Foundation Broad Cost Leader Essay

This practice exercise will help you understand the relationships between business strategy, tactics, functional alignment, and the Foundation ® simulation. We will use the Chester Company for this example. (During the practice rounds, each company is assigned a different strategy.) You will execute your plan by inputting the decisions described below. At the same time, your competitors will execute their assigned plans. The practice exercise will take three rounds As each round is processed, you will evaluate the results and then input the next round’s assigned decisions. Upon completion of the practice rounds, the simulation will be reset to the beginning. You can then create and implement your own strategic plan for the actual competition. Executive Summary The Chester team will adopt a Broad Cost Leader strategy, maintaining a presence in both segments. We will gain a competitive advantage by keeping R&D costs, production costs, and raw material costs to a minimum, enabling us to compete on the basis of price. Our Cost Leader orientation will allow us gain a competitive advantage based upon low prices. We will increase automation levels to improve our margins and to make it acceptable to run overtime (which we can also view as a second shift). Vision Statement Low priced products for the industry: Chester brands offer solid value. Our primary stakeholders are bondholders, customers, stockholders and management. Research and Development (R&D) We will keep our existing product line and launch one new product in order to maintain a presence in both the Low Tech and High Tech segments. We will work to keep our products up to date (i.e. Size and Performance) in each segment despite high automation levels. Marketing We will maintain awareness and accessibility. After we establish our cost leadership position we will revisit our situation to decide whether sales and promotion budgets should be reduced or if we should keep pace with our competitors. Our prices will be lower than average. Production We will significantly increase automation levels on all products. However, because automation sets limits upon our ability to reposition products with R&D, we automate more in the slower moving Low Tech segment than in the fast moving High Tech segment. We will prefer overtime to capacity expansions. Finance We will finance our investments primarily through long-term bond issues, supplementing with stock offerings on an as needed basis. When our cash position allows, we will establish a dividend policy and begin to retire stock. We are not adverse to leverage, and expect to keep debt/equity between 2.0 and 3.0. PRACTICE ROUND 1 Follow the decisions below. After the practice rounds are complete and the competition rounds begin, you are free to choose a different strategy; you are not obligated to continue as a Broad Cost Leader. R & D Round 1 Cake – Reduce reliability (MTBF) to reduce material cost. Example: Reduce MTBF from 21000 to 18000. Do not reduce MTBF below 17000 hours, because that is the lower limit of acceptable reliability (MTBF) for High Tech customers. New Product – Launch a new High Tech product, with a project length less than 2 years (no later than December of next year). Example: Name: Cedar (replace the first NA in the list), performance 9.0, size 11.0 and a reliability (MTBF) 20000. 1 Important: Under the rules of the simulation, the names of all new products must have the same first letter as the name of the company. Important: With the exception of the new product, make certain that the projects complete during this year before December 31st. Under the rules, a new project can only begin on January 1st. If these projects do not complete before the end of this year, you cannot begin follow-up projects next year. Perceptual Map from the Research & Development Spreadsheet: Product names in black indicate the product’s current location, names in magenta indicate the product’s revised position (with slight revisions, the names will overlap). Names of newly invented products appear in magenta. Marketing Round 1 Cake – Make moderate price cuts and decrease promotion and sales budgets. Forecast unit sales near last year’s level. Example: Price $33.50, promotion budget $800, sales budget $800. Forecast sales of 1300 units. New Product – Marketing decisions will be made next year when the new product is ready to begin production. Production Round 1 Production schedules will plan for eight weeks of inventory. That is, have enough inventory on hand to meet demand eight weeks beyond the sales forecast. This requires a 15% inventory cushion (8/52 = 0.15). For example, suppose Marketing forecasts demand at 1000, and you have 100 units in inventory. You want 1000 x 115% = 1150 available for sale. Since you have 100 on hand, you would schedule 1050 for production. If you cannot meet demand, sales go to competitors. Therefore, you want to plan for the upside as well as the downside. Your proforma balance sheet will forecast about eight weeks of inventory. You hope that your actual sales will fall between your sales forecast and the number of units available for sale. Schedule production for your existing product using this formula: (Unit Sales Forecast X 1.15) – Inventory On Hand. Cake – Increase automation level by 1.0 point. New Product – Buy 300,000 units of capacity by entering 300 in the Buy Sell Capacity cell. Set an automation level of 3.0. Important: There is a one year lag between purchase and use of new capacity and automation for both new and existing products. 2 Important: Make certain the Cake project completes during this year, before December 31st. Under the rules, a new project can only begin on January 1st. If a project does not complete before the end of this year, you cannot begin follow-up project next year. Finance Round 1 Your fiscal policies should maintain adequate working capital reserves to avoid a liquidity crisis. Working capital can be thought of as the money that you need to operate day-to-day. In Foundation ® working capital is current assets (cash + accounts receivable + inventory) – current liabilities (accounts payable + current debt). If you run out of cash because your sales are unexpectedly weak, an Emergency Loan will be issued. Here are some guidelines to help you avoid an Emergency Loan. Your proforma balance sheet predicts your financial condition at the end of this year. Make conservative sales forecasts. Do not rely on the computer prediction. Override it with a forecast of your own. If you are conservative, it is unlikely that your worst expectations will be exceeded. Next, build additional inventory beyond your conservative expectations. This forces your proforma balance sheet to predict a future where your sales forecast comes true and you are left with inventory. (If you sell the inventory, that’s wonderful.) On the Finance spreadsheet, issue stock, bonds or current debt until the December 31 Cash Position for the upcoming year equals at least five percent of your assets, as displayed on the proforma balance sheet. This creates an additional reserve for those times when your worst expectations are exceeded and disaster strikes. As you gain experience with managing your working capital, you will observe that the guidelines above make you somewhat â€Å"liquid,† and you may wish to tighten your policy by reducing cash and inventory projections. That is fine. The better your marketing forecasts, the less working capital you will require. Match your plant investment with a long-term bond. If you do not have sufficient new bond debt capacity, issue stock to cover the shortfall. Do not pay a dividend. Save decisions (select â€Å"directly to the website†). PRACTICE ROUND 2 R & D Round 2 Cake – Improve positioning and reduce age. Reduce reliability (MTBF) to reduce material cost. Example: Increase Cake’s performance to 6.7, reduce size by 13.0, and reduce MTBF to 17000. New Product – Note that the new product’s row is yellow instead of green, and that you cannot change these cells. This is because your product will not emerge from R&D until its current project completes. Under the rules of the simulation, new R&D projects cannot begin until the old one completes. 3 Marketing Round 2 Cake – Offer a price cut to $32.50. Hold promotion and sales budgets near current levels. Cake will still sell to both Low Tech and High Tech customers. Enter a forecast of 1100. New Product – Price at $44.00, Promotion at $1000, Sales at $1000. Since Cedar won’t be ready to enter production until well into this year, so enter 200 for sales forecast. Production Round 2 Schedule production using the formula: (Unit Sales Forecast X 1.15) – Inventory On Hand Important: As your new product is coming out sometime during the year, you might not be able to use the above formula – new products cannot begin production prior to their revision (release) date. Should the number you enter into the production schedule turn red, reduce the schedule until the red number turns black. Cake – Increase automation by 1.0 or 2.0 points. New Product – Increase automation level, but only by 1.0 points. We will want to begin repositioning it next year in order to keep it fresh for High Tech customers. The higher the automation rating, the more difficult it is to reposition. We must strike a balance between our cost pressure requirements vs. our need to reposition often. FINANCE ROUND 2 Match your plant investment with a long term debt (bond). If you do not have sufficient new bond debt capacity, issue stock to cover the shortfall. Look at the proforma balance sheet, and add together your Cash and Inventory accounts. Apply the following rule of thumb. Keep between 15% and 20% of your balance sheet assets in Cash plus Inventory. You do not care about the mix, but you do want to have adequate reserves to cover unexpected swings in inventory.

Agrippina the Younger Essay

Agrippina the Younger, the wife of Claudius and mother of Nero, was one of the most famous women in Roman history and one of the greatest influences on Nero’s reign. She was an intelligent woman that was willing to do anything to help her son, Nero, inherit the throne. However, Nero thought that she was too powerful during his reign that he was the one to plan her death in 59 CE. Agrippina was born in Ara Ubiorum, Rome on November 6, 15 CE. Her parents, Agrippina the Elder and Germanicus Julius Caesar, were both grandchildren of Augustus. Agrippina had many other siblings. When she was thirteen, the emperor Tiberius arranged her marriage to Gnaeus Germanicus Ahenobarbus, which occurred in 28. The following year, her mother and her oldest brother were arrested and exiled for plotting against Tiberius. Afterwards, both her mother and brother passed away. In 37, Agrippina gave birth to Lucius Domitius, who was also known as Nero. Then, Gaius Caligula, her brother, became the emperor. He made Agrippina along with two other sisters honorary Vestal Virgins. He raised their status by adding their names to the annual oaths of allegiance to the emperor. Caligula accused Agrippina and his other sister Livilla of having affairs with M. Aemilius Lepidus, whom he chose as his interim successor. Also, in 39, Agrippina joined a plot to assassinate Caligula. Therefore, Agrippina and Livilla were exiled to the Pontian Islands, off the coast of Southern Italy. While she was in exile, Agrippina’ husband died in 40 CE. In 41, Agrippina’s uncle, Claudius, became the emperor. Therefore, he brought her and her sister back from exile. Agrippina got married to Claudius in 49. Her goal was to make sure that Nero inherits the throne. Thus, she convinced Claudius to adopt Nero in 50 AD. Agrippina eliminated all the potential enemies that will try to prevent Nero’s ascension to the throne. During the reign of Claudius, she received the title â€Å"Augusta†, becoming the first woman to be honored while her husband is alive and the second woman to be honored during her lifetime. Also, her name was attached to a colony for discharged veterans at oppidum Ubiorum. Unfortunately, Claudius died in 54 AD, and Agrippina was accused of poisoning him in order to make Nero the emperor. Nero inherited the throne in 54 AD. Agrippina had a lot of power during the early years of Nero’s reign, and she ruled most of the empire. Nero had many conflicts with his mother during that time because she was bossy and tried to control him. She did not approve of his affair with Acte, a freedwoman. Since Nero was not obeying her, she started supporting Britannicus, his stepbrother and Claudius’s son. This led Nero to have Britannicus killed in 35. Then, Nero chose his mistress, Poppaea Sabina, over his mother. He forced Agrippina to move out of the palace in 55. Agrippina became too powerful during Nero’s reign that he constantly tried to reduce her power. Finally, Nero began to plot Agrippina’s death. He attempted to sink the ship that she was on, but Agrippina survived and swam ashore. He sent assassin to her villa, where she was stabbed to death on 59 CE. Agrippina was cremated that same night after her death. Agrippina the Younger was very important during that time. She was one of the few women who were recognized while their husband was alive. She was determined to make Nero the emperor, and therefore, she eliminated all the people that will stop him from taking the throne. Even though she was responsible for the death of many significant people, she was still a powerful woman. Reference http://roman-emperors.org/aggieii.htm

Maintaining a Healthy Home Holistically

Martina Westcott Hsoc 259 April 21, 2010 Maintaining a Healthy Home Holistically: Natural Household Products as Safe Alternatives to Conventional Products â€Å"If you want to learn about the health of a population, look at the air they breathe, the water they drink, and the places where they live. † -Hippocrates, Father of Medicine, 5th Century BC Natural household products are an important part of maintaining health holistically. From day to day, what is ingested, inhaled, and introduced into our bodies has effects on levels of function and the state of our health.We spend up to 57 percent of our lives indoors, so it is beneficial to make sure that indoor environments are safe havens to raise healthy children. [1] High levels of exposure to harmful fumes and aromas produced by conventional cleaning products play a role in increasing rates of asthma, especially in young children. Conventional cleaning products contain harsh chemicals that are irritating to both the skin and b ody. Asthma cannot be cured, but by removing triggers in the home, this condition can be treated and patients can rely less on biomedicine to control symptoms.Two main symptom aggravators for asthmatic patients are bioallergens and chemical irritants. [2] Natural cleaning products can be helpful in removing both from the home. By removing allergens and synthetic chemicals from the home environment, good health is maintained. Perspectives taken from current consumers of natural cleaning products reveal an understanding of the environment as a point of access to a wealth of resources that can serve to alleviate symptoms and enhance one’s quality of life. The efficacy of these products is revealed in personal accounts.Moreso today than ever before, it is crucial to regard the body as a precious vessel and treat it as such. In doing so, some are beginning to relate to the environment in a new way, valuing responsibility to the environment as much as responsibility for their own b odies. By engaging in a reciprocal relationship with the environment, humans live in harmony with their surroundings and preserve nature’s healing powers. Melaleuca, Inc, the Shaklee Corporation, and the Rainbow Company are three institutions that pledge to protect the health of consumers and our environment through increasing accessibility to natural cleaning products.What are Natural Household Products? Natural cleaning products contain components from the earth as primary constituents, such as oils, herbs, or naturally- occurring chemical compounds. These products do not harm the environment and do not introduce foreign chemicals into the body. Therefore, natural cleaning products are typically non- irritating to the skin and eyes and far more gentle than harsh chemical cleansers. In the context of this paper, just because something is ‘natural’ doesn’t mean it is less toxic, or non- irritating all the time.Even cleaners that are safe enough to eat, lik e lemon juice, can be irritating to the eyes or skin. Consumers should make decisions based on reading the ingredient list for themselves, identifying any ingredients that may be toxic, and then deciding whether to use that product in the home. There are several labels approved by the FDA that one can use to identify whether or not a product is organic, or in other words, natural. If a product is labeled â€Å"100% organic† all of the ingredients used must be natural.If a product is labeled simply â€Å"organic,† it at least 95 percent of its ingredients are organically produced. Finally, if a product is labeled â€Å"made with organic ingredients,† it must contain at least 70 percent organic contents. The first ingredient on any label is found in the product in greatest quantity, therefore it may be convenient to simply identify this ingredient. Many products are mostly water. Therefore, the first ingredient can provide a clue to the potency of the natural ingr edient within the product of your choice. 3] Not all natural cleaning products are equal. Like all products used in the home, especially around children, it is necessary to research ingredients or subscribe to a company that pledges to provide pure products. For instance, the Melaleuca Company adheres to the established Australian standard that requires marketed Melaleuca oil to have a minimum of thirty- five percent Terpinen and a maximum of ten- percent Cineole, the two main chemical components of the natural oil, which ensures that the product is as pure as possible. [4] The Shaklee Corporation, another ompany that promotes natural products, maintains a Scientific Advisory Board of medical professionals and scientists who regularly check the purity of products and make sure EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) standards are met. [5] These are features of companies that have created transparency for consumers to identify exactly where their products are coming from and can be tru sted to provide pure products for the home. Why Worry About the Environment? Do you know what impacts the quality of your health? [pic] www. ahha. org We are our environment.Health does not end at the skin. Everything we do, from the food we eat to the air we breathe, affects our health. In this diagram produced by the American Holistic Health Association, the environment is shown to impact health in an even stronger capacity than medical care. While one may visit the doctor’s office once or twice annually, we spend countless hours indoors in the course of our lives. Therefore the quality of the environment cannot be separated from one’s state of health. Natural household products holistically maintain health because they do not harm the environment.Unnatural, genetically engineered chemicals used in the environment have been shown to harm the body. In a study conducted at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, evidence was found linking organochlorine exposure and thyroid disease in women. Organochlorine is an insecticide used in planting. The study compared female farmers in Iowa and North Carolina who had been exposed to the compound on a regular basis to those who were not in regular contact with the chemical. Analysis of results showed that â€Å"there was an increased odds of hypothyroidism with use of organochlorine insecticides of 12. %†[6] This study reveals the bodily harm that can be incurred just by touching chemically altered compounds and using them on a daily basis. This is not to mention the potential dangers of ingesting these chemicals in food products. As we keep the environment pure, we also keep our bodies pure. In indigenous cultures, all products used in the home came directly from the earth itself. Indigenous Perspectives of Holism Using natural cleaning products parallels the use of holistic healthcare. Indigenous peoples believed that human beings are one with the earth, and this assertion is found in all form s of Shamanistic practice.Each of us is deeply connected with the Earth’s ecosystems. In a book entitled Ecological Medicine: Healing the Earth, Healing Ourselves the author writes, â€Å"By restoring the earth, we restore ourselves†[7] Biologically, the human body is composed of the same elements that constitute the land like carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen. When we die, our bodies return to the earth and begin the cycle of life anew. The Bible reads, â€Å"Dust thou art, and unto dust thou shalt return. †[8] Human life comprises just one small portion of the cycle of life.Cultures that participated in Shamanistic traditions like the Native Americans, for instance, understood this cycle of life. The notion of using the most valuable herbs the earth has to offer in personal care regimens is not one of recent invention. Native Americans have used plants and herbs grown by hand for anywhere between 10,000 and 30,000 years. [9] The spiritual understanding of a life cy cle that the earth is intimately connected to human beings is the underlying basis for providing optimal care and respect for the land, which will ultimately offer up a harvest to care for the individual in turn.Such an understanding â€Å"is awareness that life in any environment is viable only when humans view the life that surrounds them as kin. †[10] This phenomenon, which professor of Anthropology Enrique Salmon calls â€Å"ecological kinship† is a unique feature of Native American culture and other Shamanistic belief systems that has produced a deep appreciation for the land, one that the Melaleuca Company echoes in promotion of natural products that do not harm the earth upon disposal as some harsh chemicals may.Native Americans have traditionally â€Å"viewed human beings not as some higher intellectual being above lower animal and inanimate beings but as a kindred partner in the universe, reliant on the other beings in creation for life itself. †[11] Th is fundamental interdependence is necessary to an understanding of holistic healthcare as more than care for the body, but also care for the environment, which can be considered the temple that houses our bodies. Other Native American groups have similar understandings of the cyclic nature of life and death as it relates to the environment.In Cherokee culture, the medicine wheel, which symbolizes the â€Å"wheel of life†[12] represents a series of stages through which living beings pass associated with seasons and the alignment of the cosmos. The wheel does not have to be tangible; it can be spiritually understood as present during ceremonial rituals. The term â€Å"medicine† wheel may be understood in American culture if biomedicine is the immediate connection one identifies because the concept is quite spiritual in Native culture. The medicine wheel is a healing cycle that includes the environment as a source of healing and strength. As Dr.Tieraona Low Dog puts it el oquently, â€Å"plants aren’t pills, they’re seeds. †[13] In indigenous cultures, plants have intrinsic healing properties simply from being alive. These healing powers are all- natural and unaltered by man, preserved only in the purity of nature. This is true in all indigenous belief systems. For Native Americans and other indigenous groups, health is a balance between human outputs and inputs and those of the physical body of land. It is an alignment that is achieved through respect for the earth, an absence of exploitation in terms of resource extraction, and an embracing of nature.In a physical sense, balance is achieved by respecting the land. In a spiritual sense, balance is achieved by using the wheel symbolically in ceremonial practices and rituals to align oneself with climate patterns, deities, etc. For instance, in certain Cherokee ceremonies, tribes march around a central fire in a counter- clockwise direction because this is believed to be pleasing to the divine. According to Jutlia Atli, a member of the Cherokee tribe, â€Å"We are created by, balanced between, and destroyed by the primary forces represented on the Wheel. [14] The wheel includes seven sacred directions which correspond to environmental elements and seasons as well as colors and times of day. The seven directions are also representative of various characters, such as humility, change, death, and impermanence. These examples demonstrate the creation and existence of the human being as only a small part of an extensive universal system of life that is all inclusive, a substratum of physical and spiritual interconnection that strings together all beings as one. This holistic view of life is one that we can reclaim today.Like a flickering flame, human life is only a brief glimpse of the extensive life present on the earth at any given point in time, a humbling acceptance that can truly change one’s perspective. Natural Medicine Indigenous peoples used what was available to them in their immediate environments, typically herbs, roots, or seeds that grew from the soil, in healing. These natural elements were the body’s first medicines. Modern pharmaceuticals introduce chemicals that have often been genetically engineered in the laboratory into our bodies.When the body does not recognize a drug, the immune system is designed to combat that foreign substance. Prescriptions cannot simply target one symptom because the body is a set of extensive systems that work in harmony to maintain homeostasis. Any pill ingested must travel through the entire system and could potentially harm organs or tissues that were not the intended target of the treatment. Therefore, it is better to use natural treatments that are not so unfamiliar to the body to maintain good health.Holistic practitioners like those who practice homeopathy utilize naturally occurring remedies to restore health such as herbs. A homeopathic physician, Dr. Linda Baker utilize s natural herbs every day in her practice and also maintains an allergen- free, chemical- free environment in her office for patients. [15] Her concern for creating a natural setting for her homeopathic practice speaks to recreating the natural environment indoors to maintain health holistically. She subscribes to the Shaklee Corporation, a company that produces natural products for the home and office.Natural Household Products Today: Drawing on the Past to Protect Our Future Three major companies involved in producing natural cleaning products for sale presently are the Shaklee Corporation, the Rainbow Company, and Melaleuca Inc. A brief overview of the services offered by these companies will provide insight into the transforming views of how to maintain a healthy home environment. All companies promoting natural cleaning products share the same basic goal, and that is promoting health holistically by offering alternatives to harsh chemicals that can harm the body and the environ ment.These companies look to indigenous cultures for philosophy and ingredients. The Shaklee Corporation has been operating since 1960. It is one of the pioneer companies to promote natural cleaning products and biodegradable containers for household products. Their mission statement nicely sums some of the ideas presented in this paper. This is the Shaklee pledge: â€Å"We make products from the purest natural ingredients. And we take stringent measures to keep out pesticides, contaminants, and other unnatural things that simply don't belong there.But just as important as what we take from nature is what we don't take. †[16] Shaklee set the standard for many similar companies that would follow. Melaleuca, Inc. was founded by Frank VanderSloot in 1995. The overarching goals of the company are to provide consumers with natural alternatives to chemically based cleaning products, healing supplements, medications, and even beauty products. By working in concert with the environme nt, the Melaleuca Company has brought to the forefront natural remedies that have been used for centuries in other cultures.For instance, the pioneer product and namesake of this innovative company was melaleuca oil, also known as tea tree oil. This oil is a natural compound taken from an Australian plant which is considered â€Å"a useful dermatological with antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. †[17] Tea tree oil is used in a wide range of products sold by the company, including toothpaste, mouthwash, soap, as well as its most basic form as pure oil. Tea tree oil was used among Australian aborigines who realized the healing power of the extract upon experimentation.Within that culture, â€Å"freshly crushed leaves were applied directly to an injury, and then held in place with a mud pack†[18] and healing was accelerated. They named the herb bungawalbyn, which means â€Å"healing ground† in the native language. [19] Today, tea tree oil is used to treat conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis, dandruff, and athlete’s foot. It is found within a whole host of natural cleaning products, from teas to acne medications. This company is one of many that have successfully brought this ancient herb back to the forefront of health consciousness and natural remedies for common ailments.The Melaleuca Company functions through word- of- mouth dissemination of consumer based advice and success with products. One of the company’s slogans, â€Å"We’re telling about Melaleuca, not selling it†[20] speaks to this feature of promoting the products. Customers are exposed to Melaleuca through informational sessions held within the homes of current users who are given instructional materials to conduct the sessions themselves with other friends. As a wellness company, the Melaleuca brand promotes a holistic focus on the entire individual’s overall wellbeing and daily satisfaction with bodily function.Testimonies shared during informational sessions are typically centered on personal experience with the product, from health improvements seen after using natural cleaning products as in the case of Ms. Hensen, to the practical efficacy of maintaining a healthy lifestyle without harming the environment. While Melaleuca promotes a whole host of natural products, from lotions to cleaners, other companies focus on improving the efficacy and the environmentally- friendly standard of a particular household appliance such as the vacuum.The Rainbow Cleaning System line produces vacuum cleaners that use a water filtration system to collect dirt and allergens picked up instead of traditional bags that can harbor a host of dust mites and other bacteria lifted from carpets during vacuuming. The idea of cleaning one’s home is the goal to remove dirt, but some conventional vacuum cleaners only spread dirt and dust mites as one empties filters and bags. Rainbow technology uses a water basin to trap al lergens in a fluid that can be easily disposed in the proper receptacle, either bagged and thrown in the trash or flushed down the toilet.The innovative system also allows customers to add natural components to the water basin prior to vacuuming, such as lemon or orange peels, to fragrance the home naturally as you vacuum. This pragmatic system can be helpful for those who are sensitive to dust and other irritants, especially asthmatic children and adults. Conventional Household Products Pollute the Body Asthma is a condition that affects a large portion of the U. S. population and it is especially prevalent among young children. An average of one out of every 13 school-aged children or nine million US children under age 18 have been diagnosed with asthma. It’s the most common chronic childhood disease in the developed world and has become even more commonplace in the last three decades. †[21] Furthermore, in the US, the prevalence of asthma increased 75% from 1980-1994 . [22] An increasingly toxic home environment may play a key role in the development of asthma and the severity of symptoms.A 2004 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine revealed the harmful effects of environmental irritants in amplifying asthma- related symptoms. The study, which followed 937 children living in high- risk homes in seven major cities, found that a reduction of irritants within the home served to decrease asthma- related morbidity rates. [23] Children who were exposed to fewer allergens within the home through stringent cleaning practices experienced less symptoms of asthma including wheezing and coughing. They could also play for more extended periods of time because their symptoms were alleviated.This study reveals the fundamental connection between health and environment, one that companies promoting natural cleaning products hope to make prominent in American consumer culture. The Melaleuca Company promotes maintaining a healthy home. In a chapte r of the Melaleuca Wellness Guide entitled â€Å"Is Your Home a Healthy Home? † John K. Beaulieu exposes the harms that can be unwittingly imposed on one’s family through the use of toxic chemicals in household products. Some alarming statistics are presented as evidence of these harms.For instance, â€Å"a product that kills 50% of lab animals through ingestion or inhalation can still receive the federal regulatory designation ‘non-toxic’†[24] Throughout the article, a number of products used in almost every household in the United States are listed as containing cancer-causing agents and chemicals that can irritate respiratory pathways or skin. One chemical that is common in many household products, formaldehyde, which is also used to preserve human and animal bodies for dissection, is described as capable of causing â€Å"spasms, edema of the larynx and bronchi, and chemical pneumonitis†[25] upon inhalation.Formaldehyde is found in common brands of bubble bath, baby shampoo, hair spray, and other personal care products and, like dust and allergens, has also been linked to childhood asthma. In an article published in the Environmental Health Perspectives Journal entitled â€Å"Formaldehyde Exposure and Asthma in Children: A Systematic Review,† literature reviews of recently published studies provided quantitative evidence of a strong association between formaldehyde in the home environment and increasing rates of asthma among children.Specifically, â€Å"when compared with individuals with no formaldehyde exposure, those with the highest levels of exposure reported in the seven studies (i. e. , 80  µg/m3) would have 3. 5-times higher odds of asthma. †[26] One study examined in this report focused on formaldehyde exposure among infants from birth to two years of age, a critical window where exposure to formaldehyde can have long- lasting effects due to the â€Å"small caliber of their airways†[27 ] and found an even stronger positive association with asthma for these children later in life.Therefore, it is imperative that families keep their homes pure in terms of products used to clean furniture and floors, especially in children’s rooms. Some links to chemical and asthma remain unclear. For instance, a study in Sweden identified yet another harmful agent found in many household items, phthalate compounds. Phthalates are compounds that are used in conventional tupper- ware plastic containers as well as moisturizers, nail polish, and vinyl flooring. These compounds are ubiquitous in most American homes as well and leach out of products into the air. â€Å"Global phthalate production is 3. million tons per year†[28] and this figure is rising every year. The Swedish study concluded that â€Å"house dust containing [phthalates]†¦is associated with higher rates of asthma. †[29] The study included Swedish children who were exposed to phthalate- containin g products in the home. However, a reverse causation factor has been considered by the American Chemistry Council, which suggests that it is yet to be determined whether the presence of the phthalate compounds ultimately leads to asthma or if the phthalate-containing products brought into the home to combat asthma only further aggravate symptoms.Both situations may be contributing factors to worsening symptoms. The example used is the practice of replacing carpets with vinyl flooring to reduce allergens, which is often a response to asthma because parents are aware of the dust mites carpeting can harbor within the home. Perhaps the Rainbow Cleaning System would work well for these families! Although this particular connection remains unclear, other chemical compounds like formaldehyde have been linked to asthma with high levels of certainty.The preventive benefits of using natural cleaning systems in the home prevail. Evidence suggests that conventional cleaning products cause illne ss; this is especially important for children. During the interview, Ms. Hensen discussed the health benefits of using natural household products within her own family in depth. With regard to the benefits of using Melaleuca products, she asserted wholeheartedly that her â€Å"family’s health had improved greatly since the introduction of Melaleuca cleaning products and supplements to the household. Her teenage son has suffered with severe asthma since birth and his condition was often aggravated by strongly scented detergents and other harsh chemical products, including household bleach and ammonia- based cleaners. She revealed that he had missed almost two months of school over the course of his freshman year of high school due to asthma complications despite her best efforts to keep the house clear of irritants like dust and pesticides. When a friend suggested Melaleuca, Ms. Hensen was eager to explore the option.Her first product was MelaPower ©, a melaleuca oil- based detergent. Within weeks, she found that her son was not experiencing the same sense of airway irritation as he had with other brands of detergent. She then added Sol-U-Mel ©, a multi-use cleaning solution that she uses throughout the home in cleaning floors, appliances, and large areas such as kitchen and living room floors. These products are part of the EcoSense line of natural cleaning products. Because Sol-U-Mel © solution is sold in concentrated form, it is long- lasting through several uses.She especially enjoys the versatility of uses for one product she has encountered using Melaleuca. Sol- U- Mel © is just one example of such products that can be used almost anywhere in the home. Her son has not had an asthma attack since she switched to Melaleuca products eight years ago. Now a law school student at Temple University, he uses the products in his own home. When asked how he feels since his mom first introduced him to Melaleuca products, he responds that â€Å"Melale uca changed his life. † He attributes his renewed ease of breathing to Melaleuca in large part. Ms.Hensen’s personal testimony does not suggest that Melaleuca products are â€Å"miracle solutions† to a whole host of health problems, but it does reveal the efficacy that consumers seek when deciding on a purchase. Her experience reveals a vital tenet of natural, holistic healthcare methods, which is, â€Å"In the wisdom of nature lies the solutions† to all of the ailments faced by humankind today. [30] We are not at a loss for natural cures because the environment has just as many rich resources for promoting health as it always has. It is simply our responsibility to take advantage of those resources.Using natural cleaning products is the first step for many families, especially among those who are aware of the potential dangers of conventional products. One example is antiperspirant, a widely used product in almost every American home. Many antiperspirants contain aluminum, a chemical element that has been linked to breast cancer in several studies. While there is no general consensus on the long- term effects of antiperspirant use, several studies have shown a positive association between regular application and tumors in the breast.One such study was conducted in 2002, entitled â€Å"Aluminum, Antiperspirants, and Breast Cancer. † The study reveals the toxicity of the element and its possible interactions with breast tissue over long- term exposure: â€Å"Aluminium is known to have a genotoxic profile, capable of causing both DNA alterations and epigenetic effects, and this would be consistent with a potential role in breast cancer if such effects occurred in breast cells†[31] While the connection between aluminum and breast cancer remains highly debated and continues to draw researchers, there are several chemicals that have been notably proven harmful to the body.The long- term effects of using chemical elements lik e aluminum, phthalates, and formaldehyde have been well- documented. However, a recent study by Ramon et al. identifies the short- term effects of constant exposure to conventional cleaning products in the hospitality industry among female housekeepers. [32] In the study, a control group of 43 domestic workers who had been diagnosed with either asthma or obstructive lung disease were instructed to keep diaries of symptoms associated with their conditions, from difficulty breathing to asthma attacks at different points during the day.The workers recorded the severity of seven symptoms that had been selected by the panel of researchers at different points during the day. The study concluded that exposure to traditional cleaning products, among them bleach- containing products, aggravates lower respiratory tract symptoms among domestic workers. Although this study was conducted in Spain where the pool of participants was localized, these results indicate that conventional cleaning prod ucts are not only damaging to the health of children but also to adults. Harsh irritants found in traditional cleaning products like bleach are dangerous to both the body and the environment.Conventional Household Products Pollute the Environment Humans are only as healthy as their habitats. Therefore, by polluting the environment, we poison ourselves. Conventional cleaning products pollute the environment and our bodies. By poisoning the environment, we poison ourselves. Environmental security, which can be understood as the capacity of humans to live harmoniously with nature or to maintain a sustainable environment is inextricably linked with human security. This is why it is crucial to make careful decisions about the purity of household products.In an interview with Jim Quigley, founder of Healthy Spaces, a company that aims to help local Philadelphia and Bucks County families create healthier homes and workplaces, the interconnection between environmental health and bodily func tion was made clear. He described an incident in which a man with severe allergies called in to have an evaluation of his work space hoping to identify a major environmental trigger that could be removed to ease his symptoms. He had been taking Claritin every day, three times per day on his worst days, and was very distracted by his allergy symptoms.Jim went into evaluate the office and made shocking observations as he engaged in conversation with the man and completed the formal checklist he uses in every evaluation. The first visual observation was an easy one. He immediately identified wall-to-wall carpeting in the office that had not been vacuumed in a number of months, a rich source of dust mites and bacteria. The second was the wall paper, which he determined contained volatile organic compounds (VOCs) upon taking a sample and evaluating it in the laboratory. Both formaldehyde, the dangers of which have been discussed, and xylene were found in the wallpaper.The man was functio ning from day to day in a very hazardous environment, and Jim advised him to remove the carpet, remove the wallpaper, and use paint with a natural base to see if his health improved. In a matter of days, the man’s symptoms were alleviated to the point of no longer needing even one dose of Claritin in the course of a day. By returning the office environment to a more natural state, he was able to return his body to a more natural state of functioning as well by coming off of his pharmaceutical medication.Several companies are making a healthy environment a priority in their marketing strategies. [33] Melaleuca Inc. is an example of one company that is making strides to protect the environment. The biodegradable nature of most Melaleuca products and containers ensures that the environment will not be harmed through proper disposal. This is one of the extra steps the brand makes to protect the natural habitat in which we all must live, which adds sustainable value to the product s.Because the products in Melaleuca’s cleaning line Eco Sense are concentrated, they can be diluted with water instead of packed with chemical fillers to enhance performance. Also, the concentrated nature of the products allows packaging in smaller containers, which allows for less waste. This is a feature that customers like Ms. Hensen truly appreciate. She asserts that she is personally committed to preserving the environment and this was one of the main features that first drew her to the company. In her own words, she is â€Å"really concerned with protecting the environment in any way [she] can. [34] The commitment to preserving the environment is a part of the Melaleuca promise because the founders understand that the earth provides benefits that require a sense of respect for the environment, a mutually beneficial partnership between consumers and this universal habitat. All companies providing natural household products make a similar pledge to protecting the environ ment. Natural Household Products: The Best Choice for Your Home and Health Natural cleaning products provide safe alternatives to harmful chemicals found in many traditional products, from bleach to furniture polish.Considering that we spend up to 57 percent of our lives indoors, it is beneficial to make sure that indoor environments are safe havens to raise healthy children. At present, many environmental factors are responsible for the increase in the number of allergic and autoimmune diseases, and evidence provided supports the hypothesis that this increase may be caused by the widespread chemical contamination of the environment. Several chemicals, like formaldehyde and phthalates in the home have been linked to rising rates of asthma among young people, but consumers are not left hopeless. The goal is not to live in fear of the world around us.Rather, it is to embrace the fruits of the earth and bring nature into the home environment. Bacteria and dust mites were some of the fi rst organisms to appear on the planet, and these tiny organisms will not be disappearing anytime soon. All companies promoting natural cleaning products share the same basic goal, and that is promoting health holistically by offering alternatives to harsh chemicals that can harm the body and the environment. Perhaps the reemergence of indigenous practices is evidence that we are beginning to remember that we are just one part of an unending cycle of life- we are nature.Therefore, the environments we occupy are inseparable from our own holistic wellbeing. Just as some are choosing natural products for healing rather than pharmaceuticals to stimulate the body’s own innate ability to heal, people are looking for more natural products to surround themselves in the home. If the body is a temple of the soul, then the home is the temple of the body, and the environment encapsulates it all. There are no divisions among these components. The earth’s natural elements have worked synergistically with our own bodily systems for thousands of years. Isn’t that the best seal of approval?

Port Sunlight and Letchworth Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Port Sunlight and Letchworth - Case Study Example They all had a common ending; they died and were named conservation areas. The two towns seem to have been built for the primary purpose of industries and improving the lives of the employees and their families. These industries created jobs for the people around it together with their families. Eventually there was a growth in population thus an increase in demand for housing, schools, hospitals and any other social amenities. One distinct thing about these two towns is that the pioneers had great ideas but all had to consult and involve architectures who would put the design on the ground in an even better way than the former. A William Hesketh Lever built the town for his employees who worked in his soap factory. He bought a land big enough to hold the factory and a garden village to house his employees. Though he participated a lot in designing and planning of the village, he hired architects to give put their best towards a beautiful village. Living houses were built together with other public buildings. Apart from the buildings and good living conditions for his workers, he went a step further to introduce schemes for his employees. They included welfare schemes and educational schemes. His main aim was to create an environment of coexistence and brotherhood. The architectures at Port Sunlight integrated a broad variety of features in their planning, borrowed from Europe and Britain a combination that came to be referred to as the Old English. The villages at Port Sunlight consisted of tremendous blocks of housing of low concentration and a number of public buildings such as gymnasiums, theatres and libraries that were surrounded by gardens and open green spaces. The village layout was designed in such a manner that it restricted any open view of the factory and of the inside. The houses were so uniquely built that their backs could not be visible. The factory was purposely built a one storey structure. This was primarily to provide aeration, enough light and a healthier environment for the workers and also to reduce its corporal impact on the village. In Letchworth, the situation was rather different. The planning was more impressive than that of Port Sunlight. The designing and planning of the town is owed a lot to a construction company, by then known as Garden city Company, who also remained the consultants for a long time. For many years the development of the town was controlled by this company. The streets were made beautiful with trees and beds of roses along them. There were a number of factories, unlike in Port Sunlight where factories grew much later. Therefore, in the planning the factories had to be placed in the correct relation to one another. The factories were placed into estates called industrial estates. Currently it is a very common idea but back then it was a world-shattering idea. But at the same time it was not easy for the town to attract other industries. This was because, the public buildings that had been put in the plan to surface around the town, did not really materialize for a long time. For this reas on the growth of the town was retarded. The shopping places were placed in the town centre and were served by wide enough pavements and ample parking sites. This gave the shoppers a

Analysis of Walmart Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Analysis of Walmart - Research Paper Example More than 90% of respondents said that Walmart’s leadership style is result centred and people focused (Foroohar, 2012). The managers interviewed confirmed that the people elected into leadership positions are servant leaders with sharp business minds, global outlook and a clear vision for the company. The company’s elevation was guided by leaders who constantly inspired their subordinates to work hard and steer the business to the next level of success (Roberts & Berg, 2012). The observation exercise revealed that leaders were understanding, inspiring, thoughtful, kind, and considerate and involved their subordinates in decision making. The subordinates were very happy with their leaders and perceived them as very helpful and pleasant to work with (Creswell & Clark, 2007). More than 90% of respondents said that transformational leadership was effective because it encourages and motivates employees to form common organizational goals, which has seen the firm transform from a small business to a multinational retail corporation. 87% of respondents said that leaders’ behavior increases performance by motivating, training and pushing employees to give their best. More than 90% of employees (respondents) were happy to work for the firm. The dissatisfied group gave reasons such as poor working conditions and low pay as major dissatisfiers The research also revealed that Walmart has good leadership that is guided by strong business ethics. Most respondents were satisfied with the company’s leadership and adherence to business ethics. However, there were several instances of unethical behaviour that were reported by respondents. For example, Wal-Mart was accused of unethical behaviour when it continued to buy clothes from Bangladesh which were banned for export. It was also involved in major financial scandals such as the Mexico scandal that involved bribery, fraud, and concealing evidence

Assignment paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Assignment paper - Essay Example In this essay, my main focus will be on the critical analysis of my cultural gift giving practices in the U.S and the gift giving practices in the Chinese culture. The U.S gifting season is also the traditional holiday season. This season begins during the Thanksgiving, moving to the Christmas and ends with the New Year Eve. The St. Valentines Day has also been included in this season by the modern media (Gifts and Ideas 1-3). The act of giving gifts to family members, friends and business associates is dictated by the American customs and culture. These are covered by well thought out gifts depending on the occasion. Due to the cultural melting of the American culture, there has been a lot of influence on the other minority ethnic groups in America such as the Hispanics, to also adopt and incorporate the modern American cultural elements of gifting and celebrations within their own cultural celebrations. Various gifts are given by the Americans as gifts to other during various occasions. The most common gifts given out include cards, flowers, food items, gift baskets, chocolates, cakes, wines, spa gifts and perfumes among other. The main reason for giving out these gifts is for appreciation purposes. Gift giving is also a common practice in the American culture during the Christmas period that usually marks the birth of Jesus. During this period, gift giving usually crowns the occasion, and it becomes the most important ritual performed. To begin with, there is the gift giving session done by the parents to their children where the latest gadgets are usually given out to them. Other people also buy different kinds of gifts such as CDs, jewelry, books and gourmet food among other gifts to their relatives, parents and lived ones. Another occasion in America during when gift giving is done much is during the mothers day that usually falls on the second Sunday of May, each year. According to the American culture, mothers should be given

Mayor Bloombergs Dedication to Arts in Education For New York Citys Essay

Mayor Bloombergs Dedication to Arts in Education For New York Citys Schools - Essay Example The 1970's were a time of fiscal crisis in New York City's public schools. Among the first items to be lopped from the education budgets were classes in the fine arts (Mandell, 2005). While the money would later return, the attitude at the top toward the arts did not change much - Mayor Giuliani even established a "decency commission" to determine what art would and would not be acceptable for public support, and even for public display (Steinhauer, 2005). Mayor Bloomberg, in stark contrast, has demonstrated a serious commitment to the arts in New York City. He has established Percent for Art, a policy that requires the consultation of the arts commission for any significant public-works project. Additionally, he has borrowed sculptures and paintings from galleries and museums across the city and placed them in public areas. He has donated more than $40 million to the Carnegie Corporation, for distribution to 162 cultural organizations in New York City (Steinhauer, 2005). ... Sharon Dunn, the new head of Arts Education for New York City schools, has said that "One of the areas identified as most in need of development is the need to acquaint school administrators with the benefits and elements of arts education." (Mandell, 2005). Under Mayor Bloomberg's leadership, the Department of Education secured a $1 million grant from the Bank of America, aimed at educating the leaders of New York City schools about the importance of culture in learning. Over 400 principals and local superintendents benefited from the Cultural Pass Program, which gave them free admission to 25 cultural institutions in New York City, as well as discounted admission to performances and concerts. According to Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein, this program will "better acquaint principals with the many cultural and arts institutions available to their teacher and students across the City" and promote the idea of cultural organizations as "instructional resources" (NYC Department, 2004). Other objections to Mayor Bloomberg's education policy have included the following: an instruction plan that does not cover enough of the arts; insufficient and inequitable distribution of resources, and insufficient facilities and supplies; a shortage of qualified art instructors; and a "variation" in the quality of partnerships between schools and cultural organizations (NYC Council Report, 2003). A lot of these concerns boil down to one issue: money. While the current education budget includes $70 million for Project Arts, and while Mayor Bloomberg is committed to "focus on arts education to ensure that students learn about the arts and fully experience" the cultural life of New York City (Bloomberg, 2005), the City has a mammoth lawsuit to

Reversal of gender roles in Macbeth Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Reversal of gender roles in Macbeth - Essay Example One can see that Lady Macbeth is feminine in outlook but masculine in character. Thesis statement: The gender role of Lady Macbeth is reversed because of her masculine character and conscious denial of femininity (special reference to the conceptions of gender in the early modern period and the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare). The gender role of Lady Macbeth in the play is totally against the traditional conceptions on femininity and motherhood. For instance, femininity is generally regarded as tender natured and motherly affection. In the play, Lady Macbeth does not possess the qualities of femininity. She totally denies her gender role as a woman. Besides, Shakespeare did give equal focus to Macbeth and Lady Macbeth because he was aware of the fact that Macbeth does not possess masculine qualities. So, there must a powerful character (say, Lady Macbeth) to compensate the loss of masculinity in Macbeth. In the play, Lady Macbeth is portrayed as an immoral character, without any moral consideration. She cunningly manipulates her husband to fulfill her selfish motive. She was aware of her husband’s strengths and weaknesses. But the element of ambitiousness was inherent in Macbeth; his wife ignited the same and corrupted him totally. Her ultimate aim was to become the queen of Scotland. So, she made use of her husband as an instrument/ medium to attain her aim. In addition, Macbeth’s masculine failure is exploited by his wife. Macbeth loved his wife so dearly but she made use of the same to influence him in a negative way. One can identify that the first half of the play is under Lady Macbeth’s control. So, Lady Macbeth’s gender role is totally against her femininity and she made use of the same to manipulate her husband and to fulfill her selfish motives. First of all, Lady Macbeth was ambitious like her husband. Her desire to be the queen of Scotland resulted in her ultimate doom. Lady Macbeth requests the spirits to unsex her because her

The development of measurement systems that align with the objectives Thesis Proposal

The development of measurement systems that align with the objectives of public sector organisations - Thesis Proposal Example On the other hand, Hamza (2008) mentioned that performance management process is used for enhancing the productivity of the firm and develop a better brand equity in the market. Combing both these definitions, it can be assessed that performance management processes are mainly used to organise the operational activities of a firm in order to develop a better brand reflection and a competitive advantage to the stakeholders. However, Abu-Musa (2007) stated that performance management processes are initiated in an organisation to help in achieving the business goals but often managing the work processes derails the performance management processes from its original objectives. This brings in the aspect of including the strategic management process in the performance management system of a company. Focusing on the public sector organisations, Issa-Salwe et al. (2010) mentioned that operational process of public sector organisations are mostly managed in a centralised manner which reduces the efficiency of the performance management system. One of the most common problems being faced by the public sector firms is that of resource utilisation and resource management. Braz, Scavarda and Martins (2011) argued that resource wastage is a frequent problem being faced by the public sector organisations. Again pointing out these specific problems may change the direction of the performance management system in context of assisting the business in achieving its objective. Thus the question remains is how to set up a performance management process that supports the organisational mission and objectives. Based on evaluations of the performance of different public sector organisations Issa-Salwe et al. (2010) stated that it has to be considered that there is not set framework for performan ce management and thus comparison among various public sector organisations may not always be valid. This sentiment has also been mentioned by Braz, Scavarda and

Strategic Evaluation of McDonalds Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Strategic Evaluation of McDonalds - Essay Example †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.13 Appendices †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦...15 Executive summary Strategy is an essential component in the management of corporate and small enterprises in the current competitive business environment. This paper looks at the McDonalds in terms of evaluating the organization’s strategy. From a national giant in the early days, the company today boats of international presence in about 119 countries and in effect estimated to be serving over 40 million clients daily around the globe. The paper evaluates both the inner and peripheral environments in where the company functions through the use of various evaluation and analysis tools like: PESTEL, SWOT and Porter’s generic forces among others. All these sum up the company’s overall strategic position and what needs to be done to be able to counter the various challenges that it might face in the process of implementing strategy. Strategic Evaluation of McDonalds Introduction Strategy is an essential component of any organization that operates in a highly competitive industry or market. Strategic management can be classified into three broad categories (Lynch 2012). The first category defies the main aims of the organization and the formations it has developed to realize its objectives. The Subsequent category involves the identification of markets and exploring them in a way that guarantees competitiveness. The final classification involves the examination of the organization’s main objectives, purposes or goals and how it intends to achieve them through established frameworks. This paper will examine the various forms of strategic mo dels by using a multi national food service... The historical position of this company has been of great admiration to many upcoming businesses. This is a corporation that has risen from the mid 1950’s to become a valued player in the area of food service. The founder of the restaurant chains, Ray Kroc has an exceptional background and it is through hard work that this venture has become a household name (Waldron 2010). From a national giant in the early days, the company today boasts of international presence in about 119 countries and in effect estimated to be serving over 40 million clients daily around the globe (McDonalds 2012). In addition to this already massive statistics, the company has a net worth estimated to be around 25 billion US dollars. The company has been able to achieve this through properly formulated strategies and one of the organization’s strategies has been the development new dishes and favorite fast foods to suit new tastes. In addition, the corporation has been capable in infiltrating the market by largely using franchises that account for 80% of its operational stores (McDonalds 2012). To have a clear insight of how the company has been able to grow and the strategies it has employed, this paper will analyze the company by use of various strategy evaluation models. Strategic Analysis The approach used in the strategic analysis of the organization will be in terms of four main areas or components of strategy analysis that includes the purpose, external environmental analysis, internal resource analysis and strategic formulation.

Ernest Hemingway’s for Whom the Bell Tolls Essay Example for Free

Ernest Hemingway’s for Whom the Bell Tolls Essay Ernest Hemingway is one of the critically acclaimed fiction writers of his time, because of the novels that he wrote which both captivated the readers and at the same time triggered different responses from critics and literary analysts. His works were admired, and the writer given the respect due to him because of the impact he and his works have made in the field of literature. But like the experience of many other great writers, there are also those who do not regard Hemingway’s works with the same level of admiration and fervor. As Shuman wrote, â€Å"Although For whom the Bell Tolls was the unanimous choice of the panel for the Pulitzer Prize in letter in 1941, the chair overturned the recommendation on the grounds that it was too controversial. No Pulitzer Prize for fiction was awarded that year (Shuman 676).† But regardless of this fact, Hemingway’s works have the many different characteristics that made it more than a great read, and one of the most important characteristic of his works is how culture is reflected in his works and how his works are evidently influenced by the existing culture which contributed in the shaping of the story as it happened in the novel. One of Hemingway’s works that reflect this characteristic is his widely popular work For Whom the Bell Tolls. How this text influenced culture positively and/or negatively One of the most obvious impacts of the novel to the culture is the addition of a new masterpiece which literary analysts, critics and historians will reference and refer to for years to come. The novel attacked and complimented Spain and its culture during the time of the life of the characters present there, and because the novel is close to real life where there is a conscious effort to make the story closely akin to Spain, the Spanish lifestyle and other cultures found in the country during the particular time set, readers especially of Spanish decent may find it easy to relate to the novel. So do other people who can relate to the different challenges that is found in the novel that features cultural traits that is never dying and never fading struggle, victory, defeat, honesty, love, betrayal, patriotism, anger and sadness, all of which found in a novel that moves around in a very short yet scattered period of time which was long enough to deliver the message it intends to send to the readers. â€Å"The novel’s action covers only three days, but flashbacks and digression give it a broader scope. In fact, this novel might be called an epic of modern Spain, and it is surely Hemingways love song to the Spanish people (Shuman 676).† Another impact of the novel on the culture is that Hemingway managed to add to the many different tools by which the Spanish people can understand themselves by reviewing their past and the struggles that the people of the old Spain underwent. â€Å"Hemingway’s view of the Spanish, as of all the nationalities and ethnic groups he wrote about, was never blindly complimentary (Shuman 676).† Hemingway’s novel serves as a time machine for people who want to go back during the time of the Spanish Civil War and get a glimpse of the life that was there during that time without the literature of the likes of Hemingway and his novel, it maybe a tad difficult to do so. Through this literary work of Hemingway, Spain and the rest of the world now has frozen an imagination of a real past, and everyone who wishes the journey can return to Robert Jordan and Maria, return the bombs and atrocities of the Spanish Civil War, return to the personal dilemma that every character faced especially in the face of grave, serious and long lasting consequences. This novel can provide a stable leg from which literary and historical analysis can be made particularly with reference to the different levels and spheres of challenges found amongst the Spanish population at the height and extent of the Spanish Civil War. The contribution of Hemingway’s â€Å"For Whom the Bell Tolls† to the society and how the work affected the culture that absorbed it can also be seen in the manner by which the novel acted as an important linchpin in many different literary and historical discussions. Critics and analyst debate and expand different areas of argument involved in the complex subject of the Spanish Civil War, largely because of the contribution of the novel on its literary merit and how it puts color in a very important part of the Spanish history. Hemingway wrote something that will be considered important and significant both by his contemporaries and those who will come before him, and many intellectuals will wonder and argue about the characteristics of the author and the novel and how it ultimately impacted the Spanish culture and the literary world in general. As Kurzweil and Philips wrote, â€Å"Mr. Wilson describes Hemingway’s political consciousness as ‘not so highly developed’ as it is with a writer like Malraux (Kurzweil and Philips 140),† an opinion stemming from the analysis of political consciousness, partisan journalism and the differences in the ability of Hemingway and his contemporaries based on the review of a particular work, in Hemingway’s case For Whom the Bell Tolls. â€Å"Of course, posing the alternative in these terms, one must agree that For Whom the Bell Tolls is vastly preferable to the ‘partisan journalism’ of The Fifth Column. But there is another alternative, namely the treatment of revolutionary struggle as Malraux and Silone have treated it in their novels, on the level of political consciousness (Kurzweil, Philips 140).† The release of this particular work of Hemingway to the consciousness of the people and the inclusion of this material in the overall culture starting the time it was made available to the public affected culture in a way that it allowed students of different disciplines to have another perspective at looking things and to reference another person and another different approach based largely on the how Hemingway and his work is in itself something that stands out from the rest of the field because of its characteristics that is inherent to the author, his style and his outputs. Hemingway’s work provided a new dimension in the world of literary writing, something that other persons can learn from and develop. The effect of the text on the culture indeed was very noticeable, if not high impact. The effect generally rests on the emotive and intellectual spheres of individuals and ripples out through the actions that they take after they are affected by what they read. If the novel altered their behavior and their behavior altered culture, then it is safe to say that the novel indeed impacted culture as culture impacted the writing of the novel vice versa. There are realizations that the readers experience, realization that can perhaps lead to a change in behavior and trigger a change in a particular aspect of the culture. Take for example the realization that readers may experience according to Ferrer, Manuel and Derrick. Through the analysis of the character(s) in the novel, readers are moved towards a realistic realization that can be potent enough to trigger cultural change through newfound cultural enlightenment. Ferrer, Manuel and Derrick wrote, â€Å"For Whom the Bell Tolls suggest that the Spanish Civil War endangers Spain’s entire heritage, so Hemmingway refers to the ancient Phoenician and Greek civilizations that colonized Spain. At one point in the novel, Jordan thinks of the ‘old Iberians’ (Ferrer, Manuel and Derrick 287).† Hemingway makes the direct correlation between Robert Jordans last name the Jordan River â€Å"Just as the Jordan River separates the Hebrews from the Promised Land, Robert Jordan’s demolition of the bridge is designed to protect the ideological promised land of the Spanish Republic (Ferrer, Manuel and Derrick 262).† There were other effects to the culture, like how the work may alter the perception of the people outside Spain and outside that time frame of the particular culture being represented, not knowing which is true and which is inaccurate, since â€Å"criticisms of Hemingway’s For Whom the Bell Tolls for the last fifty years has been dominated by charges that the writer falsified fact and ignored truths (San Juan 91).†

Special Education Teachers Essay Example for Free

Special Education Teachers Essay The current directions toward inclusion are varied. Some hear opinions that students with mild and moderate disabilities will be placed in classes. Then, there are also those who say that special education students will be placed in inclusion, including those with the most severe disabilities. Definitions of inclusion already abound including issues on its subsequent translation into programming. On the question, â€Å"Which students with disabilities will most benefit from inclusion, the different levels of responses are: Level 1—Students with mild disabilities participate full-time in regular education classrooms. Students with moderate to profound disabilities attend separate classrooms on the regular education camps. Level II – Students with mild and moderate disabilities participate full-time in regular education classrooms, with the elimination of all pull-out programs. Students with severe or profound disabilities would be served in a separate classroom on the same campus. Level III – All students participate in regular education classrooms except students with the most severe disabilities who would be in normalized and age-appropriate classroom on the same campus. Few students are excluded. Level IV – Despite the degree of disability, all students are fully included in general education classrooms. Specialists and teaching assistants provide support for students with the most severe disabilities within the classroom. The regular education teacher is responsible for structuring social interactions with typical peers. The least inclusive proposal places most students with mild disabilities in regular classes, but excludes those with moderate through severe disabilities, placing them in separate rooms within the regular school building (Lilly, 1986). This proposal is closest to the traditional manner of service delivery and is the easiest to implement in terms of using available special educators as support personnel and providing training in methods for regular education teachers to include these children. More inclusive is the proposal to place students with mild or moderate disabilities in regular education classes (Reynolds Wang, 1983; Wang, Reynolds Walburg, 1987). The essence and meaning of inclusion evolved from the historical concepts in early childhood special education, that is, mainstreaming and integration. Bricker (1995) discusses the evolution of these terms, noting that mainstreaming refers to the â€Å"reentry of children with mild disabilities be served totally in these settings eliminating the need for pull-out programs. While students with organically-based learning disabilities or moderately demonstrated behavioral disorders would not have been included in regular education rooms in the Level I proposal, they would be included here. Yet, proponents of both levels agree that there will be students with severe and/or multiple disabilities whose needs will not be served optimally in a mainstream environment. They feel that these students will need to participate full-time in separate settings. Level III includes a more extensive involvement of severely impaired students in regular education. All students are included except those who are unable to be involved in academic or social interactions (Gartner Lipsky, 1987). However, even these students would participate in nearby classrooms which would be as normalized and age-appropriate as possible. The most extreme view is that of full inclusionists, who propose that all students should participate in general education classes. Claiming that to do otherwise would be to support a â€Å"dual-system† for the most disabled, Level IV proponents propose the integration of even profoundly-impaired students into totally normalized classes (Stainback Stainback, 1984). This position has prompted the strongest reaction of implausibility from those opposed to the Regular Education Initiative. Yet parents and professionals supporting Level IV inclusion do acknowledge that there are situations in which these students cannot be grouped with other s because of instructional differences. Thus, the Regular Education Initiative gives a sense of inclusion for students. Yet, a number of researchers and educators have opposed the Regular Education Initiative strongly. They cite the historical inability and lack of desire of regular education to meet students’ needs. That is the reason why the IDEA cropped up. They worry about the loss of funding and parental right. They also note that most regular educators are not trained to have students with disabilities in their classes. They say that teachers cannot meet societal demands for excellence if they are expected to have vastly different levels of student academic and behavioral performance in their classes.

Brainstorming Six Thinking Hats Communications Essay

Brainstorming Six Thinking Hats Communications Essay Brainstorming is one of the best-known techniques for producing fresh ideas and approaching problems from innovative new angles. Brainstorming sessions are best done in small groups; participants are asked to leave their inner critic at the door and come up with the zaniest ideas possible. This challenge is based on a tool created by famous ‘lateral thinker Edward de Bono to improve decision making skills. The Six Thinking Hats technique is particularly useful for group brainstorming as it emphasises ‘what if? thinking rather than ‘what is assumptions. People or groups often tend to follow certain fixed ways of thinking. This technique involves looking at a problem or issue from a number of different perspectives, each represented by a different coloured hat, and giving each one equal weighting in a discussion. White hat (= objective) When you wear this hat, you focus on available information to see what you can learn from it. You try to fill any gaps in your knowledge. This is where you analyse past trends and extrapolate from historical data. Red hat (= emotions, feelings) When you wear the red hat you use intuition, gut reaction and emotion to respond to an issue or idea. You also try to think how other people will react emotionally to the issue, and try to understand their intuitive responses. Black hat (= negatives, points of caution) When you wear the black hat you are the pessimist. You are cautious and critical and try to find reasons that things will not work. Its a useful perspective, since it highlights any weak points in a plan and enables you to either eliminate them, or prepare measures to counter problems should they arise. Black hat thinking makes plans more resilient. Yellow hat (= positive focus) The yellow hat is the positive thinking hat. When you wear this hat you seek harmony; its optimistic viewpoint enables you to see the value, benefits and further opportunities in a plan. Yellow hat thinking helps you keep going when everything looks gloomy and difficult. Green hat (= generates new ideas or concepts) The green hat stands for creativity. Its mood is provocative, experimental, and explorative. Wear it to playfully spin ideas free of any judgement or criticism. Blue hat (= defines focus, control of thinking) The blue hat stands for process control. It sees the big picture. Wear this hat to chair a meeting, or to bring any of the other processes /thinking approaches [?] to order. During a typical Six Hats session you will flip between different hat ‘modes: when ideas are slow in coming youll try green hat thinking; when the mood gets too pessimistic, switch to yellow hat thinking; when contingency planning is needed, put on your black hat, and so on. 3 How to Play 3.a Game Instructions The six animals on the right-hand riverbank are desperately looking for their thinking caps, which the wind has cheekily deposited on the left bank. Send the hats back to their respective owners by following the 6 ways of thinking, one at a time, all the way through from the left to the right. To start, you will be presented with a challenge question. To accept, click on one of the hats. You will then be presented with 3 phrases pertaining to the challenge. Choose the one that best represents the hat you chose. If you choose correctly, 3 more phrases will appear. Continue clicking on the most appropriate phrase until the hat reaches its owner, then click on another hat and repeat the process until you have sent all the hats back to their owners. 3.b Game Rules Once you have clicked on a phrase, there is no turning back. Points will either be deducted for a wrong answer or added for a correct answer. The game is over when all the hats reach their owners; your end score will be tallied up and expressed as a percentage. 3.c Game tips Think before you click! Familiarise yourself with the six different ways of thinking before you start. You might want to read through the introduction text a few times until you are sure of your colour qualities.* see note at end I agree with note (also see my comment up-front), so we have to resolve how to best deal with this The tips at the end of the game will also give you some pointers on how best to brainstorm. 4 Start Screen text Choose one of the hats to start the game. Remember, you have to stick to one way of thinking until you reach the opposite riverbank. 5 Challenge Q: How can we best ensure that group brainstorming sessions are effective? 5.1 White hat 5.1.1 White Group 1 5.1.1.1 Naturally one should start at the beginning, by defining a clear purpose and goal for the session. 5.1.1. 2 Do you have to be so pedantic? Thoughts should just flow freely! 5.1.1.3 Hat 2, be careful not to patronise! As a starting point Hat 1 is right chances of success are greater if the goal is clearly defined. Thereafter we can go wild. 5.1.2 White Group 2 5.1.2.1 Do you guys mind if I make an urgent call? Im planning a surprise party for my best friend and the caterers have a crisis. 5.1.2.2 Interruptions break the flow of brainstorming sessions. 5.1.2.3 Im sure your crisis will work itself out while we work together to find a best practice recipe for brainstorming! 5.1.3 White Group 3 5.1.3.1 Research shows that people talk more freely when theyve had an alcoholic beverage. 5.1.3.2 Now thats an idea! Looking around the room, I can see that we all need to unwind a bit. 5.1.3.3 Fair enough, we can take a five-minute comfort break. 5.1.4 White Group 4 5.1.4.1 I know! Lets play a game to wake up our tired old brains? 5.1.4.2 Crazy as that sounds, it is not a bad idea! I am making a note of it. 5.1.4.3 This has proved to be a successful technique in the past. 5.1.5 White Group 5 5.1.5.1 What about the participants? Any guidelines as to who should be in the session? 5.1.5.2 The group should be varied different people with different skills will bring more variety to the table. 5.1.5.3 Everyone should respect each others opinions. 5.2 Red hat 5.2.1 Red Group 1 5.2.1.1 I doubt well find a workable solution to this problem. 5.2.1.2 Dont be so pessimistic! If we put our heads together, we can come up with hundreds of ideas! 5.2.1.3 I feel like you are putting a damper on everyones mood. 5.2.2 Red Group 2 5.2.2.1 My gut tells me when Im generating a good creative idea. 5.2.2 2 Well, I try to always see the silver lining. 5.2.2.3 Point noted. Who else wants to share a thought? 5.2.3 Red Group 3 5.2.3.1 Heres a thought: how about having the session in a hot air balloon so we can see it from a different perspective? 5.2.3.2 Nobody has time for that! 5.2.3.3 Some people might be a bit nervous up there, but I love the idea! It is so bold! 5.2.4 Red Group 4 5.2.4.1 Here are some pens and paper. We are going to do a mind mapping exercise to enrich the session. 5.2.4.2 Oh goodie! This reminds me of my primary school days! All children are unselfconsciously creative. 5.2.4.3 Do we have to do this? Seems a bit childish. 5.2.5 Red Group 5 5.2.5.1 This is so much fun! And therapeutic too! 5.2.5.2 I agree, we should do this more often. Look at all the ideas weve generated in just 5 minutes! 5.2.5.3 Well done everybody! You have all come up with some great ideas. 5.3 Black hat 5.3.1 Black Group 1 5.3.1.1 Group brainstorming sessions are successful when the facilitator encourages outrageous thinking. 5.3.1.2 I dont agree. Some ideas are too crazy to even consider. What is the point if you cannot implement it? 5.3.1.3 Although Hat 2 has a point, we can focus on practicalities later. For now, letÊÂ ¼s go with Hat 1ÊÂ ¼s suggestion. 5.3.2 Black Group 2 5.3.2.1 People need to feel that their opinions count. There should be lots of encouragement and praise! 5.3.2.2 Also, dont forget what lessons were learnt from past brainstorming sessions. 5.3.2.3 People will never talk freely and openly if the facilitator is high up in the corporate hierarchy. Theyll just feel intimidated. 5.3.3 Black Group 3 5.3.3.1 We are bound to get some good ideas if we get hundreds of people together to brainstorm! 5.3.3.2 Good luck selling that idea resources are stretched thin enough as it is. 5.3.3 3 Hang on a second Hat 2, Hat 1 leads us to a very important point bringing together a wide range of different people will generate a wide range of ideas. 5.3.4 Black Group 4 5.3.4.1 The problem with group brainstorming sessions is that the subject is usually too vaguely phrased. 5.3.4.2 Indeed, Hat 1 makes a good point. Looking back on our past sessions, that was the main reason for a lack of workable ideas. 5.3.4.3 Luckily this was not the case today, so letÊÂ ¼s take note of that and turn our focus to the best environment to have group brainstorming sessions in. Anyone? 5.3.5 Black Group 5 5.3.5.1 Food and drink always makes me feel more relaxed and open. We should be as comfortable as possible and take many breaks. 5.3.5.2 In a pool! Or at a sporting event. Or how about hiring a taxi and going on a group brainstorming road trip?! 5.3.5.3 The main problem is the interruptions. It is so frustrating! Just switch off your cellphone! Ask not to be interrupted. Why cant we get this right? 5.4 Yellow hat 5.4.1 Yellow Group 1 5.4.1.1 Who wants to volunteer an idea? 5.4.1.2 My gut says if we could somehow get people in a good mood, the ideas will flow. 5.4.1.3 Happy people are more creative and more productive, so your statement makes perfect logical sense. 5.4.2 Yellow Group 2 5.4.2.1 Ive got plenty of ideas on how we can do that! Like, why not play soothing music in the background to put everybody in a kind of meditative state. 5.4.2.2 What a lovely idea! Just as long as we make sure everybody agrees on what music will be played. 5.4.2.3 Are you kidding me? It is the dumbest idea I have heard in my life! 5.4.3 Yellow Group 3 5.4.3.1Dont be so quick to judge. People love to work together for a common cause. 5.4.3.2 Improving your analysing and strategic thinking helps your bottom line and were all striving towards that goal. 5.4.3.3 Good point! Let take some time to think about how successful brainstorming can affect our bottom line. 5.4.4 Yellow Group 4 5.4.4.1 It cant. Ideas generated in brainstorming sessions are just wishful thinking. 5.4.4.2 I beg to differ we have done it before and we can definitely do it again! 5.4.4.3 Indeed, last years brainstorming session resulted in the company producing an exciting new product. 5.4.5 Yellow Group 5 5.4.5.1 Heres another example: when legislation changed in an African country, we brainstormed options for expanding there today its one of our biggest markets. 5.4.5.2 Stories like that give me goosebumps! 5.4.5.3 That is valuable knowledge! We should compile a list of these success stories to get tips on why they were successful and to inspire similar thinking as we move forward. 5.5 Green hat 5.5.1 Green Group 1 5.5.1.1 If its okay with everybody, Id like to sing a song this topic reminds me of. Then we make up our own words as we go along. 5.5.1.2 Do you have any marbles left? This is a business meeting! 5.5.1.3 No, it is a great idea! As long as it is not a lullaby. Hat 1, you may proceed. 5.5.2 Green Group 2 5.5.2.1 Ill tell a joke instead so as not to offend anybody with my singing. How do you eat an elephant? 5.5.2.2 I know the answer to this one! 5.5.2.3 That is repulsive! Humans should not be allowed to eat elephants! 5.5.3 Green Group 3 5.5.3.1 If you were starving and it was the only thing left to eat except your own leg, would you change your mind? 5.5.3.2 Im sure it is just a metaphor. If the answer has bearing on this discussion, please share it with us. If not, we have to move on. 5.5.3.3 But it does! The answer is ‘bite by bite just like we are doing now ‘idea by idea. I brought sweets so the next good idea gets a treat! 5.5.4 Green Group 4 5.5.4.1 Or we can play that game where we start with one person saying a word, like ‘success, and everybody has to say one related word, and on to the next, faster and faster till we see where we end up! 5.5.4.2 No way! I dont see the value in a rambling session like that. We should just use our critical judgement to weed out the impossible ideas. 5.5.4.3 That game sounds like fun! We use criticism far too often as our default line of thinking. Lets expand our brains a bit. You can start, Ill write everything down if I can keep up! 5.5.5 Green Group 5 5.5.5.1 Brainstorming. 5.5.5.2 Clairvoyance. 5.5.5.3 Clarity. 5.6 Blue hat 5.6.1 Blue Group 1 5.6.1.1 Before we proceed, can we get a comfort break soon? 5.6.1.2 Yes. Lets have it now, so that we dont have to interrupt the flow of thinking once were on a roll. 5.6.1.3 We should actually record the session so that you dont have to worry about keeping notes. 5.6.2 Blue Group 2 5.6.2.1 That meeting we had this morning was so unproductive! 5.6.2.2 And boring! I was twiddling my thumbs for the first hour and a half! 5.6.2.3 Sounds like you guys have had a rough day. Lets brighten things up now by having some fun and solving this conundrum! 5.6.3 Blue Group 3 5.6.3.1 Can we hurry this up? Ive got a heap of admin waiting on my desk. 5.6.3.2 Sure, I would like us to all think about three emotional factors related to this topic. 5.6.3.3 Comfort, respect and encouragement. 5.6.4 Blue Group 4 5.6.4.1 That is a very important point! Encouragement will make people feel proud of themselves and therefore more willing to participate. 5.6.4 2 Listen, Im not lying just to make someone feel all warm and fuzzy inside. 5.6.4.3 We hear you Mr Cranky! You have my permission to keep quiet rather than faking praise. 5.6.5 Blue Group 5 5.6.5.1 Lets accommodate indulge Mr Cranky over here and explore the negative aspects which impact on brainstorming sessions. 5.6.5.2 Critical thinking? 5.6.5.3 Ha-ha, very funny. 6 Game end and Score 6.1 A perfect score!! 100% 6.2 Well done! Good score! 90%-100% 6.3 Not bad, but there is room for improvement. Try again. 70%-90% 6.4 Oops! You would do well to try and better your score. Below 70% 7. Tips for ensuring a successful brainstorming session 7.1 Choose an appropriate environment where you wont be disturbed. Somewhere outdoors or away from the office is best as it takes people out of their regular daily mode of thinking. 7.2 Have a mixed group of participants. Include participants from varied backgrounds or departments, rather than people who have similar backgrounds or specialties. It allows for a far wider range of creative ideas 7.3 Assign a facilitator to lead the group and take notes. The person should be enthusiastic and able to both encourage chaos and bring it to order when necessary. The facilitator does not usually contribute ideas, but rather directs the session. (If the facilitator works in the same company, make sure he/she is not of a much higher rank post grade than the participants, as this can make them reluctant to propose unorthodox ideas.) 7.4 Warm up the group. Start with a quick discussion on a ‘nonsense topic, like ‘think of five ways to improve a cow, if you had a magic wand what would you change, your favourite quotation. This gets thoughts flowing and sets the scene for a fun creative and dynamic session. 7.5 Now state your aim clearly. If you do not phrase your starting question correctly, you could end up with myriad ideas that do not actually solve the problem. Vague challenge statements encourage vague thinking, so make sure you clearly define the criteria of the issue to be brainstormed. 7.6 Write all ideas out in public view. Every participant should be able to see all the information all the time. A white board or flipchart is best for this. Once the ideas are up on the wall the whole group owns them and can add or expand on any one of them. 7.7 Encourage participation. Emphasise that the session is a non-judgmental environment you wont get great ideas if people are too scared to contribute, so no criticism allowed. 7.8 Make sure all ideas get equal weight. Stick to this rule no matter how silly or off-the-wall the ideas might appear. 7.9 Keep the discussion focused on the issue. A skilful facilitator will keep any one idea from taking up too much discussion time. 7.10 Set a time to reconvene. Once people have had a time to go away and ‘digest the session, call another meeting to sort through all the ideas and select the most appropriate ones. This can be done by group consensus or voting.

Theories of Development Essay -- Psychology, Freud, Erickson

Question #1 : Compare and contrast the psychoanalytic theories of Freud and Erickson Freud’s Theory : Freud believed that most human behavior is motivated by the unconscious mind. â€Å"Freud proposed that personality has 3 structures : the id, the ego and the superego† (Santrock, 23). The id is the origin of personality driven by instinct. The id resides in unconscious rather than reality. The ego, another structure of reality, appears when children learn about the needs and constraints of reality. â€Å"The ego is called â€Å"executive branch† of reality because it uses reasoning to make decisions† (Santrock, 23). The id and the ego don’t make moral judgement or consider what is right or wrong. â€Å"The superego is the moral branch of personality† (Santrock, 23). Freud stated that the superego is a matter of â€Å"conscience†.† Freud believed that we all go through 5 stages of psychosexual development : oral, anal, phallic, latency and genital† (Santrock, 24). Freud claimed that the adult personality is determined by how we resolve conflicts between the sources of pleasure at each stage and the needs of the reality. Erickson’s Psychosocial Theory : Includes 8 stages of human development. â€Å"Each stage consists of a unique developmental task that confronts individuals with a crisis that must be resolved† (Santrock, 24). Trust versus mistrust is the first stage appears in the first year of life. Warmth that arises from a family makes children learn to trust and feel that the world is good to live in. Autonomy versus shame and doubt (1-3 years of age) is the stage that children will try to do something by themselves and explore the world around them. If a child is limited too much or punish... ...aragraph, describing what you learned from completing this assignment. From completing this assignment, I have learned about human development in many areas from many different theories. I realized that a child will grow into adults with good quality, or an adult with no quality relies on many factors. Therefore, raising or teaching children is not just giving them basic stuff, such as feeding, sleeping or potty training but caregivers and early childhood educators need to learn about the environment around them that affects their behavior and development. Moreover, I think that caregivers, teachers and early childhood educators should apply all the theories about child development to their work. They should not rely on one theory to be able to understand a child because there might be many factors behind a child’s behavior.