ] . The influence of BSC on departmental units and internal administrations within the house can be detected in undertaking squads. The BSC clarify and improves strategic step and connexions thereby bettering internal public presentation in traditional deliverables. It is importance to observe that at that place does non be one BSC that matches all administrations but BSC development is team-based [ 1 ] [ 6 ] . Furthermore, as indicated by [ 6 ] , companies ‘ operational aims in undertakings become a direction success as internal sections are exposed to run of strategic-performance indictor which clarifies and proctors project vision and ends. [ 4 ] Surveies indicated that despite the broad acceptance of BSC in recent times, the methodological analysis is non free from defects. Kaplan and Norton describe the relationship among the characteristic of BSC as causal ( cause and consequence ) , i.e. one metric taking to another, and a dependence relationship. This nevertheless, an issue as for case, the satisfaction of clients does non basically give good fiscal consequences hence the relationship is a logical and non causal one as it is inherit in the BSC construct. This portends that the premises made by BSC possibly invalid taking to the expectancy of public presentation indexs which are faulty, ensuing in sub-optimal public presentation [ 5 ] The reviewed surveies are non without restrictions as hinted by the writers. The research by [ 1 ] is marked with a restriction in instance survey attack as at that place does non be any survey on BSC been used by little concern at the clip of the survey. Furthermore, the plausibleness of findings did non protect against the research restrictions in the survey done by [ 2 ] . The generalizability of the findings was edged by a restriction in the sample size, the respondents ‘ chiefly fiscal background, and the usage of cross sectional informations to look into the degree of acceptance of both BSC types at the same time. [ 4 ] besides highlighted that measuring or mensurating the public presentation of an organisation is a difficult scientific discipline. Again, in their survey, sample houses did n’t hold unvarying execution of the BSC construct. One restriction of this paper is that it is analytic which is based on researching surveies and researches associating to BSC. Trusting on these beginnings can, nevertheless, non be deem insightful as an empirical survey. Further research is necessary and should be expanded on about all concern service sectors on how BSC is used to aline concerns to capital budgeting processing. Larger sample size should be used every bit good as extra factors, for case consideration of institutional motives for BSC acceptance. The influence of BSC on the internal relationship between sections and undertaking squads should besides be researched. Decision The balanced scorecard is a tool which methodically expands the measuring zones traditionally involved in accounting. Its cardinal end is to cut down the issues associated with the usage of fiscal steps for control intents by infixing non-financial measurings in a strategic control model [ 5 ] . The connexion between concern scheme and aims utilizing BSC creates an apprehension of public presentation measuring and metric that guides the co-ordinated and careful action of directors. Surveies analysed in this paper show that the BSC creates and adds value to organisations that adopt it and promotes more reliable communicating effectual plenty for direction decision-making. Therefore while the adopting of BSC is on the rise by more concerns, this paper analytically shows the positive part of BSC to the public presentation of an administration with an increasing organic structure of cogent evidence. [ 1 ] Gumbus, Andra. A ; Lussier, Robert N. ( 2006 ) . Entrepreneurs Use a Balanced Scorecard to Translate Strategy into Performance Measures. Journal of Small Business Management, 44 ( 3 ) : 407-425. [ 5 ] Norreklit, H. ( 2000 ) , â€Å" The Balance on the Balanced Scorecard-A Critical Analysis of Some of its Assumptions † , Management Accounting Research, 11 ( 1 ) pp. 65-88.

Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 15

Ethics - Essay Example The modern times have however shown that there is no place for descriptive-normative gaps for the explanation of ethical naturalism and that this ethical naturalism has become a â€Å"naturalistic fallacy† far from the post modern notions of blatant relativism.Therefore I would agree with the proposition that there has been a necessary shift from Modernity to Post-Modern, towards a knowledge based ethical discourse. To illustrate my argument I would like to base my argument pertaining to the post modern shift in ethical notions upon an example of the emerging notion of â€Å"expert professionalism† in sociological terms. Take the example of modern professional ethics. Steven Brint (1994), a sociologist, has referred to the notion of professionalism and ethics as â€Å"social trustee professionalism,† which banks on the notions of the professionals being aware of their social contract with the larger society. For Brint (1994) the conclusion is that the past decades have seen â€Å"a key historical change† in a transition from what was initially â€Å"social trustee professionalism† to what is the modern day â€Å"expert professionalism†. This view is shared by Sullivan (2004:28) who has termed this transition in professionalism as the loss of â€Å"the ethical-social values of professional identity†. Thus to add to Brint’s analysis Sullivan (2004:32) has also spoken of the need to have the professional education â€Å"restructured in ways that suffuse technical competence with civic awareness and purpose†. Therefore what has replaced the social trustee professionalism is an audit culture. According to Pels [(2000:148) as cited by Fertig (2003)] this audit culture is â€Å"...the shift, in anthropological ethics, from professionalism to audit [being] yet another instance of the swing of the liberal pendulum from a romantic primacy of the ethical to a utilitarian primacy of the economic†. This dichotomy has been further classified by Stronach et al

Discussion Question 2 Week 5 Chapter 8 Assignment

Discussion Question 2 Week 5 Chapter 8 - Assignment Example Therefore, employers who have a high turnover rate usually incur severe looses as compared to those who have low turnovers in the same industry. In most cases, high turnover rates are influenced by low compensation rates and pitiable work conditions. This asserts that if a company has a low turnover rate, the employees are fully satisfied with the working conditions in the company. Turnover can either be voluntarily or involuntarily (Mondy, 2011). Therefore, as a human resource manager, I can reduce involuntary turnover rate by examining the compensation provided to employees. This includes wages and some of the benefits offered to employees. In addition, I can also create a system which recognizes the hard working employees in the firm in order to enhance the performance of the organization. Moreover, I can also suggest that the organization should hold regular meetings regarding the general performance of the company. This will enable the company to achieve its objectives (Mondy, 2011). Employee motivation is described as the creativity which is applied by employees in their respective job specialization. In most organizations, employee motivation is viewed as one of the most efficient methods, which ensures that the performance of the employees and the company is maintained. Most organizations incorporate employee reward programs. These programs do not involve the wages and benefits of the employee. For example, the human resource manager can award credential points to employees who exceed their goals in their department. These programs significantly promote productivity in the organization. Furthermore, the company can also provide incentives for employees who complete their tasks without delays and correctly. This will ensure that the rate of absentees and labor turnover in the organization is decreased significantly (Mondy,

America History19th Paper 1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

America History19th Paper 1 - Essay Example While Smith’s religion has more of a substantial legacy, it was Prophet Matthias that made the headlines. The cult or ‘Kingdom of Matthias† the ideals of sexuality in the early 19th century. Historically the United States had a strong base in the freedom of religion and Protestantism. It was during the 1820s that smaller groups began to separate from the traditional and entered into the heretical. The Finneyites began great revivals that upended many of the long established customs regarding sexuality, religion, and politics. Theses followers shunned traditional Calvinist beliefs and strove to create an atmosphere that was governed by each individual versus a pre-ordained destiny.(23) It was not because of their beliefs, but the members of the movement that upset many. These were the middle and upper class citizens with aversion for many of the traditional beliefs. These men and women believed in abolishing many of the patriarchal beliefs and lifestyles that many Americans were living. When many started to protest against the Finneyites way of living, Prophet Matthias saw his chance. For many of the established branches, the woman’s place was in the home as a faithful servant to her husband and children. Not one to speak out or cause a stir, women were to bide by their husbands command and lead a spiritual life. It was during this time that some small groups of women started to stand up against the patriarchal beliefs and start to pursue their own religious opportunities. One such woman was Isabella van Wagenen, a servant who moved to Bowery Hill with who was James Latourette’s servant. Ms. Wagenen had been a slave and believed to have spoken with God since childhood.(53) When invited to the Bowery Hill Asylum created by Elijah and Sarah Pierson by two fellow women, she joined only to refuse the teachings. Oddly she decided to stay on with the Piersons and acted as an at will housekeeper. Women during this

European Works Council Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

European Works Council - Essay Example However its main function is to consult and inform the employees about the organizational change. Also it has high resemblance with the way multinational companies manages their ethical standards. Table of Contents Introduction 4 Discussion 4 Conclusion 6 References 7 Introduction A work council is also a form of organization that represents the employees of several organizations. The principal function of a work council is to look after the welfare of the employees. A work council exists in several forms and names. Especially in European countries like Austria, Britain, German, Netherlands, Luxemburg, and Spain work councils have strong presence. However the most commonly used implementations of such bodies took place in Germany. In this German model, labour agreements were made by the union and employer association at the national level, local firms and plants. The councils mainly meet with the employees for the purpose of adjusting local agreements and local circumstances. There i s a representation from the member countries to the works councils. In general the members of work councils get elected for a period of four years. There are a number of works councils are present in Europe. Some of them are ABN-Amro European Staff Council, ACNielsen European Works Council, Abbott European Employee Forum, Cadbury Schweppes Confectionery Stream Eur.Empl.Inf.& Cons.Forum, Aer Lingus European Central Representative Council, Arkema European Works Council - negotiations ongoing, Bord na Mona European Forum for Information and Consultation, Agco Corporation European Works Council and Alcatel-Lucent European Committee for Information and Dialogue among many others (Ewcdb, n.d.). However European Works Councils (EWS) is one of the more noteworthy works councils of the European Union. Towards the unprecedented growth of European Works Councils information technology played a crucial role (Whittall, Knudsen and Huijgen, 2009, pp.167-185). The implementation of the dictate on the formation of European Works Councils in order to notify the employees about the organizational decisions can be portrayed as one of the significant decision of European Union in the field of social policy. It has also opened the pathway towards the materialization of EU level and transnational industrial relations. There were political barriers for more than twenty years on the workers participation in MNCs. However it changed with the inception of European Workers Council directive. With its inception the idea of harmonization departed, and it moved towards the Dutch model of employee participation (Muller and Platzer, 2003, p.58). Discussion What are European Works Councils? European Works Councils are the bodies that represent the European employees of an organization. With the help of European Works Council employees are consulted and informed by the management of an organization. The communications and consultations are basically for the purpose of important business decisi ons that can impact the working conditions of the employees. European Works Councils play a very important role regarding the industrial relations in Europe. It represented the first legitimately European institution at the enterprise level. During the mid half of 1994 a directive regarding the formation of European Works Councils (EWC) was passed by the Council of the European Union. European works councils also plays an important role in

Defenations and examples Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Defenations and examples - Assignment Example They are sources of energy mainly derived from living components from a previous geological field .Fossil fuels include: petroleum, natural gas and coal (Curley, 2012). Overtime petroleum reserves have been over utilized. Consequently, there is an inevitable decline in oil reserves,which could result in serious economic problems. For example The united states of America faces a huge decline in the energy supplies in the next twenty years which will threaten the economic stability of the country. The energy sector is critical in all countries since it affects other sectors such as the agriculture and transport sector. In developing countries such as Nigeria and southern Sudan there has been constant conflicts in human rights violation due to the presence of oil reserves. Domestic Technology ensures that the human population live comfortably.It takes the form of home appliances which include computers, cars washing machines,power generators,and telephones.Consequently, people refer to technology as a tool that empowers people.For instance cars can be used to travel from one place to another. Telephones on the other hand can be used to facilitate communication, making the world a global village. However, it is important to note that some of these components can be used to commit crimes and facilitate unethical behaviors in the society. Distributive justice focuses on the fair allocation of services among the society members. Moreover, it advocates for the equal distribution of available resources to all people (Armstrong, 2012) . In developing countries, many people survive on less than a dollar a day. This clearly indicates the inequalities affecting many people around the world. Therefore, it is the mandate of the government to invest in infrastructural projects to ensure that the living standards of the people improve significantly. Lastly, there is a need for increased trading and a free

America History19th Paper 1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

America History19th Paper 1 - Essay Example While Smith’s religion has more of a substantial legacy, it was Prophet Matthias that made the headlines. The cult or ‘Kingdom of Matthias† the ideals of sexuality in the early 19th century. Historically the United States had a strong base in the freedom of religion and Protestantism. It was during the 1820s that smaller groups began to separate from the traditional and entered into the heretical. The Finneyites began great revivals that upended many of the long established customs regarding sexuality, religion, and politics. Theses followers shunned traditional Calvinist beliefs and strove to create an atmosphere that was governed by each individual versus a pre-ordained destiny.(23) It was not because of their beliefs, but the members of the movement that upset many. These were the middle and upper class citizens with aversion for many of the traditional beliefs. These men and women believed in abolishing many of the patriarchal beliefs and lifestyles that many Americans were living. When many started to protest against the Finneyites way of living, Prophet Matthias saw his chance. For many of the established branches, the woman’s place was in the home as a faithful servant to her husband and children. Not one to speak out or cause a stir, women were to bide by their husbands command and lead a spiritual life. It was during this time that some small groups of women started to stand up against the patriarchal beliefs and start to pursue their own religious opportunities. One such woman was Isabella van Wagenen, a servant who moved to Bowery Hill with who was James Latourette’s servant. Ms. Wagenen had been a slave and believed to have spoken with God since childhood.(53) When invited to the Bowery Hill Asylum created by Elijah and Sarah Pierson by two fellow women, she joined only to refuse the teachings. Oddly she decided to stay on with the Piersons and acted as an at will housekeeper. Women during this

Defenations and examples Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Defenations and examples - Assignment Example They are sources of energy mainly derived from living components from a previous geological field .Fossil fuels include: petroleum, natural gas and coal (Curley, 2012). Overtime petroleum reserves have been over utilized. Consequently, there is an inevitable decline in oil reserves,which could result in serious economic problems. For example The united states of America faces a huge decline in the energy supplies in the next twenty years which will threaten the economic stability of the country. The energy sector is critical in all countries since it affects other sectors such as the agriculture and transport sector. In developing countries such as Nigeria and southern Sudan there has been constant conflicts in human rights violation due to the presence of oil reserves. Domestic Technology ensures that the human population live comfortably.It takes the form of home appliances which include computers, cars washing machines,power generators,and telephones.Consequently, people refer to technology as a tool that empowers people.For instance cars can be used to travel from one place to another. Telephones on the other hand can be used to facilitate communication, making the world a global village. However, it is important to note that some of these components can be used to commit crimes and facilitate unethical behaviors in the society. Distributive justice focuses on the fair allocation of services among the society members. Moreover, it advocates for the equal distribution of available resources to all people (Armstrong, 2012) . In developing countries, many people survive on less than a dollar a day. This clearly indicates the inequalities affecting many people around the world. Therefore, it is the mandate of the government to invest in infrastructural projects to ensure that the living standards of the people improve significantly. Lastly, there is a need for increased trading and a free