Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Analysis Of The Movie Salata Baladi - 1251 Words

Films are able to tell narratives through the use of fictional characters, settings, and events. Rather than relying on actual people, they turn to a fictional premise in order to convey a certain theme to the audience. Documentaries, on the other hand, are able to do the same but without having to rely on fictional aspects. They can bring the audience into a real setting and show them part of the world through the filmmaker’s eyes. By doing so, they do not follow the same structures as fictional films, breaking from the norm of film techniques. Salata Baladi is a film that explores the hardships of a family trying to reunite through the use of capturing various experiences through interviews and a personal adventure without relying on an expensive camera. This film is focused on the filmmaker, Nadia Kamel, and her mother, Mary Rosenthal, attempting to reconnect with family that they have not seen in years. This mission of theirs begins due to Nadia realizing that Nabeel, her nephew, is constantly hearing radical talk whenever they’re outside. Throughout the course of the film, they travel to speak to various family members, but their initial goal is to travel to Israel and speak to their family in that country since they have not seen them for nearly fifty years. Although it sounds as if it would be simple, the journey proves to be difficult as they face unfortunate trials. Viewers should know that everything that is recorded and the events that happen are all true. This is

Sunday, December 15, 2019

Growing up in different times Heaney and Wordsworth Free Essays

William Wordsworth grew up in the Lake District in Cumbria, England during the very end of the eighteenth century and early nineteenth century. Here he lived with his aunt and sister. Being surrounded by nature was a huge impact on Wordsworth’s life. We will write a custom essay sample on Growing up in different times: Heaney and Wordsworth or any similar topic only for you Order Now Nature was everything from his teacher to almost his lover. He gradually grew to believe that nature was God. This idea that was everything for him is demonstrated very well in his poetry. Seamus Heaney was born in Northern Ireland in Derry. He was born before the height of the troubles but did live through a hard life living on a farm in rural Ireland. Living on the farm helped him to grow up and realise what real life was like. He learned things like dealing with death. There are similarities in both poets’ writing. For example both people grew up with nature and it was nature that taught them what real life was truly like. There are also differences for Heaney nature was only like a teacher while for Wordsworth nature was even things like his conscience. Heaney grew from fear to confidence. Wordsworth’s writing was very philosophical and always contained a much deeper meaning than Heaney’s writing did. This is just a few poems from Heaney’s anthology Death of a Naturalist. In the poem â€Å"Death of a Naturalist† the change Seamus experiences is one which we all experience yet at the time do not know that it has taken place and probably for some years will not know. The poem begins with a light description of the childhood ritual, collecting frogspawn. Every year he collects â€Å"jampotfuls† to put on shelves both at home and school. Now as Heaney is quite young he would not be aware of how the frogspawn got there. And no one is prepared to truthfully tell him. But his class teacher describes how â€Å"The daddy frog called a bullfrog, And how he croaked, and how the mammy frog Laid hundreds of little eggs.† But of course this is not how it happened and of course eventually one day we all find out about sexuality. Heaney’s day came when one year while collecting the frogspawn â€Å"the angry frogs Invaded the flax-dam,† he heard a â€Å"coarse croaking that I had not heard before.† He believes the frogs are beginning to gang up on him to take revenge for all the eggs he has taken but of course nothing of the sort is happening, it is just that all the frogs are having sex. â€Å"On sods; their loose necks pulsed liked sails. Some hopped: The slap and plop were obscene threats†¦. †¦their blunt heads farting. I sickened, turned and ran.† This image is a grotesque image in which subconsciously young Seamus discovers his sexuality. For a minute he is aware but afraid to admit it to himself in case he may lose that childhood innocence so he turns away sickened, longing for the moment that he was unaware of this disgusting act. â€Å"Dawn Shoot† is again a different type of poem. In this poem Seamus has no fear to conquer and no bridge to cross whether real or imaginary. This poem is really about how far he has come. Rather than cry over the death of animals in â€Å"Early Purges†, he is enjoying the killing of animals. He is totally carefree and not worried about shooting an animal or how badly wounded it should become or even if it dies. He is even stealthy so not to scare the animals to ensure he gets a kill. â€Å"Rubber-booted, belted, tense as two parachutists, We climbed the iron gate.† When an animal is finally killed they don’t even care to retrieve it as â€Å"the prices were too small.† I have chosen two extracts from Wordsworth poem â€Å"The Prelude.† In the poem â€Å"The Prelude (I)† Wordsworth follows a similar theme of growing up. In this poem young Wordsworth takes a boat which is not his and he is feeling very adventurous. â€Å"It was an act of stealth And troubled pleasure.† He felt very good when he took the boat and was having a very good time, until Wordsworth realises what he has done wrong but this is not realised until he reaches his destination in the lake. â€Å"The horizon’s bound, a huge peak, black and huge, As if with voluntary power instinct Upreared its head.† This is the climax of the poem and helps show the sudden change in mood. Wordsworth is happily rowing the boat when suddenly this huge big thing shows itself. To Wordsworth this is some sort of hideous creature. But in fact as you go through the poem you learn that this is the first few signs of his developing conscience. â€Å"For many days my brain Worked with a dim and undetermined sense Of unknown modes of being; o’er my thoughts There hung a huge darkness†¦. †¦moved slowly through the mind By day, and were a trouble to my brain.† These show the signs of a guilty conscience, guilty from knowing he took the boat: a moral Wordsworth is being taught about from nature and it again points to his emerging belief of Pantheism, that nature is God. The main focus in this poem â€Å"The Prelude (II)† is that of moving on. The poem has a picturesque setting of the â€Å"twilight gloom† This type of light however would tell Wordsworth to go inside, as if nature was telling him as a parent calls their children. But â€Å"I heeded not their summons.† So he carried on â€Å"All shod with steel, We hissed along on the polished ice in games:† a nice use of alliteration to convey the movement of ice skating. But Wordsworth being a Pantheist he cannot stay so he wonders off; â€Å"not seldom from the uproar I retired.† Wordsworth here shows his poetic ability and understanding of nature because he realises that the hills are â€Å"melancholic.† His subconscious understanding of nature forces him to go off and explore. What he realises is that everything around him is moving. â€Å"With visible motion her diurnal round! Behind me did they stretch in solemn train, Feebler and feebler, and I stood and watched Till all was tranquil as dreamless sleep.† The movement of the earth that he experiences here shows him that he is part of a moving, living universe. It is as if he has travelled with the spirit in God of nature. I think everyone could relate to Wordsworth’s and Heaney’s poems in someway: I know that I can relate to his feeling of a spirit in the woods. When I was lost I in the woods I felt as if someone was there showing where to go. The one thing we must all realise is that, we will all grow up: it is unstoppable and inevitable. I savour the thought. How to cite Growing up in different times: Heaney and Wordsworth, Papers

Saturday, December 7, 2019

The comparison between education system in Malaysia and education system in USA free essay sample

Education is the responsibility of the Government and it is committed to providing a sound education to all. This writing is about the differences in education system in Malaysia country and USA country. Below are the point that make the differences among them. Primary and Secondary Education In Malaysia, primary education (a period of 6 years) and secondary education (5 years which encompasses 3 years of lower secondary and 2 year of upper secondary) make up 11 years of free education. The admission age to the first of primary education is seven. Primary schooling is mandatory dor all children between the ages of 7 and 12. Students sit for common public examinations at the end of primary, lower secondary and upper secondary levels. While in United States of America (USA), US children enter the schooling system at the age five. The first year at school is called kindergarten. It is required of all American children enrolled in the America education system. We will write a custom essay sample on The comparison between education system in Malaysia and education system in USA or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The second year at scholl is considered the first year of primary school and is referred to as first grade. Upon completion of fifth grade (the last year of primary school at age 10-11), American children then advance to secondary school. Secondary school most commonly consists of a total of seven years, referred to as sixth through twelfth grades. The ninth, through twelfth grades, are most commonly referred to as high school. Upon completion of twelfth grade (aged 17-18), American students are awarded a certificate called the high school diploma. In the American education system, students must obtain a high school diploma before they are admitted into college or university. Post-secondary Education (Malaysia) Malaysia, Primary education (a period of 6 years) and secondary education (5 years which encompasses 3 years of lower secondary and 2 years of upper secondary) make up 11 years of free education. The admission age to the first year of primary education is seven. Primary schooling is mandatory for all children between the ages of 7 and 12. Students sit for common public examinations at the end of primary, lower secondary and upper secondary levels. Undergraduate school (USA) Students who have completed high school and would like to attend college or university must attend what is referred to as an undergraduate school. These are schools that offer either a two-year degree (called an associate degree) or a four-year degree (called a bachelor degree) in a specific area of study. That area of study is called the major. All students who are studying for a four year degree are required to select (or declare) a major by their second year at school. Students who complete an associate degree can continue their education at a four-year school and eventually complete a bachelor degree. Tertiary Education (Malaysia) At tertiary education level, institutions of higher learning offer courses leading to the awards of certificate, diploma, first degree and higher degree qualifications (at academic and professional fields). The duration of study for a basic bachelor degree programme is 3 years and the courses of study at this level are provided by both the public and private education sectors, attracting many international students. Tertiary education providers consist of two major groups : Public (government-funded) institutions of higher learning, for example, public universities, polytechnics, community colleges and teacher training institutes. Private (private-funded) higher educational institutions (PHEIs), for example, private universities, private university colleges, foreign branch campus universities and private colleges Government-funded educational Institutions The Government provides more than 95% of primary and secondary education as well as about 60% of the tertiary education, with the private sector providing the balance. Private-funded Educational Institutions The private education providers in Malaysia can be broadly grouped into 2 categories, depending on the levels of education offered, ranging from pre-school to tertiary education. These two categories of private institutions are : Private Educational Institutions (PEIs) which provide education at preschool, primary and secondary levels. They comprise private schools and foreign system schools. Private Higher Educational Institutions (PHEIs) which provide tertiary education leading to the awarding of certificate, diploma and degree qualifications. Graduate school (USA) Students who have obtained a bachelors degree can continue their education by pursuing one of two types of degrees. The first is a master’s degree. This is usually a two-year degree that is highly specialized in a specific field. As you can see the differences between the two systems are evident. Although not complex the differences must be noted for those students who do wish to go and study in the US or vice versa.

Saturday, November 30, 2019

TennesseeWilliams of his work Essay Example For Students

TennesseeWilliams of his work Essay Anger oh yes! And envy, yes! But not hate. I think hate is a thing, a feeling that can only exist where there is no understanding said Tennessee Williams of his work. Do you find any hate in the street car named desire? The street car named desire is a play based upon anger rather then hatred. The anger starts off with Stanly when he sees the unexpected arrival of his sister-in-law Blanche. From that point on his mind is filled with curiosity he begins to get extremely suspicious of the sudden arrival. Stanly is a loud mouthed, opinionated, sexist, aggressive and animalistic- all overriding characteristics of Stanly Kowalski the man who in no small part is responsible for the dramatic collapse of Blanche. Due to anger of her behavior and fake mask that she is wearing he does not agree in the dream world that she lives in constantly. On first impression there is very little reason for the audience to feel sympathetic towards Stanley, but in my opinion it is unfair to hate Stanley for actions and characteristics that he has little or no control over. We will write a custom essay on TennesseeWilliams of his work specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Stanleys actions are largely motivated by his wish to protect his wife and unborn baby, surely a natural reaction for which he should not be judged so harshly. Stanley sees Blanche as a threat, an invasion of territory, something that needs to be dealt with. In my opinion Stanly has nothing personal against Blanche, however he knows her unpleasant past knowing the harsh truth he does not want any influence of her behavior Stanley is continuously described as bestial by Blanche a fact that he never protests, why then is we shocked even horrified by the rape of Blanche when Stanley is only in-keeping with a pattern of behavior over which it is obvious he has little or no control. His mission is to be in control live a life like he wants too, he can not stand the fact that a woman has entered his life with lies he is also afraid of loosing Stella because of Blanche. He is childish, he only cares about what he wants and is very rude. He is so concerned with getting his own way and hurting Blanche that he has no compunction about hurting Mitch, his friend, by telling him the truth about Blanche. He is a very dominating: he overpowers his timid wife, Stella, constantly, to keep her from leaving him. He does the same to his friends when he wants to. Stanley is also incredibly protective of Stella: he doubts everything about Blanche from the beginning, and tries to make sure that he and Stella are not being tricked by a con artist. He is very proud, and is enraged when Blanche calls him common, or a Polack. He seems incapable of subtlety, and does everything whole-heartedly: he loves Stella thoroughly and hates Blanche vehemently. Stanley is honest to the point of brutality, and he does not care about offending others, he even brags to Mitch about raping Blanche. He despises Blanche because she is the opposite of his honesty; she thrives on illusion and pretense. His anger and hatred of Blanche is so great that he rapes her, causing her final mental breakdown. Blanche and Stanley both attempt to influence her, and they succeed, to a degree. Stella said Mr. Kowalski is too busy making a pig of himself to think of anything else! This statement shows a direct influence from Blanche on Stella, as Stella never would have said that if she was alone. However, Stanley pulls his weight as well. He reminds her of all the wonderful times and nights they had together before Blanche came. He also succeeds in convincing her that his side of the rape story is the true one, which is the true goal of the power of influence within the book. Stella is the only place where a connection between Blanche and Stanley could occur. .u3e0ecc8d8a1011651d92316bca65ee6f , .u3e0ecc8d8a1011651d92316bca65ee6f .postImageUrl , .u3e0ecc8d8a1011651d92316bca65ee6f .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u3e0ecc8d8a1011651d92316bca65ee6f , .u3e0ecc8d8a1011651d92316bca65ee6f:hover , .u3e0ecc8d8a1011651d92316bca65ee6f:visited , .u3e0ecc8d8a1011651d92316bca65ee6f:active { border:0!important; } .u3e0ecc8d8a1011651d92316bca65ee6f .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u3e0ecc8d8a1011651d92316bca65ee6f { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u3e0ecc8d8a1011651d92316bca65ee6f:active , .u3e0ecc8d8a1011651d92316bca65ee6f:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u3e0ecc8d8a1011651d92316bca65ee6f .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u3e0ecc8d8a1011651d92316bca65ee6f .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u3e0ecc8d8a1011651d92316bca65ee6f .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u3e0ecc8d8a1011651d92316bca65ee6f .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u3e0ecc8d8a1011651d92316bca65ee6f:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u3e0ecc8d8a1011651d92316bca65ee6f .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u3e0ecc8d8a1011651d92316bca65ee6f .u3e0ecc8d8a1011651d92316bca65ee6f-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u3e0ecc8d8a1011651d92316bca65ee6f:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Okonkwo In Things Fall Apart EssayShe is a mix of the two worlds. She still has many of the qualities instilled in her at Belle Reeve, yet she does not let that get in the way of her having some fun. As she is so entangled between two completely opposite worlds, she is stuck and eventually, is forced to side with one of the two. She is not strong, and therefore the winner of the battle is the one who gets her to side with them, Stanley. Stella does not hate any one but at times does feels angry with Stanly because of her sister. We see in the play her anger towards Blanche is very little. Mitch on the other hand is far away from hatred even he finds out Blanches harsh truth he feels great anger and betrayal but still has hidden feeling for her. He falls in love with Blanche, and wants to marry her. He is very sensitive. There are two reasons for this, The death of the girl he loved in his youth, and the terminal illness of his mother, who has no more than a few months to live. This sensitivity makes him feel very awkward sometimes. Mitch is, in Blanches words, capable of great devotion: he wants to stay home to make sure his mother is alright, and is so concerned about her that it hampers his enjoyment of the card game with his friends. He has a very close relationship with his mother, exemplified by the fact that he tells her about Blanche and his great concern for her. This makes his mothers impending death even harder for him to take. Mitch is not very intelligent, and so he cannot see through Blanches feigned innocence or her lies. Mitch is a gentleman, especially compared to his friends, Stanley in particular. He is also is very trusting. He refuses to believe Stanley when he first says that Blanche has been lying to him, and he is deeply hurt when he finds out that Stanley has been right. This pain is compounded because he had never suspected her dishonesty before. The fact that his mother wants to see him married before she dies makes breaking up with Blanche even harder for him. In the final scene, he breaks down after seeing Blanche, and realizes that he has lost her because he did not appreciate her great sensitivity. So above we see the relationship between the characters. We can honestly really see Stanleys anger towards Blanche Although Blanche tries to convince Stella to leave Stanly her anger towards Stanly is not as strong as his anger towards her. However stressing the anger between both I must say that the anger does turn in to hatred for Stanly thats what leads him to the rape or is it just male power? And to send her away to the mental hospital. In a way Stanly succeeds in his plan. The essence of this play is Stanly behavior which leads the play to end in tragedy. Stella and Mitch are far away from the world of hatred and poor Blanche is just the victim of her own deeds.

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Summer Sisters essays

Summer Sisters essays Summer Sisters, by Judy Blume, is a story about a girl, Vix, who takes the reader on a journey through her life. The story begins when she is about twelve years old and continues until her mid- twenties when she finally decides to get married. Victoria Leonard (Vix) is a self-conscious young girl who has an incredible opportunity to spend the summer with Caitlin Somers, a very popular, beautiful girl at Marthas Vineyard with Caitlins dad. This book describes feelings, emotions and experiences that they went through, together and apart. As Vix and Caitlin grow up, many significant events take place that contribute to who they will become. Some events are tragic, others exhilarating, yet through it all, Vix and Caitlin always remain summer sisters. She couldnt sit still. Shed never wanted anything so badly in her life. And she was determined. One way or another she was going away with Caitlin Somers. She dreamed about touching her hair, her sun-kissed skin. (10-11) This passage is significant because it sets the scene for the entire book. It unites two acquaintances into becoming best friends. Caitlin and Vix not only spend this summer together, but the summers following for the next six years. As the book continues and the girls get older, many instances remind them of how important they are to each other and how none of their friendship would have been possible without Caitlin asking Vix to join her at Marthas Vineyard. This one paragraph begins the journeys into the girls personal lives and as the reader continues, more and more unfolds about the characters in the book. As much as Vix wanted to see Bru, have him hold her, comfort her, she felt guilty for making love while Nathan lay dying. And it crossed her mind that this could be her punishment for enjoying sex, for defying her mother. She tried to push those thoughts away... ...

Friday, November 22, 2019

Lab Report #2 Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

#2 - Lab Report Example Measurement is an essential aspect mainly utilized in the scientific field to quantify diverse forms of matter. This entails determining the objects’, quantity of matter, volume and their densities (Wilson & Cecilia 242). However, an object’s exact measurement despite one being an expert, accuracy mainly relies on the equipments a person utilizes to take diverse measurements. This is due to the imperfections, which result from the equipments’ errors while a researcher is taking measurements of different types of matter or their parts. Therefore, it is essential for the researcher to have adequate knowledge regarding how to minimize errors via being able to manipulate the readings one attains while measuring. Since this varies across the equipments, where some are complex especially if one lacks proper knowhow regarding particular equipment (Wilson & Cecilia 39). The study’s focus encompasses measurements of diverse objects coupled with determining their l engths, mass, volume and densities. 1. The initial step was to take the readings of a copper wire with the help of a metric ruler. This is by placing the wire on the metric rule, reading the positions of the two sides and estimating the readings to approximately tenth of a millimeter. Then developing four sets of independent measurements to approximately 0.01cm in centimeters by estimating using diverse parts of the meter rule 3. The diameter of the copper wire was measured with the aid of a micrometer caliper where the measurements’ approximation was 0.0001cm. To increase the accuracy of the study, it entailed obtaining six independent recordings in a table. Despite the experiment carried out with high level of keenness to shun any possible errors that may emanate from carelessness or readings’ improper taking, they were inevitable. Mainly, the source of errors in this study that have prompted the results to deviate from the ordinary expected

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Google Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Google - Research Paper Example Termed as â€Å"BackRub† initially, this search engine was refined and modified. It later led to the creation of the company that the world admires today; Google. Google started operations from Susan Wojcicki‘s garage at 232 Santa Margarita, Menlo Park. The initial funds for the company were provided by Sun co-founder Andy Bechtolsheim. Larry and Sergey, the co-founders, hired their fellow graduate at Standford, Craig Silverstein, as their first employee. There has been no looking back ever since. By mid-1999, the company had, led by venture capitalists Sequoia Capital and Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, completed a $25-million round of equity funding. In May 2010, the first 10 language versions of Google.com were released. The search engine was now available in French, German, Italian, Swedish, Finnish, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Norwegian and Danish. By September, Google had started offering search in 15 languages including Chinese, Japanese and Korean. In February of 2001, the company acquired Deja.com’s Usenet Discussion Service, an archive of 500 million Usenet discussions. The company opened its first international office in Tokyo in August 2001. By the end of the year, index size of Google grew to 3 billion web documents. In May 2002, Google inked a deal with AOL that enabled it to offer search and sponsored links to as many as 34 million customers who used CompuServe, Netscape and AOL.com. Google continued its inorganic route to expansion and acquired Pyra Labs, the creators of Blogger, in February 2003. One of the most important acquisitions of the company has been that of Applied Semantics, whose technology immensely bolstered Google’s content-targeted advertising service named Adsense. Google made its initial foray into the domain of social networking when it launched Orkut in January 2004. A couple of months later, the company moved to its new abode â€Å"Googleplex† at 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway in Mountain View. In October 2004, the company acquired Keyhole, a digital mapping company. It was Keyhole’s technology that later helped Google launch Google Earth. By February 2005 Google had 1.1 billion images indexed. A month later, the company acquired a web analytics company, Urchin, whose technology is behind Google Analytics. The acquisition spree continued for Google in 2006 as it acquired dMarc, a digital radio advertising company in January, Writely, a web-based word processing application in March and JotSpot, a collaborative wiki platform in October. The company continued to expand its reach as it forged an alliance with China Mobile in January 2007. The deal enabled Google to provide mobile and Internet search services in China. The same year in June, the company announced a partnership with Salesforce.com, clubbing the latter’s on-demand CRM applications with its own AdWords. In September 2009, Google acquire reCAPTCHA, a technology company focused on Optical Character R ecognition (OCR). Picnik, a site that enables users to edit photos in the cloud, without leaving the browser, was acquired in March 2010. In February 2011, a new search algorithm that has a bearing on 11.8 percent of queries was refined to give better search results. Earlier this year, Google launched Google +, the company’s latest foray into the world of social network

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Ontology and Epistemology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Ontology and Epistemology - Essay Example We will talk about ontology and its direct, objective approach to studying an entity, and epistemology, with its more intrinsic approach concerning knowledge, truth, belief, and justification. Ontology Ontology is the study of kinds of things that exist and its nature of being (â€Å"Ontology†). It is said that everything that has a name exists. Every noun points to an actual entity. Ontology is the study about that entity. Whether the concept is concrete such as a microorganism, or abstract such as resilience, the study of that entity as something that exists is the ontological approach. It is generally a descriptive and categorical way of thinking that examines the nuts and bolts of an existing entity, categorizing and differentiating it from other entities. I am holding a flower. The flower I am holding is a rose. The thorns are pointy and can pierce my skin. These are all ontological notions. It is the recognition and classification of an entity that exists and its constit uent parts. Epistemology Epistemology on the other hand is the study of knowledge. It questions what a person knows, how he knows what he knows, and how much a person can know about something. Some philosophers believe that knowledge is a True Belief that has Justification. So the three components of knowledge are that it should be true, the person with the knowledge must believe it is true, and there should be proof or justification that it is true (Sahakian and Sahakian). If epistemology is about knowledge, this is how they look at the situation: I KNOW it is a flower because all flowers have a stem, a stalk, leaves and a bunch of petals on the tip. This is true because it is consistent with other flowers who also have the same characteristics. I KNOW it is in my hand because I can feel it and see it in my hand. This is true under the correspondence theory of truth and Naive Realism. I KNOW it is a rose because I was taught by my teacher that this is what a rose looks like. This i s true under the criteria of authority. I KNOW that the thorns can pierce my skin because pointy objects can pierce my skin. This is true under Consensus gentium. All these things are considered knowledge because I believe that they are as they are, and my beliefs are proven to be true because the justification satisfies the criteria of truth. Satisfying the criteria of truth is needed to justify a proposition. There are many criteria for truth, some of which are valid, and others are not. These criteria are all valid or invalid to certain extents. Truth The criteria for truth consist of Authority which states that a proposal is true as long as a qualified individual says it is. This criterion is not very reliable since different qualified individuals can have opposing views toward a single topic. Coherence is the criterion in which a proposal is true as long as the facts are well explained and are reconciled to support that proposal. This criterion could be the most effective test of truth but is limited by the person’s ability to gather all the relevant facts. Consensus gentium is a general truth accepted by all of mankind. An example is the existence of gravity; consistency can be either mere or strict. Mere consistency makes a proposition true as long as two correct statements don’t contradict. Strict consistency needs a prior true statement to validate the proposed true statement; correspondence makes a propositi

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Business Law - Case Study Essay Example for Free

Business Law Case Study Essay A.Known Facts John wanted to extend his house and built an office from there. He approached Sue after locating an advertisement from the Yellow Pages. As Sue’s price did not seem reasonable, John then approached Drawit Pty Ltd, which charged a hundred dollar less. John paid a deposit. Later, John went to Franks Hardware and Timber Yard. He made known to Frank, the sole proprietor, the purpose and requirement of the materials and placed an order. John signed a standard form contract and paid a deposit. Two months later, problems arose which caused John to delay his business. John incurred financial losses. B.IDENTIFYING THE ISSUES 1.0CONTRACT BETWEEN JOHN FRANK. It is obvious that there is a contract for the sales of goods between Frank and John. Therefore, terms implied by statute into the sales of goods will only be relevant here. 1.1Is it a consumer or non-consumer contract? Here, we need to consider the definitions of consumer both under Trade Practices Act (TPA) and Goods Act Part IV (GA-IV). As the total price of the goods is $20,500, it is under the TPA s4B(1) (a)(i) prescribed limit. Having satisfied this, we need to consider s4B(1) (a)(iii). There is no evidence showing that John had acquired the goods for the purpose of re-supply or transform them. It might be a consumer contract under TPA. $20,500 exceeds the threshold amount under GA-IV s85(1) (a). John then needs to satisfy s85(1) (b). His materials were of a kind that is ordinarily  acquired for personal consumption. Moreover, s85(1) (c) and (d) did not apply. Therefore, it might also be a consumer contract within s85 of the GA. A consumer contract subjects either to TPA or GA-IV means that Goods Act Part I do not apply. 1.2 TPA or GA-IV? A seller must be a corporation to be under the TPA. As Frank Hardware is a sole proprietor, it therefore is not subjected to the TPA. It then must fall under GA-IV. GA-IV applies to all consumer contracts for the sale of goods that take place in the course of business, irrespective of whether the seller is a corporation, a partnership or a sole trader. 1.3What are the Implied terms that are breached? (i)GA-IV s(90) Fitness for particular purposes John had a contract with Frank for the supply of materials and the sale took place in the course of a business. John made known the purpose for which the goods were required and had relied on his skill and judgement in choosing the appropriate materials. It was also reasonable for John to rely on Frank. Therefore, there is an implied condition that the materials supplied be fit for that particular purpose. However, the materials were not of the purpose for which it was supplied. This implied term had been breached. (ii)GA-IV s(89) Merchantable quality As the materials were sold in the course of a business, there is an implied condition that the materials be fit for their normal purpose(s) having regarded the price. When the materials were delivered, the pine is not limed and the oregon beams  have unsightly knots. John was not aware of the defect before the sale and if John had inspected the materials before sale it would not have revealed the defect. This is because John did not know that he actually had to lime the pine himself and the knots on the beams might not be easily seen. Therefore, there is evidence that this implied term had been breached. 1.4What is the effect of exclusion clause? As the materials bought by John is a kind normally acquired for personal consumption, Frank cannot rely on the exclusion clause to exclude his liability. This is evidenced by GA-IV s95(1). 1.5What are the remedies available? John can terminate the contract and sue for damages. This means that he may return the materials and receive a refund. However, the goods must be returned as provided by s99 that as long as the defect becomes apparent within a reasonable time after delivery, the goods may be returned within reasonable time after discovering the defect. John may also receive compensation for losses caused by the breach of implied terms. 2.0CONTRACT BETWEEN JOHN SUE. 2.1Offer or Invitation to Treat? First, we need to distinguish offer from invitation to treat. An invitation to treat is an invitation to others to make an offer. Generally, an advertisement amounts to an invitation to treat. This is held in Partridge V Crittenden [1968] 2 All ER 421, where Sue will be inviting John to make an offer. However, there is an exception. An advertisement can also be an offer. This can be illustrated in Carlill V Carbolic Smoke Ball Co [1893] 1 QB 256 in which Sue might probably argue that it was an offer. This being the case, Sue is the offeror will stressed that the offer was assumed to be accepted  by John upon saying â€Å" I think that’ll be okay †. An offer, once accepted, cannot be revoked. Therefore there will be a binding contract. Assuming that it is an offer, it can either be a counter offer or a mere request for more information. 2.2Counter Offer or Mere Request for More Information? An offer will be rejected if there is a counter offer. A counter offer tampers with the original condition of the offer, it rejects the original offer and can no longer be accepted at later date. Looking at the words used in John’s reply â€Å" I hadn’t expect it to be so high †, it is possible that this was either an acceptance with a request for more information, or a counter-offer. If the court found the facts here sufficiently similar to those in Stevenson Jacques V McLean (1880) 5 QBD 346, it could hold that the words were a mere request for information. This being the case, the offer remains open and can be accepted. Another alternative is that the court might hold that John’s reply amounts to a counter offer as it seems to add new terms to the offer. This would be similar to Hyde V Wrench (1840) 3 Beav 334, in which the counter offer involved a reduction in price. As in that case, the counter offer made by John had the effect of destroying the original offer made by Sue. Sue is then free to accept or reject this counter offer. Sue, by quoting the price of $1500, clearly shows that she had accepted the counter offer and made a new offer. It is now up to John, the offeree, to accept or reject the offer. 2.3Acceptance or Rejection? Sue could rely on the fact that the mode of communication is instantaneous, i.e. a telephone conversation. She will argue that John’s response over the phone is assumed to be an acceptance to the new offer. This forms a contract in which she can argue that it had been breached. REMEDIES FOR SUE (Damages) However, John can argue that there was no contract because his response failed to satisfy the rule that an acceptance must be absolute and unqualified. In fact, it’s a statement of his opinion of what he thought and therefore he reserved the right to change his mind. An offer, which had not been accepted, does not form a contract. Therefore there is no breach of contract and that he did not have to pay the pro rata amount requested by Sue. REMEDIES FOR JOHN (Do not have to pay) Having considered both sides of the argument, it is more likely that there is a contract between John and Sue. And that it is a breach in which John had to pay. 3.0 CONTRACT BETWEEN JOHN AND DRAWIT. It is clear that there is a service contract in which Drawit is to provide a plan for John. Due to the fact that terms implied under Statute only apply to consumer contracts, we need to determine if one exists in order to enforce the implied terms. 3.1Is it a consumer contract? To illustrate whether it is a consumer contract, we need to compare the definition of consumer under Trade Practices Act (TPA) and Goods Act Part IV (GA-IV). s4B(b) (i) of the TPA required that price of the service be less that $40,000. If it exceeds that amount, it must be a kind ordinary acquired for personal use. s85(a) of the GA-IV restricted that amount to be under $20,000. Similarly, if exceeds that prescribed amount, it must be for  personal consumption. Given the service price of $1,400 and that John had acquired it for personal use, it is obvious that it falls under both the TPA and GA-IV. Therefore we know that there is a consumer contract. We then need to identify which of the Acts it falls into. 3.2TPA or GA-IV? TPA probably applies because there is evidence that Drawit is a corporation. This can be recognised by the ‘Pty Ltd’ in Drawits’s company name. Having recognised that it subjects to TPA, it is obvious that GA-IV does not apply. 3.3What are the Implied Warranties that have been breached? As Drawit provide the similar service as Sue, we assumed that John had also made know the purpose for which the plan was required and that relied on the seller’s skills to perform the service. (i)TPA s74(1) Due and skills Drawit supplied the services in the course of a business, so there is an implied warranty that the service will be rendered with due care and skill. The material supplied (plan) in connection with the service must also be fit for the purpose for which they are supplied. It is obvious that Drawit had breached this implied warranty because the material supplied was not fit for the purpose, i.e. it did not meet the Council’s standards. (ii)TPA s74(2) Fitness for particular purposes Applying our assumption that John had made known to Drawit his requirements for which the services were required and that Drawit had supplied the service in the course of a business. There is an implied warranty that the  service and the materials supplied in connection of the service will be reasonably fit for that purpose and that it is reasonable for John in that circumstances to rely on Drawit’s skill. The plan did not meet the Council’s requirement. This shows that it did not fit the purpose for which the services were required. Therefore there is a breach of this warranty. 3.4Can the implied terms be excluded? As the service provided is of a type ordinarily acquired for personal domestic or household use. Under s68 of TPA, Drawit cannot exclude or limit the implied warranties. 3.5What are the remedies that are available? John can terminate the contract and sue for damages. This means that he could get a refund for the services and also receive compensation for the losses caused by the breached of the implied terms.

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Machiavelli Essay -- essays research papers

"The term Machiavellian refers to someone who is unscrupulous, cunning, cynical, and unprincipled"(Goods 1998). Many scholars agree that this particular adjective would have dismayed Niccolo Machiavelli, the man from whom the term is derived. In reality he has been attributed as being one of the brightest lights of the Italian Renaissance through his works as not only a writer, but also as an influential philosopher of history and political thought. His most famous work The Prince has been misunderstood due to the motives discussed and the blatantly honest language used. Many of his critics have condemned him for his pessimistic outlook of man as a whole and in doing so try to negate the bulk of his work. Yet even after over 470 years his works are still thought provoking and influential in the political arena. This paper looks at some of the influences that may have created such a man. Machiavelli was born in Florence on May 3, 1469, a time of political upheaval and a strong political influence from the Roman Catholic Church. Although Machiavelli was never what would today be considered middle class, he himself states â€Å"I was born poor and learned earlier to stint myself than to prosper†(Gilbert 1961, 102). While the extent of this poverty is not known, it is known that his family owned land and was able to pay for his education. In fact, through some of his father’s letters we learn that he had an excellent education in Latin, arithmetic, history, and poetry, but that he was not well off enough to afford other more expensive forms of training (Gilbert 1961, 56). However, his financial hardship from earlier on seems to display itself in his cautious approach to most of his political activities. In fact, the lessons Machiavelli learned early on set a precedent of conservatism that carried on throughout his life. Machiavelli’s first position in government was given to him in 1498 at the age of twenty-nine. His position was that of Second Chancellor or Secretary and was the second most important paid position in the city (Gilbert 1961, 12). This position was advantageous in the fact that it provided him with experience dealing with both international negotiations and domestic business within the city. These early experiences were evident influences in his political beliefs and he himself commented on them occasionally. It was these early lessons in ... ...61, 141) while describing to a friend his daily activities. It can be argued that this type of leisure activity may have been part of his informal training into the realm of philosophy. It was during this time that he composed some of his more famous works, but he also composed a comedy called The Mandrake that displays the less serious and rigid side of Machiavelli. Although he does show himself to be as much of a dreamer as he was a politician, Machiavelli believed knew that emotion held no place in politics. He himself stated that in order to fairly rule â€Å"†¦calculation of what must be done in a given situation being unduly affected be passions or the contemporary conventions and ideals of right and wrong† (Fleisher). Through personal experiences, education, and the lessons learned from the past Machiavelli was able to influence the world for generations with his political insights and theories. Even after 470 years his works still inspire and create debate as to the true nature of politics and the behavior of those that rule. While the true contributors to the development of these beliefs may never be truly known, the impact that they have had upon the world cannot be denied.

Monday, November 11, 2019

Plain View/Open Fields Case Study Essay

In the case of the purse which was dropped by a suspect who had been running from the police officers, the plain view and the open field doctrines were both applicable. According to the law, the Plain View Doctrine is applied when a police officer comes upon a contraband which is in â€Å"plain view† in any area where the presence of said police officer is legal. In such a situation, the officer could legally seize the contraband on the spot without the need of a warrant and arrest its owner for illegally possessing the substance. Only one condition should be established: that before seizing the object, said police officer should establish â€Å"probable cause† that the object is unquestionably contraband. Under such circumstances, the owner of the object in question is not protected by the Fourth Amendment (FindLaw, n.d.).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   On the other hand, according to the Open Fields Doctrine, the owner of an object located out of doors where it could be plainly seen or accessible to anybody who is on foot, from inside any motor vehicle, or a low-flying aircraft, could not seek the privacy protection under the Fourth Amendment. This means that even if a dwelling unit is protected by a fence, the fenced-in ground is still considered an â€Å"open field† if people can easily peep through cracks in the fence, or if the fence is low enough for people to have a clear view of the ground inside without standing on their toes or on top of any object in order to have a clear line of sight. The protection against intrusion exercised by the owner such as a locked gate is also taken into consideration. Open fields include streets, sidewalks, bodies of water, outdoor fields, or even the â€Å"cartilage† of a fenced-in residential building if it is in plain view of people standing outside the fence (FindLaw, n.d.). The purse was dropped in a place which was accessible to anybody at all times of the day, being a back alley where residents deposit their trash for the garbage collectors to pick up. In other words, the presence of any person in that area, including police officers, could not be considered unlawful. These circumstances made that particular alley an open field. The doctrine on open fields is therefore applicable. In addition, when the purse was dropped, it sprung open and spilled most of its contents on the ground, including the marijuana sticks. In other words, the police officer immediately saw the marijuana sticks when he came back for the purse after failing to catch up with the escaping man because they were in â€Å"plain view.† Given that the place where the purse was dropped could be considered an open field and that the marijuana sticks were in plain view of the officer in a place where the presence of said officer is not unlawful, the open field doctrine as well as the doctrine of plain view could both be applied to the case of the dropped purse. This being the case, the marijuana sticks could therefore be legally seized and used as evidence to justify the arrest of the owner of the purse. Had the purse stayed tightly closed when it was dropped and the marijuana sticks remained hidden from plain view, it could not have been the subject of a legal seizure proceeding. In the case of the two boys who were fighting inside a fenced-in residence, the two doctrines were again applicable. When the officers who failed to catch up with the suspect went back for the purse which was dropped on the alley, it was then that Officer Nelson heard the commotion inside a fenced-in yard. When he went near the fence of the nearest residence, he found that he could easily see into the fenced-in ground of the house without having to stand on his toes or on top of any object. The fenced-in ground, therefore, fell under the open field doctrine because what was happening inside could easily be observed by anybody passing by the fence. Then, since Officer Nelson saw the violent incident involving two teenage boys, it became his duty, being a peace officer, to break up the fight and prevent further physical damage to the boys involved. He therefore felt duty-bound to enter the premises. The fact that the gate to the backyard was not locked proved that his entry was not forced therefore he did not violate the Fourth Amendment. This is because an unlocked gate is an indication that the owner of the premises did not expect too much privacy by not restricting entry into an â€Å"open field.† In addition, â€Å"no entry† signs were not posted either on the fence or on the gate. In U.S. v. Thomas, supra, the court ruled that police officers who entered an apartment through an open gate were not violating the rights of the owners under the Fourth Amendment, noting that the open gate indicated that entering did not require permission from the owner or occupant of the apartment. It also pointed out that there was no other indication or warning that unauthorized entry was not allowed. All things considered, the court ruled that the gate only served as the entrance to the apartment and not as a means of preventing people from entering simply because it was open (as cited in State vs. Ramaekers, 1999). The circumstances which attended U.S. v. Thomas were identical to the circumstances present in the case study: There was a fence, and a gate, but the latter was not locked, and no â€Å"do not enter† signs were posted. The ruling in U.S. v. Thomas is therefore applicable to the case study when the police officers entered the fenced-in ground. The Open Field Doctrine, however, was applicable only as far as the breakup of the fight between the two boys was concerned. Since Officer Nelson did not yet see the baggies when he was outside the fence, it could not be applied to the baggies which contained the contraband. However, when he approached the door to the patio to call the guardians of the boys, he saw the baggies in â€Å"plain view† on top of the table near the door. At that point, the discovery of the white substance fell under the doctrine of plain view. It was discovered by Officer Nelson â€Å"inadvertently† in a place where his presence was legitimate. It should be emphasized that Officer Nelson’s presence in the area was to break up a fight which he had observed from the alley outside the fence of that residence. In addition, it was not necessary for the officer to establish probable cause that the white substance was contraband because the woman who came out of the house in response to his call immediately confirmed that the substance was indeed contraband. The seizure was therefore lawful under the Plain View Doctrine and the contraband should be admissible as evidence in court (Findlaw, n.d.).

Saturday, November 9, 2019

Cultural Assumptions and assessment for understanding of Burns’ Perspective Essay

The speaker was addressing a native Indians, most likely her mother. The speaker was trying to trace her culture and trying to differentiate it from her physical and characteristic behavior. In this address the speaker is trying to deny her native identity as American Indian and specifying that it is Native American. It appears the mother was American but the father was Indian. (Burn 741) The poem has the humor in the of living in identity denial yet when the speaker seem to be very much aware of the culture of her identity such as archery practice, stoic face and not drinking a lot. This forms the first theme of this poem of cultural identity denial even though there are physical and behavioral attributes that are associated with the Indian native culture. The speaker consider the Indian rugs very cheap as compared to the American rugs, thus the speaker does not want to be identified with them . (Burn 741) The second humor that is in this poem is the manner in which the speaker is addressing the mother, especially when referring to the father. The speaker is referring to the father as an Indian lover to the mother. The speaker makes it more humorous by perceiving and elaborating how tight the father and the mother were before the speaker was born. This is the second serious theme in the poem. (Burn 741- 742) There are certain phrases that are repeated through out the poem with respective effect. The ‘Yea Uh-huh’ phrase is repeated in the phrase as a scone and laugh at the issues in the theme such as culture and identity. It is used by the speaker to make humorous asserting and make a sense of disapproval to the listener. The ‘No’ phrase has also been used at the beginning of the phrase to vehemently deny the Indian identity and culture in the poem. The ‘Oh’ phrase has been used in the middle of the poem to pour scone on the relationship that existed between the parents. Other commonly repeated phrases are the ‘I don’t and I didn’t’. These are use for the function of reinforcement and utter dissociation. .(Burn 741-742) Cultural Assumptions and assessment for understanding of Cofer’s Perspective The tone of this poem is a gamble, with a prayerful wish, to some extent very desperate full of identity hope. It is a gamble as the identity of God is put of debate by the Latin women. There is a prayerful wish as these women are religiously attending the church prayer sessions. Finally the desperate tone is seen at the end when they are not sure if God is or can be bilingual. (Cofer 780). Cofer relates the issues of race in the reference of God as being of Anglo identity with a Jewish heritage even though they pray in Spanish. Therefore the races hare are Spanish, English and Jews The issues of class are related to in the reference of ‘the great white father’ as well as the church environment which as marble that signify effluence. There is debate about the identity of God. The issues of women run all through the poem from the Latin women who pray to the end of the poem where they pray to their dedicated saints such as Margarita, Josephina, Maria and Isabel. (Cofer 780). Cultural Assumptions and assessment for understanding of Hughes’ Perspective I am a student who does not see myself from the color perspective but from the opportunities to be what I am and can be in future. I appreciate other irrespective of their colors. I do not disregard others capabilities along color lines. I am aware that life is a learning experience that will give everybody a chance to live their dreams with disregard to colors. These are the aspects that are covered by the speaker. (Hughes 935- 936). The writer complication is the assignment that was given about who they are as blacks yet the tutor is white. This assignment in itself is judgmental hence the complication on the writers side. The writing assignment is fulfilled when the writer goes to an isolated place at the institution and describes their identity on personal and in relations to others in the society. The righter specifies that it is not possible to dissociate others because of their colors. (Hughes 935- 936). The speaker happens to be the only black student in their class, perhaps the oldest at twenty two years and feels discriminated for the color identity. The speaker also describes the way to the institution as mostly affluent and inhabited with whites. The speaker’s response to the question of whether the white paper will be colored when writing is negative. (Hughes 935- 936). The tone of line 27- 40 is one of defiance. The speaker wants to be considered and an American, just like the others. The speaker is also defying the past treatment of dissociation from the rest of the society. The tone is also one of collectivisms when the speaker wants to be considered as an American. (Hughes 935- 936). The instructor will have a whole new perception about the identity discrimination that exits in the society at the moment. The Instructor will be touched and filled with guilt about the past occurrences of the have happened at the learning institution. The instructor will also commend the writer bravery and resolve and will most likely grade it as excellent. (Hughes 935- 936). Cultural Assumptions and assessment for understanding of Byatt’s Perspective Daphne is a very sympathetic character. She never goes to the city Mall to shop and does not know so much of the place. The Husband Dollo always leaves her home and feels she is much more comfortable with the domestic chores that with the urban shopping Mall rendezvous. She is also very unaware of the risk of the city Mall security and get all her essential property such as passport stolen when she leave them lying carelessly at the Mall. ( Byatt 502-504). She gets into trouble when she cannot pay for the heavy baggage of shopping at the end of the tour and get more worked up and desperately arrested. All the other ladies did not go round the Mall with her hence she looses directions throughout the session . She is unable to prove her identity and will most likely be identified as a shop lifter unless her husband comes for her. ( Byatt 502-504). The antagonism arises between Daphne and the policeman when she is found lost in the perimeter. She has not been able to pay for the product. She claims her property has been stolen including her passport which is her first step of identification. On arrest, she resists and believes she is not a criminal and will wait for her husband to come out with proof. But this is not resolved as the policeman is impatient there is nobody coming to her rescue. Eventually she must have given in to the arrest. ( Byatt 502-504). Cultural Assumptions and assessment for understanding of Divakaruni’s Perspective The practice of the pre-arranged marriages has long roots in the Indian culture. I thin it should be left upon the lady to decide who to marry, when to marry, how many children to have and after what duration. (Divakaruni, 214- 215). Sumita initially cries of it as she does not have a chance to choose her groom. She also is not for the idea of going to America as she finds the culture quite conflicting with her current beliefs. However Divakaruni explores Sumita’s new life experience from the cloth point of view. As soon as Sumita is married, she gets a whole new experience that ranges from how women in America dress, kiss in public and socialize in the community. This is quite a shift from the normal Indian culture including drinking. (Divakaruni, 214- 219) The Author weaves into the first section to show that everything is in order according to the Indian culture of pre-arranged marriages. The reader will initially see no signs that there are other controversial themes such as the pre-arranged marriages and the roles of the parents on such occasions. In this fist section, the author dwell on the traditional Indian clothes exposition especially the ones worn by the brides in the wedding day. (Divakaruni, 214- 215) Somesh was initially characterized as well able man who is kind and decent and a provider. Later Somesh turn out to be a typical American with drinking and dressing practices that are not well known by the parents. Somesh was also considered a caring man by the parents. He was a very good singer. (Divakaruni, 214- 215) Works Cited: Byatt. â€Å"Baglady† 1998. p. 502 – 504. Burns, Diane. â€Å"Sure, You Can Ask Me a Personal Question. † 1981, p. 741-2 Cofer, Judith Ortiz. â€Å"Latin Women Pray. † 1981, p. 780. Hughes, Langston, â€Å"Dinner Guest: Me. † 1965. p. 898, 935. Divakaruni, Chitra Banerjee. â€Å" Clothes† 1990, p. 214

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Thoughts on Being Humble Essays

Thoughts on Being Humble Essays Thoughts on Being Humble Essay Thoughts on Being Humble Essay What is the purpose of being humble, when should we be humble, and is being humble overrated? Do people only dislike other people for being cocky because they doubt themselves? Personally, I do not mind it much when people brag about what they have achieved or have done. More often than not, I know they never intentionally mean any harm by doing so. Why should I mind? They’re only excited about their life, right? It is always easy to remain humble when everything is good and dandy, but the moment someone criticizes them, they tend to withdraw, especially if the person criticizing does so in a tone which may not be â€Å"soothing† enough. I know people who swear on their lives they are humble, yet, they are not. They are so deep in their beliefs that it is never their fault that they instantly create excuses to justify their reasoning, and if you try to point out their lack of logic, they will not listen at all. They are so involved in their own ego that thinking something else almost seems impossible. If someone was truly humble shouldn’t that mean they are also understanding and relaxed? If you disagree or would like to add anything, please leave a comment below explaining your reasoning so we may correct this article. ) I have come to conclude that many people believe they are humble when in fact, they are not. First of all, I strongly believe that your environment shall be a strong determinant on whether it is the right place and time to be humble. Not everyone will have read articles like you are reading this one, therefore, not everyone may be as understanding as you. Do not mistake being humble with being confident because there is a difference. Confidence is having a strong locus of control. That means you truly believe that you will obtain the positive outcomes you desire no matter how the process goes. An example of being humble is being able to maintain composure when someone criticizes you, and not letting your ego get the best of you. Again, it is ALWAYS easy to remain positive when everything is going good. It is during stressful situations that one’s true character shows. We must strive to remember how to behave during tough situations. In contrast, I can understand why it isn’t a good idea to be humble also. In other countries, people tend to be less direct, or more humble during business or discussions. America tends to be more direct, and if people who tend to be more direct are less understanding and less able to recognize one who is less direct during a conversation, we must remember that there is a potential that the humble person may be perceived as a weak individual, whether it be physically, mentally, or via business. I propose we be humble, confident, and persistent. We can prove ourselves to ourselves by consistently making things happen by REMEMBERING to take positive action. Let us advance in life by remembering to remain humble during proper moments because it is those moments which shape our destiny. Being humble is the same as having a student mentality, and it is much more difficult to learn when we lack a student mentality. We simply become less receptive to knowledge. Also, you may want to keep in mind that cockiness and talking about what you want to do may cause people to resent you, and people often do not like to see cocky or arrogant individuals rise above levels which they themselves have yet to achieve. It is easier to rise above when we remain humble because people will like us better. Another good reason to be humble is because we never know when the tables might turn and it will be us in their shoes that would appreciate that respect and humbleness back. Some champions I know agree with the following statement: â€Å"Those who are humble are capable of taking over the world. Those who aren’t feel they need to prove something to the world. Remember, there’s always a dog bigger and badder than you. † Now this: â€Å"At home I am a nice guy: but I don’t want the world to know. Humble people, I’ve found, don’t get very far. † – Muhammad Ali In conclusion, I would like for you to remember one thing. If someone is not so humble, strive to be more understanding of them. Strive to remember how our world works. I am confident they are better than they may seem.

Monday, November 4, 2019

Report on case study 1 Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Report on 1 - Case Study Example Rio Tinto, a Japanese company was jolted by an earthquake; that’s the cause of the issues that are being faced by the employees like Dermont. So now the question is how well the organization will be able to deal with an almost unprecedented situation? The problem is that people are puzzled as of this moment, they are not sure of how to tackle this situation as most of them are trapped. They faced some options while making a decision on which route to take. The first risk is that people might get hurt from falling nonstructural objects1. As the transcription describes that during the earthquake the people went under the desk to keep themselves safe from falling objects; the response of a building to an earthquake is determined by its design response spectrum2. Was there an appropriate design response spectrum at Rio Tinto? We can guess that yes, as the building survived. The situation described is like this, they are at the office and according to a clip they saw on TV, a gas terminus going up on flames. And the power stations of Tokyo were massively suffered as well as the fuel lines. So they had a choice, either to somehow make it to their homes or stay exactly where everyone was till the coast was clear and help/guidance was provided from authority. Direct losses were unable to estimate at that point in time; indirect losses calculated afterwards – they usually persist throughout recovery efforts3. According to the transcript, they chose the second option, and spent a night at the office. As for the traffic, it was operating only 10%-20% of its usual volume. Fuel stations were not functioning and gas was also disrupted by the jolts. Social and ethical issues that arose were to do with the emergency situations; for instance how will people help each other in such a calamity? The ethical issues faced here were to do with reopening the offices on Monday. Customers could possibly expect them on that, but there was a huge uncertainty; should the company be

Saturday, November 2, 2019

Marketing to South Asians in Great Britain Assignment

Marketing to South Asians in Great Britain - Assignment Example It is "fundamental to successful marketing strategies. Until competitors copy or segment your segmentation, you have a competitive edge"(McBurnie and Clutterbuck, 1988). Why is this study important However, there are some segments of the British consumer public that are not being reached as effectively as others. One of these segments is the South Asian community - those from the Indian peninsula and the surrounding countries - and research shows that this represents half of the British immigrant population (Burton, 2002). Worldwide, immigrants from this region are underrepresented in marketing surveys and journal research (Stern, 1999; Williams, 1995). While 20,000 Indians and Eastern Europeans were recently allowed to immigrate into Germany because of shortages in the computer industry, there is no evidence that German marketers are taking advantage of this new segment (The Economist, 2000). This is a trend that is even more marked in Britain. There are several reasons for this: parts of the South Asian immigrant community are viewed as a sort of underclass (Lash and Urry, 1994); many perceive this group as lacking the purchasing power to join the consumer society (Sivanandan, 1989); there are very few South Asian marketing managers in British firms (Burton, 2002); and there is a confusion in some marketing firms as to how to reach the South Asian community (Gooding, 1998). While there is a growing awareness of this group as a "formidable [segment] as consumers, workers, and investors"(Palumbo and Teich, 2004), there are some areas of debate in just how this group should be reached. These include the rapidity with which immigrants from South Asia will gain consumer values similar to those of British society (Bhugra, Kamaldeep, Mallett, and Manisha, 1999); which consumer values will change at all, or remain the same (Ryder and Paulhus, 2000); whether or not British firms should use South Asian languages and cultural symbols in their marketing campaigns, trying to find a balance between a sense of welcome and a sense of ostracization (Palumbo and Teich, 2004; Koslow, Shamdasani, and Touchstone, 1994; Holland and Gentry, 1999); and at what point segmentation becomes isolation (Briley and Wyer, 2002). What will others learn from this study "There is no such thing as a simple demographic fact in international research" (Bartos, 1989). While research has shown a tremendous growth in technological capabilities of segmenting (Mitchell and McGoldrick, 1994), there is still a significant need for what has been termed a "bespoke" system (Openshaw, 1989) - one that can find target households and target customers efficiently. Some areas of concern that still exist in this area include more precise age targeting, outmoded data, and a way to predict what consumers will buy in the future - not just a list of what they have purchased in the past (Mitchell and McGoldrick, 1994; Openshaw, 1989). Why is this study necessary There is a good amount of research into qualitative characteristics of a successful segmentation strategy. Such concepts as well-designed planning, commitment and participation by senior management, effective selection of segment bases, flexibility with market trends, and marketing

Thursday, October 31, 2019

Interior design profession Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Interior design profession - Essay Example The advancements in technology, communication, and media today have highly educated and informed the general public regarding the various aspects of interior design and this, in turn, has stimulated enormous interest in the subject as a whole. The creative and technical solutions of interior design have great implications in the modern world as they improve the quality of life and culture of the occupants. Based on a systematic and coordinated methodology, such as research, analysis, and integration of knowledge into the creative process, the interior design process tries to satisfy the needs and resources of the client in producing an interior space to the complete accomplishment of the project goals. Therefore, the work of an interior designer is highly challenging and it incorporates principles from several disciplines including environmental psychology, architecture, product design, and traditional design with aesthetics and cosmetics. In a reflective analysis of the wide-ranging area of the work of an interior designer, it becomes evident that interior design is an essential profession in the modern world and it makes an immense contribution to the adorning of the human environment to make it appealing to live in. Interior design is a profession which covers several significant areas of human life in the modern world and it incorporates the principles of different disciplines such as environmental psychology, architecture, product design, and traditional design with aesthetics and cosmetics. Significantly, the training for interior design is provided by established departments such as art, architecture, human ecology, and home economics and the career disciplines of an interior designer include several vital areas such as environmental planning, space planning, construction engineering, architecture, landscape architecture, interior design, ecology and the interrelation between humans and their environment, design as related to the home etc.

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Occupational Behaviour Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Occupational Behaviour - Assignment Example utor to why Netflix continues to outperform competition and achieve substantially-high ratings from consumers who appear satisfied with its customer service practices. Based on careful analysis of the firm, its high pay structures and autonomous working environments are missing metrics to determine whether these policies are the genuine catalyst for organisational success and performance. Some research findings have discovered that pay systems are not always effective for achieving long-run job performance and that there are risks to providing too much autonomy. Based on all research and investigation into theory of organisational behaviour and even human psychology, as well as business theory, it is recommended to implement a 360 degree feedback appraisal system at Netflix and engage in the management-by-objectives ideology. These practices will give the firm a new ability to accurately measure true job performance and determine whether there is substantial return on investment for having such liberal HR policies. In order to maintain its reputation as a world class provider of superior customer service, Netflix seeks to hire only the most talented and motivated employees. HR-related perks include generous pay packages, seemingly unlimited vacation opportunities, a reduction of work rules and policies and considerable job role autonomy in order to attract and retain these high performers. This would, theoretically, provide considerable socio-psychological benefits that make employees more committed and motivated to achieve organisational goals. However, there is a potential plethora of problems with providing employees with perks such as the aforementioned to achieve job role performance. First, the case study did not indicate that Netflix has established a metrics system that would measure performance appropriately; a method of ensuring return on investment for these HR activities. Whilst Netflix believes that this will create a culture of commitment for the

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Strategies in the management of Human Resources

Strategies in the management of Human Resources The contemporary businesses environment is continuously changing due to the arrival of the information based, knowledge driven, service intensive economy. Managers today are recognizing that speed, flexibility and continuous self-renewal are required in the organization. As people are the number one assets in the organizations and companies, the daily business tasks and functions cannot be completed without people. The skilled and motivated people are the central point in the operation of companies in the new age. HRM is to help an organization to meet strategic goals by attracting, motivating and maintaining employees and also to manage them effectively. Attracting and retaining the quality staff is the competitive advantage for many organizations in challenging economic environment. There are two main approaches to attracting and retaining employees by the strategies employer of choice and employee engagement. Employer of choice has become in HRM in contemporary business recent years. It is representative of a whole new design of corporate culture. Employer of choice is applied in the company priorities by most successful and respected business leaders today. Now more and more employers are using an employer of choice strategy by providing and offering varieties of employee benefits in order to attract and retain best people. There are four measurements for monitoring the companys performance. In addition to market share, consistent financials and being a valuable corporate citizen, the fundamental element for a successful company is being an employer of choice. When companies are losing talent and experienced staff, the companies are losing professionals and expertise that gained at company expense, hard -built customer relationship as well that are very hard to replace todays labour market. To put employer of choice as the top priorities list can give the company competitive advantage be cause it can attract and retain critical human assets. The employee engagement is becoming very important across the globe as the customer power and employee power are increasing in the modern economic and business world. As 200 companies survey found that it can have $21 million benefit moving a workforce of 8000 employees from low level to high level engagement. And compared with 20% of disengaged the employees, more than 65% engaged employees say that they have a better understanding how to meet the customer requirements and needs. Employee engagement can also make effort on mental and emotional commitment to the organization. Engaged employees are willing to give extra effort to their job that can lead to increase the productivity. Some researches show that the employee engagement strategy makes an average less than three days sick leave per year than six days for the disengaged employees A successful employee engagement strategy helps create a community at the workplace and not just a workforce. When employees are effectively and positively engaged with their organisation, they form an emotional connection with the company. This affects their attitude towards both their colleagues and the companys clients and improves customer satisfaction and service levels. As the question mentioned that the companies must reject the concept that the loyalty is dead among todays employees. The company has to create a challenging environment that can attract and retain people. I totally agree this conception that employee royalty and satisfactory can be build up by employee engagement. It make employee make effort to the organization from coginitive level, emotional level and physical level. Engaged employees always think about the company, feel inspired by their job, they are customer focused in their approach, they care about the future of the company and are prepared to invest their own effort to see that the organization succeeds. It is now a generally acknowledged business fact that employee engagement is a key driver of business success. Employee engagement strategy can be applied no matter in small or large companies. It benefits the organizations and individuals, improving the performance, boosting the bottom line and makes employees happier and the work more enjoyable. However, it is not always the win-win situation. Some organization use employee engagement that can drive work intensification. It would obviously run this risk of being detrimental to the individuals concerned. The organization is expecting the employees to go one step further that can make overtime working normalised. And the over-performance rewarded can leave behind the staffs that just do a good job. In other hand, it is not easy to achieve work-life balance in some high-performance companies under employee engagement strategy. The priority of work with long and non-standard hours takes over family and social life. The increasing effort that engaged employees put into the work time make the work and life unbalanced. The latest research shows th at the employee engagement by high performance work systems may accrue marginal benefits in terms of the higher level of involvement and commitment. However, these benefits are outweighed by the associated increases in responsibility, workload, work-life spill over and work stress. 2. How companies are dealing with the linkages between HR and strategic formulation. Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM) in an organization can be defined as accepting and involving the HR function as a strategic partner in the formulation and implementation of the companys strategies through HR activities such as recruiting, selecting, training and rewarding personnel. SHRM means linking of HR with strategic objectives to improve business performance and company culture to develop competitive advantage, innovation and flexibility. There are four different levels of linkage between HR strategic and the strategic management process: administrative linkage, one-way linkage, two-way linkage and integrative linkage. These four levels of linkage are very helpful for an organization to categorize which HRM strategy has to be applied. The administrative linkage has no linkage between strategic plan and HR function. It simply engages in administrative work that has no emphasis placed on achieving the linkage in both strategy formulation and strategy implantation. It focuses on day to day activities and personal management. In one-way linkage, the company develops the strategic plan and then informs the HR function. Although it does recognize the importance of human resources in implementing the strategic plan, it precludes the company from considering human resource issues while formulating the strategic plan. In two-way linkage, he strategic planning team informs the HRM function of the various strategies the company is considering Æ’Â   HRM executives analyze the human resource implications of the various strategies, presenting the results to the strategic planning team Æ’Â   The strategic plan is passed on to the HRM executive, who develops programs to implement it. The Integrative linkage is based on continuing interaction. The HRM function is built right into the strategy formulation and implementation processes. In the higher level linkage such as two-way linkage and integrative linkage are characterized by a close relationship between HRM and business strategies. HRM effectiveness can be explained by examine the contributions of the HRM function in the process of achieving strategic integration. In both of the short term and long term, SHRM should complement and contribute to the improvement of the productive capacity of enterprises. Strategic business partner: a role performed by HR practitioners, aiming to execute organisational strategy by aligning HR processes with the organisational strategy. HR managers become able to reengineer the way HR department executes its job, accomplishes those transactional HR jobs cost-competitively, and increasingly turn its attention to truly being a strategic partner with the firms top executives With an integrative linkage, strategic planners consider all the people-related business issues before making a strategic choice. These issues are identified with regard to the mission, goals, opportunities, threats, strengths and weakness, leading the strategic planning team to make a more intelligent strategic choice. While this process does not guarantee success, companies that address these issues are more likely to make a choice that will ultimately succeed. Research has supported the need to have HR executives integrally involved in strategy formulation. The level of HR involvement was positively related to the refinery managers evaluation of the effectiveness of the HR function. HR involvement was highest when top managers viewed employees as a strategic asset and this was associated with reduce turnover. HR practices that are properly implemented do deliver significant financial benefits to an organization. ( profitability, shareholder return, stock prices and organizational survival) Administrative linkage level will either become more integrated or face extinction. In addition, companies will move toward becoming interactively linked in an effort to strategically manage human recourses. Integrating the HR function into strategy formulation may help the strategic planning team make the most effective strategic choice. Once the strategic choice is determined, HR must take the active role in its implementation. HR is emerging as the key concept in assessing the competitive assets of organizations. HR managers and professionals, by virtue of their knowledge of human performance, are well positioned to exercise strategic leadership and contribute significantly to a firms competitive advantage. Therefore, the company has to create opportunities for the HR function to develop a more strategic role in a firms operation (Lawler Mohrman, 2003). As the arrival of the global economy, the HRM has more challenges to create an environment to maintain the competitive advantages. In order to become a strategic partner in the organization, the HR executive must have the abilities to research and training that from being acknowledge of the HR concepts, logic and practices. HR executives have to show the competencies which add more value to the organization. The role of HRM is becoming more creative and strategic to adapt the changes of worldwide workforce structures. More and more high performing companies have HR executive involved in business at a strategic level. There are four major factors of competencies related to how well an HR professional contributes in a strategic way to businesses in areas such as strategic decision making, culture management, fast change, and market driven connectivity. Previously, organization structured on a centralized and compartmentalized basis-head office, marketing, manufacturing, financing etc. By the end of the 1980s, HR played largely on administrative work that focus on HR operations and processing standardisation and technology which has no connection with the strategic management. The role of HR traditionally in the organization is no more than a one- way linkage role. They were doing what the business manager wanted. In recent years, theres a fundamental reassessments of human resources structures and positions. The massive change of business conditions, organizational structure and strategic decision makers has been leading HR to develop their perspectives and functions. Today, senior management expects HR to move beyond its traditional. HR is more tightly linked to corporate strategy and to creating business value through HR services that address a companys most pressing strategic challenges. HR now seek t decentralize and to integrate their operations and developing cross-functional teams. HR is anticipating critical workforce trends, shaping and executing business strategy, identifying and addressing people-related risks and regulations, enhancing workforce performance and productivity, and offering new HR services to help a company improve and grow. In order to become a strategic partner in the company, the HR executives need to fulfil five challenges to help the company to achieve critical goals. Posses and use their knowledge of how people can and do play a role in competitive advantage as well as policies, programs and practices that can leverage the companys people as a source of competitive advantage Firstly, knowledge management is essential for competitive advantage for helping HR to play an important role in developing company culture for organizational learning as a strategic partner. With knowledge management, business success is achieved in a culture of learning and workplace planning. The Research Quarterly found that the HR executives can leverage the company people through knowledge management, for competitive advantage in a challenging economy. HR executive and professionals has to acquire the knowledge and skills that are necessarily link HR to stakeholder value. And HR related policies, programs and rules can have a fundamental influence on workforce behavior that helping company to achieve the competitive advantages. To become the strategic partner, it requires HR executive to be involved in transferring knowledge. HR professionals must know how to optimize policies and practices, how to manage the learning that results from any change or execution process associated with new business structures. And HR executives need to have multiple channels to make sure the engagement of business strategies. HR executives must demonstrate business knowledge includes not only how it fulfills its mission, but also how it serves its customers and differentiates itself from its competitors. When HR professionals demonstrate their understanding of what is driving their business, they will add value by mobilizing the right workforce with the right skills to achieve the business goals of enterprise. Knowledge management requires knowledge managers. Key business resources like labor and capital have substantial organizational functions devoted to their management. Knowledge wont be well managed until some group within a  ®rm has clear responsibility for the job. Among the tasks that such a group might perform are collecting and categorizing knowledge establishing a knowledge oriented technology infrastructure, and monitoring the use of knowledge. HR need to have clear strategies, outcomes, products , services and structures So the HR staff can achieve their goals and deliver the necessary outcomes. HR staff can do this to fulfilling for management roles Strategic HR role- aligns HR and business strategy and delivers the executive of strategy HR executives must be able to translate business needs in HR strategies to build up individual, team and organizational capabilities. HR strategy should be directly relevant to business requirement and delivering value that lead to an intense focus on structural realignment for HR teams. It requires HR to have competing perspectives, values and services. It also involved meeting stakeholder need for respect and ownership. HR executives need to widen the focus on learning new behaviours, changing attitudes and processes. Management of company infrastructure role- reengineers organization processes and builds an efficient infrastructure Management of employee contribution role- listening and responding the employees- employee commitment and capability is increased Transformation and change role- ensuing the organization has the capacity for change and delivers a renewed organization HRIS- HR information systems- technology is facilitating the transformation of HR function HRIS is designed to help provide information used in HR decision making such as administration, payroll, recruiting, training, and performance analysis. HRIS makes HR department working more effective to handle daily administrative tasks. Using the value-added approach to justify the HRIS expenditure links the system with the key business direction of the organization, and makes the critical of HR information to business success. The HRIS becomes not just a way to reduce administrative costs, but a key element of the business strategies. In additional to providing a framework of justifying HRIS expenditure as a strategic investment, the value-added approach emphasizes the role of HR as an active strategic partner in achieving the originations strategic business objectives Technology is facilitating the transformation of HR function. These technology solutions can cover multiple HR tasks, such as recruiting, benefits administration, and training administration. Applications and data a re usually shared in common across the company, with links to other systems in services centre operations, finance, and accounting as well as third-party systems for such tasks as payroll and benefits. Modern HRIS are comprehensive, accurate and accessible systems for recording employee and work data relevant to HRM, HR and organizational planning. HRIS helps the organization to improve strategic planning and program development and faster information processing times. By increasing administrative efficiency, technology allows HR to have fewer staff marking more value-added contributions to their organizations. The rapid evolution of electronic HR delivery systems is pushing more information in more usable formats to employees and managers who can use it directly for the benefit of their organizations. Fast and cheap access to accurate real time HR information Access and the ability to analyse, assess, interpret, manipulate, leverage and share the information effectively will be key to giving organizations a strategic edge. Successful data mining will be made possible by the use of date warehouses with their ability to consolidate internal and external information with powerful analytical tools Ubiquitous access to information to improve employee effectiveness and efficiency. This means working from anywhere and at anytime, the size, format, the footprint of technology deliverables will more from departmental desktop devices operating under the full control of the user organization to a mixture of hand-held, pocket-sized, integrated devices and wireless linkage that provide needed access on a real time basis to centralized processing and data storage capabilities. Instant access to all needed knowledge and to essential meaningful data will be a keystone for the successful enterprise. A variety of analytics and decision trees. Smart self-service. Customized content. HR executives must implement the new plans or programs. HR executive must have the skills to oversee the change in a way that ensures it success. Change was more successfully where HR professionals had been involved in developing the vision of the organisation, strategic planning, the change required and where the HR manage was well paid and reported directly to CEO. In previous times, change is constant. HR executives like scanning, scenario building and search conferences can help to predict the future and manage change. However, the most effective HR executives will not depend on formulas but will develop their strategic intelligence including foresight, partnering with people who complement their strengths, visioning with systems thinking, motivating and empowering their collaborators to realize their visions to create a winning future for their organizations. HR executives must have integration competence, the ability to integrative the three other competencies to increase the companys value. Although specialist knowledge is necessary, a generalist perspective must be taken in making decisions. This means that how HR all functions fit together to be effective and recognising that changes in any one part of HR package are likely to requires changes in other parts of the package. There are a few competencies the HR executives have to master to become a strategic partner. The integration competency is one of the most important that can integrate the other three competencies together to increase the organizations value. HR executives are playing the role as connecting hiring, training and worker evaluations via organizational competencies. From talent mapping and planning to performance evaluation, recruitment, retention and even benefits administration, todays human capital professionals are constantly seeking new ways to streamline, integrate and align human capital functions with broader corporate objectives The organization management has to realize that it is very important to have an integrated and consistent technology platform for HRM. The more integration between activities as diverse as recruitment, payroll and benefits management, training/development and performance measurement, the better HR executives can be at overall workforce planning and managing and motivating individual workers. As the result, the organization can be more effective These developments lead to an entirely new set of competencies for todays strategic Hr executive. The new strategic role of HR shows both opportunities and challenges. These include forming a series of partners with senior executives, line managers and external providers of HR services. As companies cope with the economy, HR can be instrumental in helping organizations leverage knowledge-based resources for business results. As highlighted in Creating People Advantage, critical HR challenges focus on three strategic categories, all related to knowledge management: 1) developing and retaining the best employees (talent, leadership development, work/life balance); 2) anticipating change (demographics, change, cultural transformation, globalization); and 3) enabling the organization (becoming a learning organization). (4) As indicated in a SHRM April 2009 poll of U.S.-based organizations and multinational companies, the primary focus of companies now is workforce planning. Although hiring expectations are low, talent management priorities remain high despite the economic downturn (see Figure 1 Competitive challenges influencing HRM The challenge of HR innovation Knowledge management It is no secret that knowledge is power. Knowledge management can create competitive advantage for a company and its customers. By sharing information and best practices, organizations create expanded opportunities for market share and financial growth. Furthermore, knowledge management provides a means for organizations to differentiate themselves from competitors. Second, KM can create a truly customer-focused culture. Appropriate organization resources can be directed toward solving customer problems or meeting customer needs quickly and effectively. Third, knowledge management can be a catalyst. Through tools, resources, and systems, it can help ignite creativity and innovation in the development of an organizations products and services. Fourth, KM can improve time to market. By leveraging best practices, learning and other time-savers to improve productivity, products can be introduced faster. Last, KM can expand a companys strategic options. By leveraging intellectual property in research and development efforts as well as overall market and business strategy, organizations can discover new ways to create value. Knowledge management can provide an organization with man benefits. Organizations can more effectively counter problems and threats and can respond more proactively to opportunities. In a knowledge based economy, managing knowledge along with other resources is a requirement, not an option. Knowledge workers Self-managing, automony, responsibility for continuing innovation Knowledge workers in todays workforce are individuals who are valued for their ability to interpret information within a specific subject area. They will often advance the overall understanding of that subject through focused analysis, design and/or development. They use research skills to define problems and to identify alternatives. Fueled by their expertise and insight, they work to solve those problems, in an effort to influence company decisions, priorities and strategies As the workers become more knowledge based, firms will need to implement strategic human resource practices in order to retain their tacit knowledge base either by retaining the tacit knowledge or by retaining the knowledge worker and thus retaining a critical competitive advantage. Performance of knowledge based industries depends on organizations attracting, holding, and motivating knowledge workers (Drucker, 2003). The transition to knowledge workers is having a significant impact on human resource practices. The knowledge workers must think like entrepreneurs, and the firms must think of the knowledge workers as entrepreneurial professionals as well as ensure a learning organization where tacit knowledge is actively diffused throughout the firm. This will allow the firm to better manage their knowledge resources through HR practices and help sustain their competitive advantage. High-performance work systems (HPWS)- combining people and technology- self-managing work teams Change in employees work roles and skill requirement The use of teams to perform work Changes in the nature of managerial work Changes in company structure Increased ability of HR information HRM practices in HPWS The challenge of sustainability The challenge of globalisation The challenge of attracting and retaining people NOKIA CASE:- Connecting People Exernal and internal people Nokia is the worlds leading mobile phone supplier and a leading supplier of mobile and fixed telecom networks including related customer services. Nokias corporate headquarters are in over 120 countries and employees are more than 47000 people worldwide. Human Resource Management plays an important role for Nokia to become the giant among the communication rivals, HRM in the new economy should to be human centric with a strong technology focus. Nokia use the SHRM to leverage on emerging technologies to better satisfy the wants and needs of the knowledge workers and in the process to build a competitive advantages. Nokia Australia is recognized as an employer of choice having been named National Best Employer in 2002 by Best Employer to Work for in Australia Awards sponsored by Hewitt, AGSM and John Fairfax. Nokia is one of only five companies to have consistently featured in the Best ployer category since the inception of these awards. Nokias HR policies have played a key role in helping the company to reach its 45 percent share of the global handset market and industry-leading profit margins of 20 to 25 percent, at a time of technological change and intense competition from Asian manufacturers. At Nokia values are the foundation and people the core. Nokia offer a workplace with a world of opportunities, engaging work, global culture and competitive rewards. The goal of Nokia HR is to create an environment in which all employees can fulfill their potential. It is crucial for the company to have the ability to adapt successfully to the high speed of change in the global market. The scale of Nokias business also means that Nokia employees can lead or participate in projects that have global impact, affecting the lives of millions of people and fulfilling Nokias mission: connecting people. Attracting, motivating and retaining people have become the main external influence on Nokias HR strategies. These four elements are: The first element of Nokia HR strategy is the Nokia way and values. Nokia is a networked organization with speed and flexibility decision making. Nokia provides individuals with a platform for personal growth in a challenge environment with a clear vision, goals and management principles. The Nokia Way brings talented people together who share the principles and success. Through the extensive employee engagement, Nokia have renewed their values that reflect their business and changing environment. Nokia is continuing engage all the stakeholders and employees to meet the needs of customers. And Nokias HR strategy includes the passion for innovation through new and improved ways and better understanding the world. Professional and personal growth (Challenge of Innovation) Nokia is focusing on professional and personal growth. Only with truly innovative ideas can make the company and its people to develop the industry and improve the products and services. Commitment to Self-developments People at Nokia is continuously looking for ways to improve their performance in order to stay at the forefront of technology and develop own competencies. Employees are encouraged to create their own development plan and take advantage of the variety of available learning solutions and methods. On the job learning is heavily encouraged. Nokia has the high-performance work systems (HPWS). First, Employees reward and compensations at Nokia is related to the companys performance.Nokia provides employees with market competitive rewards through a flexible global structure, which can address diverse and changing business and employment environments, as well as specific individual preferences. Nokia rewards employees for good performance, competence development, and for overall company success. This creates a positive and encouraging environment with opportunities for employees to optimize their potential and be rewarded fairly. Higher performance and contribution will lead to higher rewards. The Nokia global market competitive rewards structure addresses the need for flexibility, personalization, empowerment and commitment. Second, Nokia has the coaching and management training system. Coaching is regarded as a vital part of continuous learning. Highly skilled colleagues at Nokia provide employees with rich sources of experience and knowledge. Receiving coaching and partic ipating in different teams will fuel employees ´ development as well as give them the opportunity, every day, to share ideas and goals with innovators and industry leaders. Employees have access to a wide variety of training activities. Through global network of Learning Centers, Nokia HR aim to offer a consistent standard of training and development to all employees. The Learning Market Place Intranet contains information on all Nokia ´s learning solutions including e-learning as well as classroom training. Management Training Nokia place particular focus on developing managers in management and leadership skills. It is one of the key areas in competence development. There is a full range of training available from new managers ´ programs to senior programs for our more experienced people. Internal Job Market (Changes in the place of work) All employees at Nokia are invited to look at the job opportunities available inside Nokia. All vacancies, with the exception of very senior positions, are advertised internally. Employees are encouraged to improve their competencies through changing their positions. Internal job opportunities, the possibility to register to our internal candidate pool and other services for job-seeking inside the company are available through the Internal Job Market Intranet. The aim is to give Nokia people the opportunity to manage their own careers. Performance Management Nokia has created a successful performance management system across the whole