Bhopal, India Poison Gas Leak Disaster, 1984

Bhopal, India Poison Gas Leak Disaster, 1984 During the night of December 2-3, 1984, a storage tank containing methyl isocyanate (MIC) at the Union Carbide pesticide plant leaked gas into the densely populated city of Bhopal, India. Killing an estimated 3,000 to 6,000 people, the Bhopal Gas Leak was one of the worst industrial accidents in history. Cutting Costs Union Carbide India, Ltd. built a pesticide plant in Bhopal, India in the late 1970s in an effort to produce pesticides locally to help increase production on local farms. However, sales of pesticide didnt materialize in the numbers hoped for and the plant was soon losing money. In 1979, the factory began to produce large amounts of the highly toxic methyl isocyanate (MIC), because it was a cheaper way to make the pesticide carbaryl. To also cut costs, training and maintenance in the factory were drastically cut back. Workers in the factory complained about the dangerous conditions and warned of possible disasters, but management did not take any action. The Storage Tank Heats Up On the night of December 2-3, 1984, something began to go wrong in storage tank E610, which contained 40 tons of MIC. Water leaked into the tank which caused the MIC to heat up. Some sources say that water leaked into the tank during routine cleaning of a pipe but that the safety valves inside the pipe were faulty. The Union Carbide company claims that a saboteur placed the water inside the tank, although there has never been proof of this. It is also considered possible that once the tank began to overheat, workers threw water on the tank, not realizing they were adding to the problem. The Deadly Gas Leak By 12:15 a.m. on the morning of December 3, 1984, MIC fumes were leaking out of the storage tank. Although there should have been six safety features that would have either prevented the leak or contained it, all six did not work properly that night. It is estimated that 27 tons of MIC gas escaped out of the container and spread across the densely populated city of Bhopal, India, which had a population of approximately 900,000 people. Although a warning siren was turned on, it was quickly turned off again so as to not cause panic. Most residents of Bhopal were sleeping when the gas began to leak. Many woke up only because they heard their children coughing or found themselves choking on the fumes. As people jumped up from their beds, they felt their eyes and throat burning. Some choked on their own bile. Others fell to the ground in contortions of pain. People ran and ran, but they did not know in which direction to go. Families were split up in the confusion. Many people fell to the ground unconscious and were then trampled upon. The Death Toll Estimates of the death toll vary greatly. Most sources say at least 3,000 people died from immediate exposure to the gas, while higher estimates go up to 8,000. In the two decades following the night of the disaster, approximately 20,000 additional people have died from the damage they received from the gas. Another 120,000 people live daily with the effects of the gas, including blindness, extreme shortness of breath, cancers, birth deformities, and early onset of menopause. Chemicals from the pesticide plant and from the leak have infiltrated the water system and the soil near the old factory and thus continue to cause poisoning in the people who live near it. The Man Responsible Just three days after the disaster, the chairman of Union Carbide, Warren Anderson, was arrested. When he was released on bail, he fled the country. Although his whereabouts were unknown for many years, recently he was found living in the Hamptons in New York. Extradition procedures have not started because of political issues. Anderson continues to be wanted in India for culpable homicide for his role in the Bhopal disaster. The Company Says They Are Not to Blame One of the worst parts of this tragedy is actually what has happened in the years following that fateful night in 1984. Although Union Carbide has paid some restitution to the victims, the company claims they are not liable for any damages because they blame a saboteur for the disaster and claim that the factory was in good working order before the gas leak. The victims of the Bhopal gas leak have received very little money. Many of the victims continue to live in ill health and are unable to work.

Literacy Narrative Essays - American Writers, Writers, Free Essays

Literacy Narrative Essays - American Writers, Writers, Free Essays Kennedy Sims @02839811 Literacy Narrative Growing up, reading and literature was always something that was subtly but definitely emphasized in my household. Although this was the case, I don't ever recall being that interested later on in my educational career, but I was always great at it. When it comes to writing and literacy the clearest picture that comes to mind is my experiences before high school. This is the stage in my life when I knew that it was something that I had a distant love for, but the individuals set to teach me this material weren't adequately informed on the subject themselves. My most significant memories of reading always bring me back to the summer time. Every Tuesday and Thursday all I can remember is walking into my local library with my mom and picking out as many books as I could carry, hoping they would be enough for the top prize that week. My library had a summer reading program that I would always participate in and these books would be what would carry on my love for literature and readin g for many years, it became tradition. Although I don't remember specific details or stories about these interactions, I do know the feeling that it gave me: to win that iPad in 6th grade for reading the most books, to win those prizes after turning in dozens and dozens of books I had read and wrote about over the summer, to be the student picked out of the crowd to read the school announcements over the speakers because I was just that good at it. It made me feel great to know that I was actually good at something I loved to do. Not until recently did I realize that all these experiences helped shaped my current mindset about literature and its conditions. Everything began in junior high school. I would come into my 6th grade homeroom every day, ecstatic to see my teacher Mrs.Tonad, and ready to learn whatever she was going to teach that day. Mrs. Tonad was the first and only teacher that I had that made me feel great about reading and literature because it was obviously something that she loved to do. Her love for the subject made teaching it to her students, that much easier. She made the comparison with other teachers who taught the subject that much harder. Being in her class was the primary reason I won the reading competition for that year because she was the person who motivated me to do so. That's when I knew that the things that I was being introduced to in the classroom didn't have to stay there, I didn't need a teacher to learn; and that's when books really became my best friend. This new-found discovery of reading for my own enjoyment soon dwindled down as I transitioned from junior high to high school. Throughout high school, I often felt disconnected from the material that was being taught because it had no real meaning in my life. It didn'tmatter to me if I understood it or not because I didn't see why or how it was important.The standard curriculum in literature that was taught in my school never really matched the African American demographic that it was being taught to, and as a result left many kids feeling the way I did. One of the things that made me confirm this notion was the testimony of one of the focal writers in the article Mahiri Sablo: "Writing For Their Lives", Keisha. Keisha let researchers know that the main inspiration for her piecescame from the things around her, things that she experienced in her everyday life. I believe that this is very important in determining what matters to children being taught in school. How much of the curriculum actuallyrelates to us? Voluntary writing should be just that, voluntary, but the subjects discussed in school are not alwa ys interesting because they don'trelate to children learning it. Another example that comes to mind when discussing perspective and subjectivity in the class room is Jacqueline Royster's essay in "Visons and Cyphers". After reading Royster's essay in David E. Green Jr's "Visons and Cyphers", I realized that the things

Personal Theory of Communicating Biblical Truth Term Paper

Personal Theory of Communicating Biblical Truth - Term Paper Example In the New Testament, Jesus Christ remains the medium and the message of the communication of God. The word says that in the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God (KJV). The meaning of this is that Jesus was with the father from the beginning. The incarnation of God can be described to be the language of expression that was used to convey his total love for the humanity. Incarnation is thus viewed to be a manifestation of the self-communication of our God (Wiggins, 2012). In 1 Tim. 4: 12-16 (Lawrence & Bredfeldt, 1998, p. 214), Paul focuses on reliability as a recipe of success. notably, reliability purifies motives, reputation, passion and most importantly warmth. Biblical communications seem to have two levels. They include God’s communication with man, and the other one is man’s communication with other God and other human beings. Therefore, the interpersonal communication of God to man is what is referred to as a revelation (Lawrence & Bredfeldt, 1998). The Bible has presented to Christians many principles of communication. These principles are key in helping believers to be communicators who glorify the Lord and therefore will form my personal theory to communicating the biblical truth; ( Pastor Dennis & Grimes, 2001) The real reason for teaching or ministering plays an imperative role in fulfilling or achieving inappropriate ends (Lawrence & Bredfeldt, 1998, p. 215). It speaks about where many words exist then transgression is unavoidable but the wise restrain their lips. The above biblical text clearly teaches us that we need to be very careful of the words that we talk. The Holy-Spirit should be our guide and our helper so that we do not utter words that will spear-head conflict in our communication. Evidently, this principle may be real in the classroom setup. Suppose a lecturer brings up the topic of debate in the classroom about â€Å"divorce in our Society†. Certainly, this can be a sensitive

LEE IACOCCA Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

LEE IACOCCA - Essay Example The biography of Lee Iacocca happens to be the story of an ordinary person who took the initiative, as and when the life presented opportunities to him and made something out of himself. One thing that set apart Lee Iacocca’s leadership style from others was that he happened to have a strong conviction in his ideas and beliefs. Part of the issues that Iacocca faced at the Ford Car Company was that he seldom hesitated from sitting down and defending the ideas and views that seemed right and effective to him. No wonder Lee Iacocca’s personality carried an immense sense of charisma that made others trust him, believe in him and follow him. Hus style of leadership was marked by a sense of courage that not only motivated others to do their best, but also assured his followers that if anything went wrong, he will be there to help and defend them as Iacocca says, â€Å"Leadership means setting an example (Iacocca & Novak 241)†. The communication style of Iacocca was mar ked by astuteness in being able to and willing to talk about facts, even when they sounded unpalatable and unsavory. I was his ability to bear with hard facts that helped him turnover Chrysler. In the context of Kouzes-Posner model of leadership one thing that Iacocca learned when he was fired from Ford was the fact that a leader ought to set the principles as per which people need to be treated and made to achieve the goals. Iacocca possessed remarkable people skills. Iacocca not only firmly believed in his vision, but also had the ability to make others trust his vision and do their best to further and facilitate that vision. One thing that Iacocca did after joining Chrysler was to challenge the status quo and to question the way things were done earlier, so as to do away with the old flab and make the company focus on the things that added to its success. Both at Ford and at Chrysler, Iacocca pursued a collaborative approach with his team members and acted as a leader who believe d in empowering others. It was Iacocca’s ability to keep alive the hope and belief at Chrysler that enabled him and the people working with him to make Chrysler a success. The personality of Iacocca possessed a trait that happened to be both his strength and a weakness. One thing that made Lee Iacocca peculiar was that he tended to be quiet emotive about his professional life. He associated with his work with a marked sense of emotional passion and took both the success and the failures coming his way with an emotive sense of conviction. For instance when Iacocca was fired from Ford, instead of merely taking it as one other aspect of his job, Iacocca rather took this instance quiet personally and meditated on the impact that firing had on his personal and family life. However, one could certainly say that this emotive sense of temperament could have turned out to be a tragic flaw in any other person, but Lee Iacocca instead of allowing his emotions to benumb and stymie him, r ather used them to his advantage and moved on to utilize his innate talent to make Chrysler a burgeoning success. On thing that could be strongly attributed to Lee Iacocca’

Zara Strategy Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Zara Strategy Analysis - Essay Example The chain offers a diverse clothing lines for women, men, and children, legions in latest designs. It operates through â€Å"The Cube† under the command of the giant Inditex Corporation. The corporation has been on the rise since 1996 recording massive sales ahead of its competitors like Gap. Thus, the firm became the world’s largest fashion retailer in 2008 with its eight brands. However, the corporation’s growth rate attributes to the success in Zara sales, which amounted to two-thirds of the corporation sales. Zara is venturing in fast expansions all over the world with new markets in over 68 countries in the globe. It is the most innovative and devastating fashion retailer in the world with immense profits though its products are relatively cheap. The chain relies on latest blend of technology to devise its market strategy. The chain has unleashed a strategy that shuns advertising, does not run sales, and keeps its huge investments of production at home. In a field where almost all firms outsource their manufacturing processes to low-cost countries, the Zara Company seems to negate all the fashion industry rules thus remaining vertically integrated in the market. However to analyze the success of Zara strategy in the market, we will need to consider various factors in relation to technological advancements. The analysis will consider the internal and external perspectives and use strategic models and theories in drawing a conclusive decision. The analysis will focus on critical issues that would guarantee long-term success. The analysis will also look into the sustainability of the strategy, its feasibility, and acceptability in the fashion industry. ... marise the key findings from the analysis and make informed recommendations in an effort to maintain the growing success of the company.  The paper will use the SWOT analysis to summarise the analysis and reach a defined conclusion. The paper will apply the Igor Ansoff Matrix models, seven s analysis, and pestle, in the analysis. Igor Ansoff Matrix model (Ansoff, 1988, n.p) Existing markets New Markets Existing New In using this model, I will try to show the market penetration of Zara products in the existing markets. I will also highlight the market development of Zara products in new territories in both new and existing markets. Additionally, the model will note diversification of Zara products in new markets using the existing capabilities. The model will henceforth highlight Zara product development in both new and existing markets using the existing capabilities. External analysis PESTLE (Johnson et al, 2009, n.p) PESTLE Summary Zara Company is subject to political stability a nd attitudes to competition. This rises from its major establishment and dominance in one country. In case of political instability and change of attitude in competition, Zara market advantage will crush. Factors of global recession and economic growth will equally affect the company since it has stores in many countries. Changes in lifestyle and social mobility will jeopardize the company sales since it concentrates mostly on two stores located in the same country. Changes in technology will significantly affect the company since its operations rely on technology and machines. Competition, employment laws and difference in laws between nations has a great significance in the mode of competition, recruitment of staff, and the running of the company in various nations it plans to invest. The

Ways Of Overcoming These Barrier English Language Essay

Ways Of Overcoming These Barrier English Language Essay Good evening ladies and gentlemen. Today I would like to give a speech on the effect of communication barriers and overcoming these barriers. As we all know, communication is the basic needs for everyone to communicate in order to develop in social skills. Sometimes communication can involve only one person, usually when the individual is having a self-thought over something or making a decision. Communication is also an activity which allows each party who communicate to share information through the exchange of thoughts, messages or information. Communication in an organization usually requires more than one person in order in work out on daily productivity and being successful. Communication usually requires a message sender and a recipient to receive the message by the sender. There are different types of communication usually involve in an organization, one of them is the verbal communication. Verbal communication includes sound, language, speaking and words. Verbal communication occurs in an organization usually when one person involves face-to-face conversation to other, meeting, teleconference and presentation. A good verbal communication is inseparable part of business of organization communication. Since business requires you to be able to communicate with the person you come across with various races or culture, a fluent verbal communication is important as it will help you deal better with people in business or during a meeting. Self-confidence also plays an important role in business and communication which with the fluency of communication skills it will lead to success. Public speaking is also a verbal communication which a group of people have to be addressed. Preparing a speech before it starts is important in order to be effective. In public speaking, it is necessary to prepare according to the type of audience you are going to give speech to. The way, you can prevent any boredom from the audience while you are giving speech. Your speech should contain a content which is authentic and prepare enough information on the topic chosen for public speaking. The main point of your speech must be delivered in a correct order. There are many skills in public speaking and these skills should be practiced well in order to have an effective speech. Another type of communication would be the non-verbal communication. Non-verbal communication is a communication which involved in a physical way and no words are used, it is also known as body language, for example the motion of the body, tone of voice, appearance, or eye contact. Body posture and physical contact can convey information. Non-verbal communication is also important as it can express the feelings of an individual through facial expressions. By non-verbal communication, it helps you understand better on how the person you are communicating with feel and know the person better. Written communication is a communication which words are written in the order you want to communicate. In written communication, we exchange information with language written. Well written communication is important in business. It provides proof and exchange of documentation Examples of written communications are E-mail, memo, faxes, reports, article or letters. Before written communication take place, it is possible to make amendment and edit limitless of times before the message of the sender was sent to the receiver to whom the communication is intended. This is one of the advantages in written communication as one of the major means in business which provides black and white statement. Written communication is not only used in formal business purposes but it can also be used informally. Mobile short messaging system (SMS) is one of the informal ways in written communications. Visual communication is visual display of information which usually involved pictures. In visual communication, the recipient receives the message from a signboard, banners, advertisement, display or maps. The signboard or banner of McDonalds indicates that the fast food eating joints, which is a form of visual communication. Visual communication is also important but it depends on how the recipient interprets the message with the sign on it. Effective communication is important in order to success in any type of business and also in an informal way. Without a good communication skill, nothing can be archived. Therefore, it is important to develop in communication skills. One must understand the type of communications which are equally important and it is a must to develop in such skills in all medium. Communication Barriers However, if any disturbance blocks the step of communication, the message is destroyed. This is called communication barriers. Communication Barriers involved distraction from noise, language understanding difference or using jargon, and lack of interest in topic during a conversation, lack of focus from distraction and the use of over complicated or unfamiliar terms to the recipient. The common thing in communication barriers is both sender and receiver have an absence of common frame of reference which is affecting the smooth interpretation of meaning, feeling, attitude and thoughts from the sender to the receiver from the specific topic of conversation. Distractions from noises which causes communication barrier usually take place in an environment which is crowded, where renovation takes place nearby or when someone else is also talking nearby when your conversation take place. A sender sends out the messages which he or she wanted to say, but with the distractions of noise, the receiver could not fully receive the message and could not interpret the message sent by the sender, which misunderstanding in the conversation will occur. Language barrier indicates the difficulties faced when both the sender and receiver do not have any languages in common attempt to communicate with each other. Language barrier happens usually when travelling abroad for a business trip. This is common during multinational meetings. Different countries have their own local language, foreign who visited the other country who does not know their language find it difficult to communicate with the local people is also a language barrier in communication. Even communicating with both using the same language, a linguistic difference will also lead to a communication barrier. Certain same words with many different types of meaning will lead to misinterpretation. For example the word value, it can represent the meaning of worthiness of something with its importance and usefulness or a principle standard or quality which is worthwhile or desirable. Communication barriers will occur if the perception is wrong received by the receiver. Sometimes when you speak too much in a presentation or in a meeting, you have to be aware on the information you shared out rather if it is necessary. This is because the more unnecessary info being shared out, there will be a risk which your listeners will misinterpret your point. Lack of focus from the listeners will occur when the speaker prepares a topic which is not interesting, having loads of information which is not really necessary in the presentation or taking long hours in the speech. This will sometimes relate to listeners getting distracted or thinking of something else not related to the speaker. When listeners have lack of knowledge of what is presented by the speaker, it will also cause communication barrier. Too much information from the speaker will lead to the listeners harder to focus effectively on the key point and important messages. Speaking too fast in a presentation can also cause communication barrier, listeners will not likely get the main point which the speaker is trying to share out. Another problem in an organisation which leads to communication barrier is the status of each party. Usually when a listener of the meeting in an organisation has a lower status than the speaker may be very cautious when sending message back and respond to the speaker. They will only talk about something which is related to the topic or something which they think the speaker is interested in. It is related to an organisation which higher status people will refuse in discussing anything which would tent to undermine the authority of the organisation. Some people may think that they should treat people differently based on what status or power they perceive in an organisation. If the employees think that managers or supervisors have power to control over staffs, for example allocating duties for them, promote, reward, or dismiss staff, it may lead to communication barriers before communication even takes place because employee will think that if they say anything which will offend thei r manager, it will affect their productivity. Ways of Overcoming These Barriers Effective communication in an organisation is very important for in order for an organisation to succeed. It is necessary to cope up and deal with these communication barriers to ensure an effective and smooth communication in an organisation. To overcome with the distraction of noise where conversation take place, both the speaker and listener must overcome the barrier by changing their ways of communication or eliminate the noise pollution. Firstly, try to detect the source of the noise, if the noise is possible to be eliminated, consider if its removal is practical. For example, noise outside can be reduced by closing the window or move to an inner place in the building which is far from where the noise come from. Sometimes if there is any renovation nearby the building, consider when is the right time to plan to have your oral communication. It will not be possible to completely remove the noise, but it is possible for the speaker to raise the speech volume. If the listener could not hear properly due to noise, then the listener should request the speaker to speak louder. Listener should practice active listening, this means paying attention to what the speaker is saying, not just hearing what the speaker is saying but also try to understand the speakers point of view. Language barrier is one of the major problems in an organisation as communication is a two-way process. To overcome language barrier, it is advisable to use only one type of language which is used globally and by everyone. Try practise using English in an organisation because it is a language which is used globally. However, dont forget to show respect for local language as well. Adding subtitle or having a translator is also a great way to overcome language barrier. Dont just practice with one language, try to make effort to learn some words either the some or different languages. Just a basic way of saying good morning, hello and thank you in the local way. Before travelling abroad for a business trip, do learn and find out about the culture, language and the local customs of the country first. Especially on body language and how the locals behave. Dont be too sensitive when you are in a foreign country, this is because you are the foreigner and oddity. You may have to respect thei r culture of the country when you are paying a visit or having a meeting with the local people overseas. Do ask for clarification politely and make sure the information is correct when you do not understand what is being told. Never assume that you understand what the speaker has said. Be patient in overcoming this barrier. Cross-cultural communication requires additional time. You cannot expect your communication to occur with the same ease when you are communication with someone else with the same culture as yours. The way to overcome lack of concentration in a presentation or oral communication is to add some image or sound effects which may attract the attention of the listener. Pictures or animation with colours will make a good presentation and would have overcome this barrier. Avoid using idioms in an oral communication. This is because idioms will cause the listener harder to understand the point given by the presenter. Speaker should consider using language clearly and straightforward. By doing so, it is able to prevent unnecessary confusion and misinterpretation. Before planning on a presentation, it is necessary to realize that some information is not essential, this information are advised to be remove from your speech as it will be harder for the listener to get your key point. Try using simple language which is easily understood by many people and only present what is important with information meaning rather than just passing a message itself. Speak slowly and clearly with proper e nunciation and slow down your speech. Try to manage your time and plan well on your oral communication. Even if youre pressuring for time, do not rush through your communication. This will ended up taking more time to clear the confusion if the listener could not really get your point and cause miscommunication and misunderstanding. The reason that status is part of communication barrier is because one in an organisation with a lower status may think that talking directly to their manager or someone with a higher status are not interested in listening what the speaker wants to say or being too serious with a topic which is not related to work. To overcome such barrier, the managers and colleagues should be well informed in what they are doing. Try encouraging employees with a lower status to keep you informed by being respectful and fair-minded in their opinions. Be open-minded in a communication, this will make employees with a lower status feel that saying out their opinion will be considered rather than being rejected. Always be prepare on receiving information even if you think it is not necessary. Because sometimes employees have information to share out, they will first think and afraid that their manager might not like. Status which cause communication barrier can be overcome by the willingness to give an d receive information regardless rather it is good or bad. Conclusion To conclude my speech today, allow me to summarize the main point of my speech. Plan a time and place well to prevent noise distraction from your conversation. Speak louder if necessary to prevent noise distraction to break down your communication. Get everyone to practice using only one language practiced globally, get a translator or add subtitle if a foreigner who doesnt understand your language is attending your presentation. But also dont forget to respect local language and culture. Summarize what you are going to say in an oral communication, longer time or too much information will make the listener confuse and hard to get the point of your view. Prepare what is necessary in your presentation. And lastly, be open in communication in the organisation and always be ready to receive information even if it is going to be a good or bad opinion to prevent communication barrier due to status. Practice the way to overcome these barriers to archive an effective communications in any business organisation in order to succeed. Thank you.

Obesity In the U.S. Essay -- essays research papers

Obesity in the U.S. Subject Sentence: Obesity in general has become a major concern in the U.S. Mainly because of three major factors dealing with obesity how quickly it became a problem, the U.S. being the most overweight nation, and the increased health risks. Introduction: Are you overweight? Do have a little junk in the trunk? To answer these questions either you or someone you know has a problem with obesity. This has come to be a problem of epidemic proportions in the U.S. Body: I) To begin how is that obesity has become such a major problem in our country. A) One being the fact that we are the most agriculturally advanced nation. And unhealthy foods are so easily accessible with drive thrus and promotions of products in grocery stores. B) Unhealthy foods such as fast food have become easy, cheap, accessible, and convenient and that is what everyone wants convenience. C) And in response some fast food chains have now come up with ideas to keep their customers and have them eat healthier. Now fast food restaurants now serve personal size salads and other healthier alternatives and carbohydrate counting menus. II) Another reason for the U.S. obesity problem is that we are the most overweight nation in the world. A) People have been sacrificing healthy food for fast food and microwaveable meals. We and people in general do all if this is for the sake of less hassle and more convenience to parents for themselves and children this world is now becoming more and m...

Types of Planning

INTRODUCTION Besides organizing, controlling and leading, planning is one of the management functions. Good planning is crucial to enable an organization to function effectively. Planning is done for two purposes, firstly as a protection to the organization and secondly to increase the affirmative levels of an organization according to C. W. Roney (Certo, 2000). As a protection to the organization, a manager can forecast the effects from each of the suggestions or alternative actions that will be carried out.Then managers will be able to ensure what needs to be done, how to carry out the actions, why it has to be done, when to do it, who should implement it with proper planning. And it is done to increase the affirmative levels of an organization. According to Fayol – The plan of action is, at one and the same time, the result envisaged, the line of action to be followed, the stages to go through, and the methods to use. It is a kind of future picture wherein proximate events are outlined with some distinctness.Planning is deciding in advance what is to be done. It involves the selection of objectives, policies, procedures and programs from among alternatives. A plan is a predetermined course of action to achieve a specified goal. It is a statement of objectives to be achieved by certain means in the future. In short, it is a blueprint for action. Louis A Allen Management planning involves the development of forecasts, objectives, policies, programs procedures, schedules and budgets. Theo Haimann Planning is deciding in advance what is to be done.When a manager plans, he projects a course of action, for the future, attempting to achieve a consistent, co-ordinated structure of operations aimed at the desired results. Koontz O’Donnell Planning is an intellectual process, the conscious determination of courses of action, the basing of decisions on purpose, acts and considered estimates. .TYPES OF PLANNING According to Dessler (2001) there are three m ain types of planning which are planning based on format, organization hierarchy and frequency of use. PLANNING BASED ON FORMATDescriptive planning is a planning written in the form of statements that state what needs to be achieved and how it is achievable for example, planning of an individual’s career. Budgeting is plan that stated quantitatively by using financial terms. Graphics planning is a planning that explains what needs to be achieved and how to achieve it in the form of charts. For example Gantt chart, it illustrates the time period required in order to implement an activity in the form of bar chart. PLANNING BASED ON ORGANIZATIONAL HIERARCHY There are three levels in an organization – top management, middle management, lower management.Top management (strategic plan) Strategic planning focuses on long-term issues for the survival, growth, and overall effectiveness of the organization. Companies need to be visionary, and must develop long-term strategies to meet changing conditions in their industries. Strategic planning involves developing a strategy to meet competition and ensure long-term survival and growth. The marketing function plays an important role in this process in that to provides information and other inputs to help in the preparation of the organization’s strategic plan long term plan. Middle management (tactical plan)Tactical planning focuses their goals on a shorter time frame, usually ranging from one month to one year. Middle managers give authority and responsibility to team leaders or supervisors, after that they provide direction, necessary resources, and feedback on performance as tasks are completed. Usually they need more detailed information than top managers, but less information than team leaders and supervisors. They also use business support systems, knowledge management systems, and user productivity systems to perform their jobs. Lower management (operational plan) Lower management carries out da y-to-day  operational plans.Operational employees primarily receive data that they need to perform their jobs day to day. In many companies, operational employees also need information to handle tasks and make decisions that were assigned to supervisors which is called  empowerment, and gives employees more responsibility and accountability. PLANNING BASED ON FREQUENCY OF USE One time usage planning is a planning that is only used once. Specially prepared to fulfill specific purposes. For example the organization may open more than one branch, but each plan made only applicable to the specific branch only.Because it have different resources like money, manpower, customer’s distribution, size of the branch area etc. Standing plan is a planning that is repeatedly used. Used to manage situations that frequently arise in an organization such as employees disciplinary problems. Standing plans have three types which are policy, procedure and regulations. i. Policy Principles or general guidelines to manage situations. ii. Procedure Actions or process that must be taken if a certain situation arises. iii. Regulations Specific guidelines when taking an action. WORKPLACE HISTORYMalaysia Airline System Berhad is doing business as Malaysia Airlines since its inception as an  independent airline  in 1987. Proudly running as the national-flag carrier of Malaysia from main home base of Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) with secondary hubs at Kuching and Kota Kinabalu on the second island of the Malaysian state. With a concentration of network on both regional as well as international sectors, MAS has come to be known as world renowned airlines well as a local favorite along with its subsidiary, MAS Wings, because of staff hospitality and its marketing campaigns.It has been understood that there are various issues and opportunities that are being faced to MAS. Some of these are an overstaffing problem involving more than twenty-thousand employees all o ver the world. Another one, being incurred net losses of RM 479 million by the third quarter of 2011 and at the end of the fourth quarter the airline had incurred a loss of RM 2524 million, indicating a substantial decrease from a profit of RM 234 million in the previous year. Malaysia Airlines Vision is to be the Preferred Premium Carrier by using A380 as the flagship product.To support the vision, Malaysia Airlines mission is to be the best-in-class, top 10 commercially viable airline in the Asia Pacific region that returns sustainable profits to the shareholders. Business plan updated June 2012 RECOVERY PLAN (TOP MANAGEMENT) BUILD A PROFITABLE NETWORK Malaysia Airlines will realign the network based on demand and profitability result in the termination of MAS highly unprofitable routes to South Africa and Argentina and its only destination in Latin America.Other long hauls routes that unprofitable will also be eliminated MAS will deploy aircraft optimally to suit mission and for cost effectiveness. WIN BACK CUSTOMERS Malaysia Airlines will completely revamp the commercial team to improve performance and review sales and distribution channels. MAS plans to win or gain back its premium long hauls passengers through changing its carriers. A phase-out of MAS ageing widebody aircraft will be pursued and simultaneously new passenger facilities will be introduced.By the end of 2013 the carrier will be operating only three types of modern widebody aircraft  Ã¢â‚¬â€œ A330-300s, B777-200ERs and A380s. Then MAS will put in place best-in-class revenue management to fix corporate travel business and revamp our internet booking engine. MAS will enhancing our marketing and branding efforts and grow ancillary revenues. RELENTLESS COST FOCUS Malaysia Airlines will radically improve productivity and efficiency by increased aircraft utilization. Then MAS will streamline assets and resources across group. After that MAS will review and revamp legacy rocesses and work practic es and reduce reliance on 3rdparty and in source jobs where possible. Lastly overhaul the procurement and contracting practices, and review existing contracts for greater cost savings. BRIDGE THE FUNDING GAP The funding gap that must be bridged given the aircraft deliveries of 2012. This bridge has five pillars of support: 1. Positive operating cash flow 2. New debt and leasing arrangements 3. Working capital boost via the return of pre-delivery payment deposits 4. Proceeds from potential spin-offs 5. Unwavering support of our shareholdersGAME CHANGERS (MIDDLE MANAGEMENT) i. Capture regional point-to-point traffic * Deepen and optimize regional & domestic networks * Shift focus to point-to-point traffic markets * Optimize traffic hubs in KLIA, PEN, KCH, BKI ii. Alliance and partnerships * Enter one world for greater market access, connecting traffic flows, and seamless frequent flyer arrangements * Explore collaboration and joint venture opportunities to capture new markets and cons olidate market position while reducing the financial risks of participating individually. iii. Profitable ancillary businesses Build a profitable portfolio of ancillary businesses around the core airline FOUNDATION (OPERATIONAL PLAN) i. Branded customer experience Improve product quality, including business class product offering in to match best in market and radically improve service levels at all customer service touch points also create and build on service delivery differentiation. ii. Continuous operational improvement Continuously improve processes and work practices by simplify work steps. Remove legacy practices by reduce bureaucracy. Inject innovation in solving issues and problems. iii. Winning organizationReview organization design and manpower requirements. Improve talent and succession planning. Revamp work rules to increase productivity. Reinforce performance based compensation and rewards. Rally staff through active engagement & communication. REFERENCE Dessler, (201 1, 12). Malaysia Airline Business Plan. Retrieved 03, 2013, from http://malaysiaairlines. com/content/dam/mas/master/en/pdf/corporate-info/Malaysia%20Airlines%20Business%20Plan. pdf Unknown, (2013, 06). Malaysia Airline Report. Retrieved 03, 2013, from http://www. scribd. com/doc/97200708/Malaysia-Airline-Report

Asian Influence essays

Asian Influence essays Commentary on the article: Asian looking again at In the beginning of the last year, Taiwanese and Singaporeans came to Vancouver with a lot of money looking for prospects in the real estate market. These business people were looking for rental building, which were the "hot ticket" in real estate according to Vancouver relater John Gee The part of the city, which is attracting these buyers, is the West End of Vancouver, where the vacancy rate is about 1%. Even though some people feel real estate is really strong, others are trying to sell their buildings citing that the real estate market is stagnant. After reading this through I think that the Asians are doing the wrong thing by getting in to the real estate business because it is slow. It may take along time to recover their investment off the rental buildings. I also that the property value could decrease in price because most of the properties in Vancouver, especially commercial real estate, are overpriced. However, factors attracting overseas investors include low vacancy rate, low interest rates, and a future increase in the cost of rent. For investors who want security and a modest return the commercial real estate market offers great opportunities. On the other hand Asian investors can receive larger returns in In summary, the real estate market in Vancouver provides a secure investment climate for Asian investors, however they should be wary of the market stabilizing over the short term. ...

American Beauty Sequence Analysis Essays

The Graduate/American Beauty Sequence Analysis Essays The Graduate/American Beauty Sequence Analysis Essay The Graduate/American Beauty Sequence Analysis Essay Essay Topic: American Beauty Sequence Analysis: The Graduate The Graduate is a subversive, wistful coming-of-age tale epitomizing the ambiguity of reaching adulthood, and the struggle of this experience. Robert Surtees, the cinematographer, successfully uses mise-en-scene to illustrate these particular themes. A variety of props are scattered throughout the opening sequence that allude to Ben’s melancholy and detachment. Additionally, the same sequence uses social and graphic blocking to depict the impedance Ben feels from his parents and their friends. The sequence begins with a scene of Benjamin sitting in front of his fish tank, submerged in thoughts of his future, and later confronted by his father. Fill lighting isolates Ben’s face from the dim background, and enhances the overall sense of glum and dispassion. Moreover, Ben’s impassive expression and wish for a ‘different’ future is also in strong contrast to the enthusiasm and conformity seen later at the party. The subtle placement of the sea-diver beside Ben only adds to this sense of alienation, while, at the same time, foreshadows the comical events at the second cocktail party later in the movie. In fact, the use of water is frequent throughout the film as tool to illustrate Ben’s self-reflection and wavering identity. Perhaps the prop most indicative of Ben, or at least humorous, is the black and white portrait of a clown frowning behind a painted smile, which is briefly shown before Ben’s parents lead him into the party. Clearly, the painting acts as a metaphor for Ben’s character within the sequence, yet, it is so outlandish that the mise-en-scene momentarily teeters from naturalistic to theatrical. However, this is characteristic of The Graduate as a whole. While the movie seems to maintain a certain level of absurdity throughout, it is always hidden behind a certain amount of reality, which is what makes the film’s message so poignant. The quintessential example of this is when Mr. McGuire informs Ben about â€Å"Plastics† at the end of the sequence. From a modern viewpoint, this advice seems to be downright elementary, but considering the film was released prior to the industrialization of plastic, a viewer at that time would find no more use of the information than Ben appeared to. Thus, the shallow dialogue exemplifies Ben’s lack of direction, while appealing to the despondent generation at the time. Surtees continues to build these themes and messages with the use of social and graphic blocking. At the beginning of the sequence, Ben’s father and mother are positioned in a way that blocks him within the shot, obviously representing their overbearing nature. His mother, in particular, consumes the entire frame when she enters the room. You can also see how tight their hold is on Ben by the claustrophobic camera shots at the graduation party later on. The following series of scenes within the sequence show Ben being grabbed and bounced back and forth between forced conversations. Altogether, these social and graphic blockings attempt to illustrate Ben being forced in a disappointing direction through a superficial society filled with high expectations. The sequence also serves as a strong parallel to the movie’s ending where Ben figuratively and literally overcomes these obstacles by pushing Elaine and himself through a furious horde of adults at the wedding. In this respect, the two sequences function as bookends, giving resolution to the controversies constructed within the movie. Sequence Analysis: American Beauty American Beauty successfully builds off of the themes in The Graduate, while also developing modern messages that appeal to a contemporary audience. The film follows Lester Burnham, a depressed suburban father in the middle of a mid-life crisis, as he attempts to free himself from his mundane and mediocre lifestyle. The mise-en-scene in the early sequence of Lester at his office effectively conveys this initial feeling of mediocrity and repression. One of the subtlest yet illustrative dimensions of the sequence’s mise-en-scene is lighting. For instance, the natural lighting in Lester’s cubicle is soft and consistent, signifying the monotony of his work duties. When the shot pans out to depict the entire office space, the grid-like pattern of desk lamps suggest a repetitive nature to his workplace, and the similar arrangement of overhead lights possibly indicates a similar pattern in upper management. The cinematographer, Conrad Hall, also uses harsh directional lighting later on when Lester enters Brad’s office. There is a small ray of outside light radiating from the closed blinds next to Brad’s desk that illuminates Lester throughout the conversation. This streak of light is used to highlight Lester’s face during key instances such as when Brad tells him that this is his one chance to save his job, thus creating a stronger emotional moment. In conjunction with lighting, the color within the sequence tends to add to the vapidity of Lester’s workplace. In strong contrast to the predominant and bold red frequent throughout the movie, Lester’s cubicle is consumed in bland neutral colors that are mirrored in other parts of the sequence. Altogether, Hall effectively uses soft lighting compounded with weak colors to create a feeling of mediocrity that fuels Lester’s future escapades. Comical props and costumes within the sequence lighten the glum ambiance in the sequence while also foreshadowing later events. Exemplary, Brad wears a classic business style suit with a dull blue shirt underneath, mirroring the bleak and repetitive colors in the office. Laughably however, he is also wearing a flamboyant tie that alludes to the person he truly is; a manager attempting to befriend his subordinates and reduce feelings of intimidation. In addition to this, Lester waives a pencil with an overly large soccer ball eraser when conversing with Brad. The funny pencil top hints at the immature state that Lester resorts back to while attempting to overcome his mediocre lifestyle. One could also argue that Lester’s sarcastic demeanor is also reminiscent of an adolescent and is epitomized when he states, â€Å"For you Brad, I’ve got five! † These blatant facades are exemplarily of American Beauty as a whole. Typically, the more troubled a character is, the more they attempt to cover their reality with an illusion. This is clearly an attempt to point out flaws in a modern superficial society. However, the funny props add a humorous touch to the film that makes its social messages less harsh. Hall uses camera angles within the sequence to display the hierarchy of authority in the workplace, which is also representative of the repression Lester tries to free himself of. For example, the camera is always looking up toward Brad while the opposite is true for Lester, obviously portraying Brad in a higher position of power than Lester. The high angel shot of Lester in his cubicle not only depicts him in a minor and passive manner but also places his coworkers within the shot. This gives the perception that Lester’s position and purpose within the workspace is relatively small and negligible. In contrast, Brad is isolated from his peers in the shot, enhancing his overall sense of superiority and reaffirms he is indeed above everyone. The following scene in Brad’s office enhances this effect with the use of perspective. The same camera angles are used for Brad and Lester; however, Brad is much larger in his shots while Lester appears significantly farther and hence smaller in the screen. Consequently, the hierarchical relationship is once again displayed.

Management Theory & Practice Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Management Theory & Practice - Essay Example Organizations as well as managers are often confronted with highly dynamic and multifaceted operating environments. These challenges may include a range of factors such as sudden change in technologies, making the existing ones obsolete; or the launch of new innovative product ideas; or the change in customer’s tastes and preferences on account of change in the external global environment. While on one hand, organizations and managers, congregate with the markets in which they operate, to deal with such revolutionary transformations, there is on the other hand, an increasing sense of realization which indicates the need for adoption of a holistic approach for marketing of their products in order to cope with the market demand. All this combined with the universal capability to imitate both hard as well as soft innovations within the rapidly shrink time frame, places the ability of effectively adapting to the changing market demands, at the top of the â€Å"must have core comp etencies list†. The 21st century internet age which is ably sustained by a well integrated business infrastructure for marketing of their products, complete with state of the art technologies and an effective supply chain network, change is here to stay. This new â€Å"e-world† in the electronic age, is highly fragile which has no place for preset plans, or predefined change management techniques, and wherein age old conventions and set rules are continuously being challenged and threatened. It is hence imperative for organizations to adapt themselves to the dynamic external environment in order to sustain their competitive positioning in the industry and retain their hold on the markets as well as their consumers. Although almost all organizations have a proactive approach towards change, with detailed and precise mission and vision statements and future goals that determine their prospective aims, these organizations often react on the basis of the

Problem solving Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Problem solving - Essay Example erience and judgement bias, facilitates easy assessment of situations, and allows the management to remain on the right track of organisational goals (Wilson 2000). There is a need to solve problems so that decisions can be made effectively. Young individuals between the age group of 16 and 24 years are valuable resources for a nations future. They are often overlooked instead of offered community support system to foster creativity, productivity and development. There is a misconception that youths are essentially bad whereas research indicates that (Godwin 1998) adolescents and youths of today come under much pressure from society such as stress, fast-paced lifestyles, responsibilities at home, emotional upheaval, victimisation, and peer pressures. This is why young people today more than before tend to engage in drinking alcohol, violent crimes, promiscuity, and offences against the law. The widespread risk behaviours have developed a generation of young delinquents who require extensive help from the community. Some of the risk factors include lack of education, poor parenting and drugs problems according to Adamsons report on youth crime (2003). The problem of youth risk behaviours can be analysed by using the Fishbone diagram (Wealleans 2001). In the following diagram one can observe that youth risk behaviours are caused by individual attitudes (man), poverty (material), lack of education (machine), poor parenting (management), and peer pressure and lifestyles (environment). These causes also have sub-causes such as the need to be recognised or to find excitement; lack of education may be due to dropping out of schools; poor parenting may be due to absent working parents or belonging to single parents; and peer pressure may include victimisation or gang bullying. As a result of these causes and sub-causes, youths engage in the above risk behaviours (effect). The Fishbone technique, a part of the cause-and-effect group, involves the identification of