Should Immigration Be Highly Controlled - 1869 Words

As immigration continues to increment in developed countries, several changes within a country’s culture tend to drastically occur. Since the 1990s, the time period in which immigration became visible as the main focus of public policy leading to major impacts within the democratic elections worldwide, modern democracies such as the United States and European countries are currently facing the issue which includes the questioning of how many immigrants to accept, what rights or special services should be provided for them and so on. Many see this issue as a positive impact towards the country, by immigrants enriching its’ culture and also as an economic contribution towards the country itself. However, there are those who believe that immigration should be highly controlled and that it deteriorates a country as many immigrants may come into the country bringing negative attributes, which leads to the question: Do immigrants benefit or damage culture? The first perspecti ve on this issue is that it seems as though immigrants actually tend to enrich culture. Source 1 is a commentary article written by Daniel T. Griswold, the director of the Center for Trade Policy Studies at Cato Institute. Daniel T. Griswold has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and economics, and has also received a master’s degree in the Politics of the World Economy from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Griswold’s expertise as a source in this argument is increased by the fact that heShow MoreRelatedThe Dispute Over Agricultural Trade Liberalization Between The United States And Brazil945 Words   |  4 Pagesaccording to economists, subsidizing stands in the way of the economy growth (Cengage unit 7, 4). As far as I am concerned, the United States should stop subsidizing farmers for several reasons; It is expensive, it does not help the development of the economy and it creates controversies in the society. 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Organizational Culture and Incentives at Lincoln Electric Free Essays

Case Title: Organizational Culture and Incentives at Lincoln Electric Table Of Content Introduction: An overview of the case study S. W. O. We will write a custom essay sample on Organizational Culture and Incentives at Lincoln Electric or any similar topic only for you Order Now T Analysts Case Discussion Questions Recommendation 1. Introduction: An overview ot the case study Lincoln Electric is a leading manufacturer of welding products, welding equipment, and electric motors, with more than IJS$I billion in sales and 6,000 workers worldwide. Although now publicly traded, members of the Lincoln family still own more than 60 percent of the stock. Lincoln Electric’s tradition of innovative solutions, echnological leadership and commitment to customers, employees, and shareholders stems from the vision of its founder, John C. Lincoln and his brother, James F. Lincoln. Lincoln Electric has a very successful management system that other businesses benchmark their own systems by it. For years, other companies have tried to fgure out how management coaxes maximum productivity and quality from its workers, even during difficult financial times. The Lincoln system succeeds largely because of an organizational culture based on openness and trust, shared control, and an egalitarian spirit. Although the line between managers and workers is firmly drawn, managers respect the expertise of production workers and value their contributions to many aspects of the business. The company has an open-door policy for all top executives, middle managers, and production workers, and regular face-to-face communication is encouraged. Lincoln’s system worked so well in the US that management decided to extend it overseas. Lincoln built or purchased 11 plants in Japan, South America, and Europe with plans to run the plants from the US using Lincoln’s expertise with management control systems. Managers saw the opportunity o beat local competition by applying manufacturing control incentive systems to reduce costs and raise production. The results were abysmal and nearly sunk the company. Production and financial goals were not met. The huge losses in the international plants meant that the company would have to borrow money to pay US workers bonuses, or forego bonuses, for the first time, in Lincoln history. Management wondered whether the Lincoln Management System could be transferred to other countries. 2. S. W. O. T Analysts Strength Organizational Culture ;Everybody in company treated Equally whereby there is no special car parking area or managers and top management executives ,everybody will use the same cafeteria for breakfast or lunch and lastly they practicing open-door policy in the organization ;Any GAINS in Productivity will be shared with Consumers † low Price Employee † Higher Pay Shareholders————– High Dividend Incentive Scheme Pay according to number pieces produced and enable the workers to gain more wages than the other welding company workers throughout the United states. In addition, these incentives system indirectly heightened the sense of ownership among the plant workers and it’s encouraging them to produce more quality product ithin the timeframe. Lincoln main strength is Lowest cost structure and High level of productivity strategy Weakness Long working Hours According to the labor law in US or any other countries ,the acceptable working hours for manufacturing company workers is (35 hours per week ) whereas Lincoln electric practicing (43-58 hours per week ). No Base salary when there is no base salary, most of the workers will feel uncomfortable to work in that kind of organization. For instance, if the worker couldn’t work for 43 to 58 hours per week, he or she might low wage than others and how that person would manage he cost of living in United States with that low wage. Opportunity was told by foreign distributor that American equipment will not sell good in Europe ;So instead company decides to set up the Wholly owned subsidiaries and acquisition to make the Equipment locally to capture the international market. E. g. Lincoln acquired 7 manufacturer in Europe and Mexico takes 2 years to implement or change the entire company workers to follow and adopt the Lincoln organization culture and incentives system in Mexico. Threats Political In many Europe and Asian countries the government considered piecework as Exploitative compensation system which force employers to work harder, therefore in Germany the strategy doesn’t work well. Society As stated in weakness part, the long working hours became threat when Lincoln implement the strategy in Other countries because it is not acceptable since labor law limit the working hours 35 hours per week Technical Managers have no experience of work outside US and the local managers also felt reluctant to implement the culture of Lincoln in the Unit. Legal Due to many lawsuit against the organizational culture and incentive systems of Lincoln ‘s foreign acquired companies . Case Discussion Questions 1 . What is the source of Lincoln’s long-standing competitive advantage in the United States market for arc welding equipment? Lincoln’s Electric long-standing competitive advantage in the United State market achieved by a high productivity rate per worker and this company success had been on extremely high level of employee productivity. Lincoln’s Electric apply incentive scheme based on piecework. The workers receive no based salary but depend on the number of pieces they produce. The piecework rates at the company enable an employee working at a normal pace to arn an income equivalent to the average rage for manufacturing worker in the area where the factory is based. A company faces a quality aspect when it comes to incentive scheme based on piecework. But at Lincoln Electric’s the worker must repair or paid back any piecework that have defect. It means the workers must be responsible for their outputs. The work culture in Lincoln Electric’s is one of the attributor. The company had a strong respect for the ability of the individual. Moreover, in this company, they practicing open-door policy whereby the communication barriers between Workers’ and ‘managers’ were eliminated. All workers are treated equally despite of their position. Since 1934, production workers have been awarded a semiannual bonus based on merit ratings. These rating are based on; Objective criteria; example: employee’s level and quality of output. Subjective criteria; example: employee’s attitude toward cooperation and his or her dependability. This semiannual bonus motivates workers to perform better and work harder, resulting boost in productivity. Despite high employee compensation, the worker so productive than Lincoln has a lower cost than its competitors. 2. Why did Lincoln enter foreign markets through acquisitions and Greenfield ventures, rather than through exporting? The Lincoln Electric’s did consider expanding into international market by exporting, but was told by foreign distributor that American equipment would not sell well in Europe. So instead the company decides to set up wholly owned subsidiaries and acquisitions to make the equipment locally. Through acquisition, it was a quick way to execute. The company can rapidly build its presence in this targeted foreign market. Lincoln acquired seven arc welding manufacturers in Europe and one in Mexico. How to cite Organizational Culture and Incentives at Lincoln Electric, Papers

French Literature in the Age of Reason Essay Example For Students

French Literature in the Age of Reason Essay The Age of Reason, or the Enlightenment, was a period in France during the 1700s following the classical age. Within this time, philosophers placed the emphasis on reason as the best method for learning. It explored issues in education, law philosophy, and politics. It attacked tyranny, social injustice, superstition, and ignorance. This time produced advances in such areas as anatomy, astronomy, chemistry, mathematics, and physics. These were the ideals taken up for both the American and French revolutions. A significant amount of the literature produced was philosophical, and written by important thinkers such as Voltaire, Denis Diderot, and Jean Jacques Rousseau. Of the above, Voltaire was the most well-known literary figure of the time. He fought against intolerance and bigotry, and worked to promote rationalism through his literary skills. His most famous work is the novel Candide (1759). As well, Voltaire wrote tragedies influenced by the works of William Shakespeare. Through his many works on European and world history, he helped develop the principles of historical writing for modern times. Denis Diderot is most famously known for editing one of the great intellectual achievements of the Enlightenment, the French Encylopdie (1751-1772). The Encylopdie is a collection of articles written by many writers in several fields. The purpose of the book was to try and rationally explain recent scientific discoveries while attacking religous authority, economic inequality, and abuses of justice. In his novel The New Heloise (1761), Jean Jacques Rousseau suggested changes in French society, and in Emile (1762) put forward the idea of change in education. The autobiography Confessions (published in 1782 and 1789 after his death) helped to create the modern works that provoke self-analysis. Rousseau, with his sensitivity to nature, brought a more lyrical and meditative sensation back to French literature. An example of this can be found in Reveries of the Solitary Stroller (1782). There are several other major writers and works that helped contribute to the literary expression during the Age of Reason. There was Montesquieu, who wrote wittingly about social critisism in Persian Letters (1721). The well-known satirical novel Gil Blas (1715-1735) written by Alain Ren Lesage. Manon Lescaut (1731), a sentimental novel written by Abb Prvost. Novels of middle-class society, and problems of falling in love from a womans perspective created by Pierre Marivaux. Pierre Beaumarchais plays of satirical comedy, such as The Barber of Seville (1775) and The Marriage of Figaro (1784). All of the above are centered on the irrational nature of aristocratic privilages, and played a part to encouraging these ideas which led to the beginning of the French Revolution.

The treatment of male comradeship in Henry V and The Rover Essay Example

The treatment of male comradeship in Henry V and The Rover Essay Comradeship is a familiarity or sociability (typically between men) with a person who shares ones interests and activities including political persuasion. In this assignment I shall examine the treatment of male comradeship in relation to William Shakespeares Henry V and The Rover written by Aphra Behn, with comparative analysis of the two texts. Henry V was written during the Renaissance period against a backdrop of the military campaign against the Irish. Through his portrayal of Henry as a victorious King, Shakespeare not only appealed to the audiences national patriotism but appeased the existing monarch Elizabeth I. This epic historical play provides an ironic insight into the price of being King through a contrast of Henrys misspent youth: riots, banquets and sports (Penguin p63) and his new world as court politician, military leader and upholder of Christian values. The opening scene provides the plays first example of comradeship. It begins mid-conversation between the Archbishop of Canterbury and Bishop of Ely. Shakespeare uses this device to stimulate the audiences interest, as they become party to a private conversation. His use of religious leaders would have created an initial sense of trust in the action and messages conveyed. However, as the scene unfolds, their shared conspiracy, encouraging Henry to war with France in order to shift focus from a law expropriating church property would have been considered shocking. We will write a custom essay sample on The treatment of male comradeship in Henry V and The Rover specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The treatment of male comradeship in Henry V and The Rover specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The treatment of male comradeship in Henry V and The Rover specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Act II.1 to II.3 presents a fascinating juxtaposition of comradeship. In II.1 we are reintroduced to Prince Hals unlettered, rude and shallow (Penguin p63) friends. Unsurprisingly the scene opens with Pistol and Nym exchanging strong insults and drawing swords. There is no regard for friendship. Only after Bandolph intercedes does Pistol relent And friendship shall combine, and brotherhood (Penguin p80). However, even this truce lacks sincerity as Pistols underlying motive is to have his friends accompany him to France. News of Falstaffs ill health is also reported in which Nym cites the King as the cause and Pistol comments that Henry has broken Falstaffs heart. Here Shakespeare reminds reader and audience that comradeship can be superficial both amongst common men and indeed royalty. The following scene depicts the comradeship of Scroop, Cambridge and Grey, in their shared treachery toward the King. Shakespeare heightens their falsehood through using language displaying excessive loyalty. Scroops speech no service shall with steeled sinews toil (Penguin p82) and its alliteration of the letter s, which would have signified feelings of mistrust to the audience. Henry then delivers a long rhetorical and emotional speech. His anguish at Scroops betrayal, the friend who knewst the very bottom of my soul (Penguin p84), coupled with the length, use of language and symbolism clearly signifies the importance Henry places on loyalty, friendship and Christian morality, which he finds lacking in the traitors. Act II.3 reports the news of Falstaffs death. The genuine feelings of grief shared by Pistol, Nym and Bandolph are soon replaced by a mutual plan to go to France, not to fight for Henry and England but like horse-leeches (Penguin p89), to pillage the dead. In this sense the comradeship that exists represents to the audience, an honour amongst thieves. Shakespeare deliberately clusters the scenes of Henry distancing himself from his boyhood friendships and his treatment of the conspirators to build an image of Henry the King, strong, ruthless but just. Even as a King-in-waiting, Henry knew that a time would come when he would cast-off his companions in order to show himself worthy of the crown (Henry IV: Part 1, I.2). Later in the play (Act III.7) we see the final vestige of his past alliances in his decision to hang Bandolph for theft. All previous bonds of friendship are now severed in place of unfeeling authority. Act III.1 recounts Henrys military attack on Harfluer. His rallying cry Once more unto the breach dear friends, once more (Penguin p96) is synonymous to a trumpet call. The reference to dear friends signifies to the audience that Henry considers himself, his nobles and troops to be comrades-in-arms. Moreover this powerful and dramatic speech incorporates imagery and metaphor action of the tiger (Penguin p96), under a premise of honour and victory, before finally culminating in the climatic words Cry, God for Harry, England, and Saint George!,(Penguin p96). In speaking directly to his men they believe he is taking a personal interest in them. He appeals to their nationalism and in turn expects their support. In Act IV.I Henry dons a disguise and roams amongst his troops at night in order (similar to Germanicus, Penguin p13) to test their morale. His argument with Court, Bates and Williams is telling as despite of his speech at Harfluer Henrys soldiers question the Kings fears and honour. Here again Shakespeare creates a sense of comradeship through the Kings use of prose, the language of the troops and the common man in trying to answer their questions. At Agincourt (Act IV.3), Henry turns Westmorlands despair to his advantage, stirring his men into battle with the infamous and passionate rhetorical alliterative speech of power, honour, courage and fellowship We few, we happy few, we band of brothers (Penguin p134). Shakespeares specific image of the King as one with his men again evokes the same effect as Harfluer in lifting the troops morale, they believe honour awaits them. The audience would undoubtedly appreciate Henrys emotional patriotic speech which is still revered today. Aphra Behns The Rover, written during the Restoration period depicts a post-puritan backlash apparent through its rudeness and crudity. Moreover, The Rover, is more focussed on a carnival celebration of wine, women and frivolity than Shakespeares celebration of national patriotism, war and military victory. Assessment however of male comradeship within this play will take into consideration examples which both exist and are absent in Henry V. Act I.2 takes place in Naples and introduces Colonel Belvile and Fredrick (soldiers of fortune), their friend Ned Blunt and Willmore (The Rover). Willmore initially seeks to create through his bravado a sense of camaraderie between the men, Love and mirth are my business in Naples (Apl p270). The subsequent street performance reiterates this masculine environment and point of view, with the women dressed as courtesans offering their bodies for sale. Act I.2 introduces the concept of money and status against comradeship. Belvile and Fredricks apparent friendship with Blunt masks a political resentment and contempt of him not being a cavalier and his upbringing. The cavaliers having lost their estates, money and status, are now using Blunt to support them. Behind his back Belvile says hes our banker (Apl p274). Indeed money is reiterated once more as the four men discuss about a prized courtesan, Angelica. Although they have different opinions of prostitution in moral terms, ultimately they share a common desire and a generic masculine identity in their fascination with sexuality, price and a woman as a commodity. Following Willmores conquest of Angelica in Act III.1, the men stereotypically converge to discuss his exploits over a drink. Within Act III.6 we see the duplicity of male comradeship. Wilmore having attempted to rape Belviles love Florinda, uses alcohol and mistaken-identity as an excuse for his behaviour, Fredrick begs forgiveness on behalf of Willmore, which is reminiscent of Pistols defence of Bandolph. Initially Belvile losing his patience says Draw or Ill kill you (Apl p295), however later in the scene he rushes to Willmores defence saying Pray heaven the rogue is safe (Apl p296). This might indicate to the reader that honour amongst men supersedes Belviles loyalty to Florinda. Unfortunately, his honour is misplaced, Willmore escapes and Belvile is arrested. This contrast between the two male protagonists: one honest and upright whilst the other an extravagant rake (Apl p161), interestingly mirrors the change we witness in Henrys progression from Prince to King. Act IV.1 opens with Belviles soliloquy regarding recent events and his imminent death at the hands of Antonio. This speech echoes in part Henrys soliloquy on the eve of Agincourt in its angst and introspection. Belviles language alters as his captor Antonio enters the scene, as he recognises the man-seems of quality (Apl p297). This dual identity of Belviles public and private faces is again reminiscent of Henry V. In the subsequent discussion there appears to be a mutual respect and appreciation of a gentlemans code of honour. This representation of comradeship is superficial as Antonio only releases Belvile from his custody on the understanding that he will represent him at a duel. This scene shows that although masculine codes of honour are an external sign of social conduct they are open to corruption and misrepresentation. Indeed in Act IV.2 we witness Hellena donning a male disguise in order to gain respect and manipulate Angelica into releasing Willmore. Similarly Henry V also disguises himself in order to walk and talk freely amongst his troops. Following the foiled rape attempt in Act III.6, Florinda later escapes a similar fate at the hands of Blunt and Fredrick in Act IV.5. In this following scene however the men (now including Willmore, Belvile and Pedro) believing the woman locked in the adjoining room to be a prostitute (Florinda), decide to draw lots (swords). The male characters are thus involved in a contest of masculine power (symbolised through the sword as phallus) in which rape of the woman is the prize. This perceived show of male unity and propensity for violence presented by Behn is shocking and is similarly mirrored by Henry V who takes Katherine the King of Frances daughter as a trophy/spoil of war. In conclusion both Henry V and The Rover present varying degrees of male comradeship. What is apparent in both plays is the contrast between the public and private appearance of male characters who adjust their behaviour and alliances to suit their own needs, sometimes with shocking outcomes. Aphra Behns play demonstrates that honour, friendship and decency can be disregarded within a single moment without remorse, in times of peace. Whilst in contrast within Henry V these codes are for all intensive purposes upheld in the interest of the common good.

Managing People The Case of Virgin Atlantic

Managing People The Case of Virgin Atlantic Introduction The aviation industry has emerged as one of the most dynamic and fastest growing sectors of the global economy. This rapid growth has brought forth both opportunities and challenges.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Managing People: The Case of Virgin Atlantic specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More On the one hand, the increasing demand for air transport has enabled this industry to remain productive even in the face of financial uncertainty (Boxall Purcell 2012). On the other hand, the threat of new entrants (particularly the low-cost airliners) has intensified completion (Balmforth 2009). As such, the momentum of change and the shifting landscape has increased the need for a new generation of leaders (Bratton Good 2012). One of the challenges that the airline CEO faces now is adopting strategic practices that will facilitate talent management. Virgin Atlantic is one of the most progressive airliners that h ave maintained their competitive edge despite the turbulences in the aviation industry. The company has experienced unprecedented growth over the years by expanding into various global destinations. Virgin Atlantic stands out as one of the most successful companies in the United Kingdom in terms of market value and competiveness. The company’s success story means that it has adopted sound human resource practices to sustain its growth (Balmforth 2009). Bakker and Schaufeli (2008) have asserted that the human resource function plays a significant role in enhancing productivity, which translates into profitability.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This report will review the human resources practices that Virgin Atlantic has adopted over the years to maintain its competitiveness. The report will emphasize the role of employee involvement and engagement. In add ition, the ensuing discussions will also analyse the leadership styles that are effective in encouraging employee involvement and engagement in the company. Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM) has increasing become a norm in HRM practices. This report will also analyse the role of SHRM with particular reference to the delegation of HR functions to the line managers. Finally, the analysis will provide recommendations for enhancing the current HR practices. Employee Engagement and Involvement The airline industry is safety-sensitive, extremely competitive and technology –intensive. The combination of these aspects has critical implications for players in the sector in relation to organizational culture, strategy and management. The traditional top-down model of governance, operations and policy is increasingly becoming archaic and inappropriate (McLeod Clarke 2009). The high knowledge base that characterises this service market calls for flexible and transformational le adership. In addition, the trend of globalisation has also necessitated the development of diversity policies to provide equal employment opportunities (Frees 2008). The HRM function is now imperative in selecting and retaining a workforce that meets the changing demands of customers (Armstrong Taylor 2014). The threat of new entrants, coupled with the rising costs of fuel and operations has increased competition in the airline industry. Consequently, some airliners have recorded massive losses due to poor performance.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Managing People: The Case of Virgin Atlantic specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The affected companies may recover, stagnate, or close down depending on the strategy adopted in such tough situations (Getenby et al. 2009). Virgin Atlantic has also encountered these challenges although the company has remained productive. Conversely, the company should enhance its employe e involvement and engagement practices to maintain a comparative and competitive advantage. This goal is essential considering the stiff competition from Asian and Middle East-based airliners (Balmforth 2009). Employee engagement has moved to the forefront as one of the most viable HRM practices. Nonetheless, there is no consensus on a single definition of employee engagement (McLeod Clarke 2009). Firstly, Markos and Sridevi (2010) have defined employee engagement as the ability and willingness of the employees to support the realisation of the organizational goals. Secondly, Frees (2008) conceptualises this concept as the active involvement in work-related tasks with passion and enthusiasm. Thirdly, Endres and Mancheno-Smoak (2008) have hypothesised employee engagement in terms of employees’ perceptions and values. The common theme of these multiple definitions is the two-way relationships between the employers and their employees (Frees 2008). The divergent views in the HR discourses do not demean the value of employee engagement. On the contrary, all HR managers concede that employee engagement generates positive organizational outcomes (Daniels, Davis Shipton 2008).Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The employees engaged and involved in decision-making processes are more productive than those who are not (Markos Sridevi 2010). Armstrong and Taylor (2014) found out that employee engagement reduced the rate of turnover and absenteeism significantly. Further, Frees (2008) has demonstrated that enhances the quality of customer service. The ongoing advances in technology have laid the foundation of innovation. Bakker and Schaufeli (2008) have argued that employee engagement increases the level of satisfaction, which is a prerequisite of innovative behaviour. The primary concern is that the majority of companies (if not all) do not encourage employee engagement. MacLeod and Clarke (2009) underscored the critical role of an engaged workforce in both individual well-being and organisational success. Conversely, Gatenby et al. (2009) have found out that organization and companies in the UK do not value employee engagement. The principal concern is that HR consultants and professionals have limited knowledge about the application of employee engagement. According to MacLeod and Clarke, three aspects underpin the concept of employee engagement. These issues include the commitment to organizational values and goals, motivation and personal development. Virgin Atlantic should promote employee engagement in various ways. First, the airliner should encourage an entrepreneurial culture within its system. The increasing trend towards air travel has presented growth opportunities. One area that the management should focus on is the promotion of personalised services. An entrepreneurial environment will allow performing employees to recommend new starters for the company (Frees 2008). For example, the flight attendants can participate in the development of in-flight protocols. Bakker and Schaufeli (2008) have argued that an entrepreneurial culture motivates the employees to make real contributions to organizational growth, in addition to influencing the strategic direction . Second, the competitive business environment inherent in the aviation industry calls for more productivity and efficiency than before. Although the unprecedented advances in technology will revolutionise the service market, they demand employees who posses superior professional and technical skills (Endres Mancheno-Smoak 2008). The CEOs cannot manage the highly knowledge-based workforce using the outdated system of totalitarian management. By contrast, these individuals expect a high level of job satisfaction, motivation and operational autonomy (Markos Sridevi 2010). In essence, Frees (2008) has noted that the current management practices are shifting focus to the employees. Virgin Atlantic should promote employee engagement by involving them in decision-making processes. Third, Virgin Atlantic should develop a two-way communication to enhance employee engagement. The aviation industry is dynamic and fluid considering the ongoing advances in technology and consumer demands (Bal mforth 2009). As such, Virgin Atlantic will have to implement change progressively and continuously to adapt to both internal and external pressures (McLeod Clarke 2009). Effectual change management requires the active involvement of the employees in making strategic decisions from planning to implementation (Armstrong Taylor 2014). The Virgin Atlantic top management should adopt a consistent and clear communication of the company’s strategic direction. This strategy should also include the role of the employees in bringing this goal to fruition. Both the HR managers and employees recognise the fact that effectual communication can have a revolutionary and dramatic effect on organizational performance and productivity (Bakker Schaufeli 2008). Markos and Srivedi (2010) have asserted that interactions within the organization influence the direction of all strategic decisions. Effective communication is especially crucial when planning and implementing changes (Boxall Purcel l 2012). Virgin Atlantic should develop systems that enhance internal communication between executives and the employees. These initiatives should pay more attention on the input of junior staff. The free flow of information and mutual trust will help the company to implement change. Fourth, Virgin Atlantic should establish a robust performance management system of providing feedback. Change is a continuous process that mandates constant monitoring and evaluation to identify gaps and opportunities (Frees 2008). The company should conduct regular surveys to determine the factors that drive engagement. Endres and Mancheno-Smoak (2008) have shown that this activity enables the HR and line managers to concentrate on the aspects of engagement that have a fundamental influence on the employees. The top management should use the evidence from the surveys to develop SMART (Specific-Measurable-Accountable-Realistic-Time bound) action-oriented plans. Further, it is essential for the top manag ement to demonstrate their commitment to employee engagement. Gonos and Gallo (2013) have opined that the followers are often sceptical when the top management does not believe in employee engagement. In fact, Frees (2008) has found out the actions taken by leaders influence the direction of their followers. For example, the Virgin Atlantic CEO should lead by example by owning the process before passing it down to the low-level managers and employees. According to Markos and Sridevi (2010), lip services that are not commensurate with commitment portray employee engagement as a corporate or HR fad. Thus, the top management of Virgin Atlantic should match their words with actions. Strategic Human Resource Management The HR function is increasingly becoming an integrated component of strategic thinking considering the role that employees play in the realization of organizational goals (Henderson 2011). The role of employees in supporting the achievement of strategic objectives has supp orted the introduction and development of the Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM). SHRM evolved in the 1990s to facilitate the promotion of a value-driven, integrative, and proactive approach to human resource management (Reyner 2009). The primary goal of SHRM is to assimilate HR practices into the organizational strategy. Thus, SHRM is crucial to facilitate the active participation of employees in making strategic decisions (Henderson 2011). Virgin Atlantic faces the challenge of making strategic decisions just like the other players in the industry. Most airliners are now outsourcing some of the previously held in-house functions to respond adequately to industry fluctuations (Wang Wang 2015). One of these approaches has been the adoption of the Shared Services approach. This strategic decision has helped Virgin Atlantic to expand its services to the international markets (Balmforth 2009). Conversely, Bakker and Schaufeli (2008) have found out that most companies do not in clude the HR functions in the development of their strategic plans. Consequently, the employees are often dissatisfied or resist change because they do not own the strategic processes (Ramphal 2011). The SHRM should assume a crucial role in employee engagement and participation processes. Mergers and acquisitions (MA) have become prevalent in the aviation and other industries. The essence of MA is to enhance productivity and efficiency by rationalising the use of scarce resources (Claydon Beardwell 2007). Virgin Atlantic merged with Delta Airlines in 2013 as a means of reducing costs and enhancing the delivery of transatlantic services. The transatlantic partnership was critical to counter the competition from its fiercest rival, the British Airways (Gregory 2014). Despite its benefits, this merger has brought to the limelight practical challenges. For instance, Delta may decide to realign the HR function since it will own 49% of Virgin Atlantic’s shares. Such an action migh t result into employee rationalisation to reduce costs. The scenario presented above highlights the significance of adopting the SHRM by Virgin Atlantic. The elemental concern is that the failure to adopt efficient HR practices during the development of Shared Services and MA contributes to failure (Creasy, Stull Peck 2009). The primary function of the HR managers is to facilitate employee engagement and participation during the change processes (Denison, Adkins Guidroz 2011). According to Rayner (2009), the achievement of this goal necessitates the development of HR systems that are both adaptable and compatible with the strategic choices. Virgin Atlantic continues to undergo significant transformations to remain productive and competitive. As such, it is essential for the company to increase the scope of SHRM practices. The adoption of the SHRM function will require the inclusion and involvement of HR managers in strategic decision-making processes. The HR managers should not be bystanders but rather equal partners alongside the other senior managers (Creasy et al. 2009). Denison et al. (2011) have found out that such opportunities ensure that the HR managers present the employees’ concerns from the outset. The misrepresentation of employees amounts to a violation of labour laws. Virgin Atlantic will avoid the consequences of litigation if it addresses the demands of workers before implementing strategic decisions. One of the areas that the company should optimise on is the delegation of some of the HR practices to the line managers. The line managers have a frequent and direct contact with employees. As such, these employees are more conversant with the needs of these employees than the senior HR managers do (Purcell Hutchinson 2007). Some of the functions of the line managers include interviewing prospective candidates and making recommendations for salary increments (Frees 2008). Nonetheless, the company should only assign the HR duties to the l ine managers who have appropriate skills and competencies. The senior HR managers should form strategic partnerships with the line managers. This collaboration will facilitate the provision of resources and training to ensure that the HR practices are in line with the established policies (McLeod Clarke 2009). Another crucial component of SHRM that Virgin Atlantic should consider is the development of an innovative selection and recruitment system. The competitive and dynamic nature of the airline industry mandates the identification of appropriate talents to realise organisational goals. A rigorous recruitment and selection system creates a sense of high expectations about performance (Marchington Wilkinson 2012). The mismatch between organisational demands and personal capabilities increases the risk of poor performance (McLeod Clarke 2009). The company should complement these efforts by developing comprehensive career development and training programmes. For instance, the pilo ts should undergo in-house training regularly to update their skills of using modern technologies. Finally, the trend of globalisation has diversified global communities. This diversity also manifests in HR practices (Markos Sridevi 2010). Virgin Atlantic must adopt and implement inclusion policies to provide equal employment opportunities by promoting a distinctive corporate culture. An organizational culture that emphasises mutual respect will enable the company to achieve its strategic goals (Frees 2008). Such customs will make the company attractive to both customers and prospective employees from diverse cultural backgrounds. Markos Sridevi (2010) have indicated that companies improve their performance and productivity when they harmonise organizational cultures. Bakker and Schaufeli (2008) have noted that the poor management of diverse cultures causes conflict. Personal Reflections on Effective Leadership Styles The preceding sections have highlighted the significance of emp loyee engagement and strategic human resource management (SHRM). The common theme between these two components is the employer-employee relationships, particularly the interaction between managers and the junior staff. These aspects then bring to the forefront the issue of leadership. The volatility and uncertainty in the aviation industry call for a new style of leadership to facilitate innovative thinking and change management. The human resource executives should assume a leading role in developing the required generation of leaders. The starting point will entail the alignment of strategic priorities with the future demands for skilled talent. Employee engagement is one of the primary functions of change management. It is imperative to reiterate the fact that the airline industry will continue to encounter massive transformations. Conversely, the successful implementation of change will require leaders who are both transformative and visionary (Marquez 2007). Transformational le adership is central in management discourses and is the most applied style in modern society. A transformational leader influences the actions of followers by transforming their attitudes, perceptions, and beliefs about change (Gonos Gallo 2013). One of the major challenges faced by many organizations is achieving constant productivity and profitability. A transformational leader identifies the need for change and rallies followers towards realizing change (Alkahtani, Abu-Jared Suleiman 2010). The critical pillars of transformational leadership are visionary and coaching leadership styles (Chen Chen 2008). Virgin Atlantic will continue to experience continuous change. Nonetheless, not all the employees will be receptive to the change initiatives. The company CEO and other senior managers should adopt the transformational leadership style to influence planning and implementation processes efficiently. These leaders should share their visions and goals with the employees through co nsultations and active engagement. According to Gonos and Gallo (2013), transformational and visionary leaders do not impose change on their followers. The rapid transformations and advances in technology necessitate the development of continuous education programmes for the employees. These initiatives will ensure that the employees have the requisite skills and competencies that are in tandem with modern practices (Bakker Schaufeli 2008). The changing landscape of the airline industry has created the urgency for transformation. The top management of Virgin Atlantic should coach and train the employees to enhance productivity and profitability. The company cannot compete favourably in the volatile market unless it has highly skilled personnel. Marquez (2007) has affirmed that a transformative and visionary leader does not give orders and wait for progress reports. By contrast, such leaders are part of the operations team and lead by example (Purcell Hutchinson 2007). Leadership a nd management are common terms in academic and business discourses that generate divergent viewpoints. These discussions often centre on the perceived differences and similarities between the two concepts (Gonos Gallo 2013). Several definitions exist regarding theories, styles and attributes of leadership and management. Both leadership and management emphasize the coordination of the HR functions (Chen Chen 2008). The only difference lies in the manner in the coordination processed. While managers control the realisation of organizational goals, leaders influence people to embrace change (Alkahtani, Abu-Jared Suleiman 2010). The Virgin Atlantic CEO and other line managers should strike a balance between the two to achieve optimal outcomes. Conclusion Employee engagement has moved to the forefront as one of the most viable HRM practices. Nonetheless, there is no consensus on a single definition of employee engagement. Despite these contentions, employee management is a critical c omponent of human resource management. The concept of employee engagement is particularly crucial in the airline industry considering the dynamic and competitive nature of this service sector. Virgin Atlantic is one of the prominent airliners in the UK and across the globe. Although the company has remained productive and competitive, the external threats will most likely challenge this hegemony. As such, the company should adopt a strategic plan to remain afloat in a highly competitive market place. Virgin Atlantic should encourage employee engagement practices by fostering effective communication and interactions. Conversely, employee engagement is a complex and long-term process. The company will achieve this goal if it adopts broad cultural and organizational strategies that involves employees at all the organizational levels. The company should align these initiatives with the human resource practices. Change is inevitable in the aviation industry but the employees should be pa rt of the transformations. The company CEO and managers should foster transformational leadership styles to influence the employees to adapt to the change successfully. In conclusion, collaboration, strong communication and mutual trust should form the basis for implementing employee engagement. Reference List Alkahtani, AH, Abu-Jared, I Suleiman, M 2010, ‘The impact of personality and leadership styles on leading change capability of Malaysian managers’, Australian Journal of Business and Management Research, vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 70-99. Armstrong, M., Taylor, S 2014, Armstrongs handbook of human resource management practice, 13th edn, Kogan Page, London. Bakker, AB Schaufeli, WB 2008, ‘Positive organizational behaviour: engaged employees in flourishing organizations’, Journal of Organizational Behaviour, vol. 29, no. 2, pp. 147–154. Balmforth, J 2009, Virgin Atlantic, Hersham, Midland. Boxall, P Purcell, J 2012, Strategy and human resource managem ent , 4th edn, Palgrave Macmillan, Hampshire. Bratton, J Good, J 2012, Human resource management theory and practice, 5th edn, Palgrave MacMillian, Hampshire Chen, KJ Chen, SI 2008, ‘Personal traits and leadership styles of Taiwan’s higher educational institution in innovative operations’, Journal of American Academy of Business, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 145-150. Claydon, T Beardwell, J 2007, Human resource management: a contemporary approach, 5th edn, Prentice Hall, New York. Creasy, T, Stull, M Peck, S 2009, ‘Understanding employee-level dynamics within the merger and acquisition process’, Journal of General Management, vol. 35, no. 2, pp. 21–42. Daniels, K., Davis, A Shipton, H 2008, Strategic HRM: building research based practice, Aston Centre for Human Resources, London. Denison, DR, Adkins, B Guidroz, AM 2011, ‘Managing cultural integration in cross-border mergers and acquisitions’, Advances in Global Leadership, vol. 6, no . 4, pp. 95-115. Endres, GM Mancheno-Smoak, L 2008, ‘The human resource craze: human performance improvement and employee engagement’, Organizational Development Journal, vol. 26, no. 1, pp. 69-78. Frees, M 2008, ‘The word is out: we need an active performance concept for modern workplaces’, Industrial and Organizational Psychology, vol. 1, no 1, pp. 67–69. Getenby, M, Rees, C, Soane, EC Truss, K 2009, Employee engagement in context, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, London. Gonos, J Gallo, P 2013, ‘Model for leadership style evaluation’, Management, vol. 18, no. 2, pp. 157-168. Gregory, M 2014, Dirty tricks: British Airways secret war against Virgin Atlantic, Hersham, Midland. Henderson, I 2011, Human resource management for MBA students, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, London. MacLeod, D Clarke, N 2009, Engaging for success: enhancing performance through employee engagement, Office of Public Sector Information, London. Marchington, M Wilkinson, A 2012, Human resource management at work: people management and development, 5th edn, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, London. Markos, S Sridevi, MS 2010, ‘Employment engagement: the key to improving performance’, International Journal of Business and Management, vol. 5, no. 12, pp. 89-96. Marquez, JF 2007, ‘On impassionate leadership: a comparison between leaders from divergent walks of life’, International Journal of Leadership Studies, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 98-125. Purcell, J Hutchinson, S 2007, ‘Front-line managers as agents in the HRM-performance causal chain: theory, analysis and evidence’, Human Resource Management Journal, vol. 17, pp. 3-20. Ramphal, RR 2011, ‘A quality framework for services in shared service environments’, Journals of Contemporary Management, vol. 8, no. 21, pp. 223-238. Rayner, C 2009, Managing and leading people, 2nd edn, Chartered Instit ute of Personnel and Development, London. Wang, S Wang H 2015, ‘Shared services management: critical factors’, International Journal of Information Systems in the Service Sector, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 37-53.

Thesis Online

Thesis Online Thesis Online Thesis Online: Order and Do Not Suffer If you have some definite problems with writing your thesis and do not have free time to devote to your thesis UK, you may miss deadline, and as you know this may cause you a lot of troubles. That is why if you have tried to cope with your thesis UK on your own and you feel that you are not able to cope with the task, do not drag things out until your deadline is here and appeal to our custom writing service to order your thesis online. It is very simple to get rid of all the problems you face while your thesis UK writing if you use our custom writing service. You do not have to torture yourself while trying to write, at least, something. You just order your thesis online and feel free from researching, reading, analyzing, and writing. If you are not talented in thesis writing, why to burden yourself with a task, which is not either in your interest or in your competence. Pay For the Work Done by Thesis Experts It is better to pay special ists in order they to complete the task of your dissertation writing for you than to write some nonsense on your own and to get a low grade for it. Buying thesis online is a very simple procedure, which does not demand any time from you. You just contact any of our custom writing representatives and name the topic for your thesis UK and some requirements if you have them, thats all. It will take several minutes of your free time, and if you are going to write your thesis on your own and not to order thesis online, it will take several months from you in order to complete the task. Do you feel the difference? If you order your thesis online at our custom writing, you get all the guarantees that the work you are going to receive, will award you with the high grade and respect from your professors side. Thesis Online Writers Meet the Deadlines! If the deadline is here to frighten you and you do not know what to do because of your thesis UK is not ready yet, do not panic; our cus tom writing service is also able to help you coping with the task in a compressed time and meet your deadline. Some of our professional writers specialize in completing fast orders that is why even if several days are left before you have to present your thesis, you are able to get this thesis online with the help of our professional service.

Training Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Training - Coursework Example Potential vendors will be selected based on their language and communication skills since the seminar needs someone who can accurately and audibly deliver the message. Moreover, the person must have an in-depth insight into psychological aspects of human resource. These qualities can be tested through interview. Although the organization is passionate about developing the employees, the training method they use is not appropriate and effective enough. With such a large workforce, giving an umbrella course means specific individual needs are not factored in. Also, the training offered only ‘during the time of need’ is not effective. It is recommended that training programs be diversified and offered early enough to make them effective (Werner and DeSimone, 2012). Case study is definitely the most effective method as it exposes trainees to the real practical world with which they can relate. Trainees are presented with examples they see every day making them capture and remember much about the training (Werner and DeSimone,

Teaching Geometry with technology in middle OR high school Essay

Teaching Geometry with technology in middle OR high school - Essay Example When we think mathematically we are automatically thinking in a logical manner, testing and formulating conjectures, making sense of things and forming and justifying judgments, conclusions and inferences. Mathematical behaviours are demonstrated when the patterns are recognized and described. It constructs physical and conceptual models of phenomena and creates symbol systems which represent and manipulate reflections on ideas, and the procedures are invented to solve problems (The Alliance Education Business and Community for Public Schools, 2006). The common feature of geometry is that these geometric figures can be constructed when the components of the triangles are connecting three segments line. This triangle is not like a single, static instance of a triangle which is a result of drawing three lines segment on the paper. For all possible triangles it is the essence of a prototype (Goldenberg & Cuoco, 1998). When you talk specifically about geometry it is a three- dimensional world and if you are teaching it on the papers than it can turn out to be a real cumbersome job. Therefore, the researchers have concluded a new idea for dealing with this problem. They have introduced technology in this science in such a way that the transfer of ideas from teachers to the students has become easy; moreover the level of understanding has been enhanced (Herrera, 2006). This is because the examples that are given by the computers refer to reality life. Therefore such types of applications can aid students to learn the concept in an improved way. The national council of teachers of mathematics is an independent organization that works for the public voice for the education of mathematics. They ensure the equitable mathematics learning of the highest quality for all the students by building up leadership, vision, and professional development and research in the students. This organization has worked effectively for the enhancement in the

Othello Essay Example for Free

Othello Essay In the play of â€Å"Othello†, Shakespeare skillfully uses the opposition of light and darkness to express the ironic conflict of race and Othello’s internal conflict propelled by his sense of otherness and jealousy. By doing so, Shakespeare challenges the audience’s traditional associations of light and darkness. He also allows us to see the how internal conflict could lead to one’s complete destruction. Shakespeare uses the opposition of light and darkness to express the racial conflict in â€Å"Othello†. Literally, light and darkness can be represented as white and black. The time period during which the play is set has an Elizabethan audience who made general associations with these two colours. White was generally associated with fairness and nobility; whereas black was usually assigned to negative connotations such as evil and corruption. However in this play, Iago and Othello are portrayed inversely against this traditional generalization. Othello has a black physical appearance but inside, he’s a fair and noble hero at the beginning of the play. This is supported when the Duke of Venice comforts Brabantio about the marriage of Othello and Desdemona by saying that â€Å"Your son-in-law is far more fair than black†. In contrast of Othello, Iago is a white man in the Venetian society with an absolute black soul. He plots against Othello throughout the play for his own benefits and to satisfy his professional jealousy. In his revenge plan, Iago remarks that Othello â€Å"will as tenderly be led by th’nose/ As asses are†. Iago’s duplicity is also proved by his confession to Roderigo. He states he belongs to the kind of people who â€Å"trimmed in forms and visages of duty. Keep yet their hearts attending on themselves†. Through the traditional associations around light and darkness as well as black and white, Shakespeare shows us the ironic contrast between Othello and Iago, while the black-skinned Othello is pure and the white- skinned Iago is corrupt, a Machiavellian, a personality type, someone who was not true to their word, and it’s the one that the Elizabethan audience feared. In this manner, Shakespeare challenged the general ideas of the Elizabethan society which ranked black people racially to be lower. Shakespeare also allows us to consider the representation of appearance versus reality. What we see with our own eyes is not always the truth, so it’s not necessary for anyone to have racial bias. Shakespeare also employs the opposition of light and darkness to express Othello’s internal conflict. Figuratively, light can be associated with love and honesty, whilst darkness can be used to represent suspicion and jealousy. Throughout the play, Othello always views himself honourable, as the light, and so is his love for Desdemona, which is also associated with light. However, after Iago has manipulated him into believing Desdemona is unfaithful, he starts to suspect his wife’s fidelity, â€Å"I think my wife be honest, and think she is not†. His solution to his internal conflict is to kill Desdemona. But the metaphor â€Å"put out the light, and then put out the light† suggests that he still doubts whether his wife is truly unfaithful or not, as he refers to Desdemona as the light. Ultimately, he regrets his commitment of killing Desdemona by referring to her as a â€Å"pearl† and himself â€Å"the base Judean† who throws it away. Yet in his final speech, Othello presents to the audience his insistence that he is â€Å"not easily jealous†. This brings us, the audience, to see the tragedy of the play, the power that Iago wielded, and the great loss of love. Through the use of the opposition of light and darkness, Shakespeare expresses how Othello has kept switching his belief and judgment from rightness to falseness. The fact that Othello is a black man being in a white world is vital. His sense of feeling himself as â€Å"other† exacerbates his insecurity. This dark side of Othello’s character as a result causes him to lose self-control and commit a series of irrational actions. We witness his shift away from his original lightness. Shakespeare therefore shows us that the Moor has become internally darkened through his internal conflict in terms of feeling jealous and his sense of otherness. In conclusion, Shakespeare uses the opposition of light and darkness to show us the racial conflict in the Elizabethan society and the internal conflict of Othello. He inverts Iago, a white man, as evil, and Othello, a black good man who does wrong because of Iago. Shakespeare therefore challenges the Elizabethan audience’s traditional associations of black and white. â€Å"Othello† is the play that allows us to connect with Othello’s action. We are shown how people can complete an absolute destruction when they are caught by their internal conflict, just as the noble Othello has been darkened by his sense of insecurity and jealousy.

The Rite Of Manhood Essay -- All the Pretty Horses Maturity Essays

The Rite Of Manhood At some point in childhood, most people consider running away, most for a few days but, in some cases, forever. Many causes influence a child to run away, including fights, abuse, and unhappiness. In All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy, two boys run away into the Wild West to find a life you can only read about. Though they can never find this perfect place, the journey itself is extraordinary. The reader is taken on a ride that entails danger, love, and, ultimately, self discovery. This ride has rite of passage written all over it. The novel builds and destroys a surreal adventure that describes the transition from boyhood to manhood. The novel describes the transition of John Grady from a surreal, inocuous youth to a real and painful manhood. The reoccurring theme of John Grady’s rite of passage begins with a simple conversation between father and son, a relationship in which the unsophisticated, young boy looks up to a figure of superiority. The youth of this boy is first illustrated by a conversation between the two in which John Grady’s father says, â€Å"When I come around askin you what I’m supposed to do you’ll know you’re big enough to tell me.† (McCarthy, 8) The inferiority and youth of this boy in the shadow of his father is clear here. This can also be seen when John Grady asks if he can run the ranch and his mother says, â€Å"you’re sixteen years old, you can’t run a ranch.† (McCarthy, 15) This is particularly intriguing because we are introduced to his bright, ambitious character which is only marginalized by his age. These early indications of John Grady’s youth set up a motive for running away. He is not getting the respect or recognition he feels he deserves. The latter quotation is in fact... ...at last seeing the harsh reality of the world and not the fairytale he was used to. It is unfortunate that he flung himself wholeheartedly into his adulthood because he now has to face the painful realization that youth is a gift which protects those innocent ‘heart[s]’ from a world of troubles. John Grady’s heart was not that lucky. It craved the surreal adventure and got more than a spoonful of life. In All the Pretty Horses, John Grady’s passage to manhood is symbolized by a surreal adventure that is destroyed in the end by the harsh reality of this manhood. At first it does not seem possible that John Grady could mature so quickly but the reader definitely sees him shed his happy, boyish nature by the end of the novel. And though this seems sad, it doesn’t truly matter because the lessons learned on this journey were more important than the journey itself.

Turn Off the Phone

I reasonably know many people who are constantly on social networking sites and updating pictures of their everyday life. For some reason, we care so much about other people's lives and what they are doing every second of the day. But I believe that we need to ask ourselves, â€Å"Is this even relevant to me? â€Å", â€Å"Does this help my life in any way? † I can completely relate to what this article is saying because I have also had these thoughts in my head. The one thing that most people will always bring when they go out somewhere is their phone. I use to feel naked if I didn't have my hone with me wherever I went.I had the tendency to constantly check on Backbone for my friends' updates and pictures. But the first time I had no choice but to leave my phone behind was when I went to Outdoor Science Camp in eighth grade. When I found out that we weren't allowed to bring our phones, I was completely lost and didn't Unguent 2 bare the thought of not having my phone with me. But when I was away from my phone and the internet, I felt more free and alive than I had in a long time. I forgot the feeling of Just living in the moment and not always having to show people online hat I was up to or to check on updates that were irrelevant to me.From then on, I limited myself from using my phone and going on the internet. Being away from all the advance technology that we have today is very difficult. L, myself, admit that I can not be away from my phone and the internet for a long time. But I believe that as long as you can keep your balance with your life and the technology around you, you will embrace the moments that you have with things that are much more important. Many people have forgotten what it is like to live in the moment and to enjoy it.If people Just tried going a couple of hours a day without their phones, I believe that their thoughts and feelings would be more soothed. Ever since I've limited myself from my phone, I've been putting my attent ion on things that matter more such as my family and education. This article spoke to me because I see what it is like without my phone and most people don't realize that there is more to life than media and technology. I hope that more people will realize what I have and try to enjoy their lives more without their phones. Turn Off the Phone, Turn Off the Tension By playground

Bartleby in Herman

Most individuals assume their positions at work, home or community and accept them to be their assigned roles. These responsibilities become their purpose for living—whether they believe these roles to have been chosen by them or decided for them by God or fate. People work hard in life because they want to do the best out of the roles they believe they are given to fulfill. However, for the character of Bartleby in Herman Melville’s short story, nothing in life is worth living for.In Bartleby, the reader sees that people can choose to be free from the conflicts of life by simply giving up everything, and by not allowing oneself to do what society expects them to do. To emphasize this point, the author uses the character of the Lawyer, the narrator of the story, and his conflict with Bartleby. The Lawyer can be seen as a character who both reflects a combination of Bartleby, the person who does not care about everything around him, and the average people who care a lot about what they do and how others regard them.In the beginning of the story, the Lawyer is introduced to readers by making him describe himself. He is an old man who is proud of the fact that he does not work so hard like others: â€Å"I am†¦filled with a profound conviction that the easiest way of life is the best†¦I am one of those unambitious lawyers who never addresses a jury, or in any way draws down public applause; but in the cool tranquility of a snug retreat, do a snug business among rich men's bonds and mortgages and title-deeds. † He calls himself a â€Å"safe† man.He avoids conflict and confrontations, is seldom angry and his biggest complaint in life is to work in an office with a bad window view. He hires Bartleby into his office because he likes the quietness of the man. Like him, Bartleby looks like a man who also has no big ambitions in life. Furthermore, when the Lawyer learns that Bartleby has made the office his home, he feels for the man and sympathizes with his loneliness: â€Å"Before, I had never experienced aught but a not unpleasing sadness. The bond of a common humanity now drew me irresistibly to gloom.A fraternal melancholy! For both I and Bartleby were sons of Adam. † Their difference appears, however, when Bartleby begins to act strangely and when this strangeness worsens through the passing months. One day, when the Lawyer asks him to do something, Bartleby answers, â€Å"I would prefer not to. † At another time, when the Lawyer asks him to â€Å"comply with†¦a request made according to common usage and common sense†, Bartleby gives the same answer. Then, Bartleby not only refuses to do little errands for the Lawyer, he refuses to work altogether.And when the Lawyer asks him to leave the office since he declares he is tired of his work as a scrivener, he refuses. The Lawyer is forced to move because he could not make the other man leave and the other lawyers who visit his office starts talking about the strange Bartleby. However, Bartleby’s presence gives the next tenant the same trouble. The Lawyer then decides to talk to him about what he wants but Bartleby replies that he would simply â€Å"like to be stationary. † He does not even accept the Lawyer’s invitation to just live in his house.Finally, the new tenant calls the police and they bring Bartleby to jail where he eventually dies. Bartleby’s conflict with the Lawyer shows the reader how strange Bartleby is if one uses the normal rules that people live by as criteria for determining whether an action is normal or not. His non-reaction is a show of rebellion at social rules like the need to be friendly to one’s fellows, the need to work even if one does not want to in order to survive, the rule to live only in the house that one owns, and to follow orders from one’s boss. Bartleby is a man who has given up on all of these.One could say that he has completely gi ven up on life. The Lawyer could not leave Bartleby alone because a part of him could understand Bartleby. He lacks ambition and he â€Å"wants the easiest way of life. † These aspects of his personality could be seen to be just like the life that Bartleby chooses. And so, the Lawyer tries his best to find a way to make Bartleby accept his offers of a normal life, even an easy life where Bartleby would be allowed to do nothing only that he would live in the Lawyer’s home. But Bartleby keeps his decision to stay in the building.In the end, however, the Lawyer himself gives up on Bartleby. He cannot totally leave behind his old life and give everything up like Bartleby does. Unlike Bartleby, he is still controlled by the need to be accepted by his fellow lawyers and be considered normal by other people. Allowing Bartleby to remain in his office would make the Lawyer look as strange as the other man. When he chose to resist following the rules of normal living, Bartleby c hooses to die even as he still breathes and eats. By leaving Bartleby, the Lawyer chooses to live.

Organizational Change Project Fat Tax in Denmark

Organizational Change Project Fat Tax in Denmark The Purpose of Studying the Organizational There is no secret that the recent â€Å"Fat Tax† has caused quite a stir among the Danish public, and especially among the owners of the Danish food producing enterprises (Cooper, 2012). Analyzing the effects of the reform in the context of a specific organization and taking a closer look at the changes that the Fat Tax has inflicted on it, one can possibly decide whether the Danish companies in general and a specific food-producing organization in particular can survive the changes.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Organizational Change Project â€Å"Fat Tax† in Denmark specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Brief history about the company KiMs has been around in the world of the Danish fast food production for quite a while. Offering chips and snacks, the company was initially an affiliate of the Finnish headquarters. However, as the sales grew, the company expand ed, taking over the fast food market in the Scandinavian countries and ousting the rest of the fast food services (KiMs, 2012). The organizational context for change Previously focused on the production of typical fast food, KiMs produced the food that had been enjoying wide popularity among the Danish people from all walks of life, starting with teenagers to businessmen and office employees. In addition, the source materials for producing fast food with sufficient amount of fats allowed for a flexible financial strategy. However, after the Fat Tax reform, KiMs was to lose not only a part of their revenues to the government tax companies, but also a considerable part of their clients, mainly because fast food was considered not appropriate for healthy lifestyle. Therefore, KiMs had to reform its organizational process, or, to be more exact, the production stage had to be changed greatly. The company had to come up with a substance that could replace fats, which, in turn, could have influenced the entire production process and cost KiMs a lot of money. The driving forces behind the change As it has been mentioned previously, the key driving force behind KiMs’s organizational change was the new tax that was imposed on the companies producing food that contained more fats than corresponding regulations allowed. As a matter of fact, KiMs offers a perfect example of how an organizational change concerning such an important element as the production process can be carried out without the company suffering any significant losses. As the KiMs’s spokesman, Andersen, said in his interview, â€Å"We have shifted all our crisps and snacks to sunflower oil† (Obesity and the Fat Tax Issue, 2011). This is exactly how a company should react to the changes that the government or any other force imposes on it. Without wasting their time on arguments, the company has chosen the least painstaking and the most reasonable way of shaping their production to meet the new requirements.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The parties and stakeholders involved According to the existing record, the head of KiMs managed to handle the situation on their own without attracting any parties. As for the company stakeholders, Andersen claims that the change is not going to harm them, since neither the company, nor its reputation has suffered any damage.  Especially in the light of the recent abolishment of the additional taxation of food, it is clear that the company will have to undergo a number of changes. Moreover, the fact that the taxation of the food products containing fats will be cancelled (Denmark scraps fat tax in another Big Food victory, 2012) means that the company will have to undergo an additional change, which is going back to the traditional financial strategy and rearranging its production system. Thus, â€Å"Fat T ax† was developed with a good intent, yet the organizational changes that it drags test the company’s viability in a rather harsh way, making it shift from one strategic plan to another. Reference List Cooper, B. (2012). Nutrient taxes: European moves on nutrient taxes fuel debate. Web. Denmark scraps fat tax in another Big Food victory (2012). Web. KiMs (2012). About KiMs. Web. Obesity and the Fat Tax Issue (2011). Web.

Australia’s legal system

Australias legal system Disclaimer: This work has been submitted by a student. This is not an example of the work produced by our Law Essay Writing Service . You can view samples of our professional work here . Australia’s legal system Australia’s legal system also known as ‘Common law system’ is based on the model which was inherited by those countries whose development was influenced by British Colonialism in particular the commonwealth countries and the U.S. Under the Australian legal system all people whether domestic or international are treated equally before the law and safeguards to ensure the unfairly judgment by government or officials. Australian courts work on ‘adversarial’ system, which innate within the English legal system. This system comprise of two parties presenting their case against each other, where the third party known as judge or magistrate presides the case directly. Whereas in the adversarial system, witness is not handled by the judge directly. The judge listens to each side’s discussions and after the cross-examination of witnesses by both sides then only the judge makes the decision. But in other countries like France In France, ‘inquisitorial’ system of courts operate, where the judge plays an active role in examining evidence and questioning witnesses. The Australian Constitution Australia operates in a constitutional monarchy. At a federal (Commonwealth) level, the first institution of law in Australia is the Commonwealth Constitution. The Constitution comprise of rules which controls the power, authority and operation of a Parliament. In Australia, each State has its own constitution. The Commonwealth Constitution consists of federal government, the federal parliament, and the federal courts, the territories, and the creation of new states. Thus, the Commonwealth Constitution is the fundamental document of empowerment in the Australian political and legal systems. It establishes that, where the Commonwealth and a State pass conflicting laws, any valid Commonwealth law trumps (overpowers) the State legislation. States can pass laws on any subject matter. The federal govern ment has the power to enact legislation about certain areas given by the Constitution. In activities such as marriage, immigration and taxation the Commonwealth has the power to order the law. But in the buying and selling of property and criminal laws constitutional capacity of the Commonwealth Parliament could not do anything. Division of Powers â€Å"The law making powers which are not stated in the constitution as belonging to the commonwealth remains with the state†. A federation involves a division of powers between the constituent elements in Australia that is between the States and the federal body, the Commonwealth of Australia. One of the most important roles of the constitution is the division of powers between the Federal and state legislatures. The constitution confers a limited number of exclusive powers such as defence, foreign trade and immigration etc but most of the Commonwealth’s powers, granted under s. 51, are concurrent powers. These powers can be exercised by the Commonwealth and the states but, in the event of conflict, the Commonwealth law will prevail (s. 109). Powers which are not expressly mentioned in the Constitution, residual powers remain with the States. Seperation of powers Governing Australia needs lots of power. The Constitution says that this power is divided between three groups of people so they can balance each other. Each group checks the power of the other two. This division of power stops one person or group of people taking over all the power to govern Australia.

Politics of contemporary Middle East & North African Essay

Politics of contemporary Middle East & North African - Essay Example A historical perspective The history of Egypt was changed after the Arab conquest of 641. The military commander Amr ibn al As initiated the processes of the Islamization and Arabization. From the ninth century Egypt was ruled by strong autonomous dynasties and the destiny of the country was in the hands of hereditary dynasties (History of Egypt). Adelson stated: The Middle East, if I may adopt a term which I have not seen, will some day need its Malta, as well as its Gibraltar; it does not follow that either will be in the Persian Gulf. Naval force has the quality of mobility which carries with it the privilege of temporary absences; but it needs to find on every scene of operation established bases of refit, of supply, and in case of disaster, of security. The British Navy should have the facility to concentrate in force if occasion arise, about Aden, India, and the Persian Gulf (Adelson, 1995). North Africa underwent substantial changes in the 5th century. Tunisia was invaded by E uropean tribes. Starting from 7th to 15th centuries Tunisian population experienced numerous migrations and Jews and Hispanics Muslims entered this country. Tunisia as Arab cultural center was known as the Turkish Ottoman Empire until it was protected by France in 1881. Starting from 1956 this country gained independence, but there is still a close connection with France on political, economic and cultural levels (History of Tunisia).   According to John Foster Dulles,  the Middle East is "the area lying between and including  Libya  on the west and  Pakistan  on the east,  Syria  and  Iraq  on the North and the Arabian peninsula to the south, plus the  Sudan  and  Ethiopia" (Davison, 1960). Sir Ignatius stated that  Middle East  means "those regions of Asia which extend to the borders of  India  or command the approaches to India" (Adelson, 1995). Current events The main common feature between Tunisia and Egypt is a repressive regime, which is appr opriate for other Middle Eastern autocracies (Egypt and the  Middle East:  revolution  or evolution?) In spite of a social turmoil, it is relevant to note that Tunisia is â€Å"an economically successful state† (Dunne 2010). In accordance with data of the World Economic Forum's  Global Competitiveness Index 2010  Tunisia  Ã¢â‚¬Ëœgained the lead’ in comparison with Poland,  Italy and  Spain. In 2010 Tunisia was â€Å"a country for tourism, not terrorism† (Burger 2010). Social support of the government enabled pregnant women to receive prenatal care; there were favorable conditions for businessmen to start their business in 11 days (Burger 2010). In spite of the mentioned data, an oppressive regime of President Zine el-Abidine Ben Alikept has been an issue of a great concern for Tunisian society. 90s were marked by imprisonment of more than 10,000 political opponents, Islamists, or ‘suspected enemies’ (Burger 2010).  There was no cha nce to criticize Tunisian government. Tunisia was known as the country with the most repressive regime. Among Middle Eastern dictatorships,  Tunisia  was considered one of the most repressive. Thus, a current protest of public in Tunisia is often compared to a ‘dog who barks in a desert’ (Burger 2010). Voiceless people are not afraid and finally express their ideas versus their government, their real

STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS - Essay Example Basically, the acronym SWOT stands for strengths (S), weaknesses (W) which are internal factors while on the other hand the external environmental factors are regarded as either opportunities (O) or threats (T). SWOT analysis is based on the assumption that an effective strategy derives from a good fit between an organisation’s resource capabilities and its external situation (Thompson & Strickland 2001 as cited in Rossouw & Kruger 2003:17). In this case, a good fit will mean that the weaknesses of an organisation and the threats of the environment are minimised while the organisation makes the best of the strengths within it and the opportunities in the environment. The major strength for Etihad Airways is that it has skilled employees who come from diverse cultural backgrounds. It is imperative that the organisation should harness on this strength since it is concerned with expanding its operations to different geographical locations. Employees with a diverse cultural background can positively respond to the needs and interests of those who also hail from different parts of the globe where they also have their own cultural values. The other strength is that Etihad has got an already established market especially in the United Arab Emirates and this gives it a competitive advantage in that it only seeks to strengthen its operations from an already established market. Penetrating new markets will not be that challenging given that this is an established entity in the airline industry. However, noble as the idea of expansion may sound, the main weakness confronting Etihad Airways is that it often does not have enough working capital to meet its requirements. In order to avoid the competitors to gain an advantage, Etihad ought to improve on creating enough capital in order to sustain its initiative to expand its operations. New planes would need to be bought so as to effectively increase route utility which is

Finance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 5

Finance - Essay Example The financial services authority is formed by the agreement and sponsored by the members of UK financial services industry.   The Treasury assigns the FSA Board, consisting of a Chairman, 1 CEO, 3 M.D.’s, and 9 non-managerial administrators also together with 1 superior non-managerial member and the assistant Chairman. The Board of administrators is accountable for the policy creations while, the routine policies, employee management and routine decisions are executed by the non-managerial officers. As of current situation, the financial service corporations operational in United Kingdom are motivated to attain the progressively more grand revenues and growth objectives aligned with a milieu of elevated fiscal risks, regulated policies, acts and intensive market strain. The elevated demands of the retail consumer and hopes are budding in the countenance of rising private prosperity, more personal financial support of annuity and the healthcare and the yearning for ever more available and customary tailored fiscal products and services. As per the business cycle, the intense competition has clutched industrial margins as well as the corporations are enforced to trim down the expenses and emphasize on identifying the sources to enhance the eminence of client’s preference and services. The market progression in the UK is elevating the fiscal risks due to the introduction of more complex products. The Financial service authority has the official form of a business restricted by the agreement. FSA was integrated on the June 7, 1985 with title of â€Å"The Securities and Investments Board Ltd† (SIB) at the establishment of the UK’s â€Å"Chancellor of the Exchequer†, who is the singular affiliate of the corporation and assigned definite constitutional authoritarian powers to it under the UK’s legislation act â€Å"Financial Services Act 1986.† Post the succession monetary scandals in the 1990’s with consequential in the disintegration of the â€Å"Barings Bank†,

Moving Towards Convergence Convergence Trends Media Essay

Moving Towards Convergence Convergence Trends Media Essay The era of Gutenberg is virtually over. A brand new digital communications technology has emerged. An electronic superhighway is beginning to girdle the globe as voice, video and data converge, bringing in their wake a new basket of digital, multimedia and interactive communication technologies. But it is not just the technologies that concern us. It is the social change that accompanies the technologies that must be our prime concern. The new technologies are doing much more. They are changing the way we live-the way we work, relax, manage our money, trade and communicate with each other. The new technologies are changing the way we perceive people, cultures, countries and companies and our expectations of them and also our expectations of ourselves. With blurring of geographical boundaries, thanks to the distance insensitive Internet, majority of business and individual are becoming part of a high-speed networking fabric which will enable secure digital communication of voice, data, and video to or from anyone, any where and anytime. Till recently, it wold have sounded like a chapter straight out of science fiction fortunately, the technology now exists to deliver it. Customers now want to pick and chose from narrowcast and broadcast. They want a fusion of voice, data, and video in all possible mixes. In other words, this means the availability of multiple technology choices to fulfill the customers desire for anytime access to people, information, and commerce. But convergence does not necessarily sound the death knell of age-old-technologies. In fact, it leaves enough room for many technologies to co-exist and one will not replace the other outright. This is because no one technology can meet all the requirements of the market-place. Hence, each technology will find its niche and redefine new and old classes of service and user terminals. In this context one can safely assume that there will be a rash of new user terminals that will let us communicate in ways we dream. Convergence is the key today. We can think about convergence in several different ways. One is in terms of the actual industries converging, such as communication, entertainment, and computing. Another is converging voice, video, and data over a common infrastructure or within a common computing platform. One important factor during convergence is the transformation of the desktop computer through faster processors supporting advanced graphics and multimedia capabilities. The PC today is a collaborative communication and media tool . Another factor driving convergence is the cost of maintaining three separate networks for voice, video, and data. Corporations can realize substantial saving in equipment, staff, and services by using converged networks. Enterprises are looking at cost savings in the WAN as the first leverage point for convergence. Using Voice-over-Frame Relay, VOIP and Voice-over-ATM the same WAN lines can be used for voice as well as data, resulting in substantial cost savings. Next, enterprises want to install the LAN and WAN infrastructure to do real-time video and audio information delivery. For education, a professors lecture can be delivered to remote campuses live or as stored video-on-demand files on a web sites, Converged networks can also be used to deliver corporate communications, presentations, and training to employees directly at their desktop. 2. Points to ponder Changing Mindsets There is emerging evidence of the immediate benefits of convergence strategies, if investments are made strategically, but these short term gains are not the only opportunity. Our focus is to look at opportunity both short and long term, created by the emergence of hybrid media and how companies can capitalize on these opportunities. Now to look at the opportunities it creates for the future. Potential to increase revenue > Reaches both cyber and traditional segments > Achieved synergies between online and offline business to promote sales > Increase access to businesses anytime and anywhere > Premium services such as customization, home delivery and choice tools increase the stickiness and allow companies to charge a premium price Potential to reduce costs > Build on a common inventory, information and logistics base > Reduce cost of contacting customers and other interaction costs > Virtual communities can help reduce the company supplied information and support > Involves customers as co-producers, reduces RD and marketing costs Creating options > Allows the company to reserve future options > Creates opportunities to move into segments or strategies online and offline as the technology and consumers continue to evolve What is Converging? Convergence, as we are referring here, means more than fusion of technologies (television, computers, wireless etc). The focus area is more of a basic convergence within a consumer- the new possibilities created by technologies and the past consumption patterns of the consumer which was restricted to traditional media consumption. The convergence will shape how the internet and other technologies unfold, and the opportunities created for companies. These are some of the questions which need to be dealt in detail. To understand and analyze the impact of media convergence , I have done a detailed case study analysis of two classic modern day examples of media convergence strategies. The case not only helps understand the practical application of media tools but also gives a measurable index in terms of its success. 1. XBOX Launch Strategy Objectives To bring the XBOX console to India by introducing the category in an organized manner. To reach out to a fairly affluent, gizmo friendly and upwardly mobile audience. Implementation The launch of X BOX provides an illustrative case study for convergence and optimum use of various advertising mediums. The launch was divided into two phases First phase to focus on generating a pre launch buzz and demand through interactive medium, while the Second phase saw the launch campaign of the console focusing on brand building advertising and viral Marketing. First Phase: The first phase saw the use of primarily two interactive mediums Internet and Mobile (SMS+WAP). It focused on generating demand for a category and brand which was getting introduced in India for the first time. Since the objective was to reach out to a fairly affluent, gizmo friendly and upwardly mobile audience a combination of Internet and Mobile media was chosen to execute the campaign. Viral marketing was weaved at every step of the campaign to maximize the media reach both on internet and mobile platforms. Campaign was seamlessly integrated on web, mobile and on ground to synchronize the lead generation activity from across all the media platforms. Internet campaign: The internet campaign launch synchronized the outbreak of homepage banners on all the major portals in India like Rediff.com, MSN.co.in, Yahoo.co.in, Sify.com, Indiatimes.com etc. All the mass portals combined together provided reach to 80% of the Indian audience logging on to the internet on a particular day. The impact of through size and visibility of the homepage properties across the main portals made the X Box campaign an instant hit and a talking point in media circles. The response on the first day itself was very promising with almost 20,000 users visiting the website. Mobile campaign: SMS: A short code campaign was activated through all consumer-facing on ground collaterals. Users could know more about XBOX by SMSing XBOX to 8243. A similar viral marketing campaign was conducted on Mobile where users could win wireless keyboard and mouse by forwarding the SMS with the XBOX offer to their friends. More than 2,000 unique users referred the promo SMS to around 4400 unique users. In all, the SMS engine saw 24,000 Hits with 16,000 Unique Users asking for the promo details. WAP: WAP Platform was chosen to be used for the first time in any of Microsoft campaigns for X BOX since the audience browsing WAP sites fitted in perfectly with Xboxs target audience. The WAP Site powered by Yahoo was promoted on Yahoo and Airtel WAP Sites. The WAP page got close to 120,000 hits with 20,000 Unique Users visiting the page during the two month campaign. Second Phase: The second phase clearly chalked out the objective of introducing the product to the audience through brand building media properties and maximizing interactions. The launch phase saw a multi media campaign across radio, TV, OOH and Internet. The TVC was really clutter breaking and had a viral appeal and the same was used as a video banner with astounding results. TVC and Video Banners did exceptionally well for the campaign. Almost every impression resulted in some interaction from the user making the video ad i.e. the TVC reach to almost 700,000 unique users seeing it twice. Results The combined effect of radio, TV, OOH , mobile and Internet made X box launch , one of the most successful launch for Microsoft and provided the perfect example of the convergence of traditional and modern mediums of advertising and its implication , thereof. This helped in generating a lot of traffic to the microsite with 10 million impressions on the same. Also the number of interactions and queries were close to 150,000. Also this overall campaign helped in reducing the cost per interaction to USD 0.33 per interaction. Since the TG was affluent, gizmo freak and upwardly mobile population the use of digital media and mobile in combination with the older mediums like TV, Print, Out of Home worked wonders for the campaign. The interactivity levels went up so much that almost every impression resulted in either a comment or a query. There were as much as 700,000 impressions on the TVC for the campaign. This case study beautifully illustrates how both mobile and internet were interchangeably used and worked wonders for the brand. 2. Barrack Obama Presidential Election Campaign Objective Increase interactivity with all the sections of the society and of different age groups. Also to increase word of mouth advocacy for Brand Obama Implementation The Barack Obama Marketing campaign is the best example of how convergence of the media was used to promote him as the Americas next president. Multichannel marketing is best recommended but one cannot force people to use new mediums, masses need to be talked to with mediums you want them to use otherwise they wont notice you. They need to communicated in a way which is non intrusive but interesting and engaging at the same time. The Obama campaign had a widespread reach and was impossible to ignore. They used traditional media such as radio, television and direct mail and they used them effectively as they knew their target audience and delivered crisp messages to them. Traditional media was the best way to target baby boomers and older Americans. It was a strong campaign which covered the maximum reach in that for an entire half an hour blocked half an hour across channels for his own commercial in waning hours of the campaign. The Obama campaign could practically print money, this is one of the main reasons how the multichannel marketing campaign was possible. Obama for his campaign even bought a satellite channel for 24 hours Obama TV. The online campaign launched for promotion of Obama as a presidential candidate is an excellent example how internet as a medium was used mobilize audience and interact with party and candidate. The campaigns website was not normal brochure ware but an interactive tool where supporters could log in, find supporters in each area; help the campaign identify prospective voters and support volunteers for the campaign. These people could also help in canvassing and word of mouth publicity. The site also had functions and tools which could be used to enable supporters to successfully advocate for Obama online. The site had been designed to encourage contribution and donations at every click. EDMs and mailers were extensively used for promotion of agenda. Though these were agenda based the mailers were very informal and interactive. Each covered a single topic every time. They were short and to the point and were frequent enough for top of mind recall, and mostly included a link to a video with candidate talking directly to the subscriber. They also used Youtube, world largest video content website for its video infrastructure. They set up a YouTube channel through which they communicated with YouTube users. But because YouTube videos can be pasted anywhere, they used their YouTube videos on their Web site, in their blog, on Facebook, and anywhere else they needed video. For this they had a specialized team who took care of videos suited to the requirements of the Youtube campaign. The uploaded videos were primarily made for being uploaded on Youtube and were not just TV commercials. Not only did they have their Facebook, MySpace and Twitter, the Obama campaign established a social networking presence at ethnic social networks like Black Planet, MiGente and AsianAve as well as Eons, Faithbase and Glee. The Obama campaign used the text messaging brilliantly. They also had a mobile website which was used to generate database and interact with people through mobile and use it as a viral instrument. The iphone users among their supporters could download an Obama application that encouraged people organize and spread the word. The campaign not only was present on Search Engine Ads but also had a presence on online display banners. There was hardly any campaign related to politics online without Obama banners running on it. Through the database generated online and on the mobile content page, the campaign administrators used them to create Obama loyalists and supporters. For the youth community the campaign was also present on a highly targeted channel like gaming with display ads on gaming sites. Video game ads are a perfect example of getting the message before an audiences preferred medium. Adult Millennial men and young Gen X men are heavy gamers and, as a result, are hard to reach. Video game ads were the perfect medium to reach these voters. Social Media Marketing Barack Obama and his team actively used social media to connect with supporters and potential voters from every part of the country. On MySpace alone, Obama had over 350,000 friends, Facebook shows over 270,000, and YouTube shows over 24,000 in subscribers. The Obama site promotes its own group and event system with the my.barackobama.com section (you can set up your own group, blog, etc.) Baracks also integrated Flickr Videos into his website as well. They actively used Flickr to upload pictures of the campaign rallies, speeches and appearances. Not only had it helped in engaging people who were there in the event but also the pictures also provided the users to blog about the campaign and get a dialogue going on. Finally, and not insignificantly, the photos engaged the Flickr community itself, which is filled with very passionate photographers, amatuer and professional alike. Results About a million people signed up for Obamas text messaging program showing the amount of involvement of the people in the campaign. More than a 0.25 million text messages were exchanged by people to join the program showing word of mouth advocacy. The same was noticed for online and other mediums together. Obama was able to engage all the classes of audience through all the mediums together. People started blogging and discussing the political agendas and promoting the same. Brand loyalty built by engaging the users. The number of people who joined communities on facebook (5,969,069), myspace(13,50,000) and youtube(1,67,000 subscribers) shows the amount of support the campaign was able to generate amongst the users. Positive word of mouth publicity generated as the campaign was able to engage audience to do it for them rather than the brand publicizing themselves. Hence showing that the audience is more affected by peer pressure than anything else. New Media convergence and tools offered by the same gives freedom to the user which helps in generating honest feedback mechanism and engage audience with the brand more. The seed of effective convergence has to be nourished well today, so that the world and India as a nation reap its benefits in the future. Convergence as a tool should be regulated, governed and practiced in the right spirit to make it a part of the fabric of the nation. This convergence of technologies brings numerous benefits to consumers: Convenience, Random access, On-demand availability. It also facilitates the option of aggregation and collaboration of Information and giving an option of distributing and sharing of the same. Marketers today should look at chalking out strategies that are independent of a medium, instead take into account the several mediums that are at a users disposal each carefully tied in with a common message to give it a 360 degree exposure. The increasingly competitive environment in the multimedia industry promises tremendous user benefits through increased savings in time, greater choice, and an explosion of innovative services and products. This is the promise, to date, truly interactive services allowing the viewer to descend through a series of levels of information are still at the experimental stage. The development of multimedia services will not replace judgment value that is provided by the traditional media. Hence, the traditional media will still have a large role to play in the new multimedia world. Multimedia has the potential to vastly increase the range of services available, and offer its users a larger choice of applications but new technology alone will not ensure success; it is the people who use it who will decide the future of multimedia. The users wants and needs; how they will manage the flood of options; and, above all, whether or not they will pay for the freedom of choice are what counts. Â