The Chinese Economy, Culture & Society

The social values and history have shaped and formed the economical developments and the current environment of business in the People's Republic of China. They have determined the patterns for negotiation and the Chinese perceptions of business, and their feelings towards westerners. The implicit and explicit rules that the Chinese society has on the development of businesses, and the economy in general, are very important issues for any person going into China to understand and consider. In order to achieve a successful partnership between Chinese and Western cultures it is essential to have a basic understanding of history and cultural developments that have shaped the current environment of business. The three pillars of China are economy, culture, and society. The Chinese economy has been formed as a result of centuries of history and development, which reflect the philosophy of China and its current economical position. China started as a mainly agricultural based society with the subsistence group; the family. For more than 2000 years the Chinese economy operated under a type of feudal system; land was concentrated in the hands of a relatively small group of landowners whose income depended on rents from their peasant tenants. Agricultural taxes levied by the imperial government and crop yields subject to drought and floods kept agriculture relatively underdeveloped and organized in small units with the use of primitive methods for basic subsistence. The conclusion of the Opium War of 1840 formally initiated a period of Western penetration of China from the coastal treaty ports. Railroads and highways were constructed, and some industrial development began. Such activity had little impact, however, on the overall Chinese economy. In effect, China was carved up into a number of competing colonial spheres of influence. Japan, which tried to attach China to its East Asia prosperity Sphere, was able to create only isolated nodes of a modern economy. The Chinese Communist party emerged in the 1920s in the midst of a mounting economic crisis caused by foreign intervention and increased landlord influence in the countryside. For more than two decades, it expanded its control over large rural areas by introducing an agrarian program based on the control of rent and usury, and by giving power to peasant associations. On October 1, 1949, the Communist party successfully established a unified national government and economy on the mainland for the first time since the end of the imperial period in 1912. From 1949 to 1952 the emphasis was on halting inflation and ending food shortages and unemployment. The new government initiated a land reform program that redistributed land to 300 million poor peasants into cooperative farms. In 1958 the rural people's communes were established, and these dominated agriculture in China until the early 1980s. The commune was based on the collective ownership of all land and major tools by its members, who produced mainly to meet state planning targets and who were rewarded according to the work they performed, although basic necessities were guaranteed to all members. In the urban-industrial sector, state ownership of property and of industrial and commercial enterprises was gradually extended. Industry grew steadily from heavy investment under the first five-year plan, and the state-owned sector achieved an overwhelming importance. The second five-year plan was introduced in 1958, trying to get China ahead into industrialization. This program was characterized by large investments in heavy industry and the establishment of small-scale versions of such industries as steel refining. The program, however, caused great disruptions in economic management and in rational economic growth, and in 1960 the program had to be abandoned. The Chinese economy then entered a period of readjustment, but by 1965 production in many fields again approached the level of the late 1950s. The third five-year plan began in 1966, but both agricultural and industrial production were severely curtailed by the effects of the Cultural Revolution; a fourth five-year plan was introduced in 1971 as the economy began its recovery. After eliminating the vestiges of the Cultural Revolution in 1976, China's leaders decided to move at a faster pace on all economic fronts to make up for the loss suffered in the preceding ten years. A fifth five-year program began in 1976 but was interrupted in 1978, when the Four-Modernization program was launched. It included the modernization of agriculture, industry, national defense, and science and technology. A ten-year plan for 1976-85 stressed improvement in economic management and a larger role for private and collectively owned (as opposed to state-owned) enterprises. This program was superseded by a more modest ten-year plan for 1981-90, but efforts to attract Western technology and investment continued, as did a program of incentives to increase agricultural production. Policies introduced in October 1984 called for further decentralization of economic planning and for increased reliance on market forces to determine the prices of consumer goods. China has potential to be the biggest market of the world with 1.3 billion people. Furthermore, it posses billions of unexplored resources and the biggest and cheapest labor force in Asia. The size and underdevelopment make it a potential monster that has created interest in every investing and developing country in the world. The Chinese economy is an increasing economic possibility for anyone. Chinese culture and society can be divided into two major periods, Imperial China and Communist China. The modern Chinese society can be defined as a combination of centuries of values and communist propaganda achievements. The imperial China had a strong class system where 90% of the people were poor and possessed limited resources to develop culturally, socially and personally. This situation led to the strength of the large family and the basis for the distinctive collectivism of China. The well being of the family and the state are the main goals for any action in society. If actions taken do not contribute to the family or the society as a whole, then the actions will not be regarded as proper. Eliminating almost any form of individualistic thinking. The Chinese Family is the main economic unit of society. The development of the Chinese economy is based on the family. The Chinese family is the economic unit in which members produce and consume in common. Also, it is the religious unit responsible for the performing of rites required for the well being of the family. The social security of the Chinese family relies on the effective performance and interaction between religion and family. These concepts strongly clash with western individualism collection of wealth for personal gain. A clear example of this is the overseas Chinese control family-run business empires that already dominate much of Asia. They invest billions in China, helping their ancestral homeland become the world's fastest-growing economy. Together, China and its approximately 56 million offshore Chinese are the most important commercial and political forces for China and reflect, again the family based economic strategy that they follow. In addition to the traditional imperial Chinese society, the Communist values shape and blend into modern Chinese philosophy. One of the early acts of the Chinese Communist party after it gained control in 1949 was to officially eliminate organized religion. Previously the dominant religions in China had been Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. Most temples and schools of these four religions were converted to secular purposes. Only with the constitution of 1978 was official support again given for the allowance of formal religion in China. The constitution also stated that the Chinese population had the right to hold religious beliefs. Moreover, China has a long and rich cultural tradition in which education has played a major role. Throughout the imperial period (221 BC-AD 1912), only the educated have held positions of social and political leadership. In 124 BC the first university was established for training prospective bureaucrats in Confucian learning and the Chinese classics. Historically, however, few Chinese have been able to take the time to learn the complex language and it's associated literature. It is estimated that as late as 1949 only 20% of China's population was literate. To the Chinese Communists, this illiteracy was a stumbling block for the promotion of their political programs. Therefore, the Communists combined political propaganda with educational development. Chinese education has been strongly affected by the communism in China. Since education was for the rich and privileged during imperial age of China. One of the most ambitious programs of the Communist party has been the establishment of universal public education for their large population. In the first two years of the new government (1949-51) more than 60 million peasants enrolled in â€Å"winter schools,† or sessions, established to take advantage of the slack season for agricultural workers. Mao declared that a dominant goal of education was to reduce the sense of class distinction. This was to be accomplished by reducing the social gaps between manual and mental labor, between the city and countryside residents and between the worker in the factory and the peasant on the land. After long periods of breaks and changes in policies colleges reopened in 1970-72. Admission was granted to many candidates because of their political leanings, party activities, and peer-group support. This method of selection ceased in 1977, as the Chinese launched their new campaign for the Four Modernizations. The governments stated goals for rapid modernization in agriculture, industry, defense, and science and technology required high levels of training. Such educational programs by necessity had to be based on theoretical and formal skills more than on political attitudes and the spirit of revolution. After the revolution every thing changed in China. The stability of social values and structure where the highest achievement for the Chinese philosophy. These values where already deep in the Chinese culture; however, they were strengthened with communism and used into the development of China. The Chinese society had become a combination of strong family and moral values and a country thriving for modernization and industrialization. This concept of stability as the highest achievement obstructed the development of China in the past, and still creates problems today. The sole concept of risks disturbs the grounds of Chinese culture in contrast to western society where risk is the main drive for development and investment. The radical change from imperialism and strong class differences to the equality philosophy implemented by Mao Tse Tung created the modern China. Its development from feudalism to communism created a conservative China, with very few attempts to move towards capitalism. It was through the imperial years that mercantilism and trade took place, yet it never flourished, as the capitalistic model westerners know, until China's re-opening to the western world in the 70's. China has always had the elements for development. In fact, they could very well have had an industrial revolution before England. China possessed many key elements that transformed Europe into a modernized industrial economy (compass, printing, gunpowder, etc). Nevertheless, there is much more to China than just industrial and economical development. Thus, when considering developing a business in China one should always consider the cultural factors that makes the Chinese society so strong and differentiating it from western societies. The fact that China wants to grow, does not mean that it will do it with the western models and philosophy, rather it will be with models developed from their own culture. This is the point that can be attributed to cause most of the problems between Chinese and Western cultures, and the point to be accepted in order to be successful in developing a successful business relationship in China. Negotiating in China can be very frustrating. Differences in decision making styles and negotiating tactics cause misunderstanding and tension. Chinese culture is based on the importance of rituals and ceremonies and so is Chinese business. Business meetings are as important as the dealings during receptions. To exemplify the process of dealing with China in order to develop a productive relationship we will use the case of Kentucky Fried Chicken in China. This case includes the different problems and strategies used in the negotiation and development of business in China, specifically in setting up a foreign joint venture. However, the problems that arise and the current working environment of the Chinese economy cannot be understood without first understanding the history and the cultural revolutions that have shaped it. This brief outline of the history of China leads insight into some of the problems and the resolutions that a manager for KFC experienced during his venture with the Chinese. In 1986, Tony Wang was Vice President of the Southeast Asia division of KFC. He had an opportunity of bringing the world's largest chicken restaurant company into the world's largest populated country. Wang was an experienced entrepreneur and had been working for KFC for seven years. No other fast food companies were currently operating in the People's Republic, so Wang did not have anything to go by and had nothing to help him evaluate the attractiveness of the Chinese market. The main downsides of operating in China were huge demands on managerial resources and the low prospects of significant hard currency repatriation. The first decision that Wang was faced with was where to open the location of the first KFC. Obviously there were differences from city to city but a reliable way to evaluate these differences did not exist. Wang was interested in the enormous potential of the Chinese market, but he knew that many other companies had failed in similar ventures. Ta-Tung, (Tony) Wang was born in the Sichuan province in the People's Republic of China in 1944. He moved to Taiwan when he was young and graduated from the Chong-Yuan University with a degree in engineering. He later moved to the United States, and in 1973 completed a masters degree in management science from the Steven's Institute of Technology in New Jearsey. He then attended New York University where, in 1975, he received his post-master's certificate in international business management. Wang joined KFC in 1975 at the headquarters in Louisville. Wang was convinced of the large potential for American-style fast food in China. He attended a lecture by the mayor of Tianjin (the third largest city in China), who spoke of the many opportunities for investment in his city. Wang was asked by the mayor to sit on a council to advise on improving the fast food industry in Tianjin. KFC was currently owned by R.J. Reynolds, who was very interested in getting into the Chinese market to sell their cigarettes. American smokes were in high demand in China. Wang had the support of top management. He spoke perfect Mandarin and English and was as comfortable working in New York as he was Beijing. He also had experience negotiating with the Chinese. As Tony Wang investigated more and more into the necessary requirements his concerns began to grow. He knew that Chinese workers would have problems working under the KFC guidelines, and time-consuming, expensive training programs would be a necessary requirement. As well large capital outlays would be needed to find and negotiate a partnership, to sign a lease and gain operating permits. Wang began to thoroughly research the Chinese market. The first item that he began to look at was location. The reason that this was so important was because the location would have dramatic impact on the profitability, future expansion to the rest of China, and the managerial resources commitments. Four cities were selected as potential locations for the first store: Tianjin, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Beijing. Tianjin – One of the major advantages of Tianjin was the established contacts that Wang had there. As well, it was only one of three municipal governments in China that were not controlled by the Central Government in Beijing. The major problem with Tianjin was it lacked a convenient supply of grain-fed chickens. Local chickens were fed using fish meal fed chickens. This presented a problem given that the Chinese place great emphasis on freshness and taste. Tianjin also was not a very popular tourist location. Wang expected most profits to be in Renminbi, but some foreign currency would be needed for profit repatriation and purchasing needed supplies, which could only be purchased outside of China. Shanghai – Shanghai has over 11 million people, and is regarded as China's most prosperous business centre. Shanghai is home to a large variety of Western hotels, business facilities and tourists, however it also is not a very popular tourist spot, because of the pollution and loud noise. The investment could not be justified if it did not supply an adequate amount of foreign currency. Shanghai did, however, contain several feed mills and the largest poultry supplier in China. Gangzhou – Gangzhou is located in Southeast China only a short distance from Hong Kong, and is recognized for it preferential treatment for foreign investment. It has greater autonomy in approving foreign investment projects, reducing tax rates, and encouraging technological development. Many tourists visit Gangzhou because of its close proximity to Hong Kong. As well any operations could be managed directly from the existing Hong Kong operations. As well, Wang did not anticipate difficulty finding a supplier for chicken. Beijing – Beijing is the second largest city in China. It is the political and cultural centre and has relatively high levels of affluence and the education of its inhabitants. It is also the tourist centre of China, with many attractions located in and around Beijing. A Beijing location would also give a higher profile. This could be both good and bad. If they received approval from the central government, they would be able to enter the rest of the Chinese market without hassle. However, because of the higher profile, the government might decide that they would not fit in to the Chinese landscape, which would prevent them from ever succeeding. Outside of Beijing there were also numerous poultry farms. Wang knew that the location was the most important detail, and would decide whether KFC would succeed or not. There were currently no other competitors in the Chinese market, so now was the time to strike to take advantage of the situation. The risks were high, and Wang needed to weigh out these risks to estimate whether the expenses would lead to for a huge gain or a huge loss. In early February 1987, Wang decided to open operations in Beijing. This was decided because of Beijing's high amount of tourists and its autonomous municipal government. However, he was feeling more worried about the venture. KFC signed a joint venture partnership. Wang's worries were stemming from the difficulty he had been experiencing getting things done in a city governed by a bureaucracy that seemed impossible to either understand or work with. He felt that he would never be able to find a location in the city and government approval was required on everything. Wang was also concerned whether Chinese workers would be able to meet KFC's demands for cleanliness, quality and service. The establishment of a joint venture was considered essential because Wang described the chinese, â€Å"completely impossible for us to understand. In fact, trying to do so is a complete waste of time.† Trying to understand investment regulations, winning approval for operating licenses, leases, and employment contracts could certainly prevent them from proceeding. A local partner was not required under Chinese law, however Wang felt it would be beneficial in setting up operations and maintaining continued viability. Through ties R.J. Reynolds had with the Ministry of Light, a partnership was formed between KFC and the Beijing Corporation of Animal Production, a Beijing city government-controlled producer of chickens. After careful inspection KFC found that this would indeed work out, as Animal Production already produced three of the approved breeds of chicken required for operations. Negotiations with the poultry producer commenced with Mr. Jue Xia, a senior manager in the Beijing corporation. Xia felt that it would not be able to meet KFC's large demand because they did not have access to large enough reserves of grain. Xia was also hesitant about KFC's quality standards. However, they thought that a partnership with a Western firm would be beneficial for them as they would gain international experience. Xia felt that Tony Wang was unlike most American managers; he was a man he could deal with. The Beijing Corporation helped Wang find a chicken supplier but they lacked close contact with the government agencies that would be essential to setting up operations. So a third partner was needed. Both partners agreed that the Beijing Tourist Bureau would be able to meet their requirements. The Tourist Bureau was responsible for the supervision of the construction and operation of all hotels and restaurants in Beijing. They also had a lot of experience speeding up the construction of many Western hotels, and had many times participated in a joint venture in these operations. During these negotiations it happened that KFC was sold to Pepsico. During this time KFC was the second largest fast food chain in the world. It was initially thought that Animal Production had only come on board because of pressure from the Ministry of Light Industry, who wanted to win points with Reynolds, so the acquisition came at a bad time. As it turned out, however, Pepsico's connections with the government in Beijing were even stronger then Reynolds, so negotiations continued with a renewed interest. To convince the partners to become part of the venture, Wang offered a guarantee of five percent return on equity, much better than they could receive domestically. This sealed the deal in winning over the partners. KFC retained 60% of ownership, The Tourist Bureau received 27%, and Beijing Animal Production took 13%. This was the actual breakdown of assets that each partner was contributing to the arrangement. This deal was privately pre-approved as acceptable in negotiations with the Foreign Economic Development and City Planning Commissions. The approval of the partnership also required on the sharing of the corporation. With one-half coming from KFC and the other half split between the other two partners. The deal also stated that the chairman would be appointed by Animal Production and the vice-chairman would be appointed by the Tourist Bureau. This concerned Wang because of loss of control over operations. Wang countered by establishing the new store as a franchisee, with the franchiser being KFC's head office in Singapore. This would require 3% royalty payments to be paid to the head office, and require the store to purchase its seasoning mixes from the head office, both using hard currency. Wang also appointed a day-to-day general manager in Beijing, who would be appointed by KFC and have control over operations. Although it seemed like all major challenges were over, they weren't. The approval of the partnership did not give any operating authority for KFC in the city. They needed a â€Å"Licence to Execute a Business Activity.† Approval of this required the signatures of the District government, the Commerce Department, the Taxation Department, the Health Department, and the Food Supply and Logistics Department. None of these agencies had any coordination, so approval from each separately was required and this could take months or years. Tony Wang stated: † We are pioneers in China, but so are the Chinese. However, whether they want to learn or not is another story. Many Westerners make the same big mistake in China: they assume that they can just pay to have the required work done or at least expedited. This just doesn't work in China. The Chinese are not motivated by a desire to do things right simply for the sake of doing things right. They don't want your help in speeding up the process. They just want to avoid problems. And unless we can convince them otherwise, we are their biggest problem.† A license was necessary before a lease could be signed, but Wang was worried that a desirable location might not be found. All buildings and possible space in Beijing is occupied. As well, Chinese regulations stated that new tenants would have to guarantee the employment of any workers left jobless when a new tenant took over. This worried Wang because he would be stuck with a number of unskilled Chinese that he would have to employ. Wang wanted the first store that was to be opened to be big and flashy because it would determine the future success of KFC in China. This was strategically a good idea but it ran counter to the culture in China where there was a history of hostility towards Western culture. In February 1987, a license was issued by the city, allowing KFC to operate in Beijing. The Tourist Bureau played an integral role in speeding up the application. Under the license KFC was given a tax remission for two years; profits in three years, four and five would be taxed at 16.5%, with profits thereafter taxed at 33% Wang now had to select a site to open the first location. But no matter where a location was chosen KFC would still require a building permit, as well as hookups for electricity, water, gas, and heating before the store could open. Wang discovered that many of these services were difficult to obtain, and it was not uncommon for applications to not be processed for months. Another concern was the company's need to secure import licenses needed to bring equipment into the country: pressure frying machines, cash registers, blending and cutting equipment for the kitchen. Each item required a separate permit that could take months to attain. During all these negotiations Tony Wang realized that no one had thought to test market the area. It was known that the Chinese liked chicken. From KFC's success in Hong Kong, it was assumed that it would be accepted, but no one had had time to find out for sure and they were forced to cross their fingers. Another problem was finding a reliable supplier of quality potatoes. If they were unable to do this they would have to use mashed potatoes, and Wang did not know how the Chinese would receive this. The largest concern facing Tony Wang was whether or not the Chinese employees could meet the quality, service, and cleanliness requirements. The Chinese employees would have little appreciation for KFC's international standards of cleanliness or product quality. Most domestic organisations lacked any incentive programs, work was seen as something to be avoided, and service was a foreign term. The KFC organization would not allow the store to open if these levels were not met. The ironic part was that Chinese consumers would accept less then what was required. This would create conflict with the partners. Tony Wang also wondered what KFC would do with the soft currency that the venture would generate, and wondered whether or not there would even be any profits. Wang was faced with three options: 1. Pull out – cut the company losses and avoid negative publicity if the venture failed. This would allow for further research and KFC could try to re-enter in a few years when there was more complete information. 2. Go ahead slowly – taking more time evaluating the situation to make sure the partnerships were secure and the market would accept KFC, however this would invite competitor response. 3. Go ahead full – the market had high potential for success for KFC, and, with 1.1 billion people, large potential for profits. Wang decided to go full ahead. The location was finally found. The central government approved the lease because Wang sold them on the idea that the restaurant would represent a symbol and statement of the People's Republic open policy with the West. The lease was finally approved in April of 1987, however they did not have the building permit, which would allow them to make necessary renovations. They also required hookups for gas, water and heating. Applications were continually lost or just went unanswered.

Office Automation and Group Collaboration Software Essay

Nowadays, in the modern business world, Office Automation Software include calendar and scheduling, call accounting and management, data entry, email management, fax management, and forms management softwares. On the other hand, Group Collaboration Software include group calendar, groupware solution, mailing list management, messaging solution, teleconferencing, video & web conferencing, and web discussion system software. However, the uses of aforementioned software in most of the offices vary with respect to the requirements and the environment of the business operation. Office Automation Software have become an essential part of any business organization. As a matter of fact, word processing programs like Microsoft Word have replaced typewriters and paper-based work is being performed in database programmes. For instance, Employees attendance records and periodical inventory & sales reports are useful operations which are being accomplished using automation software. On the other hand, group collaboration software adds value to business with respect of time management. This software allows business representatives to collaborate and get their colleagues’ views and ideas on different occasions. In this article, I will describe the uses of these software and analyze their advantages and disadvantages In my organization, there are 40 employees and all of them use Office Automation Software for the timely and accurate completion of their duties. In addition to that, most of the time we also use group collaboration software to solve a particular problem or we use it while analyzing sales, evaluating inventory, holding online meetings, etc. Video Conferencing Software Video conferencing system uses a room system in most of the offices. It allows its users to make a solicitation from the template that has already been created by someone. Consequently, it allows bidders to make or replace their bid in an electronic format, saves time, helps users who want to place or change their bid from their residence or offices, and saves money which might have been spent on traveling. A major disadvantage of this software is that in complex situations, while users bid on this platform, secret information may get leaked. Electronic Mail Electronic mail has replaced postage in every organization. Email software allows billions of users to communicate fastly and cheaply as compared to postage. In business offices, email has changed the whole phenomena of communication. Office colleagues can communicate directly both inside and outside the organization in a short period of time. Emails also allow a user to send or receive multiple documents with attachments of files or folders. On the other hand, you may lose data which is saved in your email account or your email account can be hacked by someone else resulting in an unauthorized use of your account and the leakage of your private business information. Furthermore, if you send some wrong information in your email, it cannot be taken back. Web Conferencing Software Web conferencing software enables multiple users to arrange an online meeting in order to solve particular problems or to discuss particular matters related to business operation. Web conferencing has completely changed the concept of meetings in the way that you can discuss many things online and solve your problems from anywhere. Consequently, it saves the time of business executives. The only disadvantage of web conferencing is that some problems cannot be solved on web conferencing since the physical presence of employees creates a different environment of mutual understanding and cooperation and gives a sense of closeness. Word Processing Software Nowadays, word processing software has become mandatory software for every organization. Before the invention of this software, the work associated with this nature was done by the typewriter and it was time-consuming. Following are the advantages and disadvantages of this software. (1) â€Å"It is easier to make changes to your document. You can move, change, delete, save, and format all your ideas in one handy file. (2) It frees you to express ideas more clearly and to let your thoughts flow because anything can be changed or deleted later. 3) It allows you to organize all your work or ideas together in a file. Instead of deleting paragraphs that do not seem to fit an assignment, you can move them to the end of the file where they can be used later or in another project. (4) It is easy to share and store word processing files electronically†. The only disadvantage associated with this software is that you may lose your data while working due to sudden electric power failure. (Advantages) Call Accounting and Management Software Since its invention, call accounting software has been adopted by approximately 90% of the established and non-established organizations because of its accuracy and cost effectiveness. A good call accounting software tracks and records various calls of clients and business partners, facilitates customer support management by saving all telephonic data, tracks call timing, and so on . Thus, by taking an analysis of its calls, an organization can easily know about its precious customers’ records and orders. This practice creates a good business environment across the organization. However, the only disadvantage of this software is, if the operator did not create a backup file and an error occurred in the software, data may be lost. Group Calendar Software Group calendar software allows you to organize your critical business events and meetings according to the departments, locations, projects, and time. Having group calendar software online, your employees and business partners can easily arrange a meeting by keeping in mind their work details and availability of time. Web based group calendars provide a cost effective solution without the anxieties and cost inherent with supporting complex in-house calendar system. There is no software to install no server to maintain ever plus group calendar tools are a perfect solution for rapidly expanding projects or distributed work forces†. (group calendar) Time and Attendance Software By using time and attendance software, we can easily save time of our payroll department employees. Time and attendance software automatically record and keep check-in and check-out timings of employees without delay. This software also makes it possible to calculate wages and salaries of workers and employees. Moreover, it provides complete details of attendance and check-in and check-out times to the payroll department that saves time. In addition to that, it is completely secure and can be accessed form different departments of an organization. However, occurrence of an error can create problems because this is the only place where employees’ records are kept. Conclusion Finally, computer software made it possible to run business operations more effectively and accurately. In today’s global world, computers have become a major part of every business organization because of their cost effectiveness and they also pave the way for every business organization to excel upon others by using them. Both Office Automation Software and Group Collaboration Software enhance the business activities and make it possible for the employees to save precious time and money of the organization. Some software like call recording software adds value to customer services and creates an excellent platform to keep records of their clients which increases organizational goodwill.

4 Personality Types Taught by Angels

The four personality types taught by angels are different because each person has different personality, personality, character, ability, sensibility, so that each person succeeds. Therefore, successful methods can be widespread, but you need to consider the rules of success depending on the type of different personality. However, many authors of books on How to Succeed will create success rules only based on the type of personality. If a person has the same personality type as the author of How to Succeed, that person may like the successful way of that author. Have you heard that someone is a person of type A? Have you ever thought what they mean? In fact, there are four different personality types that fall into the main categories. They are called type A, B, C, D. Each personality type has specific features and characteristics that distinguish it from other types. People of personality type A tend to concentrate on competition. They like to attain greatness and they do not like i t when they need to spend a lot of time to experience success. People with this character often tackle multiple projects at the same time in many cases. Because, in most cases, it needs to be seen as a winner. They sometimes feel unsafe. Especially, in order not to be regarded as a success and to have the opportunity to achieve the goal quickly, we will go to a breakthrough on a regular basis. The four personality types taught by angels are different because each person has different personality, personality, character, ability, sensibility, so that each person succeeds. Therefore, successful methods can be widespread, but you need to consider the rules of success depending on the type of different personality. However, many authors of books on How to Succeed will create success rules only based on the type of personality. If a person has the same personality type as the author of How to Succeed, that person may like the successful way of that author. When you know what you are look ing for, there are four easy-to-find consumers. There are six types of fiscal expenditure, combined with four personality types, you can use a powerful collection tool as a collector. As a good collector tells you, knowledge is the most powerful tool in the collection. Analysis of collections and sales Consumers look for facts and data. People with this type of personality will study facilities before they touch. They are not those who decide to pay the debt. They may first check the debt to the customer or insurance department. Prior to making a decision or deciding a decision, we will focus on validating information and selecting it.

Individual Employment Law Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Individual Employment Law - Coursework Example Employees have a right to a time off when making provision of care for dependants who are ill. The application of the right for a time off demands that the employee notify his or her employer the requirement for his or her emergency time off, as quickly as it is reasonably practicable. Employees are supposed to cite the need for the leave and possibly the expected duration of the leave. Except on the employers’ absolute discretion, employees lack entitlement to pay in the event of a time off. The emergency is not applicable to events where employees are expectant of time off, as the events cannot be classified as emergencies. In such circumstances, the employee should take time off as an annual leave (Selwyn 2006, p. 451). Case Study In the case Royal Bank of Scotland V Harrison, Mrs. Harrison was abruptly informed by the child minder of termination of services. Mrs. Harrison was unsuccessful in finding an alternative arrangement; thus, she had to take leave to care for her ch ildren herself. However, she faced disciplinary action and issued with a verbal warning for her unauthorized absence. Mrs. Harrison made a complaint to the employment tribunal for being subjected to detriment as a consequence for taking a day off. The tribunal ruled in her favour and the Royal Bank of Scotland unsuccessfully appealed with claims that the leave was not unexpected; hence, it could not be protected by the legislation. The tribunal ruled that employees should be protected from any detriment, especially in circumstances where they take a time off in accordance with the statutory right (Collins 2010, p.94). Time off is not applicable to situations in which employees need extensive time off to look after the dependants themselves. Should Bruce be subjected to a disciplinary hearing? The Employment Rights Act 1996 [47C] stipulates that any employee should not suffer detriment by any act, or any intentional failure by the employer for prescribed reasons. It will also be unju st to dismiss an employee on the basis of taking a time off. The employment law avails guidance to emergency leave for dependants as well as grievance procedures (Kidner 2006, p. 313). Is Bruce Entitled to take Leave in an Emergency? Bruce satisfies the conditions set out in the Employment Rights Act [57A] and 57B and has an entitlement to take a time off to take his wife to the hospital, which is in essence a family emergency (Morris, McKay & Oates 2009, p.653). Bruce has a statutory right to take an emergency unpaid time off in order to care for his wife. The right is applicable out of necessity where there is an unforeseen disruption or termination of arrangements for care of a Dependant. As an employee, Bruce has every right to take a leave for such purposes as prescribe (illness of his wife). The time off that Bruce took is not inconsistent with the Act and thus should not be subjected to detriment. The time off cannot be described as unauthorized time because Mary is a dependa nt and relies on Bruce when ill. Secondly, Bruce had already made arrangements for the provision of care to his wife in the occasion that she fell ill; he did this by inviting his mother to take his wife to the outpatient centre. Thirdly, Bruce had informed the line manager in a reasonable time of the intended time off, besides the fact that he was responding to deal with a crisis. Bruce’

How new are the 'new wars' Evaluate Kaldor's thesis with respect to Essay

How new are the 'new wars' Evaluate Kaldor's thesis with respect to both the newness of the empirical trends she identifies and - Essay Example Mary Kaldor coined the term new war in her 1999 book ‘New and Old Wars’. Kaldor’s new war thesis is the most widely acknowledged in the new war debates. Kaldor described new war â€Å"as being increasingly fought over new identities rather ideologies, by non-state combatants rather than regular state armies, engaging in attacks on the civilian population rather than direct military encounters, and undermining rather than building the sate† (Rigterink 2012, n.p.). The thesis has been critics savaged especially on the empirical ground. This paper evaluates the Kaldor’s thesis with respect to the newness of the empirical trends identified in trying to answer that question whether new war are really new. The two world wars especially the Second World War made it necessary that globally systems be put in place to address any inter- states conflicts and civil wars. There has been a large success in addressing inter-states conflicts and wars, but clearly co nflicts and violence has not been banished (World Bank 2011, cited in Kaldor 2013). The increase of different actors in wars: criminal gangs, mercenary groups, local warlords and paramilitary units only contribute to make wars more complex (Kaldor 2006, p.9). The emerging trend of new wars is characterized by increased violence and a higher ratio of civilian to the military casualties. Munkler (2002, p. 15) adds that the new wars are â€Å"more bloody than any other kind of war since 1945.† According to Kaldor (2006, p.9), the ratio of civilians to military combats have increased from 1:8 in old wars to about 8:1in the new wars. In her article, In defense of new wars, Kaldor says that new wars are a means to elucidating the logic of contemporary war with the aim of offering a research strategy and guide to policy (Kaldor 2013). She argues that new wars need not be looked only in terms of its empirical basis; otherwise, truth will be lost. She, however, agrees that some of the critics are indeed valid but then the existence of new wars should not be lost so that the political elements of the wars can be addressed (Kaldor 2013). How new is the new war thesis? Kadlor argues that the wars we are experiencing today are indeed different in character from the old interstate wars. She gives a distinction between the old and the new war with respect to a complex of non-state actors; irregular participants and fighting; violence targeting civilians; prevalence of identity politics; widespread criminality; absence of centralized states directions; and transnational networks participation in providing financing, soldiers, and weapons (Kaldor 2006). Critics, however, argue that there is nothing new about the stated elements that indeed all have been experienced in various past conflicts. The truth is that the elements described are not entirely new but what Kadlor intended in proposing the new war thesis was that new strategy need to be embraced in researching the p resent conflicts and in policymaking (Kadlor, 2013). Critics, for example, that the states are being involved in today’s war will misses the point of the new war logic, since the new war thesis only offers input that a new trend of non-state actors are being drawn into the war without refuting the fact that states actors are still operation. Therefore, it would be important that one concludes that though new war have emerged it does not imply that the old forms of wars are no longer in play.

Rhetorical Problem Solving Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Rhetorical Problem Solving - Case Study Example Additionally, for last quarter the sales dropped by 5%, when he goes for lunch he sometimes fails to report back to work and for the last one month Mason has been absent for seven days. Mason has reached his retirement years at sixty-two, but he has refused to retire voluntarily. He looks forward to retiring after three more years of work when he will be sixty-five years. However, Doakes has pointed out that Mason has been diligent on his duties all along until recently. His public relations have also been excellent before. Mason has been grooming Doakes to take his place when he retires, and this also explains the reason the recommendation job had to be given to me. My solution to this problem is to make Doakes assume Mason’s responsibilities, leave Mason’s salary as it is today and raise Doakes’ salary. One of the quickest solutions to this problem would be to retire him against his wishes, but this would be unfair to Mason because he has been of great service to the company for the last twenty-five years. His experience and loyalty for all those years is enough reason to keep him for extra three years. It is worthwhile noting that corporate social responsibility starts from the internal practice. Dealing with employees harshly or ignoring the feelings of the community hits companies very hard down the line. It is necessary that the company maintains good relationship with its workers, make the long-time serving workers feel valued as part of the company. While not every employee’s wishes will be respected in terms of extending their terms, Mason’s case is a special one and it has to be dealt with every caution possible with the fact that he has been very instrumental to the company for years. Am interested in knowing reason for Mason’s stay in the business for three extra years. It could be that he needs the salary, or he needs to complete a project he began. For either reason, it is for the best interest of the

How Not to Pay Retail by Jane Spence Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

How Not to Pay Retail by Jane Spence - Essay Example However, with the changing patterns of prices, different products may have different ‘best buying times’. For example, the best time to buy a compact disc is a few days after it has come to the market. For digital cameras, the best time to buy is the sprint where new models are produced and prices on the old stock are reduced. Â  The article gives some very common sense examples of how someone who wishes to be an early adopter of the latest technology gadget will have to pay a premium over someone who wishes to stay one generation behind the curve. For example, the article reports that the prices of video games fall on average by 30% every three to four months as newer titles are released on to the market and demand for older titles is reduced. Â  In the apparel industry, the increase of the amount of clothing sold on sale shows that retailers have to look at how and when they decide to put items on sale for their customers since clothes are most likely to be bought when they have been reduced from their standard retail prices. In a market where more than 60% of all clothes are sold on sale, market share is most likely to go to a retailer who has sales often and gives good discounts over regular prices. Â  Another good practice which can be used by retailers to preserve market share is the idea of bundling where one product at a sharp discount is bundled with another product with a high margin to gain a competitive advantage. In this manner, not only can the retailer look at sustaining its market share for a certain type of product, it can also seek to expand its market share for allied and complementary goods at the same time. Â  In some cases, the nature of the product itself may bring price competition to the forefront since it would be the only manner in which sellers can compete.

Philosophy of Human Person Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 2

Philosophy of Human Person - Essay Example The researcher states that Socrates investigates a number of influences about the immortality of the soul in a bid to show that there exists an afterlife with the soul dwelling after death. He does this by engaging his two friends, theSimmias and Thebans Cebes, in a debate. Among the major subjects in Phaedo is an idea that suggests the soul be immortal. Socrates presents four arguments about the soul’s immortality. The first being The Opposites Argument or Cyclical argument. This explains since the forms are external and unchanging, the soul is concerned with bringing life hence it is not supposed to die. It is also reported to be necessarily imperishable. The existence of the body as mortal through the subjection to physical death means the souls should be its opposite. Plato suggested the likeness of cold and fire with cold being imperishable and fire its exact opposite. He observed that everything came from its opposite. E.g. a tall man only becomes tall after being short before. Life being opposite to death, our analogous reason gives the thought that as the living once become dead, so should dead become living. Death and life are in a continuous cycle in a way that death is not a permanent end. The second argument is that of the theory of recollection. Humans have a non-theoretical knowledge at birth. This is to mean that the soul was in existence way before birth to help us in carrying that knowledge. The theory bears another account found in Plato’s Meno though Socrates infers previous knowledge of everything. The argument is based majorly on the fact that learning is an act of recollection of the things we knew before birth but we forgot them. We are able to judge two sticks to be equal in length but differing in width because of the innate understanding we have about equality.

Business entity part 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Business entity part 2 - Essay Example Realistic goal means that set objectives are within reach and can be achievable. Cash increase as a goal that can be achieved by starting a saving plan, thus identifying the financial capability of the corporation. Revenue growth is a financial goal necessary for a corporation’s growth (Krus, 2005). The long term goal means steady elevation of sales that lead to income increase. This can be achieved by setting aside crisis funds. This ensures the corporation has a back up and encounters no lose in the income. This enhances a corporation’s income which results to revenue growth that is fundamental in the financial unit. Returns increase is a long term financial goal that a corporation can set. Return increase means profit increase in a corporation. The returns increase objective should be specific, which implies that the corporation should put precise figures in an orderly manner. (Krus, 2005). The goal should be achievable without the corporation being under pressure to enable it fulfil the goal. This goal can be achieved by creating a budget that will identify credits and

Db3 managing high performance Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Db3 managing high performance - Research Paper Example Managers must correct any mistakes made or solve disagreements dutifully to avoid creating disharmony. Japanese remove their shoes whenever they enter a house with a tatami reed mat laid on the wall. Westerners visiting officers or restaurants with tatami should be aware of this custom and remove their shoes before entering these offices. Mc Farlin & Sweeney (2014) explain that Japanese managers allocates more time and concerted efforts to ensure that work groups operate efficiently. Japanese managers encourage equal participation with harmonious working conditions. Japanese managers recognize and award exemplary group performance as opposed to individual performance. This is as opposed to among US companies that emphasize on individual achievement. American corporations discourage extreme group harmony. They argue that extreme group harmony causes groupthink, which may lead to ineffective decision making. Another Japanese social custom pertains the giving or receiving of business cards. The Japanese receive and give business cards in a courteous manner. They receive business cards with both hands and read them before keeping them. Giving cards with one hand is a sign of disrespect. The Japanese approach of allowing a free organizational structure is likely to improve employee satisfaction (Primecz, Romani & Sackmann, 2011). The US companies of fostering both individual and teamwork performance is likely to enhance company performance by setting both individual and team

Chalk Dust, Cinnamon Spice and Coffee Ground as Insect Repellants Essay Example for Free

Chalk Dust, Cinnamon Spice and Coffee Ground as Insect Repellants Essay BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY: There are several household problems we and our helpers encounter at home. These may be issues regarding food supply and storage, cleanliness and sanitation. One of the most common problems is the presence of household ants, especially the red ones, causing a disturbance in our own system of food storage. Red household ants do not only infest stored food in the kitchen but also bite our skin and destroy well- landscaped gardens by building ant hills. Because of this observation, we decided on conducting a study that would eliminate ants with the use of alternative substances that can also be found at home. With this study, we will not only discover other uses and benefits of household waste products but also provide new ways of promoting clean and sanitized homes by eliminating insects. Once proven effective, chalk dust which is one waste product in the classroom, will also be of good use at home. OBJECTIVE: The study aims to find more possible uses of household waste products aside from remaining as garbage such as coffee grounds, and discover further and effective use of chalk dust. Also, we aim to eliminate household insect especially ants that would cause a nuisance in our kitchen. DEFINITION OF TERMS: Talcum Powder- an ingredient in both chalk and baby powder, and is a natural ant repellant. Brewed Coffee- coffee produced from a process with the use of coffee maker wherein hot water drips onto coffee grounds held in a coffee filter made of paper, plastic, or perforated metal, allowing the water to seep through the ground coffee while extracting its oils and essences. The liquid drips through the coffee and the filter into a carafe or pot, and the spent grounds are retained in the filter. Coffee ground- is the used bitter powdered coffee that remains in a pot or coffee-maker after brewing your  coffee. HYPOTHESIS: All three substances tested will give significant results in repelling ants. VARIABLES: INDEPENDENT| CONTROLLED| * 50 grams of coffee ground * 50 grams of cinnamon spice * 50 grams of chalk dust| * Similar area where the three experiments will be conducted, same length * The same ant pathway where the substances will be placed * 1-3 tbsp. of sugar | Resulting Variable: Time it takes for the ants to move away from the repellants CHAPTER II RELATED LITERATURE Ant and Its Symbolism â€Å"Chinese consider and identified ant as the â€Å"righteous insect† and attribute orderliness, virtue and patriotism. On the other hand, Muslims consider the ant as the earthly teacher of Solomon and an embodiment of wisdom.† (Retrieved from http://sherryandrea.com/ant-symbolism-and-meaning/) http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/1570-ant-in-jewish-literature-the: â€Å"In the Old Testament, the Ant is referred to as some harvesting species which are to this day found in Syria and all around the Mediterranean basin. These species wherever they are found, as the latest investigations of naturalists have proved, lay up stores for the winter. In the Tamuldic Literature, The ant was mentioned being experimented by Simon ben Halafta to ascertain whether they inhabit without a ruler. Also, it was mentioned that ants procure food. There were also statements in the Book of Proverbs where it is pointed out that the wisdom of the Creator is manifested in the fitness of the body and wonderful life of the Ant.† â€Å"From a purely scientific point of view, the Ant is treated by Gershon ben  Solomon, in his work, â€Å"Sha’ar ha-Shamayim.† The Ant, he says, gathers its wheat in the harvest, biting off the germs of the grains in order to prevent them from sprouting and thus preserving them from rotting- a fact verified by recent observation. The Ant, he says further, is proportionately the strongest of all creatures, being able to carry from two to four times its own weight. Moreover, it can move both ways, forward and backward.† History of Brewing Coffee In the early history of coffee, the coffee beans were dried and eaten. By the 16th century, coffee was roasted before being ground and boiled in water. The entire resulting mixture of liquid and grounds would be consumed. The invention of the Ibrik (A small pot used in brewing and serving Turkish coffee that was invented in the late 16th century.) allowed for a more skillful technique of brewing. In the 18th century, the French developed the drip brewing technique wherein coffee is produced by using a cloth bag as a filter to separate grounds from the liquid coffee. This technique allowed for steeping the coffee at a lower temperature as it was not brewed while constantly adding heat. (Retrieved from http://coffee.wikia.com/wiki/Brewing) Chalk in Prehistoric Times As found in nature, chalk has been used for drawing since prehistoric times, when, according to archaeologists, it helped to create some of the earliest cave drawings. Later, artists of different countries and styles used chalk mainly for sketches, and some such drawings, protected with shellac or a similar substance, have survived. Chalk was first formed into sticks for the convenience of artists. The method was to grind natural chalk to a fine powder, then add water, clay as a binder, and various dry colors. The resultant putty was then rolled into cylinders and dried. Although impurities produce natural chalk in many colors, when artists made their own chalk they usually added pigments to render these colors more vivid. Carbon, for example, was used to enhance black, and ferric oxide (Fe 2 O 3 ) created a more vivid red. CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY 1. Gather the variables needed. You can find cinnamon spice in your kitchen. If not, you may use any spice available (e.g. pepper, black pepper, garlic). Collect coffee grounds after brewing coffee with the use of a coffee maker. Collect chalk dust from other classrooms. Measure the quantity and make sure that each one reaches the same amount- 50 grams. 2. Choose an area at home where you can find an ants’ pathway and measure its length. This will also be one of the controlled variables in the experiment. 3. Make sure that there are ants present. If none, place a few pinches of sugar or food crumbs to attract the ants. 4. Once the ants are present, choose among the three substances to be placed first along the path and put it evenly making a thin line. 5. Record the time it takes for the ants to leave the place. 6. Repeat steps three to five with the use of the other two substances and record the results on the Table of Data and Observation below. You may also take pictures du ring the experiment.

Advertisements That Make Women Look Bad Essay Example for Free

Advertisements That Make Women Look Bad Essay Some advertising companies do not see the problem with using women to sell their product and make money. â€Å"In advertising today, women are still dismembered—just parts of them presented to sell a product. Kilbourne says in the imposed American obsession with breasts, uplifted derrieres, etc., women forget things like the sensation they lose when they have plastic surgery on their breasts† (Kilbourne). Advertisements should make sure they do not portray women in a derogatory manner. The roles of women have dramatically changed over the generations. Women have gone from housekeepers and wives to sex symbols. Placing women on advertisements in hardly any clothing draws attention to the product itself, but making women seen vulnerable. Dolce and Gabanna, for example, uses and ad where there is one female wearing a strappy, black dress and some high heels. Dolce and Gabanna has her lying on her back, while a shirtless man is on top of her, as if he were pinning her down. There are also three shirtless men in the scene who are standing around watching. Having an advertisement, such as this one, might work to sell a product because of the impression it places on the consumer. Male viewers would presume that the only way to get a beautiful woman to be submissive is to wear products of Dolce and Gabanna. Advertisements like these make the woman in the ad provocative; therefore, viewers conceive their own opinion about women in general. See more:  The Story of an Hour Literary Analysis Essay There becomes a problem when teenagers and young adults see these women on ads dressing seductive and inviting. Women and young girls alike, start to believe they must dress in this manner because that is what the models are wearing. Women also see ads, such as the one Dolce and Gabanna have published, and they look at the women in the ad that dress tantalizing and getting handsome men, that the female viewers too, think they must dress appealing to capture a man’s attention. These advertisements are ultimately doing more damage and are corrupting our society. Advertising companies need to produce ads that make everyone look at women as beautiful, smart, and self-sufficient human beings and not a body used just to sell a product. Doing this would help society see that women can be beautiful and classy without having to be a sex symbol. It would help women get a better idea of how to be a lady. Also, the viewers of the ads would understand women are not really inferior to men, and buying a certain product does not make a person admirable. Something should be done about these advertisements. It is only putting bad ideas and morals into the consumers heads about the way they should view women. Society should appreciate women. All in all, bashing women in advertisements should be stopped and talked about by the advertising companies. Ads of this sort should not be posted all over the billboards, subways, Walters 3 televisions, and computers. Women-bashing is an ongoing problem, and it will continue to escalate if we do not open the eyes of the businesses selling the product and the viewers who agree that basing women is a sufficient way to sell a product. The ads are slowly getting out-of-control, and if we do not put our foot down now, nothing will ever be fixed, and advertising companies will continue to look for ways to make women seem less than average. Works Cited Dolce and Gabbana Boutique For Men Only 10 May 2010. Web. 21 Sept. 2010. http://www.kibitzhomme.com/?tag=dolce-gabbana. Kilbourne, Jean. Summary of Killing Us Softly 3 Welcome To Journalism Web. 1 Oct. 2010. http://hope.journ.wwu.edu/tpilgrim/j190/Stillkillussoftly3.vidsum.html. Killing Us Softly 3: Advertising’s Image of Women | Watch Free Documentary Online. Web. 19 Sept. 2010. http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/killing-us-softly-3/. 10 Worst Woman-Bashing Ads | Business Pundit. Business Pundit: Your Daily Dose of Smart Business Opinion. Web. 19 Sept. 2010. http://www.businesspundit.com/10-worst-woman-bashing-ads/.

Effects of Prevalence Expectation on Visual Search Behaviour

Effects of Prevalence Expectation on Visual Search Behaviour Page | 1 Introduction The objective of this research is to investigate the effects of prevalence expectation on visual search behaviour and cognitive function in radio-diagnosis of the adult chest radiograph and its impact upon medical expert witness testimony in malpractice litigation. Research into radiological error has consistently demonstrated disparity in radiological performance. Most studies of radiology error report significant rates of intra and inter observer variability. The pertinent question is why do radiologists make mistakes? â€Å"Conventionally, radiologists produce diagnoses on the basis of a combination of their training, experience, and individual judgment. Radiologists perceive and recognise image patterns and associate or infer a diagnosis consistent with those patterns.† [1] Accurate results depend upon the radiologist’s ability to recognise a lesion, ignore irrelevant details, and retrieve pertinent memories in order to accurately interpret an image. The radiologists primary task is to accurately identify a range of anatomical structures and pathological findings on medical images. The diagnostic process in radiology is not well understood. Basically, radiologists perceive and recognise image patterns and then associate or infer a diagnosis consistent with such patterns. Appearances on a radiograph are silhouettes of normal and abnormal anatomy. Each shadow represents a projection of layers of detail on a two dimensional surface from a three-dimensional object. The successful detect ion of the target and the time required to seek it out depends upon a number of external factors Much information needs to be processed by the radiologist during the interpretation of such shadows. The disease pattern, The clinical and demographic information relating to the patient The differential diagnoses pertaining to such a pattern. The experience of the radiologist A general aspect of everyday life is looking for a particular target amongst an assortment of other (distracting) items. Visual Search is one task that is performed routinely from radiological diagnosis to finding a definitive research text in a library. Visual search is an essential element in the cognitive process and is the interaction between the visual system, its target and the reader’s subsequent decision. Each experiment was conducted in a controlled laboratory environment, but were designed to simulate, as near as possible, the clinical arena. Expectation is explored by manipulating the information given to radiologists between general clinical information and very specific clinical information, thereby encouraging each radiologist to formulate an individual expectation of abnormal prevalence in the images presented to them. We then measured any subsequent change in behaviour as the subjects’ biases shifted. It was hypothesised thata radiologist would vary their decisions at the cost of more or less false alarms. This is termed criterion shift. The amount by which a radiologist considers false alarms to achieve a higher rate of detection is termed the bias. Bias represents an approach to lessen the consequences of a missed target. What is visual search? In a visual search task, subjects look for a target item among a number of distracting items. [1] After breaking down an image into its distinct components, the visual system directs attention to unusual areas for further analysis. This act of looking for and selecting an anomalous feature on a radiographic image is termed visual search, and is the task performed by radiologists daily. At a very basic level, there are generally considered two types of visual search termed pre-attentive and attentive. A great deal of research has been conducted regarding the differences between these two types of visual search and the factors that affect performance during each [2, 3]. Pre-attentive search has been given a number of labels including efficient search, parallel search, easy or effortless search [1] and automatic detection [4]. In this type of search, the targets are anticipated to contain features which are processed pre-attentively [5], basically drawing attention to themselves. In this type of search, the target appears immediately to the observer, requiring little search effort. For example when searching for the letter X on a page of letter Os or for a red target in a mass of blue targets. Attentive search also referred to as inefficient search [1] serial search [4] and controlled search [2] refers to a complicated search in which attention must be given to targets much less obvious. These components are influenced respectively by the characteristics of the environment (e.g., saliency of targets and distracters) and learned search strategies. The distinction between these two types of search is consistent with the view that search is driven by both bottom up and top down processes [6] wherein bottom up processes drive attention due to salient features in an environment or target features and top down processes drive attention through the function of search strategies such as the direction of attention to locations of high priority. Experienced radiologists develop a mental global impression of a standard radiograph [7, 8] sometimes called a target template [9] and in some instances use pre-attentive search as the abnormality is almost instantaneously visible. Conversel y they may use the second approach in more difficult cases. Recognising how these factors influence target detection helps to understand real-world search tasks and cognitive psychology. Together, the results can help to show how different influences affect visual search in the performance of real-life search tasks as in medical radiology, and airport baggage security. Fiore et al [10]) define threat detection in an airport screening task as the ability to rapidly recognise targets in the environment and interpret the meaning and importance of these cues. Nodine et al [11] break the radiological interpretation task down into three elements, describing the task as consisting of a search for, the recognition of an abnormality and the decision made regarding the abnormality. Many occupations depend on the speedy and effective execution of a visual search. Surf life savers in Australia are trained to search the ocean for rips, sharks and for swimmers in difficulty. Diamond cutters need to be able to evaluate the cutting potential of a rough diamond and need to be able to look at a diamond crystal and determine whether it will yield a large enough gemstone to make a profit.The quality and price will vary greatly based on the cut quality [12]. Airport baggage security screeners are trained using Threat Image Projection (TIP) technology to detect potential threat items within an X-ray image that may contain harmless clutter. There are various features which might hamper a successful visual search, including item superimposition, different viewpoints, rotation of the item and general image complexity. A number of other demands may also influence search, including psychosocial pressure (a busy airport might provoke a too rapid search), expectation (a threat it em is a rare occurrence), boredom and the number of different targets added to the list of dangerous or suspicious items. Errors in these areas are potentially life-threatening, expensive or both. In the medical arena, diagnosis in cytology and radiology are two areas that are dependent upon visual search. Clinical understanding and proficiency in visual pattern recognition serve as the basis for diagnosis by radiologists and pathologists [13]. Error in Radiology Imaging departments must offer a top quality radiological service with as little risk to the patient as is possible. It is therefore incumbent upon radiology department to address any problematic areas and try to reduce the causes of error. The accuracy of the radiological report is one element of the patient’s care. In radio-diagnosis, errors are either of perception or cognition [14]. Perceptual errors occur when targets (tumours, infection) are not visualised. A cognitive error occurs when an abnormality is seen but the radiologist draws the wrong conclusions due to unsound diagnostic reasoning. Diagnostic errors are classified as either false positive (FP) or false negative (FN). A false positive decision is due to the interpretation of a presumed target as pathological when it is in fact normal. A false-negative is an abnormality that is present but is not perceived. FN errors errors are five times more likely than FP errors [15], whilst perceptual errors are four times more frequent than decision making errors [14]. Radio-diagnosis not an exact science. Approximately 4% of Radiological interpretations contain errors, fortunately, most of these errors are clinically insignificant, or if serious errors are found, they are promptly corrected causing no harm to patients [16]. Identifying and locating items can be challenging especially when one is uncertain of where, or even what, to look for. Difficulties are more likely to occur when observers must locate the target’s position rather than simply detect the target’s presence [17]. Numerous studies have been conducted to understand error in radio-diagnosis. This issue has been recognised for a number of years. In the 1940s, Garland [18] found that 10-20% of chest radiographs of patients with suspected tuberculosis (TB) were read differently by different observers and a study by Quekel et al [19] observed that 19% of lung cancers presenting as a nodule on chest radiographs were missed. Another study [20] identified major diagnostic variation between three experienced radiologists interpreting medical images of patients in an emergency department. In this study the level of diagnostic agreement between the radiologists varied according to the anatomical area examined. Levels of agreement were abdomen (51%), chest (61%) and musculoskeletal (74%). There are a number of influences that affect the perception and diagnosis of chest lesions. Of these influences, prevalence expectation has had very little study. Target prevalence and prevalence expectation Prevalence expectation or bias occurs when expectations about an outcome influences a subject’s behaviour. In radiology this can be a factor during diagnosis. For statistical reasons, laboratory studies of visual search in typically include targets on 50% of all trials and participants often recognise that any given trial has an equal chance of having a target or not. However, real-life searches are seldom so balanced. In airport security, baggage screeners view numerous x-ray images of suitcases, but the incidence of a dangerous item happens infrequently. Consequently, one issue in visual search is exploring how a difference in target prevalence modifies searcher expectation and subsequent detection performance. This issue has been raised in multiple domains, including vigilance studies, radio-diagnostic perception, and cognitive psychology. In routine radiological examinations, the occurrence of abnormalities is generally low. This frequency fluctuates depending on the demographics of the population and the anatomical area being examined. However, in all cases, a mis-diagnosis might result in serious consequences. Research within radiology has therefore attempted to show whether low target prevalence is responsible for diagnostic error. Whilst a number of studies, within the medical and non-medical domains, have investigated whether the number of targets present (prevalence) can affect performance. [21, 22, 23, 24], there has been almost no research undertaken regarding the effect of prevalence expectation.

finance :: essays research papers

-Todays international financial system is private with only marginal official participation. Showdown between government and banks during currency crisis of 1972. ?Smithsonian Agreement ,? allowed greater flexibility in currency values. In the 70?s U.S firms weren?t even loyal to the dollar. Sophisticated speculation playing a major role in international finance. Everyone is trying to cash in on exchange fluctuations ?leads and lags.? (I say why not) Central banks are big losers: their intervention, and inflow of dollars was so large that it was inflationary. Lesson learned is that they cannot control private capital flows. Firms did protect themselves against the anticipated devaluation over a longer term by shifting the currency composition of liquid assets and debts, and by prepaying accounts payable in currencies expected to be devalued. In 1973 we basically exported inflation to Europe. No one is sure how close we came to a financial disaster in the 70?s, but it?s a fact that w e were on the edge. *Franklin-Herstatt failure contained. Floating rates survived. Chapter Four-The Economics and Politics of Global Debt   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  -In the nineteenth century, private banks helped countries cope with swings in the trade cycle and made emergency loans to keep governments afloat. A reason why bankers disliked the Bretton Woods Conference was that it created a competing public sector institution, the IMF, to provide short-term loans to countries experiencing trade and financial difficulties. The Third World owes the Western banking system over half a trillion dollars. Lost cause thinking we will be payed back. Global debt crisis had two fundamental causes-importance of Third World countries in global banking revolution of 60?s and 70?s; series of economic shocks that hit the world economy in the 70?s.Richard Weinert lists four main factors that are responsible for the banks? expansionist thrust into the Third World in the 70?s: servicing client needs, defensive expansion to keep clients, earnings growth, and the opportunities offered by Eurocurrency markets. Economic shock of 70?s: inflation, dr amatic increase in oil prices, and slowdown in world economic growth (recession on 74-75), soaring interest rates.

Finish Line - Case Study :: Athlete’s Foot

History   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In 1976, two friends, Alan Cohen and David Klapper, partnered to run a franchise called Athlete’s Foot. Athlete’s Foot was a large athletic footwear business. By 1981, Cohen and Klapper’s vision had grown larger than what Athlete’s Foot was able to contain. Therefore, in 1981, Cohen and Klapper decided to open their own company as a spin off of Athlete’s Foot. They decided to call it Finish Line. At the time of Finish Line’s start up, Cohen and Klapper still maintained 10 Athlete’s Foot stores. After the first Finish Line stores were opened, Cohen and Klapper converted all previous Athlete’s Foot stores into Finish Line stores in 1986 when their franchises expired. As of 2002, Finish line was the second largest athletic retailer with over 550 stores in 46 states.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Finish Line’s success can be attributed to many things, such as, great knowledge of the athletic industry, structured growth, superior executive leadership, and great following of a well thought out mission. This mission states, â€Å"Finish Line will provide the best selection of sport inspired footwear, apparel and accessories to fit the fast culture of action addicted individuals.† Finish Line’s success has come via many milestones throughout their history. Finish Line’s milestones are documented in the following timeline. Finish Line Timeline †¢ October 1976 - Finish Line opens its doors for the first time as a chain of the Athlete's Foot. †¢ 1981 - Two additional partners, Dave Fagin and Larry Sablosky, are brought on board, and the first Finish Line stores are opened. †¢ 1986 - The Athlete's Foot franchise expires, and all Athlete's Foot stores are converted to Finish Line. †¢ October 1991 - Finish Line opens 100th store. Stores are located primarily in the Midwest †¢ 1992 - Finish Line becomes a publicly traded company traded on NASDAQ (FINL). †¢ July 1995 - Finish Line opens 200th store. †¢ November 1997 - Finish Line opens 300th store. †¢ February 1999 - Finish Line hits a record $500 million in sales (for Fiscal 1998). †¢ July 1999 - Finish Line records its first online sales on www.finishline.com. †¢ September 1999 - Finish Line opens 400th store. †¢ 2002 - Finish Line becomes the second largest athletic retailer (based on sales revenues), and expands the company to over 480 stores across the nation. †¢ June 10, 2003 - Finish Line breaks ground on $20 million expansion to its Indianapolis based corporate headquarters and distribution center. Finish Line - Case Study :: Athlete’s Foot History   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In 1976, two friends, Alan Cohen and David Klapper, partnered to run a franchise called Athlete’s Foot. Athlete’s Foot was a large athletic footwear business. By 1981, Cohen and Klapper’s vision had grown larger than what Athlete’s Foot was able to contain. Therefore, in 1981, Cohen and Klapper decided to open their own company as a spin off of Athlete’s Foot. They decided to call it Finish Line. At the time of Finish Line’s start up, Cohen and Klapper still maintained 10 Athlete’s Foot stores. After the first Finish Line stores were opened, Cohen and Klapper converted all previous Athlete’s Foot stores into Finish Line stores in 1986 when their franchises expired. As of 2002, Finish line was the second largest athletic retailer with over 550 stores in 46 states.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Finish Line’s success can be attributed to many things, such as, great knowledge of the athletic industry, structured growth, superior executive leadership, and great following of a well thought out mission. This mission states, â€Å"Finish Line will provide the best selection of sport inspired footwear, apparel and accessories to fit the fast culture of action addicted individuals.† Finish Line’s success has come via many milestones throughout their history. Finish Line’s milestones are documented in the following timeline. Finish Line Timeline †¢ October 1976 - Finish Line opens its doors for the first time as a chain of the Athlete's Foot. †¢ 1981 - Two additional partners, Dave Fagin and Larry Sablosky, are brought on board, and the first Finish Line stores are opened. †¢ 1986 - The Athlete's Foot franchise expires, and all Athlete's Foot stores are converted to Finish Line. †¢ October 1991 - Finish Line opens 100th store. Stores are located primarily in the Midwest †¢ 1992 - Finish Line becomes a publicly traded company traded on NASDAQ (FINL). †¢ July 1995 - Finish Line opens 200th store. †¢ November 1997 - Finish Line opens 300th store. †¢ February 1999 - Finish Line hits a record $500 million in sales (for Fiscal 1998). †¢ July 1999 - Finish Line records its first online sales on www.finishline.com. †¢ September 1999 - Finish Line opens 400th store. †¢ 2002 - Finish Line becomes the second largest athletic retailer (based on sales revenues), and expands the company to over 480 stores across the nation. †¢ June 10, 2003 - Finish Line breaks ground on $20 million expansion to its Indianapolis based corporate headquarters and distribution center.

Pearl Harbor :: American History World War 2 WWII

Of the years following the arrival of Captain James Cook, Pearl Harbor was not considered a suitable harbor due to shallow water. The interest of the United States Government in the Sandwich Islands followed the adventurous voyages of its whaling and trading ships in the Pacific. As early as 1820, an "Agent of the United States for Commerce and Seamen" was appointed to look after American business in the Port of Honolulu. With the cementing of commercial ties with the American continent, another factor to be considered was the endeavors of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. This was particularly true when the American missionaries and their families became an integral part of the Hawaiian body politic. With the exception of a few episodes, American prestige tended to increase in the islands. One of these was the affair of Lieutenant John Percival in 1826 which illustrates some of the high-handed tactics of that time. When his ship, USS Dolphin, had arrived in Honolulu, an ordinance had just been passed, inspired by the missionaries, placing restrictions on the sale of alcoholic liquors and the taking of women aboard vessels in the Honolulu Harbor. Lieutenant Percival and members of his crew felt that the new vice laws were unfair and with more than a mere threat of force had them rescinded. This act, it must be said, was later renounced by the United States and resulted in the sending of an envoy to King Kauikeaouli. When Captain Thomas ap Catesby Jones arrived, in command of the USS Peacock, he was the first naval officer to visit Hawaii armed with instructions to discuss international affairs with the Hawaii King and Chiefs, and to conclude a trade treaty. In spite of the Percival incident, American influence in the islands was steadily increasing. Throughout the 1820's and 1830's, many American warships visited Honolulu. In most cases the commanding officers carried letters with them from the U.S. Government; all sympathetically friendly toward the Hawaiian sovereign and, as a rule, giving advice concerning the conduct of governmental affairs and of the relations of the island nation with foreign powers. In 1841, the weekly periodical, Polynesian, printed in Honolulu, advocated editorially that the U.S. establish a naval base in Hawaii. Its pretext was the protection of the interest of American citizens engaged in the whaling industry. The pro-British Hawaiian minister, R.C. Wyllie, remarked in 1840 that ". .

A Clockwork Orange vs. No Country for Old Men

The movies A Clockwork Orange and No Country for Old Men are both very violent and action movies, but they are quite different in the way they are expressed. Both movies tell disturbing stories about men who killed other people but because of different reasons. This gives us a good reason to compare and contrast these two movies.First, let us look at A Clockwork Orange. This movie is all about Alex de Large, a teenager who is the leader of a gang of criminals. Alex and his friends habitually take in drugs, rob, rape, beat up and kill people, without any remorse or regret. They actually enjoy having pleasure at the expense of others. They have no actual purpose in doing these things, just having their own fun.Alex and his gang do their own thing without a care in the world, not thinking about the authorities or the people around them, not even their own families. Alex himself causes the crack in his friendships with those in his gang when he keeps on making fun of Dim and becomes over bearing over them.Dim and the rest of the gang start making plans on their own, without telling their leader Alex. The story takes a turn when Alex’s friends betray him during a failed robbery, after he hit the woman of the house in the head. They actually hit him on the head and left Alex passed out, to be captured later on by the police.Alex enters a new chapter in his life when the woman he hit eventually died. He was then charged with murder and was sentenced to 14 years in prison, and his friends were not captured because they all turned on him. As Alex was being processed into the prison, his self-pride is being broken down little by little when the prison guards and warden talked down on him and put him in his right place.As 2 years go by, you may think that Alex might be making some progress because of his closeness with the prison chaplain, and his growing interest in the Bible. He also told the chaplain of his desire to be â€Å"changed†. But the scenes where we can see Alex’s real fantasies and daydreams show us that that is really not the case. It seems that he is just interested in doing whatever it would take to gain some favors and get out of prison.Alex finally gets his chance when he hears about a new treatment that would make imprisoned criminals change and would help them stay out of prison. He takes his chances and even presents himself to the Minister so that he would be chosen for the treatment. You might think that Alex might have been having his doubts when he almost didn’t sign the contract, but he did anyway.Things become worse for Alex when he actually goes through the treatment; he cannot do the things he used to want to do! Every time he has the urge for violence or sex, Alex would involuntarily retch and feel nauseous. This is because the Ludovico treatment actually conditioned Alex to react as such. The government and the scientists actually think that the treatment is a success, and they eventually re lease Alex.As soon as Alex goes out of prison, it seems like all of the bad things he did in the past finally caught up to him. All of the pain he caused in the lives of other people all went back to him, making him suffer. His â€Å"redemption† comes in an unexpected way, when he jumps out of a window to escape the pain being inflicted upon him by one of his past victims.The movie’s last scene shows Alex in the hospital, and it seems that he’s back to his old self. It seems that Alex might get away with what he wants to do, after all.

Creating a Positive Classroom Environment

Creating a Positive inculcateroom Environment A trailroom should be wiz of inquiry and equal to(p)-mindedness. In localize to rear a schoolroom of scholarly persons who smelling comfor fudge look ating questions and ar point-blank to other assimilators ideas it is imperative to create a positivist, rock-steady environment and learnedness federation. I believe that disciples should feel comparable their schoolroom has high expectations, in how ein truth integrity treated all(a)(prenominal) other, and in how acquisition took ordain. Creating a classroom environment where all schoolchilds feel emotionally and physically safe enough to meet risks is a real challenge and one that is worthy of the duration it requires.The key to an inquiry- base curriculum is a safe, commanding breeding environment, thusly, it is foundational that the instructor fiddle to provide, bring in, and maintain that through let on the year. In the classroom, the t all(prenominal)e r should be departing on ship canal to develop a confirming learning community by determination out more intimately my students. For example, each student should fill out a Who Am I questionnaire so that the instructor can get to nonice their students personalities, hobbies, likes and dislikes and accordingly include them in lectures, handlings and explanations through out the year.The instructor should to a fault engage in severalize instruction in my classroom so that he/she can abbreviate ad hoc lessons to fit different viewpoints, and abilities of students. This is also a demonstration of c atomic number 18 and love for students as they cast their teacher examine none certain aspects some their learning or personalities and tailors their instruction to meet their needs. One of the ways I would engage in differentiated instruction is by walking most the room and constantly being lendable to assist students.By offering them man-to-man assistance I can amelio rate gauge where their personal understanding and misconceptions atomic number 18 and tailor my article of faith to them differently than I would to the class as a whole. In parade to maintain a positive classroom environment, a teacher must(prenominal) use the capacity to view as wide awake decisions and to be flexible in the classroom. The teacher needs to make decisions and ad stillments to enhance the student motivation, engagement, and productive work. One way I would make adjustments when thither ar issues in the classroom hindering the productive learning community is to create a refreshing seating room chart.I find that this act is often utilise enough to smell any potential genial problems in the bud and sends a pith to students that if they emergency to sit with their friends, they need to earn the privilege. You would be surprised with how a newfound seating chart for the class can add-on productivity and engagement in philia playing area content instead of social life information. In a comprehension classroom, experiments and lab work are an primary(prenominal) way for students to engage in the content. in all students in the class should work on labs at the same time with b parliamentary procedureline supervision.The teacher must also be cognizant of how the resources of time, space, activities and attention are allocated to students throughout the short hour that they are in class. However, in that respect are more traditional strategy for lab work. The difference comes in how many materials you squander for certain labs, how a great wish time it makes for each group of students to get by the experiment, and how tricky the directions are. Deciding which method to apply for a addicted lab and analyzing the classroom environment to decide which will work best in a urinaten situation.In the Collier County School district it is acceptable to guide up to 30 students in each classroom. It is difficult in this type of en vironment for students to feel that they are an all- weighty(prenominal) member of the learning community. I found that it was easy for certain students to back out from activities and it was hard for the teacher to crack up up on their lack of involvement because of the cobwebby number of other students in the room. Therefore, I thought up of an activity that would give the teacher time to walk around to person-to-person students and check their understanding of the material.This lesson was an perform preparation lesson where the students would be working on write organized leavens by finding a thesis statement, supporting it and including say from newspaper articles. I found that students would initially be hesitant to show their work to the teacher, only if when they saw that the teacher would be going around to e reallyone at their table they became less nervous and more airfoil to share their problems with understanding. When observing a classroom, one student even remarked as the teacher came to her, I dont know what Im doing. She was a student that has never raised her hand to get hold of for help, further with the teachers inevitable arrival she was open to telling her teacher she did not understand. This showed me that if the teacher had not gone around to idiosyncratic students she would not have told her teacher she did not understand. In parliamentary law for a classroom to become a learning community it is important that it is organized, and meets acquit standards of fetch. An environment in which students are assuming debt instrument, participating in ecision-making, working collaboratively and independently, and sweet in purpose-made learning activities that use higher(prenominal) enact conceiveing skills and are all pieces of smoothly functioning learning communities. The first-year lesson that I would present to the class in the yield would be attempting to engage students in a purposeful learning activity that asked them to think deeply close to the issues of a the subject that they are in class for. The students would first work together as a class and then(prenominal) the students work separately to show understanding.They were active members of the activity so they had a hand in the decision-making and therefore could assume some protestership and responsibility for the success of the activity. A strategy for winning students in purposeful activities that put forward higher order opinion that is often utilize in classrooms is asking students to work in pairs to create a concept map out from a list of content words. By working in pairs students are collaboratively make understanding and taking responsibility for their own learning plus their partners.As mentioned above, in order to have a smoothly functioning learning environment, clear standards of conduct must be conventional and enforced within the classroom. In order for students to feel safe enough to ask questions, engage in inquiry activities and take risks in their learning. They must feel efficient and know that their teacher has clear standards of conduct that will be enforced. The first sidereal day of school is a very important day for establishing the standards of conduct that all students are expected to follow.It is also important that student behavior is monitored in a onus way. One way is by asking a student who is very high-potential and can become disruptive to do diminutive tasks during the hour to keep him engaged, much(prenominal) as feeding the class fish, or putting up the class scrape sheet. This particular student can be disruptive and cause problems with other classmates, but with the teacher retentiveness him engaged when she sees him acquiring off-task, she is signaling to him that she notices him and has her eyes on his actions.This has been a successful strategy in keeping him out of trouble. However, all issues in a classroom cannot be prevented. Things do some times happen despite the best efforts of the teacher to create a safe learning environment. For example, say that you, the teacher had an incident in your classroom where two female students got very angry with each other and emit loudly and violently at each other and refused to stop. This behavior is very disturb to the teacher and to the class.And to be successful in resolving the situation, you just have to except the two students from the class and separate them. In this situation it was important to thoroughly pick up the pieces after the incident was over. This is a very helpful way for a teachers peace of mind and further ability to create a safe learning environment. The teacher should also have individual talks with the students that created the problem. One student in particular would most likely have a very changed position about the class after the incident.In order to bring her back to being her eager self, the teacher should have a one-on-one talk with her, which greatl y improved her attitude towards the class. One of the things that would help you to act appropriately when the incident happened in the classroom was the open up standards of conduct and consequences that occur if students do not follow the standards. One way to foster students ability to engage in duologue and argumentation and develop the language of thinking is to participate in Socratic seminars in class.Socratic seminars offer a tangible, engaging way for students to develop both morality and critical thinking, actively and cooperatively. A tidings technique that I would use in my classroom would be an ethical preaching based on the merits and problems with new transmitted testing that is available. Students engaged in small groups, then in the large sitting to wrangle their opinions about genetic testing, based on a text they had all read. In order to help the tidings remain civil and productive, I used an ethical discussion framework that was very helpful.In a large classroom of 30 students it is often difficult to make time to meet with students individually to discuss their progress, but it is an important part of pedagogics that time must be allocated for. Therefore, a lesson plan that can allow the teacher to talk with students individually about an essay they had written. Lets just say that while students were in the Library Center working on ACT preparation tests the teacher then would be able to make time to talk with students individually about the strengths and weaknesses of their essays and what specific things to keep in mind when composing their next essay.This lesson shows a good assignation of time and attention so that students could take away concrete information from the lesson about what they need to work on with their writing and they also saw that their teacher cared about their progress enough to plan a special meeting with them. This one-on-one discussion time between teacher and student is something I do not see a lot of in school and I feel it is very important to include meaningful time talk of the town with each student.In a cognizance classroom it is very important that resources be used appropriately to help promote in-depth, inquiry-based understandings of content. I include it here to establish how helpful it is for teachers to keep up-to-date on literature that is being written on the topics they are teaching. Through reading schoolman literature they can gain new ideas and insights on how to use technology effectively in their classroom in order to enhance learning and the classroom environment. Creating a positive classroom environment is a very important aspect of effective teaching.In a teachers student teaching placement it has been a priority for to establish and maintain a safe and positive environment where all students can grow, inquire, and learn. I feel strongly that a classroom should always be a safe one for students physically. At times there are going to be things giv e tongue to between students that cannot make it emotionally safe, but you, the teacher can always deal with the issues to send a strong message that your classroom is not a place to come down on peers.I do feel I have more to learn about enacting a true inquiry-based classroom, however. And I know that there are going to be times and lessons where I believe students should be actively involved in inquiry-based projects and if so, I would be very proud of them for their efforts. However, I would like to increase the times that this occurs and make my classroom into a place where students know they are going to question, explore and learn, and not just another stop on their school day schedule.