Argument Essay : Fast Food Essay

Directions: Turn off the Track Changes feature. Copy your edited draft (from above). Paste it below and highlight it. Then in the Review tab, find the Changes group and select Accept All Changes from the Accept drop-down menu (if you are using Microsoft 2003, on the Reviewing toolbar click Accept Change). Sign the honor statement below. Then, open your Argument Essay Rubric and copy and paste it after the honor statement . Save the changes to this document. Use the link provided in Blackboard to submit this document to your instructor. The instructor should then be able to see the entire process you took to create your final draft. â€Å"Over the last three decades, fast food has infiltrated every nook and cranny of American society,† writes Eric Schlosser in Fast Food Nation. In the beginning, the fast food restaurant started with a cafeteria-style restaurant known as the â€Å"Automat† in New York on July 7, 1912. Then, in 1921, White Castle restaurants were started in Wichita, Kansas, selling hamburgers for five cents. By 1948, McDonalds was opened by two brothers from Nashua, New Hampshire, who developed the concept of selling hamburgers, French fries, shakes, coffee, and coca cola in disposable wrappings. So from its humble beginnings, the fast food industry has become an undeniable factor in our society. Certainly, with our ever increasing and busy society, eating at fast food restaurants has become the norm. Families that have busy schedules, such as taking their kids to various activities, attending church functions, and late meetings rely heavily on fast food as a meal choice. For example, about one-quarter of adults and a third of children eat at fast food restaurants on any given day. According to the American Journal of Public Health, consumers have spent $16. 1 billion in 1975 to $153. 1 billion in 2004 on fast food. Consequently, the nutritional value of fast food has been limited due to the usage of pre-processed foods. Commonly, pre-processed foods are delivered to restaurants frozen, canned, dehydrated, or freeze-dried. Unfortunately, the higher calorie, fat, and sugar content these pre-processed foods contain, could potentially lead to a high levels of obesity in adults and children. However, in comparing one fast food meal with 1,680 calories to one home cooked meal with 546 calories, which choice would be better? Most of all, each individual must understand that making the appropriate nutritional choice, is his or her responsibility. Particularly, parents need to monitor portion sizes that are given to their children, and in the same manner, adults also need to monitor their portion sizes. Monitoring portion sizes can help eliminate the onset of obesity in children and adults. Eric Schlosser, Fast Food Nation states, â€Å"the typical American now consumes approximately three hamburgers and four orders of French fries every week. † Clearly, it is evident that the fast food industry has been an undeniable factor in our society since its humble beginnings. Principally, it is up to us, individually, to eliminate unhealthy habits that will affect us and our families in an adverse manner. Most important, the Bible gives us a foundational key to follow to be healthy. That foundational key is â€Å"My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life; it will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones†. (Proverbs 3:1-2, 8 (NKJV)) Works Cited Austin, Bryn. â€Å"Clustering of Fast-Food Restaurants Around Schools: A Novel Application of Spatial Statistics to the Study of Food Environments† American Journal of Public Health Volume 95, number 9. September (2005): 1575 – 1581 â€Å"Fast Food Restaurant†. Wikipedia. 11 March 2011, 19 March 2011http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Fast_food_restaurant Schlosser, Eric. Fast Food Nation. Massachusetts. Houghton Mifflin, 2001.

Emerging adulthood Essay

One of the most important features of emerging adulthood is that this age period allows for exploration in love, work, and worldviews more than any other age period. The process of identity formation emerges in adolescence but mostly takes place in emerging adulthood. Regarding love, although adolescents in the United States usually begin dating between ages 12 and 14, they usually view this dating as recreational. It is not until emerging adulthood that identity formation in love becomes more serious.[4] While in the United States during adolescence dating usually occurs in groups and in situations such as parties and dances, in emerging adulthood, relationships last longer and often include sexual relations as well as cohabitation.[5] As far as work, the majority of working adolescents in the United States tend to see their jobs as a way to make money for recreational activities rather than preparing them for a future career.[6] In contrast, 18 to 25 year olds in emerging adulthood view their jobs as a way to obtain the knowledge and skills that will prepare them for their future adulthood careers. Undergoing changes in worldviews is a main division of cognitive development during emerging adulthood.[7] People in emerging adulthood that choose to attend college often begin college or university with the worldview they were raised with and learned in childhood and adolescence. However, emerging adults who have attended college or university have been exposed to and have considered different worldviews, and eventually commit to a worldview that is distinct from the worldview with which they were raised by the end of their college or university career.[ Emerging adulthood is the sole age period where there is nothing that is demographically consistent.[16][17] In contrast, of adolescents in the United States up to age 18, over 95% live at home with at least one parent, 98% are not married, under 10% have become parents, and more than 95% attend school.[18] Similarly, people in their thirties are also demographically normative: 75% are married, 75% are parents, and under 10% attend school.[18] Residential status and school attendance are two reasons that the period of emerging adulthood is incredibly distinct demographically. Regarding residential status, emerging adults in the United States have very diverse living situations.[4] About one third of emerging  adults attend college and spend a few years living independently while partially relying on adults.[19] Contrastingly, 40% of emerging adults do not attend college but live independently and work full-time.[19] Finally, around two-thirds of emerging adults in the United States cohabitate with a romantic partner.[20] Regarding school attendance, emerging adults are extremely diverse in their educational paths (Arnett, 2000, p. 470-471). Over 60% of emerging adults in the United States enter college or university the year after they graduate from high school.[21] However, the emerging adulthood years that follow college are extremely diverse – only about 32% of 25-29 year-olds have finished four or more years of college.[18] This is because higher education is usually pursued non-continuously, where some pursue education while they also work, and some do not attend school for periods of time.[4] Further contributing to the variance, about one third of emerging adults with bachelor’s degrees pursue a postgraduate education within a year of earning their bachelor’s degree.[22] Thus, because there is so much demographic instability, especially in residential status and school attendance, it is clear that emerging adulthood is a distinct entity based on its demographically non-normative qualities, at least in the United States.

Francis Bacon and Rene Descartes Essay

The Discourse on the Method of Rightly Conducting One’s Reason and of Seeking Truth in the Sciences is one of the most influential works in the history of modern philosophy, and important to the evolution of natural sciences. In this work, Descartes tackles the problem of skepticism. Descartes modified it to account for a truth he found to be incontrovertible. Descartes started his line of reasoning by doubting everything, so as to assess the world from a fresh perspective, clear of any preconceived notions. Whereas Francis Bacon’s Scientific Method wanted to replace the deductive reasoning by inductive reasoning. The important concept in this reformed thought is about discovering truth rather than establishing the beliefs by deduction. The scientific and philosophical contributions that Rene Descartes and Francis Bacon helped form a single concept of the scientific method. The scientific method was a new way to reach a conclusion about anything and refers to a way one should acquire knowledge, or investigate a phenomenon or to correct and refine previous unproven knowledge. It is a five step method; the inquiry, initial hypothesis, action of investigation, results and conclusion. Rene Descartes was born in France at La Haye near the city of Tours in 1596. He went to school at the age of eight at La Fleche in France; he was a student there until the age of sixteen, in which he studied scholastic philosophy and mathematics. Later he was educated at the Jesuit College of La Fleche between 1606 and 1614. When he was nineteen he left Jesuit College for the University of Poitiers, where he studied law for two years and graduated in the year 1616. He got a degree in law but developed a passion for mathematics because he saw it as one field where absolute certainty could be found. Descartes also saw it as a means for achieving greater progress in both science and philosophy. He later claimed that his education gave him little of substance and that only mathematics had given him certain knowledge. In 1618-1621 he enlisted in the army, military service was tradition in his family, and when the Thirty Years’ War began he was encouraged to volunteer under the Count de Bucquoy in the Bavarian army. In his leisure time he studied mathematics, having been influenced by the Dutch mathematician and scientist Beeckman. He left the army in 1621 he dedicated his life to the study of science and philosophy (1621-1649). During which time he published his most influential works, by 1650 his health was depleting and he passed away in Stockholm of pneumonia at the age of fifty-three. Francis Bacon was born in London. He entered Trinity College, Cambridge, at the age of twelve. He studied law and became a barrister in 1582; two years later he took a seat in the House of Commons. Bacon’s opposition, in 1584, to Queen Elizabeth’s tax program delayed his political advancement. While in the earlier days he supported the Earl of Essex, Bacon, in 1601, was involved in his prosecution. With the accession of James I (1566-1625) and thereafter, a number of honours were bestowed on Bacon: he was knighted in 1603, made Solicitor General in 1604, Attorney General in 1613, and Lord Chancellor in 1618. He was an English lawyer, statesman, essayist, historian, intellectual reformer, philosopher, and supporter of modern science. Early in his career he claimed â€Å"all knowledge as his province† and afterwards dedicated himself to an extensive revaluation and re-structuring of traditional learning. To take the place of the established tradition a miscellany of Scholasticism, humanism, and natural magic, he proposed an entirely new system based on empirical and inductive principles and the active development of new arts and inventions, a system whose ultimate goal would be the production of practical knowledge. Descartes and Bacon were influenced by 16th century society. What does the situation look like in Europe in terms of science and philosophy in 1500’s? Scholasticism is over in terms of being a philosophical point of view. It is still practiced in some universities and will be practiced up until the 18th century at least. Three fundamental changes have occurred during the Renaissance; Aristotle portrayed the understanding of the universe, Galen described the importance of medicine and to understand astronomy Ptolemy described it. In 200 years there has been a revolutionary change, Rene Descartes and Isaac Newton have replaced Ptolemy in astronomy. Galileo has replaced Aristotle in physics. Harvey has replaced Galen in medicine. The three ancient authorities have been over thrown. In Rene Descartes’ Discourse on Method he expresses his disappointment with traditional philosophy and with the limitations of theology; only logic, geometry and algebra hold his respect, because of the utter certainty which they can offer us. Unfortunately, because they depend on hypotheses, they cannot tell us what is real, i. . what the world is really like. Therefore Descartes suggests a method of thought combining the consistency of mathematics but based on natural truths about what is real, basic knowledge which could not be wrong (like the axioms of geometry). He calls into question everything that he thinks he has learned through his senses but rests his entire system on the one truth that he cannot doubt, namely, the reality of his own mind and the radical difference between the mental and the physical aspects of the world. What is crucial to Descartes is reason because he wants to establish a foundation for the sciences. Reason is a constant for Descartes; he is given credit as starting the modern rationalist school. Rationalists were people who philosophers who felt that every human being possessed ideas about the world that each of us was born with and they were the bases of much of our knowledge. Descartes does tend to rationalism. â€Å"Thus our convictions result from custom and example very much more than from any knowledge that is certain. Look at how we operate as human beings in society. Our beliefs and convictions come from tradition, we believe certain things and act in certain ways, and we are interested in certain things because of the traditions that preceded us. Descartes apposes this to knowledge that is certain, in other words basically he does not have much time for tradition. Beliefs and convictions are not knowledge. Knowledge is something that you can be certain of. When Descartes says knowledge, he means no possibility of doubt at all. Absolute certainty is knowledge and this is what he wanted for his new foundation for the sciences. Certainty is everything, not gut certainty, gut feeling is purely psychological subject feeling. Feeling is not included when referring to certainty, object certainty is certainty is there no matter what your feeling is it is a state of affairs that is there if you like it or not and you know it in such a way that you cannot possibly be mistaken and you cannot possibly doubt it. Descartes criticizes tradition; he says we can’t rely on tradition for true knowledge. In terms of the contemporary world you cannot rely on the point of view of the masses of people when we are trying to deal with or discover new knowledge that might be somewhat difficult to get a handle on. Descartes only relies on one thing mainly and that is his reason. â€Å"I decided to go slowly and to be so careful about everything that, even if I made very little progress, I would at least prevent myself from falling. I did not even wish to begin rejecting completely any of the views that may have slipped among my beliefs previously without having been introduced there by reason. He wants to go slowly and not make mistakes because he is dealing with his own mind and thoughts. When Descartes is considering beliefs he wants only those beliefs that have been checked out by his reason. â€Å"Everything that I accepted as being most true up to now I acquired from the senses or through the senses. However, I have occasionally found that they deceive me, and it is prudent never to trust those who have deceived us, even if only once. † Descartes tries to undermine his beliefs by considering the fact that he remembers that his senses have deceived him before. Descartes’s goal is to suspend judgment about any of his beliefs which are even slightly doubtful. Descartes talks about the three disciplines of mathematics, logic, geometric analysis and algebra. In logic a form of deductive reasoning consisting of a major premise, a minor premise and a conclusion is called a syllogism. Example, Major premise: All men are mortal. Minor premise: Socrates is a man. Conclusion: Therefore Socrates is mortal. The key thing about a syllogism for Descartes is that as an argument form it does not help us learn anything new. Individuals use arguments to establish aspects that are new, that are different from the premises, the example above does not tell an individual something new because all the information is provided within the premises. In deductive logic when all the premises are true and the argument is valid it goes by the rules of logic, than the argument is a sound argument and the truth of the conclusion is guaranteed. Descartes wants a logic that is going to help discover new truths. In the case of syllogisms and most of its other rules are more useful for explaining to someone else what one already knows or even, for speaking uncritically about things that one does not know, rather than for learning them. † Descartes says this logic does not help with discovering a new scientific method and he cannot rely on logic alone to generate a new method. Regarding geometry â€Å"is always so tied to the discussion of shapes that it cannot exercise the understanding without greatly tiring the im agination. † He is happy with the understanding, which for Descartes also means reason. Descartes does not agree with imagination because imagination can get tired while it is conjuring up various images. He is pro understanding and reason but is suspicious of imagination and unfortunately geometry is reliant on imagination and therefore he cannot rely completely on geometry for his new method. Algebra is so constrained by certain rules and symbols that it has become a confused art that hinders the mind rather than a science that assists it. Descartes decides to do it by himself and develop a method on his own. He assembles four basic rules for his method and they also reflect what goes on in basic science in modern day. The first was never to accept anything as true if I did not clearly that it was so. † No subjection bias and jumping to conclusions. Jumping to conclusions is one of the criticisms he makes of some forms of reasoning and jumping to conclusions simply means on the bases of very little data I make a conclusion beyond that data. A modern day example supporting Descartes first rule is to go buy a new car, take the car out for a test drive and drive it for about 10- 20 minutes than decide to buy the car because it is fabulous and it will never have any problems. Descartes says this is hasty reasoning that is drawing a hasty conclusion, in other words you haven’t driven that car enough to make that kind of conclusion about the quality of that car. Analytical is the second rule, the problem that you are dealing with as a scientist. The first thing you do when you confront a problem is to break it down into its parts. In other words what are the elements of this problem? Descartes is saying the best way to solve a problem is to first break it down to analyze it into its smallest sub parts and then attack it. The third rule was reconstruction/reduction. Reduction refers to subject matter, â€Å"to guide my thoughts in an orderly way by beginning with the objects that are the simplest and easiest to know. † In other words you break down the objects to their simplest part which is the reduction and then you reconstruct from the parts of the object. When you are reconstructing you are looking for the internal order of the subject matter. Comprehensiveness is the fourth rule for Descartes’ method. Means to make sure nothing relevant has been left out of consideration. That you have dealt with the entire object and all of its parts and not just some of the object and some of its parts. The bases of his method is that if all inferences that if they result from an argument that has all true premises and follows the rules of logic than the conclusion is necessarily true. This is the possibility of the perfect argument, if one every time someone criticizes you was able to devise an argument that had all true premises and followed the rules of logic one could be assured that the truth of your conclusion every time out was true. At the beginning of his adult life, Francis Bacon aimed at a revision of natural philosophy; he wanted a new system which emphasized empirical methods and laying the foundation for applied science. The apparent difference between Descartes and Bacon, Descartes emphasis was on deduction and reason; Bacon is caught more by empiricisms which mean he believes all our knowledge comes from sense experience. In 1603 Bacon writes the interpretation of nature. Here he opposes Aristotelian thought and purposes a new outline for a new method. Like Descartes he has no use for tradition, for the philosophical tradition and the scientific tradition he has no use for it what so ever. Bacon is saying we need a new start.

Human Biological Science (Pathogens and Disease) Coursework

Human Biological Science (Pathogens and Disease) - Coursework Example Also, in case of a cholera outbreak, cholera cases may be controlled through quarantine as stated under the Commonwealth Quarantine Act 1908. Contacts between infected and non - infected persons should be controlled by monitoring contacts for 5 days from the date of exposure. The environment around cholera victims should be controlled. This can be done through disinfection of clothes and beddings used by cholera patients, and terminal cleaning of the rooms occupied by cholera patients (Department of Health, Victoria, Australia, 2007). The rate at which it grows is dependent on the amount of available nutrients. If nutrients are not available, the fungus enters the log stage. In this stage, it degrades the keratin found in the stratum corneum forming the appropriate amino acids that provide nutrients for reproduction and growth. Once nutrients are available, it enters the stationary stage whereby degradation of keratin slows down. The trichophyton uses its enzymes, proteases in particular to degrade keratin cells and produce nutrients for its survival. To prevent and contain the spread of trichophyton, it is good to ensure that there is enough aeration to the feet, wearing of socks that absorb sweat away from the skin, avoid wearing of wet socks or sharing socks, avoid sharing of towels, drying the feet thoroughly after washing them, washing the feet habitually with water and soap and changing socks and shoes regularly (Department of Biology, Davidson College, 2007). Malaria is transmitted when a female anopheles mosquito takes in the plasmodium gametocytes from an infected person. After 8 – 35 days, the plasmodium develops into its infective form which is transmitted to another individual through a bite of the infected anopheles mosquito. The life cycle is divided into 4 stages that are; growth, development, transmission and reproduction. It is complex as it has varying phases, time length

What actions might be taken by the government of your Uk to reduce or Essay

What actions might be taken by the government of your Uk to reduce or limit price fluctuations of oil - Essay Example The U.K. together with other many other countries have suffered from the fluctuation of oil prices in the international market as OPEC manipulates the prices (Keohane 1984). The fluctuation of petroleum prices in the U.K. is mainly affected by the fluctuation of crude oil prices in the international market which in turn is affected by the levels of supply relative to the expected and actual demand for the commodity. In this respect, the U.K. can control price fluctuations by mainly playing around with the demand and supply of the commodity and reducing overall dependence on oil (U.S. Department of Energy 2015; Yan 2012) as will be discussed in the following sections. There are a number of measures that the U.K. government can take to limit or reduce the fluctuation of oil prices which grossly affects the nation’s economy. One way through which the a country can reduce the fluctuation of oil prices is by taking measures to reduce the consumption of petroleum (Ji and Song 2009). By ensuring the production of machines and equipment that are more fuel efficient, for example, the U.K. would end up with a lower demand for oil. Furthermore, the demand for oil can be reduced by asking nationals or making legislations to ensure that the consumption of oil by households, businesses, and industry reduce. Yet another means through which the U.K. government can control oil price fluctuations is by increasing the supply of oil. When the supply of oil in the country is increased and the demand for the commodity is held relatively constant, the price of the commodity will tend to reduce and stabilize at some point, holding other factors constant. This being the case, the U.K. can opt to drill more oil wells, somehow increase the output of its fields, or reduce its oil exports to other countries. Closely related to altering the demand for a commodity is using substitutes. There are several substitutes that can be

Coping with a diagnosis of breast cancer, what axilliary surgery is Essay

Coping with a diagnosis of breast cancer, what axilliary surgery is necessary and arm morbitity following surgery - Essay Example Non-invasive breast cancer does not have the ability to spread to other parts of the body, while the invasive type can spread to other body parts. There are no major known causes of breast cancer, but the aspects of age and family history among others increase the likelihood of developing it. Treatment of breast cancer employs a combination of surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Nonetheless, this essay is divided into three major parts. The first part focuses on the coping strategies of women diagnosed with breast cancer. The second part discusses axillary dissection as an option for invasive cancer and sentinel node metastasis. Finally, the third part focuses on lymphoedema, and seeks to establish whether an individual diagnosed with breast cancer is at risk of arm mortality after breast cancer surgery. This essay draws from different journal articles that address the major issues in the essay. These articles provide knowledge that provides answers to the questions raised in ea ch of the three parts of this essay. What coping strategies are used by women when diagnosed with breast cancer? My aim in this section is to describe the paper by Drageset, Lindstrom & Underlid (2010) and consider how this work answers the question. In their work â€Å"Coping with breast cancer: between diagnosis and surgery† published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing, Drageset, Lindstrom & Underlid (2010) had the main aim of investigating and reporting on the coping strategies that women use in the period between when they are diagnosed with breast cancer and when they go for surgery. This therefore, includes the experiences of the women, their pain, and quality of life. In order to report on this, the researchers adopted the qualitative descriptive design, and data collection was by individual semi-structured questions. Only 21 Norwegian women newly diagnosed with breast cancer and awaiting surgery were interviewed. The findings of Drageset, Lindstrom & Underlid (2010)

Abortion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 5

Abortion - Essay Example But on the other hand, reasons for abortions have not always included health risks. The key questions continually in debate are about the constitutional rights to an abortion, whether the fetus is a person and the morality of an abortion. The legal and moral decisions are based somewhat on the whether one believes that the fetus is a person. Dr Schwarz contends that the fetus is a person, as he describes, â€Å"a fully real person, the same person he will later be. He is only smaller, less developed, in a different environment, and more dependent, in comparison to a born baby†. He believes that the term fetus means â€Å"young one† and so it indicates a young human person. We have to consider what is the difference between the fetus in the womb and the child that is born few minutes after. He argues that once the fetus exhibits the traits which determine personhood, i.e. consciousness, (especially the capacity to feel pain), reasoning, self-motivated activity and the capacity to communicate, then in fact it must be considered a person. This is in keeping with the views of the pro-life supporters who believe that the fetus is a human being from the moment of conception- once the egg and sperm unite. According to this view the fetus has legal rights from this moment of conception. On the other hand there are pro-choice defenders (who believe that the mother has the right to decide on an abortion) who believe the fetus is only a potential human being when it becomes viable, that is, able to survive outside its mother’s womb. Until then the mother carrying the fetus has legal rights over the fetus and can decide whether or not to have an abortion. However according to Encarta, there is no definite consensus on whether the fetus is a person on not. . As they explain, â€Å" Embryology, the study of fetal development, offers little insight about the fetus’s status at the time of

The Hulk Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

The Hulk - Movie Review Example ded winning over the hearts of many readers but however there are some major differences and some interesting aspects that have to be attributed to the cinema medium. The comic medium at some point fails to carry the emotions as much as a cinema does, since with reading one restricts himself to his scope of imagination. This scope has been amplified with all the technical effects comprising the sound, music, modulations of speech and adding a sense of our presence, making cinema a more interactive medium. In the comic book Ang Lee connects every scene with extreme care and ensures that the imagination of the reader always stands at the paramount point and he never fails the readers’ interest by maintaining a chronological order of the scenes. The pictures used for the book are eye catching and these pictures talk for themselves, when it comes to the carrying of emotions. The versatile language he uses in the book copes with these drawings. The combination of these reaches the readers’ expectations and makes the book reader friendly. The narration of the episode on the other hand seconds none in the highlights of the comic book. This way each and every aspect of the comic starting with the title, to closing of the story is taken care of. As Ang Lee rightly points out, â€Å"The Hulk† is not a comic book movie but has much more to it making it a horrifying science fiction movie. â€Å"The Hulk†, has all the elements that keep the audience on their toes and calling it a comic book movie would not be appropriate. The creation of a huge monstrous figure like Hulk in the movie from an average built man keeps the audience spellbound. The representation of Hulk in many aspects connects him with the Greek mythology. Stories speak about Hulk in Greek Mythology, as someone who destroys anything that comes in his way and rather likes being alone this has been shown in the movie with some other aspects as well (â€Å"Super heroes and Greek mythology 1†). This has been mixed

Reading Education Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Reading Education - Essay Example A similarity in the two sources is that they have a theoretical framework that relates achievement with social class and race or ethnic difference. On the theoretical border line of consumerism, gender and identity, In the report Choice Pathways and Transitions, the identity of the group under monitoring (cohorts) is no longer based on the old judgments based on class or gender but on the key aspect of identity; social class (Ball et.al. 2000, p.3). In the book addressing the classroom issues, the author cites griffins (1998) where he stated that many boys who are under-achieving, the difference is because of race and social class. Both sources also state that ethnic enculturation is a major impact while considering students achievements. Phoenix (1987) explained that ethnicity affects the constructs of gender (sex) and power. Different cultures take different behaviours as gendered in varying (more or less gender specific) ways. Social class also influences culture constructions (Sk eleton, 1997). Cultural theory in addressing the class room issue, also add that children school differently due to their social class; middle-mothers guarantee their children schooling success than working-class mothers. In the book addressing the classroom issues, the decision making for students is influenced mainly by the classroom inequalities, their social life and cultural issues e.g. association of language with femininity (Francis B., p.5), the association gender with roles e.g., girls cannot do hard subjects like mathematics. This is contrasting with Choice, pathways and transition report, where decision choices were influenced by the theoretical framework of individualism rather than as a result of structured constraints like classroom inequalities like in the... This essay focuses on the social and historical contexts of the themes that motivated the undertaking of this research. There are four main reasons why this study was conducted. The first theoretical borderline was to study the effect of the increase and outspread of the culture of individuality and the economic science of individualisation. Here, the study noted that there have been, in the duration of one generation, some revolutionary changes to the distinctive experiences of youth and one among the most often contested of the changes is the issue of decision making whereby young people have a certain extent to which they view their decision making as personal or individual choice and not as a product of structured conditions, which must be satisfied. This report makes a conclusion that the two studies acknowledge and appreciate that the events of the world affect all people, but they do so differently on the youth. These youths assume their choices, pathways and transitions in a dynamic urban environment full of many opportunities, challenges, oppressions, despairs and excitements. The main argument in this essay is that young people lead their life differently as a result of their differences in gender, the social class they belong to and the identities they fake or assume. Another argument is that the social, individual and material resources desirable to live a reflexively organised lifestyle are not equally reachable to all. The researchers found out that there are organizational factors like unemployment, poor pay, discrimination, lack of support, interrupted schooling, lack of formal qualifications, low self-confidence, and poverty as forming track-lines through the lives of some young people.

Data-Collection Method Comparison-Sheila Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Data-Collection Method Comparison-Sheila - Essay Example The data is collected directly from the field that enables the research to draw accurate and reliable conclusions. Both of them are usually constructed into culture of a given society and provide information from the ancient times to the current periods and must be interpreted by the researcher for a good conclusion to be arrived at. However, artifacts are more honest than the stories. This is because; in artifacts the researcher views for her/himself and can identify the hidden meaning (Goertz, & Mahone, 2012). On the other hand, stories can sometimes be made up that suits the researchers and at times the participant may lie. This provides false data that compromises the research. Both the criteria try to seek information from a particular source to a particular problem. They are methods of inquiry into a particular study regarding a research problem. The data must be then analyzed for interpretation. Never the less, primary data uses firsthand information from the field and can be used for comprehensive analysis. They are done to acquire new solutions to a particular problem and interact with the participant directly (Tracy, 2013). However, secondary data secondary data uses already stored data to improve on the existing analysis, or for references purposes and do not meet with the participant. Both methods involve direct actions of the researcher and the responded hence obtains first hand information. This ensures actions such biasness; lies and inaccurate information’s are minimized hence ensuring an honest data. Furthermore, both the interview and observations must notify the responded of their presence, intentions and how they would involve them in the study if they are to succeed in the study (Tracy, 2013). Interviews are usually well structured that provides an easier way to collect data from the field. The questions are made simple and clear.

The Straight Dope Science Advisory Board Essay Example for Free

The Straight Dope Science Advisory Board Essay Abstract: Is it possible to create a science fiction-type force field? The article begins with a person asking the staff of The Straight Dope Science Advisory Board a question concerning the possibility of creating a fiction-type force field. The staff member asks the person to clarify the question by asking if it is a force field that protects a ship, a tractor beam or something to keep prisons in holding. She then explains the different kinds of forces considered by physicists and ow some theories have combined the different forces. Briefly giving explanations, she looks at the possibility of a force field using the each of the different forces. She covers the four main forces: strong, weak, gravity and electromagnetism. Strong and weak forces cannot create a force field unless there are aliens or enemies with no electrons. The forces are for relatively very short distances, smaller than the protons and neutrons inside a nuclei. In other words, strong and weak forces are inefficient in creating a force field seen in science fiction movies. Next, she evaluated gravity in the possibility of creating a force field. Through her explanation, she shared two reasons gravity is not a good choice for creating a field. First, gravity is the weakest force. It is also is an attractive force, not a repulsive one. It could not prevent aliens or enemies out, but would do the opposite, keep them in. It could be used as a tractor beam; however, but due to calculations, it would need a black hole. Electromagnetism was looked at last as a possibility. The main problem is the fact that these forces work on charged matter. We are electrically neutral and the aliens would likely be as well. She suggested creating an immobile sheet of electrons, basically a wall. Her last suggestion was sharing that to make the force field invisible, you Just use plexiglass.

Influence on the General Motors Corporation Essay Example for Free

Influence on the General Motors Corporation Essay This report analyzes the primary internal and external influence on the General Motors Corporation and the influence of changing political environment on policy making and response of the corporation. Then the report discusses the changing political environment in and its influence. The influences of political environment on policies and decision making to the corporation are analyzed. The corporation response to the political environment changing is critically evaluated. At last, some improvement suggestion for the corporation in the response of the changing political environment is demonstrated. IntroductionGeneral Motors Corporation is the largest automobile manufactures in the world. The corporation, which is located in Detroit, employs more than 260 millions people and sells cars and trucks in about 35 countries. The corporation has a dominant influence in automobile market in the United States and other developed market such as the United Kingdom, Canada and so on. The corporation also enjoys a large market share in the rapid growing market of developing countries such as China and Brazil. However, the corporation is in face of changing internal and external environment. Discussion and AnalysisIn the first part of the report, the primary internal and external influence is analyzed following the SWOT Matrix, which is a modern tool for analysis of internal and external environment. In the SWOT Matrix, the S stands for strengths, W for weaknesses, O for opportunities, and T for threats. The strengths and weaknesses are the analysis of internal influence while the opportunities and threats stand for the influence of external environments. In the following part of the report, the strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats that have influence of the organization is discussed one by one. Internal influence: Strengths This section analyzes the internal strengths of the corporation. The General Motors are rich in brands and product lines. The General Motors Corporation acquired and mergers many brands and auto companies in the early stage of its history. The General Motors Corporation acquired Buick and Oldsmobile after it is founded. Then it brought Cadillac, Elmore and Oakland and so on. As a result, the corporation owns many brands  which are fit for different segmented markets. Comparing to Fords only providing black Model T cars in the early years the General Motors Corporation provides various models, colors and brands for different markets. For example, the practical and economical Chevrolet are designed for entry level consumers, the Buick are make for middle class buyer and luxury Cadillac for high end consumers. (Warell, 2008) The advantage of multi brands strategy is to satisfy the needs and wants of different group of consumers to enter more segmented markets. The multi brands make GM a giant automaker and enjoys large market share. The General Motors Corporation has the strength that it governs the advance technology and has an influencing power in the distribution channel. The General Motors Corporation has developed for a century since it is founded in 1908. During the time, the technology and channel influence is accumulating and increasing. The technology is of great importance in the motor industry, but the technology accumulating needs a long period. The General Motors Corporation now governs the advanced technology that it can make more sophisticated automobiles which are more durable, more safety, and have a rapider speed. On the other hand, the General Motors Corporation has a dominant power in the distribution channel. The General Motors Corporation has been the top automobile manufacturer for a long time accordingly it has a strong bargaining power in the distribution channel. The corporation can distribute it product in the United States and all around the world. The technology and distribution chan nel can be a great assistant in the further development of the organization. Internal influence: Weaknesses This section analyzes the internal weaknesses of the corporation. One of the most significant weaknesses is that the cost of production is too high. The Japanese automakers such as Toyota are dangerous competitors for the General Motors Corporation and the have scrambled for quite a large part of market shares if the GM in America and the global markets. The Japanese competitors cut down the cost tremendously by lean production. However, the production cost is still high in the General Motors Corporation. And the inefficiency of production cause the high price of its automobiles and the market share shrinks accordingly.  (Coffey, 2005) Especially in face of the financial crisis, the General Motors Corporation has much to learn form lean production to cut down its production prices. The bureaucratic culture is another weakness in the corporation. The General Motors Corporation employs more than 260 millions staff, which composes a huge and complex organization. The General Motors Corporation had taken the lead in organization. For example, the corporation had injected into matrix organization that combined the functional and project patterns of department in the same corporation in early years. The General Motors Corporation also organized with strategic business unit that classified products and product lines in the same independent business department in ahead of other corporations. The decentralization makes each department a profit centre. However, after ages of development the departments and business units concerns more on their own benefits and become bureaucratic. The well defined division of departments and united became deficiency and resistance to change. Formal and informal networks formed in the corporation. The bureaucratic culture is accumulating and hander the further development of the corporation. External influence: Opportunities This section analyzes the external opportunities of the corporation. The emerging markets of developing countries provide a great opportunity for the General Motors Corporation. The market of developed countries is fully covered and closed to saturation in the modern days. For example, in the United States there are two cars in a family in average so the market can not keep a rapid growing rate. On the country, market in developing countries shows their potential. The sales volume in China and Brazil is second only to the market of the United States. Many international automaker groups are scrambling for these markets. The large and potential markets of developing countries will provide opportunities for the corporation. The achievement in technology is a great opportunities for the General Motors Corporation. The technology makes breakthrough achievement in fields of information, manufacturing, fuel and so on. The advance of information  technology and implementation of management information system make it possible to collect and analysis accurate data and information all around the huge organization. The computers and instant communication tool help the corporation to organize and manage the supply chain. The new methods in manufacturing, such as lean production, can increase the efficiency of production while cutting down the cost. The leading edge achievement on fuel and new energy engine can promote the upgrade of automobiles. The General Motors Corporation is huge enough to afford the cost of RD center and the implement of new technology, which in turn can raise the competency of the corporation. (Sengi et al, 2004) External influence: Threats This section analyzes the external threats of the corporation. The increasingly growing price of petroleum is a threat to the General Motors Corporation. On the one hand, consumers turn to other transport tools when they can not afford the high petro price. On the other hand, they want to purchase energy saving automobiles. Many products of the General Motors Corporation are large in size and heavy in weight and they are high fuel consumption motors. The fluctuation of oil price has a negative effect on the sales volume of the automobile of the General Motors Corporation. Some political affaires such as wars and conflictions in the Middle East, the oil shock caused by OPEC with economic and political purpose, the environment protection organizations anti-automobile movement and so on, enhance the threats of oil price turbulence. The competition, both in the United States and the global market, is a vital threat to the General Motors Corporation. There are three automaker giants in the United States. They are the General Motors, Ford, and Daimler Chrysler. They compete fierce in the United States and in global market. In the Europe, there are strong competitors such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Peugeot etc. In the 1970s, with the raising of oil price, some Japanese automakers gradually seized the automobile market shares. The low cost and energy saving cars, such as Toyota, Honda and so on became world famous brands. More and more automobile brands enter into the United States and they also scramble the global automobile market. (Loomis, 2006) They compete and try to meet consumers different needs and wants with lower production cost. The competition in and abroad America is fierce and threats the  survival of the General Motors Corporation. The following is the second part of the report. This section of the report discusses the changing environment in and aboard the United States. First, the influences of political environment on policies and decision making to the General Motors Corporation will be analyzed. Second, the corporation response to the political environment changing will be critically evaluated. At last, some improvement suggestion for the corporation in the response of the changing political environment will be demonstrated. Influence on policies and decision makingThis section analyzes the influence of political environment change on the policies and decision making of the corporation. The political environment has great influence on the operation of the General Motors Corporation. One of the key political influences of the General Motors Corporation and automobile industry is the increased protectionism for fear of the decline of employment in the industry. The major automakers employ so many employees that the decline of automobile sales volume will cause the significant increase of unemployment in a country. As a result, many governments tend to support the automobile industry, no matter in the form of fund assistant, protective tariff or quota. The government of the United States has a tradition of protecting its automobile industry. For example, the America government used high protective tariff to protect the automakers from the competitors from Europe and Japan in the last century. The government also gave financial assistant to the automaker that is at the verge of bankruptcy such as Chrysler. In the modern time, the automakers fall into trap again and the financial crisis enhance the tendency. The America government aims to give a large quantity of money to the automakers and use other protection methods to protect the automobile industry. It can be seem that the changing of political environment has significant influence on the policy and decision making of the General Motors Corporation. (Bowler et al, 1996) However, different presents and its government in the United States may have different attitudes on the protectionism of the Automobile industry. The General Motors Corporation should take serious consideration on the change of political environment and make full use of it. The Country Alliances and Economic Blocs and other regional cooperation organizations are another main tendency of the political environment. The competition extends form national to blocs, even global. (Cho, 1998) The North American Free Trade Agreement, which including the United States, Canada, and Mexico, formed in 1994 with the purpose of freeing the trade, eliminating tax barriers and promoting fair trade in the North America. The NAFTA also extended to Free Trade Area of the Americas, which including country in the North America, Latin America and Caribbean countries. Many European countries ally with each other to form the European Union. After years of development, the union own 27 membership countries and creates a common economic area, in which people move and trade freely. There are many other Country Alliances and Economic Blocs such as Association of Southeast Asian and so on. The political tendency of regional cooperation requires the top managers of the General Motors Corporation to consider and resolve the benefit conflicts between one power countries blogs and another when making decisions and policies. The Country Alliances and Economic Blocs and other regional cooperation organizations provide opportunities for the automobile manufacturers but the organizations in other area also became threat to the United States. The decisions and policies makers of the General Motors Corporation have to make strategy to cope with the tariff and nontariff barriers within and between the Country Alliances and Economic Blocs. The corporation should rethink its strategy. (Tay, 2007) The structure of the corporation according to different regional cooperation organizations should be considered when making decisions and policies. (Sastry, 1997) The new staffing and leading methods to deal with culture diversity also influence the policy and decision making of the Genera l Motors Corporation. The labor union, environmental organization and other political groups are gaining more and more power. The United Auto Workers is a key labor union in the automobile manufacturing industry. The union fights for the benefits of workers such as less working hours, more salaries, health insurance and pensions and so on. The labor union cause the high cost of the General Motors Corporation. The total expense on employees is almost twice as much as the workers in other industry in the United States, and much more than  the employees in competitors factories, such as Honda and Toyota. (Benders and Morita, 2004) The union is blamed as the reason of the uncompetitive of the General Motors Corporation and the crisis of the automobile industry. However, the methods to deal with the strong political power are the problem to the policies and decisions makers of the General Motors Corporation. In 2007, the United Auto Workers went on a strike against the General Motors Corporation, which causes tremendously negative effects on the General Motors Corporation. So the policies and decisions of the corporation should balance the interest of the employees. The environmental organizations are gaining more and more power. With the increasingly dangerous environment problems, many green groups, which become independent and influencing political power, claim for the protection of the earth. Motor vehicle exhaust is considered as the main effects of the greenhouse effect. Some green groups are against the using of automobiles, which cause the decline of the automobile sales volume. As the increasing of environment protection power and the widely acceptance of the green opinion, the managers should make new policies and decisions such as designing alternative fuels vehicles. Evaluation of GMs responseThis section critically evaluates the corporations response to the changing political environment. In face of the dynamic changing political environment, the General Motors Corporation makes some responses accordingly. The General Motors Corporation makes full use of the protectionism policies and financial assistance of the government to maximize its benefits. In order to be more influence in political, the General Motors Corporation spends a lot of money on political contributions. Statistics shows that the General Motors Corporation spent quite a lot of money as the political contribution for both the Democrats and the Republicans. The spending on lobbying the members of parliament is also quite large. Besides the political contributions, the General Motors Corporation also spends plenty of money on charities. For example, the General Motors Corporation is the exclusive financial source of Safe Kids Buckle Up program, which protect the children through ed ucation and inspection. The political and charitable contributions are positive and active response to the changing political environment. On the one hand, the General Motors Corporation strengthens its influence and enhances the  connection with the government. On the other hand, the corporation undertaken its social responsibility, which wins the corporation positive reputation so the General Motors Corporation can easily get the support when in crisis and consumers tend to purchase automobiles of the corporation. In the behavior of giving political and charitable contribution, the General Motors Corporation well response to the political change and gain more political influence, which helps the corporation get protection from the government. The Country Alliances and Economic Blocs and other regional cooperation organizations are a main political change these decades. In order to minimize the hindrance and the conflict between different Economic Blocs, the General Motors Corporation makes trade strategy, ally with other automaker group, and establish joint venture in some countries. For example, the United States and China have different ideologies and economic situations and they belong to different Country Alliances and Economic Blocs. The Chinese government forbids the wholly foreign owned subsidiary in the automobile industry. The China customs also charge tariff on the automobiles. In order to enter the market of other Country Alliances and Economic Blocs, the General Motors Corporation establishes joint venture with Chinese company. The Shanghai GM joint venture is created by the General Motors Corporation and a Chinese company, in which the automobiles of Chinas market were manufactured. The General Motors Corporation brings advance technology, operation experience to the venture. The joint venture employs local workers whose salaries are quite low comparing with the workers of the United Auto Union. The joint venture brings profits for both sides and the General Motors Corporation avoids the high tariff and nontariff protection between different countries and different Economic Blocs. The General Motors Corporation makes an effective response to cover the gap between the Country Alliances and Economic Blocs. The labor union and environmental organization become increasingly influencing political powers. The General Motors Corporation tries hard to response properly to the increasingly strong power of the labor union. The United Auto Union is blame as the cause of uncompetitive of the General Motors Corporation for the members salaries in the union are much higher than its foreign competitors. The General Motors Corporation tries to cut down costs of the workforces in face of the financial crisis and problem of the automobile industry. The General Motors Corporation makes a policy of eliminating the lifetime health benefits of the white collar retirees. It is a hard decision after negotiation to response the political environment change and the automobile industry crisis. The General Motors Corporation has a long way to go, but it has taken a constructive step to response to the changing of political environment. In response to the political force of green groups, the General Motors Corporation designs energy saving vehicles which implement alternative fuels and electric. The corporation researches and designs some alternative technology vehicles and some flex fuel burning vehicles. The General Motors Corporation also builds an automotive battery laboratory to research on battery for the electric vehicles. The hybrid electric vehicles are a more practicable automobile in the future. The General Motors Corporation introduced the hybrid concept vehicle in 2005. Up to now, the corporation owes several hybrid electric automobile models and even all electric vehicles. The General Motors Corporation does a good job in developing alternative fuels and electric vehicles in response to the environment protection political power. Areas for improvementThis section demonstrates some areas for improvement of the corporation. The General Motors Corporation does well in response to the challenge of changing political environment. However, there are still some areas for improvement for the corporation. The most important improvement area is to raise the manufacturing efficiency. The average cost of manufacturing in the General Motors Corporation is high comparing with its main competitors such as Toyota. The Toyota is scrambling the market share of the GM little by little in the United States and all around the world. The competitiveness of Toyota come form the low cost caused from lean production. The core spirit of lean product is more value with less work. The purpose of production is to provide value to the final consumers. The expense for other goals is considered as a waste, by which the waste of resource is eliminated and the manufacturing efficiency promoted. It can introduce advance assembly line and reorg anize the logistic department,  through which the supply chain is organized. (Kochan, 2003) The lean production and be combined with six sigma quality and total quality management to maximize the efficiency and cut down the cost. (Dahlgaard and Dahlgaard-Park, 2006)The General Motors Corporation can make a reform on culture. It can build a harmonious culture as in Japanese automobile manufacturing factories to coordinate the relationship and benefits between managers and workers. On the one hand, the harm of the Union Auto Workers can be minimized and the cost of manufacture can be cut down. On the other hand, the harmonious culture can promote the efficiency of manufacturing. The General Motors Corporation also needs to fight against the bureaucratic culture. The organization structure can be reformed and reconstructed break out the barriers between different departments and stimulate the cooperation of different profit centers. Different methods can also be implemented to motivate confidence, communicate and collaborate between staff in different level. ConclusionThis report analyzes the internal and external environment of the General Motors Corporation in the first paragraph and then discusses the changing political environment of the corporation. In analysis, the strengths of branding strategy and advantage in technology and channel, the weaknesses of high production cost and bureaucratic culture, the opportunities of emerging markets and achievement of technology, and the threats of petroleum price fluctuation and strong competitors are analyzed with the SWOT model. In the second part of the report, the influence of political environment change is discussed in three perspectives. They are the protectionism from government, the tendency of Country Alliances and Economic Blocs, and the growing in strength of labor union, green groups and other political groups. Their influence on policies and decision making and the response of the corporation are analyzed and critically evaluated. Then some suggestions are given on several areas for improvement of the corporation. Recommendations As is analyzed in above, the General Motors Corporation can improve in two ways. First, the corporation can introduce new manufacturing methods, such as the lean production, the six sigma quality and total  quality management and so on. By implementing advanced manufacture methods, the corporation can promote its efficiency in manufacturing while reducing the cost. Second, the corporation can build a harmonious culture and fight against the bureaucratic culture, through which the barriers between different departments are broken while the staff in the corporation is motivated. Reference: Benders, J. and Morita, M. (2004), Changes in Toyota Motors operations management, International Journal of Production Research, 42(3), pp: 433-45. Bowler, S. et al. (1996), The growth of the political marketing industry and the California initiative proces European Journal of Marketing, 30(10/11), pp: 166-78. Cho, D.S. (1998), From national competitiveness to bloc and global competitiveness Competitiveness Review, 8(1), pp: 11-23. Coffey, D. (2005), Delineating comparative flexibility in car assembly: the problem of wide selection International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management, 5(1), pp: 18-31. Dahlgaard, J.J. and Dahlgaard-Park, S.M. (2006), Lean production, six sigma quality, TQM and company culture The TQM Magazine, 18(3), pp: 263-81. Kochan, A. (2003), GM creates flexible assembly line at its Ellesmere Port plant in the UK Assembly Automation, 23(1), pp: 32-5. Loomis, C.J. (2006), The tragedy of General Motors, Fortune, 153 (3), pp: 31-45. Sastry, M.A. (1997), Problems and paradoxes in a model of punctuated organizational change, Administrative Science Quarterly, 42(2), pp: 237-75. Sengir, G.H. et al (2004), Modeling relationship dynamics in GMs research-institution partnerships, Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, 15(7), pp: 541-59. Tay, H.K. (2007), Rethinking competition in the world auto market: cultural determinants, strategic Strategy Leadership, 35(4), pp: 31-7. Warell, A. (2008), Multi-modal visual experience of brand-specific automobile design The TQM Journal, 20(4), pp: 356-71.

Construction Management Procurement Route

Construction Management Procurement Route Cinnamon Grand is the privately owned large hotel chain in UK, they offer comfortable accommodation across the UK and are committed to preserving their rich heritage therefore they are very passionate about the outlook of their hotel buildings. A recent period of bad weather and severe storms has resulted in three Cinnamon Grand hotels being significantly destroyed in the south east of the UK. All destroyed hotel buildings are located in prime locations in town settings. The hotel management has decided to reconstruct the three hotels to a better quality than they were before with budget of  £120 million in two phases. I, Pattusamy Subramanian appointed as a main consultant by the client (cinnamon Grand) for the above projects, as a part of my role is to prepare a report to the client to advise on the most appropriate procurement route for the above project. Purpose of Procurement A Person or Company commissioning construction projects will require an end product which will satisfy their needs as to form a quality and which they can taken possession of the agreed time which they will obtain for a competitive price. It is important that procurement decisions are justifiable on the basis of documented facts and analysis. Soundly based decision involve a comprehensive exploration of a range of potential delivery models and procurement methods to determine the approach best suited to each project, by methodically exploring all available options, projects owners can ensure that opportunities for achieving increased value-for-money. Clients needs Client is very concern about the building features as they have strategy of adopting neglected landmark buildings and bring them back to their former magnificent look. In line with client policy on architectural significance and aesthetics of the buildings, client will invest a great deal of time, cost and effort to ensure that reconstruction is always sensitive and does not compromise the dignity of the buildings and services provided. The client planned to carry out the reconstruction works in two phases as follow; Phase 1: Requires the following areas to be handed over by 28th February 2015 and able to start work on 1st March 2014 (12months) and client Planned to re-opening on 1st April 2015. Roofs Guest rooms Restaurant Swimming pool Phase 2: the intension to enhance opportunities for health and well-being of the visitors through new facilities. The following facilities will be newly constructed under this phase. Dance studios Health and Fitness centre Conference and meeting rooms There are few key points need to consider from the client profile as follows; Client very experienced in renovation of neglected Heritage building. Client did not have an in-house executive to be actively involved in this project design and construction. Client wants to avoid the Project time and cost risks and looking for value for money. Analysis of Procurement route options There are four main key methods of established procurement routes available, each of those involving different types of contract, contractual relationship, information flow, roles and responsibilities with in the team. The Four key procurement routes are; Traditional Non-traditional Design and Build Construction Management Management Contracting 4.1 Traditional Procurement route In the traditional approach, the employer accepts that design work will generally separate from construction, consultants are appointed for design and cost control, and the contractor is responsible for carrying out the works. This responsibility extends to all workmanship and materials, and includes all work by subcontractors and suppliers. The contractor is usually appointed by competitive tendering on complete information, but may if necessary be appointed earlier by negotiation on the basis of partial on notional information. Advantages Accountability and Competitive equity as all tendering contractors bid on the same basis. Design lead and the client is able to have a direct influence which can facilitate a high level of functionality and improve the quality in the overall design. Price certainty at the award of the contract. Variations (changes) to the contract are relatively easy to arrange and manage. Traditional procurement route is very familiar in the market. Disadvantages Process time takes longer to produce the full contract documentation. Tenders documents from an incomplete design can be produced but can lead to less cost and time certainty and may lead to disputes. Overall project duration may be longer than other procurement methods as the strategy is sequential and construction can not be commenced prior to the completion of the design. No input into the project design by the contractor as they are not appointed during the design stage. Risks Cost risk is low due to lump sum contract. Time risk is medium due to fixed contract date but the same time contractor has right to claim extension if time. Quality/design risk is low as the majority of the works designed by consultant who is working for client directly. Suitability Traditional procurement route is not suitable for this project due to no time certainty. 4.2 Design and Build Procurement route Design and Build procurement contractor accepts responsibility for some or all of the design. There should be express reference to this in the contract, and the extent of design liability should always be set out as clearly as possible. Some design and build forms limit the design liability of the contractor to the normal professional duty to exercise reasonable care and skill. Independent consultants engaged by the contractor are therefore under a liability no greater than normal. If the contractor does not have in-house designers, which is often the case, and the contractor uses external consultants, their identity should be established before the tender is accepted. The clients requirements might be stated briefly and simply, perhaps little more than a site plan and schedule of accommodation. On the other hand, they may be a document of several hundred pages with precise specifications. The contractors input might be restricted to taking a scheme design supplied by the client and developing details and production information. It is however better to specify in terms of performance requirement rather than to prescribe in details, because this leaves the responsibility for design and selection with the contractor. With a design and build method, it is possible ensure a quicker start on site, and the close integration of design and build can result in more effective programming. Time, however, is needed by the clients consultant to prepare an adequate set of requirements, and time is needed to compare and evaluate the schemes from the competing tenderers. Once a contract is signed, any changes by the client can prove costly. Advantages Client has to deal with one firm and reduces the need to commit resources and time to contracting designers and contractors separately. Price certainty is obtained before construction commences as clients requirements are specified and changes are not introduced. Overlap of design and construction activities can reduce project time and improved constructability due to contractors input into the design. Disadvantages Difficulties can be experienced by clients in preparing an adequate and sufficiently comprehensive brief. Difficulty in comparing bids since each design will be different, project program will vary between bidders, and prices for the project will be different for each design. Client is required to commit to a concept design at an early stage, often before the detailed designs are complete and design liability is limited to the standard contracts that are available. Risks Cost risk is low due to lump sum contract. Time risk is low due to contractor fix the time and be committed to it. Quality/design risk is high as the contractor control the design limitation, the risks related to the capacity of the contractor to perform the task based on the design. Suitability Design and Build Procurement is most suitable for this project as its giving time and cost certainty and contractor is liable for the all the risks. 4.3 Construction Management Procurement route In construction management route, the construction manager engaged to advise the employer on fees basis. The employer directly involve in the contracts with various specialist contractors throughout the project life. The specilised contractors are direct communicating with employer to get clarification and instruction as this process is faster than the other procurement methods. The construction manager will be co-coordinating the design and construction programs and ensures that the specialist contract packages were considered properly. Through these arrangements, the employer is at substantial risk, however the final responsibility for these issues may be hang on to the employer, depending on the form of contract used. Advantages Potential time savings in overall projects as the design and construction activities are overlapped. Increased competition for construction work due to work packaging. Improved constructability through constructor input into the design. Roles, risks and responsibilities are clear to all parties Flexibility for changes in design. Disadvantages Price certainty is not achieved until the final works packages have been let. Informed and proactive client is required. Client must provide good quality brief to the design team as the design will not be complete until resources have been committed to the project. Close control required on time and information. Client loses direct control of design quality which is influenced by the constructor. Risks Cost risk is medium as it is unknown until the final package has been let. Time risk is medium as the responsible shared by several trade contractors works directly under client. Quality/design risk is low as the link between client, designers and contractors are close. Suitability Construction management procurement is not suitable for this project due to no cost and time certainty. 4.4 Management Contracting Procurement route Management Contracting and Construction Management procurement routes are similar. The only key difference is; In Management Contracts, the client entering into a contract agreement with management contractor who, in turn, contracts with the individual trade contractors. The client pays the cost of the works contracts as well as a management fee for the management services. In Construction Management, the client engaged construction manager on fee basis to arrange trade contractors and monitor them and the individual trade contractors direct contract agreement with the client. The advantages, disadvantages and risks are similar as above stated in the construction management. Suitability Management contracting procurement is not suitable for this project due to no cost and time certainty. Recommendation on appropriate procurement route After appraise through the various methods of procurement routes, considering the client requirements, client resources, project characteristics, project budget, project quality, delivery time and risk factors, I would like to recommend the Design and Build procurement route is an appropriate method for this project in this circumstances. The reasons to reject the other procurement routes are described in detail above and the summery as follow; Traditional procurement route is not suitable for this project due to no time certainty. Construction management and Management contracting procurement are not suitable for this project due to no cost and time certainty. Task 2 Option A Discuss the liability of Alexander contractor to the employer for the additional cost that the employer had to incur as a consequence of being required to employ a more expensive tenderer to carry out the construction project. Scenario given in relevant to Alexander contractor liability The Alexander contractors returned the tender document to the employer with conditions that it is open for acceptance for six weeks. Upon completing the tender review, the employer establishes that the Alexander contractor is its preferred tenderer. However, before the employer is able to write to the contractor to accept its offer, the Alexander contractor wrote to the employer stating that it is withdrawing its tender. Resolution General rules in the contracts There is no contract liability between the tenderer and the employer until the letter of offer is accepted, in the mean time the tenderer may withdraw the tender anytime before the issuance of letter of acceptance. It shows that the Alexander contractor may not be liable to the employer at the same time if the conditions of tendering state any clause like tenderer not able to withdraw till stipulated time, then the Alexander contractor may be liability for breach of the tender conditions. If there is a clause stated in the conditions of tender documents then both party have to appeal to court to settle disputes on the lose and damages, judge will assess the case with the evidence of facts and documents and use the law clauses to make a decision. Reference: Support for this belief come from the leading textbooks on contract law, such as Chitty on contracts. In the Twenty Seventh edition of this famous work, published in 1994, it is stated: The general rule is that an offer may be revoked at any time before it is accepted. The rule applies even though the offeror has promised to keep the offer open for a specified time for such a promise is unsupported by consideration In support of this statement the case of Routledge v. Grant (1824) 4 Bing 653 is quoted where the defendant offered to buy a house giving the plaintiff six weeks to give a definite answer. It was held that the defendant was free to withdraw at any time before acceptance event though the six week period has not expired. The result of this that where a tendering period is very short tenderer sometimes rush to submit a tender seemingly safe in the knowledge that they can check their figures once the tender is submitted, and if errors are found, withdraw their tender at any time prior to acceptance. Discuss the clerks of works power to issue a direction as detailed in the given scenario and its implications on the loss and expenses incurred by the contractor. Scenario given in relevant to clerk of works power The contractor about to start to construct the pile caps then they realized that the concrete quantities in the BOQ are wrong as the sizes of the pile caps had wrongly been transferred from the design drawing in to the BOQ. The contractor re-calculated the quantities as per the drawing and found that the concrete work require 250 cubic meters instead of 160cubic meters shown in the BOQ. The contractor informed the Contract Administrator of this discrepancy in writing and copied to Clerk of Work. The Clerk of Work issued a Direction to construct the pile caps according to the drawing and ignore the quantities shown in BOQ. The Clerk of Works pointed out that the payment would be made on physical measurement of the work. Resolution Clerk of Works is employed by the client and known as Site Inspectors, Site Supervisors or Building Quality Officers, monitor the entire site works for their client. The main responsibility is to make sure that work is carried out to the clients standards, specification and schedule. In most cases, the specifications are prepared by Architects or Engineer employed by the client. Clerk of works make sure that the correct materials and workmanship are used and that the client is given quality work and value for money. Clerk of works are either on site all the time or make regular visits, they need to be vigilant in their inspections, use contract administrator approved drawings and written instruction as a reference and all works must meet the Authorities requirements and client standards. In Scenario stated that the contractor did informed the contract administrator about the pile cap concrete quantity discrepancies and Clerk of work issue directions to proceed the works as per drawing. The contractor has also highlighted that needs to change the concrete curing method due to increase in concrete volume and limited contractor recourses as per original program. The contract administrator issued instruction approving this arrangement. The work was accomplished within four days as per contract administrator approval with increased expenses additional concrete quantities, incurred additional manpower and loss of time (Two days) due to changes in concrete curing method. Hence, under the JCT conditions of contract, the contractor has complied with the contract administrator instruction, which fall under variations in relevant matters and the contractor allowed to claim the loss and expenses from the employer. Reference: (JCT Standard Building Contract with Quantities 2005 Edition Revision 2 2009, Clause 3.4) Clerk of works are authorized to issue directions to the contractor. The direction shall not valid unless confirmed by the contract administrator and issue instruction to the contractor within next 2days, the date of such confirmation shall be deemed the date instruction is issued. (JCT Standard Building Contract with Quantities 2005 Edition Revision 2 2009, Clause 4.23) In the execution of this contract the contractor incurs or is likely to incur direct loss and expense for which he would be reimbursed by a payment under likely to be materially affected by any of the relevant matters (See clause 4.24). Detail the possible claims with respect to the given scenario, the main facts that can be included in the claims and the contractual provisions available to substantiate the claims according to the JCT Standard Building Contract with Quantities 2005 Edition(JCT SBS05) Revision 2 2009. Scenario given in relevant to possible claims Discrepancies in pile cap concrete quantities as per the design drawings, the work require 250 cubic meters instead of 160cubic meters shown in the BOQ. Changes in concrete pile cap concrete curing method due to the pile cap size and concrete volume increased compared to the original program. The first floor collapsed during curing of concrete. It is partially due to structural instability of the existing load bearing walls. Contract administrator decided to replace the damaged ground flooring and repair the walls to carter for structural stability. The employer on several occasions has failed to pay interim payments to the contractor by the final date agreed in the contract. Resolution According to the JCT condition of contracts (clauses 2.14, 2.15, 2.16, 3.14 4.24), the contractor did notified the contract administrator on the discrepancies in concrete quantity and copied clerk of work. The Clerk of work issued direction and subsequently contract administrator issued instruction to proceed. In this case the contractor has complied with the contract administrator instruction and allowed to claim for the additional materials, plant, man power which used to complete the works. The additional works to be measure by standard method of measurement and calculate using schedule of rates stipulated in the contracts. References

Napster :: essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Treble in the Music Industry Close to four months ago, when I heard the word ‘Napster’ I thought it was a new phrase for telling people they had nappy hair. I had no idea what it was, but yet I heard everyone around me talking about it, so I surfed on the internet and decided to check it out. I went ahead and downloaded it the program, not knowing four months from now Napster would have a tremendous influence and impact in the music industry, changing the way we view music forever.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  First of all, what is Napster? Napster is a program created by Shawn Fanning, an 18 year old ‘inarticulate’ teenager, who was frustrated trying to find good music on the internet ,and how so many of the pointers on the websites offering current music seem to only led to dead ends.it is a program enabling users to â€Å"transfer music files directly without going through a centralized file server or middle man.† (Greenfield 1), Napster is program that freed a vast library of copyrighted music, turning the music industry on its head.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  For obvious reasons, recording artists as well as record companies are in opposition to napster, which are the loss in profit and sales and piracy issues that deal with copyright regulation and code. As Greenfield states, â€Å" Napster has forced the record companies to rethink their business models and record company lawers and recording artists to defend their intellectual property.† Changing the way the record companies have been operating their business for centuries by an 18 year old ‘inarticulate’ teenager is not an easy pill to swallow the record companies take much offense to this partially because Napster is the fastest growing site in history, passing the 25 million mark in less than a year of operation. ( Greenfield) and potentially taking away 25 million consumers from their business. Napster sends a disruptive message of change to the music industry, kicking out the old and bringing in the new and because of this the profitable or derly business of recording, promoting and selling music will never be the same again. Basically the music industry will become obsolete, thus losing jobs in the music industry, but according to TIME magazine, â€Å" record sales have gone up and there is virtually no indication that record sales are at a loss.†(pg.56) due to Napster, and free internet trade. Free internet music trade actually promotes new artists and recording artists by allowing the user to download music free of charge, and listen to their music allowing the user to make the decision whether or not to purchase the album.

The Enduring Significance of Pocahontas Essay -- Chief Powhatan

Pocahontas Pocahontas was the daughter of the American Indian Chief Powhatan. Pocahontas, a young Powhatan Indian princess, affected a remarkable and significant relationship first with a small group of English settlers at Jamestown and later with the English rulers of the New World. She worked to maintain good relations between the Indians and early English colonists in America. Pocahontas emerged from a culture of dark superstitions. A culture of easy cruelty and primitive social accomplishments. Her father was a remarkable and powerful leader- fierce and clever. By the seventeenth century he had made his people not less primitive but certainly stronger and more formidable than they had ever been before. He added ruthless organization and totalitarian methods to their lives. He was ready to deal in his own confident and often cruel way with anyone who might challenge his authority. It was into this world, into the household of Chief Powhatan and Powhatan culture, that Pocahontas was born, probably in 1596 or 1597. It is believed that Pocahontas birthplace was Werowocomoco, Powhatan's residence until 1609. Which of Powhatan many wives was Pocahontas mother is unknown. Pocahontas, like the other Powhatan's , had two names. Pocahontas given to her by her father means "Bright Stream Between Two Hills" but in Powhatan tongue might mean " Little Wanton." Her secret name, known only among her tribesmen was Matoax, "Little Snow Feather." Pocahontas had her public and her secret names. She had her place in the Powhatan tribe. She was a favorite daughter in her father's home. As a princess, she was as privileged within the Powhatan world as anyone besides her father could be. Pocahontas performe... ...on after she boarded, Pocahontas became very ill, probably pneumonia or perhaps tuberculosis. Pocahontas died at the age of twenty, far from home in a foreign land. Her body was prepared for burial, and on March 21 1616 buried at an ancient church standing near the waters edge. Her death at Gravesend marked the beginning of her immortality. Pocahontas has been made the heroine of numerous stories; plays and poems that have made her seem more a figure of legend than one of history. Yet it is her true story that took place many years ago, that gives her enduring significance. Bibliography: 1.) Fritz, Jean. The Double Life of Pocahontas. 1983. Harrisonburg, VA. R.R. Donnelley and Sons Company. 2.) Woodward, Grace Steele. Pocahontas. 1969. Norman, OK. Univ. of Oklahoma Press. 3.) The World Book Encyclopedia. 1998. #15. World Book Inc.

Owning Your Own Business Essay -- Essays Papers

Owning Your Own Business There are many advantages and disadvantages when owning your own business. When you own you own business, it’s known as a sole proprietorship. But with any type of business, there will always be advantages and disadvantages. Five advantages for owning your own business are: 1) The owner receives all profits, meaning that all earnings go to the sole proprietor, or the owner, and isn’t shared with anyone else. The profit is not split among partners, or split among a corporation. So when you own your own business, you’re the first and only one that receives all earnings and profit. So if a person has a successful firm, he/she is the first to reap the success and rewards. 2) Another advantage of owning your own business is that you’re your own boss. You can set your own hours, decide what you want to do with the company, no manager to answer to. Basically, you’re in charge of everything. The owner solely makes all decisions. Or in other words, you’re running the show. 3) An additional advantage is that a sole proprietorship can be easily organized. It’s easy to start your own business. First of all, it costs very little money to start your own busines s. As a sole proprietor, you have minimal legal requirements. The owner doesn’t have to establish a separate legal entity. All that is needed is to register the company with the state and apply for an occupational license and any additional licenses required for the state. ...

Poetry analysis on “How Do I Love Thee” and “Sonnet XVIII” Essay

Both, Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s â€Å"How Do I Love Thee† and William Shakespeare’s â€Å"Sonnet XVIII,† explore the universal theme of eternal, transcending love. Similarly, both sonnets are confessions of love towards a male subject. Browning’s is a passionate love; one that the Greeks referred to as eros. â€Å"Eros is Love, who overpowers the mind, and tames the spirit in the breasts of both gods and men .† Shakespeare’s, however, is the love of agape. It is the love one feels for his family, and friends . In dealing with the theme of love, both poems reference the beauty of their emotions, and the everlasting nature of such beauty. Barrett’s â€Å"How Do I Love Thee† follows the structure of a Petrarchan sonnet, and is therefore written in iambic pentameter. It consists of 14 lines, and is divided into an octave and a sestet. The octave has a rhyme scheme of ABBA ABBA. It presents the primary problem facing the author, in this case being the question of her declaration of love. The sestet has a rhyme scheme of CDCDCD. It resolves the problem presented by clarifying the ways in which the author loves her beloved, and claiming that her love would be strengthened in the afterlife. Shakespeare’s â€Å"Sonnet XVIII† follows the structure of a classical Shakespearean sonnet, and as such, is written in iambic pentameter. It consists of 14 lines, divided into three quatrains and a rhyming couplet. The rhyme scheme of the first quatrain is ABAB, and introduces the primary notion of the sonnet, it being the comparison of the speaker’s beloved to a summer’s day. The second quatrain has a rhyme scheme of CDCD, and  strengthens the comparison of the beloved to a summer’s day. The third quatrain’s rhyme scheme is EFEF, shifting the focus from the temperate summer, to the virtually everlasting nature of the memory of the beloved. The couplet has a rhyme scheme of GG, and concludes the sonnet by tying together the themes of love and poetry. Barrett’s sonnet is imbedded with beautifully incorporated literary devices. She begins with the rhetorical question, â€Å"How do I love thee?† She then proceeds to answer this questions by saying, â€Å"Let me count the ways.† This can be interpreted as an evident hyperbole, as her feelings are so pure that she could never truly count the number of ways in which she loves this man. Barrett uses figurative language in saying, â€Å"I love thee to the depth and breadth and height/My soul can reach.† This places a picture of infinite space, or in this case infinite love, in the readers mind. She also makes use of analogy through the lines, â€Å"I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;† This compares the passion and love she is giving of her free will, to the passion which men put forward when fighting for justice. This establishes not only that her love is not bound, but also that it is strong, and honest. An analogy can also be seen in the following line, as she states, â€Å"I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise,† insisting her love is as modest and pure as the hearts of those men who are striving for justice. The last line of the sonnet states, â€Å"I shall but love thee better after death.† Death is somewhat ironic in this context, since it is both what ends the poem, and what ends life. Shakespeare’s introduces his sonnet with the line â€Å"Shall I compare thee to a summer day?† In a sense, this foreshadows that the beloved will, in fact, be compared to a summer’s day. Perhaps, even more than that, it foreshadows the use of metaphors throughout sonnet, as the comparison will be made. Shakespeare begins the comparison by drawing parallels between his beloved and the summer’s day, through the line â€Å"Thou art more lovely and more temperate.† He carefully chooses his adjectives so that they may apply to both summer, and his beloved. He continues by stating that â€Å"rough winds do shake the darling buds of May.† In this, he is using rough winds as a symbol of erratic chance and change, and implying that his beloved is superior  because he does not suffer from these winds. The author personifies the sky, or â€Å"heaven,† by using the metaphor of an â€Å"eye† in place of the sun. He further personifies the season by mentioning that the summer’s â€Å"gold complexion† is often â€Å"dimmed,† which compares yet another human attribute of his beloved, with a trait of summer. The author then assures his beloved that his â€Å"eternal summer shall not fade.† Through this, he uses summer as a metaphor for beauty. The speaker brags that his beloved will never suffer the same fate as a summer’s day, because he has dedicated him to â€Å"eternal lines.† This adds the theme of poetry to a sonnet that had, until now, been about love.

Fast Food in Malaysia Essay

Restaurants have been around in some form for most of human civilization. But they usually catered to travelers. As far back as ancient Greece and Rome, inns and taverns generally served food to people who had a reason to be away from home. This trend continued until relatively recently. Although taverns and coffee houses were popular places to gather and share beverages in the 17th century, the idea of eating out for fun didn’t take off in Western society until the late 18th century. Although McDonald’s was the first restaurant to use the assembly-line system, some people think of White Castle as the first fast-food chain. White Castle was founded in 1921 in Wichita, Kansas. At the time, most people considered the burgers sold at fairs, circuses, lunch counters and carts to be low-quality. Many people thought hamburger came from slaughterhouse scraps and spoiled meat. White Castle’s founders decided to change the public’s perception of hamburgers. They built their restaurants so that customers could see the food being prepared. They painted the buildings white and even chose a name that suggested cleanliness. White Castle was most popular in the American East and Midwest, but its success helped give hamburger meat a better reputation nationwide. So, like cars, White Castle played an important part in the development of fast food. Image courtesy Brands of the World The McDonald brothers opened their redesigned restaurant in 1948, and several fast-food chains that exist today opened soon after. Burger King and Taco Bell got their start in the 1950s, and Wendy’s opened in 1969. Some chains, like Carl’s Jr. , KFC and Jack in the Box, existed before the Speedee Service System, but modified their cooking techniques after its debut. McDonald’s, which started it all, is now the world’s largest fast-food chain. According to the National Restaurant Association, American sales of fast food totaled $163. 5 billion in 2005 [ref]. The industry is growing globally as well. Total sales for McDonald’s grew 5. 6 percent in 2005, and the company now has 30,000 franchised stores in more than 120 countries [ref and ref]. However, McDonald’s – and fast food in general – does not always get a welcoming reception around the world. McDonald’s restaurants have been attacked in several countries, including the United States, China, Belgium, Holland, India, Russia, Sweden and the U. K. Protestors have accused McDonald’s and other chains of selling unhealthy food, marketing aggressively to children and undermining local values and culture.

ORGANIZATIONAL SUCCESS Essay

Inadequate skills is present if the problem is the employee’s lack of certain skills, a supervisor should see that the employee gets the necessary training. Talent management is the automated end-to-end process of planning, recruiting, developing, managing, and compensating employees throughout the organization. Lisa needs to set up a mentoring and coaching programs that will advises, counsels, and guides her current employees. Both coaching and mentoring skills are needed for appraising employees, but appraising and assessing refer to rating an employee. While employers have long â€Å"managed their talent† without computerized systems, talent management today is usually information technology–based. Several software providers offer specialized talent management suites. The suites include and integrate underlying talent management components such as e-recruiting, e-training, performance reviews, and rewards. For example, talent management software includes e-rec ruiting software, employee performance management, a learning management system, and compensation management. Among other things, this program relieves the stress of writing employee performance reviews by automating the task and ensures â€Å"that all levels of the organization are aligned—all working for the same goals (Dessler, 2011).† Lisa and the CFO have sufficiently investigated whether training is really called for through the control process. A manager should continuously gather information about each employee’s performance. This is an ongoing activity, not something the supervisor saves to do when filling out appraisal forms. Ways to gather information include keeping regular performance records (such as a work team’s output or the customer calls handled by each employee), saving customer notes of complaint or praise, writing a summary whenever an employee is observed doing something exceptional, and encouraging employees to keep track of their accomplishments. This record keeping may seem time-consuming, but it is essential. Lisa and other supervisors need to make sure employees know and understand what is expected of them. To do this, they should make sure that objectives for the employees are clear, and he or she should communicate them effectively. Employees are most likely to  understand and be committed to objectives when they have a say in developing them. More and more firms now require that supervisors and employees together set mutually acceptable performance goals. Hospitality Skills/Training Guide for Valet Attendant Set your property apart from the competition with this excellent job-specific training program for valet attendants. This binder is divided into 6 tabbed sections: This guide provides the basis of a six-day training course for new employees and current employees. The Employee Knowledge tab includes: †¢Quality Guest Service †¢Bloodborne Pathogens †¢Personal Appearance †¢Emergency Situations †¢Lost and Found †¢Recycling Procedures †¢Safe Work Habits †¢Manager on Duty †¢Your Property’s Fact Sheet †¢Employee Policies †¢The Americans with Disabilities Act Employee Skill tab contains: †¢Follow the Property’s Valet Posting Positions †¢Maintain Clear Drive-up/Drop-off Area †¢Welcome Guests and Offer Assistance †¢Load and Transport Luggage Using Luggage Cart †¢Valet Park Guest Vehicles †¢Retrieve Vehicles That Have Been Valet Parked †¢Provide Storage for Guest Luggage †¢Assist With Luggage for Group Arrivals and Departures †¢Use the Guest Information Directory †¢Prepare Maps and Provide Directions †¢Arrange for Services Requested by Guests †¢Handle Guest Service Problems †¢Arrange for or hail Taxis for Guests †¢Arrange Limousine Services †¢Provide Courtesy Transportation †¢Report Vehicle Accidents †¢Clean the Drive-up, Entrance, Valet Stand, and Luggage Carts †¢Assist Guests at Check-out †¢Respond to Situations Requiring First Aid †¢Handle Cash Payment and Tips †¢Assist in Rooming Guests †¢Assist Guests During Room Changes The Hotel Paris’s competitive strategy is â€Å"To use superior guest service to differentiate the Hotel Paris properties, and to thereby increase the length of stay and return rate of guests, and thus boost revenues and profitability.† HR manager Lisa Cruz must now formulate functional policies and activities that support this competitive strategy by eliciting the required employee behaviors and competencies. References: Dessler, G. (2011). Human Resource Management. (13 Ed.).Upper Saddle River,NJ: Prentice Hall