Wednesday, October 30, 2019

An Evaluation of Enterprise Risk management value to banking sector of Assignment

An Evaluation of Enterprise Risk management value to banking sector of Zimbabwe - Assignment Example Population and Sample 20 7.3. Data collection instruments, sources and procedures 21 7.4. Data analysis and procedure 23 8. Time Frame and Budgetary Consideration 24 References 26 Bibliography 29 1. Introduction and Background to the Research The Zimbabwean economy has faced tremendous challenges in the banking sector after the liquidity crisis of 2003. The consequences of liquidity crisis declined the purchasing power of Zimbabwean currency at the level of 1953. As a consequence, the people who were extremely poor had to pay with their lives due to inability to cope with persistence economic shock. The Government of Zimbabwe has often been found to make the drought or the macro-economic factors responsible for the liquidity crisis. According to the Reserve Bank the main causes that triggered solvency and liquidity crisis were poor corporate governance, inadequate risk management, rapid expansion, overstatement of capital, creative accounting, speculative trades, high level of non-pe rforming assets, and unsustainable earnings. At the beginning of the year 2009, the multi currency system was adopted by the Government of Zimbabwe that preferred Pound, US$, and Rand as means of transaction by business entities and public. This was mainly because the local currencies had become almost useless since the year 2008. The gradual shift from local currencies to convertible currencies brought more stability in business with the financial statements and budgeting. But these changes have also been found to create severe implications in the field of accounting. The most important business implication is conversion of Zimbabwean Dollar in US$. These challenges of opening of economy for trading in convertible currencies would require adoption of global accounting standards such as need of consulting IFRS or IAS. Other issue including revenue recognition and measurement, financial instruments, and impairment of assets makes the business enterprises vulnerable to significant ris k. The concept of Enterprise Risk Management and its value addition will help the researcher to reveal as to why and how much important is evaluation Enterprise Risk Management value to banking sector of Zimbabwe in today’s competitive and globalised markets. The purpose of the study will be evaluation of Enterprise Risk Management value to banking sector of Zimbabwe which can be achieved by conducting online based questionnaire and interviews through video calls in case the face to face interview is not possible. The researcher may choose appropriate representatives of sample companies and hence conduct the interviews. The most desirable target interviewee is probably the senior management of the sample companies representing banking sector of Zimbabwe. This is because all strategic decisions are implemented at the top level of management. The three basic reasons for which the study topic can be considered as important are as follows: The concept of traditional risk manageme nt has evolved during the years and it is necessary for every academician and professional to be acquainted with the current changes that are applicable The multi-currency system of Zimbabwe and implications in the banking sector after adapting convertible currency for business transactions The impact of gradual shift from local currency to globally convertible currencies in the banking sector of Zimbabwe The study will help the researcher to address all the motivating factors listed above that created an interest for the research. It will further help the

Monday, October 28, 2019

The Breakfast Club Essay Example for Free

The Breakfast Club Essay The plot follows five students at fictional Shermer High School in Shermer, Illinois as they report for Saturday detention on March 24, 1984. While not complete strangers, the five teenagers are each from a different clique or social group. The five students Allison, Andrew, Bender, Brian, and Claire who seem to have nothing in common at first, come together at the high school library, where they are harangued and ordered not to speak or move from their seats by the antagonistic principal, Richard Vernon (Paul Gleason). They are to remain for a period of eight hours and fifty-four minutes (from 7:06 A.M. to 4 P.M., the only indication of time being on a clock that is 20 minutes fast). He assigns a 1,000 word essay (in which each student must write about who he or she thinks they are) and then leaves them mostly unsupervised, returning only occasionally to check on them. Bender, who has a particularly negative relationship with Mr. Vernon, disregards the rules and riles the other students; mocking Brian and Andrew, and sexually harassing Claire. Allison remains oddly quiet except for the occasional random outburst. The students pass the hours in a variety of ways. Gradually they open up to each other and reveal their inner secrets (for example, Allison is a compulsive liar, Bender comes from an abusive household and Brian and Claire are ashamed of their virginity). They also discover that they all have strained relationships with their parents and are afraid of making the same mistakes as the adults around them. However, despite these developing friendships the students are afraid that once the detention is over, they will return to their very different cliques and never speak to each other again. At the request and consensus of the students, Brian is asked to write the essay Mr. Vernon assigned earlier (the subject of which was to be a synopsis by each student detailing who you think you are), which challenges Mr. Vernon and his preconceived judgments about all of them. Brian does so, but instead of writing about the actual topic he writes a very motivating letter that is in essence, the main point of the story. He signs the essay as The Breakfast Club and leaves it at the table for Mr. Vernon to read when they leave. There are two versions of this letter, one read at the beginning and one at the end, which are slightly different; illustrating the change in the students judgments of one another and their realization that they truly have things in common.

Saturday, October 26, 2019

JFK assassination Essay -- essays research papers

â€Å"In a few days people will forget and there will be a new President.† Lee Harvey Oswald It was a hot day in Dallas, Texas. President Kennedy sat in the rear seat on the right side of the car. His wife, Jacqueline, sat on his left. Texas Governor John B. Connally sat in a "jump" seat in front of the president, and Mrs. Connally sat to her husband's left. They were in a motorcade when an unimaginable sound was heard. It was 12:30 p.m., the cars approached an expressway for the last leg of the trip. Suddenly, three shots rang out and the president slumped down, hit in the neck and head. Connally received a bullet in the back. John Fitzgerald Kennedy was shot. Mrs. Kennedy didn’t know what to do, â€Å"I was looking to the left and I heard these terrible noises†¦and my husband never made a sound†¦I could see a piece of his skull†¦and then I remember falling on him saying, ‘Oh, no, no, no,’†¦it just seemed an eternity.† The limousine raced to nearby Parkland Hospital. Doctors worked desperately to save the preside nt, but he died at 1:00 p.m. without regaining consciousness. Doctors said that Kennedy had no chance to survive when brought into the hospital. Governor Connally, although seriously wounded, later recovered. President Kennedy, A.K.A. JFK, was in Texas to gain support for his re-election. Kennedy came to Texas accompanied by his wife and Vice President and Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson. The purpose of his trip was to heal a split in the Texas Democratic Party before the 1964 presidential campaign in which Kennedy planned to run for a second term. Dallas had a reputation as a center for people who strongly opposed Kennedy. The assumed assassin was a 24-year-old ex-U.S.Marine, who from the beginning had emotional problems and difficulties. His father died had before he was born and his mother was not much support. He was discharged from the Marines in September 1959 and went to the Soviet Union a month later. He tried to become a Soviet citizen but was turned down. He also had been active in the Fair Play for Cuba Committee, a group that supported Cuba's Communist dictator Fidel Castro. He returned to the U.S. with his wife Marina, and baby daughter. No one saw Oswald shoot the President. The high-powered Italian rifle said to have killed the President was traced to Osw... ...nedy for not throwing the full weight of his air force behind the Bay of Pigs affair and he came to an agreement with the Soviets over Cuba. The Dallas police were also widely investigated. Concluding they were at fault for Oswald’s death. In 1982, the National Research Council, a scientific research organization, disagreed with the House committee's finding. There was also a â€Å"single bullet theory† in which only one shot was fired killing Kennedy, leaving his neck and entering Governor Connelly’s back. Though Connelly disagrees saying, â€Å"the bullet that entered Kennedy wasn’t the same as the one for my wounds.† Others say there were four or five bullets. No one knows for sure how many bullets there were or how many actual people were involved with the killing of President John Kennedy. â€Å"Clearly there was an attempt by Federal and local authorities to conceal the facts as contained in the evidence. The cover up is all to obvious.† The world is still in mourning because of the loss of a beloved President. Those who witnessed the killing of Oswald were forever changed as well. Seeing two deaths in two days was shocking. But who really knows who really killed John Fitzgerald Kennedy?

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Freedom of speech :: essays research papers

Do Americans take the First Amendment for granted, or use it, as a clutch to say what they feel is appropriate. The First Amendment states that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. (Siegel 3) But what is Freedom of Speech? It is our ability to say what we want, when we want and to whom we want? But there are even restrictions on what we want to say for example a person cannot yell fire in a crowded movie theater. Like all situations there will be persons to disagree? The past presidential election put the nation in an uproar, as do all elections. But, non as controversial as this one. In this election the issues that were addressed split the county in two, half of the country having liberal views and the other half having conservative views. That was mainly the focus of the entire campaign. What is being liberal or being conservative? Liberals favor gradual reform, especially political reforms that extend democracy, distribute wealth more evenly, and protect the personal freedom of the individual. On the other end of the spectrum, conservatives are in favor of preserving the status quo and traditional values and customs, and against abrupt change(msn. Encarta) This seems to make Americans look weak to the rest of the world. That we don’t even have a common ground on the issues of the nation . This great nation that is seen as the mother country to the rest of the world is spilt right down the middle with labels that divide people. And that’s where it really gets ugly. Will Americans ever put these labels aside and come together so that America can be a better place to live? By being a graduating senior looking at the nation as either being liberal or conservative has made me really take a look at myself and my beliefs on the issues .

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

McCarthyism and the Red Scare Essay

Have you ever had that moment in your life when you thought to yourself, â€Å"Why would he do that, or why would that happen?† Well, that is just what many people thought about McCartyism and the Red scare after that time period had passed. The Red Scare was a point in time when many Americans believed that the uprising of communism would be among them. These waves of the Red Scare happened twice, once after World War One, and the second time, which was more significant, after World War Two. During this time period many people were extremely afraid of communism, so the ideals of McCarthyism rose up. McCartyism was named after Joseph McCarthy, who was the Senator of Wisconsin at the time. Joseph McCarthy’s actions, as well as The House Un-American Activities Committee, and Congress were not justified. It was breaking people’s Constitutional rights, ruining many peoples lives and careers, and because they interrogated hundreds and thousands of people who didn†™t even believe that communism should exist in our country. One of the main reasons to prove that the actions during the Red Scare weren’t justified was because it broke people constitutional rights. During a speech Senator Margaret Smith of Maine said this inspiring quote, â€Å"The right to criticize; The right to hold unpopular beliefs; The right to protest; the right of independent thought.† Now, to some this might just look like a list of rights an American has. But to many, this is an inspiring quote of the things great about America and the things that McCarthy, Congress, and the HUAAC attacked. This shows that McCarthyism broke many of the rights that they as Americans had and deserved to keep. Another important reason why the actions of McCarthyism weren’t justified was that they ruined many people’s lives and careers. One group collected and published the names of people in the world of the arts and entertainment thought to be un-American in their politics (Picture seen in back). The most famous victims were able to successfully fight off such attacks, but Red Channels, radio stations, weren’t destroyed for many years. Red Channels reported on possible Communists and they faked information in order to keep their stations alive. These Channels ruined and/or harmed many people’s  careers. The last major reason why all this was not justified is because they interrogated hundreds and thousands of innocent people who didn’t even believe that communism should exist in our country. Refusal to cooperate with the HUAAC could ruin careers. If a witness refused to testify about past political associations, relying on the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the witness would be cited for contempt of Congress. The government would then prosecute the witness for criminal contempt of Congress. Some people were convicted and sent to federal prison for several years. Mcartyism was not justified because it broke many constitutional rights, ruined people’s careers, and led to a state of panic throughout America. So next time your in a situation where you dont know what to do or what to say. Think about how it will affect others, not just yourself.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

30 Prompts for a Persuasive Paragraph, Essay, or Speech

30 Prompts for a Persuasive Paragraph, Essay, or Speech When considering topics  for a persuasive paragraph, essay, or speech, focus on those that genuinely interest you and that you know something about.  Any one of the 30 issues listed here may serve as a good starting point, but feel free to adapt the topic to meet the needs and concerns of your audience.   30 Persuasive Writing Topics In an essay or speech addressed to your boss, explain why you deserve a raise in pay. Be sure to provide specific information to justify the proposed pay increase.Some people dismiss science fiction or fantasy as a purely juvenile form of amusement, an escape from problems and issues in the real world. Referring to one or more particular books, movies, or television programs, explain why you agree or disagree with this observationWhen the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure Act was put into practice in 2010, it limited the ability of anyone under the age of 21 to qualify for a credit card. Explain why you support or oppose the restrictions that have been placed on students access to credit cardsThough texting is a valuable way of communicating, some people spend too much time sending messages by phone instead of interacting with others face to face. Addressing an  audience  of your peers, explain why you agree or disagree with this observation.Most of the s o-called reality programs on television are highly artificial and bear little resemblance to real life. Drawing on one or more specific programs for your examples, explain why you agree or disagree with this observation Online learning is not only convenient for students and teachers but often more effective than traditional classroom instruction. Addressing an audience of your peers, explain why you agree or disagree with this observationSome educators favor replacing the letter-grade method of evaluating student performance with a pass-fail grading system. Explain why you support or oppose such a change, drawing on examples from your own experience in school or collegeLaws should be enacted to restrict the bonuses that can be given to the CEOs of companies that are debt-ridden and losing money. With reference to one or more specific companies, explain why you agree or disagree with this proposalTeachers and administrators in many American schools are now authorized to conduct random inspections of students lockers and backpacks. Explain why you support or oppose this practiceExplain why you do or do not favor a major reform of English spelling so that each sound is represented by only one letter o r one combination of letters ï » ¿Because electric cars are costly and dont do enough to protect the environment, the government should eliminate subsidies and incentives for manufacturers and consumers of these vehicles. With reference to at least one particular vehicle that has been supported by federal subsidies, explain why you agree or disagree with this proposalTo save fuel and money, Friday classes should be eliminated on campus and a four-day work week implemented for all employees. With reference to the effects of reduced schedules at other schools or colleges, explain why you support or oppose this planIn a speech or essay directed at a younger friend or family member, explain why dropping out of high school to take a job before graduation is or is not a good ideaExplain why you do or not favor the enforcement of a mandatory retirement age so that more job opportunities can be created for young peopleNot all recycling projects are cost-effective. Explain why you agree or disagree with the principle th at any community recycling project must turn a profit or at least pay for itself In a speech or essay addressed to the head of your school or college, explain why snack and soda vending machines should or should not be removed from all classroom buildings on your campusOver the past 20 years, more and more public schools have implemented policies requiring students to wear uniforms. Explain why you support or oppose mandated school uniformsThe city council is now considering a proposal to allow construction of a shelter for homeless individuals and families. The proposed site for the homeless shelter is adjacent to your campus. Explain why you support or oppose this proposalResearch has shown that a short afternoon nap can promote physical well-being and improve mood and memory. Explain why you support or oppose a proposal to adjust schedules so that napping will be encouraged at your school or workplace, even if this means a longer work dayMany states now require proof of U.S. citizenship before admitting a student to a public college or university. Explain why you support or oppose this requirement Rather than lay off workers in bad economic times, some companies have chosen to reduce the length of the work week (while also reducing pay) for all employees. Explain why you support or oppose a shorter work weekThe introduction of new digital technologies has radically altered peoples reading habits over the past 25 years. In light of this change, explain why students should or should not be required to read lengthy textbooks and novels in their classesIn some school districts, children are bused to schools outside their neighborhood in an effort to achieve diversity. Explain whether you favor or oppose compulsory busing of schoolchildren.Explain why doctors and school nurses should or should not be allowed to prescribe contraceptives to children under the age of 16Your state legislature is now considering a proposal to allow drinking by 18- to 20-year-olds after they have completed an alcohol education program. Explain why you support or oppose this proposalSome school authoritie s have the power to remove from libraries and classrooms any books that they consider inappropriate for children or teens. Pointing to specific examples of how this power has been exercised, explain why you support or oppose this form of censorship To reduce unemployment among young people, legislation has been introduced to repeal all minimum-wage laws. Explain why you support or oppose such legislationThere have recently been movements to boycott products imported from countries that tolerate the exploitation of underage workers. Using specific examples, explain why you support or oppose such boycottsIn your school or college, instructors have the right to ban cell phones (or mobiles) in their classrooms. Explain why you favor or oppose such a banIn some cities, traffic congestion has been reduced by the creation of toll zones. Explain why you do or do not favor the imposition of mandatory fees on drivers in your city.

Monday, October 21, 2019

Standard Courses for 11th Grade Students

Standard Courses for 11th Grade Students As they enter their junior year of high school, many students are starting to think about life after graduation. If they are college-bound, 11th graders will begin taking college entrance exams and focus on getting academically and emotionally prepared for college.  If they are following a different path, such as entrepreneurship or entering the workforce, students may begin to refine their elective studies to prepare for their specific field of interest.   Language Arts A typical course of study for 11th-grade language arts will focus on developing higher level skills in the areas of literature, grammar, composition, and vocabulary. Students will refine and build on the skills they have previously learned.   Colleges expect students to have earned four language arts credits. In 11th grade, students will likely study American, British, or World literature, completing whichever course they did not complete in 9th or 10th grade.   Homeschooling families may wish to combine literature and history, so an 11th-grade student taking world history would choose world literature titles.  Ã‚  Families who dont want to tie literature into their history studies should work with their student to select a robust and well-rounded reading list. Students should continue to gain writing practice in a wide variety of composition types such as how-to, persuasive, and narrative essays and research papers. Grammar is not typically taught separately in 11th grade but is incorporated in the writing and self-editing process.   Math A typical course of study for 11th-grade math usually means geometry or Algebra II, depending on what the student has previously completed. High school math is traditionally taught in the order Algebra I, geometry, and Algebra II to ensure that students have a solid understanding of geometry for college entrance exams.   However, some homeschool curriculum follows Algebra I with Algebra II before introducing geometry. Students who completed pre-algebra in 9th grade may follow a different schedule, as will those who completed Algebra I in 8th grade.   For students who are strong in math, 11th-grade options may include pre-Calculus, trigonometry, or statistics. Students who are not planning on going into a science- or math-related field may take courses such as business or consumer math. Science Most students will study chemistry in 11th grade after having successfully completed the math courses necessary for understanding how to balance chemical equations. Alternative science courses include physics, meteorology, ecology, equine studies, marine biology, or any dual-enrollment college science course. Common topics for 11th-grade chemistry include matter  and its behavior; formulas and chemical equations; acids, bases, and salts; atomic theory;  periodic law; molecular theory; ionization and ionic solutions; colloids, suspensions, and emulsions; electrochemistry; energy; and nuclear reactions and radioactivity. Social Studies Most colleges expect a student to have three credits for social studies, so many 11th grade students will be completing their final social studies course.  For homeschooled students following a classical education model, 11th-grade students will study the Renaissance. Other students may be studying American or world history.   Common topics for 11th grade social studies include the  Age of Exploration and Discovery; the colonization and development of America; sectionalism; the  American Civil War and Reconstruction; World Wars;  the Great Depression;  the Cold War and the nuclear era; and civil rights. Other acceptable courses of study for 11th-grade social studies include geography, psychology, sociology, anthropology, civics, economics, and dual enrollment college social studies courses. Electives Most colleges expect to see at least six elective credits. Even if a student is not college-bound, electives are an ideal way to explore areas of interest that may lead to a future career or a lifelong hobby. A student can study just about anything for elective credit. Most colleges expect a student to have completed two years of the same foreign language, so many 11th graders will be finishing their second year. Many colleges also like to see at least one credit in the visual or performing arts. Students can earn this credit with courses such as drama, music, dance, art history, or a class like painting, drawing, or photography. Other examples of elective credit options include digital media, computer technology, creative writing, journalism, speech, debate, auto mechanics, or woodworking. Students can also earn credit for test prep courses, which can be useful in helping them meet their elective credit requirements and approaching entrance exams with more confidence.

Sunday, October 20, 2019

Epithets Add Character

Epithets Add Character Epithets Add Character Epithets Add Character By Mark Nichol Have you thought about the impact of using epithets in your writing? An epithet (from the Greek word epithetos, meaning â€Å"added†) is a word or phrase used in place of or in addition to a name to characterize the person, place, or thing. In fiction or nonfiction, it’s an effective device for evoking the subject’s qualities and for elegant variation. An epithet, also called a byname, is sometimes also referred to as sobriquet, though this word (and its variant soubriquet) is also a synonym for the more pedestrian nickname. You’re familiar with many epithets: Superheroes are frequent recipients of such designations: Superman is the Man of Steel, and Batman is the Caped Crusader or the Dark Knight. Such application of this device is only natural, considering that throughout history, mythical and legendary characters have acquired alternate appellations based on various aspects of their perceived personalities, such as Venus Genetrix (â€Å"Mother Venus†). Greek myths and tales are replete with epithets; Homer employed them liberally for poetic effect, as in referring to Agamemnon as â€Å"the son of Atreus† for† or calling the ocean â€Å"the wine-dark sea.† Musicians, too, are given epithets (or claim them for themselves): Michael Jackson was the King of Pop, Aretha Franklin was the Queen of Soul, the Beatles were the Fab Four, and Bruce Springsteen is still the Boss. Other artists have earned them, too, like William Shakespeare, the Bard of Avon, or just the Bard. Epithets describe politicians such as Ronald Reagan, the Great Communicator or the Teflon President, and his contemporary Margaret Thatcher, the Iron Lady. German leader Otto von Bismarck was called the Iron Chancellor, and a successor of his, Adolf Hitler, was styled Der Fà ¼hrer (â€Å"the Leader†), while his Italian counterpart, Benito Mussolini, was Il Duce (â€Å"the Duke†). Athletes have had epithets bestowed on them: Babe Ruth was the Great Bambino, or just the Bambino (Italian for â€Å"baby†), and the Sultan of Swat, while Brazilian football star Pele was the King of Soccer. As stated above, epithets can also be applied to places or things. Before Africa was thoroughly explored by Europeans and many of its countries came into their own in the twentieth century, it was long referred to as the Dark Continent. The New York Times is still known among journalists as the Gray Lady. Economics has been dubbed â€Å"the dismal science.† Note the mechanics of using epithets: When they appear by themselves, no emphasis is necessary other than, usually, initial capitalization of key words in the phrase. But enclose them in quotation marks when inserting them between first and last names (â€Å"Elvis ‘the King’ Presley†) or naming them as phrases (â€Å"Jealously is sometimes called ‘the green-eyed monster’†). Moderate use of epithets helps relieve the writer of having to exclusively use a person’s name or a pronoun, and it also allows for good-natured or not-so-good-natured humor: In the latter case, for example, the late artist Thomas Kinkade, widely criticized for the hubris of trademarking the personal epithet â€Å"the Painter of Light,† was referred to as â€Å"the Painter of Bud Light† after an arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol. In a more lighthearted vein, the character Horace Rumpole, from the television series Rumpole of the Bailey and its offshoots in other media, privately refers to his imperious wife as â€Å"She Who Must Be Obeyed†; this epithet is a tongue-in-cheek homage to the regal title character of the nineteenth-century lost-civilization novel She: A History of Adventure. Of course, writers can employ epithets in a more functional vein, as when they refer to any of the historical figures and pop-culture personalities mentioned above, but a subject need not be famous to earn an epithet: â€Å"Under his breath, Smith referred to Jones, who never returned what he borrowed, as ‘the Lord of the Light Fingers’ and ‘the Master of Mendicants.’† Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Fiction Writing category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Comma After i.e. and e.g.16 Misquoted QuotationsHow to Style Titles of Print and Online Publications

Saturday, October 19, 2019

Poverty and social status Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Poverty and social status - Essay Example Because of his overly suffered pains and no gains, he sometimes thinks about stealing from Mr. Ganesh Pai, the owner of the shop. The writer informs about Indian society and the lives of people who are totally different socially such as the politicians, rich children having ice-cream and poor carters laying in rain without any coverage and doing work more than their capacity. The treatment of rich people towards Chenayya and other people like him was very ill and odd. He was just treated as an animal that should perform his duties without troubling anyone else. Adiga reveals about the low status people of India in the character of Chenayya who compares himself with many animals in the story in order to reveal his position in his society. Firstly, he compared himself to a pig, then to an elephant and then to dogs. He had to continue his job of pulling carts in order to earn his livelihood. The greatest factor that is revealed through this story is that people do not even pay him according to his struggles. Chenayya is unable to earn good money, is disliked by people and even the prostitute is unable to give him any heed for which, he is very angry. He becomes very angry at times and wishes to hurt someone with his saw. He also abuses people while pulling cart and while moving in the traffic. His abusing and his anger are an outcome of his hardships. He has no place to live except the cart. He is unable to marry because of his inability to earn a livelihood that is enough for two. The writer of the short story sketches the life of a poor carter who thinks overly about his state of living and wishes to bring in some difference. However, the carter is unable to earn enough money even to fulfill his needs. The story reveals about poverty faced by the lower most class of Indian

Friday, October 18, 2019

E-business systems Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

E-business systems - Essay Example One of the most important features of the e-sales and purchase process system is the database of customers whose personal information is used to create appropriate market strategies to increase the clientele. The firms are increasing using the information to analyze customers’ psychology through the evaluation and analysis of customer database which helps one to know the changing preferences of the customers in the rapidly changing times. Analysis and identification of the changing trends of the customer requirements are important ingredients to gain leverage against their rivals. Of all the technological marvels, internet has emerged as one of the most popular medium of communication with its wide range of applications in the ever expanding and highly competitive business environment. â€Å"The Internet with its low-cost entry and ease of use quickly changed how information was exchanged and removed the distance barriers for business partners. The idea of trading on the Internet has generated great interest especially among the smallest companies, formerly excluded from EDI1 usage (Gottardi et al. 2004). It has redefined the business dynamics with its far reaching implications and has become one of the most important parts of any business strategy. Since customers are key to the success of all businesses, Sales Order Processing System and Customer relationship management have emerged as the most power tools to sustain and develop committed clientele across the globe. The essay would focus on the internet based Sales Order Processing System and would analyze the various perspectives that have significant impact on the business. Sales and purchase of items are part and parcel of daily life and efficient processing of the same is vital for good customer relationship and business growth. ‘Sales order captures demands for the firms’ product and services’ (Scott, 2004). The computerized sales and purchase facilitates creation of database of customers and

Respiratory therapy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Respiratory therapy - Essay Example Despite encouraging reductions in the use of cigarettes, especially by the middle aged men, the problems of COPD patients persist and are likely to do so in the future. The management of COPD patients is increasingly multidisciplinary, and the patients themselves are entitled to explanation and education not only how their disease arises or what they can do to prevent this disease but also what the different treatments recommended do and what kind of benefits they are likely to achieve from these treatments and smoking cessation (Pauwels, R.A. and Rabe, K.F., 2004). Definitions: COPD is a spectrum of disease that includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, long-standing asthma that has become relatively unresponsive to treatment, and small airways disease. The unifying feature of COPD is that it is chronic, slowly progressive disorder characterized by airflow obstruction that is not fully reversible and varies very little from day to day and month to month (Pauwels, R.A. and Rabe, K.F., 2004). Cigarette Smoking: Cigarette smoking is the most commonly identified correlate with COPD. Experimental studies have shown that prolonged cigarette smoking impairs ciliary movement, inhibits the function of alveolar macrophages, and leads to hypertrophy and hyperplasia of mucus secreting glands. Inhaled cigarette smoke is overwhelmingly the most important risk factor for the development of COPD. Although, COPD can occur in nonsmokers, about 90% cases are thought to be a direct result of cigarette smoking (Jamrozik, K., 2004). On the other hand, lung function decreases after the age of 30-35 years as a part of the ageing process. In normal healthy nonsmokers, the rate of decline of forced expiratory volume at 1 minute is 25 to 30 mL a year; whereas, in at-risk smokers, the rate of decline may be double, that is, 50 to 60 mL a year. What is clearly known is although lost lung function is not regained when smoking is stopped, the rate of decline returns to that of a nonsmoker. The FEV1 often drops below 50% of the predicted before symptoms of COPD appear, and the patients usually present with symptomatic disease at the age of 50 to 70 years. This highlights the importance of the early detection of such high-risk smokers and persuading them to stop smoking. If they can be persuaded to stop, they may never suffer from severe, disabling, and symptomatic disease. Even when a smoker has developed symptomatic disease, stopping smoking will still result in worthwhile salvage of lung function and improved life expectancy (National Collaborating Centre for Chronic Conditions, 2004). Development of Patient Education Program: Stopping smoking is the single most important intervention in COPD and the only thing that significantly alters the natural history of the disease. It is of primary importance at every stage and must be encouraged actively and continuously. In mild COPD it may be the only treatment needed and may prevent the patient ever developing severe, disabling and life-threatening illness. Therefore, a patient education program with an intention for awareness about the disease could be an acceptable approach in the early stages of the disease. Drugs or medical therapy alone cannot satisfactory ensure short

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Marketing Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 15000 words

Marketing - Dissertation Example The other section of the literature review concerns cosmetic companies, their practices regarding animal testing, and the history of protests against these companies, which has led to the European Union instituting a marketing ban of companies who animal test and has also led large companies to scale back their animal testing procedures, if not eliminate them altogether. The methodology section explains the different types of research – qualitative, quantitative and secondary – and why secondary research was chosen. In the data analysis portion, the sales of six companies are examined, along with the results of a Google search on these companies. The Google search will determine if the overall â€Å"buzz† for each company is negative or positive, with regards to their animal testing practices. Then, the impact of the positive or negative buzz for each company is determined through the use of Facebook pages, and the fans of pages that are either negative or positi ve for each company’s animal testing practices. ... On the one hand are the researchers, who claim that the tests are necessary so that the cosmetics do not harm human skin or eyes (Takamatsu, 2000, p. 129). On the other hand are the activists who claim that animals have the same rights as humans to be free of pain and fear, and that the tests are unnecessarily cruel(Leslie &Sunstein, 2006, p. 3). Many people undoubtedly fall into some kind of grey area between these positions, recognizing that what is done to animals in these laboratory settings is heinous and wrong, yet also realizing that the potential for humans to suffer permanent damage because of the cosmetics that they wear would also be heinous and wrong. Many people assume that there is a better alternative to animal testing, and, if there is not, one must be found. At any rate, when these types of tests began to be publicized, there was an outcry that prompted many cosmetic giants to fold and promise to stop animal testing(Nye, 2006, p. 1). This study seeks to understand th e negative impact of cosmetic testing on these companies. The study will not just determine what the possible negative impact will be for the companies who continue to animal test, but will determine what has been the past negative impact for other companies who have animal tested. In general, the study will seek to quantify, in terms of dollars, cents and lost reputation, the damage done to cosmetic companies who were shamed into stopping animal testing in the years past. Further, the attitude of consumers is another factor that will be quantified. Some of the literature indicates that having a positive social message is not necessarily enough for a company to capitalize – they also must have a quality product at the right price(Li & Tang, 2010, p. 27). Might this

Exchange Rate Policies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Exchange Rate Policies - Essay Example Above balance of trade in favor of China says a lot about the comparative advantage that China has in a vast array of goods. Moreover, the pertinent point is that China has successfully tilted the advantage in its favor through a managed exchange rate regime. It is of no surprise that China has accumulated over $3trillion in its reserve through this comparative advantage in trade. A couple of years back, China had pegged its currency Yuan at about 8.28/dollar and that remained at that level fairly for a long time. China transited to a ‘managed float’ in 2005 but till date it has refrained from ‘free floating’ Yuan. China does so because it does not want to see its currency appreciate against dollar. In doing so, China may lose the comparative advantage that it has gained across a wide range of goods. The U.S. is passing through a dire recession and unemployment rate continues to hover around 9 percent for last several quarters. There is no denying to the fact that the U.S. industries are at great loss so far comparative advantage is concerned. That is why economists like Krugman (2011) strongly advocates that a weak dollar is in the interest of U.S. to protect its producers. That is also a way to eliminate the U.S. trade gap with China providing a level playing field to the U.S.

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Marketing Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 15000 words

Marketing - Dissertation Example The other section of the literature review concerns cosmetic companies, their practices regarding animal testing, and the history of protests against these companies, which has led to the European Union instituting a marketing ban of companies who animal test and has also led large companies to scale back their animal testing procedures, if not eliminate them altogether. The methodology section explains the different types of research – qualitative, quantitative and secondary – and why secondary research was chosen. In the data analysis portion, the sales of six companies are examined, along with the results of a Google search on these companies. The Google search will determine if the overall â€Å"buzz† for each company is negative or positive, with regards to their animal testing practices. Then, the impact of the positive or negative buzz for each company is determined through the use of Facebook pages, and the fans of pages that are either negative or positi ve for each company’s animal testing practices. ... On the one hand are the researchers, who claim that the tests are necessary so that the cosmetics do not harm human skin or eyes (Takamatsu, 2000, p. 129). On the other hand are the activists who claim that animals have the same rights as humans to be free of pain and fear, and that the tests are unnecessarily cruel(Leslie &Sunstein, 2006, p. 3). Many people undoubtedly fall into some kind of grey area between these positions, recognizing that what is done to animals in these laboratory settings is heinous and wrong, yet also realizing that the potential for humans to suffer permanent damage because of the cosmetics that they wear would also be heinous and wrong. Many people assume that there is a better alternative to animal testing, and, if there is not, one must be found. At any rate, when these types of tests began to be publicized, there was an outcry that prompted many cosmetic giants to fold and promise to stop animal testing(Nye, 2006, p. 1). This study seeks to understand th e negative impact of cosmetic testing on these companies. The study will not just determine what the possible negative impact will be for the companies who continue to animal test, but will determine what has been the past negative impact for other companies who have animal tested. In general, the study will seek to quantify, in terms of dollars, cents and lost reputation, the damage done to cosmetic companies who were shamed into stopping animal testing in the years past. Further, the attitude of consumers is another factor that will be quantified. Some of the literature indicates that having a positive social message is not necessarily enough for a company to capitalize – they also must have a quality product at the right price(Li & Tang, 2010, p. 27). Might this

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Stakholder in limerick county council Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Stakholder in limerick county council - Essay Example However, there are challenges facing organizational change at Limerick city council. These challenges include: long term norms in the city, the fact that local public services need local priorities, development of culture and improving performance of the city council. In order to ensure successful change in the council, there is a need to overcome these difficulties. The change Limerick city council adopts should be a constant activity moving at a pace and degree similar to that of the external environment. Organizational change at Limerick local government involves a merger between city council and county council. This transformational change involves merging of many programs, people, processes, systems and data between Limerick city council and county council. This new framework aims at making Limerick city a place for business and development. The change model also ensures that the local government of Limerick offers the best public services to its people. The new environment at Limerick also ensures that there are economic development and employment opportunities for people. Implementing the new change model makes Limerick city provide the best services to its citizens. The model can be an example other people to follow. The ongoing change at Limerick city includes coordinated change program, customer service offering, improvements in ICT and digital strategy, and communications for the organization, workforce planning and target operating model. Both the managers and employees have certain expectations and power within an organization. Both managers and employees within the city council have different interests and powers. Both these groups of people have different responsibilities within the city council. Any suggestions and proposals for change should focus on the interests, expectations and powers of stakeholders. Friedman and Miles (2002), agree that â€Å"factors such as

Families and house holds Essay Example for Free

Families and house holds Essay Families and Households (In this essay I will examine and assess the view that, in todays society, the family is losing Its functions. ) Modern family sociology mainly developed In the middle of the 20th century, in a period of stability (for countries like the USA or even Switzerland) or of social reconstruction after the Second world war (as for most other European countries). This development took place under the aegis of the then dominating functionalist paradigm (Parsons Bales 1955, Goode 1963). Its basic model was that of the nuclear family, a couple of two adult partners living together with their hildren and forming an irreducible group securing fundamental tasks for social and hence societal Integrauon, especially through socialization, a group that functioned In a relatively autonomous way, with little intimate contacts beyond its borders, which made It particularly attuned to the flexibility required by the Industrial society. The internal structure of this family model was mainly organized around two ascribed criteria, sex and age. The role attribution according to the sex of the adult partners internal tasks for the wife, external tasks for the husband was said to correspond to expressive vs. Instrumental orientations typical of sexual Identities and was interpreted to be a highly functional way of performing all the necessary contributions to family and societal functioning. The welfare state and other social institutions played a pivotal role as a substitute family; many functions the family used to perform (see my video on Parsons Fit Thesis) have now been taken over by our welfare state (anyone else hear Charles Murray groan? ). Remember pre- industrialization? The family performed many educational caring roles! For example, single parents can perform the economic role through benefit payments nd primary socialization of children can be performed by pre-school / nursery. So on the one hand, from a functionalist and New Right point of view; the family Is losing its functions because of their primary concern / focus with the nuclear family. However the evaluation Is that the family Isnt necessarily losing its functions because in whatever format the family is found, with external support the key functions Durkheim and parsons Stress. are still performable. Certain functionalist such as Parsons and Dennis say that in our now modern society some functions erformed by the family have been shifted to specialized Institutions that look after certain vital roles. This would include such things as education, as this used to performed by the family who educated their children for the working world. They also claim that now the family has two basic functions left, these are the socialization of children and the stabilization of adult personalities. Changes in the family; Decline In marriage and growth In cohabitation, Remarriage and growth of reconstituted families More births outside marriage, Rising divorce rates, Ageing population. However some other sociologists such as Fletcher and Shorter claim that It Is the opposites and that the family actually sued to ignore such things as the education of their children and the recreational activities were not done. They say that now due to the introduction of the welfare system the family now cares about their Childs health and keeps a closer eye on It. The family still Is responsible for partly diagnosing 1 OF3 introduction of the social service department the family must further care for their child so they are not taken away. There are many different sociologists who look in he families place in todays society and assess the level of function to family has today. From Murdock to parsons, feminist and warm bath theory there is many different views and opinions on this statement. One of the more famous sociologists who looked at the family is G. P. Murdock; he compared over 250 societies and claimed that the nuclear family was universal, that some form of the nuclear family existed in every known society and that it performed four functions essential to the continued existence of those societies. The four functions are Reproduction (where society equires new members to ensure its survival), Sexual (this function serves both society and the individual. Unregulated sexual behavior has the potential to be socially disruptive. However marital sex creates a powerful emotional between a couple), Educational (culture needs to be transmitted to the next generation), Economic (where adult family members show their commitment to the care, protection and maintenance of their dependents by becoming productive workers and being an income). While Murdocks ideas are a great idea and would make a good society to live in they re also dated seeing as he wrote this in 1949, things have changed a lot since then and the family has moved on, one thing that would have changed for sure since he wrote this is the fact that women can now be the breadwinners in the family it is no longer Just the men that go out to work to help the economy. So according to Murdock then family would be losing its functions because it is not fitting directly into his four main functions. As industrialization grew kinship-based society broke-up which had a direct impact on family structures. Out went the classic extended family and in came the isolated nuclear family as a productive unit. The term isolated comes from functionalist Talcott Parsons who identified the families in modern industrial society as being isolated because its not connected to wider kinship relations. Obviously there are kinship relationships between members of a family but the difference for Parsons is these relationships are built on choice rather than obligation (members of pre-industrial had to cooperate in order for the family unit to survive a relationship built on obligation rather than choice. These pre-industrial family obligations consisted of health-care; education; policing; moral teaching; mployment etc. ) In contrast Parsons identified how in modern industrial times, the family was no longer obliged to carry out these family functions. Instead state institutions such as firms; schools; hospitals; GPs; police and churches took over these obligations. Parsons said this shift from family to state responsibility was a natural outcome of social evolution rather than demise. The isolated nuclear family had evolved from the classic extended family due to a reduction of the functions of the family particularly with the family ceasing to be an economic unit of production. Functionalists argue this change in function of the family comes from the needs of the economic system. Industrialization introduced specialized division of labor. These specialisms mean certain skills are called for in different geographical regions at different times. These social changes meant the isolated nuclear families being freed requirements of modern industrial society. This changing function of the family was evident in the expansion of the railways in the 19th century. The 1851 Census was the first to include detailed classifications of the population by age which provides a enchmark to track the impact of the railways on families, people and places throughout England and Wales. The shift to the postmodern family Unlike Giddens, Beck and Beck-Gernsheim, and David Morgan, the American sociologist Judith Stacey believes that contemporary societies such as the USA have developed the postmodern family (Stacey, 1996). She associates changes in the family with a movement away from a single dominant family type. And with greater variety in family relationships. Postmodern families in Silicon Valley Staceys claim that the postmodern family is characteristic of the USA is based upon er own research into family life in Silicon Valley conducted during the mid-1980s. Silicon Valley in California is the global headquarters of the electronics industry and the worlds vanguard post-industrial region (Stacey, 1996). Usually trends in family life in the USA take on an exaggerated form in Silicon Valley. For example, divorce rates in this area have risen faster than in other areas of the country. Trends there are generally indicative of future trends elsewhere. Most sociologists have tended to argue that higher-class and middle-class families lead the way in new family trends and that working-class families then follow later see, for example, Willmott and Youngs idea of the symmetrical family). Staceys research suggests that the reverse might be true with the rise of the postmodern family.

Monday, October 14, 2019

Personal And Professional Development

Personal And Professional Development For this essay I have audited my leadership skills using theoretical models and referred to specific situations and experiences. This encompasses personal, academic and professional reflections and explores opportunities for my career paths and personal development with an Action Plan for the future. This has required critical evaluation of my own development needs in light of my own aspirations, establishing an understanding of my transferrable skills and how these can be enhanced. For this I have considered situations in which my leadership traits, styles and skills have been utilised to help create successful outcomes. Background My career path has involved working closely with and taking an interest in people, both clients and colleagues alike. In developing my management skills, I am continually pursuing further ways of improving the effectiveness of these interactions which is immensely rewarding for me. On leaving school, my first employment was within the travel industry. From the outset, I sought to improve skills and enjoyed the challenge of meeting the needs of customers, budgetary targets, training of staff, problem solving, through to the opening and management of a travel agency branch several years later. Apart from the GCSE qualifications gained at school, any further academic or professional learning has been gained whilst in employment. The skills and achievements in my personal life are equally transferrable to my work life. For example, as Chairman of a genealogical society for several years and public speaking engagements both serve as reminders that I have organisational, research and presentation abilities which I can and should be utilising and developing along my career path. I am a prison officer and, three years ago, I learnt that my establishment was funding a Foundation Degree in Offender Management. My initial reaction was one of excitement as I had, for several years, considered some form of Higher Education by way of personal and professional development, but had never explored the options. It was a source of immense satisfaction to pass the course and achieve Distinction grade. My learning journey, experiences and personal developments, undertaken in the last three years, would take more than the word count of this essay allows, yet there are key points to reflect on in order to analyse my own leadership skills and continue their development. Theoretical Models and Personal Experience of Reflection in my Professional Development: From my earliest days in retail employment, then Care Work and on to prison officer, I have been fascinated by people and behaviour. Working alongside others, as well as empowering and training gives me great personal and professional satisfaction. Using reflective models such as Gibbs (1998), shown in Appendix III, I came to realise that how I interpret situations influences my interactions with others. As I will illustrate, this relates directly to my personality style and how I manage people and situations. Linked to this is the importance I place on how I am viewed by others and naturally seek collaborative and open relationships. Many of these values are found in Carnegie (1938), listed in Appendix I. The Study Skills Self-Assessment which I completed on 23 October 2007 (Appendix II) highlighted three main employability skills I need to develop as: Improving own learning and performance Application of number (data collection and interpretation) Information and technology proficiency Alongside these, to develop, are my personal attributes of Self confidence Flexibility and adaptability Judgement In this assessment I also reflected on my own specific weaknesses which include being too self-critical and not praising my own achievements enough which can affect my ability to be objective about my performance. I have a strong underpinning need to defend others and leap to their rescue which I have come to see as a hindrance to my own development and of those I seek to help. This is a particularly important area for me to address as future management roles will require me to allow others to take their own personal responsibility and only offer guidance as appropriate. This rescuer style is schema-related and I have considered schema theory and how this applies to me. Beck, (1967:233), described a schema as ..a cognitive structure for screening, coding, and evaluating the stimuli that impinge on the organism. In short, schemas are the filters or core beliefs we have about ourselves or the world around us which influence how we interpret different situations in our lives. The nature of the work I do in offender rehabilitation requires me to undertake regular de-briefing, supervision, yearly health reviews and bi-monthly counselling. This, together with schema theory and other therapy models I use with prisoners, which I have also applied to myself, means I spend a lot of time being introspective and sharing reflections with colleagues. This helps define practical steps for a successful future but also enables me to gain wider perspectives in understanding, leading and managing others with a range of resources and situational analysis capabilities. Whereas, in the past and even recently, I have questioned the decision making processes of management, this has reshaped into a desire to gain a holistic overview of the work environment. Understanding the way we think and manage ourselves and others has been an important facet of my learning over the last three years. Straker (2008) who expands on the work of Gardner (2006) was helpful in appreciating that how we interact with people, at all levels, and is crucial for self development. Overcoming objections to understanding others, for fear that this might disprove our own theories about ourselves and the world are key hurdles of which I must continually be mindful. Negative experiences in this have resulted in an unhealthy view of the workplace but, as I said earlier, the benefits of a more engaging view have proved beneficial in my work and personal well being. As well as using Gibbs Reflective Cycle (1998), Kolb (1984) also helped me to evaluate experiences and test hypotheses but I did not find it took me to the point of action whereas Gibbs sets out the plan for ongoing development which is crucial for me so as not to remain procrastinating. Moon (2004) has been a useful resource on reflective practice, reminding me that reflection is not just important in itself, but must also lead to positive change, In observing what gets in the way, rather than being stuck in analysis, to move beyond and set goals for positive development has been essential learning for me and has been a surprising benefit which I had not expected several years ago. Leadership Employability Skills I recently completed an Employability Skills self assessment exercise which we first undertook in the first semester of the Foundation Degree. On doing this, I compared the results from the two. It was encouraging that one of my main developments appears to have been in problem solving and I consider my Higher Education studies over the last three years as contributing to my deeper analysing abilities. In light of earlier descriptions of my learning journey and reflective logs, it is gratifying to see that I have come a long way in, not only overcoming my own obstacles to learning, but making measured and significant achievement which then enables me to guide others in their roles. Among the key learning experiences for me, alongside the above, are a recognition of the roles of others, networking and effective communication. My career path has involved working closely with and taking an interest in people, both clients and colleagues alike. This was particularly apparent when I recently updated my Curriculum Vitae (Appendix IV), which was last compiled almost fifteen years ago. In developing my management skills throughout my degree studies, I have discovered further ways of improving the effectiveness of these interactions which is immensely rewarding for me. Through networking with management and departments for resources on researching prison policy, security and management skills, I am now feeling positive and motivated to succeed in career development. Not only is this important from a practical, self-development perspective, but also the fulfilling sense of achievement this will bring. Until recently, I was Supervisor of the Core Sex Offender Treatment Programme which was an important role in developing my leadership skills, promoting staff well-being as well as guiding staffs professional development. Another important aspect of this was to remain flexible yet consistent in balancing these needs whilst focussing on the goals of the establishment Business Plan and Key Performance Target (KPT) priorities. This mirrors Handy (1987) who argues for such flexibility in his Trust Control Theory. I find myself taking the opportunity to develop the skills of others very seriously and is personally rewarding and empowering. The values I attribute to this mirror those of Kandola and Fullerton (1994) in their Mosaic Vision which I have included in Appendix V. In Transactional Analysis Theory (Bern, 1961), every individuals personality is made up of three parts Parent, Adult and Child. An assessment of my own revealed a predominantly Nurturing Parent relationship style which is immensely rewarding personally, but can prove emotionally draining and is not without its practical problems. However, developing assertiveness skills in establishing my own identity and skills base has the benefit of overcoming any negative rumination and keeps lines of communication open. An example of achieving this was in challenging my line manager over my yearly performance review where I was rated Achieved and not Exceeded which I felt was deserved. I could have overlooked this and ruminated unhelpfully, believing him to be responsible for not recognising my achievements, but chose instead to manage my manager and argued my case. I found the www.h2training.com website interesting which had useful strategies for reminding me how to maintain my own degree of self-determination. Quoting from this site: Its unreasonable to expect your manager to be entirely responsible for accelerating your career: ultimately, its your own responsibility. Remember that an expectation is also resentment waiting to happen, and it is very difficult to hide resentment. http://h2training.com/managing_manager_tips.html [accessed November 2010] Suffice to say, my performance record was amended accordingly. I recently had to step down from Sex Offender Treatment work which I found difficult to accept. I, therefore, reappraised my personal development and used reflective skills (Kolb, 1984 and Beck 1967) to help evaluate the experiences and to understand how I was interpreting them. By doing this, I was able to negotiate a role within the drugs support team after originally being offered an office based assessment position which I would have found unfulfilling. Indeed, on reflection, assertiveness and negotiation are two core management attributes which are now part of my skills set. Drawing together the range of experience and interests I have enjoyed over successive years keeps me, first and foremost, actively engaged in working for and alongside others. My role as a drugs support worker requires the key skills I possess with the realisation and expectation that they can be further developed with a particular emphasis on evaluating the management requirements of this work. This is encouraging and, in this period of change, I have come to realise the importance of job satisfaction as a key motivator for me. An important element of my professional life is to uphold personal and corporate values of decency and ethical practice including cultural diversity. I was pleased to be able to highlight these values in my Diversity Foundation Degree project from January 2009 where I made recommendations for valuing the diversity of staff and prisoners and improving ethical practice in Programmes Awareness training at Full Sutton. This was well received by the treatment management team resulting in the training being strengthened in this area. On sharing the findings of my Transactional Analysis with a work colleague, my nurturing parent style was acknowledged and confirmed through my perceived empathic nature. In looking at my management style, it is important that I maintain a balance between this and being careful not to go into White Knight schema-driven mode, where I need to defend others at all costs. Developing a style which cares for others yet enables them to function on their own merits allows me to function better as a genuinely caring person in my work and as a leader. Maslows Hierarchy of Needs theory (1943), reminds me that my own needs count as well as those of other people. In other words, putting other people first all the time is detrimental to my own well-being and valuing myself is, in itself, a key assertiveness skill. I continually remind myself of the announcements on aircraft during safety briefings where, in the event of oxygen masks being deployed, you are instructed to put your own on first before aiding anyone else. If you dont, you might pass out beforehand and then no one is saved. Critically evaluating My Leadership and Management Style Some years ago, a colleague of mine who has since retired, told me his thoughts on a particular Senior Manager. He used a phrase which, though meant in a derogatory sense, I have never forgotten. He said ..as a leader of men, I would only follow him out of curiosity. This colleague had spent many distinguished years in the Armed Services as a Regimental Sergeant Major and had been in the Prison Service for around 15 years. He had, therefore, some considerable experience of different management and leadership styles. Using established theory I continually analyse my own strengths and weaknesses in areas of leadership and management. Fayol (1916) highlighted five commons elements of management which are essential to the role. These include the ability to look to the future, to be organised and co-ordinate the organisational objectives, leading (though he defined it as commanding which is unhelpfully autocratic) and, finally, to control the above elements using all means at his or her disposal. Whilst this was written at the beginning of the last century, the basic tenets of management Fayol lists are still valid though ones own personality also engenders an effective workforce which can achieve results. The latter is personally important as I seek to have followers rather than delegates and makes me, as a manager, more of a leader. I recently completed the Myers Briggs Personality Type Questionnaire. Having done this a couple of years ago, I decided to redo this using an internet-based assessment resource (www.teamtechnology.co.uk) [accessed 15 September 2010], which produced a comprehensive 200 page report. Summary in Appendix VI The results proved very interesting and formed a cohesive assessment which affirmed the beliefs about my personality and leadership attributes gained over the last few years. This was confirmed through the initial questionnaire together with a separate subtest which had similar outcomes and, interestingly, the results were very similar to my previous assessment two years previously. Essentially, I have a strong focus on values, feelings, compassion and important beliefs where current experiences hold great learning importance. Team values are high and my role in ensuring the well-being of those with whom I work is important to me. There are, however, elements of this personality type which I am aware can be problematic if not managed appropriately. I do have a tendency to avoid conflict yet can be stubborn where my own values come into conflict with corporate ideals in which I run the risk of failing in objectivity. These are negative traits which I have been consciously working on over the last few years and serve to remind me that, whilst having a default style, this does not preclude effective working on these to the benefit of all concerned. Interestingly, the top two best matches of jobs for me based on enjoyment are actor and musician; for match came out as counsellor and customer care and a combination of match and enjoyment came out as counsellor and actor. All of these I have both experience and interest in and the traits from these have indeed shaped my leadership style. The Humanist approach described by McGregor (1964) looked at how individual attitudes can affect behaviour. He purported that there are 2 types of leader (using an X and Y continuum ranging from a negative to positive view of subordinates respectively). The latter, he showed, have a greater chance of effective performance from the workforce through a nurturing approach which I can identify with. A reflective log from December 2009 is included in Appendix VII. Again, as with most models, there is a typical style for each individual manager but even the most open and supportive one can revert on occasions to X-typical strategies and responses. This can be somewhat confusing and lacking in continuity for the workforce and, potentially unsettling as I will illustrate later in this essay. The model is similar to Tannenbaum and Schmidt (1958) who use the continuum from Authoritarian Task Orientation to Democratic Relationship Orientation where I operate towards the latter and Goleman (2000) on which I identify with the Affiliative (people come first) stage. Operational leaders, as covered by Maxwell (2002) have great value to an organisation in providing stability, devising systems and solving problems with positive engagement. However, because of their focus on detail they can overlook the bigger picture, sometimes lack motivation and are not effective in dealing with conflict. Very often, paraphrasing Maxwell here, operational leaders are not very good at getting their hands dirty but readily raise the flag at the moment of achievement. Thankfully, whilst viewing myself as an operational leader, I do like to share in tasks as well as delegate. John Adair (2002) in his range of leadership treatises, (which, incidently, build on the previous models of Maslow (1943), Herzberg (1964) and Fayol (1916) highlights three key management responsibilities under his banner of Action Centred leadership. Achieving the task Managing the team or group Managing individuals Whilst advocating a shared responsibility between the individual and external factors, it does not, however, take stock of the individual in the leadership role which I view as crucial. A similar but more complex model I have become interested in, is known as Crew Resource Management (CRM) which was originally devised by NASA to explore the human factors in civil aviation accidents in the 1970s. Several industries have adopted and adapted their own models accordingly and my interest will culminate in a dissertation for my Degree on the benefits of adopting a CRM approach to Prison Service critical incidents. Tasks or people? Workforce or Team ? It is clear that leadership is different to management though a good leader will have good management skills. In considering whether I impose myself as leader to focus on task or allow the team to flourish utilising their own skills, I completed the T-P leadership questionnaire (Appendix VIII). This scored exactly midway between the two, highlighting my awareness and flexibility to respond to both important aspects. How we respond to a leader gives some indication of our own skills and that of the one in the supervisory role. As one who aims to lead by inspiration, I am more inclined to follow Kolbs (1984) model of learning and encourage people to adapt concrete way of doing things to update their skills base and find more effective ways of working (feeling, watching, thinking, doing). An autocratic leader would be less inclined to allow such flexibility and attempt to ensure compliance from those who might be more inclined to kick and scream in and against the process. An effective leader should also take individual learning styles into account as no one method fits all. Honey and Mumfords Learning Style Inventory (1982), highlights the differences that exist, as I have found even within small teams, yet we all work together and effectively, notwithstanding that everyones experience of being under the same leadership will be different. One of the most important sources of reflection in considering my own style of leadership, plus a reinforcement of my own beliefs and values, is represented in the Style Theory of Leadership developed by Blake and Mouton (1964). This, essentially, follows on from McGregors X-Y theory and is more relevant to those predominantly on the Y axis and where a level of trust in management structure exists in the workplace. However, Blake and Mouton explored the benefits of those that put tasks before people and vice versa. Ultimately they considered whether concern for people or concern for production was more important for leaders. As with other models, the day to day style of individuals in leadership roles can vary but everyone has their own default mode. Where productivity appears more important than the maintenance and well-being of the staff, I can find myself at odds with the management and perceived ethos of the establishment at which I work. With the Blake Mouton model, I was relieved to have my default leadership style confirmed as Team Leader. This is indicative of high concern for both people and production where emphasis is placed on a spirit of teamwork and mutual co-operation. This also engenders a safe environment in which commitment from all sides is more readily forthcoming. However, in completing a recent practical assessment for a promotion board I failed to attain the required grade. I knew this as soon as the assessment was over, though I had to wait two months for the official result. In fact, I knew during the assessment, I was reacting totally contrary to my normal sense of priorities when faced with a constant stream of problems to solve. I found myself focussing primarily on the tasks and not enough on the personnel. For example, when faced with a member of staff who was emotionally upset at a domestic issue, I asked if he was okay to continue to get his landing unlocked and would look to help him with his problem later. Afterwards I learnt that the assessors were looking for Utopian responses in all scenarios assuming all needs could be immediately provided so I could have put staff welfare first, getting his role covered immediately so he could then get home to sort his issues. However, I reverted to my current work role where the pressure to meet deadlines sometimes overrides well-being. As this was completely at odds with how I believed I would normally have reacted, I was left feeling ill at ease and questioned why I persisted in this way when I am naturally Y (using McGregors model, 1960) and more team focused than task orientated (Blake Mouton, 1964). Whilst I may not fully understand why, at least it is a recognised trait à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦..theory X managers (or indeed theory Y managers displaying theory X are primarily results oriented Internet source http://www.businessballs.com/mcgregor.htm [October 2010] On reflection, I am convinced that the culture and environment of the higher management structure (which demands and focuses on results and targets) filters down and, no matter how much one tries to resist or even kick against it, it permeates ones own work practice after a while. The climate in which I work consistently places emphasis on the meeting of Key Performance Targets (KPTs) and now, the Service Level Agreement (SLA). In meeting these as well as ever increasing budgetary constraints, every facet of work culture is placed under the microscope and, wherever possible, cut, yet the targets must be met regardless. However, no matter the circumstances in which we find ourselves or expectations laid at our office door, it is how we respond that is important and the acceptance of our personal responsibility to be channelled into effective working. An important element of relationships, at all levels including personal and business, is trust. Where one perceives this to be eroded or not present due to conflict in aims or values, it can have a destructive affect on effective co-working. As can be seen above, this is something I am struggling with in the corporate ethos where I am constantly second-guessing the motives behind management decision-making. However, to be an effective manager, I am mindful of maintaining a healthy approach to embracing the mission of the workplace even though I may not fully understand or have access to the full rationale behind the decision making processes from Higher Management. As a leader, I have to convey to those I wish to work effectively under me, that this mission is achievable and in the common interest despite my own such uncertainties. Maintaining personal integrity and establishing trust are essential in my personal, professional and leadership identity. Straker (2008:208) talks of transaction cost and trust boundaries. Essentially he argues that trust, if allowed to erode or not fostered within an organisation can impact on delivery and there has to be a cost on both sides to re-establish this. As he says .. the overall cost can be minimised with up-front investment in, and subsequent maintenance of, trust. If one does not have that sense of belonging within the trust group then there is something wrong with the work relationship and part of effective management and leadership performance is to be pro-active in fostering trust and encouraging people to enter the trust boundary. It begs the question, therefore, who and under what conditions will we follow? Should we be expected to lead and expect blind faith? What criteria and principles should be presented in order for others to set out on the journey with us ? Handy (1987) suggests that in order for an outcome to remain constant, the Trust-Control balance might need to shift between leader and subordinates and I can see merits in this as relationships, as well as work pressures, are fluid in nature. There are three established styles of leadership: autocratic, paternalistic and democratic. History records successful leaders who have exhibited all of the above. Each style can work and produce results but demands a flexibility on the part of the workforce to fit in with the style and it is that response which can be acknowledged and worked with or not as the case may be, As for my own style, confirmed as a nurturing parental approach, this has immense benefits for myself and for those who work under me as they feel supported and, more importantly in my opinion, affirmed in their roles with their own skills base recognised and developed. As with any style there are costs and, as I am finding, where my own sense of values conflicts with the demands laid upon me, this can have a detrimental effect to my own sense of purpose within the organisation. It is important, therefore, that structures and lines of communication are open which allow for that expression of view. However, this, in itself, is not without the potential cost. As I found when raising my head above the parapet on several occasions, to express concern and personal frustration with the direction expected by senior managers, it can blot ones copybook. Again, it is important for me to consider how much of this is down to my own personal perception and how able I am to see my subordinates perspective and, crucially, the aims and focus of the establishment delivery objectives. Conclusion In terms of future roles, I am best placed to consider managerial positions. The Foundation Degree and BA(Hons) are regarded as valuable qualifications both for their content relevant to the Criminal Justice System and Leadership and Management but also symbolising the desire and commitment I have and have shown for continued self development (Appendix IX). In the final analysis, the human dynamic is the most beneficial resource in the workplace but it is also the most fickle and, at times, fragile. To lead is a privilege and to follow is an opportunity. I can only strive to make myself worthy of the trust placed in me to, not only get the job done, but to enable others to be the very best they can be and, in the process, ensure I am followed out of respect and not coercion or, indeed, curiosity. Appendices: I. Excerpt from Carnegie (1938) II. Study Skills Self Assessment III. Gibbs (1998) Reflective Cycle IV. Curriculum Vitae V. Kandola and Fullerton (1994) Mosaic Vision VI. Myers Briggs Personality Type Questionnaire VII. Reflective Log on McGregor X,Y Theory VIII. T-P Leadership Questionnaire IX. Professional Development Plan Appendix I Excerpts from How To Win Friends and Influence People Carnegie (1938) Fundamental Techniques in Handling People Dont criticize, condemn, or complain. Give honest and sincere appreciation. Arouse in the other person an eager want. Six Ways to Make People Like You Become genuinely interested in other people. Smile. Remember that a mans Name is to him the sweetest and most important sound in any language. Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves. Talk in the terms of the other mans interest. Make the other person feel important and do it sincerely Twelve Ways to Win People to Your Way of Thinking Avoid arguments. Show respect for the other persons opinions. Never tell someone they are wrong. If youre wrong, admit it quickly and emphatically. Begin in a friendly way. Start with questions the other person will answer yes to. Let the other person do the talking. Let the other person feel the idea is his/hers. Try honestly to see things from the other persons point of view. Sympathize with the other person. Appeal to noble motives. Dramatize your ideas. Throw down a challenge. Be a Leader: How to Change People Without Giving Offense or Arousing Resentment Begin with praise and honest appreciation. Call attention to other peoples mistakes indirectly. Talk about your own mistakes first. Ask questions instead of directly giving orders. Let the other person save face. Praise every improvement. Give them a fine reputation to live up to. Encourage them by making their faults seem easy to correct. Make the other person happy about doing what you suggest. Appendix II. Study Skills Self Assessment Appendix III. Gibbs (1998) Reflective Cycle Appendix IV. Curriculum Vitae Appendix V My Personal and Pr

Sunday, October 13, 2019

Racism Essay -- essays research papers fc

Institutional Racism in American Society "Racist" and "racism" are provocative words in American society. To some, these words have reached the level of curse words in their offensiveness. Yet, "racist" and "racism" are descriptive words of a reality that cannot be denied. African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans and Asian Americans (people-of-color) live daily with the effects of both institutional and individual racism. Race issues are so fundamental in American society that they seem almost an integral component. Some Americans believe that race is the primary determinant of human abilities and capacities. Some Americans behave as if racial differences produce inherent superiority in European Americans (whites). In fact, such individuals respond to people-of-color and whites differently merely because of race (or ethnicity). As a consequence, people of color are injured by judgments or actions that are directly or indirectly r acist. Much of the attention of the last 20 years has focused on individual racist behavior. However, just as individuals can act in racist ways, so can institutions. Institutions can behave in ways that are overtly racist (i.e., specifically excluding people-of-color from services) or inherently racist (i.e., adopting policies that while not specifically directed at excluding people-of-color, nevertheless result in their exclusion). Therefore, institutions can respond to people-of-color and ... Racism Essay -- essays research papers fc Institutional Racism in American Society "Racist" and "racism" are provocative words in American society. To some, these words have reached the level of curse words in their offensiveness. Yet, "racist" and "racism" are descriptive words of a reality that cannot be denied. African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans and Asian Americans (people-of-color) live daily with the effects of both institutional and individual racism. Race issues are so fundamental in American society that they seem almost an integral component. Some Americans believe that race is the primary determinant of human abilities and capacities. Some Americans behave as if racial differences produce inherent superiority in European Americans (whites). In fact, such individuals respond to people-of-color and whites differently merely because of race (or ethnicity). As a consequence, people of color are injured by judgments or actions that are directly or indirectly r acist. Much of the attention of the last 20 years has focused on individual racist behavior. However, just as individuals can act in racist ways, so can institutions. Institutions can behave in ways that are overtly racist (i.e., specifically excluding people-of-color from services) or inherently racist (i.e., adopting policies that while not specifically directed at excluding people-of-color, nevertheless result in their exclusion). Therefore, institutions can respond to people-of-color and ...

Friday, October 11, 2019

Womens Roles in Silkos Yellow Woman and Chopins The Story of an Hour :: comparison compare contrast essays

Women's Roles in Silko's Yellow Woman and Chopin's The Story of an Hour "Yellow Woman" describes a short episode from the life of a young woman. She leaves her home just for a few days and follows her beloved, whom she doesn't know well. However, afterwards she decides to come back home, to her family: husband, baby and relatives. This story may look superficial, but is contains deeper meaning, and truths about roles of women, traditional patriarchal society, and attitudes toward feminism. "Yellow Woman" shows the role of a woman in a traditional, average family; narrator is a married young female raising a baby and living together with parents and grandparents. We may assume that she doesn't work, and women in her family traditionally do not work. They are rather supposed to raise children and deal with housework; men are the ones who are responsible for financial matters, and "important" things. What is more the role of a woman in this family is rather under appreciated and minor, not even visible. After the narrator leaves her home she says: "There are enough of them to handle things. My mother and grandmother will raise the baby as they raised me. Al will find someone else"(Silko, 191). Another example of a patriarchal society may be found in a scene when a rancher captures her beloved - Silva. No one pays attention to her, or to what will happen to her; men only are allowed to deal with important issues such as crime, and responsibility. In this story male's and f emale's worlds are strongly separated. In the second essay "The Story of an Hour" female's situation looks very similar. Lousie, starts considering her marriage as a burden, and she feels free when she gets to know about her husband's death. It is difficult to understand her reaction, since the story doesn't say about problems in her marriage. Readers may think that she feels overwhelmed with her everyday life of (stay-at-home) wife, dependence upon Brently, his decisions, and maybe dominance. She is probably disappointed with a reality, and she is subconsciously looking for a chance to break free form the male's world. Women in both essays experiences some conflicts related to their roles in a society. Narrator of a first story initially decides to leave her family and neglects her family obligations, but then she comes back, the feeling of responsibility is stronger. Lousie's inside conflict is not so visible, but more subtle; initially she hesitates how to determine her own feelings.

London 2012: Did the Olympics benefit all, or leave a legacy of widening social inequality?

The Olympic Games have become a much sort after event by cities around the world. It is seen as an opportunity for the city not only to enhance and broaden its profile, but showcase its potential as an attractive place for investment (Hiller, 2006, p.318). This essay will explore the sociological impact that the Olympics have had on the city of London and its occupants. It will be argued that while there are numerous positive short term effects that come with hosting the Olympics, not only are the positive long term effects few and far between, but there is a number of negative effects impacting those belonging to the lower socio-economic group.By examining what has occurred in London and comparing this particular Olympics to some past cities that have played host (Barcelona, Sydney, Athens etc), this essay will show that while stimulating economic growth, contributing to the short term happiness of the inhabitants and more recently, promoting environmental sustainability, the Olympi cs generally bring few benefits for socially excluded groups. Firstly, by looking at the history of the five London borough’s to be transformed by the Olympics, we will examine whether class theory is still a relevant issue for London and if Marx and Webber’s ideas are still applicable.The argument will then be divided into economic, social, cultural and political spheres, with each being discussed in terms how they were affected by hosting the Olympics in London. The Olympics may be of only short duration; however its impact and meaning may exist far beyond the event itself for the host city (Hiller, 2000, p.440). The most visible of these impacts relates to the infrastructural improvements. All host cities carry out extensive regeneration of urban areas and in London most of this â€Å"clean up and reorientation of city spaces† occurred in the  five East London Olympic host boroughs of Newham, Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Waltham Forest and Greenwich. (LERI, 2007 , p. 5).Traditionally, East London has been the heart of manufacturing and industrial work; it has been home to London’s working classes and has remained relatively poor compared to the rest of the city. In the last decade improvements in infrastructure and the regeneration of London’s docklands has seen the boroughs become socially polarised with small pockets of relative affluence surrounded by the still high concentration of relative poverty. The present day London is vastly different to Marx’s 19th century version, yet the re-emergence of class as a defining factor has seen a new generation of those once again being influenced by his writing and evolutionary vision.Marx believed that class is best understood in terms of economic factors; his theoretical model is of a two class structure of owners and non-owners (Habibis & Walter, 2009, p. 18). Today’s London is not that different, austerity measures and rising unemployment have deepened the gulf divid ing the haves and the have nots. In the New York Times, an article by Katrin Bennhold (2012, April 26) states More than a third of British land is still in aristocratic hands, according to a 2010 ownership survey by Country Life magazine.In the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition cabinet, 15 of the 23 ministers went to Oxford or Cambridge. With this in mind, Webber’s multidimensional model of inequality and his argument that it is power rather than class that ultimately determines the distribution of resources in society (Habibis & Walter, 2009, p.19) can be used to explain how London is currently being governed. Webber placed much emphasis on the market and in doing so was able to account for the importance of non-material resources, such as education and skills. Most of those living in the East London in the lead up to the Olympics were young, lacking a proper education or skill base and therefore had little or no relationship to the market, and so, no power.Like Webber , Bourdieu also believed that non-economic factors were important as sources of social power (Habibas & Walter, 2009, p. 50). He would have made much of the fact that, of London’s elite and those who currently hold power, most attended the same prestigious private schools, therefore creating â€Å"social and cultural capital† to use as a resource that few in the eastern boroughs could even dream of. In the lead up to the London 2012 Olympics the world was confronted with what has become known now as the  Global Financial Crisis (GFC). This economic depression led to an increase in unemployment and poverty throughout the world, particularly in the case of those already belonging to socially excluded groups.Social exclusion relates not only to economic disadvantage but includes the exclusion of people or groups from participation in mainstream social and economic life (Habibis and Walter 2009, p.78). The impact of the GFC was reported as leaving a whole generation of y oung people with opportunities that don’t live up to their aspirations, to the point where they may abandon hope for the future at all. The crisis means they almost invariably face fewer and less well paid entry-level jobs at every level, from graduate openings to factory work (Apps, 2011).This unrest led to the London riots only 12 months before the city was to host the Olympics. London’s Olympic bid was promoted as being aimed directly at developing an extensive renewal process to address the social and economic problems faced by those living in the eastern boroughs (LERI, 2007, p. 5). In economic terms, the infrastructural developments and large building projects are important because of their ability to attract investment and increase employment opportunities. For London, the games related construction activity is estimated to support a  £13.5 billion contribution to the UK GDP and the equivalent of 267, 000 years of employment in the UK economy between 2005 and 2017 (Oxford Economics, 2012, p.2).However, national figures from December 2012 show a decline of 25 000 construction jobs during the year (Moulds, 2012). In the lead up to the Athens Olympics in 2004, employment went up by 7%, however once the games were over Greek industry lost 70 000 jobs, mainly in construction (LERI, 2007, p.55). The economic benefits from the flagship developments and major projects are supposed to filter down to all groups over time, yet for socially excluded groups, there are often no benefits. Instead, the impacts are often negative, with house prices rising and the cost of living increasing. â€Å"Those who benefit are the existing asset holders and affluent middle class† (Ryan-Collins & Jackson, 2008, p.4). The social and cultural impacts of hosting the Olympics have in the past been more about the ‘feel good’ aspects of the games (Smith, 2009, p.117), than any particular form of social sustainability.Past Olympic host cities, particul arly Atlanta, Athens and Sydney, have attempted to use the games as an opportunity for long-term social legacies. However research suggests that  Sydney was the only city where a legacy for a socially excluded group (the Homelessness Protocol) was lasting (Minnaert, 2011, p.370). For East London, three important changes have taken place since the Olympics. Firstly, transport services to the area, especially Stratford have been dramatically improved. Secondly, in order to compete with the huge new Westfield shopping centre, the local Stratford shopping centre was given a makeover, yet is still providing cheap, affordable goods for low income families.And finally, local schools have benefitted to the extent that they have lifted their performance from very poor to be able to compete with the national levels (Power, 2012). Minnaert (2011, p.363) has recognised three growing Olympic legacies for socially excluded groups; skills/volunteering, employment, and sports participation. The O lympics has been acknowledged as providing volunteering programmes that improve skills and employability, yet Hiller (2006, p.320) highlights that the model for the Olympic volunteer is best suited to primarily white collar workers.The vast majority of London’s unemployed are young, with a poor education and little skill base. As pointed out by Habibis and Walter (2009, p. 134) ours is a knowledge based society and those who possess the knowledge and skills (the highly educated) are the ones who gain access to the rewards. The same issue applies when reviewing the idea of increased employment opportunities for the host city population. Whilst it is abundantly obvious that yes, there are more jobs, most are not evenly distributed; employment opportunities usually benefit those who already have the skills and education required to seek and obtain work, with or without, these increased opportunities (Minneart, 2011, p. 363).The economic impact of the London 2012 Olympic and Para lympic games (2012, p.32) states that 3000 previously unemployed workers (70% of them from the host boroughs) were employed in the construction of the Olympic Park and Athletes village, yet these jobs are unlikely to be permanent as research into the legacies of the Barcelona and Athens Olympics suggests that job creation tends to be temporary, often filled by migrant and transient workers, with little or no change in overall employment rates (East Thames Group, 2007 p.4).One of London’s promises during the bidding for the 2012 Olympic games was to inspire a new generation to take up sport (DCMS, 2012, p.3). In the past  the Olympics has been linked to increased participation in sport (Minnaert, 2011, p.363), yet there is little to suggest that these new participants are from any socially excluded groups. Although money, or lack of it, may play a part in this, another inhibiting factor is that sport involvement is also linked to cultural capital (Minnaert, 2011, p.363). Bou rdieu used cultural capital to refer to a form of value associated with consumption patterns, lifestyle choices, social attributes and formal qualifications (Habibis & Walter, 2009, p. 48). It is comparable to other resources like economic capital in that it not only impacts lifestyles but also life chances.Bourdieu believed cultural capital could be converted to economic capital through education. By sending their children to expensive private schools, working class parents can purchase the cultural power needed to move into middle class jobs (Habibis & Walter, 2009, p.109). It is still too early to tell whether London has succeeded in getting more people to take up a sport, but evidence suggests that in the past the Olympics has failed to show sustained participation once it is over (Minnaert, 2011, p. 363).Those who make the decisions in London today hail not from backgrounds that anyone in East London could possibly relate to. The current UK conservative-liberal coalition govern ment is comprised mainly of the affluent, privately educated, upper class. They and the global business leaders of the world were the decision makers for the London Olympics and decided how London was to be changed and regenerated. Western nations are currently seeing a rising influence of neoliberal discourses where the shift to a market influenced distribution has taken the place of a state related redistribution (Habibis & Walter, 2009, p.105).Indeed the London Olympics has even been called the Neoliberal games (Renton, 2012). Renton (2012) argues that with all the corporate sponsorship from entities such as BP, McDonalds, and Rio Tinto, the 2012 Olympic games are a reflection of the injustices and inequalities of the current economic system.One of the five government promises of the Olympic legacy was to demonstrate that the UK is a creative, inclusive and welcoming place to live in, visit and for business (LERI, 2009, p.6). Yet in the lead up to the games, there was suggestions of ‘social cleansing’ occurring as councils attempted to  relocate those claiming the housing benefit to areas outside the city (Bowater, 2012). There is also still debate over whether the Olympic legacy of affordable housing will eventuate. Affordable housing was also meant to be one of the legacies of the London Olympics, yet with the recent cap on the housing benefit, many are doubtful that those with low income will be able to remain in the regenerated areas (Moore, 2012).In conclusion, it is noted that while hosting the Olympics boosts a cities international profile, particularly regarding investment and tourism it does not benefit all. While some improvements have been seen in the host boroughs like better school performances, more hopefulness and resilience, the increasing global financial strain is causing cuts to funding and resources that may now turn the clock back and leave these areas even worse off than they were before the Olympics. The lasting legacy could be that with the local sporting facilities removed to make way for the large Olympic complexes, many will no longer be able to afford to use them.With class still playing such an important role in determining life chances, particularly in London, the need to build a social system where education and skills acquisition are genuinely based on meritocratic principals rather than class hierarchy is the only way that inequality can be reduced. The Olympics has always been based on such meritocratic principals and it is the socially responsibility of those in power to see that as so much public investment is spent on financing such a large event, that it can only be justified if all benefit by being completely socially inclusive.