The Enron Managers’ Mistakes

Looking for mistakes is a very difficult thing to do, especially if the case in point is something which is as successful in one point of its existence such as the Enron. Companies such as Enron employ the best managers because work at these levels leaves very, very, very little room for error; unless it was a calculated and deliberate error in the part of the erring managers.If such was the case, then it would lead to the identification of malice and fraudulent motivations in the part of the managers, since no manager wants to commit knowingly a mistake. The identity of the ‘mistake’ shifts now from what used to be as poorly thought-of action plan made individually and independent of other people’s orientation and influence resulting to losses to the general course of action, attitude and mental alignment of some the managers in Enron that made the collapse as something which is highly improbable.Still there were mistakes in general, and still, it will be manager s at the end of the day who will be answerable and liable for these mistakes, from what was claimed as accounting processes that are bogged down by innocent human error, to deliberate cover ups and last minute action recourse that was a minute too late always people are thinking that at worst, it was a well schemed, well planned, internal sabotage. Yes, they made mistakes. And former Enron Corp.Chairman Kenneth Lay himself was among those who ‘admitted to mistakes’ which are by and all bereft of malice as he insisted that despite the mistakes, any wrongdoing in running the energy giant was not part of his activities while servicing Enron (Emshwillerm, McWilliams, 2006). Companies and business management executives adhere to a particular paradigm or accepted practice in the daily undertaking of business and commerce because it is a necessary tool in the check and balance system that guarantees that the interests of the company, the investors and the public are protected. The main idea behind the collapse of Enron Corporation is its managers’ deviance from these paradigms due to fraudulent intentions, and because of this, investors and the public in general placed Enron’s managers and chief executives as the one who erred and the ones who are criminally liable, leading to one of the most controversial debacle in Wall Street history.Enron willingly or unwillingly, knowingly or unknowingly kept analysts, investors and other people from the business industry outside and in the dark. Some of their actions made them accountable according to the letter of the law while some can interpret the entire fiasco as a mere case of incapable and incompetent managers.The partnership and the role of these partnerships and the failure to see how it will work out in the long run is one of the biggest mistakes of Enron and its managers along with i5ts move to inflate its reported profits and manipulate its profits, and at some extent the managers knew of t hat this move was a potential mistake but the earnings are just to tempting for them not to wager and give it a try, providing Enron suddenly with a way to hide the true amount of its debts through these partnerships with companies who are people and managed by the same executives found in Enron (Rouleau, 2002).The managers’ mistakes are assessed using two perspectives – first, their mistakes that contributed to the downfall and worsening of Enron as a company, and second, the mistakes that they made that lead to the conviction of the criminal charges that were slapped on them. What did they do wrong? Many.Just for starters, Smith (2006) wonders about the foolhardy risk of Enron in booking profits using means which are considered as generally volatile, risky and perfectly lawful and legal; this alongside Enron’s racking up of â€Å"mark-to-market† gains, a steady real-cash influx based model for accounting, as reflected on the company’s trading boo k which do not reflect the use an accounting system which is based on the flow of actual money like the accrual system,CRIMINAL LIABILITIES – The mistakes of Enron’s managers are reflected on their criminal records as their miscalculated mistakes led them from blue chip executive managers to criminal convicted felons, which may have cast light on the guilt of certain crimes of the Enron managers but was unable to bring to light fully other important details.And by 2006, Smith (2006) still considers that it ‘isn't clear how much Enron made or lost off its vaunted energy-trading, energy-services and broadband units’ or the extent of the earnings of Enron over what Smith considers as the exploitation of ‘the California electricity market during the 15-month crisis’ which started in the spring, year 2000 (Wall Street Journal, pA9).And when several business mangers that are all capable and willing to commit criminal acts to the company and its inve stors are housed inside one company, it is the perfect recipe for an impending financial crisis. To be able to analyze the mistakes of Enron’s managers that lead to the collapse of the company, it is important to take a look at two things – the crimes for which every manager was accused of, and for the alleged crime that they made but were acquitted from.The management and the managers were, after all, responsible for letting Enron be ‘dependent on paper trading gains’, which, according to Smith (2006) actually had ‘little real cash attached to them and so vulnerable to credit calls that made it incapable of riding out a crisis’ (The Wall Street Journal, pA9), something which is not very much explored since the trial focused on the liabilities of the leaders and managers who kept on insisting throughout the trial that Enron was merely a ‘victim to a run on the bank’. Smith, A9). Before making a scrutiny overall individual mistakes by Enron managers, one of the mistakes of the board of directors should be mentioned since it was symbolic to the law-bending and law-twisting nature of doing business inside Enron that put them in this mess in the first place.This particular incident which symbolizes the many other similar erratic actions and costly mistakes made by the board of directors is about the time when the board of directors opted to waive the aspect of conflict of interest and allowed Enron's very own Chief Finance Officer Andrew Fastow to head a business that is directly in dealing with Enron since the board of directors may have seen the merit, however temporary, of the strategy that allows Fastow's LJM to acquire by buy out Enron's assets which it considers as underperforming, in truth the company of Fastow is no more than a smokescreen so that the debt of the Enron is shielded and the profit improved on paper. The most significant person and Enron manager who made the most telling mistakes en route t o the downfall of Enron is no other than Kenneth Lay.Others were just a notch lower than Lay’s stature in the mismanagement department, and these include others like Jeffrey Skilling, Greg Whalley, Mark Frevert and Andrew Fastow – they may or may not be included in Lay’s excuse list of what he considers as ‘deceitful underlings’ (Emshwillerm, McWilliams, 2006). For Lay and all the involved Enron managers, their mistake was to wager their career and the future of Enron in exchange for whatever financial gains they experienced resulting from undertaking fraudulent actions and strategies while inside the company and holding key positions in Enron. Lay faced eleven criminal charges as an aftermath of the Enron scandal, all of which he pleaded not guilty.During the sentencing, Lay was found by the jury guilty of securities and wire fraud. This reflects Lay’s two main mistakes which he made throughout his Enron career – the mistakes that he made that caused the downfall of Enron considering that all of the accusations hurled against him are false, and the second mistake, the inability to protect himself for worst case scenario, whether or not he is truly guilty of criminal actions. Another managerial mistake of Lay is his show of support and trust to the operations of Lou Borget, who was later convicted of money laundering. Lay was notorious for undertaking questionable and shady workings that are hardly transparent to those who need to see and understand it.Even before his Enron days, Lay was always full of suspicious and strange actions, like how he still managed to control Internorth despite the fact that it was his small company which the Internorth brought and how insurance companies point to Lay's questionable dealings in foreign countries like Peru where Enron formerly do business in. This resulted to Lay's career being capped with losses, sales of what is otherwise considered as a very profitable operation, emp loyee lay-offs and shady partnership deals which analysts consider as Lay's way of hiding debt. If Lay is synonymous with shady accounts, questionable transactions and strange partnership moves, Skilling seemed to be haunted by a curse which is just as bad as that of Lay – failed business operation. Skilling joined Enron in 1989. Prior to that, his career was inside a banking institution, the First City Bank of Houston, which collapsed as he left.If Skilling’s excuse was that his mistakes were made without malice and as a result of some human error factor, then he was misled and confused at least 19 times, the same number of times he was acquitted for wire fraud and securities fraud. Even with the fact that it is close to impossible for Skilling to have an excuse for such number of instances pertaining to erroneous but not malicious managerial actions inside Enron which can prove that he is innocent after all, his capability as a top tier manager will be put to questio n next, as well as the authority and prudence of those who hired him since Skilling, after all, is close to being moronic with the nature of the job he was signed up to work in, if it is true that he did not have any acts with malicious or destructive nature towards the company for all of the times he was said to have committed securities and wire fraud.This is the case of someone stupid being smart enough to land a position of power, something which is not just convincing and realistic enough as it was plain dumb. Regardless, it is still Skilling’s mistake that burdens him with such load. Andrew Fastow's mistakes was opting to do things which are not designed to answer Enron's brewing financial problem but to provide a mat under which Enron managers can sweep the dirt when business visitors and investors come in for a visit. This is true with the case of Fastow's creation of the so-called off-book entities. Even before Enron crashed, Fastow was already showing the company ho w he is mistake prone. Example of which was the 1996 job that he bungled, described by Barboza and Schwartz (2002) in detail; ‘Fastow†¦ as nearly fired for the poor job he did running a retail unit that aimed to put Enron into competition with local utilities around the country' (The New York Times).The same poor sense of long term outlook despite the innate financial wizardry inside Fastow’s head led Fastow to create an escape for Enron when its Calper’s interests are not being addressed to as planned and expected by Enron his wife's family posing as outside investor and a low level Enron employee who was promised a hefty 10 million profit, the use of Chewco as the hiding place for Enron's debts and as a way to help in the inflation of Enron's profits which were both impossible in the first place, .Again, maybe Fastow was guiltless after all of the crimes stacked against him after the Enron collapse; but the one sure thing is that despite his intelligence, he committed too many mistakes that netted him in a web and be ‘wrapped up in a series of complex transactions that ultimately doomed him' (Barboza, Schwartz, 2002), and the doom that came as a result of his mistakes amounted to an indictment of 78 counts of crimes that included fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy. Paula Rieker was one time the managing director of investor relations of Enron. She was guilty of the criminal charge set against her (criminal insider trading charge) as she was guilty of the mistake of allowing herself to join her colleagues in what was called the exercise of self enrichment inside the company wherein managers use the situation at hand to make the most out of one's profit.Former Enron CAO Richard Causey, Enron treasurer Ben Glisan Jr. nd energy trader John Forney were all guilty of securities fraud as he was guilty of the mistake of failing to do what is right for the company or the mistake of failing to act upon constructively using one's sou rces and capabilities to keep Enron alive. OUTSIDE CRIMINAL LIABILITIES- Aside from the analysis of Enron’s managers that led to convictions to criminal acts, a look at the Enron situation without the malice of fraud will also reveal little things that help compound the growing mismanagement of Enron and made the fall a bit faster. The mistakes of the Enron managers can also be stacked together in either of the two categories – financial management failure and poor people management.For now, the idea that the company may have been sabotaged directly behind fraudulent intentions from the top executives will be put aside in the name of management strategy assessment, and also because of the fact that common sense business dictates that no business entity or individual would risk building a blue chip firm that it will take down so hard so fast. The assessment of the errors is based on the fact that the top executives and managers of Enron did something hugely erroneous an d disastrous for the company sans the malice that some economic and business conspiracy theorists are exploring or what the criminal convictions simply proved.Simply said, Enron top brass made big time mistakes particularly because they are running a big time firm, and the paper will try to look at these big time mistakes and how it affected and contributed to the fall of Enron and their eventual conviction. Poor Financial and Overall Management – Despite the fact that companies are indeed legit, it is difficult to prove that 100 percent of all the legit businesses, may it be in the United States or anywhere in the world, operates using strategies and methods that are 100 percent legal. Some of these companies tweak and bend the law here and there, and the reason why some of them are not caught is because they are prudent and good enough that no fall-out in the magnitude of crisis level would result from such law-bending actions.Having established that, Enron and its managers are plainly not good enough to sustain the good financial position of the company and they were not able to balance out with good management maneuver and strategy whatever downside and ill-effect the results of their ‘criminal acts’ has on the company’s performance even before it hit crisis-level. It was just a case of poor financial management. Considering that Enron did not have any fraudulent intentions, the management of the company is still guilty of hiring incompetent individuals which they used to fill in key positions since none of them were capable of salvaging what was left of the fast sinking company. â€Å"Financial fraud is often a team sport. It took a host of banks, lawyers and accountants to hide Enron's problems from investors† (The New York Times, 2007). They are guilty of maneuvering poorly Enron inside the trade and stock exchange landscape with or without the illegal and criminal transactions that they did.They are guilty of sticking to a team of financial executives and their strategies and capabilities even when it appears that these personnel and their strategies are taking Enron nowhere but down, that is with consideration to the fact that again, they did not have any fraudulent intentions in the first place. The fact that Enron was poorly managed is hardly challenged as the proofs are just overwhelming and the tale of the stock price of Enron says it all – before the crisis, Enron shares stood at 90 US dollars; by November 21, 2001 the stock price of Enron is down to just seven US dollars. A week later the price was down to 0. 61 US dollars as the trading day closed along with the withdrawal of Dynegy Incorporated from previous deals with Enron and the awarding of the junk status rating to the company.Adding to these are other happenings that bolstered the claims that Enron was poorly managed before and during the crisis; the debt repayment obligations that amounted to 9 billion US dollars at the clo se of the year 2002, an amount which cannot be covered by the company's available cash at that time, the decimation of five billion US dollars in just fifty days of the amount that Enron borrowed from financial firms and banks which was originally planned for use in buying its commercial paper and other strategies to resuscitate the company's financial standing. Even the pattern of its financial behavior is reeking of the foul odor of poor management – the big third quarter loss followed by the company's announcement that it has actually overstated Enron's earnings in the last four years, and then followed by the making public of Enron's $3 billion obligations to its several partnerships.Questionable Business Strategies – The Enron debacle highlighted not just Enron managers’ poor financial and business acumen; it also showcased the poor people management skills of the managers of Enron reflected by its strategies and its inability to protect the company and its investors from long term and short term losses which they may have failed to predict or foresee in the first place. The only thing it appears they do best is confuse the company, confuse the public and in the end confuse even themselves that even when they wanted to, they cannot explain to the public, particularly to the SEC and to the investors, what is really going on inside Enron.Public Assurance – Credited to the faults of the Enron managers is the fact that the company’s managers were unable to convince the investors in the time of crisis that everything is being done to create or maintain stability. The investors were not waiting to be told that everything at Enron is ok, since they would not believe it if it was said in the first place owing to the fact that the company is not transparent enough to even convince the investors and the public in general that they are even telling the truth. The managers were not able to control the mounting unrest and it was the case because of their refusal to divulge important information that can convince the people about the state of the company.And this attitude is not impossible to think that many of the Enron managers were all in denial on what Enron, their milking cow, their cash cow, has become, ‘Mr. Fastow was reluctant to acknowledge what was happening'(Barboza, Schwartz). Deterioration of Credibility – Another important and noteworthy fault that the Enron managers, particularly Kenneth Lay, committed is that they allow their credibility to deteriorate in front of the public and in the face of the investors. How did they, particularly Lay, do that? Through a lot if different ways that merely exacerbated the situation and compounded the growing negativity of the people towards him owed to his being overly shady and secretive of the many aspects of Enron’s operation and financial status.With the breaking of the credibility of the top management tier of Enron comes the decreasing level of respect the people has for Enron managers, not just because of the result of the impending loss and the financial impact it has on investors some of which has there whole future in it, but because Enron managers themselves are creating inter-personal friction between them and those who are pushing for answers to unresolved questions. This attitude is reflective of how Enron’s top management people like Skilling treated investors who are merely calling for transparency by asking balance sheets and detailed earnings and was instead treated with expletive words over a conference call.Breaking of Ranks – During Enron’s financial battles, one of the aspects that greatly crippled them as an organization is the massive breaking and falling apart of their own ranks. In any battles – corporate or not – it is important that managers and top tier executives show a united front, especially when it comes to addressing the public and providing the assu rance that everything is alright, and that whatever minor problems are being addressed immediately through the unity of the top management brass. In the case of Enron and its managers, it is either top brass people are leaving or they are simply being replaced during the most critical part of the company’s financial battle when senior and long time veterans are expected to hold the reigns and maintain control.

Personality Impact Paper Essay

In order for managers and employees to effectively get along in the workplace they must first learn how to understand and appreciate one another. The Journal of Adlerian Theory published an article discussing the various personalities’ styles in the workplace. The report states that being able to recognize characters from â€Å"in workers and managers is important for those who lead or manage as others as well as for those who consult or treat workers and leaders† (page 2). The purpose of this paper is to summarize Exhibit 2.5, 2.6, and 2.7 assessments, it will also summarize my primary personality aspects, cognitive abilities that I can apply to my workplace, and mitigate any shortcomings. Exhibit 2.5, 2.6, 2.7 Exhibit 2.5 is an assessment that measures the extraversion or positive affectivity of a person. According to the text a person, which is positively effective, is â€Å"predisposed to experience positive emotional states and feel good about themselves and the world around them† (page 43). People, who are extroverted, tend to be more sociable and affectionate towards others. Exhibit 2.6 is to measure the neuroticism or negative affectivity. Negative affectivity in the textbook is defined as people tendencies to â€Å"experience negative emotional states, feel distressed, and view themselves and the world around them negatively† (page 44). This is the exact opposite at positive affectivity. People, who have high neuroticism, are more likely to experience more stress over time and often have negative moods at work/ home. Exhibit 2.7 is a measure of agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness to experiences. The textbook explains agreeableness as individuals â€Å"who get along well with other people and those who do not† (page 45). People, who are agreeable, are very likable, care for others, and tend to be affectionate. A person, who is conscientiousness, is â€Å"careful, scrupulous, and persevering† (page 45). People, who score high in the area, are found to  be very tidy and organized, as well as self-disciplined. People, who are open to experiences, have â€Å"broad interests and are willing to take risks† (page 46). Summary of My Testing Results In Exhibit 2.5 I scored high on positive affectivity. and answered all of the questions with â€Å"true†. This result would show that I am a happy person and views my work and the world around myself positively. My results of Exhibit 2.6 indicate a low level of negative affectivity. I means that sometimes he feels tense all day because of the challenges he has ahead of myself at work and also gets nervous from time to time. This would again reaffirm the results of Exhibit 2.5 which I have a positive outlook on life. The results of Exhibit 2.7 proved what I was already aware of. I tends to be an agreeable person who is open to experiences. I scored the lowest on conscientiousness, implying that is can be somewhat careless. I have a strong personality and a lot of good characteristics to offer as a leader. I did very charismatic and pragmatic. As a leader, this would be necessary in times of boosting morale and encouraging others around myself. my view on things from a positive light as well and tends to be open-minded. Cognitively I am numerically conscious, is also able to use reasoning, deductive abilities, and is perceptual. I scored the lowest on conscientiousness, which as a leader could mean that he is willing to take more risks. Conclusion The purpose of this paper was to summarize Exhibit 2.5, 2.6, and 2.7 assessments, define My primary personality aspects, cognitive abilities that he can apply to the workplace, and mitigate any shortcomings. People all over the world tend to operate based on feelings and innate habits they learned from their surroundings. Having a clear understanding of these feelings and how it drives our individual personalities can create successful business relationships. References Jennifer M. George, Garth R. Jones (2012). Understanding and Managing Organized Behavior. 6th Edition. Published by Prentice Hall Sperry, Len (1995). Individual Psychology. Personality Styles in the Workplace, Volume 51 (Issue 4), pages 422.

WAS THE UNITED STATES FOUNDED ON CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES Essay

WAS THE UNITED STATES FOUNDED ON CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES - Essay Example the Pope. To avoid this very friction, the US constitution framed by Jefferson clearly demarcates between the State and the Church and again reaffirms it in the Bill of Rights. This article tries to shed some light on the issue, from the perspective of certain recent articles and other historical facts, and tries to explore the principles behind the formation of US Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The article will also take a stand and will try to prove that US Constitution was not formed on Christian principles, but were solely based on the principles of fraternity, equality and justice for all. It is interesting to note that the people with opposing views on the subject of separation of Church and State have cited Thomas Jefferson in their arguments. The main reason behind this is the fact that Jefferson was one of the founding fathers of the US constitution formed in 1787. It is observed by the religious groups that Jefferson was an observant person and regularly attended church services during his tenure as the president. However, what many of the religious groups fail to say is that, he also, as Jewett aptly observes, â€Å"expressed contempt for any organized religion. And, saw as an anathema, any governmental control on religious thought† (Jewett, Jefferson and Religion). Jefferson was a follower of the Enlightenment theories of that age and thus believed in secularism, freedom and humanism. He was deeply influenced by the ethical theories of Stoicism and Epicures. Jesus, according to Jefferson, was a teacher in morality and his moral views were necessary to br ing freedom, happiness and to govern the society well. His god was a ‘god of reason’ who, he believed, established the laws on which nature functioned. Jefferson believed that one’s religious practice was of a personal nature which no state should try to control. This is evident in one of his letters which says â€Å"you must lay aside prejudices on both sides, and neither believe nor reject

DYNAMICS OF THE ARAB- ISREALI CONFLICT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

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Discuss the limitations of Becken and Simmons' (2008) approach to Essay

Discuss the limitations of Becken and Simmons' (2008) approach to yield analysis AND discuss ways in which their model might be developed further - Essay Example In tourism, yield can mean the profit or revenue incurred from hosting the different visitor types. In order to achieve sustainable yield, three dimensions; social, economic and ecological yields need to be combined to a single yield measure (Becken and Simmons, 2008). This has been shown to be impossible as there is no suitable methodology to merge these yields. Becken and Simmons (2008) further explained that the research focused on the financial aspect in terms of yield to measure the private sector tourism yield. To calculate the financial yield, the researchers used individual sectors like hotels that the tourists visited and did not consider the financial impacts of tourism on the societies, nations or the environment. Tourism has both the public and private components and as such it is difficult to assess tourism sustainability. This represents a limitation as it this mix is complex and difficult to cumulatively assess (Becken and Simmons, 2008). The research used the transport and accommodation details of the visitors to identify the tourist types. The types that were identified as a result were; backpackers, campers, home visitors, free independent travelers and coachers. Out of these, the researchers were unable to determine the tourist types of 16% of the sample and as a result, they excluded this number from the database (Becken and Simmons, 2008). This percentage represents a significant number of tourists and is therefore a significant loss for the research. According to Becken and Simmons (2008), the research also focused on the emission of carbon dioxide gas or greenhouse gas emission as the ecological only impact of tourism. This is a limitation, as they needed to assess other environmental impacts of tourism like the impact of tourism on ecological resources like water and soil conservation. Tourism has economic, environmental and

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Week 6 Case Study 2 Submission - Assignment Example A PKI is a foundation where it acts as an overall security whereby all the other components and features must work. This paper will not look into the underlying structure of cryptography. PKI is a very wide cryptographic technique. This paper will offer the real opportunities that can be adopted, by the Software Company, to remove their fears, and misconceptions on the use of this technology. In addition to this, paper will also look into the rationale as to why this technology is suitable for various business applications. There are components which are available in a PKI framework. These components include operational policies, security services, and interoperability protocols which are all geared to support the use of public-key cryptography. The generation and management of public keys occurs through the use of Certificate Authorities (CAs), Registration Authorities (RAs) and directory services which can be used to establish a list of trust. At the national level, the use of PKI can be very instrumental when dealing with security. One of the principles of PKI is to establish a trust hierarchy (U.S General Services Administration Government Smart Card handbook, 2004). In e-commerce, when dealing with trust mechanisms, there must be the provision of management control. There must be a management control at the Ministry of Information. In the e-commerce environment, entities, which are not known to each other, do not have enough trust that has been established to perform business, contractual, legal, or other types of transactions. For this trust to be achieved, the implementation of PKI should be done by using CA. In summary, the working of CA is as follows. For entities which are unknown to each other, they will each establish a trust relationship with a CA. The CA will perform some form of entity authentication according to the rules that have been established as has been noted by the

Fordism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Fordism - Essay Example Moreover, the essay discusses the strengths and limitations of each form of work process for employers and employees. Lastly, it critically examines whether these theories are relevant to the work in the contemporary organization. Fordism refers to a notion of modern social systems and economic growth. It bases its concept on industrialization and a standard form of production for the sustainability of population growth. It gives emphasizes on the change in working conditions of workers. It is a form of production used in automotive industries to increase production (Fincham and Rhodes 2005, p. 231). It focuses on producing goods at low costs giving its workers' decent wages. For the mass production to occur it uses special purpose machinery. The form of production applied the three principles to enhance the mass production. First, they employed special machines, which operate on an assembly line (Buchanan and Huczynski 2010, p. 121). These machines did not require skilled employees because one employee did one task repeatedly. Second, standardization of products, this is to say that nothing was hand-made. All their products were made using machines (Fincham and Rhodes 2005, p. 121). Third, they focused on the welfare of the workers. The workers were paid high wages so that they can afford the products they made; this was to avoid theft cases. In his principle, Henry Ford the founder of Fordism simplified work-using assembly lines. This is where a worker did a certain task repeatedly. Research shows that, Henry Ford was not the original founder of assembly lines he increased its efficiency. This form of production increased affordability to the average consumer. Increase in wages reduced worker absenteeism increasing the production turnover to 400 percent annually. This form of production encouraged specialization within the organization hence quality in the production of goods. Fordism as a form of work process has different strengths. First, the use of assemb ling lines as a form of production encouraged specialization. This is because one worker did the same task repeatedly hence specialization. Specialization results for quality and quantity production. Thus, the goods produced, were quality thus attracting a wide market (Lister 2010, p.51). This led to more profits on the part of employers. In addition, the high wages given to the workers encouraged them to give quality service. As stated above the production increased by 400 per cent because of the high wages given to employees (Buchanan and Huczynski 2010, p. 121). Theft cases did not occur among the employees because of the high wages and they could afford the goods, which they produced. Even though the work was tedious, the employees had a sense of security for their work because of the presence of the industrial unions, which bargained for their wages. On the other hand, Fordism had its own limitations. This particularly resulted in the onset of development of Post- Fordism by An tonio and Bonanno (Lister 2010, p. 95). They said that this form of production was not efficient because the population had reduced due to the effects of World War II. The goods produced remained that means that the demand had reduced making this form of production ineffective. This form of production was rigid and did not encourage the introduction of new ways of production. With the monotonous work, the workers got bored with time and they stopped providing quality services. Due to

Investigate mobile phone hacking techniques Essay

Investigate mobile phone hacking techniques - Essay Example The legitimacy of hacking smartphone is comprehensively hooked on the individual performing it. (Carlson) Modestly situate, mobile phone hacking come about when somebody else acquires access into your cell phone. Provisional on their intentions, the programmer may purely outlook the data stored on the device, airing your whereabouts or send communications to your associates in your designation. (Janssen) Smartphones get niftier day by day and more of us depend on them than ever. But there is a downside to our growing dependence on smartphones they have the prospective to be even more perilous than laptops. Here’s round about stuff you should not do: Many of us are beginning to use our smartphones as computers and are keeping all kinds of data on these devices. To make stuff worse, this precarious company data is being retained on indiscreet devices. Protect personal files or photos on portable hard disks. Don’t save them on a smart phone device. Smart phones and PDAs are purely not very safe and sound. The profit intention is driving malware developer in aggregate numbers to produce smartphone viruses. The main thing is that the vulnerability is not going away. If you find your mobile phone is auto-connected to (General Packet Radio Service) GPRS, then your mobile might be diseased with a Trojan horse that is directing your informations to other parties. If you find out this problem, disengage the device straightaway and install anti-virus software to eliminate the malware. Smart phones are useful and are on the rise in acceptance. But for the reason that of the many APIs, users deficiency of safe keeping responsiveness, and the influential promise of financial advance, malware developers endure to create infections. The mainstream of today’s smartphones malware do not present a substantial risk to consumers, but we can’t let our safeguard down. At the moment, we’re in the premature platforms of what is prospective to

Woman with a parasol by Claude Monet Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Woman with a parasol by Claude Monet - Essay Example Though in this picture the subject matter is Camille and Jean, Monet manages to counteract the convention of creating a central form of interest, creating instead a vibrant sensation of light and movement throughout the picture, and therein lies his individual brilliance in the treatment of the subject at hand. For most of his pictures, as with this one, â€Å"Monet suggests transience metaphorically, through the formal means at his disposal. He plays on your emotions with color and tonality, ........ Monet ignores the time-honored convention of the center of interest, weighing every portion of his canvas equally with an accumulation of discrete, subtly inflected events†. Just as her shadow anchors her to the ground and her parasol with its handle provides an anchor to the eye, the green in its underside strongly echoes the green of the grass in front of her, planting her firmly in the picture, and providing the required balance. This brings us to the remarkable artistry of Mo net in the use of color, He was a devotee of color, to the extent that he had almost banished black from his canvas. Monet had scientifically studied color, especially Professor Rood's experiments in color, and had come to understand how different colors were affected by sunlight. â€Å"Aided by the experiments of the scientists and by his own keen observation, he discovered certain facts which had escaped the notice of less keen eyes unaided by science; for example, that green, seen under strong sunshine, is not green, but yellow.; that the shadows cast by sunlight upon snow or upon brightly lighted surfaces are not black, but blue; and that a white dress, seen under the shade of trees on a bright day, has

Communication Process Paper Essay Example for Free

Communication Process Paper Essay Communication process is a very important aspect with the help of which people send messages verbal including sentences, words, and messages nonverbal including physical setting, facial expression, and behavior. Communication patterns have changed because of changing nature of interaction between people. Communication allows business to coordinate and unify common goals. An open communication policy in business where the employees may come to the supervisors and voice his or her likes as well as dislikes. The business will have a workable environment for everyone. As the message passes through this medium, there is noise and which changes the message into something different from what was sent. These are otherwise known as the barriers to effective communication. Noise can be static or anything that distracts from the intended massage. Example, if there a meeting going on in the workplace and two employees are talking in the background. An individual will become distracted of what the meeting is about. Communication process Paper The climates in most workplace are cool if it is an inside job. So individual may be comfortable communicating with one and another. Some people believe the environment tan make a difference with the way an individual communicate. Communication is vital in the workplace and it the primary means to convey the proper message. Most jobs have shift work and needs to communicate from one shift to another. This may be done by verbal or written in paper. A business climate most likely creates within levels of management and spreads from there. The strength and weakness of any organization are only good or bad as the individuals who work there. If there an open policy where employees can communication with his or her supervisors as they please. This procedure will make the workplace environment workable for everyone. Every employee in the workplace should voice his or her opinion toward the supervisor without been afraid of the outcome. Everyone has some weaknesses and strengths in communication as a result of psychological and personal peculiarities, and every day communication patterns. Verbal written communication is my strength. My weakness is nonverbal communication because in some situations I am not sure what behavior patterns I should follow, for instance, speaking with strangers, or the police. Sometimes I believe cultural or social barriers communicating with others, I have strong verbal communication skills because I spend much time communicating with my friends on the Internet. This way I can communicate with several people at the same time, and save time on phone calls or visiting them. This form of communication is very popular because it transmits information to the individuals and receives reply rapidly. I have good written skills and can clearly express opinion in several sentences. This strength is logical, concise, and informative messages, which help the recipient to grasp the idea at once. Good written skills used in the criminal justice system and other business. Years ago the senior management committee of some business, there strategies for doing everything from changing policies to dealing with employees discussed behind closed doors. Once those decisions made by management, the supervisors were asked to put those decisions into effect. The employees had little to no input on those matters. The employees did as they were told or had to find a new job. Today some management team members listen to what the employees have to say before making a decision on changing the policies. Most business in the present encourages employees to take an active part in their company. The employees who work on production line may know some ways to improve the lines. Some manager may pass out certain type of rewards for his or her ideals. Communication process with employees can be a difficult task. It may take knowing what an individual have to say to communicate in a way to receive desired result. Communications to employees come from several areas within the organization, the director, human resources, the program manager, and other management team. Every employee need to know what is happening within the company. The company will not achieve if the employees are not contribute what expected of him or her. That why a well-organized internal communication strategy required to create the ideal mindset within the company. Reference Communicating Effectively with Employees Retrieved on July 12, 2011 from http://www. learningspaces.njit.edu/Elliot/content/communicating-effectively employee

How Will Singapore Effect Globalization Of National Identity Cultural Studies Essay

How Will Singapore Effect Globalization Of National Identity Cultural Studies Essay Singapore, one of the most globalized nations in the world today, had undergone a series of political and economic crises in the past forcing its leaders to take on a proactive stance to the formation of national identity . One stance the government took was forging a national myth of progress that depicted Singapores transformation from a third world fishing village to a first world republic. The catalyze of this metamorphosis was globalization, through globalizing strategies such as: establishing English as the countrys first language; building Singapores economy through partnerships with multinational corporations; importing popular culture from over the world; advocating and sending Singaporeans to study abroad; encouraging the immigration of foreign talent; and stressing a global orientation rather than a local identity. The embracement of globalization through these strategies has led Singapore to acquire political stability and economic growth. However, they have weakened the countrys social bonds with are critical for pursuing the quest for national identity in Singapore. Although there are other aspects of Singapores national identity, this discussion will focus on the national identity of economic progress because it has a direct correlation with the Republics embrace of globalization. This paper will firstly study the terms globalization and national identity in the context of Singapore. After which, address five issues derived from Singapores embracement of globalization that has an ill effect on the republics national identity quest. Firstly, the way in which Singapore practices selective globalization that has led to an antagonistic relationship between local identities and global identities of the people. Secondly, the recognition of Singapore as a global nation state and how that loses national identity for future generations. Thirdly, how the influences of popular culture affects Singapores national identity adversely. Fourthly, how issues of emigration and immigration have undermined national identity. Fifthly, how Singapores declaration as a global city has led to the debilitation of Singapores national identity from which the problem of commitment arose. And sixthly, how Singapores success story, as a result of globalization, thwarts efforts of cementing the Republics national identity. Singapores National Identity Before we discuss Singapores national identity, this paper defines the concept of a nation, in relation to Singapore, as imagined and as a purposeful construct . This is because Singapore does not have a long history. Furthermore, it is populated by a myriad of different ethnicities. Since independence, the Singaporean government has tried to foster a national identity in Singapore. The aim of this was to unite the heterogeneous immigrant population under the nation-state; in the hope that a uniquely Singaporean identity, which the people could identify with, would emerge. The Singapore government has placed strong emphasis on creating a material-based national identity through the presence and availability of economic development, home-ownership, asset-enhancement, a high standard of living and modern facilities. This has created a social modernity that evokes a sense of Singapores national identity in practical and material terms . Hence, the cleanliness of the environment and the efficiency in the background of everyday Singaporean living are qualities the government promotes as Singapores national identity and national symbols. Singaporeans high quality of life as a resultant of globalization and commercial development reemphasizes the national identity of economic progress. Globalization in the context of Singapore Many scholars view globalization as a force, which would bring about the decline , erosion or the end of the nation-state. True to this definition, Singapores embrace for globalization has created problems by weakening emotional ties and the national identity of the nation. This is demonstrated by: a crippling of social cohesion within the community; a pragmatic attitude of Singaporeans; and an increase number of talented Singaporeans choosing to emigrate. Although the Singapore government attempts to connect the people under the notion of a national identity that is based on the myth of overcoming adversity, this paper posits that the process of globalization undermines Singapores territorial boundaries, the nations sovereignty, and its traditional roles, hence undermining the Republics national identity quest. Singapores practice of selective globalization Globalization exposes nation-states to both opportunities and challenges. Singapore has moved from the process of building a nation-state to becoming a global city. The government practices selective globalization where certain forms are encouraged and others are discouraged . While, they champion for the synchronization of regulations and policies with international standards, they protect their society from unwholesome global commodities such as pornographic magazines. On one hand, Singapore enjoys its status as one of the most globalized countries in the world in terms of finance and telecommunications. On the other hand, Singapore regularly gets criticized from international human rights institutions for insisting to practice its own label of politics . The issue of Singapore practicing selective globalization portrays the need to remain globally connected for the sole purpose of survival, while the retention of certain traditional ideals expresses the necessity to protect specif ic interest. Long suggests, that the act of cultures globalizing and de-globalizing within localities at the same time is synchronized through local practices; and ideals generated symbols transmitted through the media, whether global or local, are at the forefront of forming a contemporary culture . This would mean that globalization weakens the building blocks of national identity because of the reinforcement of social relations through messages, images and symbols that would connect individuals to what Anderson referred to as imagined communities . To explain further, these imagined communities are created through the process of media-related visual cues. An influx of these cues from globalization and localization causes Singapores national identity to be continually contested and negotiated. Singapore as a globalizing nation state Minister Mentor Lee Kwan Yew once said: if more Singaporeans worked abroad and their children forgot their rootsThey dissolve and disappear and there is no Singaporeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ They become citizens of the world. What does that mean? Lost! . As Singapores leaders continue to drive Singapore to become a globalized entity, global influences, such as international education and marriage to foreigners, result in the diminishing of Singapores nation identity. The main issue here is the loss of Singapores future generations of globalized young citizens who were never exposed to the fear of regional hostility or global alienation . Ironically, these generations of Singaporeans have been exposed to the very setting created by the government Singapores global environment that have in turn caused them to diminish their sense of national identity. The influence of popular culture on youths in Singapore The lack of national identity of Singapores most globalized segment of the population, the socially and politically apathetic younger generation, is a pivotal political issue in Singapore. Singapore leaders have tried to combat the social and political consequence of embracing globalization by recounting Singapores difficult past to the future generations as an answer to Singapores shortfall . However, the attraction of globalization presents itself as a strong deterrence to the Republics vision for its citizens. This deterrence can be explained by Bergers proposition of an emerging global culture distinguished by individuation . The embracement of globalization and its exposure to the people has achieved Individuation, which in Singapores context suggests the ability of citizens to form a stronger sense of self or individuality over the nations collectiveness; hence a weakening of national identity. To add on to the peoples sense of individuation, constrains in freedom of criticism of the government have led to demonstration of social trends such as the appropriation of immigration and emigration, as well as a general apathy towards national issues. The latter is best expressed as an attitude of indifference toward defending the nation, as well as, an attitude of dispassion towards Singapores national identity. Globalization issues of emigration and immigration in Singapore To nurture their only resource, people, Singapore sends its people abroad for higher education and training, and to hone their human resources, Singapore induces foreign talent to immigrate to Singapore. Even though these strategies have been successful, in championing objectives of increasing Singapores human talent pool, they weaken the national identity of the nation. Most Singaporeans sent overseas find more opportunities abroad and do not return. By the same token, new immigrants have a greater attachment to their home countries and would leave Singapore eventually. It is clear that although globalization helps Singapore thrive successfully, it undermines a deep attachment to the nation, hence undermining national identity. Furthermore, talented Singaporeans also feel that they will have more professional opportunities if they left Singapore to become a foreign talent. In responds to this, the leaders of Singapore indicated that they are aware of the double-edge sword of globalization, and included that emigration of talented Singaporeans would cause the core of the nation to unravel . It is important to note that the matters raised above, within the quitter-stayer debate, do not entirely point to issues pertaining to loyalty. Rather it points to issues that have emerged from the establishment of a national identity in conjunction with the Republics efforts to embrace globalization Meritocracy. Meritocracy, Singapores national value, has aptly associated talent to success and reward. It was strategically propagated to put Singapore on the global economy map . Today, this very ideal that helped achieve Singapores global status also diminishes the Republics national identity by ingraining an opportunistic mindset into the people, hence indirectly telling Singapores talent to go where opportunities exist. Commitment issues in Singapore as a result of globalization Another repercussion to Singapores embracement of globalization has been a sabotaging of commitment to Singapores well being, where the future generations are unwilling to sacrifice for the nation. One letter in the Straits Times forum page read, What do we have in Singapore that are worth dying for? This paper suggests that Singapore only really offers economic gain. Unfortunately, that could be attained elsewhere, hence there is nothing that compels Singaporeans to stay here, let alone die for their country . Although Singapores myth of economic progress is seen by the nation as a firm foundation of its national identity, it is being undermined because of globalization. In relation to the point above, Anderson puts, the imaginings of a nation are limited to the extent of elastic boundaries . Economic progress is not something exclusive to Singapore and therefore its usage as a national identity by the state is undermined. Through globalization, people identity themselves with an international community, and hence marginalize Singapores national identity of economic progress. Studies have shown that while Singaporeans indicate that they experience a national identity through materiality and achievements of the nation, this form of identity does not conjure up a feeling of allegiance. Neither does it evoke a passion that people may fight and die for, nor does it arouse a sense of differentiation between other cultures. Singapores success story as a national identity Very similarly to the point above, Singapores success story of economic progress, which led the Republic to achieving a worldwide identity, could diminish Singapores national identity. In what this paper views as the Singapore paradox, the goals of the state, which is to sustain the nation, could be threatened by the successful integration of its people into a de-nationalizing globalized identity. This is because globalization propagates factors like transnational migration that undermines the national identity of the Singapore. Conclusion This discussion of globalizations effects on Singapores national identity raises several conclusions that are relevant not only to Singaporeans but to other nations undergoing processes of globalization. Singapores government has embraced globalization as a vital means of not only economic growth but also the Republics survival. This paper has portrayed how the embracement of globalization exerts pressure on Singapores difficulty to construct an effective connection between the nation and its citizens through a quest for national identity. The very tactics of globalization that have led to the rise of Singapores economy have compromised the nations shared identity and opportunities; and as a result of the rise of Singapores affluence through globalization, it is difficult to minimize the negative factors of globalization and maximize the positive factors of localization in establishing a national identity.

The Works Of Poet Carl Sandburg And His Effect On American Poetry :: essays research papers

The Works of Poet Carl Sandburg and His Effect on American Poetry The beloved poet, Carl Sandburg, changed the course of American poetry. He was a poet, novelist, journalist, and songwriter, yet the influence of his works have not always been acknowledged. Carl Sandburg's evocations of American urban and rural life, compassion for people, and his love of nature, through his works have made an enormous contribution to the American literary scene.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Carl Sandburg was born on January 6, 1878 to illiterate parents of Swedish decent in Galesburg, Illinois. Much of Sandburg's literary works are a result of his life time observations. He, more generously than many of his fellow authors, left a detailed account of his wanderings, his numerous jobs, his early struggles, and his successes in life. His own life fascinated him.(Rogers 19) Therefore, he felt he wanted to share his fascination with the people he enjoyed writing about.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Carl Sandburg is so greatly remembered because his writing was considerably different from the writing of his contemporaries. He let his mind travel, and be free. His works included the use of free verse, colloquialisms, an original type of rhythm, and oddly structured, prosaic poetry that emphasized key phrases and images.(clc 35, 338) Sandburg was the first of a long line of poets and authors to use the words and phrases that he created in his poetry.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Sandburg's style of writing is what changed the course of American poetry. Before Sandburg, most poetry and other literary works were considerably similar, along with dull and boring. He carried poetry to "new horizons." He, many times, wrote of reality, which was not always what people wanted to read, but it was reality and it had to be dealt with. This is how his writing became so known, because he dealt with what was real in our fantasy world.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Sandburg was not afraid to express his true feelings and thought on people, society, nature, and life in general. One of his finest poetic achievements is a poem called The People, Yes. It is a poem about people in life, and everything life entails. The images in it range from a white man and an Indian man arguing over who knows more, to why children put beans in their ears when told not to. The People, Yes covers everyday dilemmas encountered by the common man, but have not been expressed, and it is mandated by none other than Carl Sandburg, the great American poet. "The people is a myth, an abstraction. And what myth would you put in place of the people? And what abstraction would you exchange for this one?

Genetic Engineering: Gender Determination: A New Evil Essay -- Argumen

Gender Determination: A New Evil      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Throughout history, there have always been those who advocate the rapid proliferation of new technology. Today, many propose that we fully exploit the potential power of genetic engineering, before its capabilities are fully researched. With the potential risks involved and the great controversy surrounding this new innovation, one would expect that its applications, at least for the near future, would be limited to situations of grave importance. Ends such as finding a cure for terminal illnesses, reversing the ageing process, are fundamental, and hold the promise of great rewards for mankind; thus, it is not inconceivable that genetic engineering, altering the genetic material that has been given to man by God to distinguish him from His other creations, might be a legitimate tool of science in these situations.     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   However, one clearly must try to prevent genetic engineering from being used in a frivolous or carefree manner. Some propose using this new advance for such mundane tasks as allowing parents to determine ...

Cause for Action Essay -- Essays Papers

Cause for Action Imagine a country where a person’s belongings could be taken at any moment and then given to someone else for no apparent reason. Likewise, that same person’s culture, their way of life, would be disregarded, and they would be forced to use a new language and adapt to a different culture. After the culture is done away with, those who remember it die off rapidly. Even with the declining culture, religious persecution becomes apparent along with the long political conflicts. This very incident occurred at the end of the 19th century. It happened in Ireland to the Gaelic culture, but a man by the name of Douglas Hyde wasn’t about to let his culture disappear. Thus the Gaelic League was created. Many problems had to pave the way for this unique and distinctive league to form in 1893. It took a previous group, the Gaelic Athletic Association, to motivate the strong opposition of eliminating the Irish heritage. Also the Home Rule Act, set in place by England, added yet another harsh tone to Ireland. Furthermore the Irish education was showing a bleak outlook for the future. This created a need for Irish independence therefore making the Gaelic League possible. The Irish population dropped rapidly during the Great Potato Famine causing much of what was left of the Irish speaking people to be no more. The potato was a major crop in Ireland at the time and yet today; in the mid 1800’s it was their only crop because of the amount of nutrients supplied in one potato and the number of potatoes yielded in each acre. The Irish farmers were too poor and had very little money to invest in any other crop except potato. Consequently when a virus went through the land killing most... ...ivities. The League became a base for the Irish spirit to grow. The League declared St. Patrick’s Day a national holiday and removed a law that banned Irish names from being written on the front of stores. All mail addressed in Irish that once would no longer be delivered was once again being delivered thanks to the Gaelic League. The Gaelic League was a savior for the Gaelic Culture and is still very active. Many American cities have their own Gaelic Leagues and many hold athletic competitions still today. St. Patrick’s Day is also a much celebrated holiday in the United States even for people who are not of the Irish culture. The Gaelic culture was dwindling fast due to many unfortunate factors, but thanks to Douglas Hyde stepping up and creating the Gaelic League, the Gaelic culture is still going strong today all over the world.

Our language our identity Essay

Identity can be perceived through language; is one of the many ideas that are illustrated throughout Gloria Anzaldua’s â€Å"How to Tame a Wild Tongue†. The language you speak is a part of your culture, and your culture is what defines a person the most. Living in a country that is seen to be melting pot of many cultures and heritages, you are bound to encounter someone of another culture but that doesn’t mean we suppress their ability to represent who they are because of their lack of knowledge pertaining to the primary language used in this country. Immigrants use language to preserve their culture heritage and identity in a foreign land but fear of judgment, suppression and linguistic terrorism affect their ability to fit in and be who they are not only by Americans but also by their own people. Linguistic terrorism is a term used by Anzaldua herself to express her strong emotions on the suppression of her language by others. This term is used to describe an action of suppression by a majority group to a minority group because of their values, norms and even language. This occurs because one usually feels dominant and superior over the other. Anzaldua states in her essay that â€Å"Our language has been used against us by the dominant culture; we use our language differences against each other.† (136) Living in a diverse cultural country such as the United States, many immigrants feel the need to learn the appropriate English in order to communicate and fit in with society. Many aren’t able to completely emerge themselves into the American way of doing things without sacrificing a part of themselves through their cultural heritage and identity. Majority of them feel the need to learn English in order to get a job. Even then they are suppressed because they speak with very simple English with heavy accents. Once these immigrants start to feel comfortable with their English, they are often pushed off by their native tongue because of embarrassment and disrespect to their own language. There are times when groups that have tried so hard to fit in with the Americans are looked down upon by their own culture and society. Anzaldua says, â€Å"‘Pocho, cultural traitor, you’re speaking the oppressor’s language by speaking English, you’re ruining the Spanish language,’ I have been accused by various Latinos and Latinas† (133). This portrays how her own people have looked down upon her because the English she speaks now is evident through her Spanish, shaming the language as a whole in their eyes. Such things cause people to feel discouraged and fear being judged by their own culture. This fear of judgment causes people to have multiple consciences. Sociologists use the term double conscience, a term that coined by W.E.B. Du Bois, to explain such phenomena. It is a way of awareness of who you are and a very different awareness of what other people see you as in contrast to that. The way you act at home would be different in terms of your values, social norms and language. Once you leave your home and enter another society, those values, norms and even language change to those that are commonly believed and used in that newer society. Anzaldua notes that â€Å"My ‘home’ tongues are the languages I speak with my sister and brother, with my friends†¦ last five listed†¦ From school, the media and job situations†¦ standard and working class English. From Mamagrande Locha and from reading†¦standard Spanish and standard Mexican Spanish† (134). A double conscience or a multiple on can be used to explain Anzaldua’s reason for using different languages in different parts and areas of her daily life. She talks about how she picked up different languages from different places because it was important for her to fit in and communicate with them, changing her conscience along the way . Gloria Anzaldua is a strong activist when it comes to the connection between language and identity. In her essay â€Å"How to Tame a Wild Tongue† she outlines her strong emotional arguments about the ability for one to conform to a society by disposing their own language or identity. Your identity is determined by language, the language you speak is a part of your culture, and your culture is what defines a person because of their beliefs, norms and values. Even though there will always be Linguistic Terrorism and suppression, it is important to remember that your language is what makes you who you are and changing from one language to another is something you must do but that doesn’t mean you let that change your true language or your true identity. Work Cited Page Anzaldua, Gloria. â€Å" How to tame a wild tongue.† Fields of Reading: Motives for Writing ed. Nancy R. Comley, David Hamilton, Carl H. Klaus, Robert Scholes, Nancy Sommers, Jason Tougaw. Ninth ed. New York; Bedford/St. Martin, 2013. 131-141. Print

English as Lingua Franca Essay

Do you know that of all the languages in the world, English is the most entertaining and pleasurable language? The amusement of English expounds why we park our car on the driveway and drive our car on the parkway. When we explore in more detail of its paradoxes, we may later discover that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square and guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor it is a pig. If we hurled back, English has been widely dispersed around the world when British Isle began with the growth of the British Empire. In Malaya, English is mandatory for each and every citizen during the colonial of British. Due to the colonization, it left a profound impact in Malaya as English became the second language among Malaysians. In spite of obvious influence of English to our daily life, Malaysians still find it difficult to converse in proper English. The standards of English deteriorate rapidly in our country. We often hear Malaysians speak the so called ‘rojak’ language; for instance, they say â€Å"You eat already ah? † instead of saying â€Å"Did you have your meal? † Therefore, we as Malaysians need to take up English Language as it is the cornerstone of success in life! In the era of consolidation and trying to unify various aspects of life, English is needed economically as it is the global language of mercantile. The headline, â€Å"Japanese Firms say no English, no job†, adapted from The Star on ninth of July 2010 clearly portrays the vitally importance of English for job seekers. The world of business today requires only employees with the excellent command of English. From email to presentation, marketing and exportation of information, English is essential as it is the dominant language. Let me impeach you, how would you survive without English during travelling business especially to English speaking countries? Could you communicate with the native speakers? Obviously not! Therefore, it is crystal clear that English is of utmost importance in the globalization of world trade. When we take command of this language, we open new doors for commerce. Besides, English Language operates as the lingua franca of this new millennium. It is a significant element to foster bridges gap and connects people around the globe. With English acting as an international language, it enables people who do not share a common native language to interact. This can be seen as English is well known as the medium of communication among travellers. It would catch your imagination if you wonder the absence of English to the world. For instance, while you’re having a stroll in the street, a Spanish guy approaches you and enquires about the route to the closest bank. He would say, â€Å"Excuse me, may I know where the nearest bank? † and you will definitely answer â€Å"It’s located behind the Grand Hotel. † What if he said â€Å"perdone, donde se encuentra el banco mas cercano? It is akin to communicate with an alien from Neptune because you do not really understand what they inquire. Hence, it is needed socially in linking the world together. Apart from communication, English Language is being placed steadfastly within the academic domain. By taking up English, it broadens our horizons because almost 60% of books in worldwide are written in English. A high level of proficiency in this language has lead our quotidian life filled with knowledge. Moreover, it enables professors and scientists around the globe to share their studies. It is convenient as professors from different countries can interact with each other without the need of a translator, which is a total waste of time. By sharing all the theories and discoveries, it becomes possible for us to gain further achievement in technology. Have you ever contemplated the possibility for us to for us to enjoy a luxury life of science without English as a medium of interaction between academicians? It is totally out of question! Thus, the role of English is vital as it makes our life more comfortable and continues to ameliorate the standard of living today. After carefully dissecting the importance of English Language, the verdict is clear: English plays a crucial role in our life. Paolo Coelho famously said â€Å"When you want something, the entire universe conspires in helping you to achieve it. † On a similar vein, when you earnestly desire to take up English, chances are usually you will succeed. The importance of English cannot be undermined as it is the determining factor in our ultimate quest: success. After all, there is no reason why learning English can’t be fun. Before I end this, let us have a brainteaser. There is neither pine nor apple in pineapple, but why do we called it pineapple?

Mis-760 Citibank Case Study

MIS 760 – IT Strategy Case Study: Citibank’s E-Business Strategy for Global Corporate Banking Please prepare an analysis of this case. Your write-up should be 4 to 7 pages. Each of the following questions should be addressed individually: 1. What are the impacts of the internet on the competitive landscape of corporate banking? Hint: use Porters 5 forces) The statements below are the impacts of the internet on the competitive landscape of corporate banking: * Intense competition which further increased the rivalry amongst existing competitors * The challenges of serving corporate customers with a variety of needs in terms of size of organization and how progressive and open to change these companies were. Based on the resistance received this could create a threat of substitute products or services. The aggressive changes that were being made by Citibank placed them away head of the competition. This lead in front of their competitors could create new alliances to limit the gap. * The new markets that are potentially Citibank’s creates a challenge to lower cost, improve efficiency while still meeting the needs of the customers. * The substitute products such as local banking and or older systems which may not be as progressive as Citibank in terms of technology. 2.What has Citibank done to differentiate its e-business products from those of its competitors? Citibank was able to differentiate its e-business products from those of its competitors by focusing on customer satisfaction instead of only the bottom-line. Customer satisfaction was focused on the support, technology and response time, making sure the clients felt confidence in the brand. The customer service along with the products are the reasons why Citibank is able to keep its recognition and loyalty throughout the world.Citibank used many technologies to get more clients satisfied such as ATM’s, telephone lines, and the paperless system of payments which is a secure busine ss transaction for the customer. 3. What can Citibank do to create competitive advantages? In order for Citibank to create competitive advantage the following processes can be implemented: * Find a way to lower prices on products while still increasing the bottom line. * Mobile and Web is very important to many individuals so having the ability to initiate transitions via the previously mentioned methods will put them ahead of the competition. . How has Citibank successfully converted its traditional money management business into an e-business? During the process of transforming traditional assets to digital assets, what issues should a company like Citibank take into account to ensure successful implementation? Citibank successfully convert its traditional money management into an e-business system by giving convenience to the customers, (example the technology investments), flexibility, and staying ahead of the competition by investing in infrastructure that would only make the e xperience better for the customer.The transformation was done by becoming more centralized and focusing on the customers and investing in the right technology to improve efficiency and customer satisfaction. For example use of systems to manage the automatic processing of transactions which reduces the time is takes to process and human errors as well. Also the online and real time processing with the direct access to the information for customers and employees, efficient working, cost savings and comfort for customers.During the process of transforming traditional assets to digital assets, the issues Citibank should take into account to ensure a successful implementation are, consistency of data and the learning curve/impact for the customer. Citibank successfully responded to these changes with the different alliances with technological companies such as Oracle, SAP, Commerce One, building a new global infrastructure integrating products in new ways. 5. What actions has Citibank t aken to serve the needs of two very different market segments, MNCs and SMEs?Citibank developed two different strategies for each market segments, some of the strategies for MNCs are secure platforms to access services, local and global which can offer fast and worldwide capabilities. Also provide fraud and identity theft protection, showing the advantages of online real time banking For the SMEs, Citibank offer rewards such as free internet access as the customers slowly progress into a fully online environment. The clients were not aware of the additional benefits of the internet, especially dealing with limited access so the free internet allowed for an easier transition. . How has Citibank’s Cash and Trade Group managed to develop different e-business products for varied industries? With the market changing so rapidly, how does Citibank identify market needs? Citibank has managed to develop different e-business products for diverse industries by utilizing the growing tech nology market and providing the convenience for their customers. The many products and services offered has been a success for each market segment because it meets the needs of each groups.Also the customer’s service lines, relationship managers and products specialists for the varied clients are required to identify the market needs and develop the new services according to the different industry segments. 7. One of Citibank’s challenges is in managing vendors and suppliers without allowing them to exploit its clients. How does Citibank protect its clients from its strategic partners? Citibank managing vendors and suppliers without allowing them to exploit its clients by not sharing their clients information with the vendors and suppliers.This is very important because they are protecting the privacy for the customers. Citibank was able to do so by using the suppliers technology without directly involving them, using the different suppliers applications, providing bes t customer service to their clients without charging extra service fee, and marketing or promotions from the suppliers. The goal is to give convenience to the customers using the Citibank applications providing customers full access to their accounts whenever or wherever without the hassle or headaches. 8. Prepare a SWOT analysis to evaluate Citibank’s e-business strategy.SWOT ANALYSIS STRENGTHS * Combined business units * Acquisitions * CitiDirect * Partnerships: Oracle, SAP, & Commerce One Inc. * Centralized operations with much attention focused on 1,400 large global corporations and institutional investors| WEAKNESSES * Different clients and different needs * Service differentiation. This relates back to the different clients and needs because the service has to cater to the client. * Vendor Citibank was working with and the issues when it came to supplier management| OPPORTUNITIES * Creating a brand which is known for excellence.Being a pioneer of Web and mobile support for their customers. * The global service market has a lot of room for growth. Citibank was one of the few doing business so it is possible to still take advantage and increase profits. They have the ability of first to market in this case. * As Citibank continue to increase their business globally, it would service them best to take an opportunity to work with local business (not within the same market) to offer benefits to their customers. | THREATS * Utilizing the web or mobile brings the concern of security. Threat of new entrance from competitors being able to offer lower prices, better incentives, and the technology to go with it. * Decrease in revenue due to economic times| 9. How does this case demonstrate the alignment of an e-business strategy with a company’s overall business strategy? This case demonstrates the alignment of an e-business strategy with a company’s overall business strategy by emphasizing Citibank's changes from traditional to a more e-busine ss structure still being global, meeting the needs of the customers, and still improving bottom line doing so.Also the ability to offer a variety of products and services was in alignment with Citibank's business strategy because it had to meet the needs of various customers. The e-business strategy allowed them to do so successfully. 10. Beyond the case: Citbank has hit hard times in the last several years. Do you think the strategy described in this case helped in the decline or was this a bright spot? Explain your answer. I think the strategy implemented was a bright spot for Citibank.It helped to gain more clients at different levels on a global perspective. The internet revolutionize the banking industry and changed the customers and clients expectations as it pertains to integrating its products and services in new ways. The hardship Citibank faced in the last several years, I believe had nothing to do with this strategy but more so economic. There were many other factors in t he market which contributed to the hard times. Once those factors are changed then Citibank's strategy will continue to benefit them in the long term.

Vikings Art and Culture

The Vikings Art and Culture At first thought of the Vikings, the comic strip â€Å"Hagar the Horrible† comes to mind. As this is probably not a good basis for reference, it still can give slight glimpse, if not a distorted one, of the Viking culture. As for Viking art, a more in depth search must be done, for â€Å"Hagar† was unfortunately not actually made by the Vikings. The Viking culture was a primitive one of agriculture, hunting, and fishing. Families lived on farms together and were a tight knit labor force. During sowing time, the men would all work together from before dawn until after dark to tend to the field, and the women would work on providing the daily necessities, such as food, clothes, and cleaning. The wife would also occasionally help in the fields, and the children would start helping out from a very young age doing their respective duties. There were less than five months of growing season in their northern climate, so the Viking husband of the farm would plant the crops and then look toward the sea. He would head out with his neighbors for a pleasant summer of pillaging in the south. Then, he would return in the fall in time for the harvest. His wife would control all affairs of the household until he returned. If he should not return due to an unfortunate accident, his wife would inherit the land, business, and any other wealth. The eldest son of the family would take over the family farm, and the younger sons would go out to find their own careers as they became of age, possibly Vikings. Family was very important to the Viking people; it was a powerful unit of protection. Much like today, families provided support and assistance, and it was to their family that a person owed their obligation. A close family bond is evident as husbands, wives, and children would erect runes in honor of each other; husbands to their wives, wives to their husbands, and children to their parents. Runes were decorated monuments with inscriptions and verses for their deceased family, much as a tombstone would be now, and were often placed in public places so that they would be seen. They also normally lived as a nucleic family, much like today, with the mother, father, and the children in the household. It was fairly uncommon to have extended family such as grandparents to live with them; most likely, because it was rare to live past the age of forty and most people did not enter the role of grandparent. As much as the Vikings were known as looters and pillagers, they were also formidable merchants. Many of their journeys were commercial and put them in contact with the farthest reaches of the world. Trade became a very important part of their culture. While there are many stereotypes of the Viking people, such as dirty, smelly, illiterate, drunkard savages most are probably misconceptions. While they probably were dirty and smelly after sailing across the sea and maybe did not bathe that often because of the cold weather, one can assume that it was for a purpose rather than just being ignorant. The notion that they were illiterate is wrong; they simply had their own writing system with an alphabet called runic. The letters were mostly made up of vertical and diagonal lines, which made them suitable for carving into wood. As far as the drunkard part, that is most likely the truest stereotype of them all. It is believed that the Vikings were very heavy drinkers. They would drink ale and mead, which is also called honey wine and made from fermented honey. Wine was something that was part of their trade voyages, as grapes did not grow in the cold Scandinavian climate. It is true that the Vikings pillaged many towns and killed many innocent people who came in their path, and while it was terrible, this description is coming from the people who were attacked and showing them in their worst light. In reality, a Viking was only a Viking while at sea, once he returned home there was no more pillaging. It was back to the farm, the family, and normal everyday life. So, were they savages? Yes, to certain people they were, but to others, no. The art of the Vikings was not really art in the sense of the word. There was no art for art sake; it was mostly applied art. Their skills were used to decorate items of daily use. Weapons and ships were intricately decorated, as were drinking vessels, runes, and jewelry. This proved their affinity for showing off their wealth and rank with whatever their possessions were. Most of the art that has survived is made of metal even though most commonly leather, wood, and bone were used. Their art was not naturalistic, but instead abstract. A common theme art was distorted and disfigured animals. Animals were a dominant subject, as they seemed to have an endless devotion to them as a source of inspiration. The gripping beast is one motif that started in the Broa Style; it is a strong, muscular animal that is shown full face with its paws gripping either itself or another nimal. The gripping beast is shown on the Oseberg ship along with two other animal motifs, S-shaped animals with ribbon-like bodies, and semi-naturalistic animals and birds. Being confronted with these images, one could not but be in awe of the energy of the decoration. Many different styles of Viking art have been identified, but no new style can be said to mark the beginning of the Vikin g age in Scandinavia, they grew out of the art styles of earlier centuries, the first being the Broa style, followed by the Borre, then the Jellinge, Mammen, Ringerike, and finally the Urnes. The styles all vary slightly, but still keep with the distorted animal theme. The art of the Viking age influenced many different cultures because of their worldly travels, and they have influenced our culture in a way that we may never comprehend. They have intertwined themselves into the fabric of so many different cultures, that many of us could be part Viking.

Influences of EU Laws on UK Laws Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Influences of EU Laws on UK Laws - Essay Example The enactment of the Equality Act 2010, which brings together UK’s anti-discrimination laws, was particularly influenced by EU law. This paper critically examines the influences of the EU law on the UK’s anti-discrimination laws. Article 141 of the Treaty of Rome, providing for equal pay for employees undertaking a like job has also influenced the English domestic law1. EU Directives and the EU Treaty continue to play a pivotal role in the implementation of the Equality Act 2010. The Equality Act 2010 consists of Equal Pay Act 1970, the Sex Discrimination Act 1975, the Race Relations Act 1976, and the Disability Discrimination Act 19952. The statute consists of other statutory structures outlawing discrimination in workplaces on the basis of religion or belief, age and sexual orientation. The recent enactment of the Act was influenced by the EU Directives on Equal Treatment. The Act requires fair treatment in employment, whether it is a public or private organization irrespective of age, physical ability, gender, marital status, ethnicity, sex, and sexual orientation . The legislation also envisages special privileges for expectant women and mothers, since their condition is classified as a protected characteristic. Moreover, the law requires employers and organizations that provide services to effect adequate adjustments at their premises to allow the disabled persons an unfettered access and equal benefits as the not-disabled4. Despite its overarching role in ensuring equality in the UK as captured in the EU law, the Act permits the barring of transsexuals from occupations that require gender-specific qualities for purposes of realizing a valid objective. Equal Pay Act 1970 Equal Pay Act was the first anti-discrimination law in Great Britain. Whereas, equal pay is an important part of EU and local anti-discrimination law, its enactment was not influenc ed by the EU5. The debate as whether equal pay across gender constitutes discrimination may be the result of a lack of a clear pattern by the international influences on this particular issue, and partly due to the joint codification of equal pay and sex discrimination legislation in the English law6. Anyhow, discrimination law both at the EU level and locally has shaped equal pay legislation where ‘genuine material difference’ exists (Equal Pay Act section 1(3)) or where the employers create indirectly biased payment systems. Whereas equal pay across gender and sex discrimination laws were codified separately, unequal pay based on ethnicity and race discrimination can be effectively handled under the Race Relations Act 19767. In light of this, the Equal Pay Act 1970 could be an original body of law whose creation was informed by local concerns because at its enactment, the UK had not yet joined the European Commission (EC) membership8. The subsequent inclusion of the U K in the EC in 1973 arguably served to strengthen the implementation of the law since a similar provision is present in the Treaty of Rome of 1957. Nonetheless, the is no denying that the

DOMINION Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

DOMINION - Essay Example Biblical texts have shown emphasis and influence on the comprehension of human beings and how we think of ourselves in reference to God our creator and the environment around us. The verse evaluates human dignity as well as privileges given to him by the Creator, human sexuality, women and men relationship, and man’s role in relation to the creation. It is here where the bible illustrate the dominion of man in reference to the world (Genesis 1: 28). This dominion is phrased such that human beings have the role to exploit the environment but to do it responsibly meaning; to use the available resources to help him but not misusing them (Culture and Bible 1995). The role also extends to naming the animals, monitoring their activities, and developing the nature of the world; this is because it defines the hierarchy of authority and power. In short, human beings play the role of the head of the house as far as the whole creation is concerned (Anderson, Bernhard 1975). Man has responsibility to govern and supervise the overall creation. This is because they have added features such as they are capable of differentiating between the wrong and right which gives man a basis of decision making. The added feature resulted from God’s images and likeness unlike the rest, and this brings about the aspect of

SWOT Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 3

SWOT Analysis - Essay Example The strengths and weaknesses define the internal environment while the opportunities and threats represent the external environment to a business (Ferrell & Hartline, 2011). Managers should analyze all their internal positive characteristics of their organization with an aim of exploiting them. These attributes represent the strengths of such an organization and the analysis helps in indentifying the extent to which these factors can be utilized. The strengths include the resources at the firm’s disposal that ensure all the business practices run smoothly (Ferrell & Hartline, 2011). In addition, the positive characteristics are considered as strengths from their capability to sustain the organization’s competitive advantage and the positive aspects of the human resource. The managers should focus on these attributes in order to add value to the business operations. These organization’s strengths are within the management’s control. The weaknesses represent the factors that work toward minimizing the capacity to add value through an organization’s operations. Consequently, these factors reduce the expected value of an organizations operations and leads to a decrease in their competitive advantage in the markets. Such weaknesses include inability to utilize the existing resources maximally, poor quality services and poor positioning in the market. These factors are also within the management’s control (Ferrell & Hartline, 2011). Opportunities are aspects of the external environment to an organization. They symbolize the incentives for the existence and the possible progress of business operations in the market. These incentives present an opening to advance business practices and improve the current benefits. They also offer a chance for growth and development of activities that add value to the organizations and its stakeholders (Ferrell & Hartline, 2011). These opportunities also lead to

State Counter Terrorism Strategy and Plans for Japan Essay

State Counter Terrorism Strategy and Plans for Japan - Essay Example Aum Shinrikyo is an indigenous terrorist group arising in Japan (Hidaeki, 2003). The group also carried out certain marginally successful attacks on the Diet and the Crown Prince’s wedding with botulin toxin and attempted an anthrax attack on the people of streets of Tokyo (Branscomb, 2004). This paper primarily deals with the counter terrorism strategies and action plans for Japan in current context and also for future. Defining Counterterrorism Counterterrorism is a difficult concept to define, especially in the context of western democracies. Paul Wilkinson writes that, â€Å"There is no universally applicable counter-terrorism policy for democracies. Every conflict involving terrorism has its own unique characteristics†. Both Paul Wilkinson and Louise Richardson and many others argue that, Western democracies must have respect for the rule of law and civil liberties should be followed in maintaining their counterterrorism strategies. Counterterrorism operations are subject to continuous change according to the nature of the threat (Rineheart, 2010). Counterterrorism as defined by the U.S. Army Field Manual stands as â€Å"Operations that include the offensive measures taken to prevent, deter, preempt, and respond to terrorism† (Rineheart, 2010). This definition of counterterrorism is more concrete but has its own weaknesses and strengths. Though it correctly explains that counterterrorism is an all-inclusive doctrine including prevention, preemption, deterrence, and responses which would require bringing all aspects of the nation’s power to be exposed both domestically and internationally, yet essentially it differentiates nothing. If an effective counterterrorism doctrine is meant to follow the principle that ‘whatever is needed, whenever we need it,’ then this could create problems with developing effective counter strategies, allocating resources, and determining accountability – it might make the concept o f counterterrorism rather worthless. There are advantages to an all-encompassing approach to counterterrorism. It allows the governments to recognize the complexities of responding to terrorism; it also provides a rhetorical tool that reinforces the notion that there is no simple fix to a nation’s terrorism problem (Rineheart, 2010). International Counter-Terrorism Policy of Japan There are a number of dimensions to the counter-terrorism strategy of Japan. The government’s paramount responsibility is to guard the security of Japan’s territory and citizens against terrorist acts (Hideaki, 2003, p. 55). The basic policy of Japan to counter terrorist activities is by strengthening the national counter terrorism measures. International cooperation and capacity building assistance to countries in need is also enumerated in the list of counter terrorism activities for Japan. The Japanese government in December 2004 adopted the "Action Plan for Prevention of Terrorism" which included taking16 ‘Urgently Needed Terrorism Prevention Measures’. In lieu of this certain urgent measures were taken. Japan has actively committed to the negotiations on relevant treaties in the UN and other international bodies. It has ratified and implemented all of the 13 international counter-terrorism conventions and protocols, most recently, the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism in August 3, 2007. Japan has also been participating in the ongoing negotiations of the Comprehensive