Mnemonic Device

Mnemonic device is a method that is used to enhance the memory of a person. Mnemonic does not refer to an object but a method or process to aid in the memory capability of a person. The basic principle of mnemonics relies on the associations between the words to be remembered and to the easy-to-remember information and not only to the repetition of words. This is because the human mind can easily remember words with significant meanings. (Britannica, 2007) Kinds of mnemonic devices There are many forms of mnemonic devices. One is the use of acronym and acrostics mnemonics. An acronym uses the first letter of a word or group of words to remember it while an acrostic is formed from a sequence of lines from which the appropriate letters are used from a word or phrase. An example of this kind of acronym or acrostics is the arranged names of the planets. The order of the planets is from mercury which is being the nearest to the sun going to Pluto which is the farthest. To remember the order of the planets, use the acronym MVEMJSUNP.   MVEMJSUNP will mean My Very Earnest Mother Just Served Us Nine Pickles. Another is the color of the rainbow. To remember the order of color of the rainbow, the acronym ROY G BIV that will stand for red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. In music, to easily memorize the order of lines of the treble staff EGBDF, the phrase Every Good Boy Does Fine or Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge. (Quest, 2007) Another form of mnemonic device is the use of rhyme. Rhyme is the likeness of the sound of two or more words. In remembering the number of days of each month, the rhyme 30 Days has September, April, June, and November. All the rest have 31, except February. Imagery is another form of mnemonic devices. In this form, an image is being utilized to enhance the memory of a word or group of words. An image is being created that will be associated to a word or phrase. The more vibrant the image you have created, the more likely for a word to be remembered. A good example of this is a picture showing the hydrologic cycle. In this picture or image, one can easily memorize or remember the order of the cycle of water and the processes undergoing it. The number-letter system is another good choice of memorizing a word or phrase. In the method, a group of number, which is different to memorize, are being assigned to letters. The letter being assigned to a number usually is associated with sound. Some of the list of number-letter system is shown below. (Quest, 2007) = t (there is one downstroke in the letter t) = n (there are two downstrokes in the letter n) = m (there are three downstrokes in the letter m) = r (the last letter in four is r) = l (the Roman number 50 is L) = sh (the word six has begins with an x) = k (the number seven can be turned around to look like part of the letter k) = f (a cursive f looks like an 8) = p (a p flipped looks like a 9) = z, s (think of zero) The number-letter system is good in memorizing dates, cellular phone numbers as well as telephone numbers. Example of this system is; to memorize or remember the phone number (421) 474-8657.use the word- ReNT †¦ youRCaR†¦. iF SHeLiKe. Because it is not usual to form a phrase or sentence from a given number series, the system can be inserted with vowels to create a word or phrase. (Quest, 2007) While a peg-word system is another form of mnemonic device. It is somewhat similar to number-letter system but their main difference is that the numbers are being assigned to a word that is rhyme with the number. There is a list that is used in the peg-word system. The number 1 is associated with the word bun, 2 is shoe, 3 is tree, 4 is door, 5 is hive, 6 is sticks, 7 is heaven, 8 is gate, 9 is line or shine or vine, and 10 is hen. (Quest, 2007) The Method of Loci The method of Loci is a kind of mnemonic device that was first used to enhance the memory of a person. It dates back from the Greek civilization. The method of Loci is a special kind of memory enhancement because there is a prerequisite to utilize the said method. The person must be first familiar on a given place. Then assigning the words to be remembered to the objects inside the familiar location will do the association of the words. The history of the method of loci was first observed in early Greek. A Greek orator was scheduled to have a speech at a banquet. Before his speech, he went out to take delivery of a message whereupon the hall collapsed, leaving no survivors inside. Though the remains of the body of the dead people cannot be recognized anymore, still the orator was able to identify the people who died in the hall. He based it from the location of the people where he had last seen them sitting or standing before he left from the hall. Many Greek orators used the method of Loci in remembering the words of their speeches as well as the organization of their speeches used this method. (Quest, 2007) Analysis of the Mnemonic Device To analyze carefully the effectiveness of the mnemonic device, one must first study the components of mnemonic device. First, a mnemonic device has a list of cues. These cues can be memory images of graphical locations. When the lists of cues are being studied, the cues must be assigned to a word, number or images. And the assignment must be one to one relationship. The relationship or the pairing of cues to their corresponding partners must be unambiguous and clear. The components of mnemonic device clearly shows that to have an effective use of this system in enhancing the memory of a person, there must be a formation of imaginal relationship or association to a known cues and unknown list items. Effectiveness Many psychologists found out that mnemonic devices are effective in enhancing the memory of a person. In evaluating the effectiveness of mnemonic devices, a person is evaluated if his memory on given information had retained. A person named S, who was observed by A.R. Luria for many years, concluded that the person using mnemonic devices has been successful in retaining his memory. The study showed that S could easily remember volumes of information. S retains this information by associating these informations in to images that can be easily remembered. The system that is being used by the person was somewhat similar to the method of loci where the method of remembering things is related on the orientation and location of the objects in a given place. When S reads a long series of words, at least each word will be associated with an image. And because there is a long series of words, S finds a way to remember the series of words by distributing the images in to a mental row or sequence. He often uses a long street in which he is familiar with that roadway. The words will be assigned to the image of the roadway as he walks on to the street. This method made S easily recognize the sequence of the words in series by just walking to the street. (Luria, 1968) A good characteristic of an effective mnemonic device is the organization of information or thoughts. Making an organization on the words to be memorized is difficult and critical in understanding the information. The main concern of organization of the thoughts depends on the grouping of information to categories and this grouping needs a deep analysis to further understand the organization of the information. A good organization or grouping of information is necessary because it lessens the words to be associated to the words being remembered. Organization is useful is when a person is required to memorize a 100-digit number. To easily memorize the given number, the person must group the numbers so that it will lessen the problem in memorizing it. Chunking or grouping the numbers in to two or three groups can do this. (Quest, 2007) Studies showed also that enhancing the memory of a person by associating a word or phrase to an exaggerated, strange, illogical, humorous or sexual connotation are easily to be remembered than normal words. This is because the human minds remember these kinds of words easily because of the interesting nature of the words. These words are usually the talk of the people. Arbitrariness of mnemonics Though mnemonic device is considered effective in enhancing the memory of a person, there is somewhat arbitrariness of the system. Some psychologists consider the mnemonic device to be illogical and arbitrary in nature. Example of this arbitrariness is the acronym Roy G Biv. The said acronym is used to remember the order of the color of the rainbow. Roy is a legal name but the surname Biv is not actual or usual and the middle initial B. is arbitrary. There is a rising question why a person can easily remember the acronym Roy G Biv. (Brown, 1977) References: Britannica, E. (Ed.) (2007). International Publishing. Brown, M. (1977). Memory matters: David & Charles, New abbot. Luria, A. R. (1968). The mind of a mnemonist. Retrieved June 23, 2007, from http://www.castleton.edu/bergen/mnemonic.htm Quest, T. (2007). Mnemonic Devices [Electronic Version]. Retrieved June 23, 2007 from http://library.thinkquest.org/C0110291/tricks/mnemonics/index.php.      

Library Leaders

Virginia Proctor Powell Florence occupies a special place in the history of the African American population. She was particularly a big inspiration to the women of Africa descent in America being the first woman to pursue successfully a career in the library studies. She was born on the first October 1903; she went to a local public school in Wilkinsburg Pennsylvania. Her parents died when she was still at her tender age. She was living with her aunt. In 1915, she cleared from high school and proceeded to join Oberlin College graduating with a bachelor’s degree in English. She secured a job in Minnesota working as a secretary as the persistent racial discrimination hampered, temporarily, her dreams to work in her former high school (Kinder, Sean, 2008) She had a big dream of pursuing library science and she applied for a place in the Camegie library school, successfully completed her diploma studies in 1922. However, being a pioneer among blacks, she could not be awarded a diploma, this only happened after a number of years later. Her dream career commenced in the New York public library for a number of years before her appointment into Seward high school Brooklyn, as a librarian. She got married to Charles, her fiancà © who had greatly supported her in her career. She still pursued her career working at Cardoza High, Washington DC. She then moved to Maggie L. walker senior high still as a librarian. A look at her life reveals a strong-charactered lady who was able to trend a path that had been shunned by many, winning admiration across the racial divide and no doubt propelling the importance of education in the community to higher level. Even at the time of her death, in 1991, Virginia proctor Powell Florence, an educationist and a career librarian was an inspiration to many. Meeting this respected lady is truly humbling. There are a number of renowned educators that I would like to see join Virginia Proctor Powell Florence and I for tea. Among the famous black American educators, I would most respectably like to meet Virginia lacy Jones and Joseph Henry Reason. There are prominent figures in library leadership, on top of Powell Florence, I admire greatly. So humble and yet so giving. They have contributed eminently to education (Dawson, 2000). Doctor Joseph Henry Reason and Virginia Lacy Jones CVs’ run long, with academic qualifications, experience and personal accomplishments. They both have such inspiring profiles that cannot be matched by many in their generation. Overcoming so many odds to claim a place in the academic circles and history. Dr. Joseph H. Reason lived a life committed to extending knowledge, at the time of his death; he had been the director of Howard university libraries for over twenty years, with strings of accomplishments and projects in the university. Born in 1905, Joseph has many degrees to his name that only can dream of. He has been to New Orleans, Howard, and in the university of Pennsylvania, he took a Bachelor of Science degree specialising on library science then went ahead to get his PhD from the catholic university of America (Http://Www.Allctr.Edu/Documents/October2007oo1.Pdf). He was also the director of number university libraries including A&M university libraries. He helped initiate a number of university projects and building sites. He was a trustee in the Eckerd College. He has also featured in a number of taskforces and under his tutelage, saw the approval of Howard university library as a member in to the association of research libraries. (ARL). The list of his accomplishments run long, but is clearly inspiring. Meeting such a person would be a dream come true considering I don’t usually meet such high calibre persons in academics (Marcus Bruce Christian, 2007). Virginia lacy Jones accomplishments are equally impressive. She was born in 1912 and died in 1984. She received her degree on library studies. She was brought up in West Virginia with Ohio being her birthplace. Her first job in the library was in the Louisville municipal college. She was later to return to the home of her former school, Hampton institute library to get her degree, which she did in social studies. She went back to Louisville to her former workplace and helped found the Kentucky Negro Education Association in Louisville. In 1936, she was appointed to head a program that sought to initiate training to blacks for librarianship. Amidst much opposition from whites over her pay, as she was being paid similar amounts, she made it through and was promoted in to the position of head librarian back in the municipal college (Reinette F. Jones, 2002). Immediately after this promotion, her friend and mentor, Florence Curtis helped secure a master scholarship in library science. She got the masters from the University of Chicago in 1938 and was to get a place in the Atlanta University as the cataloguing librarian. She was named a member of the faculty. She got her PhD in 1945 and at the same time married a French professor. She was the second woman among the blacks to get such high qualifications in academics. Her accomplishments after that run long and she was appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on one of the library presidential advisory committees. With such impressive rà ©sumà ©s who would not want to meet these three distinguished figures. References Reinette F. Jones, 2002. Library Service To African Americans In Kentucky. Mc Far Land. Top Shelf, October 2007. The Newsletter Of The Robert W. Woodruff Library Of The Atlanta University Centre. Vol 3 No 2 Retrieved On 07/03/2008 The African American Registry 2005. Florence Powell Loved Kids and Books Retrieved On 07/03/2008 from Http: www.aaregistry.Com Arna Boztemps, Marcus Bruce Christian, 2007. A chronology of Event In Black Librarianship Dawson, ALMA, 2000. Celebrating African- American Librarians and Librarianship. Retrieved On 07/03/2008 from http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-68273895.html Kinder, Sean, Anticipated Spring 2008.â€Å"Virginia Proctor Powell Florence.† African American National Biography. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Univ. Press (W.E.B. Du Bois Institute).   

Critically evaluate, in relation to the common law duty of care, the Essay - 7

Critically evaluate, in relation to the common law duty of care, the liability of employers for references. How, if at all, doe - Essay Example Selective provision of reference for former employees could contravene the Equality Act 2010 (the Act) if such an exercise amounts to discrimination. In cases where an employer does not offer a reference, it is bound by a duty of care to the former employee. The duty requires the former employer to exercise reasonable care in the processing of accurate, truthful, clear, and fair references (Sam, 2004). Employers also have a duty to fellow employer. In executing this duty, Austen-Baker (2011) notes that a former employer may offer a detailed or a brief reference; however, the content must contain all the necessary information that leaves no room for speculation. Any employer who fails on this may be liable for negligent misrepresentation of facts (Gergen, 2013). Such an employer may also be vulnerable to tort of deceit charges. Detrimental treatment The Act provides important safeguards against victimisation of an individual who files a case against a former employer or has volunteere d evidence in trial under the statute or filed a claim for violation of the statute (Elder, and Gerdes, 2007). Before the Act was enacted, the English common law had ensured that immunity against whistle-blowers and victims was in place. For instance, the House of Lords verdict in the case of Rhys-Harper v Relaxation Group plc [2003] IRLR 484, directed that employees should be cushioned against victimisation such as an employer’s denial of reference in connection to an earlier engagement. Marson (2013) has pointed out that Section 108 of the statute precisely leaves out issues to do with detrimental treatment where an employer-employee relationship has ended. Even though the motive behind Parliament’s decision to leave out victimisation claims after the end of an employment relationship could be seen as an error, the alleged gap is consistent with placing no duty on an employer to give reference to a former employee. Authorities Various examples of the UK case law have not been consistent on victimization of former employees. In the case of Ono v Akwiku (2012), the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) issued a verdict to the effect that it is legal for ex-employees to file for a claim for detrimental treatment under the Equality Act 2010. The ruling may have been informed by the fact that some employees are victims of unfair dismissal and subsequent victimization. Regardless of the reasoning, the EAT verdict contradicts the outcomes of the case of Rowstock Ltd & another v Jessemey (2013). In the latter case, the EAT held that Mr Rowstock could not be remedied for victimisation, following his receipt of a bad reference from his ex-employer. The claimant had alleged age discrimination as victimisation (Marson, 2013). The EAT's ruling was informed by the literal rule of  §108 of the Act, which could not be construed to arrive at a different meaning (Gergen, 2013). In the case of Ono v Atwiku, the petitioner, a domestic employee filed for a claim again st her ex-employers citing detrimental treatment which happened after the engagement between the two parties had ended. In its decision, as Marson (2013) states, the EAT sought to correct the ruling in Jessemey, by arguing that it would not be proper to bring claims of victimization against the former employer after they had gone separate ways. Legal absurdity In spite of the correction of the ruling on the former case

Human Resources Management of Kwik-Fit Financial Services Term Paper

Human Resources Management of Kwik-Fit Financial Services - Term Paper Example The call center contacted the highly probable people in the list and sold the insurance policies and other financial services to these people. This model was successful initially and continued to improve until the time when the company was taken over by Ford. Though the value of the company went up when this was again subsequently taken over by another venture capital group, there was no change in the downward trend that has started. This has arisen primarily because, the call centers are human-centric and a dissatisfied and unhappy staff does not augur well for the company. The number of people who work in the company for a longer stint slowly comes down as the company started to lose ground. The company was on the verge of growth. As a matter of fact, the company was one of the call centers established in the region and had about 850 employees on its rolls. The employees found themselves de-motivated due to a number of take-overs that has been happening in the company and a number of grievances that were not given a hearing. The annual staff turnover in the company was at around 52% and a vacancy rate that was well over 21%. Naturally, with such large turnover and vacancy rates the company had started doing badly and the company was financially falling down2. The business model of the company was simple. The probable leads list come from their own company Kwik-Fit Auto center from which the best of the probe are picked up and they are followed up from the call center. The large scale vacancy and the large turnover of the staff both compounded the problem at the call center and started to bring the company down to the red. The human resource turn over in the company happens because of large scale unhappiness over the working of the company and the people do not fancy working in the company anymore. Of course, the pay does matter. But it is more often the working methods and the environment that compounds the issue and accelerates human turnovers in the company.  

How Companies Motivate Employees Through Different Incentives Research Paper

How Companies Motivate Employees Through Different Incentives - Research Paper Example AUDIENCE: The audience for this report is any business owner or manager who is looking to motivate their employees to be more creative or more productive. I. Opening Brain drain and employee apathy are two large obstacles to optimum productivity. This becomes an inevitable part of any corporate lifestyle due to the process of completing mundane activities. In order to combat this within employees, companies regularly provide incentivized programs to invigorate productivity within employers. Various subjects that are key to increasing productivity include but are not limited to bonuses, benefits, increased commission, and even the environment (Sheffrin, 2003). Companies regularly promote competition between employees as a means of increasing productivity as well. In fact, there are a myriad of methods that have and can be used as a means of promoting productivity. A. Compensation, bonuses, benefits and their role in motivation employees Over the past decade, companies are demanding mo re productivity from the workers while compensation is down. This is because of the ever popular law of supply and demand. Indeed, when the job market is low, there is a higher demand for those positions. This means that companies can pay less for the positions available. Since economists consider productivity (i.e., output per hour worked) to be a key economic determinant of living standards, this fast pace would normally have positive implications for the working class.  But in reality, the opposite is true because of the bottomed out economy. Benefits also play a vital role in the productivity of workers because that is a value added dimension of healthcare programs (Bandura, 1997). Insofar as higher benefit costs are perpetuated by the escalating cost of health care, the increased dollars being spent on employee benefits do not lead to improved benefits.   Moreover, companies are mandated to make greater contributions into specific benefit pension plans than they did during the stock market boom. Though this may translate into higher compensation costs, it by no means improve living standards and conditions for workers (Sheffrin, 2003). Beyond that point, for the individuals who do not receive benefits from their employers, the estimated total compensation is lagging further behind productivity. The internal link for the lack of compensation growth is due to the lack of jobs available in the market as described earlier.   Employment is still down by approximately 1.2 million jobs since the recession began, which has resulted in many workers lacking the bargaining power to claim their fair and due share of the growing economy (Sheffrin, 2003). As a consequence, most of the benefits of growth have flowed to profits, not compensation.  This is because upper level management is still forced to focus on the bottom line for the shareholders, as opposed to the welfare of the employees. In the modern economic climate, the belief that productivity growth wi ll translate into rising living standards across the income spectrum is losing credibility (Bandura, 1997). II. Body A. History of Corporate Incentive Design In terms of Corporate Incentive design, the application of proper motivational techniques can be a daunting and difficult task. When companies attempt to develop a reward system, it can be easy to reward A, while intending to motivate figure B, but unintentionally reap harmful effects that can pose a liability to corporate objectives. Incentive theory in essence means that a person's actions

Assess Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Assess - Essay Example It enables a person to understand things on a much higher plane and provides them with the leverage of better expression, when it comes to giving their opinions and ideas to others. My past memories of literacy, takes me back to my childhood days, when I lived with my family in Saudi Arabia and was in constant touch with my mother tongue Arabic, that came naturally to me because everyday, my mother would read me stories and narrate her own life events as the years passed by. Going to school and learning my lessons, taking part in school activities and moving with a good circle of friends, helped to influence me further and make me more literate over the years. A lot of my leisure time during the My adolescent years were greatly influenced in supplementing my reading by watching movies or engaging in multi-media by playing computer games and even entertaining role plays with my friends that I enjoyed so much. Both my parents played major roles where my language learning was concerned. They helped me imbibe a deep love for reading and speaking well, by taking me to meetings, debates and oratorical presentations where I had the opportunity of watching great speakers speak in depth on important subjects. Knowing that only my mother – tongue would not be sufficient for an all round education, they engaged me in special classes for learning the English language which I loved and further developed through reading and writing both at school and at home. Reading assignments given by my teachers over the years, helped to harness a deep understanding of both English and Arabic language and served to further influence my use of grammar and arrangement of sequential thoughts of expression, when I was given writing assignments. My English teacher was a major influential factor in my life because not only did she possess profound knowledge of the subject, but she showed genuine interest in every student while imparting that knowledge to us. understand that literacy has a

Quantitative asset managment laboratory Coursework

Quantitative asset managment laboratory - Coursework Example The QAM obtains its name from its two components of out of phase which are 90 degrees. Aim of the experiment The primary concern of the experiment is to design and implement a Quadrature Amplitude Modulation transmitter. The experiment aims at the student being able to understand the representation of baseband signals in constellations and to have a better knowledge of differential encoding. The experiment also aims at reviewing the Quadrature Amplitude Modulation in digital communication, as this will help in generation of signals and demodulation. Because of the close relationship between AM and QAM, the experiment should also demonstrate modulation and demodulation in AM signals and examine the sensitivity of QAM phase errors (Ho, 2005). Equipment required The plugs in modules that will be needed for a complete run of the experiment include: An audio oscillator An adder and an multiplier Quadrature utilities Phase shifter and the associated utilities Dual analog switch Quadrature phase shifter Sequence generator Two tunable low pass filters Procedure The first step is to set up a QAM modulator using the equipments provided. Basically, a QAM modulator uses an analog circuit arrangement with emphasis on avoiding overload. Overload on the modulator must be eliminated as a way of avoiding crosstalk between channels when a common path is being shared between the adder and the multiplier. Make sure a filter is put between the paths as a way of ensuring that unwanted components are kept away from the multiplier (Hsueh-Ming, 1995). By using the Quadrature utilities which basically consist of two multipliers and one adder, several steps are taken into account. The upper multiplier is used to generate the first message while the lower multiplier is used to generate the second message by feeding message 1 to the channel 1 of the speech module, feeding message 2 to the channel 2 of the speech module, and preparation of a carrier of 9 kHz sinusoid by using the audio osci llator. The in-phase component of the oscillator and the cos are then used as the carrier to message 1 while the quad phase and the sin components are used as the carriers to message 2 (William, 1994). The two data control signals are also set to two thirds of the full scale while the IQ modulator is controlled to half scale. The noise amplitude that is associated with the transmission block should be set to the minimum level. The phase scope is then opened and by using the variable phase shift control, the IQ carrier phase is set to 90 degrees. The phasescope signal probe is then moved to the noise channel output and set to costelaltion mode with the persistence and hi persist on. At this point, the phase scope should indicate 16 constellations and by using the phi offset control on the phase scope, the pattern is rotated to line up with the square phase scope gratitude. The data signal level control is then adjusted with the aim of achieving perfect and an equal sided square. The pattern can be centralizing through further adjustment of the lower balance control on each side of the IQ modulator (Lajos, 2000). Several adjustments are made on the QAM. The button on the block diagram is used to adjust to 64 QAM demonstrated by 64 symbols. Again, by using the button, adjustment is made to 256 QAM. The Oscilloscope is opened and the button adjusted to 16 QAM with observations noted. Since the QAM works through a combination of

Contemporary Employment Relationship Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 4

Contemporary Employment Relationship - Essay Example Employment relations play an important role in the economy of any given country. It is also the main subject in the political arena, but what do we understand about employment relations? One’s mind can ring on unions, issues to do with strikes, not leaving out salaries or better working atmosphere and maybe friendly terms regarding working condition. Employment relation can mean a legal binding existing between an employer and an employee. Normally, it occurs when an employee does a task or a service guided by specific legal conditions in return for pay or wage (MILLER, & CROSS 2013). It is through these relations that the privileges and responsibilities are developed between the employer and employee. Through time memorial, it has been and will always continue being the main engine behind workers freedom at various workplaces in relation to social security and labor act. Without employment relationship conditions, application of both social and labor acts may prove to be futi le to employees. It contains the main guidelines used in defining the type and degree employer’s privileges towards his or her employee.  Whatever is contained and the outlining of anticipations from both employer and employee, plays a significant role in determining the resilience of the affiliation to exert a lot of force on the agreement. A situation may turn to be contradicting especially when two individuals implicated have a different opinion over an agreement that has been set. This may bring the need for a psychological contract in a work environment. The psychological contract can be defined as an implicit agreement concerning the employee and employer (ROUSSEAU, D. M., & SCHALK 2000).

International financial strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

International financial strategy - Essay Example Thus it is absolutely important that the companies take precautionary measures to minimize the risks (Bonaccorsi and Daraio, 2009). The present research study elucidates the benefits and costs and advantages that a company can enjoy if it is listed in more than one exchange. British Petroleum is used as an example to show how it finances its long term capital needs. Apart from that effort is also made to present the transaction risk faced by the company. Reasons for which a company cross lists itself A multinational company is spread all across the globe. Due to this reason such a company is involved in multiple numbers of trading relationships across multiple time zones and more importantly in multiple currencies. The company must be listed on the domestic exchange apart from the other foreign exchanges (Chiefele, 2012). The domestic exchange most of the time performs the job for currency exchange. If the operational base of the company is spread in more than 5 to 6 different intern ational countries, then using the domestic exchange as the basis for all transactional requirements becomes complex and cumbersome (Garrick, 2011). The transactions which are settled in different foreign currencies may have different consequences on the company if they are settled through a foreign exchange rather than a domestic exchange. For example the exchange rate between two different currencies can be slightly different between a foreign exchange and a domestic exchange. Multinational companies can use this price difference for their own advantages. The difference in price is due to the information asymmetry. The financial system is connected by very complex network where any new information generated at one corner gets dispersed to other corners easily (Gulbrandsen and Smeby, 2008). The stock exchanges around the world are connected by vast system of networks. The networks carry large amount of information in a matter of seconds. Thus any lag in information between two time zones is almost negligible. Still the negligible difference when multiplied by transactions worth billions of dollars the resultant is completely different (Hakim, 2010). This entails the arbitraging concept. This kind of arbitraging has been reduced significantly due to superfast information dissemination and sharing. Despite that there are many deficiencies in the systems which are sometimes misused by multinational companies. One of the most important reasons for cross-listing is reducing the cost of equity. Finding sources of finance is a matter of perennial concern for any company. The difficulty becomes multiplied if it is a multinational company. If the multinational company is listed in a more than one exchanges then the probability of raising the capital increases. The company can use various modes of financing both debt and equity. Thus the dependency on one economy or the modes of finance decreases considerably. This in turn eases the rate of return that a company has to offer to the investors to raise the capital (Harvey, Smith and Wilkinson, 2007). This is

The Xhosa-speaking people Essay Example for Free

The Xhosa-speaking people Essay The word Xhosa refers to a people and a language of South Africa. The Xhosa-speaking people are divided into a number of subgroups with their own distinct but related heritages. One of these subgroups is called Xhosa as well. The other main subgroups are the Bhaca, Bomvana, Mfengu, Mpondo, Mpondomise, Xesibe, and Thembu. Unless otherwise stated, this article refers to all the Xhosa-speaking people. Well before the arrival of Dutch in the 1650s, the Xhosa had settled the southeastern area of South Africa. They interacted with the foraging (food-gathering) and pastoral (nomadic herding) people who were in South Africa first, the Khoi and the San. Europeans who came to stay in South Africa first settled in and around Cape Town. As the years passed, they sought to expand their territory. This expansion was first at the expense of the Khoi and San, but later Xhosa land was taken as well. A series of wars between trekboers (Afrikaner colonists) and Xhosa began in the 1770s. Later, in the nineteenth century, the British became the new colonizing force (foreigners in control) in the Cape. They directed the armies that were to vanquish the Xhosa. Christian missionaries established their first outposts among the Xhosa in the 1820s, but met with little success. Only after the Xhosa population had been traumatized by European invasion, drought, and disease did Xhosa convert to Christianity in substantial numbers. In addition to land lost to white annexation, legislation reduced Xhosa political autonomy. Over time, Xhosa people became increasingly impoverished. They had no option but to become migrant laborers. In the late 1990s, Xhosa make up a large percentage of the workers in South Africas gold mines. Under apartheid (a government policy requiring the separation of races), the South African government created separate regions that were described as Bantustans (homelands) for black people of African descent. Two regions—Transkei and Ciskei—were set aside for Xhosa people. These regions were proclaimed independent countries by the apartheid government. Apartheid policy denied South African citizenship to many Xhosa. Thousands of people were forcibly relocated to remote areas in Transkei and Ciskei. The homelands were abolished with the change to democracy in 1994.

Social Issue: Sex Work

Social Issue: Sex Work Sex work is a complex social issue that has historical and current underpinnings. It is perceived and performed differently with regards to different periods that construct it. Various perspectives that pertain to violence used, social perceptions, different ways sex is understood while different factors that shape it are examined. Current and future literature and research consider the way sex work is socially constructed and used as commodity. It is such perceptions that shape the way prostitution is performed and the way it influences society. Through methods employed involving research on literature pertaining to sex work further research has been conducted that unveils pertinent factors that shape sex work and its industry. Perceptions on sex as work in literature Literature on sex work pertains mostly to the nature and consequences that is stimulated by political agenda. It has been influenced to a high degree by feminist perceptions that view sex work as a form of male domination. It is not only exhibition of violence but violence itself. There is no forced or voluntary prostitution that is always coerced in certain way even if there is lack of awareness. The motivation behind prostitution has been explained as the expression of hatred towards female body although empirical studies fail to confirm this. Various publications view prostitution as oppression, violence, impinging human rights (Weitzer p. 212, 2005). Even though violence towards women is found to be less likely committed by customers feminist writing rejects terms that describe sex work as prostitution as politically motivated to enforce lack of choice that is exerted. Rather than prostitutes workers should be called survivors. Some women claim certain economic control they can exert through sex work. The oppressive values of society are part of cultural and legal production as part of marginalization and degradation that leads to its oppressive characteristics (Weitzer, p. 213, 2005). According Weitzer, it is the way prostitution is viewed in legal terms as not entirely legitimate that allows for marginalization and social discrimination. With reduced police protection, oppressive values can be maintained and culturally approved (Weitzer, p. 214, 2005). Research is needed in terms of dynamics of recruitment, socialization, surveillance, exploitation, coercion, and trafficking. Such research would shed light on power relations, types of workers who experience more domination than those who experience less domination (Weitzer, 2005). Perspectives on coercion Violent behaviour is exhibited physically, sexually, through intimidation, psychologically, intensly, infrequently, impulsively, sustainability, planning, rituals, verbally, cognitively, emotionally, linguistically, visually and through representation. Its purpose is to control the victim cognitively, verbally, and their interaction. The consequences can be life long. Its effects are apparent in anger, world-views, future endeavours, self-worth, the ability to deal with success and failure, to grow and develop growth. Violence may have effects that last throughout the entire life while they can also be reproduced when dealing with others. Most frequent perpetrators of violent behaviour are men but women may also exhibit violence under pressure. Males develop attitudes toward violence to exhibit their masculinity in sport, society, and military. Also Western organizations remain predominantly managed by men. Violence can also involve the denial of promise, cancellation of a project, theft, or destruction of something of value (Brewis Linstead p. 22, 2000). Organizational pressure that enforces certain behaviour organized around certain organizing principle so that sentiment, passion, and unpredictability are banished (Brewis Linstead p. 23, 2000). According to Marx and Weber organizations are constructed in such a way as to impose domination, where violence is adopted through authority and command. Sex work definition Prostitution unveils human desire while it can also be part of exploitation of victims. Some views propose feminist views opposing prostitution while others emphasize the importance to improve conditions that influence prostitution including patriarchal masculinity. Moral ethical positions incorporate views that stem from sex education and AIDS prevention programs. Some views reflect complexity of sex work, where those engaged in it may be ethical and moral while breaking social norms. Prostitutes as a diverse group are perceived differently in modernity and differently in post-modernity, where uncertainty, changing culture, lack of predictability leads to the fragmentation of desire as part of counter force to capitalist coercion towards uniformity and control (Brewis Linstead p. 190, 2000). To understand sex work relates to the way sexuality is understood along with masculinity and femininity. According to Foucalt, the Ancient Greeks regarded healthy existence as dependent on the way humans engaged in sex. Through self-mastery, such as that of senses mastery of others could be achieved (Brewis Linstead p. 190, 2000). Sexuality only became important around the eighteenth century. For the Ancients it was the diet that was the main focus of maintaining healthy human existence. The Western culture transformed the way we viewed our bodies, individuality and history. Sexuality changed through different conceptualization and forms in different periods and cultures (Brewis Linstead p. 191, 2000). The male sexual drive has been considered to have been formed through the perception of the male sexual drive as need and drive as part of biology, patriarchal expression of family, where male fidelity is not that important, and where sex is viewed in a permissive way that can incorporate two men and two women (Brewis Linstead p. 191, 2000). Since the late eighteenth century visiting prostitutes was permitted as part of male behaviour. Finding desire and love in different than married relationships was pathological according to Freud who thought that married men engaged in sex with prostitutes as it allowed them to respect their wives better as perverse tendencies were expressed in other contacts (Brewis Linstead p. 192, 2000). Women engaging in prostitution were seen as fallen while also being demonized. Post-modern view of sexuality encompasses the meaning of transaction rather than romance in sexuality while permissive space is established. It is also more than the exercise of p ower, where both parties play equal role. Prostitution reflects transactional nature as part of social consumption, where emotional and moral constraints are rejected. In this way prostitution is part of commodification of relations (Brewis Linstead p. 195, 2000). Current research There are various considerations involving sex work, such as criminal, moral, and legal aspects, including health risks. Other aspects also involve diversity, social determinants, stigma, and social exclusion on life chances. Critical issues that also concern government interest moves from social inclusion and harm reduction aspects. There is need to reduce harm, such as violence against those working in sex industry. The research deals with them more as one dimensional rather than people with lives of various dimensions. There are different regions, different sectors, and different sellers and buyers and various aspects of sex as work or exploitation (Benoit Shaver, 2006). Prostitutes that work on streets have been found to suffer greater exposure than those that work in massage parlours due to drug use. They suffer greater health problems, vein thrombosis, chest infections, hepatitis B and C, anxiety, and depression. Sex workers in sex parlours suffered only half as much as those that worked on streets and had different health needs (Anonymous, 2007). Media has been found to contribute to the construction, reproduction, and social stigmas associated with sex industry. Historical and spatial variability along with examination of roots is important in understanding the way stigmas are socially constructed. Stigmas reproduced in media narratives, where it concentrates on the way individuality is lost (Benoit Shaver, 2006). The complexity of issues involving sex work pertains to the diversity of people that are part of the industry, where different ways of participation and diverse relationships are formed. Various perspectives incorporate prostitution and its exploitative aspect in terms of work, slavery, and freedom. Previous research may have included certain flaws in the way it was conducted through standardization. Social-legal environments may encourage sex work access to resources (Benoit Shaver, 2006). A research in Netherlands showed the level of burnout reached three dimensions involving emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal competence. The reasons given included lack of choice, negative social interactions including violence, and lack of control in interaction with clients. Depersonalization was used to handle interactions with clients and was part of handling negative experiences. High level of emotional stress led to depression, anxiety, and hostility. Depersonalisation is common among sex workers who have to act in a way that is false, transforming feelings, and using personality as an instrument. Indifference and distancing help with handling difficult situations. Depersonalisation is used as part of emotion work (Vanwesenbeeck, 2004). Literature on sex work indicates that victimization and negative social interactions are part of stigma that involves burnout factors. Role-conflict, lack of social support, excess workload, lack of control, insufficient rewards as part of the burnout literature are most important. Literature also claims that there are higher levels of burnout in addition to age factors, duration of sex work, use of drugs, as well as the site of work, nature of interaction and the type of clientele influence also the levels of burnout. Sex workers that engage in window work deal with less affluent clientele but face more risks. Other symptoms involved lack of appetite, sleeplessness, tiredness, palpitations, dizziness, and headaches (Vanwesenbeeck, 2004). In the last year frequent bullying and pestering were experienced. Motives were negative for half of the studied group, and positive only for a quarter. Female indoor sex workers showed similar level of work-related emotional exhaustion to female health care workers, such as nurses. There were higher scores on depersonalization or cynicism than that of nurses and similar to those of patients. They showed a clinical level of cynicism, and the younger women suffered higher depersonalization and less personal competence. The main factors were lack of job autonomy, social support, role conflict, and negative social reactions (Vanwesenbeeck, 2004). Men who purchased sexual services displayed certain sex-buying behaviour. A significantly low proportion of buyers were responsible for violence towards sex workers. They rarely robbed, raped, and murdered sex workers although the research may have also been empirically inadequate (Benoit Shaver, 2006). Strip clubs induced income generating activities through a certain type of atmosphere created. The most attractive part of the job was claimed to be economic benefits. The evidence also showed that it was careful decision rather than coercion that led them to pursue their career choices. Attempts to organize were mostly unsuccessful while competition led to the deterioration of working conditions. Hence through sex wars in Canada, confusion led to distorted judgments although certain concerns were identified (Benoit Shaver, 2006). Coercion in sex industry Prostitution as part of psychological repression is difficult to ascertain as it can stem from ideology or individual features. Desire and need for certain type of experience can stimulate the demand for such an experience (Brewis Linstead p. 196, 2000). Even though prostitution reflects certain imbalance, it is unlikely to disappear along with the disappearance of such imbalance. Freud implicated desire as the desire for the desire of another person rather than the desire of such person only. Such perspective incorporates a symbolic aspect rather than the expression of domination. According to Lyotard, there are two forms of desire, where its central aspect is wish and when it is based on lack and represents coercion. In a similar way to Freud, Lyotard also perceived desire as the outcome of energy that is part of psychic means leading to the expression of energy flow. Along with Deleuze he conceives of postmodern desire as part of sensation rather than signification (Brewis Linstead p. 199, 2000). For Lyotard, through the fragmentation of desire the experience can be intensified along with authorization of existence (Brewis Linstead, p. 203). As emotions become part of pleasure leading to imaginative hedonism expressed through modern consumption. For Baudrillard, modern consumerist society adopted hedonistic morality based on pleasure in place of previous puritan morality (Brewis Linstead p. 208, 2000). Drug use is a way of coping with sex work. Under the influence of drugs, workers can alter their conception of their own self, adopting also a different identity. Hard drugs can also numb the awareness of the act. Through the use of drugs the work itself can be handled better along with better management of safer sex negotiation (Brewis Linstead p. 212, 2000). Another manner of coping involves psychological barrier. For a prostitute, work involves selling herself rather than just the product. Selling skills involves also certain right to the person of the worker during employment in a similar way to gaining control of the body when having sex. Prostitution incorporates the person and the body as opposed to profits that result from certain activities executed by employees although prostitutes receive money for the use of their body in a more real way (Brewis Linstead p. 227, 2000). Some prostitutes experience victimization through the lack of control over their bodies and what is being done to them. They feel anger due to their powerlessness that often can be result of coercion through those who are close to them, such as their boyfriends who are pimps. Threats that drive women on the streets encourage fear, forcing them to follow what they are told (Brewis Linstead p. 228, 2000). According to Vanwesenbeeck (2001), the reasons behind engaging in sex work stemmed from early victimization as part of the literature in the 20th century, where a high number of prostitutes were victims of abuse. Childhood abuse and prostitution were part of coping behaviour as part of stress work while others indicated that stagmatization along with various factors that involve institutionalization, association with pimps, drug abuse, and low employment possibilities led to engaging in prostitution. Childhood sexual abuse and prostitution were also linked through the above factors. Sexual victimization has been connected with prostitution in the Western world. Physical and sexual abuse, difficult family upbringing, and sexual precocity encouraged engaging in sex work. Lack of family attachment in females led to the association with older and a larger number of partners. Also running away would lead to prostitution. Such backgrounds would facilitate engaging in sex work. Sexual victimization during childhood was a higher determinant behind getting into prostitution than running away that was higher even than drug use. In non-Western countries it is economic situation that forces engaging in sex work rather than abuse. In some Taiwanese families the sense of obligation forced certain women to engage in prostitution or debt repayments, lifestyle satisfaction, while fraud or force constituted only a small proportion. There has also been migration as part of prostitution although due to lack of documented research it is difficult to estimate the actual number of those that engage in prostitution in this way (Vanwesenbeeck, 2001). Economic necessity along with sex work illegality enables traffickers to exploit the situation although there is insufficient data that can provide insights on patterns and exact numbers. Research concerning victimization data on the part of prostitutes indicates that sex work is traumatizing (Vanwesenbeeck, 2001). Motivating factors Literature pertaining to motives behind seeking sexual activities differ at different time periods. Before 1990, sexual activity was desired because of its variety and freedom to experiment while certain features, such as lack of emotional involvement seemed attractive. There have been less shame, pregnancy fear, more mystery, excitement while also being part of ego-boosting made it attractive. There have also been certain activities involved in such pursuit, such as business trips, army service, wifes pregnancy, or even seeking companionship. The participation of men in prostitution as clients has been viewed more favourably than that of women who have been perceived in a more degrading way than men retaining some of their identity. Although a relatively low proportion of men visiting prostitutes has been noted in Netherlands, the UK, and New Zealand, they tended to represent a diverse group. Literature indicates that in Thailand it is the influence of other men that leads them to buying behaviour, along with the desire for certain sexual acts, and the limited nature of contact. Among German men one distinguishing feature was a higher aggressive behaviour tendency, lower reactive behaviour while being dissatisfied with their lives (Vanwesenbeeck, 2001). Zimbabwean men tended to exhibit lower achievement, be more impulsive, seeking pleasure, exhibitionism and defensiveness. In Australia clients were less socially effective and sensation seeking while for Dutch men sexual sensation was most desirable among those seeking transsexual and transvestite sex. In New Zealand, relaxation, reluctance to engage in game playing and obligations were behind engaging in commercial sex (Vanwesenbeeck, 2001). Sex work perceptions Only a small number of American population perceived prostitution as legal. They included mostly Catholics, men, and Whites. Western feminists attach stigma to sex workers while receiving a paradoxical view due to its different attitude as work. Prostitution is considered to represent certain power exerted by men over women. Prostitution in this way can be part of double standards. Male prostitution received less interests as based on power relations to a lesser extent. In Thailand, sex workers are viewed with acceptance (Vanwesenbeeck, 2001). When prostitution is voluntary it is treated with particular criticism as forced prostitution encourages certain exonerating. When occurring without force its ill effects can be justified. It is more common that policies that are part of prostitution are more restrictive to the point of infringing on the rights of sex workers (Vanwesenbeeck, 2001). In Netherlands prostitution has been legalized and licensed although leading to the exclusion of migrant workers as legal advantages failed to be realized. Its only advantages seem only to be part of institutional arrangements, such as tax office, immigration, and police. In other countries, such as Germany, where prostitution is legal, it results in low insurance protection in terms of social security or health insurance. Legal status thus fails to guarantee that sex workers rights are protected (Vanwesenbeeck, 2001). One of the main factors that inhibits assuring adequate conditions in sex work is their ignorance on the part of the state. As part of structural economic inequalities, improvements in the way sex work is treated are limited. Such improvements as part of social stigma attached are impeded. Through the illegal status and social stigma sex workers are forced to endure the treatment they receive. It is through gender discrimination hence that adequate policies cannot be e ffected (Vanwesenbeeck, 2001). While Lyotard views sex work as an inner expression of certain unfulfilled desires that are manipulated by society itself, Vanwesenbeeck perceives is legal status and socially constructed behaviours responsible for the way prostitution is effected. The lack of acceptance of sex and race that are viewed negatively leads to the lack of acceptance also in the public life. According to Morgan, cited by Sojourner, it is the lack of acceptance of desires and their perception as troublesome that allows for the ability to be controlled. In this way society can impose certain wants and desires, where society accepts certain desires as its own even though they are exerted externally (Sojourner, 1988). Future research According to Weitzer, inadequate findings so far result from the concentration of research on street sex workers where different factors are involved as part of such work. Less research has been conducted in relation to indoor prostitution, male and female clients, transgender workers, and managers. Addressing such perspective can lead to a better view on work experience, power relations involved, gender inequality as part of different types of prostitution. It would also provide a more balanced view than the radical feminist view that is one-dimensional (Weitzer, p. 230). Management of prostitution exercised those who control workers while deriving profit from them. Although pimps most frequently promote prostitution and have almost complete control of their workers their protection is often viewed as inadequate while they themselves engage in rape and assaults. A small minority of sex workers admitted that their pimps offered them protection while engaging most frequently with fighting other pimps and competition. Different practices employed different pimps, in the same way that different establishments treat differently their sex workers (Weitzer, p. 228). Sex at work poses problems pertaining to sexual harassment or gender discrimination. There can be various manners and means employed that can deal with these issues, such as admitting any affairs taking place at work, where consensual agreements are reached and pertinent rules can be specified (Brewis Linstead, 2000). Conclusion There are various factors responsible for the way sex work influences society. Apart from motivating factors that drive participation, different means of coercion transform the way sex work is conducted. Viewed previously as the expression of prohibited desire, prostitution evolved into commodification of such desires. Socially constructed perceptions of sex work at the same time stimulate its participation. Although the radical feminist view perceives sex work as the expression of male domination, there are also other pertinent issues that are part of complex issues as well as relationship, including power relations involved. Sex coercion as part of human trafficking is another outcome of the social dilemma that involves sex work, constituting a serious although insufficiently documented issue. REFERENCES: ANONYMOUS, 2007. Street sex work takes its toll. New Scientist, vol. 194, iss. 2608 BENOIT, C. SHAVER, F., M., 2006. Critical issues and new directions in sex work research. The Canadian Review of Sociology and Anthropology. Vol. 43, iss. 3. BREWIS, J. LINSTEAD, S., 2000. Sex, work and sex work: eroticizing organization. London: Routledge. SOJOURNER, S., 1988. Sex work: prostitution. Off Our Backs, vol., 18, iss. 5. VANWESENBEECK, I., 2001. Another decade of social scientific work on sex work: a review of research 1990-2000. Annual Review of Sex Research, vol., 12 p. 242. VANVESENBEECK, I., 2004. Burnout among female indoor sex workers. Archives of Sexual Behavior, vol. 34, no 6. WEITZER, R., 2005. New directions in research on prostitution. Crime, Law Social Change, vol. 43, p. 211-235 Available through Springer database.

Social Class in George Bernard Shaws Pygmalion and Heartbreak House Es

Social class can be thought of as a very important indicator of who a person is. Social class is defined as a broad group in society having common economic, cultural, or political status. Where somebody comes from can effect somebody's decision to become involved with that person or not, can effect whether that person will be hired for a job or not and can often effect they way one is looked at and treated by society. Either way, class distinction is always evident within society. Using two plays by George Bernard Shaw, the relevance of the statement, ?class distinction is always evident within society,? will be shown through the use of examples, from both texts. The specific categories of examples are, character, style and setting. In these categories, Pygmalion and Heartbreak House will prove to be more different to each other than they are similar. In the plays, Pygmalion and Heartbreak House, it is shown through character?s speech, actions and mannerisms, that class distinction is always evident within society. The characters, Henry Higgins, the Eynsford Hill family, and Colonial Pickering, all show how social class and economic rank are important in the play, Pygmalion. Henry Higgins shows discrimination towards the lower class Eliza Doolittle by addressing her not as a lady but as a ?draggletailed guttersnipe? (Shaw, Pygmalion, 26). When Eliza Doolittle enters the Higgins/ Pickering residence, Henry Higgins is not sure what to do with such a dirty lower class girl, he asks Pickering, ?shall we ask this baggage to sit down, or shall we throw her out the window (Shaw, Pygmalion, 23). These comments towards Eliza Doolittle greatly hurt her self esteem and show that even when somebody is being as polite as they possi... ...plimentary. Using the style of naturalism it was shown that in Pygmalion, current environment is the true indicator of what social class one belongs, whereas in Heartbreak House it was shown that heredity is the more accurate indicator. In the category of style, Pygmalion and Heartbreak House are more different than they are similar. In exploring the setting of nineteenth century England, that was used for both plays, it was shown that even in times of revolution and in times of war, class distinction is always present. In the category of setting, Pygmalion and Heartbreak House prove to be more alike than different. Since two out of three categories show that the two plays are more different, the previous hypothesis proves true: Pygmalion and Heartbreak House are more different than they are alike when it comes to social class and the role that it plays in both texts.

The Collected Works Of Nicholas Cottrell :: essays research papers

The Collected Works of Nicholas Cottrell Collected Works, Vol. 1 Disclaimer and Copyright Notice: All works within are copyrighted to Nicholas Cottrell, hereafter known as "the author". Unauthorized copying is prohibited. Each reader is authorized to make five (5) copies and distribute them in any manner as long as profit is not gained. This contains subject matter that you may find disturbing or inappropriate. Please do not read it if you think you may become offended. Table of Contents: 0. Introduction 1. "Spring" - The one romance poem in here. 2. "Spiral's End" - a poem of revenge 3. "Of Teenage Sorrow" - A short story 4. "Nomad" - loneliness in writing 5. "Frat Boys" - anti-drinking 6. "Reflected Waves" - a poem of surprise at oneself 7. "Phoenix" - a poem of redemption 8. "My Friend In Misery: An Ode to Missa" - a poem of thanks 9. "Bleeding" - a poem of being drained 10. "Observations of Corporations" - A partial view of life. 11. "Fallen Hero" - Read the disclaimer 12. "Singularity" - the one way out 13. "Short Views" - More views on life Introduction A while back, my poetry won me a statewide award. Ever since, I've been pressured to make a compilation of some of my crap and send it around to be published. This collection is just a bunch of stuff I threw together, not much thought to it. If you like it, tell me so! My e-mail address is GAFreak@aol.com, write me. I'll write back each and every person by hand, I promise. Well, on with the show, I suppose. 1. "Spring" A rose with gentle petals in the garden grows amongst the weeds Love, like the rose thrives in life's turmoils like the carefully planted seed - Nicholas Cottrell 2. "Spiral's End" Too long have I spent Explaining what I've meant Too long have you heard my ominous words Whimpering, you cry on your knees, you die. -Nicholas Cottrell 3. "Of Teenage Sorrow" A child's cries in the night awaken the mother, who stumblingly finds her way to the crib. Is it a bottle, or a diaper change? The mother does not know. Inadequacy fills the teenage mother, and blinds her to the child's needs. "Rot in Hell, kid." she mutters, crawling back into a bed where a father should be but wasn't. The child's unrelenting tears force her from her nighttime reverie, abd drag her back to the nursery. "Shut up, kid!" she growls drowsily. "Don't you know I have school tomorrow?" But the baby does not know, and her howls fill the night. Lights come on in neighboring apartments, and shouts reach her ears. "Shut that kid up!"

Stress :: essays research papers

Stress CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION Statement of the Research Problem How do you cope with stress in the workplace to achieve a more balanced lifestyle? Stress is a part of everybody's life. Depending on the level of stress, it can control our lives, especially in the workplace. We begin to spend several long hours at work, and thus have less time for other things. Stressed employees may be unhappy and thus produce nominally. Stress can deteriorate social and family relationships and eventually burn you out; ultimately it can take toll on your health. Organizations need to recognize stress as a problem and decide whether or not to act upon it. Background Information This question needs to be answered because stress is a problem that all organizations must deal with; stress can cause poor work performance and lower employee morale. These factors can increase employee turnover rate and lessen quality of life. We all must deal with stress; question is how we handle and control it. With downsizing the buzz word in the modern corporate world, companies have become mean and lean. Employees are compelled to be more efficient; they find themselves taking on the work of what used to be two. The result is longer hours, less time for outside activities, and consequently increased stress. According to Business Week, the typical American works 47 hours a week, and if current trends continue, in 20 years "the average person would be on the job 60 hours a week." Another factor that increases stress is technological advancements. With all the new technology one is always connected to work and accessible 24 hours a day 7 days a week. According to Business Week, it is now possible, and thus increasingly expected, for employees to be accessible and productive any hour, any day. At a workplace, one observes several sales people working long hours, claiming it is due to under staffing. Employees reach a point of diminishing returns. The more hours they work, the less productive they are. This stressful condition causes the quality of work to dwindle. Consequently, clients recognize this, and eventually they terminate the business relationship. Soon the company loses, as it is built on these clients. Statement of the Objectives In this research, I expect to discuss factors which lead to stress in the workplace. Are individuals stressed in the workplace? What causes stress in the workplace? Who is mostly stressed: men or women? Are individuals being exposed to stress management techniques? Should employers implement stress management techniques? As a future manager, I would like to be able to determine if stress is a problem for employees; if so, implement a strategy to

Waste Dumpsite and Proximity to Residential Apartments

Close proximity of waste dump sites to residential properties and its effects on valuation Value Is defined as an amount expressed In medium of exchange that Is thought to be a fair exchange for something or the adequate or satisfactory return on or recompense for a commodity. According to experts, the worth of such exchange Is its market value. This provides the principal yardstick for measuring the worth of properties and other similar commodities.Environmental characteristics which are manifested in the form of pull and push effect of the neighborhood, have the push effects characterized by proliferation of squatter settlements, air and water pollution, squalid condition of environmental sanitation, and breakdown of waste disposal arrangement while the pull effect could be good roads, schools etc. When properties are in close proximity to environmental factors which could lead to push effects like waste dump sites, they demand special assessment on the part of the Estate Surveyors and Values Lowell Belle, an expert has said.Although improper solid asset disposal Is hazardous to health, It also affects the value of the properties around the waste. This problem x-rays the plight of many who out of desperation to get shelter, live under such Inconvenient conditions even at ridiculous rates. The question therefore is: what techniques do the average Nigerian valued adopt in valuing properties close to waste dump sites? Are the techniques different from those used in properties not close to dump site or any environmental hazards?There is no gainsaying that the problem of waste management across the country as reached an alarming state. Waste dumps continually have effect on the values of the properties in the areas where they are located and the adverse effect of this waste on property values in cannot be overstressed. Some factors usually considered in placing values on residential properties include infrastructure facilities such as water, electricity and good d rainage channel; not excluding also excellent road network, free flow of traffic; location and waste disposal management.Improper waste management poses a serious health hazard to people living around he wastes as the disposal sites carry along rodents, Insects and other vermin, which could transmit diseases such as typhoid fever, dysentery, diarrhea, cholera among others. In a valuation bid, the value of a landed interest is estimated by assessing the possible monetary worth a potential buyer would place on a property with respect to its features and other environmental factors which could act as price facilitators or otherwise.For instance, persons familiar with Jota and its environs can attest to the fact that the environment reeks of horrid smells that stem from the burning of peps of refuse at the dump site. Day after day, passersby, motorists all complain bitterly about this environmental mess. However, mostly affected are the residents of the area who apparently have resigned to fate. A particular resident who spoke to Property Index anonymously, said whenever refuse Is burnt at the dump site , their houses are usually covered In smoke.Adding that not all residents have the luxury to own air-conditioning units hence the need to open the windows to allow ‘fresh oaf respiratory system. Location features such as this have to an extent, played down on the estimated market value of properties in close proximity to such dump site as this. In 2008, researchers used various research methods to determine the effect of waste dump sites on property values in Luscious neighborhood Jota and it was found that property values increase with distance away from dumpiest.In same vein, a research was conducted on the willingness of residents to pay for environmental amenities such as waste water disposal, electricity supplies and neighborhood roads at Azure in Undo State. The study identified households' income, distance away from the refuse dump site as one of the m ajor factors that influenced household's willingness to pay for better environmental services. It recommended diligent consideration in the location of dump sites and adoption of Public-Private Initiative in the provision of public infrastructure.The study also established that real estate values are readily influenced by residents' willingness to pay for both structural as well as neighborhood characteristics where the real estate is located. In closing, hen properly examined, the environmental problems experienced by occupants of properties close to waste dump sites and the value of their properties is an issue of great economic concern cutting across not only Lagos metropolis but other states of the federation.This menacing situation would only repel rather than attract potential buyers/tenants and also reduce the worth of such properties . If the usefulness and value for money are issues to go by and chief among the factors considered in valuating property is location, then it m ay not be out of place to assert hat close proximity of dump sites to properties is not the best for the discerning real estate investor who is serious about making it big in the industry.While location may Just be one of the important factors to consider, it is however not all that matters. However, in this case, health is concerned and the average Nigerian does not take issues bordering on health with levity. Thus, the business of housing in such areas may be a thing of the past soon if the unseemly situation of improper waste management is left unabated.

Training Day: Management Analysis

Michael Rounsavall 1/9/08 Management 202 Training Day: Movie Analysis The movie Training Day starring Denzel Washington,proved to show many interesting outlooks of managing activities and skills that I have never even came close to noticing before. Alonzo Harris played by Denzel in the movie expressed many forms of management throughout this movie. He displayed different basic management functions, fundamental management skills, parts of the evolution of management, and also some other key management terms. Jake Hoyt, who Alonzo is supposed to give in an evaluation on, also shows many different forms of management throughout this movie. The first thing I noticed during this movie was the basic management functions that Alonzo was planning throughout the whole movie to achieve a certain goal. At the beginning of the movie I noticed that Alonzo took the drugs from the dealers instead of arresting them. As the movie went on this pattern continued, and it wasn’t until Alonzo sat down with the three police officers that I realized what was actually going on. This meeting was a form of bureaucracy (Griffin, 15), because the top dog police officers, who I thought of as the top managers set a set of guidelines for Alonzo, and allows him to go cash in on Roger’s money stash. At this point I realized throughout the movie I realized Alonzo was displaying basic management functions throughout this entire movie. He obviously had a goal, which was get enough money to save himself from the Russians. He then began planning, and deciding the best way to achieve these goals. (Griffin, 9). This plan consisted of going around and stealing from the drug dealers then selling it for one hundred percent profit or Illegally searching homes for money, when that didn’t work he got permission from the top ranks to steal from his friend Roger. Alonzo then began to organize his plan by getting the people he needed, and determined how each activity and resource would be demonstrated during this robbery. (Griffin,9) This plan was to frame the murder of Roger to look like he had shot a cop, then to steal Roger’s money which would save Alonzo. Alonzo did a spectacular job of leading the group so that it would seem like it was an act of self defense towards Roger. He was barking out orders, and made everyone work together, so that there would be no problem getting away with this (Griffin, 10). After the money was taken by Alonzo he displayed the final step which is controlling. During this stage you must ensure that your firm is going to arrive at its destination at the appointed time. (Griffin, 9) For Alonzo this met he had to get the money to the Russian’s, and he saw Jake as a problem. To ensure that he would reach his final destination Alonzo set Jake up to be murdered, but this didn’t work out because Jake saved the murderers sister. After this Jake realizes that Alonzo is very corrupt, and goes to take back what Alonzo has stolen. This movie not only displayed the basic management functions but also proved to show fundamental skills and other key terms. During this movie I definitely thought of Jake as more of a first line manager who was able to control the streets, but was under the wing of Alonzo and the top executives. Throughout the movie Jake showed just about every one of the fundamental management skills you could show. He definitely possessed the technical skills because he was able to show all the skills necessary with being a cop, especially when he had to fight of f the two rapists (Griffin, 10). He showed most of the other skills at the end of the movie when he was going to take down Alonzo. After Jake escaped from the â€Å"set up†, that Alonzo had planned out for him,he made his own theory about what he was going to do. In management a theory is organizing knowledge, and providing a blueprint for action (Griffin, 12). Jake realized that he gained the respect from Alonzo’s administration in which he controlled, and planned to sneak in Alonzo’s house to take the money back from that he had stolen. As Jake got into Alonzo’s house he showed very good communication skills with Alonzo’s son ensuring his safety, while making sure Alonzo wasn’t able to hear him come in, and conveyed his message effectively so that he could take care of the situation (Griffin, 11). After this Jake was able to take down Alonzo until they were outside, and Alonzo had all of his administration together. Alonzo ran a form of administrative management throughout the projects, where he organized, lead, and controlled what went on, and how the operations were going to take place (Griffin, 15). As Alonzo’s organization realized how corrupt he really was, just like many higher level managers are accused of, they stopped letting Alonzo control them, and allowed Jake to take Alonzo’s stolen money for evidence. Jake definitely was not interested in the human ethics movement whereas that workers respond social context of the workplace(Griffin, 15). Jake did a good job proving that he was very ethical throughout this movie, and proved he was ready to move up to a higher position. Even though Alonzo did a good job displaying management skills, he was very corrupt, and was cheating his way through the system. This movie showed how people could control an administration, but be shut down for doing things the non-ethical way. Jake fought through this corrupt system, and showed great fundamental managementskills throughout this entire film. I never realized how much this film actually showed related to the world of management until I really looked closely at it. I’m sure now that I will be able to look at films such as this one, and be able to understand how they also have to do with managing a company. York, 2006.

The Difference Between Administrative Management

CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF ADMINISTRATORS AND MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS-GHANA POST EXPERIENCE QUALFYING PROGRAMME SUBJECT: PROFESSIONAL ADMINISTRATION PREPARED BY: KWEKU OKOAMPAH SARPONG STUDENT NUMBER:ST/PEQP/AU/12/002 DATE: 10TH NOVEMBER 2012 Question 1 Discussed the difference between Administrative Management and Professional Administration In any business venture the collective responsibility of the personnel running it, is to make it profitable and work with a common goal of giving it an annual growth.A good and disciplined administration combined with efficient management is the prerequisites for running a profitable business and giving it annual growth. Professional Administration and Administrative Management are like two hands of a business that work in synch to achieve the goals that are set by the organisation. Administration is sometimes used to refer to the activities of the higher level of the management group who determine major aim and policies. This can be called the broad er use of the term which often used in government department (e. g. he civil service). It is also used in the narrow sense of controlling the day to day running of the enterprise. Administration on one hand provides the organisation with the required goals and workforce whereas management provided the means to achieve the goals effectively and efficiently. Brech defines administration as: ‘that part of the management process concerned with the institution (development) and carrying out of procedures by which the programme is laid down and communicated, and the progress of activities is regulated and checked against targets and plans. Robert C. Appleby (1994) describes administrative management as a sub-system within the total environment of an enterprise. The Institute of Administrative Management defined administrative management, within the context of office management, as: „that branch of management which is concerned with the services of obtaining, recording and anal yzing information, of planning, and of communicating, by means of which the management of a business safeguards its assets, promotes its affairs, and achieves its objectives?The administrative management function facilitates planning, coordinating, directing and controlling activities across all functional areas in organizations. As such, it can be seen as the nervous system of organizations, directing and coordinating all parts and ensuring that the whole body functions smoothly and efficiently. Administrative Management can also be said to be the process of creating information system and supervising its flow from, and to others within an organization.Most job functions within a business involve performing some form of administrative management in order to store and pass on information to those within the company who need to use it in order to contribute to the business. Professional administration on the other hand is the study of contemporary organizational principles with an em phasis on their applications in the modern workplace whether in the administrative and leadership skills of private, public organization, and non-profit organizations. This discipline is closely associated with public administration.The International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) defines administrative professionals or professional administrators as individuals who are responsible for administrative tasks and coordination of information in support of an office related environment and who are dedicated to furthering their personal and professional growth in their chosen profession. Professional Administration is also about a framework of corporate governance, communication, and the handling of information, in a rational approach to identifying needs, making and implementing decisions, and monitoring and reviewing performance.Professional Administration is a business management principle, concerned with total stakeholder interest, organizational security, sound an d strategic economic decision process, and ethical discipline There is a continuous debate whether or not management or administration is a profession. The following are the difference between Administrative Management and Professional Administration. †¢ In Administrative Management, there are no formal educational requirement for entry †¢ It does not require specific clients. They serve a broad group of organisation. ‘stockholders’ There is no system of accreditation or licensing †¢ In Administrative Management there is no clear code of management ethics that is universally enforced by peer review. †¢ There are no common bodies of knowledge that are required for someone to be a manager. Where as in Professional Administration: †¢ There exist a body of principles, skills and techniques and specialized knowledge. †¢ There are also formal methods of acquiring training and experience. †¢ There are code of ethics regulating relations of pr ofessional persons with clients and colleagues. Such as the Hippocratic Oath of medical professionals. There exist also mandatory continuous professional development programmes for members. Despite the above differences, we can say that management is coming closer than ever before to satisfy these criteria for professionals. This is seen in the development of skills and techniques, more training facilities and greater use of management consultants. Question 2 Identify communication barriers and describe ways to remove them Effective communication is the essence of leadership and management. It is neither top-down nor bottom-up, but two-way and continuous. Related article: Limitations of Administrative ManagementCombine different media and techniques to give the right message to the right people at the right time. Good communication of any kind always aims to meet the needs of all parties. Definition – Communication is the discriminatory response of an organism to a stimulus. It is a process by which information is exchanged between or amongst individuals through a common system of symbols, signs and behavior (- Himstreet). Communication is the key factor in the success of any organization. When it comes to effective communication, there are certain barriers that every organization faces.People often feel that communication is as easy and simple as it sounds. While this is true on one level, what makes it complex, difficult and frustrating are the barriers that come in its way. There are several barriers that affect the flow of communication in an organization. These barriers interrupt the flow of communication from the sender t o the receiver, thus making communication ineffective. It is essential for managers to overcome these barriers. The main barriers of communication are summarized below. |Perceptual and Language Differences: Perception is generally how each individual interprets the world around him.All generally want to | | |receive messages which are significant to them. But any message which is against their values is not accepted. A same event may be taken | | |differently by different individuals. The linguistic differences also lead to communication breakdown. Same word may mean different to | | |different individuals. | | |Information Overload: Managers are surrounded with a pool of information. It is essential to control this information flow else the | |information is likely to be misinterpreted or forgotten or overlooked.As a result communication is less effective. | |Time Pressures: Often in organization the targets have to be achieved within a specified time period, the failure of which h as adverse | |consequences. In a haste to meet deadlines, the formal channels of communication are shortened, or messages are partially given, i. e. , not | |completely transferred. Thus sufficient time should be given for effective communication. | | | |Distraction/Noise: Communication is also affected a lot by noise to distractions.Physical distractions are also there such as, poor | |lightning, uncomfortable sitting, unhygienic room also affects communication in a meeting. Similarly use of loud speakers interferes with | |communication. | |Emotions: Emotional state at a particular point of time also affects communication. If the receiver feels that communicator is angry he | |interprets that the information being sent is very bad. While he takes it differently if the communicator is happy and jovial (in that case | |the message is interpreted to be good and interesting). |Complexity in Organizational Structure: Greater the hierarchy in an organization (i. e. more the number of ma nagerial levels), more is the | |chances of communication getting destroyed. Only the people at the top level can see the overall picture while the people at low level just | |have knowledge about their own area and a little knowledge about other areas. | |Poor retention: Human memory cannot function beyond a limit. One can’t always retain what is being told specially if he is not interested or| |not attentive. This leads to communication breakdown. | |There is a lot of communication barriers faced these days by all.The message intended by the sender is not understood by the receiver in | |the same terms and sense and thus communication breakdown occurs. It is essential to deal and cope up with these communication barriers so | |as to ensure smooth and effective communication. | | | |How to Remove/overcome these barriers of communication: | |Eliminating differences in perception: The organization should ensure that it is recruiting right individuals on the job.It’s the | |responsibility of the interviewer to ensure that the interviewee has command over the written and spoken language. There should be proper | |Induction program so that the policies of the company are clear to all the employees. There should be proper trainings conducted for | |required employees (for e. g. : Voice and Accent training). | |Use of Simple Language: Use of simple and clear words should be emphasized. Use of ambiguous words and jargons should be avoided. | |Reduction and elimination of noise levels: Noise is the main communication barrier which must be overcome on priority basis.It is essential| |to identify the source of noise and then eliminate that source. | |Active Listening: Listen attentively and carefully. There is a difference between â€Å"listening† and â€Å"hearing†. Active listening means hearing | |with proper understanding of the message that is heard. By asking questions the speaker can ensure whether his/her message is understood or | |n ot by the receiver in the same terms as intended by the speaker. | |Emotional State: During communication one should make effective use of body language.He/she should not show their emotions while | |communication as the receiver might misinterpret the message being delivered. For example, if the conveyer of the message is in a bad mood | |then the receiver might think that the information being delivered is not good. | | | |Simple Organizational Structure: The organizational structure should not be complex. The number of hierarchical levels should be optimum. | |There should be an ideal span of control within the organization.Simpler the organizational structure, more effective will be the | |communication. | |Avoid Information Overload: The managers should know how to prioritize their work. They should not overload themselves with the work. They | |should spend quality time with their subordinates and should listen to their problems and feedbacks actively. | |Give Constructive Fee dback: Avoid giving negative feedback. The contents of the feedback might be negative, but it should be delivered | |constructively. Constructive feedback will lead to effective communication between the superior and subordinate. |Proper Media Selection: The managers should properly select the medium of communication. Simple messages should be conveyed orally, like: | |face to face interaction or meetings. Use of written means of communication should be encouraged for delivering complex messages. For | |significant messages reminders can be given by using written means of communication such as: Memos, Notices etc. | |Flexibility in meeting the targets: For effective communication in an organization the managers should ensure that the individuals are | |meeting their targets timely without skipping the formal channels of communication.There should not be much pressure on employees to meet | |their targets. | | | | | |Question 3 | |What are the advantages and disadvantages of having o ne person hold the offices of Chairman of the Board and CEO? |Corporate management usually consists of a board of directors and corporate officers. The board appoints the senior corporate officers, such| |as the chairman, and chief executive officer. Some companies combine the Chairman and CEO roles, while others appoint different individuals | |for each position. | |Advantages: | |Having clear and unambiguous authority concentrated in one person is essential to effective management.Unity of command creates clear lines| |of authority to which management (and the board) can respond more effectively | |Another advantage is, in an environment where strong, directive, stable, and unconfused leadership is seen as critical to organizational | |success; this kind of legitimacy is an important signal to stakeholders about who is accountable. | |Having one person combining the CEO and Chair positions enhances the board’s management performance. The board ‘management responsibili ties | |require that it make key decisions affecting the company. |A combined CEO-Chair, provides the board with more complete and timely information about the company, provides the company with a unified | |command structure and a consistent leadership direction, and creates a collaborative and collegial environment for board decision making | |Board Chair who also serves as the CEO is likely to spend more time at the company, to have more detailed information about the strengths | |and weaknesses of the company, and to have a deeper understanding of the operational and financial health of the company. |Disadvantages: | |There is a conflict of interest on one person hold both position of a board chairman and a CEO of an organization. | |When the chairman is also the CEO, Management has a de facto control. Yet the board is supposed to be in charge of management. Checks and | |balances have been thrown to the wind. | |Having a one acting as a board Chair and a CEO of the company it d oes not bring fresh knowledge and an insight to the board’s | |decision-making process. | |Another disadvantage is that once the there is a of separating the CEO and Chair positions the board will not be able to performs its | |monitoring role better when there is a nonexecutive Chair.The monitoring role requires directors to exert oversight over corporate managers| |in order to detect and discipline managerial inefficiencies and misconduct. Thus, duality may cause failure by the board to effectively | |monitor and control. | | | | | | | 3. b) What are the pros and cons of selecting an insider versus an outsider?Pros for an insider: †¢ A positive wave in the next line of managers that hard-work will pay off and they can get a promotion if they can prove themselves. †¢ Being well known to the decision makers †¢ He /she would know the existing processes and flows in them and would be easily able to identify the weak-links easily and can cure with their expertise. Existing domain business and organization culture knowledge would help internal CEO. †¢ Will increase the confidence in level of every employee and make them believe that everyone will have equal opportunity of getting promoted to next if they can perform. Would be able to team up easily with existing team and would be able to guide them in showing them new path or direction. Cons for an insider: †¢ The inevitable presence of adversaries within the organization who may work subtly to tarnish the performance of the new CEO †¢ Sometimes if he/she is not able to bring up the new ideas it could washout the bringing in new person. †¢ Acceptance of new CEO from within would be a question when he/she has been picked up from the second line of management. †¢ Having their weakness well known to the selection groupPros for an outsider: †¢ Would be able to bring new ideas based on their experiences from different work culture where they have been working †¢ Will be able to see things as an outsider easily and so will be able to provide corrective actions whenever required. †¢ Could bring a positive energy into existing workforce when they were not able to see any light of hope with existing process or management. Would bring in best practices from the other organisations he/she might have worked with and very much helpful if he is having past experience in similar domain. Act as a catalyst for change, for example loosen established patterns. †¢ Entering into an atmosphere of optimism and hope to capitalize strongly on the opportunity at hand. Cons for an outsider: †¢ Recommending precisely what insiders had been unsuccessfully suggesting for ages or missed recommending what insiders had been unsuccessfully suggesting for ages. †¢ Absence of strong relationships with both major vendors and customers and perhaps a narrow window within which to build them †¢ Explaining things in ways that annoyed insiders or made them feel misunderstood, under-represented or wronged. Initials board skepticism of the candidate’s ability to lead the enterprise as a result of the new CEO’s lack of understanding and the appreciation of the enterprise. Question 4 What elements would characterize an effective working relationship between a Board and a CEO? The board of directors chooses the CEO and delegates to him or her, the responsibility for running the company. Thus begins a hopefully productive, albeit complex, relationship. The board’s role in this relationship is first to understand and approve of the CEO? s strategies and plans and then to monitor the execution of those plans and to periodically evaluate the results.Finally, the board must decide whether, when, and how it should intervene. How the board executes its role is critical to the success of the relationship and, ultimately, of the business. The essential relationships will provide both the board and CEO with a clear understa nding of the effective CEO-Board relationship and to enable boards and CEO to both assess and improve their current performance in delivering against each of their relationship attributes. The following are some of the identified element that will characterize an effective relationship between a Board and a CEO: †¢ Commits to act in the best interest of the organisation.All parties recognize and embrace their obligation to work in the best interest of the organisation †¢ Builds close but independence relationships: Board members should not let personal friendships with the CEO interfere with carrying out their responsibilities. Independence of board members from a CEO does not require an adversarial relationship; to the contrary, the parties must establish and develop effective ways of communicating and working together in a collaborative partnership built on mutual respect.All parties work to build robust professional relationships but ensure that these relationships demo nstrate the independent required for the CEO to do his/her job and for the board to maintain objectivity in reviewing the CEO’s recommendations and performance. †¢ Establishes distinct roles and responsibilities: both the Board and the CEO maintains clearly defined and communicated roles and responsibilities. All parties are completely knowledgeable about their own responsibilities and the responsibilities of their counterpart. †¢ Effectively advises the CEO: the board serves as a critical mentor and advisor to the CEO.Beyond ability to advice on the content of strategic decisions, the chairman provides thoughtful, actionable guidance on how to effectively translate strategy into action. The board maintains an open-door policy for the CEO to seek guidance. †¢ Establishes precise expectation: all parties set distinct expectations for themselves and for each other. All parties establish clear objectives. All parties keep their promises. †¢ Demonstrates humil ity, self-awareness and a â€Å"low-ego approach†: all parties bring a genuine level of intellectual and professional humility to each interaction.They are all self aware of their strength, weakness and limitations. They are comfortable with having their ideas rigorously challenge. †¢ Board members should not let personal friendships with the CEO interfere with carrying out their responsibilities. †¢ Demonstrate honesty, trust, respect and transparency: all parties work to establish relationships characterized by the highest standards of honesty, trustworthiness, respect and transparency. All parties work to create an environment characterizes by mutual respect and are fully transparent regarding their opinions, plans and underlying motivations.To execute its responsibilities well, the board must have a workable governance model. Such a model should address issues central to establishing and maintaining an effective process for making and administering corporate pol icy. A governance model should include routine approaches to the following: †¢ Choosing or clarifying the business or businesses in which the corporation will operate †¢ Hiring the right people in terms of both their abilities and their values †¢ Aligning the interests of the board and management with those of the shareholders Developing mutually agreeable goals, policies, and standards of performance for the CEO †¢ Evaluating plans to achieve agreed-upon goals †¢ Remaining knowledgeable about the firm’s activities and performance and evaluating the results †¢ Reacting appropriately to the results by holding management accountable and rewarding or intervening as necessary Boards of directors creating and following this or a similar governance model should be well on their way to establishing productive partnerships with their CEOs. Board members are advised to recall the paramount importance of hiring an effective CEO for the firm.The right perso n for the situation will strive to solve Problems that might exist and seek to improve upon established methods. The wrong person, however, is likely to create new problems for the firm and the board. Question 5 a) Examine the importance of eradicating white collar crime and its impact on the integrity of the CEO. Criminologist and sociologist Edwin Sutherland first popularized the term â€Å"white collar crime† in 1939, defining such a crime as one â€Å"committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of his occupation. Sutherland also included crimes committed by corporations and other legal entities within his definition. Sutherland’s study of white collar crime was prompted by the view that criminology had incorrectly focused on social and economic determinants of crime, such as family background and level of wealth. According to Sutherland’s view, crime is committed at all levels of society and by persons of widely divergent so cio-economic backgrounds. In particular, according to Sutherland, crime is often committed by persons operating through large and powerful organizations.White collar crime, Sutherland concluded, has a greatly-underestimated impact upon our society. Sutherland’s definition is now somewhat outdated for students of the criminal law. As white collar crime began to capture the attention of prosecutors and the public in the mid-1970s, the term came to have definitions quite different from the one Sutherland used. Indeed, studies have shown that crimes we generally consider â€Å"white collar,† such as securities fraud and tax fraud, are committed not just by persons of â€Å"high social status† but by people of divergent backgrounds.Thus, although the term â€Å"white collar crime† is a misnomer, it continues in widespread use. This is probably so because â€Å"white collar crime† provides a convenient moniker for distinguishing such crime in the public mind from â€Å"common† or† street† crime. Definitional, therefore, white collar crime is an activity „committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of their occupation?. Furthermore, crimes undertaken by corporations and other legal entities are also encompassed in this definition. Types of White-Collar CrimeThere are several types of white collar crimes, which include, but not limited to: Corporate fraud: This can involve activities such as: falsification of financial information including: false accounting entries, bogus trades designed to inflate profit or hide losses; and false transactions designed to evade regulatory oversight. Self-dealing by corporate insiders, including: Insider trading, kickbacks, backdating of executive stocks option, misuse of corporate property for personal gain, and individual tax violations related to self-dealingFinancial fraud Healthcare fraud: Altered or fabricated medical bills and other doc uments, excessive or unnecessary treatment or surgeries, Internet pharmacy fraud, auto accident insurance fraud, Medicare prescription drugs, prescription of dangerous drugs, medical equipment, and hospital fraud. This is usually carried out by different aspects of a health care system and could include billing for services not rendered; payment claims different from the rendered services, double billingMortgage fraud; Mortgage fraud indicators includes: – inflated appraisals, increased commissions/bonuses, falsification of loan applications, fake supporting loan documentation,. Such mortgage fraud schemes include: property flipping, corporate identity theft, use or threat of bankruptcy to dupe home owners, inflated appraisals Insurance fraud; premium diversions, workers compensation fraud Asset forfeiture or money laundering; and Occupational Crime Occupational crime occurs when crimes are committed to promote personal interests.Crimes that fall into this category include: A ltering books by accountants and overcharging; or cheating clients by lawyers. Organizational or Corporate Crime/fraud A much more costly type of white collar crime occurs when corporate executives commit criminal acts to benefit their company. There are a variety of corporate crimes that include: the creation of inferior products: drugs. Eradicating white collar crime and its impact on the integrity of the CEO To eradicate white collar crime and its impact on the integrity of the CEO, the following measures needs to be put in place: †¢ Law and punishmentAccording to Ball and Friedman (1977:320), â€Å"statues aimed at economic regulation (white-collar crime) often provide multiple, alternative sanctions. The sanctions may include cease and desist orders, injunctive divestiture proceedings, and awards of damages, monetary fines or forfeitures, seizures of goods, revocations of business or occupational licenses and prison sentences. † They concluded that direct imprisonme nt is generally considered criminal sanctions whereas fine or money penalty, awards or damages and other forms of non-criminal sanctions are classified as â€Å"civil† or regulatory sanctions. †¢ Increased surveillanceInstitutions may decide to increase surveillance that aid in crime prevention, such activities may include auditing of accounts by external auditors in cases that involve embezzlement of funds in institutions, retraining staff so that there will be reduced frauds in an institution. †¢ Social control theory The social control theory was developed by Travis Hirsch, this theory states that the socialization process helps individuals to develop social control and also help individuals to restrain from antisocial behavior; however he stated that there are three forms in which crime could be eradicate or controlled.From the above explanation of the social control theory the occurrence of white collar crime can be prevented by direct control which involves in creased threats of punishment, conscience will also help individuals to refrain from criminal acts, the close relatives will also restrain people from committing crimes and finally the need satisfaction which will lender the individuals not to involve themselves in crime.For the white collar crimes there is need to compensate those who hold high offices with a sustainable amount of salary or wage, this will build control as depicted by the need satisfaction form of control, these officials will have no need to engage in criminal activity, direct control should also be reinforced through the judicial system and the police force, this will increase threats that will eventually reduce the occurrence and frequency of white collar crimes. †¢ Judicial systemThe judicial system has a major role to play in the prevention and control of the white collar crimes, corruption in the judicial system has also resulted to the increased occurrence of these crimes, wealthy people who commit this crimes have the funds to hire and corrupt the judicial system to win their way out of prison, therefore it is important to eradicate corruption in the judicial system in order to control such crimes. Corruption can be reduced by increased salaries to judges and also the development of organizations which specializes in dealing with corruption cases in the judicial system. Corporate initiatives Companies, banks, and financial institutions should play a vital role in fighting or eradicating white collar crime. For instance the Bank of Ghana has directed commercial banks to enhance the security characteristics of cheques to prevent fake cheques scams. The characteristics include the paper which is sensitive to chemical substances, the watermark, ultra-violet ink . on-the-job training is essential to ensure that the staffs are competent to detect fraud. †¢ Ethics A lot of white-collar crimes are committed by persons at managerial and executive levels.Hence, the root of the matter would be that ethics should be observed by those in these positions of trust as they are more prone to committing such crimes because of the opportunities available to them by virtue of their positions. In a capitalist society, management and corporate subjects do not give emphasis to the questions of ethics. Career development of employees is based more on their job performance rather than high ethical standards. The capitalist framework which demands profit maximization and the corporate structure that emphasizes on production deadlines and quota have often created an arena for unethical business practices.To arrest this problem, corporate leaders and top level management should be exemplary examples of ethics and integrity. An explicit code of conduct and business ethics should be adopted that managers and executives are required to read, sign and follow. Apart from this, companies must develop a corporate climate that places ethical values above others. 5. b) Discussed the chall enges in the fight against white collar crime. White collar crimes invoke non-threatening images of guys in suits. And naturally we treat such individuals with respect and courtesy rather than fear and severity.It appears at times that our justice system does not place adequate emphasis on fraud and other white collar crimes especially when it is considered a non-violent victimless crime. One disturbing fact is how the offense is perceived, not as a criminal offense at all, but as simple bad judgment on the part of victims, by both the general public and by the victims themselves. This perception can lead to a tendency to blame the victims for their own losses. It affects how society sees the victims, and how the victims see themselves.This in turn can influence the way the offense is treated by law-enforcement and regulatory agencies, and when offenders are convicted, by the courts which sentence them. Compared to the murderers, rapists and urban gangsters that get the headlines, w hite-collar criminals just don’t scare the public very much. They don’t leave a chalk outline on the sidewalk or blood spatter on the wall. So while violent crimes demand a high profile response from the police, the cost of white collar crime is significant but hard to measure in human costs. The following are the challenges in the fight against white collar crime: †¢ Underestimation of LossesThe price tags attached to some economic crimes are so staggering that they are difficult to comprehend. As an example, the price of bailing out a single corrupt savings and loan institution surpassed the total of all the bank robberies in American history. Recent FBI statistics place the average take of an armed bank robbery at $3,177 while the Data Processing Management Association reports that the average computer crime loss to banks may be as high as $500,000. †¢ The Best Lawyers A white-collar criminal, now rich off the spoils of others, can afford the best lawyers. †¢ LeniencyMany law-makers and judges are of the mind that, with an already overloaded justice system, jails should be used for violent offenders only, so fraudsters are given what are perceived as lenient sentences, or an absurdly low penalty in comparison to the crime committed, such as alternative sentencing (e. g. warnings, probation etc. ) or by â€Å"buying their way out† of prison by paying a fine or restitution. †¢ Police Resources While few laws are enforced 100%, white collar crime has a much lower margin of non-enforcement. Fraud and other white collar crime is not a priority for police departments.They are required to devote their resources to crimes of violence and, due to lack of trained personnel and financial resources, are not always able to investigate and prosecute suspected fraud and other white collar crime cases. †¢ Favourable Laws Laws are generally written in favour of the white-collar criminal. People who commit white-collar crimes are sometimes the same people who are in a position to see to it that their crimes are not defined too negatively. †¢ Individual Perception Whereas the impact of white-collar criminals on the nation is great, the cost to each individual is small.White-collar crimes do not impact individuals with the same intensity as when one individual is victimized by a petty criminal. REFERENCES 1. Institute of professional Administrators: www. iqps. org/ 2. International Association of Administrative professionals: www. iaap-hq. org 3. What is an Administrative Professional? Who are Administrative Professionals? By Karen Porter: (http://www. theeffectiveadmin. com/articles-for-administrative-assistants/administrative-professionals/) 4. Elthan F Becker and Jon Wortmann(2009) Mastering Communication at Work 5. www. utor2u. net/business/people/communication_barriers. asp – communication Barriers 6. Effect of Communication Barriers in Business Communication www. managementstudyguide. com/ef fect-of-communication. 7. Robert C Pozen. (Nov 2009), Harvard Business Review 8. www. managementstudyguide. com 9. www. slideshare. net 10. Journal of Corporate Finance 3(1997) 189-220 11. White collar crime in Malaysia 12. www. articlesalley. com 13. www. crime-of-persuation. com 14. Professional Administration: Guiding Principles and Discipline for the Timeless Executive, (2011) Samuel Mawusi Asafo CMC, CIPM.SMA International Printrite Inc. Ghana CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF ADMINISTRATORS AND MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS-GHANA P. O. Box LG 645, Legon, Accra. Tel. 028 954 0066 POST EXPERIENCE QUALIFYING PROGRAMME TAKE HOME EXAMINATION BATCH: JANUARY, MAY & SEPTEMBER 2012 SUBJECT: PROFESSIONAL ADMINISTRATION SUBMISSION DATE: SATURDAY 10TH NOVEMBER 2012 Reference Material: Professional Administration: Guiding Principles and Discipline for the Timeless Executive, (2011) Samuel Mawusi Asafo CMC, CIPM. SMA International Printrite Inc. Ghana ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS, TYPE WRITTEN IN 1. 5 SPACING ALL QU ESTIONS CARRY EQUAL MARKS QUESTIONS 1.Discuss the difference between Administrative Management and Professional Administration. 2. Identify communication barriers and describe ways to remove them 3. a) What are the advantages and disadvantages of having one person hold the offices of Chairman of the Board and CEO? b) What are the pros and cons of selecting an insider versus an outsider? 4. What elements would characterize an effective working relationship between a Board and a CEO? 5. a) Examine the importance of eradicating white collar crime and its impact on the integrity of the CEO. b) Discuss the challenges in the fight against white collar crime.