Policies and Products of Alibaba Group, China

History of Alibaba Group Alibaba Group’s origin dates back to the late 1990s. Jack Ma who was initially an English instructor in Hanzhou established the Alibaba Group in the late 1990s together with almost 20 other members. They had a common conviction that small companies had the ability to influence expertise and novelty via the internet to develop and rival more efficiently in the local and international markets.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Policies and Products of Alibaba Group, China specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The company launched its website, Alibaba.com that assisted small Chinese entrepreneurs, manufacturers, and exporters to sell their products on the international market. Over the years, the firm has grown into a world leader when it comes to mobile and online commerce (Liu Forsythe, 2010). It had a successful IPO in the US that turned out to be the largest in the history of IPOs (Tho mas Barreto, 2014). The company runs its basic operations from China. As of September 2014, it had a market value of 231 billion US dollars. Its website is also among the twenty websites that have the highest online traffic in the world accounting for a significant portion of parcel deliveries to China. The website is also responsible for over two-thirds of China’s online sales (Liu Forsythe, 2010). The firm is currently planning to establish businesses in India, which is one of the world’s most populous countries in its expansionary plans. India provides one of the largest markets in terms of consumers. Alibaba’s Innovations One of Alibaba’s greatest innovations is Alibaba.com that accounts for the huge profits that the company enjoys. The initial Alibaba.com website listed thousands of China’s factories that offered manufacturing outsourcing services for numerous sectors within the Chinese economy. The website enabled foreign firms and business es that were looking for manufacturers of the right kind to produce the products they needed. The innovation made the orders placed for the production of goods by the Chinese run into thousands of units. Another great innovation by the Alibaba Group is Taobao, which is an online consumer portal that is closely similar to the United States’ eBay.com (Yang, 2006). Taobao is a consumer-to-consumer portal that enables clients to trade between or among themselves. However, Taobao was unique in some aspects. It was able to tap into Alibaba’s existing database of manufacturers and producers.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Taobao made it possible for factories and farmers to have a direct link with customers. Taobao allowed both consumers and producers of commodities to transact directly without the need for intermediaries via its order fulfilment services and centre s. Taobao has been proved a powerful economic engine. When this innovation is combined with the emerging middle class in China that is made up of at least 400 million potential consumers, the results are incredible. This innovative consumer-to-business model has completely changed the way businesses operate. The producers have taken up the roles that were initially played by businesses, thus making them improve on their profits. This situation has necessitated the need for manufacturers to come with customised options for the goods they offer to their clients. The situation applies with intermediaries who go to the extent of repackaging and/or mixing the product to come up with a product that meets the specific needs of their customers. Digital distribution is also an incredible innovation by the Alibaba Group. With this innovation, it is now possible to consume products such as movies, music, video games, and series over the air without necessarily having to purchase the hardcopy c omponents. With virtual deliveries of goods, unlike the traditional items, much of the overhead costs are eliminated. Digital distribution does away with physical storage or shipment of such items with no accompanying reproduction costs (Premkumar, 2003). This distribution innovation has inspired other innovative business models such as SaaS (software as a service). With SaaS, users are able to test software free of charge and/or buy additional features via micro-transactions. SaaS is a model that is becoming popular in gaming (Cusumano, 2010). It is widely adopted by business-to-business start-ups that provide basic services to their clients cheaply while finding other means of charging the top-tier accounts. To ensure success, the free trial model usually means that a developer of a given game is able to deliver frequent updates of his or her game content, including new characters, new powers, features, and levels. The company believes that to guarantee an increase in revenues, it has to lend a listening ear to its existing audiences and find out whatever it is that they desire next in relation to a given line of products.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Policies and Products of Alibaba Group, China specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More SaaS has changed the handling of customers for the better (Cusumano, 2010). Initially, during the product era, shipment of the final iteration took place without the customers having any real say on the products on offer. Organisational Approaches to Drive Innovations Alibaba Group has a three-pronged organisational approach when it comes to innovation. Firstly, the firm explores the desirability of a given innovative product to its consumers. The reason for this step is to ensure that it does not invest heavily in products that eventually turn out to be obsolete within a very short time due to their inability to satisfy specific customer requirements. Anothe r reason for checking out for the desirability of the product among its consumers is to ensure that the company does not suffer a taint to its image that currently portrays it as one of the world’s largest e-commerce company (Fan Huang, 2007). A disastrous innovation may serve as a steppingstone for some of its competitors who may be trying to catch up with it. Even though the firm may institute some recovery measures to revamp its image in a case of any ruin, the damage done to the firm in terms sales may be far-reaching and almost irreversible. This human-centred approach has been responsible for driving much of Alibaba Group’s evolution. The second consideration in warming up to innovations is viability. Any innovation that Alibaba Group considers must be in line with its business strategy. The firm prioritises technologies that are compatible with its business model. It has to enhance it to realise unprecedented growth rates. This certainly informed the firmâ€⠄¢s decision to buy AutoNavi, a mapping company, whose value to the company’s operations appeared strategic. AutoNavi has the potential of channelling more customers to the firm’s Taobao and Tmall (Guo Hu, 2012). As such, it avails a complement for Alibaba Group’s core business. It will also avail much more innovation relating to consumer preferences and whereabouts through its tracking services that will supplement offline data to online data that Alibaba Group has in its possession. Such online to offline (O2O) cohesion raises switching costs, consequently strengthening the network effects. In addition, AutoNavi will assist Alibaba Group in diversifying into mobile consumption.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The third factor in Alibaba Group’s innovation approach is feasibility. The company evaluates its ability to handle and implement certain innovations. Focus here is on the availability of the human resources that are needed to implement such innovation. Technological advancements usually carry with them certain minimum requirements in terms of accessibility to complementary facilities and resources, some of which may not be readily available in the market. Implementation of a technology in the absence of the necessary structure can have adverse effects on a firm since this situation incredibly increases the chances of failure. In cases where Alibaba Group does not have the required structures, it tries to explore the possibilities of sourcing for them. At times, the firm is forced to scout for talent in various areas of innovation in which it is not well endowed. All the three organisational approaches to driving innovations have guaranteed the firm success in the launch and implementation of various innovations (Qinghe, 2013). This situation has made it possible for the firm to experience unprecedented growth without any major setbacks that might have had the effect of cutting back on the already-achieved milestones. For Alibaba Group, being in possession of large amounts of extra cash does not mean it invests in just any kind of innovation without getting deep down into detailed information regarding the innovation’s feasibility, desirability, and viability. According to Jack Ma, success lies in being thorough in whatever one adopts to minimise the impact of setbacks that may come along the way. Alibaba versus its Global Competitors Alibaba Group’s main competitors in the e-commerce sector are Amazon and eBay. Alibaba Group has performed incredibly well in the face of stiff competition from both eBay and Amazon, with statistics and published reporting intimating that the Alibaba Group’s revenues surpass the combined earnings of Am azon and eBay. Sales records for Alibaba indicate that the firm’s e-commerce business is growing faster than that of its two closest business rivals for the first and second quarters of 2014 (Fan Huang, 2007). Moreover, the gap that separates its growth from that of Amazon and eBay seems to widen fast. This observation is a clear indication of how the leadership role that Alibaba Group plays is taking shape in the e-commerce Market (Filson, 2004). However, there is a variation between Alibaba Group and its competitors when it comes to market dominance. For instance, Alibaba Group’s dominance is in the Chinese market where it controls an estimated 80% of the online market, especially with its Alipay and Taobao components (Shen, 2012). On the other hand, Amazon controls much of the North American market where it competes closely with eBay. Judging by the nature of their dominance, it is rather obvious that real head-on competition between Alibaba Group and these two com petitors can only take place outside their strongholds. Therefore, these firms will be targeting new markets that have not been explored much and/or where no firm has an established presence. Alibaba Group has an added advantage over eBay and Amazon due to some of the facilities it enjoys. One of them is that it has the Chinese government’s support behind it (Qian, 2012). China is seeking to move away from manufacturing as the main economic activity into consumerism. It is counting on eBay as one of the ways out in achieving this vision. Additionally, Alibaba Group enjoys a huge market base back home compared to Amazon and eBay. This advantage serves as a good foundation in its growth and expansion plans. With efficient plans in place, Alibaba Group does not have anything to worry about competition from its close competitors. Competition in terms of Innovation When it comes to innovation-based competition, one needs to consider various aspects to analyse the position of Aliba ba Group in relation to its competitors. First, Alibaba Group seems to have copied Amazon’s business model. However, to make its product better and more attractive, it has included some extra innovative components to its models as a way of customising its products to have a more desirable response to customer needs and requirements of manufacturers and other producers of commodities. In the view of these facts, it becomes a bit challenging to come up with a clear position on this issue. If one chooses to ignore the allegations of copying on part of Alibaba Group, it is easy to say that the firm is bound to maintain dominance due to its timely and relevant innovations. Alibaba’s Entrepreneurial Model Alibaba Group’s entrepreneurial model is a great one. It has won the envy of other firms in the e-commerce industry and other industries as well. The company has a diversified model that consists of three main sites that run the different aspects of its business. Eac h site is tasked with ensuring creativity and innovativeness on its part. Tmall deals with online sales of goods that are branded such that they focus on China’s middle class that is among the fastest growing portions of the population (Guo Hu, 2012). Taobao is the second site that focuses on shopping. The third site is Alibaba.com that helps in linking firms all over the world with Chinese exporters who host millions of businesses and merchants with many users. With the addition of Alipay, Alibaba Group has a big stake in the online market and hence huge growth prospects. Conclusion: The Degree of Alibaba Group’s Success in its Approach to Innovation Alibaba’s approaches to innovation have had great degrees of success upon judging by growth in sales and the market base that the firm has gained over the years. Some of its creative business models have introduced new concepts into the market. Such concepts have helped in terms of simplifying its business. For in stance, alibaba.com was the first website in the world to enable foreign firms to connect directly with manufacturing firms that are located in China. It made it easy for them to outsource the production of goods at low costs without having to go through intermediaries that cause the prices of various goods to go up. Many firms have been attracted to do business with China. The result is an immense increase in the number of orders that are received by Chinese firms. In terms of financial innovation, Alipay has had a great success by attracting millions of subscribers (Shen, 2012). Alipay is currently offering great competition to PayPal. Alibaba Group was able to outstrip Amazon of its status as the preferred e-commerce service provider in China. It has rose to become China’s preferred online transactions firm that controls more than 80% of the country’s online business. Considering the degree of success that Alibaba Group has recorded over the years, it is clear that it is headed for greater heights. Reference List Cusumano, M. (2010). Cloud computing and SaaS as new computing platforms. Communications of the ACM, 53(4), 27-29. Fan, S., Huang, Q. (2007). Networked Manufacturing and Mass Customisation in the E-Commerce Era: the Chinese Perspective. International Journal of Computer Integrated Manufacturing, 20(2/3), 107-114. Filson, D. (2004). The Impact Of E-Commerce Strategies On Firm Value: Lessons From Amazon.com And Its Early Competitors. The Journal of Business, 77(S2), S135-S154. Guo, M., Hu, W. (2012). Tmall Incident – A Legal Problem or Business Operation Dispute. Advanced Materials Research, 472(1), 3455-3461. Liu, C., Forsythe, S. (2010). Sustaining Online Shopping: Moderating Role of Online Shopping Motives. Journal of Internet Commerce, 9(2), 83-103. Premkumar, P. (2003). Alternate Distribution Strategies for Digital Music. Communications of the ACM, 46(9), 89-95. Qian, G. (2012). Psychometric Analysis of Validity of Trust Evaluating Indicators in C2C Online Markets: A Case Study of Taobao. Sensor Letters, 10(1), 124-130. Qinghe, Y. (2013). The online shopping change the retail business model: A survey of the people use online shopping in China. IOSR Journal of Business and Management, 15(5), 77-110. Shen, W. (2012). Deconstructing the myth of Alipay Drama. Repoliticising foreign investment in the telecommunications sector in China. Telecommunications Policy, 36(10-11), 929-942. Thomas, D., Barreto, E. (2014). Alibaba’s choice of U.S. IPO spurred by rivals, Hong Kong impasse: sources. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-alibaba-ipo/alibabas-choice-of-u-s-ipo-spurred-by-rivals-hong-kong-impasse-sources-idUSBREA2I0OA20140319 Yang, B. (2006). Some Personality Correlates of Using EBay. Psychological Reports, 99(7), 762. This report on Policies and Products of Alibaba Group, China was written and submitted by user Rihanna Key to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

How to Answer the Interview Question What Makes You Unique

How to Answer the Interview Question What Makes You Unique More and more people are getting the question, â€Å"What makes you unique?† in an interview setting. It can throw even the most prepared job seekers off their guard. What does the hiring manager want to know, exactly? About your personality? About your skills profile? A general rule of thumb would be this: an interviewer is trying to see what you choose to emphasize in your answer, and also how well you think creatively on the spot with a question you may not have prepared. But you can prepare! Download this list of 10 toughest interview questions and prepare your answer before heading into your next interview.Stick to Work Stories, Not Personal StoriesThe answer is not to talk about your leisure activities, no matter how interesting, but to script yourself an answer that is both true and tailor-made to the job you’re interviewing for. Figure out, based on the company and job description, what that company seems to prioritize, how you are particularly suited to deliver , and why you are valuable in this respect.Then, draw on any of several possible pieces of your own experience to make your answer: your background, your past experience, your specific skills- hard or soft, your personality, your in-depth knowledge of the brand or industry, your involvement in issues beyond the office, and, yes, even a few things about you personally that can be peppered in for extra emphasis.Prep Beforehand With Talking PointsIf you’re stuck, make a list of personality traits or skills that show you best and most accurately. Of that list, pick the things that seem to link up best with the particular focus of the job description. Then start scripting.Choose specifics. Instead of saying, â€Å"I’m a fast learner† or â€Å"I am reliable,† find a way to cram more convincing detail into your answer. As in: â€Å"I really hit the ground running and can handle almost anything that’s thrown at me and get up to speed fast.† Beef it up. Really sell yourself. The more specific the better.Why are You and You Alone Perfect for the Job?Remember, the trick is to make yourself memorable. Stand out from all the other answers from other interviewees. Find something tangible that you can deliver, that’s exactly what they’re asking for on paper- then broaden it out with a few personal flourishes that make you the unique candidate. When in doubt, focus less on the â€Å"uniqueness† aspect of this question, and more on the particular- or â€Å"unique† value you will bring to this and other jobs.

A History of Adinkra Symbols

A History of Adinkra Symbols Adinkra is a cotton cloth produced in Ghana and Cà ´te dIvoire which has traditional Akan symbols stamped upon it. The adinkra symbols represent popular proverbs and maxims, record historical events, express particular attitudes or behavior related to depicted figures, or concepts uniquely related to abstract shapes. It is one of several traditional cloths produced in the region. The other well-known cloths are kente and adanudo. The symbols were often linked with a proverb, so they convey more meaning than a single word. Robert Sutherland  Rattray compiled a list of 53 adinkra symbols in his book, Religion and Art in Ashanti, in 1927. The History of Adinkra Cloth and Symbols The Akan people (of what is now Ghana and Cà ´te dIvoire) had developed significant skills in weaving by the sixteenth century, with Nsoko (present-day Begho) being an important weaving center. Adinkra, originally produced by the Gyaaman clans of the Brong region, was the exclusive right of royalty and spiritual leaders, and only used for important ceremonies such as funerals. Adinkra means goodbye. During a military conflict at the beginning of the nineteenth century, caused by the Gyaaman trying to copy the neighboring Asantes golden stool (the symbol of the Asante nation), the Gyaaman king was killed. His adinkra robe was taken by Nana Osei Bonsu-Panyin, the  Asante Hene  (Asante King), as a trophy. With the robe came the knowledge of adinkra aduru (the special ink used in the printing process) and the process of stamping the designs onto cotton cloth. Over time the Asante further developed adinkra symbology, incorporating their own philosophies, folk tales, and culture. Adinkra symbols were also used on pottery, metalwork (especially  abosodee), and are now incorporated into modern commercial designs (where their related meanings give added significance to the product), architecture and sculpture. Adinkra Cloth Today Adinkra cloth is more widely available today, although the traditional methods of production are very much in use. The traditional ink (adinkra aduru) used for stamping is obtained by boiling the bark of the Badie tree with iron slag. Because the ink is not fixed, the material should not be washed. Adinkra cloth is used in Ghana for special occasions such as weddings and initiation rites. Note that African fabrics often differ between those made for local use and those that are exported. The cloth for local use is usually replete with hidden meanings or local proverbs, allowing locals to make particular statements with their costume. Those fabrics produced for overseas markets tend to use more sanitized symbology. Use of Adinkra Symbols You will find adinkra symbols on many exported items, such as furniture, sculpture, pottery, t-shirts, hats and other clothing items in addition to fabric. Another popular use of the symbols is for tattoo art. You should further research the meaning of any symbol before deciding to use it for a tattoo to ensure it conveys the message you desire.

Drinking and Driving (Cause and Effect) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Drinking and Driving (Cause and Effect) - Essay Example Nonetheless, the adverse effects of alcohol, when it is already time to take a drive to some other place or back to home, cause people to be susceptible to vehicle – related accidents which lead to injuries and deaths. Alcohol is a major cause in vehicle – related collisions that lead to injuries and deaths among people (Hingson and Winter 63). The numbers of recorded alcohol – related traffic deaths have declined since the early 1980s. However, even if this is the case, in United States, alcohol is still a significant factor which contributes to vehicle – related fatalities. In fact in 2002, alcohol had significantly contributed about four (4) out of ten (10) fatalities due to vehicular accidents. Among all the alcohol – related clashes, about 42 resulted to injury while about 4 percent caused death. Whereas the case of non – alcohol – related vehicular clashes, about 31 percent resulted to injury while only 0.6 percent led to death ( Hingson and Winter 64). ... Since the younger population are much more engaged in drinking alcohol than the older segment, the young people are more likely to get injured or die in vehicular accidents. This is supported by Maskalyk in the account of â€Å"Driving and Drinking† (313) and Hingson and Winter in â€Å"Epidemiology and Consequences of Drinking and Driving† (63 - 78) which are both written in 2003. Apart from that, Hingson and Winter claimed that more males are probably involved in alcohol – related vehicular accidents than females (64). This is for the reason that males are more involved in alcohol drinking as well as they are much heavier drinkers than females. Alcohol does not only put the lives of those who are driving while drunk at risk for it has also seriously endangered and destroyed the lives of other people than these drunk drivers. In fact, there are many people other than the drunk drivers who get injured or killed. Hingson and Winter stated in 2002, that about 44 pe rcent of the deaths in vehicular crashes had involved some drunk drivers. In these numbers of fatalities, about 22 percent were the drunk drivers’ passengers; about 13 percent comprised the pedestrians; about 7 percent were the drivers of the other vehicles which had been hit by the drunk drivers; and about 2 % happened to be bicyclists (64). On the one hand, Blum has written an article entitled â€Å"Drunk Driving: How it Hurts† which talks about a teen activist named Jackie Myers struggle against drunk driving (14 – 16). Myers has lost five of her family members on a vehicular collision with a nineteen year old drunk driver. At first, Myers had considered that driving while drunk is just normal until she suffered from the effect

Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment Paper Research

Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment - Research Paper Example Presenting complaints For the past five years Mrs.Rozario had been having an increasing memory loss and difficulty to move around for her daily functions. Previously she could walk or board the bus to town for shopping or to church. Her memory too became poorer. Executive functions slowly dwindled and she was unable to do many things herself. Help was needed on occasions. Sleep became disturbed. Moreover she seemed to withdraw from her friends and family whom she used to meet frequently and spend her time laughing and conversing with in better days. Recently she had a fall and had broken her femur. This had upset her further though that phase had been successfully passed over. Winter aggravated her mobility problem. Even with multiple complaints and problems she had been reluctant to approach anyone for help. She attributed her complaints to aging. It was at the behest of her son that she had now agreed to come. With the son’s assistance, the problems were all hopefully reveal ed. Past Medical history It said that she had been taking anti-hypertensives for the last twenty years. She used to be regular in her appointments with the physician but had lost that regularity of late. Previous medical history did not reveal any significant issue. Her pregnancies terminated normally and she has two children. Significant childhood diseases or history of immunizations were not remembered. Hospitalization had been only for her deliveries and her recent fracture femur. With no history of allergies, she could take any medicine. She was on 25 mg. Atenolol daily and had antacids occasionally. Analgesics and pills for sleeping comfortably had been prescribed at the local care center as and when she found it difficult to walk because of pain or could not sleep. She had ill-fitting dentures as she had lost weight recently. Cognitive impairment was present. Nutrition Her diet included more of cereals and porridges with small quantity of fruits and vegetables. Her dentures di d not fit well due to her loss of weight and so she would rather have a diet easily swallowed. She was having a diminished appetite. The history of constipation was elicited. Her son claimed that financial resources were not a hindrance to nutrition as he was looking after her. However she was staying alone and inability to cook her meals and have them could be the reason for the limited nutrition. Current weight was 50 kg. while her expected weight was 65 kg with reference to the Body Mass Index. Recent change in body weight had been noticed after she recovered from the fracture of the femur. Her current medications could have affected her appetite or digestion. Loneliness could be a factor which had limited her nutritional status. Vitamin or mineral supplementation was not her habit. She had mild depression for which she was not being treated. She used to read widely but her vision was failing and she had not met an ophthalmologist for assessment and reading had been stopped. Ther e were no independent transportation facilities unless her son arrived. She was not motivated enough to look after herself. It could be due to her failing cognitive functions. Consumption of her anti-hypertensive drug or other medicines was irregular and consisted of more than 3 drugs. The nutrition assessment was completed with a checklist. Mrs. Rozario agreed to most of the suggestions in the checklist. She ate less than two meals

There Has Always Been Wars and There Will Always Be Wars Essay Example for Free

There Has Always Been Wars and There Will Always Be Wars Essay When we think of war we think of torture, cruelty, suffering and hell. Indeed, there is no denying that war is terrible. The desire for war is generally caused by mans ego, which is part of the physical man, as opposed to the spiritual man. Physical man is another way of describing mans human nature. Man naturally has great tendencies to do according to his desires, and has other people act in agreement to his desires, cultures, and philosophies. As a civilization of a particular culture grows, it is a part of that civilizations nature to dominate the choices of surrounding peoples, in an attempt to bring these peoples into less than one great rule. If need be, man will wage war to forcibly bring others to the awareness of a more enlightened way of living. The only way to truly have peace is for man to ultimately strengthen his spiritual side. When living with true virtue, man is able to have patience, understanding, tolerance, love, forgiveness, gentleness, and goodness, even in the face of fear, intolerance, hate, and anger. Self-defence is necessary, but more times than not, war are waged by men who fight against the free agency of others, and men who will the dominance and manipulation of others. This stems greatly from pride and selfishness, but it can come from any attitude that is against the spirit of true virtues, those virtues which are of God. Most Christians believe that war and fighting are wrong except in the most severe cases. They base their views on Jesus’ teaching about love, ‘a new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another’ but depending on the situation, would it be our fault for self-defence? If one was to strike at our family, would you strike him/her with a weapon? When Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, his disciples wanted to defend him, yet Jesus claimed not to fight and put away the swords, ‘When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, ‘Lord, should we strike with our swords? ’ And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. But Jesus answered, ‘No more of this! ’ And he touched the man’s ear and healed him. ’ In the statement it suggests that because of war in the past we should fight, it is our human nature to fight. Like other animals, humans have an instinct to survive. If this suggests to them that fighting and killing will help, then they will usually do so. Many also fight for pleasure, a rough game of excitement and competition which appeals to most of us. Yet, if we look at the whole of human history, we find that the use of physical force against other animals (including other humans) is a practically universal feature. Now that women have begun to be recruited into the front-line of armies, you might find that you yourself are killing people in a war. Yet simple aggression, or love of fighting, or desire to survive, cannot be seen as the main reason why most individuals have been caught up in warfare in the past. Most wars for many centuries have involved unwilling soldiers. The politicians and generals decide for the troops, through fear, need, loyalty or hope for treasure, apply themselves to capturing or killing the enemy. Clearly wars would not happen if humans were actively planned against the use of all physical violence. On the other hand, no animal would survive for long in this competitive world if they were so planned. Muslim attitudes to war and peace are based on the teachings of the Qur’an. One idea in Muslim that relate to war is Jihad. Jihad is the word used to describe personal struggle of each Muslim against evil as they try to follow the way of Allah. There are two types of Jihad: greater Jihad and lesser Jihad. Greater Jihad is the personal struggle to obey Allah, spiritual struggle lasting a lifetime, winning the struggle gets you to Paradise. Lesser Jihad is the struggle to make the world a better place, against poverty and injustice, and involves defending against enemies only in self defence. When the Prophet Muhammad was asked which people fought in the name of Allah, he said: The person who struggles so that Allah’s word is supreme is the one serving Allah’s cause. The idea of Jihad is often misread by non-Muslims who then see Islam as not being a pacifist religion. Another idea in Muslim that relate to war is Harb al-Muqadis, which is Holy War. Muslims are allowed to fight in self-defence, however they are forbidden to begin in a fight. Therefore, the aim of fighting is to create a circumstance where Muslims are free to worship Allah and live in peace. One aim of Holy War may be to create equality where people are free to live their lives without beliefs and politics being forced on them. There must be no hatred or vengeance in the fighting. As soon as peace is offered, fighting must stop. Once peace has been re-established the differences between people must be resolved. â€Å"Hate your enemy mildly; he may become your friend one day† suggests that we shouldn’t hate our enemies so much as they could help us in life-saving situations. People never know that sometimes your worst enemy can be your friend. We should put aside our differences are combine our thoughts and feelings, and resolve an understanding. On the other hand, even though there have been wars, should we be the ones to continue with them? Should we be the ones who strike our swords in the face of peace? Can’t we be the ones who make peace and shake hands with one and another? Even though there were wars before, there were also non-violent ones. Non-violent is showing disapproval with damaging property or causing any threat, this could be done with sit-ins, strikes, petitions, and peaceful demonstrations. In my opinion, I think that non-violent methods can work. Using a non-violent protest is taking some action to stand-up against and resist oppression, injustice or to make a difference. These people who use non-violent are called Pacifists. There are many famous pacifists: Jesus, Bishop Desmound Tutu, Gandhi, and Martin Luther King. These inspire others to fight in non-violence, therefore commit no wars. If we commit no wars, it won’t be human’s nature to fight. As Jesus should us the human qualities he had like forgiveness and mercy, we would know that violence doesn’t solve everything. If the world tried to act as the commandments teach there wouldn’t need to be war. One commandment like ‘Thou Shall Not Murder’ is one that suggests not hurting any living thing. Muslims believe to not hurt living things as foretold in the key concept of Ahimsa. Ahimsa means trying to fight injustice and evil but without using any physical force. It is the key concept that prevents a Muslim from causing harm to any creature, and therefore, many Muslims avoid violence aside from most severe cases. Christians believe Jesus taught that people should not seek revenge when wronged – they should ‘turn the other cheek’. But this doesn’t mean being submissive victim – just that we should base our response on the principles of love and forgiveness. For example, most Christians don’t believe that if someone commits a crime, we should do nothing. They believe punishment can be more constructive. Punishment can be used to reform an offender and to deter others from offending, as well as for retribution. ‘Love your neighbour as yourself. When we love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, we grow to recognize that everyone is part of His creation. If we love the Lord God with all our heart, soul and mind, loving our neighbour is the natural result. Love thy neighbour is not as hard as it looks on the surface. It simply means respecting others and regarding their needs and desires as highly as we regard our own. Keeping this commandment, however, is likely to require the supernatural assistance only God, through Christ, can provide. How can we learn to love the guy next door with the barking dog, especially when we dont even like him? Perhaps the secret is to recognize that our neighbour, whether its the guy next door, or the cashier at the local supermarket, is someone as worthy of Gods love as you or I. Its human nature to follow those we admire most, so in getting to know Christ, well discover a God worthy of our whole-hearted love, and our neighbour will see that love in us. In conclusion, I think that it is not our human nature to fight, and even though there were wars in the past it is not our responsibility to continue with them. Many inspiring people taught us to love and not hate, and to speak out with non-violence. These inspiring people like Jesus, gives us teachings and quotes for us to base our lives on. Teachings like not to seek revenge when wronged, teaches us that we should forgive and forget, and not remain bitter. If the world tried to act as the commandments teach there wouldn’t need to be war. So, love thy neighbour as he or she may be your friend or save your life. And we should renew friendships and rebuild relationships, and make up after quarrels, and work together again.

Birth of Venus by Boticelli Essays -- painting analysis

In this article we will discuss the â€Å"Birth of Venus,† a well-known painting by the artist Alessandro di Filipepi Botticelli; completed in 1857. The reason why I chose this painting is, because of the fact that I wanted to give you a bit of information on this painting. Some of the examples I chose are; where did it come from, who originally wanted the painting, and why it came to be? I chose these examples because I have always wondered about these things myself, and hopefully I will be able to answer them for you too. However you may now wonder why I am even talking about this piece or what my intent behind this article is, you shouldn’t. The reason I am writing, is because I have always been fascinated by this piece and the calming effect it has on me. I remember whenever I saw it for the first I thought of the figure Pomona as a motherly figure and wanted to be beautiful like Venus, but that couldn’t be. Instead, I began to do research, since I wanted to learn a bit more about the piece myself. My main goal here is to try to and make you understand some of the things that I’ve already learned about the piece. So let’s get started and I’ll tell you some examples of the things I’ve learned while studying this piece. One that the piece was not originally released to the public, two it was not the most original piece out there, and three the piece was originally a commissioned work. Now, you might be wondering who commissioned the piece, the answer to that question is that the painting was commissioned by Lorenzo di Pier Frencesco Di Medici. He commissioned the painting, because he wanted it for private use in his villa and not for public domain. The second thing you might wonder now is why the piece was not original; the reason... ...re that if you just type in the Birth of Venus you will find a few pictures that make fun of or use the image again; but all of the imitations always keep the same theme so I would prefer not to discuss it anymore. ¬ While writing this paper I enjoyed telling you a bit about the things that I’ve learned about this piece and hope that you have enjoyed them too. I think that you should feel a bit better about knowing the fact that the piece is safe today and will continue to be, along with just knowing a few more things about this piece. Works Cited â€Å"Botticelli’s Birth of Venus†. Italianrenaissance.org. Italian Renaissance.org 2013 web. 12-6-2013 â€Å"Sandro Botticelli Biography†. Artble.com Artble 2013 web. 12-6-2013 â€Å"The Birth of Venus By Sandro Botticelli†. Uffizi.org 2013 web. 12-6-2013 Nicolas Pioch, â€Å"Botticelli, Sandro†. ibiblio.org. Jun 19, 2006 web. 12-7-13

On-Boarding, Socialization, Retention and Down-Sizing Essay

Chern’s has recently hired two new sales associates and have a need for an on-boarding and socialization strategy. Because organizations invest money in hiring new employees, the company has a need to get new hires off to a good start but need help doing so. Because turn-over’s occurs early, organizations can increase their retention rates by helping new hires adjust to their company and jobs. Out-boarding is the process of completing new hires employment paperwork, and providing them with all essential elements for their jobs. Companies also have the need to socialize their employees through planned and unplanned processes, formal and informal activities and experiences through which individuals acquire the attitudes, behavior, and knowledge needed to successfully participate as members in an organization and learn the organizations culture. On-Boarding and Socialization Strategies In order to incorporate Chern’s new hires into its organization several strategic programs, on-boarding and socialization have been recommended. Both of these programs are beneficial for Chern’s and its employees. This recommendation will help Chern’s employee’s transition into the company. The following strategies were recommended for Chern’s new hires; Orientation– will involve employees learning about the company, its culture, values, goals, history, mission statement, business, chain of commend and products. Orientation will encompass the company’s policy and procedures as well as the process of filling out the proper paperwork required to work at Chern’s. Through the orientation process employees will receive the tools they need to perform their duties, such as uniforms if required, keys, identification cards, computers, an e-mail address, business cards, telephone number and a work space (office or cubicle). Orientation will provide employees with their benefits information (booklet), 401 k plan, and IIP and retirement plan. Orientation will also include learning how to use the company’s intranet where they can find information about the company (financial facts), products and number of stores and their locations. The orientation process will allow the new hires to meet their co-workers, supervisors and managers. Through orientation employees can understand their roles, and their expectations. Orientation will accelerate the new hires learning process of Chern’s organization. Socialization—will give the new hires the planned, unplanned, formal, and informal activities and experiences to acquire the behavior, attitude and knowledge needed to participate as a member of the organization and learn the firm’s culture. Socialization programs that are recommended for its new hire’s are: A Staggered Program— This concept allows new hires to encompass information about Chern’s through a staggered approach, learning in increments instead of obtaining information all at once causing an overload. By learning in increments new hires will retain that information. Socialization activities can be performed through steps allowing new hires to interact with co-workers, supervisors, managers, and HR personal who are familiar with the company. Socialization can be in person as well as via online and classroom settings. Individual Programs— gives new hires the flexibility of socializing in a one-on one setting with a mentor or an apprenticeship. By using a mentor or apprenticeship each new hire can learn what is required, their expectations, and job performance rapidly. They experience on the job training through hands on experience and tend to socialize and learn more easily. Formal Socialization Programs—- will give new hires the opportunity to socialize with other entities outside of the company, an example would be a seminar where they can interact with other individuals on a professional level and learn new and innovating techniques, procedures and designed activities and materials. This process increase employees job satisfaction and reduce turnover. This gives new hires a chance to be proactive, ask questions, build relationships with others in the rganization and seek feedback while increasing job satisfaction and commitment. Sequential programs—allow new hires to follows a range of steps such as step 1—learning about the company. Step 2 –learn policy and procedures. Step 3—learn about the job and its requirements and. Step 4 perform well a so on. Each step leads to opportunities and possible promotions. Fixed Socialization Programs gives new hires information about their probationary status (how long) and their p erformance status with their job. Serial Socialization— incorporate new hires with mentors, these mentors guide the new hires through the steps needed to become successful on the job and serve as role models to the new hires. Each new hire will be expected to follow in their mentors footsteps. Investiture Programs—- will give each new hire the chance to reaffirm their confidence in them selves and their job performances. This process allows supervisors, managers and in some cases senior management to evaluate the knowledge, skills, and characteristics of the new hires. Investitures programs also evaluates what new hires can do in terms of helping the company move forward and make money from their new innovating ideals (Phillips & Gully, 2009). By making these recommendation Chern’s will continue to give its customers the service that lies at the heart of the company. Chern’s strategy can empower its new hires to excel in the company, while upholding its reputation for customer service, quality and selection. These recommendations will continue to give Chern’s a core value that is essential to its branding and culture, while contributing to its customers and building a long term relationship through shared value and customer care. Retention Plan A retention plan for Chern’s top performers is to create an environment, work style and management team that promotes, teamwork, cooperation and retention, which leads to successful delivery of products, customer services and values. Ultimately enriching the company, customers and workers. In order to retain its top performers Chern’s can initiate plans to keep top performers happy by offering great rewards that will be hard to resist. Generally the reason people stay with a company is often the same reason they became attractive in the first place. Implementing the following retention plan will keep Chern’s top performers with the company and reduce a need to hire new people. †¢ provide initiatives to establish and maintain the company’s goals. †¢ establish open communication between management, customers and staff. develop a working environment that encourages professional growth. †¢ match employees with challenging assignments that will lead to professional and career growth. †¢ create a climate of respect, fairness and trust with supervisors and customers. †¢ give employees work flexibility so that they can balance their work and life demands. †¢ provide competitive wages and benefits that are fair, introduce fitness and child care centers. †¢ give top performers bonuses when goals are meet, such as monetary, vacations or extra sick days. create a strong corporate culture for employees that they find attractive such as a mission Statement that appeals to customers and workers. This can help retain employees with the same or similar values. †¢ providing employees with support can also help retain employees, by monitoring their work load, managers can determine if they have the necessary tools to perform their jobs. Using these strategies will institute to recruit, retain and develop top performers.

American jail Essay

Prejudice is defined as â€Å"a partiality that prevents objective consideration of an issue (â€Å"Prejudice,† 2005). † A person may assume, for example, that all individuals suffering from AIDS are filthy and must be ignored; or all Africans are unintelligent. The Nazis had similarly supposed that all Jews are worthless and stupid, and therefore must be killed. As a matter of fact, prejudice can be based on gender, religions, cultures, geographical backgrounds, as well as race. Social psychologists define it as an attitude. It could be positive as well as negative. The positive type of prejudice is understood to result in the white privilege. It may also be directed at beautiful or rich people regardless of color. The negative attitude could similarly be directed at an individual or an entire society. Regardless, our attitudes known as prejudices are usually not founded in reason. People who foster prejudices normally believe that they are right to have negative attitudes toward certain individuals or groups of people. Such people justify their prejudices by offering various examples to show that they are right. A white man who has visited an American jail may say that he knows that all African Americans are bad people because most of the people in jail are African Americans. Racism – which is a form of a prejudice – thus intellectualizes the negative attitude of people toward people. Racism is actually defined as a belief system which states that individuals can be superior to others on the basis of race. This theory has led to much violence and genocide in the world. Still, most people have preconceived notions about other people with respect to their races. It takes a high level of education, perhaps, to believe in the essential equality of mankind. References Prejudice. (2005). WordNet: Princeton University Cognitive Science Lab.

Conceptual Essays

Conceptual Essays Conceptual Essay Conceptual Essay The Modular Teaching Approach in College Algebra: An Alternative to Improving the Learners Achievement, Persistence, and Confidence in Mathematics Maxima J. Call]ado De La Scale University Philippines Abstract This experimental study used a pretest-posters design to determine the effects of the modular teaching approach on the achievement, persistence, and confidence in mathematics of 24 freshmen (12 high ability and 12 low ability students) from the College of Business and Economics, De La Scale University, Manila, who were enrolled in College Algebra during the first term, scholarly 2004-2005. The topics considered were those identified as difficult by students who have taken College Algebra, and by mathematics teachers who have handled this subject, namely, Systems of Linear Equations and Quadratic Inequalities in One Variable. The t-test applied on the pretest and posters results of the two groups in all variables indicated significant differences at the . 05 level of significance. Keywords: achievement, persistence, and confidence in mathematics, assessment, experimental study. Introduction A considerably low achievement in mathematics and a relatively low self-efficacy mongo students who are impatient in solving mathematical problems pose real great challenge to present day mathematics educators. This challenge may be addressed by introducing new programs of instructions, new instructional materials, and new teaching methods and approaches. In the light of the preceding arguments, this study attempted to use the modular teaching approach in College Algebra and investigate its effects on the students achievement, persistence, and confidence in mathematics. Following are some literature and the findings of studies related to the concern of this paper. On Modular Instruction It is a fact that no two individuals are alike in their physical, mental, and emotional development: one may grow faster, another can easily recognize concepts, and still others tend to be more mature as compared to others of the same age. Traverse, Packard, Sudan, and Reunion (1977) emphasized that a student may be recognized as an individual by giving him tasks specifically geared to his needs and interests, and by providing him with instructional materials that will allow him to progress at an optimal rate on his own pace. An Intensive research on ten campanological tonsures AT learning sun as ten I energy AT Concept Formation (Burger, 1986) and the Theory of Reinforcement (Skinner,1968) brought about the idea of modules which adopts the same format as programmed learning. True enough, the learner has the enthusiasm to pursue his studies if he is given the feedback about his performance and he is able to repeat reading the material for better understanding of the concepts under consideration. Achievement in Mathematics Cognizant of the differences among the students and motivated by a desire to determine the merits of the modular teaching approach, some related studies that ere conducted in the past are as follows: Silva (1992) and Coacher (1994) developed and evaluated modules on selected topics in Algebra; Jimenez (1987) and Aquinas (1988) in Geometry; Lunar (1987) in Industrial Mathematics, Valerian (1988) in Consumer Mathematics; Acadia (1985) and Paragon (1985) in Trigonometry; and Once (1992) in Statistics. All these studies made use of secondary school students as respondents and compared the achievements of the experimental and control groups. Almost always, modular instruction was found to be as effective as, if not ore effective than, the traditional method based on the improved performance of the students in the respective subjects. Comate (1982), Young (1991) and Balloon (1993) asserted that modular materials have established their edge over other kinds of materials in education because these serve as enrichment for fast learners and as review or remedial materials for slow learners in a relatively short span of time. Persistence in Mathematics Persistence in mathematics is about continuing to work on a mathematics problem even when the answer or method of solution is not apparent. This refers to the behavior of pursuing an activity firmly and working through difficult problems alone and not giving up easily on them. Ames (1992) found that elementary school students who attributed success to effort were more likely to exhibit a mastery of orientation, putting their emphasis on learning and understanding through hard work, meeting challenges, and making progress. Solving mathematical problems require time and patience if students are to overcome obstacles and reach a satisfactory conclusion. Davis and Hers (1990) argued that one of the reasons for resistance, resentment, ND rejection on the part of the students is considerable impatience with the material under consideration. Parker and Withering (1999) cited that personality factors such as persistence, self-concept and attitudes towards mathematics play significant influences on mathematical ability. Confidence in Mathematics consonance Is toneless Known as sell-menace or ten degree to wanly an Uninominal trusts his ability to achieve a specific goal. This refers to reliance, self-assurance, firm trust in ones capabilities, assured expectation, and fearlessness in doing a certain activity. Chapman, Brush, and Wilson (1985) found that confidence was a crucial indicator for female participation in secondary and tertiary mathematics. This finds support in the findings of Boles and Contain (1997) and Porter, et. L (1999) who argued that confidence affects a persons success in mathematics and that confidence in mathematics breeds success. In separate reviews conducted by Chunk (1989) and Pajamas (1996), they found that high-efficacy students are more likely to use a broader array of strategies, use them more flexibly, monitor their comprehension better, and process information at a deeper level. Dodd (1992) asserted that lack of confidence in oneself is the greatest obstacle to learni ng because beliefs govern action so that the belief that one cannot do something may render him unable to perform a task of which he is truly capable. Success in mathematics requires a combination of confidence and hard work. In relation to this, Perkins and Floors (2002) asserted that to increase confidence in mathematics, students should be allowed to use methods they understand, even if these are not the ones prescribed in class. Objectives of the study The study investigated the merits of the modular teaching approach as an alternative o improving the learners achievement, persistence, and confidence in mathematics. Specifically, the study sought to: (1) describe how the respondents levels of achievement, persistence and confidence change following modular instruction; (2) determine if the posters nears of the respective ability groups in all variables of the study are significantly different or not. ; and (3) gather the respondents reactions about the use of the modular teaching approach and the modules in College Algebra. It was hypothesized that using the modular teaching approach would improve the earners achievement, persistence, and confidence in mathematics. Methodology This study utilized the quasi-experimental method of research.

Baker College Corporate Services Essay Example for Free

Baker College Corporate Services Essay Franklin Delano Roosevelt was one of America’s greatest Leaders. His accomplishments are discussed in this paper in a biographical manner, as well as other Authors opinions about them, including my humble self’s. This paper gives an example of a forward looking, charismatic leader. The whole population of this great country is benefitting from his accomplishments, and will continue to do so for generations, with only slight adjustments for technology and culture. Franklin Delano Roosevelt An Example to Remember When somebody asks to pick a favorite leader, a number of the great ones pop into mind, like Christopher Columbus, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Douglas McArthur, Franklin Delano Roosevelt among others. It is a tough choice. They were all great. Franklin Delano Roosevelt had so many great accomplishments during his life time; the only way to list and discuss them would be in the biographical manner the Author chose. The reason the author chose to write about Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the similarity of today’s economy that he faced at the time of his first term in the office as well as our current president elect’s choice to use some of his strategies to correct the present state of our economy. Faced with World War II, Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR), guided America through one of its greatest domestic crisis, His presidency, which spanned twelve years, was unparalleled, not only in length but in scope. FDR took office with the country mired in a horrible and debilitating economic depression which not only sapped its material wealth and spiritual strength, but cast a cloud over its future, not unlike what we are facing today. â€Å"Roosevelt’s combination of confidence, optimism, and political savvy, all of which came together in the experimental economic and social programs of the â€Å"New Deal† helped bring about the beginnings of a national recovery (Baliles, 2005, p. 1). † FDR also committed the United States to the defeat of Germany, Japan, and Italy, and led the nation and its allies to the brink of victory. This triumph dramatically altered America’s relationship with the world, putting the United States into a position of international power, as well as political and moral leadership. By virtue of its newfound political and economic power, the United States would play a leading role in shaping the remainder of the twentieth century. Inside the United States Franklin Roosevelt stirred a domestic political revolution on several fronts. † FDR and the Democratic Party built a power base which carried the party to electoral and ideological, dominance until the late 1960s (Baliles, 2005, p. 1) â€Å". FDR’s policies, especially those comprising the New Deal, helped redefine and strengthen both the country as well as the American presidency, expanding its political, administrative, and constitutional powers of the office (Baliles, 2005). FDR was born in Hyde Park, New York, in 1882, to James and Sara Roosevelt. His parents were well off, if not wealthy by New York High society standards. While growing up, they were able to provide a succession of nannies, and at age 14 send him to a prestigious boarding school in Massachusetts. He went on to Harvard College, where he spent most of his time at the college paper, where he declared himself a Democrat. While at Harvard, he grew close to his cousin Theodor Roosevelt, who was moving up the political ladder in the Democratic Party, and began courting his distant cousin, Elanor Roosevelt. Although FDR started attending law school at Columbia at this time, he had little interest and dropped out after one year. Elanor and FDR were married in New York City in 1905. He had six children: Anna Elanor, born 1906; James, born 1907; Franklin Jr. , born 1909 and died the same year in November; Elliott, born 1910; Franklin Jr. , born 1914 and John Aspinwall, born 1916 (Coker, 2005). In 1910 FDR ran and got elected to the New York Senate and was re-elected in 1912. One year later he began his tenure as assistant secretary of the Navy under the Wilson administration at the age of 31, helping to prepare the country for entry into the world war. He moved his family to Washington for this reason. WWI lasted from April1917 until November 1918. â€Å"On more than one occasion, he was subject to ribbing by those around him as being a â€Å"little boy†. Nevertheless, in characteristic Roosevelt fashion, he was undaunted by his lack of experience and plunged into the job with enthusiasm and confidence (Coker, 2005, pg. 28). † As a matter of fact, he did such a great job, that in 1920 the Democratic Party named him the vice-presidential candidate on James Cox’s ticket. They lost the election in November of that year. Roosevelt’s most significant responsibility in the Navy Department had to do with labor negotiations with defense contractors. His primary goal in this area was to encourage positive relations between workers, industry leaders, and the military. In this capacity he gained appreciation for labor issues and learned how to handle sometimes rocky labor disputes (Coker, 2005). â€Å"FDR proved to have the exceptional ability to juggle various administrative and political responsibilities. Part of the reason he was able to do so many things simultaneously was that he insisted on bringing the indispensable Louis Howe to Washington with him to serve as his personal secretary. Howe seemed to be everywhere at once, assisting Roosevelt in all matters-scheduling appointments, helping with clerical work, and even helping Roosevelt keep an eye on, and a hand in, New York politics. † (Coker, 2005, pg. 31) In1921 FDR contracted polio, an incurable disease that left his legs paralyzed. By investing a considerable part of his fortune in renovating a spa in Warm Springs, Georgia, whose curative waters, together with strenuous physical therapy and the support of his wife, children and close confidantes, was he able to regain some use of his legs. By 1928 with the relentless help of his wife, Howe and a new personal secretary, Marguerite (Missy) LeHand, FDR was apparently sufficiently recovered to resume his political ambitions to run and win the governorship of New York. The very next year FDR had to cope with the stock market crash in October. The stock market was pretty volatile in the 1920s. With no regulation, Americans and investors bought stock on credit. By the second half of 1929 the economy slowed because of rising unemployment and high interest rates. When everybody started selling stock and found no buyers, the market nosedived. October 24th (Black Thursday†) and October 29th († Black Tuesday†) were two days that marked the beginning of the depression, although not the only cause. At the same time, farmers were taking advantage of new technologies, which caused overproduction. The Stock market crash, along with overseas competition, and urban areas lacking the income to buy agricultural products, caused those prices to crash also. Because of the prosperity in the 1920 over 80% of Americans held no savings at all and the rich stopped buying. Because of all these factors, 5000 banks collapsed, one in four farms went into foreclosure and 100,000 jobs vanished each week. By 1932 one quarter of this country’s people in were unemployed (Baliles, 2005). FDR implemented a number of innovative relief and recovery initiatives: unemployment insurance, pensions for the elderly, limits on work hours, and massive public works projects. These programs labeled him as a liberal reformer and won him reelection as governor in 1930. It is important to note that FDR as Governor surrounded himself with best minds that worked with him in the State Senate, as well as some members of Al Smiths former gubernatorial administration, to solve his States’ problems. At the same time he had Louise Howe, as his chief campaign strategist and the head of the state Democratic Party, James Farley laying the ground work for a presidential campaign (Coker, 2005). In the grip of the great depression, the Democrats turned to FDR in the election season of 1932 to run for President. He was a popular and successful governor for two terms, with a recognizable last name, that could challenge President Hoover. He won the presidency in a landslide, promising the American People a â€Å"New Deal†. Voters extended FDR approval to both houses of congress, giving the democrats overwhelming majority, which would prove vital in FDR’s first year in office. In his inaugural address, FDR promised the distraught Americans hope by telling them that they had â€Å"nothing to fear but fear itself (Baliles, 2005). † True to his character, FDR surrounded himself with a group of advisers nicknamed â€Å"the brain trust†. This brain trust included former progressives, liberal-minded professors and bright young lawyers. One of the traits FDR is consistent on is the ability to recognize when expert help is needed, and then surrounding himself with it (Dubrin, 2004). â€Å"An array of emergency measures proposed by FDR, and passed by Congress reflected three basic goals: industrial recovery through business-government cooperation and pump-priming federal spending; agricultural recovery through crop reduction; and short-term emergency relief distributed through state and local agencies when possible, but directly by the federal government if necessary. † ( Boyer, P. et. al. (2008). pg. 734) â€Å"Between March and June 1933, a period labeled â€Å"Hundred Days,† Congress enacted more than a dozen key measures ( Boyer, P. et. al. (2008). pg. 736). † These measures were all directed to solve every aspect of the depression, including regulating the stock market. Because so many people had been unemployed for some time, the help did not come fast enough. By 1934 the unity spirit of the hundred days was fading, industry was chafing under increasing National Recovery Administration (NRA) regulations. Even Nature seemed to work against recovery efforts. Between 1930 and 1939 the drought in the Oklahoma panhandle region turned much of the Great Plains in the Midwest into a dust bowl. Depression persisted, despite all efforts. FDR put great store in talking to the people, and he used radio to talk to them. He would talk regularly and informally on shows called â€Å"fireside chats† about results and plans to help the nation and alleviate people’s fears (Boyer, P. et. al. (2008). At this point in his research the author remembered the first four chapters of required reading for the class. It is without exaggeration, when saying, that it is hard to single out any one part of these chapters to describe FDR. They simply seem written about him. From the definition of leadership to the nine leadership roles in chapter one, the personality traits, motives and cognitive factors of effective leadership in chapter two, to initiating structure and consideration and attitude and behaviors of a leader in chapter four. FDR had it all. If it has been noticed the Author left out chapter three, because this chapter dealt with Charisma and transformational leadership. It would not be fair to pick any part of this chapter in the authors opinion FDR was the embodiment of this chapter (Dubrin, 2004). While he was loved by the people, the new deal was criticized from all directions. Some saying that the New Deal was going to far, others saying it was not going far enough. FDR seemed to relish the attacks of his critics, saying that the New Deal protected the average American, not the rich. In 1935 FDR fought back the criticism with a series of legislation that eclipsed the first hundred days termed the â€Å"Second New Deal†. He also lost support from the business community because of his support for the Wagner Act and Social Security. Both were the more memorable of FDR’s accomplishments, the former allowed labor unions to organize and bargain collectively, the latter set up programs designed to provide for the needs of the aged, the poor, and the unemployed, but excluding farmers, domestic workers, and the self employed (Baliles, 2005). Because of his popularity with the American people, FDR wins the election of 1936 against Republican Alf Landon by a major majority. What this proved, was that the Democratic Party was the major party in the states. At his inauguration he promised the people to continue to fight for the nation’s underprivileged. FDR put together a group of voters from different regions of the country. This diverse group became the core of the Democratic Party. It came to be called the â€Å"New Deal Coalition† or â€Å"Roosevelt coalition† and included members from different labor, racial, religious and ethnic groups, along with academics and intellectuals (Coker, 2005). FDR is first to realize he can not do it all himself, and has the presents and humility to put together a group that can give him, information, ideas and feedback from every segment of the population he is trying to help (Dubrin, 2004). FDR’s second term in office started with doing something about the resistance he has been encountering to his New Deal. The Supreme Court was on top of his lists of concern. They had overturned some agricultural and industrial New Deal reforms earlier and Roosevelt was concerned for future programs. He found it unbelievable that this body could overrule not only the presidency, but the Congress as well. He blamed it on the lack of vision of several older judges and was determined to do something about it. If they refused to retire or to die, he would find a more systematic way to protect his policies from them. He consulted legal experts and advisers within the organization and came up with the idea to expand the number of judges on the Supreme Court. In 1937 FDR proposed legislation stating that because the age of some of the judges, and in the interest of efficiency, adding an additional new and younger justice for every one of the sitting ones over the age of 75. Most of his opposition called FDR a dictator, but having such a majority in both houses of congress, the bill would have probably passed. Perhaps that was the reason later that year, that the Supreme Court upheld some state and federal legislation. By the time the bill reached the Senate, all the steam went out of the argument and did not pass. The possibility of the event coming to pass however, had such an impact on the Supreme Court that they have not invalidated any legislation concerning regulating business or expanding social rights for the remainder of the century. Having won his point with the court, he was finding the whole federal bureaucracy moving to slow for his tastes, started to bypass established procedures, creating emergency agencies to carry out policies. In 1937 Roosevelt had a plan for reorganizing his cabinet. It called him to receive 6 full time executive assistants, for a single administrator to head the Civil Service Commission, for him and his staff to assume all responsibility in budget planning, and for every executive agency to be under the control of a cabinet department. Although he did get some of these things passed by Congress in 1939, his opposition was able to paint him as imperious and power-hungry (Baliles, 2005). The Author can empathize with FDR on the point of the Judges, mainly because of a similar difficulty in his work environment, involving very high sonority workers that could retire and make room for younger people to work in this difficult economy. He would have told him that he is also of the opinion that any political appointment should not be for life. Frustrated by red tape of bureaucracy FDR shows a segment of entrepreneurial leadership (Dubrin, 2004). To top all this controversy, FDR also tried to eliminate some of the conservatives within his own party by supporting their more liberal opponents in the 1938 primary. This attempt was later labeled â€Å"The great Purge† and failed. Of the 10 Democrats targeted, only one lost. All these were reasons the party suffered significant setbacks, as the Republicans reclaimed 81 seats in the House of Representatives and 8 in the Senate in the 1938 midterm elections. In the midst of these setbacks, international events were becoming more important and harder to ignore. During the internal struggle of the depression the administration had adopted a position of isolation and neutrality toward the rest of the world claiming the United States was dragged into WWI by trade entanglements with European factions. The Japanese invaded the Chinese Mainland in 1937 and the fact this happened with very little resistance, FDR considered responding, concerned Japan might be encouraged to continue to press forward threatening crucial United States locations in the Philippines. Although FDR wanted to respond to the threat, he relented to his opposition. He sufficed to publicly â€Å"quarantined† Japan, mainly to express U. S. opposition to the invasion. He did ask and receive funding for increased naval development in the pacific under the guise of creating more jobs (Baliles, 2005). FDR shows his democratic leadership side as he cedes to the wishes of the population and the political majority and refrains from taking any direct and hostile action toward Japan. He probably realizes that the internal problems need the most focus as Japan has not physically attacked the U. S. Although, like the entrepreneurial and situational leader that he is, he sees an opportunity to use the goals of economic recovery and job creation to build up the country’s defenses. The Author would most likely have suggested using this creative plan to enforce the navy in the Atlantic as well (Dubrin, 2004). In Europe, Germany lead by Hitler was also invading neighboring countries under the guise of reuniting Germanic people under one nation. As long as his actions suited his declaration, France and England were content to stay out of the action. Russia under Stalin, seeing the lack of opposition, made a nonaggression pact with Hitler, and started seizing territory in Eastern Europe, while Hitler invaded Poland. These actions in 1939 shocked the world, with France and England declaring the start of World War II (Coker, 2005). Throughout this aggression in Europe, FDR was hamstrung because of the neutrality acts congress passed between 1935 and 1939. Being as staunch supporter of England and France, he did manage to relax them in 1939, accomplishing two goals, boosting our economy with our allies able to buy arms and munitions from us, as well as supporting them. In a speech to Congress he voiced his opposition to the neutrality laws and his regret of signing them. Explaining that none of our ships would enter hostile waters, the allies buying from us would transport the munitions. He also refrained from using military language, afraid of loosing hard won political support, needed in the upcoming election. At this time decisions war vying for supremacy in FDR between the future of the nation and his political career (Baliles, 2005). It is admirable and probably due to his inner circle of family and friend, that FDR has the presents of mind to divide his concentration between the troubles in Europe, trouble in the country and making sure he wins the election. FDR seems to see himself as a servant leader (Dubrin, 2004). Although expressing concern once that the Democratic Party was becoming to dependent on him, he was confidante he would win the nomination and be a favorite in the election. After a period of indecision, that left the party hanging, FDR announced his full support for the ticket. He did win the nomination and promptly announced his intention to replace the vice president, conservative John Nance Garner with Henry Wallace, a progressive who had been a major player in the administration. This caused a major disagreement within the party as nobody wanted a change. FDR got his way by a narrow margin, simply because he threatened to drop out of the race and resign from the white house immediately (Baliles, 2005). FDR seems to let his position go to his head somewhat as his actions describe a section of chapter 4 entitled the dark side of charismatic leadership. It describes that the end justifies the means (Dubrin, 2004). The race was the most challenging so far for FDR. The republicans, taking advantage of the strife in the Republican Party, tried labeling FDR as unstable and warmonger. In return FDR was warning the public of the threat the republicans would dismantle the New Deal and destroy the progress it had made. FDR would win the presidency for a third term with a narrower margin than the last two. Without the concern of the an election FDR proposed a bill to congress, which he promoted through a â€Å"Fireside chat† as well as a speech in congress, stressing that while the country was a peaceful one, with no intention of entering the war, the country had a good neighbor responsibility to help defeat Hitler through the production of goods and weaponry and a â€Å"Lend-Lease† program, under which the Allies could borrow military hardware to return after use. A bill was passed in congress in early1941 that greatly increased our help to Great Britain. As Hitler was fighting by now against England and Russia, having broken the nonaggression pack, FDR was able to increase the U. S. naval presence in the Atlantic on the threat that Hitler was out of control without breaking the neutrality act. This action caused our ships to come under fire, resulting in the sinking of several. In September of 1941, while mourning the death of his mother, FDR gave our navy orders to fire at will. Emboldened by its alliance with Germany, Japan attacked the U. S. at Pearl Harbor hoping to invade and secure the natural resources, denied them after their alliance with Germany, which they were importing from the U. S. before. On December 8, 1941, FDR delivered his famous â€Å"A ate which will live in infamy† speech, to congress asking for a declaration of war and getting it that same afternoon (Coker, 2005). â€Å"Despite Roosevelts lifelong interest in diplomacy, he never held illusions that he would formulate strategy in case of war. He did, however, expect to stay in close contact with his officers and surround himself with an able advisory team (Coker, 2005, Pg. 134)†. He also took similar steps to reorient the country for war production, creating the War Production Board to oversee mobilization soon joined by an Office of War Mobilization. FDR’s New Deal experience helped him create a cooperative venture between government and private industry to meet defense needs (Coker, 2005). During mobilization FDR brought about significant changes for the betterment of unemployed and minorities. Farmers streamed into cities, finding jobs, women were urged to work at jobs previously occupied by men and everybody was urged to join a union. Unions saw the peek of membership during these years. If the New Deal was slow in turning the economy around, although creating enormous deficit, the Second World War kick started the economy into high gear. Although reluctant and concerned about violating civil liberties, FDR, as was his policy in most military matters, listened to his military advisors and issued Executive Order 9066, which forced over 100,000 Japanese-Americans into internment camps, for security reasons. (Coker, 2005) Controversial and widely criticized later, this action was done out of fear of espionage. At that time, however not the Civil Liberties Union, nor the public objected to this action. If War was not one of FDR’s strong points, organizing, creating smooth transitions using programs such as â€Å"maintenance for membership† and â€Å"no strike-pledge† was. He used fireside chats to explain to the public the need for such policies, applying to patriotism. While researching FDR’s accomplishments during WWII, the author was amazed by his power of persuasion and organization during this time of mass confusion in this country. Had he lived in this time frame, the Author would have liked FDR to tell him how he kept it all straight (Dubrin, 2004). The outlook did not look promising for the allies in the first months of 1942, but things turned against Germany and Japan when the U. S. won victories in the pacific theater in 1943 and â€Å"D-Day† operation was a great success in France in 1944. On the home front, FDR had to concentrate internally again for several reasons. First the Republicans, having won major advancements in the election of 1942 in Congress, were making it almost impossible to pass legislation to fund the war, which mainly consisted of significant tax hikes. The Labor unions were also threatening to strike over this issue. Mainly the public was fed up with funding the war and having to do without. In 1944, FDR made it known to his party that he was willing to run for a forth term. The party acknowledged that he would be their best chance for victory, however, nominated Senator Harry Truman as Vice President. Although a sick man, run down from his years in office, his energetic campaigning and his medical condition, FDR downplayed the situation and convinced the public they should not change leaders in mid-war. He won the presidency against republican New York governor Thomas Dewey by 54% of the popular vote (Baliles, 2005). FDR’s stamina and drive at this point in his life is a little disturbing from the authors point of view. Highly regarded as a great leader, it is surprising he does not recognize his deficiencies and recommends the party choose a different candidate. But then, if his wife, doctor and friends could not persuade him to retire, the author doubts highly that his own powers of persuasion could have influenced FDR to turn the country over to somebody else, and concentrate on his health and family. FDR’s health deteriorated rapidly after the election. He would not live to see the end of WWII. Convalescing in Warm Spring, Georgia on April, 12, 1945; he collapsed and died of cerebral hemorrhage. His body was transported from Georgia to Washington D. C. and from there to Hyde Park, N. Y. for burial. Hundreds of thousands of people came to pay their respects during this final journey, attesting to the fact that he was considered the hero and savior of the 20th century (Boyer, P. et. al. (2008). Congress did limit the terms of a president to two terms shortly after FDR’s death. Actually, the Republican Party started legislation on this subject four years earlier, at the time of the last election. They did not pursue it on the grounds of seeming petty during the election. Over the decades the subject â€Å"FDR†, private life, political life and all his accomplishments, good or bad, would be studied by economists, politicians, and academics as well as students like us. One such example is a Policy Review interview of several students asked to compare the Contract with America which the 1995, 104th Congress and House Speaker Newt Gingrich promised to deliver in less than 100 days with FDR’s New Deal. The Author would like to show Quotes to prove several points. Sally C. Pipes, President of Pacific Research Institute for Public Policy â€Å"Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and the new Republican House Leadership deserve thanks and congratulations for the successful completion of the Contract with America. What a revolutionary series of events has taken place! With the Contract, a promise to the American people was made; in a little less than the promised hundred days, the promise was kept. Of what other Congress in this Century can that be said? † (Pitney, 1995) Mike Siegel, Former president of the National Association of Radio Talk Show Hosts. â€Å"The Contract with America committed the House Republicans to raising and voting on each of the Contract Items. This was accomplished and should be considered a major shift from politics as usual (Pitney, 1995). † Deroy Murdock, President of Loud & Clear Communication. â€Å"Assuming the Senate and President Clinton cooperate, the enactment of most Contract items, per se, will not influence American politics as profoundly as did FDR in his First Hundred Days. However, the paradigm shift that has accompanied the Contract likely will parallel the new thinking that FDR inspired 62 years ago. † (Pitney, 1995) Mona Charen, Nationally syndicated columnist. â€Å"The First Hundred Days of the Republican majority were like a laser show—full of color and sound, but so fast and furious that it was difficult for voters to single out the benefits of tort reform, welfare reform, or regulatory reform. † (Pitney, 1995) Jeff Jacoby, Nationally syndicated columnist for the Boston Globe. â€Å"So, no, in terms of legislation completed, Gingrich’s First Hundred Days don’t compare with FDR’s. So thoroughly did Gingrich and his army upend that piece of conventional wisdom, that by the end of a hundred days, Bill Clinton was reduced to insisting he still mattered. â€Å"The President,† he sniffled in a mid-April press conference, â€Å"is relevant here. † (Pitney, 1995) William A. Rusher, Former publisher of National Review. â€Å"The First Hundred Days of the new House Republican Leaders will deserve that well-worn adjective â€Å"historic† even if relatively few of the measures listed in their Contract with America ever become law in the form they recognize (Pitney, 1995). † Burton W. Folsom Jr. , Senior Fellow in Economic Education at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy in Midland, Michigan. â€Å"The House Republican Leadership did most of what it said it would do in the Contract with America. The Republican Contract was a conscious, thoughtful, and usually coherent plan that went from campaign document to legislative writ. The New Deal was improvisational and contradictory right from the start. † (Pitney, 1995) John J Pitney, JR. Associate professor of government at Claremont McKenna College. â€Å"The House GOP’s First Hundred Day compared badly with FDR’s. Although all the items in the Contract With America reached the House floor, only two of them became law before the hundredth day. By contrast, FDR signed bushels of bills during the Hundred Days of 1933. Crisis is the great lubricant of the legislative process, and the economic calamities of FDR’s early days briefly suspended Capitol Hill’s normal Friction. Government has become tangled in its own red tape. † (Pitney, 1995) The Author would like to point out, that there is hardly mention of the president of this time and then only to point out that he was left out of the loop. Apparently the House Speaker and the Republican majority in Congress decided they could upstage a Democratic President with a style of government by one of its own party example. As shown, none of the interviewees have lied, but it was entertaining to read just how much of the story a particular party adherent brings to light to prove his point of view. Clearly, the more is known of the story, the worse the scenario of the Contract With America sounds. We have just had a historical presidential election. If FDR started with having blacks, women and other minorities in high office, this country as a whole just elected a black man into the White house. In 1995 Congress took up FDR’s ideology but tried to upend the hierarchy. Since then the Country’s problems have just gotten worse. Again the cry has started and the president has taken up the challenge and stated publicly that he would use some of FDR’s strategies. Immediately the media, economists and scholars exploded with the similarities of the state of the country then and now, advice and warnings to the administration. We are closer to the FDR era state of the economy, the sharp rise in unemployment, the near collapse of the banking industry and the essential pessimism of the population. FDR’s overall message is less caution and more boldness. The congress will also have a democratic majority next year and one of the most liberal caucuses ever, which should facilitate cooperation by past experience. Together with the lubricant of crisis stated earlier should help (Schlesinger, 2009). Two other similarities are contributed to Barack Obama. He unusually charismatic person and is a great speaker, which should help him guide the general public through this crisis. He has surrounded himself with an experienced staff, headed by â€Å"101st Senator† Rouse. To get his agenda passed, he just needs to convince Congress to take some political risks (Drum, 2008). There is hardly any advice this Author can offer that has not already been offered by persons more qualified other than hope. Hope that lessons have been learned from history and similar situations. God knows this country has had most imaginable, and the Baker College Corporate Services. (2016, Nov 23).

Travel the World - Letter to a Friend - Assignment

Travel the World - Letter to a Friend - - Assignment Example nding money and time traveling to the City was, therefore, to experience the culture and art of London, to learn the various kinds of art within the city that may have influenced Albert in his career. In his painting, Albert depicts ambient photographic-like scenery of a lake amidst rocky mountain cliffs with grazing deer on the shore in the foreground. The cheap means of travelling to London from Huston Texas was through the Turkish airlines that cost $610 to and fro. The great London atmosphere also extends its hotels with varying affordable rates. Within the city of London, I am staying at the Central Park Hotel, a three star hotel located at the heart of the city that costs  £43 per night (FareCompare.com). London is the capital city of the England in Europe popularly known for its monarchy system under the rule of a queen. There are nearly over 300 languages spoken in the city, however, its main culture mainly ties around the arts, museums and various festivals. In particular, as for architecture, London prides itself of a number of landmarks and cultural iconic objects that are globally associated with the city such as the Big Ben, as well as the Buckingham Palace. The city is also popular for the fast foods vendors that specialize in making the burgers, pies and pizza that forms one of the main popular foods among most city dwellers and workers. In terms of entertainment, the city is best recognized for its particular preference for rock music dating from the 1960s and is the home for various globally renowned rock bands and musicians. The city is also home for some of the globally recognized teams in the game of soccer. Like other major cities across Europe, London has an oceanic t emperate climate with the four climatic seasons like most of Europe (The Guardian). Albert made his iconic photograph-like painting using oil-based paints and soft brush to make the portrait on canvas measuring approximately six and ten feet in size. Albert gracefully employs