The Benefits of Group work in Learning

Group work is an effectual manner of acquisition and cooperation with others, and the purpose is to larn through group cooperation and promote all pupils to take part in the acquisition procedure. This attack is defined in the schoolroom as a group ( Normally 2-6 people ) . The members obtain utile information from each other to widen their cognition and abilities through the cooperation. Besides this method can be helped by reassigning inexplicit cognition to explicit cognition, and derive some satisfaction by ego betterment and competency through the sharing. This essay is traveling to explicate some benefits held from the group work experience, and besides introduce two of import tips of being successful in group work.Benefits:†¢ Group work requires pupils to inquire inquiries and explicate their points of position to others. This non merely assists pupils to increase the chances to use their cognition, but besides enhances their involvement and ability of larning. Furthermor e, it enables them to accept different sentiments, extends their penetrations, and promotes the sustainability and development of thought. †¢ Group work helps to better larning efficiency. That would mention to every member of the group to actively take part in the acquisition procedure and activities, each member should hold great enthusiasm, and learn from undertakings shared by everyone. Besides, it is encouraged that each member should brainstorm, and to show their point of positions. Everyone is besides encouraged to portion their attempts and make their best with the energy created, so the job can be solved. †¢ Group work can heighten the concerted feelings among pupils, and develop pupils ‘ interpersonal accomplishments. Group work is a procedure of interchanging information and cognition between pupils, which refers to the advancement of directing the emotion and senses by pass oning and assisting others, and particularly understanding the civilization differences which refers to different backgrounds. It should be learned that to take attention and assist each other by acknowledging their virtues and besides be tolerant of their defects. Furthermore, it is encouraged to listen with an unfastened head to larn from others and listen to their points of position. This will let each member to incorporate themselves into a corporate squad, and heighten their corporate consciousness. †¢ Group work assists pupils to develop their self-learning ability. Group work involves pupils to take part instead than be bystanders. It encourages the pupil who has mastered a certain cognition and accomplishments to reassign and learn others who do non hold themselves. Students who seek for an outstanding public presentation in group work must carefully larn the category stuff, and read through the text book analyzing its content. Some contents may non be available in current text books, so it encourages pupils to happen information by seeking on the cyberspace, and besides makes some notes. These enterprises improve pupil acquisition, so that it promotes their self-learning abilities. †¢ Group work broadens the learning infinite for pupils. It is a procedure that transfers the single competition to a collaborative group attempt.Tips:†¢ The Panel discussed the content of concerted acquisition, it is non under all status that the group work ever be the best and effectual. For illustration, sometime we can see this sort of state of affairs occurs: when the pupils in the group during concerted acquisition or coverage exchanges, they either say nil or have no consensus understanding but merely organize their subjective points of position. The chief ground this state of affairs occurs is that pupils either do non analyze in-depth and understand the category stuff exhaustively, or have no instance readying. Therefore, pupils should analyze in progress and understand the importance and high spots from the class. In add-on, group work should hold some interesting content, feasibleness, and unfastened enquiry by finding the input of content and clip demands for co ncerted group acquisition. †¢ Do non disregard and avoid the single answerability to believe independently in the concerted group larning. In general, group work in the schoolroom is based on the procedure of this construction, that is 1 ) . Tasks lead the manner, 2 ) .the single independent acquisition, 3 ) .group acquisition, 4 ) .group exchanges, 5 ) .collective rating. In other words, for new cognition, new information, pupils should believe independently, so the deepness of thought, quality and originality can be developed. Through, group acquisition, single sentiments can be released, so everyone in the group has a opportunity to portion the thoughts and result of the treatment ; so the group will sum up each of the information and contents, and study to the whole category by taking a group representative. Finally, the group result can be viewed under rating of the category and by the instructor.Decision:Group work is a concerted acquisition among pupils through exchange in order to accomplish the c omplementary strengths to advance cognition of building, to the full arouse the pupil ‘s subjective consciousness, explore their topic of individualized acquisition, and developing pupils ‘ creativeness and invention. Besides, it makes pupils larn in an unfastened ambiance, and carry out active exchanges of information and cognition ; therefore heightening assurance, advancing for the best pattern of chances. In add-on to developing pupils ‘ sense of competition, the corporate values and spirit of cooperation, so that establishes a corresponding development for different pupils. Wordss count: 805

International Financial Policies Essay

International Financial Policies determine how firms in international market work because if respective governments of the countries put restrictions on doing trade, it may be relatively difficult to trade. One of the most important advantages of international financial policies is the fact that such policies often get the backing of the government therefore international firms find it relatively easy to have access to different resources besides availing different types of concessions in duties and taxes. On the other side, due to such international financial policies, international firms may have to work with relatively inefficient organizations due to contractual requirements. Most of the countries often attempt to bring in public owned entities to work with international firms therefore given the traditional bureaucratic inefficiencies of such public institutions, resources may not be efficiently utilized and firms may not be achieving their strategic objectives in real term. Trade Agreements The trade agreements are formed based on the assumptions that the countries attempt to take advantage of their relative comparative advantage. Trade Agreements are often formed between two or more countries to agree together to offer certain trade concessions to each other. Trade agreements are often formed at the government level and countries to the agreement often offer tax concessions, duty rebates, removal of trade quotas etc so that trade integration can take place and countries can actually benefit from the comparative advantages of each other. Trade Agreements have greater influence on the financial management policies because if favorable, trade agreements can relatively save lot of costs i. e. duty and tax concessions, lower interest rates etc. for the firms therefore they really have to devise policies which can allow them to manage their financial resources in most efficient manner.

Netflix: A Case Analysis Essay

Netflix offers a variety of product services to its customers. The company offers traditional DVD rental by mail, instant streaming of DVD content through home PCS, and streaming on Netflix-ready devices that could be hooked up to one’s TV. Netflix has a subscription based model, which allows customers to utilize their products/services through a per month fee rather than a pay as you go rate. Although the company offers eight different subscription packages, it derives its largest revenues from its $8.99, $13.99, and $16.99 subscription plans that include unlimited DVDs per month, 1-3 titles out at one time, plus unlimited streaming of online content. The Netflix Strategy Netflix’s strategy so far has been to focus on not just one or two aspects of their customer base, but to focus themselves in a number of directions in order to build upon and capitalize on a growing subscriber base. Their main strategy has been to build and maintain the most comprehensive selection of DVD titles in the industry, and they have done so by creating mutually beneficial relationships with a number of entertainment video providers. Their second main strategy has been focused on product differentiation- not only how customers receive content and consume it, but also how customers choose what to watch. Netflix’s number one competitive advantage is their unique software that takes what a customer has seen or rated, and based upon that information builds a list of suggested titles similar to ones they have just watched. While other companies like Blockbuster had begun to leak into the rent-by-mail niche category that Netflix had started, no other company had cus tomer profiling software quite like Netflix. U.S. Movie, TV, & Video Game Rental Market (2006-2009) Consumer Movie Rental Market Revenue ($ million) 2006 2007 2008 2009 In-store Rentals $7,030 $6,215 $5,674 $5,118 Vending Machine Rentals 79 198 486 917 By Mail Rentals 1,291 1,797 1,949 2,114 VOD (cable, digital, & subscription) 993 1,077 1,365 1,684 Between 2006 and 2009, the film rental market underwent a major shift. The in-store rental market declined by nearly $2 million, while vending machine rentals increased tenfold and by-mail rentals nearly doubled. However, VOD services through cable, digital, and subscription also saw major increases. All of these changes meant companies like Blockbuster and Movie Gallery had to either reorganize and make a complete business model shift- or face bankruptcy. Meanwhile, the increases in by-mail rentals and VOD subscription, two services that Netflix offered, meant that the number of Netflix subscribers more than doubled in that same time frame. Purchase decisions from customers were focused on convenient access, price, variety of DVD offerings, ease of return/return fees. Therefore, the key success factors within the U.S. DVD rental industry were quickly becoming: 1) A variety of distribution channels (mail, online streaming, streaming to TV, vending machine, etc) 2) Superior video libr aries (including new releases,  classics, hard to find) 3) Little to no fees associated with renting or returning DVDs 4) Ease of use (in terms of returning) 5) A strong network of entertainment video providers, i.e. suppliers Customers like variety; a video rental store that only stocks the newest releases will not appeal to all markets. Increasingly, customers are becoming more nostalgic in their movie preferences, searching for titles long past premiere. Customers have also become increasingly busy, often not having the time to go to a store to pick out a movie or remembering to return their rentals on time. We live in a world of instant gratification, where being able to click a few buttons and watch the latest Jennifer Aniston rom-com or an old cult classic like Rocky Horror is extremely important. Customers also do not like fees. More and more companies today are offering free shipping/return shipping, and the same is true in the DVD rental industry. Five Forces Analysis of the Industry Rivalry among competing sellers: High. Buyer costs of switching brands is low and product offerings are weakly differentiated. The number of competitors is growing and rivals have diverse strategies for providing their services. Competitive pressure from buyer bargaining power: Medium to high. The cost of switching to competing products is low, as well as the level of convenience for switching. Products are for the most part undifferentiated. Competitive pressure from supplier bargaining power: Low to medium. There are a large number of suppliers within the industry and a variety of ways in with to gain access to the needed material. However, most sellers cannot self-manufacture these movie titles; whereas the suppliers could easily begin offering these services themselves. Competitive pressure from substitute products: Low. The cost per DVD to buy is greater than that to rent or stream a movie. Buyer demand for purchasing DVDs is decreasing due to the lack of disposable income creat ed by the financial crisis, as well as the practicality of owning a vast collection of physical DVDs. Potential of new entrants: High. The market is growing at an ever increasing pace and barriers to entry are low. Buyer demand continues to increase as well, and existing industry members are looking to expand their market reach. (See Appendix 1 for a visual representation). There are a number of drivers of  change affecting the movie retail industry. As mentioned previously, there has been a shift in consumer’s willingness to go out of their way for certain products or services. The consumer climate has shifted to an instant gratification model, in which if acquiring a movie to watch requires more effort than clicking a few buttons, then it is no longer worth the consumer’s time. This force is somewhat unfavorable in terms of competitive intensity because it will drives firms within the industry to compete in a never ending sprint to offer the most titles in the shortest amount of time, which will eventually hit its peak and taper off. However, this force will also positively impact future industry profitability since the more streamlined the process becomes, the more users and more uses the industry will gain. Another force driving change is the switch from buying physical DVDs and acquiring movie collections to accessing them online as needed. This saves consumers valuable time and money, and they no longer need to worry about keeping their DVDs in good condition. This force will positively affect future industry profitability because it will reduce the number of distribution plants needed to sustain video libraries, thus significantly reducing operating costs. Not having to stock multiple copies of millions of DVDS will mean that companies will no longer have to spend money on: Multiple large plants Staffing said plants with a large labor force Operating said plants in terms of rent, utilities, etc Postage (in terms of Netflix specifically) DVD maintenance Mailing and location software One more force that is affecting the movie rental industry is the introduction and proliferation of VOD services offered directly from cable networks and providers. Barriers to entry for these already existing firms is extremely low, and if all networks chose to offer these services, a large portion of profits would be cannibalized from outside companies such as Netflix or Hulu. This force will negatively affect competitive intensity, but positively affect future industry profitability. If the large supplier companies (cable networks & providers) all started offering their own VOD, competition from smaller independent renting firms would disappear. Yet  profitability would increase due to the ease of access to entire network libraries. Mapping the Movie Retail Industry The competitive characteristics that differentiate firms within the movie retail industry are as follows: Use of distribution channels Product line breadth Price Geographic coverage Ease of access/use In conducting my analysis of the strategic positioning of firms within this industry, I chose to focus on price and use of distribution channels (See Appendix 2). Netflix and VOD providers are positioned most favorably on the map because both offer moderately priced subscription packages for access to a comprehensive list of movie and TV show offerings using a variety of distribution channels. Netflix is positioned most favorably due to its relative low cost compared to the variety of products it offers access to. Redbox is priced well, but it only offers one method of distribution. Whereas Blockbuster is priced higher than average, but has begun to offer streaming and mail rental options in addition to in store rentals. A Financial Analysis of Netflix Overall, Netflix has fared fairly well over the past several years, even surviving the financial crisis. They continue to generate a profit, and their revenue has grown at a steady rate indicative of the growth of the mail rental & online streaming movie retail market. The company has been growing at an average rate of 20% over the last four years. However, from 2007 to 2008, Netflix only grew at a rate of 13.22%. This noticeable fluctuation in their growth rate can most likely be contributed to the financial crisis that swept the nation during that year. Aside from that dip, Netflix can be expected to continue to grow at a rate indicative of the continued growth of mail and digital movie rental industry. Product costs for Netflix have remained relatively stable over the last four years at over 60% of revenue, fluctuating only by 4% or less. This is  despite the fact that revenues for the company have been steadily increasing. This clearly shows an inability to control manufacturing & operating costs. As Netflix expands, so does its physical DVD inventory and size/number of distribution plants. Although one of their strategies is transition subscribers to streaming delivery as opposed to mail delivery, it is obvious that they have yet to be truly successful in that endeavor. Netflix’s ROA hit an all-time high of 17.05% in 2009, which is somewhat surprising given that the company is deriving most of its revenues from a nubile market. The mail and digital movie rental industry is still growing, so to have an ROA that high is quite an accomplishment. It is clear that the company’s investments in new assets are succeeding in generating returns. (See Appendix 3 for a complete financial analysis of Netflix from 2006-2009). SWOT Analysis of Netflix’s Standing within the Market Strengths Opportunities Netflix cornered the market on direct mail renting before anyone else offered it Has a wide geographic coverage and the fastest turnaround rate Known for its 1 month free trials The brand has a following across a wide variety of consumer segments Their strong relationship with a large network of entertainment video providers Top management realizes the importance/emergence of the digital environment and is trying to shift subscriber use accordingly Netflix has developed unique and comprehensive movie selection software that customizes the consumer experience by capitalizing on their movie tastes and making accurate suggestions Netflix offers the most detailed movie information including customer reviews, critic reviews, etc The increasing demand for digital streaming is clearly an opportunity The shift from by mail rental to digital streaming gives Netflix an opportunity to restructure its subscription packages and price them even more competitively The firm can look at joining forces with some of the networks that are beginning to offer VOD streaming Weaknesses Threats Netflix is a market leader in by mail rental, which has now capped off and started to become a declining category The company’s comprehensive DVD libraries and distribution centers are eating up a large chunk of their revenues Unlike other movie rental/streaming companies, Netflix does not offer access to newly released films Changing subscriber preference towards online streaming will affect Netflix’s current portfolio mix The increasing intensity of competition from other companies, such as Hulu with their Hulu Plus program will eat into Netflix’s consumer base Increasing number of networks that are beginning to offer free streaming of content on their websites For the moment, Netflix’s overall situation is fairly attractive. Being the first company to introduce a new niche in a market is a huge asset. A company cannot simply ‘buy’ cornering the market on a good or service. Since Netflix already offers unlimited direct streaming, that puts it ahead of some of its competitors. However, Netflix will need to restructure and reevaluate the profitability of its by mail rental service in the near future. Compared with Blockbuster and VOD Providers, Netflix has the highest level of competitive strength at 46 points. Netflix by far has the most comprehensive number of products and distribution channels, given that consumers can either rent DVDs by mail or stream them on their PC or TV. The number of distribution channels factors into the company’s ease of use, as does the fact that their DVDs come with prepaid return envelopes. VOD Providers are a similar ease of use to Netflix given that consumers can just click a few buttons on the TV and instantly be watching their chosen film. Blockbuster is ranked lowest in terms of price & fees because their prices are based on a per DVD cost, and when sales began to decrease, the company increased its prices. Not to mention that there are late fees associated with renting, whereas with Netflix you can keep a DVD for as long as you like without incurring fees. Blockbuster also scores lower in terms of the number of products because their l ibrary is limited by store space, whereas Netflix and VOD Providers can have a virtually unlimited library of titles spanning the entire duration of the movie industry. Performance Concerns Overall, Netflix’s performance is quite satisfactory. The company persevered through the financial crisis and has managed to hold on to market majority despite growing competition from rival firms. a) My main concern for Netflix is the amount of revenue that is currently being eaten up by product costs. Despite steadily increasing revenues, Netflix’s COGS continues to take up more than 60% of said revenue. In the coming years when the market shifts entirely to direct streaming, Netflix will be left with millions of  DVDs and operating costs associated with the large distribution centers required to house these DVDs. If the company takes too long to phase out this aspect of its product/service portfolio, it could lose out on major profits and potentially wind up in debt. b) A second issue I see for Netflix is that more and more companies are beginning to offer streaming of their own content either for free to the public, or free to subscribers of certain cable companie s. Since Netflix has a cost associated with it, its customer base could be cannibalized by these new entrants. Recommendations a) Given that by mail renting is on the decline, Netflix should work quickly to phase out this service from its current offerings. Right now there are still companies out there willing to take on extensive DVD libraries- five or so years from now, that may not be the case and Netflix will have lost out on an opportunity to avoid a significant loss. b) Netflix needs to look at restructuring and re-pricing their current subscription packages. The number of packages and their prices that the company offers are no longer relevant to demand. With more and more entrants into the market, Netflix is losing its competitive pricing advantage. In sum, in order to remain competitive Netflix needs to restructure both its product offerings and pricing strategy. The company should be looking ahead to see what the next big thing in movie rental/streaming will be and capitalize on that, while other firms are still entering the market and developing what Netflix already has.

The social meaning of clothing and dress Research Paper - 1

The social meaning of clothing and dress - Research Paper Example Clothes are put on bodies which are sigs of Selfhood are defined as extensions of self meaning in the cultural aspect. In this case, the meaning of clothes includes different aspects namely moral, social, and aesthetic (Danesi, 2004, p.179). On the other hand the manner of dressing is based on different parameters such as gender, culture and even religion. The dress codes, for example, are considered as basic social requirements for dressing (Danesi, 2004, p.179). Based on the definition of clothes and dress then it can be considered that the manner by which people present himself or herself can either be based on personal preference or based on the rules of social institutions he or she may belong. In this manner, the social meaning of clothing and dress should be discussed on the basis of two categories. One of the main categories in the social meaning of clothing is the personal preference of the one wearing the clothes. It had been known that clothes and dresses can be considered as one of the basic indications of a person’s character. According to Davis, as quoted in the work of Barnard (2002), clothes that people wear are considered as social statements. Although most people can be considered to choose clothes unconsciously, their personal preference always comes out (p.72). There are different factors that can take part in the choice of clothes and dresses that people wear which at the same time can present their personal preference. One factor is fashion. It can affect the way people choose clothes for a particular season and occasion. Within each trend though, people can still choose what they feel most comfortable in. Another factor is the cultural influence, which is more on the region where a person resides. In the present and modern era where traditional costumes are less worn, differences in the manner by which people choose clothes can still be observed

Solid Waste Management Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Solid Waste Management - Research Paper Example As well, they are major contributors in the current polluted status of the earth. There are many ways by which they can help the cause of source reduction. First, they can offer repair of their broken products, so that consumers will not just easily throw away broken manufactured products such as electrical devices. They can also invest on emission purifier that ensures that whatever they release to their surroundings are free from harmful chemicals. They can also help fund discovery of natural materials that may substitute synthetic, non-biodegradable material that they are currently using. For example, they may opt to use biodegradable cartons for packaging instead of the non-biodegradable Styrofoam, which takes a long time to degrade and pollutes water or even land. Speaking of packaging, manufacturers should work on packaging their products with the least material possible, especially when the consumers throw them away anyway. With these steps, not only will the factories help th e environment, they can also save money through it solid waste management (EPA, 2011). 3.) The Middlemen The supermarkets, considered as one of the middlemen between the manufacturers and consumers, can contribute a lot in solid waste reduction. They may give incentives to the buyers who bring their own bags, probably an old plastic bag, in lieu of getting a new one every time they shop. Supermarkets, as well as other establishments such as schools and restaurants, can also be a venue for nearby households to bring their recyclables to. This way, processing of these recyclables becomes a lot cheaper because no extra manpower is needed to get them from every home (EPA, 2011). Gas...From the research it can be comprehended that the principle of source reduction suggests that the reduction of wastes produced can be achieved by using the minimum amount of resources in units as simple as households or as big as manufacturing. This can be done by the 3 R’s, reuse, reduce, recycle, in which materials can be used again like how it was used before, by making new products with less freshly gathered materials, and by modifying a material so that it can be used differently from how it was used before. For example, scratch papers can be reused again for beddings of pet rodents, can be grind and processed again so that the fresh products that are used to make paper are reduced, and they can be recycled so that it can be used to make lamps out of paper mache. Evidently, regular practice of this 3R’s not only ensures waste reduction, but can save natural resources as well. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, solid waste management plan strictly followed by everyone makes a sustainable community. As what was discussed above, natural resources, which are currently continuously being depleted, are saved. Landfills, which are dedicated for inefficiently managing wastes, can be cleared and used instead as residential areas or parks. Living things can be better protected from the harmful effects of chemicals by properly disposing them. However, solid waste management still poses several disadvantages.

Gender sex paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Gender sex paper - Essay Example y, a ninth-grade student, describes herself as "a pretty good guitar player" and "an excellent math student who cant understand chemistry." She says shes "wild and extroverted" with friends in her band, yet is "shy and quiet" at school. Peggys self-description reflects. This was one of the greatest social experiments research came across with because it was a real interaction with a real girl that was not aware of her social stratifications or gender roles. She was with the boys in the toy’s section but was very oblivious to â€Å"how a girl† should act. Society has defined gender roles including the concept of ‘cult of domesticity.’ Women and men have defined social roles, which confused transgender people because they fail to understand their identity. The question remains- how do LGBT and transgender fit into this category? Gender roles is an intriguing subject that takes into account of several aspects. One can argue that gender roles emerge from culture due to various reasons. Cultures adhere to gender roles because they assign responsibilities to each gender based on family needs. For example, women in eastern cultures have to follow the cult of domesticity. The cult of domesticity is a generic phrase for women to stay at home, clean the house, cook the food, and raise the children. In this model, the men are the bread winners. The cult of domesticity is a generic phrase for women to stay at home, clean the house, cook the food, and raise the children. In this model, the men are the bread winners. The idea of gender disparity in school, government and overall progression of women is clearly hindered in these cultures. I saw both cases in which girls independently paid for themselves whereas some men took the initiative to pay for their significant other, showing strong sense of â€Å"breadwinner.† Identity is absolutely essential for transgender because they don’t have the epistemic feel to belong. Imagine an individual who cannot belong. This

How much oil is there in the world Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

How much oil is there in the world - Term Paper Example Tiny plants and animals and die and sink to the bottom of shallow waters. Then clay and silt cover the thin layer of organisms which begin to decay. The process becomes repetitive and after millions of years, the clay sand, silt from rocks, and the decomposed organisms beneath the rock layers generate into a dark heavy liquid now known as OIL. With reference to Lee’s article â€Å"What is Oil?† it is used facilitate a variety of things. It contributes to the creation of fuel, paint, detergent, trash bags etc once it is refined. However, the most widespread use of oil is the fueling of our vehicles, as oil is the main source of locomotion. History of Oil Historians speculate that oil has been flowing since the time of Herodotus-(a Greek Historian during the 5th century), but was being used as a liniment of medicine and not as fuel and also for building purposes. The history of uses’ website explained that oil flows from springs just like water. Some of these sprin gs were in western Pennsylvania and obtained by the Seneca Indians, who used it for medicinal purposes. The site also reported that that the first oil well was drilled by Edwin Drake in 1859 in the area. An article from bydesign.com reported that the well was 69 feet deep and produced 15 barrels a day. The area quickly blossomed and the modern oil industry was born. Then later Texas and Oklahoma became the centers of US production. In addition the Middle East became a major supplier for US use as well after World War II. In previous generations, oil as a fuel was used as kerosene for lighting, replacing animal, vegetable and coal oils. It also became popular in the furnaces then the most popular with the development of automobiles. Presently all modes of transportation; cars, trucks, buses trains, ships or airplanes are fueled by oil, diesel or gasoline. Fuel Oil has become so predominantly essential that it is burnt to produce electricity which has always been a coal’s job. Locating the Oil The Science of locating oil is done through a variety of methods and is the main responsibility of Geologists. First they have to find the best conditions for an oil trap and best sources of rock as well as reservoir rocks and entrapment. According to Craig Freudenrich PhD, and Jonathon Strickland, geologists, many years ago interpreted surface features, surface rocks and soil types and perhaps some small core samples obtained by shallow drilling as a method of locating oil. In comparison to the modern era they now use sensitive gravity meters to measure changes in the Earth’s gravitational field which could indicate flowing oil. In addition they use sensitive magnetometers to measure changes in the earth’s magnetic field caused by flowing oil. Furthermore, they can detect the smell of hydrocarbons, using sensitive electronic noses called sniffers. However, the most common method used in detecting oil is seismology. By using seismology, it creates shoc k waves that pass through hidden rock layers and interpret the waves that are reflected at the surface. The shock waves are created by either of the following; a compressed air gun which shoots pulses of air into the water, or a thumper truck which slams heavy plates into the ground or by explosives which are detonated after being drilled into the ground or thrown overboard. As marked by Freudenrich and Strickland, the shock waves created by seismology

Case Analysis of 'Genetic Screening' Assignment

Case Analysis of 'Genetic Screening' - Assignment Example Excessive use of chemicals caused this haemolytic anaemia. On the other hand, the cost of health insurance was also increasing. Therefore, the employees were demanding to avail a smoke-free workplace environment. Looking into this matter, the employers tried to provide routine medical screening, drug testing and smoke-free environment facilities. (B) Several critics of DuPont stated that the genetic testing allowed the organisation to transfer the workers, but it was necessary to clean up the workplace environment. It is the major solution to the problems. Nobody can work at zero emission. The organisation had to ensure the health and safety workplace aspect. However, it is not right to relocate the employees. The organization should take care of all the employees and should provide routine medical check-up to all the employees. (C) The organisation did not take any initiative to clean up the workplace environment. Moreover, it was relocating its affected employees to the smoke-free areas. First and foremost, the organisation had to solve the basic problem. Then they had to think about the good health of the employees. The organisation did nothing regarding these two aspects. Therefore, development of law was required in order to restrict it. Question 2 This question will discuss some moral aspects. ... It is their basic right (Cherrie, Howie & Semple 2011, p.51). It is the right of the employees to file legal complaints against the management of the organisation. (B) The outcome is quite serious or critical. The employees were suffering from haemolytic anaemia. According to utilitarianism theory, the organisations should provide a hazard-free working environment to the employees (Collins & Schneid 2010, p. 39). The management of the organisation needed to review the safety aspect of the workplace environment right after the incident, but they relocated their affected employees. (C) The organisation did not take care of all the employees. It has proposed genetic screening but not for all the employees. It is illegal. Attaining a safe workplace environment is the basic right of the employees. Moreover, the organisation did not compensate the affected employees or rectify the basic workplace challenges or issues (Spellman & Bieber 2011, p.87). There is a possibility for the organisati on to face legal challenges based on unethical business operations. Question 3 There are specific moral obligations for the employer that DuPont needs to assume in this case. The operation of various chemical factories such as the dynamite factory involves the emission of chemicals in the environment where the workers work in the hours of operation. Apart from the motives of earning revenues from the business, the employers also have the moral responsibility of safeguarding the health of their workers engaged in the operational work. These are business ethics and social responsibilities of the employer that fulfils the moral obligations involved in the course of work. Apart from paying monthly wages to the

Evaluation Report Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Evaluation Report - Coursework Example An API allows a developer’s product or service to communicate to other products and services. APIs open up data and functionality to other developers and to businesses. It allows exchange of data both internally and externally.(Jetter,2011) According to apievangelist, an API gives third party developers â€Å"firewall† access to a company’s data and resources.(apievangelist n.d) TWITTER API Twitter is an information network and communication mechanism that produces more than 200 million tweets a day. The Twitter API is largely used by majority of developers to extend twitters social experience and functionality to their own applications. Twitter offers access to its data through use of its APIs. Twitter offers products for websites that easily integrates basic twitter functions for example the tweet button. Twitter also offers a search API for developers who want to allow a user to query for twitter content. The streaming API offered by twitter provides a real ti me sample of the twitter firehose. It is for developers with data intensive needs for example a data mining project. The twitter REST API enables the developer to access core primitives of twitter including timelines status updates and user information. LINKEDIN API LinkedIn is a social network for professionals and business people. According to LinkedIn, their API enables developers to provide an easy way of enabling professionals to sign in their site using LinkedIn credentials. It also enables engagement by bringing professional content to the developer’s site. It also enables powerful conversations through its provisional groups API.(Why develop with LinkedIn, n.d) PURPOSE OF REPORT This is an evaluation report containing a critical evaluation of three third party API’s. It evaluates and discusses each and every aspect of the APIs based on standard API principles. The third API is provided to contrast with the two mentioned APIs. The report aims to find the most su itable and most efficient API from the three for better development using APIs and their integration. AUTHENTICATION Authentication is the process of identifying user provided credentials and authorizing access to an applications functionality. This is a common feature found in most applications. A huge number of users have signed up with popular web applications including Twitter and LinkedIn. Due to the problem of creating separate and multiple user credentials combination of passwords and names, developers have turned to using this functionality from the mentioned applications. These applications provide authentication API’s that make it easier for the developer to rapidly integrate the functionality in their application . The authentication API also provides for extended feature sets and secure authentication and authorization for the developers application which all in all is beneficial to everyone. Twitter provides several variations of the authentication API for develo pers through the rest API version 1.1 Authentication using the Twitter API uses the OAuth authentication styles. The developer should choose the method of authentication. Twitter offers different flavours for authentication. These include the rest API for authentication, Search API for authentication and streaming API for authentication. Each of them has specific way of implementing Twitter’s OAuth authentication(Authentication and authorization,Twitter n.d). For the OAuth signed in option the developer must obtain OAuth access token

Why living in the city is better than living on a farm Essay

Why living in the city is better than living on a farm - Essay Example lot more exposure to a harsh and cruel outside world than the farm, which cushions a man and does not let him interact with the atrocities of the modern world. Nonetheless, both these areas have their own advantages and disadvantages as discussed further. A man that grows up living in the city can see all the lights around him; he is exposed to the tumultuous expression of emotions, is able to meet all kinds of different people, is able to cater to different surroundings which include an environment outside the zone of his comfort level, and is able to mould himself with respect to the people and society that he lives in. Growing up on a farm is very much different than the city and does not provide as much experience or challenge to a man. A country life helps a man grow in a very agrarian and slow manner which helps him grow accustomed to a more traditional and conventional way of living and thinking. Technology has surely taken a modern turn on farms nowadays as well, however, that does not stop people from not being exposed to a lot more culture in cities than they do on farms. Taking for example, a man growing up in a city like New York as compared to one growing up on the soft farms of Alabama; The city will be able to provide many more opportunities in terms of career and education prospects and will help the man understand himself and discover himself while being in the company of a lot more interesting people and cultures. People growing up in the city are also subject to many more people migrating and coming in from abroad and thus are able to have a more worldly perspective on life. Furthermore, they are able to access new forms of communication, information and technology and thus are able to gain a better perception of everything around them and are able to adapt to newer situations in a much better manner than people belonging to farm areas. In conclusion, growing up in a city is much better than growing up on a farm mostly because of the kind of

Opportunities to increase profit Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Opportunities to increase profit - Essay Example The business proposal contains the services and products offered by the hotel business to companies. It also includes the charges that accrue from the services and products rendered (Enz 2010). Currently, the business will primarily target the local organizations and companies and as it grows, it will consider opening up branches in other countries as food and beverages is an indispensable part of human beings as people have to eat for them to perform. Hotels are business of fast moving goods as food is made to be consumed the same day. The business offers delivery of food to the office premises on calls. It aims to get a contract so as to increase the returns. Selling products globally is a decision that will be made at a later date since the business in at the developing stage. Producing goods in the United States of America is very expensive. So the company as it grows will aim at buying the raw food from countries with low production cost hence low prices for the raw foods. For profits to be maximized, the business will need loyal companies that will be multiple and repeat customers to the business (Enz 2010). For the hotel business to acquire a competitive edge in the competitive business, the business needs to have knowledge on the potential companies. It should also know the credibility of the company to make sure it does not run into bad debts. Once the information is sought, the next step is approaching the company with the business proposal (Enz 2010). The marketing director should be an individual who can convince clients and seal the deal. Once the contract is signed, the business ought to hire qualified and experienced staff to process the orders from the client. The employees need to be well remunerated as treat them ethically. The cookers, warmers and equipments to be used will be modern technology so as to reduce

Distance Education Essay Example for Free

Distance Education Essay We normally take our studies in a structured establishment called classroom located a place called school. Every day, we wake up early, leave our homes, pay for transportation fees and finally reach to our second home, the classroom. As we welcome ourselves in Mindanao State University, we are lucky to meet different kinds of people from different kinds of places. People from Glan, Tacurong, Marbel and all over Mindanao are your schoolmates and classmates. You share experiences with them, telling stories about their place that makes you as if you were once there. But, what if there are some people who want to study but for some reasons, they cannot go to school, will they be able to study despite their situations they face? Our world is constantly changing and getting more complicated, that is why human beings formulated new innovations and techniques regarding their educational careers. Distance Learning or Distant education is a mode of delivering education and instruction, often on an individual basis, to students who are not physically present in a traditional setting such as a classroom. It is not a face to face interaction just like we do in schools. There is a quite large distance and time between the learner and the teacher. Typical students who enroll at Distant Education courses are people who are too busy in their careers that they have no time to spend in school. Celebrities like Anne Curtis are a student of Distant Education. Or you can be a student with physical disabilities that you find it hard to go to school. Or maybe the courses offered are available only in far places. There are many possible students of this kind of education. There are many modes of communication in distant learning. It can through the telephone, letter or the most common type, the internet where you can see each other and contact directly to one another. There are many instructional materials can be used. It can be an audio tool, video, a print, or a softcopy data. There are some advantages of this type of education. First, it’s potential. The opportunities for distance education have exploded along with increased use of the Internet. The original distance education programs used print materials, but the majority of current programs use online software and programs to replicate a classroom setting. Many degrees are available through distance programs, including high school, college and post-graduate diplomas. There are now distance education options for nearly every career choice, from nursing to accounting. It is also flexible. Distance education provides opportunities for people who may have trouble attending a traditional institution such as stay-at-home moms, people working full time or members of the military. Many online educational programs allow you to work at your own pace, so you can fit your education into your schedule. Also, the cost of distant education is cheaper. In many cases distance education can be considerably cheaper than attending a traditional college. Not only are the classes cheaper, but you can learn from the comfort of your own home and not have to pay for room and board or transportation. On the other hand, Distant Learning losses interaction with the other students is one of the advantages of it. Distant education is commonly one student in one teacher so only 2 of you are interacting with one another, or sometimes, communication is only one way where only the teacher is active in communicating. It is not easy to motivate if you are the only one or the only peer in the learning ground. It is also self-paced so it is less motivating. It is quite amazing that humans are able to deliberate this mode of learning. It sounded like cool to me in a sense that it involves or let’s say it is dependent of technology which is an asset when it comes to employment. It gives us an idea that education is truly for all for those who are willing to learn busy schedule or disabled, still allot their time and effort for studying. In part of the teachers, it will open new ways of learning and of course, employment and income will increase. This education will be in- demand especially to foreigners who want to speak in English and many more. When my professor once introduced distant education in the class, I was quite convinced to study in that way. If I learn the mechanics of Distant learning, I someday may become a teacher of distant education. I want to help students who are especially handicapped or something. It is a proof that education will be non-discriminating, and I hope this type of learning will continue to grow as they produce competent students.

Cartoon Saloon Organisational Structure

Cartoon Saloon Organisational Structure 1.a. History Cartoon Saloon is an animation studio, based in Kilkenny city, Ireland, formed in 1999 by three college friends Paul Young, Tomm Moore and Nora Twomey. They produce shorts, feature films and TV series that are very popular in Ireland and worldwide. Cartoon Saloon became internationally famous after their two Academy Awards, BAFTA and Oscar nominations for their feature films The Secret of Kells and Song of the Sea. Their award winning show Puffin Rock is currently being broadcast around the world: UK (NickJr), Ireland (RTE), Australia, Sweden, Iceland, Norway and Denmark, and has exclusively premiered on Netflix globally including the U.S. and Canada. Cartoon Saloon partner with a lot of international artists and companies to tell new unique stories on the screen. Recently they have joined forces with the Canadian company Mercury Filmworks to create a new full service animation studio that will be based in Kilkenny, Ireland and will create 140 new jobs in the region. Company type  Animation studio Industry  Media Entertainment Products  Animated feature films TV series Commercials Short films Illustration Design Size  around 70 permanent employees AddressThe Maltings, Tilbury Place, James Street, Kilkenny, Ireland. Webwww.cartoonsaloon.ie     Ã‚   Cartoon Saloon is a Private Sector Organisation. It has three officially registered companies under its name: The Cartoon Saloon LTD (set up in 2000, 4 shareholders), Cartoon Saloon Production LTD (set up in 2013) and Cartoon Saloon Brand Development LTD (set up in 2015). All are Private Limited Companies By Shares. 1.b. Description of 4 departments in Cartoon Saloon Companys department structure can be divided into two main sectors: PRODUCTION and MANAGEMENT. Management sector include all departments that support the work of the Production Department. Production Department Production department in the animation studio has the prevalent numbers of employees and is in charge of the whole process of creating visual products (films, series, commercials, illustrations etc.) and include: Pre-production, Production and Post-production processes. Pre-production is a stage when the team comes up with a concept and genre, develops a story, creates a storyboard and sketches layouts, chooses camera angles and prepares all pieces to start the Production process. Production itself include such activities as drawing, creating illustrations, texturing, colouring, shading, lighting, voice and music recording, sound effects etc. based on the guidelines established in the Pre-production stage. And the final Post-production step of film creation is when everything is being brought together: music and voice combined with the graphics, scenes being cut and the whole film being edited. Main functions of Production Department: Creating an idea for a future product Writing a script Drawing a storyboard Developing Layouts Voice and music recording Drawing/illustrating/colouring/shading/lighting Direction and coordination of all processes mentioned above Administration Department Administration department links all sectors in the organization together, maintain the smooth flow of information from one part to another and supports activity and processes happening in the office so the work to be fast, efficient and professional. Main functions of Administration Department: Reception duties Purchasing office supplies and machines, maintaining it in working order Storage control Dealing with incoming and outgoing correspondence Meetings organisation Record keeping, filing, processing data Business trips organisation Marketing department Marketing department in the company carries out essential market analysis and promotional support for the product. To get and stay on the top in such a variable sphere where its hard sometimes to predict people preferences and market flows, to come up with new and unique ideas that will meet and elicit the right public response, marketing team should be extremely sensitive to media trends and constantly study social media channels. Main functions of Marketing Department: Market research Media and PR Product licensing Promotion and Sales coordination Search for investors IT Department IT department is responsible for the technical support of the office. These are a lot of special software, cameras and workstation computers being used in the Production department of the animation studio that need specific knowledge from the IT team. Main functions of IT Department: Technical support and problem solutions Software research and development Network security Data storage management 1.c. Organisational chart and typical duties for 2 selected jobs Cartoons Saloons company structure consists of 5 main levels: Shareholders, Board of Directors, Managing Director, Departments and their Employees. *See the next page for Organisational Chart Picture. Among the large number of team members, there are following workers: CARTOONIST (PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT) a visual artist who specialises in drawing animation (cartoons). Knows how to operate special computer software, can work in many formats and basic duties include creation of: Animation Short films Booklets Graphic design Illustrations Posters Advertisements Motion pictures or computer animated films PR MEDIA MANAGER (MARKETING AND PR DEPARTMENT) is responsible for external communication activity of the company and duties include: Press communication activity Social media activity Building and maintaining the good image of the company Planning publicity campaigns Writing presentations and press releases Organising press conferences, exhibitions, open days and visits Speaking publicly at interviews, presentations and press conferences Media coverage analysis Relevant market research 2. Administration functions of an office and 3 pieces of equipment used to carry out these functions. Office of the studio is a big living organism that needs all processes inside to be synchronised, linked and maintained. To organise this and progress as a business administrative work is very important. Administration functions of an office include: Financial planning Record keeping, filing and billing Collection and storage of the data Personnel supervision Physical distribution and logistics Holidays calendar planning Storage control Purchase Supervision of support staff Office equipment maintenance Meeting the clients Phone calls and direct mail handling Dealing with complaints and solving problems Equipment that helps to do these duties: Computers modern computers allow employees to do much more tasks than before: to insert, edit and store the data, to plan and organise work using dairies and other helpful software, to faster communicate via e-mail, corporate chats etc., produce complicated documents, charts, presentations and so on. Smart phones gadgets that combine phone and computer functions, so worker can do most of the office tasks being away: check the calendar or e-mail, take photos at the factory and send them to the head office straight away, to take notes and see stock changes, simple videoconferencing etc. Copiers new machines allow you to copy, enlarge and scan the documents, along with the functions of a fax, network printer, can produce black or color copies. 3. Key aims and objectives of 3 pieces of workplace legislation. EQUALITY ACT 2004 This act regulates relationship between people in terms of prevention of discrimination by race, age, religion, gender and sexual orientation, marital and family status, disability or being a member of Traveller community at the work place. Replaced the version of year 1998. For example, this act forbids publishing job offers that specify particular gender and age. As well as person cant be refused on the job position only by reason being a member of the Traveller community or a certain church. PROTECTION OF EMPLOYMENT ACT 2012 (TEMPORARY AGENCY WORK) This act regulates equal treatment of temporary agency workers and directly hired personnel in organisations by working times and rest periods, night work, public holidays, annual leaves and wages. Though the right for equal salary came in action in the end of the 2011. For example, being hired by Cartoon Salloon temporary from the agency for a specific project going cant oblige you to work weekends or public holidays, or restrict you from having annual leave. NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE ACT 2000 Regulates National Minimum Wage level. Since January 2017 the National Minimum Wage is  ¬9.25 per hour for an experienced adult worker. The rate is lower if employee is under 18 or in the first two years of work straight after turning 18 years, also minimum level is lower for workers in a course of study or training. All employees, including part time, full time and temporary are covered by this act with the exception of close relatives of the employer and certain apprentices. Not following these legal acts is a criminal offence. Cartoon Saloon Company employs staff from all over the world and constantly hires people for different projects on the temporary basis. So knowing and following these acts is especially essential for the company. REFERENCES Cartoon Saloon Official Web Site http://www.cartoonsaloon.ie/ Company Summary http://www.solocheck.ie/Irish-Company/The-Cartoon-Saloon-Limited-318348 Article http://www.merrionstreet.ie/en/allaboutjobs/Features-Articles/How_they_did_it_Cartoon_Saloon.html Interview with CEO http://www.irishtimes.com/business/media-and-marketing/drawing-new-inspiration-at-cartoon-saloon-1.2347507 Interview with managing director http://www.merrionstreet.ie/en/allaboutjobs/Features-Articles/How_they_did_it_Cartoon_Saloon.html Interview with CS 2005 http://totallydublin.ie/arts-culture/festival-features/offset-2015-interview-cartoon-saloon/ Business article http://www.irishexaminer.com/business/profits-rise-at-oscar-nominated-cartoon-saloon-434495.html Minimum Wage Rates in Ireland-the Minimalist Guide to the National Minimum Wage Act, 2000 http://employmentrightsireland.com/tag/national-minimum-wage-act-2000/

Factors Determining Layout And Design

Factors Determining Layout And Design Facility layout and design is an important component of a businesss overall operations, both in terms of maximizing the effectiveness of the production process and meeting the needs of employees. The basic objective of layout is to ensure a smooth flow of work, material, and information through a system. The basic meaning of facility is the space in which a businesss activities take place. The layout and design of that space impact greatly how the work is done-the flow of work, materials, and information through the system. The key to good facility layout and design is the integration of the needs of people (personnel and customers), materials (raw, finishes, and in process), and machinery in such a way that they create a single, well-functioning system. FACTORS DETERMINING LAYOUT AND DESIGN Small business owners need to consider many operational factors when building or renovating a facility for maximum layout effectiveness. These criteria include the following: 1. Ease of future expansion or change-Facilities should be designed so that they can be easily expanded or adjusted to meet changing production needs. Although redesigning a facility is a major, expensive undertaking not to be done lightly, there is always the possibility that a redesign will be necessary, Therefore, any design should be flexible. Flexible manufacturing systems most often are highly automated facilities having intermediate-volume production of a variety of products. Their goal is to minimize changeover or setup times for producing the different products while still achieving close to assembly line (single-product) production rates. 2. Flow of movement- the facility design should reflect recognition of the importance of smooth process flow. In the case of factory facilities, the editors of How to Run a Small Business state that ideally, the plan will show the raw materials entering your plant at one end and the finished product emerging at the other. The flow need not be a straight line. Parallel flows, U-shaped patterns, or even a zigzag that ends up with the finished product back at the shipping and receiving bays can be functional. However, backtracking is to be avoided in whatever pattern is chosen. When parts and materials move against or across the overall flow, personnel and paperwork become confused. 3. Materials handling-Small business owners should make certain that the facility layout makes it possible to handle materials (products, equipment, containers, etc.) in an orderly, efficient-and preferably simple-manner. 4. Output needs- the facility should be laid out in a way that is conducive to helping the business meet its production needs. 1. Space utilization-This aspect of facility design includes everything from making sure that traffic lanes are wide enough to making certain that inventory storage warehouses or rooms utilize as much vertical space as possible. 2. Shipping and receiving-counseled small business owners to leave ample room for this aspect of operations. While space does tend to fill itself up, receiving and shipping rarely get enough space for the work to be done effectively, 3. Ease of communication and support-Facilities should be laid out so that communication within various areas of the business and interactions with vendors and customers can be done in an easy and effective manner. Similarly, support areas should be stationed in areas that help them to serve operating areas. 4. Impact on employee morale and job satisfaction-since countless studies have indicated that employee morale has a major impact on productivity, owners and managers to heed this factor when pondering facility design alternatives: Some ways layout design can increase morale are obvious, such as providing for light-colored walls, windows, space. Other ways are less obvious and not directly related to the production process. Some examples are including a cafeteria or even a gymnasium in the facility design. Again, though, there are costs to be traded off. That is, does the increase in morale due to a cafeteria increase productivity to the extent that the increased productivity covers the cost of building and staffing the cafeteria? 5. Promotional value-if the business commonly receives visitors in the form of customers, vendors, investors, etc., the small business owner may want to make sure that the facility layout is an attractive one that further burnishes the companys reputation. Design factors that can influence the degree of attractiveness of a facility include not only the design of the production area itself, but the impact that it has on, for instance, ease of fulfilling maintenance/cleaning tasks. 6. Safety-the facility layout should enable the business to effectively operate in accordance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidelines and other legal restrictions. Facility layout must be considered very carefully because we do not want to constantly redesign the facility, Some of the goals in designing the facility are to ensure a minimum amount of materials handling, to avoid bottlenecks, to minimize machine interference, to ensure high employee morale and safety, and to ensure flexibility. Essentially, there are two distinct types of layout. Product layout is synonymous with assembly line and is oriented toward the products that are being made. Process layout is oriented around the processes that are used to make the products. Generally, product layout is applicable for high-volume repetitive operations, while process layout is applicable for low-volume custom-made goods. AN IDEAL LAYOUT 1. Transport: Movement of materials is a waste. Minimize the amount of movement by arranging processes in close proximity to each other. Factory layouts can often be the fundamental cause of excess transportation. When appropriate, re-laying out the machines within a factory from a functional to a cellular layout has been found by many companies to help not just reduce transportation waste but also reduce WIP and waiting. Items being moved unnecessarily incur a cost. 2. Inventory: Many companies produce above what is required to fulfill the order, this may be due to quality problems along the production process or the often mistaken belief that is saves money by manufacturing larger quantities. Too little inventory can lose sales; too much inventory can hide problems. 3. Motion: Generally, this waste applies to production personnel having to move out of their work area to locate tools, materials, etc. Remove unnecessary motion of the operations and improve the ergonomics of the workplace. People moving unnecessarily also incur a cost. 4. Waiting: Minimize waiting time (operators waiting for machines or products waiting around in factories either as finished goods or work in progress) Aim for a smooth flow. 5. Overproduction: Always aim to make exactly what the customer orders, just in time, to the correct quality standard. On the shop floor, this generally occurs because changeover times are high, equipment is unreliable, the process is unreliable (causes defects), and standard cost accounting metrics are used. However, probably the biggest reason for overproduction is poor information flow (communication) between facilities. 6. Over Processing: Use machines which are of an appropriate capacity and capable of achieving the required quality standard. This usually refers to using larger scale equipment than necessary; it also refers to building in rework to a process. It can also refer to using the wrong suppliers and/or the wrong process. 7. Defects: Reducing the number of defects directly reduces the amount of waste. Aim for zero defects. The efficiency of production depends on how well the various machines; production facilities and employees amenities are located in a plant. Only the properly laid out plant can ensure the smooth and rapid movement of material, from the raw material stage to the end product stage. Plant layout encompasses new layout as well as improvement in the existing layout. It may be defined as a technique of locating machines, processes and plant services within the factory so as to achieve the right quantity and quality of output at the lowest possible cost of manufacturing. It involves a judicious arrangement of production facilities so that workflow is direct. Plant layout refers to the arrangement of physical facilities such as machinery, equipment, furniture etc. within the factory building in such a manner so as to have quickest flow of material at the lowest cost and with the least amount of handling in processing the product from the receipt of material to the shipment of the finished product. The overall objective of plant layout is to design a physical arrangement that most economically meets the required output quantity and quality., Plant layout ideally involves allocation of space and Arrangement of equipment in such a manner that overall operating costs are minimized. IMPORTANCE Plant layout is an important decision as it represents long-term commitment. An ideal plant layout should provide the optimum relationship among output, floor area and manufacturing process. It facilitates the production process, minimizes material handling, time and cost, and allows flexibility of operations, easy production flow, makes economic use of the building, promotes effective utilization of manpower, and provides for employees convenience, safety, comfort at work, maximum exposure to natural light and ventilation. It is also important because it affects the flow of material and processes, labour efficiency, supervision and control, use of space and expansion possibilities etc. ESSENTIALS REQUIREMENTS An efficient plant layout is one that can be instrumental in achieving the following objectives: a) Proper and efficient utilization of available floor space. b) To ensure that work proceeds from one point to another point without any delay. c) Provide enough production capacity. d) Reduce material handling costs. e) Reduce hazards to personnel. f) Utilize labour efficiently. g) Increase employee morale. h) Reduce accidents. i) Provide for volume and product flexibility. j) Provide ease of supervision and control. k) Provide for employee safety and health. l) Allow ease of maintenance. m) Allow high machine or equipment utilization. n) Improve productivity. FACTORS INFLUENCING LAYOUT While deciding his factory or unit or establishment or store, a small-scale businessman should keep the following factors in mind: a) Factory building: The nature and size of the building determines the floor space available for layout. While designing the special requirements, e.g. air conditioning, dust control, humidity control etc. must be kept in mind. b) Nature of product: product layout is suitable for uniform products whereas process layout is more appropriate for custom-made products. c) Production process: In assembly line industries, product layout is better. In job order or intermittent manufacturing on the other hand, process layout is desirable. d) Type of machinery: General purpose machines are often arranged as per process layout while special purpose machines are arranged according to product layout. e) Repairs and maintenance: machines should be so arranged that adequate space is available between them for movement of equipment and people required for repairing the machines. f) Human needs: Adequate arrangement should be made for cloakroom, washroom, lockers, drinking water, toilets and other employee facilities, proper provision should be made for disposal of effluents, if any. g) Plant environment: Heat, light, noise, ventilation and other aspects should be duly considered, e.g. paint shops and plating section should be located in another hall so that dangerous fumes can be removed through proper ventilation etc. Adequate safety arrangement should also be made. Thus, the layout should be conducive to health and safety of employees. It should ensure free and efficient flow of men and materials. Future expansion and diversification may also be considered while planning factory layout. DYNAMICS OF PLANT LAYOUT Plant layout is a dynamic rather than a static concept meaning thereby if once done it is not permanent in nature rather improvement or revision in the existing plant layout must be made by keeping a track with development of new machines or equipment, improvements in manufacturing process, changes in materials handling devices etc. But, any revision in layout must be made only when the savings resulting from revision exceed the costs involved in such revision. Revision in plant layout may become necessary on account of the following reasons: a) Increase in the output of the existing product b) Introduction of a new product and diversification c) Technological advancements in machinery, material, processes, product design, fuel etc. d) Deficiencies in the layout unnoticed by the layout engineer in the beginning. APPLICABILITY OF PLANT LAYOUT Plant layout is applicable to all types of industries or plants. Certain plants require special arrangements which, when incorporated make the layout look distinct form the types already discussed above. Applicability of plant layout in manufacturing and service industries is discussed below. In case of the manufacturing of detergent powder, a multi-story building is specially constructed to house the boiler. Materials are stored and poured into the boiler at different stages on different floors. Other facilities are also provided around the boiler at different stations. Another applicability of this layout is the manufacture of talcum powder. Here machinery is arranged vertically i.e. from top to bottom. Thus, material is poured into the first machine at the top and powder comes out at the bottom of the machinery located on the ground floor. Yet another applicability of this layout is the newspaper plant, where the time element is of supreme importance, the accomplishment being gapped in seconds. Here plant layout must be simple and direct so as to eliminate distance, delay and confusion. There must be a perfect coordination of all departments and machinery or equipment, as materials must never fail. Plant layout is also applicable to five star hotels as well. Here lodging, bar, restaurant, kitchen, stores, swimming pool, laundry, shaving saloons, shopping arcades, conference hall, parking areas etc. should all find an appropriate place in the layout. Here importance must be given to cleanliness, elegant appearance, convenience and compact looks, which attract customers. Similarly plant layout is applicable to a cinema hall, where emphasis is on comfort, and convenience of the cinemagoers. The projector, screen, sound box, firefighting equipment, ambience etc. should be of utmost importance. A plant layout applies besides the grouping of machinery, to an arrangement for other facilities as well. Such facilities include receiving and dispatching points, inspection facilities, employee facilities, storage etc. Generally, the receiving and the dispatching departments should be at either end of the plant. The storeroom should be located close to the production, receiving and dispatching centers in order to minimize handling costs. The inspection should be right next to other dispatch department as inspections are done finally, before dispatch. The maintenance department consisting of lighting, safety devices, fire protection, collection and disposal of garbage, scrap etc. should be located in a place which is easily accessible to all the other departments in the plant. The other employee facilities like toilet facilities, drinking water facilities, first aid room, cafeteria etc. This can be a little away from other departments but should be within easy reach of the employees. Hence, there are the other industries or plants to which plant layout is applicable. The importance of a layout would be better appreciated if one understands the influence of an efficient layout on the manufacturing function: it makes it smooth and efficient. Operating efficiencies, such as economies in the cost of handling materials, minimization of production delays and avoidance of bottlenecks all these depend on a proper layout. An ideally laid out plant reduces manufacturing costs through reduced materials handling, reduced personnel and equipment requirements and reduced process inventory. The objectives or advantages of an ideal layout are outlined in the paragraphs that follow. The advantages are common to all the plants, irrespective of age; and whether a plant employs 50 workers or 50,000 makes no difference in so far as the applicability of the plant layout advantages is concerned. Some of these advantages are: Economies in Handling Nearly 30% to 40% of the manufacturing cost is accounted for, by materials handling. Every effort should, therefore, be made to cut down on this cost. Long distance movements should be avoided and specific handling operations must be eliminated. A cynic may say that the cheapest way to handle materials is not to handle them at all. But, in a factory, materials have to be handled; and therefore, it all depends on the layout. Effective Use of Available Area Every inch of the plant area is valuable, especially in urban areas. Efforts should therefore be made to make use of the available area by planning the layout properly. Some steps for achieving this end are: location of equipment and services in order that they may perform multiple functions; development of up-to-date work areas and operator job assignments for a full utilization of the labor force. Minimization of Production Delays Repeat orders and new customers will be the result of prompt execution of orders. Every management should try to keep to the delivery schedules. Often, the deadline dates for delivery of production orders are a bug-a-boo to the management. Plant layout is a significant factor in the timely execution of orders. An ideal layout eliminates such causes of delays as shortage of space, long-distance movements of materials, spoiled work and thus contributes to the speedy execution of orders. Improved Quality Control Timely execution of orders will be meaningful when the quality of the output is not below expectations. To ensure quality, inspection should be conducted at different stages of manufacture. An ideal layout provides for inspection to ensure better quality control. Minimum Equipment Investment Investment on equipment can be minimized by planned machine balance and location, minimum handling distances, by the installation of general purpose machines and by planned machine loading. A good plant layout provides all these advantages. Avoidance of Bottlenecks Bottlenecks refer to any place in a production process where materials tend to pile up or are produced at a speed, less rapid than the previous or subsequent operations. Bottlenecks are caused by inadequate machine capacity, inadequate storage space or low speed on part of the operators. The results of bottlenecks are delays in productions schedules, congestion, accidents and wastage of floor area. All these may be overcome with an efficient layout. Better Production Control Production Control is concerned with the production of the product of the right type, at the right time and at a reasonable cost. A good plant layout is a requisite for good production control and provides the production control officers with a systematic basis upon which to build organization and procedures. Better Supervision A good plant layout ensures better supervision in two ways: 1. Determining the number of workers to be handled by a supervisor and 2. Enabling the supervisor to get a full view of the entire plant at one glance. A good plant layout is, therefore, the first step to good supervision. Improved Utilization of Labor Labor is paid for every hour it spends in the factory. The efficiency of a management lies in utilizing the time for productive purpose. A good plant layout is one of the factors in effective utilization of labor. It makes possible individual operations, the process and flow of materials handling in such a way that the time of each worker is effectively spent on productive operations. Improved Employee Morale Employee morale is achieved when workers are cheerful and confident. This state of mental condition is vital to the success of any organization. Morale depends on: (a) Better working condition; (b) Better employee facilities; (c) Reduced number of accidents; (d) Increased earnings. Plant layout has a bearing on all these. Avoidance of unnecessary and costly changes. A planned layout avoids frequent changes which are difficult and costly. The incorporation of flexibility elements in the layout would help in the avoidance of revisions.

Movie Rating :: essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Going to the movies is a favorite past-time event of American lives. A long time ago, however, there wasn’t any rating system. Making one seemed like a good idea at the time. Today, the system is still the same way and doesn’t fit today’s changed time. Therefore, the movie rating system should be revised because the current rating system is outdated.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Today’s kids are growing up faster and maturing at a faster rate than ever before. Twenty years ago it would be impossible to show breasts in a PG-13 movie. Today, kids are being taught the fasts of life younger than anyone could of imagined. This is all due to older brothers, the Internet and schools teaching kids about sex at the age of twelve. If everything else is changing except the rating’s no one is going to obey the law.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are a total of four ratings that they show at most cinemas: G, PG, PG-13, and R. One would think that with so many different types of movies, there would be more ratings. Movies today have a very complex storyline and don’t want to give away any of the movie in the commercial. If there were more ratings you can tell what kind of movie it is and what is shown in the movie. For Example, the movie A.I. (directed by Stephen Speilberg) would be D_L-SC. This is because the movie is a drama, has language and has sexual content. If you saw that in a commercial rather than PG-13, you would have a better idea on if you wanted to see this movie or not.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Next, if this kind of rating took place then it could become universal and more socially excepted than every country with it’s own system for rating. Imagine, you can go to other countries (Europe perhaps) and watch movies made in English there. This might send some sort of bond between countries in rivalry. If the rating system is more universal then DVD players won’t need to have region block outs. This would enable people to buy a regular DVD player and watch movies from other countries. Plus, this would save the manufacturer money by not having to put more money into a region block out chip. This would also help out people buying DVD players by having them become cheaper. If we could watch movies from other countries, that would encourage us to expand our horizon on movies from other countries. Movie Rating :: essays research papers   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Going to the movies is a favorite past-time event of American lives. A long time ago, however, there wasn’t any rating system. Making one seemed like a good idea at the time. Today, the system is still the same way and doesn’t fit today’s changed time. Therefore, the movie rating system should be revised because the current rating system is outdated.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Today’s kids are growing up faster and maturing at a faster rate than ever before. Twenty years ago it would be impossible to show breasts in a PG-13 movie. Today, kids are being taught the fasts of life younger than anyone could of imagined. This is all due to older brothers, the Internet and schools teaching kids about sex at the age of twelve. If everything else is changing except the rating’s no one is going to obey the law.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are a total of four ratings that they show at most cinemas: G, PG, PG-13, and R. One would think that with so many different types of movies, there would be more ratings. Movies today have a very complex storyline and don’t want to give away any of the movie in the commercial. If there were more ratings you can tell what kind of movie it is and what is shown in the movie. For Example, the movie A.I. (directed by Stephen Speilberg) would be D_L-SC. This is because the movie is a drama, has language and has sexual content. If you saw that in a commercial rather than PG-13, you would have a better idea on if you wanted to see this movie or not.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Next, if this kind of rating took place then it could become universal and more socially excepted than every country with it’s own system for rating. Imagine, you can go to other countries (Europe perhaps) and watch movies made in English there. This might send some sort of bond between countries in rivalry. If the rating system is more universal then DVD players won’t need to have region block outs. This would enable people to buy a regular DVD player and watch movies from other countries. Plus, this would save the manufacturer money by not having to put more money into a region block out chip. This would also help out people buying DVD players by having them become cheaper. If we could watch movies from other countries, that would encourage us to expand our horizon on movies from other countries.

Trickery and Deception in Much Ado about Nothing :: essays research papers

Incomplete An exploration of Shakespeare’s presentation of trickery and deception in his play ‘Much Ado about Nothing.’ In William Shakespeare’s play ‘Much Ado about Nothing’, there are many instances of trickery and deception, which seem to surround the whole of the play. These instances are as follows: Don Pedro wooing hero for Claudio, Don Pedro wooing hero for himself, Claudio pretending to be Benedick to find out information from Don John and Borachio, Don John and Borachio both know that Claudio is not Benedick but trick Claudio into thinking that they believe that Claudio is in fact Benedick, Benedick pretending to be somebody else whilst talking to Beatrice, Beatrice pretending to believe that she is in fact talking to Benedick, Beatrice having romantic feelings for Benedick, Benedick having romantic feelings for Beatrice, Beatrice not having romantic feelings for Benedick, Benedick not having romantic feelings for Beatrice, Hero is unfaithful with Borachio, Hero is dead, and Antonio having another daughter. Don John plays an essential role for nearly all of the trickery and deception in this play. He acts like a catalyst and an instigator for trouble, whose sole aim is to marmalize the love and happiness between Claudio and Hero. Shakespeare uses foreshadowing of Don John’s villainy to display the trickery and deception: ’It better fits my blood to be distained of all than to fashion a carriage to rob love from any, in this, though I cannot be said to be a flattering honest man, it must not be denied but I am a plain-dealing villain. I am trusted with a muzzle and enfranchized with a clog: therefore I have decreed not to sing in my cage. If I had my mouth, I would bite, if I had my liberty, I would do my liking. In the meantime, let me be that I am, and seek not to alter me.’ - Don John. o (Act I, Scene III: Lines: 22-30). The first instance of trickery and deception is when Don Pedro tells Claudio that he will woo Hero for Claudio to marry her in Act I Scene I. Tricking her to believe that Don Pedro himself has feelings for Hero: ‘I will assume thy part in disguise, and tell fair Hero that I am Claudio, and in her bosom I’ll unclasp my heart, and take her hearing prisoner with the force and strong encounter of my amorous tale. Then after, to her father will I break: and the conclusion is, she shall be thine.’ - Don Pedro. o (Act I, Scene I: Lines 276 - 282). It is reported to Don John by Borachio that â€Å"†¦The Prince should woo Hero for himself, and having obtained her, give her to Count Claudio.

Utilizing Leadership and Communication in Management

Communication and effective leadership are widely considered to be the major challenges facing managers in the 20th century in their respective workplace. It is crucial in any management scenario for an effective leader to be a fluent, competent and expert communicator. In essence, this can be applied to all leadership scenarios whether it is organisational, recreational or even military based. If not utilised properly, the situation of a manager who is lacking key communication qualities can easily lead to the downfall of the organisation.It therefore gives credence to the idea that a successful organisation is one who utilises the methods of upright leadership and effective communication in their internal and external management. The process of communication is defined as â€Å"an interpersonal process of sending and receiving symbols with messages attached to them† (Schermerhorn 2011, p. 457). This in a practical sense is the ability to convey a person’s verbal or no n-verbal messages to achieve an understanding of what they require (Brown & Cliquet 2008).This can be in the form of verbal conversation stating tasks that a person is required to do or in the non-verbal form which is usually in the system of body language to emphasise certain verbal directions. In terms of a business organisation, the manager must be effective in their communication otherwise their directions will be lost to either the employee, stakeholders or even the customers (Schermerhorn, 2011). This would lead to the fact that manager’s passing of information is only successful when they are actively telling the employee in regards to a task that they have to undertake.This can be in the form of active listening sessions or improving the means of communication. This can be through improving communication techniques in technology or closing barriers which are hindering effective communication (Schermerhorn 2011 p. 460 – 467). This theory must be applied to many businesses and organisations around the world because without the necessary effective communication, information cannot be passed on therefore leading to a stagnation of possibly crucial material (Bratton et. l, 2007). Senior Professor at the University of Auckland Peter Boxall suggests that in regards to communication with human resources across transnational corporations that: â€Å"[Communication] is the attempt to build ‘constructive’ relationships with trade unions†¦broad ranging discussion are held with extensive information provided to the unions on a whole range of discussions. Emphasis is also placed on techniques designed to enhance individual employee commitment to the firm† (Boxall, 1995 p. 6-57). This quote suggests that to maintain a successful relationship between transnational trade unions, you must have apt communication from the executives to the workers otherwise the flow of material will become stagnant and the information will not be pas sed (Boxall, 1995). An example poor communication can be attributed to Michelle Smeby’s case study of a fortune 100 company named Holistic Change Ltd.They had neglected to tell the stakeholders of potential changes in the information technology section of the workplace which would vastly improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the workplace (Schermerhorn 2011), (Smeby 2011). Holistic Change Ltd. could have handled the situation better if they had planned the change; including informing the stakeholders so they could make a formative assessment on whether it would be beneficial to the company (Smeby 2011).It proved to be a hindrance to the company which led to a reduction to their share price. This was due to the shareholders not possessing a full access of all the information that the company was retaining leading to an uncertainty of future projections and profits (Smeby 2011). Many businesses fail to implement effective communication techniques due to the fact that the training initiatives and education could become very expensive and is usually regarded an unimportant part of the daily management of a company (Bratton, 2007).This does not just apply from the managers to the employees of an organisation, but it also applies with the organisations communication skills with the customer (Peterson, 2006 p. 36). It is stating that it is necessary in an organisation without proper communication with the customers, it will unable to either sell its goods or services. The ‘Business Source Complete’ journal article reflections are identical to the statements regarding the importance of effective communication with customer by suggesting that in the approach of seeking ew customers, the organisation has to undertake four key tactics. These include media relations, speaking opportunities, media partnerships and special events (Weber & Chadwick, 2004). Because the organisation is actively seeking out ways to express their company through methods of communication, it will most likely succeed in the objective of gaining new customers to improve revenue (Business Source Complete, 2004). This therefore gives credence to the fact that effective communication is necessary in the success of an organisation.In response to effective communication with to employees, it is crucial to apply with the effective and efficient communication skills which are stated by Schermerhorn as â€Å"the intended meaning of the source and the perceived meaning of the receiver are identical [which] occurs at minimum cost† (Schermerhorn 2011, p. 458). This therefore leads on to suggest that effective communication is derived from profound leadership due to the fact that if someone in a position of power can effectively delegate tasks they must be able to motivate, leading and be able to reduce the barriers of effective communication.Leadership is defined by Schermerhorn (2011) as the process of arousing enthusiasm and directing efforts towards o rganisational goals. Therefore, without proper communication skills, a manager will not be able to convey their instructions and therefore, makes the development of a leader stagnant. Claire Oldfield states her journal article that â€Å"[Leadership] unites people, develops opportunities and, crucially in these difficult times, ensures survival† (Oldfield C 2008, p. 69).This suggests that it is not only a way of future monetary successes, but a way to ensure that the organisation will survive during turbulent financial times (Oldfield 2008). Chadwick (2006) in ‘Leadership in Business Development’ states that â€Å"Successful business development leaders have a passion for their mission, and it generally shows in almost everything they do. By their positive attitude, intellectual quickness and exemplary work ethic, they inspire and lead the folks around them† (Chadwick 2006, p. 1) This shows that a leader must show some inspiration to the team in order for them to perform the tasks well.If the leader is able to communicate their vision in such a way that the employee’s will commit their resources into achieving an idealic solution for the manager, this will result in effective and efficient leadership (Schermerhorn 2011, p. 340). It also suggests that a leader must have the mental capacity to be able to inspire through motivation due to the fact that they are striving for the same result as the employee. Gage (2008) states in his journal article that the necessary leadership is one which strives on the use of reward and legitimate power (Gage 2008, p. ) (Schermerhorn 2011, p. 341). Schermerhorn (2011) defines reward power as â€Å"the capacity to offer something of value as a way of influencing them†. This is a practical sense is the ability to make an employee work to the managers standards by the use of offering an incentive (Schermerhorn 2011). This can be in the form of offering them an award or a salary bonus. Scher merhorn (2011) defines the use of legitimate power as the â€Å"capacity to influence other people by virtue of formal authority, or rights of office† (Schermerhorn 2011, p. 341).If the manager was able to exert his power by utilising these methods, there is no doubt that the workers of the organisation will work more effectively and efficiently because of the incentive which is offered for their services. There is evidence to suggest that leadership is helpful in any management scenario, but Peter Boxall states that â€Å"It takes strong executive leadership to bring about positive patterns of employment relations. In the end, it is the senior leadership of companies that should be responsible for the quality of employment relations† (Boxall 1995 p. 303).This quote by management professor Peter Boxall gives credence to the fact that it is necessary that without proper leadership, there will be no guidance for the rest of the team concluding to an inability to perform the tasks which are needed (Boxall 1995, p. 303). This will only hinder the process of management and can possibly lead to the termination of the organisation (Schermerhorn, 2011). In conclusion, communication and effective leadership considered to be the major challenges facing managers in the 20thcentury. It is crucial in any management scenario for an effective leader to be a fluent, competent and expert communicator.In essence, this can be applied to all leadership scenarios, but if not utilised properly can easily lead to the downfall of the organisation. A manager needs to also be a motivator through their leadership and communication skills because this is proven to the most effective way of getting the most efficient results from the employees. It therefore gives credence to the idea that a successful organisation is one who utilises the ideas of leadership and communication in their internal and external management effectively. Reference ListBoxall, P 1997, ‘The Chall enge of Human Resource Management’, Longman Paul Ltd. , Auckland, NZ Bratton, J & Gold, J 2007, ‘Human Resource Management Theory and Practice’, Palgrave Macmillanm New York, NY Brown, R & Cliquet F 2008, ‘Communication of Business Process Models’, BP Trends, Vol. 10, No. 9, accessed 3 October 2011, Business Source Complete Chadwick, S 2006, ‘Leadership in Business Development’, Printing Impressions, Vol. 49, No. 5, p. 114-115, accessed 3 October 2011, Business Source Complete Oldfield, C 2008, ‘Leadership’, Director. co. uk, Vol. 62, No. 4, p. 9, accessed 3 October 2011, Business Source Complete Peterson, K 2004, ‘Effective Communication promotes Business’, Kitchen and Bath Design News, Vol. 16, No. 12, accessed 3 October, Business Source Complete Ritchie, M 2008, ‘Leadership for Business’, Manitoba Business, Vol. 30, No. 1, p. 5, accessed 3 October 2011, Business Source Complete Schermerhorn et. a l 2011, ‘Management’, John Wiley & Sons, Milton, QLD Weber & Chadwick Hong Kong 2004, ‘Product & Promotion – Marketing Communications: Business’, Media, Vol. 62, No. 21, accessed 3 October, Business Source Complete