The Obstacle I Face in College

Miaodan XuProfessor Bradley FoxEnglish 1101 – D36528 March 2018 My Obstacle to College – Being a Student and a MotherWhile I agree with the point that many college freshmen are facing the obstacle about feeling lonely in their new college environment, emphasized by Frank Bruni in his article â€Å"The Real Campus Scourge,† I face a different obstacle because I have to balance being a 24-hour on-duty mother and a full-time college student. I'm 30 years old, and the mother of a 19-month-old toddler boy. I started college when my son, Jace was 18 months old. Before I went to college, I was taking care of Jace all day long. I sang songs and played games with him every day. We went to the parks and attended story-time-class in McKinney Library together every week. I prepared baby food and changed diapers 5 to 6 times a day for Jace. I also washed and sterilized milk bottles each day. Now everything has changed. I don't have enough time to look after Jace anymore. I have four days of classes and I need to work harder and spend more time on my courses since my English is not as good as native students. Usually, I have to spend about two hours getting college from my house in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, five hours in classes, and more than two hours doing homework. Although I devote a lot of time to studying for my courses, it still takes me the rest of the time to look after Jace. I am lack of sleep so far this semester. Therefore, my biggest obstacle is how to keep a balance between the roles of a mother and a college student.I had to muster up the courage to go to college since I had graduated from Guangzhou True Light High School in Guangdong, China ten years ago. Besides, I have been married and given birth to my son. I am not as young as other students, and I have the responsibility to take care of my child that other students don't. Some people assert that mothers should devote all the time to doing family matters, and they don't even believe I can finish college as a mother. My friend Jolin, a mother of two, was astonished when I told her that I was going to college in January, and said â€Å"What? Are you kidding me? That's impossible! How can you take care of your family and your classes at the same time? I know you, and I worry about you because you can only do one thing at a time!† Not only Jolin, but also my aunt Fay and my uncle Jin who lived in Flushing, Queens doubted if I could handle everything well for motherhood and college. What they said made me hesitate whether it is right to go to college. I was so anxious. Finally, I strengthened my mind to start college after careful consideration. It's hard, I admit, but it is more important for me to prove to my child that any dream can be achieved. I firmly told myself again and again, â€Å"Nothing is impossible! You really can do it!†In addition to being doubted by others, another issue is that I have to find the time to give equal attention to both of my study and Jace besides housework. In order to do housework and take care of my son, sometimes I have to start my studying night life when my family members are asleep. I have to be very careful not to make any noise to disturb them. I type keyboard slowly, click mouse slowly, open and close the textbooks slowly to make it as quiet as possible, which may reduce the quality of my educational tasks. Meanwhile, it seems to be a precious time to sing a song like â€Å"Itchy bitsy spider† to Jace every day. When I am doing homework at home, Jace always comes to me. He wants me to hug him, play with him, or lie next to him while he's sleepy. He's eager to do everything with me and needs me to accompany him all the time. Undoubtedly I want to accompany him through every precious time, but I don't have enough time to study and do my homework in fact. When I am back home after class, I have to prepare baby food for Jace, wash and sterilize milk bottles, and wash the dirty clothes in the basement. I only have one to two hours of free time before Jace goes to sleep. Especially during the period when I was sick last week, everything went terrible. I had a cold, fewer, cough, sore throat, and felt very bad. I isolated myself in my bedroom because I was worried about the flu would infect Jace. Jace was taken care of by his grandmother, a 65 years old woman, who spent all her time on family matters. Jace wanted me as usual, but I really couldn't satisfy him due to my collapsed body. It's a difficult time for all of us, and it's also cruel for us while Jace cried for me. Although it's very hard for me to be a full-time college student as a mother, I believe I can balance two roles through the following methods: First of all, I stay positive. In my opinion, a positive attitude is important for everything. Sometimes I feel exhausted and get stressed, then I would remind myself that â€Å"The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection,† which was said by Thomas Paine. I realize that smiling to get through stress is the best way to relieve stress. Also, I take fewer classes. If I take too many classes, it would become a lot more difficult to balance baby time and college time. Though it takes me more time to graduate from college than the average student, I'm willing to spend more time focusing on the process of Jace's growth. Moreover, I study whenever and wherever I can. Usually I do homework, review notes, or read articles when Jace is asleep, even just a short time while he takes a nap. On weekends, I study in the car while my husband is driving on the way to my mother's home or on the way to shopping malls. I strive to study every moment. Furthermore, I use a calendar. In fact, it's impossible for me to remember everything in my mind. So I always use a calendar to write down every assignment, every due date, every appointment, and all other important things. Besides, I make detailed schedules that specifying everything like when I should get up, take train, have meal, get rest, do homework, play with Jace, prepare meals for him, then stick to do them exactly the time I set up. Above all, it can be stressful to manage time while going to college and raising a child sometimes, but I insist I will try my best to do well in the roles of a college student and a mother. As I am not young anymore, I don't have much time to waste. I hunger to finish my bachelor's degree as fast as I can without neglecting my child. My husband always encourages me that â€Å"Having a baby isn't the end of your life, it's just the beginning of a new adventure. Just remember that you can do whatever you want to do.† Thanks to the support from my husband and the help from Jace's grandmother, I have the opportunity to go to college. Balancing well in being a mother and a college student, I would take good care of Jace and do well in college. I won't let down my family's expectations and waste everything that they do for me. I firmly believe that I'm setting a great example for Jace of the importance of education, and he will be proud of his mother who never give up what she insist on.

Journey’s End and the Accrington Pals †Class System Essay

Explore the ways in which the class system is exposed in both Journey’s End and The Accrington Pals. How far do you agree that Sherriff explores this aspect in his play more successfully than Whelan? The theme of class is one that is important in both R. C. Sherriff’s Journey’s End and Peter Whelan’s The Accrington Pals. Class is explored through the use of characterisation, setting, structure, dialogue and also political ideologies. Both Sherriff and Whelan may have chosen to develop the class system to emphasise the change it has undergone since the war ended. The Accrington Pals is a modern novel, first performed in 1982. As well as portraying the political views of the time, there are also echoes of Thatcherism. Whelan shows this conservative ideology through the character of May. May is a working-class stall owner who aspires to be middle-class and has middle-class ideals â€Å"they’re just waiting to see you stumble, slip back and be as they are. In the end it’s just you†¦yourself. We don’t create the rules of life. They’re there. † The same ideologies are hinted at in Sherriff’s Journey’s End. There were few plays written during the 1920’s that commented on political and social events and not a lot were very successful. Sherriff said in his autobiography that his characters were ‘simple, unquestioning men who fought the war because it seemed the only right and proper thing to do †¦ (it was a play) in which not a word was spoken against the war †¦ and no word of condemnation was uttered †¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ What he hoped to do was to show ‘how men really lived in the trenches, how they talked and how they behaved. ’ Although unintentional there is clear class distinction and, like The Accrington Pals, a conservative ideology. In both plays there are clear divisions between the middle and working classes, this is shown through characterisation. Sherriff exposes the class system through the use of his characterisation of the officers and serving soldiers, he portrays the officers as being from the middle-class, public school section of society. For example, Raleigh is a public schoolboy who is, †just out from England†. He is also the only officer there who has â€Å"never been up on the line before. Due to his class, he is immediately instigated as an officer and therefore as a lot in common with the other officers in the dugout. He speaks with a Received Pronunciation accent (Queen’s English) and uses a lot of sporting idioms â€Å"He was a skipper of rugger at Barford, and kept wicket for the eleven. A jolly good bat, too. † The use of the sporting language here is closely associated with an education in a public school. Raleigh’s enthusiasm when speaking of his school days also emphasises his inexperience with war and the effect it has on people. This is a huge contrast to the character of Tom in The Accrington Pals, who is a working-class boy that lodges with May. Like Raleigh he is inexperienced with the workings of war. He studied at an art school and before joining the Pals, was an apprenticed lithographer and helped May run her stall. He has socialist and progressive views, which contrast greatly with the conservative ideals of Journey’s End. â€Å"It’s a free exchange of skills†¦of produce of hand or brain. That’s what’s needed. Not money. † Whelan may have drawn inspiration for the character of Tom from the Russian revolution of 1917 that lead to the monarchy falling and a provisional government being elected. It was dubbed the ‘socialist revolution’ and Tom shares similar ideals to the Russian working-class. Setting is an important form which exposes the class system. In Journey’s End, although the characters are no longer at home, they are served three-course meals and are waited on by servants. The officers are treated differently to the soldiers and still live in a similar manner they were accustomed to back home. For example, there is an incident in the play where Mason, the officers’ cook, forgets to pack the pepper in the mess box. The soldiers tell him to fetch someone get the pepper because â€Å"war’s bad enough with pepper – but war without pepper – it’s – it’s bloody awful! † Trotter’s uniform is also rather small suggesting he has put on weight and has been eating well, unlike the ordinary soldiers who eat bread and cheese. Although the officers are eating well, the food they have is questionable â€Å"What kind of soup is this, Mason? It’s yellow soup, sir. It’s got a very deep yellow flavour. † Their living conditions are not very habitable either. When Hardy is showing Osborne the dugout he explains how the beds are in poor condition â€Å"The ones in the other dugout haven’t got any bottoms to them. You keep yourself in by hanging your arms and legs over the sides. Mustn’t hang your legs too low, or the rats gnaw your boots. † The dugout is described in a warren-like way which makes the audience feel claustrophobic, â€Å"Two officers in here, and three in there. [He points to the right-hand tunnel. ]† The small setting allowed him to include extremes of emotion. In stressful situations, strained emotions are to be expected. In creating a play which leapt from high drama to calm, Sherriff showed a true understanding of human psychology and of the war itself. The main areas of setting in The Accrington Pals are May’s stall and her kitchen in her home, but other locations (such as Sarah’s backyard and the recruitment office) are also used. Some scenes cross-fade into each other, suggesting there are connections between the two scenes – for example, Act Two, Scene one, which begins with Ralph and Eva both lit on stage, Ralph being close to the front lines in in France and Eva in May’s kitchen. This scene isn’t just marked by the lighting change but also the change in sound, from the machine guns giving way to the sewing machines whirring. â€Å"The light on Ralph fades. There is more light on Eva who begins to work on the dress with a sewing machine. The sound of the sewing machine rises above the fading away of the machine guns. † One of Whelan’s qualities is the ability to give an impression of reality in the play with his use of, setting, lighting and sound. Journey’s End takes part over the space of four days and is presented in three acts. There is a very limited and confined time span and claustrophobic setting. The play is linked by a series of almost unrelated scenes; the disorganised nature of the play reflects the state of war; it has a jerky feel about it, where events do need lead on neatly or naturally onto the next. The play includes a number of complications, moments of drama and an exploration of the characters’ reactions and relationships showing the conditions of the war, leaving the audience to come to their own conclusions about the abrupt ending. These complications lead to mini climaxes all throughout the play, for example Raleigh’s letter in Act Two at the end of Scene 1. Stanhope confiscates a letter from Raleigh insisting on his right to censor it. Stanhope is in a relationship with Raleigh’s sister and is worried that, in the letter, Raleigh will reveal Stanhope’s growing alcoholism. He is surprised to find that the letter is full of praise for him, â€Å"He hardly ever sleeps in the dugout; he’s always up in the front line with the men, cheering them on with jokes, and making them keen about things, like he did the kids at school. This complication is resolved however and the play moved on to its next complication: the raid. The use of Mason as a character is to provide moments of light relief to the audience. â€Å"There was a bit of lean in the middle of yours, sir, but it’s kind of shrunk up in the cooking. † He brings a sense of normality to the war around them. The structure of The Accrington Pals is slightly different. It is split into two acts, with ten scenes in Act One and eight in Act Two and takes place over the space of two years (1914 to 1916). The play begins with the central relationship of Tom and May. Gradually as the play moves on May becomes the centre of the play. The relationship between Tom and May is then compared to the physical one of Ralph and Eva, whom may envies for her instinctive qualities. Throughout the play may increasing isolates herself from the people around her, for example ordering both Tom (Act One, Scene Six) and Eva (Act Two, Scene Six) from her home. It is almost as though she would prefer the safety and consistency of life alone to that of an intimate relationship. The final scene with Eva and Reggie suggests that May with accept life and carry on â€Å"I need you to put me right. † Whelan also applies film techniques to the play. The technique in Act Two, Scene Seven by which reality fades into May’s dream or nightmare as it may be, is very similar to what you would find in a film. The fluency of the scene enabled Whelan to develop a dialectic structure in which the scenes are viewed in relation to each other.

Implementing the Duty of Care in Health and Social Care Essay

Act within own competence and not take on anything not believe we can safely do As a care worker, we owe a duty of care to the people we support, colleagues, employer and ourselves and the public interest. Every one have a duty of care that we cannot opt out of. Peoples we care support should be treated with respect, involved in decision making about their care and treatment and able influence how the service is run. People should receive safe and appropriate care that meets their needs and support their rights. A negligent act could be unintentional but careless or intentional that results in abuse or injury. A negligent act is breaching the duty of care. Explain how duty of care contributes to the safeguarding or protection of individuals Our duty of care means that we must aim to provide high quality care to the best of our ability and express if there are any reasons may be unable to do so. Professionals act within duty of care must do what a reasonable person, with their trainin g and background, can be expected to do so. It also connected with the areas of carrying and reviewing of risk assessments, which ensuring elimination of hazards, use of equipments and all health and safety guidelines. Policies and procedures sets clear boundaries in safe guarding in social care setting. The concept of safeguarding, whether it is children or vulnerable adults, is broader than protection. Safeguarding is also about keeping children or vulnerable adults safe from any sort of harm, such as illness, abuse or injury. This means all agencies and families working together and taking responsibility for the safety of children and vulnerable adults, whether it is by promoting health, preventing accidents or protecting children or vulnerable adults who have been abused. It is the staff responsibility in duty of care to safeguard individuals from harm. All employees should report any concerns of abuse they have. These might include evidence or suspicions of bad practice by  colleagues and managers, or abuse by another individual, another worker or an individual’s family or friends. Local authorities have Safeguarding policies and procedures that will be published on their websites or available from their Safeguarding team. Know how to respond to complaints Describe how to respond to complaints Complaint means â€Å"an expression of dissatisfaction that requires a response†. The procedure provides the opportunity to put things right for service users as well as improving services. Dealing with those who have made complaints provides an opportunity to re-establish a positive relationship with the complainant and to develop an understanding of their concerns and needs. Effective complaints handling is an important aspect of clinical and social care governance arrangements and, as such, will help organisations to continue to improve the quality of their services and safeguard high standards of care and treatment. Increased efforts should be made to promote a more positive culture of complaints handling by highlighting the added value of complaints within health and social care and making the process more acceptable/amenable to all. All complaints received should be treated with equal importance regardless of how they are submitted. Complainants should be encouraged to speak openly and freely about their concerns and should be reassured that whatever they may say will be treated with appropriate confidence and sensitivity. Complainants should be treated courteously and sympathetically and where possible involved in decisions about how their complaint is handled and considered. However received, the first responsibility of staff is to ensure that the service user’s immediate care needs are being met. This may require urgent action before any matters relating to the complaint are addressed. Where possible, all complaints should be recorded and discussed with the Complaints Manager in order to identify those that can be resolved immediately, those that will require a formal investigation or those that should be referred outside the HSC Complaints Procedure. Front-line staff will often find the information they gain from complaints useful in improving service quality. This is particularly so for complaints th at have been resolved â€Å"on the spot† and have not progressed through the formal complaints process. Mechanisms for achieving this are best agreed at organisational level. Explain the main  points of agreed procedures for handling complaints The Health and Social Care services recognises that most of our work is involved with supporting people to overcome and manage difficulties or situations in their lives. The aim is to consider all complaints as close to the point of contact as possible, and in many cases staff will be able to respond and resolve these at the time and place that the complaint is made. The Regulations on complaints identify ‘if a complaint is made orally and resolution can be agreed with the client by the end of the next working day’ it does not fall within the regulations and therefore it can be viewed as day-to-day business. Details of such representations managed within service areas should be forwarded to the Complaints Team, this information will assist in the overall departmental learning from complaints. The details of the complaint will also require to be screened to look at the significance of the complaint for the complainant and for the management and to indicate the manner in which it should be dealt with. Factors to be taken into account when screening are: The likelihood of re-occurrence. †° The degree of risk for the individual. The degree of risk for the Department. The views of the complainant. Know how to address conflicts or dilemmas that may arise between an individual’s rights and the duty of care Describe potential conflicts or dilemmas that may arise between the duty of care and an individual’s rights The main area of conflicts or dilemma arises is related to the decision making associated to the choices by services to take risks. Some times individuals may want to do something which could be a risk to their health and safety. As a social care worker we have the duty of care to that person and we ensure to do all that we can to keep them safe. The conflict arises when we uplift the idea to respect the individuals rights and choices and promoting independence. In this scenario, we need to carry out a thorough risk assessment to ensure this particular activity is managed in a safest way. In order to minimise risks and promote welfare of the children and young people under care, it is important to report the areas of conflict to  the management, social se rvices and professional involved in an individuals care. Describe how to manage risks associated with conflicts or dilemmas between an individual’s rights and the duty of care In situations where there is a conflict of interest or a dilemma between an individual’s rights and duty of care, it is best practice to make sure the individual is aware of the consequences of their choice and that they have the mental capacity to understand the risks involved in their choice. It is their right as an individual to be able to make informed choices about their own lives even if we disagree with their choice. It is the right of every individual to make choices and take risks. It is the social care worker’s role to assist them in making those choices and reducing the risks without compromising their rights. An individual may be restricted if his or her behaviour presents a serious risk of harm to his or herself or to other people. People who receive care and support are considered to be at risk, and as such the law requires that an assessment be carried out to look at any possible risks there might be to the individual or to others. The aim of this assessment is not to remove the individual’s right to take risks, but to recognise and reduce them where possible to an acceptable and manageable level. Explain where to get additional support and advice about conflicts and dilemmas The first port of call if a social care worker is unsure about what to do and if they are exercising the duty of care is to their manager. They should be able to advise you about the best approaches to take. Also we can contact Regulator for advice about how to implement the Code of Practice. All of the Regulators produce guidance about how to implement the Code of Practice. These guidance documents can be very helpful in looking at the implications for day-to-day work. Members of a professional association or a trade union can co ntact them and they will also be able to offer advice about any uncertainties you have about whether you are exercising a duty of care towards the people you support effectively.

Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 31

Case Study Example There is number of middle class population is living in India. So, the target audience is average middle class of the population. For that, the product category is divided into two. One is grooming product, it includes body fragrances and spa. The other product is beauty product, and it includes skincare cosmetics and color cosmetics. The other benefit of the product is that it has very affordable prices with high quality and high value products. It will not be wrong to state that, Mary Kay is a globally recognized brand. As, it is a global brand, so, its products are manufactured in different countries of the world. The countries that manufacture the products of Mary Kay are Texas and Dallas in USA, and Hangzhou in China. Moreover, the beauty and grooming products are sold in five continents and in 35 different countries all around the world (Cateora 481). As India’s population is growing, so, the upper class of India is the most consuming class individuals are growing with over 500 million. The people of these classes are very optimistic, and the majority of consumers are young. They are the one who promote the consumerism enhance the luxurious life over the basic items. While focusing on the consumers and their feelings to target an audience, it has been noticed that in Indian culture promotion of beauty products can be successful because they want to live a good, perfect life for that they prefer to groom themselves. So, it can be beneficial for the company’s venture into the developing market of cosmetics (Cateora 481). For the awareness of the brand and its performance, the Mary Kay started marketing operation for the product launch in India in 2007. Then, in 2008 the initial launch of the product was in Delhi. This city is known as most populated city as it is the capital city of India. The other highly populated metropolis is Mumbai, so, the second marketing campaign run in Mumbai. For brand

Global Marketing Strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Global Marketing Strategy - Essay Example In the research, the main areas of interest will be to reach out to various experts and gain a better understanding of the global objectives. This will provide the readers with a better understanding of the needs to create strong global strategies.   Notably, the only way that one can succeed is by taking advantage of the global operational differences, opportunities, and similarities to come up with competitive means of marketing products to meet global objectives. The main aim of global marketing is, therefore, to be in control of the market through comprehensive skills only acquired through research and conclusive education. There have been a number of researches that have been conducted in this area of study. Studies have been focused on what global strategies are and how they work. However, there have not been any studies on the major objectives that need to be kept in mind by the companies to set down the objectives of the global strategies. This research hence will deal with this area. The next section provides the reasons to choose the topic and also the researcher part in the area. This topic is one with great relevance in the current marketing field. The prevalence of global marketing strategy has been a constant increase over the years. This is now becoming a basic need for all the businesses across the world. Hence the researcher has chosen this topic for the research as it will allow being able to cover areas that have not been reached out to and also ensure that ever possible view from the various experts in the field.

Yahoo case study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Yahoo case study - Essay Example But yahoo was not able to carry on the fame it had created for long time. In February 2008, yahoo share price fell from $31 a share to less than half of it. In the year 2011, the CEO of Yahoo Carol Bartz was sacked by the chairman of the company. However the share price of Yahoo had plummeted during the tenure of Carol Bartz. Analysis of the case The case study takes into consideration the problems and issues which Yahoo has been facing over the years. Initially the company was able to attract customers but with new competition from other online sites, yahoo started to losing its customers. According to the case study Yahoo lacked the hype and buzz in the technology market. The case study has also introduced many issues and problems that the company was facing along with its employees such as the corporate culture and political conflicts which highlighted the problem that the employees were dissatisfied with the mid level management; the organization was involved in silo thinking and bureaucracy, issue with respect to human resource, leadership changes and restructuring. In addition to the problems faced by Yahoo, the case study also talks about change in leadership. Marissa Mayer who was the head of the Google search group was appointed as the new CEO of Yahoo. Under the leadership of Marissa Mayer, change management has been implemented to get back Yahoo on the right track and Marissa Mayer aims to â€Å"focus on the users† as yahoo in recent years have been known for its distraction than delight. The case study shows how Marissa Mayer implemented the strategy of change management in yahoo and also follows the changes and step that she brought in Google. The case highlights the good and potential qualities of Marissa Mayer to bring about a change in Yahoo but at the same time it also highlights the resistance to change that the employees of Yahoo might face while dealing with the change. Identification of major issues Yahoo major problem was it never b een best at anything and instead of defining itself the company has fitted from one new web portal to another. Yahoo has 44 different business units and with just 3200 employees it had become unmanageable for the company. Despite having about 44 different business units it do not have sales unit leading to much more confused and chaotic situations. During the golden days of Yahoo, customers were getting involved with the company by themselves and the advertisement company was ready to spent dollars on it and as a result Yahoo did not established relationship with its customers as the customers walked it by themselves which led to arrogance (Willians 2008, 209)1 Corporate culture and political conflicts are said to be high in the organization and this can be seen another big issue for Yahoo and the new CEO Marissa Mayer. As per a review it was revealed that in comparisons to 98% of Google employees who thought the outlook of the company will be better in the future only 48% of employ ees of Yahoo felt the same. The employees were not satisfied with the mid level management as the mid level management was control freaks who pressurized the people without making any improvement. In addition with the existence of frequent re-orgs, this resulted in firing of employees and also scrapping of projects along with frequent turmoil at the executive

Managing Conflict Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Managing Conflict - Essay Example As people interact with one another, conflict inevitably develops. People very often encounter conflicts in their day to day life (Kekes, 1993, p.53). According to Boulding (1963 cited in Chou & Yeh, 2007), conflict is the involved parties’ awareness of differences and discrepancies in ideas, opinions, and ‘incompatible wishes, or irreconcilable desires.’ Conflict arises due to the individuals’ different mental framework and interests. Boulding’s definition, however, is quite striking for this implies that people with ‘irreconcilable desires’ could never reach a reconciliation to their conflict. Clearly, conflict is neither bad nor good, ‘[c]onflict just is’ (Cohen, 2008). On the other hand, conflict can be destructive or constructive depending on the involved party’s reaction or response in dealing with and managing conflict. While some conflicts can be resolved, there are others that cannot. The person’s individuality and his or her response to conflict management are two main reasons why not all conflicts can be resolved. Firstly, the individuals’ unique personality -- which includes, but not limited to, values, emotional makeup, and interests -- is a factor why conflict is difficult or cannot be resolved. According to Kekes (1993, p.55), the incompatibility of values is due to the intrinsic qualities of values. Committed political activism and solitude, for instance, are totally incompatible. The activists’ and the apolitical individuals’ ‘irreconcilable desires’ make negotiation far from possible. Secondly, the individuals’ different perspectives and responses toward conflict management affect the outcome of conflict resolution or non-resolution. Conflict management is defined as what people -- involved in the conflict -- intend to, and actually, do in order to solve or reduce such conflict (Chou & Yeh, 2007). For instance, people who prefer problem-solving or collaboration

Problems of philosophy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Problems of philosophy - Essay Example Therefore, it can be deduced that philosophical problems do not exist far from the mere lay sense. These serious philosophical problems are compounded together and assigned either questions or names in line with the reasoning behind every method. This synthesis has afforded, the would be untenable, categories of philosophy to be managed easily and vividly in their respective assigned topics. These topics, among others, are; logic, epistemology, metaphysics, theology, aesthetics and ethics and in this paper I am going to shown how each of the readings of units 8 though unit 12 has dealt with at least each of these problems. Unit 8A is Interview with Spinoza/ David Brahinsky In this interview we get the opportunity to list to an interview between David Brahinsky and Spinoza. Baruch Benedictus Spinoza is counted among the greatest rationalists of the west. The discussion starts by Spinoza being given an opportunity to talk about his religion and he is categorical in stating that he beca me non-religious when such an idea was rare in the society. Although later in the discussion we see him stating that reasoning can be boosted by the understanding of the divine itself and for that case the divinity of God. His rationalism as a topic of philosophy is expounded by his strong belief in the power of reason, thought and logic. According to Spinoza reason can impact our thinking and lives and these include also our emotions and spirituality. This is where his metaphysics meets with his rationalism and we see even his interviewer being interested in the way Spinoza’s ideas have been incorporated in the constitution of the current United States. What also strikes is his disbelieve in duality and he holds hat there is nothing like body and mind, just like there is no superior mind which watches over us. In this speech the writer tries to expose all what Spinoza held dear in his philosophy although there is a leading voice in the way he conducts the conversation and mo st of the ideas discussed are in line with the writer’s right wing in philosophy. Unit 8 Dialogues Of Philonous and Hylas Readings: Gill, 257-275 In this dialogue, Berkeley launched a discussion through a dialogue between two men; Hylas and Philonous. The idea of epistemology kicks off the dialogue with both men discussing critically their nature of experiences on how things come to be known. The argument is hinged on metaphysics, specifically seeking to explain the ultimate nature of reality; immaterial and material. As a branch of philosophy, metaphysics seeks to examine the world and the basic tenets of being and in its rudimentary form; it seeks to answer two fundamental questions: what is there and what is it like. Therefore, the way we define object is the import and subject matter of this problematic branch of philosophy. Back to our conversation between Philonous and Hylas, another problematic topic is deployed as a means of justifying metaphysics. This is none other than epistemology which seeks to define knowledge, the way it is acquired and the way we know that we possess such knowledge. Both men in this dialogue, therefore, attempted to justify their metaphysics epistemologically, an approach which could be the easiest for these two intertwined topics. This use of epistemology becomes therefore an approach to trying to solve the problem of answering the questions; what is there and what it is like. It is agreeable that Philonous represents a wise philosopher and teacher because of his clear reasoning and authoritative assertions. Hylas is as if being treated to a lecture which is evident in the way his questions are being responded to by Philonous and the way he is taken through a logical

Criminal Justice Masters Program Comprehensive Exam Essay

Criminal Justice Masters Program Comprehensive Exam - Essay Example It is also otherwise referred to as ownership or proprietas (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2012). This indicates that even in the earliest versions of law in the West, it is recognized that a person has the right to protect and defend his dominium – his family, his property, and his well-being – from external aggression that harms or threatens to harm it. The right of self-defense is claimed by the aggressor or defendant charged with a violent crime. Some of these crimes include: battery (striking someone against his or her will), assault with a deadly weapon, assault with intent to commit serious bodily injury, manslaughter, and first or second degree murder (Bergman & Berman, 2009, p. 314). Self-defense is a justifying circumstance. It is an affirmative defense in that it justifies the use or threat of force exerted by an individual when he or she believes that there is a danger of an imminent, immediate, and unlawful infliction of serious bodily harm or death (Lippman, 20 10, p. 216). A criminal act, such as a homicide, is justified when it is resorted to in order to prevent a greater, imminent, and immediate harm, when there are no other equally effective alternatives possible. The court quoted: â€Å"all homicide is malicious, and of course, amounts to murder, unless†¦ justified by the command or permission of the law; excused on the account of accident or self-preservation; or alleviated into manslaughter, by being the involuntary consequence of some act not strictly lawful or (if voluntary) occasioned by some sudden and sufficiently violent provocation† (Blackstone, 1854, p. 201 in U.S. v Peterson, par. 14). In the modern application of the law, much of Blackstone’s commentaries are still relevant, although jurisprudence has enumerated the requisites that support a claim of self-defense. These are that the defendant: (1) must not have provoked or been the aggressor in the assault; (2) must have reasonable grounds for the belief that he is faced with imminent danger of serious bodily injury; (3) must not use more force than that which appears reasonably necessary; and (4) must do everything in his power consistent with his own safety to avoid the danger and must retreat if retreat is practicable (Lippman, 2010, p. 222). A special case when self-defense cannot be resorted to as a defense is when the accused invoking it is the very person who instigated or provoked the aggressive act. What this exactly means can only be explained by a perusal of case law where the principle was applied with varying premises and results. Case Law: United States v. Thomas, 34 F2. 44 (1994, 2nd Cir) The case concerned the fatal shooting of Wallie Howard, a Syracuse police officer who worked undercover for the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) during a â€Å"buy-bust† operation on 30 October 1990. In this instance, the suspected cocaine dealers decided to likewise rob Howard, who was seated in the front passen ger seat of a car. The perpetrators, Stewart and Lawrence, were each armed with .22 and .357 revolvers. Stewart tried to shoot Howard but failed because there was no bullet in the chamber. Howard gets off a shot and hits Stewart in the shoulder. Lawrence, standing at the rear passenger side of the car, shot at Howard, striking the rear of his head and instantly killing him. The two were arrested minutes later. The defendants, Lawrence and Stewart, claimed self-defense in that Howard was the first to draw his gun, and Lawrence believed that Howard

The Masquerade nightclub Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Masquerade nightclub - Essay Example This site offers patrons the opportunity to buy tickets to shows online. Information about the club is also present. Conveniently located in downtown Atlanta, the Masquerade has been the hotspot since 1989. One of the outstanding qualities of the club is the live music. The music played live and DJ spun is not mainstream music. Although there are some local band the open other acts at the Masquerade, most of the music is from established bands. The booking information for the website states: Currently, the Masquerade provides services to clients living in or visiting Atlanta, Georgia. They have established a presence in the downtown market through local advertising vehicles, patron endorsements, and the Internet. All of the Masquerade’s supporting administrative duties is handled by computer (i.e., appointments, billing, purchases, etc.). The Internet targets the high tech patron of the Masquerade. As mentioned before the Masquerade has created a website at http://www.masq.com . The advantages of the development of a website are: The scope of this project will be to create a better web-based interface for the Masquerade’s customers. Currently the Masquerade has a basic website that is updated regularly, but lacks in depth, interesting hyperlinks. Hyperlinks for the different bands would help the Masquerade’s patron better understand what tickets they are buying. This would help the Masquerade promote their live acts more efficiently. User Interface is the connection between Masquerade, patrons, and bands.

Economics - Discussion for online class Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Economics - Discussion for online class - Essay Example In terms of simple economic principles, satisfied customers would lead to greater demand or essentially an increase in demand. However, surveys indicate that retailers operating with Groupon do not plan to issue similar deals for another six months or so once they have allowed one deal package (Sloane, 2012). From Groupon’s perspective this means one thing only – a noticeable decrease in demand once retailers have used Groupon as a fast marketing tool. Essentially Groupon has the resources to galvanize large numbers of customers since it is connected to those customers. Retailers working with Groupon utilize this power of Groupon by using flash marketing by allowing deals to take place. Careful buyers will be expecting more deals in order to shop more but retailers will never be ready to sell their goods or services at discounted prices repeatedly. Hence, this would lead to a demand decrease on the part of the retailers for Groupon’s services. This decrease in demand has affected Groupon’s business the most since supply is still available though at unfavorable price

Supply Treated Lumber and Poles Essay Example for Free

Supply Treated Lumber and Poles Essay As instructed, we have provided one (1) original copy of the proposal. APT makes the following certifications and guarantees regarding this proposal: * APT will comply with all contract terms and conditions as indicated in this Solicitation. * APT proposal is predicated upon the Solicitation published on June 4, 2013; * APT certifies that the prices contained in this proposal have been arrived at independently, without consultation, communication, or agreement, as to any matter relating to such prices with any other bidder or with any competitor for the purpose of restricting competition; unless otherwise required by law, the prices quoted have not been knowingly disclosed by APT prior to award, directly or indirectly, to any other bidder or to any competitor. * As Sales Manager of APT, I am authorized by Power of Attorney to negotiate on behalf of APT and shall be responsible for the management of any potential contract that may result from this procurement process. As an officer of this company, my signature has authority to bind any contract that may result from negotiations with the National Guard Bureau concerning this proposal to furnish Treated Lumber and Poles of length and class indicated. I am responsible for the costs being offered in the proposal. 2. INTRODUCTION American Pole and Timber is a manufacturer and national supplier of treated poles, pilings, timbers, and industrial commercial structural wood products. We offer unique building material solutions to our clients through our materials sourcing expertise and our vast manufacturing capabilities. You can expect timely and accurate service, customized to your project needs and cost objectives. We supply Extended Life Wood Products including SFI and FSC Certified wood products, treated timbers, ISPM 15 heat treated wood, poles, pilings, treated lumber, timber trusses, wood bridges material, pipe supports, equipment saddles and gun barrel piling, as well as vinyl bulkhead and ultra-long lasting polymer coated wood. We are highly skilled at custom manufacturing and we can assist with the design of your project free of charge when you use our materials. We are grateful for the opportunity to submit our proposal to your purchase contract and we will show you why so many construction companies across the nation choose American Pole and Timber to supply their operations and projects. American Pole and Timber was founded on the core principles of hard work, responsiveness, integrity, and innovation. As a result, American Pole and Timber has become one of the industry’s most reliable resources for all classes and sizes of wood poles, lumber, piling, and crane mats. American Pole and Timber supplies almost any size post, wood poles, or piling you would require, anywhere across the nation. Most of our supply is Southern Yellow Pine and Douglass fir because of it excellent properties of strength versus cost and its acceptance of various levels of treatments to meet your project requirements. Our Product Consultants are happy to answer any questions you may have about treated poles and lumber. 3. TECHNICAL APPROACH American Pole and Timber lumber and wood poles come treated or untreated and wet or air dried. They are used in applications ranging from utility poles, to house pilings and columns, to retaining wall pilings, and ropes and challenge courses. You can also take advantage of our custom manufacturing services to get exactly the length, cut, or shape you need. We can supply almost any size or class of treated poles or treated pilings you need. All of our poles and pilings treated .60 p.cf. or greater are air dried before treating to ensure maximum penetration of the preservative. We also specialize in pressure treated lumber products, which can be manufactured to the custom sizes to meet your project requirements. We guarantee our products will be to your specifications and in accordance with national and local regulations. 4.1. Benefits of Building with APT Treated Poles and Lumber * APT Treated Poles and lumber have long life spans due to reduced heartwood exposure. * They can be sanded, stained, or painted to match existing dà ©cor. * APT Treated poles and lumber are stronger and suffer less warping than regular dimensional timbers. * Long life span and superior strength make APT treated poles and timbers very cost effective. * Polymer wood coating significantly increases the longevity APT poles and timber. 4.2. Capabilities as Industry Leader American Pole and Timber’s approach is to analyze the Customer’s needs, stay atop industry trends and standards, and provide competitive advantages, ongoing innovation and reliable resources necessary to exceed the demands. This has helped American Pole and Timber become an industry leader and a reliable resource for: * Cross Arms * Wooden Utility Poles * Douglas Fir Poles * Piling * Treated Fence Posts * Pentachlorophenol, Creosote, ACZA And CCA Treated Products * Treated Wood Cross Ties * Western Cedar Poles American Pole and Timber provides varying degrees of pressure treatment designed to delay the decaying process and ensure pole longevity. This process will be used in this contract. American Pole and Timber sells  pressure treated utility poles and lumber for a variety of applications including piers, docks and other marine construction as well as complex foundation systems and landscaping substructures. APT is a high-quality utility pole and lumber manufacturer, supplier and producer we use both Douglas fir and Cedar Wood, identified as one of the leading renewable wood resources. APT has facilities strategically located near the Klamath and California Coast ranges where we own an abundance of Douglas fir and Cedar wood plantations, and will thus be able to supply the pole and lumber material specified in the solicitation. 4.3. Wood Treatment Recommendations Timber structures in a marine environment are subject to attack by a variety of destructive organisms. Thus, they should be properly treated with appropriate preservatives to prevent or retard this type of deterioration. The timber APT is offering as part of this proposal will be pressure treated with an appropriate preservative. The choice of preservative depends on how the timber product is to be used (pile, cap, stringer, decking, etc.) and what kind of climate exists where the installation is to be made (cold, temperate, semitropical, tropical). Thus, the requirements are greatest in warm water harbors where Limnoria tripunctata and pholads are present. Pacific Coast Douglas fir has less sapwood than Southern pine so that retention measurement of preservative is generally made in the outer 2 inches for fir as compared to the outer 3 inches for pine. APT is thus offering treated Douglas fir poles and lumber, which are best suited for the intended application and would be a signifi cant upgrade in quality over standard competitor offerings. APT follows the AWPA standards and Federal specifications for treatment which indicate the required retention level of the various wood preservatives. Wood piling should be treated according to their particular purposes, and this being a cold water marine application, APT will use pressure treatment using a preservative specified by AWPA standards and Federal specifications. Creosote, creosote-coal tar solutions, or creosote-petroleum solutions are effective preservatives, but present a possible contamination problem from being tracked onto vessels. Salt treatments are effective, but may embrittle or promote accelerated wear of the deck surface. Solutions of pentachlorophenol in oil are effective, but  they also may cause a pollution problem. Treatment with Chromated Copper Arsenate should provide protection without the contamination problems, especially when a clean surface is specified in the procurement, as it is in this case. APT will thus offer Chromated Copper Arsenate pressure treatment on the supplied Douglas fir poles and lumber, another significant upgrade in quality over standard competitor offerings. 4.4. Delivery and Distribution APT uses a Just in Time (JIT) inventory and delivery system. Benefits include: * Poles are Where you need them, When you need them. * Over 30-year track record of on-time shipments. * No need to carry large inventories. APT has a regional distribution network. Benefits and features include: * Expedited, timely delivery across town or across country * Minimal freight costs. * Keeps product pricing competitive. * Rail Capability. * Self-Unloading Trucks. APT has several years of experience in Rapid Disaster Response: * Proven capabilities in disaster situations. * Alliances ensure sufficient supply and quick response. * Ability to boost manufacturing capabilities to meet immediate needs. * Emergency Operations Plan in place for APT headquarters. 4.5. MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) 4. PAST PERFORMANCE REFERENCES American Pole and Timber has been a supplier for several large and small projects in the past that include, but are not limited to the following. * Marine Shoreline: Coastal and waterway projects from bulkheads, fender systems, and retaining walls to beach houses and marinas. * Industrial Production: Support Saddles, Trusses, Columns, Corbels, Timber Fender Systems. * Commercial: Restaurants, Golf Courses, Bridges, Theme Parks and Water Parks. Since the solicitation is for a marine environment, APT is providing a list below of (3) past references of marine projects that APT has been a supplier on. 1. Residential and commercial ocean front properties on the west end of Galveston Island. 5. RESUMES FOR KEY STAFF Xxx xxxSales ManagerAmerican Pole and Timber7100 Baker DriveTitusville, NM, 87312Ph: 800-716-0636Core Competencies and Skills * Familiarity with all aspects of supplier relationship management. * Ability to cope with dynamic market conditions and develop sales strategy accordingly. * Ability to work in high-stress environments and to make complex decisions regarding pricing. * Extensive knowledge of sales and marketing  strategies. * Excellent written and verbal communication skills including formal presentation skills. * Persuasiveness, Adaptability Innovation. * Judgment and Decision-making. * Collaboration.EducationKeller University Chicago, IL 1990 – 1993Master of Business Administration/MBA in sales and marketingBoston University Boston, MA 1988– 1989Bachelor’s degree in business administration/sales and marketingExperience20 years of experience in Sales Management.American Pole and Timber, Titusville, NM (1999 – Present)Senior Sales ManagerReport directly to the Vice-President regarding annual sales growth. Organize and manage the sales team to achieve the required sales targets.Thomasson Company, Philadelphia, MS (1994 – 1999)Sales ManagerManaging and training a hardworking, results-oriented sales force. Helping with several management functions to support sales functions.| Madeline MercadoMaterial Planning and Control SpecialistAmerican Pole and Timber7100 Baker DriveTitusville, NM, 87312Ph: 800-716-0639Core Competencies and Skills Proven ability to prepare reports, review bills of materials, oversee make/buy decisions, read drawings, perform materials and inventory control as well as monitor supply chain. Working knowledge and or proficiency in the following: * MRP * JIT * ISO9000 * ISO14001 †¢ CostPoint project management software package by Deltek * Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, PowerPoint * Financial Reports * Secret Clearance EducationCentral Florida University Orlando, FL 1995– 1999Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. Experience14 years of experience in Material Planning and Control.American Pole and Timber, Titusville, NM (2003 – Present)Material Planning and Control Specialist Monitored all production and inventory, scheduled assignments, prepared reports and communicated with management, technical staff and customers regarding potential problems, schedules and production status. Luna Flooring Inc, Oakland, California (1999 – 2002)Associate BuyerProvided direct support to sales with regard to sourcing activities. Managed ETA accuracy consistent with departmental  metrics. Ensured timely delivery of merchandise through consistent communication.| Jeff CarlsonQuality Control InspectorAmerican Pole and Timber7100 Baker DriveTitusville, NM, 87312Ph: 800-716-0654Core Competencies and Skills Over 30 of experience in the lumber industry with skills including but not limited to: * Overseeing and ensuring quality, %Mc etc of lumber products * Schedule species, thicknesses, grades to be sawn. * Schedule, set sorts, grade marks, package size for Dryline breakdown * Oversee quality of lumber. Grades, thickness, manufacture of all lumber produced. * Work with Safety Personal to provide training to ensure a safe work environment. * Provide training for lumber inspectors, quality assurance initiatives and supervisory. * QC Certification by National Hardwood Lumber Association.EducationNHLA Inspector Training School Chicago, IL 1975– 1977AA degree in QA/QC Inspection.Experience30 years of experience in Lumber Industry.American Pole and Timber, Titusville, NM (2003 – Present)Lead QA InspectorResponsible for QA inspection and certification of all lumber products shipped to customers. Responsible for updating and improving QA standards and training of QA inspectors. BB Lumber Co. / Premier Hardwood Products (1991 – 2001)Lumber Operations ManagerOversee all phases of lumber operation.Oversee Inventory Traffic and Maintenance Departments| 6. COST / PRICING Based on the requirements listed in the solicitation, APT is pleased to offer you the following price quotation. Description| Size| Qty Rqd| Price| Unit| Total| Treated Lumber| 2X2X12 | 10| $410| Ea| $4,100| Treated Lumber| 4X4X16| 20| $500| Ea| $10,000| Treated Lumber| 6X6X16| 20| $600| Ea| $12,000| Treated Pole| 8X16 | 10| $250| Ea| $2,500| Treated Pole| 10X16 | 10| $300| Ea| $3,000| Treated Pole| 12X16 | 20| $400| Ea| $8,000| | | | TOTAL| $39,600| We thank you for this opportunity and look forward to working with the National Guard Bureau. REFERENCES 1. www.fbo.gov 2.â€Å"World Class Contracting – 5th Edition† by Gregory A. Garrett. 3.http://www.americanpoleandtimber.com/ 4.http://www.thomassoncompany.com/about_thomasson.php 5.www.greatsampleresume.com

Relevance of International Human Resource Management

Relevance of International Human Resource Management The study of International Human Resource Management is fine if you are going to work in a large Multinational Enterprise, but has no relevance for individuals who are going to work in small firms. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons and appropriate examples to support your answer. This paper sets out to show that the study of international human resource management is of benefit to individuals who are going to work in small firms whether in a management or worker capacity . It is noted that a â€Å"small firm† may or may not be multinational and for the purpose of this discussion it is assumed that the inference is that they are not. This paper will demonstrate that through showing that an appreciation of different approaches to work there can be benefits for the individual employee and the manager. Further benefits will be seen through demonstrating that strict adherence to accepted national customs and culture can have a negative effect on business success. There will also be a discussion on how individuals and businesses need to be aware of the increasingly multicultural nature of the British workforce. To open this debate it is necessary to define what is meant by the term â€Å"international human resource management†. Investigation into the term suggests that the emphasis lies on how to operate the human resource management function in multinational businesses and that it is concerned with the similarities and differences of managing in different countries and how to integrate a business culture across international boundaries. However, it is found that little attention is given to the fact that the UK has an increasingly multinational workforce and whilst they may be subject to the systems, procedures and laws of the UK, they way they think and operate is strongly affected by their personal national culture which may vary significantly to that of the UK. The BBC reports that â€Å"(a) record 582,000 people came to live in the UK from elsewhere in the world in 2004, according to government expertsâ€Å" (BBC 2005, p. not given). They further suggest that this influx is necessary to help the UK economy grow as the majority of these migrants have come to the country to work. The Times newspaper supports this in reporting that â€Å"Britain needed workers for 600,000 vacancies, including low-paid jobs that were often difficult to fillâ€Å" and goes on to say that â€Å"(e)mployers are aggressively recruiting staff from other countries† (Nugent et al 2004, page not given). They also found that 96% of these migrants were employed in full time work (Nugent et al 2004). This shows that the UK workforce is becoming increasingly multinational and diverse. The main arguments for the increase in awareness of international human resource management would seem to stress the pressures on managers working in multinational businesses. As an example of this, Trompenaars et al tell us that â€Å"(i)nternational managers have it tough. They must operate on a number of different premises at any one time. These premises arise from their culture of origin, the culture in which they are working and the culture of the organisation which employs them† (Trompenaars et al 1997, p. 3). However, the writer would argue that the same challenges also face those working in a solely UK based business as they become increasingly likely to be working with and for colleagues who originate from countries other than the UK and have different cultural expectations. To be able to ensure that the working relationship between groups is a productive and positive one, each individual would benefit from an understanding of some aspects of international human resou rce management especially in the area of culture where attitudes towards leadership, motivation, and pay and recognition may vary. A further benefit of awareness of different human resource management practices may be the realisation that UK based businesses may be able to adopt positive aspects of other countries work practices and cultures. Mullins (2005) states, there are benefits to be found in a business looking at how it’s national culture may be limiting their ability to be strategically competitive. He continues by citing Trompenaars who felt that his own work â€Å"helped managers to structure their experiences and provided insights for them and their organisations into the real source of problems faced when managing across cultures or dealing with diversity† (Trompenaars 1999, p. 31. cited in Mullins 2005, p. 43). Against the argument for individuals who are going to work in a small firm studying international human resource management is the range of areas such a topic covers. International human resource managers need to have an appreciation of the laws and policies of the countries their employer operates in and whilst this may of interest to a UK employee, it is not an area they would automatically be able to influence or change. This brings us to the questions of whether rather than international human resource management, what we are discussing is the management of diversity both from the point of view of a manager who supervises the work of a multicultural workforce or the case of an individual worker whose colleagues originate from a variety of cultural backgrounds. Brooks supports this point and states that â€Å"(d)ifferences in national culture may have a bearing on how organisations deal with each other and also on behaviour within organisations which comprise a mix of nationalities† (Brooks 2003, p. 264). Francesco and Gold say that â€Å"managers must develop organizational systems that are flexible enough to take into account the meaning of work and the relative value of rewards within the range of cultures where they operate† (Francesco et al 1998, p. 144) and whilst when saying this, they meant it to be applied to multinational organisations, the same can be said to be true of those working in a multicultural environment nationally based. Mullins agrees with this in saying that â€Å"there are a number of very good reasons why we could usefully understand cultural differences (and similarity) at work, based on new awareness contributing to our own effectiveness and moreover to the accomplishment of organisational goals† (Mullins 2005, p. 44). He goes on to say that â€Å"there could therefore be advantages of cross-cultural awareness which include: increased self-awareness; sensitivity to difference; questioning our own assumptions and knowledge; lessening ignorance , prejudice and hatred† (Mullins 2005, p. 44). As an example, a manager with a predominantly British cultural background may need to adapt their motivational techniques for individuals from cultures where recognition through praise is more highly regarded than a financial bonus. From the writers own experience, a common UK practice of publicising individual performance levels was found to be highly demotivating and a source of unease amongst a predominantly Asian workforce. Adler suggests there are inbuilt dangers where multi-cultural teams operate â€Å"(m)istrust including stereotyping; miscommunication with potential for reduced accuracy and resultant stress; process difficulties, that is failure to agree when agreement is needed or even what constitutes agreement when arriving at decisions† (Adler 1997, cited in Mullins 2005, p. 44). To overcome these potential issues, there must be an understanding and appreciation of the human resource management systems of other cultures as these will influence the work expectations and practices of the workforce. The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) see the embracing if diversity as being crucial. They say that â€Å"(t)oday, many organisations are out-thinking and outperforming their competitors by using diversity as a strategy for ensuring long-term success and advantageâ€Å" (CIPD date not known page not given). They support his view by adding that â€Å"(i)n the face of changing demographics, a narrowing talent pool and an increasingly global marketplace, nurturing the creativity, innovation and hidden potential of organisations is vital† (CIPD date not known page not given). A further aspect to be considered is the legal requirement for companies to embrace diversity in their workforce. Since the 1970s there has been an increasing amount of legislation in the UK relating to pay equality and sex and racial discrimination. However, a CIPD survey found that 68% of respondents gave â€Å"legal pressures† as the key driver for diversity in their business (CIPD 2006, p. 3) suggesting rather than an appreciation of the business benefits of embracing diversity, the importance placed on these issues is due more to a fear of the negative publicity and costs associated with legal action as a result of discrimination. The concept of international human resource management has been seen to be mainly the concern of individuals who are to intend to operate across geographical boundaries. It has been demonstrated however that there are many aspects of the subject that are not only applicable to those intending to work for a small firm, but could also benefit them in being able to encourage cultural diversity and adopt good practice from other countries. The increasingly multi national workforce in the UK and the introduction of legislation relating to diversity means that employers and employees must have an awareness of the areas of international human resource management that relate to understanding and embracing cultural differences. References and bibliography. Adler, N.J. (2001). International Dimensions of Organizational Behavior. California, USA: South-Western College Publishing. BBC. (2005). Record immigration levels to UK. Accessed at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4359756.stm on 7/03/2007. Brooks, I. (2003). Organisational Behaviour: Individuals Groups and Organisations. 2nd ed. Harlow: Prentice Hall FT. CIPD. (date not known).The Psychology of Diversity. Accessed at: http://www.cipd.co.uk/CMSTraining/Psychology+of+Management/Psychology+of+Management/PCD.htm on 7/03/2007. CIPD (2002). New research shows international HR managers create global culture. Accessed at: http://www.cipd.co.uk/pressoffice/_articles/20092002135000.htm?IsSrchRes=1 on 9/02/2007. CIPD. (2003). HR’s Contribution to International Mergers and Acquisitions. London: CIPD. CIPD. (2006). Diversity in Business: How Much Progress have Employers Made. First Findings. London: CIPD. Francesco, A. M. Gold, B. A. (1998). International Organizational Behavior: Texts, Readings, Cases and Skills. Harlow: Prentice Hall FT Lucas, R. Lupton, B. Mathieson, H. (2007). Human Resources Management in an International Context. London: CIPD. Markides, C. Geroski, P.(2003). â€Å"Colonizers and consolidators: the two cultures of corporate strategy† in Strategy and Business. Fall Vol 32 p 46-55. Mullins, L.J. (2005). Management and Organisational Behaviour. Harlow: Prentice Hall. Nugent, H. Tendler, S. Patty, A. (2004). Foreign workers snap up the jobs that Britons on benefit reject. Times newspaper. November 11, 2004. Trompenaars, F. Hampden-Turner, C. (1997). Riding the Waves of Culture: Understanding Cultural Diversity in Business. London: Nicholas Brealey Publishing Ltd. Trompenaars, F. (1999). Trans-Culture Competence. People Management, 22nd April, p. 31. Trompenaars, F. Hampden-Turner, C. (2004). Managing People Across Cultures. Oxford: Capstone Publishing Ltd.

Influenza Causes People to Stay Home :: Journalism Media Studies Health Medical Essays

Influenza Causes People to Stay Home Yesterday the influenza record was broken as the highest number of [cases] in New York City alone was 5589 in a single day! The numbers are staggering and many people are looking at taking more precautions at preventing the disease to spread to them and loved ones. People everywhere are wondering if enough is being done to prevent influenza from spreading. The board of health has passed a sanitary code which includes the following sections: "Section 89 of the sanitary code requires isolation and quarantine of persons infected with infectious disease. Section 98 of the sanitary code provides that no person in the city of New York, without a permit therefore issued by the Board of Health, carry, move, or caused to be carried, or moved in any matter whatsoever in any public place or street any person infected with infectious disease, nor shall any person remove or cause to be removed in the City of New York any such person from any building or vessel, without a permit therefore, issued by the Board of Health. Section 100 of the Sanitary Code provides that no person shall by any exposure of any individual sick with an infectious disease or by any negligent act connected therewith, or by a needless exposure of himself cause, contribute to, or pr omote the spread of disease to any such person." However even with these strict sanitary codes people are taking further measures. Many parents that I interviewed reported that they were even avoiding sending their children to school because of fear of catching influenza. Jack Smith of Manhattan stated, "Why would I want to put my children at such a risk? I would rather sacrifice a small portion of their education for their protection and even lives." Schools are however making serious efforts at preventing the spread of disease amongst students. Dr. William L Ettinger who is the Superintendent of Schools, sent a letter of instructions for all school officials on how to deal with influenza in the schools. Some of these instructions state that "proper and adequate ventilation of classrooms must be maintained" and that "pupils be required to hold their pocket handkerchiefs in front of their mouths and noses when coughing and sneezing." Another rule given amongst the long list is that "each teacher be instructed to inspect her class of pupils carefully each day and to refer to the school doctor or nurse any child showing acute cold, congestion of the eyes with watery secretion from the nose, acute sneezing or coughing.

Symbols and Symbolism Essay - Use of Symbols in Nathaniel Hawthornes T

Use of Symbols in The Scarlet Letter In World Book Dictionary, a symbol is defined as something that stands for or represents something else, especially an idea, quality, or condition. Symbols can be objects, characters, figures, or colors used to represent ideas or concepts. In the novel The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, there are many symbols that are throughout the novel. While symbols can be created, such created symbols are subjective and must be given meaning within their context and because the context is different among individuals and societies and can vary over time. Some symbols that are used in the novel The Scarlet Letter is the scarlet letter, the meteor, Pearl, the rosebush next to the prison door, and the scaffold. The scarlet letter is a symbol that is a symbol of shame, Instead it becomes a power of identity to Hester. As time passes the letter's meaning on Hester's chest shifts also. "..that many people refused to interpret the scarlet "A" by its original signification. They said that it meant "Able"; so strong was Hester Prynne, with a woman's strength" (145). From the beginnings the scarlet letter intended to mark Hester as an adulterer and eventually it comes to stand for able. It marks her as a person of importance. As Dimmesdale stands on the scaffold with Hester and Pearl in Chapter XII, a red "A" appears in the night sky. "..looking upward to the zenith, beheld there the appearance of an immense letter -the letter "A"-marked out in lines of dull red light" (140). To Dimmesdale, the meteor implies that he should wear the mark of shame just as Hester Prynne. The meteor is interpreted differently from the rest of the community. The c... ... of the meeting house. The minister went up the steps" (132). The scaffold is a place of public confession for Revered Dimmesdale. Whoever mounts the scaffold draws attention of the public. In the novel The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, there were several symbols used in the novel. The scarlet letter was meant to be a symbol of shame but it became a power of identity for Hester. The meteor, for Dimmesdale meant he should be wearing the scarlet letter just like Hester. To the town, the meteor meant "angel" which meant that the Governor entered the gates of heaven. Pearl was a symbol that was a living version of her mother's sin. The rosebush by the prison door represents the ability of nature to endure and outlasts a man's activities. The scaffold is a place of public confession and alludes back to the sin of adultery.

Confusion in Macbeth Essay -- Macbeth essays

Confusion in Macbeth      Ã‚  Ã‚   The instances words and actions needing clarification in Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth are numerous. Let us in this essay look at some of the more serious instances lacking clear meaning in the play.    Lily B. Campbell in her volume of criticism, Shakespeare's Tragic Heroes: Slaves of Passion, confesses that critics are at a loss in trying to explain the reference to "Bellona's bridegroom":    Macbeth is, indeed, "Bellona's bridegroom", though critics seem rather at a loss to know just who Bellona's bridegroom may have been. (213)    Blanche Coles states in Shakespeare's Four Giants that there is a common mistake which literary critics of the play make:    Not enough stress has been laid upon Duncan's unaccountably sudden and arbitrary appointment of Malcolm to the royal succession in the very hour of Macbeth's triumph [. . .] . The insult to Macbeth (as it may appear to different minds), cannot be overemphasized. (40)    Coles offers an explanation for this ambiguity in the play:    Perhaps Shakespeare was taking for granted that his audience knew that the historian had said, "Duncan did what in him lay to defraud him [Macbeth] of all manner of titles and claims, which might in time to come pretend to the crown." Malcolm was under age, and this fact made Macbeth first heir to the throne. (40-41)    L.C. Knights in the essay "Macbeth" mentions equivocation, unreality and other possible causes of ambiguity within the play:    The equivocal nature of temptation, the commerce with phantoms consequent upon false choice, the resulting sense of unreality ("nothing is, but what is not"), which has yet such power to "smother" vital function, th... ...e, NH: Richard R. Smith Publisher, Inc., 1957.    Coursen, H. R. Macbeth: a Guide to the Play. Westport, CN: Greenwood Press, 1997.    Fergusson, Francis. "Macbeth as the Imitation of an Action." Shakespeare: The Tragedies. A Collectiion of Critical Essays. Alfred Harbage, ed. Englewwod Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1964.    Knights, L.C. "Macbeth." Shakespeare: The Tragedies. A Collectiion of Critical Essays. Alfred Harbage, ed. Englewwod Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1964.    Mack, Maynard. Everybody's Shakespeare: Reflections Chiefly on the Tragedies. Lincoln, NB: University of Nebraska Press, 1993.    Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Macbeth. http://chemicool.com/Shakespeare/macbeth/full.html, no lin.    Wilson, H. S. On the Design of Shakespearean Tragedy. Toronto, Canada: University of Toronto Press, 1957.

American Popular Culture on the Global Community Essay

American popular culture and its effects on the global community is a hiding plain site idea. The United States has grown into an â€Å"I want it now† belief system. The United States has somewhat perfected this idea, from our fast food to our fast everything. But should everyone live in such a luxurious attitude, is the United States popular culture and ideal that the rest of the world should live by? Is this just another phase in our modern society’s history? Lane Crothers’ book Globalization and American Popular Culture shows us the history of America’s rise to popular culture power and how most people are wanting to become Americans without living in the United States. But is this what the world needs or is this just another way for America to control the world and spread our democracy. The intention of Lane Crothers’ Globalization and American Popular Culture is to show the reader the connection of American popular culture and the effect it has on the global community. â€Å"By 1998 trade in movies, music, and television programming had become the leading U.S. export†¦this was true even without factoring in the economic and cultural power of American brands like McDonald’s, Levi’s, and Starbucks, American pop culture is a global phenomenon.† Crothers first compares the two ideas, globalization â€Å"†¦the profound economic, social, political, and cultural changes going on in the modern world†¦Ã¢â‚¬  and popular culture â€Å"†¦the movies, music, and television programs†¦Ã¢â‚¬  how globalization seems â€Å"†¦heavy†¦Ã¢â‚¬  and popular culture seems â€Å"†¦light†¦Ã¢â‚¬  then explains how at the end of the Cold War and the advancements of new technologies â€Å"†¦the internet, cellular phones, and small dish satellites television systems have allowed American popular culture access to an ever bigger global market.† Crothers tells the reader â€Å"American popular culture is the latest in a long succession of bidders for global unification†¦Ã¢â‚¬  which makes the reader think this book is a personal depiction of American popular culture and the effect on the world. Crothers also, provides the link of American popular culture and global politics â€Å"†¦first is the Cold War†¦second is the controversial U.S. Global War on Terror†¦Ã¢â‚¬  which makes the reader, depending on their age, if they are American, if they have been affected by any terror attack, have a personal relationship with this issue. First, during the Cold War, â€Å"The Western bloc advocated relative freedom in personal choice, economic trade, and immigration†¦the Eastern bloc practiced in state control, the limitation  of personal freedom, and government ownership of factories and other productive enterprises.† This is a defining moment in the history of the world, because when country wants to promote individualism and create an integrated free market, that idea is going to spread more quickly to the people, rather than being suppressed by the government. On September 11, 2001, the United States was attack and the world sympathize with us. A French newspaper on September 13, 2001 stated, â€Å"Today we are all Americans,† but this would grow into fear and concern in the world because when the rest of the world found out on how we responded to the 9/11 attacks. Crothers tells the reader, â€Å"Time magazine asked 250,000 people across Europe which country posed the greatest threat to world peace: Iraq, North Korea, or the United States†¦8 percent said Iraq and 9 percent said North Korea†¦Ã¢â‚¬  But with all of this fear which the United States has placed on the rest of the world, people were still embracing our popular culture, â€Å"†¦people continued to embrace American popular culture†¦iPods and smartphones†¦led to explosive growth†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The United States and the popular culture which we have given the world, whether for better or for worst, has brought the global community more informed about global issue. With the advancement of the internet and the high speed that news travels now, would not have ever been accomplish without the United States pressing our culture to everyone. Crothers states that â€Å"culture is not an all-or-nothing concept in which everyone believes the same thing and behaves th e same way.† This is an important statement because, not everyone is going to strive to become Americans; we are unique. Some of your ideals and products are always going to be reacted in different ways depending on the group of people who are receiving it. We just have to believe that most of the culture we are giving the rest of the world is creating a more unified global community. Works Cited Crother, Lane. Globalization and American Popular Culture. Lanham: Rowan and Littlefield, 2013

Non-Commissioned Officer the Embodiment of the Corps’ History

Cpl. Stalinsky,Travis Class 318-13 20121202 Squad #1 â€Å"How is the Modern Corps’ Non-commissioned Officer the Embodiment of the Corps’ History and Tradition? † The United States Marine Corps non-commissioned officers are the Marines who have proven that they are worthy to handle the responsibility to lead junior Marines. The backbone of the Marine Corps as they have been described as. Their job is not just a few tasks’ it’s a large variety of tasks. It requires them to be professional, have courage, and integrity to set the example for others to follow and look to for guidance; thus emulating the corps history nd traditions.Throughout history the loyalty and commitment previous NCO’s have displayed made it a tradition to teach the new NCO’s picking up rank to carry on the standard, which modern NCO’s can be proud of and carry on with pride. When looking back into Marine Corps history of Medal of Honor recipients, the first on to receive the Medal of Honor was Cpl. John Mackie. He was the very picture of a Marine setting the right example as a non-commissioned. On May 15, 1862 while on board the U. S. S Galena in the Fort Darling attack at Drewry’s Bluff. â€Å"As enemy shellfire raked the deck of his ship, Cpl.Mackie fearlessly maintained his musket fire against the rifle pits along the shore, and when he was ordered to fill vacancies at guns caused by men wounded and killed in action, he manned the weapons with skill and courage†. This standard he set of instant and willing obedience to orders and courage is still what NCO’s to this day uphold. When the word Marine is heard by civilians, the word â€Å"loyal† comes to the top of their head. The modern Marine NCO’s are loyal to everything that is important to them and the Marine Corps. They proudly and loyally serve their country, their Corps, their unit, and themselves.They must show loyalty to their junior Marines. I t’s their job to mke sure their junior Marines have the right tools to be successful, and must always point them in the right for direction; thus gaining the junior Marines trust and respect. The Marine Corps depends on these fundamentals to be able to have efficient units, to have effective leaders to lead Marines into battle, and for Marines to be able to trust one another with each other with their lives. Now we fast forward from Cpl. John Mackie, who was awarded the first Medal of Honor, to a modern day NCO who was also awarded the Medal of Honor.This Marine displayed an abundance of courage, which overshadows all traits; without it we are doomed to fall short in all the other traits. On September 8, 2009 in Kunar province, Afghanistan, Cp. Dakota Meyer maintained security at a patrol rally point while other members of his team moved on foot with two platoons of the afghan National Army and Border Patrol into the village of Ganjgal for a pre-dawn meet with the village eld ers. The patrol ended up being ambushed by more than fifty enemy combatants. Cpl. Meyer heard over the radio that four U. S. team members were cut off on their way back to safety.Cpl. Meyer had a fellow Marine do the driving while he took up the exposed gunner’s position in a gun truck in attempt to disrupt the enemy attack and locate his fellow team members. Cpl. Meyer seizing the courage to make this bold and brave action, while under intense enemy fire, killed a number of enemy fighters, made a couple of trips saving and searching for his comrades. His unbelievable courage allowed him to commit to the dangerous task of helping his fellow Marines. This shows why courage is the most important trait because without it how could you face your fears to make the unpopular decision?How would you have the intestinal fortitude to conduct yourself as a Marine on and off duty always making the right decisions? To stand in front of your peers and subordinates and teach them knowledge? This is why NCO’s can lead is because they have the courage to do what is necessary. Modern Marine NCO’s are the true embodiment of the Corps history and traditions because as leaders they emphasize the professional values of their leadership concepts; such as loyalty to the Corps, loyalty to their nation, loyalty to their units, exhibiting selfless services, and their professional responsibilities as an NCO.The two Marine NCO’s that I have discussed have displayed vital points of the Corps history and traditions. The Corps values, leadership traits, and leadership principles that were demonstrated was courage, loyalty, and setting the example. Their actions have set the standards which modern Marine NCO’s take pride in and continue to uphold the tradition.

Financial crisis Essay

According to this article soros expresses that the current financial crisis is the result of the effect of all the other minor financial crisis’s that the US economy has experienced in the past sixty years, which came as a result of the weakening of the dollar in the financial market over the other strong currencies. It was anticipated to be happening because financial market operated in such a way that investors over borrowed loans from banks to invest in the housing sector hoping that the market would regulate itself according to the forces of demand and supply and be able to get good returns. The economy instead suffered a shortage of cash as a result of the over borrowing and the interventions by the Federal Reserve did not work as had worked well before. The borrowers of the loans are now not able to pay them back the loans leaving the banks strained with the effects of bad loans that the other financial assets are greatly affected. Banks and other financial institutions have closed down their operations and some gone bankrupt as the cost of borrowing becomes unbearable. What matters most as of this moment as suggested by Soros is to be able to deal with the political situation in a way that the economy will not be compromised. There is need to establish policies that will be able to redeem the lenders in the economy from total collapse. The banks should be helped out of the liquidity problems by the government being recommended to use the Swedish model of dealing with a financial crisis. The model recommends that the banks as the basis point of recovering the economy from collapse. In most of his articles and one of his best selling book the â€Å"paradigm for financial markets† soros has criticized the systems of British and US authorities in the bureaucratic procedures that they which take too long to react to situations of urgency like this crisis that results to many effects on the economies. Word count 335 References George soros: worst financial crisis in 60 years marks end of an era. 15th December 2008 1st financial times article.

Eurofood Case Analysis

EuroFood Case Analysis: History: EuroFood was created by French restaurateur, Mr Vigneau which specializes in the importing and distributing of food products from Europe to Hong Kong. EuroFood has faced a problem with inventory costs. The Olivier Company decided to buy EuroFood on the condition that inventory levels has to be reduced from its current level of 11 million Hong Kong Dollars to at least 4 million Hong Kong Dollars (assumption). In order to achieve the inventory reduction a plan of action has to proposed which details the solution to the current high levels of inventory. All the products brought to Hong Kong are shipped either by plane or through cargo boats (channels of distribution). The exclusively perishable products shipped through airplanes have no inventory records to be kept. The only inventory of Euro Foods is the products shipped via boats. The products shipped through boats are divided mainly into two types: 1. Complete Container: Contains products shipped from the same supplier. Complete container takes about 20 days to ship from Europe to Hong Kong and costs 0. Hong Kong Dollars per kilogram 2. Consolidated container: Contains products shipped from a group of suppliers using the same container as a rented facility. This shipping takes about 30 days to reach the customer and costs about 3 Hong Kong Dollars per kilogram. Main Problem: * The current level of inventory of Euro Foods is worth $11 million. This is too much compared to the Olivier Company which has the same volume of business as Euro Foods with a corresponding inventory level o f only $4 million. The order quantity is high due to wrong forecasting which leads to high inventory costs * Some products have higher inventory costs than its annual sales( Eg: The product Carton Peach has an inventory cost of $437,113 and an annual sale of $ 253,248 which led to profits of only $68,377) * Due to higher inventory levels of the products the annual profit from the respective products are significantly lower compared to products which has lower inventory level. There are too many product categories (around 200 different products) which has higher inventory levels and lower annual sales(Eg: The product Crozes Hermitage 1984 has $158 annual sales but the inventory level is $2045 and total profit is only $47) Solutions: * Cut down the products which has low profit and low annual sales but high inventory costs(Eg:Crozes Hermitage 1984 * Concentrate on top sale products like for example UHT Whipping cream 1 Liter, Portion Butter Unsalted etc. hose annual sales are high com pared to inventory costs * Make the forecasting of all products more accurate by using better forecasting techniques which can reduce the inventory level and ordering quantity more accurate * Top sale products like Whipping cream and Butter has to ordered more frequently based on the accurate forecast (using combined container) rather than storing it because these products can go bad easily. Combine the products from the same supplier to reduce the ordering quantity(Eg: Products from Supplier â€Å"Besnier† can be combined into the same container) * Negotiate with current suppliers to reduce the ordering cost * Seek third party distributors to get a lower shipping cost if negotiation with current suppliers does not work out. Assumption: * The holding costs and inventory costs affect the profit of the products * Time Frame in which the inventory reduction has to be achieved is irrelevant(Assumption)

The War of 1812

The War of 1812: It’s Importance to America The War of 1812 is probably our most obscure conflict. Although a great deal has been written about the war, the average American is only vaguely aware of why we fought or who the enemy was. Even those who know something about the contest are likely to remember only a few dramatic moments, such as the writing of â€Å"The Star-Spangled Banner,† the burning of the nation’s capital, or the Battle of New Orleans. Why is this war so obscure? One reason is that no great president is associated with the conflict.Although his enemies called it â€Å"Mr. Madison's War,† James Madison was shy and deferential, hardly measuring up to such war leaders as Abraham Lincoln, Woodrow Wilson, or Franklin Roosevelt. Moreover, the best American generals in this war – Andrew Jackson, Jacob Brown, and Winfield Scott – were unable to turn the tide because each was confined to a one or two theaters in a war that had seven or eight theaters. No one like George Washington, Ulysses Grant, or Dwight Eisenhower emerged to put his stamp on the war and to carry the nation to victory.Although these things are true though, the War of 1812 is the most important event for America, because it officially broke us as the United States of America apart from Great Britain. Another reason for the obscurity of this war is that its causes are complex and little understood today. Most scholars agree that the war was fought over maritime issues, particularly the Orders in Council, which restricted American trade with the European Continent, and impressment, which was the Royal Navy’s practice of removing seamen from American merchant vessels.In contemporary parlance, the war was fought for â€Å"Free Trade and Sailors' Rights. † These issues seem arcane today. Moreover, the only way that the United States to strike at Great Britain was by attacking Canada, and that made it look like a war of territorial agg ression. Even today Canadians are likely to see the war in this light, and who can blame them? A war fought to secure maritime rights by invading Canada strikes many people as curious. The prosecution of the war was marred by considerable bungling and mismanagement. This was partly due to the nature of the republic. The ation was too young and immature – and its government too feeble and inexperienced – to prosecute a major war efficiently. Politics also played a part. Federalists vigorously opposed the conflict, and so too did some Republicans. Even those who supported the war feuded among themselves and never displayed the sort of patriotic enthusiasm that has been so evident in other American wars. The advocates of war appeared to support the conflict more with their heads than their hearts, and more with their hearts than their purses. As a result, efforts to raise men and money lagged far behind need.Despite the bungling and half-hearted support that characterized this conflict, the War of 1812 was not without its stirring moments and splendid victories. American success at the Thames in the Northwest, the victories at Chippewa and Fort Erie on the Niagara front, the rousing defense of Baltimore in the Chesapeake, and the crushing defeat of the British at New Orleans – all these showed that with proper leadership and training American fighting men could hold their own against the well-drilled and battle-hardened regulars of Great Britain.Similarly, the naval victories on the northern lakes and the high seas and the success of privateers around the globe demonstrated that, given the right odds, the nation’s armed ships matched up well against even the vaunted and seemingly invincible Mistress of the Seas. The war also produced its share of heroes–people whose reputations were enhanced by military or government service. The war helped catapult four men into the presidency – Andrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams, James M onroe, and William Henry Harrison – and three men into the vice-presidency – Daniel D.Tompkins, John C. Calhoun, and Richard M. Johnson. The war also gave a significant boost to the political or military careers of other men. Indeed, for many young men on the make, the war offered an excellent launching pad for a career. In some ways, the War of 1812 looked more to the past than to the future. As America's second and last war against Great Britain, it echoed the ideology and issues of the American Revolution. It was the second and last time that America was the underdog in a war and the second and last time that the nation tried to conquer Canada.It was also the last time that Indians played a major role in determining the future of the continent. In this sense, the War of 1812 was the last of the North American colonial wars. The war was unusual in generating such vehement political opposition and nearly unique in ending in a stalemate on the battlefield. Although mos t Americans pretended they had won the war – even calling it a â€Å"Second War of Independence†Ã¢â‚¬â€œthey could point to few concrete gains – certainly none in the peace treaty – to sustain this claim. It is this lack of success that may best explain why the war is so little remembered.Americans have characteristically judged their wars on the basis of their success. The best-known wars – the Revolution, the Civil War, and World War II – were all clear-cut successes. Although many people remembered the War of 1812 as a success, it was in a very real sense a failure, and perhaps this is why it attracts so little attention today. The obscurity of this war, however, should not blind us to its significance, for it was an important turning point, a great watershed, in the history of the young republic.It concluded almost a quarter of a century of troubled diplomacy and partisan politics and ushered in the Era of Good Feelings. It marked the en d of the Federalist party but the vindication of Federalist policies, many of which were adopted by Republicans during or after the war. The war also broke the power of American Indians and reinforced the powerful undercurrent of Anglophobia that had been spawned by the Revolution a generation before.In addition, it promoted national self-confidence and encouraged the heady expansionism that lay at the heart of American foreign policy for the rest of the century. Finally, the war gave the fledgling republic a host of sayings, symbols, and songs that helped Americans define who they were and where their young republic was headed. Although looking to the past, the war was fraught with consequences for the future, and for this reason it is worth studying today, and that is why it is the most important event for America.