Friday, November 29, 2019

Child Labor Concerning Issues Essay Example Essay Example

Child Labor Concerning Issues Essay Example Paper Child Labor Concerning Issues Essay Introduction Although forms of child labor are still in affect today, the worst of it is in the past. Commonly defined as work performed by children endangering their health or safety, interfering with their education, or keeping them from activities that are important for their development, child labor began centuries ago. It started with the rise of industrial production and capitalism in the United States (Shahrokhi). The worst took place in the 1800’s and early 1900’s when such industrialization was on the rise, and before laws were in effect. However, child labor in all forms has not been fully removed from society today. The most common places that children were put to work were textile factories, coal mills, farms, and other various factories. The reason that children were put to work in these environments is primarily due to machines. They were responsible for keeping the machines running smoothly, even if it put them in danger. In textile mills the youngest were known as â €Å"scavengers† and â€Å"piecers† (Child Labor). The scavengers would pick up the loose cotton from underneath the machinery, while it was still in motion. The piecers were stationed where wool was spinning. They had to reach in to fix any threads that broke and carefully repair them. Piecers had very little time to do this, because the wheel was still spinning as they worked. There were also â€Å"doffers† who removed bobbins when they filled with thread, and replaced them with empty spools (Innocence 113). These children worked barefoot so that they could climb the machines when needed. Children that were involved with sewing clothing often took garments home after work ours to finish them for the next day (Innocence 110). Young girls often worked at hosiery mills, and it was documented that their shifts were eleven to twelve hours long, frequently six days a week. These children were expected to stand their entire shifts (Innocence 113). One of the most comm on places of work was the coal mine. Boys were known as â€Å"breaker boys†. Their bodies, including the face, were covered on soot. These workers sat on wood boards straddling the coal chutes and picked out stones from the flowing coal beneath them (Innocence 108). A former child laborer stated that he left school at the age of eight to work in the mines. Child Labor Concerning Issues Essay Body Paragraphs He was out of bed at five-thirty every morning and had to walk in the snow to work. He was then carried into the dangerous mill with a fellow worker (Bartoletti 11). The conditions in most factories were extremely unhealthy and dangerous in many ways. Most were not ventilated or drained well, dirty, and there was no place to clean up or wash hands. The dust and cotton fibers floating in the air caused many illnesses (Child Labor). Accidents were very common as well due to the unguarded machinery. Frighteningly, one of the most common injuries was the loss of limbs, including fingers and toes (Child Labor). One twelve year old â€Å"doffer† fell in to a spinning machine, losing two of his fingers (Innocence 113). Factory owners were responsible for supplying the workers with food. However, the quality was bad, and many owners expected the workers to continue their jobs as they ate, meaning that they had no breaks and their food was covered in dust and other debris (Child Labor) . Children were also punished for being late, becoming drowsy on the job, or working too slow. The overseers would beat them with leather straps, or dip them head first into water if they were tired (Child Labor). Perhaps one of the best and most well known documenters for fighting against child labor was a man by the name of Lewis Hine. He once commented, â€Å"There is work that profits children, and there is work that brings only profit to employers,† (Innocence 108). In the early twentieth century, he photographed coal mines, textile mills, and tenement sweatshops for almost ten years (Innocence 108). Factory owners rarely allowed him to come in so he would disguise himself as various other professionals who would need photographs for their line of work. In 1908, Hine was hired by the National Child Labor Committee (Innocence 108). The NCLC lobbied for federal laws that regulated the employment of young children. Hine’s work appeared in newspapers, magazines, and N CLC publications throughout the country, causing a wide response and support for the cause by the American public (Innocence 108). Despite the efforts of people like Hine and many organizations, the United States continues to put children to work illegally, whether that means underage, long hours, below the minimum wage, or performing hazardous tasks. Children are being employed in agricultural fields and factories all over America, and some United States companies are putting them to work in sweatshops across the world where governments have a difficult time protecting the children. Whether they are in America or somewhere else in the world, these young laborers are not only hidden from the consumers, but also the companies purchasing the products. Back in 1938, congress passed the Fair Labor Standards Act, with the purpose of ending child labor (Foster). It did decline over many years, but has since leveled off after 1995. In 1997, the Associated Press discovered some disturbing s tatistics. While trying to uncover the secrets of child labor, they came to find 165 children illegally working throughout sixteen states (Foster). Wanting to find more significant numbers, the AP went to a labor economist from Rutgers University by the name of Douglas L. Kruse. After performing his study, he estimated that 290,200 children were illegally working in 1996 (Foster). Kruse did report that some were teenagers that worked extra hours at their after school jobs. However, he discovered 59,600 of them were under the age of fourteen, and 13,100 worked in sweatshops (Foster). By hiring underage children to work for them, employers reportedly saved $155 million in 1996 (Foster). The labor laws that were set in the Fair Labor Standards Act are straight forward, but seem far from reasonable. As Kruse said in his study, â€Å"Child labor laws for agricultural employment are much less stringent than for nonagricultural employment† (Kramer). There are large differences betwe en agriculture and other occupations. If working in agriculture children can work at the age of twelve, can work unlimited hours outside of school, and are able to perform hazardous labor activities at sixteen (â€Å"Child Farmworkers†). However, in other occupations children cannot start before fourteen years of age, at fourteen and fifteen years children can only work for three hours on school days, a maximum of forty hours a week when not in school, not before seven in the morning, and engaging in hazardous labor is illegal until the age of eighteen (â€Å"Child Farmworkers†). It does not make sense that there should be any differences in the laws, no matter where the children are working. Another problem with the laws is that they are being weakly enforced. With only twenty-three investigators working on farm labor in the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division, how can they possibly uncover all of the illegal activity (Child Farmworkers). That is less then one person for every two states. With agriculture being the second most hazardous industry, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration spent less than three percent of its inspections on it, and the penalty for violations in 1998 was only $971 (Child Farmworkers). When the companies are made aware that their distributors are putting children to work illegally, they do fight it. However, some investigations take years and are not pursued well enough, while other companies say that when they find that child labor was involved with their product, the contract for that supplier will be terminated. Disturbingly enough, most of the companies only take action when it is brought to their attention by a reporter or investigator. They rarely find the problems on their own. Something that the public may be more knowledgeable of than the child labor that takes place in the United States, is that being done outside of the country, but by US companies. This includes the sweatshops and factories making the clothing, rugs, bedding, and so on that we sell throughout America. Perhaps the most well known case is that of Nike. This came to attention in 1996 in a Life magazine article with a twelve year old in Pakistan stitching together pieces of a Nike soccer ball, receiving only sixty cents for her work that takes most of the day (Nike). Nike finds the nations that are still developing so that the labor is extremely cheap, and the government does nothing about this because there is a lack of awareness to human rights. The products are then sold for far more than it costs for the materials, and the labor, giving Nike large profits. Nike is only an example of the companies performing child labor in countries abroad. Without laws for attending school like the United States, children are working in agriculture before even going to school. They work seasonally and attend school during non-harvest months (â€Å"Commercial Agriculture†). Those who are trying to put an end to this say that enforcing the attendance of school age children would help end child labor (â€Å"Commercial Agriculture†). As said before, agriculture is a very hazardous industry, but the most common for involving child labor. They face a variety of health and safety issues. Outside of the US, children are forced to work without protective equipment and are injured. When they work long hours without rest, children face fatigue resulting in more accidents. Also detected is malnutrition, exposure to disease-carrying animals and toxic chemicals (â€Å"Commercial Agriculture†). Most of the children facing these issues do not receive proper care either. Although the worst of it may be in our past, child labor is still prevalent. Although it is hidden from the public eye in many ways, it is there and is causing many problems. It is terrifying to learn about what children were put through; the harsh conditions, low wages, and long hours. Laws and regulations have he lped tremendously. With the help from people like Lewis Hine, children are back to going to school, playing, and bettering themselves for their own future. We will write a custom essay sample on Child Labor Concerning Issues Essay Example specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Child Labor Concerning Issues Essay Example specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Child Labor Concerning Issues Essay Example specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer

Monday, November 25, 2019

How to Build a Marketing Report Quickly (Free Template) - CoSchedule

How to Build a Marketing Report Quickly (Free Template) Most marketers would rather not spend time building reports. It can be a tedious process that takes your focus off doing other work. However, good reporting is essential for proving your efforts are moving the needle. The key, then, is learning how to build effective reports quickly. That way, you’ll be able to show (with real data) how well you’re performing. You’ll also have more time to spend on things that actually make a difference (instead of compiling  reports). In this post, we’ll walk through a complete marketing report template you can use. It’s built to be flexible and editable to adjust to your own needs. We’ve also intentionally excluded complex formulas that, while beneficial for automation, can easily break when adding or removing portions you may or may not need. We’ll also show you: How to build this report using free tools. Different marketers have different tool sets and workflows. So, for the purposes of this post, we’ll demonstrate how and where to find usable data from free sources. Replace those tools with your own paid alternatives where necessary. How to analyze your marketing performance and translate it into language others can understand. How to get this all done quickly so you can spend your time on other things. Now, let’s make you a marketing reporting master. Why Bother Building Reports, Anyway? If you can find all your analytics data inside your reporting tools, or within individual apps and services themselves, then why do you need to complete formal reports? Here are a few reasons: Your boss and company executives need to see all your data in one place. They want to see your numbers, and they want to see them quickly. You need that visibility yourself. Mashing together data from multiple sources in one location can help you connect the dots in ways you wouldn’t otherwise. It’s useful for others in your company to see how marketing is performing. Beyond executives and decision-makers, other staff might benefit from seeing the numbers. To make this whole process more expedient, download your template below.How To Build A Marketing Report Quickly (Free Template)Section 1: Marketing and Sales Summary First and foremost, marketing needs to increase your bottom line. So, that’s where our reporting template will start. To begin, include a short summary of three successes your team achieved over the past month: These could include: Successful projects you’ve recently completed. Significant increases on your KPIs. Problems your team has been able to solve. Anything you’ve achieved that’s worth sharing can go in this space. Next, let’s take a look at your sales and revenue. These are the numbers that rule your entire life (as a marketer). Where to Find This Info Start with your own team to find quick wins to share. If you’re not immediately aware of what those might be, ask your supervisor or coworkers. Try to find stories that show what you’re accomplishing to earn your paychecks. Depending on your role and the size of your organization, tracking down your sales data may not be as obvious. If you don’t typically dig into tools that can show this data (CRMs, Google Analytics, and so forth), you may need to get some outside help. If that’s the case for you, here are some starting points to consider: Ask your sales team. They should have numbers for leads and revenue. Your finance department. Again, they should know how much money is coming in. Your sales management or tracking software. If your company uses such a service, see if you can get access for reporting purposes. Regardless of where they come from, what’s important is that you report accurate numbers. Recommended Reading: How to Rock at Relationship Marketing Like the Best Sales Pros Section 2: Website / Blog Performance Report You’ve likely invested a hefty chunk of change in your website. If you’re running a blog, you’re (hopefully) putting ample resources into publishing consistent content, too. In either instance, you should be making sure they’re both earning their keep.

Friday, November 22, 2019

Leadership Programmes In Higher Education Research Paper

Leadership Programmes In Higher Education - Research Paper Example s One needs to take into account the level of academic preparation of the first generation students, the characteristics of their family members, their adjustment and expectations of their higher education, and the clash between their home culture and college culture while dealing with their higher education problems. As pointed out by Forest & Kinser, the â€Å"first generation students are more likely than other college students to delay their enrolment in college, and therefore, once they are enrolled, they are older than traditional students† (Forest & Kinser 262). Similarly, most of the first-generation students belong to low-income families and there are many who engage in longer work more hours than non-first-generation students to support the family. Many of these learners have dependants and therefore they need to fulfill their familial and financial obligations along with their higher studies. In the same way, majority of the first generation students suffer from lac k of self-confidence and poor self esteem as they consider themselves as academically backward to their peers. As such, they fail to adapt themselves to the college academic environment and lack of support, motivation and guidance from the part of their friends, family members and relatives pose another great obstacle to their higher education. Similarly, most of them undergo anxieties, fears and frustrations and are haunted by their past experiences. London, in this regard, purport that the first-generation students confront not only the anxieties, isolation and conflict, dislocations, and difficulties of any college student but they also experience ‘substantial cultural as well as social and academic transitions’ (London 168). All these characteristics highlight the continued need to offer... This paper stresses that attainment of academic success turns to be unattainable for them in the absence of all these promotions. As we have already discussed first generation students face a number of obstacles during their academic course which shows the necessity of support programs. The students who are the beneficiaries of these programs attain mental readiness which is the most important requirement for a student to concentrate on his studies in order to achieve academic success. Majority of the first generation students make use of these opportunities and only a minute percentage among them fail to continue their studies or to achieve better academic results. This report makes a conclusion that since the large majority is benefited it is essential to continue the support programs and funding as it immensely assists the first generation students to succeed in life crossing the all the barriers ahead. Faculties need to pay more attention to the problems of first generation freshmen prior to the needs of ideal students who have family support and financial stability. The author talks that the increasing demand for the grant every year shows the success of the program in attracting the first generation freshmen to colleges for higher education. Institutions could conduct programs in order to make them aware of the grants provided by different foundations and direct their students to be the beneficiaries of these support programs. Teachers can identify the first generation students and their particular problems easily and could recommend solutions to overcome their difficulties, as they interact closely with the students.

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Ottershaw branch of Zinns Burgers and Pizza Essay

Ottershaw branch of Zinns Burgers and Pizza - Essay Example set of values, personalities, norms, assumptions, behaviors, beliefs, ideas and tangible and intangible signs of the organization in its internal and external environments of business conduct. Such tangible and intangible artifacts include organizational goals such as mission and vision. Culture is a tool for the manager to inculcate a set of values, beliefs and ideas in the employee whose vision is then transformed into that that of the organization’s vision. Thus it’s clear that at the Ottershaw branch of Zinn’s Burgers and Pizza the restaurant chain is faced with a number of organizational culture related problems. All beliefs, behaviors, values, vision, mission, personalities and so on have become outmoded. In fact it requires an overhauling sooner. According to Edgar Schein organizational culture is â€Å"A pattern of shared basic assumptions that the group learned as it solved its problems of external adaptation and internal integration, that has worked well enough to be considered valid and, therefore, to be taught to new members as the correct way you perceive, think, and feel in relation to those problems" (Schein, 2004). Schein has provided one of the most thought provoking definitions to organizational culture and goes onto claim that of all the attributes of the organization, culture is perhaps the most difficult to transform. He identifies three attributes in the organization culture. Thus the restaurant needs to revamp its organizational culture related practices and initiatives. Next Geert Hofstede identified five dimensions as the basis for organizational culture (2005). A number of other scholars such as Deal and Kennedy (2000) and Handy produced their theories on organizational culture and have had considerable influence on the subsequent writings and developments on the subject. These theoretical perspectives apart there is a considerable amount of empirical evidence to suggest the significance of various elements of the evolutionary

Monday, November 18, 2019

Logistics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Logistics - Essay Example There are firms that have developed themselves as logistics providers and offer value added services to other firms. These firms manage logistics issues and supply chains of other firms since many firms prefer to outsource these functions. They plan, organize and direct firms’ supply chains and logistics. They provide integrated systems that usually meet the needs of their clients (LONG 2004, p.339). They have to organize how the client’s cargo reach destination on time and safely. Additionally, they ensure cargo clearance by the customs and order processing. This means that the operating costs of the clients reduce since the process is efficient. The idea is to make the logistical service provided be a component of the business of the clients. The provision of these logistical services by third parties enables firms to concentrate in the production process only, which is their core business. Once the firms produce products, logistics providers take over and deal with i ssues such as transport and communication. This paper discusses the various types of systems used in logistics services provision and the components of logistics management. In addition, it discuses the benefits and challenges associated with these systems. Logistics Systems There are various systems used in logistics management. These systems mainly aim at enabling firms to achieve quick response manufacturing. The business world is competitive, and the ability of a firm to produce faster gives it an edge over others. The firms should also be able to develop concept, design it and produce a product faster in order to be highly competitive. Opportunities are also available to firms that can produce products faster and deliver them to market quickly. Quick response manufacturing is a method that enables firms to reduce their lead times in the various stages of productions and operations. The goods produced thus reach the market early enough and enables the business to secure its pros pects. It enables the firm to be more competitive since its products are in the market early enough. It attracts clients due to the fast production and delivery of products to the market. Additionally, the profits of the firm are likely to increase since production time reduces, and the return on investments is likely to be improved. The benefits of this system are that the outlay on production reduces and the market share increases. The needs of the customers are also met faster, and the introduction of new goods in the market can be done swiftly. In addition, quick response production removes wastage and increases efficiency in the production process. One of the systems used in logistics management is the kanban system. This is an information system used in managing manufacturing quantities in various stages of production. It enables the firm to produce the desired quantities within the set time. Kanban is a card which notes the nature and the number of units to be produced. The c ard is dispatched to individuals in the prior stage from the succeeding process. The result is joining of all stages in the production process. The quantities and qualities of the products can then be easily monitored. The process enables autonomation and the tasks that workers do are homogeneous. The

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Causes of Obesity and Strategies for Obesity Prevention

Causes of Obesity and Strategies for Obesity Prevention Introduction Nutrition and health are closely intertwined. Childrens growth as well as the adults as it is being said what you it is what you become and what you will be, you will be the product of what you are eating, as we all know composition of healthy body means strong physique, mentally, emotionally, as well as spiritually healthy. A good nutrition is the most basis of good health, eating the right amount of nutritious food helps our body to be healthier, There are some factors that could lead to obesity, The lack of practice sport regularly for children and their tendency to sit either because of laziness or a lack of encouragement and guidance by their parents to practice physical activities may result in healthy children is suffering from obesity and excessive. Eating habits of the child as well as the quality of the food covered by a role in the occurrence of obesity. For example the child to eat more than necessary amounts of foods with high calories instead of eating healthy foods, or eat without the child to starve or eat while watching TV or homework, all this leads to obesity. The final outcome of eating unhealthy foods at the same time the childs life style characterized by laziness is to increase the caloric intake of the child and the lack of proportion burned. What is Obesity? Obesity is a kind of disease that also can be called malnutrition it is a pathological phenomenon in a developing countries, where we can consider that any change in quantity and quality of meal can be one factor of obesity, such as fatty foods. Obesity is to increase the percentage of fat more than 30% of total body weight as a result of the accumulation of fat in it, and this accumulation results from an imbalance between energy intake from food and energy consumed in the body. Considers obesity a chronic disease and complex, such as: diabetes and high blood pressure and obesity in every sense of the worries and troubles of the victims from social problems, psychological, and the end of the Series, diseases that do not cut off such as heart disease and arthritis and varicose veins and sugar and there is a misunderstanding of the causes of the disease What are the causes? 1 Feeding style Where it is certain to devour the food high thermal exchange with non- caloric, this leads to the accumulation of fat in the human body knowing that fat has a higher efficiency of carbohydrates and proteins in the bloc in the fatty tissues of the body . The best example of this that the spread of so-called junk food rich in calories in Western countries and other countries led to the prevalence of obesity and associated diseases in many parts of the world were not appear before. If we are to be honest with ourselves, its why the first and most importantly, the only cause in 90 % of cases of obesity. 2 Lack of activity and movement It is well known that obesity is rare in people movement or who require their constant activity, but you must also know that the lack of volume of activity alone is not sufficient reason for the occurrence of obesity. There is no doubt that the activity and movement of great benefit in improving human health in general can be summarized activity and movement in one word, is a sport. 3 Psychological factors This situation prevalent in women than in men, when subjected to severe psychological problems is reflected in the image of gorging on too much food. 4 The genetic causes Research confirms that modern genetics occupies 60-80 % of the causes of disease and obesity asked about the genes in the body and has been the discovery of more than 200 genes responsible for obesity in laboratory animals, but most are still under research for humans. And genetic causes include: the way the distribution of body fat burning rate of the body and how to convert fat into energy and the activity of certain enzymes depends on some genes. 5 Gender There are some races are more likely to be obese than the Mediterranean region and the Americans of Mexican descent and Black American, While less between races such as the Far East, Japan and China, and white races in Europe and America. 6 Age And obesity rates increase with age and the more advanced age and increased weight is acceptable to increase the rate of weight (2-4 kg) every 10 years. For example: a woman in her twenties, weighing 60 kg is acceptable to be: 62 64 kg at the age of thirties 66 68 kg in the forties 68 72 kg in the fifties 72 75 kg in the sixties These natural increase with advancing age have benefits, especially among females they protect against osteoporosis where the nor epinephrine hormone estrogen fat as it reduces the appearance of wrinkles in the face and neck and hands. It is known that children with obesity are at risk of becoming obese for life. 7 Hormones and glands There are critical periods for the disease, obesity and the most important period of puberty, pregnancy, lactation and menopause. It is known that periods accompanied by disturbances in the bodys hormones and hormones, especially femininity and therefore Infection with obesity for females weak men. What is the diagnosis? How to estimate the degree of obesity: Regularly can make some simple methods to estimate the degree of obesity has, among these methods are as follows: (1) Belt test : This test for men, which uses a belt around the normal waist circumference and chest circumference , if the length of the longest waist circumference of chest circumference is evidence possible to increase the fatty tissue and there is a saying the longer the belt Palace age. (2) Mirror test: can an individual to see for himself the true picture of his body in the mirror without courtesy there is nothing wrong and is the best way to show status and body weight. (3) Test Procedure: This is done by lying on the back and put a ruler over the area of à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¹Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¹the abdomen towards the head and feet, if not touching the sides of the ruler body is evidence of increased adipose tissue. (4) Test the grip of the skin: and this is in the region of the upper arm ( ulna ) from the side or rear area above the waist and using the thumb and forefinger If the distance is more than one inch is possible to increase the guide adipose tissue . (5) Balance: This method is always used by the balance of the ordinary and it must be a week, and at the same time with the clothes and make sure of the safety of balance and position just above the ground and not over the carpet. There are also various scientific methods to estimate the degree of increase in body weight due to the accumulation of fat and adipose tissue are the most important methods used in scientific studies accurate method of measuring the thickness of the fat layer by layer by fatty holder and a special method of measuring the density of the body and the weight of the individual under the water. The account that is strictly for the purpose of differentiating between whether an individual or obese, an increase in muscle mass in the body, What are the symptoms? it takes into account age as well as weight and height, defines a way the average body weight (ABW) if the weight of women at least 75 % of the (ABW) has not animate nervous loss of appetite. Health problems caused by obesity Whether obesity occurred as a result of a medical reason or because of the lifestyle, the obesity in children is not something which should be taken lightly. The child, who suffered from obesity excessive, is more susceptible to certain health problems such as asthma, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Psychological problems A psychological pressure faced by the child, who is suffering from obesity is also a problem, which often includes ridicule from his colleagues. Well there are many other situations that exposed these children and make them feel that their mistake, for example, when go out to buy clothes and have no size for them, etc. . Mothers and fathers should use moral support of your children at the same time encourage them to be healthier. What are the treatments? To reduce the fat in food can cook meat or roasted instead of fried in fat , as you must remove the chicken skin to have a high percentage of fat and cholesterol , and when you prepare the meat must remove all visible grease . Drinks such as coffee, tea and other sugar-free or with a small amount of sugar. Remember that nuts and seeds are rich in fat do not overfed addressed. Stay away from fads and beliefs wrong food -related obesity. Not to resort to surgical procedures to eradicate fat from the body, because there are many health complications may occur as a result of these operations. Do not use drugs mitigating appetite this may have undesirable health complications. Must abstain or minimize as much as possible about eating: Butter, cream, whole milk and low-fat products sufficiency and also to avoid ice cream, pastries and pies. Jam, honey, black and white. Dried fruit. Nuts and peanuts. Sugary soft drinks. Behavioral change in our habits of eating: The behavioral change not only helps in weight loss but also helps in maintaining the continuity of the lost weight, and the most important tips for behavioral change in dietary habits, which have proved successful in weight reduction programs, are as follows: Drink a glass of water or eat salad before eating. At the time of eating food should be placed in small dishes, and the food is placed in those dishes in the kitchen and not to bring food in large containers or large dishes on the dining table. Eat slowly and chew well, and the development of eating utensils (fork and spoon and knife) on the table between the quid and the other so do not forget to address the food quickly. Eat in one room and not busy with any other work such as reading or eating while watching TV. Once you leave the table quickly finished eating. Do not go shopping and buy food in the case of hunger, and not to buy foods so as not to be blocked off for the difficulty to resist. Store food away from the vision. Practicing and exercises: Must practice any sport light on a regular basis as it helps to burn fat , and the most suitable sport is walking , and Ive found that walking for an hour a day at a rate of 4 kilometers at a rapid pace resulting in the loss of 300 kcal . Sports and beside it consumes energy, they lead to a reduction of tension and boredom associated with the system when you do lose weight and to get out of the individuals home away from eating as well as improve the efficiency of the blood. How can it be prevented? are there any changes in lifestyle or eating habits that are needed? List nutrients that may help to prevent this disease and their effect (function) Have your priorities your system balanced food. Ways to avoid getting obese and maintain proper nutrition: Encouraged your child to exercise regularly. Take to your child regularly to the Club or to any public park where can play and running freely with the rest of the children. Limits critical situation for the time spent in front of your childs daily TV or the computer or play video games on. share your children in planning for meals and in shopping when buying groceries. Eat together at the dining table as much as possible. Avoid eating in front of the TV. Ate healthy snacks such as fresh fruit and vegetables, fresh juices, Yogurt, low-fat cheese, eating these foods is better than eating candies and chocolate. Do not use food as a reward or punishment. Mothers sometimes used candies as a way to reward children and this makes children more loving it. The causes of obesity, a suffering of women who look in the mirror when they feel their weight getting heavier to a great extent , in fact, more than 55 % of women exceed their weight ideal weight by more than 20 % . UAE statistics- what % of people are obese, any other data, tables, graphs, etc. Write a concluding paragraph including how we can solve the problem of obesity in UAE I concluded that avoiding the use of diets or lists of diets in books and trade magazines to lose weight, you should take the food program of specialized sources ( a dietitian or a doctor who specializes in nutrition ) and the Centers Fitness in many Arab countries do not provide lists of healthy diet , and there is no by specialists in nutrition , its best not to rely on these centers in nutrition. After consulting a doctor and taking the required laboratory tests must engage in aerobic exercise, such as aerobic exercises, walking, swimming, preferably after exercise at least two hours of eating the main meal. Eating foods rich in dietary, fruits and wheat bran, whole grains, these foods as well as a few calorimetric need longer to digest and give a sense of satiety. The reduction of fatty food and the use of different kinds of fat in the kitchen. Limit the intake of foods that contain sugars and processed sweets chocolate, canned fruits, jams, soft drinks and others. References WHO 2000 Haslam DW, James WP (2005). Obesity.Lancet366(9492): 1197–209. Kushner, Robert (2007).Treatment of the Obese Patient (Contemporary Endocrinology). Totowa, NJ: Humana Press. p.158. Retrieved 2013. Adams JP, Murphy PG (July 2000).Obesity in anaesthesia and intensive care.Br J Anaesth85(1): 91–108. Imaz I, Martà ­nez-Cervell C, Garcà ­a-Alvarez EE, Sendra-Gutià ©rrez JM, Gonzà ¡lez-Enrà ­quez J (July 2008). Safety and effectiveness of the intragastric balloon for obesity. A meta-analysis.ObesSurg18(7): 841–6. Barness LA, Opitz JM, Gilbert-Barness E (December 2007). Obesity: genetic, molecular, and environmental aspects.American Journal of Medical Genetics143A(24): 3016–34. Woodhouse R (2008).Obesity in art: A brief overview.Front Horm Res. Frontiers of Hormone Research36: 271–86. Pollack, Andrew (June 18, 2013).A.M.A. Recognizes Obesity as a Disease.The New York Times. Archived fromthe originalon June 18, 2013. Weinstock, Matthew (June 21, 2013).The Facts About Obesity.HHN.American Hospital Association. Retrieved 2013. Sweeting HN (2007).Measurement and Definitions of Obesity In Childhood and Adolescence: A field guide for the uninitiated

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Symbolism in The Farming of Bones by Edwidge Danticat Essay -- Farming

Symbolism in The Farming of Bones by Edwidge Danticat   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Edwidge Danticat's novel, The Farming of Bones is an epic portrayal of the relationship between Haitians and Dominicans under the rule of Generalissimo Rafael Trujillo leading up to the Slaughter of 1937. The novel revolves around a few main concepts, these being birth, death, identity, and place and displacement. Each of the aspects is represented by an inanimate object. Water, dreams, twins, and masks make up these representations. Symbolism is consistent throughout the novel and gives the clearly stated and unsophisticated language a deeper more complex meaning. While on the surface the novel is an easy read, the symbolism which is prominent throughout the novel complicates the audience's interpretation. The reader is left to look beyond the language and uncover the underlying themes of the novel. Through symbolism Danticat is able to use inanimate objects to represent each of her character's more deeply rooted problems. In order to prove this theory true, I w ill thoroughly examine the aforementioned symbolic devices and provide a clear interpretation of their significance in the novel.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The first example of symbolism we encounter is in the first chapter and comes in the form of dreams. When Amabelle and Sebastian open up to one another it is through their shared experiences, which are most usually, their dreams. They are able to be the most themselves when they are not in real life experiences, though it sounds like an oxymoron, the juxtapose between dreams and reality says a great deal about the characters. Dreams are essentially escapes from reality, and when Amabelle and Sebastian share their dreams with one another it serves as an escape. It becomes clear that they share the desire to escape, but escape from what exactly, their pasts, presence, or futures? This implication of escape prepares readers for the escapes made by the lovers near the end of the story. On page 2 Amabelle says of her nocturnal escapes, "It's either be in a nightmare or be nowhere at all. Or otherwise simply float inside these remembrances, grieving for who I was, and e ven more for what I've become." This quotation implies that that even her life has become a nightmare. Readers can infer that a good night's sleep would be Amabelle's only chance of escape. Her nightmares are destroying her life, and her life... ...he offered it to him.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Farming of Bones is not only an amazing work of literature, but a wonderful example of post-colonial literature. It has all the classic experiential images; dualism, confrontation, liberation, and identity.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The presence of symbolism throughout the novel is undeniable. Each of the symbols in the work are representative of a certain aspect of the characters lives. Dreams showed readers the desire of characters to escape their realities. The twins that Senora Valencia gives birth to are clearly meant to represent the neighboring nations of Haiti and The Dominican Republic. Water is primarily symbolic of life and death, but in this case readers are expected to come to their own conclusions regarding the river. Using these symbols allows the author to make discrete yet important additions to her writing without disrupting the format of the novel. Aside from serving as a benefit to the authors writing style, they can also be seen as an artistic addition which brings the entire novel to a different level. The use of symbolism in The Farming of Bones is not only extraordinarily well written but also completely essential to the story as a whole.

Monday, November 11, 2019

Social Work Management and Its Relevance to the Social Work Profession

SOCIAL WORK MANAGEMENT AND ITS RELEVANCE TO THE SOCIAL WORK PROFFESSION LAUREN DA SILVA Introduction. †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 4 The social work profession †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 5 {text:list-item} {text:list-item} {text:list-item} {text:list-item} Definition of management†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. {text:list-item} What is social work management?†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â ‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 8 {text:list-item} {text:list-item} Case Study: Management in One Way Community Services†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 13 {text:list-item} {text:list-item} {text:list-item} {text:list-item} {text:list-item} Conclusion†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 9 Appendix 1†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 20 List of Sources†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 21 INTRODUCTION: Management and the study and refinement of management sciences are by no means a recent field of study. Basically, as long as human beings have been organizing themselves in groups to fulfil a common purpose or goal, some form of management has been employed to keep things under control, running smoothly and more effectively. In fact, one of the earliest recordings of a management technique can be found in the Christian Bible in chapter 18 (verse 25) of the book of Exodus where after encountering numerous problems resulting from being the only direct report to millions of Israelite people, Moses decides to â€Å"choose capable men from all Israel and made them leaders of the people, officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens† (Exodus 18:25 New International Version). Considering management has been used by human civilization since the beginning of its existence (even if it is done completely unwittingly), I find it rather surprising that management as a field of study has only been in existence since around 1890, when Frederick Taylor developed the â€Å"Scientific Management Theory†, which characterized the emphasis on scientific measurement of tasks and use of highly mechanized, assembly line and routine activities by workers (Very Brief History of Management Theories). From between 1930 and 1950; Taylor’s management theory began to give way to Max Webber’s â€Å"Bureaucratic Management Theory†. He â€Å"focused on dividing organizations into hierarchies, establishing strong lines of authority and control† (Very Brief History of Management Theories) and emphasized detailed, standardized operational structures with very little room for flexibility (Very brief history of management theories). From then on human rights groups like trade unions began to heavily influence governments which in turn began creating legislation which reacted to these inhuman management structures. Human resource divisions were added to companies and it became common to relate the prosperity of the organization to the wellbeing of its employees. Added to this, breakthroughs made in the human sciences fields of study played a strong role in helping management to understand and take into consideration the needs of workers (Very brief history of management theories). So, with the momentum that management as a field of study has gained over the past century and the mark that it has left on organizational functioning (hopefully for the better) as it has developed, it’s relevance to the social work profession is an important topic of discussion. Over the course of this assignment I will be critically discussing social work management and its relevance to the social work profession. I will also use a case study to explain how management influences the effectiveness and efficiency within One Way Community Services (the non profit organization with which I have been placed for my practical work for this year). I will start off by introducing the social work profession as it will be discussed in this essay, specifically within the context of non-profit organizations. I will then define management as it is applied to both for and non -profit organizations and how these practices influence the success of non profit organizations. Then, I will define social work management specifically and its relevance to the social work profession. Finally I will discuss the influence of social work management on social welfare service effectiveness within the non-profit organization with whom I have been placed for my practical work (One Way Community Services) before I conclude with some final thoughts on social work management. THE SOCIAL WORK PROFESSION In order to understand the relevance of social work management to the social work profession, I feel that it is of importance to have a clear understanding of the history of the social work profession, how it is currently defined and the context it operates in. {text:list-item} {text:list-item} When Christianity was legalized by Emperor Constantine the first, the church started setting up poor houses, orphanages and homes for the aged and these were funded in part with grants from the Roman Empire. By 590, the early church had an established system of circulating food and consumables to the poor. In the Middle Ages, giving to the poor was considered part of one’s religious duty and although it was common to give items like food and clothing, the root causes of poverty however, were never addressed (History of Social work – Wikipedia). {text:list-item} As a profession, social work began in the 19th century in America and the United Kingdom – mainly because the poor were seen as threatening to the social order. When the industrial revolution began, the leap in technology and science also led to increased migration to urban areas which in turn lead to increased social problems which naturally lead to an increase in social activism. The settlement movement, during this time focused on the causes of poverty – Research, reform and residence. They provided educational, legal and health services that advocated reforms in social policy. Workers in the settlement movement pioneered the immersement of workers in the culture of those they were helping. Two pioneers in the establishment of social work as a profession were Mary Richmond (Mary Richmond's Charity Organization Society) and Jane Addams (Jane Addams's Settlement House Movement). They debated whether or not problems should be taken from a scientific method (Richmond) or immersion into the problem which blurred the boundary between professional and client (History of Social Work – Wikipedia). The first social work class was offered at the University of Columbia in 1898 and in 1947 Lindeman â€Å"affirmed criteria† by which it could be seen as an actual profession. In 1957, Lindeman described social work as being a profession but on the lower end of the development continuum. Encyclopaedia of Social Work(in SCK 407-G Study Guide 1:3). After a few decades of the increased formalisation of social work, and an increased understanding of the skill it requires to understand people fully and to assist them in helping themselves (SCK 407-G Study Guide 1:4), Spiro et al (in SCK 407-G Study Guide 1:4) describes social work as having achieved a â€Å"full-fledged professional status†. Since then social workers have taken the lead in developing programmes and organizations that have made a difference in the lives of people in need (NASW –History of Social Work). 2. 2 CURRENT DEFINITION OF SOCIAL WORK The social work profession is described by the International Federation of Social Workers as a profession that; â€Å"†¦ promotes social change, problem solving in human relationships and the empowerment and liberation of people to enhance well-being. Utilising theories of human behaviour and social systems, social work intervenes at the points where people interact with their environments. Principles of human rights and social justice are fundamental to social work. † (International Federation of Social workers – definition of social work) It is further defined by the National association of social workers as; â€Å"the professional activity of helping individuals, groups or communities to enhance or restore their capacity for social functioning and to create societal conditions favourable to their goals. Zastrow (in SCK 102-X Study guide 1:57) Basically, social work profession definitions all point to people’s relationship between themselves and their social environments, a concern for social functioning, problems, needs, policy, institutions and wellbeing and ongoing interaction between individuals, groups and communities (SCK 102-X Study Guide 1:59). {text:list-item} The social work profession needs to und erstand the contexts within which it works (SCK 407-G Study guide 1:4), and for the purposes of this assignment, one of those contexts is the organization. Social workers hardly ever operate by themselves, in isolation of some sort of organization – most of the time the organization is a non-profit but it not unheard of to find a social worker being employed by a for-profit organization for the sake of the wellbeing of its employees. Organizations exist to meet the needs of people and as history has evolved, people have realized that human needs are better met with collective efforts (SCK 407-G Study guide 1:5) and social needs are no exception, thus social work is also practiced in organizations, particularly welfare or non-profit organizations (SCK 407-G Study Guide 1:5). In addition to this, social worker’s actions are sanctioned and accountable to these organizations (SCK 408-H Study Guide 1:3). A non-profit organization is characterized most importantly by the fact that the people involved for a reason other than benefitting financially (they are actually banned from doing so) and that a non-profit organization usually meets a need or goal of the public or a subsection of the public that supports its existence (SCK 407-G Study Guide 1:7). As mentioned earlier, one type of non-profit organization in which the social work operates in, is the welfare organization (and for the purposes of this assignment will be used inter-changeably with the term non-profit organization). Dealing with people directly The core activities are interactions between the public (customers) and the staff of the organization The results of the rendered service are difficult to predict There are many interested partied involved The organization is staffed by professional people all belonging to organized professions Organizations are highly dependent on their environments. Organizational factors influence how social work services are organized, delivered and evaluated (SCK 407-G Study Guide 1:24) and so it makes sense that the management of this organizational context would play a big role in the quality of social work services that are rendered, the next section we will introduce the concept of management and how effective management of a non-profit organization can improve its services before exploring how a specific type of management (Social work management), is specifically needed for the special challenges facing the social work profession within the non-profit organizational context. DEFINITION OF MANAGEMENT: Management is defined by dictionary. com as being: â€Å"The act, manner, or practice of managing; handling, supervision, or control: management of a crisis; management of factory workers; the person or persons who control or direct a business or other enterprise; skill in managing; executive ability. † (Dictionary. com: Management) It is also defined by Kroontz & Weihrich (in SCK 408-H Study Guide 1:6) as: â€Å"the process of designing and maintaining an environment in which individuals working together in groups, accomplish efficiently selected aims. From this definition we can infer a number of things: Management helps to facilitate & guide the actions of people and the use of resources towards accomplishing a specific goal. Management is responsible for creating an environment in which people can perform optimally – thus increasing productivity. Management can be utilized in any type of organization Management also consists of 4 or so (de pending on the source) basic management tasks which are perfomed in order for every task that is carried out. These basic management tasks are: planning, organization, activation & control. text:list-item} Management has a number of benefits when used correctly in any organization, adapted from Weinbach (in SCK 408-H Study guide1:28) a number of which are listed below: Management provides a structure for employee accountability. Management provides a structure for employee discipline. Management provides a structure for the co-ordination of a number of activities by a number of people all resulting in the accomplishment of the desired goal. Management provides the structures and means for evaluation of employee and organizational performance. Management provides an indication of where the organization stands within the greater environmental context Management structures provide guidelines for employee behaviour Management provides a vehicle for the improvement and expansion of employee knowledge and skills. Aside from the many benefits management has for the organization as a whole, good management is also associated with a number of benefits experienced by employees. Here are a few as listed by Brian Amble (Benefits all round from good talent management): Employees feel more engaged by their work Employees feel more satisfied with their jobs overall Employees feel more satisfied with their companies overall Employees are more likely to have confidence in the future of the organizations at which they are employed Employees have a positive impression of the people in management positions – they believe that the work load is managed effectively and that people in senior positions value the input of all employees and see it as an important contribution to the success of the organization. Employees feel a strong sense of job security Employees feel that their performance is evaluated fairly Employees experience more feelings of personal accomplishment In summary, when employees are satisfied, productivity increases and when productivity is high in any given organization, it can be said with great certainty that the management of that organization is fulfilling its role in making sure that the organization is running as effectively and efficiently as possible, resulting not only in a more competitive organization but an organization that is a better place for its employees to work. WHAT IS SOCIAL WORK MANAGEMENT? Social work management is defined by Trecker (1971, in SCK 408-H Study Guide 1:6) as the following: â€Å"Social work administration (management) is the process of working with people in ways that release and relate their energies so that they use all available resources to accomplish the purpose of providing needed community services and programs. Here one can see that this definition that relates specifically to social work management but that the definition is exceptionally similar to those of management as stated in the previous section in the following ways: Both refer to the co-ordination of people and resources to facilitate the accomplishment of a specific goal. Both refer to the creation of an environment in which an organization and the people in the organization can function optimally (ensuring maximum productivity). On first glance it would appear that management and social work management are two terms which refer to the same thing, but that is not really the case. Although the functions of management and social work management are essentially the same, the difference is that in the case of a non-profit or welfare organization, although effective management is most definitely required, social work management is the ideal. This is because success for this type of organization requires more than just management, it â€Å"requires a breadth of view, rooted in social work knowledge and values† Teichman in Slavin (in SCK 407-G Study Guide 1:33). An article by Mind tools called â€Å"Managing in non-profit organizations†, states that managers need more than just management skills to succeed and that they need a clear understanding of the very specific nature of non-profit organizations (Managing in non-profit organizations). Teichman goes further to state that employing a manager instead of a social worker could actually have a negative impact on this type of organization. Teichman in Slavin (in SCK 407-H Study Guide 1:33). The purposes of a non-profit or welfare organization are best accomplished when someone has a professional social work education and some experience. This in combination with a strong identification with social work values and ethics AND training in management is ideal and exactly what a welfare organization needs to fully accomplish its goals in the most productive way possible (SCK 407-G Study Guide 1:33). {text:list-item} The relevance of social work management can be found when the unique challenges facing non-profit and welfare organizations and the wider context in which these operate are considered. text:list-item} A challenge facing social work management which does not exist in other organizations is the absence of the profit motive. In for-profit organizations the motivation for the existence as well as personal involvement in the organization is financial gain (profit), this motive does not usually exist in non-profit organizations as the organization exists to provide a s ervice to others and if workers are paid employees, remuneration is generally not as high as with for-profit organizations. For this reason it is fair to say that people choose to work in non-profit organizations because they identify with the mission and/ or vision of the organization or because they have other personal reasons for joining the organization (it is important to note however that this is not always the case and there are some exceptions). It is thus important for social work management to understand what motivates their paid team and to use this motivation to increase worker effectiveness and efficiency. Providing incentive that links the worker personally to the organizational mission rather than career orientated incentives like promotion might be more effective (Managing in non-profit organizations). A social worker in management is more qualified for this type of thing because social workers are especially trained in the art of understanding people in their totality and these skills can easily be used in different contexts including management contexts. text:list-item} In for-profit organizations, profit gives an overall measure of effectiveness and efficiency of the organization as it is concrete and easy to measure(SCK 407-G study guide 1:29). In non-profit organization it is not as easy to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of the organization as firstly, each organization decides for itself (depending on its vision and mission) what the criterion are. Social workers have an advantage in that their understanding of human condition and the root causes of poverty and this might help them to quantify a way that would enable them to notice if the services of the non-profit organization in question have actually improved it. For this reason I believe that social work management is relevant to the social work profession. {text:list-item} In a non-profit organization income is not really proportional to how many people make use of your product or services in comparison to for-profit organizations where this relationship is directly proportional (SCK 407-G study guide 1:30). Non-profit organizations need to rely on grants from government and donations from other organizations and individuals in the public for the means to continue its existence (as adequate finances are indispensible for the increased frequency of service provision as well as the improvement in quality of these services). An added dynamic is that non-profit organizations normally cooperate with other organizations (discussed later), but have to compete for limited finances. This means that social work managers need to be very careful when using their resources responsibly, in a sustainable way and at the same time balance donor expectations (which usually involve wanting to see money go directly to the beneficiaries when a lot of money also needs to go into operating expenses)(Managing in non profit organizations). In addition to this social workers also need to master another skill which a manager in a for-profit organization would probably never need. I do not believe that a social work manager would necessarily be better at this task as in my opinion it would not really require skills specific to the social work profession but rather skills specific to financial management, public relations and marketing. {text:list-item} Non-profit organizations are also different to for-profit organizations in that instead of competing with other organizations that render similar services, it actually pays to cooperate with them. This is because a non-profit organization’s situation improves if ts clients are made independent of its services or if it has less customers than its capacity limit. It also ensures better service to the client. Cooperation with similar organizations is a good way to achieve this (SCK 407-G Study Guide 1:31). A special skill required for the social work manager is that of the ability to network and form partnerships with other organizations. This includes the ability to influence these relationships for the org anization’s and clients’ benefits (Management in non-profit organizations). text:list-item} Social work management also has the unique task of managing unpaid staff as in a non-profit organization, volunteers could sometimes out number paid staff. Volunteers need to be managed like any other human resource – staffing planning, job descriptions, performance management and evaluation as well providing appropriate awards and actions that could lead to the termination of services (non-profit specific management skills). In addition to this, a manager needs to manage volunteers and paid staff in such a way that ensures that all feel valued and motivated equally. Social work management is also more effective in terms of this challenge as in addition to management skills which they possess which allow them to create suitable job descriptions, planning the roles of volunteers into the organizational structure and managing them with the same professionalism as other volunteers, they possess skills needed to understand human behaviour and what motivates people, and then using this understanding to ensure motivation of volunteers as discussed in section 4. . 1. {text:list-item} In most cases, there is a vast difference in the availability of technology to assist in the accomplishment of organizational goals when one compares non-profit and for-profit organizations. In for-profit organizations, the application of technology is precise in its application and in non-profit organizations there is a wide range of responses to a limited number of techniques (case, group and community work). The technology used in social work is therefore very vague and imprecise in comparison, making it difficult to predict results and link cause and effect in relation to technology used in social work (SCK 407-G study guide 1:32). The social work manager’s task is to understand the technology used in the profession and also develop means to use it the most effective and efficient ways possible – minimizing its disadvantages and maximizing its benefits. The social work manager is also better suited to handle this challenge as the social work manager spends most of his or her time in professional training mastering the techniques mentioned above and so he or she is in the best position to understand them the most and thus use them most effectively. {text:list-item} Non-profit organizations possess another unique trait in that the climate in which it operates is very often emotionally charged and draining. Employees and volunteers very often become personally involved in what they do and their clients and although this sometimes does mean that they are highly motivated and committed to what the organization does, it also leaves them drained and sometimes traumatized by the situations that they encounter. This becomes a risk factor as it leaves employees demoralized and sometimes even desensitized by their experiences and their productivity decreases. Although workers at for-profit organizations experience some form of emotional distress at their place of work, it is the nature of this distress (usually stress related to the pace at which the organization moves and not the emotionally content of the work done) which makes it different to what is experienced at non-profit organizations It takes a wise and highly competent manager to negotiate this challenge in such a way that does not create a sterile and uncaring environment which at the same time does not create a space which leaves employees emotionally drained and exhausted. This, according to Jean Roberts requires an organizational commitment to reducing the possibility of risk by allocating resources to the identification, analysis and prevention of risk and monitoring the cause and effects of this risk and managing it effectively (Added Human risk for non profit organizations). Social work managers are once again better equipped at navigating these kinds of situations because of their knowledge of and probably their experience with the nature of the social work profession and the kinds of situations are encountered. A social work manager would need to combine the social work skills of empathy and the advanced skills with skills related specifically to management (creating structures and roles as well as allocating resources within the organization) to reduce the risk of this challenge without removing the personal nature of the work done in non-profit organizations. {text:list-item} Just as much as management in for-profit organizations need a strong knowledge of the laws and policies influencing the nature of the services and products that are rovided to the public, so the management of the non-profit organization needs a strong knowledge of policies and legislation that relate specifically to the kinds of services rendered by the organization (child welfare laws, fundraising laws, laws relating to non-profit organizational management structure) as well as policies relating to employment of employees, human resources and income tax laws (non profit specific management skills). In addition to this, non-profit organizations have an ethical responsibility towards improving and changing legislation and policy to better meet the needs of the people it is supposed to help and serve (SCK411-C Study Guide 1:66). Board members and management need to have strong working knowledge of the various agencies and organizations that influence legislation as well as rules and regulations effecting government and private funding – this is most definitely a non-profit specific management skill (non profit management skills). Social work management is best equipped for this unique attribute of the non-profit organization sector. Once again social workers are trained in the knowledge of legislation and policy that specifically effects the profession and the organizations in which it operates. This puts social work management in the position it needs to be in to not only react to these policies by complying with them and making sure that the organization stays on the right side of the law, but it being on the forefront of service delivery also allows it to be in the best position to make important recommendations to how policies and legislation can be changed for the betterment of the profession and overall, to improve the lives of the people who make use of these services. CASE STUDY: MANAGEMENT IN ONE WAY COMMUNITY SERVICES One Way Community Services is a section 21 company, non-profit organization, which focuses mainly on community development. It was started as the response of One Way Community Church to the needs it saw within its local community – the Vaal Triangle (which consists of Vanderbijlpark, Vereeniging, Sasolburg and the surrounding townships). (One way Community Services Brochure). One Way Community Services was started 9 years ago and its emphasis is on community development, specifically in the focal points of children and HIV/AIDS. The organization is proudly South African and firmly believes in the â€Å"purpose and potential locked up in the lives of the people they work with† (One Way Community Services Brochure). They have six core values which they try and incorporate into everything that they do and these are: Unconditional love, compassion, faith, excellence, brightness and fun. Projects which are run by One Way Community Services include Ikageng Shelter for homeless boys, Khanya Khaya Home for abandoned girls, One Way Early learning center, Breakfast club, Princess project, Public Hospital play time and once off community renovations (more information about these projects can be found in the attached One Way Community Services Brochure). Currently, One way Community Services employs five full time staff members 2 full time volunteers. The management team consists of Ellouise Jansen Van Vuuren who is the managing director, as well as four other people from various spheres of the community (Jansen van Vuuren 2010). text:list-item} I met with the managing director of One Way Community Services, Ellouise Jansen van Vuuren who is a qualified social worker who was trained at UNISA. Ellouise fits the description of social work management as described in section 4 and that is why I decided to interview her for the purposes of this assignment. It is important to rem ember that while reading the findings of this case study that they represent the frame of reference (proposition 7 of the person centered approach) and perceptions (proposition 2 of the person centered approach) of Ellouise within the context of her organization (Grobler et al 2006: 50 &69). I have however tried as far as possible to indicate contextual information as such as it could have an effect of my overall conclusion at the end of this assignment. {text:list-item} When asked where her organization would be without management, Ellouise simply responded, â€Å"nowhere† (Jansen Van Vuuren 2010). When I asked her to elaborate she said that management literally makes the difference between life and death for any kind of organization, no matter if they were for-profit or non-profit. She also said that the difference between a terrible organization, a good organization and a great organization usually has very little to do with the type of service it renders but the quality of the management. She mentioned further that administration and management keep the wheels turning in her organization and that one could have all the best intentions and resources in the world but if management was not there to administer them, they would not be used to their fullest potential (effectively speaking – effectively and efficiently)(Jansen Van Vuuren 2010). 5. 1. 1. The benefits of planning: Ellouise said that the management function of planning has helped her organization to increase its effectiveness and efficiency mostly in the area of how they use their finances. When it comes to government funding, the organization needs to submit a financial plan to the department of social development on how they plan on spending the money that they need almost 6 months in advance. This not only helps them to identify the resources needed for the next year but it also forces them to plan their activities and calendar ahead of time too (Jansen Van Vuuren 2010). This means that things no longer happen haphazardly, but intentionally as the organization deems necessary. This type of planning allows the organization to be purposeful about its priorities. The things that they say are important to them and are priority for them to do to fulfil their goals and objectives (as well as their mission and vision) can now happen according to a schedule which allows them to be as prepared as possible for these events – this is because they know that they are coming and prepare adequately for them, and the more prepared they are, the more effective and efficient their services can be (Jansen Van Vuuren 2010). . 1. 1. 2 The benefits of organizing Organizing by a manager at One Way Community Services involves meeting with people from different departments, meeting with the management committee and the marketing team and arranging with them the different activities that need to be done and who needs to do them. Ellouise, who is the managing director, oversees the various areas within the organization and is constantly concerned with the bigger picture and how every department fits in with the others but leaves the smaller details and nitty-gritty’s of running each department or project to the department or project heads. Each project head then has a team that works under them and so this ensures that Ellouise does organizing for the organization as a whole but each project has a team that organizes activities and responsibilities for that specific department or project (Jansen van Vuuren 2010). This ensures (as mentioned earlier), that Ellouise can focus on the bigger picture of the organization in that when she looks at the organization as a whole she makes sure that its meeting its mission and vision while projects and departments are making sure that they meet their own objectives (which contribute to the rganization’s mission and vision). Organizing in One Way Community Services also has an added benefit of ensuring service effectiveness and efficiency and that is because when jobs, time, departments etc are organized, things stand a better chance of actually being done. When things get done, service is delivered and when service is delivered in a certain way by certain people it is also e asier to evaluate which means that it is easier to improve (Jansen Van Vuuren 2010). Ensuring that everyone has a specific role and that departments and projects are well organized also ensures employee and volunteer security in that they know what is expected of them. Ellouise has found that people who are unsure of what is expected of them and how what they do fits into the bigger picture, are less motivated and productive than their counterparts who have a clear understanding of where they fit within the organization and a specific project (Jansen Van Vuuren 2010). 5. 1. 1. The benefits of activating Activating in One Way Community Services takes place by the setting into motion of the plans, people and departments that have been organized. Having everybody actually performing the role that has been assigned to them vastly increases the capacity of the organization. Ellouise noted that when you give somebody a responsibility, you need to be serious about it because a lot of the time people are given responsibilities as a token measure but they do not really functi on in it. She mentioned a simple example of telling someone they were in charge of answering the phone , sending faxes and making photocopies – if you are always answering the phone before that person and doing the faxing and photocopying yourself you are doing yourself, the organization and the employee or volunteer a disservice. For an organization to truly maximize its capacity and in doing so increasing its efficiency, you need to play people at their strengths and let them do what they are supposed to do. She said that if she was the only one doing the work in the organization, there would be no leading or future planning or big picture thinking and the organization would be limited to only what she could do – but when you start relying on other people to do what was planned to the capacity of the organization expands and you are able to do more (Jansen Van Vuuren 2010). 5. 1. 1. 4 The benefits of control Control takes place in 3 key areas at One Way Community Services: Finances, staff performance and project progress (Jansen Van Vuuren 2010). Financial control takes place via auditing of the organizations books which takes place once a year, an accountant on the management team that does book keeping of the books once a month, quarterly expenditure reports, 6 monthly progress reports, all the money that enters and leaves the organization (even cash), must go through the back account and there are 2 signatories and passwords on the bank account (Jansen van Vuuren 2010). All of these measures project the organization from financial mismanagement and it enhances accountability and transparency. This improves the effectiveness and efficiency of the organization because these measures ensure that funds are not easy to spend which means they are not easy to mismanage thus making them difficult to waste or spend unnecessarily. When financial resources are used optimally the effectiveness of the services provided by One way Community is increased and efficiency is improved (Jansen van Vuuren 2010). Control of staff performance is maintained through 6 monthly appraisals and weekly staff meetings. Management also does its best to create climate of trust amoungst the staff so that it is easier to talk about things (Jansen Van Vuuren). These measures enhance accountability between staff members and management but they also allow for the improvement of performance by staff members. Receiving regular feedback at staff meetings and more in-depth, specific feedback at appraisals are done in a very constructive way which encourage the improvement of performance and the development of skills. When staff members receive feedback in such a way that motivates them to improve themselves and how they do their work, effectiveness and efficiency of the organization improves (Jansen Van Vuuren). Measures that provide control for projects and different departments are department heads filling in quarterly reports which are submitted to the management team for review, strict policies regarding the spending of money and accountability measures which put project leaders directly responsible for money spent as well as objectives for each department and project which are determined before hand against which projects are evaluated. These provide a guideline for project leaders and department heads to keep track of their own performance and they know against what criteria they will be evaluated in the future (Jansen van Vuuren 2010). These measures provide both a yardstick for success as well as a means of using that yardstick. When projects and departments know how they measure success they can not only streamline their activities to meet their goals but they also have a means of evaluating their success and determining where to make changes if they are necessary. Any form of evaluation and positive change as a result can only hold positive results for the quality of the services rendered by the organization as activities that are evaluated and adjusted constantly, improve both the effectiveness and efficiency of those services (Jansen van Vuuren 2010). text:list-item} I will now discuss how Ellouise being a social worker in a management position improves the effectiveness and efficiency of social welfare services rendered at One Way Community Services. At the onset of our interview, I asked Ellouise if she felt that as a qualified social worker in a management position she had an advantage when it came to impro ving the effectiveness and efficiency of services rendered at One way Community Services, her reply was â€Å"definitely†, (Jansen van Vuuren 2010). When asked to explain why she thinks so she said that she had previously been involved in the management committee of another non profit organization and being the only social worker, she noticed that although her colleges had the best of intentions, their lack of understanding of the context of community development and how to properly identify needs, a lot of the time lead to money being put into projects which were â€Å"nice thoughts†, but made no real difference to the root causes of poverty or the real needs experienced by the people. Basically money gets wasted on good ideas when people do not have a proper understanding of the theory behind the profession. She went further to say that she wondered how much financial resource had been put into projects that made no real difference in the lives of people they were intended to reach and what kind of a country we would be living in today if management of some non profit organizations had some form of social work training (Jansen van Vuuren 2010). I will now explain the specific experiences One Way Community services has had with the unique challenges facing non-profit and welfare organizations (as mentioned in section 4. 1) and if social work management has been able to assist the organization in improving its effectiveness and efficiency as a result. {text:list-item} Ellouise agreed that the absence of the profit motive existed in non-profit organizations. The staff at One way Community Services are not motivated by corporate money or the ladder or promotion and success but she knows that every person does need money to survive (Jansen van Vuuren 2010). At One Way Community services, management uses principles of the person centred approach like self determination (proposition 4) (which Ellouise learned as part of her social work training) to handle problems that arise as a result of the absence of large salaries etc. They do not beg anyone to stay and freely allow any employee to leave the organization is not serving their needs. They also do their best to hire the right people for the job – people who are motivated by the desire to help others. This eliminates a lot of problems that can occur later. The organization also tries to keep their staff motivated by regular team building, staff meetings, socials and one on one chats between employees and management (Jansen van Vuuren 2010). I can see that Ellouise as the managing director has used a lot of the person centred theory she learnt as a social worker in the interaction with her staff, she however, doesn’t seem to think that her social work training has left her in a much better position than someone in management who has not had training in the field of social work (Jansen van Vuuren). 5. 1. 2. 2 The absence of the profit measure The lack of profit measure has proved a challenge for One Way Community Services management because outcomes of the services that they deliver can be very vague to quantify at times (Jansen van Vuuren 2010). Ellouises training as a social worker has however put her in a position where is better able to identify guidelines and objectives for development projects and departments that fit in with the theory that she learnt as part of her training which in turn fit in with development standards like empowerment of participants and encouraging independence in the organization’s clients. Objectives for the boy’s shelter and girl’s home for example include reunifications with families because the organization understands the importance of releasing people to independence rather than dependence on the organization. Ellouise has also promoted the importance of sustainability within the organization which is also something she learnt to be important during her studies (Jansen Van Vuuren 2010). In this instance, it is clear how social work training can be used by management to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of social welfare services within an organization. text:list-item} The sources of financial support at One Way Community Services include grants from government, donations from members of the public and funds raised by the newly established marketing team (Jansen van Vuuren 2010). Ellouise said that her specific training for social work didn’t really help her in these areas. She agrees that it is a unique challenge that management in for- profit organizations would not have to face and that she would probably not have been trained in fundraising if she studied a management degree. She said that perhaps social worker students from other institutions received more input on how to raise funds and work with government funding but she did not feel that she did. She did mention that just being exposed to the social welfare context as a student may have helped her a little bit but she did not feel that as a social worker she had any real advantage over a manager without her training in social work and that she had to stumble around blindly for a while before she got her bearings and figured out how to go about things (Jansen van Vuuren 2010). I believe that the problem in this instance is not necessarily with social work management in itself but rather the training Ellouise received as a social worker. If I look at this case study in isolation, taking no other evidence from other organizations into account, I would have to say that social work management has not been able to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the social welfare services of One Way Community Services in this specific situation. text:list-item} One Way Community Services has a lot of relationships and networks with other organizations like the Vaal Alliance for Street Children, Over the Wall and One Life (to name a few). Ellouise says that networks play a big part in what they do and that they assist the organization greatly in the accumulation of financial, support and knowledge resources (Jansen Van Vuuren 2010). Once again Ellouise said that her training as a social worker didn’t necessarily prepare her for collaboration and that a lot of what she learnt about how to go about it and who to collaborate with, she learnt as she went along. She mentioned that in her specific case, what was emphasised more during her training was the specific approaches that must be followed and not really the day to day running life of organizations. She mentioned that her practical placements helped to prepare her a lot but in

Saturday, November 9, 2019

“EU Design’s Rise in the Apparel and Fashion Industry Essay

Current Management Style EU Design’s management style was founded in a very small business environment. There was little standardization of individual tasks. In a small business, everyone on staff is expected to be involved in all day-to-day business activities. This creates a very informal relationship between workers and management. In addition to the small business aspect, EU Design is in a creative industry. Many of the people in this industry are not trained or educated in formal business practices. A creative mindset takes precedence over the structure of the business. For EU Design, quality of product is not an issue at the present time. The company is ISO 9000 certified with SA8000 accreditation. However, growing into a larger company requires a more formal management style to ensure this quality is kept up to standard. EU Design needs to develop a mission statement and corporate vision for the employees to have a common goal as a move toward a more formal management style. Without a defined mission statement, employees will have their own ideas of the company’s goals. Once a mission statement and business strategy is established, EU Design needs to identify which performance metric is most essential to the continued growth of the company. Balanced Scorecard While financials such as return on capital and cash flow are imperative to the sustainability of a company, customer-related metrics such as quality and timeliness of delivery are of upmost importance to keep the clients who will provide the profit. Customer feedback and surveys will provide the measurement of the value being created for clients. This will help EU Design’s management focus more on what the client’s actual needs are instead of focusing on what they perceive customer needs to be. An example of the balanced scorecard would resemble the exhibit below: Objectives Measures Financial perspective – Increasing profitability and revenue – Return on assets -Increased sales revenue – Profit ratio Customer perspective – Customer loyalty – Attaining new customers – Orders from current customers – Orders from new customers Internal perspective – Adherence to schedule – Customer driven products – Productivity – Ratio of actual delivery times to planned schedule – Ratio of on time deliveries – Number of new collections and designs added Learning and Growth perspective – Increased communication within the company – Increased education of employees – Number of monthly meetings held – Total budget for education courses – Number of employees attending courses Internal inadequacies need to be pinpointed for optimal efficiency. Formal procedures and work practices should be established and documented. This will highlight aspects such as time management, efficiencies, and employee competency. This will allow management to keep abreast of the working environment and augment employee stability. Fashion trends come and go very quickly, and being able to recognize what is trending and the ability to supply quickly is imperative to success. Management must track trends and concentrate on key suppliers that are providing the product for current trends, and all employee efforts must be directed toward this goal. Establishment of clear-cut goals and procedures is necessary to achieve  this. Formalization of management needs to begin from the top down. Berardi is too involved in day-to-day activities and cannot see the big picture of the company. He is functioning as an account manager and sales representative rather than performing duties of a CEO. He may not be able to make difficult decisions to cut or grow a particular segment because of his close involvement. Berardi needs to bring an employee up to take over his accounts so he can concentrate on his role of CEO. A new organizational structure would resemble the Exhibit 1. There needs to be standardization of communication between the two offices to ensure that all client information and requirements are shared and understood. Regular videoconference meetings with the staff of both offices can be implemented. Given the time difference one office would have to come in very early or the other office would stay late. This may be difficult but should be adhered to so all employees are receiving the same information. This could be tried on a monthly basis. These meetings would help to create a more cohesive environment between New York and Hong Kong. This would also give the Hong Kong office a chance to provide requested feedback to New York. As a supplement, an online open forum for questions from one office can be posted and answered by the other office when it opens. Incentive Systems Currently there is no formal incentive system. Many of the rewards are based on Berardi’s perception of employee performance. If he does not have the opportunity to have direct communication with all employees, it is a possibility that he is not able to appropriately assess individual performances. The employees themselves felt that â€Å"above-standard performance was not always noted.† This sometimes resulted in sub-optimal achievements being recognized while the employee going the extra mile was getting passed over. A new incentive system must include a formal evaluation method of employee performance. In order to evaluate, official job descriptions must be written to use as a benchmark. These descriptions give the employees the framework within which to efficiently perform their duties. The employee’s immediate supervisor must complete this evaluation. This is the person who has direct observance of day-to-day activities. Having the formal evaluation takes out the personal bias of the supervisors. Semiannual reviews will keep employees apprised of their performance and management  expectations. This will benefit both the company and the employees by keeping them both focused on a common goal. To encourage the employees to be sales oriented, a commission system could be introduced. Since company money is already directed toward training courses and classes, offering employees sales training courses will give them the opportunity to take advantage of the new commission system. If funds are limited and an official sales manager cannot be hired, then the classes would be the most efficient way to educate employees. These classes would be directed toward the Junior Merchandisers. The current duties for this position would fit best with the new sales system. Although hiring office managers would be beneficial, in the present financial climate this may not be feasible. However, one employee in each location needs to be responsible for office operations. Both offices have an accountant on staff that report directly to Berardi. This person could take on the role of office manager. Since the accountant would be the most business-minded person, he or she would be most qualified to monitor the costs and inefficiencies within the office. Overall EU Design’s growth has been slow and steady, as evidenced by a five-year gross margin increase of almost 300 percent. This growth has necessitated a change in management style. If Berardi acknowledges that changes need to happen, the implementation should happen rather smoothly.

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Desert Biome Is the Driest

Desert Biome Is the Driest The desert biome is a dry, terrestrial biome. It consists of habitats that receive very little rainfall each year, generally less than 50 centimeters. The desert biome covers about one-fifth of the Earths surface and includes regions at a variety of latitudes and elevations. The desert biome is divided into four basic types of deserts- arid deserts, semi-arid deserts, coastal deserts, and cold deserts. Each of these types of deserts is characterized by different physical characteristics such as aridity, climate, location, and temperature. Daily Temperature Fluctuations   Although deserts are highly varied, there are some general characteristics that can be described. The fluctuation in the temperature throughout a day in a desert is far more extreme than the daily temperature fluctuations in more humid climates. The reason for this is that in damper climates, humidity in the air buffers the daytime and nighttime temperatures. But in deserts, the dry air heats up considerably during the day and cools off quickly at night. The low atmospheric humidity in deserts also means there is often a lack of cloud cover to hold the warmth. How Rainfall in the Desert Is Different Rainfall in deserts is also unique. When it does rain in arid regions, precipitation often comes in short bursts that are separated by long periods of drought. The rain that falls evaporates quickly- in some hot arid deserts, rain sometimes evaporates before it hits the ground. The soils in deserts are often coarse in texture. They are also rocky and dry with good drainage. Desert soils experience little weathering. The plants that grow in deserts are shaped by the arid conditions in which they live. Most desert-dwelling plants are low-growing in stature and have tough leaves that are well-suited to conserve water. Desert plants include vegetation such as yuccas, agaves, brittlebushes, lack sage, prickly pear cacti, and saguaro cactus. Key Characteristics The following are the key characteristics of the desert biome: little rainfall (less than 50 centimeters per year)temperatures vary greatly between day and nighthigh evaporation ratescoarse-textured soilsdrought-resistant vegetation Classification The desert biome is classified within the following habitat hierarchy: Biomes of the World Desert Biome The desert biome is divided into the following habitats: Arid deserts s of coastal deserts include the Atacama Desert of Chile and the Namib Desert of Namibia. Cold deserts - Cold deserts are deserts that have low temperatures and long winters. Cold deserts occur in the Arctic, Antarctic, and above the treelines of mountain ranges. Many areas of the tundra biome can also be considered cold deserts. Cold deserts often have more precipitation than other types of deserts. An example of a cold desert is the Gobi Desert in China and Mongolia. Animals of the Desert Biome Some of the animals that inhabit the desert biome include: Desert kangaroo rat (Dipodomys deserti) - The desert kangaroo rat is a species of kangaroo rat that inhabits the deserts of southwestern North America including the Sonoran Desert, Mojave Desert, and the Great Basin Desert. Desert kangaroo rats survive on a diet that consists primarily of seeds.Coyote (Canis latrans) - The coyote is a canid that inhabits a wide range throughout North America, Central America, and Mexico. Coyotes inhabit deserts, grasslands, and scrublands throughout their range. They are carnivores that feed on a variety of small animal prey such as rabbits, rodents, lizards, deer, elk, birds, and snakes.Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) - The greater roadrunner is a year-round resident of the southwestern United States and Mexico. Greater roadrunners are fast on their feet, they can outpace a human and use that speed and their sturdy bill to catch their prey which includes lizards, small mammals, and birds. The species inhabits deserts and scrublands as w ell as open grasslands. Sonoran Desert Toad (Incilius alvarius) - The Sonoran desert toad that inhabits semi-deserts, scrublands, and grasslands in southern Arizona at elevations below 5,800 feet. The Sonoran desert toad is one of the largest toads native to North America, growing to lengths of 7 inches or more. The species is nocturnal and is most active during the monsoonal season. In drier periods of the year, Sonoran desert toads remain underground in rodent burrows and other holes.MeerkatPronghornRattlesnakeBanded Gila MonsterCactus wrenJavelinaThorny devil