Representing Nature in Jeddah city Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Representing Nature in Jeddah city - Term Paper Example In January 2011 torrential rains caused destructive floods. Massive rescue operations were quite successful and many people were evacuated from the areas exposed to the disaster (Byron, 2011). Reportedly, the damage caused by the flood â€Å"was attributed to the lack of a drainage system for flooding and rain water† (Byron, 2011). Insufficient drainage system led to spread of sewage. Admittedly, the sewage and contaminated water can cause proliferation of numerous diseases in people and animals. Apart from this sewage and contaminated water leads to numerous environmental problems. For instance, it negatively influences ground waters leading to â€Å"salinization of the water affecting vegetation in the areas† (Magram, 2009, p.125). It goes without saying that this environmental issue has been considered politically. At this point it is worth mentioning that the majority of environmental issues should be (and usually are) regarded politically, due to the nature of thes e questions which are â€Å"inherently subjective† (Norheim, 2004, p.48). ... Notably, Jeddah is â€Å"the most significant city† in Saudi Arabia and its growth â€Å"has been rapid and diverse† (Magram, 2009, p.120). Rapid growth of population and industrial development of the city which was accompanied by the development of recreation infrastructure and the lack of attention to environmental issues led to environmental degradation. Such problems as sewage capacity issues, desalinization of water which threatens marine ecosystem, ground water contamination, which is the source of numerous diseases (and can even cause epidemic) have not attract much attention until floods caused serious problems. It is important to note that floods are recurrent phenomena in Jeddah. In 2009 there was a flood which also caused numerous victims and money losses. Reportedly, the government tried to solve these problems, but this year flood proved that these measures were insufficient. More so, people argued that â€Å"hundreds of millions of dollars spent on upgrad ing the preparedness after last year’s flood were allegedly riddled with corruption deals† (Nuseibeh, 2011, p.7). Ineffective policy of those in power led to numerous riots. Reportedly, the flood in Jeddah took place â€Å"at a time of unprecedented unrest† in Saudi Arabia. Admittedly, environmental issues aggravated the situation. At this point it is possible to point out that environmental issues, viewed politically, can be used by different people differently. In the first place, they have already caused social and political protests. On the other hand, those who want to gain people’s trust can use (and do exploit) these issues promising to solve environmental problems caused by floods, or prevent the floods. Thus, these problems can lead to political changes. It goes

Beauty Definition Essay Example for Free

Beauty Definition Essay Beauty is one of the most prevalent themes in the world. But what is beauty exactly? According to the Oxford Dictionary beauty is A combination of qualities, such as shape, color, or form, that pleases the aesthetic senses, especially the sight. Based on the definition, one would assume that beauty is only on outward appearance but that statement is false. Beauty is not only appearance but it is also what people cannot see. Beauty is about being beautiful on the inside not just the outside. The media has fooled so many people into thinking the opposite. Beauty is not only outward appearance. People are not beautiful because they have the most expensive clothes or the shiniest hair. Beauty is not having the clearest skin; beauty is not about being thin; beauty is not having the fullest eyelashes; beauty is not about appearance at all. Many people look at allure as something they can obtain from putting a lot of time into their appearance. I remember in high school there was a girl named Jenna; Jenna had all the coolest clothes and always made sure she looked good. I remember envying her for her shinny hair and perfect teeth. Everyone seemed convinced that this girl was beautiful even I. Until one day I was walking past a classroom, I could hear faint voices coming out and I knew that there wasnt supposed to be anyone in the class. I creeped closer listening to the whispers when I immediately recognized a familiar voice. It was Jenna’s and she was saying horrible things about her â€Å"best friend†. At that moment I realized that Jenna wasnt so beautiful after all. All the clothes and makeup could not hide the fact that she had an ugly soul. The soul is what makes people beautiful. Being alluring is far deeper than just being attractive; it is about being a good person. You cannot see beauty but you can see what makes people beautiful. The person who stops when they see a stray animal sitting in the sidewalk is beautiful. The person who gives their last dollar to the homeless man is beautiful. The person who goes out of their way to be friendly to everyone they meet is beautiful. The person who puts the greater good for humanity before the greater good for themselves is beautiful. Audrey Hepburn an actress in the 50’s was one of the very first actresses to recognize that beauty isnt always just appearance. She states that â€Å"The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wea rs, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway  to her heart, the place where love resides. True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.† Todays media has done a terrific job in portraying allure as something that one can obtain from appearance. Media has convinced the world that beauty is only outward appearance. Today you cannot go five minutes without seeing a beauty ad; theyre everywhere. Turn on the television and you’ll see an ad for shampoo that shows a smiling girl claiming that her hair is now shinier. Drive down the street and you’ll see a billboard for an acne medication that claims it gives you ‘beautiful’ looking skin. These companies are preying on girls insecurities to make money. They claim that if you buy their product, you too can look beautiful. In reality no product can make a person beautiful because beauty is not something that you can see. Many girls look up to stars like Katy Perry, Hayden Panettiere and Emma Stone; all of who are advertising beauty products. When girls watch their favorite stars advertise makeup and other beauty products it gives the girls a false sense of beauty. It teaches our youth that by using a certain product then they can achieve beauty; if they wear a certain makeup then they will be â€Å"beautiful† like their favorite celebrities. Today’s media has put enormous pressure on young girls to be thin. Every commercial and billboard and magazine ad portrays a size zero model, always photoshopped. Young people look at these women and think that in order to be beautiful that they too have to be that thin leading to unhealthy decisions and life threatening illnesses. According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, 24 million people in the United States alone suffer form some sort of eating disorder. 24 million people think that their body is not good enough to fit societies definition of beautiful. 24 million people think that the only way to be beautiful is by harming their bodies. This number can be lowered dramatically if media stopped putting the emphasis of beauty on physical appearance. Beauty is not outward appearance but inner appearance. Beauty is having a beautiful soul and being a good person all around. Media has given society a false view on what really is beautiful. The next time you find yourself judging someone based upon their looks think again; beauty is not just what you can see, its what you cannot.

Wal Mart case study analysis :: essays research papers

Central Issue The main issue facing the management of Wal –Mart was how to sustain their extraordinary growth. As the domestic market reaches saturation, a strategy for at home and for global expansion will be necessary. Recommendation Wal-Mart needs to identify and nurture the primary core competency that fueled their growth: fulfilling customer needs with a wide spectrum of products at â€Å"everyday low prices†. This competency is the product of the aggregate of competencies across individual skill sets and organization boundaries: Wal-Mart is a leader in channel management, inventory control, distribution and customer service. This is a result of the company’s ability to coordinate a complex information management and distributing network and to efficiently manage supplier relations, through the use of new technologies and the seamless flow of information. Wal-Mart’s extensive communications network connects all stores, warehouses, offices and suppliers. This enables Wal-Mart to not only provide value to its customers by offering a wide variety of goods at the lowest prices, but also to provide value to its suppliers as a large, ever present channel for sale of goods. This channel also prov ides a highly efficient feedback loop on unit sales, demand and inventory, facilitating a just in time supply management system and an effective needs-based position. Through careful bargaining and sheer-size, Wal-Mart has power over the suppliers, and can purchase goods cheaper than the competition. Wal-Mart can also differentiates through private branding, i.e. Sam’s Choice. In addition to the added differentiation, they can become less dependent on branded manufacturers, further eroding the power that suppliers may wield. This also allows them to exploit their initial strategy of opening stores in rural areas that were traditionally neglected, by maintaining a steady supply of low priced goods with low inventory costs. This raises the barriers to entry. By offering such a broad spectrum of products at the lowest prices, Wal-Mart reduces the threat of bargaining power of buyers. Wal-Mart was a leader in Uniform Product Codes scanning. For the two years that it took K-Mart to implement their system, Wal-Mart had, at least temporarily, a competitive advantage that was both valuable and rare. Another characteristic that is valuable and difficult to imitate: a loyal and motivated workforce. It requires time to develop a company culture of dedication and commitment to hard work. Providing value to the customer through low prices and excellent customer service, the threats of substitution are reduced. Customers won’t switch to competitor chains.

Matt Barrett: Barclay’s CEO Position

Barclays: Matt Barrett’s Journey- Winning Hearts and Minds Barclays was founded in 1690 in London. After 30 years later, Barclays started to expansion its area to the world, and became the first foreign bank to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington D.C. in 1981. Barclays’s global market capitalization rank was fourth in 1980. However, it fallen to 22 in 2000. In October 1999, Matt Barrett accepted the invitation of Barclays’s CEO position, and started to work on his challenge. At that time, the situation of the Barclays is that institutional investors were unhappy, employees were demoralized, and the front-line and senior executives had lost confidence. Barrett soon discovered an excessive cost problem of Barclays and realized that the bank needed a shift in culture and mind-set, a new strategic direction, a structural overhaul, and an improved communications policy. Barrett had worked on changing the mind-set and culture of Barclays, and he believed that a more fact-based, value- growth orientation to running Barclays was essential. At first six month, Barrett started to build the foundation. Barrett met approximately 10,000 employees during the initial three month. At the same time, Barrett developed his own vision for the bank- earn, invest, and grow. He planned to reduce cost by  £1 billion for saving money from cost. Six months after Barrett became CEO, Barrett committed the goals were to apply equally to him to management, and everyone in the organization. Barrett started to change the top management. For example, Barrett appointed people to take position, which was a significant change on the ExCo and using young talent to the ExCo. Barrett started to think about group strategy. In addition, Barrett and the ExCo decided to work with Marakon to set about looking at all businesses and activities from a value perspective, identifying where value was being created and where it was being destroyed. Under Barnett’s leadership, and with the help of Marakon’s systematic, fact-based approach, the ExCo developed a long-term strategic.

Older and Wiser Essay

Frank Heberer, the Human Resources Manager of Medignostics, finds it difficult to accept the aging employees of his firm as part of an energetic workforce. According to Heberer, the older employees of the company are not as productive as the young. However, Bertha Weber from the marketing department trusts that the older employees of Medignostics are necessary for the firm. She intercedes on behalf of the aging employees of the firm to point out to Heberer that it is only the older employee who truly knows the kind of products to sell other aged people. As an example, Weber mentions the successful arthritis campaign of Medignostics which was spearheaded by an aging employee – somebody who was expected to certainly know more about arthritis than the young employees. Weber also points out to Heberer that he, being only 45 years of age, cannot be expected to successfully market products for the aged people. Rather, it is only the aging employee who understands the aches and pains of old age that can successfully market health products and services for other aging people. In other words, the aging employee of a health products company, or any other organization for that matter, is best qualified to market products for the aged. Not only does the aging marketer know the kinds of products and services needed by the aged, but he also is aware of the kind of marketing communication that is required to reach out to the aged. The aging employee is actually expected to most perfectly understand the marketing mix for products that are especially made for the aged. This employee is in an excellent position to decide on the prices of products to be sold to the aged. Moreover, he knows where to place the products to sell the aged. Yet another advantage of older employees put forth by Weber is that the aging employee knows the company better than anybody else. Having worked for decades with Medignostics, an aging employee understands well the policies of the firm, in addition to its goals and requirements. After all, the aging employee has spent plenty of years trying to improve upon his productivity and efficiency in the company. So, Weber refers to the â€Å"experience† of the older employee being of special significance to the company, seeing that the older employee is in a better position to take the company forward with his experiences of success and failure at Medignostics. To put it another way, the aging employee knows what works and what does not work at his firm. The young employee, on the other hand, would take his time to realize the basics of the company before he can even think of taking the company forward with his youthful energy that Heberer would like to fill the company with in place of the old employees. Weber believes that the older employees still have a lot to offer Medignostics. The 58-year-old Hausmann who has worked for the firm for 20 years has been seen to consistently improve his performance. He moved up in organizational rank from bookkeeping to account management. Weber would like Heberer to keep Hausmann employed, the reason being that Hausmann and other aging employees continue to have a lot to offer Medignostics. If Hausmann is not productive in his present function at the company, perhaps Weber would suggest that the older employee must be given a new job function to perform. After all, older employees may not only be extremely useful in marketing to all ages – seeing as they have lived through them all – but also in the area of organizational counseling. The wisdom of the older employees may benefit young employees tremendously. Older employees may also be given the chance to select their new job functions where they would be most productive, given that the organization trusts them more than it would trust its new employees. Hence, Weber would like Heberer to trust the fact that the older employee is truly wiser.

Manifest Destinys meaning to American expansion

Manifest Destinys meaning to American expansion Manifest Destiny was a term that came to describe a widespread belief in the middle of the 19th century that the United States had a special mission to expand westward. The specific phrase was originally used in print by a journalist, John L. OSullivan, when writing about the proposed annexation of Texas. OSullivan, writing in the Democratic Review newspaper in July 1845, asserted our manifest destiny to overspread the continent allotted by Providence for the free development of our yearly multiplying millions. He was essentially saying the United States possessed a right granted by God to take territory in the West and install its values and system of government. That concept was not especially new, as Americans had already been exploring and settling westward, first across the Appalachian Mountains in the late 1700s, and then, in the early 1800s, beyond the Mississippi River. But by presenting the concept of westward expansion as something of a religious mission, the idea of manifest destiny struck a chord. Though the phrase manifest destiny may seem to have captured the public mood of the mid-19th century, it was not viewed with universal approval. Some at the time thought it was simply putting pseudo-religious polish on blatant avarice and conquest. Writing in the late 19th century, future president Theodore Roosevelt, referred to the concept of taking property in furtherance of manifest destiny as having been belligerent, or more properly speaking, piratical. The Push Westward The idea of expanding into the West had always been attractive, since settlers including Daniel Boone moved inland, across the Appalachians, in the 1700s. Boone had been instrumental in the establishment of what became known as the Wilderness Road, which led through the Cumberland Gap into the lands of Kentucky. And American politicians in the early 19th century, such as Henry Clay of Kentucky, eloquently made the case that the future of America lay westward. A severe financial crisis in 1837 emphasized the notion that the United States needed to expand its economy. And political figures such as Senator Thomas H. Benton of Missouri, made the case that settling along the Pacific would greatly enable trade with India and China. The Polk Administration The president most associated with the concept of manifest destiny is James K. Polk, whose single term in the White House was focused on the acquisition of California and Texas. Its worth nothing that Polk had been nominated by the Democratic Party, which was generally closely associated with expansionist ideas in the decades before the Civil War. And a Polk campaign slogan in the 1844 campaign, Fifty-four forty or fight, was a specific reference to expanding into the Northwest. What was meant by the slogan was that the border between the United States and British territory to the north would be at north latitude 54 degrees and 40 minutes. Polk got the votes of the expansionists by threatening to go to war with Britain to acquire territory. But after he was elected he negotiated the border at 49 degrees north latitude. Polk thus secured the territory that today is the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and parts of Wyoming and Montana. The American desire to expand into the Southwest was also satisfied during Polks term in office as the Mexican War resulted in the United States acquiring Texas and California. By pursuing a policy of manifest destiny, Polk could be considered the most successful president of the seven men who struggled in the office in the two decades before the Civil War.  In that period between 1840 and 1860, when most occupants of the White House couldnt point to any real achievements, Polk had managed to greatly increase the territory of the nation. Controversy of Manifest Destiny Though no serious opposition to westward expansion developed, the policies of Polk and the expansionists were criticized in some quarters. Abraham Lincoln, for instance, while serving as a one-term Congressman in the late 1840s, was opposed to the Mexican War, which he believed was a pretext for expansion. And in the decades following the acquisition of western territory, the concept of manifest destiny has been continually analyzed and debated. In modern times, the concept has often been viewed in terms of what it meant to the native populations of the American West, which were, of course, displaced or even eliminated by expansionist policies of the United States government. The lofty tone which John L. OSullivan intended when he used the term has not carried into the modern era.

Sentence Building with Appositives

Sentence Building with Appositives If you have read How to Build Sentences With Appositives and Practice in Identifying Appositives, you should be well prepared for these sentence combining exercises. Instructions Combine the sentences in each set below into a single clear sentence with at least one appositive. Omit words that are needlessly repeated, but dont leave out any important details. If you run into problems, you may find it helpful to review the following pages: Introduction to Sentence CombiningWhat Is an Appositive?Practice in Identifying Appositives When youre done, compare your new sentences with the sample combinations on page two. Keep in mind that many combinations are possible, and in some cases you may prefer your own sentences to the original versions. Monroe and I strolled through the graveyard.The graveyard is the most peaceful spot in town.St. Valentine is the patron saint of lovers.St. Valentine was never married.We were waiting outside the prison cells.The cells were a row of sheds fronted with double bars.The cells were like small animal cages.My father was outside.My father was beneath the window.My father whistled for Reggie.Reggie was our English setter.We saw the stream in the valley.The stream was black.The stream was halted.The stream was a tarred path through the wilderness.We arrived at a group of peasant houses.The group was small.The houses were low yellow constructions.The houses had dried-mud walls.The houses had straw mats.A great many old people came.They knelt around us.They prayed.They included old women with jet-black faces.The women had braided hair.They included old men with work-gnarled hands.One of the Cratchet girls had borrowed the books.She was a hatchet-faced girl.She was thin.She was eager.She was a transplanted Cockney.She had a frenzy for reading. It was the kind of home that gathers memories like dust.It was a place filled with laughter.It was filled with play.It was filled with pain.It was filled with hurt.It was filled with ghosts.It was filled with games.I led a raid on the grocery.It was the grocery of Barba Nikos.The grocery was small.The grocery was shabby.Barba Nikos was old.Barba Nikos was short.Barba Nikos was sinewy.Barba Nikos was a Greek.Barba Nikos walked with a slight limp.Barba Nikos sported a flaring handlebar moustache. When you are done, compare your new sentences with the sample combinations on page two. On this page youll find answers to the exercises on page one, Sentence Building With Appositives. Keep in mind that in many cases more than one combination is possible. Monroe and I strolled through the graveyard, the most peaceful spot in town.St. Valentine, the patron saint of lovers, was never married.We were waiting outside the prison cells, a row of sheds fronted with double bars, like small animal cages.(George Orwell, A Hanging)Outside beneath my window, my father whistled for Reggie, our English setter.We saw the stream in the valley, black and halted, a tarred path through the wilderness.(Laurie Lee, Winter and Summer)We arrived at a small group of peasant houses, low yellow constructions with dried-mud walls and straw roofs.(Alberto Moravia, Lobster Land: A Traveler in China)A great many old people came and knelt around us and prayed, old women with jet-black faces and old men with work-gnarled hands.(Langston Hughes, Salvation)One of the Cratchet girls had borrowed the books, a hatchet-faced, thin, eager, transplanted Cockney girl with a frenzy for reading.(Wallace Stegner, Wolf Willow)It was the kind of home that gathers memories like du st, a place filled with laughter and play and pain and hurt and ghosts and games.(Lillian Smith, Killers of the Dream) I led a raid on the small, shabby grocery of Barba Nikos, a short sinewy Greek who walked with a slight limp and sported a flaring, handlebar moustache.(Harry Mark Petrakis, Stelmark: A Family Recollection)

Definition and Examples of Isocolons in Rhetoric

Definition and Examples of Isocolons in Rhetoric Isocolon  is a  rhetorical term  for a succession of  phrases,  clauses, or  sentences  of approximately equal length and corresponding structure. Plural:  isocolons  or  isocola. An isocolon with three parallel members is known as a  tricolon. A four-part isocolon is a  tetracolon climax. Isocolon is particularly of interest, notes T.V.F. Brogan, because Aristotle mentions it in the  Rhetoric  as the  figure  that produces symmetry and balance in  speech  and, thus, creates  rhythmical  prose  or even measures in verse (Princeton Encyclopedia of Poetry and Poetics, 2012). Pronunciation   ai-so-CO-lon Etymology From the Greek, of equal members or clauses Examples and Observations Climate is what we expect; weather is what we get.​It takes a licking, but it keeps on ticking!(advertising slogan of Timex watches)Im a Pepper, hes a Pepper, shes a Pepper, were a PepperWouldnt you like to be a Pepper, too? Dr. Pepper!(advertising jingle for Dr. Pepper soft drink)Come then: let us to the task, to the battle, to the toileach to our part, each to our station. Fill the armies, rule the air, pour out the munitions, strangle the U-boats, sweep the mines, plow the land, build the ships, guard the streets, succor the wounded, uplift the downcast, and honor the brave.(Winston Churchill, speech given in Manchester, England, on January 29, 1940)Nothing thats beautiful hides its face. Nothing thats honest hides its name.(Orual in  Till We Have Faces: A Myth Retold  by C.S. Lewis. Geoffrey Bles, 1956)Pity is the feeling which arrests the mind in the presence of whatsoever is grave and constant in human sufferings and unites it with the sufferer. Terror is the feeling which arrests the mind in the presence of whatsoever is grave and constant in human sufferings and unites it with the secret cause.(James Joyce,  A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, 1917) An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered; an adventure is an inconvenience rightly considered.(G.K. Chesterton) Effects Created by Isocolon Isocolon... one of the most common and important rhetorical  figures, is the use of successive sentences, clauses, or phrases similar in length and parallel in structure. . . . In some cases of isocolon the structural match may be so complete that the number of  syllables  in each phrase is the same; in the more common case, the parallel clauses just use the same  parts of speech  in the same order. The device can produce pleasing  rhythyms, and the parallel structures it creates may helpfully reinforce a parallel substance in the speakers  claims... An excessive or clumsy use of the device can create too glaring a finish and too strong a sense of calculation.(Ward Farnsworth,  Farnsworths Classical English Rhetoric. David R. Godine, 2011) The Isocolon Habit Historians of  rhetoric  continually puzzle over why the  isocolon  habit so thrilled the Greeks when they first encountered it, why  antithesis  became, for a while, an  oratorical  obsession. Perhaps it allowed them, for the first time, to see their two-sided  arguments.(Richard A. Lanham,  Analyzing Prose, 2nd ed. Continuum, 2003) The Difference Between Isocolon and Parison - Isocolon  is a sequence of  sentences  of equal length, as in Popes Equal your merits! equal is your din! (Dunciad  II, 244), where each sentence is assigned five syllables, iconizing the concept of equal distribution... Parison, also called  membrum, is a sequence of  clauses or phrases  of equal length.(Earl R. Anderson,  A Grammar of Iconism. Fairleigh Dickinson Univ. Press, 1998) - The Tudor  rhetoricians  do not make the distinction between  isocolon  and  parison...The definitions of  parison  by Puttenham and Day make it identical with isocolon. The figure was in great favor among the Elizabethans as is seen from its schematic use not only in  Euphues  but in the work of Lylys imitators.(Sister Miriam Joseph,  Shakespeares Use of the Arts of Language. Columbia Univ. Press, 1947)

Case study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 17

Case Study Example She has no time to socialize and communicate inspite of having an assistant. She was not very accessible and the communication took time because of her delayed response to e-mails or messages and handover with the assistant. Studying the organizational behavior of Julie, it can be observed that she seems to have a good relationship with everyone in the university. She received good appraisals from her manager Pat Griffiths. She also received positive reviews from other faculty members. However, the surrounding environment has played a role in these relationships. Julie had several opportunities to interact with her colleagues and faculty members in informal gatherings which she did not do with Susan. Hence, there was a friendly emotional climate between Julie and other faculty members which was absent in case of Susan. This may have led to cognitive dissonance changing her attitude towards Susan. All full time faculty members Julie works with, apart from Susan, are men. Therefore, there is a high probability of gender dynamics creeping in. Also, her manager is a man. Men could have a favorable gender bias while evaluating or appraising women. Susan is a woman and is bound to have a different kind of relationship with Julie. Mental ability could also have an impact on the conflict between Julie and Susan. As confessed by Julie herself, she has been doing a lot of easy and normal work while the work given by Susan needed greater effort. Julie may not have the ability to handle such work due to her education or experience in the past which impacts her productivity. Studying the organizational behaviour of Susan, she seems to be highly occupied with work. Her work habits seem to be a result of her neurotic personality. Susan’s personality traits are that of an introvert which are quite opposite to that of Julie. In addition, Susan’s communication through Internet or messages has been ineffective. While Julie’s inability may be

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen - Movie Review Example Worse still Afghanistan is bombed, a factor that leads to the British PM, Maxwell Patricia call for the need to strengthen the relationship between the British and Muslim worlds4. In the business world, it is possible that cultures differ. Each of the cultural worlds tends to be suspicious of the other party as they do not share the same experiences and beliefs. As seen in the film, Harriet is frustrated by Jones, the fisheries expert who has numerous misconceptions about Yemen’s ability to sustain the business5. In fact, Jones is wary that he might tarnish his business name in the event that he invests in the Yemen community and is completely against the project, to an extent that he walks out of the meeting6. In this case, it is warranted to argue that the profits that would be accrued from investing in Yemen can easily be lost due to the cultural variations between the two parties. Jones is simply uninterested by any chance getting involved with the Yemenis but Harriet insi sts7. Later in the film, culture is seen as yet another barrier to business success. Jones finally agrees to the business plan and a meeting with the Sheikh is set8. Upon arrival, at the Scottish Highlands, Jones reveals that he has no faith, an aspect that demoralizes Sheikh who believes that the fishing industry requires a commitment to one’s faith9. This sparks a conflict between both parties who have a conflict of interests that emanate from their cultural faith. However, the project goes on well despite the personal problems in the lives of Jones and Harriet but cultural issues continue to dwindle the success of the business10. This time, Sheikh is accused of staining the Islamic world by doing business with the West11. It gets to a point that the Sheikh is to be assassinated by some radicals, and faces opposition from the locals who do not want the pods to be operational. Sheikh attempts to explain that he opened the pod for the good of the people, but the locals are no t impressed with that fact at all12. This can arguably be indicated to emanate from the variations in beliefs from the two worlds. Arguably, culture has played a major role in the assessing the various outcomes of the project. In the event that both parties would not have jeopardized their beliefs in terms of culture, it is obvious that the business would not have succeeded one mile. This is for the reason that each of the parties would be quick to judge the other and use their misconceptions in the business. It is the respect of the cultural variations that led to the success of the project in the long run, as the interests of the business were put first; thus, picking the best from each group. From the film, it is clear that Sheikh is quick to explain the spirituality and the religion that is linked to fishing, but Jones seems not care about that, but the project success13.

Cultural and Critical Perspectives of Rock-N-Roll Essay

Cultural and Critical Perspectives of Rock-N-Roll - Essay Example These mediums of expressions have in fact acted as a form of self realization, expression of resentment and extreme grievances meted out to these societies. Rock and Roll was highly influenced by its African origin and prevalent racial discrimination of blacks in America at the time. Though soul music and the early Rock and Roll music artists were popular and enjoyed by a large section of the African American community, it faced a grueling political apathy and hatred of so called civilized grown-up Americans. This hatred was often reflected in the early Rock and Roll music and it resurfaces even today in various performances though subtlety has taken precedents. This paper will explore the evolution of Rock and Rolls genre from the time of Blues or Rhythms and Blues and analyze how established record and broadcasting industry, the rise of rhythm and blues music and subsequently Rock and Roll were affected by racial indifferences of the society of that time. The paper will also discuss the various artists and piece of musical works that shaped Rock and Roll during the early 1950s and how they have shaped today's Rock and Roll. The fact that rock 'n' roll has its roots in a long slavery systems make it mandatory to know what slavery system was and how it could have been an origin of a popular music genre for understanding the impact of racism. Slavery system had left a generation of Africans who were not aware of their origin and even did not know much about American culture. The origin of Rock and Roll from slavery provides insight in the charm of the genre. Rock and roll is an African-American hybrid. It represents the transition or a desire of transition from the very suffering, and fight of survival out of generations of servitude to freedom of expression and soul as flouted by American white society. Rhythms of genre, use of extraordinary vocals and claps as a part of music, that indicate a strong linkage to African culture, provide a distinctive identity to Rock and Roll. Though the Rock and Roll can be culturally linked back to slavery, it adds a lot of elements local white American music. White America slowly discovered the endearing, inspiring musical heritage that had become central to African Americans' lives, and, establishing a tradition that is practiced to this day, began to imitate and adapt black music (Townsend, 1997). Origin of Rock and Roll is generally traced back to late 1940s and early 1950s. It has assimilated Blues, Country music, R&B, Folk music, and Gospel music styles of that time. Though the term Rock and Roll was first coined by Alan Freed in 1951 to describe a mixer of both black and white music, a similar kind of music style was already present in 1920s and 30's music form used by African community in America, which was generally categorized as race music or black music. The creation of first true Rock and Roll song is attributed to Joe Turner, a black blues artist, who sang, "Shake, Rattle, and Roll". Racial Discrimination During the heights of racial discrimination radio stations refused to play music by a black singers and parents advised their Childs not to listen this music. Schools were teaching the students against the evils of black music. One of the most important social teachings during the time was that

Law - Finance and Investment Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Law - Finance and Investment Law - Essay Example In the United Kingdom, there was a survey which was conducted by the insurance industry. The results showed that the UK annually loses  £85 billion every year, and more than half of this amount is related to drugs. However, there are a number of laws in the UK which can prevent the occurrence of money-laundering. One of the important obligations that a British citizen has, is to report a case of money laundering if he or she is aware of that. If the person doesn’t make a report however, he or she may have to spend fourteen years in prison. The Authority of the House of Lords (2009, p.8) states ‘Money laundering involves the following stages, which may overlap: Placement stage: where cash derived directly from criminal activity (for example, from sales of drugs) is either placed in a financial institution or used to purchase an asset; Layering stage: the stage at which there is the first attempt at concealment or disguise of the source of the ownership of the funds; Integration stage: the stage at which the money is integrated into the legitimate economic and financial system and is assimilated with all other assets in the system.’ In essence, money-laundering is the process through which illegal money obtained from means such as drug trafficking, prostitution and extortion is forced through a cycle which eventually makes that same money appear as if it was obtained through legal means. It’s extremely difficult of putting a perfect value of money-laundering. The International Monetary Fund of the IM F estimates that the money-laundering industry worldwide is worth about one trillion U.S. dollars per year. This amount is 3% of the world’s aggregate gross domestic product. The Authority of the House of Lords (2009, p. 27) states ‘The major exception in international practice to the default position, mandated by the UN

Content Analysis (cartoon) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Content Analysis (cartoon) - Essay Example To summarize, 1 scene of verbal aggression by non-adult character will be viewed by audience every 10 minutes. The results also show that there is no significant difference in the number of aggressive scenes depicted by non-adult versus adult characters, except in verbal aggression. These three cartoons’ stories frequently revolve around family issues, with one or more non-adult characters, like Bart in The Simpson, Stewie in Family Guy, and Stan in South Park. Despite producers’ assertion that these shows are for adults, they attract children during prime time viewing hours, due to young age of characters, family-based story lines and animation. As my sample size s relatively small, I cannot conclude that other prime-time cartoons contain similar levels of aggressive scenes, as in the sample. However, for further research, I will view as many samples as possible and extend my research to include Prime Time Drama, to determine whether a specific genre contains more scenes of aggression than

Management portfolio Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Management portfolio - Essay Example Project size can range from small to medium and the type could be large scale creation and type of built environment for example regeneration. Some of the critical determinants essential for full-fledged functionality of Civil Engineering the cross-functional processes adding value to the civil engineering system through effective concept and value designs. Some of the important areas of focus to enumerate the aspects of civil engineering are Each of the categories plays a pivotal role to understand the aspects of civil engineering and relationship between civil engineering and the respective categories and functions. Finally, there is a need to devise a document control process to ensure the accuracy of the information and also research on the relevance of the same in various aspects. The entire portfolio is supported with effective case studies, schematic diagrams and data tables for better understanding and application. It is important to understand the regulatory requirements in civil engineering for better functionality of the stream. These regulatory requirements are Health and Safety, Environmental and other specific regulatory like Buildings, Railways and Highways. In order to correlate the Health, Safety and Environmental aspect of management with the civil engineering management, there are many postulated theories explaining the need for the same.Risk involved in any health and safety is the accidents. An accident is an unplanned, uncontrolled event that resulted in personal injury, property damage and/or some other loss, or could have resulted in personal injury, property damage and/or some other loss in slightly different circumstances Case study example CLIENT COMMITMENT AND ATTITUDE TO CONSTRUCTION HEALTH AND SAFETY IN BOTSWANA Objective To identify present findings of a preliminary survey on the extent to which clients are involved in construction health and safety (H&S) implementation in Botswana. Methodology - A questionnaire survey was conduct ed on construction projects to establish the extent to which clients are involved in construction H&S. Physical observations were also conducted on construction sites in order to relate questionnaire responses to what was actually obtained on sites.  

Content Analysis (cartoon) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Content Analysis (cartoon) - Essay Example To summarize, 1 scene of verbal aggression by non-adult character will be viewed by audience every 10 minutes. The results also show that there is no significant difference in the number of aggressive scenes depicted by non-adult versus adult characters, except in verbal aggression. These three cartoons’ stories frequently revolve around family issues, with one or more non-adult characters, like Bart in The Simpson, Stewie in Family Guy, and Stan in South Park. Despite producers’ assertion that these shows are for adults, they attract children during prime time viewing hours, due to young age of characters, family-based story lines and animation. As my sample size s relatively small, I cannot conclude that other prime-time cartoons contain similar levels of aggressive scenes, as in the sample. However, for further research, I will view as many samples as possible and extend my research to include Prime Time Drama, to determine whether a specific genre contains more scenes of aggression than

Managing the Curriculum Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Managing the Curriculum - Essay Example to the identification, implementation and evaluation of policies that aim to support the various phases of learning, as these activities are also known as management of the curriculum. The review of the literature related to this subject has revealed an important fact: the state has the key role in defining the curriculum, both as a syllabus and as a learning process; still, the decisive role of principal/ head of educational institute in managing the curriculum cannot be doubted. In fact, the terms on which the management of curriculum is based are highly influenced by the decisions of principals and educators; the latter are those who apply the curriculum in practice and can, therefore, introduce important changes in each management on the basis that the key principles of education, such as equality and diversity are not violated, as analyzed below. A critical issue when managing Curriculum is the right of all children/ students to education no matter their physical or mental conditions. This right has been also described as the right to inclusion and refers to the need for securing the access to education for all children and students despite their potential disability (Wearmouth et al. 2013). Inclusion, as described above, is considered as a reflection of social justice, i.e. the need for the elimination of discrimination in all aspects of social life (Wearmouth et al. 2013). However, in order to be effectively promoted inclusion needs to be based on specific criteria. In other words, without a carefully planned strategy inclusion cannot be achieved at the level that delays would appear in regard to each of its processes (Sydney 2013). From a similar point of view it is noted that inclusion cannot be achieved only by applying a specific policy (Sydney 2013). Rather, it should be based on the understanding of all people in the educational site involved of the value and the necessity of inclusion; in other words, inclusion is

Beauty of Nature Essay Example for Free

Beauty of Nature Essay Nature can bring a lot of beauty into our lives. Nature has a way of affecting our moods and it can force us to change our plans. Nature is responsible for the sun, clouds, rain, and snow. When it is sunny and bright outside, we feel cheerful inside. When it is cloudy and rainy, we often feel gloomy. When there is a beautiful and starry night, the moonlight makes us feel romantic. William Wordsworth in his poem â€Å"Daffodils gives the romantic in nature; the beauty of nature as I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high oer vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze. Nature can set a sky aflame at sunset or magically transform a familiar landscape into a snow-white wonderland. It can paint a rainbow in the sky, paint beautiful autumn colors on trees, or paint a clump of daffodils in the grass with glow of soft sunlight. When we wake and see a sunrise, when we walk and feel a breeze, when we gaze at the mountains and the splendor of the seas, when we see the earth renew its beauty at each season of the year, and when the stars shine at night, we should be so very thankful to the Lord for giving us all these wonderful and miraculous things. This poetic line substantiates this The whistle of the wind rushing past my face, Looking for the exit so it can leave this place; The branches sway and the leaves begin to fall, I can hear the birds now, sending me their call. When we see the leaves budding on a tree or when a timid flower pushes through the frozen ground, or when we smell the freshness of spring, new  hope will always come to us. Nature is truly an intrinsic part of our lives.

Regional Economic Integration

Regional Economic Integration Regional economic integration becomes a new trend in the world of trading nowadays; there are many World Regions and Trade Organizations such as APEC, EU, NAFTA and ASEAN (Trade, 2010). In this essay, the objective is comparing the European Union (EU) and North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which are known as two top regional economic integrations in the world. Before comparing and contrasting these two regional trade associations, this essay will firstly consider giving some background knowledge of EU and NAFTA. It will then go on with comparing the level of regional economic integration with free trade area, custom union, common market, economic union and political union between EU and NAFTA. Making the comparison between the impact of integration in EU and NAFTA will be stated as the third section in this essay. At the end, this essay will give a conclusion in order to summarize the key point in the main body. EU, whose forerunner was the European Economic Community (EEC) that was founded in 1958 and changed its name into EU in 1993, followed the ratification of the Maastricht Treaty (European Union, n.d). The EU includes 27 European countries today, as an economic and political partnership between these countries. In addition, according to Actrav (n.d), the objective of the EU is calling to eliminate the internal trade barriers and create a common external tariff in order to strengthen the economic and social harmonious development and establish finally unified monetary economic monetary union (EMU), promote economic and social between member countries. Moreover, EU can develop the free moverment of goods, services, capital and people. Compare with North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), according to United States Trade Representative (n.d), NAFTA consist of the United States, Canada, and Mexico on 1 January, 1994. Moreover, some restrictions and duties were eliminated in 2008. SICE (2012) expounded that the objective of NAFTA include the following guidelines: Elimination within 10 years of tariffs on 99 percent of the goods traded between member countries. Remove majority of the barriers on the cross-border flow of services. Intellectual property rights are protected. Foreign direct investment between member countries is less restrictions. Members can apply national environmental standards. Commissions are establish to police violations. The next part of this essay shows the information about regional economic integration, which relates the EU and NAFTA. According to Charles (2011, p 688), regional economic integration can be defined as agreements among countries in a geographic region to reduce and ultimately remove tariff and nontariff barriers to the free flow of goods, services, and factors of production between each other. European Union and North American Free Trade Agreement are the most obvious example to show regional economic integration. Charles (2011) stated that there are five levels of economic integration, which are free trade area, customs union, common market, common market, economic union and political union. The table 1 is shown below: The first level of economic integration is free trade agreements (FTAs). Rolf and Nataliya (2001) explained that FTAs can avoid the barriers such as import tariffs and import quotas between signatory countries. Each country can determine its own policies with nonmember. For example, the traffic barriers are very different between member and nonmember (Charles, 2011). In addition, according to WTO (2002), the most popular form of regional economic integration is free trade agreements, which accounts for almost 90 percent of regional agreements. The example of free trade area in the world is the NAFTA that include three countries, are United State, Canada and Mexico. NAFTANOW (2012) explained that NAFTA is the largest FTAs in the world, has abolished most parts of tariff and non-tariff which are barriers for trade and investment in the union systematically. Also, NAFTA has helped create a certain and confident environment for long term investment through the establishment of a successf ul and reliable regulation for the safe investment. EU also eliminated the tariff and non-tariff barriers during trade between member countries, but has a little bit different with NAFTA, which EU focus on the non-tariff barriers than tariff. The next level of economic integration is customs union (CU), which build on a free trade area. Michael Holden (2003) descried that members in a customs union have no trade barriers with goods, as well as services among them. Besides, the CU put forward a common trade policy which shows respect to those nonmembers. It is a typical form for common external tariff that has the same tariff sold to any member countries when the subjects of imports are nonmembers. For example, EU began in this level at the beginning, but now it has moved to the high level of economic integration. In addition, NAFTA also has comment external trade barrier from outside. For example, Andean Community is known as the customs unions around the world, which assured free trade between signatory countries and compelled with a common tariff of 5 to 20 per cent on trading products while importing from countries outside the union. According to Jennifer (2004), every single common market represents a major step to important integration of economy. Except for the involvement of the provision for customs union, a common market (CM) moves all barriers into capital and other resources, peoples mobility within the areas mentioned in the question, as well as removing the non-tariff barriers of trading such as controllable management of the standards for the product. A common markets establishment typically needs the accordance of those significant policies within many areas. As an example, free movement of labor makes the agreements of worker qualification and certification necessary. Besides, a common market is also typically relevant to a comprehensive assemblage of monetary and fiscal policies, whether through design or the result, because of the increasing economic interdependence with the area and the influences that one member state can bring on another or other countries, which gives more rigorous restrictions on the ability of the engagement on the independent economic policies with the necessarily. The first coming benefit of establishing a common market is the gains of economic efficiency under expectation. Within the common market, labor and capital could respond to the economic signals more easily with the unfettered mobility, which lead to a higher allocation efficiency. In EU and NAFTA, both of regional trade associations can be seem as common market, because they can freely move the capital, people and goods without barriers. For example, in EU the people can travel most of the continent without border controls between EU countries and NAFTA also the same as EU (European Union, n.d). Michael Holden (2003), the deepest form of economic integration, also known as an economic union, adds the requirements of the accordance between a numbers of key policy areas to a common market. Apparently, economic unions as a higher level of integration, require formally coordinated monetary and fiscal policies as well as labor market, regional development, transportation and industrial policies. It would have opposite results to operate dispersive policies in those regions since all countries would share economic space basically. An economic union contains the usage of a unified monetary policy and a common currency with frequency. The functions of an economic union would be enhanced with eliminating the uncertainty of exchange rate through permitting trade to follow efficient was economically instead of being unduly influenced by considering exchange rate, which is also suitable for business location choosing. Supranational institutions would be requested to manage the trade wit hin the areas of union in order to ensure consistent applications of the regulations. These laws should still be administered within a national level while countries would renounce the control over this area. In economic union, there are many different between EU and NAFTA. One of the most important differences is the currency. In the EU, it has a single currency of Euro, however, the currency not just one in NAFTA. In addition, the political structure of the EU and NAFTA also different. There are four main institutions in the EU political structure, which are European Commission, the Council of European Union, the European Parliament, and the Court of Justice. Moreover, EU has own fiscal police of Maastricht Treaty. In contrast, NAFTA has not political structure to control the police, because NAFTA is like a law which became in 1994 (Charles, 2011). Therefore, NAFTA can be seem as economic union because no single currency between member countries. The move toward economic union raises the issue of how to make a coordinating bureaucracy accountable to the citizens of member nations. The answer is through political union in which a central political apparatus coordinates the economic, social, and foreign policy of the member states (Charles, 2011, p268). The United State is the good example, which even closer this stage. However, NAFTA and the EU both are not become political union. In the third part of this essay, it will talk about the impact of integration in EU and NAFTA, such as economic grow, increased competition and so on. The EU establishes a single currency which is benefit for the Europeans. There are many reasons; first, handling one currency is better than many, because companies and individuals can save a lot. For example, people going from Germany to French, they do not go to bank in order to change German deutsche into French francs. Second, when the consumers to shop around the Europe, one currency can make them easier to compare prices of goods and service, which will lead to increase competition. For example, if the car sell in France is cheaper than Germany, the people can go to France buy the car and then sell in Germany. This will make the German company face a competition with French company. Third, a common currency can increase the highly liquid pan-European capital market. In addition, according to Gabriele (2008), the EU also impact on business because the transaction costs between the members of EU will disappearance, which can make the products produce in lower cost. It will get more competitive advantage with nonmember countries. However, the drawback of Euro is that national authorities will lose control over monetary policy. And the implied of loss of national sovereignty to the European Central Bank (ECB) underlies the decision by Great Britain, Denmark and Sweden to stay out of the euro zone for now (Charles, 2011, p278). Furthermore, another disadvantage of the euro is that may lead to economic growth become lower and inflation will higher in Europe. The impact of integration in NAFTA is increase exports, imports and investment between U.S. in NAFTA countries, which will lead to increase economic grow. According to United States Trade Representative (n.d), the goods exports of U.S. to NAFTA increased 23.4% between 2010 and 2009, and up 149% from 1994. In addition, the import from NAFTA countries also developed 25.6 from 2009, and up 184% from 1994. Moreover, United State foreign directs investment (FDI) in NAFTA also up 8.8% between 2009 and 2008. All of these data show that the integration makes NAFTA countries trade and invest more than before. In addition, Charles (2011) explained that as other influences over NAFTA, companies from US and Canada would move their industries into Mexico for its labor market with low cost. At the meantime, Mexico could get benefits from the inward investment and the improvement with employment with the labor market.It is beneficial for US and Canada because Mexicans could import more goods from U S and Canada with their increasing incomes, therefore increasing demand of Mexicans and the making up for jobs lost in companies that moved production to Mexico, which brings advantages to US and Canada with the lower-price products made in Mexico.In addition, the advantage of lower labor costs in Mexico can increase the international competitiveness of U.S. and Canadian firm to better compete with outside of competitors such as Asian and European rivals. The negative of NAFTA is that loss of U.S. jobs to Mexico, which up to 5.9 millions. Moreover, the Mexicos environment deteriorated is the other problem in NAFTA, because the productions of the United States move into Mexico. The same production will effect more cheaply and more dirtily, which will result in environment deteriorated. Such as globally in terms of resource depletion, pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, and ecosystem spoilage. Furthermore, there was also opposition in Mexico to NAFTA from those who feared a loss o f national sovereignty. This point of view is similar with the costs of the Euro (Charles, 2011). In conclusion, after compare and contrast of regional economic integration between EU and NAFTA, there are many factors are similar. For example, they both are free trade area, customs union and common market, because they meet the requirements of these three stages. In addition, they have not tariff and non-tariff barriers between member countries. Moreover, both have common external tariff to nonmember countries and free movement of capital, people and goods. However, the big different between EU and NAFTA is, EU has a single currency and fiscal police, but NAFTA without these two elements. In the part of impact of integration, it shows the positives and negatives of EU and NAFTA. The similar points are both can increase their economic growth and foreign direct investment in signatory countries. In addition, they both face some problem of nation will loss of national sovereignty, such as Mexico and Sweden. However, EU also has a problem of lost control over monetary policy but NAFT A will not face this issue, because NAFTA is not single currency in U.S., Canada and Mexico.

The Raven Essay -- Edgar Allen Poe

The Loss of a Loved Maiden   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In â€Å"The Raven† by Edgar Allan Poe, one sees the internal torment of a man in mourning for the lost love of a maiden, named Lenore that has died. The narrator expresses a sea of emotions over the vision of a raven haunting and taunting him.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As the man sits in his chamber he only seems to notice the negativity of his surroundings in a depressive state of mind over his lost. â€Å"..A midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary†. He was, as many people seem to be when they are depressed, in a lethargic and calm state nearly sleeping. He then was disturb by a tapping noise and slowly grew from slight excitement into fear and nervousness over the commotion. â€Å"And the silken, sad, uncertain rustling of each purple curtain thrilled me- filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before.† The narrator tried to rationalize the situation into some coincidental incident of someone at his door yet, there was no one there. To this he plainly states, â€Å"Deep into the darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,† only to perhaps start to question his sanity until he heard another noise. At this point in the poem one may clearly see his very painful condition and state of mind as he wishfully whispers the word â€Å"Lenore†. The marginal state between idealism and reality has blurred.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As the narrator tensely turns to the window to â€Å"explore† the disturbance, there the reader meets the raven that has entered into the room and placed him...

Employment and Performance Essay

When allocating work, what things should be taken into consideration? When Allocating work you need to implement a clear and precise goal that is achievable within the given time. The availability, knowledge and skills of the staff need to be considered before assigning them to a particular role to ensure the best outcomes. Why are performance management systems necessary and how do you think performance appraisals contribute to performance and productivity in an organisation? Performance management systems help direct employees toward organisational goals by letting employees know what is expected of them and how it will be achieved. When an employee has been given the performance management system, they should know clearly what is expected of them and know what they will be assessed on. It is also a good opportunity for employers to praise employees on the areas that they have excelled in and also to identify areas that need further improvement. 3. What steps might be taken if it is necessary to follow-up performance appraisals? Some steps that need to be followed when evaluating performance appraisals are: †¢Set performance goals with each employee. †¢Set developmental goals with each employee. †¢Shift focus from their past performance to their future performance. †¢Working directly with the employees. †¢Provide the employees with formal and informal coaching, guidance, feedback and direction. Assessment Activity 11 Explain what coaching and mentoring are, making certain that the differences between the two processes are clearly explained. Mentoring is relationship orientated which provides a safe environment where the mentored shares whatever issues affect his or her professional and personal success. Mentoring is always long term because it requires time in which both partners can learn about one another and build trust. Coaching is more tasks specific. The focus is on concrete issues, such as managing more effectively and improving technical and practical skills. Also a coach can successfully be involved with the coached for a short period of time, maybe even just a few sessions. The coaching lasts for as long as is needed. Assessment Activity 12 Why is necessary to document and record performance? Documenting employee performance sends the message to an organisation’s workers that their work is observed and acknowledged. As employees realise their work is acknowledged their level of engagement in their job increases. This causes productivity to increase. Also when managers meet with employees to discuss their performance reviews, employees can ask their managers questions about comments they gave regarding their performance. They can also discuss personal items such as work and life balance issues that impact their performance and work with their managers to arrive at solutions to the challenges. Assessment Activity 8 1. Why is it necessary that performance monitoring and evaluation be continuous process? To ensure employee improvement, productivity, satisfaction and to make it into an effective communication tool that enables feedback from employees to management as well as from management to employees. 2. Why should both managers and employees receive suitable training in how to handle performance review/appraisal interviews? Managers and employees both need training so they understand how the system works, how they can and should contribute, what the results of an appraisal should be and how the appraisal process fits with the organisations procedures and expectations for future performance. 3. How and how often do you think performance appraisals should be held and why do you think this? I think performance appraisals should be held two times a year to discuss performance, counselling and developing employees, discussing compensation, job status, or disciplinary decisions. In what ways can you recognise the contribution of your work group members and why should you do this? Some ways you can recognise contribution of your work group members are: †¢Public recognition for their contributions. †¢A thank you for doing the job. †¢An email note. †¢Time off. †¢Getting the group together to do a fun activity that’s not work related. With rewarding the team, they will likely work much harder if they feel that what they’re doing really makes a difference, and that their efforts are noticed by those with power. What is feedback and why is it important that managers and supervisors provide informal feedback to staff on a regular basis? Feedback: Information about reactions to a product, a person’s performance of a task, etc. which is used as a basis for improvement. It’s important that managers provide informal feedback to employees on a regular basis to ensure they fully understand if they are meeting the required goals and also to encourage improvement and acknowledging a job well done in a causal and non-formal way.

Cell Phones are a Necessity of Life Essay

Cell phones are not an advanced gadget on the scene. It was developed in 1947 in the form of a car mobile phone. The hypothesis of cellular phone was produced by Bell Laboratories with the permission of FCC (Federal Communication Commission), and had everything to do with broadcasting and sending a radio or television message out over the airwaves. There was a scientist who gave a advanced shape to the same accessory. Dr Martin Cooper, a former general manager in Motorola, made the basic call on a portable cell phone in nineteen seventy-three. The premier ever cell phone was very ample and bulky. It resembled a radio frequency accessory. The weight of Motorola’s introductory cell phone was 2 pounds. Presently, the structure of cell phones has evolved to match the style and comfort of the user. It is uncomplicated to tailor cell phones by choosing its features and functions for one’s comfort. There are phone covers that change the face and design of the contraption. Various accessories are available such as car chargers, belt clips, phone covers, data cables and etc. Cell phones emerged as a apparatus of luxury, but presently it plays a much bigger and considerable role. One can gather wireless Internet service through your cell phone, with web and email capability. A cell phone with a mini web browser can relief retrieve web emails and chat while you are on the move. A extraordinary kind of browser is used for surfing the net on a small cell phone screen. If internet use is a must, make sure that when buying a cell phone you make the choice for graphic browser capability instead of a text-based browser. In addition, if you think you will browse the wireless Internet often, you may desire to consider buying a cell phone with a larger than average display size. There are International websites that allow sending mails, without having a computer. All you need is a basic GPRS enabled mobile phone and you can access your mail on your cell phone anytime and anywhere. It seems that cell phones have become a bed-side essential for us today. It is no longer a device of entertainment. From local weather forecast in the morning to your  loved ones valuable night messages, it keeps you connected all the time. With cell phones becoming a gadget with all the modern technology, its theft is growing across the world. In a survey in the UK, a cell phone is stolen every three minutes. In the United States, the statistics are very analogous. By keeping a note on the IMES identification that each phone has, you can trace a phone. This is quite the tedious process. The IMES code is individual to each cell phone and when you lose your phone, you can refer the code to your network provider as well as handset provider and trace back the cell phone, or at least block the applications in the phone. The person who stole the cell phone can’t use it after the IMES code is blocked. Cell phones have become a very popular consumer electronic product. With the availability of internet connection, cell phone as broaden even deeper its options of uses. You must also note that GPS capability is a life saver for tracking cell phone users who are in emergency situations. Cell phone usage has become a necessity of life. People cannot live without their cell phone. What was once considered a luxury item in the early days, cell phones are a must have item at every waking moment.

Knowledge-based systems Essay

We tabulated the required sample size n and the corresponding critical acceptance value [c. sub. 0] for various [alpha]-risks, [beta]-risks, and the capability requirements AQL, LTPD. The results obtained in this paper are useful to the practitioners in making reliable decisions. For illustrative purpose, we demonstrated the proposed method by presenting a case study on liquid-crystal module (LCM) manufacturing process to evaluate the process performance. Here could be many decision problems in which decision-makers have different interests in reaching certain objectives. A useful decision support system which has interesting characteristics is presented here: it allows each decision-maker to learn individually how to move around the efficient frontier and, interact anonymously, in a progressive manner, with the other members of the group to impel the process toward his interests, or to back down before the other decision-makers’ interests, to end up in a balanced decision that satisfies all the members of the group. (Sethi, & King 2001) The system presented here has the role of an impartial and trustworthy facilitator that enables the group to reach their objectives in an appropriated time, manages it, questions it and makes proposals. The system can rapidly synthesize information and judgments and effectively reflect back the tentative outcomes to decision-makers. It generates understanding, learning and creativity. (Edwards 2004) This process can drive certain members of the group to strongly bias the decisions towards their own interests, by proposing solutions that exceed their goals so that in a negotiation process they can diminish their aspirations to reach their individual true goals. In the proposed methodology several options were included that diminish the vulnerability of the process to radical proposals. These options induce the decision-makers to express their real preferences and not those that would allow them to manipulate the decision. The proposed methodology allows autonomy and privacy in the decisions of each member of the group. It improves the participation of all decision-makers and avoids pressures by other members. It allows that decision-makers have different importance within the process, and it also includes a weighting system that can be defined by a consultative procedure. (Tan, & Benbasat 2003) References Adelman, L. (2001). Handbook for evaluating knowledge-based systems: Norwell, MA: Kluwer. Anderson, E. E. , & Chen, Y. (2006) Microcomputer software evaluation: An econometric model. Decision Support Systems. 19 (2), 75-92. Adelman, L. (2005). User and R&D specialist evaluation of decision support systems: IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics. (SMC-15)2, 334-342. Balasubramanian, P. (1999) Managing process knowledge for decision support: Decision Support Systems. 27 (1-2), 145-162.

Analyze the book Coming of Age in Mississippi by Anne Moody - How did Essay

Analyze the book Coming of Age in Mississippi by Anne Moody - How did the system of discrimination work, and why was it so har - Essay Example Moody’s particular contribution to this important subject is to bring out the emotional and personal effects of this system of discrimination on the poorest people and spell out the awful consequences that followed any attempts at resistance against the overwhelming power of the white and racist ruling minority in Mississippi. The economic situation of the protagonist Anne’s family is very bad. The passages describing the various successive family homes, for example, detail the very basic conditions in a matter of fact way, showing how absolutely normal it was for African families to share one room, or even on occasion one bed (Moody, 13). Features such as wallpaper fastened on to the walls with tacks (Moody, 3), or a concern for economy in statements such as â€Å"Stop using up all that soap!† (Moody, 35) appear extreme to modern readers, because these small luxuries are taken for granted by the vast majority of American citizens today. The fact that an eight ye ar old is left in charge of younger siblings, while both parents work long hours in the fields is evidence also that conditions for share-cropping farmers were not much better than those which were endured by African Americans under the old rules of slavery. Grinding poverty is the daily normality for this group of people, and it saps their strength, taking away the desire and ultimately also the ability to find a better way of life. Anne’s mother, for example, struggles every day of her life to provide even these fundamental necessities for her children and this explains her attitude of dejection and hopelessness throughout the book. Anne, as a young child, longs for a more spirited resistance, but does not appreciate the weight of economic responsibility that keeps a mother tied to a succession of demeaning and low paid jobs. These harsh conditions are described without negative comment in the opening pages of the book, but as the child grows older and encounters the luxuri ous bedrooms and bathrooms that white people such as the Johnsons have, a note of envy and indignation appears. It is bad enough to suffer deprivation and hunger, but the proximity of a whole other world that is physically nearby but economically out of reach makes the situation even worse. Prejudice and power are certainly factors in the maintenance of a segregated society in Mississippi, but one the most powerful forces that sustained the system of discrimination was widespread and unrelenting poverty. Social differences in the novel are partly defined by the economic factors mentioned above, but also very much influenced by race. The book shows how a child growing up in the segregated South has difficulty in understanding the labels that categorize people into different racial groups. The young Anne cannot figure out, for example, why two of her uncles who look exactly like all the white people, cannot be classified as white. Her mother’s answer â€Å"Cause they mama ainà ¢â‚¬â„¢t white† (Moody, 36) appears illogical to the child, who naturally looks for visual signals in the color of skin, eyes and hair that a person has. By adopting the innocent and questioning attitude of a child, the author cleverly points out the inherently illogical and arbitrary nature of the social hierarchy. The reader is forced to

The Mozart Effect Annotated Bibliography Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

The Mozart Effect Annotated Bibliography - Essay Example The video also employed the talents of a researcher and annotator who did live recreations of versions of the tests, where subjects chosen at random in a public place were subjected to Mozart music and to music from Blur and then made to undergo the battery of cognitive tests that included solving puzzles, testing reaction times to falling rulers, and tests of memory, among others The findings in the public tests were in congruence with the findings in other studies that state that there is nothing in Mozart music that is special, even though Mozart music did indeed boost subject performance in cognitive tests. This is the conclusion because music by Blur also had the same effect. The baseline was silence. In both cases where subjects were first subjected to silence and then to either Mozart or Blur music, there were observed improvements in the performance of the subjects to the tests. The final caveat is that the performance boosts occurred after listening to the music, and that th e performance boosts were short-lived. The video in all is a good general overview of the nature of the Mozart effect tests and the kinds of challenges that have been made to it over the years (Applasamy, 2012). Bangerter, A. and Heath, C. 2004. The Mozart Effect: Tracking the evolution of a scientific legend. British Journal of Social Psychology (2004). [Online]. Available at: https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/sites/default/files/documents/BJSP,%20Mozart%20Effect.pdf [Accessed 26 November 2013] Demorest, S. and Morrison, S. 2000. Does Music Make You Smarter? Music Educators Journal 87 (2). Green, C.S and Bavelier, D. 2008. Exercising Your Brain: A Review of Human Brain Plasticity and Training-Induced Learning. Psychology and Aging 23 (4). [Online]. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2896818/ [Accessed 26 November 2013] Husain, G., Thompson, W. and Schellenberg, E. 2002. Effects of Musical Tempo and Mode on Arousal, Mood and Spatial Abilities. Music Perception 20 ( 2). [Online]. Available at: http://www.psych.utoronto.ca/users/ghusain/Publications_files/GH2002Mozart%20effect.pdf [Accessed 26 November 2013] Jausovec, N., Jausovec, K. and Gerlic, I. 2006. The influence of Mozart’s music on brain activity in the process of learning. Clinical Neuropsychology 117. Jenkins, J.S. 2001. The Mozart Effect. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine 94 (4). [Online]. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1281386/ [Accessed 26 November 2013] Lubetzky, R. 2010. Effect of Music by Mozart on Energy Expenditure in Growing Preterm Infants. Pediatrics 125 (1). [Online]. Available at: http://www.pediatricsdigest.mobi/content/125/1/e24.full [Accessed 26 November 2013] Makielo, L. 2012. The Mozart Effect. The Epoch Times. [Online]. Available at: http://epoch-archive.com/a1/en/sg/nnn/2012/01%20January_2012/Issue%20395_17_January_2012/395_B4.pdf [Accessed 26 November 2013] Nantais, K.

Finance is an important sector in the business environment Essay

Finance is an important sector in the business environment - Essay Example Limits to arbitrage A limit of arbitrage is the maintenance of price at non-equilibrium for a certain period due to the restriction of funds. The market sets prices for given products which when they go low due to mispricing traders experience a low-risk profit assumes that whenever the mispricing of the public stocks. Rational firms work with professional money management firms to ensure the proper management of other people’s money. The low risk profit generates from rational traders if the equilibrium. If firms engage in arbitrage in a reaction bid, it leads to a stock mispricing extending for a period. Clients withdraw from investing as they anticipate a loss by investing. To ensure the funds are delivered on time, a manager must anticipate a loss while stabilizing a sale. A threat of this action on the corporate society works with the finance industry to supply the stock, development, manufacture, and distribution. Corporate and shareholders work together to form an ancil lary business help in different stages in the supply. The finance industry deals with health hence it is about people. The industry is beneficial to the public hence remains important to the public. Products and services have saved millions of lives over the years. The profit expectancy increases with lowered losses by situations such as market fluctuations and poor investment planning (Davidson, Goldstein and Kenney 56). 2.1. Market efficiency Money put in the stock market is supposed to generate return on the capital invested. Investors try to make a profit while ensuring that they outperform the current market. Market efficiency comes with formulating efficient market efficiency. Market controls the new entrants in terms of products and services. Introduction of new products gives the option to people to live better lives enjoying a longer life. In developed countries, marketing has enhanced the spread of marketing methods such as sales people, and print advertising, which domina ted the advertising industry decades ago. The success of marketing growth attributes to the investments put into the industry. Businesses work with investment industry to offer investments care to clients. This is under the law as it involves business remains responsible for the stock market provided to the public. Segmentation of the drug market rates using geography and demography also assists individuals to reach available stock for sale. The profiles of markets in developing and developed countries offer a difference in the methods of analysis. Non-communicable products form a segment for businesses to invest in. investing in the medical areas brings a safe haven for patients. For instance, products in the medical industry such as diabetes, obesity and respiratory products, and cardiovascular products have different markets compared to other products including marketing and efficiency (Francis 117). 2.2. Theory The theory of efficient marketing in behavioral finance changes the thinking methodology towards investment. The studies affect the cognitive, emotional and social economic decisions made by individuals. Rationality and equilibrium in neoclassical economics is a vast understanding of both micro and macroeconomics. The reaction of individual and firms towards purchase highly depends on the capability to provide vast information on the given trends. The paper will give a detailed study on

Comments on ideology, class, structure and agency as used in media Assignment

Comments on ideology, class, structure and agency as used in media studies - Assignment Example The audience of Jeremy Kyle show is a group of people who share the same problem as those presented by the guests. The show offers relief and introduces anxiety by presenting and discussing a problem that the audiences can potentially identify as opposed to guests’ assumptions that the viewers are not familiar with the problems. In other words, specialist guests represent the voice of audience’s own commentary, which is unexpressed, creating a sense of superiority being and viewer’s ideology continually reaffirmed and articulated (Barwise & Gordon, 2002 p207). Therefore, it is evident that both the programme and its viewers share common ideological message. I feel that sponsorship and advertising of this Jeremy Kyle show undermines the programme’s message. The sponsors of this programme and its adverts claim that it helps to counsel and rehabilitate couples (guests) yet its ideological stance that is primarily violence and sex, is what is used to reaffirm its moral codes and maintain its audience. According to Kyle, failure of women to attend to their domestic duties and abstinent with a child-bearing role, and men’s failure to use sexual protection method and contraceptives is the source of their problems. Other programmes that share the same ideological message with Jeremy Kyle show include the Jerry Springer Show, Ricky Lake Show and Trisha Goddard Television talk show (Barwise & Gordon, 2002

JFK'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

JFK'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS - Essay Example He was the youngest man who happened to be the President of America (This is Day in History - John F. Kennedy inaugurated) JFKS Inaugural address was mainly based on the peace, world change, freedom, rights of the people and relations with the neighbor states, including the world as a whole. The major goal of his campaign defined his eventual presidency during the time of diplomatic challenges, emerging social challenges and economic prosperity. Immediately after receiving the Oath, President Kennedy addressed the speech, which he had been preparing from the time of his nomination. His speech just not contained his personal thoughts but also the suggestions he took from the fellow economists. The main idea of the speech was to represent the United States as such a force which effectively counts in maintaining the peaceful relationships, on international level. Kennedy highlighted the new inventions and discoveries of nuclear power worldwide, along with arms. He didn’t favor the dangerous discoveries are not important and in interest of the world peace by addressing that, â€Å"to those nations w ho would make themselves our adversary, we offer not a pledge but a request: that both sides begin a new that quest for peace† (Kennedy Inaugural Address, 1961). The actual focus of the speech was on the relationship between duty and power. The statement by Kennedy, â€Å"Man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life† (Kennedy Inaugural Address, 1961), proves his point that he was addressing in the favor of the whole world not only Americans. His above statement clarifies his motto that he wanted to spread peace into the whole by dismantling the goals of those states, whose priorities were to bring out Cold Wars. Kennedy referred to those people who were residing in small villages globally, struggling to live their lives, by saying that

Evidence Based Practice in Mental Health Nursing Essay Example for Free

Evidence Based Practice in Mental Health Nursing Essay One of the most common and disabling psychological disorders encountered within mental health and general medical settings is that of an anxiety disorder (Dattilio Kendall 2000). Research has indicated that people with learning disabilities are more prevalent to psychological disorders than the general population (Hassiotis et al 2000) consequently it could be hypothesised that prevalence rates of anxiety disorders are similar if not greater within the learning disabled population. Professional literature suggests that cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT) has been an effective treatment against anxiety disorder (Beck 1995) however; this literature has predominately concentrated its focus to within the confines of mental health and general medical settings (Dattilio Kendall 2000). The ability of people with learning disabilities to identify, evaluate and respond to their dysfunctional thoughts and beliefs, fundamentals of CBT (Beck 1995) have put into question the very use of this treatment programme for this particular client group (Kroese et al 1997). From a professional and personal perspective and through the utilisation of the Seedhouse (1998) Ethical Grid responding to an anxiety disorder by way of CBT could be considered an ethically acceptable clinical intervention. Nationally and locally through government directives, Valuing People (Department of Health 2001) and initiatives such as Health Action Plans (Department of Health 2002) services have recognised that they need to be more responsive to the mental health needs of people with learning disabilities. As a learning disability nurse wishing to ascertain the effectiveness of CBT as a practical intervention when presented with the dual-diagnosis of anxiety disorder and learning disability, is through the use of evidence-based practice. When deciding on the best possible clinical intervention for an identified practice problem it seams logical to convert the issue into a single answerable question (Colyer Kamath 1999). Several authors have identified that the use of frameworks to inform the development of the clinical question provide the practitioner with a systematic process of formulating an answerable question (Sackett et al 1997 Ridsdale1998). One such framework as described by Sackett et al (1997) is a four- stage process, known by the acronym PICO: Patient or Population Intervention or Indicator Comparison or Control Outcome The construction of an answerable question is the basis of evidence-based practice and should guide the practitioner to how to find an answer (Ridsdale 1998). It is important that each variable under the PICO framework is clearly defined, being as detailed and explicit as possible in order to extend clarification to the question. Working through PICO methodically the practitioner would instigate the process by defining the Patient or Population. Characteristics such age, gender and diagnosis would need to be deliberated and whilst the aforementioned were easily recognised in the practice area as adult male, identifying appropriate terminology for diagnosis can prove problematic. The term Learning Disability is often used interchangeably in literature with terms such as, Mental Retardation and Intellectual Disabilities. Learning Disability is a term with contemporary usage within the United Kingdom to describe a client group with significant development delays (Gates 1996). Whilst the idiom Learning Disability is the preferred terminology for the question due to its contemporary usage it must be accepted that its a term not internationally recognised nor is it a term used for long in the United Kingdom (Gates 1996). Anxiety disorder comes in many facets and can be described as severe psychological disorders in which abnormal or chronic anxiety interferes with daily living (Adams Bromley 1998). The client in the practice area had described psychological and physiological symptoms that were diagnosed as a social anxiety disorder through rating scales and self-report measures. It is crucial that the practitioner is aware that the term identified for the question as social anxiety is often recognised by the synonyms, social phobia or panic disorder (Dattilio Kendall 2000). The recognition of this inconsistent terminology will enable an evaluation to  take place between the relationships of the chosen term to symptoms displayed by the client. The identification of existing clinical interventions is a valuable part of the process of developing evidenced-based interventions (Meijel 2003). Literature suggests that CBT is an effective treatment for a number of psychological disorders (Embling 2002 Hatton 2002). Central to the model of CBT is that distorted or dysfunctional thinking is prevalent in all psychological disorders (Beck 1995). Analysis of accumulated experience of existing interventions and the aforementioned evidence of its validity led to the application of CBT as the question intervention. It is not imperative for the question to have a comparison intervention and this was the situation in the clinical problem described, therefore the conclusive element utilising the PICO framework was outcome. The outcome should be measurable (Sackett et al 1997) and after initially trivialising with the term used it became evident that this would not develop into something that could be measured. Discussing whether or not an intervention is effective however would provide the question with a measurable outcome. Revision of the terminology identified through the PICO framework would consequently translate the question as Is cognitive-behaviour therapy an effective intervention for adult males with learning disabilities diagnosed as suffering from social anxiety? A well-formulated search strategy is an essential component in gathering appropriate evidence (Hewitt-Taylor 2002). Ridsdale (1998) discusses a four-stage search strategy that helps to translate the question into a meaningful search a) Identify the subject elements of the question b) Define the relationship between the subject elements c) Convert the subject elements into search themes d) Decide on the scope of the search Assistance to define the subject elements can be found within the PICO framework Patient Learning Disability, Social Anxiety Intervention CBT Outcome Effectiveness Once identified an effective means of linking the subject elements of a question for the search process is through the use of operators. Operators such as: And Or Not, form a logical link between the elements of the question and can be used collectively or individually in any electronic database search (Ridsdale 1998). All of the subject elements of the question were required in order provide a conclusive answer therefore the operator required for the search strategy could be identified as And. The subject elements then require conversion into terms by which references can be retrieved (Ridsdale 1998). A keyword search would apply the terms identified as the subject elements, however making a list of the known synonyms of the subject elements such as Intellectual Disability and Mental Retardation, for inclusion, would substantially develop the search process. Finally the scope of the search decides what is wanted from the search. In order to identify the most appropriate type of evidence that is required for the practice problem the type of question asked must be identified (Sackett et al 1997). The question developed through the PICO framework can be readily identified as questioning, the effectiveness of a therapy. Sackett et al (1997) proposes that the best available evidence to answer this type of question is comparative / prospective studies and ideally random controlled trials (RCTs) which in turn determine the choice of database (Ridsdale 1998). Sackett et al (1997) provides a comprehensive catalogue of information resources such as databases, journals and web sites along with descriptions  of the type of evidence that can be found within these resources. It was established previously that the best type of evidence for the question would be RCTs and comparative / prospective studies. From the descriptions supplied by Sackett et al (1997) it could be identified that the Cochrane Library supplies the user with full text systematic reviews of effects of health-care interventions along with bibliographies of controlled trials. Further electronic databases identified through Salford University library information services were PsycINFO that contains citations and summaries of journal articles and books in the field of psychology chosen for its congruity with the clinical intervention. Swetswise an electronic journal aggregator that provides access to full text publications from several major health care related academic publishers and IngentaConnect which offers full text availability for all core Blackwell science and medical journals were chosen due to familiarity of use and extensive subject matter. Other databases considered were CINAHL, EMBASE and AMED however all were discounted due to their general nursing bias. Despite the recognition of Ridsdales (1998) four-stage search strategy and its systematic approach the initial search were completed exploiting familiar strategies through the IngentaConnect database. Preconceptions from previous endeavours searching for relevant evidence furnished the belief that a similar strategy would provide sufficient evidence to answer the question. A number of the subject elements were used through keyword searches whilst the operator And was used to link each in turn (See Appendix). This easy to use search strategy produced a number of hits however none matched the criteria identified as being the most appropriate type of evidence to answer the question. The search revealed that almost all of the evidence found belonged in either mental health (Heimberg 2002) or general medical settings (Scholing Emmelkamp 1999). Whenever the term learning disability or mental retardation was utilised they invariable appeared indiscriminately amidst the title or abstract of the article providing no specific relevance to the question. The frustration born out of this strategy led to further searches of electronic databases firstly through another familiar database, Swetswise. Ridsdale (1998) identifies that too many hits will be recovered if the subject element is to general  and this was evident in the first keyword search. The term learning disabilities produced 548 hits (See Appendix) far too many to feasibly scan. The subsequent four searches failed to produce a single hit a possibility also recognised by Ridsdale (1998) who suggests alternative synonyms are utilised in this circumstance. Due to the inability to find any relevant material of value towards answering the question Ridsdales (1998) four-stage strategy was then conscientiously adopted in conjunction with the knowledge acquired through lectures received at Salford University. A further search of Swetswise database was completed (See Appendix) which revealed significantly less hits than previously achieved but produced a literature review (Hatton 2002) specifically aimed at the use of CBT and people with learning disabilities. Whilst this evidence did not fulfil previous identified criteria it established that pursuing Ridsdales (1998) strategy could provide some success. A similar approach was undertaken while searching the Cochrane Library database which allows the user to restrict the search to the acquisition of systematic reviews and controlled trials whilst using a simple keyword option. Again the subject elements were utilised along with the recognised operator and despite new found confidence and kno wledge the search strategy revealed no evidence of systematic reviews or RCTs with regards to the question (See Appendix). All systematic reviews or RCTs retrieved belonged within general and mental health settings. The final electronic database to be utilised was PsycINFO (via Ovid) where again Ridsdales (1998) four-stage strategy was conscientiously adopted. PsycINFO requires the user to have some prior knowledge of how to use electronic databases and their search strategies, which initially can prove bewildering to the novice. Once familiar with the database and its ability to combine search strategies either through keyword, journal or author the user should find it a practical resource (See Appendix). No systematic reviews or RCTs were found within the results however a further literature review (Feldman Rivas-Vazquez 2003) aimed at psychosocial interventions and people with intellectual disabilities was unearthed along with evidence from child and adolescence services (Dadds Spence 1997) and psychiatric services (Carmin Albano 2003). Hatton (2002) suggests that research evidence on the effects of psychosocial interventions  for people with learning disabilities is sparse, whilst Kroese (1998) adds that therapists are reluctant to engage into therapy with this client group due to their dislike of having to relate to them. In an attempt to discover any type of evidence relating to people with learning disabilities and CBT the Salford University library catalogue was searched (See Appendix). A simple keyword search revealed one book (Kroese et al 1997) attaining the subject elements however again it did not produce the type of evidence recognised as the most appropriate to answer the question. Sackett et al (1997 p.2) defines evidence based practice as: the conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients. With this definition in mind it should be established as to what constitutes current best evidence and its implications for the practitioner wishing to implement evidence based practice. Belsey Snell (2001 p.2) states that, evidence is presented in many forms and the value of evidence can be ranked according to the following classification in descending order of credibility: I. Strong evidence from at least one systematic review of multiple well-designed randomised controlled trials II. Strong evidence from at least one properly designed randomised controlled trial of appropriate size III. Evidence from well-designed trials such as non-randomised trials, cohort studies, time series or matched case-controlled studies IV. Evidence from well-designed non-experimental studies from more than one centre or research group V. Opinions of respected authorities, based on clinical evidence, descriptive studies or reports of expert committees In accepting this hierarchy of evidence practitioners should concede that the systematic review of multiple well-designed RCTs constitutes best available evidence (Colyer Kamath 1999). Sullivan (1998) adds weight to this argument when he states that RCTs constitute the strongest source of evidence and that the scientific community prefer the quantitative research technique that makes use of empirical data following a systematic process. Whilst a number of RCTs were found (Dadds Spence 1997 Scholing Emmelkamp 1999) whilst undertaking the search strategy none belonged within learning disability settings. The only evidence found specific to the original question were literature reviews and a specialist book (Kroese et al 1997) aimed at CBT and learning disabilities. The literature reviews (Hatton 2002 Kroese 1998) revealed that a number of case studies and a case series had demonstrated the potential feasibility of CBT reducing anxiety amongst people with learning disabilities. Whilst the specialist book (Kroese et al 1997) discussed conceptual and contextual issues of CBT and people with learning disabilities suffering anxiety disorders. This type of evidence appears in the lower reaches of the hierarchy of evidence and as such its subjectivity, reliability and validity can be disputed (Sullivan 1998). Whilst acknowledging the hierarchy of evidence and the proposal that comparative / prospective studies and ideally RCTs were the best forms of evidence to answer this type of question (Sackett et al 1997) it appears that in their absence the evidence revealed is the best available. RCTs are widely acknowledged as the gold standard of evidence-based practice (Rowland Goss 2000) however it is suggested that they bear little resemblance to day-to-day reality (McInnes et al 2001). RCTs can be pragmatic or explanatory the former is concerned with the overall effectiveness of an intervention whilst the latter examines the impact of specific treatment elements on outcome (Parry 2000) however neither considers the perspectives and uniqueness of the respondents. The evidence recovered for the question (Hatton 2002 Kroese 1998) albeit in the lower reaches of the hierarchy acknowledges the feelings of the respondents due to its qualitative nature (patient centred, holistic and humanistic) therefore making it extremely suitable for the study of nursing phenomena (Parahoo  1997) along with its relevance as regards answering a therapy question (Parry 2000). Kroese (1997) offers a number of reasons why there is this lack of quantitative research evidence surrounding the subject elements in the question. He suggests that people with a learning disability are a devalued population, it is impossible to ensure that changes are due to clinical manipulations if individuals (learning disabled) do not have stable cognitions. Finally there is a conjecture that anxiety in people with learning disabilities is the same as in the general population consequently there is no need for specifically focused research. It emerges that learning disability services continue to adapt research evidence from general and mental health settings (Finlay Lyons 2001) a similar approach with the RCTs recovered from the search strategy could make them a valued resource however it would take a skilled clinician to make this a feasible option. Reflection is a necessary component of Continuing Professional Development and is a legitimate method for questioning personal effectiveness and responsibility in all aspects of health care (Driscoll Teh 2001). Through the process of reflection the practitioner recognised his own limitations in identifying appropriate evidence for his clinical problems, along with the often inconclusive, time consuming and frustrating strategies undertaken in the search of evidence in support of his clinical practice. The structured frameworks utilised throughout the process described earlier gave the practitioner a systematic approach to formulating a question, developing a search strategy and identifying appropriate evidence to answer his practice problem. The ability to systematically approach future clinical problems will enable the practitioner to offer his clients a holistic, client centred practice from the best external evidence available. Adams, B. Bromley, B. (1998) Psychology for Health Care Key Terms and Concepts, London, Macmillan Press Beck, J.S. (1995) Cognitive Therapy Basics and Beyond, London, Guildford Press. Belsey, J. Snell, T. (2001) What is Evidence-Based Medicine? [Internet] Available from www.jr2.ox.uk/bandolier (Accessed 7th December 2004) Carmin, C.N. Albano, A.M. (2003) Clinical Management of Anxiety Disorder in Psychiatric Settings: Psychologys Impact on Evidence-Based Treatment of Children and Adults, Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, Vol. 34, No. 2 pp 170-176. Colyer, H. Kamath, P. (1999) Evidence-based practice A philosophical and political analysis: some matters for consideration by professional practitioners, Journal of Advanced Nursing, Vol. 29, No. 1, pp 188-193 Dadds, M.R. Spence, S.H. (1997) Prevention and Early Intervention for Anxiety Disorders: A Controlled Trial, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology Vol. 65, No. 4, pp 627-635. Dattilio, F.M. Kendall, P.C. (2000) Panic Disorder In: Dattilio, F.M. Freeman, A. Cognitive Behavioural Strategies in Crisis Interventions 2nd Edition, London, The Guildford Press. Driscoll, J. Teh, B. (2001) The potential of reflective practice to develop individual orthopaedic nurse practitioners and their practice, Journal of Orthopaedic Nursing, Vol. 5, pp 95-103 Embling, S. (2002) The effectiveness of cognitive behaviour therapy in depression, Nursing Standard, Vol. 17, Nos. 14-15, pp 33-41 Feldman, L.B. Rivas-Vazquez, R.A. (2003) Assessment and Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder, Professional Psychology: Research and Practice Vol. 34, No. 4, pp 396-405. Gates, B. (1996) Learning Disability In: Kenworthy, N. Snowley, G. Gilling, C. (Eds) Common Foundations Studies in Nursing Second Edition, London, Churchill Livingston. Hassiotis, A. Barron, P. OHara, J. (2000) Mental Health Services for People with Learning Disabilities, British Medical Journal, Vol. 321, Issue 7261, pp 583-584 Hatton, C. (2002) Psychosocial interventions for adults with intellectual disabilities and mental health problems: A review, Journal of Mental Health, Vol. 11, No. 4, pp 357-373. Hewitt-Taylor, J. (2002) Evidence-based practice, Nursing Standard, Vol. 17, Nos. 14-15, pp 47-52. Department of Health (2001) Valuing People A New Strategy for Learning Disability for the 21st Century, A White Paper, London, HMSO. Department of Health (2002) Health Action Plans and Health Facilitation Good Practice Guidance for Learning Disability Partnership Boards, London, Department of Health. Heimberg, R.G. (2002) Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder: Current Status and Future Directions, Society of Biomedical Psychiatry, Vol. 51, pp 101-108. Kroese, B.S. Dagnan, D. Loumidis, K. (1997) (Eds) Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy for People with Learning Disabilities, London, Brunner-Routledge. Kroese, B.S. (1998) Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy for People with Learning Disabilities, Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy, Vol. 26, pp 315-322. McInnes, E. Harvey, G. Fennessy, G. Clark, E. (2001) Implementing evidence-based practice in clinical situations, Nursing Standard, Vol. 15, No. 41, pp 40-44. Meijel, van B. Game, C. Swieten-Duijfjes, van B. Grypdonck, M.H.F. (2003) The development of evidence-based nursing interventions: methodological considerations, Journal of Advance Nursing, Vol. 48, No. 1, pp 84-92. Parry, G. (2000) Evidence-based psychotherapy In: Rowland N. Goss S. (Eds) Evidence-Based Counselling and Psychological Therapies Research and Applications, London, Routledge. Ridsdale, L (1998) (Ed) Evidence-based Practice in Primary Care, London, Churchill Livingston. Rowland, N. Goss, S. (2000) (Eds) Evidence-Based Counselling and Psychological Therapies Research and Applications, London, Routledge. Sackett, D.L. Richardson, W.S. Rosenberg, W. Hayes, R.B. (1997) Evidence-based medicine: how to practice and teach EBM, London, Churchill Livingston. Scholing, A. Emmelkamp, P.M.G. (1999) Prediction of treatment outcomes in social phobia: a cross-validation, Behaviour Research and Therapy, Vol. 37, pp 659-670 Seedhouse, D. (1998) Ethics The Heart of Health Care 2nd Edition, Chichester, Wiley. Sullivan, P. (1998) Developing evidence-based care in mental health nursing, Nursing Standard, Vol. 12, No. 31, pp 35-38