Problems with standardized testing Research Paper

Problems with standardized testing - Research Paper Example The reasons have gone from an equalizer of chance to an apparatus of isolation used to partition by insights, as well as socio-investment status, riches, and benefit. In 2001, when the No Child Left Behind Act was made there was such an extraordinary attention set on standardized testing that it is presently essential to the accomplishment of American understudies to discriminatingly analyze the testing framework and adjust any imperfections that may be available. The NCLB Act has turned into a significant some piece of state funded training change by striving to meet one real objective: arriving at 100% capability of all gatherings of scholars in America by the year 2014. This objective wont be effectively accomplished and may not be conceivable to be attained at all unless there are remedies and updates made to the demonstration and the way the projects are authorized in schools crosswise over America. Training is a significant a piece of the accomplishment of our nation and with an Act like this being such a predominant compel in instruction it needs to be as near impeccable as could be expected under the circumstances. The No Child Left Behind Act made by President George W. Shrub in 2001 has created a few significant changes inside state funded schools in regards to financing, testing, and the reporting of test effects. Regardless of the negative impacts the Act has created, with the utilization of individualized testing (less attention on standardized testing) and distinctive regulations in regards to financing, the Act could help schools accomplish the objectives they were proposed to meet. At the point when Horace Mann created a test to oversee to a gathering of understudies in the 1800s, his expectations were to make judgments about how the scholar was doing at their current level and figure out whether they might be fit for propelling to the larger amount. The persons prosperity on the test had no pessimistic

In The Pursuit of Public Value Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

In The Pursuit of Public Value - Term Paper Example Public administration is charged with the responsibility of implementing policies that facilitate the effective functioning of governments. The general public derives value from effective public administration. Public administration is not static because it is a process that keeps evolving. Value created by the government and valued by the citizens can be said to be public value due to acceptance by the majority. This paper focuses on the evolving trends of public administration in America and the value derived by the public from it. At the same time, it discusses the trends with the aid of several concepts such as; total quality management, Woodrow Wilson Public Administration Dichotomy, New public Administration and Scientific Management. America is believed to be the world’s super power; this is due to its financial stability coupled with political and administrative effectiveness. Moreover, administration in America has been evolving over the years. It is evident that the administration method and approaches applied by the United States in the past years have been abandoned and new, but more effective methods adopted. Essentially, the main aim or reason for the evolving of the public administration methods or approaches is to create value to the public. The concept of public value may be useful in explaining why the American public administration has been evolving over the years. According to the concept of public value, governments opt to evolve their administration in order to address what can add most value to the public and not what the public values most (Ladurantey, 2010). The American public administration has been evolving over the years and provided essential services to the public in the most effective way. The administration has been able to achieve this through different ways and for various reasons; for instance, there has been increased desire by the citizens for quality services among other reasons. This has compelled the

How Terrorism Has Impacted The Police Mission

How Terrorism Has Impacted The Police Mission How has terrorism impacted the police mission in the United States? What disagreements exist regarding the appropriate law enforcement behavior which fights terrorism but maintains personal liberties? The basic police mission in the United States, according to Schmalleger (2007) are to: (1) enforce and support the laws of the society of which the police are a part; (2) investigate crimes and apprehend offenders; (3) prevent crime; (4) help ensure domestic peace and tranquility; and (5) provide the community with needed enforcement-related services (p.192). For the most part, the principal basic police mission of the United States remained the same. However, as a consequence of the September 11, 2001 Islamic terrorist attacks, police took on more antiterrorism and incidents of terrorism related emergency response responsibilities. Police agencies are now dedicating more of their time and resources to training in preparation for future potential terrorist attacks and the gathering of information and the intelligence essential to prevent terrorist attacks. Also, Polices priority now is emergency response to incidents of terrorism, and it takes precedence over all other police duties. According to Delattre (2006), disagreements have surfaced since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, and one of these disagreements is à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦how much intelligence federal agencies can and should share with state and local police since the FBI are too guarded with their information (p. 415). This means, that criminal intelligence and information must be shared across jurisdiction and between agencies all over the country because information sharing is vital to antiterrorism. Police network with the community and they are able to exchange information with the community to gather intelligence, and this information may be critical to other agencies, such as the FBI, and vice versa. It has been recognized by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) (2008), that there are five key principles that must be formed for the basis of any effective national homeland security, and they are: Homeland security proposals must be developed in a local context, acknowledging that local, not Federal authorities have the primary responsibility for preventing, responding to, and recovering from terrorist attacks. Prevention, not just response and recovery, must be paramount in any national, state, or local security strategy. For too long, federal strategies have minimized the importance of prevention, focusing instead on response and recovery. Because of their daily efforts to combat crime and violence in their communities, state and local law enforcement officers are uniquely situated to identify, investigate, and apprehend suspected terrorists. Homeland security strategies must be coordinated nationally, not Federally. A truly successful national strategy must recognize, embrace, and value the vast diversity Among state and local law enforcement and public safety agencies. A one-size-fits-all approach will fail to secure our homeland. In summary, antiterrorism cannot be prevented by the Federal agency alone. They need assistance from the local police, state police, and other law enforcement agencies, especially from local police because they are the ones that patrol communities, guard public speeches and public events, so forth. They are more familiar in their community as far as usual goings-on. Police exchange information from the citizens and gather intelligence. Therefore, information sharing must be done nationwide between agencies. Though, information must be secure to protect citizens privacy . What role does social stigma play in police ethics? Give specific examples from reading or experiences where social stigma played a role in either furthering police corruption or reducing it. Social stigma plays a big part in policing and rules in police officers whose character is flawed. On the other hand, police officers of excellent character are not influenced by social stigma whether or not he or is supervised. Violators of the accepted norm are regarded as outsiders and are stigmatized. One good example is the New York Police department in 1993 that tolerated corruption, dishonesty, brutality, fraud and other misbehaviors of the Buddy Boys. Supporting wrongdoing by the police officers in a way of sustaining the code of silence to protect their own careers from discovery of corruption in their units and that a deep-rooted reluctance to uncover corruption is to be found in all ranks (Delatree, 2006, p.253). Reality is that police officers work in a criminal justice system that is flawed and they deal daily with the portion of the populace that are corrupt or criminals, and these are not excuses to validate police officers wrongdoing or participation in such. Law enfo rcement personnel must persist and persevere in the feat of their sworn duty. They must not allow themselves to be affected by the ethical tests and temptations in which they find themselves. Are the ethical forces behind police corruption the same as those involved in police abuses of force? The ethical forces behind police corruption are the same as police abuse of force. When police officers are sworn in, they avow to The Law Enforcement Code of Ethics. Corruption and police abuse are proscribed within the boundaries of The Law Enforcement Code of Ethics. Excerpts from The Law Enforcement Code of Ethics provided by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (2008) reads: As a Law Enforcement Officer, my fundamental duty is to serve mankind; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or disorder; and to respect the Constitutional rights of all men to liberty, equality, and justiceà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ and à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ be constantly mindful of the welfare of others. I will enforce the law courteously and appropriately without fear or favor, malice or ill will, never employing unnecessary force or violence and never accepting gratuities. Therefore, any violation to the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics, whether it be coverted or not, is unethical. Bad is bad, unethical is unethical, violation of the law is a violation of the law, no matter how you twist and turn it, no matter which angle you look at it, it is still bad, unethical and a violation. Discuss individual conscience and police assignments using specific examples. How can training prepare would be police officers for the ethical dilemmas they will face? The meaning of conscience is the the inner sense of what is right or wrong in ones conduct or motives, impelling one toward right action (Dictionary.com, 2010). A police officer, due to religious beliefs, for example, may not believe in abortion. In this case, his individual conscience means is that if he safeguards an abortion clinic, that he would be doing something against his religion and that it is wrong. In employing individuals for police positions, departments should look for evidence that the candidate is a person of conscience a person whose habits show a trustworthy sense of right and wrong and regard for the golden rule (Delattre, 2006, p.335). With a good foundation intact, training will then intend to enable people to discover what they already consider good and right, not to ask what they out to consider good and right. According to Delattre (2006), there are at least three lessons must be taught to recruits: (1) The Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution explicitly denies to government the power to deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law; (2) That all of us have faults; and (3) the concerns the way of life intended by the Constitution a way of life in which justice and securing the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity are fundamental (p.336). In summary, effective policing rely more on inborn personal characters and traits than on educational achievements or history of good credit. Training enables them to apply the good and right in an in-life scenario, in a classroom setup.

McDonalds Case Analysis Essay -- Mcdonalds business Case Analysis Ess

McDonald's Case Analysis I.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Objectives McDonald's mission was to provide customers with quality food at a low price with a focus on the speed, service and cleanliness they received while patroning one of their restaurants. The case focuses on a specific segment of the McDonalds restaurant chain that was opened in 1996, McDonald?s India. This segment of the restaurant giant had a more specific mission/philosophy to fulfill and had developed a special menu for these Indian customers to take into account their culture and religion. When it was realized that beef extracts were found being used in producing McDonald?s fries, outraged vegetarians and Hindus across the United States and Canda filed a class action lawsuit. Along with this, riots and demonstrations at restaurants in India took place, with mobs calling for the closure of all McDonald?s in India. II.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Customer Scenario   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  By 2001, McDonald?s had expanded its operations to 116 countries with a total of over 30,000 restaurants. McDonald?s sold to over 15 billion people every year! The company?s target market encompassed everyone as they tried to offer menus that accommodated fast food lovers, vegetarians, the health-conscious as well as different religious sects. III.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Nucleus of Control   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  McDonald?s restaurant chain is comprised of company owned restaurants as well as franchised restaurants, which make up over 65% of the operating McDonalds outlets; because of this many of the restaurants are controlled and run separate from one another. The whole segment of McDonald?s India has a board of managing directors that oversee McDonald?s operations in India. From a management standpoint, McDonalds can be seen to have different varying stances. The company can be viewed as a mature company that was introduced over 65 years ago and now encompasses virtually the entire globe with its operations. However, it seems that McDonald?s, large in size already, keeps expanding internationally as well as in the United States. While many of these newly opened restaurants are separately run franchises, it seems that while the McDonald?s name and idea may be mature, the company as whole seems to still have a growing, entrepreneurial stance. IV.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Functional Analysis A.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Top Management The company was started by two brothers, Richard and Maurice McDonald and was later purchased by a curr... ... marketing department. This would help to combat major catastrophes from happening and leading to more allegations and lawsuits. 3. Create a separate department within the company to keep consistency among the many McDonald?s franchises. While this would be a great tool in the overall operation of the company, there are probably too many franchises to be able to carry it out in a cost effective manner. VII.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Recommendations Both alternatives one and two should be combined for the overall success of improving McDonald?s corporation. Marketing has done a terrible job in many areas and could use a fresh start, but must rely on top management for the ultimate say. VIII.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Implementation These alternatives can be put into place effective immediately. They should not bear large costs, with any costs relying soley on the hire of new employees and/or top management to compensate for the extra workload. The most important benchmark to judge our decisions will be customer satisfaction. This can be done simply by surveys, online or focus groups. In the long term the benefits may be seen on a larger scale by viewing the perception of the company in the US as well as globally.

Digital Bangladesh Essay

Bangladesh is a developing country. She achieved independence 42 years ago but still she depends on foreign helps regarding many issues. She is trapped in a lot of problems such as poverty, over population, unemployment, corruption, health hazard, food and accommodation crisis, illiteracy etc. But, the present government has promised and started taking steps to change the situation and has determined to build a â€Å"Digital Bangladesh†. The sense of Digital Bangladesh is not clear yet. We assume that the gov. wants to make Bd fully digitalized by the year of 2021 through application of third generation information and communication technology. It was an election manifesto(2008) of Awami League, one of the leading political parties of Bangladesh. The philosophy of Digital Bangladesh comprises ensuring people’s democracy and human rights, transparency, accountability, establishing justice and ensuring delivery of gov. services to the citizens through maximum use of techn ology with the overall improvement of the daily lifestyle of people of all classes. The government further emphasized on the four elements of DB Visions which are: human resource development, people development, civil services and use of information technology in all possible sectors. It is not only e-governance or e-commerce or e-banking or operating a country wide mobile phone network, it is a combination of all of them. It is a country-wide application of 3G ICT to institutionalize the best management practices in every sectors and sub-sectors. The scope of Digital Bangladesh is very wide. It includes the following substances: democracy and effective parliament, political framework, decentralization of power and people’s participation, good governance through establishing rule of law and avoiding political partisanship, corruption free society, empowerment and equal rights for women, economic development and initiative, infrastructural development, environment etc. To digitalize Bangladesh with 3G technology in 12 years is fairly ambitious. It needs strong commitment and strategic planning for sustainable Digital Bangladesh. The starting must focus on developing infrastructure in terms of hardware, software and manpower. Merely buying millions of computers and distributing among several thousand workstations in educational institutions, commercial and medical organizations will not digitalize Bangladesh. Local qualified manpower must be available to run the system without depending on foreign experts. To produce such human resources, government must assign highest priority to the  improvement of science, technology and management education and develop our own manpower. Unless we perform the basic terms, Digital Bangladesh will make Bangladesh highly vulnerable by making dependent on those nations that manufacture, control and distribute ICT. Sustainability is more imp than starting. If we fail to manage a sustainable digital Bangladesh with our own resources, Digital Bangladesh 2021 will harm rather than benefit the nation. But if we succeed, Bangladesh will achieve independence literally.

Analysis of “Death of a Salesman” opening stage directions Essay

Arthur Miller’s ‘Death of a Salesman’ (1949) opens with an extensive description of the Loman house. Miller uses extremely precise and detailed stage directions, including prop placement, sound and lighting, giving heavy significance to each of these elements and painting an unchangeable picture to ensure that it is preserved in every interpretation of his work. Throughout the opening stage directions of Act 1, despite the structure and tone being very factual, composed of short, clear sentences, Miller hints at underlying themes and messages through a range of stylistic devices, preparing the audience for the play, and setting the scene. As the play is set in Brooklyn, New York some years after the great depression, many references are made already at this early stage to idealism and the American dream; the desperate and yearning vision of many Americans at that time of a better life. This permeating theme becomes apparent formerly even to the introduction of the characters, as the mere scenery and props act as symbolic elements, which reflect this motif. Miller however subliminally makes it evident that this dream is purely an illusion, through emblematic phrases in his stage directions such as ‘rising out of reality’ and physical representations, for instance the broken boundaries where ‘characters enter or leave a room by stepping through a wall onto the forestage’ which create an aura of delusion. The first stage directions include a melody played on a flute, ‘telling of grass and trees and the horizon’. This natural imagery encompassing three physical elements accompanied by the soft and harmonious sound, sets a serene tone which is then highly juxtaposed with the following depiction of the house and it’s neighborhood, featured with darkness and hostility. This heavy contrast may be symbolic of the conflict between the dreams to which the individual aspires and the actual harshness of society’s reality. The description of the surrounding cluster of apartment blocks seems almost to have a greater prominence than the house itself, as this is the first thing the audience ‘becomes aware of’. The tall and ‘angular’ silhouette of Manhattan that lies in the backdrop has expressionistic features and  surrounds the Loman house in a way that suggests some metaphorical form of oppression or confinement. The ‘glow of orange’ that falls upon the ‘fragile-seeming’ house is personified as ‘angry’, perhaps reflecting the hostile times in which the play is set. This enclosing and intimidating hostility is in part what makes the home appear so fragile, a fragility that may represent weakness in family bonds or equally, weakness in he who represents the house, condemning him immediately to the role of a tragic protagonist. Willy clings to his dreams just as ‘an air of the dream clings to the place’. This idea becomes present again in the description of Linda’s feelings towards her husband and his traits. ‘his massive dreams’ are the source of his tragic nature, dreams that he shares with the rest of society, but that for him become an unhealthy obsession. Willy is cursed with the incessant desire to pursue his dreams ‘to their end’ and these words forebode a fate that unfolds as a result of this fixation. Overall the opening of this play provides the audience with a sense of the themes that will permeate throughout, by cleverly using stage schemes and elements that insinuate profounder significance of what is to come.

sociology education Essays

sociology education Essays sociology education Essay sociology education Essay Outline some of the ways in which marketization and selection policies may produce differences in educational achievement (12 marks) Marketization is the policy of introducing market forces of supply and demand into areas run by state, such as education and the National Health Service. The 1988 Education Reform Act began the marketization of education by encouraging competition between school and choice for parents. Marketization brought in a funding formula that gives a school the same amount of funds for each pupil, Exam eague tables -the rank each school according to its exam performance and make no allowance for the level of ability of its pupils. For example, secondary school are ranked in terms of what percentage of their pupils succeed in gaining five or more GCSE grades A*-C and finally, competition- among schools to attract pupils. These acts of marketization lead to selection policies. Selection in education is the process of choosing and allocating pupils to a particular school, class steam ECT. Will Bartlett (1993) argues that marketization leads to popular schools, cream- skimming. This is the selection of higher ability pupils, who gain the best results and cost less to teach. This selection policy may cause differences in educational achievement as the higher ability students would receive better teaching as the better schools would select them as they cost less to teach. He also argues that marketization leads to popular schools silt-shifting. This is the off-loading of pupils with learning difficulties, who are expensive to teach and get poor results. This too creates differences in educational achievement as it causes lower ability students to e off-loaded to less successful schools who could potentially not be able to meet their needs. The educational triage is a selection process that may cause differences in educational achievement too, created by Gillborn and Youdell. Educational triage is the process whereby schools sort pupils into hopeless cases, those who will pass anyway, and those with potential to pass, and then concentrate their efforts on the last of these groups as a way to boost the schools exam league table position. Sorting ay be based on stereotypical ideas about pupils ability. Schools need to achieve high league table position if they are to attract pupils and funding. This causes difference in educational achievement as the higher ability students are selected, and attracted to the higher league table schools. This also means they are likely to achieve higher in education. Some schools have responded to marketization by creating a traditional image to attract middle-class parents and this too has reinforces class divisions. Studies of rant maintained (6M) schools (now known as foundation schools) and city technology colleges (CTCs) show how this has occurred. Geffrey Walfords (1991) research on the CTCs found that although they were intended to provide vocational education in partnership with employers and to recruit pupils from all social backgrounds, in practice they have come to be Just another route to elite education. They become attractive to middle-class parents not because Oh hi-tech image, but because they were seen as the next best thing to a traditional school.

Is Psychological Debriefing Harmful to Trauma Survivors

Is Psychological Debriefing Harmful to Trauma Survivors Disasters and undesirable happenings such as accidents are associated with short-term and long term effects (Bisson, 2002). Most survivors of accidents, floods and terrorist attacks may suffer from trauma. Advertising We will write a custom article sample on Is Psychological Debriefing Harmful to Trauma Survivors? specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Most organizations have been instrumental in bringing forth social supportive services to avert development of serious issues. One of such interventions is Psychological Debriefing (PD). It is however important to appreciate that not all have supported the intervention. Grant Devilly and Peter Cotton share the view that PD is harmful in the recovery process of trauma survivors. Mitchell is of the contrary opinion. This paper gives a critical analysis of the authors’ stands. The paper also compares these views with those of the contemporary research. Facts about Psychological Debriefin g Psychological debriefing is usually carried out by organizations for good reasons. Devilly and Cotton regard it as emotional first-aid administered to trauma survivors. PD is part of the interventions of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Devilly and Cotton are of the view that no organization would turn a blind eye towards trauma survivors. This intervention has made PD one of the most widely used procedures (Bisson, 2002). They consider the use of the intervention a routine practice for organizations especially in situations that trigger psychological distress. Bank robberies, fire outbreaks and natural disasters are good examples (Bryant, 2002). Mitchell, on the other hand, suggests that the use of PD may indeed be widespread. However, he emphasizes that only trained persons should handle it. The handling of PD by untrained persons makes it difficult to address issues of trauma. The fact that PD only supplements psychotherapy is supported well supported. Accordingly, PD s hould not be viewed as an alternative to psychotherapy. Rather, it is a crisis intervention measure that offers social support to trauma survivors (Mayou, 2000). Opinions Regarding PD Devilly and Cotton are of the opinion that Critical incident Stress Management (CISM) and Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) are one. They purport that most studies involving CISD have been explained in the CISM scope. It is important to note that this proposition is not supported conclusively. Advertising Looking for article on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In addition, they consider research and practices in PD to be very young. Widespread use of an intervention that is not fully backed by research is critical. Most organizations adopt PD techniques after traumatic experiences (Bryant, 2002). These techniques are regarded to go beyond ‘emotional first-aid’. Mitchell however has different opinions reg arding PD. CISD and CISM are two words that are used exclusively. Mitchell affirms that CISD is a process within CISM. Whereas CISM refers to the field, CISD refers to the group process in the intervention of traumatic experiences. IN ADDITION, Mitchell asserts that much research has been carried out to validate the use of PD in handling trauma cases. PD is Harmful to Survivors of Trauma Most psychologists are of the view that CISM and CISD mitigate the impacts of long term poor functioning (Mayou, 2000). Studies indicate that Post Trauma Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a possible likelihood especially for those exposed to stressful event (Bryant, 2002). Devilly and Cotton concur that history of stress is a prime risk factor for depression. PD increased the probability of developing PTSD. Studies indicate that PD interventions were worse than no-interventions as far as PTSD is concerned. The conditions of people who received CISD deteriorated in regards to other PTSD symptoms AND recove ry. Devilly and Cotton agree that a healthy workforce translates to a productive workforce. However, organizational clinical interventions have shown little or no effects on the performance outcomes. The greatest problem has and is still on developing interventions that avert sick workforce after trauma. PD is regarded as tool that ensures that organizations are protected from litigation. Howell’s case is an indication that CISD are usually conducted on grounds of assisting the traumatized. Devilly and Cotton failed to address some issues in their study. Devilly and Cotton failed to conclude on the CISM/CISD debate. A person who depends on their analysis to distinguish between the two will be more confused. PD is not Harmful to Survivors of Trauma Mitchell insists that PD is not a harmful intervention for trauma survivors. He insists that PD is not traumatic terrorism as Devilly and Cotton purport. The WTO bombing in 2001 was a global issue that called for rapid interventio n. The use of trained police officers to offer debriefing sessions to the victims of the terrorism attack was commendable (Deahl, 2000). This confirms the fact that properly trained persons produce positive outcomes. Advertising We will write a custom article sample on Is Psychological Debriefing Harmful to Trauma Survivors? specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Single session debriefings are critically opposed by many organizations like The American Red Cross, Salvation Army and American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress. CISD has been confused with single session debriefings. The confusion that exists between CISM and CISD has been addressed. It is considered wrong to equate the two. CISM is a vast field that incorporates among many some processes such as CISD. The definition of CISM in at least eight peer reviewed journals is a clear attestation that indeed the field is advanced and backed by enough literature. Despite the fact t hat Mitchell insists that PD is not harmful, he fails to give some instances in which the intervention has proved fruitful. In addition, he fails to give the most appropriate time when psychotherapy should be given. How Credible Were the Authors? The credibility of the authors supporting and opposing the intervention of PD varies. Devilly and Cotton argue on grounds of insufficient information. Their discussion opens doors for more debate. They show an open view towards issues of CISD, CISM and early interventions. It is however sad to note that their analysis is premised on personal grounds. They insinuate that Mitchell and Everly are ICISF (International Critical Incident Stress Foundation) directors. This claim is confirmed false. The objectivity of their study is jeopardized by personal differences. Mitchell is fast to counter the views of his opponents. However, he fails to really convince his audience on why PG should be encouraged. Devilly and Cotton give a critical analysi s within their argument. They propose other alternative intervention principles that can be used in place of PD. This approach gives an indication that future research regarding alternative interventions is well grounded. On the contrary, Mitchell fails to give us future improvements on PG interventions which he claims require special handling. Proper cases to support the efficiency and success of PD are lacking. Devilly and Cotton are Right It is true that traumatic interventions are special and require specialized persons. It is absurd to apply PD in situations where the victims are unaware of the implications associated with the procedure (Bisson, 2002). Devilly and Cotton may be ignorant of the differences that exist between CISM and CISD. However, the fact that they give a detailed insight to the two is encouraging.Advertising Looking for article on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This opens the door for more understanding of the underlying principles. The extensive research carried out before as Mitchell purports is not captured anywhere. Mitchell only summarizes the literature by insisting that CISM incorporates CISD. The gains associated with PD are not captured at all. Use of terms such as multi-million dollar industry and trauma tourism is exaggerated and misplaced. It is important to note that the use of PD has only persisted since no other interventions have been practiced. Devilly and Cotton insist that the use of PD has been widespread for several reasons. The fact that organizations fear litigation procedures and feel socially responsible for traumatic occurrences is clear. Devilly and Cotton are therefore correct in their assertion that PD interventions are harmful .The harm is not only psychological for PTSD victims, but also financial for the organizations that seek psychological support for their employees. Contemporary Research Most research findings indicate that PD is harmful to trauma survivors. The procedure is associated with several issues that limit its importance (Deahl, 2000). Studies indicate that most people suffering from PTSD get worse after being subjected to PD. Randomized Clinical Trials have failed to give any substantial benefits associated with the procedure (Mayou, 2000). The understanding of the cultural behavior is a prerequisite towards conducting a successful PD. PD conducted in Sri Lanka after the 2004 Tsunami produced important revelations (Deahl, 2000). It was difficult for ‘traumatologists’ to conduct PDs effectively. Cultural ignorance was the greatest impediment towards the success. Sri Lankans were therefore rendered to be in a state of denial. A trial verifying the efficiency of PD in accident victims proved futile in Oxford (Hobbs, 2006). The fact that PD is considered an act of professionalizing stress is evident. Most people become worse after experiencing traumatic exp eriences. PD intervention is associated with negative ramification (Hobbs, 2006). Most victims are uncomfortable with the psychologists that conduct such briefings. Most victims become more traumatized when true facts regarding their state are shared. It is important that information regarding the possible impacts of the experience is shared. The psychological preparation of trauma survivors is difficult. The fact that unknown persons conduct these briefings on a one-time basis leads to undesirable results (Mayou, 2000). Conclusion It is vitally important to note that traumatic experiences may have long term effects to the survivors. However, organizational interventions should not be compulsory. PD should be offered on voluntary basis to avert serious issues concerned with trauma. Other intervention principles that aim at updating critical management policy and offering immediate practical social support should also be enforced. References Bisson, J. (2002). Randomised controlled trial of psychological debriefing for victims of acute burn trauma. British Journal of Psychiatry, 171, 78–81 Bryant, R. (2002). Treating acute stress disorder: an evaluation of cognitive behavior therapy and supportive counselling technques. American Journal of Psychiatry, 156, 1780–1786. Deahl, M. (2000). Preventing psychological trauma in soldiers. The role of operational stress training and psychological debriefing. British Journal of Medical Psychology, 73, 77–85. Hobbs, M. (2006). A randomised controlled trial of psychological debriefing for victims of road traffic accidents. British Medical Journal, 313, 1438–1439 Mayou, R. (2000). Psychological debriefing for road traffic accident victims: three year follow-up of a randomised controlled trial. British Journal of Psychiatry, 176, 589–593

The Netherlands Sarah (50th) Birthday Tradition

The Netherlands' Sarah (50th) Birthday Tradition When you celebrate your 50th birthday, some might see you as being over the hill. In contrast, the Sarah tradition in the Netherlands honors a woman gaining wisdom through experience. It is a milestone birthday that many look forward to. Many consider it a cause to have a huge party. Origin of the Sarah Birthday A tradition that hails from the Netherlands, the Sarah birthday is celebrated when a woman turns 50 and becomes a Sarah.  It means that shes old enough and wise enough to have seen Sarah, the biblical figure and wife of Abraham. Likewise, when a man turns 50, he is an Abraham, old enough to have seen Abraham. This tradition is taken from the Bible, particularly  John 8: 56-58. In this passage, Jesus is asked how he could have seen Abraham if he hadnt yet reached fifty. He surprised the inquisitive Jews by saying,  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Truly,  truly, I say to you,  before Abraham was, I am.† Besides being Abrahams wife and a natural companion for seeing Abraham, Sarah is revered for having a baby at an older age. In Genesis 18:10-12, the Bible tells the story of her giving birth well past her childbearing years. Dutch Traditions for a Sarah Birthday The Dutch took this Bible passage and turned it into a longstanding tradition. A persons fiftieth birthday is seen as a great occasion, and there is typically a large party to celebrate. One of the best-known and visible parts of a Sarah birthday is placing a life-sized doll in the front yard of the person whos turning 50. It often appears overnight and is dressed and decorated by her family to represent her life and interests. Men have Abraham dolls appear, often dressed according to their occupation. Over the years, these dolls were similar to scarecrows people decorate their porches with on Halloween: simple, folksy human-sized figures sitting in a chair. In recent years, however, its not unusual to see giant inflatable Sarahs and Abrahams in yards. Some of these even reach heights that can rival the home itself. These dolls are often accompanied by a sign saying, Sara 50 jaar† or Abraham 50 jaar.†Ã‚  Jaar oud is Dutch for years old. It doesnt mean that someone named Sarah or Abraham lives there, just that someones celebrating their 50th birthday. Beyond the yard dolls, Sarahs may receive visitors dressed up as Sarahs with costumes and masks. Its also common to bake a Sarah cake, bread, or cookie in the shape of a female figure. Beyond the 50th Birthday The Dutch have taken this a step further and assigned a couple to each decade of a persons life after 50. At 60, you will have an Isaac or Elisabeth birthday.At 70, you will celebrate a Jacob or Anna birthday.At 80, its time for a Joseph or Deborah birthday.At 90, the party is all about Anthony or Ruth.If you are lucky to hit 100 years old, you have a Methusalem or Judith birthday to look forward to.

Research papper Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Papper - Research Paper Example Furthermore, it also promotes atheism because in a material world, individuals might be expected to exist without God’s existence (Olscamp 111). However, Berkeley’s main charge against the current philosophical tradition was that philosophers were guilty of complicating knowledge by introducing unnecessary abstractions. It is in this regard that the main focus of this research paper is to defend philosophy against the said charge by stating a position of endorsement and by showing the metaphysical and epistemological issues involved, that is to say, whether abstractions are epistemologically necessary, and whether Berkeley’s metaphysical charges were correct. To start with, the metaphysical and epistemological issues involved in Berkeley’s charge, as opposed to his materialist predecessors, aims to defend idealism and immaterialism. As result, Berkeley argues that no material thing exists; he rejects that material things are mind-independent things or substances, as the rationalists would call it. Hence, he argues that materialism promotes cynicism and disbelief. For this reason, Berkeley presents arguments to prove that when people perceive ordinary objects, they only perceive the idea of those objects and therefore, ordinary objects are mere ideas. Thus, Berkeley defends two metaphysical theses: first, the idealism claiming that everything that exists either is a mind or depends on a mind for its existence (Olscamp 27), and second, the immaterialism which claims that matter does not exist. Herein, Berkeley argues against the common views, which suggest that sensible objects are mind-independent. Sensible objects are perceived by sense only sensations are perceived by sense and, therefore, sensible objects are sensations. Similarly, sensations are mind-independent. Therefore, sensible objects are likewise

Persistence of Christianity in Post communist china Research Paper

Persistence of Christianity in Post communist china - Research Paper Example However, despite the hostility against Christianity, the religion evolved and was practiced underground in order to survive. Therefore, the revolution did not result in any shift in Christianity, but the religion persisted even after this revolution. As early as 17th century, Christian missionaries of the Roman Catholics belonging to the Jesuit order had been actively involved in China while the protestant missionary arrived in the 19th century.4 Conversion of the Chinese to Christianity was difficult in that it was linked to western imperialism. Approximately 3 to 4 million Chinese had been converted to Christianity by 1949, less than 1% of the entire population; after the collapse of the monarchial rule, fights erupted largely fueled by a need to determine the next form of governance different from the Monarchs, and in which Christians were heavily involved.5 Monarchs used religion to control their territories and neglected its moral teachings. The rise of Communism acted as a barr ier to the spread of Christianity stating religion as â€Å"opium of the people† from Max philosophy Before the 1949 revolution, Christians were estimated to be about 700,000 in China.6 In the 1940s, many Chinese Christians were behind calls to rid China off foreign influence, with a selected group of Chinese Church leaders preparing a document that was later to be known as â€Å"Christian Manifesto.†7 For example, because of their steadfast loyalty to the pope, Catholics faced great persecution from the early 1950s and 1960s, with all foreign missions being expelled from China.8 The number of Catholics in 1949 was estimated to be about 4 million in China. The severe persecution of Catholicism led to cold relationship between Vatican and the Communist country. In fact, the relations are still shaky as the Chinese Catholic church continued to ordain a bishop without Papal approval as the communist regime still requires the native Catholics to choose between devotion to the pope, and obedience to the communist authorities.9 Religion was viewed as a strong factor of change that could have threatened the status quo as introduced by the communist regime; it was mainly viewed as a liberal force in China after the 1949 revolution. Though contributing only a small portion, Christianity was particularly indentified as a big risk that could cause problems to the communist regime. Christianity was particularly introduced in China from the Western and European regions, and was thus seen as a perpetuation of western ideologies in the communist country. Having been introduced by foreigners with strong establishments in European countries and offering education, medicine, and food to the locals, it earned much hate and suspicion from the communist rulers. Clarke offers a concise differentiation of what constitutes public and private realm. Such a distinction has to rely on the dichotomous distinction between the private and public.10 Therefore, in terms of reli gion in China, private realm would constitute

Preparation of Business Plan Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Preparation of Business Plan - Assignment Example However, it is possible for more successes to be reached in new entrants because the target segments of customers in the travel agency market in Singapore vary a lot. By focusing on some potential business opportunities witnessed in the Singaporean tourist market, business investors can expect to achieve pleasing business successes. The name of the travel agency to be started is Enjoy life to the fullest. As is indicated in the words included in the name of the travel agency to be started in Singapore, the major values proposed for operating the businesses are facilitating in the process for people to enjoy their life as much as possible by going on interesting trips to the different tourist attractions in Singapore. Instead of passively following the arrangements made by the travel agency in the form of tour trips, the travel agency to be started will emphasize on the participation of the tourists in making an optimal tourist plan for achieving their expected tourist purposes in Singapore. Under the competitive business environment of the travel agency industry sector in the current times, inspiring the tourists to take part in the process of making the practical and detailed tourist plans would enable the customers to enjoy their trips to their selected tourist attractions on more occasions. The competitive a dvantages of the travel agency to be started in this business plan will be expected to be improved compared with the business rivals in the Singaporean tourist market.   In addition to that, the travel agency to be started in Singapore will also focus on providing more considerate services to cater for the needs of reaching smooth communication in the process of offering tourist services for the customers from different countries. Interpreters that can speed different languages used in different countries of the world will be employed as service staffs to help reach a smooth communication with the tourists from different places of the world. That

Profile Speech about Trail of Tears- Removal of the Cherokee Essay

Profile Speech about Trail of Tears- Removal of the Cherokee - Essay Example IV. (Preview body of speech) Today, I shall tell you what prompted the U.S. government to decide the fate of thousands of Native Americans. Next, I will tell you how tribes such as Cherokees were affected following which I shall take you back to the fateful â€Å"Trail of Tears.† Finally, being an optimist, I will share with you the present conditions of the relocated people and the role of the U.S. government in their lives today. 3. Americans and Cherokees signed a treaty. This treaty was supposed to bring in some form of civilization among the tribal men i.e. they were expected to give up hunting and adopt farming. The Cherokees accepted the terms since it not only meant progress but it also meant that the Americans would further on mind their own business and leave them alone. This deadly trek, during the course of which thousands of Cherokees perished, loved ones died in front of the eyes while others stood helpless. The Cherokees only stopped some time to bury their dead and continued marching westwards. The Cherokees called this journey – â€Å" Nunna dual isunyi† meaning the trail where we cried. In English, this earned popularity as the â€Å"Trail of tears† (Fradlin,2008). (Transition) It is true, that today as I stand here talking about our American Native brothers and sisters, their plight is still the same. Almost a million of them still remains in abject poverty and lead a life of prejudice. The American Indian Relief Council works towards helping the Native Americans build a stronger community and bring in positive changes in their lives by offering services from literacy to nutrition (American Indian Relief Council).

Compassion and Media Representations of Suffering Essay

Compassion and Media Representations of Suffering - Essay Example Compassion Cultivation The decision on how these images are going to be used and how a story is going to be told are left to the decision of the journalists and the editors. These decisions are influenced by different factors which include cultural standards of the primary audience and the expectations of advertisers. The end product is almost always geared towards what will be warranted as interesting by more people in order to attract more advertisers. Media produce materials that evoke compassion because compassion is what calls audience attention. Media positions the audience from a spectator’s point of view, a passive audience that is powerless when it comes to the doing something against the sufferings of victims of natural disasters and manmade crimes. To establish a more intimate relationship between the news content and the audience, media use personal stories that are highly focused on the civilians. Their losses are highlighted, their tears take the places of actual body count and political analysis. By putting feeding the audience the suffering of people who are supposed to be innocence and the fact that audience are unable to do anything to mediate the suffering, the media creates distant suffering. The audience are being conditioned to take into consideration the condition of strangers thousands of miles away. This framework of distant suffering has been so powerful that it has connected politics, audience, and non-profit organizations towards one cause. The growth of technology has afforded more news organizations and even ordinary citizens to access and distribute news and other information. The internet has also stretched the rules on the extent of suffering one may show. More importantly, this continuous flow of information on suffering has heightened the audience’s compassion because of the reinforcement of the fact that they are ultimately powerless to change to anything and even with the privilege of knowing and watching, they cannot do anything. The audience is not anymore allowed to detach themselves from the fate of other people or take refuge in ignorance because they are never safe from the information. Compassion Fatigue Moeller (1999) believes that this formula is also the cause of compassion fatigue. The continuous drive to heighten emotion and ignite interest from the audience is compromising the very essence of journalism. Journalism is supposed to uphold truths and facts without favouring any side. Journalism is about information dissemination. All of these take an inferior place over profitability. As media companies fight for audience, they continue to raise the stakes on how they present their stories without crossing the legal bounds. As a result, the media companies resort to sensationalism. The result is the ever growing concern on the accuracy of information that the audience obtains and the proper emotion that news is supposed to evoke. Chouliaraki (2006) discussed how adventure news e mbodies this situation. She mentioned three critical current events: shootings in Indonesia, a boat accident in India and ‘biblical floods’ in Bangladesh. All of these were given no more than one minute of air time. Important information was also not mentioned in the ‘breaking news’ portion and was not presented in the proper context of the event. This treatment results to a lack of framework for the audience to understand the weight of the event. Th

Digital forensic investigation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Digital forensic investigation - Essay Example icated and the information blocked or writer blocked so as to prevent the information on the hard drive from being altered or modified (Kaliski, 2006). Analysis: In this process the information which was found in the hard drive is looked at carefully. The investigators try to piece things together at this stage so that they may come up with the necessary evidence which can be presented in the court (Pereira, 2009). This evidence can be retrieved by using various techniques such as key word searches, whereby things such as the list of the names or account numbers and such like things are searched. This report main task was to look at the involvement of Clyde Barrow in fraud. The investigation also looked at the fact of Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker had been communicating. In the investigation we were able to establish that Clyde Barrow was involved in the fraud and that the two suspects had been communicating with each other. It was also established that Clyde Barrow was involved in terrorism activities as well. The evidential facts are as follows: Clyde Barrow was dealing in counterfeit money. This can be proven by the fact that there were images of the counterfeit money in his hard drive. The images upon investigation, were found to be illegal, i.e. they were not legal tender. Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker not only knew about each other, they had been communicating via e-mail. In our investigations we were able to establish that the two had in fact sent each other an e-mail. If for instance we had found an e-mail from Bonnie Parker to Clyde Barrow and then Clyde Barrow had not replied it, Clyde Barrow could have stated that he did not know Bonnie Parker. In such a case we would not have had proof of the two individuals having prior knowledge about the others existence. Fortunately for us these two had sent each other e-mails about a certain deal meaning they were business partners in the fraud. This is as shown in the appendices we have put forth. How can we

Compassion and Media Representations of Suffering Essay

Compassion and Media Representations of Suffering - Essay Example Compassion Cultivation The decision on how these images are going to be used and how a story is going to be told are left to the decision of the journalists and the editors. These decisions are influenced by different factors which include cultural standards of the primary audience and the expectations of advertisers. The end product is almost always geared towards what will be warranted as interesting by more people in order to attract more advertisers. Media produce materials that evoke compassion because compassion is what calls audience attention. Media positions the audience from a spectator’s point of view, a passive audience that is powerless when it comes to the doing something against the sufferings of victims of natural disasters and manmade crimes. To establish a more intimate relationship between the news content and the audience, media use personal stories that are highly focused on the civilians. Their losses are highlighted, their tears take the places of actual body count and political analysis. By putting feeding the audience the suffering of people who are supposed to be innocence and the fact that audience are unable to do anything to mediate the suffering, the media creates distant suffering. The audience are being conditioned to take into consideration the condition of strangers thousands of miles away. This framework of distant suffering has been so powerful that it has connected politics, audience, and non-profit organizations towards one cause. The growth of technology has afforded more news organizations and even ordinary citizens to access and distribute news and other information. The internet has also stretched the rules on the extent of suffering one may show. More importantly, this continuous flow of information on suffering has heightened the audience’s compassion because of the reinforcement of the fact that they are ultimately powerless to change to anything and even with the privilege of knowing and watching, they cannot do anything. The audience is not anymore allowed to detach themselves from the fate of other people or take refuge in ignorance because they are never safe from the information. Compassion Fatigue Moeller (1999) believes that this formula is also the cause of compassion fatigue. The continuous drive to heighten emotion and ignite interest from the audience is compromising the very essence of journalism. Journalism is supposed to uphold truths and facts without favouring any side. Journalism is about information dissemination. All of these take an inferior place over profitability. As media companies fight for audience, they continue to raise the stakes on how they present their stories without crossing the legal bounds. As a result, the media companies resort to sensationalism. The result is the ever growing concern on the accuracy of information that the audience obtains and the proper emotion that news is supposed to evoke. Chouliaraki (2006) discussed how adventure news e mbodies this situation. She mentioned three critical current events: shootings in Indonesia, a boat accident in India and ‘biblical floods’ in Bangladesh. All of these were given no more than one minute of air time. Important information was also not mentioned in the ‘breaking news’ portion and was not presented in the proper context of the event. This treatment results to a lack of framework for the audience to understand the weight of the event. Th

Superman and Paula Brown Essay Example for Free

Superman and Paula Brown Essay It is also ironic when she tells us of her odd friend, Sheldon became a Nazi and borrowed a goose step from the movies, but his uncle Macy was really over in Germany, and Mrs Fein began to grow thin and pale because she heard Macy was a prisoner and then nothing more. Because he was mocking the Nazis when really his uncle was over there as a prisoner. A literary effect that Charles Dickens uses is circumlocution to speed up and slow down the part of the story he is describing. An example of this is when Charles Dickens slows down the scene when he writes The company murmured their compliments. Uncle Pumblechook, sensible of having deserved well of his fellow-creatures, said-quite vivaciously, all things considered-well, Mrs Joe, well do our best endeavours; let us have a cut at this same pie. He slows it down by adding parts to the sentence. He then speeds up his text to create a feeling of panic and excitement when Pip fears that he will be found out, My sister wet out to get it. I heard her steps proceed to the pantry. I saw Mr Pumblechook balance his knife. I saw reawakening appetite in the Roman nostrils of Mr. Wopsle the sentences are sharp and quick. Like Sylvia Plath, Charles Dickens use Irony in this story. An example of his irony could be when he describes the change of dining arrangements on special occasions, We dined on these occasions in the kitchen, and adjourned, for the nuts and oranges and apples, to the parlour; which was a change very like Joes change from his working clothes to his Sunday best. I think it is ironic because Pip will be changing himself; he will change his opinions on how to act which will help him to mature. Another similarity between the two extracts is the way their parents/guardians perceive or are perceived by the characters. In Paula Brown the narrator has a strong relationship with her uncle but not with her mother, this is shown when she runs home after the accident to a greeting from her uncle Uncle Frank met me at the door. Hows my favourite trooper? he asked and then he swung me so high in the air that my head grazed the ceiling. There was a big love in his voice that drowned out the shouting which still echoed in my ears. This affection reassured her of the safety she could find in his love and that they wouldnt convict her like her friends did, but when David Sterling comes to the narrators house and tells her mother at the door that the narrator had pushed Paula into the oil, her mother immediately assumes that she had done it When mother came back to the table, her face was sad. Why didnt you tell me? she said, why didnt you tell me that you pushed Paula in the mud and spoiled her new snowsuit? Her mother isnt defending her or protecting her. In Great expectations Pip has a very strong relationship with Joe but not Mrs Joe. This is because Joe is the only person that really believes in him and protects him from getting hurt, this is why he doesnt tell him, he doesnt want to lose what they have by hurting Joe. This is shown when Pip tells us It was much upon my mind (particularly when I first saw him looking about for his file) that I ought to tell Joe the whole truth. Yet I did not, and for the reason that I mistrusted that if I did, he would think me worse than I was. The fear of losing Joes confidence, and of thenceforth sitting in the chimney corner at night staring drearily at my for ever lost companion and friend, tied up my tongue. Pip is not scared that he will be punished, but that he will lose Joes trust and that is why he keeps his secret from them. Pip also felt as if he had gotten away with it even though he hadnt actually done anything wrong. Also a similarity in the two extracts is that both the children in the story are powerless to their parents views. These extracts have many similarities despite the time difference and the different environment the two children were living in, P.B. living in the American suburbs of Boston, having the freedom to go out and play and being recognised as an adolescent rather than a small adult which is how the Victorians perceived children. Most Victorian adults did not have a very high opinion of children considering the Victorians made up the saying children should be seen and not heard. This is shown in great expectations when Pip is with the soldiers and they are about to go and look for the convicts, the sergeant asks about the convicts Anybody here seen anything of any such game? Everybody, myself excepted, said no, with confidence. Nobody thought of me. They dont think he could make a useful comment because he is only a child. Another time when this is shown is when Pip tells us I was always treated as if I had insisted on being born Maybe these stories are based on the authors experiences considering Sylvia Plath was American like the narrator and Charles Dickens lived in the Victorian times but they arent strong enough factors to rely on. What we do know is that these children realised that they couldnt rely on the safety and security of the adults anymore, they would have to start looking after themselves and start being more independent. They learned this through the experiences they have had. Amber James Show preview only The above preview is unformatted text This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our GCSE Great Expectations section.

The background of Hai-O in Malaysia

The background of Hai-O in Malaysia Background of the Company Hai-O is one of the leading traditional healthcare companies in Malaysia, competing in the niche of traditional Chinese medicine. In the first chapter, this paper will discuss the background of the company in general to further illustrate the business nature of the company. This will provide the basis for the further discussion of Hai-Os business strategy. Introduction Hai-O is a local group of companies that operates in the business of traditional Chinese medicine. Hai-O Group of Companies (the Group) comprise of a few business divisions in the corporate structure. All of these divisions operate in the core business of Chinese healthcare products that include herbal medicines, pharmaceutical products as well as health food. Hai-O divisions include multi-level marketing (MLM) wholesaling, retail stores, as well as manufacturing. The Group has also diversified into a few other industries such as advertising services and leasing of machinery. Problem Statement For thousands of years, traditional medicine has been used in some communities for health cures and remedies. As it has been re-introduced in the modern world, there has been a growing debate on its effectiveness and potential side effects. This causes a rough ride for Hai-O as a traditional medicine provider. One of the challenges arise is the lack of international standards and evaluation methods for the efficiency of traditional medication because of international diversity of cultures and regions. As a result, many countries do not have national policies and regulations for traditional medicines. And there is also an issue of disparity in definition and classification for traditional medicine therapies. Some countries may define an herbal product as food supplement while others may accept it as herbal medicine, making international access and global product distributions a challenge to abide for Hai-O Group. There is also limitation for traditional medicines in terms of safety and quality. This is due to the complex nature of the methods for research and evaluation. For example, the safety and quality of finished herbal medicine products require tests on their resources which at one point can comprise hundreds of natural constituents. And the handling of these elements also needs to be evaluated. Products of traditional medicine are produced form natural elements which mostly are collected from wild plants. Scarcity of resources could also be an issue for business practices, not to mention the social threat they might face because of destructing of natural resources. Aside from growing competitions from other extension of healthcare business, Hai-O Enterprise Berhad needs to address these challenges and issues in its strategy to exhilarate growth and expansion. Problem Questions Writing this case will aim to answer a few questions that arise in the problem statement above. Some of the questions are: What is Hai-Os strategy to tackle the negative aspects of TCM? Why does Hai-O employ its current business strategies? How does Hai-O plan to expand into international market? How does Hai-O sustain its growth despite the challenges and threats? Case Study Objectives Objective of this case study is to critically analyse the: Business strategy; Strategy formulation; and the Issues and challenges faced by Hai-O Group in its business strategy Upon completion, this study will help to understand and clearly identify the business strategy of Hai-O Group. Through the case analysis, Hai-Os strategy formulation will be carefully examined and this will guide the finding of the critical issues and challenges of its business strategy. Companys Overview Hai-O was established in 1975, and has become a famous household name in Malaysia ever since. Originally, the Company offered an assortment of Chinese medicines and healthcare products. Much later, the business expanded and grew into Hai-O Group of Companies. It first made its way to Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad in the year 1996, by being listed in the second board of Bursa Malaysia. The Group has 5 principal business that are multi-level marketing, wholesaling, retailing, manufacturing and medicinal clinics. The Group was the first traditional healthcare company listed on the stock exchange. It was listed into the main board of Bursa Malaysia on 2007. Expert in its niche, Hai-O has managed to build extensive and efficient distribution network for the past three decades. As part of its services, the Group is also practising integrated health services which combine the traditional Chinese medicine clinic services and non-decocted Chinese herbal consultation in their retail stores. These services were collaboration with its joint venture partner, Beijing Tongrentang Co Ltd, a big TCM provider in China. History of Hai-O Hai-O Enterprise Bhd was founded by Mr. Tan Kai Hee in 1975. He was an assistant secretary-general of the Labour Party in 1960s and was arrested under the Internal Security Act (ISA) from 1965 to 1973. Only 28 years old at the time, Tan was optimistic despite the unfortunate circumstances. Finding job after the detention was not easy, and this leads him to the idea of organising other ex-comrades to venture into China trade. And so they set up Hai-O in 1975 and started operation in Klang. The business was soon became a word of mouth among friends and supporters. Due to a lot of hard work and high optimism, the Group was able to break even within the first year and all of the key historical and inspirational accomplishment took place itself in the first year it was introduced. Throughout many years of operation, the Group has earned a lot of awards for their remarkable performance. Such recognitions are awarded to all the top performing companies within the Group. The Group take pride in its achievements which have help instil good confidence among its investors and customers. Awards and recognitions received by Hai-O Group are: Hai-O Enterprise: Best Small Capitalisation Company (Malaysian Corporate Governance Index 2009) by Minority Shareholder Watchdog Group (MSWG) Hai-O Enterprise: Best Return to Shareholder Category First Runner Up Award by Malaysian Business CIMA Enterprise Governance 2009 Hai-O Enterprise: Best Under a Billion Award by Forbes Asia 2009 Hai-O Enterprise: Ranked no. 6 in Top 100 Listed Company In Terms of Shareholder Values Creations 2008 by KPMG and The Edge Hai-O Enterprise: Best Under a Billion Award by Forbes Asia 2008 Hai-O Raya: The Brand Laureate 2008-2009 under the Product Branding for Traditional Chinese Medicine category Hai-O Marketing: Malaysian Business Ethics Excellence 2008 recognition certificate by Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Hai-O Raya: Malaysian Business Ethics Excellence 200 recognition certificate by Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Hai-O Enterprise: Best Under a Billion Award by Forbes Asia 2007 Hai-O Marketing: Outstanding Contribution Towards Developing Bumiputra Entrepreneurs 2007 recognition certificate by MECD Hai-O Raya: Superbrand 2003/2004 Hai-O Raya: Malaysian Book of Records: Greatest Number of Traditional Healthcare Chain Stores in Malaysia 2001 Hai-O Raya: Golden Bull Award: Malaysias Top 100 Outstanding SMEs 2003 Hai-O Raya: Enterprise 50 by SMIDEC and Deloitte 2003 Top Malaysian Small Cap Companies (100 Jewels 2007) by OSK Investment Bank Bhd Hai-O Marketing: 13 Years Membership with Direct Selling Association Malaysia 2007 Diamond Club Award for Excellent Performance 2002, 2003, 2006 GMP Status and ISO: 9001certification by SG Global Biotech Sdn Bhd U.S. FDA Facility Registration certificate by SG Global Biotech Sdn Bhd Source: http://en.hai-o.com.my Vision, Mission and Corporate Values The Group ultimate goal is to become a premiere healthcare company in Malaysia. Focusing on it, its vision reads: We aim to become the premier healthcare company in Malaysia and thereby bringing the greatest value and pride to our customers, business partners, employees and shareholders. This explained that their vision of being the leading healthcare company are much focused on delivering value to each key element that make up their business, internally and externally. Hai-O has strived over 35 years to take the brand name beyond the image of Chinese medicine. The Group genuine interests in healthy culture boost their spirit to promote humans well-being with the mission statement that reads: We are committed to promoting healthcare culture and improving humans well-being. Such vision and mission is incorporated into the Groups corporate value. Hai-O means seagull in Mandarin. It is a metaphor that the Group will soar high and the Group incorporated its corporate values in the word seagull itself and the image of a seagull is embedded in the Groups company logo. Their 7 core values are: Social responsibility; Hai-O strives to repay society by helping those in needs through actions and monetary support. Excellent service; Hai-O strives beyond customers expectations to give excellent quality products and superior service. Attitude; Hai-O strives to sustain a positive attitude in every dimensions of the business at any circumstances it faces. Unity; Hai-O strives to unite its organization as one big family in Malaysian culture of different races to achieve its goals in the challenging business world. Growing; Hai-O strives to capitalise on its competitive advantage and knowledge to ensure continuous improvement and growth. Loyalty; Hai-O strives to be loyal to its business partners and its commitment to convey good results to the customers as well as the shareholders. Learning; Hai-O strives to build a knowledge-based working environment by collecting its resources together to achieve goals to educate consumers on healthcare and to contribute to the research and development in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical science. Figure 1: Hai-Os Company Logo Image source: Adapted from http://en.hai-o.com.my Strategy One of the obvious strategies to market its product was the Group formation of Hai-O Marketing Sdn. Bhd. in 1992. This subsidiary company is targeted to market Hai-Os products through multilevel marketing. Products that are sold through this company are health food, wellness and beauty products. This strategy of has boosted the Groups business substantially and has brought a huge exposure for Hai-Os brand into the consumer market. Although the business move has brought a giant impact, the Group fundamental strategies still remain in three main criteria; choosing the right product, targeting the Bumiputra segment and venturing abroad. Hai-O sources raw materials for its product from the main land China. TCM market in China is saturated and the products are variety. But Hai-O is devoted to solitary select the right ones to bring into its product line. Only importing patented products that are approved by the Ministry of Health, the Group built its clients trust by selling genuine quality products at a fair price with Hai-O branding. In 2002, links to China were further consolidated in a partnership with Peking Tongrentang, a renowned company with a 338-years history and is famous for working for the emperor during the Qing dynasty. Other than that, the Group also signed a sole distributorship agreement in 2007, with Yunnan Baiyao Group Co Ltd. Since the setting of its MLM division, Malay consumers have constituted a large segment of its market as well as its sales force, which has result in a remarkable transformation for Hai-O as a group. The concept of MLM suited the Bumiptra market very well. Famous product among the Malay consumer is the Pur Er tea which is considered as a wonder tonic with abundant health benefits ranging from removing toxins to improving blood circulation. Achieving reputation among Malay consumers has changed the Groups image from previously a mainly Malaysian Chinese trade. As a result, the brand is more accessible and well received by other citizen in Malaysia. As the power of traditional medicine is showing evident results in todays healthcare industry, the Group decided to take the business abroad by penetrating the lucrative markets of China and Indonesia. A joint venture company has been set up in Jakarta and has started business in August 2009. As for China, the Group is in the midst of obtaining the necessary rights and licences to promote Malaysias traditional medicines and health products such as Tongkat Ali, and Kacip Fatimah in its local market. Venturing into the international market is a strategy that the Group hope will help to expose their brand even further as well as promote traditional Chinese medicine to a higher level. Corporate Structure Figure 2: Hai-Os Corporate Structure Source: http://en.hai-o.com.my Wholesale Division As a second largest contributor to the Group, the wholesale division have secured exclusive agency rights for importing and distributing of more than 200 branded products from China under the company names Hai-O Medicine Sdn. Bhd., Kinds Resources Sdn. Bhd., Grand Brands (M) Sdn. Bhd., Chop Aik Seng Sdn. Bhd. and Vintage Wine Sdn. Bhd. These products include a wide range of traditional Chinese medicines, teas and wines that are distributed through Hai-Os multi-distribution channels. These channels offer a broad access to Chinese medical halls, hyper/ supermarkets, convenience stores, retail outlets and restaurants. Direct Selling Division The direct selling division, also known as the MLM division has been the Groups fastest growing segment since it is first introduced in 1992. Operating under the company name Hai-O Marketing Sdn. Bhd., the division has a strong distribution force that helped the company to emerge as a leading local direct selling company. Hai-O Marketing Sdn. Bhd. is now serving over 34,000 distributorships, through more than 50 distribution centres throughout Malaysia. With the product mix ranging from healthcare to household products, Hai-O Marketing Sdn. Bhd. also owns a subsidiary company, PT Hai-O Indonesia which took up a 60% stake in a joint-venture company with an Indonesian partner. The company has started business in August 2009, selling products manufactured from Malaysia. Retail Division The Group has over 60 chain stores in major cities and towns across Malaysia. These chain stores carry an extensive range of traditional Chinese medicines, teas, wines and other healthcare products. Operating under the company name Hai-O Raya Berhad, the Group also owns retail counters in some of major supermarkets namely Carrefour and AEON Jusco. These outlets provide consultations on herbs and TCMs by professional herb masters. Hai-O Raya Berhad also provides a franchise program for entrepreneurs who are interested in operating a professional TCM store. In 2002, the Group expanded to also offer integrated clinical service under the company name, Peking Tongrentang (M) Sdn. Bhd. This integrated clinic is a joint-venture between Hai-O and Beijing Tongrentang Co Ltd, the largest producer of traditional Chinese medicine in China. Besides that, the Group also owns another subsidiary company that offers extensive traditional Chinese medicine products and service, Hai-O Polaris (M) Sdn. B hd. Manufacturing Division Realizing the importance and the fast growing demand of traditional Chinese medicine in the country, the Group made a decision to open up its own pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in 1994. Operating under the name SG Global Biotech Sdn. Bhd., it was the first traditional medicinal manufacturer that complies with the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards in the country. The companys obligation to quality assurance has obtained the qualification under ISO 9002 in 1999 and ISO9001: 2000 in 2002. Its core businesses is producing and processing of herbal and other health products and SG Global is also active in a lot of research and development activities. The company shared the technology and expertise with China and several local counterparts in Malaysia. Riding on the potential growth of the research and development area in herbal and traditional medicine in Malaysia, the Group extended its operation into another subsidiary that focuses on laboratory research to increase product innovation. QIS Research Laboratory Sdn. Bhd. is established to offer a full service in analytical laboratory, microbiology and chemical analysis of traditional medicine. QIS Lab is accredited to ISO 17025 by the Department of Standard Malaysia (DSM) of the Ministry of Science and Technology. In the past years, the Group has also ventured in several other business segments. Other subsidiary companies include Seagull Advertising Sdn. Bhd., Hai-O Credit and Leasing Sdn. Bhd., Sri Pangkor Credit and Leasing Sdn. Bhd., Hai-O Energy (M) Sdn. Bhd. and Hai-O Properties Sdn. Bhd. The Group other supporting businesses involved the leasing of machinery and equipment, advertising services, investment holding as well as insurance agency. Corporate Governance The Board of Directors of Hai-O Enterprise Berhad (the Board) embraces the value of the Malaysian Code of Corporate Governance which outlines the ethics and the best practices on corporate governance. In regards, the Board is dedicated to make sure that the corporate governance principles are well practiced and well observed throughout the operation of Hai-O Group in order to ensure integrity and professionalism within the organization to safeguard shareholders investment and value. Composition of the Board The Board of Hai-O Group is consists of 8 members, comprising of 3 Executive Directors and 5 Non-Executive Directors. 4 of these Non-Executive Directors are Independent Directors who act as independent advisors. This composition meets the terms with the Listing Requirements of Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd which requires one-third (1/3) of the Board to be Independent Directors. The Executive and Non-Executive Directors functions are defined clearly. The Executive Directors capacity is to administer the Groups operations and execute the operational and corporate decisions while the Non-Executive Directors offer the Company with necessary opinions and decisions. Formulation of the Groups strategies and policies are shaped from the combination between the expertise of the Independent Non-Executive Directors and the skill and wisdom of the Executive Directors. If a conflict of interest is likely to arise, it is the obligation for the director concerned to declare his interest and withdraw from the process of the decision making. The same formula is tailored to the responsibilities between the Chairman and the Managing Director in order to maintain a balance of authority and accountability. The Chairman provides a general leadership to the Board without restricting the principle of collective responsibility for Boards decisions. And the Managing Directors principal responsibility is to formulate the business strategies and to employ the corporate decisions as well as to administer the overall business operations. The Boards composition represents a mix of skill, knowledge and expertise that are significant to the activities of the Group. The Board meeting is held once every 3 months. The Board entrusted the Nomination Committee with the necessary responsibilities to appoint and re-elect the directors. This committee is comprises of Independent and Non-Executive Directors and is responsible to recognize and pick potential new directors and propose nominations to the Board. The Board also recognizes that constant learning is critical for its members in order to gain insights into the state of economy, technological advances, regulatory updates and management strategies. Thus all the Directors of the Company have to complete the Mandatory Accreditation Programme (MAP) which is compulsory for the Listing Requirements of the Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd. The Directors will continue to undertake other significant training programmes and the Continuing Education Programmes (CEP) to supplement and maximize knowledge in the latest statutory and regulatory developments. This is also to assist them in keeping abreast with developments in the business environment in order to enable them to uphold their responsibilities more effectively. Directors Remunerations A remuneration Committee was set up by the Board to manage the Executive Directors remuneration package. The committee members are majority consisting of the Non-Executive Directors. This remuneration package is based on the Groups results apart from the individual directors performance. The committee meeting is held frequently as required to resolve all aspect of remuneration as well as terms and conditions of service of the Executive Directors. Level of the remuneration is structured as such to motivate and encourage the Directors to run the Group at the top of their performances. And the compensation for the Non-Executive Directors is subjected to the Boards decision as a whole. The fees for both the Executive and Non-Executive Directors are approved by the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). Shareholders and Investors It is important to public listed organizations to inform the current status of the Group to the shareholders, stakeholders as well as the general public. Hence, the Group has been keeping up a constructive and active communication policy which enables the management and the Board to communicate effectively with its shareholders. The Groups website, www.hai-o.com.my is one of the channels available for corporate information to assist shareholders and investors to assess their investment decisions. The Groups AGM proceedings are open to all shareholders to promote transparency. Shareholders are also invited to attend any Extraordinary General Meetings which are announced through circulars and notice of meeting whenever it occurs. Accountability and Audit An Audit Committee is set up to manage the annual financial statements of the Group. This committee is responsible to ensure that the statements are complied with the requirements in the valid accounting standards in Malaysia under the Companies Act, 1965 as well as the Listing Requirements of Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd. The committee is also accountable to establish an appropriate and transparent relationship with the Groups internal and external auditors. The Board also recognizes the significant of financial controls, operational and compliance controls as well as risk management. Hence, the internal control system is designed to administer the risk of failure to accomplish business objectives. Board of Directors The names and positions of Hai-O Enterprise Berhads executive officers (as of February 17, 2010) are listed below: Table 1: Hai-Os Board of Directors Name Position Y. Bhg. Tan Sri Osman S. Cassim Chairman, Independent Non- Executive Director Tan Kai Hee Managing Director, Non-Independent Director Datin Sunita Mei-Lin Rajakumar Independent Non-Executive Director Tan Keng Song Executive Director, Non-Independent Director Chia Kuo Wui Executive Director, Non-Independent Director Y. Bhg. Dato Abdul Rani Bin Mohd Razalli Non-Independent Non-Executive Director Lim Chin Luen Independent Non-Executive Director Quek Ah Ba Independent Non-Executive Director Source: Adapted from http://en.hai-o.com.my Profile of the Board of Directors Y. Bhg. Tan Sri Osman S. Cassim (Chairman, Independent Non-Executive Director) Tan Sri Osman graduated from University of Malaya, Singapore with an Honors Degree in Arts. He later attended the Advanced Management Programmes by Harvard Business School, Boston in 1984. During his 30 years career in public sector, Tan Sri Osman used to serve as Secretary General in the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Information, and Ministry of Home Affairs. He was elected as the Director General of the Public Services Department Malaysia in 1980. Later in 1988, he was appointed as the National Advisor to the General Electric International (USA) Currently he is the Vice President in the Court of Fellows of Malaysia Institute of Management. Tan Sri Osman was also the Chairman of Southern Bank Berhad from 1990 to 2005. He joined Hai-O Group and become the Chairman on 31 January 2005. Tan Sri Osman is also the Chairman of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee of Hai-O Group. Tan Kai Hee (Managing Director, Non-Independent Director) Mr. Tan Kai Hee is one of the founders of the Group. He is also the main policy and decision-maker. Mr. Tan has more than 33 years of experience in the trading business. In August 2006, he attended China Market Study Tour Program which was carried out by Beijing International MBA, Peking University. Mr. Tan is also an avid social worker for the past 35 years. As also a founder of Malaysia-China Friendship Association (PMC), Mr. Tan acts as the Secretary-General. He is also the founder of Malaysia-China Medicine Health Product Association (MCMHPA), Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) and Malaysia Ru-Shang Social Association. Among others, Mr. Tan is also the Chairman in the Trading Services of the Malaysia China Business Council (MCBC) and the Advisor for the Federation of Chinese Physicians and Medicine Dealers Association of Malaysia (FCPMDAM). Mr. Tan holds directorship in Hai-O Raya Bhd. as well as a few other private limited companies. He was selected to the Groups Board o n 30 August 1975 and is also a member in the Remuneration and Investment Committee. Mr. Tan is the father of Ms. Tan Keng Song, who is the Executive Director of Hai-O Enterprise Bhd. Datin Sunita Mei-Lin Rajakumar (Independent Non-Executive Director) Graduated from University Bristol, United Kingdom, Datin Sunita holds a Bachelor Degree in Law. She is the Member of Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales, earning her qualification certificate in 1994. She used to work for Ernst Young, London as the Audit Manager. She also used to be the Manager in RHB Sakura Merchant Bank, Kuala Lumpur. In addition, she used to work in Corporate Finance as the Vice President at Petra Technologies and was appointed as the Director of Corporate Finance at Southern Plastic. She also used to work for MIMOS Berhad as the Venture Capital Consultant before joining the Groups Board on January 2009. Datin Sunita is also a member of the Groups Audit Committee. Tan Keng Song (Executive Director, Non-Independent Director) Ms. Tan Keng Song holds a Bachelor Degree in Commerce from University of Western Australia. Majoring in Marketing and Management, she used to work for UMW Group. She joined Hai-O Group in 2000 as the MIS Executive at Hai-O Raya Bhd. Later she was promoted to the head of the Groups IT and MIS division. Currently she is leading the Business Administration, MIS and Human Resources Department and is a member of the Investment Committee. Ms. Tan joined the Board on 2001. She is the daughter of Mr. Tan Kai Hee, the Managing Director of Hai-O Enterprise Bhd. Chia Kuo Wui (Executive Director, Non-Independent Director) Mr. Chia Kuo Wui obtained his Bachelor Degree in Accounting at Curtin University, Australia. Later he continued to earn his study MBA from Charles Stuart University at Help University College Kuala Lumpur. Mr. Chia joined Hai-O Group in the Corporate Planning and the Investor Relation Department. Holding key positions in some of Hai-O Groups, he also holds the directorships in a few other private limited companies. Mr. Chia Kuo Wui was appointed to the Groups Board on 14 November 2008. Y. Bhg. Dato Abdul Rani Bin Mohd Razalli (Non Independent Non Executive Director) Dato Abdul Rani obtained his Senior Cambridge Certificate in 1952. He used to serve the Government Royal Custom Excise, Malaysia as the Deputy Director General. He later ventured into commercial business in the fields of shipments, transportation, warehousing, and manufacturing. Dato Abdul Rani joined Hai-O Group on 1995 as the Executive Director. He was also a member of the Investment Committee of Hai-O Group and was re-designated as Non Executive and Non Independent Director in 2003. Lim Chin Luen (Independent Non-Executive Director) Mr. Lim Chin Luen has been involved with the trading of Chinese traditional medicine and herbal products for over 15 years. He also owns a nourishing food and noodles stores in Singapore. Mr. Lim joined the Groups Board in December 1997. He was also a member of the Audit, Remuneration and Nomination Committee of Hai-O Group. Quek Ah Ba (Independent Non-Executive Director) Mr. Quek Ah Ba served as an Accountant and Operational Manager in many companies. He also served two of the Securities firms, Noone Co Sdn Bhd from 1980 to 1983, and C.S. Securities Sdn Bhd from 1986 to 1989. Mr. Quek was a member of Australia Society of Accountants (A.S.A.) and CPA (Australia). He joined Hai-O on 2001 and became the Chairman of the Audit Committee. In addition, Mr. Quek is also a member of the Nomination Committee.

American History X :: essays research papers

In many ways, the media must be involved in ethnic and racial issues. The media is to provide the public with information useful to them. The media is on the public’s side. Racial stereotyping is a problem that is out in the public. Drugs, teen pregnancy, child abuse and rape are also problems that affect the people of the world everyday. The media has a job to make these issues aware to the people and possibly put together a form of solutions. Some ways of addressing issues are blunt and harsh but so are the problems. I don’t think the media can address the issue of racism without stepping into a stereotype somewhere but I also believe the media is obligated to address the obvious false stereotypes and offer ways to terminate them as well. American History X is a movie that directly addresses the issue of race and deals with some very serious issues in a small town. There are a group of white kids that have been influenced by Adolf Hitler’s beliefs and they are very hateful toward blacks, Jews, and any other race that is different than theirs. They all have Nazi signs tattooed on their bodies and their heads are completely shaved. There are very negative viewpoints in the first half of the movie toward blacks and Jews. The â€Å"N† word is used very freely and many of the actions of each group is quite accurate. Although this movie is very harsh and straight forward, their is a great amount of truth in all of the actions of each cultural group. One of the young white men witness a black man breaking into his truck and the black man ends up murdered in a very cruel manner. The movie is a lesson. A lesson about reality but also about how wrong reality can be. After spending years in prison, the attitude of this man is different toward black people and he has a hard time relaying this new attitude to his little brother back home and to the friends he had before going to prison.

Earnest Hemingway :: essays research papers fc

Earnest Hemingway Earnest Miller Hemingway was born in Oak Park Illinois. After graduating from high school, he got a job at a paper called "Kansas City Star". Hemingway continually tried to enter the military, but his messed up eye, hindered this task. Hemingway had managed to get a job driving an American Red Cross ambulance. During this expedition, he was injured and hospitalized. Hemingway had an crush for a particular nurse at that hospital, her name was Agnes von Kurowsky. Hemingway continually proposed to her, and she continually denied. When Hemingway healed his injuries, he moved back to Michigan, and had wanted to write again. When he married Hadley Richardson and was working in France, as a foreign correspondent, for the "Toronto Star". In 1925, he wrote a book called "In Our Time", which was marketed in New York. The next year he published a book called "The Sun Also Rises", a novel where he had his first success. "The Sun Also Rises", deals with a group of desultory people in exile from France and Spain-members of the "lost generation", a phrase made famous by Hemingway himself. In post-war years, Hemingway spent most of his time writing books. But, when his first marriage failed, and had a son, John, he had married Pauline Pfeiffer, who had his next 2 children. Based in Paris, he had traveled for skiing, bullfighting, fishing, or hunting that by then had become what most of his work was all about. Hemingway, started writing short stories, among them was "Men Without Women" in 1927, and "A Farewell to Arms" in 1929. This story shows a love story within a war time setting. Many people believe that Hemingway, did his writing at this period of his life. He once confessed "If I had not been hunting and fishing, I would have probably been writing." Hemingway's stories were based on adventure, and different aspects of it. His love of Spain, and his love of bullfighting, led him to write a book called "Death in the Afternoon". During the 1930's, Spain was in a civil war, still having ties in Spain, Hemingway made 4 trips their. He raised money, for a party called the "Loyalists". He wrote a book about it called "The Fifth Column". In this book, the narrator is the protagonist. From more experience in Spain, he wrote a book called "Whom the Bell Tolls" in 1940. This book was the most successful writing, based on sales of the book. All of Hemingway's life, has been fascinated by wars. For example, in "A Farewell to Arms", he focused on how war had

Hindrance to Effective Communication Essay

New technology such as smart phones should be a great asset and a powerful aid to helping us work more efficiently. We can respond to urgent emails on the go, refer to useful websites and look up quick facts. However, these gadgets, as well helping us, can also prove to be a hindrance providing information overload and constant interruptions. We receive so many emails and are exposed to so much information that it can be hard to distil what is actually important and what isn’t. We fill our brains with clutter and lose the ability to focus on our priorities and spend our time responding to trivial emails. We think we are multi-tasking but actually we are becoming less productive. We read each email but don’t always process the information we need. As a result, we risk irritating the sender by asking them to remind us what they said or to send the email again. More worryingly, we allow ourselves to be distracted from more important tasks by the seeming urgency of each email that comes in. This information overload doesn’t only impact the way we process information ourselves but can also have a negative impact on the way others perceive us. It is all too easy to give the impression that you are not listening to the other person. It can be quite obvious even on the telephone that you are distracted by your inbox rather than giving the speaker your full attention. In a face-to-face meeting, of course, it is only too apparent when the person you are talking to is distracted by their smart phone rather than focusing on the content of the meeting. In the past several years, texting and instant messaging have become phenomena that few of us have been able to escape. Though most popular with the younger generations, it is becoming increasingly common to see people of all ages absorbed in silent conversations on their cell phones. The availability of constant, instant communication makes many people feel connected to their friends in ways they never were before. But do these printed messages and instant responses help or hinder us socially? The instant messaging fad brought abbreviations such as â€Å"LOL† (Laugh Out Loud) and â€Å"BRB† (Be Right Back) into our language as commonly accepted â€Å"words.† The younger generations chatted happily in this new â€Å"language† while everyone else struggled to understand what â€Å"BTW† (By the Way) and â€Å"IDK† (I Don’t Know) meant. This phenomenon spread over into texting as children as young as five received the latest models of cell phones to communicate with their friends and family. Though everyone with a cell phone is clearly well-connected to other people, the question remains whether engaging in such constant, abbreviated communication is a help or a hindrance in personal relationship skills. Over the past decade there has been a dramatic difference in the attitudes and communication styles of the younger generations, but how much of this change has been compounded by the lack of face to face communication advocated by the texting craze? There is no way to tell for certain whether texting and instant messaging have actually caused the breakdown of one-on-one, face-to-face communication with people, but I believe it has not helped. Instead of using cell phones as a mere communication tool, many young people view them as a necessity they could not possibly live without. We have all seen people glued to their phones, their fingers flying over the keys as they stand in line at the store, or are walk down the mall, and even frighteningly enough, while they are driving. In one case, a pair of girls walking together in the mall admitted that they were texting each other! I have even been engaged in a conversation with someone when they whipped out their phone to send a text message to someone else! Is this the kind of society we are encouraging by allowing young people to be so dependent on their phones? A society where face to face communication all but ceases to exist in place of disembodied text messages, even when the person you are talking to is standing beside you? It may be true that the people sending and receiving those text messages are communicating with each other, but what does it say to the people who are actually physically around them? What happened to the days when you could walk through the store and complete strangers would smile and greet you as you passed? Have the basic societal manners of years gone by disappeared for good? Using cell phones to talk or text is not a bad thing in itself. However, it is my opinion that certain rules of etiquette should be applied when using them in order to maintain a respectful relationship with everyone you are in contact with. Being glued to your cell phone puts off a very distinct signal that you are unavailable and unapproachable to everyone around you. If you text a friend while talking to someone else you are telling the person in front of you that the friend is more important than they are. Bad grammar and spelling are also compounded by electronic communication. Constantly using abbreviations and fragments in instant communication ingrains these bad habits into a person. English teachers have always struggled to encourage correct spelling and grammar in their students. Now, with texting and instant messaging becoming so prevalent, their jobs are that much harder. And it is not just in the classroom where spelling and grammar have fallen by the wayside. Businesses who are interested in maintaining a high level of professionalism are often hard-pressed to find applicants who can spell, speak, and write properly. So, what can we do to help those people who are addicted to their phones remember that there is more to life than texting and instant messaging? I believe that parents should try to encourage their teenagers to talk on the phone for long conversations, rather than texting back and forth 500 times. Doing so will help teens develop real conversation skills which are not possible in the lingo of texting. Also, everyone should be encouraged to give their full attention to the person they are talking to. If you are engaged in a conversation with someone who starts texting some0one else, kindly ask them to finish talking with you first. If they refuse, simply walk away. I have used this method myself very effectively. Usually, if the person cares about you at all, they will realize how rude their behavior is. So, is texting and instant messaging a help or a hindrance? I believe it is both. Texting and instant messaging can be wonderful forms of communication when implemented correctly, but they can also be abused and have adverse effects. People of all ages need to realize that moderation is the key when using alternate forms of communication. By understanding when these forms are appropriate and when they are not, people can gain valuable communication skills, be more likely to absorb correct spelling and grammar principles, be more productive in the business world and appear far more approachable to the world in general. Since society as a whole is becoming increasingly dependent on the instant communication provided by cell phones, I believe that we must all do what we can to engage in respectful behavior ourselves and encourage it in others. Excellent communication, proper grammar and spelling do not have to be things of ages past. With a little effort and encouragement we can all help ensure that these important values of yesteryears are around for future generations. Texting is the preferred method of communication for young people. According to an article by Mike Flacy, DigitalTrends, â€Å"One in ten young adults between the ages of 18 to 24 report that they send or receive at least 200 text messages per day (approximately 6,000 messages per month). The next age group, 25-34 year olds, typically average about 42 texts per day and this trend continues to decrease down to about 5 texts a day for the 65 and older group.† 200 text messages per day? Do they have time to do anything else in life? Will these young adults get carpal tunnel syndrome of the thumbs? Do you prefer to text rather than talk? According to the survey, â€Å"Most people are too occupied and busy in today’s world that they hardly get enough time to have an elaborated conversation on phone, and hence prefer to communicate via text.† I can see the attraction to texting, however I do like to hear a person’s voice. The emotions and flavor of the conversation can be misunderstood more easily through texting. After all, you can’t hear the sighs and laughter while texting. Yes, you can text little acronyms like â€Å"LOL† and put little smiley faces in your text, but sarcasm and irony are lost in texting. I do like to get little morning text messages from my friends far away, and it is how I communicate with my son most of the time. But I would have to say, my preferred method of communication is voice or Skype. With texting taking over, hands-free devices are even more important. Many of the Smartphones have the capability of translating voice into text to send text messages without typing. A good quality Bluetooth headset with noise canceling makes this process much better. Do you have a Bluetooth mobile headset? I have a Droid X, which is a bit cumbersome to hold up to your ear to talk. I love having my Bluetooth headset to use, especially for multitasking around the house while talking on the phone. And of course with more and more states requiring hands-free devices while driving, a good headset is essential. Do you have one? What’s your favorite? Meanwhile, don’t get into any thumb wrestling contest with anyone under 30 years of age. You KNOW their thumbs are agile and strong from texting a bazillion words per minute.