Effective Team and Performance Management Essay - 6

Effective Team and Performance Management - Essay Example The benchmark for turnaround times range between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. The team leader ensured that each team member was equipped with bottled oxygen and steroids for emergency in case of serious exhaustion. Our team reached the Southeast Ridge Balcony approximately five and half hours after departure. This is one of the most difficult points to climb. Our team gradually ascended along the Balcony from around 8 a.m. to 10 a.m (Kayes, 2004). Did the team project work as expected or not expected? The team project did not work out as planned because not all members reached the summit. Most gave up ascending at Hillary Step due to wastage of time and snarl-ups. One of the expedition leaders breached the agreement regarding the order at which each team would begin for final summit. The team was not armed with radios for communication. One our team member was severely exhausted when we reached the Southeast Balcony. I together with another team pulled the climber with assisted with guide Sher pa. Moreover, our team was caught up in bottleneck. We could not proceed beyond that point because safety ropes had not been fixed. Our team together with other teams joined hands to secure the fixed safety ropes to secure our next mountain climbing session. This marked the onset of series of bottlenecks that were to occur in the course of our climbing. Our sojourn at Hillary Step took roughly an hour. Again, we were caught up in traffic snarl up, since long queue of climbers behind us was waiting for their turn to climb. Ropes had not been fixed as anticipated. We could not communicate to those below us, because we lacked radios. Unnecessary anxiety and confusion among climbers was looming. This point was approximately 28,800 feet beneath peak of Mount Everest. The previous climbers had not secured the ropes to facilitate ascent of those below at reasonable time (Kayes 2004). As a result, some team members arrived at the summit beyond the stipulated deadline at 2 p.m. The bottlenec ks had ripple effects, because it affected the whole operation. Things went astray between 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., because whiteout occurred, which grounded descent to near halt. The turnaround time was set at 12 hours after departure. The bottlenecks caused delays so that 6 hours past the deadline, snowstorm occurred and halted descent. Some team members ran out of oxygen supply. Fatigued ensued. Some team members were conspicuosly absent. The team members who abandoned the summit attempt at snarl up, and few climbers who successfully reached the summit, started arriving at Camp IV between 4.30 p.m. to 6 p.m. What factors contributed to your experience (e.g. personal, social) Mountain climbing at Mount Everest offered opportunity for unique research experience. Authorities restricted public investigations. As a result, empirical data regarding the Mount Everest Disaster of 1996 remains scanty. Also, the chronology of the tragedy was never archived. In order to create sense, the team crea ted chronology of possible events after painstaking review of observations by witnesses and survivors. A recent study (Kayes 2004) highlighted importance of integrated multiple analytic approach to tragedy sense-making. In order to ensure rational chronology of events, each team member conducted individual research, independence of chief investigations outlined in scholarly articles. The chronology was mounted on narratives, which contained

Puplic Opinion and Political Communication - International Political Essay

Puplic Opinion and Political Communication - International Political Communication - Essay Example The September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center prove the universality of the statement that nothing in this world is fireproof. Nothing, and absolutely nothing – is completely free from unprecedented terror. Today, the United States will vouch for that, as Washington has taken all possible damage-control measures to ensure that its people breathe easy. However, unforgettable times can never be erased completely – they can just remain hidden. While the attack on the WTC on September 11 woke America from its complacency, what followed the attack is nothing short of incredulous. The attack affected not just Americans, but also those â€Å"millions of people† all around the world who had depended on America for a better life. Consequently, Washington had to answer its citizens – all of them. The visible damage control measures involved a steady deal of deliberation, a great deal of communication, and a massive amount of persuasion. America’s communication arsenal was put to the finest test – as the country had to answer to visibly all related parties – from citizens to trade partners. The damage was done – when two architectural marvels were torn down – but the damage control required America to sharpen its most potent weapon, and unarguably, the most required weapon – communication. Indeed, intelligent and thoughtful political communication techniques were the only tools that could bail America out of distress. If communication techniques were not up to the mark, America would have lost millions in terms of investment, damage to property, and loss of life. If today, America is again on its feet, it is all thanks to the marvelous communication techniques employed in those times of distress. So, in this research paper, we will attempt to look at the communication angle with respect to 9/11 attack closely. The impact of 9/11 was felt all around the world, and America has so far done a fine job in

Green Postcolonial Reading in Kocharethi

Green Postcolonial Reading in Kocharethi The present paper proceeds from the conviction that postcolonialism and ecocriticism have a great deal to gain from one another. It tries to spell out some of the obvious differences between the two critical schools, search for grounds that allow a productive overlap between them and define green postcolonialism. The paper then attempts a comparative green postcolonial reading of the first novel in Malayalam by an Adivasi/tribal, namely Narayans Kocharethi (1998) and Mother Forest (2004) the autobiography of the Adivasi/tribal activist, C.K. Janu. This juxtaposition raises vital questions regarding the plight of Keralas (the southernmost state of India) indigenous people in a postcolonial nation. The legacy of colonial modernity, language, education, nationalism, gendered subalternity, cultural history and ecopolitics is examined within the framework of green postcolonialism, thereby indicating the moral urgency for a fruitful alliance between the two critical schools of postcolonial ism and ecocriticism to envision an alternative future. The changes associated with globalization have led to the rapid extension and intensification of capital alongwith an acceleration of the destruction of the environment and a growing gap between the rich and the poor. This has had a significant impact on the terrain in which postcolonialism and ecocriticism operate.While both ecocriticism and postcolonialism are committed to locating the text in the world, they conceive of both world and text in radically different ways. In keeping with a commitment to recognize the land as more than a scape, but a picture and a story in which humans participate along with other life forms, ecocritical conceptions of the world tend to privilege non-urban settings, in which those other life forms predominate. Postcolonial criticism tends to envision the world through urban eyes; an obvious historical explanation being the arrival of Third world intellectuals in the metropolitan centres of the First World. Postcolonial theory has frequently asserted the value of positionality in order to foreground the politics of discursive authority. Positionality has generally been thought to include race, gender, sexuality, and class but has more recently come to include geographical and biotic space. In an era of increasing ecological degradation, the mutually constitutive relationship between social inequity and environmental problems has become more stark and vivid. If pressing environmental crises have spurred the development of environmental criticism in literary studies, the increasing awareness of how such crises have been and will continue to disproportionally impact the vulnerable populations of the postcolonial world have made the nexus of postcolonialism and ecocriticism a particularly urgent area of study. Yet, this intersection is fraught with danger. Ecocriticism has been developed primarily from the perspective of Western critics using Anglo-American literature and has often worked from assumptions, common in Western environmental movements, which are extremely problematic in postcolonial contexts. Different conceptualizations of individual places extend to different ways of conceiving the relationship between the local and the global. While stressing the importance of local place, ecocriticism gains its global focus by encompassing the very earth it studies. Postcolonialism also recognizes an interplay between the local and the global, but in a more cautious, indirect way. Wary of the ideological and material implications of globalizing impulses, postcolonialism admits the force of the global in a way that explicitly prohibits its recuperation into a formula that confirms the place of the individual in a universal order, either of nature or culture. The global and the local come together, not by the way of simple synecdoche, or the relationship between macrocosm and microcosm, but in a way such that each interrupts and distorts the other, thereby refusing the possibility of concrete platial or abstract global belonging (OBrien 142). Rob Nixon points out four main schisms between the dominant concerns of postcolonialists and ecocritics. First, postcolonialists have tended to foreground hybridity and cross-culturation. Ecocritics on the other hand, have historically been drawn more to discourses of purity: virgin wilderness and the preservation of uncorrupted last great places. Second, postcolonial writing and criticism largely concern themselves with displacement, while environmental literary studies has tended to give priority to the literature of place. Third , and relatedly, postcolonial studies has tended to favour the cosmopolitan and the transnational. Postcolonialists are typically critical of nationalism, whereas the canons of environmental literature and criticism have developed within a national (and often nationalistic) American framework. Fourth, postcolonialism has devoted considerable attention to excavating or reimagining the marginalized past: history from below and border histories, often along t ransnational axes of migrant memory. By contrast, within much environmental literature and criticism, something different happens to history. It is often repressed or subordinated to the pursuit of timeless, solitary moments of communion with nature (235). Attempts to distinguish between postcolonialism and ecocriticim are always likely to be perilous; and it is against this uncertain historical background that green postcolonialism has made its recent entrance into the critical -theoretical fray. What is green postcolonialism? Graham Huggan and Helen Tiffin provisionally define the field in terms of those forms of environmentally oriented postcolonial criticism which insist on the factoring of cultural difference into both historical and contemporary ecological and bioethical debates (9). Differentiated experiences of colonialism provide the main historical link here. They also point out a continuing environmentalist insufficiency of postcolonial literary and cultural texts which also works the other way round with postcolonial ecocriticism serving to highlight the work of non-European authors or critiquing the Euro-American biases of certain versions of environmentalist thought (9). Both fields articulate historically situated critiques of capitalist ideologies of development. They also combine a political concern for the abuses of authority with an ethical commitment to improving the conditions of the oppressed. Green postcolonialism brings out a truism that clearly applies to, but is not always clearly stated in, the different strands of both postcolonialism and ecocriticism: no social justice without environmental justice; and without social justice-for all ecological beings-no justice at all. Postcolonial criticism, despite what might still be seen as an unduly anthropocentric bias, offers a valuable corrective to a variety of universalist ecological claims-the unexamined claim of equivalence among all ecological beings, irrespective of material circumstances and the peremptory conviction, itself historically conditioned, that global ethical considerations should override local cultural concerns (Huggan 720). Subaltern Studies as history from the lower rungs of society is marked by a freedom from the restrictions imposed by the nation state. Gramsci speaks of the subalterns incapability to think of the nation. Once it becomes possible for the subaltern to imagine the state, he transcends the conditions of subalternity. A consciousness of subject positions and voices can re-empower languages, deconstruct histories, and create new texts of more dense dialogical accomplishment. Part of the project of postcolonial theory would be to push literary texts into this shifting arena of discursiveness, thus enabling new stands of counter narratives and counter contexts to shape themselves and complicate binarist histories. But polysemic, anticolonial subjectivities and their energies, which defy the definitions of the colonizer, are muted and translated into a monolithic national identity, articulated in the rhetoric of Nationalism in Kocharethi, a Malayalam novel on the Malayaraya tribe by Narayan (1998). The tribals of Kerala are never identified as Malayalis. Unique in itself-their lifestyles and languages are significantly different from that of the dominant mainstream. Narayans Kocharethi, the first novel in Malayalam by an Adivasi, is an historical intervention where, far from being the objects of history, the Adivasis now become its new subjects. Narayan,himself a Malayaraya, does not attempt to depict the historical or mythical spheres of the tribal experience. Instead, he unravels, fifty or sixty years entwined with his own life situations. He deftly challenges the incorrect representations of the Adivasis in contemporary cinema, television and publications. The life described in the novel, with all rituals, ceremonies, customs, faith, institutions of marriage, food, clothing and shelter, recall the period prior to the Renaissance in Kerala. Mans raw encounter with the forces of nature is vividly portrayed. The forest is not only life-generating but also life-consuming. Kocharethi is a brilliant account of the life and nature of the Malayaraya tribe. Marriages occurred between cousins. Women always carried sickles and wre unafraid to kill anyone who molested them. If unable to do that, the very same sickle ended their lives. They were in charge of their sexuality. The arrival of colonial modernity converted forests into reserved forests and plantations. Destruction of the old order,and the onset of a new one created identity crises. Kochuraman, the medicine-man, had always used animal fat. But he later resorts to soda-water and moves to the medical college for treatment. The nuances of this transition in the life of the Malayaraya tribe is poignantly captured by Narayan. The feudal landlord, the king and the British Raj are symbols of the various stages of this transition. The oppressive power of nascent laws and authority perplex and terrify the tribals. Apart from nature, humans also torture them. The Malayarayas were cheated in prices and weights of their forest products when the currencies and measures changed into the British system. This cancerous exploitation by civil society forced them to search for education. Kochupillai the teacher leads them into the light of letters. The dream of a government job, migration into the city, love-marriages all follow. Christian proselytisations also occur, creating a hybid of New Christians- always prefixed by the term arayan. Kocharethi takes place at the fag end of this phase, in the early half of the twentieth century. It encloses a space of transition from the colonial to the post colonial within the imagined boundaries of the nation state. Thus, situated in a later milieu of Indian history, Kocharethi in a way addresses the questions of acculturation and education of the subaltern, in short of the subalterns translation as appropriation. Education as a necessary ploy for moulding homogenous identities came packaged with the label promising equality and liberty. But the subaltern aspires for education in order to be liberated from the land and its woes. Kocharethi is filled with the new subaltern dream of a government job. Narayan makes a feeble attempt to parody this process of modernizing the tribal. But the novel fails in demarcating a political position opposing colonial modernity (Pillai par13). Kocharethi reveals the slow acculturation of the native into the economy, culture and politics of the nation state. The native in Kocharethi falls prey to the project of colonial modernity, which the new Indian state sets out to continue in order to prove its capability to self-rule. Kocharethi depicts the plight of the native subaltern caught in the regulative politics of the infallible nation state, and betrayed by the promise of the participatory citizenship, struggling to find voice amidst the homogenized Babel of nationalist discourses. State hegemony, nationalist ideology, dominant language and cultural interpellation all collude to construct the native of Kocharethi as a passive subject (Pillai par16). Kocharethi embraces and enhances the task of colonial modernity to instill middle class values and bourgeois virtues into the gendered nationalsubaltern subject. The new woman, conscious of her identity, is at the same time out of her roots. As Parvathy, the educated subaltern migrates to the city, the narrative, in an allegorical twist leaves Kochuraman and Kunjipennu stranded in a government hospital, at the mercy of state welfare aids. Thus one sees the articulation of gender being translated into a different idiom by the interventions of the modern state. Narayan assumes a nationalist identity by which he sees education of subaltern women as necessary but not at the cost of losing the essence of their femininity and culture. The women of Kocharethi have no role in the struggle for independence. As Parvathy inhabits the secure space of her home, Madhavan and his comrades go out into the public domain to free the nation, thus lending their subaltern identities to structure the hege mony of a patriarchal nationalist culture. Meena T. Pillai points out that a close reading of Kocharethi reveals the nuances through which gender and ethic relations become inextricably linked to the formation of the Indian state(par 22). The novel provides a framework to picture the formation of India as a sovereign, socialist, democratic, republic, where native and gender identities are subsumed and tokenized to strengthen the unifying logic of the nation. Language is a fundamental site of struggle in subaltern discourses resisting translation, because colonization begins in language. The evident pull towards colonial modernity and nationalist themes in Kocharethi is found in its language too, which is very near to standard Malayalam, the disjunctions being minimal. There is no attempt to capture the linguistic and cultural ethos of the language of the Malayaraya tribe (Pillai par 23). The subaltern community in Kocharethi, having lost its language, having been translated and co-opted into the dominant discourse, has also lost the power to name. Parvathi, Madhavan, Narayanan all names of upper caste Hindu gods, speak of the silencing a culture. A community devoid of its language is a community devoid of dignity. Kocharethi is a giving in, a passive surrender to the larger history of the nation state(Pillai par 26). In postcolonial parlance to have a history is to have a legitimate existence but the text denies itself in this legitimacy of being, in Kocharethi the subaltern is deftly muted by the dominant discourse. The discourse of the colonial modernity and the nation state that one finds in Kocharethi co-opts the native and re-fashions him/her according to the norms of the dominant culture. Subaltern translations of the lingo of the nation and nationalism thus become acts of cultural displacement. Claiming the nation in the language also means being claimed by the nation. no one knows the forest like we do, the forest is mother to us, more than a mother because she never abandons us (Bhaskaran 5). The Life Story of C.K. Janu, is an oral life history, transmitted through a mediator, and illustrates the efforts of the non-literate or non-literary to tell her story. This text provides an opportunity to explore how a woman views herself and how her self-perceptions have in turn affected the choices she has made in her life. Janu, is a tribal activist who wages bitter struggles against the government for the land rights of tribal groups. She received no formal education but became actively involved in the literacy campaign in Kerala and learned to read and write, proving herself to be a natural leader. Her work focuses on the promotion and defense of human rights, peace activism, and the demands of the landless tribal people of Kerala. She was part of the three-member delegation from India on a European tour organized by the Global Action Group, and the lone representative from India at conference in Geneva organized by the United Nations in (1999), as well as an active participant in the second Global Action Group conference held at Bangalore in 2000. By sharing her own vision of survival and ideas on the strategies to achieve positive development, she is serving as a voice for her community which has been silenced for centuries. In her autobiographical narration, Janu gives a passionate account of her struggle to get back the lands of which they were dispossessed. Without any means of earning a proper livelihood, her people fear that they risk losing their identity also. The forest meant everything to the tribal groups. Janu speaks of her childhood and her life in the forest, then as a maid in a teachers home .Her involvement with the literacy programme and other social activities lead to her political awakening. She became a worker for the communist party, but was soon disillusioned by the partys hidden agendas and attitude towards her community. She is well aware of the fact that forest flower beetles cannot argue with city microphones that make great noise, but she will fight unto death for the restoration of the rights of her people. Her narration is an eloquent testimonial to her convictions and courage in mobilizing a protest against the government to restore the alienated land to the tribal people, enabling them to regain their sense of identity. The first part of the book deals more with her inner world and conjures before us a holistic world view where nature and human commingle. The sights of the forest like, the hills catching fire, rains falling like a woman with her hair -shorn, the wild water all blood-red gushing angrily(2), the depth and beauty of darkness and moonlight, flowers blossoming are all enthralling. But the sights of civilzation like Vellamunda with unfamiliar pathways strange hills and little streams. and fields with strange looking ridges that did not look like ours(7) are disturbing, The forest is never quiet. Streams are always gushing, the woods mumble, winds howl, frogs croak and creatures cry. The tribal instruments chini and thudi create their own distinctive notes. But civil society has its radios, motor pumps, loudspeakers and school children to offset this harmony. The smell of virgin earth coupled with that of hunger dominates the forest. Janu remembers vividly that when her mother used to come and visit her in Vellamunda she brought the smell of our huts with her(12) The earth has different smells in different seasons(13) and gives out its scent only when worked upon. Again culture with its chemicals, church fumes, clothes and vehicles is nauseating. More than thirty different kinds of plants, crops and fruits are mentioned. Rice, kappa, chena, kachil, karappayam, mothangappayam, honey, tubers, banana are some of them.Insects, fish, crabs, snakes, elephants, pigs, all give company. The lifestyle described is always full of activity. Rest seems to be unknown. The very first paragraph itself describes around twenty different activities. Here is a single sentence describing work, only after sowing germinating tilling transplanting weeding watering standing guard reaping carrying threshing and making mounds of grain would the jenmi make his appearance(15). The sentences in the first chapter do not start with capitals. Upper cases appear only when an item from civil society is mentioned. For example:Dhotis and Shirts (5) Even the i is in the lower casea true technique indicating holism and dwarfing anthropocentrism. Commas are absent between varied items signifying that dualities are insignificant as in carrying dung to the fields digging up the soil with spades sowing pulling out the seedlings transplanting them weeding watering reaping carrying the sheaves of corn and such (1). Here language does not merely reflect reality but also actively creates it. Lives are strongly interlinked with Nature, the earth and the trees. There was no formal educational system, the forest was everythingguide, guardian and philosopher. Slowly, there came people to take the children to tribal hostels. Janus sister was one to face a similar fate. The conditions of these residential schools and hostels were terrible. They were unclean and lacked buildings, water and electricity. There were no proper toilets or bathrooms. Food and uniforms were rarities. Seeping sewage water invited diseases. The government never cared for the Adivasi children. The narration may be in a prelapsarian tongue very different from what academic establishments expect for a life narration. Such life narrations may be hard to identify with, for those who have not suffered (Menon par 16). Janus autobiographical narration, presented as an extended conversation with an editor, conveys her lack of compromise in her assertions. The shifts in tone, pauses or changes in diction reflect her refusal to erase the inevitable gaps and fissures of the actual narrative events. She is not positioned as a cultural icon, but as an ordinary individual with strong communal feelings (Menon par17). This narration, boldly resists taken for granted attitudes towards these neglected segments of the population and speak for them. Thus, through the narration an effort to locate themselves as a subject, leaving behind the object status to which cultural identities have confined them is made. This text illustrates the need for a revisionary method of reading the discourses of people regarded as marginal to the dominant literary tradition. It also prompts one to re assess the psychological simplicity attributed to marginalized groups. The autobiographical narration of Janu is not merely a retrospective summation of past events and experiences. She genuinely wishes to change the state of affairs in the community to which she belongs. Janu is also aware of her limitations in face of the power plays of a manipulative society. Her narration ends with a desire to know herself more. She wishes to position herself in a more liberated future, not only for her own individual benefit but for the welfare of her community as a whole. The story of Janu acknowledges that each aspect of reality is gendered. She often reminds the readers that within womens experiences there are variety of subject positions and voices to be heard and represented. Hers is a humble attempt to evolve a subaltern essence. It brings an anonymous collectivity to the front of the stage, with great courage, no longer assuming the role assigned to them but asserting their own right to a voice and a part in the action,which deviates from a fixed object position which is culturally intelligible, purposefully locating themselves as subjects and revolutionizing earlier autobiographical writing norms, demanding attention and respect. Development paradigms and development goals which lead to the management of natural resources without the participation and consent of the natural resource communities have to be vehemently criticised. Mainstream right / left political parties do not address the concerns of the communities facing social and market exclusions by neoliberal economic policies. Thus, a subaltern ecopolitics wakes up in its stead. The Adivasi is represented as one who is unable to speak and who is to be benevolently rehabilitated, protected, developed and slowly integrated into civil society. This representation as a people without voice silences them. Hence, if an Adivasi like Janu speaks, it cannot be her voice but someone elses from outside! Orientalist stereotyping on one had portrays them as innocent, naive, nature loving, uncorrupted by modernity and on the other hand as immoral, drunkards and wretched living beings. The Adivasi is thus an eternal other, defenselessly marginalized and unrepresentabl e. The monolithic representation of Adivasis distort their plurality and prevent the expression of their anxieties. While migrant land encroachments are natural and legitimised, the Adivasi struggle becomes unnatural and criminal. Janu is a symbol that defies conventional right/left binaries. For her, the personal indeed becomes the political. No political history of Kerala can now be written bypassing her. She disturbs us. Nature cannot be mystically revered when Dalits and Adivasis are shot dead, nor can one be slaves to revolutionary principles that hide casteist ecological implications. It is only Janus realm of Adivasi/Dalit/Green/Feminist politics that can problematize caste, tribe, gender, class and ecological parameters. She has helped redefine the concept of an Adivasi from simple, helpless, illiterate, and uncivilised into one ready to struggle for the basic rights to live. Thus, reading Kocharethi and Mother Forest within a green postcolanial framework raises a lot of vital questions regarding the plight of Keralas indigenous people in a postcolonial nation. It also indicates the moral urgency for a fruitful alliance between the two critical schools of postcolonialism and ecocriticism to envision an alternative future.

Amelia Earhart :: essays research papers

Courage is the price that life exacts for granting peace. The soul that knows it not, knows no release from little things. Knows not the vivid loneliness of fear nor mountain heights where bitter joy can hear the sound of wings. How can life grant us boon of living, compensate for dull gray ugliness and pregnant hate, unless we dare the souls dominion? Each time we make a choice, we pay with courage to behold the restless day and count it fair." Those were the words of Amelia Earhart in a poem she wrote, entitled "Courage." Amelia Earhart knew a lot about courage. Even when faced with impossible odds, she always had the courage to try and overcome them. She had a never give up attitude that made her so attractive to the public and took the science community by surprise. Without that attitude, she would never have been invited to make her first flight across the Atlantic ocean on June 3rd 1928. Because she had the courage to be one of the only women pilots at the time, she was invited by her future husband, George Putnam, to make the 20 hour 14 minute journey across the Atlantic. Although she was just a passenger on the flight, she was still promoted to celebrity status for being the first woman to cross the Atlantic by plane. Although her fame was set with her first flight, she wanted to promote aviation in women. In 1929, she organized a cross-country air race for women pilots named "the Power Puff Derby." She also formed "the Ninety Nines" a now famous women pilots organization. In addition to forming organizations for women pilots, she occupied her four year break from flying with writing her first book, "20 hours, 40 minutes" on her first flight, became assistant to the general traffic manager of TWA and served as vice president for public relations of the New York, Washington, and Philadelphia Airways. Amelia enjoyed public relations, but missed flying greatly during her four year sabatical. In 1932, no one else had ever flown solo over the Atlantic since Charles Lindberg, and Amelia set out to change that. On May 20th, 1932, exactly five years after Lindbergs flight, she set off for her 2nd journey across the Atlantic. She sucessfully completed her flight, breaking several records. She was the first woman to fly the Atlantic and the only person to fly it twice.

Bharati Mukherjee

Bharati Mukherjee was born to a wealthy Hindu family on July 27, 1940 in Calcutta India (Shilpi, 1998). She was the second of the three daughters of a chemist Sudhur Lal and her mother was Bina Mukharfee. She spent her first eight years with her extended family of about 30 -40 people. She has a family that is supportive and always loves education, so she and her siblings always have abundant opportunities to pursue their academic career. She schooled at Anglicized Bengale School between 1944 and 1948. Later, her father relocated to England due to change in job and she lived there until 1951.This gave her the chances to explore, expand, and acquire more skills in English language. By the time she was ten years old, she had written many short stories and had even known that she was going to be a writers. She graduated with B. A honour from university of Calcutta in 1959, she also did her master in English and Ancient culture from University of Baroda in1961 (Shilpi, 1998). She was awar ded a scholarship from university of Iowa to study and earn her M. F. A. in the year she got married a Canadian writers Clerk Blaise. The courtship of which was not up to 2 weeks.She later got her PhD in English and comparative intensive from University of Iowa in 1969. Prior to her PhD, she travelled with her husband to Canada and became a naturalist citizen. In Canada, she had bad times and the life there was unbearable for her because of their discrimination to some certain people called ‘visible minority’ (University of Minnesota, 2006). Having gone through many things in Canada, she decided to relocate to the United States She has been described as a distinguish woman, who had gone through a lot both the good times and the bad times.She has stated it clearly that she is an American writer of Indian origin and that she utterly rejects the hyphenation of her background i. e. India-American writer. She called herself an immigrant in the country of immigrant. She is cu rrently been celebrated as a professor of English language in the University of California. Achievements She focused mainly on the ‘phenomenon of migration. ’(Shilpi, 1998) which revealed the significance of people migrating from one country to another and the feelings they always feels i. e. feelings of alienation.It also reflects Indian culture. Her writings were based on her personal; experience first as an exile from India, an immigrant to Canada and then an immigrant to the United States. Presently she has authored about eight novels and many short stories and at the same time co-authored two books with her husband. She was the first naturalised U. S citizen to win the National Book Critics’ Circle Awards for best fiction (http://www. ou. edu/worldlit/neustadt-2008jurors. htm). While at Canada, she was able to come up with two good novels despite her condition then i.e. the Tigers Daughter-which describe the story of a girl who went back to her home town Ind ia after many years of loosing contact with home. But all she met and gained was poverty and penury. This story described her personal experience in the first year of her marriage, and her venture back into her home town. Later she wrote invisible woman and the sorrow and terror in conjunction with her husband, to describe her personal experience when she was in the racist land of Canada to the extent that she was still humiliated even as a professor (Shilpi, 1998).Then when she got to united state she wrote one of her short stories ‘isolated incidents’ in which she critically review the Canadians perspective about people moving into their country. She even confirmed how the government official’s maltreated some people from other race. In her second book titled Wife; where she described a woman who out of fear and anxiety murdered her husband and later killed herself when she was suppressed by some men. She talked about her experience when she was caught between two worlds: her home and culture, and how she coped with it.She is gifted at writing novel, short stories, essays, travel literature and journalism. In one of her collections of short stories; Darkness: she focused on the southern Asia that desired success and want to be stable, but, fail to resolve and address the issues of prejudice and injustice. This later followed by the book that actually brought her into a lime light: the Middleman and other Stories which won her an award. This was then followed by Jasmine which was the most widespread and the most read of her novels. Her recent works comprise the ‘Holder of the World’, which was publish in 1993 and ‘leave it to me’ which was produced by 1997.She has faced many critics solely on the issues she normally addresses, and even she has been criticised many times by the Indian writers that in her book she always paint India as a land that has no hope or prospects. Conclusion Having gone through the rigorous discrimination in Canada, she had found a way of reaching out and explaining the whole situation in her writings. This has help to greatly reduce the level of treatment the society at large expresses to their immigrants and this will also proffer good and healthy relationships among different tribes.REFERENCES: Shilpi P (1998): Bharati Mukherjee: http://www. english. emory. edu/Bahri/Mukherjee. html: April 25, 2008 University of Minnesota (2006): Bharati Mukherjee http://voices. cla. umn. edu/vg/Bios/entries/mukherjee_bharati. html: April 25, 2008 Bharati Mukherjee http://www. bbc. co. uk/worldservice/arts/features/womenwriters/mukherjee_being. shtml: April 25, 2008 University of Oklahoma (May, 2008): Jurors for the 2008 Neustadt Prize: http://www. ou. edu/worldlit/neustadt-2008jurors. htm: April 25, 2008 Bharati Mukherjee (Sept. , 1998): Leave it to me http://www. randomhouse. com/catalog/display. pperl? isbn=9780449003961&view=rg: April 26, 2008.

Lady in Her Bath

The Renaissance began in the late 15th century and spanned from Italy to throughout Europe, and it was a rebirth of everything ranging from economy to art. Francois Clouet was a painter to the Kings and his work â€Å"Lady in Her Bath†, embraced this new form of artistic expression. In this paper I am going to explain how the â€Å"Lady in Her Bath† painting reflects the culture and ideology of the Renaissance Era and as well, explain some of the values, influences, themes, and techniques used. I will also provide information about the social, political and religious history of the Renaissance Era that influenced its art and artists. The Lady in her bath was painted in 1571 and is said to be the most interesting painting by Clouet; he is also said to be the first ever artist to use the bath as a setting for a portrait (Answer. com). The painting has all the classical signs of Renaissance art, and is secular in theme and emphasizes the grandeur of the individual. Clouet’s painting shows the culture and ideology of the Era by showing how wealthy the woman was and that she must have come from a wealthy family. It was said at one time that the painting of the woman in this picture was one of the mistresses of Henry II, but that has now been ruled out. She (the woman in the painting) is wearing what looks to be a couple of expensive pieces of jewelry, which in the Renaissance Era, it wasn’t normal for individuals to wear jewelry because most of the people were too poor to buy things that weren’t a necessity to support themselves or their families. Another sign that the woman must be wealthy or from a wealthy family is that she has a fresh bowl of fruit sitting next to her while she is bathing. To the poor, baths were to clean themselves up not for relaxation. Some of the techniques Clouet continued to use were the conventions of the international portrait style which was prevalent throughout the courts of Europe. These techniques were passed down from Clouet’s father, Jean Clouet (Answer. com). Oil painting and water color was also other techniques Clouet used. The term Renaissance is French for â€Å"rebirth†, and it was the rebirth of Europe from the 14th through the early 17th centuries. Europe emerged from the economic stagnation of the Middle Ages and experienced a time of financial growth. This Era turned artistic, social, scientific and political thoughts in new directions. The Renaissance generated three ideas that were frowned upon during the Middle Ages; secularism (the belief that religion has no place in the day to day activities), humanism (the cultural and intellectual movement that emphasized secular concerns as a result of the discovery of literature and art), and individualism (belief in the importance of the individual and the virtues of self reliance and personal independence) (Wikipedia. om). Writers and artists began to focus on the individual and their potential. During the time of the Renaissance Era, people were becoming more aware of Christianity and the Catholic religion was being pushed aside. Religious books were being rewritten and new laws were coming into order as well. The wealthy people were the ones keeping the Catholic religion alive while the poor were the ones converting to Christianity. The â€Å"Lady in her Bath† painting by Clouet is not only a beautiful example of Europe’s rebirth, but of art and the artists during that time; from the new techniques that were being used to the different types of paints from oil to water color. And most significantly, it shows the transition from religious only paintings to more secular paintings that depict just how beautiful the human body is; transforming embarrassment and shame to embracement. References Answer.com. Francois Clouet. Retrieved on 01/16/2013 at: http://www.answers.com/topic/jean-and-fran-ois-clouet French Renaissance. Retrieved on 01/16/2013 at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Renaissance History of the Renaissance, Retrieved on 01/15/2013 at: http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=ac88 National Gallery of Art: The Collection (2008). Francois Clouet, A lady in her Bath. Retrieved on 01/15/2013 at: http://www.nga.gov/collection/gallery/gg41a/gg41a-46112.html

20 Essay Topics on Nutrition What Is On-Point These Days

20 Essay Topics on Nutrition What Is On-Point These Days If you still face some difficulties with making up a catchy investigation paper topic, you’ll find that some options below may be appealing for investigation as they reveal the leading directions in the nutrition science. Have a look at the provided nutrition essay topics in this article to have an idea of what would be on-point to discuss in your own piece of writing. Proper Nutrition as a Vital Element of Enhancing Physical Exercising Productivity Genetic Predisposition to Obesity or Is the Fat Travelling Through Generations? Proper Nutrition as a Popular Method of Rehabilitation the Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases Statistical Analysis of Cases of Anorexia and the Growing Popularity of Such a Style of Life Among Teenagers Recommended Nutrition Plans for People Who Are Fighting Post Alcohol Abuse Syndrome Psychological Paradigm of Obesity and How Our Brain Tells Us to Eat More and More The Age of Coffee Makes People Become More Dependent on Stimulants. Healthy Solution Options. Criteria for Organic Food Growing And Its Comparison with Non-Organic Variation in Terms of Usefulness for Health Selection of Nutrition Supplements for the Most Optimal Effect on Health Means of Organizing Personal Diet for Rapid Weight Loss and to Avoid Undesired Side Effects The Food That Feeds the Brain – Research on Food That Is Helping the Students to Be More Productive Means of Maintaining Decent Level of Nutrition in Marginal Layers of Society Speculations on Body Index Max and Its Medical Value for Maintaining Proper Weight Chemical Medication for Losing Fat – The Process of Burning Fat in the Body Unbalanced Nutrition Leads to Numerous Psychotic Disorders – Statistical Analysis The Means of Teaching Nutrition Basics Starting with Early Age The Role of Protein for Energy Synthesis and the Lack of It in Modern Food Products The Increase of Antioxidants in Commercial Food as Part of the Program for Increasing National Health Level Regular Water Management as a Part of Maintaining Proper Level of Hydration and Its Positive Impact on Health The Classification of Food Allergies and How to Control the Symptoms Appearance by Proper Nutrition Please, use the topics above as a fine source of inspiration and modify them in the most comfortable manner by narrowing down or investigating some peculiar aspects of the given issues supporting them with interesting facts. As a result, you will manage to come up with both actual and interesting writing project that will have scientific value and become an informative manifestation of your knowledge. Sample Essay: Battling Against Obesity among Children Fatty degeneration among kids occurs more and more often in the USA. Investigators state that the third part of all American children suffers from this health issue. Usually, 95% body-mass index is considered as obesity, although according to the doctors this amount can be critical for health. Parents knowing the reasons and caring about their kids’ obesity have more chances to help the children. Usually, the reason of obesity is the mismatch between calories consumption and their spending. Besides, it may be influenced by a variety of reasons, like lifestyle or genetics, etc. Poor diet is reason number one. If the child consumes too much food containing fat or sugar, then there are all the chances to gain the weight. Candies, fizzy drinks, and fast food are popular nowadays and children eat a lot of them. On the other hand, children are dependent on the â€Å"bad treats† like canned pasta, frozen food, salty snacks, etc. Some families can’t buy meat, fish, fresh fruits, and vegetables. All this contributes to weight gain. Lack of exercise is another cause of fatty degeneration. The rule is simple: if you train, then you burn calories; if you don’t train, then calories are being stored. This scheme works for people of all ages, and children are not the exception. It’s better when the child has an active way of life and is engaged not in sport only, but, for example, active games on the playground. Kids with health issues and bad genetics are also in danger zone. If the child has relatives who suffer from overweight or similar illnesses, he or she is more likely to be obese. Besides, some pills may also become the reason of obesity. On the other hand, if the child suffers from overweight, then there are more chances of appearing the health problems like asthma, heart diseases, diabetes, sleep disorders, etc. Not all the problems come from the body, some of them come from the mind. Kids suffering from poor self-esteem, depression or some stressful events have more chances of obesity. It can be simply explained – they eat their feelings. Fatty degeneration also may be caused by budget and family atmosphere. Children from families with small income don’t have a well-balanced diet, besides ignored or abused kids tend to become obese. Children with overweight usually suffer from various emotional issues: depression, apathy, low confidence, lack of nutrition elements, etc. Many kids with obesity bear the mockery of their agemates and abuse harmful food. Both issues are hard enough to struggle and require proper intrusion and thorough support. To treat obesity effectively, the treatment methods should be applied on regular basis. There are several effective ways of curing child obesity: establishing proper eating habits, engaging in a diet, overcoming stress factors with the help of specialists, protecting children from destructive environments, etc. Children obesity can’t be left without proper cure, otherwise, it may lead to serious health issues in adult age (high cholesterol, diabetes, heart diseases, etc.). Support of parents or teachers and proper education may help children stay healthy. Besides, there are various associations which help both parents and children with treatment, support, and information. Reference: O’Neill Learning Center(2009-2010). Discipline-Specific Writing Guide: Nutrition. In consultation with Jill Hamilton-Reeves, FCNS Dept.  https://www.stkate.edu/pdfs/writing-in-nutrition.pdf Hannah Gardiner(2017). Special Report: 2017 Nutrition Trends What to Watch Out For.  nutritioninsight.com/news/Special-Report-2017-Nutrition-Trends-What-to-Watch-Out-For.html?type=article Lucy Gunn (2018). Sports nutrition mainstreams: A key theme at Vitafoods Europe 2018.  nutritioninsight.com/news/sports-nutrition-mainstreams-a-key-theme-at-vitafoods-europe-2018.html Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015-2020 Eight Edition. https://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines/. Dehghan, M., Akhtar-Danesh, N., Merchant, A.T. (2005). Childhood obesity, prevalence and prevention. Nutrition Journal, 4:24.  https://nutritionj.biomedcentral.com/track/pdf/10.1186/1475-2891-4-24

Critical Analysis on Summer Reading essays

Critical Analysis on Summer Reading essays Books have been around for over a millennium, while the motion picture industry is no more than a century old. Despite this age difference, many of the qualities that make a book deep and entertaining are no different than what makes those two hours at your local cinema so immersive. Occasionally, a book will even take the form of a movie or visa-verse. Many times, however, a book that would seem rather irrelevant to a movie of a completely different nature may have more in common than one would assume. A great example of this literary connection is the similarity between the novel In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez and the movie Jakob the Liar starring Robin Williams. Three themes that are portrayed throughout both stories are hope, the utilization of propaganda, and using corruption to gain power. Propaganda plays a big role in both stories. For example, in Jakob the Liar, a Russian propaganda radio broadcast tells of German defeat, and Jakob spreads the news around the ghetto. Meanwhile, the Nazi regime is using propaganda to convince the German people that they are in control of the war effort. Similarly, an example of the use of propaganda in In the Time of the Butterflies is the twisted and guiltless lies about General Raphael Trujillo. He was viewed as a saint by all those who were ignorant of his ruthless regime. Those who were educated and did speak up did so at the cost of their lives. Through propaganda, Trujillo proclaims himself as more than just a president but a divine King. When she is still fairly young, Minerva Mirabal even admits, At home, Trujillo hung on the wall by the picture of Our Lord Jesus with a whole flock of the cutest lambs (Alvarez 17). Although no evil man like Trujillo should ever be viewed as equal to a God, at least this type of propaganda i s not physically harmful. The corruption and dishonesty needed to reach that point, however, is much more treacherous. ...

Analysis of West Side Story

Western stories The story of the West was published in 1961 as a melodrama performance in New York. She has the same theme as Shake Spear, Romeo, Juliet. Because it is about two lovers and that relationship can not be accepted by others because of a background conflict. The artistic meaning of this movie can be seen everywhere in the movie. It seems unrealistic to pretend to pick up and mix during the fight, but all dances, songs, performances, and pretend fights are thorough and very good. To discuss the historical development of musicals, this report analyzes Leonard Bernstein 's musical West Side Story. That is how the screen version of 1961 adapts to the revival stage of 2009 Broadway to accommodate contemporary audiences and by using ideas and styles to influence the social and economic impact of the work Indicates whether to reflect their time. The confrontation between the two hostile groups, which is very important to the story, could be further interpreted as a conflict betw een the Catholic and the Jewish community, which was the first intention of Bernstein. But Bernstein grasped the idea that New York's current ethnic tension caused by immigrants in Puerto Rico will provide a stronger story, and he gave him a series of Latin American dance rhythms I will see the opportunity to use without a doubt. He said later ...: West Side Story is recording by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and choreography by Jerome Robbins. This is said to be an interpretation of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. The story of West End and Romeo and Juliet have many similarities and differences in many respects. Work Romeo and Jurriette began in Verona in 1594. In contrast, the story of the Western Region was held in New York City in 1957. Most of the characters in the western district can be seen as modern versions of many characters in the Shakespearean plays. Romeo and Juliet. Tony can be regarded as Romeo, Maria as Juliet, Jet as Monta ge, Shark as Nurse, Leave as Mercurio, Bernardo as Tilbert, Dr. Flare Lawrence, Baltazar. Chino plays Paris, the police acts the prince, Anybodys and Baby John play Bemborio. The story of West End and many scenes of Romeo and Juliet are very similar. West Side Story: The West Side Story is an example between texts and talked about Shakespeare's tragedy Romeo and Juliet contemporaneously. Tony (Romeo) and Maria (Juliet) are in love. But hostile groups whose families and their loyalty depend on are prohibited from their love. The story of West End creates a new original story using Romeo and Juliet's theme (such as the end of taboo love and tragedy).

An analysis of literature relating to illegitimate work and it's Essay

An analysis of literature relating to illegitimate work and it's contribution to the labour market - Essay Example In many societies the same people who financial support prostitution when encounter with other about the topic claim they are against it due to social taboos that force people to take a position which they truly do not support. This paper analyzes and examines the subterranean economy which includes the sexual marketplace. The underground economy involves the occurrence of economic activity that is not detected by the government and is not included as part of the official figures since they are not suppose to exist tax is not imposed upon them (Varian, 2003). This underground economy affects the flow of the economy since the flow derived from these activities ends up being laundered in the economy by using the illegal income to purchase goods and services in the economy. In the United States the size of the underground economy is approximately 13% to 14% the size of the legal economy (Gutmann, 1983). Among the many activities make up the composition of the subterranean economy are prostitution, drug trade, labor of illegal immigrants, trafficking of illegal precious metals, gambling activities of bookies, or any other form of labor such as a babysitting jig that does is not accounted for by the government as a form of income. It is estimated that the subterranean economy creates between 15 to 20 milli on jobs in the United States (Baird, 2007). This a positive consequence of this type of activity, but in general the jobs generated by this economy the workers such as prostitutes and drug sellers working on the spot are workers whose human rights are constantly abused by the gangster who controlled this marketplace. Prostitution is one of the segments of the underground economy. Worldwide the sex game is valued at over $12 billion a year a figure that does don’t account the revenues generated in the pornography industry which is a multibillion dollar industry that is legal activity which the considers in its official numbers, but there is a lot of

The Religious Life of Scientology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Religious Life of Scientology - Essay Example Most societies in Earth have religion as a very important aspect of their life. Religion always figures in culture, as it is part of the culture as well. But religion always figures in literature, art, music, dance, etc. Because of this â€Å"specialty†, most religions choose a special person that serves as a link to the believers and the deities. This person is usually called the priest, and the priest acts a mediator between the people and the deities by performing sacrifices and other rituals that are deemed to be communication tools to the deities. In this paper, we should note that sects and cults are different than religion. Sects are small, less organized religious groups formed by members that are usually in protest with a larger denomination. They are convinced that they have the real meaning of religion or cosmos (they have â€Å"the truth†) and they actively protest the dominant religion. Typically, these sects grow and become a dominant religion as well, through the years. Unlike dominations, sects are not seen as a legitimate religious group. Cults, on the other hand, are different although they may resemble cults. Cults are transient and informal and they usually provide a haven for those who are rejected by society. Cults usually center on a leader who focuses on bringing the people (the believers) with the same frame of mind, and these are not necessarily deemed as something that invokes sanctity. Scientology is special because it’s considered as a religion for some places, and otherwise in some places.

Human Resource Management & Information Management (MBA) pro 8 Essay

Human Resource Management & Information Management (MBA) pro 8 - Essay Example One of the solutions is motivating the employees. This is the best way to deal with this problem. Motivating the employees is the act of making them feel important and needed in an organization. This is a challenge for the managers but once it is implemented, great changes can be observed in the organization (Brewster & Harris, 1999). When employees are motivated, they always produce quality work. This is because they are seen as important stakeholders of an organization. This leads to the success of an organization since they are also able to keep good relations with the customers. Every employee is happy when their work is appreciated thus they even try harder which is very important in an organization. It also helps in retaining the employees in the organization for a longer period. When the HRM department is able to motivate the employees in the organization, productivity levels increase. In a case where the employees are allowed to air their suggestions, the organization really develops. This is because the employees have some experiences and they always suggest for what will best benefit the organization (Brewster & Harris,

Russian Economic Growth since 1998 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Russian Economic Growth since 1998 - Essay Example The answer depends on the interpretation of data provided mostly by the World Bank. The 1998 financial crisis spread throughout the Asian continent and was described by economist Richard Cooper as "the rapid outflow of funds akin to a deposit run on a bank"1. Money just seemed to seep out of countries like Russia who in previous years had been so economically powerful, and the government scrabbled desperately to regain a foothold on world economics. The assumption has been made that following this initial year of economic distress, The Russian Federation has succeeded in turning itself around and making basic social services available to its citizens while eradicating a large portion of past poverty. Poverty, deprivation and social exclusion are purported to be a thing of the past; how accurate is this depiction of modern Russia Most research shows a slightly different reality than this ideology suggests, and despite the wishes of the state to be classified as economically sound its leaders have been constantly struggling with the administration of such a massive country. In fact it seems that while The Russian Federation has successfully pulled itself out of a massive financial slump in terms of world economy, a great number of its people are still struggling to meet their basic needs. Things like health care, education, and access to unemployment benefits have no real constancy throughout the country and because of this social exclusion is not only being supported but encouraged. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, The Russian Federation faced incredible difficulties not only in securing foreign trade agreements but in catering to the needs of its millions of diverse people spread over eleven time zones. Dissolution having exposed the former Soviet Union as an incredibly fragile economy, the 1990's saw the swift and steady decline of the Russian economy as well as those of most former Soviet states. 1998 was the culmination of this degradation and the country's overall growth suitably expanded to 74% of the booming 1989 GDP by 20012; a success that convinced Western countries that Russia had regained its strength and capabilities from the Communist era. Kharas, Pinto and Ulatov note that the devaluation of the Russian ruble led to domestic inflation for which Russian people were not prepared3; federal borrowing meant that the government had to continue to sacrifice social services and put its people at further risk until internal revenues were restored . De Blij and Muller cite the sheer size of The Russian Federation as the reason for most social imbalances within the state, explaining that forces of devolution and fundamental geographic differences have contributed not only to the economic crises but the subsequently frail social structure of the country; namely poverty. "After communist collapse, [Russia's] leaders faced a massive problem. A multinational, multicultural state that had been accustomed to authoritarian rule and government control over virtually everythingnow

Analysis of the Research Article pH Effects on the Bio-Permeability of Essay

Analysis of the Research Article pH Effects on the Bio-Permeability of Polymers Used in Prophylactics - Essay Example The hypothesis in this study was that pH has an effect on bio-permeability of NLR condoms hence research question is: Does pH increase the permeability of NLR condoms to infectious agents? In order to get an answer to the research question, this study tested pH effects on the permeability of natural latex rubber thus pH is an independent variable while permeability of NLR is a dependent variable. The investigators exercised adequate control of the variables. The NLR were first tested for any permeability using neutral water, bacteriophage and bacteria (E. Coli) and only those that were impermeable at the beginning of the experiment were used in the experiment. This was very important since it ensured the results that showed permeability after treating with different pH solutions were not as a result of any other factor but the pH. The second control was by cleaning the NLR condoms using distilled and neutral water. This was important because of two controls; first, by ensuring all lubricants, flavors and essence are removed from the NLR condom and second, there is no effect on the subsequent removal since distilled water (neutral was used) (Tubman et al 293-294). The investigators also prepared and standardized the bacteria that was used in this experiment and used the right media to inoculate and isolate the bacteria and bacteriophage. However, the investigators have not shown evidence of calibration of the pH meter that was used. Since pH is a variable, preparation of the pH solutions that were used to treat NLR condoms only is only mentioned but does not show for example how the study confirmed that pH 4.2 was actually 4.2. Moreover, replication of this study could face a challenge due to this fact.

Human Resource Management & Information Management (MBA) pro 8 Essay

Human Resource Management & Information Management (MBA) pro 8 - Essay Example One of the solutions is motivating the employees. This is the best way to deal with this problem. Motivating the employees is the act of making them feel important and needed in an organization. This is a challenge for the managers but once it is implemented, great changes can be observed in the organization (Brewster & Harris, 1999). When employees are motivated, they always produce quality work. This is because they are seen as important stakeholders of an organization. This leads to the success of an organization since they are also able to keep good relations with the customers. Every employee is happy when their work is appreciated thus they even try harder which is very important in an organization. It also helps in retaining the employees in the organization for a longer period. When the HRM department is able to motivate the employees in the organization, productivity levels increase. In a case where the employees are allowed to air their suggestions, the organization really develops. This is because the employees have some experiences and they always suggest for what will best benefit the organization (Brewster & Harris,

Analysis of the Research Article pH Effects on the Bio-Permeability of Essay

Analysis of the Research Article pH Effects on the Bio-Permeability of Polymers Used in Prophylactics - Essay Example The hypothesis in this study was that pH has an effect on bio-permeability of NLR condoms hence research question is: Does pH increase the permeability of NLR condoms to infectious agents? In order to get an answer to the research question, this study tested pH effects on the permeability of natural latex rubber thus pH is an independent variable while permeability of NLR is a dependent variable. The investigators exercised adequate control of the variables. The NLR were first tested for any permeability using neutral water, bacteriophage and bacteria (E. Coli) and only those that were impermeable at the beginning of the experiment were used in the experiment. This was very important since it ensured the results that showed permeability after treating with different pH solutions were not as a result of any other factor but the pH. The second control was by cleaning the NLR condoms using distilled and neutral water. This was important because of two controls; first, by ensuring all lubricants, flavors and essence are removed from the NLR condom and second, there is no effect on the subsequent removal since distilled water (neutral was used) (Tubman et al 293-294). The investigators also prepared and standardized the bacteria that was used in this experiment and used the right media to inoculate and isolate the bacteria and bacteriophage. However, the investigators have not shown evidence of calibration of the pH meter that was used. Since pH is a variable, preparation of the pH solutions that were used to treat NLR condoms only is only mentioned but does not show for example how the study confirmed that pH 4.2 was actually 4.2. Moreover, replication of this study could face a challenge due to this fact.

Sony Corporation Essay Example for Free

Sony Corporation Essay Sony Corporation is engaged in the development, design, manufacture, and sale of electronic equipment and devices, as well as game consoles and software. It is also engaged in the production and distribution of motion picture, home entertainment, television products, and recorded music. Further, Sony is also engaged in the financial services businesses, including insurance operations through their Japanese insurance subsidiaries and banking operations through a Japanese Internet -based banking subsidiary. Sony ‘s primary manufacturing facilities are located in Asia. They have a broad sales network, registered in approximately 200 countries and territories. Primarily, Sony ’s products are marketed in Japan, the United States, and Europe. Sony has a history of more than 60 years. In 1946 in Nihonbashi, Tokyo, Masuru Ibaka and Akio Morita founded a company called Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering Corporation, also known as Totsuko, with start up capital of 190,000 yen fo r the research and manufacture of telecommunications and measuring equipment. (Sony, 2010) With branches all over the world and with an annual revenue about 68.39 billion US dollars, it can be considered as a huge company. The companys headquarters are situated in Shinagawa, Tokyo. It is one of the leaders in the field of electronic equipment, communication and information technology (IWALOM LIMITED, 2010). After moving their head office and factory to Shinagawa, Tokyo, they successfully produced and launched a power megaphone and completed the first magnetic tape recorder prototype that was produced and launched in early 1950 and called the G-Type. In the early 1950’s Ibaka traveled to the United States and came across Bell Labs’ invention of the transistor. He negotiated with Bell to license the transistor technology to his company intending to apply it to communications, while most American companies were looking for military applications. In 1955 they launched Japan’s first transistor radio, the TR-55. While they were not the first to produce the transistor radio, they were the first to make it commercially successful as the product took off in Canada, Australia, the Netherlands and Germany as well as within Japan and continued to be a good seller till the sixties. In 1957 Totsuko produced the  TR-63 model, the smallest transistor radio in commercial production at the time, which was a worldwide success, ultimately cracking open the American market and launching the new industry of consumer electronics. One year later, in January of 1958, they changed the company Description of the elements of macro environment. An organization’s macro environment consists of nonspecific aspects in the organization surrounding that have the potential to affect the organization’s strategies. When compared to a firm’s task environment, the impact of macro environment variables is less direct and the organization has a more limited impact on these elements of the environment. Macro environmental variable include socio-cultural, technological, political – legal, and economic. A firm considers there variable as part of its environment scanning to better understand the threats and opportunities created by the variable and how strategic plans need to be adjusted so the firm can obtain competitive advantage. Socio – Cultural Factors The socio-cultural dimensions of the environment consist of lifestyles, and values that characterize the society in which the firm operates. Socio – cultural components of the environment influence the ability of the firm to obtain resources, make its goods and services, and function within the society. Socio – cultural factors include anything within the context of society that has the potential to affect an organization. Population demographics, rising educational levels, norms and values, and attitude toward social responsibility are examples socioculturalvariables. Technological Factors. Technology is another aspect of the environment a firm should consider in developing strategic plans. Changing technology may affect the demand for a firms products and services, its production processes, and raw materials. Technological changes may create new opportunities for the firm, or threaten the survival of a product, firm, or industry. Technological innovation continues to move at an increasingly rapid rate. Political And Legal Factors. The political-legal dimension of the general environment also affects business activity. The philosophy of the political parties in power influences business practices. The legal.. Environmental factors that influence Sony Corporation Macro environmental factors Political factor Political factors could have a direct impact on the ways Sony operates. Government often makes new decisions involving policy or legislation and it affect daily business.In the directive of businesses, the political factors have a huge influence. An example of political factors that affects Sony which includes government laws is minimum wage law. This would affect Sony as the minimum wage law keeps changing every year. As in the same time product cost also keeps on changing, this will make Sony facing losses. Due to various governmental regulations in the different countries, Sony has to adapt different strategies in the countries it operates. Sony had passed a Global Policy On Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) in 1998. It deals with group standard and shows Sony’s cares about the health and safety of its employees. It also requires fullfilment with all the laws regarding ooccupational health and safety. (Sony Corporation, 2009). To manage the chemicals which the use of it is controlled by goverment ennvironmental legislation use at sites, a group-wide common approach is developed by Sony. Sony not only manage the chemicals used but also the amount released into the air, water and soil in order to not affect the environment. Sony sites apply internal standards based on Japans Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) (Sony Corporation, 2009). Among Class 1 substances, Sony used 412 kilograms of mercury as an additive in button batteries and 30 kilograms of lead solder, which is used in certain exceptional cases, including automotive applications.Sony used perfluorooctane sulfonate(PFOS) that is Class 2 substances in semiconductor fabrication in fiscal year 2009, but eliminated this substance in March 2010. Class 3 chemical substances are volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and greenhouse gases. The Sony Groups target in terms of the atmospheric release of VOCs is to achieve an absolute reduction of 40% or more from the fiscal year 2000 level by fiscal year  2010. In fiscal year 2009, Sony released approximately 1,190 tons of Class 3 chemical substances, which is 204 tons less than in fiscal year 2008 and 35% less than in fiscal year 2000. The principal factor behind this decline was the implementation of production adjustments in response to the global economic downturn. With new semiconductor fabrication facilities expec ted to come on line, Sony expects emissions of Class 3 substances to increase and will take steps to counteract these increases, including installing gas scrubbing equipment and amending production processes. (Sony Corporation, 2009) This is how Sony Corporation manage all the harmful chemicals used by them. Lastly, political factors could have a direct impact on the ways Sony operates. The impact that could impact Sony Corporation is an international company and in all countries the leadership style is different. Sony utilsed a Global Policy On Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) in 1998. It shows Sony’s cares about the health and safety of its employees. Sony not only manage the chemicals used but also the amount released into the air, water and soil in order to not affect the environment.Although Sony use three class of chemical substances which are quite harmful for their products, but Sony have taken a full measures to make sure not harming the environment This shows Sony Corporation cares about the environment and also obey goverment rules that is do not harm the environment. Lastly, Sony Corporation is an international company that does business in the whole world. It is important for Sony to follo w all the rules implied by the goverment. Social factors Demographic and cultural aspects includes in the social factors of the external environment. Sony has also been affected by social issues from time to time. This is mainly because Sony has so widely expanded into different cultures and different markets that it tends to become hard to deal with all the diversity. The social factors which influences Sony varies in each country. These show the customer’s needs and the size of the potential markets in every country. Social factors such as health consciousness of customers and consumer health rates might affect Sony. Usually the older population may not be interested in the latest Sony Products which includes more advance technology despite the better income they may receive, they are  more interested in the simplicity of the products they buy.Countries such as third world countries, for example some Asian and African countries may not be able to afford to buy Sony products which are quite expensive products. Instead these consu mers will on the other hand buy a cheaper brand.Home life changes have a big influence on attitudes and expectations of consumer. Nowadays, telephone and catalogue sales are increasingly popular.Lately many youths demand better features such as better access to entertainments in their electronic products. This creates a demand for Sony’s products such as Play Station Portable (PSP) and Sony MP3 Player. Research shows that by 2005 Japans population will be over age of 65. Thus, Sony home-care robots for elders will soon be a social necessity (Kunii, I. M. and Port, O., 2001). Lastly, social factor is one of the factors that affect Sony’s business. The social factors which influences Sony varies in each country. These show the customer’s needs and the size of the potential markets in every country. Social factor involve customer’s income, attitude, behaviour and other factors of a customer. It is important for Sony to fully understand and know well about customer. So that, they can target their specific product to which type of consumer they want to sell. Ecological Environment Climate change is something unpredictable and unchangeable. It might become a threat to Sony corporate activities and also society. Generally, it is also give a chance to Sony an opportunity to become one of the solutions. Sony tackle climate change is an important commitment for them. this is to ensure their business continuity. Sony strongly believes that there is a need for protect the environment. Moreover, responses and eco conscious actions must be taken before it gives impact to Sony Company. For instance, rising sea levels and abnormal weather which cause by climate change could predict the underlying physical risks. Furthermore, the markets might change a flow, as their perceptions change to another purchasing trend. Sony has realized this problem where it could be social and financial ramifications, so to deal with legal and regulatory developments; the Company is evaluating the risks and also be alert to solve this problem anytime. For example, the Company started to colle ct information on laws and regulation in force in different countries to make sure that activities and products are match with the  existing requirements. Moreover, climate change might influence Sony existing opportunities. An obvious example is the highly use of products boasting improved energy efficiency ratings to help minimize the factors that spur climate change (Sony, 2011). Sony’s electronics products mainly contain few hundred or thousand parts that made from chemical substances. If these parts are not handed well, it may harm the environment. To prevent such environmental harm, Sony has set up necessary procedures according with the EU’s Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Regulation’s requirement. So, Sony follows the JIB initiative (Joint Industry Guide) to collect data on certain chemical substances that buy from suppliers. At last, Sony follows the survey response tool by JGPSSI (Japanese Green Procurement Survey Standardization Initiative) for materials declaration that contains information on the parts, purpose of use and so on (Sony, 2011). Sony should obey the rules and laws to continue their business and also to preserve the environment. Additionally, Sony has to think more solution to face the climate change and ways to protect the environment. Environment technology Sony is working hard on their products to reduce the effect towards the environment. It is to decrease the total energy that used and also reduce the resource in their product, such as BRAVIA and VAIO. Moreover, Sony has an effective supply chain management of controlling, reducing, and eliminating the use of chemical substances on their products. For instance, recycled plastic in product and the development of vegetables based product. All these are to preserve the environment being polluted (Sony, 2011). Sony has compliance lab at Stuttgart, Germany which specialize in efficient and accurate of chemical compounds and materials that can match with their electronic products. Among their initiatives, they are using more and more recycled materials, and renewable energy in factories and offices which use around 32 sites in Europe alone itself. However, starting 2010, Sony’s objective is to maintain sustainable consumer electronic brand. Moreover, they are also wish to continue t heir success work in 2009. The main purpose of the eco activity is to show that technology can overcome the climate change and how they can help with the change. So, Sony office, warehouses  and manufacturing around Europe have cut down CO2 emissions drastically, but they are still aiming to cut down more 10% emission for UK specific sites. Sony has established green teams in the UK businesses where people coordinate activity and the communication at different sites. This includes cutting general power consumption in facilities and offices, employee travel especially flights. Additionally, some of the effort and new ways can bring former costs down and help reconstruct business models in a different economical ways. Nowadays, people are more concern companies’ environment standpoint. Companies which are environmentally friendly, practices, products, and services are being seen by the buyers and also stakeholders (GreenPacks.org, 2011). Sony Europe is applying their eco thinking so that they can maximize the use of the renewable energy. Sony uses renewable energy is to reduce carbon dioxide emission. In year 2008, a record shown that a reduction of 55,216 tons of CO2 emissions in Europe, itself (92,000 tons globally). Sony uses shipping more efficiently by reducing the packaging and the size towards less CO2 intensive forms of transport such as barge transport (Sony, 2011). Next is about dye sensitized solar cell. It can produce electricity by converting energy from light. This type of cell is produced by low cost materials so manufacturing expenditures will be lower. Moreover, vegetable based plastic can last long and fire resistant which is suitable use for durable consumer goods. Sony has decided use this material in year 2002 for walkman cases use. After that, it has been widely used in different products including DVD players, VAIO devices and so on (Sony, 2011). It is undeniable that technologies can help to protect the environment, so Sony should take this advantage to maximize the use of technology and contribute it to the environment. The uses of technology can reduce carbon dioxide; apparently can avoid green house effect. Customer ‘No customer there is no business.’ Customer satisfaction will be a target of company. SONY business can improve customer satisfaction. (David Eaves, 2010) If we make the customer feel that they are special, customer will be appreciate us and help in increase our dividends in business with support our product. (Adhijik Naik, 2011) For example, SONY camera gives a high quality services to customers and meet their needs. Sony’s promoter will  give more details and information to customers when they have question or problem with buying SONY camera. Information about SONY camera will attract their interested in SONY camera and needs. They will feel more satisfy when using SONY camera. Then their satisfaction will be achieved through SONY camera. So, customers are very important in our business because they can easily influence our level of business. Then, with customer it will increase sales by up selling and cross selling other products. (David Eaves, 2010) Up sell ing means promote the product to attractive customer to buy it while cross selling means sell the product in another branch. SONY will have an excellent profit and their sales will increased with loyal customer to support it. For example, SONY’s promoter describes the function and advantages of SONY camera to customer and compared with another product. They use their technique to persuade customer such as cheaper prices or special package of SONY camera. Besides, customer can satisfy and increasing requires of business on the need to efficiently route and apply fresh idea. Customer can also help in increasing business revenue. (Gaynor Borade, non-year) For example, customer will purchase the SONY camera and SONY Company will earn profit from them and their business will achieve a high target. SONY Company also always creates some new fresh function of SONY camera to attractive customer to purchase in order to earn profit and their loyalty to SONY camera. So, SONY Company will have a stable commerce with emergence of the customer. In addition, customer can become addition of the businesss behavior. That’s mean customer enable the entrepreneur to observe the growth of business into dream mission planned. (Gaynor Borade, non-year) To success in a business, entrepreneur always observe customer’s needs, wants, and demands in order to make a strong strategy to attain achievement. For example, they create the SONY camera according to customer’s favourite for instance different colour of camera and it will attract them to purchase it even improve business environment to better. From the analysis above, it is obviously that customer is very important to SONY Company because customer’s needs, wants, and demands even their response will influence the SONY camera will be purchased or not. More customers there will higher market value of SONY camera while fewer customers there will lowest market value of SONY camera. S upplier Suppliers always work as equal partner and building relationships according to mutual trust (Sony Corporation, 2011). A supplier can satisfy a market function when he creates a new relationship with customer and partners. (Walter A., 2003) For example, suppliers promote and transmit the SONY camera to partners and have a good communication with them when they are selling SONY camera to customer. When partners satisfy with supplier and SONY camera then they will continue have a business with them in order to satisfy a market function. After that, Sony strengthens relationship with suppliers in make stronger technological capability, guarantee and advancing the quality of parts and sustaining competitive prices. Besides that, Sony manage and observing ‘Sony Group Environmental Vision† together with supplier in order to protect the global environment and realize a sustainable culture. (Sony Corporation, 2011) So, suppliers have strong bargaining power in SONY Company. Suppliers are very important in developing new technology of SONY camera in SONY Company. Sony Company always creates and supply camera to customers in order to fulfil their needs, wants and demands. So, suppliers are important to become Sony partners to provide the product to customers and create a value in SONY Company. When supplier provides different prices and materials of SONY camera then it will affect competitive among SONY. Then SONY Company’s business will reduced and less profit will be gained. So, SONY Company are always expects supplier to provide items at greatly reasonable prices and make a concentrated effort to decrease cost. (Sony Corporation, 2011) Lastly, it shows that supplier is vital in SONY companies. It plays a role in building relationship and strengthens it among customer and SONY product. Supplier’s service will bring good outcomes for SONY companies and get a well performance in the market. Intermediaries Retailer and wholesaler are included in intermediaries. Regarding to SONY’s website analysis, without intermediaries there is a difficult to get SONY product. (Sony electronics Inc, 2011) For example, intermediaries need to purchase SONY camera from SONY Company and set an acceptable prices even a quality package of SONY camera in order to fulfil customer and let them easy to purchase SONY camera. These processes are vital in a business. Through research of SONY’s website, retailer is also helps customer to prevent from  buying low quality product. When customer purchase SONY camera from retailer, they can be assured that they are purchasing a high quality product. Retailer can confirm quality of SONY camera and provide warranty for customers. If retailer fulfil customer satisfaction there will achieve a high level of business because of high responses from SONY customer. So, retailer can assure customers to have greatest experience when buying a SONY camera from reseller. (Sony electronics Inc, 2011) With SONY’s analysis, SONY retailers can produce assistance in setting up customers products and provide a good customer service to them. They can provide a good customer experience that can helps the customers to make a right decision. SONY’s retailer also can assist in sending the value products and service to customers when they buy a SONY camera. (Sony electronics Inc, 2011) For example, retailer can help them and explain the whole SONY camera’s function and uses to them and introduce them a good quality product that suitable them and satisfy their needs when they want buy camera. A good service such as talk politely to customer will persuade and influence customer to purchase it. So, retailer is important for customer. From the analysis above, retailer is strongly to help in SONY companies to get a high value in the market. They try to give a good performance to customer and try to meet customer’s needs. Retailers also fulfil customers’ requirement. So, retailer is quite vital and their service will be appreciated by customers. Competitors It is crucial for Sony Corporation to watch attentively to its competitor so that they can maintain its position in the market. Sony Corporation has two types of competitor, that is, direct competitor and indirect competitor. Direct competitors are organisations that produce ‘similar’ products and services (wiseGEEK, 2011). Nokia, Motorola, Canon, Fuji Photo are all examples of direct competitors to Sony (Upvery.com, 2010). Indirect competitors are firms producing different types of products but satisfy the same needs (Rich Harshaw, 2011) of customers. The indirect competitor of Sony is video iPod. In which Sony PSP and iPod produced similar striking feature (Frank Hedley, 2008). Other competitors, especially in the software industry are Microsoft. To maintain its competitive edge, Sony keeps updating the products with latest technologies that make it stable and  sustainable over its competitors. The use of advanced technology in products has raised the quality and uni queness, and has resulted in a mark demand increase. Though other competitors may seemed to be a threat to Sony Corporation, however with the fast paced advance in technology and the unstable global economy, Sony has embarked on collaboration and strategic alliance with its main competitors. Sony is in joint venture with Sony Ericsson which itself is a threat for new market entrants (Butod, 2010). Advanced use of technology in Sony products such as Game Consoles, Video Equipment and Mobile, and continuous production, switching costs and product differentiation has made Sony rather unbeatable in the electronic industry. Apart from forming strategic alliances with its competitors, Sony has reviewed its manufacturing priorities and streamlined its resources to produce electronic products that are in greater demand and has continued producing differentiated products which could ensure its competitive advantage. As reiterated above, Sony’s ongoing process and product innovation has made it almost impossible for any current competitors and new entrant to compete them successfully, and this will be the core factor that will ensure Sony’s dominance in electronic products consumer market. Thus, despite threats of current competitors and new entrants to the market, Sony Corporation is one of the world’s leading producers of electronic products. Approximately eighty (80) percent of hand-held computers in the United States operate on a Sony operating system while Microsoft which is a major competitor has only sixteen (16) percent of market share. Sony Corporation has hardware market share of sixty (60) % (2002), and other major competitors, Handspring is using Sonys operating system, and hold about 7% and 14% market shares respectively. (Butod, 2009). Government The government imposed regulations to ensure business transactions are conducted in a fair and just manner. Legislations that are passed often influences the productions possibilities of a company and hence the type of goods and services that can be offered to the consumers. Apart from the above, the government also enforce taxation to collect revenue that will maintain itself and supply public services that may be needed by companies such as Sony. For example, Sony’s income taxes benefit amounts to $19billion resulting in an effective rate of 10% in Oct 30, 2009 (wikinvest, 2009). In  addition to the government’s role in regulating companies and taxation, the government also plays a major role in ensuring companies observe corporate social responsibility. An example of Sony taking over public responsibilities is the attitude of how Sony enthusiastically engages themselves in activities related to environment and climate changes. Sony plans to cut down 7% or more of CO2 gas emission comparing to the fiscal year of 2000 levels (Sony Corporation, 2009). In July 2006, Sony joined the WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) with companies that plan and also carry out efforts to reduce greenhouse gases. By participating in this program, Sony is committed to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and lower the product annual energy consumption. In short, Sony maintain corporate social responsibility, and though it incurs cost, but in the long run it ensures business sustainability. The Financial Community Shareholders are very important for Sony Company because they support the organization’s future expansion. There are two types of shareholders, that is private and institutional. As seen in the chart below, a major portion of Sony’s shareholders are the corporation itself (60.18%), followed by foreign investors (27.27%) and subsequently financial institutions (8.74%) (Sony Financial Holdings, 2010). Figure 1: Ownership and distribution of share Resource: http://www.sonyfh.co.jp/en/financial_info_e/shareholder_e/shareholder.html Sony cooperation has to consider the needs and hope of possible investors. The shareholder share represents a certain small percentage of ownership in the company therefore, stockholders has the right to obtain certain percentage of the company’s profits in the form of dividends (Farlex, 2009). As in Sony, one of its important management task is to increase in returns to its shareholders, as well as return on equity. Its basic policy on returning profits to its shareholders is to maintain the trust of current shareholders and attract new ones, as well as securing enough retained earnings for future business expansion. In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010, Sony provided the year-end cash dividend of  ¥3,000 per share of Sony Financial Holdings totaling to  ¥6,525 million as approved at the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders on June 25, 2010. With regards to its  retained earnings, Sony has planned to utilize it in exploring new business, including the establishment of an individual annuities subsidiary, investing in information technology systems accompanied by business expansions (Sony Financial Holdings, 2010). Thus, with Sony’s dominance in the electronic company, and its high returns to shareholders and retained earnings, Sony is not only able to generate high profits with its current business ventures, but has also sufficient funds to ensure its future expansion in the competitive industry. In conclusion, Sony must not be harming the environment and human being as they are using a lot of chemical substances in their product. Next, they must proper dispose their chemical waste. Furthermore, Sony should cooperate with supplier, government to continue their business and also to compete with their competitors. Sony also has to change their strategy in every country to boost their sales.

The Enterprise Resource Planning At Reebok Business Essay

The Enterprise Resource Planning At Reebok Business Essay Reebok introduces products into the market on seasonal and annual basis. Their product infusion into market is at least five to seven times in given calendar year. On an average it takes 18 months to produce a new product from scratch, however the exemption being quick to market products which takes more no more than 3 months to be produced. The network and rapport with the suppliers and distributors is immense to facilitate faster times to gain industry feedback, to send out new goods faster to the shelves. Challenges which ERP implementation addressed The common challenges which Reebok had owing to the size of its huge customer base and disbursed manufacturing facilities. Globe sales network and varied preferences. To satisfy this, Reebok wanted a systems solution which can actually lower the product development time, condense stats from all quarters of the world of both B2B and B2C information at a click of a button away. Was ERP really able to help them to address their concern is what is analyzed in the following slides. Past Environment The information that the company had was all scattered and it was as small islands, hence retrieving them was difficult. The transparency of information was there. Obsolete information was getting stacked and technology at factory was outdated and off shore of the administration to monitor. Command over process was lost. All this lead to high stress levels of employees. Image 1 is pictorial representation of the past environment Image 1. Current Environment Huge investments into automation, lead to a change in scenario. Through internet factory activities were monitored. Computerization means single data base with high transparency and latest information at just a click away. There is no manipulation of data. This also has led to relatively lower stress levels. Image 2. Key attributes of current environment Centralized information storage has enabled book keeping of entire full-fledged product information irrespective of the area they are manufactured and underlying technology. This advanced feature of digital environment has helped in command and control of the entire process and create digitally generated images of finished goods would look like. Association and tagging of products with respective categories is made easy, this paves way for future enhancement of product portfolio with much fuss and worrying about data loss or pattern miss-match. Internet, common platform ERP makes 24/7 contact with all divisions (from suppliers to vendors) of the supply chain. Industry triggers are indicated automatically. Results of ERP implementation in product development ERP implementation has helped the company to manage a product line of 15complete seasons seamlessly. 45000 + files are stored electronically in the information storage system. Milestone capping has risen from 2 footwear and 3 apparel to 8 and 9 respectively. E (Electronic) HUB Supplier: Role of ERP The present statistics of logistics: 5,000 + purchase orders per month 40 Main Footwear Factories in 8 Countries 600 Apparel Factories in 29 Countries 450 Raw Material Suppliers 27 Freight Forwarders Transportation modes include Ship, Truck, Rail and Air 34 Custom Brokers This section of the paper discusses the supplier aspect of the supply chain, the role of internet technology in extending the computerization from basic ERP to PLM (Product lifecycle Management) systems. These systems have made life simple, improved operational efficiency by automatically accept purchase orders placed and distribute them to respective departments and production facilities across the globe. It also tracks information of shipping details, track the work in process (WIP) and last but not least publish new labels and images. Old supply chain model Image 3. Image 3 above demonstrates how the previous supply chain system was highly unorganized and cluttered. Such a formation would result in loss, manipulation of information, lead to fuss at every stage of the process and production. The modes of communication too were very primitive, slow, unreliable source such as Fax, Mail, Couriers, site visits, EDI, proprietary file transfers. New Supply Chain Image 4. Image 4 is clear representation of highly organised with a e-hub which acts as single point of contact for all the divisions of supply chain. This agile system ensures instant data transmission without loss or theft in data. Retrieval of information is made a breeze. Communication mode is state of the art Business-to-Business data sharing /Vendor Neutral E-Hub/ Hosted Environment (ASP model), Workflow, message alerts, back office integration with reporting capabilities. Result of revised supply chain Revised supply chain has help achieve increased operational efficiency through electronic transmission of order information directly into the factory systems with added accuracy, lower administration cost. The same system is implemented for newer and upcoming production facilities too. Common platform for process supervision and software as standard across the entire supply chain including small suppliers has benefited in order tracking and back order retrieval prompt. Purchase order mandate is now getting logged automatically which helps finance division of the company to get file year end taxes with little or no fuss. Purchase order can be reprinted at any point in time, while pre- delivered reports can be managed with the tool to over-ride purchase order activity. Recommendations Looking at ERP implementation from the higher level management perspective, obtain the leadership of executives of the organization, get the involved in the process for them understand better the need/ use of this technology in the interest of organizational development. Try and balance the top-down objectives allowing leverage for improving economies of scale and job satisfaction across al verticals of the hierarchy. Implementation process must be gradual and progressive. Sudden rush on improvement in technology and/or drastic development (big-bang implementations) should be avoided in order retain the culture within the organization, to boost employee morale. The ideal development/ implementation phase would be once in every 3 to 6 months. Finance department of the all organizations must take into miscellaneous expenses, include the process down time, employee training costs as part of the budget as this is a substantial quantum over the expected cost of ERP (both software and hardware necessary). Organizations working on seasonal business must ensure that the project lead in and lead out should not fall during the peak of the season as it might result in business getting affected. Adhere in strong project methodology and focus attention on issues and off plan items.If possible, defer most complex technology challenges until team has mastered the technology and gained confidence. Selection of the vendor (service/ support provider of ERP) has to be done after detailed market study. ERP package which allow future expansion must only be selected. Organizations must keep off from software that is not the best fit for the organization.