Mgt/311 Motivational Plan

University of Phoenix Material Employee Portfolio: Motivation Action Plan Determine the motivational strategy or strategies that would likely be most appropriate for each of your three employees on basis of their individual characteristics. Indicate how you would leverage their employee evaluations to motivate each of the three employees. Describe one or more of the motivational theories and explain how the theories connect to each of your selected motivational strategies. Team Member Name |Summary of Individual Characteristics |Motivational Strategy and Action Plan |Relevant Theory | | | | | | | |Hard worker |Management training program |Give recognition to Charles for completing tasks | |Charles Fletcher |Dedicated |Promotions |on time and successfully. | |Willingness to help others |Pay raises and bonus |Keep him focused on training so he may be | | |Always available | |promoted quickly | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |Tom McGraw |Talkative |Warning to talk less |Tom needs challe nges to keep him interested and | | |Hard working |Tasks that challenge him |not become bored. | |Team player |Benefits |He does like to talk so placing him in positions | | | |Employee Stock Option Plan |that will allow him to help others may have a | | | | |positive outcome | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |Mike Eaglin |Enjoys his job |Need to convince his present manager that Mike needs to be |Mike needs a new position or area to work so he | | |Needs more of a challenge |placed in a new area so he can feel challenged. |will not become bored and will feel challenged. | |Hard worker |Benefits |Training him in different areas will not only | | |Dedicated |Employee Stock Option Plan |benefit him but will also benefit the company. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

A Rose for Emily and Society in the Eyes of William Faulkner Essay

William Faulkner is truly a remarkable writer. By writing a very short story about a spinster, he shows how society’s moral fiber can hinder the progress of a community. In â€Å"A Rose for Emily,† the author chooses to reveal the growth of a town by using strong characterization, vivid settings and plot development.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Faulkner’s protagonist, Emily Grierson, is the ideal symbol of how the moral fiber of a person can stunt growth. Brought up believing that she was part of high society, Miss Emily’s character showed, through her perspectives, that she is not one to partake in its progress. She did not renovate her house which used to be stylish in its own decade and was very out of place among the â€Å"garages and cotton gins† (Faulkner par. 2) that signified community progress. She refused to put the metal number and mailbox when the postal service was upgraded – also a symbol that she refused to be a part of the society where she belonged. She also gave china-painting lessons, an art form that had long been considered a part of history and very traditional. Faulkner also brilliantly shows that aside from being stubborn about accepting modernization, Miss Emily’s refusal to move on symbolizes the way people can hinder societal growth with their beliefs or behavior. Her refusal to accept her father’s death even after three days when the man passed away shows how her character clings desperately to the past for sanity and stability. The way she had poisoned Homer Barron is symbolic of how holding on to the past can be fatal to progress. She knew that her sweetheart was going to leave her and if this happens, she would not only lose the love she desperately wanted but also the pride that she upheld as a â€Å"Grierson.† Murdering Homer, also considerably a symbol of modernization because of his job as a foreman for a construction company killed Emily’s chances of developing into a better person. Although the author prefers to focus the story on Miss Emily’s character, he also shows how other people’s attitudes toward each other can slacken the pace of progress. William Faulkner enhances this theme well by using other characters in the story to show how the moral fiber of the town slows down its development.   Judge Stevens stuck to his gentlemanly ways when neighbors complained about the foul smell coming from Emily’s house. His reply, â€Å"will you accuse a lady to her face of smelling bad?† (Faulkner 24) showed that he would rather keep his ethical beliefs than solve a crisis in the community. Col. Sartoris, Emily’s reason for not paying taxes, symbolizes how the past can block any attempt in financial development as well. The silence of the Negro housekeeper Emily relied on for years also strengthens the contention that one’s moral beliefs can hinder the truth from coming out for too long.   The Negro is a symbol of moral oppression because of the way that society used to treat his race. Because the community would not listen to a black man, he chose to be silent and this caused a great delay in the revelation of what was true. Faulkner’s Narrator also voices out the different perspectives of people about Miss Emily.   Believing that she should not behave in certain ways kept them from realizing what was truly happening to the woman. By making Emily the center of gossip and many misinterpretations, the community did not fully develop and did not learn of the truth until it was too late.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   By using descriptions of many other items to contrast progress and decay, the author masterfully develops the theme. Aside from the houses, the clothes that the town people wore in Miss Emily’s funeral were considered traditional despite the fact that they were already living in the lap of modern society. The â€Å"yellow-wheeled buggy† (Faulkner 30) on which Emily and Homer drove around the neighborhood also symbolizes how she had almost let go of her morals because of her love for the man. The buggy was colored yellow, a strikingly vibrant color compared to the blacks and whites associated in almost every description of Miss Emily. Her shortened hair after her father’s burial also signifies that her life had been cut   by her failure to accept that life needs to move on. The description of how she was discovered dead with her â€Å"head propped on a pillow yellow and moldy with age† (Faulkner par. 54) again reiterates that she had let the future slip away by clinging on to her memories instead of moving on.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   More items and descriptions included in the setting also prove to strengthen Faulkner’s theme about progress. Miss Emily’s depiction as an old fat lady â€Å"bloated like a body long submerged in motionless water, and of that pallid hue,† supports the idea that her character had already died emotionally and spiritually because she did not move on with her life. The â€Å"invisible watch ticking† (Faulkner par. 7) symbolizes how time can only delay the revelation of the truth but cannot completely hide it from coming out. The foul smell of Homer’s body being secretly kept also supports the concept that decay cannot be withheld despite the proud front that Emily was showing the public.   The skeleton on the bed that had already stuck to the sheets further intensifies the theme that the holding on to the past can be fatal.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Faulkner’s plot development shines through a unique style of narration that not only shows his creativity but also helps support the theme of slow progress development.   The author uses a distinctive way of telling the story by going back and forth from the past to the present and in between events.   By doing so, Faulkner shows that the past keeps meddling with the present events. Instead of letting readers understand the story as it develops based on a flowing timeline, he uses past incidents and thoughts propping up in every part of the story to explain how Miss Emily’s character decayed with her stubbornness to cling to her yesteryears and beliefs. This style is symbolic of how handing on to memories can slacken the pace of knowing the truth and attaining full development.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   William Faulkner is a very brilliant writer who maximizes every detail of a short story to impose a theme on his audience. The behavior of the strong characters relays his message concretely.   The settings of the story provide many symbolic items that move the readers to understand the plot and theme very well.   Above all, his narrative style of retelling a story is exceptional and unifies the theme to all the other elements of his writing.   Miss Emily truly deserves a rose but William Faulkner merits the applause.

Innovative E-Businesses Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Innovative E-Businesses - Essay Example The businesses services can be reached out of borders. The world has transformed into a global village and everyone has equal chances of accessibility to the services and products provided online. There are many e-businesses that have gained a sound reputation on the basis of their innovative strategies and internet related businesses processes. The businesses working online are many in number such as Google.com, Amazon.com, Wikipedia.org, Macromedia.com, Sourceforge.net, Postcast.com, Morgagebundles.com, Esure.com, Ebay.com and many more. This paper investigates four e-businesses in terms of their innovative strategies, business procedures and future strategies. The e-businesses included in this paper are Wikipedia.org, Sourceforge.net, Esure.com and Podcast.com. Wikipedia.org is an innovative e-business that is very successful online as we can see the website so often while searching any content online. Wikipedia is a free encyclopaedia that accommodates the internet users with all kind of information that is available online. The business has a wide range of content availability and is accessed by millions of people on monthly basis (Wikipedia 2009). The business allows the participation of the users in the improvement and betterment of the published content. The users are allowed to edit the content if they find anything wrong or erroneous. According to Wikipedia, Wikipedia is an offshoot of Nupedia, which allowed only the qualified writers to contribute their work online with the company but the content contribution was quite sluggish (Wikipedia 2009). However, with the foundation of Wikipedia, the content contribution improved to an extensive extent. Now, thousands of people contribute their knowledge with Wikipedia and the readers of Wikipedia on daily basis. The content that is published gains perfection and reliability with the passage of time as people discuss over it, edit it continuously and make it more reliable with their continuous efforts (Wikipedia 2009). User participation is a bold step taken by the organization and is one of the innovative strategies adopted by the organization. For writing articles voluntarily, the users are not restricted to have certain age limits or qualifications. Anyone can contribute in this writing encyclopaedia. Any information or content that is substandard or erroneous by any means is removed. The website is accessed all over the world due to which, it can be used by multicultural and multilingual people. By keeping this fact into mind, the organization has adopted an innovative strategy of provision of content in many languages due to which, it is liked to a great extent by people of different origins, cultures and speaking different languages. All the content available on Wikipedia can be seen in more than two sixty languages that is not a negligible total (Wikipedia 2009). Wikipedia is accessed daily for accessing and sharing knowledge. The content that is published on Wikipedia is interlinked or cross referenced (Wikipedia 2009). While reading the content displayed on Wikipedia, the users can find many links in between that take them to more descriptions regarding the content items. Wikipedia is a rich resource of information and content that accommodates its users to be writers, editors, readers and knowledge sharers. Wikipedia is

Concept Analysis Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Concept Analysis - Assignment Example This article is geared towards analyzing the nursing concept of â€Å"patient centered care. In this case, the article will focus on explaining various items that pertains to this concept o as to put it in better perspectives for easier applicability. When analyzing this concept, the article will lay more emphasis on various nursing theories on which this concept is enshrined. These theories include the normative decision theory, need theory, interactive theory and humanistic theory. The aim of this concept analysis is to relate the nursing concept of patient centered care with various theories of nursing. This is important because the students and researchers will be able to get important information relating to various needs that patients have. Further, the article is important as it describes the significance of prioritizing the patients in all decisions made in a health care system. The first definition of Patient-Centered Care was given by Kinyua (2013) as the one takes place when the nurse and the entire health care sector recognizes the patient as the source of control and decision making and full partner in providing coordinated and compassionate care based on respect and honor for the patient’s needs, preferences, and value. In this case, the author declared that the most important step in establishing a patient-centered care is by engaging the patient body in making important decisions. In this case, policies that are adopted by the management should be the one that are geared toward enabling a better environment for medical and nursing care provision. Further, Kinyua (2013) argues that the concept of Patient-Centered Care has been ignored for a very long time because of the capitalist nature of our societies. In this case, many nursing facilities are more concerned with making more money in the expense of providing quality healthcare services. to reverse this and to be more

System Change Request Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

System Change Request - Essay Example The program will ensure that the system operate efficiently and provide quality services to customers. Ideally, the system will enhance delivery of services in the accounting department that is charged with the responsibility to administer cash transactions (Stair & Reynolds, 2010). Change request is significant for transformation management process since it sets appropriate signaling elements that report evident defects and operating gaps that may compromise quality in service delivery. Imperatively, change request emanate from the problem reports that are presented by users or signaling software’s. This is evident at Hill school where the change process of the billing system emanated from the user. The management was concerned on the operating capacity of the existing system and its efficiency. As stated, the school is in need of a system that is integrated with strong control software’s, effective and upholds high security standard to enhance the processing of the va st amount of data that they hold. Elements of the change process include customer ID, the change type, indication of the requirement or optional nature of the change process and change abstract. ... The emergency request seeks for contingency measures that may not need comprehensive planning. The main aim of the stage is to restore the operations of the system. Sensitive request is another priority stage that deals with identification of essential processes that the system cannot operate without. This ensures that the central elements in a system are well integrated to eradicate inferior execution of activities. System document request SDR from the users is another significant process in identifying the need for change within the operating system. This element states that system users have a crucial role in ensuring effective functionality of the infrastructural set up that they administer. Change request also originate from the events in the development of the system (Stair & Reynolds, 2010). That is the complications that are encountered at the time of implementation may lead to change of strategy during the integration process to facilitate quality in service delivery. Normal request is the last stage that deals with the implementation of ordinary needs. These are the needs that facilitate the effectiveness of the system. Evidently, Hillside school should integrate the new billing system in consideration to SCR priority based procedure. This is to enhance the functionality of the infrastructure by establishing and providing timely solutions to the evident problems presented by the users. Justification Change request is a credible project administration process that advances workflow and effectiveness of service delivery. The approach ensures superior operation of the infrastructural set ups that institutions use to coordinate activities through detailed identification and reporting of defects. This is critical since the

People Capability Maturity Model Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

People Capability Maturity Model - Research Paper Example The long-term success of an organization entirely depends upon its success in the talent market. These days talent market is dwindling rapidly with expansion in business market. Due to lack of talent some organizations have started offering incentives to ordinary employees that were once offered to talented and 0ld employees. The challenges related to talent hunt are extended further than recruiting and retention. At the very time competing for hiring talented people is not sufficient. Because trying hard to win just talent war can be harmful for the organization. A homogeneous balance between business and talent war is the golden key to success. Organizations must make every effort to develop a healthy learning environment so that the entire workforce keeps on refreshing their skills with changing demands of the market. A very vital constituent of any organization is a labor force having knowledge and skills to make rapid modifications and ability to get hold of new skills. Such a r esponsive workforce is a great asset for an organization. Organizations have stabbed to adapt different techniques to improve human capital. To achieve a better human capital management system most of the organizations came up with different ideas like getting better ways of information sharing, arranging interactive workshops for employees, highlighting the mission and vision statements of organization, practicing downsizing, founding attractive incentive policies, launching complaint handling system, conducting various seminars and conferences to throw light on importance of training and continuous learning for employees, supporting the unique concept of job rotation, giving employees the relaxation to work from home and conducting regular training session. What many corporations require is a framework to implement these wonderful ideas. Now trends are changing rapidly in market. These changing trends have affected workforce badly. The scenario in business is totally opposite now that’s why in order to keep pace with these changing trends employees need to enhance their knowledge and skills constantly. This is the war of talent and employees have to try hard to win this war. Doers must be thinkers, people are the real assets for any organization, workforce is actually the investment, centralized decisions, continuous struggle for improvements and centralized network are some of the advanced concepts in business. Since people are now the real asset for any organization so in order to hire and maintain talented workforce its inevitable to follow a strategy that could help an organization to address the problems being faced by the workforce. The organizations have to focus on three interconnected components i.e. people, process and technology. With the help of People Capability Maturity Model many organizations have made excellent improvements in their products and services. The People CMM is an organizational change model. It is based on the fact that w orkforce training practices won’t endure until and unless organization changes its behavior to support them. The People CMM presents a plan for renovating an organization by gradually civilizing its labor force practices. The People CMM consists of five evolutionary stages, at every maturity level; a new structure of practices is added to already implemented at previous levels. Each superimposition of practices elevates the level of

Planning for a changing countryside Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Planning for a changing countryside - Essay Example e in rural areas enjoying significantly higher incomes than urban areas.In many ways the rural economies have been developing along the same lines as the urban economies. A rural area can be defined to be an area that has a few population. The collection of people and activities in this area is limited, hence making it to be the total opposite of an urban centre or economy (NATO Advanced Research Workshop on the Role of Biodiversity Conservation in the Transition to Rural Sustainability, & LIGHT, 2004, 96). Therefore when discussing the rural economy of England, we are going to look at the less densely populated areas which is believed to have few economic activities being carried on. The key drivers of economic growth in regionalised rural economies in England are numerous. The first key driver of economic growth in the region is farming. In spite of the known fact that farming nowadays does not form the backbone of rural economies, to some extent it still matters in the regionalised rural areas. This is because most farmers have been advised to use new technologies while farming different products and this has encouraged a lot of farmers to practice farming in the region. Farming in the rural economy of England has led to development of farming industry in different areas around the country. With the growth of an industry, economic activities within the region are promoted as individuals find themselves interacting through such things like trade (GREAT BRITAIN. 2006, 202). Moreover, farming has also encouraged the government to formulate policies which guarantees citizens the future of food even in difficult situations. The polices formulated have worked along way in ensuring that both the food and farming industry functions as one, therefore assuring the citizens of the supply of food chain within the society. In addition, farmers have also been advised by the government and other parties concerned on the best practices to select when competing in a highly

Legal System of Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Legal System of Business - Essay Example The most common ADR methods are mediation and arbitration; however several other methods are available including: negotiations through facilitation; neutral evaluation; conciliation; summary jury trial; mini trial; neutral evaluation; judicial referee; and others (Goldberg, Green, & Sanders, 1985). In this instance, preparing an ADR clause that can be used by the learning team to resolve potential disagreements among team members requires an agreement on a complete definition of an ADR clause. Perhaps the most consistent and concise definition of ADR identifies it as a "procedure for settling disputes by means other than litigation; e.g., by arbitration, mediation, or minitrials" (Law Encyclopedia, 1998). Additionally, it is important that the clause make both business and legal sense, and include components that will avoid significant procedural issues or needless parameters that restrict the resolution process. In structuring the Alternative Dispute Resolution clause specific to this assignment, the goal was to be concise keeping needless complexity out of the resolution clause, including the necessary elements that demonstrate a clear understanding of the process to be used, but avoiding statements that may encourage disputes in its utilization (Aibel & Friedman, 1996).

Management Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 5

Management - Assignment Example Effective information cycles aid the public in improving the quality of goods and services provided when they feedback from the public. The feedback portrays the level of satisfaction among users of the firm’s commodities. Informing the public is a constitutional affair that the law looks into. This is because the firms and the public are in contract agreements most times. Involving the public in firm activity not only helps in providing quality production of commodities, it also creates security networks for the firms. Firms that involve the public in their activities gain a substantial amount of confidence in their customers and develop consumer loyalties with them. Firms can involve the public in their activities by allowing them to use their facilities friendly rates that are subsidized or without paying for them at all. Such facilities like the gymnasium, public halls and fields. Firms should also provide employment to the public without bias to create better relations with its

Bowling for Columbine Is Not a Documentary Essay Example for Free

Bowling for Columbine Is Not a Documentary Essay Michael Moore’s ‘Bowling for Columbine’, the film which won an Oscar for best documentary, is not in fact a documentary, but rather more of a persuasive essay in film format. The widely accepted definition of ‘documentary’ is a film emphasizing or expressing things as perceived without distortion of personal feelings, insertion of fictional matter, and minimal editting, and ‘Bowling for Columbine’ does not show any of these characteristics. Instead of presenting a neutral view of the issues, it is clearly biased and purposely manipulates the viewers into agreeing with Moore’s opinions. In the process, Moore frequently uses incorrect statistics and information. In some cases fabricated evidence is also inserted. Documentaries should have close to no editing of the evidence, however in some cases Moore uses sly editing techniques to deceive the viewers. A prominent example of this can be seen in Charlton Heston’s speech. It appears as though the NRA president is holding protest rallies in response to the gun related incidents in Columbine and Flint Michigan, holding a musket up and proclaiming â€Å"I have only five words for you: ‘from my cold dead hands’† whilst the crowd cheers. Moore makes a point of cutting from scenes of heartbroken victims to Heston’s ‘arrogant’ speeches. The purpose of this is to demonize Heston, and also all the members of the NRA. He wants the audience to perceive all gun lovers as heartless, selfish monsters. However on closer observation, it turns out Moore simply grabbed segments from Heston’s former speeches, splicing them together to form a new one, completely different from what the president had intended. Documentaries are meant to lay out the truth, whilst here the film has morphed the truth into a lie instead. Going back to the definition, Bowling for Columbine again falls short of being a documentary through it’s failure to include only correct, factual evidence. Moore chooses to use incorrect ‘facts’; the national gun murder statistics that seem abnormally high are sourced from the National Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, and is a combination of gun related and non gun related incidents, so is therefore irrelevant to what the documentary was trying to say. The rockets shown in the Lockheed Martin sequences and being driven though the streets of Littleton in the night are in fact space launch vehicles, not weapons of mass destruction as Moore claims. These facts, false in nature, are again put there to distort the truth and make the viewers believe that things are more horrifying than they actually are, so that they are more susceptible to Moore’s mental manipulation. One of the fundamentals of a documentary is that it must present facts, and obviously â€Å"Bowling for Columbine† has not fulfilled that requirement. Throughout â€Å"Bowling for Columbine†, Moore presents an extremely biased view of events. Moore does everything in his power to manipulate viewers into see things from his eyes. Many are many persuasive techniques are used to achieve this. The film horrifies the audience with confronting scenes from the 9/11 attacks and the Columbine shooting. ‘A Brief History of America’ makes people see Americans as cowardly and pathetic. Charlton Heston’s ‘speech’ angers the audience and makes them turn against gun lovers. There are many more examples, however the point is that documentaries should be neutral and informative, yet the film actively tries to force the viewers to a narrow-minded conclusion. In summary, although â€Å"Bowling for Columbine† may be a creative persuasive film, it is most certainly not a documentary. Not only does the film fail to adhere in any way to the definition of a traditional documentary, it largely utilises deceptive techniques to push Moore’s artificial and contrived point of view.

Reckitt Benckiser plc

Reckitt Benckiser plc History In 1814 Jeremiah Colman begins milling flour and mustard in Norwich, UK. Jeremiah then diversifies in the mid-century into starch, wheat flour and laundry blue. Johann A. Benckiser founded Benckiser in 1823 from industrial chemicals. Isaac Reckitt rented and then later bought a starch mill in hull in 1848. He diversified into other household products and became the owner of starch, washing blue and black lead for polishing. After his death his four sons took his place. Then in 1888 Reckitt Sons was first launched on the London Stock Exchange. Reckitt Sons merged with J J Colman to become Reckitt Colman Ltd in 1938 and then finally in 1999 Reckitt Colman plc and Benckiser N.V. merged to become Reckitt Benckiser plc The worlds no. 1 in house hold cleaning. Introduction Reckitt Benckiser plc is a United Kingdom based company which was formed with the merger of Reckitt Colman, plc. and Benckiser N.V. Reckitt Benckiser Inc. manufactures markets and sells household, cleaning and specialty food products in North America. These products include LYSOL ® cleaners and disinfectants, RESOLVE ® cleaners, SPRAYNWASH ® laundry stain removers and FRENCHS ® mustard. Reckitt Benckiser plc is one of the worlds leading manufacturers of cleaning products and a member of the FTSE 100 index of the largest companies traded on the London Stock Exchange. It is headquartered in the town of Slough just to the west of Greater London. Reckitt Benckiser has operations in more than sixty countries and sells its products in more than 180 countries. Turnover for the year to 31 December 2004 was  £ 3,871 million. Profits before tax were  £770 million, and net profits were  £586 million. The company focuses on high margin products and has shown strong growth in earnings per share in recent years. At 31 August 2005, it had a market capitalisation of  £12.4 billion. Vision and Future Strategy According to Reckitt Benckiser, â€Å"We are a truly global company with a consumer- oriented vision, with operations in 60 countries, sales in 180 countries and et revenues in excess of  £4 billion† The vision is to passionately deliver better solutions in household cleaning and health, personal care of the ultimate purpose of creating shareholders value. Reckitt Benckiser has an exciting future where the people and the companys brands can continue to deliver profitable growth to the benefit of employees and shareholders. The main strategy is to focus on household cleaning, to maintain a clear strategy for profitable top line growth, plan and define the program for improved financial returns and to develop a strong focused team. The organisations vision is also to keep delivering better products to consumers that improve their lives at crucial moments and specially to drive sales growth through focus and constant innovation while optimising costs to expand margins and profi ts. Way of working in Reckitt Benckiser is open and direct. Nothing is sacred. Thats the way they have built market leading brands across the world. They challenge each other in an open and direct way, sharing ideas, solutions and best practice. They hire people who recognize the need to beat the competition every time but who understand that the competition doesnt include their colleagues. They look for diverse characters that spark off each other, are creative and generate fresh thinking. Environmental Analysis Reckitt Benckiser is dedicated to running its business in a responsible, environmentally sound and sustainable manner. It is recognized that Reckitts processes and products have both direct and indirect environmental impacts. v Political and Legal Business decisions are also influenced by political and legal forces, which determine the rules by which business is conducted. Political forces play a major role in international markets, where decisions by government can often have profound implications for companies. [David Jobber 2nd Edition] Political action, then, in the form of legislation and less formal directives, can have a profound influence on business conduct. Reckitt and Benckiser perhaps more than any organisation reacts to the political and legal situations. Spread in 60 countries Reckitt and Benckiser has to take care of different policies and government laws in each of the different country. [Policy Reports 2006] The household and health personal care industry is heavily regulated by, inter alia, the European Union, the United States government and individual country governments elsewhere. Ingredients, manufacturing standards, labour standards, product safety, marketing and advertising claims are all subject to d etailed and developing regulation. Reckitt and Benckiser publish its annual financial statements in sterling but conducts business in many foreign currencies. As a result, it is subject to foreign currency exchange risk due to the effects that exchange rate movements have on the translation of the results and the underlying net assets of its foreign subsidiaries. v Ecological Reckitt and Benckiser has a real commitment of running their business in a responsible, environmentally sound and sustainable manner. The strategy is to realise the opportunities and manage the risks that arise from the environmental impacts of the business in order to achieve continuous improvement in our environmental performance and progress towards environmental sustainability. Its is a new project of the business to plant more than two million trees in over 15 square kilometres of new forests and to make more than 8 billion products which will be produces globally from ‘carbon neutral. [Simeon Goldstien 2007] v Technological Reckitt and Benckiser is increasingly building a business that they can be proud of. The products and the business are a force for good in the world. This includes powerful and developing track record on sustainability through initiatives such as the Trees for Change programme on carbon reduction, or the ‘reduce energy and water programme on automatic dishwashing. The business is planning to get more of the recent available technologies in order to improve production methods of the company that will later result into higher sale and our brand will be able to compete other brands available in the market. In 2006 our factory commissioned the Companys first solar panel which is working alongside the highly efficient Combined Heat and Power energy plant. Another plant was setup in South Korea at Reckitt and Benckiser factory iksan. Renewable energy is helping the organization to meet and exceed their target of a 20 % reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from out manufacturing energy use by 2010. [Accounts : 2006] v Social Reckitt Benckiser recognises its accountability to the community in which it operates and seeks to actively support and enrich these communities. Our community involvement policy sets out the broad principles through which we support community work throughout our operations. Our annual newsletter on our community involvement demonstrates how we are turning these principles into action and making There should be a positive contribution to the societies in which we live and work. Reckitt Benckiser continues to invest over  £1 million per year towards projects that really make a difference to people in the communities in which we operate around the world. As well as the company providing much needed financial support, our people also give unselfishly of their time on a range of projects that assist those who can benefit from some help and support. v Economical The un-audited financial information is prepared in accordance with the Listing Rules of the Financial Services Authority and on the basis of the IFRS accounting policies that the Directors intend to use in the 2006 annual report. This basis is subject to amendment by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). The Directors have chosen not to early adopt International Accounting Standard 34: Interim Financial Reporting (IAS 34). Consequently the financial information in this interim report is not presented in accordance with IAS 34. This consolidated financial information has been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of financial assets and liabilities at fair value through the Group income statement subject to the Groups hedge accounting policies. The results and net assets of the Groups subsidiary in Zimbabwe have been excluded from the consolidated Group results. This is on the basis that the Group does not consider the Zimbabwean business to be a subsidiary due to the loss of power to govern the financial and operating policies of the Zimbabwean business and to the restrictions on remitting funds out of the country. Results for 2005 (half and full year) and 2006 half year, and the balance sheets as at 30 June 2005, 31 December 2005 and 30 June 2006, were insignificant. Risks The Companys new product pipeline may not generate consumer- relevant innovation and improvement to fuel growth and build market shares. There are possibilities that management turnover might significantly increase. Another possibility that information technology systems may be disrupted or may fail, despite the companys disaster recovery processes, interfering with the Companys ability to conduct its business. Customers, mainly large retailers, may decide to de-list the Companys brands, or not participate in the active promotion of the brands through in-store programmes. Product Quality Safety is very essential and failures in product quality controls could potentially lead to damage to the reputation of and trust in the Companys brands. Most product and raw material supply chains present a number of potential reputation risks relating to labour standards, raw material sourcing, and the social, ethical and environmental performance of the third party manufacturers and suppliers. There should be effective recruitment process in order to attract the best from the market. They should introduce compensation program to retain the valued employees by market competitive salary, incentives, bonuses and protective programs. Training programs are very essential in all type of business; they should carry out training to the employees for continuous development of employee skills. Recommendations The following recommendations have been recommended after a thorough analysis of the Environment: Decision making at Reckitt Benckiser should be decentralized. On company platform each department is involved in decisions related to products. For example in case of new product launch, cost department determines the cost of new product, marketing department decides if it can sell the product at the given price. Suppliers are involved if they can provide the raw materials for the new product and distributors are involved to effectively distribute the product. Thus each department is involved but participation of the finance department is fundamental because if the cost calculated for the new product is too high accounting department would give the critical decision of not launching the product no matter how innovative the initial idea was. Conclusion Based on the strength of the business they expect net revenue growth for the full year of around 15% at constant exchange (base  £4,179m) and are upgrading their targeted adjusted net income growth (base  £653m) to 14%, at actual exchange. Net revenues grew 18% (15% constant) to  £2,386m. The underlying business (excluding BHI) grew 8% (6% constant). †¢ BHI contributed net revenues of  £204m. Restructuring costs for the BHI acquisition were  £57m. †¢ Operating profit as reported increased 6% to  £367m. Operating profit before restructuring charges increased 23% to  £424m. †¢ Net income as reported was 3% lower at  £261m. Earnings per share for the period were 1% lower at 35.5 pence. Net income before restructuring increased 13% to  £303m. EPS diluted, before restructuring grew 15% to 41.2p. †¢ Cash generated from operations increased 30% to  £616m. Net borrowings at the half year were  £795m. †¢ The interim dividend will be increased 14% to 20.5 pence per share and the Company is committed to its  £300m share buyback program this year. [Annual Report 2006] List of References Accounts 2006 http://www.reckittbenckiser.com/Sites/annual_report_2006/site/alternate/rb_txt_changeit.html Policy Reports 2006 http://www.reckittbenckiser.com/RBTemplates/CorporateResponsibilityReports.aspx?pageid=262 David Jobber, Principles of Marketing, Second Edition. Business and Human rights http://www.business-humanrights.org/Categories/Individualcompanies/R/ReckittBenckiser Simeon Goldstien 2007 http://www.packagingnews.co.uk/news/764320/Reckitt-Benckiser-combat-consumer-carbon-use/ [Word Count: 1,911]

Missile Defense :: essays research papers

â€Å"Star Wars† was an idea for the future. It was an idea that was set into motion by Ronald Regan and at the time seemed almost like an impossibility. That future is now. Now what seemed impossible is possible with today’s technology and the technology to come in the upcoming years. George W. Bush is quickly picking up with where Ronald Regan left off. There is a plan in affect for a Missile Defense System. This system will be capable of shooting down ballistic missiles, that have been launched by another state or actor, that are directed at the United States or its allies. However, with this plan for Missile Defense that George W. Bush is pushing for comes great international hostility. Many of the other states are asking the US to stop this project. However though this opposition the President is pushing on, not allowing other counties to compel him to change his mind. The Missile Defense project however controversial it may be on the national and international sc ale must go on for the sake of the security of our nation.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ever since 1950’s the United States has been trying to pursue a ballistic missile system. In that time with the limited technology that was possessed it was not possible to produce an effective defense missile system. However now technology is available to gives to several different options to a missile defense. To understand with these options are we must first understand what missile defense is. Right now the United States is currently developing several components for a missile defense system. The idea this system is to take out in coming ballistic missiles. This system is used to protect the United States and its allies from ballistic missiles launched by other states or terrorist groups. There are three types missile defense that United States is currently working on to defend America and its allies. The first of these is a ground-based system. This system is called the ground-based interceptor. Plans are already in action have them built in the North Dakota in Alaska. The National Missile Defense is heading this system up. The Ground-Based Interceptors’, or GBI mission is to intercept incoming ballistic missiles outside the Earth's atmosphere and destroy them solely by the impact of the missile. The GBI will carry no explosives on it of any kind. It will take out the ballistic missile solely by its speed.

Presentation of Black Characters in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee :: Free Essay Writer

Presentation of Black Characters in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee ‘To kill a Mockingbird’ is a story by Harper Lee. It is about Racial Segregation and the supernatural, it is based in a time and in a place that was very racist, where people put White trash above good black people. It is based in Maycomb, (It is a small town created by Harper lee the author of the book. In the book it describes the town as small and old, and it says the day seems more than 24 hours because everything moves slower there. This town is actually based on the author’s hometown, Monroeville, Alabama.) Alabama, in the 1930’s. This essay will discuss to you about all the main black characters in ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ and how they are presented in this story, it will be focusing mainly on the following black characters: Tom Robinson (the man who is on trial in this story.), Calpurnia and Reverend Sykes. I will also talk about how the book was based in the depression, and how in that time, the blacks were good law-abiding people, but yet they were still treated as second class citizens. In the story Calpurnia or ‘Cal’ is presented as a very intelligent black person, she is educated (she can read) for one, and she is a good person at heart as well, and also she has Atticus’s respect. And also as we see in the book she leads an almost ‘double life’ when she is among the Finch family and other white people she speaks proper English, but when she is among her own people she speaks using a lot of slang and cuts words short. for example: sure enough, she says sho’ nuf’. She is also the mother of Zeebo; a full grown man who is married and reads out the sermons at church. She also acts as a motherly figure in (as she is always there; she cooks for the Finch family.) Scout’s life and they have a love-hate relationship, until scout starts school, and then it eases a little. In an argument with Aunt Alexandra, Atticus also insists that Calpurnia is part of the family. Also in the story is Tom Robinson he is presented as a good person with a pure heart, he is a sharecropper on a cotton farm, and each day on his way home he passes the Ewell household, I believe he is also brave because he accepted his fate; all human beings must die sooner or later, not many people I know would accept that. He also has his

Health and Wellness

Health and Wellness Ronnie Corley, Travis Jackson, Tiny Elmore Sci/163 April 4, 2013 Dr. Wytisha S. Carter Health and Wellness Health and wellness are both major parts in our lives. Although health and wellness are keys in living a long life, a lot of people are ill, have unhealthy habits, are obese, and are out of shape. Three top elements of health and wellness we would like to increase in society would have to be exercise, eating healthy, and health awareness. Exercise is a good way to keep your body moving.There are many different types of exercises that work out many parts of the body such as push-ups, which works out your arms, and sit-ups, which works out your abdomen. Exercise is very good for working out the heart. Eating healthy should be number one, because if you exercise and don’t eat right, then you could possibly be canceling out your exercise with all of the excess calories that you are putting into your body. Eating healthy things, such as fruits and vegetable s in a balanced diet can really make a difference in the long run.Look at it like this, when you are younger, your parents use to tell you eat your vegetables and drink your milk so you can grow big and strong. Well as a young adult, you are still growing where old cells are diminishing, and you need fuel to continue this process. That’s what these different vitamins and nutrients are for. If you are not aware of your health or health hazards, it’s time to aware yourself. You have to be mindful of what you put in your body. Have you ever heard of the saying, â€Å"you are what you eat? For example, if you eat a bunch of sugary foods, then you will get a quick sugar rush, and later on crash and feel lazy. But if you eat a serving of fruit, vegetable, and a couple more healthy choices, you will feel more energized and aware of your day. It is also a good idea to get frequent check-ups and physicals. This will let you know how your health is from a professional, and what better way to find out than from someone who went to school for it. Nutrition and fitness should stay an active part of our lives until we either pass away, or are disabled and can’t do task as fitness exercises.You can always get nutrition, whether it’s from food, all the way to pills and injections if needed. The best thing to do to stay fit while you are young is to get up and move. It is good to do at least one group of intermediate exercise a day, at least three to four times a week for twenty to thirty minutes. This allows your body to build muscle and maintain the muscle. Everyone is at risk for some type of illness or disease in their lifestyle. Three major chronic diseases are cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.Chronic diseases are no joke, but there are many ways and strategies to help you in preventing your chances and risk of a chronic disease. There are many types of cancers, such as lung cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer in males, and ovari an cancer in females. Lung cancer is a big one and its biggest factor is smoking. Smoke in tobacco products produce a tar-like substance, that when inhaled, can leave pieces of tar behind when you exhale. You can look at your lungs sort of like a filter system in your body that filters oxygen in and carbon-dioxide out.Now you have taken the liberty of adding carbon-monoxide to the filter, which kills, or cancels out oxygen. Over time this blackens the lungs and increases your chances of all types of cancer such as, liver cancer, and caner of the throat and mouth. Some cancer is hereditary and can’t be avoided, but lowering your risk can be the split between life and death. Diabetes is a very common chronic disease for both younger and older people. There’s type one, type two, and gestational diabetes which effects pregnant women.Diabetes is sometimes called the silent killer, because you will not know you have it until you are diagnosed. Diabetes is associated with hig h levels of glucose in the body. Blood glucose is essential for the proper functioning of brain cells. High and low levels can lead to central nervous symptoms such as dizziness, confusion, weakness and tremors. Strategies that you could use to try and prevent diabetes are eating healthy foods that don’t have a lot of sugars in them, seeing that one of the most main causes of diabetes is eating foods high and fat and glucose.Exercise always helps, so try staying active also. Diabetes can also be inherited, so it’s best to do all that you can to prevent it, in case it is a big problem in your family. Cardiovascular disease is also called heart disease. It is diagnosed when a substance called plaque builds up in the arteries. The buildup narrows the arteries, making it harder for blood to flow through. If a blood clot forms, it can stop the blood flow, which can cause a heart attack. Risk for cardiovascular disease is significantly high for people who are obese and smoke rs.If you are a smoker, then you can start reducing your risk as soon as you decide to quit. You increase your risk of cardiovascular disease as soon as you smoke a cigarette; it takes about fifteen years to fully reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease if you have smoked a cigarette. If you are obese a good way to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease is to put yourself on a well-balanced diet, and an effective exercise plan. This will reduce fatty tissues in the body, which in return can reduce your risk for the cardiovascular disease. It is essential to remember to eat healthy and don’t cheat on your diet.Also a good exercise could consist of anywhere between beginners to intense exercise at least three days a week, for twenty to forty minutes. There are many things about chronic diseases that we can’t change, such as heredity and environmental standpoints that would have too big of an effect in some way if changed. Take cigarettes for example. If the govern ment were to make cigarettes illegal, there would be many people who wouldn’t be able to take cope with kind of information. With that being said, the government will not make cigarettes illegal, knowing the fact that it kills and maims thousands of people every year.Our immune system is what keeps us intact and away from these harmful diseases that the world has unleashed on us. It is our defense mechanism for all of our systems organs and cells. We have to take precautionary steps on the latter of health and wellness. Try to stay away from mostly things that are tobacco products, anything that has too many calories, and of course anything that’s illegal might not be good for you. Exercising and eating healthy is the sure fire way to keep your immune healthy and functioning as it should. ReferencesAmerican Heart Association (January 01, 2012) What is Cardiovascular Disease Retrieved from http:// www. heart. org/HEARTORG/Caregiver/Resources/whatsisCardiovascularDisease /What-is-Cardiovascular-Disease_UCM_30185_Article. jsp American Heart Association (January 01, 2012) Prevention and Treatment of Heart Attack Retrieved from http:// www. heart. org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HeartAttack/Prevention-and-treatment-of-Heart-Attack_UCM_002042_Article. jsp Jane Kelly, M. D (January 04, 2013). Diabetes Retrieved from http:// www. cdc. gov/media/presskits/aahd/diabetes. pdf Steven Edelman, M. D (August 12, 2008).What Is The Difference Between Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes? Retrieved from http:// www. abcnews. go. com/Health/DiabetesOverview/story? id=3843306#. UVuHDFfvuk1 The American Nurses Association (December 18, 2012) Home Environmental Health Risk Retrieved from http:// http://www. nursingworld. org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/TableofContents/Volume122007/No2May07/HomeEnvironmentalHealthRisks. html U. S Department of Health and Human Services (September 06, 2012) Environmental Health Retrieved from http:// http://www. healthyp eople. gov/2020/topicsobjectives2020/overview. aspx? topicid=12

Current Issues in Visual Arts Education Essay

Reading has always been a part of my life. So do playing. Play in the sense of enjoying our life. What I hate most is formality, a life exist without freedom. Then I combined these two interests into one, to study about something fun, and can benefit others too. The study of literature has consumed most of my waking moments. Of course, I have done other things, but the more I have explored the more connections I see between the written page and the world in which I live in. How I realize I am the same with others, too. I think I am master enough naming and knowing the Malay traditional games that exist till now, but I am wrong. The daily games like ram-ram rip, rangkai-rangkai periuk, da da ko, cak lerang benang emas, tebang-tebang tebuk, ting-ting gula batu is already alien to me while I am searching the literature. However, the more I learn, the more I realize what I do not know. Actually, my thesis writing was under supervision of one kind-hearted professor of my school, which was under Research Methodology subject that I took last semester. She really influenced me in guiding the do and don’t in thesis writing. Her positive comments often play in my minds and always keep me awake. It is such a reflection to me. Although reflections are difficult to look into because we see what was lacking and what was missing, but I always feel relieved and more focused after seeking her advises. On the other hand, nothing could be more valuable. I have constructed this paper to reflect a dynamic process in writing my thesis. That is when I write a paper, it is not necessary I should be sitting in front of my computer, but rather I have to jot down what are appears in my mind on a piece of paper, otherwise it should left undone anywhere it could be. Hence, looking back at saved articles and references has often inspired me to expand upon an idea in completing the thesis writing. Thus, I have included list of articles for references, followed by the more polished works that have grown out them, with minimal faultlessly. I hope so. Statement of Research Problem and Research Objectives The reason why I as a researcher, trying to dig the problem of Malay traditional games because I realize that these games has been disappearing in our Malaysian community. As we know, Malaysian’s strong sense of community is reflected in many of their traditional games and pastimes. With the multicultural Malaysia, the traditional games especially among the Malays developed over a period of many centuries in the wake of important cultural influences. Some of the oldest surviving Malay traditional games like the real congkak and wau bulan still exist, but it is hardly to find one while newly developed games consoles explore brand new gaming style nowadays. Consciously or not, by the 80th era the existence of Malay traditional games is already faded out . For some concerns, traditional game augmentation aims at adding new value and playful features to a traditional game with keeping its original looks-and feel (Yamabe, Iwata, Shichinohe, and Nakajima) is the best way to keep the originality from disappear especially from the eyes of the new generation. I still remember my lists of childhood’s games. But have we ever thought that our children ever experience sitting in a circle on a wooden hut near paddy field to play batu seremban? Do they manage to collect every players shoe to build a cone-like shoe pyramid while playing tuju kasut? Or hiding under a huge tree near the bushes and get bitten by army of ants while playing aci sembunyi or hide and seek? Children are missing out of the benefits of traditional games that their parents and grandparents played in their childhood (Casbergue and Kieff ). More children are engaged in solitary games such as computer games, portable play station and other high-tech portable devices such as iPad. With the changes of time, many of the traditional games cherished by generations have their own history. Sometimes we are not even care where does it come from, including me. If I am not the researcher of this study, I think I don’t even bother about the history of congkak. The game of congkak, for example, is a mancala game of Malay origin where the oldest mancala game boards were found in a ruined fort of Roman Egypt and date back to the 4th century AD. There are frequent references to the game of marbles in Roman literature; precursors to modern-day marbles, spheres or flint, stone or baked clay have been found in archaeological sites around the world. Another popular traditional games, playing kites or ‘wau’ is believed to have been derived from the Arabic letter ‘wau’, because the shape of the wings resemble the outline of that particular Arabic letter. Of course as we played the traditional games, we were totally unaware of their long traditions. Especially for young children, they were simply having fun the same with generations before us without noticing the important part of inner value; preserving the games for the future. Traditional games are very significant in Malay cultural heritage. When we talk about something traditionally, at the same time it will reflect the culture. They reflect the ingenuity and resourcefulness of Malay forefathers in creating their own games by using inexpensive materials for their pastimes and recreations. These indigenous games are fun, and developing strong social skills among children. Lack of exposures from early ages of the children will affects the identity and originality of the traditional games. Nevertheless, future generation have no chances to explore the games if most of these traditional games faded out. According to (Akbari, Abdoli and Shafizadeh, pg. 123-129), traditional games have humanity and cultural values, beliefs translate by these from one lineage to other. These games were forgotten as a result of industrialization in recent years. As the thesis writing is upon completion of masters degree in education field, I tried to look at the issue from the angle of Malaysian education system. The implementation of traditional games into the syllabus is still lacking except for the Physical and Health Education subject specifically in primary schools. Furthermore, only a small part being inserted into the Preschool Curriculum under the thematic subject, Tunjang Kesihatan dan Kecergasan. These games, although simple, have cultural and social value and encourage children to exercise their ingenuity, especially in fostering team spirit in school and in the neighborhood. Three years back, I was a preschool teacher in my school. While doing this thesis, it jogs my memory when teaching the kids. Seriously, they were very excited at that time when I asked them to play galah panjang and baling getah. And as usual, they were asking me to play the same games the next day. Another interesting experience to share was during teacher’s day celebration in 2012. Both teachers and students were requested to compete in galah panjang games at that day. The best part was female need to wear kain batik while the male will wear kain pelekat. Everyone was having so much fun. Thus, I came out with the idea in order to preserving the true identity of Malay traditional games towards the students. I hereby conducted a case study research to implement the effects of applying Malay traditional games in the classroom for a group selection of primary school students. The application of these games wills actually results into the cognitive skills and the learning styles of students, also in teaching and learning environment in the classroom. As a result, I make the case that educational games can impact in the developing world. Significance and Limitation of the Study I am not suggesting that these games should replace existing explicit teaching strategies or supplant instructional time. My concerns are to improvise the teaching and learning style in our education by applying a new fun and interesting method while learning. The children are most likely to have peer interactions without teachers input by learning about the culture of childhood from their peers, not their parents or teachers. According to (Casbergue and Kieff), making traditional games available in the classroom could give children the opportunity to develop intellectual and physical skills within a supportive environment. An important void in the existing research literature would also be filled. This fact alone makes this research very significant. In addition, we have to remember that social skills are culturally based. Therefore, it is important for teachers to understand and be sensitive to the culturally based behaviors of students and use a variety of activities to foster acceptance of individual differences. They also can show students how to play ethnic games and encourage students to play in groups (Church, Gottschalk and Leddy). The study will then shows the importance of preserving the original identity of Malay traditional games from faded out. One of the goals of this both quantitative and qualitative research is to study the process of playing Malay traditional games and number of repetition within a certain period. I know that is important to note that the name and process may vary from one practices to another, as many version of games rules and how-to-play version, which could not be controlled by me. Sometimes, it may create confusedness among players. Brief Review on Malay Traditional Games People may see that traditional game is a simple thing, but actually traditional games are valuable elements of a culture. Their inventions show how creative the humans are, a combination with high imagination. It is such a precious heritage to be preserved and imply with the history of its creation. Furthermore, it is hard to find the true inventors of the games and how it is evolved. I have never thought who are the one created konda-kondi, tuju kasut and dam aji. This kind of heritage is a basis where a human group funds its identity, its projects for the future, its memory, its history, its fears, its desires. When people lose this untouchable, fragile fragment of their culture, then they will lose their reason for living, their past and their future (Civallero). Traditional games are a sort of intangible cultural heritage with its richness of Malay cultural values and ethics. Normally, the original version of traditional games had been manipulated by the oral from one to another. This effects the exaggeration of the true identity of traditional games itself. Traditional Malay games usually require craft skills and manual dexterity and can be traced their origins since the days of Melaka Sultanate. Sepak raga and kite flying are among traditional games that were mentioned in the Malay Annals being played by nobilities and royalties of the Malay Sultanate (Ooi). I think we should discuss on few numbers of existing Malay traditional games surround us. Firstly is ‘Dam Impit’. The purpose of this game is for players to test their expertise and brains to collect as many as opponent’s dam and getting close to opponent side of the dam’s table. Playing Dam Impit helps the player to sharpen their thinking skills, capable to develop their patience and discipline among the players (Nasarah and Nasarah). Children can play this game on free time. Adults also make this game as their spare time hobby. Secondly is Cuit Bintik. It is a very fun game to play. In certain places they call this game as Orang Ganjil Kena Cuit. The rules of the game is whoever had been touched by others at certain part of the body need to become the ‘toucher’ while holding their particular part of body and chasing for the next victim (Nasarah and Nasarah). According to (Nasarah and Nasarah ), Jarum Mas is one type of recreational game, not in a form of competition. Players can enjoy the game with one of the main character in the game as the ghost or ‘hantu’. The role of ‘hantu’ is to look after the treasures in the drawn circle. Player who had been caught by ‘hantu’ will become the next ‘hantu’ and the game will be repeated over again. For me, this one is a very interesting game to play. The game represents the culture of sending kuih to neighbors that has always been a practice to Malay people since a very long time ago. Traditionally, the kuih was made by the mother or the family members during Ramadhan or fasting month for break fast. In the research by (Nasarah and Nasarah), there is a game called ‘hantar kuih’ , often play by the boys at night of the fasting month. The game is plays for the whole month, consisting two groups A and B. The group will send the kuih secretly with name taken and wrote in a piece of paper. Whoever had been caught by the opponent will lose. By the end of the month, all players will forgive one another during Hari Raya. This kind of game test the level of children’s speed from chasing by other players and how to avoid themselves from been caught by enemies. (Nasarah & Nasarah) said players who had been touched by the chaser need to sit squat until just one player left. The sitting playing is considered as died, and the only one player left will be the winner. The Malays also have a variant of Mancala board games known as Congkak Lubang Sepuluh or Congkak Lubang Dua Puluh. The game is played by moving stones, marbles, beads or shells around a wooden board consisting of twelve or more holes. At my time, my friends and me often play using marbles. Traditionally, (Nasarah & Nasarah) said the real ambience to play congkak is on the ground with players wearing sarungs. The function of wearing sarungs are much easier for the players to collect marbles to put in Rumah Ibu. Rumah Ibu is the two big holes dig on the ground with optional numbers of Lubang Rumah Anak. I ever had this kind of experiences during my childhood. The ambience playing under our wooden house was really incredible and amazing. At this time, I don’t know that congkak has a different name too. Historically, mancala or congkak is acknowledged as the oldest game in the world, with variety versions of playing rules depending on the culture of the player. Its origin is traced from Ancient Egypt. As the game dispersed around the globe, every culture has invented its own variation including the Malays. It is common to assume that digital games are something of a new phenomenon. In fact, historians on digs and discover of ancient records all over the world have been able to blow this assumption right out of the water. Many of the forms of traditional games that we see today have been around the centuries, even as earlier since ancient Egypt. Time passes as well as the traditional ways of gaming for the children. As they keep themselves entertained, the generation of video consoles and touch screen are now at the forefront (Boyajian). Nowadays, highly advanced gadgets packed the markets and as time goes by, they are becoming more and more advanced. If once upon a time, the traditional games still can easily be seen played by village boys and girls, in rural or sub urban area. Rarely now, the situation are not the same when the village boys and girls are exposed to technology, to suit with the changes of era. So, where are the traditional games for the Malays? I often asking myself about this, and sometimes I asked my circle of friends, family whereby why it is hard to find one now? Are they also aware of it? Are they realizing the disappearance of our one of the most valuable cultural values too? Just like ‘the evolution’ of society was imagined as a one-way transformation from tradition to modernity (Eichberg). Yes, we can’t deny modernization, but must the tradition being abandoned? Perhaps, not. Research Methodology and Analysis My real concern about the study is actually to investigate the Malay traditional games practices in classroom. The research methodology chosen for this study contain a number of selected gaming activities in classroom, loosely based on the research written by four researchers from different universities under the same disciplines. (1)Matthew Kam (Human-Computer interaction Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, USA, (2) Akhil Mathur and (3) Anuj Kumar both from Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Information and Communication Technology, Gujarat, India, and (4) John Canny (Computer Science Division and Berkeley Institute of Design, University of California, Berkeley, USA. The title of the study is ‘Designing Digital Games for Rural Children: A Study of Traditional Village Games in India. This is the best article I’ve found to assist me in writing this study, as it’s quite hard to find related scholarly articles or journals about the study. Again, I am not to design a game, but I am investigating the appropriateness either the implementation of Malay traditional games in classroom is suitable to be applied during teaching and learning or not, in any subjects not specifically in Visual Art Education subject. Conducting the study means that I am finding the best methods and relevant ideas for teachers to apply it in classrooms. Mixed method of quantitative and qualitative case study approach is used for the investigation. The intention of this study is to exemplary the research methodology adopted for the study, which is a case study design. According to Merriam states that case study is â€Å"often the best methodology when understanding is sought in order to improve practice† (as cited in Zeyad ). Case study investigations â€Å"can explain the reason for a problem, the background of a situation, what happened and why†. A case study designed is employed to gain an in-depth understanding of the situation and meaning for those involved. The interest is in discovery rather than confirmation (as cited in Zeyad ). At the first place, I thought descriptive design is the best and safer way for doing research, but after gone through few steps ahead my research, I found that case study is the best to carry mine. Besides exemplary the case research done by (Kam et. al ), I also had conducted a preliminary investigation called pilot study as well as the literature survey. The pilot study is pointed to the process of inducting theory using case studies- from specifying the research questions to reaching closure. Besides carried out as a trial study, this pilot study also assisted me in testing the feasibility, reliability and validity of the design. I then selected a number of samples to carry out the pre-test, or in easier words to play the Malay traditional games inside a classroom before the actual investigation is done. I then used the information gathered in pilot studies to refine or improve my research or evaluation procedure being piloted before it is used on a larger scale. This internal pilot study was established through a variety of ways (1) I had approached school directly via headmaster or teachers or management itself to seek permission on conducting the small scale research internally, (2)I had work ‘in partnership’ with the students and interested teachers in contributing to the research, and (3)I drew on personal and professional contacts to set up projects with colleagues who are already aware of game-based learning specifically in traditional and digital ways. Clearly, implementing a game in a teaching and learning session is risky. Either the learning objectives can be achieved or it can be left undone. To design a game that combining a traditional game and completely match the understanding of students while playing, good data collection methods will be more culturally meaningful to rural students. Although I am not designing the game, but at least I am already have in my mind that traditional games might not be playing in traditional ways only, but we can suit with the current modernization. It just how creative the teachers’ are, to add up some spice in their teaching methods. I conducted an initial focus group interview for the student during the pilot study. I asked the participants to recall the everyday games that they love to play for us to videotape. I got a tremendous response from the participants saying their favorite everyday games, including both traditional and digital games. From the feedback, I hypothesized that they still know the Malay traditional games is still exist. I then conducted four methods of data collections which are (1) combination of semi-structured and unstructured interviews, (2) participant observation, (3) follow-up questionnaires and (4) collection of documents with the participants. All gathered information will be recorded for transcribing in data analysis. By using the different methods of data collections, a cross check data will assist in interpretation of data gathered later. Generally for semi-structured and unstructured interview, close-ended and open-ended questions will be asked in order to allow the participants to create options for responding on the current research topic. Participants can also voice their experiences and perspectives on the research area without boundary. They are free to talk and voice out their opinion in order to make the session is more fun, interactive and meaningful. The participant observation will allow me to role as the participant observer during the activities being held. But the observational roles can be changed later to suit with the activities conducted. Additional data came from the participant’s responses to follow-up questionnaires developed specifically to obtain answers to new questions raised after the initial interview data had been analyzed. These follow-up questionnaires were also used to clarify initial answers and verify interview findings. Public and private records will be a good source of text data in assisting the study. Permission was obtained before using the documents.

Marketing Communications

Introduction Some of the aspects that characterize the present-day business environment include its increasing dynamism, volatility and uncertainty. This poses challenges for businesses that are rigid and not well prepared to change with the transformations in the market (Williamson et al., 2013). On the other hand, it creates opportunities for companies that have the capability of implementing necessary changes that will make them remain relevant to their target markets. Some of the main areas that have been changing in organizations in recent years include management and communication styles, organizational structures, approaches to marketing and the utilization of technology in different departments within organizations (Shimp & Andrews, 2013; Diefenbach & Todnem, 2012). This paper intends to address several issues that relate to the changes and developments taking place in the business environment. It presents an analysis or opportunities and threats that companies like Yahoo and Google face in relation to the rapid technological advancements. It also addresses the appropriate communication approaches that companies should use to facilitate internal and external communication and the communication mix that is used at Apple to market itself to its target clients. In relation to this, the report presents an analysis of a communication campaign used by Nike, a leading sports’ equipment and apparel manufactures in the UK, to establish how effective it is in attaining its marketing objectives. Opportunities and Threats for Google and Yahoo in regard to rapid technological changes Google and Yahoo are some of the well renowned internet-based companies that offer search engine and e-mail services to a wide range of users. Both companies also deal in software development. Based on the services and products offered by these companies, they are directly affected by technological advancements, especially in the ICT sector (Segev & Ahituv, 2010). The opportunities and threat s that these advancements expose the companies to are discussed in this section. Opportunities There are several opportunities presented to these companies as a result of technological advancement. One of these is that it provides a wide range of avenues through which the companies can communicate with their clients and vice versa (Hundal & Grover, 2012). It also provides increased avenues through which the companies can market their products. Technological advancements in the ICT sector across the globe have also led to an increase in internet accessibility. For Yahoo and Google, an increase in internet accessibility provides an opportunity for them to earn more revenue through advertisements (Shih et al., 2013). This is because they are among the most visited websites internationally. Google is ranked as the most visited website, while Yahoo is ranked the fourth (Alexa, 2014). Being business oriented, technological advancement will also make it possible for them to market their products and services to a wider market base through strategic marketing communication strategies. It also provides an opportunity for them to launch e-commerce strategies, which are cost-effective for the company and convenient for clients. Among the advancements that have taken place is the development and increased use of smartphones (Persaud & Azhar, 2012). Given that both companies deal in software development, it provides an opportunity for them to create revenue from developing applications that can be used on these devices. Google has effectively taken advantage of this advancement and has developed the Android operating system (Gandhewar & Sheikh, 2011). The fact that its operating system is compatible with many mobile devices like manufactured by different companies like Samsung and LG increases its usability. With the growing number of global populations using smartphones, the company has a lot to benefit as Android is among the top smartphone operating systems (Butler, 2011). Threats With the increase in the technological advancements in the market, these companies are also exposed to a range of threats (Lovelock & Wirtz, 2011). One of these is the increase in competition from other companies that provide the same products and services. With internet companies like Twitter and Facebook having a growing number of users, they provide a threat for Yahoo and Google in terms advertising revenues (Lagrosen & Josefsson, 2011). There is also a possibility of other internet based companies coming up to provide stiffer competition. In the software business, Google’s Android operating system faces a threat from Apple’s iOS, if it decides to adjust it and make it compatible to other devices (Butler, 2011). Other technology companies may also come up with more innovative products and better marketing approaches than Google and Yahoo, which might reduce their current market shares. Another threat that is associated with technological advancements is posed to the human resources of these companies. Employees face the risk of losing jobs because a wide range of jobs that were initially handled by people can now be done even better by machines (Lovelock & Wirtz, 2011). Even though this might come as a relief for these companies as they cut salary costs, the fact that these advancements may increase unemployment undermines the social responsibility efforts that these companies may have. The increase in technological advancements also increases the levels of cyber crime. Even though the systems of Yahoo and Google may be secure from this risk, given that they have measures in place to address this issue, clients who have opened email accounts with them may not be as secure. Hackers may gain access to their emails, obtain their personal information and use it against them. Even though such cases might occur as a result of low email security measures by the user, some of them tend to blame the email hosting companies like Yahoo or Google as being the reasons for their predicaments. As a result, this ruins the reputation of these companies. Communication at GoogleInternal and external communicationCommunication is among the aspects of a business that are paramount to its success. Internal communication refers to the passing of messages or information within the organization. This could be within the same department or interdepartmental communication (Wright, 2012). External communication refers to the communication that goes on between the organization and external stakeholders, who mainly comprise of customers. When carrying out internal communication, there are several factors that have to be considered. For instance, the messages ought to be confidential to avoid access from external parties. In this case, Google has a company intranet, which consists of an internal message board and email system (Goodman, 2006). This can only be accessed by company employees who have been allocated usernames and passwords. These channels of communications have been highly secured, making it impossible for an external party to access the information or messages passed. Internal communication in organizations also has to be effective and quick. For Google, this is facilitated by the fact that it has a horizontal communication structure. According to Butler (2010), horizontal or lateral communication is the free flow of information or messages across different functional groups in the organization. Employees and managers across all departments and employee levels at Google interact freely without any hierarchical boundaries (The Financial Express, 2005). This approach to communication enhances cooperation among employees and also quickens the process of resolving conflict. On the contrary, it reduces the authority of departmental heads in the organization. External communication is meant to promote products or services offered by the company, or to advertise its clients’ products to a wide range of customers (Wright, 2012). It can also be meant to engage with customers with the aim of making them feel like they are part of the organization. Depending on the aim that is to be met by external communication, there are several measures that can be used. One of the most effective tools that the company uses to accomplish this is through its website. Based on the fact that its website is the most visited in the world, there is a high level of surety that it will communicate to a wide audience (Segev & Ahituv, 2010). Even with the high number of visits on the company’s website, many customers who may be targeted by the messages might not be among the website visitors. Thus, another alternative option that the company uses is through sending e-mail messages directed to certain clients that could be interested in the goods or services of the company. In 2012, the company spent over $231 million in marketing its products, which include the Google+ social media platform, Gmail and the Google Chrome web browser (Efrati, 2012).Market communication theories relevant to the communication str ategyThere are several marketing communication theories that can be considered as being relevant to the communication strategies utilized at Google. One of these is the heightened appreciation model (Dahlen et al., 2010). It is based on the fact that companies need to carry out consumer market research to establish the key attribute that attracts consumers to a brand. Market communication strategies are then designed to link the identified attributes of the product or service to the brand (Fill & Hughes, 2013). For instance, in the advertisement of its Google+ service, the company is aware of the need for people to interact and share instant messages and videos on social media. Google then links this need in the market to Google+, encouraging more clients to subscribe. Another model that can be used to represent the market communication strategies at Google is the advertising exposure model. This model suggests that advertisement objectives can only be met if it created five effects to the target consumer (Fill & Hughes, 2013). These effects are; creation of awareness, conveying messages about the positive attributes of the products, generation of feelings among the target audiences towards the brand, creating a brand personality and triggering purchase intentions (Dahlen et al., 2010). This model also relates to the advertisement efforts that have been implemented by Google as it markets a wider range of its products. The AIDA model can also be used in explaining marketing communication. It is regarded as one of the oldest and most popular market communication models. This model states that there is a hierarchy of events that have to occur for a marketing communication strategy to be termed as having been successful. In chronological order, these are attention, interest, desire, and action. After the attention of the target clients have been drawn, marketers are required to raise their interest in the products or services being advertised through highlighting their advantages. After this has been done a sense of desire is created in the clients by providing them with the assurance that the products or services will satisfy their needs. This will trigger action from the buyer, which is demonstrated by making the purchase. At Google, this model has been widely used, especially when it spent approximately 231 million to market its products in 2012 (Efrati, 2012). However, this model has received criticism for being out-dated and irrelevant for the present market environment.The Communication Mix of AppleThe communication mix is referred to as the specific approaches that are used by companies to promote their services or products to their target customers. There are five elements that make up a communication mix. These are discounts and promotions, public relations, direct marketing communication, advertising and personal selling (Wright, 2012). At Apple, the marketing mix element that is mainly used is direct marketing communication. This approach involves interactive communication with the aim of seeking a certain response from the target audiences. With reference to the recent development at Apple when it was preparing to acquire PrimeSense, an Israeli 3D chip developer, it was vital for the company to inform its external and internal stakeholders or the impending acquisition (Velazco, 2013). Some of the approaches that the company could use to pass this information include direct email communication, social media interaction with its clients and through its website. The company has maintained a large customer data base that contains the contacts of its customers and other Apple stakeholders (Wright, 2012). This also makes it easy for the company to pass such vital information directly to its customers and other external stakeholders. Internal stakeholders, who mainly comprise of employees, can be formally informed through circulation of a memo or posting the message on internal communication platforms.Importance of Cross-functional communicationCross-functional communication is applicable within the organization. It is referred to as the communication among people from different departments or functional groups in the organization (Shimp & Andrews, 2013). The importance of cross-functional communication that is beneficial to Apple Inc is the fact that it enhances cooperation within the organization as different teams work towards attaining the same organizational goal. Encouraging cross functional communication also promotes awareness of whatever is taking place across the entire organization, which eliminates cases of ignorance of misinformation. Some of the challenges that are associated with ineffective cross-functional communication in organizations include the failure for members of certain departments in the organization to appreciate or recognise the contributions made by other departments (Diefenbach & Todnem, 2012). This may result to destructive rivalry that may affect the attainm ent of organizational goals adversely. In a scenario where Apple might plan to acquire another company, cross-functional communication enables all the departments to be equally ready for any changes or additional responsibilities that may arise after the acquisition (Diefenbach & Todnem, 2012).Analysis of an integrated Marketing communications campaignMarketing communication campaigns are defined as strategies that are implemented by organizations with the aim of increasing market awareness about their products or services. This is usually with the aim of increasing the purchasing intentions of the target audience. According to (Bergemann & Bonatti, 2011), ideal integrated marketing communication strategies effectively coordinate all product promotional messages to ensure that they are all consistent. This section presents a market communication campaign that was launched by Nike, a company that deals in the manufacture and distribution of sports equipment (Nike, 2014). The marketin g communication campaign was implemented with the aim of increasing the company’s market share in the UK to extend its lead. This is as a result of the stiff competition from Adidas (Thomasson, 2014). The campaign intended to make use of all the available avenues to increase awareness of the UK market about the brand. It also intended to market the new products that it had launched and seen as appropriate for the target market. These mainly included sports shoes. This marketing communications campaign targeted a wide range of customers, who ranged from 18 to 50 years of age (Nike, 2014).Factors that make the campaign successfulThere are several aspects of the campaign that make this campaign successful in attaining its originally set goals. One of these is the wide range of media outlets were used to pass the message to the audience, basing on the fact that media consumption varies among individuals within different age groups (Bergemann & Bonatti, 2011). Another factor that made the communication campaign successful was the fact that it highlighted the favourable attributes of the company’s products, which included the affordable prices and the comfort of the shoes. Referring to the heightened appreciation model, this is an effective trigger of purchase intentions among the target audiences (Fill & Hughes, 2013). Given that this marketing communication campaign was strategically designed, the only aspect that could undermine its capability to attain the intended goals is the launch of a similar or better campaign by its key competitors.Media UsedDifferent forms of media were used in this campaign to increase the size of the audience that could be reached. These were classified as print, broadcast and interactive media. Print media comprised of newspapers and magazines. These targeted different clients. For instance, ads that were placed in fashion magazines targeted the fashion enthusiasts who could need Nike’s products to work out. Broad cast media basically comprise of radio and TV (Lamb et al., 2008). Different market segments were targeted by advertising on a wide range of TV and radio channels, and at different times. Given that communication campaigns in print and broadcast media are one way, they were designed to contain as much information as possible to answer any questions that clients could have regarding the product (Bergemann & Bonatti, 2011). Interactive media comprised of all the media outlets that could allow the company and its clients to engage real-time with each other (Correa et al., 2010). These comprised of social networking, mobile and via the company’s blog. As opposed to print and broadcast media platforms, interactive media provided capabilities for the company and target customers to engage constructively (Kim & Ko, 2012). Some of the major social media platforms that are ideal for such form of communication between companies and customers include Facebook, Twitter and Google+. Despi te the advantage of real-time engagement that social media presents for companies, information on a flaw of negative attribute on the product spreads very fast (Correa et al., 2010). Conclusion This paper has covered a wide range of issues that relate to the present-day business environment. In regard to the technological advancements that are taking place in the present-day business environment, Google and Yahoo have been used as cases to discuss the opportunities and threats that these advancements present to the company. The paper has also presented an overview of internal and external communication in Google, which has incorporates that factors that are considered and the channels that are used in the communication. Different marketing communication theories have also been presented. These include the heightened appreciation model and the advertising exposure model. In the paper, different organizations have been used in the explanation of various concepts presented. 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