Heart Of Darkness Essays (537 words) - Congo Free State,

Heart Of Darkness Heart of Darkness is a novel of indescribable horrors and actions that lie outside the human mind. It describes a man's (Marlowe) voyage on a West African river to find an individual, Kurtz. The actual journey truly is towards the "heart of darkness", where it takes Marlowe by evidence of European indignity towards the natives. Marlowe wants to see this land for himself, he does not quite believe in himself of what is indeed there. This story hints at horrors that Marlowe is incapable of describing, which in turn leaves the reader to imagine actions that are outside of normal, everyday life. The voyage that Marlowe has taken has been long and exhausting. It's an adventure for him; he has experienced a great deal of confrontation with the natives, jungle dangers, and brutal savagery. There is no interest of the humans who lie here, for they are extremely mistreated. Yet to them, this is "normal human behavior"; nothing has been done differently. Nowhere did we stop long enough to get a particularized impression, but the general sense of vague and oppressive wonder grew upon me. It was like a weary pilgrimage amongst hints for nightmares. (pg. 79) This describes Marlowe's voyage to the "heart of darkness", the literal heart of darkness, Africa, so to speak. He was fully warned against, and well-aware of the evil he would encounter; however, he chose to ignore that aspect in efforts to satisfy his curiosity. Here, the author is also saying something about human nature in general. Human curiosity about an unknown place can make one cross the line of civilized human behavior and enter a world of "nightmares". Marlowe wanted to see it all for himself; but what made it most fascinating was this land was something he had never experienced before. He knew he would be a "weary pilgrimage amongst hints for nightmares", but he wanted to prove something to himself that could remain doubtable if not seen. There is a persistence and passion by virtue of the human instinct that pushes people to try to grasp the unknown and placate their most deepest desires and questions. To actually see and experience the unknown are the only true ways one will believe. Moreover, this adventure novel can mean a whole different thing. The "heart of darkness" can be a symbolic journey into the dark center of the heart and soul of a human, revealing the concealed evil of one?s own nature and his capacity for evil. It is a psychological exploration of the inner self; it reflects the unconscious self of a human. Ironically, the truth is exposed not in terms of light, but in terms of darkness. As a result, Marlowe doesn't get pulled into this "heart of darkness" for he has the power within; he experiences awareness of his own self obligations and learns many things as a result of this journey. Marlowe learns of his evil capacity. Yet Kurtz falls into the exceedingly large chasm that has grown on the account his"heart of darkness". The Heart of Darkness discusses the fundamental inquisitions of human nature: man's capacity for evil, the effect of darkness and human isolation, and the essentiality to find ones' own salvation. It allows the reader to ponder their own heart of darkness. The story indicates horrors that Marlowe is unable to describe, leaving the reader to imagine actions that lie outside civilized human behavior.

Rhetorical Essay on the Gettysburg Adress and the Pearl Harbor Adress Essay Example

Rhetorical Essay on the Gettysburg Adress and the Pearl Harbor Adress Essay Example Rhetorical Essay on the Gettysburg Adress and the Pearl Harbor Adress Essay Rhetorical Essay on the Gettysburg Adress and the Pearl Harbor Adress Essay Essay Topic: The Pearl Gigi R. English 102 6 oct. 2013 Rhetorical Essay Speeches often correlate, especially when they are written for a similar audience in a similar situation. For example, President Franklin Delano Roosevelts Pearl Harbor Address appeals to Americans fear during the time of war. President Roosevelt states what has happened and how it will in turn affect the citizens of America. President Roosevelt also appeals to logic, stating that because America has been attacked, they must engage in World War II. In addition, President Roosevelt ives confidence to American citizens saying that, once they enter into World War II, they will win. Similarly, President Abraham Lincoln empathizes with American citizens. At this time, President Lincoln addresses Americans who have come together to commemorate the lives that America has lost during the Civil War. He encourages Americans to Join together to remember that these men have consecrated this ground. He encourages Americans to take courage and remember that they are together in a great country, Just as President Roosevelt encouraged Americans to continue to take pride in their country and not to be discouraged. Both President Lincoln and Roosevelt use pathos, or emotion, to empathize with American citizens as well as ethos, or credibility, to be able to point out issues because of their positions as presidents. In the Pearl Harbor Address, Franklin D. Roosevelt uses pathos more than logos or ethos to get to the American citizens emotions. He says, Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave anger, letting the American people know that this is a serious matter and we should be cautious. He ends the speech by saying, With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph so help us God, bringing the peoples hopes back up again that this attack will not go unpunished. He uses a little bit of ethos by stating who he is when he says, As Commander in Chief of the Army and Navvy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. But always will our whole nation remember the haracter of the onslaught against us. With this statement he lets the people know how important of a roll he has in the situation, that he knows what he is doing, and that he will take care of things. The first example of pathos that he uses scares the citizens about the situation but it also makes them feel as though something should be done about it. The second example brings their confidence back in that they will win this battle. He appeals to their emotions by making them fear awful things will happen if they do not tight back witn the Japanese. He then gives them selt-assurance that it they do go to war, they will be successful. Although ethos is the weakest of the appeals that he uses, he still states his title by establishing that he is the Commander in Chief of the Army and Navvy. This is good because he did not provide any examples of his moral character so his position as president and as commander and chief is what really gives him credibility in this speech. In the Gettysburg Address that Abraham Lincoln gives during the civil war he also uses pathos the most, since its a war and everyones emotions are scattered. He says The brave men, living and dead who struggled here have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. He speaks about how the soldiers fought and died to create unity in the country. He then says, It is for us the living rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work, which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. By saying this he is trying to motivate the Americans that the country will become unified. In the first example of pathos, Lincoln tugs at American citizens emotions by explaining how the men fought for what they each believed in to try and create a onnected country. In the second example he is trying to motivate the United States to continue to work on the soldiers goal to unify the country. He says, These dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth. He doesnt want these soldiers death to go to waste, and the American citizens need to finish what has been started and become a whole again. In both the Pearl Harbor Address and the Gettysburg Address, pathos is the main hetorical point that is used. Since both speeches were by a president during the time of a war, they have several similarities. For instance, because both speeches occur at the height of an American military tragedy, the respective presidents utilize passionate appeals so that the American people feel the heartfelt sorrow and comfort of the Commander and Chief. In addition, these speeches that emphasize pathos have the ability to voice and appeal. They call out for the hearer to respond with greater patriotism. Also, the Gettysburg Address is a turning point for President Lincoln to unite the war torn country. His use of pathos gives him a way to communicate how the county needs healing. President Roosevelts address on Pearl Harbor has the power to move the emotions of Americans into war. Roosevelt pushes the buttons of the citizens on an emotional level to move a county into action. Both speeches encouraging that the county needs to build its self back together and heal. In that way these speeches are timeless examples of the emotional power of the use of pathos in speeches in American history.

Capitalism or consumerism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Capitalism or consumerism - Essay Example Each has a responsibility to ensure advancement and profitability is not at the expense of our societal morality. Before delving more deeply into the issues involved a clear understanding of the principle doctrines surrounding the premise needs to be established. Capitalism is the economic base of a free society. The concept being that private or corporate ownership is a fundamental principal of it. The success or failure of the company is directly tied to the profitability of the entity. As profits increase, reinvestment is made leading to increased productivity and company wealth, within which context; capitalism naturally leads to a personal stake in the company, regardless of whether it is a privately owned company or a corporation. One’s livelihood is directly tied to its success or failure. When in a cultural climate such as this, success is often perceived as material acquisitions and possessions which may lead to devastating consequences. Too often when the goal becomes merely the ‘bottom line’ the path to achieve it becomes secondary and ethical improprieties become frighteningly commonplace. The second key term to define is consumerism. It appears an innocuous term initially. On the surface it is the societal fueling of capitalism. As the consumer buys, companies profit yielding gain and thereby there is further reinvestment of capital. This cyclic compliment of supply and demand defines the free market society. However, when looking deeper into the concept of consumerism it leads to the overwhelming need of the consumer to have, to possess, to buy – materialism supersedes actual need. This accepted reality of a capitalistic society results in the confusion of needs versus wants. How these two principles interact has become the center of much publicity. The ethics of American business and the public’s demand for materialistic gain comes to the forefront in the

New Curriculum from Teaching Tolerance Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

New Curriculum from Teaching Tolerance - Article Example informality incorporates more expression in the article and reflects the author’s ability to connect with the audience, which is primarily teachers in this case. Supporting the arguments with examples e.g. offering learning targets as an example to elaborate how the authors went beyond the literacy standards enhances the understanding of the audience. The article ends with a question for the audience which is an effective way of keeping the sound echoing in the minds of the audience after the article has been read. This article is fairly expressive and yet concise. The contemporary American society is made up of people that belong to a variety of backgrounds in terms of culture, race, religion, and beliefs. Traditionally, the curriculum in American schools has not been customized to address the needs of an ever-diversifying American society. Introduction of the anti-bias education at every grade level is the first and the foremost step to a truly diverse

What Is My Personal Philosophy Of Education Essay

What Is My Personal Philosophy Of Education - Essay Example Students play a vital role in the education process, wherein their responsibility would be to show whether the educational process has been successful or not. The importance of introducing education as a fruitful and enjoyable experience is a challenge that is needed to be overcome by the school, as well as the teachers themselves. If the students were able to have positive experiences with regards to taking their first steps in school, then it is a good thing that happened to them because their instinct of absorbing information has been triggered. However, if these students had the unlikely chance of getting a negative first impression in school, it would stay with them all throughout their lives, and could even affect their attitudes toward education, learning, and life as a whole. In a way, schools become institutions that are able to affect and mold the mindset of the young. Learning institutions as well as the people behind them therefore have the overwhelming task of not just providing education to students in general, but also instilling a set of core values into the young ones, as well as jumpstarting their sense of a continuous se arch for knowledge. Being the representative of the academic institution to students, teachers play a vital role in how students would be responding to the learning process, as well as to education in general.... iding the students with hands-on activities, getting them involved in classroom discussions, as well as giving clear directions and prompt feedback (Martin & Loomis, 2007). By combining the attributes that are exemplified by excellent teaching personality and instructional skills, this makes a teacher effective both in teaching the academic things as well as building character and instilling values among students. Doing so makes the teachers essential components in the effectiveness of the school as an institution that helps in developing the younger generation. Aside from the organization of the school and the traits and characteristics of the teachers, the student also plays a vital role in the education process. While the school could select what and how to teach, it is up to the student on retaining the information that was given (Martin & Loomis, 2007). Students shoulder the responsibility of affirming the effectiveness or lack of it when being taught. At the end of the learning process, the success or failure of this process is dictated by the students’ actions towards education as a whole. For example, in elementary school, students are taught the basics of reading and writing. In order for them to fully understand, the students must also be proactive in retaining what they have learned. They could do this by reviewing the lessons taught for the day, asking teachers for things that they wanted further clarification on, or even trying to answer the study questions found at the end of the chapters of their books. Teachers mostly give examinations in order to assess whether the learning process has been effective or not, and the students have the responsibility of doing their best in examinations, not just to get good grades but also to confirm or disprove the

Case Study: Hunter Douglas Group

Case Study: Hunter Douglas Group This is a case study report to analyse how Hunter Douglas Group manages its human resource planning and how the activities involved in the human resource planning process contributes to the success, as well as to ensure future success, of this large multi-national organisation in line with its corporate vision, mission, core values, strategic planning and objectives. Human resource planning provides the means to accomplish the desired outcomes of the organisation and achieving objectives by ensuring that the organisation has the right number of quality people available to achieve objectives through strategy implementation. This is based on a close working relationship between the human resource practitioners and line managers in each company (business unit) of its decentralised organisational structure. The human resource practitioners serve as consultants to line managers concerning the people management implications of business objectives and strategies. Line managers, in turn, have the responsibility to respond to the business implication of human resource objectives and strategies. We also see that the environmental and contextual changes present a number of competitive challenges to this organization which requires its human resource management to be involved in helping to create and build new capabilities. The challenges include: Globalisation: the challenge is to move peoples ideas, products and information around the world to meet local needs. Technology: the challenge is to make technology a viable, productive part of the work setting Competition: in order to remain competitive and remain as a market leader, Hunter Douglas is aware of the importance of continuous training of its people. Economics: economic growth or lower interest rates cause the increase in spending and often increase in business opportunities. Changes in the labour market has an impact on the organisations ability to find and keep employees Workforce changes and ability to cope with change: these include resignations, terminations, leave of absences, death, change in employment status and retirement The success of a business is directly linked to the performance of those who work for that business and Hunter Douglas Group is fully aware of this as it believes in the power of learning and providing its employees growth opportunities to develop their skills. Hunter Douglas Group acknowledges that its employees commitment is the key ingredient to the Groups continued growth and success. Hunter Douglas Group prides on the diversity and strength of its corporate culture that empowers its employees to build and run the business like their own businesses. The Hunter Douglas Group acts like a federation of entrepreneurial companies who think globally but act locally. The character and creativity of its 21,000 employees in 169 countries worldwide have built the dynamic and entrepreneurial company that the Group is today. With numerous benefits encouraging wellness and a work-life balance, Hunter Douglas Group regards its employees as its most valuable resource which is the key to the Groups success. Background Corporate Mission and Core Values Corporate Mission: Hunter Douglas is the worlds market leader in manufacturing a wide range of innovative and quality architectural and window covering products. Hunter Douglas provides on-time delivery, reliable and friendly service at a competitive price. Its aim is to offer fulfillment to its staff and to secure a reasonable return to its shareholders. Core Values: Customer Oriented Putting customers first Providing reliable and friendly service. Achieving on-time delivery Innovation Seeking continuous improvement and new ideas to create value to our customers Striving for creative ways of doing our work better Teamwork Working together harmoniously to achieve common goals and objectives Integrity Honouring commitments to customers, staff and organisation Being sincere and truthful Communication Showing respect and understanding for each other Being frank, open and receptive Staff Well-Being Providing continuous training and development Recognising good performance Corporate Structure Board of Directors Hunter Douglas Group has a one-tier corporate structure. Under its Charter, the Board of Directors is responsible for the overall management and control of the Company. The Board is appointed by the shareholders at the annual General Meeting. The Board has four regular meetings per year and additional meetings as required. Board members may not be members of more than five boards of public companies. Independence The Board has six Members, of whom four are independent. It acts collectively by majority resolution. Functions The Board reviews the overall strategy, financial objectives, budgets, acquisi ­tions, divestments, capital expenditures, currency and aluminium hedging, port ­folio composition and returns, results and risks in the Companys business. Audit and Compensation Committees The Board has an Audit and a Compensation Committee, whose members are independent. The Audit Committee reviews the Companys accounts, internal controls and meets with the Companys external Auditors twice a year. The Compensation Committee reviews the Directors and Officers compensation and stock options. Chairman, President CEO Mr. Ralph Sonnenberg is Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive Officer. Officers The Board annually appoints the Officers of the Company: the President, the Co-Presidents, four regionally responsible Vice Presidents, two Staff Vice Presidents and a Corporate Secretary. The Vice Presidents and Corporate Secretary report to the President. Financial Reporting In accordance with the applicable reporting principles, the consolidated financial statements give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the Group. The annual report includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the Group, together with a description of the principal opportunities and risks associated with the expected develop ­ment of the Group. Major Business Processes A business process is a collection of structured, related tasks or activities which produce a specific product or service which serves a particular goal for customers. The main types of business processes observed in this case study report are Management Processes, Operational Processes and Supporting Processes. Management processes: processes which govern the operation of a system in an organisation. Typical management processes include Corporate Governance and Strategic Management. Corporate Governance The Hunter Douglas Group is incorporated in The Netherlands Antilles and has its statutory seat in Curaà §ao. Hunter Douglas is therefore not subject to The Netherlands Corporate Governance Code. However, Hunter Douglas adheres to good Corporate Governance. The Group has the following key internal controls: Conflicts of Interest Policy The Conflicts of Interest Policy is applicable to all key employees covering relations with customers, suppliers and other third parties. Insider Trading Policy The Insider Trading Policy, as prescribed by the Authority Financial Markets (AFM), restricts trading in the Companys shares by Directors, Officers, key employees and related persons. Internal Audit Function Hunter Douglas principal Operating Companies have an Internal Audit Program. Authority Limits Every Manager, including the Regional Vice Presidents, has clearly defined Authority Limits. Whistleblower Policy Hunter Douglas has a Whistleblower Policy in each and every Company within the Group. Compensation Compensation is reviewed by the Compensation Committee of the Board. The Company also follows the best practices: Stock options Stock options are granted for five years with vesting starting after two years. Stock It is not the Companys Policy to provide stock at no cost. Loans Loans to Directors, Officers or other employees bear market interest. There is no forgiveness of principal or interest. Investor Relations Hunter Douglas has an Investor Relations Website, regularly issues press releases and holds analysts and investor meetings. Strategic Management Strategic management is a process through which organizations analyse and learn from their internal and external environments, establish strategic direction, create strategies which are intended to move the organisation in that direction and implement those strategies, all in an effort to satisfy stakeholders, as illustrated in the diagram below: External Analysis (External Environment) Strategic Controls Direction Setting: Generate, Allocate Build Develop Vision Evaluate, and relationships Control Mission and Manage Systems Values Select, Resources Design Strategies Structures Measure and Evaluate performance Internal Analysis (Internal Environment) Strategy Formulation Strategy Implementation and Evaluation Hunter Douglas Group has been successful over the long term because the Group has effectively acquired, develop and manage resources and capabilities that provide competitive advantage. The Group has, over the years, achieved strong brand recognition such as the HunterDouglas ® in North America and Asia as well as for Architectural Products worldwide. Luxaflex ® for residential window coverings in the rest of the world. The Hunter Douglas Group, with its 21,000 employees in 169 countries worldwide, takes advantage of its organisational strengths and environmental opportunities. It continues to neutralise or overcome organisational weaknesses and environmental threats by managing its business processes well and applies best practices. Operational processes: processes which constitute the organisations core business and create the primary value stream. Typical operational processes include Purchasing, Manufacturing, Marketing, and Sales. As a highly decentralised organisation, each company in each region within the Hunter Douglas Group manages autonomous operations with minimum interference and maximum accountability, growing their businesses within the groups entrepreneurial environment following the corporate governance, vision, mission and values. Supporting processes: processes that support the organisations core processes. Examples in this category include Accounting, Recruitment, Technical support. Although highly decentralised, each company in each region within the Hunter Douglas Group has to follow an Internal Audit Program when it comes to financial and accounting matters. Recruitment and Human Resource matters are set in line with the business plan and strategies of each company in each region as well as in line with the directions and corporate governance, vision, mission and values of the Group. Business Strategy Porters Generic Strategies Target Scope Advantage Low Cost Product Uniqueness Broad Cost Leadership Differentiation (Industry Wide) Strategy Strategy Narrow Focus Strategy Focus Strategy (Market Segment) (Low Cost) (Differentiation) Hunter Douglas Groups strategy is to grow the market and the Groups market share by continuing to introduce innovative and proprietary new products and by expanding its presence in key geographic markets. It was observed that Hunter Douglas Group has been successful in using the Differentiation Strategy by having the following internal strengths: Access to leading research and development Highly skilled and creative product development team Strong sales teams with the ability to successfully communicate the perceived strengths and benefits of the product. Corporate reputation for quality and innovation Differentiation Strategy A differentiation strategy calls for the development of a product or service that offers unique attributes that are valued by customers and that customers perceive to be better than or different from the products of the competition. The value added by the uniqueness of the product may allow the firm to charge a premium price for it. The firm hopes that the higher price will more than cover the extra costs incurred in offering the unique product. Because of the products unique attributes, if suppliers increase their prices the firm may be able to pass along the costs to its customers who cannot find substitute products easily. The risks associated with a differentiation strategy include imitation by competitors and changes in customers tastes. Generic Strategies and Industry Forces Industry Generic Strategies Force Cost Leadership Differentiation Strategy Focus Strategy Strategy Entry Ability to cut price in Customer loyalty can Focusing develops core Barriers retaliation deters discourage potential competencies that can act potential entrants entrants as an entry barrier Buyer Ability to offer lower Large buyers have less Large buyers have less power Power price to powerful power to negotiate to negotiate because of few buyers because of few close alternatives alternatives Supplier Better insulated from Better able to pass on Suppliers have power Power powerful suppliers supplier price increases because of low volumes, to customers but a differentiation-focused firm is better able to pass on supplier price increases to customers Threats of Can use low price to Customers become Specialised products core Substitutes defend against attached to differentiating competency protect substitutes attributes, reducing against substitutes threats of substitutes Rivalry Better able to Brand loyalty to keep Rivals cannot meet compete on price customers from rivals differentiation-focused customer needs Relationship With External Entities In order to remain successful and continue to expand its market share, Hunter Douglas Group has learned to develop and manage relationships with wide range of organisations, groups and people that have a stake in their business. The emergence of a fiercely competitive global economy means that the companies within the Hunter Douglas Group have to expand their networks of relationships in their region and cooperate with each other to remain competitive. Education Hunter Douglas Singapore team up with the National University of Singapores Department of Architecture to organise the NUS-Hunter Douglas Award for the innovative use of technology in Architecture. Hunter Douglas Group has developed multi-level training and education programs for its fabricators, retail dealers, professional designers and installers. It holds consumer seminars to help prospective buyers under ­stand the importance of window coverings for home fashions and for light control and energy efficiency. It provides training seminars and hands-on workshops for retailers, designers and installers, which includes CD-Roms, videotapes and web-based instructions, through ­out the world. It has created the industrys first and only formal Retail Alliance Program, offering its very best dealers a choice of tiered partnership options that reward their brand loyalty with lucrative business-building benefits, including financial incentives and exclusive products and programs. Through Hunter Douglas Group exclusive partnership with Archiprix International, it builds relationships with the next generation of architects as they begin their careers after college. With Hunter Douglas Groups support, Archiprix organises a biennial international com ­petition for the best graduation projects in architecture. Finalists travel to a host city with hundreds of architects from around the world where an independent jury evaluates the student entries and recognizes the most outstanding work with the Hunter Douglas award. Hunter Douglas Singapore was conferred the Singapore Institute of Architects Friend of Architecture Award in recognition of the companys contribution to Architecture in Singapore and its continuous support for the Singapore Institute of Architects. Its Windows of Opportunity seminar on the use of window fashions in interior design reaches more than 2,500 design school students and designers in major United States markets each year. At the Fashions Institute of Technology in New York and other leading design schools, Hunter Douglas provides design students with industry overviews and a business perspective through teaching opportunities. At the renowned Pratt School of Architecture, Hunter Douglas has sponsored design studio projects that challenge students to envision new and novel ways to integrate its products and materials into architectural structures. Corporate Citizenship Hunter Douglas Group actively supports the com ­munities in which they live, work and do business. Decisions about which causes to support and the form that support takes are made locally by the management in each country. It provides window coverings to hospitals, research centres and healthcare facilities around the world. It supports educational opportu ­nities for the families of its staff and less privileged members of our communities. In the United States and Canada, Hunter Douglas sponsors Habitat for Humanity, donating custom window cover ­ings for the homes Hunter Douglas has built for low-income families since 1993. Hunter Douglas employees have also contributed thousands of hours in sweat equity assisting with the building of these homes at the local level. Hunter Douglas stimulates students awareness of its products and encourage their creativity through competi ­tions in which they are judged upon the innovative application of its products in their design projects. Hunter Greenà ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢ and Keen on Green are important new company-wide environmental initiatives being undertaken by the Hunter Douglas branded compa ­nies to reduce energy consump ­tion, water usage and its overall carbon-footprint. It also includes an ongoing consumer marketing effort creating increased aware ­ness of Hunter Douglas corporate commit ­ment to the cause as well as the superior energy-saving benefits of its products. The Process of Human Resource Planning in the Organisation Manpower Planning Manpower planning is a process of getting the right number of qualified people into the right job at the right time. It is a system of matching the supply of people internally, who are the existing employees, and externally, potential talents to be hired or searched for, with job openings which the Group expects to have over a given time frame. This planning requires the human resource departments in the Group to prepare an inventory of skills and talents already available as well as coordinating and controlling various activities in the Hunter Douglas Group. Manpower planning involves reviewing current manpower resources, forecasting future requirements and availability as well as taking steps to ensure that the supply of people and skills meets demand. It utilises the concept of planning to visualise how the Hunter Douglas Group can go through the allocation and control of its manpower resources in a better manner. It is also a tool for higher management to equip themselves with the necessary data on its human resources available immediately within the Group and from outside, when the need arises to meet markets demand. Manpower Planning Model Forecast Demand Forecast Supply Considerations: Internally Product/ Service demand Staffing tables Economics Balance Supply and Demand Markov analysis Technology Skills inventories Financial resources/ limitations Recruitment (Shortage) Management inventories Absenteeism/ turnover Full-time Replacement charts Organisational growth Part-time Succession planning Management philosophy Recalls/ transfers Overtime Externally Techniques: Outsourcing Demographic changes Trend analysis Reductions (Surplus) Education of workforce Managerial estimate Terminations Labour mobility Delphi technique Layoffs Government policies Leave without pay Unemployment rate Outplacement Demotions Retirement Factors Economic Competition Government action Organisational Divisional Skills and Historical Data Objectives Department abilities Nature of company Objectives required Skills Inventory Net human resource Types, numbers, requirements Human Resources Negative: Layoff, terminations, resignations, retirement Manpower planning, as observed in the Hunter Douglas Group, consists of the following steps: Identify the Groups objectives and strategies which are stipulated in the business plan and from the strategic planning processes of the companies within the Group. Determine the impact of the organisations objectives on specific organisational units. For this purpose the cascade approach can be used, whereby the organisations long term strategies are translated into the shorter term performance objectives and time schedules per division and department. Define the skills, expertise and total number of employees (demand for human resources) required to achieve the organisation and department objectives by using the different statistical methods and managerial estimates. Perform an analysis of the Groups current human resources. By doing a skills inventory will shed light on the number of current employees in terms of their different competencies, skills, training levels, qualifications, work experience, etc. Determine the additional (net) human resource requirements in light of the Groups current human resources. Develop action plans to meet the anticipated human resource needs which may include a comprehensive succession plan for each department, resultant recruitment strategies, the design and implementation of managerial development and other training programs, making available bursary schemes for current participants who may eventually fill scarce positions, designing compensation packages to attract and retain quality staff. The key activities of Human Resource Management carried out by both line managers and the Human Resource practitioners in the Hunter Douglas Group are: Organisation Organisation structuring: developing an organisation which caters for all the activities required, groups them together in a way which encourages integration and cooperation. Job design and role specification: deciding on the contents of the jobs which involve the employees duties and responsibilities and the relationships that exist between job holders and other employees within the Hunter Douglas Group. Organisational development: stimulating, planning and implementing programmes designed to improve the effectiveness with which the organisation functions and adapts to change. The employment relationship Improving the quality of the employment relationship Creating a climate of trust and self propulsion Developing a more positive psychological contract Achieving a highly committed organisation Resourcing Human resource planning: assessing future people requirements in terms of both numbers and all levels of skill and competence. Formulating and implementing plans to meet those requirements through recruitment, training, development, etc. Recruitment and selection: obtaining the number and type of people the organisation needs Performance management Getting better results from the companies, teams and individuals by measuring and managing performance within agreed frameworks of objectives and competence requirements; assessing and improving performance. Human resource development Organisational and individual learning Skill improvement through systematic approach to training Reward management Job evaluation: assessing the relative size of jobs as a basis of determining internal relativities Pay: developing and administering pay structures and systems Non-financial rewards: providing employees with non-financial rewards e.g. recognition, increased responsibility and opportunity to achieve and grow. Employee benefits: providing benefits in addition to pay which cater for personnel security and personal needs Employee relations Employee relations involving managing and maintaining formal and informal relationships with trade unions and their members Employee involvement and participation which means sharing information with employee and consulting them on matters of mutual interest Communication: creating and transmitting information of interest to employees. Health, safe

Gun Control in Canada Essay -- Research Papers

Gun Control in Canada Gun Control is an important issue to Canadians. Canada has both provincial and federal legislation that restricts the sale, purchase, and use of different kinds of firearms. The United States, on the other hand, do not have federal or state bills restricting the possession or use of firearms, only local laws exist there. A firearm consists of any barreled weapon from which a shot, bullet or other missile can be fired and that is capable of causing serious bodily harm or death. Society’s concerns about protection from violent crimes involving firearms have encouraged Canadian Parliament to pass tougher gun control legislation. The Federal Government responded by passing Bill C-68 that created the Firearms Act, which came into effect in December of 1998. This is by far the strictest gun control law to date. Many Canadians objected to this legislation and wanted it repealed because they believe it is an unnecessary waste of tax dollars to further license and monitor law abiding gun owners. Firearm laws have become an extensive debate in society and also politics. Politicians from western provinces and rural areas are opposed to these stricter laws because there is a more widespread acceptance and use for guns around them. On the opposite side are politicians from urban areas where crime rates are higher, who embrace the new harsher gun control laws as one solution to violent crimes. There are many pros and cons to the recently passed Firearms Act to control guns in Canada. Severe gun control laws do not limit crime sufficiently enough and it is not worth the government money being spent on it. Government intervention in the licensing of firearms in Canada first took place in 1892. Prior to 1892 all ... ...t: http://gateway.ontla.on.ca/documents/statusoflegOUT/b133_e.htm Dickinson, G. M., Liepner, M., Talos, S., & Buckingham, D. (1996). Understanding The Law (2nd ed.). Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson. History of Firearms Control in Canada up to and including the Firearms Act. (1998, December 23). [Online]. Available Internet: http://cfc.gc.ca/historical/firearms/firearms_control.html Phasing-in Plan of Firearms Act 2000-2003. (2000, March 7). [Online]. Available Internet: http://cfc.gc.ca/legal/phasing/default.html Reference re Firearms Act (Can.): Supreme Court Decision. (2000, June 15). [Online]. Available Internet: http://www.lexum.umontreal.ca/cscscc/en/pub/2000/vol1/texte/2000scr1_0783.txt Too young for guns. (2000, August 8). Toronto Star, p. B4. Ward, J. (2000, July). Crime rate drops to 20-year low. Hamilton Spectator, p. D5.

Proposed Personality Groups: Compliant, Aggressive & Detached Essay

Compliant Individuals: According to Karen Horney compliant individuals are those who move towards others. Social belongingness is very high between compliant individual. They usually desire to be loved, wanted and appreciated. Compliant type has dominant needs associated with ‘moving towards people’. They work to please others. Compliant personality trait likes to comply with the rules and regulations. This means that they are usually very systematic, precise, hyper efficient and technical. These people love facts and detail, the more the better. Ex: iPhone 5s iPhone 5S is a smartphone developed by Apple Inc. It is part of the iPhone line, and was released on 2013. This smartphone tries to communicate message with their valuable consumer that their product and its features (apps, user interface, multi-touch gestures etc.) are more specific, attractive, and superior then the competitors. Because of its unique features and better quality it is the most hunted smartphone for the individual who wants to stay in touch of technology. iPhone 5s providing variety of facilities to its consumer such as Apple App Store, Apple Maps, iTune Store and so on which specified them from other smartphone. By using this phone a man become more noticeable to others. This product fulfills an individual’s desire to be wanted and appreciated. Aggressive Individuals: Aggressive individuals are those who move against other. Aggressive has dominant needs associated with ‘moving against people’. They seek to be the best. These types of individuals want to prove that they are ‘Better than Others’. Individuals of this personality traits desire to excel and win admiration. The interests of the Aggressive personality types include being the boss, wielding power, competing with confidence, never backing away from a fight, being active and adventurous, being physically assertive and competitive in sports. Ex: TVS Apache RTR This is the advertisement of TVS Apache RTR 150 motorcycle which was released on 2012. TVS Motor Company Limited which is part of TVS Group manufactures motorcycles, scooters, and auto rickshaws in India. TVS Motor Company  Limited used aggressive approach in this ad to convince their consumer. This advertisement is usually made for the biker who loves speed. They add the taglines ‘NOT FOR WEAK-HEARTS’ & ‘SCARILY FAST’ to attract the biker who loves speed. TVS also highlight here that they use Racing Throttle Response (RTR) technologies and this bike does 0–60 km speed acceleration within 5 seconds. By introducing those concept TVS auto wants to communicate with their target market that they are manufacturing the best 150 cc bike in India. Detached Individual: Detached individuals are those who move away from others. Detached has dominant needs associated with ‘moving away from people’. Such an individual seeks independence, self-sufficiency, self-reliance, and individualism of freedom form obligations. They usually try to promote their self-independence. Ex: Cadbury Dairy Milk Silk Some of the ads like the Dance Troupe ad for Cadbury Dairy Milk Silk clearly target detached consumers. In the ad a member of a dance group is shown busy eating a Silk just before her stage performance. She has spoiled her face and is already late for entry on stage but she is lost in her own world. Cadbury’s ‘Khane-Walo-Ko-Khane-Ka-Bahana-Chahiye’ tagline stands out once again as it is aimed at the compliant individuals who are hesitant to break away from the societal rules. The message conveyed in the ad helps them come to terms with the idea of eating chocolate anytime anywhere based on their urges without caring for what others think. The protagonists break rules and societal boundaries to get what they desire, the desire being the Chocolate bar here. This ad is promoting self-independency, self-sufficiency and the freedom of detached individuals.

Using Visual Basic VBA with HTTPS and SSL

Using Visual Basic VBA with HTTPS and SSL Is it possible to access web pages with HTTPS and that require login/password using Excel? Well, yes and no. Heres the deal and why its not so straight forward. First, Lets  Define Terms HTTPS is by convention the identifier for what is called SSL (Secure Sockets Layer). That doesnt really have anything to do with passwords or logins as such. What SSL does is set up an encrypted connection between a web client and server so that no information is sent between the two in the clear using unencrypted transmissions. If the information includes login and password information, encrypting the transmission protects them from prying eyes...but encrypting passwords isnt a requirement. I used the phrase by convention because the real security technology is SSL. HTTPS only signals to the server that the client plans on using that protocol. SSL can be used in a variety of other ways. So...if your computer sends a URL to a server that uses SSL and that URL starts with HTTPS, your computer is saying to the server: Hey Mr. Server, lets shake hands over this encryption thing so that whatever we say from now on wont get intercepted by some bad guy. And when thats done, go ahead and send me the page addressed by the URL. The server will send back the key information for setting up an SSL connection. Its up to your computer to actually do something with it. Thats key (pun...well, sorta intended) to understanding the role of VBA in Excel. The programming in VBA would have to actually take the next step and implement the SSL on the client side. Real web browsers do that automatically and show you a little lock symbol in the status line to show you that it has been done. But if the VBA just opens the web page as a file and reads the information in it into cells in a spreadsheet (a very common example), Excel wont do that without some additional programming. The servers gracious offer to shake hands and set up secure SSL communication just gets ignored by Excel. But You Can Read the Page You Requested in Exactly the Same Way To prove it, lets use the SSL connection that is used by Googles Gmail service (which starts with https) and code a call to open that connection just like it was a file. This reads the web page like it was a simple file. Since recent versions of Excel will import HTML automatically, after the Open statement is executed, the Gmail page (minus the Dynamic HTML objects) is imported into a spreadsheet. The goal of SSL connections is to exchange information, not just read a web page, so this is normally not going to get you very far. To do more, you have to have some way, in your Excel VBA program, to support both the SSL protocol and maybe to support DHTML too. Youre probably better off starting with the full Visual Basic rather than Excel VBA. Then use controls like the Internet Transfer API WinInet and call Excel objects as needed. But it is possible to use WinInet directly from an Excel VBA program. WinInet is an API - Application Programming Interface - to WinInet.dll. Its mainly used as one of the major components of Internet Explorer, but you can use it directly from your code as well and you can use it for HTTPS. Writing the code to use WinInet is at least a medium difficulty task. In general, the steps involved are: Connect to the HTTPS server and send an HTTPS requestIf the server asks for a signed client certificate, resend the request after attaching the certificate contextIf the server is satisfied, the session is authenticated There are two major differences in writing the WinInet code to use https rather than the regular HTTP: You should also keep in mind that the function of exchanging a login/password is logically independent of encrypting the session using https and SSL. You can do one or the other, or both. In many cases, they do go together, but not always. And implementing the WinInet requirements doesnt do anything to respond automatically to a login/password request. If, for example, the login and password are part of a web form, then you might have to figure out the names of the fields and update the fields from Excel VBA before posting the login string to the server. Responding correctly to a web servers security is a big part of what a web browser does. On the other hand, if SSL authentication is required, you might consider using the InternetExplorer object to log in from within VBA... The bottom line is that using https and logging into a server from an Excel VBA program is possible, but dont expect to write the code that does it in just a few minutes.

Comparing Themes Essays

Comparing Themes Essays Comparing Themes Essay Comparing Themes Essay The innovative and powerful structure of As I Lay Dying is beneficial to the themes William Faulkner is attempting to intertwine with his characters. A worthy note to his writing is his use of stream-of-consciousness narrative to assist in achieving his goal of portraying perspectives of the same events through different people and levels of emotional and logical intensities. Darl Bundren is the first and most important narrator of the fifteen due to his elaborate descriptions. His version of events seemed to be the easiest to interpret and the least subjective. Another significant character to the novels dynamics is Jewel who partook is several of the main events in the novel.Faulkners need for fifteen individual narrators suggest his need for fifteen different views of every situation. From Darl he obviously wants a character that is more isolated from the others that will be able to mediate between the hectic events of the characters and the understanding o f the reader. Jewel on the other hand brings out the more disturbed side of Faulkners imagination. He is the illegitimate child of Addie and the minister giving him a predisposed sense of being an outcast. His neurotic qualities include being impatient and ill tempered although his love for horses represents a more gentle side. These characters, when compared, often represent far extremes of perspective although the also show similar ideals on the subjects of luck and fate, honor and dishonor, as well as life and death.The Bundren family is extremely underprivileged in all aspects of living. Tough times have fallen upon them and they survive on a meager income and they scrape together odd end jobs. Jewel and Darl are going to miss their mothers death for three dollars to transport lumber. The family lives in an everlasting state of need, always short of cash. Darl most likely views the family situation as being more fate then a matter of luck and Jewel more as bad luck. Darls passag es possess intense imagery and metaphor that suggest his more accepting view of his mothers death and the wagons broken wheel. Jewel, on the other hand, most likely accepts the job of transporting lumber more willingly then Darl because he knows that one must make there own luck and in this case there own money.Darl believes the families poverty is more predisposed to them rather then subject to change by going out of their way. Another example of Darls perspective of fate is when he burns down the barn to try and end the familys struggle to try and bring their mother to her burial site. He accepts his mothers death as a part of life and wishes to be done with the unnecessary hardship. Darl saves the coffin from floating down stream when they are on their journey to Jefferson and he saves her from the burning barn, other attributes Faulkner adds to give Jewel a stronger sense of luck over fate. He could have known that fate caused is mothers coffin to almost float away.On the matter of honor and dishonor the two think fairly similar. They both take their family duty seriously and strive to hold the family together. Darl is the only character that knows that the minister conceived Jewel, and he manages to withhold this from the other in order to not divide the family, especially at such tribulating times. They also both hold honor in different things. Jewel had a deep love of horses and when Anse sells his horse to buy mules he is deeply sadden and angry about the loss of his cherished horse.When Darl is swept away to the asylum he as completely lost his mind, almost out of convenience to appease the family. Thought the novel he was the isolated brother who was more intelligent, and with mother buried and the journey almost complete they find little need for his presence. He served his family with honor and was attempting to distinguish of the corpse to remove her burden from the family.It is most obvious that Darl has an acceptance for death that none of the o ther have the intelligence to understand. He repeatedly asks Jewel if he realizes that Addie is going to die and he is unable to grasp it. The journey is tough on the family and Darl truly sees no point in transporting the body to a gravesite where Addies family is buried when the odor the body is giving off is so unbearable. To the other characters he almost seems insane because he is so accepting of death. Jewel especially seems ignorant to the idea of his mothers death even after she has passed away.Collectively the characters of As I Lay Dying provide a complete account of Faulkners story. Jewel and Darl especially allow Faulkner to look at opposite extremes of the events the novel includes. Although the two often clash in their actions, they ultimately form a team to give the novel its abstract feel.

Journalism and Communication - Black Henna Research Paper

Journalism and Communication - Black Henna - Research Paper Example The media recently has had reports concerning the use of henna and demonizing almost all the types of henna in use presently. But it is worth noting with great concern that not all the henna in circulation today is not harmful to the users. Among the reported side effects of the henna are occurrences of sore skin, the continuous irritation of the skins and to some extents the complete damage and death of skin by drying up due to dehydration. Most of the issues of health safety are majorly common in relation to the black henna which is reported as having a chemical referred to as PPD which contains iron oxide a highly toxic chemical to the human skin with banns in the US and many other countries around the globe. Due to the chemical components of the black henna it offers detrimental ,biological effects to the human skin some of whom use the products without the knowledge of their adverse effects and the possible remedies out of the situations. Historically it is reported that the black henna has been having components of high fecal matter, lead ,bacteria’s and colorants which have been great sources of bad health and to some extent even leading to the loss of lives of humans. The supreme council of health enacted their ban on the use of these beauty products due to their general effects to the human health and the well being of human skin. The effects may be instantaneous, however in certain circumstances the effects are residual and may occur after a long duration of time later on in the lives of an individual. The ban of the use of the black henna is not only in the middle east but the government of the USA also effected a ban on the product ,both the black and the red henna by the customs. Unfortunately some of the products still find their way into the country as imports for use and large scale sales. Some of the elements of the black henna are have oxidants which great affect the red blood cells which do not have G6PD with the inability to fight the effects of these products. Due to the very critical purpose of the red blood cells for the transportation of oxygen in the human body, when the henna becomes extremely high, the ability and the functional ity of the red blood cells become compromised hence can lead to death due to the compromising of the brain of the very necessary and adequate amounts of oxygen to support the functions of glycol sis of the brain. Cases of deaths from the use of black henna in the Emirates have been there ever since the early years. However due to some kind of secrecy within the culture of these people and the high male chauvinism, the cases have not been properly documented or reported for further and in-depth analysis and investigation. However recently there was a wide rumor of a girl who died after the over use of the black henna and the rumors about her death were reported to have been due to the adverse effects of the use of this product for a prolonged time span. Some cases of deaths due to the poisoning from black henna were equally reported in the Qatar and this subsequently lead to directives from the governments for the immediate sanctions and closures of all the salons involved and practi cing similar business. Governments of the most of the middle east countries like Egypt ,The Emirates and Saudi Arabia have had to take drastic measures through their ministries of

What is globalization, and what are some of the traditional Essay

What is globalization, and what are some of the traditional international trade theories that support the concept of globalization - Essay Example Vincent points out that the present form of globalization is defective as it is largely shaped by the rules made by the superpowers and that is why these rules do not necessarily benefit the developing countries. (Friedman 1992). Globalisation has come to involve a delocalization of business activities which previously involved face-to-face interaction, or that were local, due to long distances. This significant delocalization has occurred in the social and economic exchanges and cultural barriers have been accordingly broken). Business and commerce has taken the most effect from this phenomena as the internet has proven to be a tool on Globalisation as e-commerce has revolutionized the entire business scene and broken the notion of geographical boundaries. Globalisation brings with it low costs and through better networking and transport better business networking is possible.The cost of disseminating information has reduced due to the advent of instantaneous