Thursday, November 28, 2019
Risk Management Aqua Plc.
Introduction Risk management is a critical aspect that provides organisations with the security to operate with limited danger. Managers can either reduce or avoid risks that are likely to encounter their respective organisations. This paper analyses in detail the risk situation faced by Aqua Plc., a water company.Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on Risk Management: Aqua Plc. specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The firm has encountered increased competition due to its high operating costs and is seeking to lower the same through the acquisition of new equipment and materials. Project Objective The objective of the project is to address the poor market performance of Aqua Plc. The company has suffered mainly from two areas of technology and failure of control over its entire marketing procedure. As a result, its production has relatively been higher than that of its competitors in terms of cost, while the profit ma rgins have also been smaller. Risk Equipment acquisition There is likelihood that the new production line equipment may not be supplied to Aqua Plc in good time. The new equipment is being ordered from a supplier who must also get involved in testing its operations prior to the full launch. This means Aqua Plc directly relies on an external company to help it install and launch the equipment (Kremljak et al. 2012, p. 1717). It has no direct control over the equipmentââ¬â¢s supplier and thus this is resulting in heightened risk. Apart from the supplier of the main equipment, provision of materials also needs to be undertaken by suppliers (Kremljak et al. 2012 p. 1717). The main equipmentââ¬â¢s supplier does not deal with the necessary materials required for the functioning of the equipment. Aqua, thus, needs to enter into agreements with other supplier firms to enable the delivery of the materials, such as injections moulds, plastic materials, as well as other accessories.Adver tising Looking for assessment on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This further causes the risk in the sense that Aqua is depending on various supplier firms to sustain its new programme yet it lacks direct control over the supplier firms. Even where one supplier firm fulfils its obligation of delivering the materials, the project may still fail to take off because all suppliers involved must fulfil their obligations in time to enable the project take off. Technological impacts and aspects could as well result into a risk. While the suppliers may deliver the equipments in time, technological challenges may hamper the immediate operation of the same. The equipmentââ¬â¢s standards and requirements may fail to match with the actual production at Aqua Plc (Real, Leal, Roldà ¡n, 2006, p. 284). In this case, it may require additional time for the supplier to acquire the right technology before launching the n ew equipment. Additionally, it may force Aqua Plc to spend additional capital, on top of the 1,500,000.00 already paid to have the proper alignment and installation of the new equipment. Impacts The suppliersââ¬â¢ delay to deliver the new production equipment will result in Aqua Plc continuing to operate under high production costs (Berry Collier, 2007, p. 1005). The frequent equipment breakdowns at the firm will continue, which hampers Aqua from attaining the targeted volume within the next two years. The price of its finished products will remain high, thereby limiting improvement of the firmââ¬â¢s performance in the market (Morten, John Harry, 2003, p. 369). Equally, the old equipment currently in use at Aqua does not help in the satisfaction of Health and Safety parameter, as well as achievement of the set water quality standards as is defined by the World Health Organisation, WHO. In essence, Aqua may still face difficulties in marketing its products because they do not meet the certified standards (Mitchell, Moutinho, Lewis, 2003, p. 1). Consumers often rely upon such standards before making their buy decisions (Beatty, Scott Liao, Weber, 2010, p. 17).Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on Risk Management: Aqua Plc. specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More New equipments often come with training on how to operate. The training takes significant time, depending on the complexity of the technology involved. In the case of Aqua, these trainings may imply the equipment operating at a lower rate as workers are educated on how to operate the machine and other related procedures (Yen-Ku Kung-Don, 2010, p. 287). Such a reduced scale of operation, on the other hand, would imply that the firm operates at below capacity thus failing to achieve its break-even point within the anticipated time. Change of Marketing Procedure The new marketing plans by Aqua Plc. pose as a risky affair for the com pany. Selling directly to the retailers may see the wholesalers and distributors shun Aqua products because of lack of market. Selling directly to the retailers is an indicator that the distributors and wholesalers will not be able to sell to the retailers. This is risky because reaching all the retailers will be costly for the firm. Additionally, it is a costly venture because the economy of scale advantage that comes with selling products to the wholesalers and distributors is not achievable with the retailers. Thus, the high costs of direct distribution to retailers would still minimise the profit margins of the firm (Burnard Bhamra, 2011, p. 5581). Impacts The high costs of distributing the companyââ¬â¢s products directly to the retailers will see the firm lose its competitive ability further. The high costs of distribution will be passed down to consumers in form of increased prices. Thus, Aqua will continue facing the disadvantage of price in the market, compared to its co mpetitors and rival products (Reissner, 2008, p. 143). Qualitative Assessment of the Risk The qualitative risk faced by Aqua Plc. is high. The firm needs to pay a cost of 1,500,000.00 in order to acquire and establish its new equipment. Delays by the supplier will see the company having already spent the amount yet not benefiting from the equipment advantages. The continued use of the older equipment will thus see the firmââ¬â¢s operations maintain the high cost of operations, which is a disadvantage to its competitive business position.Advertising Looking for assessment on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More An alternative for the firm in case of delayed deliveries is to rely on the old equipment but operate on night shifts as well in order to meet the expected volume in production. This will see a further 185,000.00 being spent to sustain the night shift programme (Piercey, 2011, p. 223). There is also the aspect of damaged reputation, which comes in as a result of the delayed delivery of the equipment (Tong, 2013, p. 131). Water products are expected to meet health and safety directive as well as fulfil the acceptable quality standards as have been established by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The old equipment at Aqua does not satisfy these standards. Thus, a delayed delivery of the new equipment will see the company continue to sell products that do not meet the agreed set standards. Once consumers of the product become aware of the quality issues that are being compromised by Aqua, they will shun the product. Thus, Aqua will run into further losses as it will experience a big drop in its sales. A combination of the costs involved and the reputation risks makes the qualitative risk faced by Aqua Plc to be high (Soares et al. 2011, p. 69). Responses Risk avoidance Aqua can avoid the risk of delayed supplies by acquiring and installing the equipment well in advance, before the scheduled commencement date of April 30th. The supplier should be given early dates, of say March 31st as the deadline for delivery. In such an instance, even if the delivery delays and is done on April 10th, for instance, Aqua will still have ample time to install and test the equipment in readiness for the actual launching on April 30th ( Butler, 2010, p. 60). Aqua Plc. may as well consider increasing the capacity of its current equipment and therefore eliminating the need to have new equipment supplied. Because the old equipment is already in existence at the firmââ¬â¢s premises, there would be no chances of delays being experienced in terms of suppliersââ¬â¢ hindrance. Inst ead, Aqua will only need to introduce the night shift sessions such that its capacity is upgraded to the targeted volume. Risk reduction Aqua needs to have at least two different supplier firms for each category of equipment and materials. This will provide the firm with more assurance that the planââ¬â¢s chances of failing are limited. As the deadline of the implementation approaches, Aqua needs to constantly keep in touch with the supplier to determine whether the ability to deliver the equipment on time is still there. In case for one reason or the other the supplier is unable to deliver as agreed, a second supplier firm should immediately be informed so that arrangements can be put into place (Baruch, Klosterman, 2013, p. 240). Alternatively, a better way of reducing the risk would be to include clauses in the supply contract that spell out measures to be applied to the breaching party (Ribeiro, 2005, p. 53). Aqua Plc. can consider including a clause that require the supplie r to pay 20 percent of the contractââ¬â¢s value in case delivery of the equipment is done after the scheduled dates. Any further delays, of say more than a week, should see the supplier pay up to 30 percent of the contractââ¬â¢s value. The money acquired from the penalty will be used to reduce the risk level, such as investing it on the current equipment in order to enable night shift operations. Recommendation The best remedy for Aqua Plc. in addressing the risk that it is currently facing is to avoid the risk altogether. In particular, the avoidance should be by way of acquiring the equipments in advance, before the actual launching date of April 30th. The firm should identify the rightful supplier but quote March 31st as the final date of delivering the equipment. Once delivery and installation is done as agreed, Aqua Plc. should engage the services of the supplier in test running the equipment to ascertain its viability. For a period of four weeks, between March 31st and A pril 30th, Aqua Plc should undertake training of its staffs, particularly those that will be involved directly in operating the equipment, to increase their efficiency. The services of the supplier firm should be hired to support in the training exercise. The official launching date of April 30th should see Aqua Plc run the new equipment at full-scale capacity. This will ensure that the firmsââ¬â¢ objective of achieving its expected volume is actually attained on time. Conclusion Aqua Plc. is facing the challenge of increasing its production capacity in order to lower the high cost of production. Its marketing function has also established the need to directly distribute finished products to the retailers while by passing the distributors and suppliers. The firm has to acquire a new equipment to enable it achieve the right production levels. However, this is risky because the supplier for the new equipment is likely to delay and thus affect the production. The risk is high becaus e the cost of acquiring the new equipment is 1,500,000.00. Additionally, the old equipment currently in operation does not meet the health, safety and quality standards as are defined by the World Health Organisation. In essence, Aqua Plc further faces a reputation risk because buyers may easily shun the products by virtue of the fact that they do not meet the standards. The firm can avoid these risks by planning to acquire the equipment and materials well in advance, or upgrade the existing equipment to increase its volume capacity. A risk reduction remedy for the firm could involve adopting more than one supplier for contingency reasons or including clauses in the supply contracts that seeks to punish the supplier in case of delayed deliveries. Aqua should adopt the risk avoidance strategy of installing the equipments and materials prior to the launch date. List of References Baruch, S, Klosterman, B 2013, ââ¬ËA best practices approach to physical corporate preparedness utilis ing emergency suppliesââ¬â¢, Journal of Business Continuity Emergency Planning, vol. 6, no. 3, pp. 240-252 Beatty, A, Scott Liao, W, Weber, J 2010, ââ¬ËThe effect of private information and monitoring on the role of accounting quality in investment decisionsââ¬â¢, Contemporary Accounting Research, vol. 27, no. 1, pp. 17-47 Berry, A, Collier, P 2007, ââ¬ËRisk in supply chains: exploratory case studies in the automotive industryââ¬â¢, International Journal of Risk Assessment Management, vol. 7, no. 8, pp. 1005-1026 Burnard, K, Bhamra, R 2011, ââ¬ËOrganisational resilience: development of a conceptual framework for organisational responsesââ¬â¢, International Journal of Production Research, vol. 49, no. 18, pp. 5581-5599 Butler, A 2010, ââ¬ËRisk avoidanceââ¬â¢, Aviation Week Space Technology, vol. 172, no. 32, p. 60 Kremljak, Z, et al 2012, ââ¬ËSupply chain and identification of risks with heuristic toolsââ¬â¢, TTEM- Technics Technologies Educatio n Management, vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 1717-1726 Mitchell, V, Moutinho, L, Lewis, B 2003, ââ¬ËRisk reduction in purchasing organisational professional servicesââ¬â¢, Service Industries Journal, vol. 23, no. 5, pp. 1-19 Morten M, M, John, J, Harry, B 2003, ââ¬ËManaging buyer-supplier relationships and inter-organisational competence developmentââ¬â¢, Integrated Manufacturing Systems, vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 369-379 Piercey, DM 2011, ââ¬ËDocumentation requirements and quantified versus qualitative audit risk assessmentsââ¬â¢, Auditing, vol. 30, no. 4, pp. 223-248 Real, J, Leal, A, Roldà ¡n, J 2006, ââ¬ËDeterminants of Organisational Learning in the generation of technological distinctive competenciesââ¬â¢, International Journal of Technology Management, vol. 35, no. 1/4, pp. 284-307 Reissner, SC 2008, Narratives of organisational change and learning: making sense of testing times, n.p.: Northampton, MA Ribeiro, R 2005, ââ¬ËChapter 4: How to manage the risksââ¬â ¢, Commercial contracts ââ¬â Drafting Techniques Precedents. London: Thorogood Publishing Ltd. Soares, J et al. 2011, ââ¬ËQuantitative vs. qualitative criteria for credit risk assessmentââ¬â¢, Frontiers in Finance Economics, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 69-87 Tong, S 2013, ââ¬ËExploring corporate risk transparency: corporate risk disclosure and the interplay of corporate reputation, corporate trust and media usage in initial public offeringsââ¬â¢, Corporate Reputation Review, vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 131-149 Yen-Ku, K, Kung-Don, Y 2010, ââ¬ËHow employeesââ¬â¢ perception of information technology application and their knowledge management capacity influence organisational performanceââ¬â¢, Behaviour Information Technology, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 287-303 This assessment on Risk Management: Aqua Plc. was written and submitted by user Raul S. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.
Monday, November 25, 2019
Grammar Myths Split Infinitives and More!
Grammar Myths Split Infinitives and More! Grammar Myths: Split Infinitives and More! As proofreaders, weââ¬â¢re obviously keen on good spelling and grammar. However, since we like to get invited to parties sometimes, we try to avoid being too pedantic when possible. Not all pedants are quite so chilled out, though, so you might want to keep an ear out for these grammar myths so that you can correct any overeager correctors you meet! Myth #1: Never Split an Infinitive The ââ¬Å"infinitiveâ⬠is a verb form where a verb is combined with ââ¬Å"to,â⬠such as ââ¬Å"to runâ⬠or ââ¬Å"to jump.â⬠Itââ¬â¢s also the subject of one of the most common grammar myths around: ââ¬Å"Never split an infinitive.â⬠The most famous example of a split infinitive comes from Star Trek, wherein various crews of the USS Enterprise are charged with a mission ââ¬Å"to boldly go where no one has gone before.â⬠The Enterprise looks much smaller there than we remember. Here, the adverb ââ¬Å"boldlyâ⬠appears in the middle of the infinitive ââ¬Å"to go.â⬠As such, some people insist that itââ¬â¢s grammatically incorrect and should be ââ¬Å"to go boldly where no one has gone before.â⬠This ââ¬Å"ruleâ⬠was popularized by Henry Alford in 1864, based on the idea that splitting infinitives was ââ¬Å"flying in the face of common usage.â⬠But many writers have split infinitives throughout the history of modern English. And sometimes placing an adverb between ââ¬Å"toâ⬠and a verb is a good way of ensuring clarity, since it removes ambiguity about the word being modified. Kirk, Spock and friends can thus ââ¬Å"go boldlyâ⬠without worrying too much about their grammar. Myth #2: Donââ¬â¢t Start a Sentence with a Conjunction Another common grammar myth is that you should never start a sentence with a conjunction, especially coordinating conjunctions (e.g., ââ¬Å"and,â⬠ââ¬Å"orâ⬠or ââ¬Å"butâ⬠). In fact, these terms can be used to start sentences if required. The myth may have origins in teachers noticing schoolchildren overusing conjunctions like ââ¬Å"and,â⬠such as in the following: We went on holiday to Brazil. And mom went swimming in the sea. And dad got sunburn. And a monkey stole my lunchâ⬠¦ Cheeky monkey! When kids write like this, they might be told not to start sentences with conjunctions. However, while starting every sentence with ââ¬Å"andâ⬠is clearly a bad idea, in some situations beginning a statement with a conjunction is fine, like presenting something as an afterthought: I need to buy milk. And cheese. But not bread. Starting a statement with a conjunction can also help to transition between sentences or enhance the flow of prose. It isnââ¬â¢t always correct, especially when youââ¬â¢re left with a sentence fragment in formal writing, but you can usually tell if a conjunction has been misused. Annoyingly, this myth persists despite a consensus among grammarians and writers that itââ¬â¢s nonsense. And as weââ¬â¢ve done it several time in this blogpost, including at the start of this sentence, you can probably guess that we agree with the majority here.
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Business Plan - The Music Entrepreneur - Music & Event Management Essay
Business Plan - The Music Entrepreneur - Music & Event Management - Essay Example Additionally, it is expected that the session will commence with 8 students who will be required to pay admission and course fee. For the admission fee, each student will be required to pay à £100 and à £5000 course fee will be required in the first year. In the subsequent year, it has been projected that 25 per cent increase in students is expected which will take number of students to 10. Consequently, this will increase revenue for the next year. As far as the expenses are concerned, it has been estimated that à £3000 will be required for purchasing music instruments for the music students. Subsequently, monthly rent, music teacher salary, heating and marketing expenses are à £800, à £1500, à £200 and à £313 respectively will be incurred. The music academic industry is highly competitive as it has been observed that the existing institutions are highly experienced and have hired quality teachers for attracting and retaining a maximum number of music students. In this regard, it is pertinent to highlight that the Music Training Academy will also ensure to provide quality music education and training to the students. For this purpose, the owner will go beyond the traditional learning and teaching of music education by providing more conducive study and learning environment in the academy. For example, the owner along with the support of teacher will provide quality education services in which the students will be able to receive knowledge and training simultaneously along with information discussion sessions relating to past and current successful music superstars and music artists as well. The purpose of this type of sessions is to ensure that the students get maximum satisfaction in the form of quality music learning and training sessions. Initially, there will be only two members in the team. The owner will develop the whole training and development course for the music lovers. First, the owner will determine class schedule. In
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
Argumentative Position essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words
Argumentative Position - Essay Example Apparently, the older generation has never been very keen on technology but as times change, there has been an emphasis on utilization of technology in many areas such as businesses, industries and homes. This development has forced the older generation to adjust with the advancing technologies even though they use them quite minimally. On the other hand, the younger generation was exposed to technology at an early age. As technology develops, young people seem to adjust quickly and efficiently with it. Their appetite for technology is insatiable as evident in some individuals who cannot function normally without communication gadgets such as mobile phones, tablets, personal computers, and the internet (Ito et al. 1). This has introduced many changes in the interaction process between different people. I believe that technology advancement has brought detrimental effects in the way that people socialize and experts can confirm that a generational divide has been established between à ¢â¬Å"digital nativesâ⬠and ââ¬Å"digital immigrantsâ⬠. The generational divide between ââ¬Å"digital nativesâ⬠and ââ¬Å"digital immigrantsâ⬠is obvious. As a digital native, I have always found it easier to interact with others using my mobile phone and my personal computer. On the other hand, my parents can be termed as ââ¬Å"digital immigrantsâ⬠as they have started using these technologies some time later in their lives as a necessity to keep up with the changing home and work environment. Dr. Mizuko Ito and his team conducted a research showing that there were conflicts occurring between the older generations and the younger generations owing to the fact that they viewed the importance of technologies differently. They discovered that the young generation had adapted social media, online games, and technological gadgets such as mobile phones and iPads in their culture. They found out that technology and its accessories were
Monday, November 18, 2019
Nonprofit Reflection Questions 2,3+4 Coursework
Nonprofit Reflection Questions 2,3+4 - Coursework Example e even though succession planning isnââ¬â¢t highlighted as something extremely important, but it does impact an organization a great deal since it affects financial returns. And stakeholders need an assurance that wherever they invest, they will be secure, not only in the short run but also in the long run. For example, Apple with the demise of Steve Jobs has no successor, and therefore its stocks have come down to 5% simply because of the fact that Steve Jobs was great when he was here, however investors feel insecure about the company due to the fact that there is not successor to Steve Jobs. Apple could have saved itself the trouble of plummeting stocks if it had invested in succession planning. And this succession planning could similarly be for any other employee and not just a leader. For succession planning, an organization should realize that it is something that requires devotion and commitment from all levels in the organization, regardless of the hierarchy or flatness of its structure. It is also essential to be abreast with the talent in oneââ¬â¢s organization and keep a record so that they can be honed into whenever the need may be. At the same time, it isnââ¬â¢t an activity that is just performed outright; all the potential employees as well as the shareholders need to be kept informed about the plan so that they can aspire to be in particular post. And it isnââ¬â¢t a once in a year activity that the organization performs but rather an ongoing activity that must be done and polished and repeated so that the perfect person can fill in the perfect shoes. A great deal of anxiety and stress can be avoided before-hand if this process is conducted before the need falls. This is because leaders can retire or expire unexpectedly, and the market is full of fluctuations and any change can occur without anticipation and the company can be left in dismay. This is where succession planning helps the organization. And it is the duty of the board to act for the company
Saturday, November 16, 2019
Music and how it Effects Academic Performance
Music and how it Effects Academic Performance My study focuses on students at university level and why they choose listening or not listening to music while they are studying. My research is about music and performance. This fact is needed to be considered especially by the students a lot because it would help them increase concentration in their study materials and would improve their academic grades. It has been found that people who study with music have better GPAs and are higher achievers than those who arent involved in music. Music not only provides entertainment and beautiful sounds, but it has a remarkable effect on memory and learning. BACKGROUND Few years back there was a concept that music distracts the academic performance of students. Even my parents used to agree to this fact that music distracts the academic performance. But now researches show that music increases the concentration level while studying, solving problems. Now days most of the students have their own iPods and they study along with it.Advanced technology has made music accessible to everyone through internet. These people can just go on internet and through one click can download several songs of their choice in no time. Thats the reason I choosed this topic as my research. I wanted to know that does music really increases the academic performance of students. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK Academic performance Pitch Tone Volume of music Music INTERVENING VARIABLES DEPENDENT VARIABLE My dependent variable was academic performance of students LSE. INDEPENDENT VARIABLE My independent variable in this research was music. INTERVENING VARIABLE Pitch Tone Volume of music NULL HYPOTHESIS There is no relationship between any type of music and students academic performance. ALTERNATIVE HYPOTHESIS There is a relationship between pop music and students academic performance at LSE. ALTERNATIVE DIRECTIONAL HYPOTHESIS There is a positive relationship between academic performance of the students and music. METHODOLOGY PARTICIPANTS My research was a group based study. In order to test my hypothesis a laboratory experiment with maximum interference in the work environment hence controlling certain variables in order to study the effect of those variables. Participants were students were chosen through random sampling from LSE. These group of students belonged to the BBA honors program. APPARATUS AND PROCEDURE I-PODs Test paper having 10 multiple choice arithmetic questions and 10 multiple choice questions on comprehension passage on presentation skills SAMPLE SIZE My total sample size was 60. Which were further sub-divided into control group and an experimental group of 30students each. These groups of students were then asked to solve the arithmetic questions, read the comprehensions in the presence of music. Students answered 10 arithmetic problems, and read comprehension passages and then answer the questions given at the end, without discussing it with their peers. Later, same test was given to the control group and they solved it in the absence of music. The sample was selected using table 11.3 from the book Research Methods for Business by Uma Sekaran. The experiment which I carried out was a lab experiment consisting of experimental group and a control group. In LSE it was carried out in J1 and H2 auditoriums simultaneously under normal room temperature. In J1 I had the control group who solved the given test without music and in H2 I had experimental group which solved the similar group with the music played in I-pods which consist of music in the background. In order to measure the reliability of my testing instruments, test-retest reliability technique was used in which a group of 7 students having GPA above 3 were handed assessment worksheet. After 5 days the same students were tested by making them solve the same worksheet and both the test scored were then compared. Results were positive. Hence this proved that the instruments were highly reliable. The test papers used to measure the academic performance of students had high content validity as it consisted only of basic mathematical questions and comprehension passage. RESULTS My study showed that students who solved the test in isolation performed lesser than the ones who solved the same test while listening to music on an I-Pod. In fact the students who solved the test listening to music did so much quicker than the latter. Percentage calculated in order to determine the performance level of the groups through the marks obtained. i) Experimental Group 86.70%(520/600*100) ii) Control Group 56.50%(339/600*100) DISCUSSION Mental performance can be enhanced by exposure to music. As this research and also similar types of researches conducted worldwide showed positive results so it would be a better suggestion for the students to listen to music while reading any type of material and solving any kind of mathematical problems so as to increase their concentration level. Also music is believed to provide soothing effect to the brain cells so it is in the great advantage of the students to listen to music while reading and solving math problems as it would make them more focused on the material being studied and also would make their minds relax. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am grateful for the cooperation and interest of my professor, Mr. Humair Hashmi, who guided me in every step of this research. It would have been impossible to finish this report without his supervision. I would also like to thank students of LSE for participating for taking the time out and participating and making this research possible. REFERENCES Textbooks Uma Sekaran (2000) Business Research Methods; a skill building approach. Fourth Edition Assessment Worksheet was taken from net and he questions were made with the help of Mrs. Asma Sattar and Prof. Shakeel Bhukari
Wednesday, November 13, 2019
Hotel management :: essays research papers
Hotel management Assignment One Table Of Contents Introduction HRM Defines Traditional Approach Contemporary approach to HR Change Management Murrindindi Shire Council Experience Back Ground Human Resource Roles Organisational HRM Conclusion Introduction Human Resource management (HRM) has been seen as either having a traditional or contemporary approach. This paper will define both approaches. The HR aproach undertaken by the Murrindindi Shire Council (MSC) which was my organisation up to three months ago will be reviewed in this context as well as identifiable costs or opportunities that exist. HRM Defined Human Resource Management is the management of an organisations staff/personnel to meet the needs and achieve the purpose of the business in an efficient and effective manner. HRM is defined by Kramer McGraw Shulder (1997,p.10) as having having three purposes being ââ¬Å¾h To improve productivity ââ¬Å¾h To ensure quality of worklife and ââ¬Å¾h To ensure legal compliance It has been observed in particular that organisations tend to be very good at the legal compliance as it is legislated as it has some serious consequences if not adhered to. What is generally overlooked is the financial implications of dot points one and two. Effective human management can contribute to not only product output but also product quality. HRM managers are operating at three distinct levels as explained by Kramer McGraw Shulder (1997,p.30) strategic, managerial and operational - Operational levels (short term) can be disseminated down to lower level management or team leaders as they involve straight forward and traditional levels of HR - Staff Recruitment - Monitoring Systems - Wages, benefits packages - Annual appraisal systems - Training etc. - Managerial Level (short term) This level and following tend to be the levels of strategic importance to the organisation - Recruitment marketing plans - Long term compensation plans - Validation systems - Management development programs - Strategi c (long term) - to gain competitive advantage - link functions to organisational strategies Strategy as a process is defined by (Shaun Tyson 1997 p. 278) is à ¡Ã ¥a mechanism for achieving a desired objectiveà ¡Ã ¦. It can then be said that the Human Resource Strategy needs to be aligned with the organisations à ¡Ã ¥business strategiesà ¡Ã ¦ or corporate objectives. In effect one of the mechanisms to be used is that of Human Resources. Miller defined strategic HRM as à ¡Ã ¥those decisions and actions which concern the management of employees at all levels in the business and which are related to the implementation of strategies directed towards creating and sustaining competitive advantage (Miller, 1987 p.
Monday, November 11, 2019
Rape of the Lock Satirical Devices Essay
From the excerpts studied in The Rape of the Lock, Alexander Pope skilfully uses the mock epic genre to satirize the trifling nature of his society through exaggeration, parody and juxtaposition in rhyming couplets. The epic form makes everything larger than life which Pope uses to reveal the absurdity of the society he lives in. A simple card game is turned into a complex ââ¬Å"combat on [a] velvet plain,â⬠which exaggerates the little action that actually takes place in the Canto. In the card game called Ombre, hands are not just hands. They represent armies of different suites. Face cards are ââ¬Å"four kings in majesty revered, with hoary whiskers and a forky beardâ⬠,â⬠four fair queens whose hands sustain a flower, the expressive emblem of their softer powerâ⬠and ââ¬Å"four knaves in garb succinct, a trusty band, caps on their heads and halberds in their hand.â⬠Pope also parodies the epic form in order to depict questionable values in his time. A feast is a scene common in epics like Beowulf and is mirrored by the coffee scene in this mock epic. ââ¬Å"The board with cups and spoons is crownedâ⬠shows the great worth placed on China and utensils. Instead of vessels to hold beverages, Pope portrays them as ââ¬Å"Chinaââ¬â¢s earth [that] receives the smoking tide.â⬠Coffee is almost given supernatural powers since it ââ¬Å"makes the politician wise, and see through all things with his half-shut eyes.â⬠The coffee is the ââ¬Å"fuming liquorâ⬠that ââ¬Å"sent up in vapors to the baronââ¬â¢s brain,â⬠giving him the idea to plan to cut off a lock of Belindaââ¬â¢s hair. Pope combines the ordinary with the unusual with simplicity to suggest the triviality of the values of his time through the juxtaposition in rhyming couplets. Canto III describes Hampton Court where Queen lives ââ¬Å"whom three realms obey, dost sometimes counsel take ââ¬â and sometimes tea,â⬠which sets the tone for the events to follow in the court. He suggests that ââ¬Å"One speaks the glory of British Queen, and one describes a charming Indian screen; a third interprets motions, looks, eyes; at every word a reputation diesâ⬠through the conversation of the ladies and gentlemen in court, describing societyââ¬â¢s twisted value system. Pope uses aspects of the mock epic to satirize his societyââ¬â¢s irresponsibility. He uses exaggeration to mock misplaced importance. He takes specific scenes and uses parody to illustrate the irrelevance of rituals such as coffee drinking. He uses the structure of rhyming couplets to contrast the ordinary with the extraordinary to reveal how important things are considered.
Friday, November 8, 2019
First Battle of the Marne in World War I
First Battle of the Marne in World War I The First Battle of the Marne was fought September 6-12, 1914, during World War I (1914-1918) and marked the limit of Germanys initial advance into France. Having implemented the Schlieffen Plan at the wars outset, German forces swung through Belgium and into France from north. Though pushing back French and British forces, a gap opened between two armies on the German right wing. Exploiting this, the Allies attacked into the gap and threatened to encircle the German First and Second Armies. This forced the Germans to halt their advance and retreat behind the Aisne River. Dubbed the Miracle of the Marne, the battle saved Paris, ended German hopes of a quick victory in the west, and touched off the Race to the Sea which would create the front that would largely hold for the next four years. Fast Facts: First Battle of the Marne Conflict: World War I (1914-1918)Dates: September 6-12, 1914Armies Commanders:GermanyChief of Staff Helmuth von Moltkeapprox. 1,485,000 men (August)AlliesGeneral Joseph JoffreField Marshal Sir John French1,071,000 menCasualties:Allies: France - 80,000 killed, 170,000 wounded, Britain - 1,700 killed, 11,300 woundedGermany: 67,700 killed, 182,300 wounded Background With the outbreak of World War I, Germany began implementation of the Schlieffen Plan. This called for the bulk of their forces to assemble in the west while only a small holding force remained in the east. The goal of the plan was to quickly defeat France before the Russians could fully mobilize their forces. With France defeated, Germany would be free to focus their attention to the east. Devised earlier, the plan was altered slightly in 1906 by Chief of the General Staff, Helmuth von Moltke, who weakened the critical right wing to reinforce Alsace, Lorraine, and the Eastern Front (Map). Chief of the German General Staff Helmuth von Moltke. With the outbreak of World War I, the Germans implemented the plan which called for violating the neutrality of Luxembourg and Belgium in order to strike France from the north (Map). Pushing through Belgium, the Germans were slowed by stubborn resistance which allowed the French and arriving British Expeditionary Force to form a defensive line. Driving south, the Germans inflicted defeats on the Allies along the Sambre at the Battles of Charleroi and Mons. Fighting a series of holding actions, French forces, led by commander-in-chief General Joseph Joffre, fell back to a new position behind the Marne with the goal of holding Paris. Angered by the French proclivity for retreating without informing him, the commander of the BEF, Field Marshal Sir John French, wished to pull the BEF back towards the coast but was convinced to stay at the front by War Secretary Horatio H. Kitchener. On the other side, the Schlieffen Plan continued to proceed, however, Moltke was increasingly losing control of his forces, most notably the key First and Second Armies. Marshal Joseph Joffre. Photograph Source: Public Domain Commanded by Generals Alexander von Kluck and Karl von Bà ¼low respectively, these armies formed the extreme right wing of the German advance and were tasked with sweeping to the west of Paris to encircle Allied forces. Instead, seeking to immediately envelop the retreating French forces, Kluck and Bà ¼low wheeled their armies to the southeast to pass to the east of Paris. In doing so, they exposed the right flank of the German advance to attack. Becoming aware of this tactical error on September 3, Joffre began making plans for a counter-offensive the next day. Moving to Battle To aid this effort, Joffre was able to bring General Michel-Joseph Maunourys newly-formed Sixth Army into line northeast of Paris and to the west of the BEF. Using these two forces, he planned to attack on September 6. On September 5, Kluck learned of the approaching enemy and began to wheel his First Army west to meet the threat posed by Sixth Army. In the resulting Battle of the Ourcq, Klucks men were able to put the French on the defensive. While the fighting prevented the Sixth Army from attacking the next day, it did open a 30-mile gap between the First and Second German Armies (Map). Into the Gap Utilizing the new technology of aviation, Allied reconnaissance planes quickly spotted this gap and reported it to Joffre. Quickly moving to exploit the opportunity, Joffre ordered General Franchet dEspà ©reys French Fifth Army and the BEF into the gap. As these forces moved to isolate the German First Army, Kluck continued his attacks against Maunoury. Composed largely of reserve divisions, the Sixth Army came close to breaking but was reinforced by troops brought from Paris by taxicab on September 7. On September 8, the aggressive dEspà ©rey launched a large-scale attack on Bà ¼lows Second Army driving it back (Map). Field Marshal Sir John French. Photograph Source: Public Domain By the next day, both the German First and Second Armies were being threatened with encirclement and destruction. Told of the threat, Moltke suffered a nervous breakdown. Later that day, the first orders were issued for a retreat effectively negating the Schlieffen Plan. Recovering, Moltke directed his forces across the front to fall back to a defensive position behind the Aisne River. A wide river, he stipulated that the lines so reached will be fortified and defended. Between September 9 and 13, German forces broke off contact with the enemy and retreated north to this new line. Aftermath Allied casualties in the fighting numbered around 263,000, while the Germans incurred similar losses. In the wake of the battle, Moltke reportedly informed Kaiser Wilhelm II, Your Majesty, we have lost the war. For his failure, he was replaced as Chief of the General Staff on September 14 by Erich von Falkenhayn. A key strategic victory for the Allies, the First Battle of the Marne effectively ended German hopes for a quick victory in the west and condemned them to a costly two-front war. Reaching the Aisne, the Germans halted and occupied the high ground north of the river. Pursued by the British and French, they defeated Allied attacks against this new position. On September 14, it was clear that neither side would be able to dislodge the other and the armies began entrenching. At first, these were simple, shallow pits, but quickly they became deeper, more elaborate trenches. With the war stalled along the Aisne in Champagne, both armies began efforts to turn the others flank in the west. This resulted in a race north to the coast with each side seeking to turn the others flank. Neither was successful and, by the end of October, a solid line of trenches ran from the coast to the Swiss frontier.
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
Great Expectations Essays
Great Expectations Essays Great Expectations Paper Great Expectations Paper Essay Topic: Great Expectations How does Dickens use language to introduce and develop characters and settings in chapter1?Charles Dickens was a famous English novelist generally considered the greatest of the Victorian period. He is much loved for his great contribution to classical English Literature. His epic stories, vivid characters and exhaustive depiction of contemporary life are unforgettable.He was born in Portsmouth on February 7, 1812. The good fortune of being sent to school at the age of nine was short-lived because his father was imprisoned for bad debt. Dickens was sent to work in Warrens Blacking Factory where he earned six shillings a week pasting labels on the jars of thick polish. Charles Dickens stated the conditions he endured at the factory, were appalling and he often felt loneliness and despair.After 3 years his father repaid his debt and Dickens was sent back to school. However the experience was never forgotten as he fictionalized aspects of the experience into Great Expectations.Great Exp ectations was Charles Dickens second to last completed novel. It consists of 59 chapters and was published as a weekly series in 1860. The story follows a young orphan Pip, who discovers Great Expectations.From chapter one, we learn the main themes in the novel are education, ambition, the class system, poverty and opportunity.Dickens uses his own personal from both working class and aristocracy to reflect on the character Pip and the novel; such as what constitutes a gentleman, how a boy form a working class environment and be made into a gentleman and how intelligent Pip is able to be without any form of education in early life and still be successful.I think Dickens novel is successful; as he is able to make his richer audience aware of the struggle to survive in a lower class environment.I am going to focus my essay on chapter one. I believe chapter one is an exceedingly influential chapter as it is the first time we meet the main character Pip; it is also the first meeting betw een Pip and the convict and from the setting and characters we learn the lifestyles of lower-class Victorians.Great Expectations is based on the character Pip, Properly known as Phillip Pirrip; after his late father. Pip is a young uneducated orphan who in the future is made into a gentleman.Throughout the story, Pip is the narrator. This allows the reader to identify the story through Pips eyes. The audience will find the child narration a problem because there is no correct punctuation or sentence structures: instead we access his thoughts and feelings. This challenges the reader as they are sympathetic towards Pip because of the way he expresses his emotions. They will also question whether they should take into consideration that Pip is only a child that hasnt been educated.When Pip is in the graveyard, Pip declares;I give Pirrip as my fathers family names, on the authority of his tomb stone and my sister Mrs Joe Gargery, who married the blacksmith. As I never saw my father or my mother, and never saw any likeness of either of them (for they were long before the days of photographs), my first fancies regarding what they were like, were unreasonably derived from their tombstones.From this the readers discover Pip has no parents and is in fact an orphan. Also the readers learn Pip has no acknowledgement of his mothers or fathers appearance. Dickens language to display emotion allows the reader to sympathize with Pips character; as most readers are not able to identify with Pips situation.The shape of the letters on my fathers, gave me an odd idea that he was a square, stout, dark man, with curly black hair. From the character and turn of the inscription, Also Georgiana Wife of the above I drew a childish conclusion that my mother was freckled and sickly.Pip uses his imaginative young mind to construct images of his late mother and father. Pip summarises that his father was a square, stout, dark man with curly hair. And his mother was freckled and sickly. T his shows the reader Pip has grown up quickly. As readers, we understand how Pip is mentally blocking himself out as a child and is thinking in a mature way.Pip also has 5 deceased Siblings:To five little lozenges, earn about a foot and a half long which were arranged in a neat row beside their grave, and were sacred to the memory of five little of mine who gave up trying to get a living exceedingly early in that universal struggle I am indebted for a belief I religiously entertained that they had all been born on their backs with their hands in their trousers-pockets, and had never taken them out in this state of existence.The rate of child mortality was extremely high, so it was not uncommon that Pips siblings had all died. The audience would imagine that Pip was feeling alone as most of his family has died.In the introductory paragraph, the name Pip is repeated a numerous of times.My fathers family name being Pirrip, [- -] my infant tongue could make of both names nothing longe r or more explicit than Pip. So, I called myself Pip, and come to be called Pip.This notifies the audience Pip is a significant character. Also, the repetition indicates to the audience that Pip is the narrator.Dickens has selected to call the main character Pip as it symbolizes Pip is a small seed that has the potential to develop into something remarkable; With the help of love and care. From this the audience assimilate Pip needs to be nurtured mentally and physically to help him achieve extraordinary accomplishments. I think Dickens style is effective as the readers are able to visualize Pips growing stages. The importance of the name also creates extra effects on the readers view of the character Pip.After describing the landscape Pip begins to cry as he is overwhelmed with the setting (of being in the churchyard) and realizing he has lost the majority of his family. By talking about his deceased family and where he is located; it becomes overpowering for Pip as he registers he is still only an infant in an immense alarming world.Pip reacts to the Convict in a petrified manor; when the Convict threatens to cut Pips throat.O! Dont cut my throat sir [- -]. Pray dont do it, sir.Pip is terrified as he witnesses the fearful man (whose image provokes the situation to become even worse). In an adults perspective they are in a position to sympathize with the Convict because of the technique Dickens uses to describe the Convicts appearance.A man who had been soaked in water, and smothered in mud, and lamed by stones, and cut by flints, and stung by nettles and torn by briars; who limped, and shivered .From this quote, an image is created for the adult reader of a man who is struggling and in need of help. Pips description of the convict helps the reader to create a sympathetic view towards him, as the passage can be perceived in two different ways; Pips perception as a child, also the adult audience are able to use their intelligence to interpret their own view of the Convict.Pip addresses the Convict in a polite manner, his tone is weak yet Pip is still able to speak correctly. An example of Pips style of vocabulary used towards the convict is;Tell me your name [- -] Give It MouthPip, Pip, Sir.This informs the readers Pip is well spoken yet timid; the connection between Pips use of speech and the class system successfully works, making the novel more interesting. Also Pips intellect bemuses the readers as in the Victorian era it was uncommon for uneducated children to possess Pips intelligence.At the end of the scene, Pip is afraid because of the threats carried out by the Convict.You bring me, to-morrow morning early, that file and them wittles [- -] Now, I aint alone, as you may think I am. Theres a young man hid with me, in comparison with which young man I am a Angel [- -] I am keeping a-keeping that young man from harming of you at the present moment, [- -] I find it very hard to hold that young man off of your inside. Now, what do you say? The Convict notifies Pip there is also a young man hiding alongside him; he also explains in comparison with the young man he (the Convict) is an Angel. The Convicts description of the young man frightens Pip. Pip informs us he is frightened by describing the landscape around him. This allows the readers to empathize with Pip because of his surroundings and his vulnerability; fearing what could occur.Our initial judgments of the Convict are his sinister appearance and his immoral personality which is derived from Pips perspective. Pip provides us with an awareness of the Convicts corrupt behaviour.The man, after looking at me for a moment, turned me upside down and emptied my pockets!This provokes the readers to believe Pips perception of the Convict. The technique of Dickens language encourages the readers to devise an image within their mind of the Convicts actions towards Pip. From this the audience are provided with a deeper experience of what is happening to Pip.`The Conv icts use of speech contrasts with Pips. The Convict is more informal compared to Pip, as Pips vocabulary is correct. The Convicts dialect predictably made an impact on Charles Dickens audience as the convicts language is lower class, informal and incorrect. Dickens audience probably found the convicts style of language difficult to acknowledge.The Convict uses techniques such as; bullying, threatening and instilling fear into Pip to threaten him (as you would a child).You bring em both to me [- -] or Ill have your heart and liver out.This informs the audience, the Convict fathoms the psychology of child minds (as children are extremely vulnerable to stories), who also exaggerate their feelings and thoughts.Our concluding impression of the Convict contradicts our initial one because Dickens use of creative language begins to soften the impression of the Convict by prompting the audience to formulate images of sympathy and empathy. Our final impression becomes neutral because the Conv ict threatened Pip and also displays unpleasant behaviour towards him.A man who had been soaked in water, and smothered in mud, and lamed by stones, and cut by flints, and stung by nettles, and torn by briars; who limped and shivered, and glared and growled; and whose teeth chattered in his head as he seized me by the chin.However, the audience derive a feeling of pity from the Convicts situation.Chapter one is set on the Kent marshes, in the graveyard; where Pips deceased family is buried. The setting builds tension for the audience as Dickens creative language creates terrifying vibes from the description performed by Pip on the landscape; as he describes it as threatening and dangerous. This is a landscape Dickens reader and the modern day readers have little knowledge of. This build tension as the readers are not able to relate to Pips surroundings.The dark flat wilderness beyond the churchyards intersected with dykes and mounds and gates, with scattered cattle feeding on it, wa s the marshes; and that the low leaden line beyond, was the rivers, and that the distant savage lair from which the wind was rushing, was the seaThis description would be interpreted as if the Kent marshes was empty, a lonely place where strange things might occur. Also, the Kent marshes were dark, dangerous, bleak and hostile. In my opinion, the landscape is not a familiar setting and the Kent marshes seem quite unpleasant.Charles Dickens uses adjectives to make the place seem unappealing, for example; he describes what Pip can see such as; black horizontal line and long angry red lines. The colours used by Dickens are negative, sinister and formulate strong unpleasant feelings. The adjective black has been repeated by Dickens as it is a colour of death and will allow readers to create an image of dullness. Also it allows the audience to feel anxious.The warning beacon and gobbets were described in the background of the graveyard. This informs the reader, the Victorian ere still us ed the death penalty and it was used a great amount. This symbolizes death and also danger, these both add extra tension for the readers as Pip is in this location. The audience realise that death has a strong impact on the story and are worried what might happen to Pip in the future.I conclude chapter one has been very effective preparing the audience for what is to come. I believe this because chapter one has already allowed us as readers to summarize the characters futures and also form friendships or enmities with the present characters Pip and the Convict. The encounter with the Convict is useful as further on in the novel (chapter 39) Pip and the Convict reunite unexpectedly. Also it influences the readers to read more as we are eager to discover the upcoming events.The modern readers reactions differ from the audience of 1860 on subjects such as; how Pip is able to speak proper without any form of education. In 1860 it was very rare that the lower class population were gifted enough to speak correctly without an education; which they couldnt afford.Pips deceased family also caused a problem for the modern reader. In the 21st century; life expectancy is at a high factor. However, in the Victorian period it was common for children to depart before they reached their first birthday. It was also an achievement to reach the age of 50!In chapter one, I enjoyed the experience of learning Pips lifestyle, and the comparison of his environment to ours. The style in which Dickens has written kept me interested throughout novel as it allowed me to devise images; which allowed me to encounter the same experiences, feelings and emotions suffered by Pip.I dislike the landscape and also the Convict as I find both of them intimidating. Also I find the landscape and Pips situation non relatable.However, Great Expectations is intelligently written. This prompts the audience to read the story through Pips point of view. Without chapter 1, I believe the novel would not have been as effective and enjoyable to read.
Monday, November 4, 2019
Martin luther the priest Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words
Martin luther the priest - Essay Example Martin went to University of Wittenberg in 1508 to teach dialectics and philosophy. His stay there was short-lived as he was sent to do other assignments, one of which was spending some time in Rome. He returned to the University of Wittenberg in 1512 and after receiving a doctorate in Theology was appointed as lecturer on the Bible shortly afterwards. He studied a lot. It was during this period in his life that he came to realize that one receives justice through the grace of God and not from doing good works. This new doctrine justification by faith started to develop. Luther also became dissatisfied with other aspects of religious life. He realized that the parishioners of the Wittenberg church of which he was priest would habitually buy indulgences. He made his uneasiness public with the posting of his 95 Theses on the church door. This started confusion. Luther was accused of being a heresy and was denounced as a heretic by Emperor Maximilian. They even threatened to burn him at the stake. In 1520 he was handed the Papal Bull of excommunication and he was asked to retract his conflicting statements. He responded by burning the Papal Bull. He later married and had six children .He died on 18 February
Saturday, November 2, 2019
How and why age discrimination operates in the workplace Essay
How and why age discrimination operates in the workplace - Essay Example It is a tragedy that age is lessening down the value of precious minds in the workplaces. Today, workplaces prefer young, fresh minds; while, those with experience are considered as old and bogus. Age versus experience is a very interesting debate; however, this is also true that workplaces are getting modern enough not to give space to the elderly employees. The value of experience is getting less; and, the value of young, gorgeous, handsome and fresh looks are in demand in workplaces today. What effect this discrimination creates on the aged employees is another important issue, because it gives rise to hopelessness and despair among them. What is interesting is that age discrimination starts at around mid-thirties which is not that big an age. It is not ethical for an employer to discard, de-select, fire, or abuse an employer because of his growing age. Ageism, is a growing concept in workplaces, and employers need to give serious consideration to it if they want experienced minds to generate ideas that are free of error and ambiguity. Unless a critical job is under consideration, like that of a pilot or a policeman, age should not be an issue. Age discrimination may be light or severe. This ranges from abusive remarks to proper bully. Severity converts it into harassment, which is totally illegal since it creates a sense of hostility and disrespect in the workplace environment. It is also important to discuss who the discriminator is. In a workplace setting, the harasser bringing about age discrimination may be the leader of the organization, co-workers, general staff such as canteen boy, and even customers. This paper tends to shed light on this important issue. Some important UK and EU laws have been described to give an overview of what measures are being taken to eliminate age discrimination in UK and EU organizations. Past research has been discussed in great detail, which helps understand how frequent age discrimination is and what are its effects. A counter-argument has also been discussed in detail to give a critical analysis. The report has been summarized in a concluding paragraph, and Harvard style of referencing has been used properly both for in-text citation and references section. This report can prove to be a beneficial study for those who want an overview of age discrimination in the workplace. UK and EU Laws regarding Age Discrimination Equality Act 2010 The Equality Act 2010 has been presented by the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The Act is basically a unification and extension of already existing age discrimination regulations. It is in application since 2010 in all UK organizations. It not only protects older workers from discrimination at workplaces but also at other institutes like universities and trade associations (GOV.UK, 2013). Under this Act, older employees are protected in almost all matters related to workplace and job. This Act addresses both direct and indirect discrimination, and states that old age employees should be given equal opportunities of employment as young people, with the only exception that the employers have the right to reject or fire them if they have such a disability that hinders with their job performance. Employers are bound to make sure that the workplace environment is not hostile toward old age employees. They are bound to give them equal opportuniti
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