Directing Richard III

Shakespeare's King Richard the Third deals with the theme of corruption by ambition. The play is designed to depict the tragic and rapid downfall of an evil manipulator who murders, lies, and deceives in order to further his lust for power. Due to the fact that Elizabethan drama moves at a decidedly slower place than most modern stories, any modern director of King Richard the Third, who wanted to hold the interest of contemporary audiences might choose to trim or even eliminate some of the long monologues that are a part of the original play.A good example of where a monologue might be cut is the opening monologue of the play, which is both rhetorically sublime and deservedly famous. In the opening monologue, Richard, who is still the Duke of Gloster, and not yet King, delivers a haunting, expository soliloquy to the audience where he reveals the deep-seated motives for the terrible crimes he will soon commit. After lamenting peace and proclaiming that he is not a lover, Richard say s â€Å"†And therefore, since I cannot prove a lover/ To entertain these fair well-spoken days/ I am determined to prove a villain/ And hate the idle pleasures of these days.† (Richard III, 1-1)However, for a modern audience, this exposition is completely unnecessary and, in fact, the suspense of the play would seem to build in an even more starling fashion if Richard did not so overtly express his motives and the audience was made to determine the motives as best they could for themselves as the play develops. The following scene between Richard and Anne, one of the most intense and moving scenes in all of literature, in my opinion, forwards enough of Richard's essentially sociopathic personality and delivers enough information concerning his motives to power as the opening scene.Due to the erotic element of the Richard and Anne scene, the deletion of the opening monologue would foster a very powerful sense of acceleration and suspense. Another scene which might be ben eficial to cut would be the scene between Richard and Queen Elizabeth here Richard admits to having killed her sons. This scene mirrors the earlier scene between Richard and Anne and is meant to reveal Richard as being as manipulative and persuasive as the devil himself.However, I feel that the scene is somewhat redundant and, again, the information about Richard and aspects of his character development which are integral to this scene are expressed elsewhere, most clearly in those scenes which seem to intimate that Richard is — if not the devil — literally in league with the devil. To further accelerate the plot and to further heighten suspense, these subtle references to black-magic, devils, and the black arts could be magnified.These elements are part of Shakespeare's original play, but they were originally created with a feeling for the sensibilities of an Elizabethan audience. For a modern audience the elements of deviltry and black magic would have to be exaggera ted. One way to do this would be to literally include obvious elements of the supernatural: ghosts, demons, and perhaps even succubi and phantoms who haunt Richard and who inhabit his macabre England.Such a portrayal would also forward the play's theme of raging, damning ambition by demonstrating how a single person's dark-vision could unleash terrible, in fact, supernatural power over an entire nation. In cases of the cult-of-personality, such a dynamic is present even if it is not literally based in the supernatural. The supernatural, however, offers a great way to symbolize the power of demagogues and ambitious leaders that make stark and dramatic statements possible. All in all, if I were directing King Richard the Third I would change very little from Shakespeare's original play.The reason that I would choose to keep the play as close to the original as possible is because I feel the play is already a single, harmonious whole which can be rightly considered one of the greatest tragedies in the English language. I am willing to concede that modern audiences may need a swifter-moving plot and a few embellishments like obvious black magic and devils, but in the long run, Shakespeare's original vision and his original language would still probably prove to be very compelling, memorable, and cathartic for any audience.

Organizational structures Essay

Organizations have distinct structures for organizing business entities. An organization can be of different structures depending upon size of the business organization. The complexity in organizing demands segregating the responsibilities. The important organizations structures are pre-bureaucratic, bureaucratic, Functional, Divisional and post bureaucratic structures. Pre-bureaucratic organization has typically small management team, typically one man show format, low on profits and easy to organize. Bureaucratic organizations has a complex organization structure, large business entity with varied functions to take of, the decision making process needs to run in hierarchical phase and it may delay the decision making process. Functional organization is concerned with large organizations with different entities. A FMCG company may have toilet soaps, detergents, cosmetics etc is a perfect example of functional structure. The organizational structure will have more freedom to product enhancement. Cross functional organizing will be difficult to organize. Matrix organization segregates distinct functional profiles and organizational operational aspects. Different departments will separately work on a specific project like the engineering, marketing, operations and administration. Post organizational structure deals with the unique features of an organizational which are having virtual importance than the conventional organizational responsibilities. The functions like the quality management, employee benefits and cross cultural management are taken into account. Not many organizations can bear the non revenue profiles like the above as these facilities are expensive and complex to implement.

Balance Of Diversity And Unity Cultural Studies Essay

Balance Of Diversity And Unity Cultural Studies Essay For a country to be considered a superpower, it must have prominent import/export trade capacity, command political power in the world (allies), sustain a powerful military, and provide a substantial a high Gross National Product. What is usually overlooked is how the microeconomics is affected in a highly positive manner by the harmonious balance of diversity and unity within the successful countries that are operation so proficiently. The inner-workings and confluence between the cultures of any high ranking country are most probably functioning in a well defined rhythm. If there is a glitch in the smallest cog of the machine of any country it can usually be traced back to unrest in the social balance of diversity and unity, which results in the decline of a country’s economic success. A very crucial balance between unity and diversity within society is not an easy goal to achieve. Finding the perfect balance between any two principles can be an extremely difficult task, if not impossible. In this difficult search we look back in history to feudal China, where the philosophy of yin and yang were created. Svebor Hlede, an expert on the history of Chinese philosophy states that â€Å"The dual concepts of yin and yang which describe two primal opposing but complementary principles or cosmic forces said to be found in all non-static objects and processes in the universe† (Hlede). This seemingly paradoxical concept is the very nature of unity and diversity. Unity and diversity are two contradictory philosophies which must work in unison to allow a society to stray away from stagnation and stasis. When looking at the yin and yang circle, two parts which will represent unity and diversity are put together in a circle. This circle represents society as a whole, the two parts are contradicting aspects, they fight and interchange each other. Whenever the trend of unity increases, the trend of diversity decreases and so on. (Hlede) Abraham Lincoln, the si xteenth president of the United States, said â€Å"United we stand, divided we fall,† he was discussing the north/south cultural differences that brought on the Civil War. This concept of the absolute importance is appropriately valid in modern times to this day. One cannot survive on one’s own; therefore life is based upon and requires unity. Agreeing that unity is a principle building block in the base of a successful nation does not mean that the whole world follows this logic. For some, violence between cultures is such an ingrained tradition that balances between unity and diversity seems an improbable goal. It is the unfortunate truth â€Å"that when certain people in power try to promote unity within nations/countries, other certain people in power will do and say something that will cause disunity, which brings about war and all other types of evil things† (Thoughtz). For example, the current president of Iran invites aggravation when he states that the Holocaust did not happen. In another speech he advises the state of Israel should be wiped out. The condition of the Middle East is a proper example of no unity or acceptance of diversity. There is ongoing tension between the Israelis and its surround neighbors the bordering Arab countries. If one tries to promote unity in the Middle East, it is easily pushed aside when such an inflammatory statement is made by the president of Iran; this causes a tremendous uproar because the Holocaust did happen. Even in America there can be seen a sway in the balance of race relation and race unity. Racism is still happening in the US and also discrimination. Although progress has been made in the last half a century that unity can be disrupted when a racist incident occurs like the Jena 6 case. Racism is a leach on the social structure that keeps sucking away whatever unity seems to be gained.

MSc Subsea Engineering and Management Personal Statement

MSc Subsea Engineering and Management - Personal Statement Example My discipline is Civil Engineering and with appreciable grades (Grade standing 2:2). I intend to continue my education in engineering even after my B Engineering. For that purpose, I considered many fields for further education, but seeing the plethora of opportunities and better professional prospect in the field, I decided to pursue further education in Subsea Engineering. Subsea engineering is an emerging field in the 21st century, when demands for energy resources and the concerns for environmental issues have been of the top of the list. As subsea engineering deals with both of the realms, it has seen a substantial surge in the sector. The realm of subsea and subsequently its application is growing day by day. Humans’ curiosity of exploration as well as the thirst for energy resources, both have led to intensive exploration of resources of the sea globally. Booming search for Oil and Gas reservoirs under seabed has open new opportunities for Subsea engineering. Such a rapid expansion in offshore oil and gas exploration has emulated robust demand of engineers specialized in subsea operations. However, there are other sectors also, where Subsea Engineering is applied. Some of these sectors are marine biology, undersea-geology, undersea mining, and offshore wind power industries. Subsea Engineering today is mainly focused on oil and gas sector. With the passage of time, many big names of international repute are now turning their focus on energy reserves in deep beds of the sea. Similarly, research explorations on the environment and geology have also opened new avenues for the discipline of Subsea Engineering. Its high market demand and future prospects have garnered my attention. As an Engineer, I am truly fascinated about the work and life of a subsea engineer that is full of adventures and thrills peculiar to the field of engineering (Harris, 2011). As I was intended to continue my

Business Economics 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Business Economics 2 - Essay Example 70% of bank funds were diverted to real estate mortgage. The income of families and household was diverted from buying goods and services to buying properties- houses and buildings. A large chunk of money was used in payment of debt service to banks and financial companies. The payment of debt service by the economy’s non-financial sectors interrupts the circular flow of income supposed to exist between produces and consumers. The problem of financing network became more complex. Britain faced acute credit crisis in the recent periods caused by slack lending practice by banks, financial turmoil caused by dearth of liquidity, extending risky loans to unpredictable parties and passing on to other institutions, excessive dependency on credit rating companies, over dependence on in financial markets or inadequate liquidity risk management. This has put many sectors of the economy at risk such as  · UK commercial property sector, Stock markets, First-time buyers, Buy-to-let investors, UKs sub-prime borrowers and many others. There was exponential growth of savings and debt in UK market. They were used mainly for financing the purchase of real estate, stocks and bonds. Net savings don’t increase in the economy because it is used in re lending for or refinancing assets. This process does not necessarily promote new investment in tangible assets or new factories that add to new employment. No more output is added, no more factors of production is paid. Consumption from household, which accounts for about 70% of GDP, is the basis of production. Exports add to the consumption share because it takes off consumption of other country’s consumption also. Consumption of UK in recent years had been 90% that was financed out of the real income of the country and not debt. Consumption by household should flow directly from

HR Linkage Model - Part II Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

HR Linkage Model - Part II - Assignment Example organization can be said to be dependent on the factors stated above, the human resource function of the organization should always be given priority attention when it comes to the demonstration of strategic value. The basis for this assertion is that all the other components of organizational growth are not run automatically but by employees who are expected to have the right form of training and competence (Schneider, 2006). I have always believed in using lean thinking in achieving organizational growth, and even though you do not make specific reference to this concept, I find that that is what your input is trying to arrive at. This is because according to Lawler, Jamrog & Boudreau (2011), it is when lean thinking is applied by organizations that the cost of production can be reduced without losing efficiency and productivity. Having said this, I support your position very strongly that there ought to be a form of cost balancing within your organization in order to improve productivity. Even though you make reference to the use of HR scorecard, I would like to ask if you have really considered the factors that can help employees develop their skills and talent in order to score highly on the scorecard. I would agree with Becker, Huselid & Ulrich (2001) that continuous training and development is necessary in ensuring that employees are well placed to ensure that they deliver

Contemporary Dance Thesis Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Contemporary Dance - Thesis Example Perhaps one important fact to note is that visual arts, which were initially part of the musical dance, had been significantly diluted by the 20th century. This was especially so due to the elimination of the painting works that was so common in the duration that the whole meaning of music lost sense. Additionally, the pigmentation aspect in terms of music choreography underwent significant change on the onset of modern music, hence eliminating the significance of color in music choreography. When it comes to poetry and other literary works, poetry stands in direct contrast with the emotional expressions that the romantics bring about. In a similar manner, the contemporary novels focus more of the facts of the matter rather than going deep into the description of the characters and phenomena involved. This has greatly diluted the many literary and artistic works over the years, thus making them less desirable compared to other areas of creativity. As far as dialogues are concerned, two types of human personality exist, one depicting that human beings react rationally to various situations that come their way. Human beings react according to their beliefs and not the consequences however expensive the consequences might be. On the other hand, some scholars like Susan belief that human beings are both practical and logical meaning that they react in a reasonable and realize manner according to the situations that face them. The truth of the matter is that the vocabulary of the moral feeling is undoubtedly the most influential concept arising out of the belief in the inner self.

Leadership Styles and TQM Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Leadership Styles and TQM - Essay Example To begin with, it is important to understand these concepts. Chew (2010) defines leadership styles as the approach and way in which direction are provided, people are motivated, and plans are implemented within a given organization or setting. Also, leadership styles can refer to how a person (a leader) plays his or her leadership role; that is how he or she treats others, make decisions, and interacts with others (Northouse, 2011). In other words, leadership styles are about how a leader behaves, his/her experience, decisions, personality, actions, and philosophy. On the other hand, TQM is defined as an approach that aims at improving performance and quality that exceed and meet the expectations of customers of the organization Rawlins (2010). According to Evans and Lindsay (2010), TQM refers to a management philosophy or approach that is integrated for constant improvement of the quality of processes and products of an organization. In regard to leadership styles, there are several styles. However, most of these styles can be grouped into three major categories namely; authoritarian or autocratic style, democratic or participative style, and delegative or free reign (Schein, 2010). In authoritarian style, all or nearly all the decision making processes and powers are centralized to the organizational leader; there is very little or no contribution at all from the subordinates. Participative leadership involves participation of both the leader and subordinates in decision making; the decisions are not unilateral but rather collaborative (Schein, 2010). Lastly, a delegative or free rein style of leadership where the leader transfers responsibilities and authority to others who may often be the subordinates. It is based on the belief that a single person cannot do everything and has to set priorities and delegate certain tasks and subordinates are sometime free to decide their own methods and policies (Northouse, 2011). It is also crucial to understand TQM in de tails. Evans and Lindsay (2010) explain that TQM achieves its objective through integration of processes and all quality- related functions throughout the organization. According to Rawlins (2010), TQM is guided by a number of principles. These principles include; customer focus, employee involvement, continuous improvement, executive management, decision making, organizational culture, methodology, and training. Rawlins also argues that TQM involves costs that are essential in yielding better results for the organization. They include; failure costs, appraisal costs, and prevention costs. It is in the light of the above that the relationship between leadership styles and TQM can be understood and be explained. Pauleen and Gorman (2011) observe that the two concepts are fundamentally different but related especially in regard to operations and management of an organization towards achieving the set goals and objectives. As noted from the above explanations of the two concepts, they differ in meaning and functions. However, they relate in a number of aspects. First, application of these aspects in the organization is aimed at achieving organizational goals and objectives (Ivancevich, 2011). Secondly, they are both functions of the organizations that are necessary for the proper

Ladies & Gentlemen. Survey & Report. Some may believe that being Essay - 5

Ladies & Gentlemen. Survey & Report. Some may believe that being gentleman or a lady in - Essay Example Notably all the well rounded persons know the limits set by their predecessors and they will not cross over them. This is in order to maintain the nobility and humility they were born with and under (Castiglione & Opdycke, 2009). Every well rounded person will work hard and reach the targets and goal set for them by their ancestors or superiors. He or she considers it as an abomination not to succeed as per the wishes of those who preceded him. In pursuit of attaining their target they professionally utilize bravely all the available and worthy arms and techniques that were guaranteed to them at their birth time (Cunningham & Reich, 2009). More over a well rounded person strives to be like or better than those who trained them. This is in earnest not disappointed the proper care and perfect training of their trainers. It is noted that the courtier must walk his or her talk with grace in all his or her habits, gestures and in every move they make. Notably, a universal person must have a better judgment of good and evil which must rightful guide him or her in decision making. In addition he or she is honest and does not conceal any truth which if realized might bring dishonor and discredit their self worthiness (Brummett, Edgar, & Hackett, 2003). Remarkably, any a well rounded lady will exercise the right measure of confidence and diligence. She will not overstate or understate her work excellence .Over and above this she is patient, persevering and of greater dignity. Moreover a well rounded person is sacrificing and skillful. He or she will swallow his or her desires and treasures and extend love to others. Lastly and not least a universal person is honorable and extremely respects others with the same measure they extend to him or her (Castiglione, 2003). Surprisingly from the results obtained, a large number of people aged less than forty years suggested

Slavery's Impact on Capital Punishment Research Paper

Slavery's Impact on Capital Punishment - Research Paper Example A stronger and healthier male slave would fetch a higher price than a weaker and older slave. Female slaves were considered more valuable than male and hence would fetch more value as they could reproduce and help increase the number of slaves. Capital punishment is the lawful enforcement of death as a reprimand for hideous crimes. Britain had put an end to the practice of capital punishment in the year1965. However, we find that USA, Japan, China, and many other Asian, African and Middle Eastern still impose death penalty for certain number of crimes and use it with varying regularity. Propagators of capital punishment argue that it is the only way of removing criminals and this would also bring about safety for the people in the society. This can be a permanent way of removing crime completely. In keeping convicts in prison there is a possibility of them escaping from the bars or they could commit crimes within the prison. There is also a third possibility of prisoners being released after the completion of their sentence giving them free rein to start their horrendous practices all over again. There is also a cost factor involved in keeping the convict behind the bars which could be used in a more resourceful way. After the abolishment of capital punishment in Britain, statistics of 2009 reveal that in the past 12 years, 65 prisoners who had served their life sentence and were subsequently released, were yet again convicted for further crime.Their crimes ranged from murder to rape, statistics also show that the people who were given life imprisonment did not serve more than 10 years and moved freely there after.It also revealed that the crimes rose by 125% over the period of five years immediately after the abolishment of the death penalty. The crimes would have attracted death penalty if it were still into force. This means that the removal of death penalty acted as a catalyst to encourage further crime as the criminals became fearless. However, it can be argued that the abolishment cannot be the sole reason for the rise in crime. It might have increased by the same extent even if the death penalty would have been in force.The propagators of abolishment of capital punishment have a vital argument in their support. According to them innocent people could be incorrectly executed and it would not be possible to compensate them for this great injustice done to them and their families as the loss of a life can never be compensated. Secondly, the grievance suffered by the family of the person convicted cannot be totally ignored. The harassment and the trauma that the families and friends have to bear from the time of arrest until the final judgement is unbearable. The anguish and the pain haunts them for many years after the trial. People find it very difficult to accept the fact that their loved ones are guilty of such heinous crime. It is more difficult for them to contemplate such a painful death for their loved ones. However strongly one may support capital punishment, it cannot undo the harm that has already been done. In case an innocent is convicted, it might augment a feeling of revenge among his close ones and thus increasing the probability of crimes. Beccaria introduces one of the first critics of the use of capital punish

The National Literacy Strategy Essay Example for Free

The National Literacy Strategy Essay The following essay will consider some of the components of the literacy hour and discuss the strategies teachers use to utilise these methods within the classroom. Literacy is at the heart of the drive to raise standards in schools (DfES, 2001, pg2) The above quote is taken from the National Literacy Strategy framework for teaching which, since 1998 has highlighted the importance of teaching English to all schoolchildren. The framework was introduced to couple the National Curriculum document and builds on theories and ideas from previous reports (such as the Kingman report: 1988 and the Cox report: 1989) and documentation which since 1975 have highlighted the importance of having certain attainment targets that children should be achieving. These targets are the acquisition of good speaking, listening, reading, writing and spelling skills, and the Literacy strategy influences teachers in planning and delivering at least an hour long literacy lesson each day, focusing on one or more of these targets. According to the National Literacy document children use a range of strategies, or searchlights, when reading to help them make sense of text. These searchlights fall into four categories. These are; phonic knowledge, grammatical knowledge, knowledge of context/word recognition and graphic knowledge (DfES: 2001. p 4) When teaching reading teachers will break their lesson down into shared (whole class) and guided (independent with support from teacher) sessions. When delivering shared and guided reading sessions teachers can model to children how to draw upon all four of the searchlights to aid them in their reading. Shared reading normally focuses on word and text level work and so teachers will plan for a whole class read in which specific features such as spelling patterns, alliteration, punctuation or the intention of the piece that is being read will be highlighted for to the class. (Ibid). Practitioners are also able to model how clues contained within the piece (such as pictures, exclamation or speech marks) can be used to predict how the story is to be read. However, during guided or independent reading children have to use what knowledge they have of the English language to read on their own. It is for this reason that practitioners will plan to teach the use of phonics to children from an early age. As young children find it hard to discriminate the sounds of letters automatically the teaching of phonics or letter sounds is used by teachers to help children to recognise the correct spelling of a word (DfES 2001). The most effective practitioners will teach children how to identify the phonemes in spoken language and then build an understanding of how each phoneme is correctly spelt. When children have acquired a sound knowledge of these phonemes, practitioners will educate them in two new skills known as segmentation and blending.

Sleep Theories Essay Example for Free

Sleep Theories Essay Most people think that when we sleep, we can shut down our mind. However, with the power of advanced technique, scientist made a careful observation of human brain waves, body temperature, heart rate, breathing, and other physical functions. They received a new light on sleep. Our brain and body actually are active during sleep, sometimes even more active than we are awake. There are two type of sleep, making up a complete 90 to 100 minute cycle that can be repeated 4 to 5 times in an average eight hours sleep. NREM (nonrapid eye movement) sleep: also called quite sleep. Have four stages, from stage 1 to stage 4.REM (rapid eye movement) sleep: also called active sleep. Stage 5, in this stage you dreaming.( Cherry, K.2012) During sleep, we usually pass through five stages of sleep Stage1. Light stage of sleep.  Turn off the light, close your eyes, and find the most comfortable position to lying down on the bed .While, you may feel sleepy now. Your eyes start moving slowly, muscle activity slows and body feel more relaxed. You had already entered stage 1 sleep without noticing it. At this stage, you may be aware of noises. You can be easily awakened and may feel that you are not really sleeping. During stage 1, our brain activity slows down; brain produces waves from alpha waves enter to theta waves. (Rathus, S.pp.100). ï  ¬ 2. A light sleep but it is deeper than stage 1. Stage 2 may last for 20 minutes.Your brain starts producing more waves but activities become lower. Your eyes stop moving; breathing, heart rate slows and body temperature decreases. Right now, you are ready to enter deep sleep. During stage 2, the brain waves are interrupted by bursts of brain activity knows as sleep spindles.( Rathus, S) Stage 3 and 4. Transition period between light sleep to deep sleep. At stage 3, you deep sleep starts, your brain produce slower delta waves. There is no eye movement and you will not consciously trying to move your body. Moreover, your heart rate and blood pressure will drop down to the lowest level during the day. According to the repair and restoration Theory of Sleep, deep sleep is the stages for your body to repair damaged and rejuvenate itself. Growth could occurs in stage 4.( Walsh, K.). It will be difficult to wake you up during these two stages, you cannot adjust immediately, and you may feel dazed and exhausted for few minutes. Stage 5. a very light, active sleep  This stage also called rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. It is a miraculous stage that you hear rate, heart rate increases, blood pressure raised and breathing become shallower; your eyes move back; your brain become more active as you awake and you start dreaming. Incredibly, your muscles still maintains in a relaxed state. Stage 5 usually occurs about 70 to 90 minutes after we fall asleep. ( Brain basics: Understanding Sleep ). The functions of sleep Sleep is the most important thing for us to surviveï ¼Å'it can protect us from disease. Having enough sleep in a day will bring lots of benefits to us -a clear mind, a good mood and full of energy. Sleep may also have other benefits like improving physical and immune function. The following are the summarized functions of sleep. Sleep provides an opportunity for the body to repair and rejuvenate: remove fatigue, conserves the body energy Beneficial of skin care: good sleep can increase the activities of skin metabolism. Sleep provides growth and development: Deep sleep increases the release of growth hormone in human baby or animals.  Sleep protect our nervous systems: helps us recover from stress Sleep improves our study ability: can strengthen and improve our memory. Sleeping affects our immune systemï ¼Å¡increase resistant system Discusses one sleep disorder (i.e., explains the disorder, its causes, symptoms, and the treatment options available). Sleep is a natural process, but if you feel sleep is always difficult such as It is hard to fall asleep; although you have slept for eight hours you may still feel tired and have difficulty to memorize something. If these problems bothered you for ages, you may be suffering from a sleep disorder. Doctors discovered that there are more than 70 sleep disorders which can seriously interfere with our work, driving, and social activities. The most common sleep disorders include insomnia, narcolepsy, and sleep apnea. ( Brain basics.) Insomnia is a Latin word for â€Å"no sleep†, is â€Å"a symptom, not a stand-alone diagnosis or a disease† .People that is affected by insomnia has the inability to fall asleep or maintaining sleep. (Insomnia overview). Common symptoms of insomnia include difficulty falling asleep; feel awake for a whole night; only can sleep for few hours per day; waking up frequently, and could not get back to sleep. There are many causes of insomnia. It can be caused by stress, anxiety. It may be related to substance use, such as alcohol, and caffeine. Behavior therapy is often part of any treatment for insomnia. For example: A healthy lifestyle can help to improve sleep quality, doing exercise is helpful in reducing stress. Provides examples of how/if any of sleep theories, and/or disorders apply to your life. I found a part time job as a store manager in my final year of college. It was hard to study at school during the day and lead employees to work in the night. Worries and tenseness lead me to insomnia. I felt that it is difficult for me to fall asleep in late night, and sometimes when I awake, I still felt tired and dizzy. Lack of enough sleeps cause me became moody, such little things would fire me up. I have to take sleeping pills to get to sleep, but it would not take effect for long term use. Learning to relax helped me sleep better and feel better. It is simple, using scented candles at home to create a comfortable area, take a bath and listen to the music.

Transplant Rejection: Causes, Types and Prevention

Transplant Rejection: Causes, Types and Prevention Through this project I have researched transplants of organs, cells and tissues, Transplant rejection, the Human Immune System and the role of antibodies. Transplatation is the process where healthy cells, tissue or organs are moved from one site to another. There are different types of transplants and many problems that can occur with transplantation. The largest threat to a successful organ transplant is the Human Immune System, because it rejects the transplant. The role of the human immunity system is to protect the body from harmful, infecting agents. It destroys the transplant recognizing it as foreign and a potential treat to the body. This is known as Transplant Rejection. There are many different types of Transplant Rejection, each with there own diagnosis methods and symptoms. There are different ways of prevention and treatment, including tissue typing to determine the most appropriate donor-recipient match and using Immunosuppressant drugs that suppress the immune system of the recipient. There are two kinds of immunity in a human. The bodys first line of defence is the Innate Immunity and the specific response to the invaders is the Adaptive Immunity. Many white blood cells form the main components of the immune system and they identify and destroy invading agents. There are also different types of immune responses including the Humoral immune response. Antibodies, Y-shaped proteins, form part of the Humoral response. The structure of all antibodies are very similar, except for a small unique region at the ends of the two arms of the Y used for recognising agents. Antibodies can destroy the foreign material or help destroy them by tagging it for attack by other parts of the immune system. Antibodies are very important in transplant rejection, because they form part of the mechanism that rejects the organ or tissue and are one of the most important cells of the Human Immunity System. They help lead to Transplant Rejection and the destruction of the transplanted organ or tissue. INDEX (Jump to): Introduction Hypothesis Transplants Types of Transplants Problems With Transplantation Transplant Rejection Types of Transplant Rejection Diagnosis and Symptoms Prevention and Treatment Potential Further Studies The Human Immune System and Antibodies Types of Immune Responses Conclusion Bibliography Referencing INTRODUCTION: The role of the Human Immunity System is to protect the body from harmful, infecting agents. This protection is very important to keep our bodies healthy and functioning at the best it can, but this protection is also the largest problem in organ and tissue transplants. Transplantation has replaced many people damaged organs with healthy organs and is used to cure many tissue and cell diseases. The Human Immunity System is the largest threat to successful organ and tissue transplants, but why does the Human Immunity reject the transplanted organ or tissue? And is it possible that transplant rejection can be prevented? The body is constantly under attack from harmful substances that can cause damage and destruction to the human body, but we are protected. The human immunity system is bodys natural defence mechanism. What causes an immune response? And how does the immune system respond to foreign materials? Antibodies are an important part in the human immunity system. They can recognize, neutralize and destroy harmful materials, but what exact role does an antibody play in human immunity? Where and why are antibodies produced? Through this project I will explore transplants, transplant rejection, human immunity and the role of antibodies and finally prove or contradict my hypothesis. HYPOTHESIS: Antibodies do not play a role in the rejection of a transplanted organ or tissue. Transplants Transplatation is the action of healthy cells, tissue or organs that are transplanted (grafted) from one site to another. A transplanted organ can replace a recipients damaged, malfunctioning or absent organ and grafting of cells and tissue can also cure many diseases. A kidney (most common), heart, lungs, pancreas, liver, skin, cornea, blood, blood vessels, bone marrow, stem cells, cord blood, intestine, stomach, testis, thymus, bones, tendons, heart valves and veins, hand, Islets of Langerhans and ovaries can now be transplanted. The transplanted organ or tissue is commonly known as a graft. While the lack of organs for transplantation remains an obstacle, the biggest challenge for transplantation is the immune system. It destroys a transplanted graft recognizing it as foreign and a potential treat to the body. [2][7][9][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] Types of Transplants Autografts: Grafts of tissue from one area of the body to another part e.g. Skin transplants, vein extractions, etc. Autografts are not foreign tissue and therefore there is no immune reaction. Allografts: Grafts between members of the same species. Most organ transplants are allografts. Because of genetic differences between the organ and the recipient, the recipients immune system will identify the organ as foreign and attempts to destroy it, causing transplant rejection. Isografts: Forms part of allografts and are grafts between genetically identical individuals. Isografts do not trigger an immune response. Xenografts/ Xenotransplantation: Grafts between members of different species. E.g. the use of organs from other animals, like chimpanzees, baboon and pigs. In Xenografts there is a large risk of rejection and diseases carried in the tissue. [2][7][9][19][20][22] Problems with Transplantation Graft/transplant rejection: The immune system, recognizing the transplanted graft as foreign, will cause a rejection of the graft. Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD): T-cells, in the graft from the donor, identify the tissues of the recipient as a foreign antigen and mounts an immune attack against them. This is prevented by removing all T-cells in the graft before transplantation. In rare cases the donated organ may be infected and transmit an agent to the recipient. E.g. TB, rabies, syphilis, hepatitis B, HIV and many other diseases. To prevent this, potential donors are tested for these infections before the transplantation. [2][12][19] Transplant Rejection Transplant rejection is also know as Graft Rejection and organ or tissue rejection. Transplant Rejection occurs when a transplanted organ or tissue is not accepted by the body of the recipient, because the immune system of the recipient attacks and tries to destroy the transplanted organ or tissue. The body identifies the graft as foreign material and therefore triggers a rejection. This is expected because the Human Immunity Systems purpose is to protect the body by identifying and destroying foreign material that are potentially harmful. These harmful substances have proteins called antigens on their surfaces, when the immune system identifies these antigens as foreign, it will start to attack them. The degree and type of response varies according to the type of transplant and the organ or tissue being transplanted. Certain sites in the body are immune privileged, which means they are protected from attack, because immune cells and antibodies do not reach them. The anterior chamber of the eye, the testes and the brain are all immune privileged. Using the patients own tissue for autografts or tissue from an identical twin, isografts, when available prevents transplant rejection as the recipient sees the transplant as self, not as foreign and therefore does not mount an attack. Using a relative (sibling) as a donor is also recommended, because they may have inherited some of the same histocompatibility antigens and therefore the immune response may not be as strong. [2][3][4][7][8][11][12][23] Types of Transplant Rejection: Hyperacute Rejection Hyperacute Rejection is a rare humoral complement-mediated response in recipients with pre-existing antibodies to the donor. This reaction occurs immediately after the transplantation. No treatment is available for it and the graft must be removed quickly to prevent a severe systemic inflammatory response or death. Acute Rejection Acute rejection usually begins one week after the transplant, but it can occur months to years after transplantation. The new organ will be incapable of working at full efficiency. A single episode of acute rejection is not dangerous, if it recognized and treated it rarely leads to organ failure. Acute rejection occurs to some degree in all transplants and is caused by mismatched HLA. The Immune system will recognize the graft as foreign and will mount an attack against it. Acute rejection is a form of Cell-mediated response. Humeroral Rejection Humeroral Rejection is mediated by antibody and complement Immunity. It can occur immediately or during the first week after the transplantation. The antibodies are preformed antibodies or anti-donor antibodies that have developed after transplant. Chronic Rejection Chronic Rejection is the rejection against a graft due to chronic inflammatory and immune response. This rejection occurs over time (sometimes years after the transplant) and may occur from repeated episodes of acute rejection or for other causes not understood. Chronic Rejection is rare and is both antibody cell-mediated immune responses. Chronic rejection is irreversible and there is no successful treatment. Eventually the donor organ is lost, leading to re-transplant or death. [3][7][8][23] Diagnosis and Symptoms Diagnosis of transplant rejection relies on clinical data, including signs and symptoms, lab testing and a tissue biopsy to confirm that the graft has been rejected. The biopsy is interpreted by a pathologist who notes changes in the tissue that suggest rejection. E.g. presence of T-cells and other cell types that may be helpful in diagnosing the type of rejection and any evidence of structural injury or injury to blood vessels in the transplanted tissue. The symptoms of transplant rejection vary depending on the organ or tissue transplanted, but general symptoms include the organ not functioning properly, general discomfort, uneasiness or ill feeling, pain or swelling in the location of organ (rare) and fever (rare). [1][23] Prevention Treatment Tissue Typing Transplant rejection can be reduced through serotyping (tissue typing or crossmatching) before the transplantation to identify the antigens it contains and to determine the most appropriate donor-recipient match. ABO blood typing or HLA (Tissue antigen) typing is performed to ensure that the organ or tissue is as similar as possible to the tissues of the recipient. The antigens responsible for rejection of tissues are called histocompatibility antigens. These antigens are encoded by genes on chromosome 6, called the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC). The MHC is called the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) system in humans. HLA are present on all cells of the body. Each individual has a unique combination of HLA and matching as many histocompatibility antigens will minimize the size and speed of rejection. MHC molecules present antigens to the T-cells of the immune system. When a foreign material enters a body cell, the MHC molecules inside the body cell bind to the antigen and transport it to the body cells surface. The antigen can now be recognized by a T-cell. Immunosuppressant Drugs Immunosuppressant drugs can treat and prevent transplant rejection. The drugs suppress the immune system of the recipient and are usually necessary for all transplants to prevent the graft from being rejected. The drugs should be used for the rest of the transplant recipients life. Most immunosuppressive drugs have the disadvantage of being non-specific and they result in suppression of the entire immune responses and therefore placing the recipient at a higher risk of infections. It is needed to develop more specific immunosuppressive drugs that will suppress only the responses that attack the graft, without dangerous side effects. Drugs like azathioprine (Imuran), methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, prednisone, belatacept, corticosteroids, cyclosporine A, tacrolimus, prednisolone, mycophennolate mofetil, antithymocyte globulin (ATG) and rapamycin are routinely used in different combinations for a safe level of immunosuppression. Side effects of immunosuppression drugs include infections, as the immune system is vital to protect us from infectious agents (bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc). Usually the infections can be controlled by the appropriate antibiotic, antiviral drug, etc. The chance of Cancer is also increased with the use of immunosuppression drugs. [1][2][5][6][7][8][12][16][19][23] Potential Further Studies Demi-Lee Brennan, an Australian whose body changed blood type and adopted the immune system of her donor after a liver transplant. Her body no longer rejects the transplanted liver. Her case is unique and scientists are interested in finding out how this occurred. Duplication of this would be a potential solution to transplant rejection. Some grafts survive despite the presence of anti-donor antibodies. This acquired resistance to antibody-mediated damage is known as Accommodation and is poorly understood. [6][8] The Human Immune System and Antibodies The immune system recognizes as foreign and attacks anything different from your normal body tissues. Even substances that are only slightly different, for example a transplanted organ or tissue, are considered foreign invaders. The immune system uses histocompatibility antigens to recognize material as self or foreign. Antigens occur on the surface of every cell and the immune system will attack anything that does not display the antigen of that individual. The immune system cannot tell if the foreign material is harmful or not, just that it is different. The transplanted organ or tissue is different and therefore the immune system will try to destroy it. There are two kinds of immunity in a human, Innate Immunity and Adaptive Immunity. The bodys first line of defence against invaders is the Innate Immunity. It is provided by barriers like tears, mucus, skin, saliva and the rapid inflammation of tissue. If an invader gets past the Innate Immunity, the immune system will make a customized defence, the Adaptive Immunity. It is a specific response depending on the specific invader and it has a memory, which allows it to respond better to the specific invader if it attacks again. The Adaptive Immunity does not attack normal body components, only substances it recognizes as non-self. White blood cells (leukocytes) are the main component of the immune system. Macrophages, a type of white blood cells, surround and eat invading materials. Macrophages can also attach to themselves to invading agents and transport them to another part of the immune system to be destroyed. Lymphocytes are specialized white blood cells that identify and destroy invading antigens. Each lymphocyte has a unique antigen receptor on its surface that can bind to a matching antigen on the surface of the foreign invader. They constantly travel throughout the body looking for invaders. All lymphocytes begin as stem cells in bone marrow, but they mature in two different places. Several lymphocytes mature in the bone marrow and they are called B-lymphocytes (B-cells). B-cells form Plasma cells that make antibodies. Each B-cell has a unique receptor on its membrane, called B-cell receptor (BCR) that is designed to fit a specific antigen. When the BCR binds to an antigen molecule, the B-cell surrounds it and breaks it up. The result is the histcompatibilty molecules and then the body B-cell can identify the antigen. Other lymphocytes called T-lymphocytes (T-cells) mature in the thymus. Some T-cells called cytotoic or Killer T-cells directly destroy cells that are displaying a certain antigen on their surface. Other T-cells, Helper T-cells, regulate the immune system by controlling the strength of immune responses. [1][3][5][6][7][8][10][11][23] Types of Immune Responses Humoral Immune Response The Humoral response attack invaders that act outside of cells, like bacteria and poisons. When an invader antigen enters the body, Macrophages take the antigen and attach it to MHC molecules. The MHC molecules display the antigen to the T-helper cells and they attach to the presented antigen. This stimulates the T-helper cells to divide and produce interleukins. The Interleukins activate a B-cell that has bound the antigen. The activated B-cells then divide and secrete antibodies. Antibodies, also called immunoglobulins (lg), are Y-shaped proteins and they are found in blood and other bodily fluids of vertebrates. Antibodies are produced by a kind of white blood cell, called a plasma cell. Surface immunoglobulin are attached to the membrane of the effector B-cells, while antibodies are the secreted into the bloodstream and body cavities. The membrane-bound form of an antibodies is forms part of the BCR on B-cells. The general structure of all antibodies are very similar, except for a small region at the ends of the two arms of the Y used for binding antigens. This allows many different antigen binding sites to exist between the antibodies, allowing the immune system to recognize a wide diversity of antigens. The base of the Y determines how the antibody will destroy an antigen or foreign material. Antibodies into are classified into 5 classes/isotypes: lgM, lgG, lgA, lgD and lgE. They perform different roles and form part of the immune response against foreign objects. The secreted antibodies bind can the antigen and destroy it. Antibodies may also stop the harmful effects of an antigen by attaching to it and neutralizing it. Antibodies also help destroy antigens by tagging it for attack by other parts of the immune system. Cell-mediated Immune Response The Cell-mediated Response attacks invaders, like viruses, that reproduce inside cells. It also destroys cells that cause the growth of improper structures, like cancers. After an invader antigen enters the human body, Macrophages attach the antigen to MHC molecules. The MHC molecules present the antigen to the T-helper cells and they bind the antigen, which motivates the T-helper cells to divide and secrete interleukins. The Interleukins activate killer T-cells. Killer T-cells directly destroy the cell/s that are infected with or that are producing a certain antigen. [3][7][8][10][11] CONCLUSION: My Hypothesis that antibodies do not play a role in the rejection of a transplanted organ or tissue is incorrect. Antibodies are very important in transplant rejection, because they form part of the mechanism that rejects the organ or tissue and they are one of the main components of the Human Immunity System. When the healthy organ or tissue is transplanted into the body of the recipient, it does not have the same tissue antigens of the recipients body. Each human has unique tissue antigens, therefore a perfect match is seldom found. Antibodies form part of humoral rejection response to the transplanted organ or tissue. They are the main element in recognizing a foreign agent, because they have unique antigen binding sites. Antibodies especially play a role in Hyperacute, Humeroral and Chronic Transplant Rejection, as they are all humoral-mediated rejections. Anti-Donor antibodies are secreted by plasma cells after the T-helper cells have collected the transplants antigen and identified it as foreign and non-self. Pre-existing antibodies circulate through the bodily fluids of the human body looking for foreign material to recognize. Some antibodies also form part of the membrane receptor of the B-cells used to identify and recognize antigens of the transplanted organ or tissue. After the antibodies have bond to the foreign antigen of the transplanted organ or tissue, therefore recognizing it, it will decide how to destroy the organ or tissue or if it will tag it for attack from other parts of the immune system. Leading to Transplant Rejection and the destruction of the transplanted organ or tissue. BIBLIOGRAPHY REFERENCING: Websites: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000815.htm, Transplant Rejection, Medline Plus, 23 February 2010, David A. Kaufman, MD, Section Chief, Pulmonary, Critical Care Sleep Medicine, Bridgeport Hospital-Yale New Haven Health System, and Assistant Clinical Professor, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT. http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/T/Transplants.html, Organ Transplants, 1 November 2009 http://www.chfpatients.com/tx/txrejection.htm, Transplant Rejection, CHF Patients, 3 June 2002 http://www.uihealthcare.com/topics/medicaldepartments/surgery/rejection/index.html, Rejection: Organ Transplantation, UI Healthcare, 7 August 2006, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics http://immunology.suite101.com/article.cfm/why_organ_transplants_fail, Why Organ Transplants Fail, Immunology, 5 June 2009, Jitendra Rathod http://discoverysedge.mayo.edu/abo_posxmatch/index.cfm, Overcoming Antibody Barriers to Kidney Transplant, Discoverys Edge, 2010, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/432209-overview, Immunology of Transplant Rejection, eMedicine, 28 July 2009, Prashant Malhotra, MBBS, Fellow, Division of Infectious Diseases, North Shore University Hospital http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transplant_rejection, Transplant Rejection, Wikipedia, 27 March 2010 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organ_transplant, Organ Transplant, Wikipedia, 21 March 2010 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antibody, Antibody, Wikipedia, 23 March 2010 Books: Westen, Trevor. 1976. The Hamlyn Family Medical Dictionary. Hong Kong: Toppan Printing Co. p16,187-188,367-368. Danovith, Gabriel. 2001. Handbook of Kidney Transplantation Third Edition. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams Wilkins. p17-61,146-162. Malan, Marais.1968. Heart Transplant. Johannesburg: Voortrekkerpers. p21-36. Magazines: Meyer, Rilette. Die grootste geskenk. Vroukeur. August 2009, p22 Unknown. n Geskenk van lewe. Vroukeur. August 2009, p31 Salzwedel, Ilse. Bloed Bande. Huisgenoot. Winter 2008, p22-28 Ramsamy, Prevashni. The Ultimate Donation. February 2006, p30-32 Newspapers: Unknown. Orgaanskenkings gee die geskenk van lewe. Die Burger. 29 September 1998 Hudsen, Mari. So verloop die proses van orgaanskenking. Die Burger. 14 August 2000, p5 Gerber, Jan. Tekort aan skenkers van organe. Die Burger. 14 April 2007 Wessels, Elsa. Nalaat van organe vir oorplanting is grootste geskenk denkbaar. Die Burger. 5 August 1998, p13 Kees, Revona. Orgaanskenkers kan talle lewens red. Die Burger. 31 August 2005, p10 Medical Journals: Chan, Laurence. 2000. Transplant Rejection and its Treatment. Chapter 9 (pg. 9.1 9.13). Cover Picture and Background: Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/ab/Outline-body-aura.png

The Compulsion Toward Evil in Hawthornes Young Goodman Brown Essay

The Compulsion Toward Evil in â€Å"Young Goodman Brown†      Ã‚   It is the intention of this essay to demonstrate the compulsion toward gross evil in â€Å"Young Goodman Brown† that is indicated by the actions of the characters, a compulsion that includes not only the leading characters but virtually everyone in the tale.    In Salem village that fateful night when the young Puritan husband was departing home for the night, he exchanged â€Å"a parting kiss with his young wife.† The wind was playing with â€Å"the pink ribbons of her cap.† Literary critic Wagenknecht surveys some of the critical interpretation relative to these ribbons on Faith’s cap and how they convey a message from Hawthorne:    Mathews finds the pastel of infancy in pink, but since pink is a color intermediate between red and white, William V. Davis prefers to take it as suggesting â€Å"neither total depravity nor innocence† but â€Å"the tainted innocence, the spiritual imperfection of mankind,† a view shared, up to a point, by Robinson. . . . (62).      So the critics would have us believe that the author is making a statement here: that seemingly good Faith is not all that good, based on the author’s placement of pink ribbons on her cap.    She whispered, â€Å"Dearest heart, prithee put off your journey until sunrise and sleep in your own bed tonight. A lone woman is troubled with such dreams and such thoughts that she’s afraid of herself sometimes.† Q.D. Leavis says in â€Å"Hawthorne as Poet† that â€Å"It is a journey he takes under compulsion, and it should not escape us that she tries to stop him because she is under a similar compulsion to go on a ‘journey’ herself† (36). So the main male and female characters are manifesting similar compulsions toward evil. .. ...n toward evil in the tale, which is indicated by the actions of the characters, a compulsion that includes not only the leading characters but virtually everyone.      BIBLIOGRAPHY    Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Complete Short Stories of Nathaniel Hawthorne. New York: Doubleday and Co., Inc.,1959. 247-56.    Lang, H.J.. â€Å"How Ambiguous is Hawthorne?† In Hawthorne – A Collection of Critical Essays, edited by A.N. Kaul. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1966.    Leavis, Q.D. â€Å"Hawthorne as Poet.† In Hawthorne – A Collection of Critical Essays, edited by A.N. Kaul. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1966.    Martin, Terence â€Å"Six Tales.† In Nathaniel Hawthorne. New York: Twayne Publishers Inc., 1965.    Wagenknecht, Edward. Nathaniel Hawthorne – The Man, His Tales and Romances. New York: Continuum Publishing Co., 1989. The Compulsion Toward Evil in Hawthorne's Young Goodman Brown Essay The Compulsion Toward Evil in â€Å"Young Goodman Brown†      Ã‚   It is the intention of this essay to demonstrate the compulsion toward gross evil in â€Å"Young Goodman Brown† that is indicated by the actions of the characters, a compulsion that includes not only the leading characters but virtually everyone in the tale.    In Salem village that fateful night when the young Puritan husband was departing home for the night, he exchanged â€Å"a parting kiss with his young wife.† The wind was playing with â€Å"the pink ribbons of her cap.† Literary critic Wagenknecht surveys some of the critical interpretation relative to these ribbons on Faith’s cap and how they convey a message from Hawthorne:    Mathews finds the pastel of infancy in pink, but since pink is a color intermediate between red and white, William V. Davis prefers to take it as suggesting â€Å"neither total depravity nor innocence† but â€Å"the tainted innocence, the spiritual imperfection of mankind,† a view shared, up to a point, by Robinson. . . . (62).      So the critics would have us believe that the author is making a statement here: that seemingly good Faith is not all that good, based on the author’s placement of pink ribbons on her cap.    She whispered, â€Å"Dearest heart, prithee put off your journey until sunrise and sleep in your own bed tonight. A lone woman is troubled with such dreams and such thoughts that she’s afraid of herself sometimes.† Q.D. Leavis says in â€Å"Hawthorne as Poet† that â€Å"It is a journey he takes under compulsion, and it should not escape us that she tries to stop him because she is under a similar compulsion to go on a ‘journey’ herself† (36). So the main male and female characters are manifesting similar compulsions toward evil. .. ...n toward evil in the tale, which is indicated by the actions of the characters, a compulsion that includes not only the leading characters but virtually everyone.      BIBLIOGRAPHY    Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Complete Short Stories of Nathaniel Hawthorne. New York: Doubleday and Co., Inc.,1959. 247-56.    Lang, H.J.. â€Å"How Ambiguous is Hawthorne?† In Hawthorne – A Collection of Critical Essays, edited by A.N. Kaul. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1966.    Leavis, Q.D. â€Å"Hawthorne as Poet.† In Hawthorne – A Collection of Critical Essays, edited by A.N. Kaul. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1966.    Martin, Terence â€Å"Six Tales.† In Nathaniel Hawthorne. New York: Twayne Publishers Inc., 1965.    Wagenknecht, Edward. Nathaniel Hawthorne – The Man, His Tales and Romances. New York: Continuum Publishing Co., 1989.

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight :: Arthurian Legends English Literature Essays

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight An anonymous contemporary of Geoffrey Chaucer wrote Sir Gawain and the Green Knight in the 14th century. It was written in a Northern dialect and uses alliteration similar to the Anglo-Saxon form of poetry. Alliteration is characterized by the repetition of consonants and a sharp rhyme at the end of each section. The story begins as King Arthur's court celebrates the New Year for fifteen days. The lords and ladies of the court are having a great time dancing and feasting. The story describes the lavishly served feast with all the trimmings. Each guest is free to partake in the royal meal. However, King Arthur will not eat on such a high holiday until someone tells a fascinating or adventurous tale. LINK TO A DETAILED ANALYSIS OF THIS SEGMENT Suddenly, a giant man on a horse rides into the hall. Both the imposing man and his horse are entirely green. He is, of course, the Green Knight. Even his clothing is described in detail as entirely green. In one hand he holds a large ax and in the other he holds a holly bob. The Green Knight asks to see the leader of the crowd. King Arthur stands up and speaks to the Green Knight, obviously excited by the thought of the tales that this stranger will tell. The Knight offers a challenge to anyone brave enough to accept it. The Green Knight will allow his opponent to strike his neck with the large ax that he holds. The opponent must travel to the Green Knight's castle in one year to accept a similar blow in return. When none of the knights volunteer, Arthur rises to accept the Green Knight's challenge. Sir Gawain, the youngest of King Arthur's knights, asks to be allowed to stand in for his king. The Green Knight doesn't move or flinch as he offers his bare neck to Gawain. Gawain grabs the Green Knight's ax firmly and chops off his head. The head falls to the ground and rolls past the feet of many of the people in the court. To the shock of everyone, the Green Knight gets up, grabs the head by the hair, and mounts his horse.

Tess of the D´Urbervilles :: Essays Papers

Tess of the D ´Urbervilles Tess of the d ´Urbervilles written by Thomas Hardy is a novel about a young girl of a poor family whose life changes because someone tells her family that they belong to a noble family. But is it a bad change or a good one? This story is written in third person point of view. John Durbeyfield is walking through the street at night and suddenly a historian visiting the town, stops and tells him that his last name is really d ´Urberville and it belongs to a noble family. Sir John hurries and tells the news to his family. He is a very poor man. So he tells his young daughter, Tess, to go find job at their â€Å"family’s† town, but Tess’s mother never warned her about how mean man can be. There, Tess meets a man, Alec d ´Urberville, and in a short time he manages to seduce her and he forces her to do something she didn’t want to. She leaves immediately that town and shortly after finds out that she is pregnant but her baby, soon after being born, dies. This makes her have a lot of anger towards men. When she goes to find a job at another town she meets a very charming man, Angel Clare, and very soon they fall in love and get married, but when Tess tells him her dark secret he is not able to forgive her after he has done wrong too by having relations with a woman he did not love, and knowing it was not Tess’s fault. He then leaves her. While Angel is gone Alec starts to seduce Tess again and she falls for him again. When Angel realizes he was wrong it was too late. Tess then realizes she really loves Angel. Alec was still that mean man she had met and was forced to kill him. Angel and Tess are finally very happy, but just for two days because Tess is put in jail and killed. Alec ends up marrying Tess’s sister Liza-Lu like Tess wanted when she knew she was going to be killed. This story takes place in the countryside of England at first in a little village called Marlott, a poor place in a little cottage where she and her family live, and then in several other towns a bit more sophisticated.

Conducting a management project Essay

Introduction The project, as requested by the manager; is to come up with the ways that my team can make more savings in the company for the company and for their own growth. This was because the company has not been making savings as they had targeted in the beginning of their business year and the savings are even less as compared to the other financial years yet the company still appears to be run under the same principals. The project is aimed at coming up with the research and recommendations for actions to be taken to manage and change the situation at the company and write a suitable report on this. The report written at the end of this research is going to benefit the company in generating more profits and the employees in self-development. It is also going to cultivate the culture of team work, innovation and entrepreneurial culture among the employees. Simply put, the benefits derived from project management increase in proportion to how well project management processes are used. A well -executed project will be completed on time, within its approved budget. A well-executed project will deliver higher product quality by managing the time to design and test the new product. It will provide great satisfaction to its team, and it will meet (or exceed) the customers’ expectations. In today’s business environment, it is critical that each project is run in the most efficient manner possible. For a project-oriented business, it is equally imperative that all projects are managed consistently, so that the benefits of well -executed projects extend corporate wide. The data that was used in this research was collected from the employees, customers and other stakeholders in the company. In preparation for the data collection, it is important to note that a diverse sample of the host company’s employees is required in order to address the breadth of the organizational structure and the full range of roles and responsibilities of participants. Input to the list of interview participants should be secured from the company sponsor, but it   is the assessor’s function to challenge the sample to ensure it meets the needs of a balanced assessment. The assessor should recognize a tendency of most sponsors to provide participants who already are highly rated and can demonstrate high performance.   The participant pool needs to include these participants, but not be limited to them. All divisions of the corporate structure should be represented, including functional and supporting departments. In selecting the interview sample, the assessor should consider the population density of the host company’s divisions, revenue generated by the divisions, project count or cost, or several other attributes. The total number of interviews to be conducted must be limited to a number that is appropriate for the size of the host company; it is organizational structure and the time period in which the study is required. These factors also drive the composition and size of the assessment team. The methods used in the collection of data and information include; use of questionnaires, observation, collecting samples, taking pictures, oral interviews, reading on recorded materials. The process was not that easy since it was hard to get some confidential information especially on the accounts records of the company and some of the employees felt like they were being spied on and did not give the precisely correct information. Also collecting information from my seniors proved to be a bit hard, but all in all the information and data required for the research was successfully corrected. In all the methods used face to face conversation proved to be the best way to obtain information. Some of it advantages include; A people -to-people tool within a people – oriented business Project management is ultimately a people -oriented business that requires personal interactions by and between all of the project team members. Face-to-face interviewing extends this principle to maturity assessments. Not only does the interview provide an interpersonal connection between the interviewer and the interview participant, it allows the interviewer to begin to assess the â€Å"people skills† of the personnel assigned to manage projects at the subject company. Interview participants who display grace and condor during the interview are more likely to carry those traits into their project teams, and are more likely to be open to the recommendations for change or improvement that will flow from the assessment study. Conversely, interview subjects who are less cooperative or more belligerent during the interviews are less likely to readily adopt new suggestions. Reveals actual, as well as intended behaviours conducting face-to-face interviews allows the interviewer/assessor to discover how the project team members at the subject company conduct their project business on a day-to-day basis. It is the only tool in the assessor’s toolbox that provides a means to evaluate the validity of several of the other tools, such as a review of policy manuals, or a project document search. Policy statements and procedures manuals provide guidance into how the subject company believes it should or wants to do work. By engaging project team members in open conversations, the interviewer can elicit comments that reveal, â€Å"What we really do† vs. â€Å"what we think we do† or â€Å"what we are supposed to do?† Additionally, by discussing different types of project reports with the people who write them, or use them, the assessor can gain insight into the value placed on each report. A simple document review, while important, can only indicate that a report exists, not that it is a valued tool, used by the project team to help control their projects, or by management to monitor progress. Provides opportunity to observe the corporate culture of the subject company. Corporate culture creates different patterns of behaviour at different companies that can have a significant impact on the outcomes of projects. The degree of openness to hearing and dealing with project issues, demonstrating appreciation for project successes, and the amount of information sharing between functional groups working on a project all contribute to the ultimate success of a project. All companies probably would respond affirmatively to possessing these traits; not all companies truly demonstrate these traits positively. During one-on-one conversations with working- level project team members, the assessor can learn how well the subject company responds to project information, or how often it â€Å"shoots the messenger. Difficulties associated with face-to-face interviews Need to establish credibility of assessors As an outsider, the assessment team will often encounter a â€Å"Who-are -you-and-why-should -I-give-you-any-of- my time?† reluctance to participate amongst the project management community at the subject company. This attitude can stem from two general sources: a general distrust of consultants and management’s motives for hiring them; or insufficient information about the assessors’ credentials. Neither of these difficulties is insurmountable, but neither can be ignored. And both can be addressed initially by a carefully worded introduction from the assessment’s sponsor within the host company. The sponsor for the assessment necessarily must possess sufficient status within his/her own organization to approve, or be able to solicit approval for the funding needed to conduct the assessment study. This status can be leveraged to convey the credentials of the assessment team to the host organization. The assessors must be introduced to the project management community in terms that readily establish the expertise and experience of the assessment team with this type of work. This also implies that the assessment team must be comprised of, or, at the least, be led by experienced, senior project managers, whose personal credentials will inspire confidence in the interview participants. Need to secure cooperation of interview participants. The assessor also needs to recognize that many people within the host company’s project management organization(s) will not view the assessment in an entirely positive light. Although the study is intended to be a continuous-improvement effort, it may still be perceived to stem from something being wrong, or judged to be not good enough. The outside assessor could be viewed as Management’s vigilante enforcer, coming in to identify and punish the under-achievers in project management. The assessor must defuse this impression, a task that can best be done if the assessor knows where the host company’s â€Å"sore spots† exist and why the host company has elected to conduct the assessment. Here again, the status of the assessment sponsor can be of great help in overcoming the reluctance of the interview participants. The sponsor’s introduction of the assessment team can be used to share the rationale for the study and remove much of the apprehension that could surround it. Need to prepare thoroughly. During each interview, it will be beneficial to allow conversation to flow in a freewheeling manner, rather than following a rigid, checklist question and answer. For this to work, the assessor/interviewer must be adequately prepared to conduct the interview. The assessor must know the assessment model in great detail, and be able to detect different levels of maturity for each knowledge area, regard less of whether or not the interview respondent uses catch phrases and key words from the model in his/her comments. It is the assessor’s responsibility to be able to take appropriate notes during the interview without disrupting the flow of the interview by having to shuffle papers or stumble from one topic to the next. The assessment team can help prepare for the interviews by constructing an easy -to-use interview form that guides them through the different areas, and offers reminders of key phrases to listen for. By creating the form, the team members will increase their familiarity with it, and find it more beneficial as a guide. Additionally, by constructing their own form, the assessment team members will afford themselves the opportunity to reacquaint themselves with the details of the assessment model. Compiling, synthesizing, and evaluating the information from all interviews. Specific data from individual interviews can be compiled if a set of common questions, with a short range of possible answers, is used for all interviews. In this circumstance, it is recommended that a set of standard analytical measures are identified prior to the interview phase, but it should not be assumed that these standard measures will adequately address the entire information content collected. The synthesis of the information is a process that requires the individual assessors to subjectively analyse the comments they heard and recorded during the interviews and identify common themes and touch-points along the maturity continuum. The assessors must then collaborate to yield consistent interpretation of the interview and confirm that the data gathered is appropriate for further evaluation. The assessors must collectively review the compiled data, interrogate it for trends and errors, and determine whether trends identified warrant further analysis. From the information gathered in data collection, many things can be realised; there is no transparent audit of the books of accounts in the company, the employees are taking bribes from the customers in return for unauthorised favours, the employees are very relaxed in their work and lack motivation, the board members are conduction the staffing process in a questionable manner, the employees were taking unnecessary and expensive trips at the expense of the company, the directors have very high unwarranted allowances, the taxes due to the government are not fully settled and the overall running of the firm is questionable. The things that need to be done urgently to make sure that the company is saved from being bankrupt and that it gives some profits are; there should be an immediate external audit of all the books of accounts in the firm, the recruitment and staffing in the firm should be done on the basis of qualification and therefore there should be a vetting process to eliminate all those who are there illegally, all the directors should be vetted and those found to be corrupt should be retrenched, the company should have a new board of directors, all the employees should sign a performance contract which should be followed strictly. Conclusions; the use of face-to-face interviews in Project Management Maturity Assessments has proven to contribute most and convey the project management actualities within any host organization. If executed correctly, the face-to- face interview will yield most insight into the host organization’s current maturity and point to pockets of excellence as well as areas requiring correction. Although it is not recommended that an assessment be conducted using only face-to-face interviews, it is strongly recommended that a face-to-face interview always be included in an assessment. References Dove, K. E. (2002).  Conducting a successful development services program: A comprehensive guide and resource. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Fernald Environmental Management Project (U.S.), United States., United States., United States., Lippitt, J. M., & Kolthoff, K. (1995).  Successful completion of a RCRA closure for the Fernald Environmental Management Project. Washington, D.C: United States. Dept. of Energy. Thomsett, M. C. (2002).  The little black book of project management. New York: AMACOM. Tjahjana, L., Dwyer, P., & Habib, M. (2009).  The program management office advantage: A powerful and centralized way for organizations to manage projects. New York: American Management Association. Weir, J. R. (2009).  Conducting prescribed fires: A comprehensive manual. College Station: Texas A & M University Press. Wysocki, R. K., Beck, R., & Crane, D. B. (2000).  Effective project management. New York: Wiley.

Principles of Banking and Finance Essay

What does Sub-Prime Crisis means? Sub Prime lending which is also known as near-prime, non-prime and second chance lending, means lending to people who might have trouble repaying the loan due to income ability or credit ratings which previously would not have been available to them. Credit ratings that might be not favorable to them with the standards set up initially by Financial Institutions slowly dwindle to less strict under-writing of loans. which could also due to an influx of foreign capital making lending easier to these group of people, the investment banks that sold the repackage mortgages to the consumers which is one of the way to fund for capital, and the Housing Urban Development of America policy to ensure that its citizens has access to mortgage loans easily. The cheaper interest rate packaged by the Financial Institutions which seems more affordable for the consumer for the first 1 to 5 years and the thereafter interest rate would have jumped significantly. The loan s here generally referred to mortgage loans. The Crisis started or snowball into what it was in 2007 in my opinion was due to greed. Greed into thinking that the property boom would continue in perpetuity so that the borrowers could cash out more from their current property market valuation, with this cash out in terms of personal loan they could fund or finance their lifestyle be it buying a new property for investment purposes, to flip or for rental. For the luxury in life they choose to enjoy now, spending future money. As the economy slowed, jobs are being taken away from corporation in America to other countries which have a cheaper source of overhead expenses and manpower. People are being retrenched thus causing them to start defaulting on their loan repayments. A statistic done has shown that the American households do not have any savings but was laden with debt instead. The housing bubble burst, the market does not have that much capital as it used to have to continue to push property prices up anymore, thus causing the market to slow overall, foreclosures of their properties was happening. Consumers was also unable to obtain a refinancing which they had planned previously to lower their interest rate again when it went up, as financial institutions feel the pinched and controlled its lending. How did the Financial Institutions played a part in this? In the past banks have financed their mortgage lending activities through the deposits they receive from their customers. This has confined the amount of mortgage lending they could do. In recent years, banks have designed a new model where they repackage these mortgages to be sold to the bond markets. This has made it a lot easier to fund additional borrowing from the investors and interest rate was low. But it has also led to abuses as banks no longer have the incentive to check carefully the mortgages they issue to the lenders. The failure to check and curb lending in return for the possibility of profit was one of the causes. The first sign of the sub-prime crisis was as early as 2007 when HSBC Finance which is part of the banks north American subsidiary has to write off 880 million in sub-prime lending. The business has become unsustainable as borrowers started to default. The new model which we have come to know is known either as Mortgaged backed Assets or Collateral Debts Obl igations. The repackage mortgages are being sold to the bond markets, before they can be sold, credit rating agency will determine and give the model a rating. A credit rating for an issuer takes into consideration the issuer’s credit worthiness example its ability to pay back a loan, and affects the interest rate applied to the particular security being issued. These MBS or CDOs as it has come to know are usually marketed to countries which has a surplus in its balance sheet as it was generally known that Asians believe in savings rather than spending future money thus the products were usually marketed in Asia, It is allege that the rating agencies experienced from conflicts of interest, as they were paid by investment banks and other firms that organize and sell these structured securities to investors. If there are not to give favorable ratings to these products they risk the underwriter of these securities to another rating agency. It would be hard to sell these products if they are not being given a rating to begin with. Once they are sold the banks have in a way diverted part of the risk to the consumers. Investors should not rely too heavily on these ratings agencies opinions but instead carry out their own homework in the safeness of debt level as well as others related securities. Probably the opinions of the agencies enable them to get a conclusion, however based on past decade of event, it can only be consider as off base when it comes to the risk of credit event. Investors should try to put themselves in the shoes of the product pushers, asking themselves very important points like, why do you need to sell these products? Do you own any of these products yourself? If it is as good as you mention have the private investors bought and participated a substantial amount of their savings in it? Perhaps there need to be some form of intermediaries whereby no conflict of interest will affect their opinion and report of these products. A case study in Singapore itself which has made headlines during this crisis was the minibond saga which was being sold in Singapore by a couple of Financial Institutions. The originator of this series of structured products was the now defunct Lehman Brothers. The Minibond was being illustrated to the local consumer as a bond which is not the case it is actually a Collateral Debts Obligations. The relationship managers in banks are eager to sell the product because of the high commission and the consumer who are eager to buy because the returns are much higher than the fixed deposit being offered by the banks. An estimated of 500 million Singapore dollars was purchased for the Minibonds by consumers. It stirred a series of conflicts with the Financial Institutions that sold these products, the consumers cried fouled into being mis-sold of it, some of the consumers managed to get back part of their investment and vowed not to touch these structured products ever again. We can take a look back into the 1990s where one of the policy set up and enforce by the Housing and Urban Development of America, was one of the cause of the sub prime crisis. With the support of the government, HUD has less mortgage restriction requirements on its borrowers. The mandate was that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac which was regulated by HUD, was to generate up to 8 million more homeowners in America. It was known as the â€Å"National Homeownership Strategy†. No down payment was required, 100% financing for the property was the norm. This was partly possible due to the influx of cheap money in the market, wit h this cheap money consumers speculated with the market, they kept buying new homes thus the good years of where the appreciation of the property keep going up. Financial Institutions dare to lend due to the market confidence that it can only keep going up, borrowers confidence that the market too can only keep going up. A check with HUD official website, apparently the US government is still supporting home ownership program without first addressing a stable income issue. Only with a stable income can a person make regular commitment to his or her housing loan commitment. Kudos to the Singapore government for taking appropriate actions during the last few years when their economy was recovering, the measures taken to prevent over speculation of the property market in Singapore. Homebuyers with the extra cash were snapping up properties, either for owner’s occupation or for investment purposes. The government either learned from the Sub-prime crisis or foreseen that if it continues the way it is going, a market crash might be imminent or the crash will be too fast and hard, no soft landing for the consumers. As they knew that property market have its up and down. Steps was taken, it used to be 90/10. Whereby the buyer have to come up with 10% cash and the remaining 90% can be financed through a financial institutions regardless of the number of property they currently owned. It was changed to 80/20 rule, 20% of which is the owner’s own cash an 80% through financing. Surprisingly it did not deter the consumers, the market still kept soaring. The next rule implemented was the 80/20 rule for first time buyers, meaning buyers without any current mortgage loan, for buyers with an existing mortgage which was not yet paid up; they are only eligible for 60/40. 60% financing for their new property and an increased in the stamp duty to be paid for to the government if it was their 3rd property for Singaporean. The hardest hit was the foreigners who are seeking to invest their money in Singapore properties as they have to pay additional 10% stamp duty which is likely to deter most of them. P rices still kept going up, the latest ruling was much more complex than the previous few. If one is looking at 80% financing one can only borrow up to the age of 65 years old and tenure of not more than 30 years. Which was not the case previously, in previous scenario it was dependent on different Banks guideline in Singapore, they could lend up to the age of 70, 75 or 80. They stepped in and put a cap at 65 as they believe that is the retirement age. If you want to extend your loan tenure your financing amount will drop to either 60% or 40%. I believe the government did this as they knew that the US is going ahead with Quantitative Easing 3, they want to prevent too much hot money from landing in Singapore shore. To sum up, we learned from our mistakes and grow not to make the same mistake twice. A healthy economy is based on real economic goods with value. Hopefully US can still continue to create innovative products like Apple and keep their manufacturing production in US soil, get employment rate up. The citizens have to maintain their expectations in terms of salary wise and spend within their means. Tighten up their way of lending and controlling Banks to a certain extent, a culture that is profit driven but with ethnics. Can heed the investment guru jim roger’s advice to focus on farming as there will be a food shortage in time to come. Induce good saving habits in everyone to save up for a rainy day. http://www.ethicalquote.com/docs/SubprimeMortgageCrisis.pdf http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7073131.stm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_policies_and_the_subprime_mortgage_crisis http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/09/AR2008060902626.html http://www.thetruthaboutmortgage.com/mortgages-with-no-money-down/ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/markets/2816291/HSBC-hit-by-sub-prime-crisis.html

Monetary Policy Action Effect on Economy Essay

The Federal Reserve’s decision in August 2006 to leave interest rates unchanged underscores the degree of uncertainty in the U. S. economic establishment about the near future. For the past two years monetary policy more or less went on in a straightforward manner; the Fed’s policymakers raised their benchmark federal funds rate by a quarter point at 17 successive meetings as the economy emerged from a period when deflation looked a real threat back to a more normal world of strong growth and steadily rising inflation. Currently, there are, broadly, three views among economists about what happens next. The first, an optimistic assessment in keeping with recent economic history, favors the â€Å"soft landing† approach. The Fed has raised rates by just enough, according to this view, to restrain growth so as to squash inflation back into its box. The Fed funds rate now stands at 5. 25 per cent; with inflation in the 2. 5 per cent to three per cent range, that represents a real rate of about 2. 5 per cent, a reasonable amount of restraint. On this view, the Fed probably won’t have to do anything more on interest rates for the foreseeable future — just watch in satisfaction as the economy slows to its desired pace. The second view is pessimistic and fearful. It believes that the Fed has already gone too far. The housing market, the driver of so much demand for the global economy, is off sharply. Many Americans are desperately refinancing short-term adjustable rate mortgages they took out three years ago when rates were at historic lows. They are finding themselves with thousands of dollars less a year in disposable income than they had last year. Debt levels are sky high and the savings rate is negative. As consumers rebuild their tattered balance sheets, they will cut spending sharply, with catastrophic consequences. High oil prices are making matters even worse. On this assessment, the next move in rates will be down, if the Fed is to avert a really unpleasant shock to the economy. Some economists think the fed funds will be below 4. 5 per cent by the middle of next year as Ben Bernanke, the Fed chairman, struggles to avert a full-blown recession. The third view might be called fatalistic realism. It accepts the second proposition that, on current policies, a recession is coming, but insists that it is absolutely necessary and it says that the Fed, far from pressing on the economic accelerator, should keep its foot on the brake. For the Fed, and the world, a recession may be the price that now needs to be paid to avert a longer-term catastrophe (Baker).

My Reading Autobiography Essay

Reading has been an important part in my life. I have always loved reading since reading entertains, educates and informs. Reading interesting novels such as fiction books has been part of the entertainment aspect of my reading history. I love the way stories are told in books and as I read, I often get overwhelmed and enter the scene being explained in the story. At times I feel I am watching live scenes. This entertains me! Books have educated me. Since I entered school, the most valuable friend I met in school was reading. Reading has been my greatest companion in education and through reading I have amassed a great deal of knowledge. When I was young, I was introduced to reading sciences and arts. I found it hard to read especially pronouncing words in the required manner. With interest, I gained a strong interest in reading. Reading has now made me understand, critically analyze and find solutions to most life problems. Apart from educating me, reading taught me how to get information and be informed. I always felt it was a bother being asked to read when I was first introduced to reading in school. My teachers could force me to keep repeating a word over and over if I made wrong pronunciations. My parents were not any soft to me. Everybody wanted to see me reading correctly and sacrificed their time ensuring that I made correct pronunciations. In school, I even became an expert in reading and I could assist other pupils in reading! The teachers who often pressed me to repeat the wrongly pronounced words became my best friends. Today, I encourage a reading culture among all people regardless they are students or not. I emphasize on the three roles of reading; informing, entertaining and educating. These catchwords have deeply sunk into people’s memory and a majority of them have embraced reading as the most beneficial culture.

Best Practices inTraining and Development Article

Best Practices inTraining and Development - Article Example The individual development planning process includes self-assessment, assessment of current position and work environment of the employee, identification of development activities, and finally putting the development plan in action. Furthermore, the article talks about different cost-effective practices in training and development. These include on-the-job experience that involves committees, conferences and forums, critical incident notes, field trips, job aids, job expanding opportunities, job shadowing, learning alerts, peer-assisted learning, stretch assignments, and special projects. Other practices include coaching, mentoring, networking, and performance appraisal. Classroom training practices are also important, and these include courses, seminars and workshops. Off-the job training and development can be provided through courses offered by educational institutions, professional associations, reading groups, and self paced independent learning. In short, the article talks abou t some of the best practices in training and development of employees. If implemented correctly, these practices can prove to be very fruitful for the progress and productivity of the organization in the long

Organisational Change Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words - 6

Organisational Change Management - Essay Example From a critical perspective, it is quite likely that in the prevailing situation, the planned change management strategies will lead to unavoidable conflicts and confusions among the employees. The objective of the study is thus to analyse the underlying problem as well as to find solutions to these problems. Emphasising on these aspects, the underlying objectives of the study is to critically analyse the change management approach considered by D2 applying the 5D’s framework that involves Definition, Discovery, Dream, Design and the Destiny. Definition: Primary Underlying Problems of the Case Study The situation witnessed by D2 as described in the case study of â€Å"The auto-components manufacturer†, portrays the problem of the survival and the sustainability within the competitive market scenario. In this context, a crisis was caused within the operational process of D2, fundamentally due to the decreasing demand of the consumers for the products. With reference to t he problem, the main cause was identified as the economic downturn resulting in the contraction of the business cycle and inhibited purchasing power of the customers. Hence, to counter the situational crisis, and generate customer demand to a sustainable extent, the company has been concentrating towards applying cost cutting strategies in accordance with the customer convenience with the given reduction in the purchasing power of the customers. From a theoretical understanding, it can be affirmed that the company has been focusing on a framed process to execute its change management approach, with a clear definition of the underlying objectives and assumptions (Golembiewski, 2000). In accordance with the crisis scenario the company also framed plans to discontinue the production of the few components and concentrating towards the other components at fewer production units to derive more sustainable benefits from economies of scale applying a retrenchment strategic notion. In accord ance to the crisis, the company has decided to close down an existing unit that being operated on the basis of out-dated technology support. It is expected that the closure of the company will result in accelerated redundancies as well as provide a substantial opportunity to very few employees to re-deploy within other plants or units. Economic downturn within the market scenario is also quite likely to cause increased unemployment thereby causing ethical concerns in the light of economic downturn situation. In accordance with aforementioned crisis scenario, situational leadership or the management style can be observed. Situational leadership style portrays decisions of the leader with respect to a particular situation. With reference to the related case study, a hierarchical organisation structure of D2 can be identified wherein the management’s decisions and the rules are followed from the top to the bottom level of the organisation. The prevailing organisational structure also forces the employees to abide by rules and regulations as well as the strategies framed by the management in