Religion And Confession Essay

a. Define your topic in a relatively brief paragraph. The topic I chose is Confession. Confession is a basic part of living a spiritual life. For some cultures and organized religion, confession is a physical act of going to the priest, telling the priest your sins and asking sincerest repentance. One cannot partake of the Feast of the Holy Eucharist without confession because confession clears one’s conscience, is the way of receiving the Lord’s forgiveness. â€Å"Confession is the popular name for the Christian Sacrament of Penance or Reconciliation recognized by the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches. The rite consists in the acknowledgment of sins to a priest, who grants absolution in the name of God. Its biblical basis is found in the action of Jesus forgiving sins (Mark 2) and his commissioning of the Apostles to forgive sins (John 20:22-23).† (Favazza, 1982) b. How does the experience of guilt relate to or inform your topic? Guilt directly relates to confession. Confession is the act of asking forgiveness. Others are burdened with the issue of telling one’s sins to a priest who is only human at one end. But more than going through the complications of the process, one cannot go to confession willingly if one cannot first accept his guilt of sins that he committed. There is actually a part in the process of confession when one stipulates the sins that one is guilty of. Confession lets a person open himself to the Lord. â€Å"Keep your wants, your joys, your sorrow, your cares, and your fears before God. You cannot burden Him; you cannot weary Him. He who numbers the hairs of your head is not indifferent to the want of His children.† (White, p. 101). When the act of letting go of all the fears, desires and wants of a person is also the act of unburdening one’s self to his sins. Only when a man is empty of sins can the love of God enter his heart. â€Å"The more holy a man is, the more humble, self-renouncing, selfabhorring, and the more sensitive to every sin he becomes, and the more closely he clings to Christ. The moral imperfections which cling to him he feels to be sins, which he laments and strives to overcome. Believers find that their life is a constant warfare, and they need to take the kingdom of heaven by storm, and watch while they pray.† (Easton, 2006) c. What is the relationship of your topic to the experience of justification by faith God`s forgiveness and reconciling acceptance? Confession is a process institutionalized by God to show how forgiveness works. Through confession, one can experience repentance, forgiveness, reconciliation with the faith once again and the joy of feeling accepted by God’s love once more. A sinner who repents and asks forgiveness of his sins that he is guilty of is ready to accept the penalties of his sins. The kind of penalty bestowed upon a remorseful soul shows the kind of justice that faith exemplifies. Nothing compares to the experience of confession when a man is transformed from evil to good, from sinner to follower. â€Å"Confession of sin is also emphasized in the NT (Matt. 3:6; Mark 1:5), and with it is connected the promise of forgiveness of sins (I John 1:9; cf. Matt. 6:12), a forgiveness which is based solely on the death of Christ (Eph. 1:7)† (Quanbeck, 1968.) The death of Christ was able to save human souls from damnation to salvation. His dying on the cross was proof of God’s love to save human souls from sins. Without the death of Jesus, forgiveness will not be made manifest. The path of confessions is part of the path towards salvation. Part of Jesus seven last words, â€Å"Father, forgive them for they know not what they do,† exemplifies the absoluteness of forgiveness and the love of God to his people. d. In what way does your topic contribute to or inform growth in Christian character and service (commonly called sanctification and victory over sin)? Confession is a part of growing into a full Christian. Human beings will sin against the Lord as he walks the Path. Confession sharpens one’s Christian character because through confessions, a person learns what and how forgiveness is. When people go to confession, the advocacy itself informs other people about how Christians grow in the love of God. Through confession, people can allow themselves to be one with God again through the Holy Spirit. â€Å"Sanctification involves more than a mere moral reformation of character, brought about by the power of the truth: it is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature more and more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul in regeneration. In other words, sanctification is the carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration, and it extends to the whole man (Rom. 6:13; 2 Cor. 4:6; Col. 3:10; 1 John 4:7; 1 Cor. 6:19). It is the special office of the Holy Spirit in the plan of redemption to carry on this work (1 Cor. 6: 11; 2 Thess. 2:13). The Apostle’s Creed mentions the basic principle that sanctifies confession in, â€Å"I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting.† The Church of God is developed by sinners who have gone back, believed in the â€Å"forgiveness of sins† that is why confessions are important in reminding people of the faith. And so even the most hideous crime and guilt, if confessed with sincerest repentance, has the hope to be forgiven. e. How can your topic help one to know and understand God personally? The ordinary man would not really know how sorry a sinner is. Sincerety can be seen in gestures but this is not enough when it’s a case when one asks forgiveness. People may have an idea how sincere the apology is but in the case of murder in the first degree, at the moment before serving death sentences, at that moment, confession is but a process between you and the Lord. The personal relationship of a person and God is a very special one. The act of confession is a venue where that personal relationship can start and can be kept. This keeping will have great effects towards advocating the sanctity of that kind of relations so that others may be able to have that special relations with God. â€Å"If Christians would associate together, speaking to each other of the love of God and of the precious truths of redemption, their own hearts would be refreshed and they would refresh one another.† (White. p 103) f. What are the social consequences of your topic? In other words, how does your topic affect or inform your relationship to other persons in your life? Confessions better a person. A person who understands and believes in the concept of confessions believes in concepts of forgiveness, repentance, salvation and above all, humility. Amidst the many challenges expected of modern man, the value of confessions will enable a person to keep his morals intact and act ethically in life. Much of evil ways happen because man has forgotten that his life, his body and the resources around him are not his own. They are essentially gifts from God. Abuse of these gifts happen because man thinks he is on top of the food chain, sole predator of all things on earth. When a person forgets that there is a higher being than him, he is corrupted. Confession will be an insitution that will remind that the sinful man is a given thing on earth but due to God’s almighty love, God forgives the sincerely repentful human being thereby giving him another chance to enter the kingdom of heaven. Bibliography Favazza, Joseph, The Order of Penitents (1988); Martos, Joseph, Doors to the Sacred (1982). Holy Bible. Crossway Books; Compact edition (April 2005) W.A. Quanbeck, IDB,I,667-68; R.H. Alexander, TWOT,I, 364-66; O. Michel, TDNT,V, 199-219; V.C. Grounds, ZPEB,I, 937-39. White, Ellen. Steps to Jesus. Adventist Book Center New Jersey; Booklet edition (January 1998)

Toys and Games industry

Toys R Us is one of UK’s leading toy and game retailer. This report conducts an academic research focus on Toys R Us (UK) in toys and games retailing sector. In the first part of this report, we will discuss the toys and games industry background and the overview of Toys R Us. Then, the research will focus on Poster’s Five Force Model and Porter’s Generic Strategies. In the next parts, this report will concentrated on the potential strategies which Toys R Us might pursue in the future. Conclusion and recommendation will be mention in the final part of this report and the recommendation will be covered the best strategy for Toys R Us which can be used for the future competitiveness.1.1 Industry Background After the decline in 2008 and 2009, the toys and games market has grown about 5% just under  £2.2 billion. The market has opportunities to increase the sale revenue from 2010 to 2015 (MINTEL 2010). The Figure 1 shows UK retail value sales of toys and games betw een 2005 and 2015. (Figure 1, Source from: MINTEL Report 2010)According to MINTEL 2010, the main players in the toys and games industry in UK is Argos, Toys R Us, Disney and some internet specialists such as Amazon and Ebay. The Figure 2 shows the retail market share for those main players. (Figure 2, Source from: MINTEL Report 2010)1.2 Company overview Toys R Us is UK’s leading traditional toys and games retailer with over 1500 stores and 71,000 employees (including part-time employees) in 33 countries and the company’s headquartered in Wayne (DATAMONITOR 2011). Toys R Us offer Toys, Baby care, Video games, Multimedia PCs, Bikes and outdoor fun products (Toys R Us 2013).2.0 Poster’s Five Force Model2.1 The threat of new entrants According to Dess, Lumpkin and Eisner 2010, the threat of new entrants is depends on the level of entry barriers. In the UK toys and games industry, there are strong competitions for the pricing. According to MINTEL 2010, since 2008, co nsumer prices for the games and toys have fallen, so most retail cut down the price therefore strong competition in the toys and games industry. Moreover, Economies of Scale can be also related to the entry barriers. Finally, the government policy is major source of entry barriers. For example, national land policy can be effect the manufactory and location of stores, the entry barrier is also influence by high VAT rates for the company which standard rate is 20% and reduced rate is 5% in 2013 (GOV.UK 2013).2.2 The bargaining power of suppliers Toys R Us has increase the number of suppliers over 3000 manufacturers. Mattel, Hasbro and Namco Bandai are the main suppliers for Toys R Us. Those 3 manufacturers are top 20 suppliers in toys industry and Best-selling Toys of the year are always given to those 3 suppliers (GIMD 2011). Nintendo and Sony are also the main suppliers for Toys R Us. Those 2 companies are famous video games suppliers. Nintendo has produce NINTENDO 3 DS and Sony ha s produce PlayStation 3 and PSP, those 3 product all have good sale revenue in the games market (Toys R Us 2013).2.3 The bargaining power of buyers As this report has mention before, Toys R Us is one of UK’s leading toys and game retailer, therefore the company has strong brand image, when consumer planning to purchase toys or games, Toys R Us is always become a first choice for purchase toys and games because the strong brand image. Moreover, there are limited numbers of global retailer in the traditional toys and games industry therefore Toys R Us has strong buying power (GMID 2011). The Figure 3 shows the child/youth population by age and gender between 2005 and 2015 in UK. From this table, we can see the populations between ages 0-14 are increase from 2005. The target market for Toys R Us are children, if the populations of child is increase, the buying power will also increase. (Figure 3, Source from: MINTEL Report 2010)2.4 The threat of substitute products Toys R Us is mainly focus on traditional toys and games sector. However, since the new technology is coming to the market, such as Ipad, X-box 2 and some new online games, the consumers’ needs are changing. More young children prefer the game in Ipad video game and online game rather than traditional toys; therefore Toys R Us is facing on high threat of substitution.2.5 The intensity of rivalry among competitors in an industry Woolworths was the biggest toys and games retail in UK, after the collapse of Woolworths in 2008, Toys R Us, Argos, Disney and other online retail such as Ebay and Amazon became the major players in toys and games industry. In 2009, Argos has 24% market share which are top one in UK toys and games market. Toys R Us has 17% market share and Disney only has 3% market share (MINTEL 2010). Figure 4 shows the outlet, sales, positioning and evaluation of those major players in toys and games industry in 2010. (Figure 4, Source from: MINTEL Report 2010)3.0 Porter’s Generic StrategiesIn this part, this report focuses on Porter’s Generic Strategies to analysis the strategic positioning of the major play in toys and games industry. According to Dess, Lumpkin and Eisner 2010, Porter’s Generic Strategies include three strategies which are Differentiation, Focus and Cost leadership which a company can use for achieve competitive advantage and overcome five force. Figure 5 is made by the Porter’s Generic Strategies; this graph shows the main competitors for Toys R Us in toys and games industry. From this graph, we can find out Toys R Us is using differentiation strategy, the strategy for Disney Company is Focus strategy, Argos and amazon concentrated on Cost Leadership strategy. (Figure 5)Differentiation can be defined as a strategy based on creating differences in the company’s product and service (Dess, Lumpkin and Eisner 2010). As this report has mentioned, Toys R Us is using Differentiation strategy. The Company is pro viding different customer service as other competitors in the toys and games industry. According to Toys R Us 2013, every store of Toys R Us has an extensive Babies R Us department, inside of the Babies R Us included furniture, car seats, bedding, strollers, safety products, nappies and baby food for all parents and babies.Moreover, the company can be achieved the Differentiation strategy by strong brand image and wide range of products. As this report mention at the induction, Toys R Us is one of UK’s leading toy and game retailer therefore the company has strong brand image to achieve the differentiation strategy. According to MINTEL 2010, Toys R Us provides large range of toys and other children-related products. There are some advantages of Toys R Us using the Differentiation strategy. Firstly, this strategy can improve consumers’ loyalty. Differentiation strategy can also help company to decrease the threat of substitute products. On other hand, there are few disa dvantages for differentiation, consumer may prefer to purchase product from the company who using the cost leadership strategy.Disney Company is using focus strategy. The products from Disney shop are related to the Disney film (Disney store 2013). The company is focus on the customers who like the Disney brand images, most consumers will decide to purchase from Disney store if they like watch the Disney films especially young children. Argos and Amazon are focus on cost leadership strategy. Both companies are offering wide range of toys and games with low prices.4.0 Potential strategies might pursue in the futureIn this part, this report will mainly focus on the strategies which the Toys R Us may pursue in the future.4.1 Vertical Integration Vertical Integration is an expansion or extension of the company by becomes its own supplier or distributor (Dess, Lumpkin and Eisner 2010). According to GIMD 2011, the key strategic objective and challenges for Toys R Us is extending private l abel ranges. Vertical integration is one of best strategy to achieve this objective. If Toys R Us becomes its own supplier, the company will much easier to extending private label ranges. Moreover, the  company’s transaction costs are much higher than administrative costs, so vertical Integration becomes an attractive strategy for Toys R Us.There are few benefits for Vertical Integration. Firstly, the strategy has benefits on access to new business opportunities, this will be helpful for Toys R Us achieve the objective of extend private label ranges. Secondary, this strategy can help Toys R Us to make sure the quality of the product, therefore this will help to increase the consumers’ satisfaction. Finally, Vertical Integration can help company to reduce the transaction costs.4.2 Strategic Alliances Strategic Alliances can be defined as two or more companies have a cooperative relationship (Dess, Lumpkin and Eisner 2010). As this report mention in the second part, mo st young children are prefer video games rather than traditional toys, so Toys R Us might concentrate on video games sector in the future, to development a new video game, the company will need a strong technology, the company might think about the Strategic Alliances. As this report mention before, Nintendo is a famous video game manufactures, the company has sold about 2.4 billion video game since 1983 (Nintendo 2013).If Nintendo become an alliance partner with Toys R Us and development a new product with strong brand image from technology and high level of technology skill Nintendo, both companies will easy to increase the market share in the toys and games industry. The advantages for Strategic Alliances will be reducing manufacturing costs in the value chain. Moreover, this strategy will also help on developing and diffusing new technologies.4.3 Internal DevelopmentInternal development is focus on new products and new technology. According to GMID 2011, a key objective and chal lenge for Toys R Us is development of exclusive products, this strategy may help Toys R Us to achieve this objective. Moreover, the company is not having to using the Strategic Alliances to development a new video games, this strategy can help company to development own innovative product without having to share the wealth with alliance partners.5.0 Conclusion and RecommendationIn conclusion, this report has concentrated strategic analysis on Toys R Us in toys and games industry. In the first part, the report has discussed the industry background and company overview. Then, the analysis of Poster’s five force model takes the second place. In the third part, this report analysis the Poster’s Generic strategies which show Toys R Us are concentrated on Differentiation strategy. Finally, the report mentions the several strategies which Toys R Us might pursue in the future.After the report analysis those strategies for Toys R Us, we can give the recommendation on the best s trategy for the future competitiveness. Figure 6 shows the benefit and risk of the three strategies for Toys R Us, compare those three strategies, all of strategies have both benefit and risk for Toys R Us, but we recommend that Strategic Alliances is the best strategy for Toys R Us in the future.New product development is the main objective of Toys R Us, if the company can develop own video games product, it will easy to increase the market share in toys and games industry, Strategic Alliances is the only strategy which can help Toys R Us to achieve the goal in the fastest time. Internal Development may also help company to develop new product, but the company will need spend high cost on new product development and Toys R Us may not have enough technology skill on video game as the company such as Sony and Nintendo. (Figure 6)

Early Black Leaders of America Essay

American History Early Black Leaders of America In history, It Is a proven fact that leader Is to lead In everything that we do In our daily lives. During the civil rights times on into the current time, there were black leaders ot America that changed the world. Many black leaders paved the way tor many of African Americans today and some died for us. Their ideas, tactics, and solutions for problems faced by blacks were significant. The three black leaders of America I will be discussing are Fredrick Douglas, Malcom X. end Martin Luther King. First, Fredrick Douglas was a prominent American abolitionist, author and orator. Born a slave, Douglass escaped at age 20 and went on to become a world-renowned antislavery activist. HIS three autobiographies are considered important works of the slave narrative tradition as well as classics of American autobiography† Douglass’ work as a reformer ranged from his abolitionist activities In the early 1840s to his attacks on Jim Crow and lynching in the 1890s. For 16 years he edited an influential black newspaper and achieved International tame as an Insplrlng and persuasive speaker and writer. In thousands of speeches and editorials, he levied a powerful indictment against slavery and racism, provided an indomitable voice of hope for his people, embraced antislavery politics and preached his own brand of American ideals. econd, Malcom x was an actlvlst and outspoken public voice of the Black Muslim faith, challenged the mainstream civil rights movement and the nonviolent pursuit of Integration championed by Martin Luther King Jr, He urged followers to defend themselves against white aggression â€Å"by any means necessary. † Malcolm became an influential leader of the Nation of Islam, which combined Islam with black nationalism and sought to encourage and enfranchise disadvantaged young blacks searching for confidence in segregated America. After Malcolm X’s death in 1965, his bestselling book The Autobiography ot Malcolm X popularized his Ideas, particularly mong black youth, and laid the foundation for the Black Power movement of the late 1960s and 1970s Last, Martin Luther King played d key role In the American clvll rights movement from the mid-1950s until his assassination in 1968. Inspired by advocates of nonviolence such as Mahatma Gandhi, King sought equality tor Atrlcan Americans, the economically disadvantaged and victims of injustice through peaceful protest. He was the driving force behind watershed events such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott nd the March on Washington, which helped bring about such landmark legislation as the Civil Rights Act. The use of his mouth was his most powerful weapon and it worked well. I picked the three leaders because they were the most influential to me. These men are the Mount Rushmore’s of the black American leaders and I think they really were people to look up to. Their Ideas, tactics, and solutions worked well as we witness In nlstory. some people are Dorn to lead ana tnese tnree men were oennltely born to do that.

Hrm, Performance Mgmt.

HR03 Performance Management Assignment No. I Assignment Code: 2013HR03A1Last Date of Submission: 15th April 2013 Maximum Marks:100 Attempt all the questions. All the questions are compulsory and carry equal marks. Section-A Ques. 1Discuss the role of Performance Planning in setting performance criteria for achievement of goals of an organization. Explain with an example how an organization attempts to synchronize individual performance targets with organizational goals. Ques. 2â€Å"Performance Management –It’s about performing not just appraising† comment on the statement using theoretical concepts to support your answer. Ques. Elucidate the role of HR departments in the successful implementation of performance appraisal system in organizations. Ques. 4Explain why KPAs and performance targets form the building blocks of any good performance planning system? Section-B Case Study In response to an advertisement Murali Dhar Yadav applied for the post of an assistan t supervisor at Kanpur unit of Manorama Industries (P) Ltd. , leading manufacturers of telephone cables. He was 22 and had passed the intermediate examination in science from Uttar Pradesh Board securing a second class as well as a three-year Diploma in mechanical engineering from Allahabad Polytechnic.The selection was made in the last week of December, 2005 through scientific procedures including screening, psychological tests, group discussion, interview and medical check-up and as Yadav was found to be the most suitable person among 34 applicants, the management was pleased to offer him the position. Yadav joined the company and after completing six months’ training successfully he was formally placed as an assistant supervisor on Rs. 8000/- p. m. in the extrusion section dealing with the coating of polyvinyl chloride on copper or bunched cables. He supervised approximately 60 workers and reported to the general supervisor.His duties and responsibilities in this position included planning, training new operators, chasing schedules, developing new methods, inspection and quality checks etc. etc. Yadav’s performance as assistant supervisor from the very beginning was found to be uniformally efficient. His general behavior in the company towards his superiors, fellow-supervisors and workers was highly appreciable. He used to participate actively in informal get-togethers and parties in the canteen of the company. He inspired confidence, respect and enthusiasm in his subordinates.He was instrumental in increasing production and did not hesitate to work with his own hands. He welcomed responsibilities and did not pass on the buck. On the recommendation of the general supervisor, he was confirmed in his position. Later on, Baldev Prasad Sinha, an assistant supervisor in the cabling section, took three months’ leave, and Yadav was transferred to this section for the specified period of time. Yadav again demonstrated his ability and leadership qualities while handling responsibilities of the new section. Then, he was placed again in the extrusion section. In course of time, Rakesh Kochar, a production supervisor (shift n-charge) of the extrusion section was transferred to Kolkata unit of the company and to fill-up the vacancy thus created the general supervisor recommended the name of Yadav on the following grounds: 1. He had fair knowledge of extrusion, cabling and tinning. 2. He could get things done and had a control over the workers. 3. He was the senior most diploma holder in the extrusion department. 4. He took responsibilities willingly. 5. He had potential for leadership. The management was pleased to accept the above recommendation and promoted Yadav as a Production Supervisor (shift in-charge) at a salary of Rs. 5,000/- p. m. Gradually the factory expanded, more workers were employed and more machines were brought. However, it was found that despite the expansion, the production in cabling section was not incre asing proportionately as expected because of low motivation among workers. Yadav was transferred to this section to get the expected results. He attempted to motivate the workers by providing them good facilities for work, valuing their ideas, recognizing good work, and by changing the programmes and schedules according to the capacity of each individual.He also tried to inject team spirit among the workers by encouraging competition between the two shifts of workers. His techniques proved to be very effective and consequently production in the section increased 1. 35 times. Besides this, he also made useful suggestions for cooling the cables at the die for getting a mat finish which was implemented and since then being practiced. Later on, his services were rendered to the wire drawing section where production was suspected to suffer because of poor personal relations among the workers as well as between the supervisors.He attempted to create a healthy atmosphere in the section, to settle the disputes among workers through mutual understanding and to inject a sense of brotherhood and respect for each other. He succeeded in his attempts to build-up good relations and consequently, production increased 1. 2 times. Then, he was again placed in the extrusion section and by the end of the year, the general supervisor and the works manager appraised his performance as almost â€Å"outstanding†. Subsequently, Yadav was promoted as a general supervisor in production planning and control department.He was to be paid a salary of Rs. 17000/- p. m. The duties and responsibilities in this section included the following: 1. Coordination of wire drawing, extrusion and cabling sections. 2. Assessment of target requirements of raw materials. 3. Programming, coordinating and controlling the processes for machines. 4. Assessment of customer requirements 5. Delivery scheduling 6. Export order execution. Yadav showed mixed reactions to his promotion as a general supervisor in production planning and control department.On the one hand, he was glad to acquire the status of the general supervisor as well as accompanying financial benefits. On the other hand, he felt uneasiness for he was completely removed from the shop floor team of workers, which he enjoyed to supervise. He put his best efforts to perform his functions in the new position. However, despite his efforts, next month, 70 km of wrong colour-coded twisted wires worth about Rs. 22,000 were produced because of his incorrect planning for which he was warned to be careful in future.Again after 3 weeks, he was responsible for wrong twisting of 75 km of switch-board wire for which he was asked to submit an explanation by the works manager. Though since then such mistakes did not occur in his planning, a number of different kind of mistakes crept in because of miscalculations. Next, considerable work accumulated in the coiling section due to his incorrect planning. Again, the process was held up b ecause he planned 200 kg of 0. 4mm wire for cables but only 185kg of the wire could be actually available for it.The works manager reprimanded him privately several times for such inaccuracies in planning and did not know what to do. It was extremely surprising why Yadav’s performance tended to fall substantially below the standards expected of him by the company. Questions 1. Discuss critically performance appraisals of Mr. Yadav. 2. What are the reasons for declining performance of Mr. Yadav in the context of his performance appraisals? HR03 Performance Management Assignment No. II Assignment Code: 2013HR03A2Last Date of Submission: 15th May 2013 Maximum Marks:100 Attempt all the questions.All the questions are compulsory and carry equal marks. Section-A Ques. 1Write a note on ‘Improving managee performance in rapidly changing organization’ Ques. 2Performance management is a critical final element of the performance appraisal process. Explain how effective mana gers help employees improve performance. Ques. 3We are living in a world of teamwork and collaboration, so much so that even, the Government at the Center and that in a number of states are being sustained through coalition politics. In such a scenario can you suggest any new way of measuring erformance of employees so that they are better performers in the new organizational context. Ques. 4Explain why in any performance appraisal form the appraisees are required to fill up much more than the appraisers? Section-B Case Study – SGM Education Enterprises is a company in Noida, which came into existence in 1986 but implemented 360 degree feedback only four years ago. However, owing to immense resistance, had to discontinue its implementation. It so happened that CEO of the company was earlier given a powerful demonstration by a vendor of 360 degree feedback and the CEO was quite impressed by it.Consequently he decided to implement it in SGM Education Enterprises as well. Once t he CEO decided to implement the 360 degree feedback, he took the initiative to appoint the vendor as consultant to ensure its implementation in the company. Towards this end, an e-mail was sent highlighting its benefits and the rationale for changing to the new system. It was informed as to how the ratings collected utilizing the new system will be linked to bonuses as well as the importance of finishing the On-line training and familiarization course on the system.Later, the consultant also imparted online training to all those who showed keenness to learn as well as provided links to various documents on how to observe, assess and record performance behavior. In case any employee had a doubt or needed clarification, he could contact HR personnel to resolve any problem. Question: Discuss in detail the method adopted by the CEO to implement 360-Degree feedback in the company. As per your opinion what could have gone wrong in this regard.

An Analysis of the Poem Miss Rosie by Lucille Clifton

Clifton’s use of repetition in the poem â€Å"miss rosie† displays the narrator’s compassion for Miss Rosie, thus showing he is the only one who's been affected by her. By repeating the same phrase multiple times, emphasis is put on the fact that no one besides the narrator is compassionate for Miss Rosie. For example, when the narrator states, â€Å"when I watch you / wrapped up like garbage† (1-2), â€Å"when I watch you / in your old man’s shoes† (6-7), and â€Å"when I watch you / you wet brown bag of a woman† (12-13), Clifton indicates the narrator is the only one looking at Miss Rosie, because of her use of singular pronouns, rather than plural.If the narrator is the only one paying any attention to Miss Rosie, he must be concerned for her in some way, which further shows his compassion for her. This is a result of her affecting him and only him. Another portrayal of this compassion for Miss Rosie is demonstrated in the following quote, â€Å"I stand up / through your destruction / I stand up† (16-18). Once again, Clifton uses a singular pronoun to prove the narrator is the only one who’s been affected by Miss Rosie.Since the narrator is the only one standing up against Miss Rosie’s destruction, he proves to be the only one who shows compassion for her due to being affected by her. Repetition of these phrases helps to show how the narrator is the only one affected by Miss Rosie because they indicate no one besides the narrator is compassionate enough to do something about it.

Mark O’Connor Imagery

Poet and Environmentalist, Mark O'Connor, expresses his admiration for the cyclical and resilient aspects of which nature is comprised. The persistence of nature depicts the ideas that nature is just as, if not more, dominant as man. His poems Turtles Hatching and To Kill An Olive explore these themes and elucidate O'Connor's compelling perspective of nature. These two poems hold distinctively visual images that enable the reader to envisage the scene presented.Turtles Hatching's poetic recount encapsulates the trials and tribulations of the turtles. O'Connor describes the turtles as â€Å"high revving toys†, ready for their chance at life. He elucidates the persistence of the turtles by using distinctively visual images describing how determined these turtles were at reaching their safe haven: â€Å"Scrambling in sand, scrabbling in slime, or sculling deluded through sand-pools to beaches of death†. This alliteration of the visual images highlights the desperation of t he turtles on their fight for survival.O'Connor has created a distinctive image to aid readers in creating an idea of just how determined and persistent, not only the turtles were, but also just how determined the crabs were at preventing the turtles from reaching their goal. â€Å"Queued up crabs† gives readers an image of an army of crabs; so many as they wait for the turtles to come. Not only was natures tenacity evident in Turtles Hatching, O'Connor has also brought this theme to the readers attention in To Kill An Olive. O'Connor has started out To Kill An Olive, diving straight into the resilience and persistence of olives trees.He has accumulated the many things that are incompetent of killing an olive tree elucidating just how determined they are at overpowering man. â€Å"Hack one down, grub out a ton of main root for furl, and next spring every side-root sends up shoots†. O'Connor has described visually these connotations of just how in destructive these tree s are, despite are the treatment it is being subject to. O'Connor has made reference to the prolonged period of time these olive trees has been persistent in overcoming mans many obstacles. â€Å"Burnt-out ribs  of siege machines† not only highlights how long these olive trees have been standing for, but also how the tree has overcome the old-timed machines and gone and lived another age. The distinctively visual images used here can encapsulate this theme and gives readers a deeper understanding of the tenacity these olive trees are willing to relinquish. O'Connor is fascinated by just how much humans underestimate nature. The smallest creatures can overcome any adversity and the dullest of trees can overpower any man. Nature, if it wants to, can be just as powerful as man. In Turtles Hatching, Mark O'Connor has done just this.

Financing sources in Vietnam Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4250 words

Financing sources in Vietnam - Essay Example Such policy reforms have proved beneficial with regard to China, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. These countries have also benefitted from network associations, cluster linkage to markets, and novel support arrangements. Policy support has been established as being crucial for the growth of SMEs in Vietnam. B. Business Support Services Privatisation emerged as a strategy for restructuring the large state owned enterprises (SOEs) into SMEs (Gibb and Lyapunov, 1996). A solution that is at variance to this initiative has been proposed by McIntyre (2002). This procedure states that the dismantling of large firms may fail to promote the growth of SMEs. This notion has been vindicated in Asia, and this can be attributed to the lack of a suitable support regime. For instance, the Chinese SMEs require the support of the large firms. Dallago and McIntyre (2003) have cited the experiences of the CEE nations to show that by themselves, the SMEs do not have the capacity to grow. The presence o f institutions and supporting mechanisms that have been properly developed is indispensable for the growth of these SMEs. C. Supporting Infrastructures It has been proposed by Wattanapruttipaisan (2002) that competitiveness can be rendered not only by natural resources and location, but also by contemporary global information and knowledge. It can also be promoted by participation in clusters involving firms, supplier networks, or producers and matching products; consumers and distributors; continuous learning and enhanced flexibility and efficiency. The SMEs were furnished with a new information flow and knowledge base, due to network association. This base has the capacity to emerge as a significant model for efficient resource distribution, via policy measures emanating from the market and the state. Support of the Government in Vietnamese SME Development It was recognised, during the project’s conceptualisation in the year 1994 that the furtherance of SMEs had to be ensur ed. However, a comprehensive document that described the procedures to be adopted by the Government, in order to support SMEs was conspicuous by its absence. Subsequently, the accomplishments and the works supported by the project had been viewed keenly in the highest echelons. Towards the end of the year 1998 a comprehensive assessment was conducted, which disclosed that the project had significantly affected discussion and formulation of the policy related to SMEs. The Central Institute of Economic Management (CIEM), in February 1997, reviewed the administrative and legal situation in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC). The emphasis was upon identifying the impediments to the formation and development of SMEs and the provision of recommendations to the Government. The CIEM, true to its calling of being an important entity in drafting policy pertaining to business, compiled and examined most of the documentation relating to the establishment, operation and dissolution of business. I t also conducted panoptic interviews with SMEs, and central and local policy making agencies. In January 1998, the stakeholders completed the twin tasks of discussion and validation, and this was due to the workshops in HCMC and Hanoi. The recommendations of this report, in the context of an

Online Restaurant Promotions Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Online Restaurant Promotions - Case Study Example Restaurant.com offered discounts on gift certificates. Consumers could use these gift certificates at more than 9,500 participating restaurants. These certificates were available in variety of denominations and were distributed individually. Restaurant.com had a simple, fast and free sign-up program for restaurants willing to participate in the system. Rewards Network offered incentives to customers if they dined at any of the company’s 9,542 affiliated restaurants. These incentives were given by way of reward points which were credited to customer’s credit cards. Rewards Network also allowed cash refunds and offered bonuses on the first dine. Regular users got VIP bonuses from the company. Open table offered round-the-clock reservation services for participating restaurants. The service was thus a substitute for telephonic reservations made by the consumers. Open Table created a database of the consumers which could be effectively used by the restaurants in their advertising campaigns. The internet provides numerous opportunities with respect to restaurant promotions. The restaurants can have their own websites as well as place their advertisements on other websites. The restaurants can have their own page that details the location, menu and reviews of customers on websites like CitySearch. The internet can be used to send e-mails to current and prospective customers. Restaurants can also attract more customers with the help of online affiliate

Informative Explanatory Synthesis Green Power Assignment

Informative Explanatory Synthesis Green Power - Assignment Example The threat of environmental degradation can be significantly eradicated because nature has provided mankind with alternative sources of sustainable or renewable energy and the power to exercise discretion in policy making. There are several features of the environmental crisis, as a result of the burning of fuels. One of the features of burning fossil fuels is the release of an array of pollutants such as carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide into the atmosphere. The crux of the matter is that carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide are greenhouse gases which directly generate the Greenhouse Effect. While the Greenhouse Effect may be important in supporting life, the significant increase in the quantity of greenhouse gases causes global warming (an increase of temperature on the earth’s surface) (Gartland, 42). Again, since burning fossil fuels releases sulphur dioxide and carbon dioxide, it is clear that pulmonary and non-pulmonary diseases and health conditions are bound to ensue. Asthma is the commonest pulmonary disease which may emanate from the burning of fossil fuels. Conversely, burning petrol and diesel releases lead in the atmosphere, yet lead deters mental development. It is also important to note that burning fossil fuels in the environment brings about the cocktail effect. The cocktail effect refers to a situation whereby harmless gases combine with other gases in the atmosphere and become harmful. It is a fact that there are alternative sources of energy as has been envisioned by Lemonick, Friedman and Gore. Nuclear power, compressed natural gas, biomass, geothermal power, radiant energy, hydroelectricity, wind energy, solar power, wave and tidal power are some of these alternative sources and forms of energy. Compressed natural gas CNG) as a fossil fuel, is also considered as a viable alternative to diesel, gasoline and propane fuel. CNG is environmentally cleaner, safer (since it does not spill

Oil Markets Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Oil Markets - Essay Example This essay looks at the historical of price changes in the oil industry and the influence of market fundamentals. James Smith shares a perspective of trends in the oil prices and takes back to the spell between 1874 and 1974. He argues that during this time the prices of oil were characterized by a stable market (Smith, 2009). During the time, a barrel of oil ranged between $10-$20 (Smith, 2009). This period can be explained to have had a stable supply of crude oil that was accessible even to the remotest nations of the world. Therefore, given the market was with no movement, the price elasticity of demand was insignificant and thus the stable prices. After the ‘golden era,’ the world has experienced insurmountable boom and burst in the economies. The world achieved tremendous progress in the early 18th Century. During this time, the prices of crude oil were relatively low given that the supply was steady. However, the price of oil have increased since and resulted in the worst crisis in the world. The world experienced the great depression in mid-18th century. This was a result of decreased production of crude oil as a result of the war in the Middle East. And given that price elasticity of demand a minimum reduction in supply lead to an increased rise in the price of oil. The 1970s saw the price range between $12 to and $ 53 per barrel and shoot to $ 75 per barrel in 1981 (Smith, 2009). In the subsequent years, the prices continued to drop until it lowest at $12 per barrel in December 2008. However, in July the same year the price has risen to $ 145 (Smith, 2009). At the end of the same year had the price at $40 for a barrel (Smith, 2009). Smith cites a number of economic circumstances behind the trend in prices. There are a large number of factors that prompt changes in the global market for crude oil. The 20th century has witnessed increased and declined consumption of oil at the same time. James Hamilton

Smart Phone, Small Planet Identity and Community in the Digital Age Essay

Smart Phone, Small Planet Identity and Community in the Digital Age - Essay Example The smart technology has improved healthcare and healthcare management. Digital innovations are making new health products. According to Levy and Wong (p.9), smart technology is enabling an upgrade from a reactive focus on curatives towards a proactive view of health management. New preventive medicines are being discovered in order to enable prevention of diseases rather than waiting to cure them. This includes vaccine drugs administered to children. Levy and Wong (p.9) assert that digital technology advancement in the health sector has enabled the use of digital hearing aids. Moreover, improved pacemaker devices and datasets that analyze the efficiency of treatments have been realized thanks to the adoption of smart technology in the health sector. Levy and Wong (p.9) note that the new sources of information are improving the methods of diagnosis used by doctors making the process very effective. Smart technology has enabled effective monitoring of people’s health through ti mely detection of illness and the knowledge of nature and the causes of these diseases. X-ray scans are just an example of massive technology innovations that continue to significantly revolutionize our health sector positively. Therefore people’s lives in the community are better with this improvement in their health care. Smart technology innovations have brought about new and highly developed cities. Smart systems have advanced the ways of engagement of people in urban environments. According to Levy and Wong (p.9), through innovations, there are buildings which control pollution. Honestly, as Levy and Wong (p.9) foresee, the future is promising great opportunities in this urban housing sector.

A Rose for Emily Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 2

A Rose for Emily - Assignment Example From this essay declares that  the last paragraph contributes to the understanding of Emily’s necromancy and it is important that it comes at the end to make the reader look at differently and as the victim she plays all along. Knowing the use of the arsenic earlier would result in less suspense in the story.  The presence of a smell that disturbs the neighbors right after the disappearance of Emily’s sweetheart after he was seen entering the house, use of lime to conceal the smell, and that Barron was never seen again foreshadow the conclusion of the story.This discussion stresses that the order of events as told in the story do not follow a chronological order as they happened resulting in interest and suspense like the purchase of arsenic gives the reader the urge to know what its purpose was and if Homer was never seen again, what happened to him. Gothic elements including the decayed corpse, imposing decrepit house, and horrors connected with Emily add suspense and drama to the story and makes readers have doubts and develop a creepy atmosphere with tension and suspense and that anything is possible. The gothic elements allow for Emily’s murder to remain undiscovered and believable a fact that could not be achieved by other styles. These elements establish the atmosphere and set the mood for the event in the story to unfold with the reader expecting events to be creepy and mystical.

Decision making models Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Decision making models - Essay Example The basic theme of techniques that commonly utilized to put together decisions in our organization is: assessing quantitatively whether to track a way of achievements. You may have been intensely creative in generating solutions to a problem and rigorous in your choice of the best one on hand. However, this clarification may still not be worth implementing, as you may invest a lot of time and money in solving a problem that is not worthy of this effort (Kenneth, 1998). Let’s take an example of situation in which you have a number of first-rate (number) options or choices to decide from, and a lot of diverse issues to take into account. In such situation cost benefit analysis did not work, so we have some better technique to tackle such situation. For this we will select â€Å"Grid Analysis† technique for our problem solution (Kenneth, 2003). Grid Analysis is particularly prevailing way that makes it a preferable and great technique to utilize in approximately several significant decisions where there isnt an obvious, clear and understandable preferred choice. Being capable to utilize â€Å"Grid Analysis† shows that you would be able to acquire decisions boldly, confidently and rationally, at an occasion when other people may be under pressure to formulate a decision (Kenneth, 1998). The decision making model for which I will favor is â€Å"The Rational Model†.  It is supported by the logic of most favorable option: the option that would increase and maximize worth and value for the organization. The executive/ manager is assumed to be a point of focus (objective), exclusively educated person who would choose the mainly the best and appropriate option, maximizing whatever quantity and kind of output s/he worth. A rational business decision making model has centralized power of decision making of the organization (Kenneth, 1998). It is better in most of situations, because decision power is in hand of few people, these

Modern Design Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Modern Design - Assignment Example The proclamation also described the utopian craft guild that combined architecture, painting and sculpture into a single but creative expression. The craft-based curriculum used at the Bauhaus was designed to turn out designers and artisans into beautiful and useful objects that are appropriate for the new system of living. The Bauhaus was designed to combine the elements of design and fine arts education. The curriculum started with a preliminary course that provided a brief background to the students who were admitted from a wide range of social and educational framework. The preliminary course was taught by veteran visual artists such as Vasily Kandinsky, Paul Klee, and Josef Albers among others. The immersion of the students in the Bauhaus educational framework allowed them to participate in specialized workshops. The workshops often included cabinetmaking, metalworking, pottery, weaving, wall painting and typography (Raizman 188). Even though the initial aim of the Bauhaus was to unify the arts through craft, the aspects of the approach proved financially impractical. Gropius found it important to maintain the aim of the Bauhaus and decided to reposition its goals in 1923. He stressed on the benefits of designing for mass production and encouraged the school to adopt the â€Å"Art into Industry† slogan. The Bauhaus later moved from Weimar to Dessau in 1925, where Gropius set up a new building to accommodate the school. The building contained several features that later formed the hallmarks of modern architecture. The modern architecture included a glass curtain wall, steel-frame construction, and pinwheel plans among others. Today, the Bauhaus is still an experiment al design and research and teaching which are dedicated to the development and communication of the Bauhaus legacy. It also seeks to work on contemporary issues affecting the urban sector. The Russian constructivism was the last but most

Toxoplasmosis Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Toxoplasmosis - Term Paper Example It was found in a survey that approximately 1% of household cats had the organism present (Robbins et al 2005 & Levinson 2008). The infection spreads by means of intake of the cysts of the organism by human beings either through intake of meat that has not been cooked properly or via any other eatables that have been infected. Contact with the fecal matter of the cats which also contain the infected cysts can also result in infection. The other mode of transmission is via the placenta to the fetus during pregnancy or during invasive procedures which include transplantation of organs or during blood transfusions (Rao 2004, Brooks et al 2004 & Levinson 2008). In the human beings the infected cysts reach the small bowel and split over there. This leads to liberation of products which enter the gut wall where the macrophages become activated and engulf these foreign bodies. They multiply within the cells and form trophozoites which destroy the cells within which they are engulfed and then move towards acting on other cells. If the immune system is intact the cell mediated immunity restricts the trophozoites and the proztozoa then gains entry in the cells of the brain, muscle and other tissues and forming cysts which do not multiply at a very fast rate. This form of cysts within which the protozoa is replicating at a very slow pace is referred to as bradyzoite. There is danger of these cysts getting ruptured in people whose immunity is not intact and is compromised. These cysts also serve as diagnostic tools for concluding the presence of the organism in the body (Levinson 2008 & Brooks et al 2004). Toxoplasmosis does not present any severe manifestations or symptoms in people who have an intact immune system. It does not also spread from one person to another apart from the transmission via the placenta. The dissemination of the protozoa from the small bowel can be to other organs

Taking Genre Out of Music Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Taking Genre Out of Music - Essay Example When listening to music, most will state interests according to the genre first as well as which singers or musicians are most popular within this genre. However, this limits the music because of the stereotypes which surround the music while changing the potential experiments which musicians might use without the music. To allow music to be accessible to all groups without labels or limits, the genre should be taken out of music. This allows those who are interested in different variations of music to find the best overall sounds while providing musicians with alternatives for experimentation. Furthermore, it would introduce a different sense of appreciation while the music would no longer be recognized first by the stereotypes. The concept of genre is one which is based on labeling music according to what the songs by a specific artist sound like. Often, this depicts the instrumentation used, arrangements that are played and the overall sound that the musician conveys. ... The content of both is similar, specifically with the idea of women needing men in relationships. Lyrics by Griggs include â€Å"she don’t know how much I need her, she don’t know I’d fall apart† and lyrics with McGraw are similar, with â€Å"just to see you smile / I’d do anything that you wanted me to.† The same topic as well as the same arrangements is then seen because of the expectations with the genre. Another aspect that is related to the genre and the approach to the music is based on responses from society and how this relates to the music. The genre is all that most will look at before determining if the music should be listened to or not. Stereotypes are built around the genre of music, specifically because of the expectations with the music. More important, the stereotypes create a specific sense of personality and behavior which is known to define the individual and how they respond to the music. Beliefs one may have, behaviors f rom society and their association with the genre then creates divisions between specific groups of individuals. All which create these different behaviors are known to relate directly to genres of music which are used to identify the individual, which creates stereotypes not only from the music but also from the cultural relationship which many create from this (Rentfrow, Gosling, 306). The association with genre that is based on the expectations from the musician as well as the social association from those in society is one which becomes limiting in expression. This is important to note because of stereotypes which are created because of the identity of genre which many use to show a specific behavior and which creates a sense of separation from others.

The Act of Reading in America Culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Act of Reading in America Culture - Essay Example This essay targets the current inclination towards reading that is prevalent in the American society and tries to lookup the reasons behind it. It was not very long ago that the greatest asset of the current generation's grandparents used to be was their large collection of books. Their best pastime was to indulge in the reading of books for hours and hours. Each person of the household was instructed to take extreme care of the books and to keep them clean and put them bake at their original places right after reading. Discussion upon the theme of the latest book being read by the family used to be the main modes of dinner table conferencing. All this seems like just a dream nowadays. The fast paced lives of the present times have bought a distant gap between man and what used to be his most cherished hobby-the reading of books. It would not be incorrect to say that the infusion, rather explosion of technology changed the mode of the entire American society. It is quite natural to r ealize that youngsters were and are mesmerized with the advancements technology bought to them due the fast pace associated with digital gadgets and the immediate responses social media and chat forums gave to youngsters but for many the transition being experienced by elders specially the older generation was not too comprehensible. They probably were mesmerized to see the way technology was changing life. The changes life was gone through with the help of technology were probably taking them into a world of fantasy making them neglect their most cherished pastimes. Assessing the above mentioned change many authors have discussed this transition. Mitchell Stephens mentions this issue in one of his remarkable works titled "The death of Reading" (1991) in the following words: " Our homes barely make room for reading. Those old islands of quiet -- libraries, studies and dens -- long ago were invaded by flat screens and Nintendos. Now they are called "family rooms" or, more accurately, "television rooms." And our architects seem to have given up providing us with bookshelves; instead they busy themselves designing "entertainment centers." (Stephens, 1991) The author highlights a very major fact by emphasizing that this infusion of technology was being taken very well in the sense that even the living styles of men were being shaped according to it. The architects also began making room for the attention laden technology rich devices and in order to make room for them omitted the conventional and much cherished book shelves that used to house memories of hours of family time spent together and the treasure of priceless book collections. The authors mentions that his arguments may not seem real statistically because figures showed a percentage increase in sales among the number of printed books being sold Also, there was an amazing fact that after fast food outlets, print book outlets were the next largest number of growing retail outlets in the society. But there was less good reason behind these figures. Most of the retail outlets showed that they did not have an increase in number of sales during the holiday season signifying that books were being sold merely as objects of gifts. Books were being trended as favorite gifts mainly because everyone knew they needed to a lot sometime for reading but were unable to do so. So in order to satisfy their feeling of guilt they would buy books as gifts instead. Stephens(1991) mentioned some more figures that the number of people who had admitted to have not read a book in the past year had doubled from 8 eight percent to sixteen percent since the last year. It was also

Data Managment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Data Managment - Essay Example If the data held by an organization is to be of any use to the organization, it has not only to be stored but has to be readily available for use by staff within the organization, in a manageable format and in a timely manner (Holloway 1989). Many organizations have found their data to be rich but information as poor (Davis 2001). The reason for this is that a large amount of data is available but it cannot be accessed properly and easily and it is not filtered in ways, which can make the data useful (Zeleny 2000). The effective management of data should be a concern for every organization. The ease with which, data can be captured to computer storage and the relative cheapness of that storage means that the amount of data, which organizations can store is very large indeed (Frees 1996). However, not only must the data be stored but it must be accessed quickly and flexibly, by managers who increasing see new and innovative ways to use the computerized storage of data to enhance their analytical capabilities and decision-making potential (Schauer 2004). Data management software programs are used by the organizations to manage the data of the organizations. These software programs are active and supportive and help the organization in data integration, data integrity, data independence, data retrieval and data security (Martin 1982). Data management deals with the gathering and retention of process metrics (Zeleny 2000). This requires standardized data definitions, data management facilities and a staff to ensure that data is promptly obtained, properly checked, accurately entered in the database and effectively managed (Frees 1996). Therefore, it is quite clear that data management is very significant concern for the organizations all over the world. Without data management, the organizations cannot manage their business activities. For data management, the organizations make use of different software programs

W6D Teams Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

W6D Teams - Essay Example ganizations have preferred this kind of team apparently because of its cost effectiveness in terms of reduced cost of technology, greater use of outsourced and temporary workers, shift towards globalization and many others. Moreover, functional teams are compost of individuals from different departments but with the same task to perform. For example, an individual performing an accounting task in one department team up with another individual performing accounting task in another department. In functional team, the team members try to specialize in their roles as they try to stick to their roles (Jurgen A. (2011). Finally, self-managing teams are teams that are accountable for all the tasks they perform (Manz & Sims 1993). The team members share the work force and the supportive tasks. It is a group that is composed of individuals with a common purpose and the tasks are defined by the members (Stewart & Manz 1995). Team processes are those step-by-step actions that are taken or perform in order to produce a favorite outcome. These team processes sometimes have positive influence or negative influence on the team performance. They include transition, action and interpersonal processes (Garvin2009). All these process can have positive influence on performance. For example, a transition process like creating an action plan can help in prior achievement and organizing for future wants. Action process like assisting other team members performs their task can help promote positive cohesion and timely goal achievement. Also interpersonal process like conflict management can also help in developing some rules that can finally encourage cooperation. On the other hand, an interpersonal process like storming can have negative influence on performance. The questioning of the team’s ability to perform a given task can lead to discouragement of the team members hence not giving their best (Garvin2009 ). In conclusion, teams are important to an organization as they help in

Take home competent Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Take home competent - Essay Example This helps people to live harmoniously and help each other towards achieving their dreams in life. Students studying in schools and collages from various parts will able to work together through even with difference in their culture in mind. Culture is pulled apart by several factors. These are what makes people of one place differ from those of another area based on what they practice. Language is the main cause of cultural differences. In this society, there are different ethnic speaking groups which all of them have their own unique language (Diller 2011). Some sub tribes believe they are dominant over the others, pulling them apart from the others. They cannot all speak the same language; therefore understanding each other becomes problematic in some places. Young children studying in different place from where they were born are faced with serious challenge when it gets to language issues. They are forced to undertake unites to get to know how to speak and write. This put them in back pedal gear and disadvantaged from those who understand. People who look for jobs in such places also find it hard to coup with it as they have to come to bar with the environment by first understanding the language (Diller 2011). This has been found to create gap among the citizens as they cannot work freely and harmoniously. Religion is another factor why culture is diverse in the society. Basically, there are about four major different religions. Christians, Muslims, Hindus and buddies which they all have they own believes and ways of doing things. Their values and practices are distinct such that even though all of them pray the same God; how they do it does not show that. Each one of them is guided by certain set rules which make them unique from the others. This pulls people apart since each group wants to do what is accepted in their religion and get

Economics for Business and Management Assignment

Economics for Business and Management - Assignment Example Market forces generally are not controlled by any external forces and depend entirely upon the buying and selling traits of the producers and consumers. Scarce goods are associated with an inelastic supply so that a slight change in demand could result to a huge change in the price of the commodity. Moreover, their break-even price is set at a high level which automatically makes adjustments at the consumer base. Usually, scarce resources are found to be the ones associated with a high amount of demand which is why it is wrongful to bar buyers from consuming the same. In many cases the consumers are found to be prepared for paying a high price for acquiring a marginal amount of the commodity. If the distribution of such commodities are rationed and controlled by some external factor, the society is unlikely of reaching the optimum level of efficiency. In fact, in order to restore efficiency in market mechanisms, it is highly essential to incorporate competition in the field. The grea ter the competition is, higher will be the propensity among sellers to deduce ways through which they might be able to distribute a particular good at reasonable rates (Buigues & Rey, 2004, p. 183). However, maintaining such a stance in case of a scarce good might turn out to be detrimental for the society in the long run if the commodity is exhaustible in nature. Hence, some amount of restriction must be present to specify the level of price floor, which automatically curtails the aggregate market demand. On the other hand, if the commodity in question is not an exhaustible one, i.e., gets replenished over time, then an unrestricted market mechanism could be regarded as the best option to instil efficiency and eventually, a good investment climate in the economy. Scarcity of a good often leads to innovation and greater productivity in order to invent substitute commodities of the said item. A successful innovation is thus, often triggered by excess demand in the market. The substit ute commodity is quite often associated with a lower price level so that even the poorer consumers are able to afford the same. Furthermore, the scarce good is deployed as little as possible which drives its supply schedule leftwards thus lowering the equilibrium market price. An effective innovation is likely to rouse demands which could be beneficial for the economy. Higher the prospects of innovation and productivity is, better are the employment prospects and thus, of output generation. Answer to Question 2 Although efficient allocation of resources could be accomplished best through the introduction of market system in the society, there are some exceptions where government intervention could turn out to be beneficial for the society as a whole. In situations where the commodity in question is a scarce good, it being exposed to market forces might lead to excessive deployment of the same. If the good is an exhaustible one like fossil fuels, the ultimate consequence could turn o ut to be quite damaging. Even if the commodity is inexhaustible in nature, too much use of the same could lead to exigent situations when the good is unavailable. In such situations, it is necessary for the government body to intervene in market

Social Justice Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Social Justice - Essay Example First of all, it is highly important to know about different forms of organizational justice. Distributive justice and procedural justice are two different forms of justice that can be implemented in organizational operational process. Distributive justice generally developed upon several distribution principles. This distributive justice generally has three important elements, such as equity, needs and equality. Equity generally exists when the possible outcomes are proportional to the specific contributors. In terms of equality, the recipients generally receive similar level of result. In terms of needs, the end results or outcomes are proportionate to the needs (Hegtvedt, 2005). On the other hand, procedural justice can be considered as the study subjective evaluation of justice for people considering some specific procedures, whether they are ethical or unethical and fair or unfair. These specific procedures have several key organizational elements, such as interaction, problem solving, decision making, leadership, management and interpersonal dynamics (Tyler, 2005). These two approaches are very much important in the effective operational process of modern day organizations. The organizational leaders, such as CEO needs to develop and implement unique strategies in order to ensure effective organizational within the workplace. First of all, it is highly important to ensure effective leadership style in order to confirm effective workplace environment. Democratic leadership style will help the organizations to ensure effective corporate governance, ethical operational process and workplace diversity. Secondly, adoption and implementation of stakeholder engagement in the strategy development and decision making process will help the organization to increase the motivation level of employees. According to these strategies, the leaders of organizations can ensure effective organizational justice for both employees and employers

OSHA Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

OSHA - Term Paper Example This memorandum contains information regarding the effective ways of handling this problem and outlines the most appropriate strategy to be used. The most effective course of action recommended is the execution of laws regarding chemical exposure in the workplace and activation of occupational health and safety programs in different companies. Background Hazards in the workplace have through time affected workers in different industries. These hazards could either be chemical, physical, biological or psychological. For example in the construction industry, statistics show that the rate of fatalities among the construction workers in three times that of all other workers in the US. Construction workers are mainly affected by physical accidents such as falls and inadequacy of proper safety equipment (Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry 18). Even in the availability of safety equipment, the collapse of building due to lack of proper inspection or the f oundations also increases fatalities. Workers in the agricultural sector are commonly affected by biological and chemical hazards. This takes place during the application of pesticides on the plants, due to noise and exposure to the sun excessively. They are also susceptible to physical hazards caused by machinery used in the farm. In America, fatal agricultural injuries are mainly caused by the rolling over of tractors. The rate of accidents in the workplace has increased over the years mainly due to the current use of machinery which easily injures workers. Key Issues to be Addressed One of the major issues to be addressed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is the absence of laws and regulations that ensure thorough inspection of the workplace in order to ensure that they are secure for individuals to work in. For example in the mining industry, inspections done on the land being mined are not enough to ensure that the mining field is not susceptible to fires cau sed by methane production (Mendeloff 58). The lands could also collapse in case of an earthquake and as such many fatalities are caused by such accidents. Equipment in different industries are inspect from time to time. However, the frequency of inspection should be increased to avoid losing more lives and more human capital to accidents in the work place. Another major issue to be addressed is the absence of occupation health and safety programs in different companies. This program is effective in training individuals on how to care for their safety and to avoid accidents in the workplace. Many companies avoid having this program as it involves the hiring of new employees thus increasing the cost of production. In the absence of the program, employees are not made aware of their employment rights and further than that they are not aware of how to act in case of accidents in the workplace. Employees further are not aware of what is expected of them in the work environment in relatio n to their safety and the general safety of the company. Solutions to these Issues A solution to the absence of laws and regulations is to design and enforce policies that address various problems faced by workers in different fields. For example, laws should be passed to ensure that frequent inspections are carried out in different industries depending on the frequency of accidents to take place in the particular area. Inspections

The Impact of Economics on My Life as a Business Article

The Impact of Economics on My Life as a Business - Article Example In order for business people to become successful in today’s global business, each businessman should be knowledgeable in study of microeconomics and macroeconomics. For the purpose of this study, the importance of the basic principles of microeconomics such as the supply and demand of labor and products2 and how individuals, households, and firms make decisions with regards to allocating their limited resources in markets where the trading of goods and services occurs3; and the macroeconomics which focuses particularly on the external factors that could affect the variables such as the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), unemployment rate, inflation rate, and exchange rate4 will discussed in order to enable the businessmen to understand and apply the useful economic theories in their future business decision making. Businessmen should be aware that there is a significant correlation between the increase in demand for goods and services as well as with the demand for labor. In case the economy of a country is booming, the domestic demand for finished products increases. The increase in the demand for products contributes to the increase in demand for human resources (workforce). Basically, this allows the talented men and women to have the demand for a higher salary or have an option to take double jobs and longer working hours. (See Figure I – A Good Economy below) On the other hand, in case the country is experiencing economic downturn or recession such as the Asian crisis in 1997 or a tragic event such as the September 11 terrorist attack in the United States, the demand  for human resources decreases since a lot of local businesses were directly affected and eventually had to declare bankruptcy or impose a mass lay-offs in order for them to be able to sustain the business financially.  

Accounting assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Accounting - Assignment Example any can achieve this strategy by charging Priority, Team, and Shop different prices and at the same time, these respective customers selling to different purchasers. A business that sells to different places with different cost differentiating their products from their competitors through use of trademarks or advertising. This will allow customers to be associate of distribution in different packaging is capable to monopolize the market. This promotes brand loyalty among your customers. Brand loyalty is a significant asset as it upholds a company against the threat of competitors. Price differentiation will also encourages innovation, it is very important for Duncan Shirt Company to set itself apart from the rivals through a transformational innovation to explore the market further and come up with a new product. This will also focuses on improving the existing products. Innovation gives benefits to both stakeholders and customers by reinvigorating goods, improving fabrication processes will offer promising economies of scale. Differentiation will create a barrier to entry for new investors in the market because the customers will have associated the existing product. A company who also offer a distinct product would be doing advertising to make it popular in the public eye, thus making it very difficult for new entries companies by restricting them since they lack capital to advertise effectively. However, this cost should be reflected on the products through charging high profit margins. Moreover tastes of customers do change with time and competitors are o ut to copy and imitate flourishing differentiators. For this reason, product differentiation should offer something which the customer value for long term sustainment. Generally, an extreme usage of materials is the main cause of unfavorable direct materials quantity variance. Form the data give positive (annex) which is very favorable to the company. This may be due to substandard quality of materials,  or

Adaptive Landcapes Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Adaptive Landcapes - Essay Example Besides, Lansing (2009) also affirmed that with the use of ecological simulation, cultural as well as historical analysis modeling, the priests in the temples reflected the manner in which the water can be used in the different landscape of production. Hence, it can be affirmed that the book is a comprehensible narration of technical and social aspects of water management in Bali (Lansing, 2009). Ulun Danu Batur (a.k.a. Pura Ulun Danu Batur) was built during 1926 and is the second most important temple of Bali, which is dedicated to Dewi Danu. The temple comprises of nine different worship areas and contains around 285 different shrines and pavilions. The temple is donated to the goddesses of water, holy springs, and agriculture among other spiritual symbols of Bali. In the Balinese Hindus religion, Dewi Danu is referred as water goddess. She is one of the two ultimate deities of the Bali tradition who commands Balinese lakes, which is an important source of water and sustenance (Bali Safari and Marine Park, n.d.). Green revolution indicates the period between 1940’s until late 60’s, on which, the productivity of the agriculture has significantly increased due to high amount of advancements in the production of chemical fertilizers, artificial herbicides as well as the pesticides. Moreover, the advancements made it possible to increase the productivity of nutrients, which correspondingly increased the yield (Fitzgerald-Moore & Parai, n.d.). GoogleMap. (2015). Map of Mt.Batur. Retrieved from https://www.google.co.in/maps/place/Mt+Batur,+South+Batur,+Kintamani,+Bangli+Regency+80652,+Indonesia/@-8.2008252,115.3564797,12z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x2dd1f403ce5a1e5d:0x8851b0c51ddaa2eb GoogleMap. (2015). Map of Lake Batur. Retrieved from

Manager's Hot Seat #1-Burned by the Privacy Firewall Essay

Manager's Hot Seat #1-Burned by the Privacy Firewall - Essay Example I would have instead first asked him to explain why the personal and long distance calls through a proper channel which is to course through his superior who is the other lady in the video. Willy’s explanation must be taken into account because he is a performer in the company. In addition, any administrative meted against Willy must also be made known to his superior first. Also, the threshold of what constitutes excessive calls must be clearly established. It should not just be based on a mere whim such as in the video. If an employee asks for the threshold and his or her record, it should be made available to him or her to review company use of equipment. In the video, the policy was clearly abused because even Willy’s superior was subjected to review and cannot ask for her record or the threshold of calls. The concrete action that I would take is to recall Willy’s administrative leave and have it reviewed. I will also review the policy and make the threshold of company’s communication equipment very concrete and

Chapter 13 case study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Chapter 13 case study - Essay Example There are various suggestions and ideas that may be provided by different persons, who support such media technologies. One of these suggestions is the creation of awareness on the existing of the new technology. The other is re-branding of the packaging materials used by Hanks i.e. use of packaging materials that indicate the use of these new PDA’s and the technology used by customers. These ideas can be combined owing to the fact they are basically meant to facilitate the incorporation of the new modes of operation into Hank’s Greenery system. Hank’s anticipation of the associated advantages of using the technology is realistic. The use of Information Systems in any business is usually associated with various benefits i.e. improved communication among employees as well as improved customer service provision. These are realistic advantages; however, there are usually certain disadvantages that may be experienced with the implementation of new operational systems in any organization. Research indicates that such systems may take time before they are completely adopted in the operational system of any

Clashes over Muslim minorities in Europe throughout the past ten years Research Paper

Clashes over Muslim minorities in Europe throughout the past ten years - Research Paper Example This has happened because of world developments relating to Muslims such as the Arab revolution, Afghanistan war, uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia and the revolution in Iran. Additionally, Europeans countries have recently seen an increasing number of Muslim immigrants to their countries. This has led to reactions by some of those governments to the differences in the religions and the political system of Muslims. Furthermore, the case of September 11th has led to fear of Muslim individuals in most European countries. More of this has also been accelerated by the laws which European government enacted relating to terrorist activities. Clashes by Muslim minorities are an expression of fury because of perceived insults expressed to them by secular European communities. European nations have seen increasing number of immigrants for the past four decades. The immigrants are mainly driven by economic changes in their countries of origin. For example, the immigrants are in search of jobs and better living standards as compared to their countries. With this increasing number of movement to European countries, the Islamic population has so far increased in percentage in comparison to the majority population. Consider the case of France, according to Islam in France (1), the number of Muslims in France are about 3.5 to 5 million which is approximately 6 to 8% of the whole population. With these figures it is clear that the number of Muslims in European countries is large. Most of those Muslims are immigrants from North African countries like Algeria, Tunisia. Others are from Middle East and Turkey. The Muslims in France have settled in most parts of the country. In addition, Taras (54) shows that approximately 70% of the Muslims in France are from Algeria and Tunisia respectively. The author points out that since 1950, there has been an increase in the number of Islamic communities in Europe. The approximation provided by the author is 800,000 to 15 million from the 1950s to 2000. The number has so far risen and by year 2008 there were 20 million Muslims in Europe. The high growth of the Islamic population in Europe has increased the attention from Europeans because the population is more and increasing as compared to other minorities. The reproduction rate caused by the previous settled Muslim contributes to the increasing population including the immigration flows. Tara (55) presented statistics showing that in 2011, the number of Muslims throughout Europe were 44 million in all parts of Europe. This increasing number has caused questions from some of the prominent people especially journalists. One of the journalist blogged about the increasing number of Muslims throughout Europe, with the explanation given being that the growth is high in big cities like London, Paris and Berlin. Most bloggers have been talking about the increasing number, according to the research conducted by US Department of State; the percentage of people talking about incre asing number of Muslims in their country has risen. The statistic of the research showed that 61 percent of people in Hungary agree that there is an increase in the number of Muslims in the country. Other European countries have had the same talk, Italy, Poland, Germany and Britain have falling percentages respectively. The research showed

ART Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 12

ART - Essay Example It is usually ornamental, emphasized pointed arches, flying buttresses, and elaborates tracery. An example of this art is the adoration of the Magi from Strasbourg Cathedral. International Gothic followed in the year c.1375 and c. 1425. This style of painting, sculpture, and decorating arts brought a change in the style of figures and their compositions. In this period, most arts represented some animals in a statue pose and had a better facial expression. Their sizes were smaller and arranged more freely to fit the available space. Some figure appeared elongated and with sensuous qualities. The paintings were distinct from the former period from their elegance, delicate nature, and were natural. An example includes Simon Martini’s piece in the period between 1285 and 1344. Neo Gothic art is the latest form with the earliest pieces coming in the 1980s. The style emphasized on bizarre, sex, obscene, mysteries, horror, and some form of confusion. It explores the world of fantasy. The art is common in Canada, Europe, Japan, Russia, and US. Charles Alexander Moffat is the man behind this evolution of

Gordan Ramsay Essay Example for Free

Gordan Ramsay Essay Gordon James Ramsay was born on November 8th, 1966 in Johnstone, Renfrewshire, Scotland. He was raised in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England. Ramsay had played football(soccer) all throughout this life. During his football career he endured many injuries which led up to a career ending knee injury. At the age 19, Ramsay enrolled at North Oxfordshire Technical College to study Hotel Management. After graduating college Ramsay worked in London and moved to France to learn classic French cuisine. While in France, Ramsay worked in Paris under Guy Savoy and Joel Robuchon, both Michelin-starred chefs for three years. After he had learned as much as he could, Ramsay took a year to work as a personal chef on the private yacht Idlewild which was based in Bermuda. Moving back to London he became the head chef at Aubergine which won him his first Michelin-star. In 1998 Ramsay opened his first restaurant in Chelsea which then gave him 3 Michelin Stars. Ramsay is one of only four chefs in the UK to maintain three Michelin Stars for his restaurant. He was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire from Queen Elizabeth II in the 2006 honors list for services to the hospitality industry. Ramsay has now published many books and has stared in various television shows. Gordon Ramsay has a aggressive leadership style. We classified him as having both Autocratic Leadership and Bureaucratic Leadership. Ramsay has a strong personality and from this comes the Autocratic leadership roles. We saw this in his television shows where he would shut you down if you did not meet his standards. It seems that it is Gordon Ramsay’s way or the highway. Ramsay poses his ideas quite firmly and is also quite by the book. He delegates jobs accordingly based on skill sets and he always demands professionalism. This is also why we thought Ramsay was a Bureaucratic leadership style. By always demanding excellence Ramsay motivates you to be the best you can be. He gives constructive criticism and educates others with his knowledge and skills. Ramsay inspires you to improve your skill set and be passionate.

A Street Car Named Desire Essay Example for Free

A Street Car Named Desire Essay Everyone sees each other in a different way; some see others as good people and others may not see a good person in anyone. We also see ourselves in a different light than others may see and may glorify ourselves to an extent. Stanley Kowalski from the play â€Å"A Street Car Named Desire† by Tennessee Williams, is no exception this statement. At the very start of the play, he sees Blanche DuBois as a cheat and a liar from the first moment he saw her. Part of the hostility and tension between Stanley Kowalski and Blanche DuBois derives from their differing class backgrounds. Blanche, the delicate offspring of a once-wealthy Southern family of landowners who formed the aristocracy of that society, encounters the animalistic Stanley. His crude language and articulated perceptions of Blanche to disturb her fragile nature. Blanche sees Stanley as a working class man who enjoys sex, drinking, bowling, poker playing, violent and most importantly as an animal. Stanley however sees himself more as the â€Å"King of New Orleans† and as a man who should be treated with respect. The question still remains however to what extent should we judge others and ourselves. At the start of the play we see how Stanley enjoys sex. He uses the meat and throws it at Stella to imply how he wants to have sex with her. With this image we are able to see Stanley through Stella’s eyes and how she perceives him. Once Stanley meets Blanche we see yet another time how he only cares about looks and sex when he says Blanche isn’t all that bad looking as he is being suspicious of her losing Bell Reave. We also see Stanley rape Blanche in scene ten showing how he only cares about sex. Another example would how he reaches into Stella’s blouse at the end of the play. â€Å"[He kneels beside her and his fingers find the opening of her blouse]†. Drinking is another image that describes Stanley’s character. Within every scene that Stanley is in involves alcohol. Stanley’s drinking habits causes him to reflect his other characteristics for example he becomes violent towards Stella in scene three after a night of alcohol and gambling. Stanley’s alcoholic behavior is usually induced when he is playing poker, celebrating, or during social gatherings. He is also shown in scene ten that Stanley becomes â€Å"in the mood† when he is intoxicated, because he rapes Blanche after he has drank many beer. â€Å"[Stanley appears around corner of building, he’s had a few beers and is carrying some quart bottles with him]†. Though it is not seen as a very important towards the perception of Stanley’s character, bowling is seen as one of the abundance of activities that he relishes. Throughout the play we see little tidbits of Stanley bowling. Bowling could be seen as an escape for Stanley because he seems to go bowling whenever hostility is about to commence. In scene eight he uses bowling to escape Stella’s anger towards him when he bestows the bus ticket upon Blanche for her birthday. Stella: â€Å"She is. She was. You didn’t know Blanche as a girl. Nobody, nobody, was tender and trusting as she was. But people like you abused her, and forced her to change. [Stanley crosses into bedroom, ripping off his and changing into his bowling shirt, she follows him] Do you think you’re going bowling now? † Poker is shown to be a man’s territory in the play and because Stanley is a manly man, the card game is a part of his character. Poker, like bowling, can be seen as an escape for Stanley and a chance for him to get some man time with his friends. However it is more like an addiction than a night with the boys. Mitch: â€Å"Poker shouldn’t be played in a house with women. † Violence is shown as a norm within the play. Though Blanche was not used to the violence in scene three she becomes accustom to the violence later in the play. Stanley is shown as a person whom has anger management issues that leads him to his violent outbreaks. He also uses his violence to assert his dominance within every situation. Activities that Stanley enjoys, also stimulate violent behavior when he gets frustrated or irritated. â€Å"Stella: Your face and your fingers are disgustingly greasy. Go and wash up and then help me clear the table. [he hurls a plate to the floor. ] Stanley: That’s how I’ll clear the table! Don’t ever talk that way to me! â€Å"Pig -Polack – disgusting –vulgar – greasy! † – them kind of words have been on your tongue and your sister’s too much around here! What do you two think you are? A pair of queens? Remember what Huey Long said – â€Å"Every Man is a King! And I am the king around here, so don’t forget it! [he hurls a cup and saucer to the floor] My place is cleared! You want me to clear your places? † The final characteristic of Stanley is his animal like behavior. His violence as well as his sexual tenancies are the key players in his behavior. Stanley is shown as a person that does not care about others feelings or what they say. In scene two when Stanley interrogates Blanche about Belle Reave, he does not care for the letters or her possessions when he was searching through her belongings. When Stella tells Stanley that Blanche is very fragile, he just answers her with a â€Å"so? † to show his indifference to Blanche’s feelings. â€Å"Stanley: I don’t care if she hears me. Let’s see the papers! † All of these perceptions of Stanley are major in the development of his character. Stanley uses his different perceptions to create an atmosphere of dominance around those around him making him the â€Å"King of the jungle†. With trying to create this atmosphere, Stanley ups his status as king. This brings us to the conclusion that self-judgement may create a good self-esteem but will diminish other’s judgement.

Love and Courtship in Federalist America Essay Example for Free

Love and Courtship in Federalist America Essay The courtships and marriages of Theodore Sedgwick and of his seven children span the American Revolution and the early republic, with Theodore first marrying in 1767/68, his children being born between 1775 and 1791, and all except Catharine marrying by their thirties. In some ways, Kensleas findings are unsurprising, as arranged marriages gave way to individual choice: Sedgwick arranged his eldest daughters marriages in 1797 and 1801, while his sons enjoyed love matches within a decade. But Kensleas focus on the family adds a new dimension: male influence in arranging young womens marriages apparently extended beyond fathers to brothers. Professing so much pride and pleasure in contemplating her worth, that I want the world to know what a sister I possess (45), Theodore II insisted Frances marry Ebenezer Watson, whom she did not love. When Watson turned out to be physically abusive, Francess brothers again played a significant role by using their influence on her husbands business as a way to control him and offering their homes as a refuge. Just as brothers influenced their sisters marriages, peers played a significant role in love matches: in both cases, courtship took place in a group context. Even when love superseded paternal choice, siblings made clear that marriage to someone was necessary: as Catharine Sedgwick asked her equivocating brother, What are you doing? Sucking your thumbs, and building castles while all the birds of the air are building their nests (110). Friends were equally important in shaping courtship. The wonderfully named Friendlies—a group of single and married Boston women in their twenties—not only provided the younger Sedgwicks with potential wives, but advised them on how to choose well. Kenslea demonstrates that marrying for love by no means simplified choice; instead, both men and women employed badinage as a way of ascertaining intent without committing themselves, and alliances shifted so quickly that the Sedgwick men seem to have courted all the Friendlies at once. Such dizzingly complex male/female relations (119)—replete with wit, romantic potential, and power plays—suggest parallels to the mixed groups Catharine Allgor discovered in the early republics political salons (103). At least during courtship, male/female spheres had remarkably porous boundaries, and Kenslea finds the beginnings of the domestication of virtue (169) in the early republic, as personal  happiness succeeded public good. As couples became engaged, they retreated from friends and family and developed relationships Kenslea finds similar to those Karen Lystra discovered among Victorians two decades later. In Harry Sedgwick and Jane Minots engagement of 1816-17, they quit badinage for candor, tested their relationship with a year long separation as Sedgwick established himself financially, and created new selves by employing letters as a form of physical contact and ritual celebration of their love (131). Like Lystra, Kenslea finds fluidity of gender roles (155), with Jane complimenting Harry, you are the nearest to a woman in your feelings of any man I know (144). The Sedgwick manuscripts, however, allow Kenslea to examine such courtships through siblings and parents eyes, rather than only from the couples perspective. If the Sedgwicks provide much evidence of family and friends roles in court- ship and the erosion of distinct gender roles, they also suggest the limits of change. The Sedgwicks occupied a narrow cut of society—Federalist, Unitarian, and upper class—but male privilege framed their lives.