Assignment 1.1-the Impact of Globalization on Small and Large Corporations

Leading from a Global Perspective Module 1: Business in a Globalizing World Assignment 1. 1: Dialogue 1- The Impact of Globalization on Small and Large Corporations Cheryl Tomlin Nov 07, 2012 The Impact of IT and the Internet: Improves shipping and handling procedures and tracking; aids quality control; eliminates contamination; helps companies to follow rules and regulations. Impact of Global Business Regulations: In the global market place, there are four universal points- safety, benefit, legality, and economic viability. The process might be different between countries, but the goals are the same.Important steps have been made towards global regulatory harmonization as the food industry is driving the harmonization of ingredient regulations. (www. foodnavigator. com) Worldwide Access to Foods: Accessibility to food in a global business environment is affected by global market volatility; supply chain; where the food is being sourced; how countries are getting food; consumer deman d; nutrition and health. The Availability of Scientific Research and Talent: Advances in the scientific understanding and engineering techniques have increased agricultural production and have allowed for the commercial-scale production of processed foods.The variety of food available is no longer limited to local products as perishable foods can now be transported farther away and have increased shelf-life. For example, McDonald’s Corporation engineered food not to spoil as fast. Overseas Competition: â€Å" Some competitors may have different profit objectives and some international competitors may be more or less susceptible to currency exchange rates. †(www. winkinvest. com) Future Trends in Globalization Schema: Consumers are becoming more outspoken and demanding in their food choices. According to the Puratos Group, there are 10 future-proof consumer trends for the food industry.Themes include overall quality perception; openness and transparency; local self-expr ession; city brands; history and tradition; portability; what is healthy based on size, volume, shape and portion; authentic small market look and feeling; convenience. (Moerdyck) In comparing Kraft Foods to Hansen’s, the former has a far greater global reach. In order to minimize marketing expense Kraft has decentralized much of its decision making to local management teams enabling them to make decisions quickly- critical to maintaining an edge in a very competitive industry.On the other hand, Hansen’s operates primarily in North America, with less diversification as Kraft Foods. Kraft has both beverage and food products while Hansen’s only markets beverages; therefore being unable to develop the same level of presence as Kraft Foods in the global market.References: Moerdyck, Anke. Oct 24, 2012, http://blog. insites. eu. http://www. winkinvest. com/stock/Kraft_Foods. Feb 27, 2009. Fletcher, Anthony. Jul 06, 2006. www. foodnavigator. com/legislation/IFT.

Case Memo: Howard Wolowitzz & Rajesh Koothrappalii Essay

THE PARTIES: 1.Howard Wolowitzz: eighty-seven years old, was an excellent engineer. He was a retired soldier who had served with the Canadian Army. He worked in Ontario later, and became a realtor and a developer of lands. 2.Rajesh Koothrappalii: fifty-five years old, was a chartered accountant. He has abundant experiences and background knowledge about the hotel businesses. ABSTRACT: Howard Wolowitzz and Rajesh Koothrappalii first met in 2000. From then on, Wolowitzz and Koothrappali decided to begin investing in the hotel businesses to make profits under the suggestion of Koothrappalii as Koothrappalii was very familiar with the hotel industry. Through several investments on the similar projects, Howard Wolowitzz fundamentally believed that he and Rajesh Koothrappalii had been into a â€Å"partnership† when conducting business activities. After Koothrappalii personally made some investments without Wolowitzz, Wolowitzz thought that he was â€Å"betrayed† by Koothrappalii and should be compensated by a portion of earnings from Koothrappalii since Koothrappalii violated the â€Å"fiduciary duties† towards his â€Å"partner† to make a â€Å"secret profit.† ANALYSIS: 2001-2003: Invested in North Etobicoke In 2001, Howard Wolowitzz and Rajesh Koothrappalii invested one hundred thousand Canadian dollars each in a company in north Etobicoke which is an electoral district in Ontario, and both became the shareholders of the company. After the subdivision of the company was sold in 2003, Howard Wolowitzz and Rajesh Koothrappalii received five hundred thousand Canadian dollars respectively. In this situation, Howard Wolowitzz and Rajesh Koothrappalii are not in a partnership, but both are the equal shareholders of the same company. First of all, they never conduct a written or oral agreement that ensures their partnership in doing any kinds of business. Moreover, according to the Partnership Act., the partnership means two or more people running a common business and having the aim of earning profit are in a relationship called partnership. The partners in the partnership have to share the same venture and profit in business which they are carrying on. Each partner is fully liable for the debt of the firm in their partnership, and general partners should get actively involved in the management of the business. However, in terms of the definition of the partnership entity, Howard Wolowitzz and Rajesh Koothrappalii did not carry on the same business and not be fully liable for the debt of the firm they invested. Instead, they are the shareholders with limited liabilities, and they do not have authorities to make any decisions in management while investing in business. Additionally, they do not share the profit earned in real. The profit they earned is based on their personal investment rather than the shared one. Therefore, at that time, Howard Wolowitzz and Rajesh Koothrappalii were two persons who individually invested in the same firm and obtained their own profit under the suggestion of Koothrappalii. 2004-2006: Invested in Mr. Sport Hotel In June 2004, Rajesh Koothrappalii advised again that he and Howard Wolowitzz invested in the same hotel near Niagara Fall, called the Mr. Sport Hotel. This time they invested and became the shareholders of the Mr. Sport Hotel. Differently, Rajesh Koothrappalii, who was based on his excellent experience and knowledge about the hotel industry, involved in the management and arrangement of the hotel. As a â€Å"manager,† Koothrappalii was remunerated by an amount of ten thousand Canadian dollars per month. Until the early 2006, the Mr. Sport Hotel was sold. Meanwhile, Howard Wolowitzz and Rajesh Koothrappalii received one million Canadian dollars respectively from their shares through the sales of the hotel. Although Rajesh Koothrappalii participated into the management of the hotel and also invested his capital to the hotel, he and Howard Wolowitzz were still not in a partnership under this condition. To make sure a partnership legally exists, the Nature of Partnership in the Partnership Act states a few rules have to be followed. One of them claims that all partners who contribute the same amount of capital to the firm should share the same responsibility of debts and profits earned. Also, they all ought to actively participate in the management, arrangement and decision making of the business they run. Nevertheless, even though Rajesh Koothrappalii involved in the management of the Mr. Sport Hotel, Howard Wolowitzz did not involve in. As demonstrated above, they still did not assume the same venture and share the same profit of the business together; even they did not run the same business. Obviously, their business actions violate the Nature of the Partnership which claims â€Å"Partnership is the relation that subsists between persons carrying on a business in common with a view to profit.† It is undoubted that there was no any partnership relationship between Wolowitzz and Koothrappalii. The business relationship between these two persons is just that they are the shareholders of the same hotel, and Rajesh Koothrappalii is the manager of the Mr. Sport Hotel as well. We suppose that the Mr. Sport Hotel was run by a corporation. Rajesh Koothrappalii would be a director and shareholder in this situation since he managed and invested in the Mr. Sport Hotel. Considering about the duty of good faith, a director holds this duty towards his shareholders for making his own best judgments to fulfill the best interests of the company. However, Rajesh Koothrappalii did not increase the loss and cost of the company when he was the director of the Mr. Sport Hotel. On the contrary, he generated the profits of shareholders, and we can assume that he executed the duty of good faith towards Howard Wolowitzz and other shareholders. A Few Years Later: Invested Separately In a few years later, Rajesh Koothrappalii sometimes suggested Howard Wolowitzz to invest on the same project with him; sometimes he followed the investment opportunities alone without noticing Howard Wolowitzz. Those actions made Wolowitzz feel that he was betrayed and excluded by Rajesh Koothrappalii who made a â€Å"secret benefit.† In fact, there is still no partnership here among Howard Wolowitzz and Rajesh Koothrappalii. Besides what was illustrated above that they repeated the same actions and fell into the same circumstances: no shared profits, no shared risks, no personal liability towards the full debts, no involvement in management of the business and no running of the same business. There were several core problems appeared. More fundamentally, no written or oral agreement was given to prove their business relationship, and neither Howard Wolowitzz nor Rajesh Koothrappalii was entitled to be an agent of their partnership if the business relationship exists. When a person becomes a partner of a partnership to carrying on a business, he is entitled to sign as an agent or a representative of the whole partnership and the other partners as well. A person, as a delegate of the partnership, has an apparent authority to sign a contract and conducts business activities to make a profit to the partnership. The contracts he signs and the business activities he involves in should be considered as an effective document. However, none of them has an apparent authority when they conduct business activities outside their â€Å"partnership.† In other words, none of them can be considered as a legal agent of the â€Å"partnership,† and they cannot make decisions on behalf of the â€Å"partnership† legally. Moreover, without notification, no other people outside their â€Å"partnership† would consider them into a partnership and treated them as legal partners in business. The public did not realize and acknowledge that Howard Wolowitzz and Rajesh Koothrappalii are legal partners in a partnership. The absence of the apparent authority is not the only problem. To be one partner in a partnership, everyone has a responsibility to fulfill the fiduciary duties with each other. As noted in Partnership Act, â€Å"[p]artners are bound to render true accounts and full information affecting the partnership to any partner or his legal representatives.† That is to say that the accurate information and accounts having influences on the partnership must be available to all partners. Standing on the Howard Wolowitzz’s point of view, Rajesh Koothrappalii â€Å"concealed† the information of investment opportunities of their partnership, and reserved the beneficial opportunities to himself. Furthermore, Howard Wolowitzz believed that â€Å"[e]very partner must account to the firm for any benefit derived by him without the consent of the other partners from any transaction concerning the partnership or form any use by him of the partnership property, name or business connection.† Indeed, Rajesh Koothrappalii did not notice Howard Wolowitzz about some investments although he invested by himself. It is not necessary for him to inform Howard Wolowitzz since no real partnership exists between them. 2011ï ¼Å¡ Purchased a Hotel Rajesh Koothrappalii spent two million Canadian dollars on an obsolete hotel located on Queen Street at the downtown area of Toronto and started to renovate it with his two sons. Then, he had an agreement with Triden Investment Inc. (abbreviated as TII) and allowed TII to set up residential condominiums on his place. Also, they agreed that they would divide their profits through selling the condominiums. Koothrappalii estimated that he would gain a profit of around six million Canadian dollars. The Partnership Act clarifies some elements of partnership, including having a real relationship between partners, carrying on a business in common and having a view to profit. At first, according to this time period of this case, it is certain that Rajesh Koothrappalii and Triden Investment Inc. had an agreement about the construction of the condominiums and his two sons Rajesh Koothrappalii entrusted TII to build the condominiums. However, they did not create any agreement about a partnership relationship between them in a written or oral manner. In addition, Koothrappalii and TII did not run a business in common. It is a fact that Koothrappalii had an ownership of property which was the hotel he purchased, but he did not manage and operate the construction. Not only did TII construct the hotel, but also managed the whole process of construction. Furthermore, Koothrappalii and TII had a share of profit. Although the share of profit is a key point of partnership, they cannot be regarded as a partnership if this point is only condition they have in common. With the perspective of TII, Rajesh Koothrappalii and Howard Wolowitzz do not have any partnership relationship in this construction project. Rajesh Koothrappalii individually signed an agreement with TII about the construction of condominiums without acting as a partner of the â€Å"partnership† with Howard Wolowitzz. TII, as an outsider from the â€Å"partnership† between Rajesh Koothrappalii and Howard Wolowitzz, did not acknowledge and discover the partnership’s existence between Rajesh Koothrappalii and Howard Wolowitzz. Thus, it shows that Wolowitzz does not have an apparent authority of a partnership and does not make the third party know he had a partnership with Rajesh Koothrappalii. In addition, Rajesh Koothrappalii purchased the hotel and had an agreement with TII by himself and Wolowitzz did not get involved in these procedures. Therefore, Koothrappalii and Wolowitzz do not carry on a business in common. More importantly, Koothrappalii and Wolowitzz do not share the profit of the construction. Sharing a profit between partners is an essential element in the partnership. CONCLUSIONï ¼Å¡ In terms of the above facts and analysis of this case, Rajesh Koothrappalii and Howard Wolowitzz do not have a partnership relationship. There is no adequate evidence to show that they acted as partners. The business behaviors and actions of Koothrappalii and Wolowitzz do not correspond to the definition of the partnership. Firstly, they never make a written or oral agreement of partnership between them in each business investment from the beginning to the end. Secondly, they do not carry on one business in common. Last but not least, they do not have a share of profits and costs. In this case, their actual business role are shareholders or investors, they do not form any typical forms of business. The main reason is that they undertake and invest their own business separately. Despite of considering about the partnership relationship, Koothrappalii and Wolowitzz do not have any partnership liabilities since they do not form a partnership. From a legal point of view, Wolowitzz is not entitled to have claims on the compensation about fiduciary duties like secret benefits from Koothrappalii. Conversely, Koothrappalii has no an obligation to compensate for Wolowitzz in fiduciary duties because they are not in a partnership. In conclusion, the partnership between Rajesh Koothrappalii and Howard Wolowitzz does not exist in this case. ADVICEï ¼Å¡ To Howard Wolowitzzï ¼Å¡ According to my analysis and conclusions of this case, I suggest Howard Wolowitzz not to sue Rajesh Koothrappalii. The above analysis reveals that his appeal is likely to be rejected and he may lose a lawsuit because there is no any evidence to show that Rajesh Koothrappalii and Howard Wolowitzz have a partnership relationship. Wolowitzz’s business actions cannot prove that he has the conditions of partnership. Thus, Koothrappalii does not have any liability of partnership to compensate for Howard Wolowitzz. Also, Wolowitzz misunderstand the concepts of partnership. He thinks that he is in a partnership but actually he is not in law. So Koothrappalii has no liability to him. However, there are some situations in this case I’d like to mention. Initially, Koothrappalii suggested Howard Wolowitzz to invest many businesses every time. If Koothrappalii mislead Howard Wolowitzz to invest a business with his advice, Wolowitzz may lose a lot of money and this investment is very beneficial to Koothrappalii to earn more profit. It is apparent that he provides Howard Wolowitzz with inaccurate information in order to achieve his business purpose. When this kind of situation happens, Wolowitzz can sue Koothrappalii and he has a personnal liability to Wolowitzz because his business behavior violates the law of business defraud. Nevertheless, If Koothrappalii suggests him to invest and offer true and reliable investment information to Howard Wolowitzz and Wolowitzz obtains the loss of profits in his own investment, this problem will be attributed to Wolowitzz instead of Koothrappalii. In this situation, Koothrappalii has no any liability to Wolowitzz, and he does not violate the law of business defraud as well. In addition, if the Mr. Sport Hotel is run by a corporation, Koothrappalii will be a director and shareholder of th e Mr. Sport Hotel from 2004 to 2006. At that time, Howard Wolowitzz is also a shareholder of that company but not a director of the company. If Wolowitzz can find evidence that Koothrappalii’s investment as a director does not give the best interests to the Mr. Sport Hotel, Howard Wolowitzz may sue him in fiduciary duties as a shareholder. In this situation, Rajesh Koothrappalii violates the duty of good faith. But I’d like to warn Howard Wolowitzz that there is a limitation period of a contract and tort appeal which is two years. From the time of this situation to now, the time range is around six years. Thus, it is less likely to appeal successfully for Wolowitzz. An another thing I’d like to suggest to Howard Wolowitzz is the concept of apparent partners. We know Howard Wolowitzz are not in a partnership so he cannot be related to the concept of apparent partners in this case. However, if he wants to establish a partnership with other people in the future, he has to pay attention to his apparent authority of a partnership. When he and his partners are going to corporate with the third party, he is bound to make the third party notice that he and his partners have a partnership relationship. This is one of the most significant points in the partnership. Furthermore, this case will cost Howard Wolowitzz a plenty of money, energy and time. If he loses the lawsuit, he will spend more costs on it since he has to bear a part of the winning party’s legal fees. Howard Wolowitzz should realize that he almost has little chance to win this lawsuit so I suggest that he had better not to sue Rajesh Koothrappalii. It will be not good for him. Time and energy are very important to him because the opportunity cost of time and energy are earnings. He can take advantage of the time he puts on this lawsuit to invest and develop more businesses for earning profits. Eventually, I’d like to recommend Howard Wolowitzz to study and learn the statutes and laws of business in Canada via different kinds of social media like TV news, magazines, newspaper or Internet. These are good and convenient ways for Howard Wolowitzz to understand the business law further. He can develop his law knowledge better. He also can know various cases about business law on news. It is a good source to pay attention to many laws that he does not really know. Also, Howard Wolowitzz can search for some laws on the Internet. This method will show him about laws fast and efficiently. There are some good business laws on the website, such as e-laws on Service Ontario website. Furthermore, going to library is a nice choice to read the statutes of business law if he is interested in more business law. To the lawyer, Ms.Littigator: From my analysis and judgments of this case, I advise that Ms.Littigator had better not help Howard Wolowitzz sue Rajesh Koothrappalii because the probability of losing a lawsuit for this case is very large. Firstly, it is hard for you to win a lawsuit for this case because Howard Wolowitzz and Rajesh Koothrappalii do not have a partnership legally. They just acted as shareholders to invest their business separately all the time. With the perspective of a lawyer, Ms.Littigator cannot have sufficient and strong evidence to prove that they have a real partnership relationship. Secondly, I found that a situation may bring a benefit to Howard Wolowitzz. If the Mr. Sport Hotel is run by a corporation and Howard Wolowitzz have evidence that Rajesh Koothrappalii did not make the best interests to the corporation called the Mr.Sport Hotel rather than himself as a director, it is possible that you may help Wolowitzz sue Koothrappalii in the fiduciary duty of corporation rather than the fiduci ary duty of partnership. However, the most important thing is that a limitation period of contract and tort appeal is two years. Thus, I still think that it is good for you to not help Wolowitzz sue Koothrappalii. What is more, you are more likely to lose your profit, energy and time. If you lose the lawsuit, you will not attain the remuneration from the losing party. You also lose your time and energy on it. Actually, you can use the time you put on this lawsuit to deal with a new lawsuit which you can win. Finally, if you really would like to help Howard Wolowitzz, I have another several suggestions. Howard Wolowitzz was a veteran in his early life. He may not know the newest version of the business law. As he became a land developer and always carry on a business by himself, Howard Wolowitzz may not have much chance to collaborate with others and form a partnership when doing business. This makes him unfamiliar with and misunderstands the meaning of a partnership, and was mistaken about the business relationships between Koothrappalii and him. To this point, since Koothrappalii and Wolowitzz have been in an acquaintanceship for a long time, they must know each other very well, and may know that Wolowitzz did not know the business law of partnership a lot. However, when Koothrappalii and Wolowitzz conducted investments, Koothrappalii did not indicate their relationships in business unequivocally to Wolowitzz and even did not mention that they are personal investors but not partners. There is a point hidden here that Koothrappalii may mislead Wolowitzz with the â€Å"partnership† relationship between them, and made Wolowitzz firmly believed that they are in a partnership. The key conditions including the age, a retired soldier, the familiarity with business laws and the mistake caused by a long-time friend Koothrappalii can lead Ms.Littigator and Howard Wolowitzz to a relatively advantageous position in the court. Unless Ms.Littigator emphasizes the characteristics of Wolowitzz that he is older, not knowing business laws so much and believed Koothrappalii but was misled by him, Ms.Littigator does not have any chance to win this lawsuit. IMPRESSION OF HOWARD WOLOWITZZ: Howard Wolowitzz was once an engineer and a war veteran. Thus, he did not have any business experiences in the past few years. That’s why he does not totally understand and know the business laws. In any court action, Howard Wolowitzz is a typical person who is hard to win the lawsuit. He does not have patience to analyze his situations in different ways. He does something on impulse and does not considerate about one thing carefully and comprehensively. This kind of incautious personality is more likely to lead him to make mistakes in other cases as similar as the case we analyzed before. Also, Howard Wolowitzz is an easily angry and not tolerant person. When he thought Rajesh Koothrappalii hide him to make a â€Å"secret benefit†, he was very angry about Rajesh Koothrappalii and want to sue him immediately. This fact also reveals that he made decisions fast and this kind of attitude causes him to make mistakes easily. What’s more, he did something with his emotions. For example, he loves Rajesh Koothrappalii as â€Å"a son†. Actually, Rajesh Koothrappalii is not his son and Howard Wolowitzz did not realize that he did not have authorities to interfere with Rajesh Koothrappalii’s own business. Therefore, a person has similar personalities and attitudes like Howard Wolowitzz is more likely to make mistakes in and misinterpret the law.

An Accident from My Memory Essay

The cold numb feeling was freezing every part of me as I sat quietly inside the car that was twirling in the middle of the highway. Sitting there and patiently waiting for the airbag to explode and cover me as if it was my moms arms took some fear out of me but my body still shivered as if there would be no tomorrow. Even though its been almost four years, I can still recall that day as clear as crystal, yet most of me wished it would just turn into thin air and disappear. As I sit still today, I think of what would have happened to me if I had lost a loved one in that incident. That night made me realize about two important concepts in life. First, to respect what we have and make the best of our time because we never know when life can take it all away and second, to respect nature because when nature prevails itself, it can either kill us or save us. My hands were shivering as I went to go lock my front door, as I was turning the key I felt a large breeze of air pushing me back as if god himself did not want me to leave. As I moved towards the car I felt as if something was weird, it seemed as if I had a dà ©jà   vu but I assumed that it was because of the fact that I did not eat anything the entire day. Slowly I opened the door to the car and sat in the front seat, as I sat down I heard a man on the radio saying that today would be the best day we are going to experience the entire winter, hearing that made everyone glad as we left towards Ottawa. With time we realized that the experience we were going to have is not going to be the best but the worst. As time passed we headed towards Ottawa, leaving the house behind and not knowing what to expect next. While blasting the music in the car I thought about how great this weekend would be and how much fun were going to have with the beautiful weather. At first everything seemed to be perfect as my dad was cruising along the smooth pavement at 110 km/hr but then things begun to change when the car started making a very soft yet annoying sound, hearing the sound my dad pulled over. Being on the side of the highway and staring out the window amazed me because I saw hundreds of cars going by every second. Watching the cars fly by fascinated me but at the same time they also terrorized me, while I sat still I thought about how one of the car might crash into our and destroy us all, thinking that I fell asleep. As I was sleeping I felt someone tapping my shoulder. The feeling of that tapping on the shoulder made me get up and as I looked over I saw my dad standing still saying wake up Ankit, wake up. Hearing the sound I woke up and as I looked up at the sky I saw total darkness and I noticed that I had been sleeping for three hours. As I walked towards Pizza Hut to eat I felt small water drops falling on my head and hands, at first I thought it was a small drizzle of snow that would stop in a few minutes but later I figured that the snow would get worse. As we finished eating we saw large amounts of snow falling on the road and making the roads more slippery. As I walked back to the car I looked into my moms eyes and noticed that there had been something frightening she saw, perhaps it was the large amounts of snow, I thought. Disregarding the snow we kept going and driving at high speeds towards Ottawa. At first everything seemed so beautiful because the pellets of snow slowly fell upon one another but with time they started getting bigger and bigger just like the terror in my moms eyes. Giving my mom sympathy and telling her we are going to make it to Ottawa safely helped her to calm down but there was still some terror that I could see. Talking to my mom surely made her feel better but at the same time it distracted my dad. When my dad had gotten distracted he lost his controls on the car which caused it to go out of control and twirl around in the middle of the highway. Luckily, when the car was twirling in the middle of the highway there was not a lot of traffic so the ones behind the car had stopped. However, other cars on the side of the highway kept going; as I stood in the front seat tightly gripping my belt I thought to myself that I would never see a tomorrow. As the car slid I looked at my family because they were the last people I would see before the airbag would explode and take me far away from this planet. My nerves were popping out of my skin as I held the grip tightly. Looking out the front window and watching cars drive by scared me even more because I knew if any one of those cars were to crash into ours then our chances of survival would be very low. As I sat still in the car I thought about how I  would die, would it be in the hospital or would it be a simple death. At that moment my thoughts were not very positive and all that went through my mind was one question. Would I live or die? But believing in myself I decided to face my fear and bring back my senses just like my dad. Once my dad had gotten his senses back he had shifted the car into lower gear and pressed on the break frequently which eventually made the car stop. My dads consciousness gave me a second life and made me learn some important concepts that I would have never understood if I hadnt been a part of that incident. As time passed my wounds healed but the incident left me with a scar that may never be removed. Now that I look at my car I can recall those exact moments that made me more fearless. I have now learned that people should never challenge nature because nature can easily make a dramatic change and kill us all. Biography: http://www.projo.com/extra/2006/midlives/pages/week3/bina.htm

Techniques of Poetry Appreciation

Techniques of Appreciating Poetry What is poetry? * Poetry is the creativity of a person's imagination. * It is nothing but rhythmical, imaginative language expressing the invention, taste, thought, passion, and insight of the human soul. * Like any other literary work, poetry needs to be understood to be appreciated. * The writer writes for a reason. * The purpose may be to evoke emotion, inform, define, represent something of the world or life, and to entertain. * Whatever the case, a poem is unique to its writer. And each poem can be analyzed to be appreciated.Here are some general ideas that may help one to acknowledge the beauty of the poem: Techniques of Poetry Appreciation: 1. Subject Matter * What is the poem about? * It talks about the general outline of the poetry. * It could be a person, an object, a place, an event, a situation or an experience. * What does the poet want you to focus on, in the poem or in each stanza? Answer: It is a dedication to the humble tomato, which is readily available to us at the grocery store or in our refridgerator. 2. Theme Once you have identified the subject of the poem, try and figure out what the poet wants to tell you.Look at the following: * the poet's message * his purpose * the ideas that he is conveying * the title; * What was the poet’s purpose or motive writing the poem? * What is the central idea of the poem? Always remember that feeling and tone work hand-in-hand with the subject & theme. Answer: * The theme of this poem is that you must learn to embrace the usual things in life that are often seen as dull, and find the beauty within them. * People must respect everything in life, no matter how insignificant it may seem * Pablo expresses his love towards tomatoes. The title of this poem is â€Å"Ode to Tomatoes† which is a dedication to the underappreciated but beautiful things throughout life. 3. Moods, Emotions and Experiences * What is the predominating mood of the poem? * Is it the poet fli ppant, sad, happy, dignified, angry, contemplative, or satirical? * Does the mood change? Answer: The poet changes the subject when speaking about different types of food: first tomatoes, then parsley, and oil. The poet changes the mood as he talks about different occasions: Summer feeling (mild, intense) Weddings (happy, bright) * What are some of the feelings expressed by the poet? What feelings does the poet arouse in you? * Does the poet succeed in conveying his emotions in you? Answer: * Man & Nature- This poem describes the relationship between man and a tomato. * Man v/s Man- This poem also describes societies view on mundane things. The tomatoes can be seen as representing people. It shows people’s different opinions and perspectives of others. 4. Language * Are the poet’s words appropriate and valid? * What emotions are built up around certain words? The words that are used and the way they are placed can enhance the power of the poet's creativity. Answer: Red viscera† = Guts (Violent). â€Å"Fiery colour† = Vibrant, passionate. â€Å"Bubble vigorously† = Aggressive, Enthusiasm. â€Å"Hemispheres† = Makes a tomato seem large and monumental. 5. Imagery There are various ways to paint a picture in the reader's mind through the use of words. * What are the symbolic or figurative devices used in the poem? * What effect is produced by the use of various figures of speech—metaphors, similes, personification? * Are the images visual, auditory, kinesthetic, tactile, olfactory or gustatory. Answer: â€Å"Summer light is halved like a tomato† = Day parted in half, it is noon. Summer- light is halved like a tomato† is a simile comparing the time of day to a tomatoes half, meaning that it is noon. â€Å"Tomato invades the kitchen† = Tomatoes are everywhere. â€Å"Tomato invades kitchen† is a personification. A tomato cannot physically invade and seize a kitchen; it is meant to show just ho w abundant the tomatoes are throughout the kitchen. â€Å"It sheds its own light† = Tomatoes radiate with beauty. â€Å"It sheds its own light, benign majesty† is a metaphor comparing the beauty the writer sees in the tomato to a wonderful light.He is saying that the tomatoes is brilliant and gorgeous; it stands out when he looks at it. â€Å"We must murder it† = Exaggerating the slicing of tomatoes. â€Å"We must murder it† is a hyperbole, exaggerating how we cut up the tomato. â€Å"It is wed to the clear onion† = It complements the taste of onions nicely. â€Å"It is wed to the clear onion† is a personification that shows how well the taste of tomatoes and onions complement each other. Pausing and punctuation have an effect on the structure, rhythm and rhyme of a poem. 6. Sounds * What about the sounds in the poem? Are the sounds in harmony with the thought and imagery? * Do the sounds suggest pictures, arouse emotions or bring out qualit y of the character? * What is the effect produced by the poet’s use of: alliteration, assonance, onomatopoeia and metre? * Are the musical qualities of the poem outstanding? * Is rhyme used for emphasis? 7. Rhyme * Does the poem have a set rhyme scheme? * How it is used in the poem? Is the movement slow, steady, or fast? OR Is the rhyme constant or varying? * Does the poet emphasize words or the message by means of the rhyme scheme? What is the purpose and effect of the rhyme scheme? 8. Form/ Structure * How is the poem structured? * How are the stanzas organised? * Is the structure itself convention? The form of the poem is very important. You should know what kind of poem you are dealing with: e. g. ballad, epic, ode, sonnet, dramatic monologue, elegy, etc. Answer: It is an Ode Its written to show reverence to the most ordinary things in life – claiming to have an extraordinary worth or value. Merits| Demerits| 1. Enriches learning of poetry| 1. Time consuming| 2. Ad d value to the text| | 3.Inculcates scientific temper and a spirit of inquiry. | | 4. Allows critical evaluation| | ‘Ode to Tomatoes’ by Pablo Neruda The street filled with tomatoes midday, summer, light is halved like a tomato, its juice runs through the streets. In December, unabated, the tomato invades the kitchen, it enters at lunchtime, takes its ease on countertops, among glasses, butter dishes, blue salt cellars. It sheds its own light, benign majesty. Unfortunately, we must murder it: the knife sinks into living flesh, red-viscera, a cool sun, profound, inexhaustible, populates the salads of Chile, happily, t is wed to the clear onion, and to celebrate the union we pour oil, essential child of the olive, onto its halved hemispheres, pepper adds its fragrance, salt, its magnetism; it is the wedding of the day, parsley hoists its flag, potatoes bubble vigorously, the aroma of the roast knocks at the door, it's time! come on! and, on the table, at the midpoint of s ummer, the tomato, star of earth, recurrent and fertile star, displays its convolutions, its canals, its remarkable amplitude and abundance, no pit, no husk, no leaves or thorns, the tomato offers its gift of fiery color and cool completeness.

Is Macbeth responsible for his own downfall Essay

Macbeth is completely and solely responsible for his own downfall. He lead himself to defeat by falling to his fatal flaws. Manipulation, ambition, and power got the better of him creating great inner turmoil, and bringing him to an abrupt end. From the beginning Macbeth was able to choose his own fate. The moment when he eagerly listened to the witches and said to them â€Å"Stay, you imperfect speakers, tell me more† shows that he believed that what they are saying was of great importance to him. The tempting words of the witches prophecies ignited a spark of greedy ambition in him that he had not realised was there. This lead him to make his decision to follow their persuasive words so although they tempted him, it was his own ambition that drove him to commit the crimes. Macbeth’s ambitious nature is shown many times throughout the play. Once the king had made him Thane of Cawdor and the first â€Å"and great† hurdle had been overcome, the possibility of him having crown becomes fixed in his mind.when he hears Malcolm has been pronounced as the king heir Macbeth admits to himself that he has â€Å"Black and Deep Desires†. He finds himself battling with his conscience but when he says  Ã¢â‚¬Å"I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent but only vaulting ambition, which o’erleapes itself and falls on the other†Ã‚  it shows that he has no reasons to kill the king except to fulfill his own ambition. Macbeth’s overly ambitious quest for power motivates him to prematurely end the life of the current king. Not only does Macbeth quest for power end the life of King Duncan, but he continues to murder for no reason whatsoever apart from malice. the evil tyrant that Macbeth has become is proved when he plans alone to murder Lady Macduff and her children. At this stage of the play Macbeth has lost all human compassion and empathy so he thinks nothing of murdering innocents. Had he stopped at the first murder of king Duncan he may have got away with it but his manic behaviour turns everyone against him and can ultimately  only lead to his own demise. By the end of the play it is obvious that a valiant Macbeth no longer exists. He suffered greatly from his fatal flaws: being mainly manipulability, ambition and the sense of power. Macbeth’s life comes to an abrupt end, and no one grieves him. He died a tyrant and a murderer, all through his own fault.

Questions Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 6

Questions - Coursework Example Southwest Airlines is the countrys biggest transporter that serves domestic travelers. The Company works the biggest fleet of Boeing aircrafts on the planet, most of which are fixed with satellite based Wi-Fi, enabling customers to connect their devices while travelling. Southwest Airlines strives to offer its clients quality customer care experience. This is to enable the travelers to feel free and to interact with Southwest Airlines staff and seek for assistance where necessary. According to Kumar (2008), many customers will refer others and choose to acquire the services of the same provider if they feel that the company involved values them and treats them with respect and dignity. The falling fuel prices also contributed to the increased profitability of Southwest Airlines in the year 2013. Lower fuel prices reduce the costs of operations. Southwest airlines have also adopted new technology that plays a crucial role in minimizing the fuel consumption. According to Vasigh, Taleghani & Jenkins (2012) the aviation high fuel costs continue to affect the profitability of companies in the aviation industry. Streamlined designs that diminish fuel-wasting drag, persistent upgrades in engine configuration decrease fuel utilization and expand proficiency . Southwest airline has vast investments in the airline industry. Southwest airlines which also own Air Tran has a combine fleet of 680 airplanes, most of which are Boeing. The companys engagement with several airport improvement projects also improves its liquidity. Southwest airline has established its offices at the Dallas mines field, a premise that is well situated and accessible to its clients. A wide stakeholder stock also provides the airline with sufficient financial resources to operate effectively in the industry. According to Peterson (2002), a company needs to be able to identify its assets and account for them effectively. Southwest Airlines properly indicates and includes

Employment relations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Employment relations - Essay Example The inequalities in society normally fall under the above mentioned heads (Andrews, 2007, Livesey, 2006). Discrimination of employees or inequalities of employees means treating an employee different from others. This is a very serious offence and is illegal for companies to treat employees differently. A company can be faced with a lot of legal issues and employees have the rights to even sue the company (Epstein, 1995). The next section focuses on the different basis of inequalities among employees at work places. Explanations of the causes for these issues are also discussed. Direct Discrimination: This type of discrimination refers to when employees discriminate among employees because of their sex, martial status or because of gender reassignment. This type of discrimination does not have a strong basis and employers tend to discriminate for reasons that are unlawful and invalid (Direct Gov, 2008). Indirect Discrimination: This type of discrimination is when employers put down certain invalid reasons to build certain working practices or rules within an organization. Rules such as fixing a minimum height which might discriminate against most women or even cases where employers refuse to employ part time workers for no valid reason (Direct Gov, 2008). Harassment: This is a very common sight in a lot of offices. This however is now being taken very seriously and laws relating to this have been tightened over the past few years. In this kind of discrimination the employees face offensive behaviour from employers or others within the organization. There can be passing of sexual remarks or gestures, or allowing of sexually explicit material to be displayed or distributed within the organization. Some employees also face the issue of being offensively nick named because of gender (Direct Gov, 2008). Victimization: This form of discrimination is seen in many offices when an employee has had the courage to

Managing information Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Managing information - Assignment Example Postal surveys (sometimes called mail-out surveys) usually involve mailing self-completed questionnaires to a target group of people. The main advantages of postal surveys are that large numbers of questionnaires can be sent out at fairly low cost. Questions that are difficult to ask on the telephone or in face-to-face interviews, can be asked in a postal questionnaire. For example, personally sensitive information (about income, sexual orientation, drinking behaviour) are best asked about in a way that saves the respondent the embarrassment of facing a stranger and reporting something they may feel awkward about. 41.67% of the male clients to the assessing the store used their own personal cars a compared to 50% of females who used their personal drive. 27.08% of male walked to the store while 30.76% of females. 31.25% males used public transport while 19.23% female used public transport to access the store. Many of the female clients’ use they own drive this implies that in the region more female earn much more than their male counterparts. In the same place more female clients prefer to walk rather than using the public transport. The clients using their own drive found it most convenient to access the store with 35.29% finding it extremely convenient to access the store. 44.44% of clients walking to the store found it extremely convenient for them. And only 13% using public transport found it convenient to access the store. This implies that it is much more convenient to use a personal drive than use of public to access the store. 5% of the clients found the services being to helpful at all even after they waited for extremely long. A relatively huge number of clients 14% found no help at all even after just waiting for slightly long for the service. This implies that the time taken to offer services did not have implication to the quality of service delivered. A total of 14% of all the clients found the service to be helpful

Public Architecture of the Roman Empire Research Paper

Public Architecture of the Roman Empire - Research Paper Example The history of Roman Empire was divided into two distinctive eras. The first era was known as the Republican period where the origins of their architecture can be traced to the Etruscans who followed the Greek and the Phoenician traditions, building large temples to honor their Gods. The second era of their architecture was started in 27 BC which is considered as a period of the Empire. Their empire covered many areas across the Europe and these countries consisted of a vast number of people with different cultures and traditions. So, the architecture of Roman Empire turned eclectic (consisting elements of the diversity of regional cultures and traditions). History of Roman Architecture: Romans adopted the style of architecture from Greeks but some styles of buildings were of Etruscan period. Romans and Greeks used five different styles of buildings from pre 500 BC to the first century AD. They include three orders of architecture which Romans took from Greeks which are Doric, Ionic and Corinthian and then added Composite as their own style. The Classical architecture of Rome and Greece came in different periods and with different types of design and style. The first period was the Doric stage and buildings built in this style usually had no base and this stage was before the 5th century BC. The second stage was the Ionic stage which was visibly more complex than the Doric style. The next architectural stage was the Corinthian style and it originated after the 5th BC. Then the fourth style was the Tuscan column which was introduced by Etruscans. No examples of this type of architecture are present today. The last architectural style was the Composite order which was first seen in 82 AD on the arch of Titus. This form was the most complex as it used the arches in an organized manner. By using the Composite order of architecture, Romans used their skills of concrete in developing architectural figures like the arch, vault and the dome. Pantheon was the best examp le of domed buildings which was built by Marcus Agrippa in the last century and it was later refurbished by Hadrian. The building was actually built as a temple for Romans to worship their gods but later on was changed into a Church. This building is famous for being one of the oldest and largest of the buildings. Monuments and Infrastructure in the Roman Architecture In ancient times the monuments were of great significance and the Romans were specially known for their monuments. In the Republican period a monument known as the Forum was quite famous for the political activities that went throughout the place. The monuments in those times were built in such a fashion that people used to come and visit them frequently. These monuments became a symbol of architecture for the Romans later on. Infrastructure was also an area of interest for the Romans as they developed their city walls well before the 4th century. The water supply and the network of aqueducts were also famous for their linearity. Roads were also developed from such an early time and were used accordingly by the people for their needs. Thus Roman architecture became well known for its integrity and smoothness from the very beginning (Grundmann & Furst 1998). Religious Buildings: The layouts of Roman temples were highly influenced

Reading programs for learning disabled children Research Paper

Reading programs for learning disabled children - Research Paper Example Article # 1 The first article, which I have selected for discussion, is Repeated Reading Intervention for Students with Learning Disabilities: Status of the Evidence. The authors of this article have focused on the need of repetition of the reading intervention for the children. â€Å"For students with or at risk for learning disabilities, developing fluency with reading connected texts remains a formidable challenge† (Chard, Ketterlin-Geller, Baker, Doabler, & Apichatabutra, 2009). The authors have stressed on the use of repeated reading practices that should be designed to provide the children with multiple exposures to the same words. Repeated reading facilitates the students in reading and rereading the same text multiple times (Chard et al., 2009). According to the article, decoding difficulties should also be removed because they make learning process difficult for the students. â€Å"Decoding difficulties limit students' opportunities to read texts, decrease students' exposure to words, limit vocabulary learning, and hamper the development of content-area expertise through reading comprehension† (Chard et al., 2009, p. 263-281). Repeated reading can also be labeled as evidence-based for the students with learning disabilities. The findings of this article show that the repeated reading interventions can play an important role in improving the learning abilities of the children because the children can learn different words and their meanings quickly if they are shown those words repeatedly. The exposure to the same word through different ways can enhance the ability of the brain to capture the image and meaning of that word. The teachers of the learning-disabled children can determine the efficacy of repeated reading approaches in order to bring some improvement in the learning and comprehension skills of the children. For most students, oral reading can be associated with improved fluency and comprehension skills (Chard et al., 2009). The teachers can make great use of repeated reading interventions in the classrooms of the learning-disabled children by creating their lesson plans accordingly. The teachers can use the same words in different scenarios making the children familiar with those words. Chard et al. (2009) state, â€Å"As students repeatedly read the same content, it is likely that they will practice the same words multiple times, increasing the likelihood they'll be able to automatically retrieve those same words in future exposures† (p. 263-281). So, if the teachers give repeated exposure to the same words, the children will be able to understand those words in a very quick manner. Article # 2 The second article, which I have selected for discussion is, Evidence-Based Strategies for Reading Instruction of Older Students with Learning Disabilities. In this article, the authors have found that over a quarter of students from the 8th grade and more than one-third students belonging to the 4th grade a re not able to read well. These students cannot understand their lessons properly and find it difficult to acquire some new knowledge or information from grade-level text. â€Å"For students with lea

SUMMARY South African Opposition Picks New Voice Essay

SUMMARY South African Opposition Picks New Voice - Essay Example To entice black voters, the party will have to strive for new policies that address the needs of low income young blacks. Because the next national vote is not until 2014, Ms. Mazibuko must try to place pressure on the government through parliamentary sessions. The previous leader of the party, Athol Trollip, did not appeal to the wider voting public because he is a 47 year old white farmer. In choosing a new type of leader, the Democratic Alliance is attempting to turn over a new page in politics and offer themselves as a viable alternative to the ruling African National Congress. Although the party will focus specifically on blacks’ issues, it is a party that will stand for South Africans are all races. Historically, the Democratic Alliance has been thought of as a white-dominated party. This decision to appoint a black leader is a step into the future and will hopefully result in the Democratic Alliance making more of a difference on the South African political

Statistics MT Speech or Presentation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Statistics MT - Speech or Presentation Example Hence, the 95% confidence interval for the population mean using the Students t-test is given by, In such cases, the placement of the central tendencies are Mean 5. the positively skewed cumulative distribution curves are characterized by a concentration of mass on the left-hand side of the curve. Such a curve is drawn in the side diagram. Quite clearly, since the median considers the mid-point of the curve and the mean of the curve is actually the weighted mean, considering the frequencies with which each observed value appears, the mean has a greater value than the median in this case. Thus, the rational agent will accept the mean salary of major league baseball players, rather than the median salary. 6. The decision to eliminate an applicant could be taken only after studying the percentage mean of their test marks and the variations of the marks obtained in each test from the population mean value, which is measured by the standard deviation of the observations from the mean. The higher the population mean and lower the standard deviation are, the better is the situation considered. In fact, a high standard deviation implies a lower consistency in activities and thus the situation which displays the highest value, is considered as the worst one. In this particular case, it is found that the test results of Applicant 3 has the highest standard deviation and thus he is the one ho should be eliminated. = (800/2000) x 100 = 40%. From the normal table it is known that at 95% confidence interval using to-tailed tests, the value of the standard normal variate is 1.96. Hence, the formula to calculate the 95 percent confidence interval about the true population percentage

Harm-reduction interventions in British substance-misuse services Essay

Harm-reduction interventions in British substance-misuse services - Essay Example In order to overcome harms and complications, it is always important that a comprehensive harm reduction program is planned and executed in such a manner that it minimizes the harm. A comprehensive harm reduction program or activities therefore always aim to take a broader view of the drug use and how it can create harm and what actions can be taken to reduce such harm. Harm reduction therefore does not need to fall into the ambit of harm to the health only however, the social and economic affects of such harm shall also be accounted for.( Dahlgren and Whitehead,1991). It is because of this reason that any initiative aimed at harm reduction must be comprehensive enough to cater to different and diversified determinants of the harm reduction. This literature review will therefore focus on the harm reduction interventions in Britain substance misuse services by reviewing the policies and programs and actions that have been undertaken to reduce the harm associated with the drug use. UK Harm Reduction Alliance (UKHRA) defines harm reduction in really broader terms and includes really a diversified set of terms to explain and define the term. This definition is however, borrowed from the work of Newcombe who defines harm reduction as â€Å"Harm reduction is a term that defines policies, programmes, services and actions that work to reduce the health; social; and economic harms to individuals; communities; and society that are associated with the use of drugs† (Newcombe 1992) The above definition of harm reduction therefore indicate that harm reduction encompasses policies and programmes that are basically aimed at reducing the impact of drug use not only on the individuals but also on the communities as well as a society as a whole. Further, the overall range of harms includes health, social as well as economic harms that can potentially damage not only an individual’s life but also affect the society as a whole. It is critical to note that the use of

The Ddoctrine of Judicial Precedent depends on the Hierarchy of the Essay

The Ddoctrine of Judicial Precedent depends on the Hierarchy of the Courts - Essay Example In case similar cases emerge in the prospect, similar rules or rationale is utilized in conveying justice through legal decisions. The doctrine finds basis on stare decisis meaning that considering previous decision made on similar cases. A decision made at some point in law is considered applicable to cases that bear similar facts. For the doctrine to function in an effective manner, it is necessitated that point of law within certain cases is established. During conveyance of justice, the judge ought to offer the rationale under which he or she provides certain judgment and not another. The doctrine presents general rule where all courts are required to follow the same rationale in delivering decisions that were developed in courts that bear higher ranks (Mitchell & Dadhania 2003, 61). The doctrine is reliant on the chain of command of the court system, previous case records and the attitude or approaches that the judges utilize. The hierarchy of the court system in the English con text offers a better comprehension of precedent doctrine. The courts are organized, in terms of their capabilities or power, to command. The hierarchical structure bears five divisions under which the precedent is applied. These divisions offer judgments in relation to the cases carried out in previously from a superior court. The precedents that transpire in higher courts are considered applicable to lower and middle courts without any doubt. Therefore, decisions undertaken can be carried out without further probe into the cases, as long as the material facts and other facts are almost similar to another case undertaken in the past (Mitchell & Dadhania 2003, 62). The doctrine is reliant on the hierarchy that the court system presents in all its operations. Every court bears a given standing in relation to certain cases with respect to other courts thus affecting the provision of decisions on certain cases. These hierarchical systems ought to be considered in making decisions that i nvolve the precedent doctrine. The lower courts can comfortably apply decisions presented by the highest ranked courts. Similarly, decisions that emanate from House of Lords are applicable to the rest of the courts within the legal arrangement with the exemption of the House of Lords (Kennedy 1994, 1). Therefore, its decisions find appliances to all systems of legal arrangements but the decisions made by the house cannot be applied to cases that concern it. Supreme Court is considered top in the rank with regard to the legal arrangement prevalent in English Law. Previously, the Supreme Court functioned as the House of Lords although this was changed in 2009 (OUP 2011, 11). However, the powers were never altered meaning that only the name changed. The Supreme Court comprises of 12 justices with fives of these being independent of any previous precedents. That is they are not bound to pursue decisions made in any previous cases. In addition, their judgments are applicable to the rest of courts that lie below them. In practicality, justices in this legal level are likely to follow their decisions that they had previous offered in similar cases. In order for them to change their personal judgments, a vivid reason ought to crop up. Additionally, these justices preside over judgments from Commonwealth nations. Under such circumstance, the justices are considered as the Privy Council (OUP 2011, 11). In principle, the decisions developed by the Privy Council find no application in

Cancer Cells Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Cancer Cells - Research Paper Example As a female child ages into a woman, the hips gradually become broader to permit the mature female to carry the growing fetus in her womb. The breasts become well-developed to allow her to provide the best nutrition possible once she delivers the conceived child. And since each multicellular organism is a composite of many cells, what we see happening to it is a reflection of what is happening inside the body, within the cells. The aging process of a multicellular organism such as a human is a reflection of division, development, and programmed cell death of its somatic cells. For a cell, the earliest physiological process to disappear once it is developing is its ability to produce daughter cells. Because once a cell is developing, it steps out of the cell cycle and enter a nondiving state, the Go phase. Most of the cells in a developed human body are in Go. Most common examples of these are the specialized neurons, which do not divide (Campbell and Reece, 2002, p. 226). So on the onset of life, a fertilized egg cell divides into many, and will be grouped according to what their functions will be once they develop defining characteristics that make them different from others. However, normal cells cannot multiply forever. Not only will development not permit them, as is the case once a cell dies before the organism, but mortality is engraved in the DNA. Since DNA replication mechanism only makes a daughter strand by adding nucleotides at the 3’ end, its 5’ end, which an RNA primer filled during the course of DNA replication, is left unfilled once the primer is removed, and the resulting DNA is shorter after every replication. The good thing is, the 5’ ends of DNA strands, called telomeres, do not actually code for a gene and are thus dispensable. But since telomeres are of defined length, DNA replication and cell division can only go through a defined number of cycles as well (Campbell

A Historian Promotes Militant Nationalism Research Paper

A Historian Promotes Militant Nationalism - Research Paper Example This article analyzes the studies from writings from Hunt’s research and text, and related research to arrive at a corroborative consensus whether â€Å"Historians promote Militant Nationalism†1 and why this was so. When looking at Germany from a Post Prussian war perspective, the soldiers and the military divisions that contributed to the creation of Germany as a nation, dictated the social and cultural viewpoint of that times. The military was considered a Godsend and a soldier was their supreme leader. A lot of deference and importance was given to a soldier’s way of thinking. Amidst all this backdrop of military development, there was also an abundance of growth on the national sector. Roadways were built, science and medicine showed great advancements and technology of the time was at a boom. Art and culture also developed and lavished under this veil of social stability. While nationalism was growing in Germany and Europe in general, the nations fought to strengthen their borders and gain supremacy over land and sea. This period also saw the rise of religious tensions as different religions fought to become independent and individual entities. As Hunt states, â€Å"By 1914, the air was even more charged, with militant nationalism in the Balkan states and conflicts in domestic politics propelling Europeans toward mass destruction.†2 Ethic loyalty took precedence over nationalist feelings. The national leaders focused on maintaining their supremacy and sought war as the easiest and fastest solution to this tension, which they thought to be temporary. The undercurrent of militant nationalism became more forceful and the strengthening of the nation’s borders justified the growing spending on military advancements. The common man was riddled by this socio-economic situation and became a part of this struggle to maintain the strength of their nation. Ironically Art, literature and sports blossomed in the midst of

The Struggle for Black Equality in the History of United States Essay

The Struggle for Black Equality in the History of United States - Essay Example The Struggle for Black Equality in the History of United States Africans hitherto shipped into the country as slaves formed the indenture labor-force that neither qualified for the inalienable rights to â€Å"life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness† nor incorporated as a part of the â€Å"People of the United States†; a status that their white counterparts wholesomely assumed with the declaration of independence from the colonial masters, the British. Contrary to the great wisdom of the founding fathers putting their hands in the ark of history by framing the guiding principles, the constitution not only protected slavery, but also prescribed punitive treatment for those who dared to escape. Against a backdrop of a series of adversities along racial or gender distinctions, African Americans, subordinated by other groups facing similar fate, resorted to civil rights movements, nonviolent protests, pleas, legal court challenges as well as petitions to the government of the day to realize gradual improvement in equality and fundame ntal civil rights. Arguably, the extension of voting rights to the non-property-owning white laborers in the first half of the 19th century officially instigated the advocacy for equal treatment. Noting the power of mass movements, the development led to increased suppression of the agitated native Indians, demanding uplifting of their status, with a concurrent freedom cap on free blacks; a scenario that precipitated the only effective slave rebellion in US history, the Turner slave revolt of 1831.

Sudanese Girl Photography Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Sudanese Girl Photography - Essay Example It is in this regard that photography can be used to present real objects and events which cause responses among viewers that are analogous to the experience of the actual event as presented by the photograph. This photo plays a communicatory role and significance of trauma in the African soil which is caused by famine and the resultant poverty and disease which has left many dead including innocent children. Carter’s photo communicates effectively without any form of verbal mediation (Ryan, 2006). This is illustrated by the fact that there is no supplementary message to explain the events which occurred in a desert in Sudan. The photograph is imagery with a frail young child with an approaching vulture. The surrounding demonstrates a desert with all dryness which further reveals the desperate situation which innocent children on the African soils are facing (Wittliff, 2008). Even through Carter’s photograph has been described as artistic perfection, the social cultural and moral feelings which emanate from the work of art reveal a desperate situation which would have been prevented. It is in this regard that photographic communication is seen as a powerful tool which would communicate messages that cause psychological trauma and a sense of human desperation (Ryan, 2006). ... This photography was very important to the photographer and significant to an extent that the psychological trauma that it elicited caused him to commit suicide later on (Wittliff, 2008). This photograph has played a significant role in the portraying photography as a powerful work of art which if presented well can communicate volumes in the most effective and psychosocially stimulating. Mona Lisa Mona Lisa is a painting by Leonardo da Vinci which represents one of the most famous works of art in the world. This is demonstrated that the painting has been described as the most visited, viewed, written and sung about painting in the world (Lukehart, 2005). This painting presents a composition with monumental value. This is through the expression of the subject within the painting in the most enigmatic way and therefore attracting fascination and interest in da Vinci’s work or art by millions across the world. The talent which da Vinci illuminates with through this painting has sparkled mysteries and debates on Mona Lisa and as a result causing increased interest within the audience (Radan, 2009). The painting has been one of the greatest mysteries especially as pertaining to the identity of the subject. Additionally, the nature of the subject’s smile has caused mysteries and mixed thoughts. The painting is set within a mountainous landscape which illustrates the artist’s ability to resent heavily shaded model in the softest manner. The figure of the woman within the painting and her expression are the most significant feature of the painting. The expression of Mona Lisa has been described as being both aloof and alluring (Radan, 2009). This is the

Uses of Force Policy Essay Example for Free

Uses of Force Policy Essay Abstract Numerous authorized and program limitations control the use of force by law enforcement, starting with the 4th Amendment’s prevention against arbitrary searches and seizures and decentralizing downhill to state decrees and departmental guidelines that manage how and under what circumstances police officer may use force. In most police agencies at present, the use of force is closely regulated by guidelines, and more critical employments of force are evaluated and/or examined by directorial staffs or internal affairs sections. Whenever the law enforcement agency or a defendant uses force, there is a likelihood of harm. Until lately, a small amount was known concerning the incidence, reasons, or associates of force- linked damages. Over the previous few epochs, there have been progressions in preparation and knowledge with the purpose of decreasing the regularity and seriousness of injuries to the law enforcement agency and the community while sustaining the protected and real control over fighting accused. Along with use of force continuum the California Highway Patrol (CHP) has continuously had a well-made procedure concerning the use of force; nevertheless, the situations encompassing the Rodney King event triggered a reappraisal of this guidelines, for not merely the CHP, but also countless other police organizations all through the nation. Seventy-five percent of attackers who confrontation Highway Patrol officers depend on hands and feet. The CHP answer is practically always something other than a sidearm, at the beginning while use of a firearm is not prohibited if conditions command (California, 2013). Regrettably, the instructing simulants used by countless police departments introduce typical shoot / dont shoot circumstances that discount the more mainstream conflicts when a revolver is not a choice. The capability to neutralize or influence a condition before it achieves crisis is a vital ability needed for any police officer. The query for CHPs top administration was Can a preparation course be produced that exposes both an officers perception of procedure, and the ability to make the best selections in any category of circumstances where force may be mandatory? The Missouri Highway Patrol on the other hand has a progression of use of force. The General Order further states that when the use of force is authorized, officers should consider a progressive range of options for which they have been trained or equipped. Officers are not restricted to these options, nor must they use them in a particular sequence. Available options include: 1.â€Æ' Professional presence of the officer or a Patrol canine 2.â€Æ' Tactical communication including verbal dialogue, requests, instructions, and commands 3.â€Æ' Tire deflation devices, to encourage the safe stopping of fleeing vehicles 4.â€Æ' Physical force, which causes little or no pain, such as using empty hands 5.â€Æ' OC aerosol 6.â€Æ' Level I of the lateral vascular neck restraint and the shoulder pin restraint 7.â€Æ' Physical force, which causes moderate or greater pain 8.â€Æ' Chemical irritants such as tear gas, CN, and CS 9.â€Æ' Immediate force, including physical strikes, Levels II, and III of the lateral vascular neck restraint and the shoulder pin restraint 10.â€Æ' Strikes using an approved baton, contact by a Patrol canine, SERT beanbag rounds, and similar force impact 11.â€Æ' Deadly force. The General Order goes on to provide that the decision to use a firearm must be based on facts and the totality of circumstances known to the officer involved at the time (STATE CROWE v. MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL, 2005). The similarities in these use of force policies is that both states stress the use of alternatives in their use of force continuum. Both policies stressed the use of alternatives such as officer presence, verbal communication, nonlethal use of force, chemical munitions, and finally deadly force. Both states have remedial training each year on the updated version of use of force. The differences are substantial for example; California Highway Patrol uses high-tech versions and video scenarios to train their officers in the properties of alternatives to the use of force. Each scenario gets a number of alternatives and outcomes to that specific  scenario. On the other hand, Missouri have established General orders outline all stages and alternatives to the use of force. Even the nonlethal use of force can be very subjective over the years there has the meaning different devices used by law enforcement that were considered less than lethal. However, surveys have shown that even the ease less than lethal devices can prove to be very deadly in certain circumstances (Cole Gertz, 2013). While writing my use of force policy many considerations were taken into effect to generate the final product. Such as perception, public view, policy, and training. With regard to Perception, there is continuously an instant merit conclusion made concerning the suitability of the specific use of force. Good shooting versus bad shooting, for example. However, what of a state when an offender is shot in the back? Alternatively, no firearm is discovered on or nearby the offender? Every veteran officer recognizes these particulars unaccompanied are not developmental of the justifiability of the use of force, yet mass media, populace, and even several inside the organization will create the importance of the evidences. However, the community is frequently ignorant of the authentic permissible criteria related to the use of force. They are similarly uninformed of the instruction afforded to police officer on the use of force frequently depend on the expositions made by the mass media, whi ch has an enormous impact on the Perception point. Furthermore, public anxiety pre-existing anytime use of force is confront may aggravate an at present anxious condition. Policy what is frequently imply to as whichever the organization liberator or the evil spirit it did not recognize is the authentic guidelines, principles, and preparation that are in position. In its development and application, effective policy will protect the organization from legal responsibility. Terrible policy or no policy in position will be an understandable obstruction for the organization. Training that is in position is merely an issue of whether the procedure is adhering. Simply retaining a policy in position is not sufficient; it needs to be executed and obeyed. Preferably, the Policy and the Training should echo one another. Retaining a policy in position on the use of force and no training officials in the appropriate implementation of that policy can be the frontrunner to legal responsibility for an unauthorized policy by neglecting to train or to manage. These privileges may give development to a statement of premeditated apathy  against superintendents and the city, which is similar to claiming an unrecorded policy of unauthorized conduct. Use of force policy should have a ACHIEVE result, which is to say that the division supervisors must inform police officer of the policy, Teach police officer on the policy, and Train police officer on the policy. Glass use of force policy; Prior to a police officer authorization to carry department firearms, he/she will obtain trainings in the department guidelines, rules, and techniques regarding the use of force. Police officer obtaining this training must acceptably demonstrate a functioning understanding of the topic by way of realistic and written examination. The officer will use just those methods and abilities appropriate under the Glass Police Department and the Municipal Police Training Committee. A yearly evaluation and examination practice will be controlled and recognized by specialized firearms trainers concurring to the permitted training policy. An illustration of this use-of-force continuum is as followed: * Officer Presence No force is used. * The simple attendance of a police officer works to discourage corruption or verbose a circumstances. * Police officer approaches are professional and nonthreatening. * Verbalization — Force is not physical. * Police officer delivery composed, nonthreatening instructions, for example, Let me see your ID and registration. * Police officer may upsurge their degree and abbreviate instructions in an effort to increase obedience. Concise instructions may contain Stop, or Dont move. * Empty-Hand Control Police officer use physical force to increase influence of circumstances. * Soft technique. Police officer use grips holds and joint locks to detain a person. * Hard technique. Police officer use blows and kicks to detain a person. * Less-Lethal Methods Police officer use less-lethal knowledge to increase command of circumstances. * Blunt impact. Police officer may use a stick or rubber bullet to restrain a belligerent individual. * Chemical. Police officer may use chemical aerosols or shells entrenched with chemicals to detain a person. * Conducted Energy Devices (CEDs). Police officer may use CEDs to restrain a person. CEDs release a high-voltage, low-amperage shock of electricity at a gap. * Lethal Force Police officer use lethal arms to increase the command of circumstances. Should only be used if an accused postures a dangerous threat to the police officer or another person. * Police officer use deadly armaments such as weapons to halt a persons activities. The investigation of Officer Edward Smith, the police officer enmeshed with the scene of a discharging of a weapon or other event causing a death or critical injury of an individual occasioning from the activities or participation of a representative of the Glass Police Department. The police officer shall take actions that are rationally conceivable and suitable to defend their safety, the security of others, and to realm proof vital to the examination of the occurrence (Police, 2011). Safeguard facts from damage, obliteration, or harm that is possible to transpire before reinforcement can arrive. Safeguard that evidentiary articles are not relocated, note unique situation and place of individuals, firearms, and other pertinent matters and verification. Sheltered the location, create a boundary with crime scene tape, and regulate admission to approved individuals essential to investigate the event and help the injured. Document the persons name, addresses, and phone number of all eyewitnesses and other individuals at the scene and ask that they stay on hand in order to make a short declaration whether or not they observed the occurrence. Until supervisory, arrive and establishes a command center. The supervisor after taking control at the scene executes the following. Confirm that the police officer family is informed on a precedence foundation and personally if the police officer is injured. Send for Crime Scene Technicians to the scene. Certify that the attiring of police officer and other injured individuals is gathered for possible evidentiary resolutions and that connected gear of the police officer is protected. If the police officer is not injured, transport him/her away from  the middle of action escorted by another police officer. Safeguard the police officer (s) firearms as evidence. This shall be accomplished in as inconspicuous method as achievable and away from the direct scene. Confirm that the direct area is controlled and restrain any suspects within. Illustrate the scene and take picture as soon as probable. Uncover and secure in place if possible the police officers weapon(s) and ammo casings. Check the firearms of all police officer at the scene, for release and secure the firearm when indication of release is present. Find the accuseds firearm(s), ammunition and used cartridges (Police, 2011). Investigators responsibilities are to ensure that tasks itemized of this procedure have been properly and sufficiently accomplished. Obtain an overall update and walk-through by the controlling police officer concerning the situations encompassing the shooting/use of deadly force. Confirm that the general scene and evidentiary objects are photographed and recorded. Record all individuals’ current at the scene. Certify thorough examination of the scene and appropriate gathering of all articles and materials of evidentiary worth. Acquire taped testimonials from the accused. Find and detect eyewitnesses and perform preliminary tape-recorded questioning. Remove any firearm expended by the police officer(s) into care and control it as evidence. Weapons shall be removed from police officer in a detached method. Make contact with the medical examiner and be present at any autopsy of police officer and/or accused. Conclude entry and departure wounds, approximations of the firearms location, the existence of regulated materials in the decedents blood, or other linked evidence. Acquire search warrants as essential for examinations of cars, vessels, and residences. Complete an account specifying the conclusion of the investigation. The Chief of Police will organize the actions of replying superiors. The Chief of Police will decide the suitable time to publish the names of participating participants to the media. The Chief of Police shall begin an Internal Affairs investigation to be started in episodes resultant in death or life-threatening injury of a police officer or resident, occasioning from or in the implementation of the police officer functions (Police, 2011). References STATE CROWE v. MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL, No. WD 64374. (Missouri Court of Appeals,Western District. August 02, 2005). California, S. o. (2013). California Highway Patrol. Retrieved from http://www.chp.ca.gov/programs/fots.html Cole Gertz. (2013). The Criminal Justice System, Politics and Policies. Belmont, California: Wadsworth Cengage learning. Police, I. S. (2011, AUGUST 25). OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTINGS / LETHAL INCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS. Retrieved from http://www.icgov.org/site/CMSv2/File/police/generalOrders/genorder40.pdf

Improve Efficiency Essay Example for Free

Improve Efficiency Essay A very high percentage of the items selected (picked) in the distribution centers and re-stocked in the stores were in quantities of 1 case. This company’s roots were as a high volume, limited assortment retailer and distributor. Over time the business had shifted allowing the stores to reorder a higher mix of items at lower volumes. Given the companies market position as a low-price leader, this reduced profit margins. The two root causes of this shift were identified as: 1. Stock-keeping-unit (SKU) count growth outpacing sales growth, and 2. Allowing minimum order quantities from the stores to the distribution centers to drop to a quantity of one This white paper will study how this company quantified the impact of allowing its stores to order in one case quantity and then recalculated minimum order quantities for higher volume items. (For details of how SKUs were reduced see White Paper â€Å"SKU Reduction – Biggest SKLUsers†) A Supply Velocity Consultant led a team of employees through this 5 week project. The Supply Velocity consultant facilitated, but the employees did most of the analysis and therefore owned the improvements. [emailprotected] com Copyright: Supply Velocity, Inc. 2 Project Outline ? Evaluated all SKUs and the case quantity they are most frequently ordered at, to establish baseline data for how stores are ordering ? Time studied retail store shelf restocking and distribution center order selection labor to determine the negative labor productivity impact of the current ordering policy o Graphed the results in a trend chart o Determined that the greatest labor productivity improvement happens when the order quantity increases from just 1 to 2 cases ? Recalculated minimum order quantity for all items using Multi-Variable Pareto analysis based on: o Item unit movement o Pack-out (number of units that fit on the shelf space allocated in stores) o Shelf life ? About 20% of all SKUs had a re-calculated minimum order quantity greater than 1 case o The most conservative methods were used to ensure this project didn’t just push inventory out to stores, resulting in shrink (throwing away items that go beyond their shelf-life limit or are damaged) ? Communicated all items on the minimum order quantity to all stores through a comprehensive communication plan o Communication plan included data to show stores how increasing minimum order quantity on select items would improve their labor productivity ? Created a control plan to ensure new items, SKU reduction and sales history will be used to update the minimum order quantity on a twice yearly basis [emailprotected] com Copyright: Supply Velocity, Inc. 3 Time Study Analysis To quantify the problem, we time studied order selection in the distribution centers and shelf restocking in retail stores. We conducted a few snapshot analyses of different distribution centers to understand the current state of â€Å"order quantities†. The graph below shows that out of the approximately 2800 items, a majority are ordered in quantities of 1 case. The time study data also showed that the second case selected or stocked is essentially â€Å"free† and the same movement is used for two cases as for one case. At the outset of this project the team was worried that any increase in minimum order quantity would be viewed by store managers as an attempt to push inventory out from the distribution centers to the stores. This data showed that increasing minimum order quantity from one case to just two, gave us the greatest percentage of labor productivity improvement. However, we didn’t just want to increase all items to a 2 case minimum order quantity. Instead, a statistical tool, Multi-Variable Pareto was used to calculate the proper minimum order quantity based on a mix of inputs. [emailprotected] com Copyright: Supply Velocity, Inc. 4 Distribution Center Order Selection Quantity (# of items picked per quantity) 57% of the items in distribution centers were selected at a 1 case quantity [emailprotected] com Copyright: Supply Velocity, Inc. 5 â€Å"Time to Select per Case Quantity† in the Distribution Centers – Based on case count per selection When selecting 2 cases of a n item, the time per case drops by 45% from 1 case. [emailprotected] com Copyright: Supply Velocity, Inc. 6 Time to Re-Stock SKUs on Shelves in Stores – Based on case count When restocking 2 cases of an item, the time per case drops by 61% from 1 case. This shows that the greatest productivity improvement occurs when going from 1 to 2 cases, which is easier to â€Å"sell† to the stores than making large increases in minimum order quantity. They can reduce labor by 37 seconds per case by ordering and stocking 2 cases of an item versus 1. [emailprotected] com Copyright: Supply Velocity, Inc. 7 Multi Variable Pareto Analysis ? Recalculated minimum order quantity for all items using Multi-Variable Pareto analysis based on: o Item unit movement o Pack-out (number of units that fit on the shelf space allocated in stores) o Shelf life ? About 20% of all SKUs had a re-calculated minimum order quantity greater than 1 case o The most conservative methods were used to ensure this project didn’t just push inventory out to stores, resulting in shrink Multi-Variable Pareto is a method that uses more than one â€Å"measure† to sort SKUs from highest to lowest performing. Normal Pareto Analysis has been used to develop guidelines such as the 80/20 rule (20% of customers generate 80% of sales). When using multiple variables, there has to be a way to normalize the data so all variables are part of the analysis. We used three variables to determine the correct minimum order quantity for an item. ? Cases sold per week on average for each item ? The number of cases that fit in the given shelf space ? Product shelf-life Each of these variables are positively correlated to Minimum Order Quantity. ? The higher the cases sold equals higher Order Quantity ? The greater the shelf space (pack-out) equals higher Order Quantity ? The longer the item’s shelf-life equals higher Order Quantity The team of subject matter experts used retail experience to determine each of these factors and their impact on minimum order quantity. Results of this analysis are shown below. The calculation was very conservative, as the results have shown. Only 466 of 2800 items have a minimum order quantity greater than 1 case. This was largely driven by two factors. Item shelf-life limited our ability to make any shelf-life sensitive item greater than 1 case. Our calculation took this limiting factor into account, to ensure we weren’t causing shrink (throwing away items that go beyond their shelf-life limit or are damaged) at the stores. In addition, lower case movement drove many items to a 1 case minimum, even if they didn’t have shelf life limitations. The lower case movement is due to SKU proliferation and was addressed by the SKU Reduction (Biggest SKLUsers) project. [emailprotected] com Copyright: Supply Velocity, Inc. 8 Results of Minimum Order Quantity Calculation [emailprotected] om Copyright: Supply Velocity, Inc. 9 Communication Control Plan ? Communicated with all retail stores about how the minimum order quantity analysis was conducted and the resulting new plan o Communication plan included data to show stores that increasing minimum order quantity on select items would improve their labor productivity ? Created a control plan so new items, SKU reduction and sales history will update the minimum order quantity on a twice yearly basis It was critical that this project was presented as a positive for our retail store-customers. We created a communication plan that showed two key aspects of this change: ? The conservative nature of the change o only 466 of 2800 items are receiving a minimum order quantity increase ? This change is good for the stores and will improve their labor productivity To ensure that this process endures and does not get reversed over time we included a control plan. This is shown in the graphic below. As Category Marketing Managers evaluate items, adding and reducing SKUs, changes will be reflected in new pack-out quantities. This quantity will get fed to Distribution Technology who will recalculate this items’ minimum order quantity using the same Multi-Variable Pareto calculation. A control group, made up of Merchandising, Distribution and Retail Directors will review the list, make changes in the ordering system and communicate changes to store customers. [emailprotected] com Copyright: Supply Velocity, Inc. 10 Results By taking the higher sales volume SKUs and increasing the store minimum order quantity, we decreased the time per case to stock shelves in the stores and select items in the distribution centers. Using only the 1 to 2 case increase in minimum order quantity for the 466 SKUs reduced the labor time per case resulting in a labor savings of $1. 2 million. The expectation for this process is to slowly grow the number items with a minimum order quantity greater than 1 case beyond 20%. By rationalizing and reducing SKUs we should increase the shelf pack-out of remaining items, thereby increasing the minimum order quantity.

Types of Communication Barriers

Types of Communication Barriers Communication is the process of transferring information and meaning between senders and receivers using one or more written, oral, visual or electronic channels. The essence of communication is sharing-providing data, information and insights in an exchange that benefits both you and the people whom you are communicating (Bovee and Thill, Excellence in Business Communication, Ninth Edition, 2011). Effective communication helps businesses in numerous ways. These benefits include: Stronger decision making based on reliable, timely information. Faster problem solving- less time is spent on understanding problems and more time is spent on creating solutions. Communication barriers can interfere with or block the message you are trying to send. Managers should: Recognise the barriers to communication which prevent messages being sent and received successfully Develop communication skills to overcome these barriers. Types of communication barriers There are many different factors that can create barriers to effective communication. Language barriers Language barriers occur when people do not speak the same language, or do not have the same level of ability in a language. However, barriers can also occur when people are speaking the same language. Sometimes barriers occur when we use inappropriate levels of language (too formal or informal) or we use jargon or slang which is not understood by one or more of the people communicating. Often the situation in which the conversation is taking place, and whether or not people have prior experience of the matter being discussed, can also contribute to such barriers being formed. Overcoming language barriers Remember that preparation is an important part of communication. Think about: who you are communicating with what their language needs may be. Using visuals (photographs, drawings, diagrams and so on) can help to overcome language barriers as can using appropriate non-verbal communication. Be aware, however, that different situations and different cultures (including workplace cultures) have varying interpretations of non-verbal communication. What is acceptable in one culture may be offensive in another. What is clear to you may not be clear to others: a nod for ‘yes’ may not mean the same thing in another country! See ‘Take care with gestures’ in Section 2 for more examples. The quality of your voice is also important for clear communication. Be sure to speak with appropriate volume for the situation and use clear diction. Listening actively to other people and letting them know that you are listening (nodding, asking questions etc) is an excellent way to overcome language barriers. Conversational bad habits There are many bad habits we can have in conversation: Sometimes we judge the other person by criticising them, calling them names or diagnosing them (for example, ‘you’re stupid’ or ‘you are only saying that because you know you should have spent more time on it’). Another bad habit is sending solutions to the other by threatening, moralising, asking too many questions or advising them. For example, ‘You should apologise.’ ‘If I were you†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢. Another common, but very negative, conversational habit is avoiding the other person’s concerns by changing the subject, offering a ‘logical ‘ argument or reassuring the person, ‘It’ll be ok. The same happened to a friend of mine†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ Often people just want you to listen. Prejudging helps no one. People have the right to make mistakes. In the workplace, the important thing is to get the job done and to help each other to do this. Sending solutions may not always be your business and will often not be appreciated. People must make their own decisions. We often reassure the person because we are embarrassed about facing others’ emotions. Cultural awareness Communicating with people of different cultures and backgrounds means becoming aware of the differences in values, beliefs and attitudes that people hold. Empathy is important for overcoming barriers to communication based on culture. Empathy means sensing the feelings and attitudes of others as if we had experienced them personally. There is a common expression that describes how you can develop empathy: ‘You need to walk a mile in another person’s shoes’. There are many techniques involved in creating empathy. We can try: respecting other’s feelings and attitudes using active listening skills encouraging involvement of others by asking questions while respecting personal privacy using open body language and an encouraging vocal tone taking other people’s fears and concerns into consideration. refraining from giving unsolicited advice. not blaming, instead working towards a solution. Environmental barriers Not all barriers to communication are caused by people. There are many environmental factors affecting the effective communication process. Messages can be blocked by environmental factors, such as the physical setting or the situation where communication takes place. Managing environmental factors Here are some points to help you manage environmental factors for effective communication when in teams. Team meeting rooms should be cool but not cold. A warm room makes participants sleepy; a cold room can make them very unhappy! Make sure that the environment is comfortable and secure. People need to feel safe before they will listen or offer suggestions. Check that nothing behind or near the team member will cause distraction (for example, activity seen through an open window or door; a television screen). Turn off your mobile phone when you are communicating with other people. Wait until machinery (or any other distracting noise) is turned off before you even try to communicate. If this is not possible, move to a quieter location. Use accepted format in any written communication (letters, memorandums and reports) and, if it’s important, check with someone beforehand that they can understand it. As a communicator, you need to think about what are the potential and real environmental barriers in your workplace or community Bias, generalisations and stereotyping These behaviours can cause communication barriers. Having these attitudes and not confronting them is not just wrong, it’s bad for business. In the workplace, such attitudes can cost the organisation time and money. Stereotyping occurs when you assume you know something about a person because of their cultural or social background. Your views may come from a bias you may have against a particular behaviour, appearance, possession or even a particular geographical area. An example of generalisation is where you know one person from a particular background and then generalise that all people from that background are the same. Your situation, appearance and behaviour may contribute to other people’s stereotyped views. This could contribute to communication breakdown. Learn to treat everyone as an individual. You will open up the channels for communication and overcome the barriers based on discrimination.