Tuesday, August 25, 2020

NOrdstorm Case Analysis Essay

â€Å"Our staff is truly keen on observing that every one of your needs are meet. They are experts will assist you including blessing proposals to closet arranging. They will even go with you from division to office until you find precisely what you’re looking for† , a statement from Nordstrom index as a benchmark for administration special cases. How is Nordstrom ready to guarantee this unexceptional objective inside retail industry? The appropriate response lies with the incredible accomplishment of inspiration delivered inside Nordstrom culture. The case being referred to is set up by Richard D. Freedman and Jill Vohr, Stern School of Business, New york University. This case investigation depends on the encounters and foundation of retail mammoth, Nordstrom. The store began its activities with humble start of giving superb client assistance to constituents. Nordstrom works just about 100 stores in 10 states. It’s a developing organization with incredible working society. There are roughly 35000 representatives working inside Nordstrom family. The focal point of Nordstrom’s the executives is to make a driven and persuaded group that gives client assistance like nobody else offers, administration well beyond what would have been acceptable anyway. All workers are caused to feel like individuals from a family partaking in â€Å"the Nordstrom way†. Organization has had the option to make a domain where advancements are just from inside the organization, where workers keep a diary of clients to send thank you letters and forthcoming advancements. Workers play out all tasks applicable to their occupations, in any event, unloading things, racking and capacity duties. Interestingly, every one of these assignments are performed on off the clock. Nordstrom has had the option to make a situation where representatives are driving themselves to limits. Doing tasks during their noon or after the clock has been a Nordstrom culture for some time. Despite the fact that this training had made some discussion with hardly any representatives and associations are attempting to seek after Nordstrom to annul these persuasive strategies to have representatives work off the clock to accomplish better status and cash. There have been different claims including Nordstrom workers and the board. This examination can give us some understanding on how Nordstrom has had the option to utilize inspirational speculations to handbag workers to be a piece of this enormous endeavor. Inspiration is a power that originate from inside an individual that can help make a hardheaded bearing towards accomplishing some particular objectives, where accomplishment isn't expected exclusively to capacity or to natural variables. Execution of someone in particular can be accounted utilizing: Performance = f (Ability x Motivation) Nordstrom had made a position of business where they pick the best sales reps from the given populace and give them inspiration in type of advancement, phenomenal deals commissions and social height of working for an esteemed retailer like Nordstrom. Nordstrom has had the option to utilize content hypotheses of inspiration to deliver current company’s culture. Utilizing content from Hierarchy of Needs Theory by Maslow’s, Nordstrom can persuade individuals as indicated by their longing to fulfill explicit requirements. Utilizing physiological requirements like cash, Nordstrom had made an amazing base compensation structure alongside the chance to make more open doors for sales reps in type of high commissions. Nordstrom’s pay structure is more remunerating than its rivals. Utilizing physiological worldview as an inspiration power, Nordstrom is an industry chief for collecting the best ability inside deal power. Second degree of Maslow’s hypothesis is Safety needs. Nordstrom had made a culture that takes after to an individual family boutique working inside its own methods and make its own character. Nordstrom chiefs are allowed to employ and the main principle exist is to help the client by any route conceivable as long as it’s lawful. This demeanor towards the executives had made a wellbeing net at work place along these lines helping Nordstrom representatives accomplish better inspiration. Maslow’s hypothesis additionally advances social and belongingness needs. Nordstrom has a culture of making a family inside a specific store in this way assisting with social and belongingness needs of workers. Confidence is likewise viewed as a significant factor of inspiration utilized by Nordstrom. Representatives of Nordstrom readily acquaint themselves with others because of the way that Nordstrom has a specific spot in the public eye and this methodology makes more inspiration for workers to be progressively beneficial. Maslow’s hypothesis likewise grasps self-completion for making worker inspiration. Nordstrom is one of only a handful barely any organizations that can assist representatives with planning their own business cards and calendars. The center is to make innovative soul among representatives in light of the fact that Nordstrom need execution to originate from desire and inspiration and not from corporate central station. ERG hypothesis by Clayton Alderfed clarifies three classes, presence (E), relatedness needs (R) and development needs (G). This hypothesis can be viewed as one of the columns inside techniques utilized by Nordstrom. Workers are spurred utilizing development, relatedness needs and presence needs. Utilizing this hypothesis as a methodology for structure plan of action, Nordstrom helped workers search for their essential objectives and use Nordstrom as a vehicle to achieve those objectives. Hypothesis of accomplishment, connection and force by David McCelland can clarify the inspirational power Nordstrom is utilizing to accomplish driven objectives of deals and inspiration. By making objectives to be accomplish each month, quarter and year, Nordstrom can assist representatives with making a timetable for themselves to accomplish those objectives. Nordstrom had made informal standard of greatness that can help set objectives for workers. Requirement for association is additionally utilized over the span of work with Nordstrom. Supervisors recognize the best representatives and considered as a pacemaker to other people so others can follow their case of brilliant client administrations and deals. Need of intensity if another consider included making propelled workers. Nordstrom utilize severe arrangement with advancements inside the organization, this procedure gives capacity to the aggressive and persuaded representatives in type of the board and group pioneer positions. Despite the fact that conventional examination had not upheld asserts by two-factor hypothesis or double factor hypothesis by Frederick Herzberg; Nordstrom has had the option to utilize the idea of helpers like accomplishment, acknowledgment, duty, development and testing work and cleanliness factors like compensation, working conditions , specialized oversight, status , relational relationship with companions and security. Nordstrom had actualized this plan to make a self-acknowledgment condition where representatives make objectives and inspiration originates from inside. Nordstrom’s center around utilization of anticipation hypothesis is another persuasive factor for making inspiration. Hope is the emotional likelihood that a given measure of exertion will prompt a specific degree of execution. Utilizing instrumentality and valence as a result, Nordstrom can increment persuasive power. Another factor that Nordstrom is so fruitful in making representative inspiration is utilization of value hypothesis. Value hypothesis recommends that inspiration depends on person’s evaluation of the proportion of results he/she get (e.g., pay, status and so on). Nordstrom had actualized these speculations to make a model that assist representatives with getting things done with inspiration from inside and increment profitability and inspiration. Objective setting has been a key inspiration for individuals working inside Nordstrom. Despite the fact that, numerous disputable claims and grievances by representatives and association had surfaced in most recent couple of years, Nordstrom is as yet advancing its way of life. Nordstrom had put aside more than $15 million for paying representative for times that has not been paid in past because of the reality it was not on clock. Nordstrom still grasp work augmentation and employment advancement arrangements. Employment amplification is a procedure of making a vocation all the more inspiring by including assignments that are comparable in intricacy comparative with the current undertaking. For instance, Nordstrom representatives work with a client in any division to fulfill that customer’s needs. Employment advancement is a procedure of making more occupation inspiration by expanding duties. For instance, Nordstrom assign representatives to accept duty and go about as an attendant and cooperate with clients utilizing letters and photographs and scrap book and so forth. Utilizing these hypotheses, Nordstrom, had increment worker inspiration as opposed to making a threatening workplace. I for one imagine that Nordstrom can adjust barely any techniques to treat with how worker time is redressed. Inspiration speculations applied at Nordstrom are splendid and utilizing those hypotheses, Nordstrom had made a culture where representatives are endeavoring to make progress and arrive at the objectives set by workers and not corporate home office. A portion of the grievances referenced on the off chance that appear genuine however the job of inspiration is a two way stream. Nordstrom should manage these grievances in a way where it can assist representatives with increasing more certainty and inspiration. For instance, Nordstrom should change the manner in which input system dealt with. All through the entire case, I saw an absence of input strategy that can assist workers with showing signs of improvement and increment inspiration. Input assumes and significant job inside company’s persuasive endeavors. Input procedure can explain the objectives and desires for specific workers who appear to be manhandled by this culture. Nordstrom ought to likewise concentrate on including the ideal opportunity for additional round exercises to upgrade deals on genuine paid time. This would assist representatives with utilizing pay as a persuasive factor to build profitability as characterized as Maslow’s, ERG and double factor hypotheses.

Saturday, August 22, 2020

Finanical for Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Finanical for Management - Essay Example Measurable information from the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation reports that SMEs catch a sizeable 95% of business undertakings in the Asian district (De Ramos 2001). The report further expresses that independent venture endeavors utilize 80% of its absolute workforce while contributing 60% of its monetary yield. Be that as it may, this has not made things simpler for independent venture undertakings. Rather, SMEs are currently confronting more difficulties. Because of their equivocalness of budgetary straightforwardness not at all like the greater organizations, financiers don't appear to confide in the SMEs without any problem. Brokers request various budgetary requirements from SMEs before apportioning their money, which incorporate a cutting-edge monetary report with clear benefit history, a nitty gritty marketable strategy and a believable supervisory crew. Furthermore, account organizations are likewise receiving different credit scoring instruments supplanting human judgment in advance endorsements to the private ventures. Bank obtaining is as yet a noteworthy issue for SMEs. The greater part of them think that its hard to get it in the Asian district. In this way, money the board is significant for the SMEs. Independent company undertakings are currently rehearsing to achieve greater benefits with littler ventures. Money is ruler for independent ventures. A business can get effective when there is a lot of speculation made in the business at an exceptionally low payout. Isabelita Sy-Palanca, leader of the Mother Company, Philippines proposes on the mantra of independent venture reasoning, Participation or grouping is a genuine concern and another idea among the SMEs. Various gatherings of SMEs under comparative endeavors cooperating is a typical practice now in the money related market of Asia. The principle reason for this cooperation is to consolidate their ability and bartering power. Consequently grouping helps little organizations with both innovation and monetary benefit. Additionally, the idea of rivalry currently includes abroad partners as opposed to the colleagues in the area. This further outcomes in

Saturday, August 8, 2020

John Dewey Biography (1859-1952)

John Dewey Biography (1859-1952) History and Biographies Print John Dewey Biography Philosopher and Educator By Kendra Cherry facebook twitter Kendra Cherry, MS, is an author, educational consultant, and speaker focused on helping students learn about psychology. Learn about our editorial policy Kendra Cherry Updated on July 04, 2018 More in Psychology History and Biographies Psychotherapy Basics Student Resources Theories Phobias Emotions Sleep and Dreaming I believe that education, therefore, is a process of living and not a preparation for future living. - John Dewey, My Pedagogic Creed (1897) Major Contributions John Dewey was an American philosopher and educator who helped found pragmatism, a philosophical school of thought that was popular at the beginning of the 20th century. He was also instrumental in the progressive movement in education, strongly believing that the best education involves learning through doing. Life John Dewey was born October 20, 1859, in Burlington, Vermont.  He died June 1, 1952, in New York City, New York. Career John Dewey graduated from the University of Vermont and spent three years as a high school teacher in Oil City, Pennsylvania. He then spent a year studying under the guidance of G. Stanley Hall at John Hopkins University in Americas first psychology lab. After earning his Ph.D. from John Hopkins, Dewey went on to teach at the University of Michigan for nearly a decade. In 1894, Dewey accepted a position as the chairman of the department of philosophy, psychology, and pedagogy at the University of Chicago. It was at the University of Chicago that Dewey began to formalize his views that would contribute so heavily to the school of thought known as pragmatism. The central tenant of pragmatism is that the value, truth or meaning of an idea lies in its practical consequences. Dewey also helped establish the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, where he was able to directly apply his pedagogical theories. Dewey eventually left the University of Chicago and became a professor of philosophy at Columbia University from 1904 until his retirement in 1930. In 1905, he became President of the American Psychological Association. Contributions to Psychology Deweys work had a vital influence on psychology, education, and philosophy and he is often considered one of the greatest thinkers of the 20th century. His emphasis on progressive education has contributed greatly to the use of experimentation rather than an authoritarian approach to knowledge. Dewey was also a prolific writer, publishing over 1,000 books, essays, and articles on a wide range of subjects including education, art, nature, philosophy, religion, culture, ethics and democracy over his 65-year writing career. Educational Philosophy Dewey firmly believed that education should not just be teachers making students learn mindless facts that they would soon forget. He thought it should be a journey of experiences, building upon each other to create and understand new experiences. Dewey also felt that schools tried to create a world separate from students lives. School activities and the life experiences of the students should be connected, Dewey believed, or else real learning would be impossible. Cutting students off from their psychological ties, i.e., society and family, would make their learning journeys less meaningful and thereby make learning less memorable. Likewise, schools also needed to prepare students for life in society by socializing them.   Selected Publications The School and Society (1900)The Child and the Curriculum (1902)How We Think (1910)Experience and Nature (1925)Philosophy and Civilization (1931)Knowing and the Known (1949)

Saturday, May 23, 2020

Mindfulness Meditation and The Reduction of Anxiety

Mindfulness Meditation and The Reduction of Anxiety Mindfulness meditation is a form of meditation that has been prevalent for thousands of years, and is only becoming increasingly more popular. â€Å"Over the past decade, neuroscientists like myself have become increasingly interested in studying how meditation affects the brain and body. The number of studies conducted per year in this new field of contemplative science is rising exponentially, with more than 200 studies published last year alone,† (Hasenkamp). It’s a form of meditation in which a person builds a practice of awareness, intentionally focuses their attention on the present moment, and accepts whatever the present moment brings, without any judgment. New research presents†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"The majority of study participants reported decreases in anxiety. Researchers found that meditation reduced anxiety ratings by as much as 39 percent.† (Beck and Davis) The direct effect that focusing the mind on the present moment has on reducing anxiety and its symptoms are largely important. The idea of not controlling one’s thoughts, but redirecting them to the present moment is a fairly hard concept for most people to fully understand. Redirecting one’s thoughts to the present moment distracts the mind from any worry-some or anxiety inducing thoughts or feelings, without giving attention to them. The redirection of thoughts essentially keeps the mind occupied, which means the mind has less time to spend worrying or cultivating anxiety inducing scenarios in one’s mind. In relation to the redirection of thoughts being effective in reducing anxiety, it also has been proven to reduce physical symptoms of anxiety or discomfort. By reverting attention away from pre-existing physical discomforts, these same discomforts are given time to subside, which they typically do immensely, solely because it isn’t the focus of one’s attention. â€Å"Some experts believe that mindfulness works, in part, by helping people to accept their experiences- including painful emotions- rather than react to them with aversion andShow MoreRelatedThe Power Of The Mind : Mindfulness Meditation1574 Words   |  7 PagesProfessor Nichols Travis Health 101 4-20-2017 The Power of the Mind: Mindfulness Meditation Mind over matter, the idea that our minds have the power to overcome physical problems. One of the most ancient techniques that points to this concept is called mindfulness meditation. This ancient practice is now being researched by todays psychologist and neuro scientist for its benefits to our wellness. My research topic will explain how meditation impacts our health. If our minds have the power to heal ourselvesRead MoreIncrease Of Working Memory During The Same Period1492 Words   |  6 Pagesself-reported positive affect. Positive affect is how we experience feelings and emotions, in other words it is our moods. Because affect is a psycho-physiological construct that involves alertness and motivational intensity, the benefits of mindful meditation on positive affect is invaluable for a soldier’s effectiveness. Cognitive Flexibility Cognitive flexibility like working memory is part of the higher-order cognition of executive functioning. The definition of cognitive flexibility varies slightlyRead MoreThe Effects Of Meditation On The Mind And Body948 Words   |  4 Pagessomatic pains with conscious efforts of mindfulness meditation on states of distress. Orme-Johnson, Schneider, Son, Nidich, and Cho (2006) hypothesized that transcendental meditation would have long-term effects on an individual’s physiological brain components responsible for pain management. The reduction of pain would be due to the reduction of distress through meditation that would also reduce the prefrontal cortex’s response to pain, and also a reduction of the thalamus response to pain. TheRead MoreA Public Health Concern Around The World985 Words   |  4 Pageslifestyle such as diet changes and exercise (de Moraes et al., 2015). In recent years, alternative methods, like the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) therapy or mindfulness meditation, are gaining interest and are utilized by more people worldwide. However, published reports have revealed inconsistent results regarding management of high blood pressure utilizing mindfulness-based interventions. Additionally, there is limited literature regarding its impact between male and femal e hypertensiveRead MoreMindfulness And Pleasant And Unpleasant Experiences Through Research And More Research1681 Words   |  7 Pages Mindfulness is a conscious mental state where one practices by focusing awareness on the present moment to an object, thought, or feeling. In recent years, mindfulness practices have been heavily emphasized in the western culture as the way to happiness and a better sense of well-being in a dramatically increasing trend. Neuroscientist Dr. Willoughby Britton, Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, among many others, have researched and concluded many of their findings on mindfulness. The rise in popularity of mindfulnessRead MoreThe Roots Of Psychological Disorders751 Words   |  4 PagesAmericans coping with depression, stress and various types of anxiety, is higher than ever before (Thompson, 2017, para. 1). Recent data estimate 8.3 million adults in America are suffering from a serious psychological disorder (Thompson, 2017, para. 1). As this statistic has increased, so has the popularity of alternative therapies to help cope with and even improve the symptoms of these distressing disorders. The roots of meditation come from Eastern religious practices, such as Buddhism, TaoismRead MoreYoga, Meditation, And Meditation933 Words   |  4 PagesResearch has been conducted to show that yoga, mantram, mindfulness, and meditation, are interventions that are inexpensive and takes a short period of time to learn and implement to immediate results of relaxation. Symptoms of trauma victims like depression, anxiety, and pain are reduced when these interventions are practiced and implemented. Although a limitation of the study is that the individuals were mostly men in the military, the study illustrates that proper implementation can assist clientsRead MoreThe Effects Of Stress On Health And Mental Health Essay1619 Words   |  7 Pagesinsecurity, which could lead to severe health issues, such as depression, anxiety disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder and it can even lead to death. It is very important to learn how to deal with stress so it doesn’t lead to bad outcomes on your daily life, physical health and mental health. There is a relationship between stress and the increase of mood disorders such as anxiety and depression disorders. Anxiety and depression lead people to feel less insecure, which may lead them to harmRead MoreThe Meditation Health Benefits Of The World1102 Words   |  5 Pageseffects of meditation, â€Å"it made it both stronger and more flexible.†(Meditation Health Benefits). Meditation is a practice that may train one’s mind to be at a state of consciousness and wholeness. Throughout history Buddhist monks and other eastern religions have been utilizing this practice for religious purposes, however recently individuals have been testing it out for themselves. One does not have to mediate for religious purposes, this phnaoman can be used to lower stress levels, cure anxiety andRead MoreCorrelation Between Higher Dispositional Mindfulness1134 Words   |  5 Pagesand Gianaros (2013) conducted a volume tric analysis which revealed a correlation between higher dispositional mindfulness and decreased gray matter volume in the right amygdala and the left caudate. Since amygdala is known to regulate central stress responses, the decrease in its volume in mindful individuals could signify the effect of such intervention in managing and reducing anxiety (Taren et al., 2013). Moreover, as suggested by Taren et al. (2013), the right amygdala might be involved in regulating

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

I M Mechanical Engineer Working as a Design Engineer for...

AJAY JANGRA SR. EXECUTIVE ENGINEER (DESIGN DEVELOPMENT) Mobile : 09467691484 E-Mail: ajangra1@gmail.com Ambition to work in an organization where the best use of my talent, knowledge, dedication, hard work sincerity can be made. I am seeking a high quality work life through challenging assignments, meaningful career growth and opportunities for value addition and professional development. SYNOPSIS âž ¢ Keep myself abrest of technological developments. âž ¢ Well versed with Designing Software Auto Cad, Solidworks. âž ¢ Quick learner self-directed; consistent updating self with the emerging trends in the industry. âž ¢ A team player with strong interpersonal skills and possess a flexible†¦show more content†¦at Lakshmi Precision Screws Ltd., Rohtak from June 01, 2012 to May 20, 2014. An ISO-14001, QS-9000, TS-16949 certified company and NABL accredited Lab as a Leading Manufacturer and exporter of High Tensile Precision Fasteners, Axles, Studs etc and it has collaboration with other leading fasteners in the world such as â€Å"Bossard† Singapore and â€Å"Recoil† Australia. It is one of the major suppliers of Fasteners to Automotive Industries. Manufacturer of High tensile Precision Fasteners. The main customers are â€Å"AEROSPACE, VOLKS WAGON, HARLEY DAVIDSON, G.E., MARUTI SUZUKI, SMC, HMSI, INDIAN RAILWAY, TATA FIAT, TATA MOTORS, HERO HONDA, HONDA, TVS MOTORS, JCB, HMSI, JOHN DEAR, etc. âž ¢ Preparation of Feasibility Reports (FR) for New Products. âž ¢ Responsible for New Product Development (NPD). âž ¢ Responsible for process design of cold extrusion parts cold forging special fasteners. âž ¢ Design and Development of New Products and their Toolings. (Dies, punches ,etc. for multi station) in Solid Works AutoCAD âž ¢ Prepare PPAP Document- PFC, PFMEA, CP Checking Aids as per customer requirements. âž ¢ Interaction with Customers (MSIL, HMSI, TVS VW) for feedback of NPD. âž ¢ Technical support to marketing and operations. âž ¢ Creation of Master Data in SAP for Design Development. âž ¢ Preparation Updating of APQP, PPAP Documents as per AS9100 TS16949 Standards. âž ¢ To Attend Customer Complaints Trial ofShow MoreRelatedOrganization Study @ Beml (Internship Report)11749 Words   |  47 Pagesprofit of INR 387 crores. The export earnings touched INR 304 crores. BEML Limited (BEML) conferred with Mini-Ratna Category-1 Status and under the administrative control of Ministry of Defense, is a multi-technology company offering high-quality products for diverse sectors of economy such as coal, mining, steel, limestone, power, irrigation, construction, road building, aviation, defense, metro and railways. BEML is ranked as The Largest and Most Profitable Construction Equipment Company by ConstructionRead MoreThe Heritage of Operations Management2336 Words   |  10 Pages THE HERITAGE OF OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT To start, I would like to give a view of ‘what OM is and why it is important today’. Operations management is the area concerned with the efficiency and effectiveness of the operation in support and development of the firms strategic goals. Other areas of concern to operations management include the design and operations of systems to provide goods and services. To put it succinctly, operations management is the planning, scheduling, and control of the activitiesRead MoreCorporate Strategy : a Look at Swatch Essay1797 Words   |  8 Pagesindustry When Swatch emerged in 1983, it was a prime time to enter the watch industry. Existing rivalry and the threat of new entrants were medium, allowing Swatch to thrive. Not one of the many competitors held more than 15% of the total global market, thereby creating medium concentration. In addition, cost conditions, excess capacity and exit barriers, and product differentiation were also medium. Although there was high diversity among competitors, Swatch’s strategy of differentiationRead MoreThe Importance of Philosophy to Engineering8110 Words   |  33 Pagesargument here is that philosophy is important to engineering for at least three reasons. First, philosophy is necessary so that engineers may understand and defend themselves against philosophical criticisms. In fact, there is a tradition of engineering philosophy that is largely overlooked, even by engineers. Second, philosophy, especially ethics, is necessary to help engineers deal with professional ethical problems. A case study of ethics requirements for U.S. engineering curricula substantiates thisRead MoreThe Road to the Self-Reliance New Product Development of Hyundai Motor Com pany11169 Words   |  45 PagesTHE ROAD TO THE SELF-RELIANCE NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT OF HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY June 1995 Young-suk Hyun Ph.D Professor, Business Administration Han Nam University Taejon KOREA 133 Ojung-dong Taejon 300-791, KOREA Tel : 82-42-629-7588 Fax : 82-42-672-7183 1 THE ROAD TO THE SELF-RELIANCE NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT OF HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY 1. Introduction 2. Hyundai s Philosophy in New Product Development (NPD): The Road to the Technological Self-reliance 3 Key Role PersonsRead MoreTotal Quality Management (Tqm) in Hospitality Industry: a Study of the Application of Tqm in  a Hotels  Engineering Department and Its  Effects on  Hotel Performance18578 Words   |  75 PagesAdvisor Date The University of Liverpool 2011 CERTIFICATION STATEMENT I hereby certify that this paper constitutes my own product, that where the language of others is set forth, quotation marks so indicate, and that appropriate credit is given where I have used the language, ideas, expressions or writings of another. Signed Mark Chan ABSTRACT Read More Henry Ford Essay2294 Words   |  10 PagesHenry Ford It is doubtful if any mechanical invention in the history of the world has influenced in the same length of time the lives of so many people in an important way as the motor car. So writes an American historian, thinking of the automobile alone. But it does not stand-alone. It was the automobile factory that introduced mass production, a process that has changed the lineaments of our economic and social life more profoundly than any other single element in the recent history ofRead MoreAutomation As A Self Regulating Process2559 Words   |  11 Pages1946 to describe the increased use of automatic devices in mechanized products. The origin of the word is link to D.S Harder, an engineering manager at the Ford Motor company during that time. This term is used widely in mostly manufacturing context, with a variety of other substitution like mechanical, electrical, and computerized action for human efforts. The system is capable of operating without human intervention. The development o f this technology has become dependent on the use of computer-relatedRead More Ethics in Mission and Safety Critical Software Engineering Essay5684 Words   |  23 Pagesmanagers and engineers. Exhibiting the highest standards of honesty and integrity are imperative for the protection of public health, safety, and welfare.2 When ethical principles are compromised, the risk of endangering others greatly increases, especially with mission and safety critical systems. Extreme consequences include not only complete mission failures and great financial loss, but also fatalities. Though most engineering accidents are associated with aerospace, mechanical, civil, or evenRead MorePaper on Work Place Safety10014 Words   |  41 PagesInternational Labour Organization (ILO) LABORSTA Internet. Table 8B - Rate of occupational injuries, by economic activity, Canada, 2008. Available from: Laborsta Internet. Rates are calculated by ILO using data compiled from Human Resources and Skill Developme nt Canada, Statistics Canada and Association of Workers Compensation Board of Canada. Work Related Injuries in Canada (Per 1000 Employed Workers) 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 26.6 25 23.5 22.3 21.4 21 20.1 18.9 18

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

School Policy †Behaviour Free Essays

â€Å"Research evidence suggests that pupils’ behaviour can be influenced by all the major features and processes of a school. These include the quality of its leadership, classroom management, behaviour policy, curriculum, pastoral care, buildings and physical environment, organisation and timetable and relationships with parents. † (Elton Report, DES, 1989) The secondary education issue I have chosen to focus on for this presentation is Whole School Behaviour Policies and how such policies can influence the teaching and learning experiences in school through the use of sanctions and rewards. We will write a custom essay sample on School Policy – Behaviour or any similar topic only for you Order Now I chose this area to focus on because, as a student teacher on a teaching placement, behaviour in schools is one of my biggest concerns and also because, according to the Elton Report and other literature I have read, it appears that this is a major area of concern throughout secondary schools in the UK. The Elton Report, a national enquiry into discipline in schools, was established by the Secretary of State for Education and Science in March 1989 in response to concern about the problems facing the teaching profession. Their task was to â€Å"recommend action to the government, local authorities, voluntary bodies, governors, headteachers, teachers and parents aimed at improving behaviour in schools for effective teaching and learning to take place†. (Elton Report, DES, 1989) The Elton Report has formed the basis of much of the current legislation on school behavioural policies and offers guidance for schools in drawing up their own behaviour policies. The main findings and recommendations of the Elton Report can be summarised in the following points (Teachernet, 2008): †¢School’s should adopt a ‘whole-school’ approach to their behaviour policies and the teachers’ approach should be one of consistency and fairness †¢Schools should have a clear vision for managing behaviour through establishing clear rules and boundaries, with emphasis on the positive. †¢All must adhere to policy principles, and teachers should model behaviour and interactions in a positive and supportive way. Boundaries should be made clear and sanctions should be in place, but the emphasis is on praise and rewarding good behaviour. †¢All staff should recognise that the quality of teaching and learning has a significant impact on pupils’ behaviour â€Å"A school’s central purpose is that children should learn. Good behaviour makes effective teaching and learning possible. Bad behaviour disrupts these pro cesses. † (Elton Report, DES, 1989) In September 2003, the government’s Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) launched the Behaviour and Attendance strand of the Key Stage 3 Strategy. This programme aims to provide advice, support and training for all secondary schools in England to promote positive behaviour and tackle issues of low-level disruption. It recommends that senior leadership teams in schools will carry out audits of behaviour and attendance and, from these, will establish priorities for the whole school. They will then plan actions to further improve their policy and practice and will draw up training plans for their staff. (Behaviour4learning, 2008) At my year one placement school I witnessed these recommendations put into practise in the classroom through the implementation of the school’s Behaviour Policy. The placement school is a mixed comprehensive school in the London borough of Tower Hamlets. The head teacher’s perception of the school’s catchment area is that it is a predominantly working class area of London with high levels of poverty and unemployment. According to the school’s latest Ofsted inspection report the number of pupils who are registered SEN (Special Educational Needs) is above the national average. Although not all special needs are connected to behaviour, it is largely acknowledged that if a child finds learning very difficult it is possible that incidents of poor behaviour can occur. Cowley, 2006) The school has a behaviour policy in place and, by adhering to it, aims to promote a â€Å"positive learning and teaching community for staff and pupils. † (Swanlea School Behaviour Policy) The main aims, as summarised in the policy, are: †¢To ensure that behaviour is a whole school responsibility †¢To ensure that rewards and sanctio ns procedures are applied fairly and consistently †¢To foster compassion and tolerance, celebrate diversity and develop a sense of citizenship and care for the whole community and environment †¢To enable all pupils, irrespective of race, class, gender and ability, to achieve their personal best. Swanlea School Behaviour Policy) The policy also sets out the rights of staff and students, which are summarised as: †¢Every student has the right to learn at his or her optimum rate, without being hindered by others †¢Every student has the right to live each day in school without fear. Bullying, threatening behaviour, racial or sexual harassment and damage to property will not be tolerated. †¢All staff have the right to go about their work without being hampered (Swanlea School Behaviour Policy) This reflects a clear alignment with research by Cowley (2006) who states that: â€Å"Different types of school have very different and specific behavioural problems, and ideally the whole-school behaviour policy should be linked closely to the particular difficulties your school faces. † (Cowley, 2006, p172) The school’s behaviour policy is clearly in place to create a positive environment for pupils but it is also there for the benefit of teachers and staff to create a positive working environment and enable the teacher to effectively teach without disturbance. It’s important to keep in mind that the reason we need to manage behaviour at all is so that we can actually get on with teaching. † (Cowley, 2006, p96) The policy was established by the head teacher, deputies and heads of department together with the behaviour support team. It is managed by the deputy head teacher and is reviewed each term, through consultations with heads of department and the be haviour support team, at designated ‘Behavioural Policy Review’ meetings. These meeting allow for changes to be made if the policy appears to be ineffective and, for example, if incidents of bad behaviour have increased. In order to check the effectiveness of the policy, the deputy head teacher analyses data, in the form of exclusion rates, details of incidents of bullying and racist abuse and the use of sanctions and rewards. All of the school’s staff, including teachers and support staff, are responsible for ensuring that the behaviour policy and procedures are followed and applied. This ‘guidance framework’ has made it easier for staff to respond to incidents of bad and good behaviour consistently and fairly and for all students to be made aware of the policy. As recommended in research by Rogers (2006): â€Å"When schools have a common framework for classroom behaviour agreements, each successive year group becomes increasingly conscious of ‘the way we do things here’. â€Å"This enables some sense of common understandings and expectations about appropriate and fair behaviour and also some reasonable consistency in behaviour management by adults across the school. (Rogers, 2006, p46) The behaviour policy states that all staff are expected to model the high standards of behaviour and punctuality expected of pupils. Form tutors are also expected to support and encourage individual pupils through praise, positive reinforcement and contact with parents. The policy also advises that form teachers are directly involved with low level beha viour issues, such as addressing school uniform issues. The school believes that maintaining a level of consistency across all staff and department, with regards to the behaviour policy, ensures that all pupils are aware of its contents. This is in line with Rogers’ (1995) and Cowley’s (2006) findings, who say that a whole-school behaviour policy is effective when it:- †¢Is created in conjunction with all the staff †¢undergoes a continuous process of change †¢is consistently applied All pupils at the school carry a travelling diary to lessons in which homework and behavioural issues such as lateness are monitored and recorded. The ‘travelling diary’ contains a summary of the school’s behaviour policy and expectations – further ensuring that the students are aware of the policy contents. Assemblies on the theme of respect and behaviour are also delivered to the pupils on a regular basis. â€Å"The behaviour policy is well constructed and understood by most students and applied evenly by all staff. † (Ofsted, 2007) The school has in place a system of sanctions and rewards to deal with negative and positive behaviour respectively. Depending on the severity of the negative behaviour in the school, the sanctions range from a verbal ‘telling off’ to the child being placed in the school’s isolation unit. Sanctions are there to offer corrective measures to indicate to the perpetrator that the displayed behaviour is not acceptable and provide and opportunity for the individual to redeem him/her self. † (Swanlea School Behaviour Policy) The behaviour policy states that the school aims to support a positive learning environment for students through the use of rewards for good behaviour. This ranges from praise from the teacher to formal awards and prizes at the school’s annual awards ceremony and during assemblies. This in reflected by Cowley (2006) who says: Using rewards is one of the most effective ways of getting better behaviour†¦. This will help you maintain a positive focus and atmosphere in your classroom. † (Cowley, 2006, p81) However, it is challenged by Kyriacou (1998) who argues that it is ‘effective teaching’ not rewards that create better behaviour. â€Å"The most important point to bear in mind in considering discipline is that creating the necessary order is more to do with the skills involved in effective teaching in general than it is to do with how you deal with pupil misbehaviour itself. (Kyriacou, 1998, p79) To sum up, from classroom observations at my placement school I frequently observed incidents of students’ bad behaviour and how these incidents were dealt with in the design and technology department. It was apparent that the design and technology department , like the rest of the school, is closely following the guidance in the behaviour policy and is very efficient at dealing with bad behaviour. This appears to have a positive impact on the school in that it creates a safe environment for the pupils. However, on a daily basis I observed poorly behaved children being given break time detentions and several children receiving the ‘ultimate sanction’ of the isolation unit. While this appears to be effective in that it creates an ordered classroom environment for teaching and learning to take place, I frequently observed the well behaved pupils going un-noticed in the school’s efforts to stamp out bad behaviour. .â€Å"We can get trapped into giving lots of rewards to our tricky students, to keep them onside and get them to co-operate. But don’t overlook those children who work hard all the time – they deserve to receive recognition for their efforts as well. † (Cowley, 2006, p83) This suggests that their behaviour policy is not working as effectively as it could and that a solution could be to have, embedded in the behaviour policy, a system of rewarding good behaviour and recognising hard working children, as well as responding to the students’ bad behaviour. References †¢Cowley, S. 2006), Getting the Buggers to Behave, Continuum International Publishing Group, London †¢HMSO (1989) The Elton Report: Enquiry into Discipline in Schools, Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, London †¢Kyriacou, C (1998), Essential Teaching Skills, Nelson Thornes Ltd, Cheltenham †¢Laslett, R and Smith, C (1984) Effective Classroom Management, Croom Helm Ltd, Kent †¢Rogers, B (2006) Classroom Behaviour: A Practical Guide for Effective Teaching, Behaviour Management and Colleague Sup port, Paul Chapman Publishing, London †¢Rogers, B (1995) Behaviour Management: A Whole-School Approach, Scholastic Australia, Gosford †¢Swanlea School Behaviour Policy, London Web references †¢Behaviour4Learning. Accessed 20. 11. 08 www. behaviour4learning. ac. uk †¢Department for Children, Schools and Families. Accessed 20. 11. 08; www. standards. dfes. gov. uk †¢Office for Standards in Education. Accessed 20. 11. 08 www. ofsted. gov. uk †¢Teachernet. Accessed 20. 11. 08 www. teachernet. gov. uk How to cite School Policy – Behaviour, Papers

School Policy †Behaviour Free Essays

â€Å"Research evidence suggests that pupils’ behaviour can be influenced by all the major features and processes of a school. These include the quality of its leadership, classroom management, behaviour policy, curriculum, pastoral care, buildings and physical environment, organisation and timetable and relationships with parents. † (Elton Report, DES, 1989) The secondary education issue I have chosen to focus on for this presentation is Whole School Behaviour Policies and how such policies can influence the teaching and learning experiences in school through the use of sanctions and rewards. We will write a custom essay sample on School Policy – Behaviour or any similar topic only for you Order Now I chose this area to focus on because, as a student teacher on a teaching placement, behaviour in schools is one of my biggest concerns and also because, according to the Elton Report and other literature I have read, it appears that this is a major area of concern throughout secondary schools in the UK. The Elton Report, a national enquiry into discipline in schools, was established by the Secretary of State for Education and Science in March 1989 in response to concern about the problems facing the teaching profession. Their task was to â€Å"recommend action to the government, local authorities, voluntary bodies, governors, headteachers, teachers and parents aimed at improving behaviour in schools for effective teaching and learning to take place†. (Elton Report, DES, 1989) The Elton Report has formed the basis of much of the current legislation on school behavioural policies and offers guidance for schools in drawing up their own behaviour policies. The main findings and recommendations of the Elton Report can be summarised in the following points (Teachernet, 2008): †¢School’s should adopt a ‘whole-school’ approach to their behaviour policies and the teachers’ approach should be one of consistency and fairness †¢Schools should have a clear vision for managing behaviour through establishing clear rules and boundaries, with emphasis on the positive. †¢All must adhere to policy principles, and teachers should model behaviour and interactions in a positive and supportive way. Boundaries should be made clear and sanctions should be in place, but the emphasis is on praise and rewarding good behaviour. †¢All staff should recognise that the quality of teaching and learning has a significant impact on pupils’ behaviour â€Å"A school’s central purpose is that children should learn. Good behaviour makes effective teaching and learning possible. Bad behaviour disrupts these pro cesses. † (Elton Report, DES, 1989) In September 2003, the government’s Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) launched the Behaviour and Attendance strand of the Key Stage 3 Strategy. This programme aims to provide advice, support and training for all secondary schools in England to promote positive behaviour and tackle issues of low-level disruption. It recommends that senior leadership teams in schools will carry out audits of behaviour and attendance and, from these, will establish priorities for the whole school. They will then plan actions to further improve their policy and practice and will draw up training plans for their staff. (Behaviour4learning, 2008) At my year one placement school I witnessed these recommendations put into practise in the classroom through the implementation of the school’s Behaviour Policy. The placement school is a mixed comprehensive school in the London borough of Tower Hamlets. The head teacher’s perception of the school’s catchment area is that it is a predominantly working class area of London with high levels of poverty and unemployment. According to the school’s latest Ofsted inspection report the number of pupils who are registered SEN (Special Educational Needs) is above the national average. Although not all special needs are connected to behaviour, it is largely acknowledged that if a child finds learning very difficult it is possible that incidents of poor behaviour can occur. Cowley, 2006) The school has a behaviour policy in place and, by adhering to it, aims to promote a â€Å"positive learning and teaching community for staff and pupils. † (Swanlea School Behaviour Policy) The main aims, as summarised in the policy, are: †¢To ensure that behaviour is a whole school responsibility †¢To ensure that rewards and sanctio ns procedures are applied fairly and consistently †¢To foster compassion and tolerance, celebrate diversity and develop a sense of citizenship and care for the whole community and environment †¢To enable all pupils, irrespective of race, class, gender and ability, to achieve their personal best. Swanlea School Behaviour Policy) The policy also sets out the rights of staff and students, which are summarised as: †¢Every student has the right to learn at his or her optimum rate, without being hindered by others †¢Every student has the right to live each day in school without fear. Bullying, threatening behaviour, racial or sexual harassment and damage to property will not be tolerated. †¢All staff have the right to go about their work without being hampered (Swanlea School Behaviour Policy) This reflects a clear alignment with research by Cowley (2006) who states that: â€Å"Different types of school have very different and specific behavioural problems, and ideally the whole-school behaviour policy should be linked closely to the particular difficulties your school faces. † (Cowley, 2006, p172) The school’s behaviour policy is clearly in place to create a positive environment for pupils but it is also there for the benefit of teachers and staff to create a positive working environment and enable the teacher to effectively teach without disturbance. It’s important to keep in mind that the reason we need to manage behaviour at all is so that we can actually get on with teaching. † (Cowley, 2006, p96) The policy was established by the head teacher, deputies and heads of department together with the behaviour support team. It is managed by the deputy head teacher and is reviewed each term, through consultations with heads of department and the be haviour support team, at designated ‘Behavioural Policy Review’ meetings. These meeting allow for changes to be made if the policy appears to be ineffective and, for example, if incidents of bad behaviour have increased. In order to check the effectiveness of the policy, the deputy head teacher analyses data, in the form of exclusion rates, details of incidents of bullying and racist abuse and the use of sanctions and rewards. All of the school’s staff, including teachers and support staff, are responsible for ensuring that the behaviour policy and procedures are followed and applied. This ‘guidance framework’ has made it easier for staff to respond to incidents of bad and good behaviour consistently and fairly and for all students to be made aware of the policy. As recommended in research by Rogers (2006): â€Å"When schools have a common framework for classroom behaviour agreements, each successive year group becomes increasingly conscious of ‘the way we do things here’. â€Å"This enables some sense of common understandings and expectations about appropriate and fair behaviour and also some reasonable consistency in behaviour management by adults across the school. (Rogers, 2006, p46) The behaviour policy states that all staff are expected to model the high standards of behaviour and punctuality expected of pupils. Form tutors are also expected to support and encourage individual pupils through praise, positive reinforcement and contact with parents. The policy also advises that form teachers are directly involved with low level beha viour issues, such as addressing school uniform issues. The school believes that maintaining a level of consistency across all staff and department, with regards to the behaviour policy, ensures that all pupils are aware of its contents. This is in line with Rogers’ (1995) and Cowley’s (2006) findings, who say that a whole-school behaviour policy is effective when it:- †¢Is created in conjunction with all the staff †¢undergoes a continuous process of change †¢is consistently applied All pupils at the school carry a travelling diary to lessons in which homework and behavioural issues such as lateness are monitored and recorded. The ‘travelling diary’ contains a summary of the school’s behaviour policy and expectations – further ensuring that the students are aware of the policy contents. Assemblies on the theme of respect and behaviour are also delivered to the pupils on a regular basis. â€Å"The behaviour policy is well constructed and understood by most students and applied evenly by all staff. † (Ofsted, 2007) The school has in place a system of sanctions and rewards to deal with negative and positive behaviour respectively. Depending on the severity of the negative behaviour in the school, the sanctions range from a verbal ‘telling off’ to the child being placed in the school’s isolation unit. Sanctions are there to offer corrective measures to indicate to the perpetrator that the displayed behaviour is not acceptable and provide and opportunity for the individual to redeem him/her self. † (Swanlea School Behaviour Policy) The behaviour policy states that the school aims to support a positive learning environment for students through the use of rewards for good behaviour. This ranges from praise from the teacher to formal awards and prizes at the school’s annual awards ceremony and during assemblies. This in reflected by Cowley (2006) who says: Using rewards is one of the most effective ways of getting better behaviour†¦. This will help you maintain a positive focus and atmosphere in your classroom. † (Cowley, 2006, p81) However, it is challenged by Kyriacou (1998) who argues that it is ‘effective teaching’ not rewards that create better behaviour. â€Å"The most important point to bear in mind in considering discipline is that creating the necessary order is more to do with the skills involved in effective teaching in general than it is to do with how you deal with pupil misbehaviour itself. (Kyriacou, 1998, p79) To sum up, from classroom observations at my placement school I frequently observed incidents of students’ bad behaviour and how these incidents were dealt with in the design and technology department. It was apparent that the design and technology department , like the rest of the school, is closely following the guidance in the behaviour policy and is very efficient at dealing with bad behaviour. This appears to have a positive impact on the school in that it creates a safe environment for the pupils. However, on a daily basis I observed poorly behaved children being given break time detentions and several children receiving the ‘ultimate sanction’ of the isolation unit. While this appears to be effective in that it creates an ordered classroom environment for teaching and learning to take place, I frequently observed the well behaved pupils going un-noticed in the school’s efforts to stamp out bad behaviour. .â€Å"We can get trapped into giving lots of rewards to our tricky students, to keep them onside and get them to co-operate. But don’t overlook those children who work hard all the time – they deserve to receive recognition for their efforts as well. † (Cowley, 2006, p83) This suggests that their behaviour policy is not working as effectively as it could and that a solution could be to have, embedded in the behaviour policy, a system of rewarding good behaviour and recognising hard working children, as well as responding to the students’ bad behaviour. References †¢Cowley, S. 2006), Getting the Buggers to Behave, Continuum International Publishing Group, London †¢HMSO (1989) The Elton Report: Enquiry into Discipline in Schools, Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, London †¢Kyriacou, C (1998), Essential Teaching Skills, Nelson Thornes Ltd, Cheltenham †¢Laslett, R and Smith, C (1984) Effective Classroom Management, Croom Helm Ltd, Kent †¢Rogers, B (2006) Classroom Behaviour: A Practical Guide for Effective Teaching, Behaviour Management and Colleague Sup port, Paul Chapman Publishing, London †¢Rogers, B (1995) Behaviour Management: A Whole-School Approach, Scholastic Australia, Gosford †¢Swanlea School Behaviour Policy, London Web references †¢Behaviour4Learning. Accessed 20. 11. 08 www. behaviour4learning. ac. uk †¢Department for Children, Schools and Families. Accessed 20. 11. 08; www. standards. dfes. gov. uk †¢Office for Standards in Education. Accessed 20. 11. 08 www. ofsted. gov. uk †¢Teachernet. Accessed 20. 11. 08 www. teachernet. gov. uk How to cite School Policy – Behaviour, Papers

Friday, May 1, 2020

Marx Essay Example For Students

Marx Essay Marxism is a philosophical system developed by Marx and Friedrich Engels. The theory is also known as dialectical materialism, under which matter gives rise to mind. Dialectical materialism is based on social and political institutions progressively changing their nature as economic developments transform material conditions. This is the basis for communism. The reverse theory would be capitalism. While communism in some forms can be traced to various utopian ideas, the theoretical basis for the communist countries is from Karl Marx, an impoverished German, and his colleague Friedrich Engels. Marx believed that all the evil in the world could be attributed to a class struggle between the haves, the wealthy, who controlled the means of production and the have nots, the workers, who actually did the laboring. Marx saw greater and greater wealth being concentrated in the hands of fewer and fewer, while the masses, the workers, were being deprived of the rightful fruits of their labors. Marx envisioned a world union of the Working Classes, where the proletariat would arise and overthrow the bosses. Then, with the workers controlling everything, everyone would work to the limits of his (or her) abilities, and everyone would receive all he or she needed. We will write a custom essay on Marx specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Marx envisioned this taking place first in the highly industrialized countries of Germany and England, not in largely rural and illiterate Russia. Lenins contribution to Marxist theory was the concept of the weakest link: that Russia, as the weak link in the chain of industrialized countries, should be the first to overthrow the bourgeois and establish a dictatorship of the proletariat. As we can see in recent years, things did not go according to his plan. Marxs economic theories were complicated and mostly very wrong. Central to his conception of economics was the labor theory of value. According to this theory, the amount a product was worth depended on how much labor was put into it. In reality, a product is worth how much you can sell it for. Marx thought that capitalists, the people who owned the means of production, would constantly push to get more and more labor out of workers, the people who comprised the proletariat, so they could get more and more profits. In his view, competition tended to merely lower wages. In the end, the smaller capitalists would not be able to compete and would become part of the proletariat as well. When the proletariat finally became large and oppressed enough, it would rise and overthrow the capitalists and take control of the means of production and operate them for the public good. Today, we acknowledge that competition also lowers prices, which makes goods cheaper for everyone. Marxs view of new technology was also rather backward. He saw it as tending to make workers redundant, which is true, and thus making workers more desperate for work and driving wages down. He failed to realize that gains in productivity also make goods cheaper for everyone, including workers, and that the savings in one industry could be invested in another and result in greater employment in the end. Rising productivity is actually essential to rising standards of living over the long run. Marx often used the views of other philosophers, like Hegel and Feuerbach to support his social theories. Feuerbach, for instance, was very critical of religion. Hegel saw human history as the progression from bondage to freedom. Freedom is achieved as the desires of the individual are integrated into the unified system of the state, in which the will of one is replaced by the will of all. This theory is shown in his division of history into three stages, the first of which is in the ancient orient where only the ruler was free, the second in Greece and Rome where some were free, and modern world where all are considered free. This view of history divided Hegels followers into left- and right-wing camps, with leftists like Marx turning the dialectic of Spirit into the dialectic of economic conditions and rightists stressing the unity of the state and breathing new life into Protestantism. When Marx wrote about revolution, in many ways he did not have a clear idea regarding its logist ics. It is one thing to write about expropriating the expropriator; it is quite another to figure out just how to do it. Marx assumed that the ruling class, capitalists, would not relinquish power without a fight, so he foresaw a violent struggle. Toward the end of his life, however, Marx began to waver on this as well as some other important issues. But it was not until after his death that Marxists (revisionists) began to come up with concrete strategies to bring about revolution via nonviolent parliamentary participation. .u4931f545bdb12c43fd63ce1bb14b2823 , .u4931f545bdb12c43fd63ce1bb14b2823 .postImageUrl , .u4931f545bdb12c43fd63ce1bb14b2823 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u4931f545bdb12c43fd63ce1bb14b2823 , .u4931f545bdb12c43fd63ce1bb14b2823:hover , .u4931f545bdb12c43fd63ce1bb14b2823:visited , .u4931f545bdb12c43fd63ce1bb14b2823:active { border:0!important; } .u4931f545bdb12c43fd63ce1bb14b2823 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u4931f545bdb12c43fd63ce1bb14b2823 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u4931f545bdb12c43fd63ce1bb14b2823:active , .u4931f545bdb12c43fd63ce1bb14b2823:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u4931f545bdb12c43fd63ce1bb14b2823 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u4931f545bdb12c43fd63ce1bb14b2823 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u4931f545bdb12c43fd63ce1bb14b2823 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u4931f545bdb12c43fd63ce1bb14b2823 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u4931f545bdb12c43fd63ce1bb14b2823:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u4931f545bdb12c43fd63ce1bb14b2823 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u4931f545bdb12c43fd63ce1bb14b2823 .u4931f545bdb12c43fd63ce1bb14b2823-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u4931f545bdb12c43fd63ce1bb14b2823:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Child Abuse Essay Marx had the idea that the people should rise from the lower classes and overthrow the rich or ruling class. His error in assuming classes was that in a capitalist system, where there is no monarchy, there is no distinct social class, and upward mobility of the middle class is a dynamic. Social distinctions are made, but are made in standards of living that are only guaranteed by the hard work and risks of engaging in profit making business. Limits of upward mobility are only limited by the lack of talent and hard work. In a Utopian society such as the one Marx envisioned, there would not be the need to invest hard work and risks for greater returns. With out motivation and hard work, Utopia is only a dream, and living standards will probably seek the lowest level of subsistence. This has proven true in most all such experiments with communism. Even the lowest level in a good capitalist society gains advantages as the standard of living rises. The rising tide raises all boats. Some boats may not be as grand as others but are adequate for those who apply their talents and energy. In the Marxist social model, there is a trend toward mediocrity at best and mere survival at worst. Competition and striving seem to gravitate toward the best of all worlds even for the least of us. We can, in effect, enjoy the fruits of the efforts of others and aid their ascension while enjoying these benefits. Utopia is a situation of unrealistic expectations where there is not a drive to excel and compete. A pie that is small and divided evenly is still a small piece of pie. On the other hand, a larger and more magnificent pie has the potential of satisfying needs although the wedge is narrower.

Sunday, March 22, 2020

Tips for Creating Original and Compelling Healthcare Content

Healthcare companies and retailers can no longer rely on traditional advertising and in-store promotions to market their goods and services. Today, people turn to the internet for information. If people can’t find your products and services online, you may as well be invisible. This is why healthcare brands should embrace content marketing. The Importance of Content Marketing for the Healthcare Sector Today, around 83 percent of healthcare organizations are using content marketing to drive growth. When researching their healthcare options, consumers are seeking out valuable content in the form of blog posts, ebooks, videos, images, infographics, email newsletters, social media posts, and more. When you provide the right content at the right time, you strengthen your credibility and are more likely to gain loyal customers. This trust-building approach is backed up by research. According to TMG Custom Media, around 78 percent of consumers believe that companies that offer original content are interested in building long-lasting relationships with their customers2. But in order to reap the benefits of content marketing, you need to get it right. Best Practices for Creating Healthcare Content Focus on High-Quality, In-Depth Content If you want to reach more potential customers online, make sure some of your content is long-form. In one study, the average Google first page result contained 1,890 words. Consumers also want specific answers. Around 66 percent of all internet users look online for information about a specific medical problem. Create content that addresses specific health issues, and link to sources that support your content. Consider writing an ebook, whitepaper, or reference guide. Start a Company Blog Constant blog content is one of the best ways to improve your search engine rankings, drive web traffic, and build your credibility. Focus on topics that your target audience cares about and you’ll become a go-to source for healthcare information. Produce More Video Content According to Becker’s Hospital Review in an article on healthcare marketing trends for 2018, health-related video content is in demand. By 2019, videos will account for around 85 percent of all internet traffic in the US. Videos are engaging, easy to consume, and highly shareable. Use them to share expert health information, or tell staff stories. Use the Right Tone Most people aren’t interested in marketing buzzwords like â€Å"patient-centric† or â€Å"state-of-the-art.† Instead of using complicated medical terms, use conversational, compassionate, jargon-free language. Don’t Forget Email According to Twitter research, 74 percent of marketers consider email as the most effective distribution channel for new content. Most people need time to make a healthcare decision, so consider distributing an email newsletter to keep people engaged with your brand. Optimize for Local Search Around 47 percent of internet users search online for information about doctors or other health professionals. If you have a local practice, make sure your content includes keywords related to your location to maximize your online visibility. Get Social Find out where healthcare conversations are happening on social platforms, get involved, and promote your content. Facebook is still the most popular social media channel, followed by Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Optimize for Mobile Most US adults now own a smartphone, and Google Search now prioritizes mobile-friendly websites, so you must optimize your healthcare content for mobile devices. Find out how to make your content mobile-friendly. Be Consistent According to HubSpot, it takes about six months of posting relevant content on a weekly basis to impact your web traffic. Start using an editorial calendar to ensure you deliver regular, useful content to your target audience. Healthcare Content Ideas Stories. Your staff, patients, and the history of your organization all provide useful material to help humanize your brand. Lifestyle content. Tackle topics related to patient health and lifestyle choices. Opinion pieces. Give your stance on current news stories and trends in your industry. New data and surveys. Use your own data, source data from the internet, or survey your existing customers as a springboard for new content. Aftercare content. The period after an appointment or procedure is often neglected by content marketers, but it provides a broad range of content opportunities. Condition-specific information. You don’t have to cover every topic, but you can discuss common procedures and conditions. Billing information. Most patients read billing statements, so don’t miss this opportunity to refer customers to your website and social media channels for more information. Wrapping Up The wealth of healthcare information now available online means every healthcare brand must fight for attention. However, with access to various content formats and online distribution channels, it’s also a great opportunity for brands to reach new customers with content. If you’re a healthcare company looking to leverage the power of content marketing, consider hiring freelance health medicine writers. Follow these recommendations and above all, offer content that supports and informs potential customers. Content marketing requires patience, but if you’re willing to invest in it, you’ll increase your web traffic, leads, and ultimately sales.

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Free Essays on Magpiety

The main idea of my essay is that the speaker in the poem â€Å"Magpiety† by Philip Levine has realized that half of his life has passed, yet he has not yet lived it. A part of my argument is that he feels that he has wasted half of his life because he is sixty-four looking back on thirty-two and wondering why he was rushing. One of the biggest problems that I had at this point in the writing process was that at first, I didn’t have enough evidence to support my thoughts. However, after revising several times, I found the evidence needed. Another problem I had was relating different sections in the poem to one another. There were many lines in the poem that could be interpreted in many different ways and I had to sift through and pick the best suited ones for my topic of argument. The point that I feel I have made successfully is that the man in the poem has not lived life to the fullest. The man noticed that his life was moving fast, and he tried to slow down but had an anxiety attack of some sort. Though we do not necessarily know what it is about, it can be interpreted in many different ways. The question that I would like answered from the reader is what they think about my use of evidence. As I said before, I had trouble coming up with evidence to support my thoughts, while strongly abiding to them. If I was going to start revising, I would focus on the magpie a little bit more, I would consider in depth how the last lines of the poem are significant, and I would go more into how the man hasn’t lived his life to the fullest.... Free Essays on Magpiety Free Essays on Magpiety The main idea of my essay is that the speaker in the poem â€Å"Magpiety† by Philip Levine has realized that half of his life has passed, yet he has not yet lived it. A part of my argument is that he feels that he has wasted half of his life because he is sixty-four looking back on thirty-two and wondering why he was rushing. One of the biggest problems that I had at this point in the writing process was that at first, I didn’t have enough evidence to support my thoughts. However, after revising several times, I found the evidence needed. Another problem I had was relating different sections in the poem to one another. There were many lines in the poem that could be interpreted in many different ways and I had to sift through and pick the best suited ones for my topic of argument. The point that I feel I have made successfully is that the man in the poem has not lived life to the fullest. The man noticed that his life was moving fast, and he tried to slow down but had an anxiety attack of some sort. Though we do not necessarily know what it is about, it can be interpreted in many different ways. The question that I would like answered from the reader is what they think about my use of evidence. As I said before, I had trouble coming up with evidence to support my thoughts, while strongly abiding to them. If I was going to start revising, I would focus on the magpie a little bit more, I would consider in depth how the last lines of the poem are significant, and I would go more into how the man hasn’t lived his life to the fullest....

Tuesday, February 18, 2020

HR Analisys Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

HR Analisys - Essay Example Similarly, it can affect the financial performance of this organization; however, this might vary from one state to the next depending on the HR practices that Organizations embraces in such states (Bauernberger, 2007). It is vital to recognize that the decisions that the company makes on who to hire, what to pay, what training to offer, how employees’ performance is appraised, and other credible HR provisions directly affect employees’ motivation and ability to provide goods and services that customers value. Consequently, Organizations, as an MNC, must consider such factors through the HR department so as to realize credible organizational performance. Generally, HR manager’s roles in this MNC might eventually affect its prosperity, market relevance, and financial aspects. The strategic HRM management practices chosen in this context incorporate recruitment, selection, training and development, compensation, employee relations, and performance management (Colli ns 5). However, three of them have been discerned in diverse ways so as to understand the novel HRM concepts that Organizations can establish and implement so as to remain relevant in the HR management arenas. They have been intertwined so as to emerge with a concrete management provisions that Organizations, through its newly managed HR department, should establish, implement and embrace to benefit the company. Organizations should implement various HRM management practices in order to remain relevant in the global market. Due to its production and marketing capacity, the organization demands novel HRM practices in the context of HR planning, recruitment of employees, selection criteria, training and development provisions, compensation plans, as well as performance management. Another credible provision is the establishment and ratification of diversity provisions within the Organizations’ workforce. Cultural diversity is increasingly being a

Monday, February 3, 2020

Software SLP Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Software SLP - Assignment Example A login based access to the information resources, upload and download provisions, intuitive interface and concurrent information are some important functional requirements set as the core and most important milestones for the development of BSITM website. Dr Robert and Kim-Phuon (2005) obserseves that â€Å"functional requirements are those requirements that identify and prioritize the functions that users want on the site.† The website will have independent sections in order to meet the content requirements of students, instructors and guardians. A separate section will provide a blog and messaging functionalities to serve as a community center for all three major user groups. The home page will have most important contents including news and result sections. Schedules, handouts, assignments, results will serve as the essential contents of the students’ section. Similarly, the instructor section will enable uploads and download provisions whereas the guardians’ section will contain results and personalize reports on children. In order to meet these goals following list of contents and functional requirements is

Sunday, January 26, 2020

Effects of Groupthink in an Organisation

Effects of Groupthink in an Organisation Introduction The paper aims to assess the relationship between groupthink and team performance. First, it will review the conceptualisations of groupthink to analyse the effects of groupthink in organisations, focusing how it is formed and its manifestation in organizational performance, especially in group decision making. Secondly, my study will explain whether or not groupthink affects organisational performance through an analysis of the existent theory by Irving. L. Janis and the empirical studies conducted to examine the groupthink and group performance link. Finally, my paper shows some recommendations which reduce negative impacts of groupthink in workplace. Within my study, I also will support ideas by giving implications about groupthink in organisations in the light of theory. In the past several decades, there has been a substantial increase in emphasis on organisation behaviour literature, focusing on group decision making (Branstatter et al, 1982; Kerr and Tindale, 2004). The utilisation of group decision making, conducted in different type of tasks, has been credited with various benefits including improved productivity and enhancement of the quality of work life (Troopman, 1980). However, many researchers also review a potential problem that occurs within groups and that can dramatically hinder group effectiveness from their performance. This disease can be referred to as ‘groupthink’, which is presented the first time in 1972 by Irving L. Janis. The main point of theory on which Janis has been suggested is that the poor decisions of group suffering from groupthink derive from a strong concurrence-seeking tendency that suppresses collective decision-making processes, and leads to fiascos (Janis, 1972). Based on his achievement, a large bo dy of research has shown a conscious awareness of the psychological phenomenon of groupthink as well as formulates some simple strategies to avoid it. A review of groupthink According to Janis (1972), groupthink is described as a â€Å"mode of thinking that people engage in when they are deeply involved in a cohesive in-group, when the members’ striving for unanimity override their motivation to realistically appraise alternative course of action† (1972, p.9). Based on this theory, it is suspected that groupthink occurs when group members’ motivation for unanimity and agreement such as consensus overrules their motivation to evaluate carefully benefits of decisions as well as expression of deviant or minority opinions (Janis, 1972; Robbins and Judge, 2013). Many studies have evidenced that groups and teams can develop a high level of cohesiveness which tends to result in better performance. However, a considerable disadvantage of highly cohesive groups is that their decision making ability can be drastically restricted by Janis’s groupthink hypothesis. Indeed, strong cohesive groups, where group members are friendly and respec tful of other’s opinions, can contribute to faulty decisions and a policy fiasco when such groups are immersed in poor decision making process under in-group pressures (Eaton, 2001). With the same view, in other words, Fincham and Rhodes (1999) argued that highly cohesive groups can create the pressures of conformity that reduce reflexivity, impeding members’ judgement and their ability to reach a correct decision. From this point, it is clearly seen that each member of a group finds it comfortable to be in agreement, following a positive part of the group, rather than to be an opposing force, even if this factor is potential to enhance the efficiency of the group’s decisions. This reveals a reality that individuals who have different opinions from that of the dominant majority have a tendency to withhold or modify their true feelings and beliefs, which leads to distort the decision making process (Robbins and Judge, 2013). In addition, Knights et al (2007) beli eved that groupthink can cause a disadvantage when learning activities stopped as any further development was largely stagnated by a consensus that was more based upon a withdrawal of respect than upon a useful critical insight to assessment of different information and alternative options. Therefore, when the group is attacked by groupthink, the problems are usually discussed and examined in an uncertain way, leaving many possible solutions and useful ideas (Knights et al, 2007). One of the clearest examples of groupthink which can be considered is the the explosion of the NASA Shuttle Challenger, 73 seconds after it launched in January 1986, killing seven astronauts. The disasters could have been easily prevented if the NASA team noticed the concerns from engineers on the readiness and safety of the Shuttle’s structure before it were launched (Moorhead et al, 1991). It could be concluded that groupthink impede the voices of members of the group who have their own opinions b ut are marginalised, and maintain an illusion of group unanimity, which may invalidate team performance and contribute in creating fiascos (Knights et al, 2007). In addition, many researchers studied that the effectiveness of directive leadership is also one of the factors related to groupthink (Flowers, 1977; Mullen et al, 1994). They claimed that directive leadership has a weak connection with information being considered by the group, the discouragement of dissent, fewer solutions being found and more self-censorship by members (Flowers, 1977; Leana, 1985; Moorhead and Montanari, 1986). Based on previous studies, Moorhead et al (1998) believed that individuals’ opinions may be prevented from group interaction if there appears a strong leadership and group members just only follow their leaders without sufficient critical evaluation. For example, if the leader of the group suggests unethical ideas, and the group cannot control the rules to prescribe ethical behaviour, poor decision may be shaped (Sims, 1992). Similarly, Huczynski and Buchanan (2013) concluded that if the group leaders consider their position from the beginning and ap pear to have a strong preference for a particular goal, the groups tend to support their leader’s idea and do not have a chance to suggest alternative information or solutions. Research on symptoms of groupthink Groupthink, in most of viewpoints, is considered as a threat of organization. Fortunately, Janis (1972, 1982) described eight symptoms categorised in three types of characteristics which were experienced from the fiascos and serve as the powerful tool for recognising the existence of groupthink. They are: overestimation of the group (illusion of invulnerability; belief in inherent morality), closed-mindedness (collective rationalisations, stereotyped images of out-groups), and pressure towards uniformity (self-censorship, illusion of unanimity, direct pressures on dissenters, self-appointed mindguards) (Janis, 1972; Hart, 1991). These symptoms, according to Janis (1972), are considered as a collection of a concurrence-seeking tendency that can fade group decision making process and lead to fiascos, and even disasters. In his research, concurrence-seeking plays a vital role in collective decision making process; but, it will become excessive when it occurs too early in a limited acces s. In addition, Hart (1991) pointed that the signal of excessive concurrence-seeking can be derived from the pressures toward uniformity, and concurrence-seeking takes places in the context of misguide policy from the other two types of characteristics. However, According to Choi and Kim (1999), not all symptoms of groupthink tend to be associated with the others. Their study evidenced that pressure on dissenters, collective rationalisations, and self-censorship tend to be positively associated with each other but negatively associated with the belief in the illusion of invulnerability, the group’s inherent morality, and the illusion of unanimity. From that point, they also suggested that groupthink symptoms reflect two different processes that may occur in collective decision making: the positive correlations between the illusions of invulnerability and unanimity with the belief in the group morality, contrary to the emergence of mindguards, self-censorship, pressure on diss enters, and stereotypes of outgroups. Similarly, Park (2000) examined symptoms of groupthink based on the groupthink model’s Janis and went to a conclusion that the symptom groupings tend to produce negative correlations across the divergent processes. This strengthens for the argument of Longley and Pruit (1980) that the symptoms of groupthink have a strong connection with defective decision making process which would qualify as high quality. How to avoid groupthink It is clearly seen that groupthink is an invisible barrier that causes negative effects on group decision making process and lead to serious consequences. However, Janis’s achievement on groupthink theory has paved the way for researchers finding methods to avoid this phenomenon. Macleod (2011) suggested that it is important for managers to foster group cohesiveness along with a shared sense of professional solidarity. At the same time, it is also important to create an impartial comfort zone in which each member of a group is encouraged to have an active voice in the exchange of ideas and in the evaluation of options. Moreover, relevant outside input should be welcomed as a means of providing diverse information and broadening the extent of collaboration. Conclusion In conclusion, a large body of research has examined the negative impacts of groupthink to organisation, focusing on group decision making. All of them are reviewed and examined meticulously from the Janis’s groupthink hypothesis, which claimed that groupthink is clearly seen as an enemy of creativity, bringing threats and major blunders (Simone, 2008). Indeed, groupthink leads to group decision making failures which come from the highly cohesive groups and the strong directive leadership (Flower, 1977; Leana, 1985; Hart, 1991). Developed from this point, before groupthink becomes a potential pitfall in group decision making, controlled attempts to understand its symptoms are not only desirable but highly necessary. If people can do that, the groupthink framework can be applied effectively to analyse defective decision processes and propose recommendations to avoid groupthink in work organisations. Therefore, it is necessary to have more research on the potential threats to ef fective group decision making caused by groupthink to get deeper insight into this phenomenon as well as improve the further ideas and continuous in-depth research for groups.

Saturday, January 18, 2020

Failed Amendment: Protecting Slavery Essay

In 1861, an Amendment was proposed to protect the practice of slavery, known as the Corwin Amendment.. It would make it so not amendments could be made to effect the use of slavery. This is the only proposed Amendment that has the signature of the President, to not be ratified. The President’s signature is considered unnecessary due to the face the constitutional provision that on the concurrence of two-thirds of both Houses of Congress the proposal shall be submitted to the States for ratification. Two states approved this proposal, Ohio and Illinois. It is believed that Maryland also ratified the Corwin Amendment, but due to military conflict during the Civil War it was never official. I believe that it was never ratified for many reasons but the main was because many state did not agree with slavery at the time, and they did not want to â€Å"protect† it with an amendment, they also saw that change was coming and if it was ratified, change could not happen. Technically the Corwin Amendment is still â€Å"live† and it could still be ratified, although the 13th Amendment put an end to slavery. If the 13th Amendment did not make slavery illegal, it still not be ratified, especially today. People’s views on equal rights, and racism have changed drastically, and if the Corwin Amendment was proposed today people would be disgusted. I believe that is the Corwin Amendment was even suggest America would become a very different place. Many citizens would change their views on the government and protest and riots would break out.

Friday, January 10, 2020

Pakistan’s Banking Sector Current Situation And Critical Issues

Pakistan’s banking sector reforms which were initiated in the early 1990s have transformed the sector into an efficient, sound and strong banking system. The most recent comprehensive assessment carried out jointly by the World Bank and the IMF in 2004 came to the following conclusion: â€Å" for reaching reforms have resulted in a more efficient and competitive financial system In particular, the predominantly state-owned banking system has been transformed into one that is predominantly under the control of the private sector. The legislative framework and the State Bank of Pakistan’s supervisory capacity have been improved substantially. As a result, the financial sector is sounder and exhibits an increased resilience to shocks. † The major changes that have occurred in the banking sector during the last decade or so can be summarized as follows: a) 80 percent of the banking assets are held by the private sector banks and the privatization of nationalized commercial banks has brought about a culture of professionalism and service orientation in place of bureaucracy and apathy. ) The banks that were losing money due to inefficiencies, waste and limited product range have become highly profitable business. These profits are, however, being used to strengthen the capital base of the banks rather than paying out to the shareholders. The minimum capital requirements have been raised from Rs. 500 million to Rs. 6 billion over an extended period in a phased manner. The consolidation of the banking sector into fewer but stronger banks will lead to better management of risk. c) The banks that were burdened with the non-performing and defaulted loans have cleared up their balance sheets in an open transparent, cross-the-board manner. Contrary to the popular myth the main beneficiaries of the wirite-offs of the old outstanding and unrecoverable loans have been from almost 25 percent to 6. 7 percent by Dec. 2005. Small individual borrowers the ratio of non-performing loans of the Commercial Banks to total advances has declined. d) The quality of new assets has improved as stringent measures are taken to appraise new loans, and assure the underlying securities. Online Credit Information Bureau reports provide updated information to the banks about the credit history and track record of the borrowers. Loan approvals on political considerations have become passe. Non-performing loans account for less than 3 percent of all new loans disbursed since 1997. e) The human resources base of the banks has been substantially upgraded by the adoption of the principles of merit and performance throughout the industry. Recruitment is done through a highly competitive process and promotions and compensation are linked to training, skills and high performance. The banks now routinely employ MBAs, M. Coms, Chartered Accountants, IT graduates, economists and other highly educated persons rather than Clerical and Non Clerical Workers. The banking industry has become the preferred choice of profession among the young graduates. f) Banking Technology that was almost non-existent in Pakistan until a few years ago is revolutionizing the customer services and access on-line banking, Internet banking, ATMs, mobile phone banking and other modes of delivery have made it possible to provide convenience to the customers while reducing the transaction costs to the banks. Credit Cards, Debit Cards, Smart Cards etc. are a thriving and expanding business in Pakistan. Once the RTGS is put in place the payment system in Pakistan. Would enter a new phase of modernization. ) Competition among the banks has forced them to move away from the traditional limited product range of credit to the government and the public sector enterprises, trade financing, big name corporate loans, and credit to multinationals to an ever-expanding menu of products and services. The borrower base of the banks has expanded four fold in the last six years as the banks have diversified into agriculture, SMEs, Consumers financing, mortgages, etc. The middle class that could not afford to buy cars or apartments as they did not have the financial strength for cash purchases are the biggest beneficiaries of these new products and services. ) Along with strong regulation, supervision and enforcement capacity of the State Bank of Pakistan a number of measures have been taken to put best corporate governance practices in the banking system. ‘Fit and proper’ criteria have been prescribed for the Chief Executives, members of the Boards of Directors, and top management positions. Accounting and audit standards have been brought to the International Accounting Standards (IAS) and the International Audit Codes. External audit firms are rated according to their performance and track record and those falling short of the acceptable standards are debarred from auditing the banks. These practices were put in place in Pakistan long before the scandals of Enercon, World Call and Pramalat had shaken the corporate world. i) The foreign exchange market that was highly regulated through a system of direct exchange controls over suppliers and users of foreign exchange has been liberalized and all purchases and sales take place through an active and vibrant inter-bank exchange market. All restrictions have been removed with full current account convertibility and partial capital account convertibility. Foreign investors can now bring in and take back their capital, remit profits, dividends and fees without any prior removal and directly through their banks. Similarly, foreign portfolio investors can also enter and exit the market at their own discretion. The main lesson learnt from the last decade suggest that financial sector functions effectively and efficiently only if the macroeconomics situation is favorable and stable. The need to maintain macroeconomic stability will thus remain paramount in the years to come. The agenda for further reforms in the financial sector is still quite formidable and the challenges to spread the benefits of financial liberalization among the middle and low income households and small and medium farms and enterprises are still enormous. There are several areas of dissatisfaction with the banking sector that need to be addressed. The most serious complaint against the banking system in Pakistan today is that the depositors are not getting adequate return on their bank deposits. The difference between the monthly weighted average rates of lending and deposits is taken as an indicator of the spreads earned by the banks. It is true that these spreads have widened in the recent months land this phenomenon has caused resentment among those whose only source of income is their returns from bank deposits. But it is important to examine the facts and their form judgments The monthly comparisons are meaningless because PLS deposit rates are changed every six months, while the lending rates are continuously adjusting because they are automatically linked to T-bills or KIBOR rates. During the last eight months the weighted average deposit rate has risen from 1. 6 percent in July – Feb, 2005 to 3. 9 percent in July – Feb, 2006. This trend reflects that the return on the new deposits mobilized is much higher than what the average rate indicates. The old deposits are earning much lower rate because they were lodged at the time when the overall structure of interest rates had come down significantly. This lag is adjustment between the deposit and lending rates is due to the costs incurred by the depositor in shifting deposits from one bank to the other. The additional deposits mobilized in the last twelve months amounted to Rs. 382 billion i. e. a growth rate of 16. 8 percent. This growth rate took place despite deceleration in the volume of Resident Foreign deposit accounts. So if the deposit rates were unattractive then this high growth rate in deposits mobilized by the banks appears to be puzzling. The reason for this high growth is that the fresh deposits were fetching an average return of 6. 2 percent in March, 2006 compared to 3. 5 percent in July, 2005 – rise of 270 basis points in nine months. In the coming months the average rate is likely to move further upwards bringing them to positive real interest rates. Why have the profits of the banks risen so sharply in the last few years? There are several reasons that need to be understood: First, the drag of non-performing loans has been eased considerably reducing the need for setting aside the provisions for loan losses. As these provisions were made at the expense of the profits the banks are now reaping the benefits of building up substantial provisions and taking the hit on their profits in the past. Second, the corporate income tax rate on banks’ profits has gradually come down from 58 percent to 38 percent saving on their tax deductions. These savings not only get translated in to higher profits but also act as incentives for better performance because the tax rate no longer acts as a penalty. Third, the diversification of the banks assets into new and so far underserved segments such as agriculture, mortgage, auto, SMEs, Consumer and Credit Cards have raised their net interest margins. As competition has become quite tough in the corporate segment the margins on corporate loans have been squeezed considerably. But the spreads earned in these new segments are quite attractive. Thus a large part of the profits originate from lending to these underserved segments of the population. This is a Win- Win situation as small farmers, small businesses and middle class consumers, who had so far been denied access to bank credit, are able to get financing the banks are able to earn higher spreads. Fourth, there has been a shift in the maturing profile of both the banks’ deposits and banks’ loans. Half of the total deposits are now placed for short term duration earning negligible rates of return compared to the past where the distribution of deposits were concentrated in medium to long duration earning much higher returns. On the assets side, more of the bank loans are being disbursed for fixed investment purposes. These have long maturity structure and pay higher interest rates in double digits. This shift in the composition of deposits and advances has helped earn the banks a higher spread boosting their profitability. As the majority of the banks are operating in the private sector they will remain guided by the bottom line considerations i. e. the profits. Consolidation and market competition will act as a deterrent on abnormal profits but it is the responsibility of the regulator to ensure that these profits are not made by taking excessive risk with the depositors’ money or by banks indulging in collusive practices. The regulator has to ensure that the access to credit is further broadened and small farming households, small and medium businesses and middle classes are able to meet their legitimate credit needs. At the same time the regulator has to take stringent action against those banks found guilty of anti-competitive or collusive practices. Another popular indictment against the banking sector is that they are financing speculative activities such as stock market trading, real estate, commodities, auto etc. The facts do not support this indictment. Direct and indirect exposure by banks in stock market equities has been limited to 20 percent of their capital i. e. the maximum amount all the banks can collectively provide for this activity is only 40 billion. The outstanding stock of bank advances in March, 2006 stood at Rs. 2063 billion. Thus the bank credit allocated for stock market equity trading is less than 2 percent of the total advances of the banking system. If we further assume that some amounts are diverted from consumer loans or corporate loans also the exposure of the banks may double to as much as 4 percent but the securities and collaterals against the diverted loans may not necessarily be the scrips themselves. Real estate financing by banks is restricted to mortgage loans only and the purchase of plots cannot be financed by the banks. Mortgage loans can be disbursed in installments after physical verification of the various phases of construction. The total disbursements of loans for mortgage amounted to Rs. 11. 4 billion in FY 05. Commodity financing and its prevailing rates are not attractive for the borrowers as there has been net retirement of commodity loans in the first nine months of the current fiscal year. The regulatory environment for the banks to indulge in lending for speculative purposes is not very propitious. The State Bank of Pakistan supervisors are not only vigilant in their on-site inspection but they monitor the banks on a continuous basis and can detect irregularities and violations fairly quickly. The more deterrent effect of strong oversight by the supervisors is enough to discourage such activities. The penalties imposed by the supervisors on recalcitrant banks are quite severe.