Supervision requires the active communication of leadership skills Essay

Supervision requires the active communication of leadership skills that results in a climate where self-motivation takes place - Essay Example Supervision requires the active communication of leadership skills that results in a climate where self-motivation takes place. It is rather important to encourage self-motivation in a workplace since this is the surest way of ensuring that employees perform their task as recommended. Different persons are motivated by different factors and as such achieving self-motivation towards work in a given work environment is in most cases not easy. For instance, a larger proportion of workers in various workplaces are usually motivated by money. Such people will, therefore, in most cases are likely to perform tasks so long as they are assured of payment. Another category of people may be motivated by money but do not like doing work. They will, therefore, try to avoid work by all means. Strict supervision is, therefore, necessary in order for this group to perform tasks properly. The last category involves people who have the passion for work and would thus not only be motivated by money, but rather through doing what they enjoy. Minimum or even no supervision at all is all it takes for work to be done efficiently by this category.

Role of energy in the body Essay Example for Free

Role of energy in the body Essay Energy is necessary to circulate blood, lymph and tissue fluid throughout the body; it is necessary for breathing and taking in oxygen; it is necessary for making new cells for carrying out growth and repair; it is used to transmit nerve impulses so that it can respond to changes in the environment; and it is needed to build different complex molecules such as enzymes and hormones from the simple molecules produced after digestion of food. Cardiovascular system The heart is a muscular pump which forces blood around the body through a system of blood vessels, namely arteries, veins and capillaries. Blood carries dissolved oxygen to the body cells and at the same time removes the waste products of respiration, carbon dioxide and water. However, blood is also important in distributing heat around the body, along with hormones, nutrients, salts, enzymes and urea. It is important that the blood flows in only one direction through the heart so it is supplied with special valves to ensure that this happens. Blood pressure The force blood exerts on the walls of the blood vessels it is passing through is known as the blood pressure (BP). It can be measured using a special piece of equipment called a sphygmomanometer. Blood vessels Arteries and arterioles Arteries leave the heart and supply smaller vessels known as arterioles which, in turn, supply the smallest blood vessels, the capillaries. Arteries usually carry oxygenated blood. The exceptions are the pulmonary and umbilical arteries carrying, respectively, blood to the lungs and placenta in pregnancy for oxygenation. The digestive system The alimentary canal is a tube that extends from the mouth to the anus. It is dilated, folded and puckered in various places along its length. Many glands are associated with the alimentary canal, and have important roles to play in digestion. When food is taken into the mouth it is mixed with saliva, chewed or masticated by the action of the tongue and teeth, rolled into a small ball known as a bolus, and swallowed. This process is called mechanical digestion and is an important part of physically breaking the food down at an early stage. The salivary glands Three pairs of salivary glands pour their secretions known as saliva into the mouth. Saliva, a digestive juice, contains an enzyme known as salivary amylase, which begins the digestion of carbohydrates as well as lubricating the mouth and helping bolus formation. The stomach The stomach is the widest part of the alimentary canal. Food can stay in the stomach for up to three hours, with a protein meal remaining the longest and food not containing protein passing through relatively quickly. During this time, the strong stomach walls roll and churn the food around and pour on secretions from the gastric glands The ileum The remainder of the small intestine, known as the ileum, is mainly concerned with the absorption of the now fully digested food. It is specially adapted for this by: †¢ long length. †¢ folded interior. †¢ lining covered in many thousands of tiny projections called villi. †¢ epithelial cells of villi covered in microvilli, projections so small that they can only be detected using an electron microscope. The liver The liver is a large dark-red organ. It has a multitude of vital functions in the body, one of which is to produce bile. Bile contains no enzymes at all, but it provides important bile salts that cause the emulsification of fats (lipids) in the duodenum The pancreas The pancreas is a slim, leaf-shaped gland, located between the intestines and the stomach, close to the duodenum. It secretes enzyme-rich pancreatic juice as well as alkaline salts needed to neutralise the acidic secretions from the stomach. Pancreatic enzymes go to work on all three macronutrients (protein, fat and carbohydrate) and are important agents for the complete breakdown of the complex food molecules into amino acids, glucose and similar simple sugars, fatty acids and glycerol. Major products of digestion -Peptides and amino acids are nitrogenous compounds. Sugars -Glycerol and fatty acids – glycerol is used for energy or reconverting fatty acids into a form of fat which can be stored. -Fat is stored under the skin and around organs where it forms a long-term energy store to be used after glycogen stores are depleted. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=4osMUZqXDv4Cpg=PA223lpg=PA223dq=circulate+blood,+lymph+and+tissue+fluid+throughout+the+body;+it+is+necessary+for+breathing+and+taking+in+oxygen;+it+is+necessary+for+making+new+cells+for+carrying+out+growth+and+repair;+it+is+used+to+transmit+nerve+impulses+so+that+it+can+respond+to+changes+in+the+environment;+and+it+is+needed+to+build+different+complex+molecules+such+as+enzymes+and+hormones+from+the+simple+molecules+produced+after+digestion+of+food.source=blots=H2vrAem_qwsig=Hm34STuu06FNY2oXXPVbgrRVjzwhl=ensa=Xei=55fQUNTWHPSS0QX72oDoBQved=0CDIQ6AEwAA#v=onepageq=circulate%20blood%2C%20lymph%20and%20tissue%20fluid%20throughout%20the%20body%3B%20it%20is%20necessary%20for%20breathing%20and%20taking%20in%20oxygen%3B%20it%20is%20necessary%20for%20making%20new%20cells%20for%20carrying%20out%20growth%20and%20repair%3B%20it%20is%20used%20to%20transmit%20nerve%20impulses%20so%20that%20it%20can%20respond%20to%20changes%20in%20the%20environment%3B%20and%20it%20i s%20needed%20to%20build%20different%20complex%20molecules%20such%20as%20enzymes%20and%20hormones%20from%20the%20simple%20molecules%20produced%20after%20digestion%20of%20food.f=false

Cystic Fibrosis Essay example -- essays research papers

Cystic fibrosis is the most common autosomal recessive genetic disease of white Indo-Europeans (Caucasians). Three main systems are usually affected by cystic fibrosis. These include the lungs and respiratory tract, the digestive tract (especially the pancreas and intestines) and the sweat glands. The lungs will normally have a thick mucus line them in cases of cystic fibrosis which requires physiotherapy to dislodge the mucus and create sputum. The digestive enzymes that would come from the pancreas are blocked by the thick mucus; thus the person afflicted with the disease has trouble digesting foods that are high in fat and protein. In cases that involve cystic fibrosis the salt that is lost during perspiration is much more than in "normal" situations. The upper respiratory tract is normally lined with a little bit of mucus that is sent out of the lung by the constant movement of the cilia that line the respiratory tree. "It is clear from detailed research that poor mucus clearance is not due to uneven ciliary beating. However, there is no doubt that mucus is poorly cleared against gravity in the presence of bacterial infection" (Harris 13-14). The pancreas itself secretes fluids that aid in the digestion and absorption of food in all of us. When cystic fibrosis is present these enzymes are not going where they are needed. Most of the time there is need for supplemental nutrients, supplemental minerals, and/or dietary management. In the case of dietary management there is a plan for seven to eight small meals throughout the day. "This meal pattern enables the patient to consume more food without feeling too full and enhances the utilization of nutrients" (Ekvall 391). The sweat gland of a cystic fibrosis patient, when viewed under the microscope appears normal. The secretions that the gland gives off are where the abnormality occurs. "It is known that the basic defect in cystic fibrosis is expressed as an abnormal regulation of the movements of salt across the layer of cells that line certain specialized ducts such as the sweat gland duct" (Harris 26). This causes a great deal of salt loss and therefore requires most cystic fibrosis patients to ingest salt pills to compensate for the loss. When all of the treatments are used together most patients of this fateful disease live long happy lives. The physiotherapy... ...te as easily. Whether it is because the treatment did not get started early enough, or the disease is out of control death is a factor that must be considered in most cases involving cystic fibrosis. Death will come to all of one day, but it may come earlier to some. The problems that some families may have with their communication can cause great pain and suffering when it comes time to dealing with the death of a loved one. "The long standing problems of communication that exist in many family groups may be accentuated when the prospect of death shows itself" (Bowers 58). Cystic fibrosis is a disease that can take the life of some one who is very close to our hearts. Education of the treatments, side effects, and problems involving this disease is key to winning the battle against it. The more people can know about different situations that better. If there is some one in a school that has this disease try to educate the entire school about this person's situation so that the entire student body can help in the fight. If educators and students all join in the fight, this disease can be kept down and help those afflicted lead as "normal" a life as possible.

“Piano and Drums” poem by Gabriel Okara Essay

Commentary – Piano and Drums by Gabriel Okara In Gabriel Okara’s poem, â€Å"Piano and Drums†, Okara expresses his feelings and thoughts of a primitive society in contrast to a western society. Being an African himself, and having studied in a western society, the poem reflects the confusion in his emotions as well as the loss of self-identity. The title of the poem itself, â€Å"Piano and Drums† displays a sense of dissimilarity and contrast as the instruments are so unalike in terms of sophistication. Throughout the entire poem, Okara incorporates the instruments to further express, through music, how the speaker is feeling. By using well-structured stanzas and poetic devices such as imagery, symbolism, sensory detail, personification, and diction, Okara is able to immerse the readers into the difficulties of cultural conflict and the confusion of a person in the midst of the two contrasting societies. Throughout the progression of the poem, there is a constant use of images to assist in displaying Okara’s conflicting emotions about the two separate worlds. Poetic devices Some of the most important poetic devices utilized in this poem by Okara are imagery, symbolism, sensory detail, personification, and diction Figures of speech The themes Piano and Drums is a poem which basically themed and created by two different and opposing culture in the poem, the piano culture and drums culture which suggested by the poet whenThe culture of drums is straight forward, and direct, and this just like the world and culture in the ancient years which before civilization. People do not hide their real selves, showing and communicate without pretending as well as showing what they really are in the wordings, ‘raw’, ‘primal’, and ‘rugged’. They call out for danger by beating drums as to warn others, although the world is competitive.

Brain Stimulation

The primary aim of this study was to determine the extent to which human MT+/ V5, an extrastriate visual area known to mediate motion processing, is involved in visuomotor coordination. To pursue this, the excitability of MT+/ V5, primary motor, and primary visual cortex was increased or decreased by the application of seven minutes of anodal and cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in healthy human subjects while they were performing a visuomotor tracking task involving hand movements.The percentage of correct tracking movements increased specifically during and immediately after cathodal stimulation, which decreases cortical excitability, only when V5 was stimulated. None of the other stimulation conditions affected visuomotor performance. The researchers propose that the improvement in performance caused by cathodal tDCS of V5 is due to a focusing effect on the complex motion perception conditions involved in this task.This hypothesis was proven by additional ex periments: When testing simple and complex motion perception in dot kinetograms, it was found that a diminution in excitability induced by cathodal stimulation improved the subject’s perception of the direction of the coherent motion only if this was presented among random dots (complex motion perception), and worsened it if only one motion direction was presented (simple movement perception). The data suggest that area V5 is critically involved in complex motion perception and identification processes important for visuomotor coordination.The results also raise the possibility of the usefulness of tDCS in rehabilitation strategies for neurological patients with visuomotor disorders. Article 2 Environmental stimulation, parental nurturance and cognitive development in humans Martha J. Farah, Laura Betancourt, David M. Shera, Jessica H. Savage, Joan M. Giannetta, Nancy L. Brodsky, Elsa K. Malmud and Hallam Hurt 1. Department of Psychology and Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania, USA 2. Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Department of Pediatrics,Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania, USA 3. Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, USA Developmental Science 11:5 (2008), pp 793-801 The effects of environmental stimulation and parental nurturance on brain development have been studied extensively in animals. Much less is known about the relations between childhood experience and cognitive development in humans.Using a longitudinally collected data set with ecologically valid in-home measures of childhood experience and later in-laboratory behavioral measures of cognitive ability, the researchers were able to test hypotheses concerning the effects of environmental stimulation and parental nurturance. A double dissociation was found: On one hand, there was a selective relation between parental nurturance and memory development, consistent with the animal literature on maternal buffering of stress hormone effects on hippocampus development.On the other hand, there was a selective relation between environmental stimulation and language development. The results primarily suggest that the same general dimensions of early life experience identified as important in animal studies of brain development are also important for humans. In particular, the relation between the composites measuring parental nurturance and later memory ability, which have no common-sense connection, is consistent with studies of experience and brain development in animals. The present findings thus provide an important bridge between the study of neurocognitive development in animals and humans.Secondarily, variation in the childhood experience of healthy humans bears a systematic relationship to cognitive development, and this relationship is more selective and specific than simply better environments predicting better development. Memory development is predicted by parental nurturance but not environmental stimulation, whereas language development is predicted by environmental stimulation, but not parental nurturance. Finally, these effects represent a possible mechanism by which socioeconomic status is associated with intellectual attainment. Article 3 MEG Study of Short-Term Plasticity Following MultipleDigit Frequency Discrimination Training in Humans Lichan Liu and Andreas A. Ioannides Laboratory for Human Brain Dynamics, RIKEN Brain Science Institute (BSI), 2-1 Hirosawa, Wakoshi, Saitama, Japan. Brain Topography, Volume 16, Number 4, Summer 2004 The researchers trained four right-handed male subjects to detect small changes in the frequency of 21 Hz electrical stimulation applied to digits 2+3+4 of the right hand for four hours. Before and after the training, magnetoencephalographic (MEG) signals were recorded whe n the stimulation was applied to digit 2-5 separately using a whole-head MEG system.Tomographic analysis was applied to the MEG data to track the evolution of activity over the entire brain every 1. 6 ms and evaluated the change for each digit before and after the training. In summary: (1) subjects improved in discrimination performance with training; (2) activations were identified in the left primary somatosensory (L-SI) and medial parietal precuneus (PCu) areas, but no systematic changes were observed in location and strength of activation of these two areas; (3) after training in L-SI, the 21Hzspectral power increasedfor digits 3 and 4 over the stimulation period, while the 10 Hz spectral power increased for digit 3 around stimulus onset and offset; (4) only digit 3 showed significant change of correlation between L-SI and PCu areas around the stimulus onset and offset, coincident with the increased 10 Hz spectral power. The results suggest that short-term plasticity is associat ed with changes in timing and interaction between cortical areas. DiscussionThe main finding of the first study is that cathodal tDCS applied to the left V5 improved performance in a visuomotor coordination task that encompassed both dynamic, high-resolution perception and selection of motion predetermined by a moving target. Stimulation of the primary visual cortex and the left motor cortex did not result in significant changes in performance, nor were the reaction times in the random dot kinetogram task significantly affected. These results suggest that tDCS indeed modified visual motion perception and motor performance.Common sense says that childhood experience affects cognitive development. Yet common sense does not say which psychological or brain functions will be affected by experience, or which specific aspects of childhood experience will exert an effect. The second study attempts to address these issues empirically with a unique longitudinally collected data set including ecologically valid in-home measures of early childhood experience and later laboratory measures of cognitive function. The effects found were strikingly selective and, in addition to their statistical significance, were substantial in size.In the third study, functional rather than anatomical short-term plastic changes in the brain induced by the frequency discrimination task were identified. After training, no new activated areas or expansion of activated areas or systematic increases in activation strength in any one specific area were observed. Instead, increased spectral power around 21 Hz in L-SI for both trained digits 3 and 4 for all 4 subjects was observed. Furthermore, for digit 3, increased spectrum power at 10 Hz in L-SI for all 4 subjects between map I and II around thestimulus onset and offset was observed. Conclusion After analyzing the above three methods of brain stimulation, one can come to the conclusion that the first study was found to have the maximum results i n term of invoking activity of the stimulated areas. The study stands out among the other two not just for its methodology, but also for its high reliability and accuracy. Hence, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can be considered to be the best method of brain stimulation.

Miss wyoming

Miss wyoming Miss WyomingBy Douglas CouplandDouglas Coupland's novel Miss Wyoming is a love story between Susan Colgate, a former beauty queen turned soap star and now a "B" rated movie actress, and John Johnson, a hotshot action movie director who is on the verge of self-destruction. By her mid-twenties, Susan is unemployed and facing a grim future until she marries a British heavy metal rock star who is need of a green card. Susan is also the sole survivor of flight 802, but instead of returning to her normal life, she decides to remain dead and goes on a search for the true meaning and purpose of her life. On the other hand, John Johnson is a chronically depressed movie producer who has a near-death experience in which he encounters a vision of Susan Colgate who brings him back to life. Once back on his feet, John gives away everything he owns and decides to walk away from his life to be a "nobody".susan-reflectionBoth characters experience numerous failed attempts to reinvent themselves while they begin a journey of soul searching, and learning who they are as individuals, that exposes all vulnerabilities.Growing up, Susan has no real identity because she lives a life that is provided by her mother who forces her to compete in numerous pageants. At an early age she learns that defeat is not an option when it comes to her mother, Marilyn. '"I have a daughter, yes, but she's a winner and you couldn't possibly be her because your sash says FIRST RUNNER-UP which means the same thing as losing."' (Coupland, p.34)Marilyn continues to humiliate her daughter, which only makes Susan rebel and despise her even more. She tries to regain her identity by performing "Whip It" at the local mall with her...

A Wrinkle in Time Book Report Tips

A Wrinkle in Time Book Report Tips A Wrinkle in Time was written by Madeleine L’Engle and published in 1962 by Farrar, Straus, and Giroux of New York. Setting The scenes of A Wrinkle in Time occur in the home of the protagonist and on a variety of planets. In this type of fantasy novel, the willing suspension of disbelief is essential to a deeper understanding of the story. The reader must embrace the other worlds as symbolic of larger abstract ideas. Main Characters Meg Murry, the protagonist of the story. Meg is 14 and considers herself a misfit among her peers. She is an adolescent lacking in maturity and confidence who embarks on a quest to find her father.Charles Wallace Murry, Meg’s five-year-old brother. Charles is a genius and has some telepathic ability. He accompanies his sister on their journey.Calvin O’Keefe, Meg’s close friend and, though popular at school, also considers himself odd next to his peers and family.Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who Mrs. Which, three angelic aliens who accompany the children on their journey.IT The Black Thing, the two antagonists of the novel. Both creatures represent the ultimate evil. Plot A Wrinkle in Time is the story of the Murry children and their search for their missing scientist father. Meg, Charles Wallace, and Calvin are guided by three aliens who act as guardian angels, and who battle the force of The Black Thing as it tries to overcome the universe with evil. As the children move through space and time with the Tesseract, they are met with several challenges that require them to prove their worth. Most important is Meg’s journey to rescue her brother as it is during this time that she must overcome her fears and self-serving immaturity to succeed. Questions and Themes to Ponder Examine the theme of maturity: How does Meg transform over the course of the book?How does Charles Wallace act as a foil to Meg?Why does Charles Wallace become susceptible to the influence of IT? Examine the theme of good vs. evil: Archetypes are recurring symbols that are used repeatedly in art and literature.What archetypes are found in this book and how do they contribute to the development of this theme? What roles do the Murry parents play? How do the goals of IT threaten the Murry family and society at large? Consider the role of religion in the novel: Is there irony in the fact that one of the main characters is named Calvin? Why?How is the Christian ethic depicted? Possible First Sentences â€Å"Good and evil are concepts that transcend the finite regions of time and space.†Ã¢â‚¬Å"Fear keeps individuals from succeeding and societies from evolving.†Ã¢â‚¬Å"Physical journeys often parallel journeys taken within oneself.†Ã¢â‚¬Å"Maturation is a common theme in children’s literature.†

8 Most Common IELTS Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

8 Most Common IELTS Mistakes and How to Avoid Them Here is a list of eight most common IELTS pitfalls that cost test takers precious points. More is less. A very common mistake is to answer in more words than instructed. If the task says Not more than 3 words, answering in 4 or more words will definitely cost marks.Less is less. The length of a written task is crucial. When instructions mention a minimal number of words (250 for an essay, 150 for report or letter), it means that any work shorter than required will be penalized.A longer essay doesnt mean a better mark. Another common misconception is that longer essays score better in IELTS. Not only is this a myth, but also a dangerous one. Writing a long essay can indirectly cost marks because the chances of making mistakes increase with the number of words and sentences.Changing the subject is unacceptable. Every so often a student is asked to write on a topic, that he doesnt understand. To avoid the disaster of missing a whole task they decide to write on a slightly – or entirely - different topic. The sad fact is that no matter how beautiful the submitted work is, the wrong topic means a zero score. Another similar pitfall is to omit parts of the given topic or ignore the guidelines in your work. Every point the topic refers to needs to be covered because the examiners will be actually counting them. A good memory can get you in trouble. Having seen that the topics sometimes repeat, smart students with good memory decide to memorize essays. This is a terrible mistake to make because the examiners are trained to look for memorized essays and have firm instructions to disqualify such works on the spot.An accent is not important. Pronunciation is. IELTS, being a test for non-native English speakers cant penalize people for having an accent. The problem here is that not everyone knows the difference between speaking with an accent and mispronouncing the words. No matter how strong an accent a person has, the words are to be pronounced correctly or it will cost marks.It is not the ideas that are important, but the way they are described in. Many students think that expressing the wrong ideas (whether it is an essay, letter or discussion) can harm their score. The truth is that no idea can be wrong and the ideas are not important on their own, it is the way they are expressed in that i mportant. Connective words: the more is not always the better. Smart students know that one of the essays marking criteria is coherence and cohesion, and what better way is there to demonstrate cohesion than to use lots of connective words, right? Wrong. Overuse of connective words is a known problem, which is easily recognized and penalized by the examiners. A word of advice: to stay out of trouble, it is equally important to be aware of the pitfalls and to practice enough before the exam. Being familiar with the structure and the procedure of the test will build up confidence and that will reflect in your score. This article was kindly provided by Simone Braverman who runs an excellent IELTS blog full of useful information and tips on taking the IELTS exam.

Audience Analysis Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 2

Audience Analysis Paper - Essay Example In the first place, it is necessary to consider the characteristics of the audience which can influence the communication. Admittedly, these characteristic features should be considered before the speaker starts working on the presentation. For instance, it is necessary to find out the number of listeners. This will enable the speaker to prepare the necessary quantity of visuals (Booher, 2002, p.48). Booher (2002) also points out that such data as â€Å"age, sex, race, religion, or political bent of the audience† are also important in terms of the preparation for the presentation. This information will assist the speaker to find the necessary communication channels with all members of the group. Booher (2002) states that it is essential to consider educational background of the audience as well. Apart from these characteristics it is also important to find out whether there are â€Å"taboo subjects or issues† (Booher, 2002, p.48). Thus, if the speaker touches upon some of such questions, the presentation effectiveness can be challenged since listeners (or even some of them) will not perceive the information or misinterpret it because of some prejudice. Sprague et al. (2008) point out that it is important to consider â€Å"specific speech situation†, i.e. the time of the meeting (p.100). The speaker should take into account whether the people had other meetings or this will be the first meeting they have, whether the audience is tired of listening or can easily perceive the information. Thus, the speaker can shape the communication and decide what style of speaking to choose (faster or slower) or whether to add some anecdotal stories which can let the audience get prepared for more important sets of information or not. The characteristic features which should be also considered may include many other points depending on each particular case. As has been stated above taking into account characteristics of the audience will enable the speaker to choose the right communication channels and use them more effectively. Sellnow (2004) defines communication channels as â€Å"the pathways through which messages are communicated† between the speaker and the audience and points out two major communication channels, auditory and visual (p.21). Both channels should be exploited during the in-person meeting since this will enable the speaker to communicate his/her information more effectively. For instance, the auditory channel is what the audience hears (Sellnow, 2004). Thus, the speaker should carefully choose words to make sure that his/her message has reached the audience properly. It is necessary to point out that intonation and the way of speaking is also important, so the speaker should speak loudly and stress important points with the help of intonation, stress, etc. Visual channels are also very important since they enhance the information received from the auditory channels. The visual channels include not only visu als like diagrams, charts, pictures and illustrations. They also include facial expressions, gestures, eye contact and even appearance (Sellnow, 2004). Thus, speaker’s gestures can be descriptive and explanatory, so the speaker can support the auditory channels and can be sure that communication is effective since the audience receives the messages. At this point

SAM 400 UNIT 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

SAM 400 UNIT 2 - Essay Example They have acquired a self regulatory type of focus to help develop their behavior and motivations as well. Motivation can also be achieved through a simple gesture of employee recognition. This is in line with awarding what an employee has achieved as it works to boost his or her self esteem. The American work force is made up of people from various walks of life. Its diversity is notable. With this in mind, it is necessary to consider the interpersonal relationships within the working environment. An organization can only do well if at all every employee, irrespective of their affiliations and backgrounds, is working towards achieving a similar objective. This is an aspect of cohesion such that a good leader will work on harmony, cohesion and unity in the workplace. Technological advancement is a force to reckon with in any given organization. Those who have embraced it have reaped its benefits with respect to levels of motivation that can be inspired within an organization. America has embraced technology and therefore incorporated the various related aspects to ensure efficiency in the operation of the organizations. In this case, technological events have played a key role to influence current attitudes of leadership (Mind-tools.com, 1). In America, people are aware of their rights. It is evident how the issue of equality has taken centre stage in many heated debates. Minority groups such as women, children and the gay, too have their rights that should be equally respected. These groups are known to play one part or another in various organizations. Currently, a leader has to be very sensitive to such issues in order to realize efficiency within the organization. In conclusion, leadership styles have transformed from one level to another. This is necessary to keep up with the dynamic nature of the world. Adaption ensures that a leader is on the leading edge rather than a trailing edge. Kark, Ronit and Dijk Van Dina. â€Å"Motivation to Lead,

Digital Marketing Strategies to promote Fashion Antidote Website Essay

Digital Marketing Strategies to promote Fashion Antidote Website - Essay Example The essay "Digital Marketing Strategies to promote Fashion Antidote Website" discusses digital marketing strategy to be used by Fashion Antidote. Fashion Antidote Facebook page is a well-established fashion company that has many customers both in the field and in online. The group has the feeling that Fashion Antidote needs to upgrade its website and especially their Facebook page to be able to be at purr with current fashion trends. As well, with increased innovation at the fashion school, there is need to expose all these to customers so that the company can grow. This means that if Fashion Antidote Facebook page has a fashion show or unique fashion taste it wants to share, the Facebook page is the best way to share all these. Understanding the concept of digital strategy in this case is very vital if a good strategy must be developed. Digital strategy is that overall approach that a company takes after making a decision that they want to invest in online business in order to achie ve their goals. It can involve building the reputation of the business online especially with the focus of being a leader in the area of business. This can also extend to overarching digital strategy of a business in order to migrate the major sales transaction from online to offline. In the development of such a strategy, a company is required to have one major goal as opposed to numerous goals even though there is no much restriction in this. For the Fashion Antidote Facebook page is to be able to capture the latest fashion trends.

Brand Extension Marketing Plan Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Brand Extension Marketing Plan - Research Paper Example The brand extension project aims to secure opportunities in the current market before our competitors identify them. By the end of the first Quarter, Clean-So aims to increase its market share by 40%. This is a stiff rate considering the competitive state of the current market. In order to achieve a successful market takeover, Clean-So will introduce a loyalty program whereby customers will earn redeemable royalty point for every purchase. This will enable Clean-So to penetrate the already saturated market. Although Al-Mara is an established brand name, Clean-So Company will need to re-advertise its Al-Mara Creme and Soap. The adverts will mainly target women since Al-Mara is a female-oriented brand. The adverts will be launched through the social media and billboards in order to reach the target group. The Advertisement will be the basis for a strategic customer acquisition program (Stapleton, & Thomas, 1998). Alternative customer acquisition strategies will involve loyalty points program and free samples. We expect an exponential market growth rate that attains stability in the second quarter. Clean-So Company is three-years old in the cosmetic industry and, therefore it is accustomed with market trends and changes. The company aims to concentrate its interests in a profitable market niche. Demographic factors and social classes define the current market. However, Clean-So hopes to surpass the demographic and lifestyle factors associated with the market. In particular, the company aims to market its products to people from different age groups and income brackets. The target market (Lavington Green Village) has consumers from each of the identified category. Therefore, the company will rely on packaging and product differentiation to capture the target market. Moreover, the company aims to launch Al-Mara soap and cream under various fragrances and colors. This aspect of product presentation will cater for the taste and preferences of the target

Organisational Structural Issues Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Organisational Structural Issues - Case Study Example The new management versus the old organizational structure always comes in clash with each other. The Regency Hotel Case is an example that depicts the issues arising in an organization after it has been acquired by a different group of investors. The Regency Hotel is shown to be a successful entity in the hotel business along with its eastern culture and a bureaucratic structure. The employees of the organization are satisfied and adhere to the management’s set standards and practices. Becker, the new manager, however, has different and more westernized thoughts of empowerment and risk taking. The major structural issue faced by the Regency Hotel is the transition from pure bureaucracy to complete empowerment. The old employees believe in supervision where as the new manager believes more in delegation and team cohesion. â€Å"Team cohesion is an extent to which team members band together and remain committed to achieving team goals.† (Lussier and Achua, 2010) Differen t organizational behavioral model can be used to explain the structural issues in the case at hand. â€Å"Management researcher Douglas McGregor proposed possible assumptions that managers make about workers.† (Bagad 2008) His theory X and Y are well evident in the management perceptions of Becker and the previous managers of the Regency Grand hotel. Becker was a proponent of participative management style also of known as McGregor’s Theory Y while the old management believed in the authoritative style of management known as the Theory X. Becker’s behavior can also be explained through McClelland’s Achievement Theory of Motivation also known as the acquired needs theory. McClelland believed that a person’s needs are a resultant of life experiences and cultural background. He explains three categories of needs as need for achievement, need for affiliation and the need for power. In our case, Becker agreed with the acquired needs theory and believed that people have needs to achieve goals and are motivated to perform in a more productive manner if these needs are catered for in an organization. Also, the need for being affiliated made Becker keep rapport with the front line staff, He empowered them so they control their environment and their need for power is fulfilled. Another theory that helps us understand the case in a better manner is the Vroom Theory. â€Å"One of the greatest attractions of the Vroom Theory is that it recognizes the importance of various individual needs and motivation.† (Koontz and Weihrich, 2007) The Vroom theory advocates management by objective, the concept that Becker wanted to introduce in the Hotel work environment. The all the above mentioned theories and their application to the case suggests that Becker was more team oriented and believed in the fact that motivation and risk taking leads to greater employee satisfaction and better results for the organization. He wanted to introduce the element of self efficacy in the newly acquired hotel. â€Å"Self efficacy refers to ones belief in one’s capability to perform a specific task.† (Gist, 1987) The case showed that Becker was going by the theories when it came to the organizational structure as he believed in the modern principles and the new paradigms of organizational behavior. The new shift in the field of organizational behavior advocates a flexible organization that continuously learns and adapt. As Daft and Lewin (1993) explained in their essay â€Å"the trend appears to be moving away from the paradigm within which

Holographic Design Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Holographic Design - Essay Example This is where the people are in the process of learning to see the organization as a whole (Senge, 1990). Organizational reality is linked to the understanding of uncertainty of the organizational environment by the key executives and their ability to drive the organization in a particular direction (Stacey, 2010). The concept of a learning organization is taken to the next level by a particularly organic approach to systems thinking (Hà ¤mà ¤là ¤inen & Saarinen, 2008). This emergent approach is called the Holographic design of an organization. The principles of the Holographic design (Morgan, 2006) are used hereunder to conceptualize the organization from a holographic perspective: The first principle of the holographic design represents the incorporation of the vision and values of the whole organization in to the individual parts. The principle directs organizations to integrate the above values into a corporate DNA and achieve a networked intelligence structure. The structure so achieved is has an inherent ability to duplicate itself. Wherein teams with holistic visions of the organization are created. The x organization can achieve a collective sensory perception of the vision and values and enable its employees to see things in individual and collective gaze as one. The second principle of Holographic design underlines the importance of redundancy in processing of organizational information and design of skill set and the work of the team members. The X organization can enable and encourage its employees to help discard old thinking systems and bring in fresh approach and thought processes. The third holographic principle emphasizes the requisite variety in the sense that internal complexity of an organization should be in consonance with the external variety. The X organization shall foster the inherent variety of ideas and capabilities of the members of the organization to match that of the external

Organisational Structural Issues Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Organisational Structural Issues - Case Study Example The new management versus the old organizational structure always comes in clash with each other. The Regency Hotel Case is an example that depicts the issues arising in an organization after it has been acquired by a different group of investors. The Regency Hotel is shown to be a successful entity in the hotel business along with its eastern culture and a bureaucratic structure. The employees of the organization are satisfied and adhere to the management’s set standards and practices. Becker, the new manager, however, has different and more westernized thoughts of empowerment and risk taking. The major structural issue faced by the Regency Hotel is the transition from pure bureaucracy to complete empowerment. The old employees believe in supervision where as the new manager believes more in delegation and team cohesion. â€Å"Team cohesion is an extent to which team members band together and remain committed to achieving team goals.† (Lussier and Achua, 2010) Differen t organizational behavioral model can be used to explain the structural issues in the case at hand. â€Å"Management researcher Douglas McGregor proposed possible assumptions that managers make about workers.† (Bagad 2008) His theory X and Y are well evident in the management perceptions of Becker and the previous managers of the Regency Grand hotel. Becker was a proponent of participative management style also of known as McGregor’s Theory Y while the old management believed in the authoritative style of management known as the Theory X. Becker’s behavior can also be explained through McClelland’s Achievement Theory of Motivation also known as the acquired needs theory. McClelland believed that a person’s needs are a resultant of life experiences and cultural background. He explains three categories of needs as need for achievement, need for affiliation and the need for power. In our case, Becker agreed with the acquired needs theory and believed that people have needs to achieve goals and are motivated to perform in a more productive manner if these needs are catered for in an organization. Also, the need for being affiliated made Becker keep rapport with the front line staff, He empowered them so they control their environment and their need for power is fulfilled. Another theory that helps us understand the case in a better manner is the Vroom Theory. â€Å"One of the greatest attractions of the Vroom Theory is that it recognizes the importance of various individual needs and motivation.† (Koontz and Weihrich, 2007) The Vroom theory advocates management by objective, the concept that Becker wanted to introduce in the Hotel work environment. The all the above mentioned theories and their application to the case suggests that Becker was more team oriented and believed in the fact that motivation and risk taking leads to greater employee satisfaction and better results for the organization. He wanted to introduce the element of self efficacy in the newly acquired hotel. â€Å"Self efficacy refers to ones belief in one’s capability to perform a specific task.† (Gist, 1987) The case showed that Becker was going by the theories when it came to the organizational structure as he believed in the modern principles and the new paradigms of organizational behavior. The new shift in the field of organizational behavior advocates a flexible organization that continuously learns and adapt. As Daft and Lewin (1993) explained in their essay â€Å"the trend appears to be moving away from the paradigm within which

Article on improving training and retention in small to medium sized Assignment

Article on improving training and retention in small to medium sized businesses - Assignment Example Concerns of improving training and retention in these businesses are increasingly becoming centres of attraction for successful businesses. This essay explores the issue of employee training and retention in small and medium businesses. Comparative advantage in performance and labour productivity is being realized in small to medium sized businesses through strategic development of their human resources. Effective training and retention forms the key component of such an achievement (Analoui & Karim 2003). The ultimate goal of training in any organization is to improve the skills and knowledge of its employees and also gain a competitive advantage in a particular business sector. Training needs be tailored to address the business strategic objectives and meet its calculated needs. It also facilitates creation of a unique workforce. Small and medium sized businesses have to embrace the following practices in order to improve training and retention, putting more emphasis in valuing of work place learning and training. Like larger organizations, small and medium sized businesses need to continuously and regularly improve their capacity to gather information, managerial skills and their commitment to investing in employee’s knowledge and skills. ... Strategic training and partnerships should be employed to foster the achievement of such goals. For instance, in organizations that employ the principle of lean manufacturing which is geared to reduce waste and improve productivity, employees learning initiatives are tailored to support the principle. In addition, partnership training should help small business entity in strengthening its training reserves and learning to explore new business opportunities and increase returns in the long run (Alberto & Hamel 2005) Moreover, Employees need to receive tailor made training that matches their job task and anticipated work results. The training offered should be flexible to enable the employees accommodate their job responsibilities as well as social life ones. The training should also be participatory in nature such that employees who are efficient in one area are involved in sharing that knowledge with their colleagues. Formal employee training programs especially the foundation learni ng programs need to be adopted by the employers with the emphasis of developing communication skills. In the globalized and technology oriented business environment, customer satisfaction is imperative to any business success. In small and medium sized businesses, the employees represent the image of the organization and forms daily contact with the customers especially in those the service industry. The foundation training program should work as a curtain raiser to advanced training programs that facilitate the acquisition of management and leadership skills, decision making and problem solving (Alberto & Hamel 2005). This will form the basis of promotion within the organization because such programs prepare the employees for higher

Mental Models About a Persons World Essay Example for Free

Mental Models About a Persons World Essay INTRODUCTION: Meeting a person for the first time, can either be a positive or negative experience and the way someone interacts with this person can also show both positive and negative behaviours. So the question is, how can mental models about a persons world, both aid them and also limit their perceptions when meeting a person for the first time. Through exploring how and why these perceptions can be assisted and limited, we can start to question the reasoning behind our mental models. MENTAL MODELS Throughout the years, academic literature has defined a mental model in many ways, however the best way to understand what a mental model is, is the deeply imbedded ways of thinking or even certain images, that trigger assumptions and generalisations, ultimately affecting the way a person responds too or behaves in the world, be it towards a person or a life situation (Senge 2006). A good example of a mental model is, the generalization that only rich people live in the eastern suburbs of Sydney. This generalisation may be true in some cases, but in other cases, other people may live there because they have lived their all their lives, and so, we can see this particular generalisation or mental model has not be thought through. Not questioning mental models, can often lead to false generalisations, this situation can also arise when meeting a person for the first time. When meeting a person for the first time, our mental models can help us both understand and ultimately get along with the person or they can limit our perceptions, meaning we make assumptions or generalisations that eventually alter our perceptions about this person or how we act towards them. Very often, we see that we are not consciously aware of our mental models and the affects that they can have on our behaviour (Chermack 2003), this in turn, restricts our perceptions. Mental models are often vague, incomplete and imprecisely expressed (Karp 2005) however, once believed, mental models are extremely difficult to change (Chermack 2003). This is highly due to the  fact that people are unaware of their own mental models, and the only way for a person to change their mental model, is for them to acknowledge that they have one to start with. Mental models can be useful as they can help us to process information and make decisions quickly (Unknown 1997) and they can also be imperative foundations for building knowledge about the world we live in (Karp 2005). For instance, when an individual has a mental model that all take away food is bad for their health and wellbeing, when given the option of either having take away food or a healthy meal at home, the individuals mental model will therefore lead them to quickly decide to eat a healthy meal at home. However, very strong mental models can hinder active thinking and the acceptance of new ideas (Unknown 1997), and often arise problems when they are tacit, meaning that they are below the level of awareness (Senge 1992). Using the example of the Detroit auto maker, not recognising that they had the mental model that all that customers cared about was styling, believing that all people care about is styling, evidently shows us that their mental model had become tacit. This mental model continued to be unexamined, and because this mental model remained unexamined, the model remained unchanged, and thus as the world changed the gap grew between the mental model of this Detroit automaker and the world (Senge 1992). Clearly, mental models can perform as filters that screen incoming information that come to us, limiting our ways of thinking and also our perceptions (Unknown 1997). An individuals mental model represents their view on the world, it also provides them with the context in which they view and interpret new material and also new people in which they meet for the first time (Kim 1993). It not only helps us to make sense of what is going on around us, but it can also restrict our understanding of a certain situation. For example, when someone has been labeled as not a nice person, with never questioning the validity of it, people create a mental model that, that person is not nice, and so when they do or say something nice it goes unnoticed, and therefore, the behaviour does not fit with the mental model people have towards this  certain individual. These untested assumptions or mental models can eventually cause conflict and misunderstandings between people. Developing skills in reflection and inquiry can aid us in realising our mental models and also with dealing with others. When we use skills of reflection we slow down our ways of thinking and acknowledge how our mental models are formed and how they affect our behaviour. Where as skills of inquiry, is concerned with how we operate in face-to-face situations with others, especially when we are dealing with complex and conflictual issues (Senge 2006). Together with the tools and methods used to develop these skills these constitute the core of the discipline of mental models, which consists of; the distinctions between espoused theories and theories-in-use, recognising leaps of abstraction, exposing the left-hand column and balancing inquiry and advocacy (Senge 2006). When an individual says that they value or desire something, that is known as espoused theory, however, what they actually say or do, is known as theories-in-use (Bocham 2010). Acknowledging the gaps between what we say and what we do, can be seen as an effective reflective skill in becoming more aware of our mental models. Someone may profess their view (espoused theory) that people generally are trustworthy, but their actions (theories-in-use) show differently, as they never lend out money and keep their possessions to themselves (Senge 2006). As evident in the example above, there is a gap between the individuals espoused theory and their theory-in-use. By recognising the gap between espoused theory and the theory-in-use, learning can occur, as we as individuals question whether or not we really value our espoused theory (Senge 2006). When we meet a person for the first time, we can quickly jump into generalisations as we never think to question them. For example, when we meet a person and they say that they are a doctor, we automatically assume that they are smart, as it is a generalization that all doctors are smart we never seem to question this mental model. These are known as leaps of abstraction. Leaps of abstraction occur when we move from direct observations to generalisations without questioning them, this ultimately  impedes learning because it becomes axiomatic, as what was once an assumption is now treated as a fact (Senge 2006). Therefore, this becomes another limitation, in which mental models can have on our perceptions when we meet people for the first time. However, these leaps of abstraction can easily be identified when people ask what their generalisation is based-on and whether or not the generalisation is inaccurate or misleading (Senge 2006) Senge (2006) identifies the left-hand column as a powerful technique whereby individuals begin to see how their mental models operate in differing situations. This exercise can show individuals that they indeed have mental models and show them how those models play an active part in sometimes negative interactions with people, not only do these people become aware of their mental models, but they begin to acknowledge why dealing with these assumptions is imperative (Senge 2006). In order for good communication between individuals to arise, people need to recognise that in order for the communication process to be effective, mental models must be managed properly, this is done by balancing advocacy and inquiry (Peggy Bronn 2003). Advocacy is the process of communicating an individuals ways of thinking and reasoning in a manner that makes it clear for others (Peggy Bronn 2003). When there is advocacy without inquiry, it only leads to more advocacy, and therefore leads to two individuals stating their ways of reasoning and thinking, they both are keen to here the others views, but do not inquire into what they are saying because they believe that what they are saying is ultimately the best way of thinking. A way to tackle this, is through the process of inquiry. Inquiry engages two individuals into the communication process in a joint learning process (Peggy Bronn 2003). Here the objective is to understand the reasoning and thinking of the other individual, this can be done by asking them questions in order for them to determine the origin for their conclusions and statements (Peggy Bronn 2003). Individuals can do this by asking questions such as; What is it that leads you to that position? and can you illustrate your point for me? (Senge 2006). Thus, it is evident  that grasping the skill of balancing advocacy and inquiry, is highly advantageous in interacting with other individuals, especially those you meet for the first time. CONCLUSION: Therefore, it is imperative and highly advantageous for us to question our mental models in everyday situations, such as meeting people for the first time, as it will deter us from automatically making assumptions and making generalisations. Through acknowledging leaps of abstraction, using the left-hand column technique and also personally mastering the skill of balancing advocacy and inquiry, we can learn to question these mental models, and thus questioning whether or not they really do hold their value in our world. Thus, when we meet a person for the first time, before we make assumptions and generalisations, we may need to recognise our imbedded mental models and learn to question them, therefore aiding the process of communication to be a positive experience. REFERENCE LIST: Bochman, DJ Kroth, M. 2010, Immunity to transformational learning and change, _The Learning Organization,_ vol. 17, no. 4, pp. 328-342. Chermack, TJ 2003, Mental models in decision making and implications for human resource development, _Advances in Developing Human Resources,_ vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 408-422. Karp, T 2005, Unpacking the Mysteries of Change: Mental Modelling, _Journal of Change Management,_ vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 87-96. Kim, DH 1993, The Link Between Individual and Organizational Learning, _Sloan management review,_ vol. 35, no. 1, pp. 37-37. Peggy, SB Bronn, C 2003, A reflective stakeholder approach: Co-orientation as a basis for communication learning, _Journal of Communication Management,_ vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 291-303. Senge, P 2006, Mental Models, _The fifth discipline: the art and practice of learning organizations,_ rev. edn, Doubleday, New York, pp. 163-190. Senge, PM 1992, Mental Models, _Planning Review,_ vol. 20, no. 2, pp. 4-4. Unknown 1997, What are Mental Models?, _Sloan management review,_ vol. 38, no. 3, p. 13.

Comparing Gothic Elements in Fall of the House of Usher, Uncle Toms Ca

Comparing Gothic Elements in Fall of the House of Usher, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Ligeia, and American Slave Gothic literature has a number of conventions, including evils of horror, present of light and dark, suggestions of the supernatural, and dark and exotic localities such as castles and crumbling mansions (American). Violence in gothic literature never occurs just for the sake of violence; there is always a moral dilemma (Clarke 209). By going the extremes, a gothic author is able to accentuate a contrast allowing the author's point to be made more easily. American fiction was based on fantasy works of writers like Edgar Allan Poe. Although Edgar Allan Poe, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Frederick Douglass, all used gothic devices in their work, the question arises whether Poe's gothic techniques represented his fantasy, or did they represent his reality like they do with Stowe and Douglass. Poe's use of gothic device leads the readers into a downward fall of an insane world representing fantasy. Stowe and Douglass, on the other hand, used gothic details to reflect the reality of th e lives of slaves as they struggle to climb upwards out of the descending fall of their lives. Edgar Allan Poe is primarily known for his mastery of the gothic genre. He constantly explored subjects such as self-destruction, madness, imagination, and earned a reputation for his fascination with death, especially the death of women (Scharf). Poe uses the interplay dark and light and colors such as black, gray, white and red in order to present the downward fall of his characters rather then an upward gain in their lives. Unlike the stories of Stowe and Douglass, these colors are present to represent the upward struggle of the characters ... ...r cause (Scharf ). All three writers depend on the gothic devices to make their narratives attention getting, but Stowe and Douglass went beyond this. They wanted their readers to know their narratives were not fantasy, but could be almost dreamlike. Poe leaves his readers questioning the sanity and desires of his fictional characters while Stowe and Douglass leave their readers astonished by the insanity of a cruel and truly indescribable world. Works Cited Clarke, Doug. Themes and Issues of the Gothic Genre. http://members.aol. com/franzpoet/intro.html An American Cottage -- American Edition of Smith's Dictionary of the Bible http://cdl.library.cornell.edu/moa/browse.author/a.81.html Scharf, Douglas. Edgar Allan Poe: Biographical Contexts For "The Fall of the House of Usher". http://itech.fgcu.edu/faculty/wohlpart/alra/ PoeFall. htm#First.

Limitations of Interpersonal Communciation Research :: essays research papers

When taking a limit of an equation in Calculus, a limit does not always exist. However, in the real word there are always limitations to what people can accomplish no matter how hard they work or try. These limitations are evident in interpersonal commuciation research as well. In the article, "Commucication Apprehension Among Secretarial Students," the authors, Melanie Booth-Butterfield and Carol C. Thomas, research and examine the levels of trait communication apprehension among students enrolled in college level office administration programs. In the following paragraphs I will discuss the process and two limitations of the research. In the article, the authors seek to investigate communication apprehension among secretarial students. Communication apprehension is an individual’s level of fear or anxiety associated with communicationg with others (Booth-Butterfield & Thomas, 1995, pp. 39). The methodological framework utilitized by the authors was to administer questionnaires during regular class time in four different sections. This survey included a measure of trait communication apprehension and anxiety across four different areas of interpersonal, small group, meeting and public speaking. In addition, the questionnaire asked for the age and whether the participants have had experience in a co-op role or as a secretary for a regular business. The participants of the questionaire were 117 random students enrolled at a four-year, technical business-oriented college. Of these students, 58 were female students enrolled full-time in office administration courses. The remaining students were not secretarial students but were enrolled in business administration, management, and communication courses. The results of the survey clearly showed a higher communication apprehension among secretarial students than non-secretarial students rergardless of age or job experience. Furthermore, secretarial students showed anxiety in all four areas of communication especially in public speaking. In conlusion to the research, the authors say that the anxiety experienced by many office adminstration students should be observable and will substatntively influence their performance in classes and on the job (Booth-Butterfield & Thomas, 1995, pp. 39). Although this communication apprehension research seems reasonable, limitations include the type of data used and the relationships or generalizations that are drawn between certain variables. To begin with, the methodological framework utilized by the author is in the form of a questionairre. A questionairre is basically a test to see how one thinks of his or herself and is not necessarily accurate. For example, an individual may think he or she is apprehensive to communication but when actually confronted with the scenerio may perform rather well and without any fear or anxiety. Perhaps a better methodological approach in gathering data is to setup an actual communication setting and have the participants perform to the communication task. The data should be based on the performance as well as feedback from the participant to see if the communication apprehension was

Philippine Education Essay

The system of education in the Philippines was patterned both from the educational systems of Spain and the United States. However, after the liberation of the Philippines in 1946, the systems have changed radically. The Department of Education (or DepEd) administers the whole educational system, which also includes the allocation of funds utilized for school services and equipment (such as books, school chairs, etc.), recruitment of teachers for all public schools in the Philippines, and the supervision and organization of the school curricula. see more:k to 12 curriculum advantages and disadvantages The former education system of the Philippines is composed of 6 years of elementary education starting at the age of 6 or 7, and 4 years of high school education starting at the age of 12 or 13. In this system, education is not compulsory. However, since June 4, 2012, DepEd started to implement the new K-12 educational system,[3] which includes the new curricula for all schools (see the section). In this system, education is now compulsory. All public and private schools in the Philippines must start classes from a date mandated by the Department of Education (usually every first Monday of June for public schools only), and must end after each school completes the mandated 200-day school calendar of DepEd (usually around the third week of March to the second week of April). The implementation of the K-12 program is â€Å"phased†. The first phase of the implementation will start on SY 2012-2013. During this school year, universal kindergarten will be finally offered, and will now be a part of the compulsory education system; and a new curriculum for Grade 1 and Grade 7 students would be introduced. By SY 2016-2017, Grade 11/Year 5 will be introduced, and Grade 12/Year 6 by SY 2017-2018; with the phased implementation of the new curriculum finished by the SY 2017-2018. Students in 2nd year to 4th year high school this SY 2012-2013 are not included in the program. It is only applicable to students from Kinder to 1st year high school which is now called Grade 7. However, during the new educational cycle, from 2016 to 2018, college enrollment could slow down because of the entrance of the lower-year students to the new educational system. Primary Education Elementary school, sometimes called primary school or grade school (Filipino: paaralang elementarya, sometimes mababang paaralan), is the first part of the educational system, and it includes the first six years of compulsory education (grades 1-6). These grades are further grouped (informally) accordingly into: primary level, which includes the first three grades (grades 1-3), and intermediate level, which includes the last three grades (grades 4-6). The elementary school education covers a smaller but wider than the junior and senior high school because of the spiral approach educational technique. In public schools, the core/major subjects that are introduced starting grade 1 include mathematics, Filipino, and Makabayan (until grade 3, this subject is synonymous to social studies, but also incorporate values education and the fundamentals of political science). English is only introduced after the 2nd semester of grade 1. Science is only introduced starting grade 3. Heograpiya (geography), kasaysayan (history), and sibika (civics) (abbreviated as HEKASI), is only introduced starting grade 4 (similar also to social studies but focuses more on the subjects earlier stated). Minor subjects then include music, arts, physical education, and health (abbreviated as MAPEH). In private schools, subjects in public schools also include those of the public schools, with the additional subjects including: computer education and HELE (stands for home economics and livelihood education; while in Christian schools or in Catholic schools, religious education. International schools also have their own subjects in their own language and culture. From grades 1-3, students will be taught using their mother tongue, meaning the regional languages of the Philippines (also called as dialects) will be used in some subjects (except Filipino and English) as a medium of instruction. It may be incorporated as a separate subject. But from grade 4, Filipino and English as a medium of instruction will then be used. On December 2007, Philippine president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo announced that Spanish is to make a return as a mandatory subject in all Filipino schools starting in 2008 but it didn’t come into effect. DECS Bilingual Policy is for the medium of instruction to be Filipino for: Filipino, Araling Panlipunan, Edukasyong Pangkatawan, Kalusugan at Musika; and English for: English, Science and Technology, Home Economics and Livelihood Education. Article XIV, Section 7 of the 1987 Philippine constitution mandates that regional languages are the auxiliary official languages in the regions and shall serve as auxiliary media of instruction therein. As a result, the language actually used in teaching is often a polyglot of Filipino and English with the regional language as the foundation, or rarely the local language. Filipino is based on Tagalog, so in Tagalog areas (including Manila), Filipino is the foundational language used. Philippine regional languages are used in the provinces in the teaching of Makabayan. International English language schools use English as the foundational language. Chinese schools add two language subjects, such as Min Nan Chinese and Mandarin Chinese and may use English or Chinese as the foundational language. The constitution mandates that Spanish and Arabic shall be promoted on a voluntary and optional basis. Following on this, a few private schools mainly catering to the elite include Spanish in their curriculum. Arabic is taught in Islamic schools. Until 2004, primary students traditionally sat for the National Elementary Achievement Test (NEAT) administered by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS). It was intended as a measure of a school’s competence, and not as a predictor of student aptitude or success in Secondary school. Hence, the scores obtained by students in the NEAT were not used as a basis for their admission into Secondary school. During 2004, when DECS was officially converted into the Department of Education (DepEd), and also, as a result of some reorganization, the NEAT was changed to National Achievement Test (NAT) by the Department of Education (DepEd). Both the public and private elementary schools take this exam to measure a school’s competency. As of 2006, only private schools have entrance examinations for Secondary school. The DepEd expects over 13. 1 million elementary students to be enrolled in public elementary schools for school year 2009–2010. Though elementary schooling is compulsory, latest official figures show 27. 82% of Filipino elementary-aged children either never attend or never complete elementary schooling, usually due to the absence of any school in their area, education being offered in a language that is foreign to them, or financial distress. In July 2009 DepEd acted to overcome the foreign language problem by ordering all elementary schools to move towards mother-tongue based learning initially. The order allows two alternative three-year bridging plans. Depending on the bridging plan adopted, the Filipino and English languages are to be phased in as the language of instruction for other subjects beginning in the third and fourth grades. Secondary education PSHS Main Campus. Note the disparity between rural and urban education facilities in the Philippines. Secondary school in the Philippines, more commonly known as â€Å"high school† (Filipino: paaralang sekundarya, sometimes mataas na paaralan), consists of four levels largely based on the American schooling system as it was until the advent of the comprehensive high schools in the US in the middle of last century. The Philippine high school system has not moved much from where it was when the Philippines achieved independence from the US in 1946. It still consists of only four levels with each level partially compartmentalized, focusing on a particular theme or content. DepEd specifies a compulsory curriculum for all high schooling, public and private. The first year of high school has five core subjects, Algebra I, Integrated Science, English I, Filipino I, and Philippine History I. Second year has Algebra II, Biology, English II, Filipino II, and Asian History. Third year has Geometry, Trigonometry, Chemistry, Filipino III, and World History and Geography. Fourth year has Calculus, Advanced Algebra, Physics, Filipino IV, Literature, and Economics. Minor subjects may include Health, Music, Arts, Technology and Home Economics, and Physical Education. In selective schools, various languages may be offered as electives, as well as other subjects such as computer programming and literary writing. Chinese schools have language and cultural electives. Preparatory schools usually add some business and accountancy courses, while science high schools have biology, chemistry, and physics at every level. Secondary students used to sit for the National Secondary Achievement Test (NSAT), which was based on the American SAT, and was administered by DepEd. Like its primary school counterpart, NSAT was phased-out after major reorganizations in the education department. Now the National Achievement Test is administered to second year students. Higher education institutions, both public and private, administer their own College Entrance Examinations (CEE). Vocational colleges usually do not have entrance examinations, simply accepting the Form 138 record of studies from high school, and enrolment payment. Reference: http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Education_in_Philippines.

Petroleum and Investment Grade Rating

Petrolera Zuata, Petrozuata C. A. case study â€Å"La Apertura† (The Opening) †¢ Target: Orinoco Belt heavy/extra heavy oil accumulation (biggest known in the world) †¢ Key Strategy: Opening Venezuelan oil sector to foreign oil companies †¢ How: Profit sharing agreements, operating service agreements, strategic joint-venture associations †¢ Ownership: PDVSA or subsidiaries contribute10 years), fixed interest rates, fewer more flexible covenants, larger amounts. – Cons: fund must be raised in a lump sum.Excess funds create a drag on earnings (negative carry) †¢ Rule 144A market (private placement market): – Pros: Like public bonds + speed, underwritten within six months – Cons: only qualified investors can invest in them Conditions needed: hot markets and investment grade rating What kind of debt to choose? †¢ The sponsors should use 144A (private bonds) to fund the deal because of the important advantages and the significant d isadvantages which can arise by using the other debt kinds. Rule 144A has big advantage of time – Markets seem to be going in the right direction (Hot markets) – What else is needed?†¦ (on the next slide: Investment grade) Investment Grade Rating †¢ Agencies look at 3 main factors: sponsors’ creditworthiness, project’s economics and Venezuela’s sovereign risk. †¢ Problem: Venezuela’s rating: S&P â€Å"B† Moody’s â€Å"Ba2† †¢ Petrozuata is strictly connected with country’s risks because it is controlled by PDVSA which is Venezuela’s state oil company and operates in Venezuela †¢ If Venezuela defaults on its debt Petrozuata will default too unless†¦ Conoco Inc. is a subsidiary of DuPont which operates worldwide and has investment grade rating †¢ Investing in Petrozuata is indirectly investing in DuPont †¢ If you invest in Petrozuata your real investment is also in Vene zuela and DuPont †¢ Petrozuata project has a very good structure and business projections †¢ Same comparables with other oil companies operating in other countries and having investment rate grading †¢ Ras Laffan example of oil company having higher rating than the country in which it operates(Qatar) In order to obtain investment grading it is very important to have DuPont in the deal †¢ If rating agencies consider the fact that Petrozuata will repay its debt although Maraven defaults on its part of debt because DuPont wants to mantain its good reputation it might obtain an investment grading †¢ If Venezuela is strictly linked to Petrozuata and has a â€Å"B† then Petrozuata should have at least a â€Å"B† rating plus a considerable bonus because the risk is diversified into DuPont †¢ Project’s base case DSCR would probably have to exceed 1. 0X †¢ Break-even point low enough so the project can cover all operating and financing costs if oil prices fall substantially Is it a good deal? †¢ We would invest in project bonds as they will likely yield a higher return compared to the 21% cost of equity. Factors that need to be considered: †¢ Hierarchy of payments is good (referred to â€Å"Cash Waterfall†) †¢ Balance Sheet and Income statement suggest PDVSA and DuPont are supposed to be solid companies †¢ Oil prices are not that volatile; fluctuating but arresting around a price between $20 and $25 per barrel (suggested nominal break-even price in 2008 $8. 3 per barrel) †¢ Lower operating costs with respect to competitors (cash operating cost around $3. 19 against industry median at $8. 55) †¢ More than enough heavy crude oil reserves to sustain the planned production according DeGolyer & MacNoughton (U. S. based oil consulting firm) †¢ Project’s design in accordance with good industry practice; complying with Venezuelan and International environmental laws as stat ed by Stone & Webster Overseas Consultants, a U. S. ngineering and consulting firm What should Conoco take into account? †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ True problem is not very favorable business environment Theoretically, if all contracts are respected and hierarchy of payments holds, the only entities bearing risks are PDVSA and DuPont with their capital investment Banks and whoever invests in project bonds according to the hierarchy of payments should be a safe investor Uncertainty in government’s future actions could be very harmful.Remember that in January 1976 the Venezuelan government nationalized the domestic oil industry and the compensation package was only 20% of market value!!! (according to foreign oil companies). Lending to Petrozuata is indirectly investing in Venezuela’s business environment and doing business with the government as PDVSA is 100% government owned, which has a non-investment grading by rating agencies †¢ What should Conoco do? Take carefully in consideration what has been mentioned †¢ Make an in depth analysis on Venezuela’s macroeconomic issues †¢ Try to revise the â€Å"Off take agreement† to be sure of having the right to buy the 104,000 BPCD at the pre-fixed price †¢ If benefits exceed these further costs then consider equity investment †¢ Otherwise the best move would be to take some other entity in the deal to diversify risks even more †¢ Personally, we would be very cautious with investing equity capital as Conoco.

Correlation of Fast food culture

Correlation of Fast Food Culture and the High Rate of Teenage Obesity Nowadays, food is easily accessible In the united States. All we have to do to obtain food Is open the refrigerator, go to the supermarket, or stop at drive- through (Closer and Wilson 208), Fast food even became a trend replacing regular food since decades ago. Every time when we stand In front of a fast food shop, the typical smiling face of a cartoon Like Ronald McDonald always warms our heart. The golden-fried chip, big, juicy, meaty hamburgers together with different sorts of sweetened icy beverages could easily appeal to our appetite.They come fast, delicious and satisfying, which makes it hard for us to resist. However, when we taking the money out of our pocket to purchase for a big luscious meal, we often ignore the sweeping adverse effects that ensue from this kind of sweet, salty and fatty food. As the time went by, the occurrence of fast food was changed from a positive purpose of providing rushing cust omers a convenient halfway stop for food to a problematic culture that arise various physiological problems, with obesity being on the top of the list.According to the latest statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there as been a remarkable escalation of obese people In the US, from averagely 10% to 14 % In 1990 to over 30% In 2010. Although fast food Is Indeed a shortcut to cater for our fast working pace, It alters our traditional way of eating homemade food. The phenomenon of overconfidence on fast food passes onto the next generation, shaping people's preference for a wider acceptance of the convenience brought along by it at the expense of their health.As everyone knows, fast food culture attracts mixed audience, from children to middle-class white-collar workers as well as high- level officials. But with the chains' cent tactic marketing strategy on kids and parents' attitude toward pampering their children, adolescent obesity rate is remarkably escalating. Many chains now mostly set children as target consumers due to the multiple profits brought along by them.Those restaurants certainly know the theory to achieve a successful business Is to give away toys, which Is the most attractive come-on for children. Companies usually Introduce different versions of the same toy, so that kids will nag their parents to evils the same store again, whose act can bring in both parents that the adults try every means to satisfy their kids' desires regardless of their health. In most cases, both parents and kids fall prey to the selling strategies of fast food chains.Restaurants take the money and the public risk their health. It can be seen there is a close relationship between the marketing tactics on kids and the compromising temptation of parents toward the kids' excessive Correlation of Fast food culture By Aliquot food is easily accessible in the United States. All we have to do to obtain food is open Every time when we stand in fro nt of a fast food shop, the typical smiling face of a orator like Ronald McDonald always warms our heart.The golden-fried chip, big, has been a remarkable escalation of obese people in the US, from averagely 10% to 14 % in 1990 to over 30% in 2010. Although fast food is indeed a shortcut to cater for our fast working pace, it alters our traditional way of eating homemade food. The Those restaurants certainly know the theory to achieve a successful business is to give away toys, which is the most attractive come-on for children. Companies usually introduce different versions of the same toy, so that kids will nag their parents to visit

Cost Accounting Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Cost Accounting - Case Study Example in the coordination of activities and functions within the corporate framework of the firm as well as helping administer each of the functional areas or activity centers of the company. The ability of internal managers to plan and control the activities within the company rely heavily upon the timeliness and quality of the financial and cost information provided by accounting. Cost accounting provides the necessary internal financial framework for management to plan and control the firm’s activities while providing feedback (Horngren & Foster & Datar). The concept of feedback refers to the ability of management to examine past decisions and financial performance in order to better formulate the companys strategy for the future. The three major functions of modern accounting systems are: To help internal management plan, control and make regular everyday decisions- This routine information helps managers better manage their firm resources, assist with strategic short and long term planning, and determining product/service cost or total costs by allocating the different direct and indirect expenses to the appropriate cost driver or activity. Non-routine internal reporting- There are many instances when a manager or internal decision maker needs to have specific internal financial information that is not normally reported under their standards accounting system which involve some new potential capital investment or activity. Financial external reporting to stakeholders- Investors, banks, government and other outside parties require information regarding the firms past financial performance and financial reporting provide the means for these parties to learn about the companys operations and overall financial performance. There are different approaches in modern cost accounting to help managers determine the total product service or service costs, as well as allocating expenses to the appropriate product or service within their business portfolio. The design of

Analysis and Design Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Analysis and Design - Essay Example Guilty Driver inherits from the driver and has all the attributes for the driver. In addition it also has the fine details, payment process. Innocent driver also is inherited from the main driver but makes use of the guilty driver processes when required to pay. In addition to the attributes that the guilty has, this will also have court processing. Suspended driver in case of drivers who fail to pay the fine. Their license details are all maintained in this. InTrial driver has the trial date details. 3. Use Case Diagram 4. Use Case - Scheduling a Court Date Description Table: Source Actor Action Destination Actor Driver Sends request for court date Officer Officer Prepares a trial date questionnaire. Driver Prepares a ticket details report Court Driver Fills in the trial date questionnaire Court Court Fixes the trial date and sends the intimation report. Driver Officer Sequence Diagram 5. Structured Approach and Object Oriented Approach Structured Design The computer was expected to solve certain problems that are mathematical and / or processing of the information, compare or sort. In order to solve these problems, a top down approach was originally used in procedural approach to problem solving. The structured approach was one step ahead of the procedural approach. In both the approaches, the problem was visualized and the method to solve the problem was the one that was worked on. Problem to solve is to be identified and then a step by step process towards solution was worked out in the case of procedural approach. There were a number of hardships faced once the problem became complex. In order to overcome this problem the structured approach was adopted. The problem that needed a solution was broken down into smaller... Innocent driver also is inherited from the main driver but makes use of the guilty driver processes when required to pay. In addition to the attributes that the guilty has, this will also have court processing. The computer was expected to solve certain problems that are mathematical and / or processing of the information, compare or sort. In order to solve these problems, a top down approach was originally used in procedural approach to problem solving. The structured approach was one step ahead of the procedural approach. In both the approaches, the problem was visualized and the method to solve the problem was the one that was worked on. Problem to solve is to be identified and then a step by step process towards solution was worked out in the case of procedural approach. There were a number of hardships faced once the problem became complex. In order to overcome this problem the structured approach was adopted. The problem that needed a solution was broken down into smaller problems. This meant that we had multiple numbers of smaller problems to be solved. On these multiple smaller problems the original procedural approach is applied and solution is reached.

MBTI Preferences Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

MBTI Preferences - Essay Example While it was believed that the results would reflect the friendly and interactive nature, they pointed at a preference towards looking within and share significant events with a few close people rather than many acquaintances. The score on this variable is not very strong, and it could be situational factors that affected this factor. There are examples from the workplace as well as from personal experiences that underline the friendly nature and comfort in interacting with even unknown persons. The comfort in being in a position at work that involves interacting with people and keeping negotiations in good humour is itself an indicator of extraverted nature. Thus, it is difficult to accept the test’s result that claim Introversion over personal understanding and experiences that verify Extraversion. The second variable of Sensing – Intuition defines the primary means of conducting an analysis on information available. Both the test results and the hypothesized score fa ll in the same direction – i.e. – Sensing. Individuals high on Sensing will typically rely more on information that is gathered through senses than on inductive reasoning. They also process information deductively. There is a distinct inclination to base decisions and opinions on the basis of verifiable facts and not on assumptions.

Regulation of Internet Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Regulation of Internet - Essay Example What is imperative here is an understanding that applies in unison for the Internet being a source of inspiration as well as dismay at the same time for a number of people all over the world. Why the Internet is being seen as a deterrent towards inculcating a prosperous society is largely dependent on the people who have used it for their ulterior motives. Then the only discussion to make headlines surrounds the basis of regulating the Internet so that it could be used properly. The kind of audience that visits the Internet daily is somewhat of a confusing scenario as older adults and teenagers hook on to the Internet to seek their own needs and wants. Now how Internet shapes up for them is somewhat of a diabolical question – which leaves many people surprised and confused at the same time. Regulating the usage of the Internet seems to be the best foot forward but then again who is going to decide what should be regulated and in what capacity? There are many questions that req uire adequately sound answers so that the topic of Internet regulation can be materialized further. The manner in which Internet needs to be regulated is a classic case in point. This is because there are certain nuances related with the Internet that deem more regulation than others. This means that the content aspect is one of the more serious pointers which need our attention. Some content on the Internet is illegal to be hosted on certain websites without proper litigation measures taken. Then again, copying data is an infringement which needs to be sorted out (Schwartz 357). There are people out there who would go to any limit to make sure that Internet is used for negative purposes. This does not come out as a major sign of optimism for anyone and the people at large suffer. Also the ones who are doing something worthwhile on the Internet are made to suffer since some websites get regulated and hence they have to face the brunt of it in the long run. Looking at the opposing vi ewpoint is also significant. This is because some of the Internet users are of the view that regulating Internet would mean that the speed will become slow and the servers will have a hard time coping up with similar issues. Therefore it would be in the best interest of the Internet users if they keep doing what they are undertaking without any rules and restrictions whatsoever. It will resolve quite a few issues that engulf the Internet users and amicably resolve many more that are about to crop up in the future. The need is to understand that Internet is an open domain and should be seen as such. These people opine that Internet must not be regulated under any scenario whatsoever since they do not want to miss out on what Internet offers them in entirety. Their viewpoints are generally not appreciated by the ones who believe in having regulations on the Internet. In the end, it would be sound to suggest that the regulation of Internet can be a good omen for keeping away the undesi red stuff on the Internet but there needs to be a proper mechanism for deploying such a nuance. What is even more imperative here is the fact that regulation of Internet must not hurt the people at large. The speed of the Internet should remain as such and if there are any compromising features, these must be taken care of in a quantifiable way. When this happens, people achieve the

Case6 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Case6 - Essay Example However, some complaints may be based on facts that can be proven. In the case of Barry, the complaints he will present will be accompanied by factual evidence and hence he will not appear to be a whiner. He should avoid complaining about things that he has no evidence to prove. For example complaints based on his perception such as appreciation not being shared with the higher ups should not be made unless they can be proved. According to me, Barry should not look for another job. Job satisfaction is an important element to an employee. He claims to be satisfied with the job he is at now, and he feels that he has a positive impact on the company (Robbins & Judge 397). He should first seek to resolve his issue through the overall management. Quitting the job should be a matter of last resort. If nobody listens to him, he can then resolve into looking for a new job. This measure may lead to risks such as temporary unemployment or being employed to lower position posts in another

The so called threat Essay Example for Free

The so called threat Essay Computer Viruses, what are they? Deadly programs wrote by the best of the best, or super weapons used by powerful countries against their enemies? Or, just harmless (mostly) little creations made by bored programmers? I think the latter is more correct. Most viruses are harmless, only a very small percentage causes harm to a computer, either deliberately or due to errors in the code. But, it is certainly due to the media that everyone is scared of them. All most all just spread and do something annoying, not format your hard drive. Take the Stoned virus for example, all it does is infect the boot sector of a disk then loads itself in memory. When the Stoned virus is in memory, it waits for the 13^th of any month then displays on your screen Your computer is now stoned. While in memory it infects any disk that is in your computer and any entered after that. In this essay I intend to describe the different types of viruses, how they work, how they are written, how to get rid of them and how to find out if you have one. There are many different types of computer viruses. They cover a wide area of infecting your computer. In fact, there are more viruses than legitimate programs, about 3 or 4 times more! Boot sector viruses are a strange type of viruses. They dont infect files, but instead they infect the disk directly. When you double click on a disk the disk I `run like an application (such as Word, Claris or Windoze itself). It is when the disk is run that is usually tells the computer that it is a disk and to open a window saying what is in it. But, if the disk is infected with a boot sector virus then the virus is run instead. Usually the virus will call the `real part of the disk so that it appears to run normally. Also the virus is almost never the size of the boot sector so it has to install partly in the boot sector and the rest hidden somewhere on the disk. So your disk will be smaller than usual even if you have no files installed. File viruses usually add a copy of themselves to the beginning or end of a program, usually to files that end in exe, com, cpl or dll. There is now a new type of viruses that infect vbs or js files either as well or instead. The I_Love_You virus is an example of a virus that infects vbs files. Although the I_Love_You virus isnt correctly speaking a file virus, it is more of a worm than a file virus, but as infects files as well Ill just use it for this example. Macro viruses only infect MS Word and MS Excel. MS Word and MS Excel. have their own programming language built into them, Visual Basic. VB (Visual Basic) enables programmers to write programs to automate tasks in Word Documents or Excel Spreadsheets. But it also enables virus writers to create viruses that can spread through the most popular package documents by just reading the documents. And, MS Word and MS Excel has another stupid feature, it comes by the name of normal. dot. It enables the user to put macros in it so that they are run every time you open any document or create a new one. You can also put viruses there. Microsoft at their best as usual. Worms are not actually viruses. Normal computer viruses have to be run by the user somehow to spread, but worms spread all by themselves, with no human intervention at all. They almost always spread through either networks or the Internet. You probably have heard of the second most famous worm ever, the I_Love_You letter worm that took the worlds media by storm in late 1999, early 2000. Or maybe youre old enough to remember the most famous and most destructive worm ever, the Morris Worm that brought down the entire Internet and most electronic communication. It worked by using a flaw in SendMail, a program that is used to send and received emails by almost every ISP in the world to spread. Basically it was an accident that it brought down the Internet because it was spreading to quickly for the primitive computers to handle, and just crashed them. Worms generally use flaws in programs that are wide spread like Windoze and Outlook Express to spread. The I_Love_You letter virus used Outlook Express to spread, Morris Worm, SendMail. The Tune. G worm uses a flaw in Microsofts (Oh, no surprise there then! ) Network Server to spread around the network. Generally all worms do is spread. In this next section, I intend to list the basic methods of getting rid of viruses, not forever though, but for the meanwhile. 1) Boycott Microsoft Almost all viruses are written for Windoze or DOS (What Microsoft brought out before Windoze, very primitive, but very good) 2) Get one or more decent anti-virus and update them regularly I personally use CA Inoculate IT get it at [1]www. antivirus. cai. com, you can update it every day if you want for free, but I usually only update it every 2 weeks. 3) Be careful where you get your software from Only get it from reputable stores or websites. If you are suspicious, dont buy / download / run it! 4) Read, read and read Keep up to date on all security issues and virus information. Good sites include [2]www. bugtraq. com, [3]www. rootshell. com and [4]www. microsoft. com (Hmmm, isnt that the source of all the problems? Well, they do have all the updates for Windoze and Microsoft products). Basically viruses arent as big a threat as the media makes them out to be. I personally have a collection of around twenty or more viruses, some harmful, some not. In the finally edit / copy of this essay there will be a floppy disk containing the source code for some of the most famous and not so (but just a dangerous) famous viruses. But, before you go mental at me for giving out viruses to anyone, I have edited them so that they dont do any damage unless you know good programming then you could change it back. But, I leave that choice to you, and remember, if you use the source (edited or not) and get caught, then dont blame me, I didnt tell you to do it. (PS. You can get the full unedited source code and a few of my own at my website. Ill tell you where it is in the next edit / copy). Graeme Ford,3K1. References 1. http://www. antivirus. cai. com/ 2. http://www. bugtraq. com/ 3. http://www. rootshell. com/ 4. http://www. microsoft. com/.