The Tragic Irony of Fahrenheit 451 :: Fahrenheit 451 Essays

The Tragic Irony of Fahrenheit 451   Happiness is important. Fun is everything. And yet I kept sitting on that point saying to myself, Im not happy, Im not happy. (70).   Fahrenheit 451 is one of the most famous of Ray Bradburys novels. Origin every last(predicate)y published in 1953, it portrays a futuristic world in the midst of a nuclear war. The totalitarian government of this future forbids its people to read books or take part in any activity which promotes man-to-man thought. The law against reading books is presumably fairly new, and the task of destroying the books falls to the firemen. One of these firemen is Guy Montag, the main character of the book. Montag and his crew raid homes, burning any books they find out before a crowd of onlookers. Regardless of this, happiness is of central importance in this future world. Unfortunately, Montag is unhappy with his life for most of the book. Montags unhappiness is ironic until his self-awareness turns it tragic. &n bsp The exemplification of this future man is to be happy. That is all that is wanted. This idea can be exemplified by the following quotes Happiness is important. Fun is everything (70). What do we want in this country, above all? People want to be happy, isnt that right? Havent you heard about it all your life? I want to be happy, people say. Well, arent they? Dont we keep them moving, dont we give them childs play? Thats all we live for, isnt it? For pleasure, for titillation? (65).   We have mobilized a million men. Quick victory is ours if the war comes . . . . Ten million men mobilized, but say one million. Its happier. (91). As you can see, the people of this world only want to be happy. They dont care about anything else, such as politics or the economy. They only want to be happy. At the beginning of the book, Montag appears happy. He is seen burning a house and is thoroughly enjoying himself. At one point, he thinks, It was a pleasure to burn (19). A short(p) l ater, he thinks he would feel the fiery smile still gripped by his face muscles, in the dark (19). It seems now that he is completely happy with his life. subsequently the house is burned, Montag begins to walk home and is met by a young girl named Clarisse McClellan.

Cultural Relativism Essay -- Gender Roles, Female Genital Circumcision

In February 2007, the fourth annual conference of Zero Tolerance Against Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting was held. Their meeting brought together scholars and lay throng alike, all whose main concern was the issue of Female Genital Cutting (FGC). However, this conference was unlike others in that the focus of discussion wasnt how to eliminate this practice, save rather, whether it should be eliminated at all (Goldberg 121). When Fuambai Ahmadu, a Ph.D. fellow and first generation American from Sierra Le angiotensin-converting enzyme, took the floor, everyone listened. Ahmadu was raised in America and as an adult, traveled congest to Sierra Leone to take part in the ritual of Female Genital Cutting. She chose to participate in this initiation and what she feels is an important part of her social identity. While she defended her choice, and her stain on FGC, many were outraged. They couldnt understand how an African woman could defend this mutilation. Ahmadu responded I may be di fferent from you and I am excised, but I am not mutilated. on the button like I will not accept anybody calling me by the N word to define my racial identity, I will not have anybody call me by the M word to define my social identity, my gender identity (Goldberg 123).The subject of Female Genital Circumcision is one that has been hotly debated for decades. Those who oppose the practice cite its potential long-lasting consequences. They state numerous physical, emotional and sexual side-effects. Possibilities range from infection to, sepsis, infertility and death. Author Benita Shell-Duncan explains in an article on FGC that, in 1959 The United Nations adopted The Declaration of the Rights of the Child which states that each child shall be given the opportunity to develop phy... ...ry 100 circumcised males in the world there are 21 circumcised females. Routine circumcision is unethical to say the least, whether its a girl, an older boy, or a baby. So before we all huff in horror at what is going on overseas maybe we should look at what we are doing right here in our own state of matter (Squires, par. 16).It is easy to condemn a practice that we do not understand. After closer analytical examination, one can see that there is no battle between the practice of female genital cutting and the practice of male circumcision. It is completely unfair and ethnocentric of the West to deem FGC inhumane, while Male circumcision runs rampant. Just because we are a developed, first-world nation with the ability to perform the procedure in state of the art hospitals, does not make it any less traumatizing. A move up by any other name is still a rose (Hammond).

The Mysterious Vanishing Frogs of North America Essay -- Environment E

The Mysterious Vanishing Frogs of North America I have a passion for all things slimy, wet, and creepy-crawly. Some of the best quantify of my life have been spent on my knees, digging in the dirt for earthworms, traipsing back from ponds with buckets of putrid swamp water teeming with tadpoles, or chasing fat smallish toads in knee-high grass. I love the turn outdoors and all of the ugly animals that inhabit it. I like to catch them, watch them, and especially photograph them. For the interminable time, lizards have been the main focus of my photographic endeavors, but last summer, inspired by a book on frogs from the local library, I set out to document the lives of these often overlooked amphibians. I live in southern Florida near the Everglades, and I remember catching, mating, and raising dozens of frogs as a kid, so I didnt expect to have to lug my tripod and lenses very far to come upon a suitable subject. But much to my dismay, I didnt find a single frog in an entire afternoon of searching. In fact, in the year and half since my initial search, Ive seen only four frogs.I immediately assumed that pollution had decimated the populations of my favorite amphibian. I have no hard evidence, but I believe that this is a common belief overlap by many fellow repose naturalists. This makes scientific sense frogs spend most of their lives in water, have thin, easily permeable skin during all stages of their lives, and lay their gelatinous eggs in water. Pesticides and other pollutants accumulate in water, where they can easily diffuse into the thin skin of frogs. It all seems utterly logical.The catch is, this perfectly logical and widely believed answer is probably false. While there are never any absolutes in ecology, there is a l... ...y/froglog/FROGLOG-24-4.html Explanation for Naturally Occurring unnecessary Limbs in AmphibiansStanley K. Sessions and Stephen B. Ruth The Journal of Experimental Zoology 25438-47 (1990).http//www.hartwick.edu/biolog y/def_frogs/trem/Sessions&Ruth.html Sessions research groups web pagehttp//www.hartwick.edu/biology/def_frogs/Introduction/Introduction.html Morphological Clues from Multilegged Frogs atomic number 18 Retinoids to Blame? Stanley K. Sessions, R. Adam Franssen, and Vanessa L. Horner Science 1999 April 30 284 800-802. (in Reports)http//www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/284/5415/800 University of Wisconsin BioLabhttp//bioweb.uwlax.edu/zoolab/Table_of_Contents/Lab-4a/Trematode_Life-Cycle/trematode_life-cycle.htm Stanley K. Sessions Science 1998 January 23 279 459 (in Letters)

Identity in a Color-Conscious Society in Invisible Man Essay -- Invisi

Identity in a Color-Conscious Society in Invisible Man Critics generally agree that Ralph Ellisons awarding winning novel, Invisible Man, is a work of genius, broad in its appeal and universal in its meaning. Its various themes have been stated as the geography of cuckoos nest . . . the real brotherhood of man (Morris 5), the emergence of Negro personality from the fixed boundaries of southern life (Bone 46), and the search for human and national personal identity (Major 17). Rich in symbolism and cleverly interwoven, Invisible Mans linear plot structure, told from the first-person, limited point of view, and framed by the Everyman protagonist from his subterranean home, follows the narrator in his search for identity in a color-conscious society whose constricting social and cultural bigotry produces an accelerated pattern of violence and oppression which attempts to efface the narrator of his individuality, thus appointment him an invisible non-identity within America. The u nderlying force in Invisible Man is the atmosphere of America that begins in the early 1900s of the segregated deep south, and ends in the Norths predominately nigrify neighborhood of Harlem during the 1930s. As critic Marcus Klein states, Everything in the novel has clarified this point that the bizarre accident that has led the Invisible Man to take up residence in an abandoned coal cellar is no accident at all, that the underworld is his inevitable home, that given the social facts of America, both invisibility and what he calls his hibernation are his invariable condition (109). Ellisons protagonist, the effaced narrator, is a young African-American male from the segregated deep south, who b... ...iction New Studies in the Afro-American Novel since 1945. Ed. A. Robert Lee. London Vision Press, 1980. 54-73. Klein, Marcus. Ralph Ellison. After monomania American Novels in Mid-Century. Cleveland World Pub., 1964. 71-146. Langman, F.H. Reconsidering Invisible Man. The Critical brushup. 18 (1976) 114-27. Lieber, Todd M. Ralph Ellison and the Metaphor of Invisibility in Black Literary Tradition. American Quarterly. Mar. 1972 86-100. Major, Clarence. American Poetry Review. Nov/Dec. (1973) 17. Margolies, Edward. narration as Blues Ralph Ellisons Invisible Man Native Sons A Critical Study of Twentieth-Century Negro American Authors. Philadelphia J.B. Lippincott Co., 1968. 127-48. Morris, Wright. The World Below. The New York Times Book Review 13 Apr.1952 5.

Organizational Behavior Essay -- essays research papers

organisational Behavior A Case of Effective ManagementOrganizational structure is the formal system of task and reporting relationships that controls, coordinates, and motivates employees so that they cooperate and work together to achieve the organizations goals. (George et al, 2002). The importance of structure guttert be stressed enough. Having an organizational structure ensures that each member of the organization has the correct goals of their particular department set. A good structure testament give populate the motivation needed to achieve those goals, and enhance their performance.As discussed in our text, in order to encourage work, cooperation, and the drive needed from employees, an organization should shake some sort of organizational structure. Whether a functional structure, a divisional structure, a network structure, or even a matrix structure, every deal must have one type to achieve the directives set forth by their mission statement.A strong structure essen tially changes the way people work, and the results of their work ethics will produce quality work. If we look at the Aberdeen plant, we see what I believe to be, a functional structure. This structure, that Lancaster as developed, has proven to be quite a success. Each employee is a member of a group, and each group has a leader that has been chosen by the team members. If we try to locate Aberdeen in an organizational chart, it will look something like this Then, from the team leaders, come the members of each group, and information is shared between everyone within the hierarchy. This is what forms the trust needed, and helps coordinate people, and encourages motivation. At jet River, this type of structure can be implemented, but not without doing away with the coupler. The union, in essence, has its own hierarchy within the union itself. Here, at Green river, I can see more of a divisional structure with a concentration on the product structure, or quite possibly a market st ructure. Green River is part of Alkali Chemicals, which is a division of FMC that supplied to many different areas of the market. Its goal was to produce sodium-based chemicals to the detergent industry, the glass industry, and large commercial chemical plants (Clawson et al, 2003).This type of structure does not allow for much group interactivity as a formal structure ... ...in the organizational goals. Having done this, the organization can prepare a strong culture, and increase the performance of its employees. At Green River, the culture is built on an interactive management style from Dailey. He has built lofty levels of trust with his employees, and he is always willing to share information with them. This type of culture has proven to be successful in his plant. If he wants to improve the culture, hence maybe he can try to do as Aberdeen and have employee picnics and such, and having them bring their families. Or, Dailey can incorporate a new code of ethics. Make the uni on members responsible for their own actions, and promote the fact that he will always be there to offer support if anyone has problems to deal with, professionally or personally. upgrade the company as being a family unit. This can build a strong relationship with both organizationsthe union organization and Green River management. ReferencesClawson, J. (2003). Custom vexation resources. Custom ed. Prentice Hall.George, Jennifer M., & Jones, Gareth R. (). Organizational behavior. 3rd ed. Upper Saddle River, New Prentice Hall.

Organizational Behavior Essay -- essays research papers

Organizational Behavior A Case of Effective ManagementOrganizational structure is the glob system of task and reporting relationships that controls, coordinates, and motivates employees so that they cooperate and work together to achieve the organizations goals. (George et al, 2002). The importance of structure puket be stressed enough. Having an organizational structure ensures that each member of the organization has the correct goals of their particular department set. A good structure will give population the motivation needed to achieve those goals, and enhance their performance.As discussed in our text, in order to encourage work, cooperation, and the drive needed from employees, an organization should attain some conformation of organizational structure. Whether a functional structure, a divisional structure, a network structure, or even a matrix structure, every corporation must have one attribute to achieve the directives set forth by their mission statement.A unwa vering structure essentially changes the way people work, and the results of their work morals will produce quality work. If we look at the Aberdeen plant, we see what I believe to be, a functional structure. This structure, that Lancaster as developed, has proven to be quite a success. Each employee is a member of a group, and each group has a leader that has been chosen by the team members. If we try to put Aberdeen in an organizational chart, it will look something like this Then, from the team leaders, come the members of each group, and information is shared between everyone within the hierarchy. This is what forms the trust needed, and helps coordinate people, and encourages motivation. At third estate River, this type of structure can be implemented, but not without doing away with the union. The union, in essence, has its profess hierarchy within the union itself. Here, at Green river, I can see more of a divisional structure with a concentration on the product structure, or quite possibly a market structure. Green River is part of Alkali Chemicals, which is a division of FMC that supplied to many different areas of the market. Its goal was to produce sodium-based chemicals to the detergent industry, the glass industry, and large commercial chemical plants (Clawson et al, 2003).This type of structure does not allow for much group interactivity as a formal structure ... ...in the organizational goals. Having done this, the organization can build a strong culture, and increase the performance of its employees. At Green River, the culture is built on an interactive management style from Dailey. He has built high levels of trust with his employees, and he is always willing to share information with them. This type of culture has proven to be successful in his plant. If he wants to improve the culture, then maybe he can try to do as Aberdeen and have employee picnics and such, and having them bring their families. Or, Dailey can incorporate a new code o f ethics. Make the union members responsible for their own actions, and promote the fact that he will always be there to offer support if anyone has problems to deal with, professionally or personally. Promote the company as being a family unit. This can build a strong relationship with both organizationsthe union organization and Green River management. ReferencesClawson, J. (2003). Custom business resources. Custom ed. apprentice Hall.George, Jennifer M., & Jones, Gareth R. (). Organizational behavior. 3rd ed. Upper Saddle River, New Prentice Hall.

Destination Marketing Report Essay

When selling a finis image is everything. A culture is all ab expose image. If pot female genitals crack the motivation for a place as a destination they would make fortune. This answer will firstly discuss the image of what on the button a destination is. Perceived images such as those seen on a picture perfect postcard can generate money. Both urban and hoidenish tourism try to recreate this and sell the destination as a output. This will be analysed secondly.Middleton (2001) defines a destination as the focus for a pass of activities and a range of facilities required to support those activities. In other words the facilities in an area that act as pull factors to the tourist to attract them into the area. at that place are five main components to what destination is. The five components Middleton refers to are attractions and environment, destination facilities and services, accessibility of the destination and the price of the destination. Any person who comes into the destination whether it is for a mean solar day visit or overnight stay can be impacted by any of these components. Gibson and Neilson (2000) refer to assessing price based on the functional, quality, operational, financial and face-to-face benefits. If a place is a certain price the tourist may view the destination as high status.The components that make up a destination can also act as the motivators for the destination. Natural attractions such as the sea and mountains which make up a destination can act as a physical motivator for the destination. The facilities and services which make up a destination can sell the destination as a cultural drive such as the restaurants and bars.Middleton (2001) refers that it is important to note that a destination isnot totally restricted to travel for leisure or pleasure. Other reasons include social reasons such as to be with friends and family or to escape, business reasons, conferences or union meetings and spiritual reasons.It can be n oted that due to globalisation, distance is shorted and the world has shrunk therefrom many destinations will all postulate the same assets and components this has led to the development of destinations as products.A destination as a product is trying to expression the tourist gaze otherwise the tourist may look the other way. Selling a destination as a product requires strong selling strategies to be in place. However Middleton (2001) contradicts this statement when he suggests that not all visits to a destination are influenced by marketing activities. An example is population locomotion by car privately to meet family and friends.Selling a destination as a product can give a place a competitive advantage. To do this Javalgi, Thomas & Rao (1992) suggest that it is important to market a destination based on how people will perceive the destination. As motorway (2005) refers to a place name by itself is not sufficient to sell a product as a destination.As a product a destinatio n must try to attract to everyone. There are many good ways a destination can be sold as a product. It can use the destinations assets the Physical motivators, cultural motivators, interpersonal reasons, business reasons, status and spiritual reasons. It can use symbols, infrastructure, growth and enterprise to market or the cultural cachet of throwing everything at the tourist.A destination as a product is multi dimensional. Middleton refers to a destination as not just one product but being based on three levels the core product, the tangible product and the augmented product. The view of the destination as one of these products will be relevant when establishing which way to market the product.This answer examined the notion of a destination as a product. It concluded that five elements make up a destination. A destination as a product must aim to be innovative, creative, proactive and competitive. It noted as a product it must try to appeal to as many people as possible and giv e the destination a competitive advantage.Part BLimerick urban center has many merits in term of destination marketing.The area has a major asset with the river Shannon. The bridges in the city act as an area for viewing this scenery. The city has many well(p) known landmarks and history which we saw while on the walking tour such as King Johns castle, Kings Island and the Georgian house and garden.The city has many hotels which are high in quality. The tangible aspect of this is the design of the hotels and the intangible aspects include the quality of service they offer up, their reputation and their image.Limerick provides a range of contrasting brochures to promote themselves and each contain picture perfect photos. The majority of these are free to tourists. The tourist office is open all year round to provide these and provide tourists with information. The use of branding and slogans seem to have a positive effect or the region. The slogan the spirit of Shannon for the t ime of your life is effective for overseas visitor as it makes reference to the river Shannon which is well known world wide. Branding helps link identity overtime.Limerick has a number of cultural merits to the location. The Hunt museum helps understand how people lived years ago form the different art and antiquity located there. Locals can also benefit form the Hunt museum as it is very educational.A major merit to the area is Shannon airport. This provides tourists with accessibility to the destination easily. The city has successfulinfrastructure in and out of it with roads, airport, railway and marina. Transport is plentiful in and out of the city itself with numerous buses and trains accessing it. Taxis are also readily available.There are also a number of demerits in terms of destination marketing in Limerick.The signage in the city is quite poor. The tourist may have difficulty finding attractions.There is only one major create attraction the hunt museum. This is the citi es main attraction which would only appeal to a certain number of people. It has an emphasis on education and heritage. This appears to be a hassle with Limerick that it is over dependant on history and folklore there is no real main social attraction. They could put more emphasis on other facilities such as sports school, craft course, cycle hire and language schools to market the destination. Heritage is becoming mire old stream it i s no eight-day the power player that it used to be to attract people to a destination.A major demerit with Limerick city is the mental pictures created of Limerick city as a rough destination. It is in the news on a regular basis due to anti social behaviour, gang land violence and gun crime. In neighbouring Nenagh I was told in the cafe Theyd shoot you in Limerick This gives a representation of the way some people view Limerick. This host of little images can turn people away Perceived images of Limerick can build up a bad image of a place that yo u may never have been to.

A Thousand Splendid Suns Narrative Strategies Essay

A Thousand Splendid Suns the reader would think its a happy novel, however theres nothing particularly splendid one would assume about the novel. From the very beginning of the novel the author, Khaled Hosseini inserts hints and foreshadowing to informed the reader that it will be an unhappy story. This is evident in the following illustration when Mariam breaks the sugar bowl , It was the last peice that slipped from Mariams fingers, that fell to the wooden floorboards of thekolba and burst (Hosseini 2).Hosseini is generating depressing emotions in the novel by introducing forges fell or shattered resembling failure or sin. The reader also gets introduced to the word Harami and other words, such as kolba and Jinn which are terms not identified by the author, so the reader must rely on the context to better understand what the word means. For example, when Mariam expresses the fear that the jinn has returned to her mother, the reader will assume that jinn is something bad.The us e of these terms establishes the setting , but also signifies that some things cannot be translated remaining a mystery for the reader. In the novel , Hosseini makes the reader live, see and feel by portraying the experiences the characters are going through in the novel, and by writing from a third psyche point of view , he broadens the readers ability because the perspective of the characters is limited, sometimes Mariam, sometimes Laila, which works to great effect to attach the reader to both characters equally.

Operations Management and Productivity Essay

Service and product design decision is one of the very important issues of operations management. Indeed this decision determines the health and fate of any organization (Krajewski & Ritzman, 1998). A company that designs products and services that are of superior quality and that click with the intended market, definately succeeds. lowering judder Cafes operations management has been successful in designing products and services in entertainment hospitality sector.This sector is one of the most(prenominal) competitive sectors, but they have been able to design and offer quality products and superior services in cafes, hotels, casinos and lately in music venues, Rock museum and Rock concerts (Evans, 1996). To react to changing customer needs and expectations, they have invariablely changed their menus and the services they offer. Hard Rocks success comes as a result of continuous monitoring of quality of their products and services (Saheli, 2007).Their Quality Management Departm ent has devised techniques to continuously monitor quality so as to improve quality of products and services and likewise make timely corrective measures and hence reduce quality costs. In the cafe, regular surveys are done to evaluate quality of food and services, where a master is devised to measure scores (Ibid, 2007). To ensure quality products and services, production processes and capacity have been enhanced by using state-of-the-art equipment in catering, entertainment services in casinos, hotels and music venues.Technology is also embraced to increase production capacity in cafes and hotels (Krajewski & Ritzman, 1998). Hard Rock started its operations in London. However, in 1988 it moved its headquarters to Orlando, Florida as it targeted the booming US market (Evans, 1996). It has later spread its cafes and hotels to more than 40 locations in US. The decision of spreading its wings to many states is to tap into unsaturated markets as well as diversify operation risks (Ibi d, 1996).Due to increasing customers and hence operations, Hard Rock has expanded their cafe facilities to handle their clients. For example at Orlando everyday Studios, their cafe serves over 3,000 meals a day with about 400 employees and the number is expected to grow especially during high tourist seasons (Saheli, 2007). To ensure high labor movement productivity, Hard Rock Cafe has provided their workers with excellent working conditions. This is achieved through good industrial relation management and employee-management relations.Human Resource Management has ensured that the company has the shell of employees who are competent, skilled and fit for their positions, hence Hard Rock expects the best out of their labor force (Krajewski & Ritzman, 1998). Productiveness is the main task of the supply strand management in Hard Rock. The discussion section has developed supply chain strategies aimed at reducing procurement costs and value adding the process. Hard Rock has entere d into strategic partnership with suppliers to improve efficiency and effectiveness of this activity (Evans, 1996).To effectively manage inventory, the company has inventory management system that guides the managers on when to order inventory and how more (Saheli, 2007). To increase efficiency and reduce costs, they have embraced Just-In-Time philosophy where the materials required are procured in time and used in time (Saheli, 2007). During low season, Orlando Cafe lag is scheduled down to 15-minutes intervals to meet seasonal and daily demand changes in tourist environment. Annual Routine maintenance is exercised in all their facilities.Maintenance department is charged with responsibilities of ensuring that Hard Rock Cafes, hotels, casinos, music venues and rock museum are renovated and machines maintained at good conditions (Krajewski & Ritzman, 1998). The productivity of the kitchen staff and wait staff can be measured by dividing the number of meals they prepare and serve b y the number of labor hours they input (Saheli, 2007). During low seasons wait staff may serve fewer meals as demand gets low and also kitchen staff prepares fewer meals. Nevertheless, they will also use less labour hours as they are scheduled and down-sized to respond to low operations (Evans, 1996).

Employee Representation Essay

The rise of capitalism in industrialized societies ad increase in causa of exploitation of employees guide to the rise of workmanship piths. The cope alliances were varianceed for the purpose of supporting employees by preventing exploitation by their employers. The increased cheeks of exploitation in terms of operate and other issues that modifyed employees in judicature, industries and companies led to the organisation of mickle unions. The craftsmanship unions aim was to improve employees pay and other purpose conditions through representing the employees in a corporately bargaining. The formation of great deal unions was initi whollyy objected by employers who felt they had a right to exploit the poor since they owned factors of production. In todays nightclub most employers who understand the role of trade union appreciate the efforts do by trade unions. A group of employees may spousal relationship together to form a trade union and they may judge recogn ition from their employer (Blyton and Turnbull, 61).Collective bargaining involves the process by which the employer and trade unions discuss and agree on the employment terms and conditions. The collective bargaining does not normally establish legal relations in the midst of the employee and employer.However, the agreement beas which relate to terms and conditions of employment become keister of employment contract. The employer and employee offer then agree on the employment terms as agreed between the employee and trade unions although its subject to whatsoever changes made between the employee and the employer. Collective bargaining takes place in firms of all sides. Good employer-employee relationships contribute to a wellnessy employer-trade union relationship.The powerfulness if trade unions can altogether be measured through the outcomes of intervention in employer-employee relationship. approximately trade unions arrive at been known to be dormant and reap money out of employees moreover no change is noticed in employees conditions under which they work. Few trade unions curb colluded with employers and oppressed employees after which the employers drive supported to the collapse of the trade unions out-of-pocket to breach of contract.A trade union is an independent body which been formed by individuals who volunteer to form an tie-up whose main goal is to represent and cheer the employment, service-related, professional, economic and social rights and interests of the employees. Employees regards to anyone employed despite the nature of work.The trade unions achieve their set goals though dialogue with employees, association of employees, local establishment and the political science in which trade union exist. The dialogue is based on consultancy and collective bargaining on issues that argon of interest to employees. All employees argon at liberty to join or not to join any trade union except extremitys of National Defence Forc e, National Intelligence Agency and South African conundrum service (Edwards, 36).Extent to which employee type through trade unions is effective depends on the nature of employment and size of business or organisation in which the employee is works in. In small organisations the trade unions have a small scope of employee representation because most dialogue is done directly between the employer and employee. In much(prenominal)(prenominal) small firms, the trade union efficiency in employee representation can be derived from their ability to negotiate for good pays and payment systems, hours of work, holiday, sick pay and pensions. craftsmanship unions be regulated by jab dealing act. The labour Relations Act applies to all employers, workers, trade unions and employers organisations. However the act does not apply to member of National Defence Force, National Intelligence Agency or South African Secret Service. address unions in large firms and organisations conjure the re lationship between the employer and employee. This is because the employees have their chosen representatives who present employee grievances to the trade union. In large firms and organisations all aspects that concern the employment contract ar made known to the trade union for the trade union to be effective.Employees who represent collective needs of employees to employer may face hostility from employers. In most outcomes, the employees who stand out to fight for the collective rights of employees have lost their ponders and this has created sense of insecurity among employee leaders.This ordinarily happens when the imposed changes ar objected by the employer. This problem has made employee representation through sponsored trade unions to be effective because trade unions are independent association of volunteers. Sponsored trade unions, cod to absence of fear of the repercussions are able to negotiate with employers, association of employers effectively so the employees interests are addressed (William and Adam Smith, 88).Employee representation through sponsored trade unions has been especially effective while dealing with collective issues that concern all employees in a prone state. The trade unions are mostly made up of radical individuals who are patriotic and committed to the overall objective of addressing employees interests which involve minimum wage of courtly servants depending on the standard of living and economic growth or the country. plow unions have been effective in addressing issues that concern mode of payment for employees to avoid such cases like delayed salaries and wages. This has led to improved social welfare of the employees. Trade unions have been known to intervene in cases where organisations and firms have failed to pay their employees in time. Also, trade unions have intervened in cases where the employees are exploited through low wages. The employees demand increment of salaries through trade unions. The trade un ions then hold meetings with the employer or association of employers to agree on the fair salary. The intervention by trade unions had led to enormous improvement in the labour market and this can be seen through reduced strikes in most countries.In the past, there were few laws that governed issues elated to sick leaves, maternity leaves and general leaves. The trade unions have been known to contribute greatly to the occupational law through identification of areas where unfair dismissal is applied.Most employees have suffered unfair dismissal from temporary contacts or permanent contract ascribable to inevitable cases like when absenteeism occurs due to sickness and/or maternity leaves. In small firms, employees have been known to suffer the ill-treatment silently but the front man of trade unions has shown a lot of improvement in the labour industry. The trade union representative in such a case is allowed by the labour Relations Act to help and present workers in governance and disciplinary hearing when the employees agree (Blyton and Turnbull, 565).Increase in payment demands by employment has in most cases led to termination of employment of the pioneers of the idea. This has fear among employees who want to maintain their employment. However, the productivity of laborers decline because of the dissatisfaction with their salaries. Trade unions therefore hold discussions with employers and they monitor the employers shape with the labour relations Act which involves any law regulating terms and conditions of employment and whether they have honored any agreement that had been made between employer and employee.Employees cannot be able to monitor employer conformance with law due to fear of losing the employment hence employee representation through sponsored trade union ensure adherence by employer to any agreement that is passed concerning employees interest. Effectiveness is achieved by ensuring employers comply and by narrativeing any failure b y the employer to comply with the law or any made agreement to association of employers or any responsible authority or agency. Employers are likely to act fast on the agreement when they are under the pressure of trade unions other than when employees are pushing.Employees have a tendency to act on the agreement made between employer and employees because employer acknowledge that trade unions are independent association that are protected and empowered by labour relations act.In countries where racism have been know to have great effect on employment environment especially issues regarding promotion and unfair treatment, trade unions have been known to intervene to ensure fair treat of all individual/employees in countries like US where racist is said to exist in most organisations, employees forward their grievances to trade unions because if they complain or demand justice, the employer may deny them their right or may terminate their contracts or employment.Employees therefore though the trade unions present their grievances to civil command and their discrimination issue is addressed. Employee representation through sponsored trade unions ensures that employers conform to anti-discrimination law employees with different races, religion age and marital status are treated equally due to follow-up by trade union representative.There have been incidences where the working conditions pose a health hazard to the employees yet the remuneration given cannot cover the extent of risks the employees are exposed. When individual employees complain of their dissatisfaction with the salary based on the risks the employees are exposed to, the employees may be terminated or may be pressurized to quit the job by the employer on the argument that there is plenty supply of labour. The trade unions therefore intervene so that the employees are paid in accordance to the risks they are exposed to.Excess supply of labour had led to many an(prenominal) employers taking advanta ge of the situation by paying the employees less wage as compared to the nub of work that they do. Some employees may not even complain of their exploitation by the employer because they fear loosing their long awaited job. In capitalistic societies, where the few are the owners of factors of production, there is high exploitation of the poor people who supply labour to the industries.The merchant in capitalistic societies pay constant wage which does not distinguish for all the labour hours. The poor work for more hours. Trade unions in such situation have been known to be agents of social changes which may be radical. The trade unions have contributed to the seizure of the habit by ensuring that employees are paid their worth irrespective of their positions. Trade unions are accredited for presenting the grievances of the poor (Beardwell, 225).In organisation/firms where the employees are many, it becomes very hard to address the individual needs. Trade unions therefore collect the individual needs and try to apply them to the whole group. This is especially the case with civil servants who work in various regions of the state in different departments and therefore have different need.The trade unions address those needs by attribute discussions with government officials and they may challenge the states labour law if they are to the disadvantage of employees. The trade union in most countries have been known to cause infrequent changes in labour laws for suit, setting the minimum wage that should be earned by any employee depending on the nature of job and category of job.Trade unions are effective more than individual employees especially in presenting individual rights since trade unions enjoy some favour from the industrial relations Bill in 2003. The trade unions are able to negotiate for the members interests as association of employers.Trade unions contribute to the formation of government policies concerning resource allocations and other matter s that concern employees. Some trade union representatives are incorporated in the government policy making through writing proposals which the government use as guide in making the policies.The proposals experience the government resources and the human resource (employees) needs and make suggestions on how the government can integrate both parties demands given the scarce resources. Though, even with the support from government through industrial relations Bill 2003, trade unions are faced with challenge of many cases taking long term to be completed. There have been many pending cases in courts as observe in the Irish government (Beardwell, 225).Trade unions have been delegated many duties that concern employee interests. However, trade union cannot represent the employees in full capacity to their employers. This has led to formation of non-union groups in the industries, organisations or firms.These non-union groups are mainly composed of employees who seek to represent the g rievances to the employers with an aim of consensus through dialogue. The formation of non-union groups has been triggered by the disillusionments that have been incurred by many trade unions in Irish government. The disillusionment is highly attributed by the long period of time that many industrial cases take in labour court. In fact, the data from Irish government indicate that few races which may be less than ten cases have rattling reached the determination stage (William and Adam Smith, 89).Most companies argue that there is scarcity of human resource in their firm and hence thus most time the labour is misused through denial of holiday leave some employees develop health complications due to overworking or work pressure. Some employees when they report the need to be given lighter job are threatened or are denied the right because of their race, ethnicity or religion. The employees can then sue the concerned organisation through the sponsored trade union for violation of o ccupational synthetic rubber and health act. This has brought domineering results because employees have complied with the occupational safety and health act due to the power that trade union are accorded by the industrial relation Act.Most trade unions have been know to contribute greatly in the health and safety training of employees and employers and have had positive impact on the effectiveness f trade union. In cases where the trade unions gain favour from employer or association of employers, through recognition, the trade union plans and strategies to address the issues that concern employees become very effective (Blyton,66).Most employers are reluctant to change the working conditions of their employees because they incur unornamented cost on the firm or organisation. The employers in such cases do not pay attention to employee suggestions or grievances but intervention of trade unions enhance the situation because most employees are aware of the privileges that have bee n accorded trade unions by the industrial relations Act, 2003 (Edwards, 35).When an employer wants to introduce a new technology that is likely to affect the employees, the employees object the interpolation through trade unions. Most employers innovate ways in which to reduce operational costs without putting employees needs into consideration. In most cases, the adoption of the technology requires lay off of some employees and this would have an effect on the employees welfare.The trade union takes up the matter and negotiates with the employer on the impact of the introduction on the economy. Most employers have been known to balance their interests with the employees due to the effective presentation by trade unions.Strikes are common in many nations. Strikes usually occur when the employees fail to act as per their agreement or sometimes strikes are done to demonstrate dissatisfaction with the employers services or treatment. Most employers have been noted to act very aggressi vely. Some employees according ton various studies done in UK have been seen to fire few employees instead and this brought a lot of reflection from employees and public. Trade unions become very crucial in such cases because they present the employees in court and sue for damages caused by the unfair dismissal of the employees. In most cases, when the cases in court are taken up by trade unions, they are acted upon very fast other than individual employees because of the recognition of trade unions.Employees are meant to relate with their employers well. The relationship between employer and employee should portray transparency and commitment by both parties towards the contract that they have entered into. Good employee-employer relationship enhances the achievement of the organisations or firms goal. When there is dialogue between employer and employee, the need for trade unions becomes insignificant.However, very few employers honour the terms and conditions of the contract acc ording to occupational safety and health and yet they expect the employees to comply with the terms and conditions of the employment. The conflict of interest between the two parties necessitates the need for an independent association trade union. Other wise, compliance by both parties would produce positive results and would save time and cost on the firm or organisation incurred in legal proceedings.Most employees in UK have joined trade unions as shown by the government data. The employees have joined the trade unions because of their recognition for the need of an arbitrator between then and the employees. The employees can only be presented if they are members of trade union. The membership is voluntary for all except members of defense.When most employees retire, there is tendency by the employers to fail to pay pensions. Trade unions have noted to be effective in claiming the employees rights especially pension funds. Most domestic jobs however do not have pension schemes fo r example the house keeping, shopkeeper attendant. This has limited the performance of trade unions because however much they want to assist the employees, the nature of job cannot favour the intervention of trade unions.Some employees have been known to abuse the trade unions power by failing to report of their absence from job and this limited the effectiveness of trade unions in presenting the employees. carelessness by employees through for example, deliberately destroying a companys wealth or resources like lighting a cigarette in a gasolene station by an employee, cannot be protected. The employers sometimes use the trade unions as puppet to push for their needs and interests. This has led to ineffectiveness of many trade unions which have been disregarded by employers (Blyton, 33).The trade unions can liaise with the labour departments in many states. The relationship between trade unions and labour departments has produced good fruits in many countries because it has increa sed recognition and the effectiveness of the unions. The trade unions are known to gain favour from most governments hence the grievances of employees are addressed fast when they are represented through a trade union.The employee presentation through sponsored trade union can only be effective up to the point where the court popular opinion has been done. Beyond court ruling the employee presentation through trade union then becomes insignificant. The employees have to adhere to the court ruling whether it favours the employer or employee. Most employees have face disillusionment after the trade unions efforts are undermined by the industrial court (Edwards, 21).Higher presentation of employees in the trade unions has contributed to higher returns or positive results. This has been the inspiration by many employees to join trade unions. The industrial Relation Act in Irish government which was amended in 2003 has been seen to favour trade unions. However, the trade unions have re alized their ineffectiveness due to the legislative system where many cases remain in court for so long. The trade unions in Irish government were accorded right to bargain though labour courts and labour Relations Commission were given greater powers to resolve recognition and representation disputes (Beardwell, 213).Many countries are known to have similar legislative systems which give industrial Courts right to deal with employees disputes. In countries, industrial courts recognize trade unions more than individual employees. This had led to many employees been pressurized by the system to join trade union so that the disputes that have in industrial courts may be dealt with fast especially with intervention of trade unions.When trade unions are pushing for the employees interests, the employees feel at liberty to express them because they will not suffer victimization as would be the case if they pursued the interests or grievances as individual employees. The labour relations commissions however, has reported cases of disillusionment the failure of the parties in disputes to meet timescale and deadlines in many instance. The labour relations commission data in Irish government indicate that the failures are in most cases caused by employers but trade unions are not exempted too.In Europe, most employees even those working in small firms have enrolled into trade unions and this enhanced the services delivered to them. However, the effort of trade unions has been undermined by the size and nature of employment.Trade unions are supposed to be independent in their practices that are directed into addressing the employees needs. However, its easier said than done. Some trade union representatives in their leadership positions seek to gain favour from the government. This has led to few trade unions compromising their mission and objectives and this has proved ineffectiveness of the trade unions as employee representative. In pursuit of favour from government officials or government itself, some union leaders have accepted tribes and this caused serious repercussions for the employees grievances. Work CitedBeardwell Ian. A Critical Analysis. Contemporary Industrial Relations vol.1 (1996) 212-311.Blyton I & Turnbull P. The Dynamics of Employee Relations.3rd ed. LondonPalgrave, 2004.Edwards P. Industrial Relations Theory and Practice in Britain.2nd ed. Oxford Basil Blackwell, 2003.Williams S and Adam Smith D. Contemporary Employment Relations. Oxford Oxford University Press, 2006.

Organizing A Collection Of Cds And Dvds

The average CD and DVD collection grows continuously and hence it becomes an important and Herculean delegate to organize them in a proper manner. Such an arranging should overly result in easy retrieval of the CDs and DVDs when we need them. The first step to learn in organizing a large DVD and CD collection is to barter for proper shelving. We need to buy CD notebooks or multiple CD stands and also shelves specifically for DVDs. Next is to decide on the criteria for categorizing the collection. The criteria options are alphabetical arrangement, arrangement ground on genre, chronological arrangement etc.Next is to separate the CDs that are not of a lot concern. New CD cases are to be purchased for those CDs whose cases are damaged or missing. Using multiple levels of shelving can result in a much nightlong time for retrieval (Associated Content, 2005). Sort the CD and DVD collection according to the criteria chosen. If the collection is very large this sorting can be done i n stages to avoid confusion. We may also hire to sub-categorize the collection additionally. For example if we choose to categorize base on the artist then sub-categorizing may be based on the release date or alphabetically based on the title.If our taste in music and movies is very broad we can buy glum electrical tape and designate a particular color to each genre. We could also store all the CDs in our computer originally organizing them, if we have a large drive space and ensure we take regular backups (wikiHow, 2005). Plastic storage units with slots for individual CDs may be apply save if we arrange them alphabetically then we need to move hundreds of CDs each time we need to insert a new CD into the collection. We whitethorn also choose to arrange less used CDs and DVDs in a notebook rather than putting them in display (eHow, 1999).This will save a considerable arrive of storage space. Putting away previously used CDs and DVDs before taking a new one ensures that our c ollection remains organized. The following criteria could be used for organizing the CDs and DVDs. Alphabetically We could arrange the CDs in the alphabetical order either by the artists name or the title. The movies could be arranged alphabetically based on the title, key actor or the directors name. This is the most commonly used criteria for arranging the CDs. The downside of this option is the necessity to move all the CDs and DVDs when we buy an album or movie.This scheme can also be combined with other schemes of arrangement like alphabetical with genre etc. Chronologically This arrangement is based on the order of release or purchase of the CDs and DVDs. We could choose chronological based on album release date, or chronologically by the purchase date or historical era or chronological based on the life stage that could be associated with each album or movie. The movies could be arranged based on the era the content of the movie is based on (Propeller, 2003). By Genre This ty pe of arrangement is for who have a very large collection and a broad taste in music and movies.We could arrange folk followed by rock and then melody. Similarly in movies we could categorize the collection as horror, action, mystery, comedy, love or make it more specific like Documentary, Zombies etc. If the collection is very large an entire rack could be devoted to each genre (Expert Village, 2008). Most Frequently Used The albums and movies which are played most are arranged at the front of the mint candy and those which are not frequently used are arranged behind them. This arrangement makes the most played ones very easier to find. This scheme is also self organizing. promiscuouslyThis is the least used scheme where in the CDs and DVDs are arranged in a random manner (Brunchma, 1997). The other schemes of arrangement also include hypercritical arrangement where the best ones are placed at the beginning and the worst at the end. Arrangements can also be done based on promot ers or composers origin, album title, instrumentation, mood and the tempo of the CDs (Propeller, 2003). Bibliography (2005) Associated Content Available http//www. associatedcontent. com/article/272550/how_to_organize_a_large_dvd_ collection. html? page=2 Last Accessed 28 May 2008 (1997) BrunchmaAvailable http//www. brunchma. com/archives/Forum2/HTML/000270. html Last Accessed 26 May 2008 (March 1999) eHow Available http//www. ehow. com/how_2032270_organize-cd-collection. html Last Accessed 26 May 2008 (2008) Expert Village Available http//www. expertvillage. com/ motion-picture show/370_organize-cds. htm Last Accessed 25 May 2008 (2003) Propeller Available http//music. propeller. com/story/2006/11/09/17-ways-to-organize-your-cd-collection/ Last Accessed 26 May 2008 (January 2005) wikiHow Available http//www. wikihow. com/Organize-a-Large-CD-Collection Last Accessed 25 May 2008

Africa’s Political and Economic Problems and How to Eliminate Them

The picture of Africa has long been depicted as one with Africans who are malnourished and dying from disease and starvation. This is in raillery for Africa being the second largest and second most populous continent in the world very rich in minerals, gold, diamonds and other natural resources. Much of these ugly images of Africa can be attributed to the political and economic factors that attributed much to its poverty and political unrest.As such, Africas political and economic problems are herein enumerated and discussed so as to be able to evaluate and eliminate the aforementioned factors that contribute to Africas plight as a continent in poverty and distress. This, with the objective of determining the go around possible solutions so as to give sustainability, if not prosperity to Africa that has long been needed and sought for by its people.Africas Political ProblemsAfrica has been suffering from the turmoil of instability, corruption, force-out and authoritarianism since colonial period. Although there are a number of African nations today that are under republic governance with forms of presidential rule, only a few have been able to take advantage and sustain democratic brasss.This can be attested by several leaderships that failed to give the people their proponent of sovereignty and freedom in what can be called misguided democracies. An example of such leadership abuse happened during the 35-year-rule of Mobutu Sese Seko as head of a democratic government in Zaire (renamed Congo in 1997) when he and his ministers sold and pocketed the lucrative mining rights to Zaires substantial cobalt, nickel, and diamond mines (Payne & Lee).Africas Political and frugal ProblemsAfrica has also been suffering from civil wars, violence and crimes as violence is being used as a mechanism for resolving disputes and for bringing about change. two colonial and apartheid regimes used violence and repression to maintain power and some degree of social order, and on the other hand, opposition movements resorted to violent tactics as a means to attain political change (Rauch).Moreover, violence and crimes have been resorted to during transition periods of repressive, authoritarian governments to much democratic forms of government. For example, following the dramatic reform announcement of verbalise President F.W. De Klerk , the transition in South Africa was marked by extreme social conflict and violence which can be attested by statistics of more than eight South Africans dying daily as a result of political violence (Rauch).Conflicts and political violence are also triggered or worsen by poverty in Africa, along with racial and ethnic division, and a culture of political intolerance. Many African states have also cycled through serial publication of brutal coups and military dictatorships. The number of coups and politically motivated crimes are appalling. The period from the early 1960s to the late 1980s for example, saw more than 70 coups and 13 presidential assassinations in Africa.

Psychological Testing

Psychological testing is a field characterized by the use of samples of behavior in order to assess psychological construct(s), such as cognitive and emotional functioning, about a given person. The technical term for the science behind psychological testing is psychometrics. By samples of behavior, nonpareil means observations of an individual performing tasks that have usually been prescribed beforehand, which often means scores on a test. These responses are often compiled into statistical tables that allow the evaluator to canvas the behavior of the individual being tested to the responses of a norm group. 2 Angry Men Manuel Paniagua Correa 12 Angry Men The communication process depict on the movie was certainly effective. The 12 jurors decision involved the life of a young man. Even when the communication barriers sometimes froze the process of communication, the persistence of one of the jurors, juror 8, was key in throttleing the men involved in the decision process. Jur or 8 was unlike the other jurors, he had the ability to keep the men engaged in the discussion that lead to the conclusion of the movie.Even though it was not easy, the main objective of providing a fair and unanimous decision was complete at the end of the film. During the jury decision process, communication barriers were present. All of the members that were involved in the jury had different backgrounds and culture. Many of the juries expressed anger, frustration and stubbornness regarding their several(prenominal) positions. These jurors frequently interrupted one another and proved to be very disrespectful within the group.Communication barriers where present when they did not pay attention to each other. These barriers were sheer when the jurors were centered only on their personal opinions and not willing to listen to their peers. Formal communication started when juror number 8 stated his disagreement and business concern for the boys future. When juror 8 started expres sing hes uncertainty with the boy being guilty, he encouraged the other jurors or team members to critically think before passing judgment.The movie offered many instances where non-verbal communication expressed the groups dissatisfaction with the current discussion. At certain times, during the process, the jurors coughed implying disapproval. They often times contend simulated board games in order to keep themselves occupied while a team member speaking. Facial gestures was also evident, this expressed the members frustration and disapproval of the information that was being communicated. There were communication..

Finance Strategy

Strategic Corporate pay Required words/ elusions (Included in Harvard Course Pack) The following is a list of articles you will find when you register with HBR and barter for the Course Pack. greet of roof (CAPM, WACC) Case Midland Energy Resources, Inc. follow of Capital (Brief Case), Joel L. Heilprin, Timothy A. Luehrman (Product count 4129-PDF-ENG) Accompanying Student Spreadsheet Midland Energy Resources, Inc. Cost of Capital, Spreadsheet for Students, Joel L. Heilprin, Timothy A. Luehrman (Product bit 4140-XLS-ENG) Article Whats Your Real Cost of Capital? James J. McNulty, Tony D. Yeh, William S. Schulze, Michael H. Lubatkin (Product number R0210J-PDF-ENG) Article Applying the Capital Asset Pricing Model, Robert S. Harris (Product number UV0402-PDFENG) Article Does the Capital Asset Pricing Model Work? David W. Mullins Jr. (Product number 82106PDF-ENG) Article The Corporations Cost of Capital and the Weighted-Average Cost of Capital, Kenneth Eades (Product number UV03 89-PDF-ENG) Article Business Valuation and the Cost of Capital, Timothy A.Luehrman (Product number 210037PDF-ENG) Financial Accounting ( parameter Analysis) Article Introduction to Financial Ratios and Financial Statement Analysis, William J. Bruns Jr. (Product number 193029-PDF-ENG) Article/Case An Overview of Financial Statement Analysis The Mechanics, Brandt Allen, Paul Simko (Product number UV0911-PDF-ENG) Case Financial Statement Analysis (Identify the Industry), Graeme Rankine (Product number TB0069PDF-ENG) International Case Groupe Ariel S.A. Parity Conditions and Cross-Border Valuation, Timothy A. Luehrman, James Quinn (Product number 4194-PDF-ENG) Accompanying Student Spreadsheet Groupe Ariel S. A. Parity Conditions and Cross-Border Valuation, Timothy A. Luehrman, James Quinn (Product number 4196-XLS-ENG) Article Cross-Border Valuation, Kenneth A. Froot, W. Carl Kester (Product number 295100-PDF-ENG) Mergers and Acquisitions Article The New M&A Playbook, Clayton M.Christe nsen, Richard Alton, Curtis Rising, Andrew Waldeck (Product number R1103B-PDF-ENG) Net Present entertain Book Chapter Net Present Value and Internal Rate of Return Accounting for Time, (Product number 5245BC-PDF-ENG) scheme & Innovation Article Blue Ocean Strategy, W. Chan Kim & Renee A. Mauborgne (Product number R0410D-PDFENG, 2004) Article The Five Competitive Forces That Shape Strategy, Michael E. hall porter (Product number R0801EPDF-ENG) Article Innovation Killers How Financial Tools Destroy Your Capacity to Do New Things, Clayton M. Christensen, Stephen P. Kaufman, Willy Shih (Product number R0801F-PDF-ENG)

Operations Strategy Essay

The statement that operations dodging is the total pattern of decisions which shape the long term capabilities of either type of operation and their contribution to general dodge, through the reconciliation of market requirements with operations resources, is true. First, define the row operations dodge, and operations dodging. operations is what a company does. It is how it delivers its harvest-festivals or utilisation to its customer.Operations is the case of a companys business i. e. hatever that is, for example hospitality companies offer service, manufacturing companies benefit products, stockholders, purchase, store and distribute, which retailers procure, stock and interpret the public with the goods. This definition can be applied to almost any organization. Strategy is a moot search for a plan of action that pass on develop a businesss classifiable competence and compound it. Organizations strategy describes how it intends to create value for its sh argonholder s, customers, and the citizens.Operations strategy consists of a sequence of decisions that over time enables the business unit to achieve a desired operations, structure, infrastructure and set of specific capabilities in support of the competitive priorities. Operations strategy is concerned with matching characteristics of operations manoeuver with the requirements of the market in order to fulfill needs of the business. A proper approach of this wreak requires non only soul of the ideas and methods used to develop operations systems but likewise friendship of the techniques and principles involved in its implementation.Implementation requires knowledge of operations system and policies including those that relate to resource planning and activity control, calibre, motivation and organization of muckle, transaction metrics and continuous improvement. Operations strategy has several comp mavinnts that range from structure decision, categories to differents. Decision str ategies embarrasss much(prenominal) things as dexterity, which defines the coat of the organization. Facilities available in the business unit overly forms occasion of the structural decision categories of the operations strategy. good integration is different aspect of the structural decision category. Technological paths in the organization is also bit of the structural decision category. Infrastructural decision categories includes things like urinate place, organization, information and control systems. The conditions of the work place necessitate the infrastructure of the business unit. Information and control systems defines the infrastructure of the organization. Capabilities are also a component of operations. for each one business has unique capabilities.For example a firm A may have the capability of providing luxuriously levels of go than firm B. Competition priories are also representative of the components of operations strategy. In this category terms is an important aspect and determines the competitiveness of a business organization. The another(prenominal) aspect in this category is quality. hither higher performance decisions are make and also maintaining consistence in quality. Time is also precise and on it emphasis is on fast delivery, on-time delivery of work and products and also the development sped. Flexibility is other aspect in the category of competitive priorities. at that place should be customization of services and also volume tractableness meaning that the business unit should be ready to serve even increased volume of clients. Operations is what a company does to achieve a set of four objectives. These are increase customer satisfaction, increasing financial performance, increasing employee satisfactions and creating value for the citizens. Customer satisfactions levels is dictated by the levels an quality of services, the value for their money, the speed of service, the carriage of the service menta l faculty, the atmosphere and theme of service.Customer satisfaction leads to increase in business hence margins go up. Financial performance as mentioned above depends on the sales volumes that depend on customer satisfaction. This is determined by checking the profit margins and the costs involved in doing a business. The task of the business is to gain much margins while minimizing the costs. Employee satisfaction results from the way the employees are treated by management. This treatment is based on the genius o work being performed and also the way the workers are enumerated.Employees satisfaction depends on levels of motivation that they lend at the work place i. . being minded(p) challenging job tasks, being rewarded for excellent performance etc. Businesses should also create value for the citizens and this is mainly through practicing social responsibility. This involves big(p) back aboutthing to the community as an appreciation for benefits derived from doing busin ess in that community. Example of this include building hospitals, homes for orphans and supporting other disadvantaged people in the community. It is through the operations of work done in the various functions or subdivisions in a business unit that the above objectives can be met.There are three levels of strategy in an organization. These are the corporate level, business or divisional level and operations the functions level. Operations strategy ultimately contribute to the overall strategy key functional areas with an organization include the finance, human resources, marketing, product development among others. In each category there are several take exceptions encountered in achieving and maintaining a fitted operations strategy. Marketing of hospitability services is complicated by several features or characteristics of services marketing.First the services are intangible meaning that they cannot be displayed for customers. There the market has to use great skills to co nvince a customer to buy the service. The aspect of inseparability of services also complicates the marketing task. This means that the services also produced and consumed simultaneously. The other characteristic of services marketing is perishability meaning that services are perishable if not used at the time they are available e. g. a hotel room goes wasted if it is not used on a particular night. Variability is another characteristic of services.A service given to a guest in a restaurant may vary with similar service provided to the guest by another employee at the same restaurant. In the case of Wynn Macaus casino and resort that is to open September this year the popular manger of Wynn Resort Macau confessed that they faced some disputes in their marketing plan. First, they want to set up a gaming facility yet it is illegal to advertise and promote gaming in China. To counter this spotlight the company is trying to hook up customers with high growing levels of disposable in come and who travel a lot.It is targeting people living on the eastern seaboard of China who represent 80% of Chinas wealth belt. Another repugn is that Macau receives few people from the western countries (who are more(prenominal)(prenominal) interested in gaming) Macau being a one-day ride market poses another argufy for marketers. This give distinguish for targeting of people with high spending power. Another challenge facing the marketing staff as they try to develop operations strategy is the aspect of seasonality of the hospitability business. In this case you find different approaches being used at different times of the year.There is also the problem of money laundering in Macau among the agents poses yet another challenge. For this problem, Wynn Macau has created their own investigation team to direct at the matter. In Macau most gaming tax incomes come from the VIP market yet, Wynn Macau is targeting the mass market. This means more marketing is to be done to attr act the mass market in the gaming business. The finance function is also faced with several challenges in the hospitability industry. Finance department is involved in looking for or designing ways of getting money to do business.It is also involved in establishing the way revenue is generated or not generated in the organization. Finance function makes investment and diversification decision. Challenges may arise when a business opts to do diversity its operations in that you may find that revenue contribution from one kind of business e. g. gaming may differ from place to place. In the case of Macau, it is believed that the non-gaming assets are termination to change the hotel chains penetration into the market. This testament be finding more people interested in gambling and other activities that go together.Organizations have different ways of financing business. Among these is ploughing back some of the profits realized and this may conflict with the shareholders who want to be paid their dividends. These banks which fund hotels and other hospitability organizations sometimes ask for high interest in loans and give conditions that are too hard to abide by. These problems shoot challenges to the hospitability businesses when they require funds for more investments. Other challenges like disperanities in revenues from similar businesses at different part of the foundation also comes as a challenge to organization.It becomes difficult to predict the expected revenue fro the strong business chain. The issue of cost doing business varying in different parts of the world poses challenges to organizations neediness to go global. As in the case with Wynn Macau, the staff needs is not uniform. Higher-skilled workers are asking for more wages thus filling more pressure on the organization. It is also evident that the staff needs vary for those of the skilled employees to those of that at the introductory level who need to be trained. Salary scales are also d ifferent in different part of the world.As in the case of Wynn Macau, salaries in China are higher than is the case in Las Vegas and this has some financial implications. With increase in business more employees will be required thus building more pressure for wages. Although, diversification has succeeded for some organizations, it also involves a lot of risk taking. This is so because the organizations are venturing in unfamiliar grounds hence being in a position to face many challenges. The challenges may include issues of recession in such part of the country and also political instability, which can affect the financial well being of the business.Some examples of made diversifications in the hospitability industry include that of Hilton hotels co-operation that went into a merger with the Grand casinos. In this case the Grand Casinos were given an excellent strategies opportunity to diversify their operations. Product development in hospitality industry means the surgical pro cedure of coming up with new products or services. This has impacts on operations strategy in that, it is through the process new products and service come into being and helps in raising the customers satisfaction. bran-new services or products development serves as a challenge to the employees hence raise their motivation. Challenges common in this function include lack of resources i. e. both material and human resources. Failure by management to encourage or recognize employees ideas may act as a hindrance to the development of new services or products. Another challenge comes from the customers who are not familiar with unusual quality of services. These customers are credibly to avoid the services hence keeping the business low in terms of sales volumes.New products and services may sometime help in increasing customer satisfaction by crowing a variety of services/products to the customer. The new products and services may also possess higher quality than similar services an d products. Maintaining the new set standards may prove to difficult and expensive since it may call for more training of the staff. Another challenge facing product/service development is that some customers could be alienated by an unusual quality of service. This is due to conservations among some clients meaning they will be unvoluntary to accept new products.The human resources in any organization form the backbone to its success. Operations strategy poses a key challenge due to its symbiotic dependence on the organization structure. The organization is made up of human beings who are living things aggregating the skills complexities and the drivers of the people within them (the organization). These aspects impact and constrain operations strategy. In many cases organizations evolve rather than being designed and changes become adaptation of the former structure without revisiting the fundamental strategy and operations (Schroeder Roger 1989).Comparing recruiting and trainin g of workers in has Vegas and Macau you find that these processes are not different. Although these processes may not differ for both locations, gardening differences pose major challenges for Wynn Macau Resorts and any other gaming companies planning to move in Macau. Human resource recruiting has gone online with many applications for jobs at Wynn Macau being generated from an online service. This is a new trend which may mean that those who have started using it will benefit by getting a mountainous pool of applicants and get the best candidates.Those who fail to adopt this may not benefit from getting high quality staff. Training materials for people in foreign places with different languages have to be translated into language of the targeted group. There are also hiring and work differences between different places in different parts in the world e. g. Las Vegas and Macau. This is a challenge for Hospitality Company like Wynn Macau which is planning to offer its services in the two different places of the world. Another challenge facing hiring of staff for a company like Wynn Macau is Chinese giving medications tough immigration rules.This means neatly all management and staff at Wynn Macau will be Chinese. In some countries there no industrial or trade unions and this is a challenge to the human resources welfare. Although there may be strong governmental regulations related to employment, employees in such places are likely to be treated unfairly in organizations. Employee performance in a place with culture they are not used to may be another challenge facing the human resources function. As for Wynn Macau and Hilton Hotels Corporation venturing into overseas business, the way they perform in a different setting is decisive to their excerpt in such places.This means they have to put a lot of efforts in staffing and training of their staff to cope up with challenges associated with the new locations. Another challenge facing human resources for Wynn Macau is the fact that workers are not used to working in hotels offering the level of service Wynn customers expect. Were it not for the Chinese governments tough immigration policy, the company could import professionals who are familiar with the level of service of Wynn customers.Motivation of staff is one of the roles of human resource management motivation among the staff can be achieved through giving challenging tasks, employee recognition for good work done, good enumeration among other things. Highly motivated employees will perform their duties well which in turn leads to high customer satisfaction. Employees being human beings can do a very bad job if they are not motivated. Keeping the employees highly motivated is a challenge to the organization since motivation comes as a result of mixing several variables (Schroeder Roger 1989).Employee turn-over is the other critical challenge to the human resources function in any business unit. Lack of motivation is the main basis for employee turn-over in organizations. Employee retention is an operation strategy that relates to the human resources function and therefore organization should endeavor to punish their employees and ultimately retain them. Remember employees are the implementers of any strategy in the organization and as such they should be rated as the most important component of the organization. Operations process also includes the functions of the buy and supplies department.This department is expected to develop and sustain supplier relationships. Companies enjoy significant competitive advantage from their established networks of magnificent supplier relationships. The objective is to lower the total cost ownership i. e. the cost of acquiring goods, materials and services. Challenges facing the purchasing and supplies function include competition in business. A business organization competing with another may go to the supplier of the latter and get a better deal for materials from the same supplier thus touch supply to the former business organization.Instability of prices for materials and services poses some challenges to the purchasing and supplies function of the organization. Capacity is another dimension to the operations strategy. It entails growth as needed through additional business units, but capacity added carefully. An example of building a business capacity is that of McDonalds that planned to add more stores its chain. The challenge is that increasing the capacity should be done carefully and in a calculated manner otherwise it may end up adding costs of business without or with little margins being recognized.Process/ edifying technology is a new age in business organization are forms an important part of its functions. Strategies relating to this include having a high degree of understanding of the latest advances in it (process/information technology). Another strategy for process information technology is that organizations seek to be le aders in IT in their specific industry. Challenges could include high costs of acquisition and maintenance of the information systems. IT is also viewed by conservative people as way of reducing staff from organizations and as such it is likely to face resistance from some employees.In the hospitality industries introduction of automated machines is a challenge in that it affects the human aspect of service. Customers prefer to be served by people and thus be able to enjoy the human contact created by the employees presence. Another dimension of operations strategy is the vertical integration. This focuses on partnership arrangements with other organizations. It also focuses on maintaining long-term relationship with suppliers in order to promote innovation and quality improvement.Some organizations may solicitude partnering with the others thinking that the other organization has intentions of stealing their business ideas. Operations strategy can be evaluated using two different approaches. One is checking its internal and external consistency. It entails consistency between the operations strategy and overall business strategy, between operations strategy and other functional strategies within the business among decision categories that make up operations strategy, and between operations strategy and business environment (resource available, competitive behavior, government restraints).The other approach to operations strategy evaluation is looking at contribution to competitive advantage. It involves making trade-offs explicit, and enabling operations to set priorities that enhance competitive advantage. It also involves directing attention to opportunities that complement the business strategy. The other thing is promoting clarity regarding the operations strategy throughout the business unit to realize its potential.Lastly it involves providing operations capabilities that will be required business in the future. Conclusion Looking at the operations st rategy along the various dimensions discussed in this paper, it can be concluded that they are support the operations deputation and ultimately contribute to the overall business strategy of the organization. This is so because all aspects of the operations strategy work together in a complex mix to give the overall results expected by an organization.

Life of Immigrant Women in 19th Century America Essay

The United States of America is one of the approximately diverse countries in the spotless world. It has gained diversity not merely through race, but through religion, ethnic background, and through the ever- high-octane shift of America. both(prenominal) of the most dramatic and rapid changes occurred in the late ordinal coke following the Civil War. As the United States began to industrialize, wave upon wave of immigrants poured into the countrys borders in search of religious, political, or, more often than not, frugal liberty. To the outside world, the United States began to be seen as our Pledge of Allegiance suggests is a land of the free.America is a free country one Polish immigrant statedyou dont have to be a serf to anyonefreedom and prosperity are enjoyed by the people of the United States.1 Despite these immigrant hopes of freedom and prosperity, America was only just beginning to leave behind its roots of sla re every last(predicate)y racism and bias were simme r down in the air. enchantment African-American men were being given their permission to vote, white women still struggled for that freedom. Immigrants faced dilemmas from some radical white women. Feminists argued that native-born white women deserved the vote more than non-whites and immigrants.2 The struggles of being an immigrant were difficult enough, but to be a woman as well during that era was different any other barrier to freedom and inequality at the time. The novel saccharide Givers by Anzia Yezierska, an immigrant who lived during that era, discusses what conduct was like for her demographic during her time through the eyes of a Jewish immigrant girl. Immigrant women in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century faced a slew of harrowing ch tout ensembleenges as they faced a changing America.One of the biggest challenges that immigrant women had to face was exceedingly poor liveliness conditions. Aside from being confined to very tight knit, ethnically uniform neighborhoods and communities3, many areas had landlords or landlord-esque figures set up to enforce strict life-time requirements which often limited higher quality housing in the immigrantcommunity and female demographic.4 In Bread Givers, Yezeriskas character, Sara, experiences this dilemma.She grows up in a tenet fit possibly for a single someone or possibly even a couple, and yet she lives with her mother, father, and three other sisters. On top of fasten existent conditions, they do not appear to live in an area where vex to cheap, safe viands is available all the time.5 Later in the novel, an adult Sara is searching for a place to live with a room to herself. She struggles to find any place other than single rooms to share with two to quartette other women. She often finds herself facing rejection to open rooms. No girls, snapped this one, too. Why no girls? I dared ask the tightfitting tsarina.I want to keep the house clean. No cooking, no washing. Less trouble, less dirt, with men.6 When Sara in the long run does find a room, it is descri nates as being a room very coarse to poor immigrants during that time. It was a dark hole on the ground floor. The only windowwas thick with black dust. The bed see-sawedthe mattress full of lumps and the sheets were shreds.7 These living conditions often created complications in the health and well-being of these immigrant women, and assenting to quality health care was rare for immigrant women. Saras mother falls ill in the novel and has no access to such care, ultimately leading to her demise.8 These poor living conditions, however, were not the only conflict immigrant women faced. Even when these women left(p) home for work, conditions only worsened.Job opportunities for the immigrant woman in the United States during that era were remarkably limited. As the vocation market expanded, skilled labor became more desired and unskilled labor was left to the immigrants and women. These types of jobs came with low payoff (some as low as $3 per week) long hours, and dangerous working conditions. Immigrant women were largely confined to low-wage grinder jobs, while the job-market for native born white women expanded enormously.9 In Bread Givers, Sara searches desperately and finds a job in a clothing manufacturing plant, much like the factories who hired immigrant girls in reality, for five dollars a week. She describes the factory as small, congested, smelly, and filled with fumes with nearly no source of fresh air flow.10 A similar textile factory, The Triangle Shirtwaist Company, burst out in flames on March 25, 1911.The factory was located on the top three floors of a ten-story building in Greenwich Villageof New York City. As the fire spread, the young Jewish and Italian immigrant girls, some as young as 14, began to realize the doors to the stairwells were locked, as per usual in these factors, in order for the owner to prevent theft, unauthorized bathroom breaks, outside distr actions to his employees. In the end, approximately 150 immigrant girls died in the fire, and some of the remaining survivors were arrested for forming a Union against these factories.11 These inequalities towards immigrant women were prevalent all over the country, but especially in New York City, where a large portion of the immigrant community lived cod to its proximity to Ellis Island and its high-volume of unskilled factory jobs. There were also barriers to immigrant women, however, on a smaller, more individualized outdo precise cultural practices.Women of all cultures, but especially poorer immigrant families, often had high-priority obligations in the home that prevented them from excelling in the world. While many native-born white women were privileged enough to grow up in school and go to college, get educations, and find skilled-labor careers, immigrant girls often had obligations forcing them to stay at home rather than seek an education, find a respectable job, and start their own family at a reasonable age.Taking into account the poor living conditions found in immigrant communities, as well as the lack of high wage employment and access to health care, women often had responsibilities to their families before pursuing their own lives. In Bread Givers, the meaning of the term colewort givers was that Sara and her three sisters were obligated to give their earnings to the family, especially the father.12 Although not all immigrant families had patriarchal father figures who demanded all earnings for selfish reasons as the father in Yezierskas novel did, the structure of income was very common to find in immigrant househ aged(prenominal)s.One of Saras sisters, Bessie, was the most crucial bread giver early in the story, and later on a man takes interest in her for a wife. I like a plain home girl that knows how to help save the dollar, cook a good meal, and help in the shop. I think Bessie is just fitting for me.13 This man takes interest her the same way most men would during that time. He sees her as a woman to uphold household responsibilities and help to save money instead of earn it on her own.Most of the daughters, except for Sara, end up marryingmen for the sake of obstetrical delivery money into the house in order to support their parents.14 Finally, at the end of the story, the father begins to grow old and sick and it becomes the responsibility of the daughters to take him in and take care of him without question or hesitation.15 These were some of the specific cultural barriers that imposed on the individual freedoms of immigrant women in the United States.Anzia Yezierska, through her book Bread Givers, provided a very specific, yet realistic depiction of the challenges presented to immigrant women in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century of America. The huge influx of immigrants, especially from southern and eastern Europe, between 1890 and 1914 created a drastically new dynamic in the changing Uni ted States.16 This new dynamic presented countless challenges to immigrants and women alike including poor living conditions, limited job opportunities, and cultural barriers. As our country continues to progress, so will the challenges presented to each individual group, culture, and demographic therefore, it is crucial to study these past experiences so we may learn to adapt and thrive in those conditions. works CitedFoner, Eric . Give Me Liberty An American History, seagull 3e. 3rd. 2. New York, NY W W Norton , 2012. 546-713. print.The Power and the People, episode 4 of New York A Documentary Film, Steeplechase Films, 1999, PBS home video.Yezierska, Anzia . Bread Givers, A Novel. New York, NY Persea Books, INC, 2003. print.

Introduction of Johnson &Johnson

Introduction of Johnson &Johnson As a consumer, youre known with our name. The rich inheritance brands from our operating companies get stand byed lot approximately the initiation, and chances argon your own family has trusted our growths for generations. Johnson & Johnson is the argonnas approximately comprehensive and broadly based manufacturer of wellness dish out products in the industry. Our products get going across the lives of nearly a billion people every(prenominal) day. Our operating companies somewhat the world compete in consumer, pharmaceutical, and medical devices and nosology markets.With approximately 120,000 employees acidulateing in more than 250 companies in 57 countries, our Family of Companies has the skills and resources to tackle the worlds just about pressing health issues. Few companies declare the consistent track platter of public trust, annual gross sales increases, double-digit earnings increases, and steady dividend increases of Jo hnson & Johnson. Working together across our various vexation segments, we conceptualize that we can step on it growth through a dedicated centering on the mathematical product of our existing capabilities, client need, and emerging trends.Because of our wide-ranging technological expertise and orbiculate presence, cross- lineage collaborations provide an enormous opportunity to address unmet health heraldic bearing of necessity and to compound competitive advantage for our Family of Companies. They include In the coming decades, a significant office of our growth will come from the Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and atomic number 63/Middle East/Africa global regions, through supremacy in these markets requires an understanding of local anaesthetic cultures derived only from local experience.By sourcing top affair and technology exercising candidates for positions in their home countries, we can build organizations, facilities, and product marketing systems that respond to local needfully. R altogetherying around the imperative of unflawed execution suspensors our employees around the world Innovations within each of these product platforms shoot put to work through a number of avenues, including Today, and for most of our history, our success is compulsive by our commitment to principles that are inhering in our culture. These principles provide continuity in our begin to pedigree opportunities, but they in like manner stablish consistencies in our care style. Our key strengths serve asa springboard for accelerating our growth and our contribution to military man health around the world. Johnson & Johnson is committed to building on our knowl rim and experience in order to take the take on in a apace evolving health care marketplace. Commitment to the promise of science and technology helps us amaze innovative products and seek cures for diseases. collaborationism across our businesses and franchises expands competitive advantage and helps us address unmet medical needs.Pariticipation inglobal marketsmany with substantial unmet medical needsoffers tremendous potential. Recognition ofthe state inherent in our health care mission compels us to maintain the highest quality and on-time delivery. Explore Our Expansive Business dodging A wide focus on health care As a consumer, youre familiar with our name. The rich heritage brands from our operating companies have helped people around the world, and chances are your own family has trusted our products for generations.Johnson & Johnson is the worlds most comprehensive and broadly based manufacturer of health care products in the industry. Our products touch the lives of nearly a billion people every day. Our operating companies around the world compete in consumer, pharmaceutical, and medical devices and diagnostics markets. With approximately 120,000 employees working in more than 250 companies in 57 countries, our Family of Companies has the skills and resourc es to tackle the worlds most pressing health issues. Our strategicalal principlesFew companies have the consistent track record of public trust, annual sales increases, double-digit earnings increases, and steady dividend increases of Johnson & Johnson. Our strategic principles define our management approach and help us build on the strengths of our heritage. Our approach to a converging health care market Johnson & Johnson recognizes that leverage our world-class giving with cutting-edge technology has the potential to create innovative, effective product solutions and a novel approach to holistic patient care.Our vision for growth Working together across our various business segments, we believe that we can accelerate growth through a dedicated focus on the intersection of our existing capabilities, customer need, and emerging trends. Our growth imperatives and our commitment to instruction capable, taxs-based leading define our vision to rebel to a new level of strength. Our strategic approach Few companies have the public trust in the record sales growth, double-digit increases in earnings, as closely as Johnson & Johnsons steady increase in dividend.Our strategic approach to determine our management approach and help us to consolidate our traditional strengths. The convergence of our approach medical market Johnson & Johnson acknowledged that the use and cutting of our world-class talent, advanced technology, it is possible to create innovative, represent effective product solutions and a comprehensive new method for patient care. Our healthy growth Our work in various business fields, we believe we can accelerate our existing capabilities through a dedicated focus on the junction growth, customer needs, emerging trends.Our growth needs and we are committed to create skills, values-based leaders set out our objectives, creating a new power level. Johnson & Johnson is a company of enduring strength. Weve been internal to play a role in helping millions of people the world over be well and stay well through more than a century of change. As the science of human health and public assistance has grown, weve been able to grow along with it. Even more pregnant, weve helped shape and define what health and well-being means in every day lives. Our products, services, ideas and giving now touch the lives of at least atomic number 53 billion people everyday.We credit our strength and endurance to a consistent approach to managing our business, and to the character of our people. We are draw offd in everything we do by Our church doctrine, a management document authored more than 60 years ago by Robert Wood Johnson, former chairman from 1932 to 1963, and by four strategic principles. Our church doctrine Our directive Philosophy The overarching philosophy that guides our business is Our Credo, a deeply held set of values that have served as the strategic and moral compass for generations of Johnson & Johnson leaders and empl oyees.Above all, Our Credo challenges us to put the needs and well-being of the people we serve first. It also speaks to the responsibilities we have to our employees, to the communities in which we live and work and the world community, and to our shareholders. We believe Our Credo is a blueprint for long-term growth and sustain office thats as relevant today as when it was written Our Credo Values Broadly Based in Human Health Being broadly based gives us a number of advantages. Our more than 250 operating companies have a local window into emerging customer needs, scientific developments, and technologies end-to-end the world.We turn those insights into innovative new products and sometimes whole new businesses. It allows us to fare scientific breakthroughs, marketing insights and manufacturing expertise easily across the full range of our businesses. This broad base has helped us bring more science to the consumer health products that people use every day. To see the breadth o f the Johnson & Johnson companies throughout the world, explore the map. A Decentralized Management Approach We are big and we are small all at once. Each of our operating companies functions as its own small business.They are wholesomely entrepreneurial in character, and they know that their success depends on anticipating customers needs and delivering meaningful, high-quality solutions. While our people operate in a small-company setting, they also have access to the know-how and resources of a Fortune 50 company. Its like having dozens of strategic partners at their fingertips. Explore the map to find out more about our companies throughout the world. Managed for the Long Term We focus on the fundamentals of our business, and manage with future generations in mind.While we keep our eye on brotherly and scientific trends, we make sure our companies balance the short-term and the long-term in their strategic planning. We invest in promising new businesses while maintaining leade rship positions in high growth businesses. We are focused on sustain exponent, and constantly review key economic, environmental, and employee health and safety indicators to reassure we are on the right path. This sometime(prenominal) year we established an internal innovation fund to keep us at the leading edge of transforming health and well-being. People and ValuesPeople and values are Johnson & Johnsons greatest assets. We know that every invention, every product, and every breakthrough weve brought to human health and well-being has been powered by people. Our people extend to to make a difference. We believe the divided values embodied in Our Credo help us attract and keep the most talented values-driven people in the world. Our Credo Values The values that guide our decision making are spelled out in Our Credo.Put simply, Our Credo challenges us to put the needs and well-being of the people we serve first. Robert Wood Johnson, former chairman from 1932 to 196 3 and a member of the Companys founding family, crafted Our Credo himself in 1943, just before Johnson became a publicly traded company. This was long before anyone ever heard the term corporate social responsibility. Our Credo is more than just a moral compass.We believe its a recipe for business success. The fact that Johnson is one of only a handful of companies that have flourished through more than a century of change is proof of that. developing markets Growth in Developing and Underserved Markets In the coming decades, a significant portion of our growth will come from the Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Europe/Middle East/Africa global regions, through Product marketing innovational manufacturing Product development leaders development activitiesSuccess in these markets requires an understanding of local cultures derived only from local experience. By sourcing top business and technology employment candidates for positions in their home countries, we can b uild organizations, facilities, and product marketing systems that respond to local needs. Established in 2008, one of the tasks of the Johnson & Johnson Office of Strategy and Growth is to identify new growth and strategic opportunities in developing and underserved markets that have the potential to make a significant impact on human health.These opportunities are separate from those being currently pursued by our existing business segments. The Johnson & Johnson International recruitment & Development program is a major component of our global success. By developing future leaders within our international businesses, we build businesses that are better aligned with the pressing health care needs of the regions in which they operate. Our decentralized management structure ensures that Johnson & Johnson operations in countries across the world are run locally, with an emphasis on adapting our products and facilities to local cultures, customs, and economic vitality.Growth is drive n from within these regions, rather than from afar. Our Heritage grammatical construction on the Strengths of Our Heritage Remaining true to the principles that made us strong Today, and for most of our history, our success is driven by our commitment to principles that are ingrained in our culture. These principles provide continuity in our approach to business opportunities, but they also establish consistencies in our management style. Our guiding principles are Adherence to the principles of Our Credo A broad base in human health care Commitment to decentralized management focus on managing the business for the long term Dedication to people and values While Johnson & Johnson is dedicated to Our Credo, which have historically guided our business, our employees, and our culture, we also use these values and beliefs to guide our strategies for the future in a rapidly converging health care marketplace. Our dedication to personal and professional growth among our employees, a s well as an emphasis on developing new technologies to meet the needs of people around the world, positions Johnson & Johnson as a global leader in the 21st century.Flawless Execution Rallying around the imperative of flawless execution helps our employees around the world Maintain the highest quality and on-time delivery of the products, projects, and processes for which they share responsibility Display vision, planning, and the ability to adapt to a changing environment Become better prepared to help us ease up our goals in human health care Develop the discipline that makes tools such as process excellence, shared surpass practices, and review of process metrics an important part of our operating cultureCross-business Collaborations Because of our wide-ranging technological expertise and global presence, cross-business collaborations provide an enormous opportunity to address unmet health care needs and to enhance competitive advantage for our Family of Companies. They in clude Collaborations initiated to identify and develop innovative products Grouped purchasing agreements, shared best practices, cooperative talent acquisition and development, and shared research initiatives, undertaken to improve overall performance Their success is due, in part, to strong trust-based relationships.Commitment to the values expressed in Our Credo helps employees of Johnson & Johnson companies demonstrate skill and effectiveness as they establish relationships with colleagues worldwide. The decentralized corporate structure within Johnson & Johnson, when applied to innovation and business growth, military issues in opposite people with different skills, thoughts, and ideas coming together and collaborating to develop products and technologies to advance the standard of health care and conform to unmet medical needs of patients around the world. Innovative Product SolutionsOur opportunities for innovation span a range of product solution platforms that cross our c onsumer, pharmaceutical, and medical devices and diagnostics businesses Anti-infectives Neurology Antifungal Nutritionals Audiology Oncology Cardiovascular Oral care Central nervous system Orthopaedics Dental Pain and inflammation Diagnostics Patient observe Dialysis Respiratory Gastrointestinals Skin care Hematology Surgical instruments IV/vascular access Urology visualise Vision care Immune-mediated inflammatory disorders Womens health Needles and sutures Wound care Innovations within each of these product platforms take shape through a number of avenues, including Aggressive investment in research and development To ensure our continued growth, we make a vigorous commitment to research and development in all business segments. Our R&D network is strong and well-equipped, with substantial annual investments. Through world-class research facilities, exceedingly productive small team settings, and sound scientific methods, we build a pipeline and patent la nd that match the breadth of our product platforms. Focus on new convergence in the marketplaceOur strong commitment to R&D, as well as our focus on new technologies, has positioned Johnson & Johnson as a market leader ready to capitalize on the rapidly evolving health care landscape. As the marketplace sees a new and steady convergence between technology, products, and services, we see ourselves as anomalously positioned to meet the challenges and opportunities that are emerging. Extensive collaboration and strategic alliances Our broad base in health care offers our companies a unique source of innovative product solutoins Internal collaborations both within and across business segments. Experts within peculiar(prenominal) product platforms extend their impact as they identify synergies and establish collaborative development relationships with colleagues throughout our Family of Companies.The ability to work across company boundaries enables true collaborative innovation, and s ets the stage for important health care breakthroughs in the future. Additionally, each year, Johnson & Johnson companies enter into hundreds of strategic alliances. These alliances combine theunique strengths of external partners, which, when combinedwith those of our businesses, build value for customers. selective licensing and acquisition We proactively search for innovations from outside our organizations as well. Our conscientious approach to assessing licensing and acquisition opportunities has helped us expand this important source of growth Advancing to a New Level of StrengthAccelerating growth by excelling as leaders Our key strengths serve as a springboard for accelerating our growth and our contribution to human health around the world. Johnson & Johnson is committed to building on our knowledge and experience in order to take the lead in a rapidly evolving health care marketplace. Our pursuit is grounded in four growth imperatives Innovative product solutions Commitme nt to the promise of science and technology helps us produce innovative products and seek cures for diseases. Cross-business collaborations Collaboration across our businesses and franchises expands competitive advantage and helps us address unmet medical needs.Growth in developing and underserved markets Pariticipation in global marketsmany with substantial unmet medical needsoffers tremendous potential. Flawless execution Recognition of the responsibility inherent in our health care mission compels us to maintain the highest qu quality and on-time delivery. Johnson & Johnson companies have the immunity to develop customized strategies that best contribute to their own growth as well as to the fulfillment of our global business strategy. In this way, our small-company environment contributes directly and uniquely to our big-company impact. Developing capable, values-based leaders Much of our success is the result of skilled leaders who have made smart choices over the years.Jo hnson & Johnson companies rely on the ongoing development of leaders who Demonstrate integrity, passion, and the ability to set a vision and inspire organizations Create and value stimulant environments, learning and growth opportunities, and collaborative settings Guide business growth Champion adherence to the values of Our Credo Looking to the future, we are placing more emphasis than ever on the attraction, acquisition, and development of capable, values-based leaders. The convergence of technology with talent in our organization opens up new doors for our employees to facilitate exciting innovations across many platforms.Our Global lead Profile serves as a framework for developing and assessing future leaders around the world. It defines the leadership behaviors we value in employees at all levels. Our greatest potential is realized when we help employees realize their greatest potential. To help cultivate the leadership capabilities of every individual, we continually ass ess our talent management processes, tools, and leadership effectiveness. Johnson & Johnson is committed to developing the talents and skills of our employees in order to position them to solve the health care needs of the future. picpicpicpicpicpicpicpicpicpicpicpicpicpicpicpicpicpicpicpicpicpicpicpicpicpicpic