Employee innovations and proprietary rights Assignment

Employee innovations and proprietary rights - Assignment Example As used in this Agreement, the term â€Å"Innovations† means all processes, Machines, manufactures, compositions of matter, improvements, inventions (whether or not protectable under patent laws), works of authorship, information fixed in any tangible medium of expression (whether or not protectable under copyright laws), moral rights, mask works, trademarks, trade names, trade dress, trade secrets, know-how, ideas (whether or not protectable under trade secret laws), and all other subject matter protectable under patent, copyright, moral right, mask work, trademark, trade secret or other laws, and includes without limitation all new or useful art, combinations, discoveries, formulae, manufacturing techniques, technical developments, discoveries, artwork, software, and designs. â€Å"Innovations† includes â€Å"inventions,† which is defined to mean any inventions protected under patent laws.

A reflective essay to reflect the feeling of pulse taking and tongue reading Essay Example for Free

A reflective essay to reflect the feeling of pulse taking and tongue reading Essay One of the earliest references to pulse diagnosis appears in the Huangdi Neijing, also known as The Yellow Emperors Internal Classic or The Yellow Emperors Classic of Internal Medicine. A passage in the book notes that, â€Å"In diagnosis, observation of the spirit and facial color, and palpation of the pulses, are the two methods that were emphasized by the ancient emperors and revered teachers,† which implies that the practical use of pulse diagnosis existed long before the Huangdi Neijing was written. Pulse and tongue diagnosis are two of the more important diagnostic tools in Chinese medicine. They are both used to derive a TCM diagnosis for your condition which is used to plan your treatment. Of the diagnostic tools, pulse diagnosis is one of the more important tools used in Chinese acupuncture and herbal medicine. While tongue diagnosis provides valuable clinical information, the pulse can be used to gain a deep understanding of the patient on many levels. Pulse diagnosis is the ancient art and science of detecting status of a persons body, mind and spirit. Even at basic levels, the pulse provides immediate and specific information that can help clarify contradictory diagnostic information and symptomology . The pulse can be influenced by factors like age ,in this case the strength and quality of the pulse will decline as a person ages ,or gender , Men are generally stronger on the left and Women are generally stronger on the right. Another factor is the season when you have a more wiry pulse in Spring time ,stronger in the Summer and deeper in the Winter. Tongue and pulse diagnosis are both used to derive a TCM diagnosis for your condition which is used to plan your treatment. Generally the tongue, is much easier to learn and less subjective than pulse diagnosis. It is less meridian specific than the pulse, however, the tongue will show the depth and nature (hot, cold, etc.) of an imbalance and it is less effected by short-term influences such as nervousness. The tongue is also useful as a measurement tool to gauge the progress of a disorder. I believe the TCM is about energy and energy function condition  medicine culture, it is more than construction medicine culture, the pulse diag nosis is a energy feeling diagnosis, no only a position touch feeling diagnosis. In an ideal situation, the pulse is taken in the morning while the person is still calm and rested. In actuality, however, the procedure usually takes place in the clinic during the initial interview. It is important to let patients who have just arrived rest for a while to allow the pulses to settle down. Otherwise, it would be easy to mistake a rapid pulse for a heat condition when it is actually due to the persons hurrying to make the appointment. This is one situation when sitting in the waiting room is to the patients advantage. From my personal experience in the clinic I can say some of the patients find pulse taking strange (on the first session) and also they seem to be a little bit uncomfortable when you ask to see their tongue. The pulse can be felt in a number of locations, the primary location is at the radial artery in the wrist. Each wrist has three positions that correspond to different organs. The left wrist corresponds to the heart, liver , and kidney yin .The right wrist gives information about the lungs, spleen , and kidney yang . In clinical practice, we have to always combine the pulse information with the whole picture derived from looking, listening, smelling, and asking. Through this process, traditional Chinese practitioners are able to accurately diagnose the patterns of imbalance in their patients without the help of laboratory tests or expensive diagnostic equipment. To make the patient feel more comfortable when the pulse is being take you must ensure you introduce yourself to the patient, explain the procedure answering any questions they may have, ask for their consent and also make sure they are sitting comfortably, with their arm rested. Sometimes what the patient says contradicts the pulse qualities, in which case the acupuncturist will want to ask more questions to get at the truth. Without the pulse diagnosis he wouldnt have known to ask more questions, to delve deeper, and might have done the wrong treatment. If the patient is taking medication, or just been taking strenuous exercise, pulse taking may not work. If the patient is under the influence of social drugs it may not reveal much. Some patients have arteries that travel on the thu mb side of the radial bone so you cant feel the pulse in the normal position. Some patients have pulses so small (itself a pointer to their health) that they are very hard to take. The  pulse quality often changes within a few seconds of inserting the needle in the right place. As the right treatment progresses, the pulse qualities and strength improve, so that the acupuncturist knows, from pulse diagnosis, that the patient will start feeling better soon. There are three positions a practitioner is looking for, and each position represents a different organ or part of the body. This is the reason we take the pulse on both sides, not just one. By taking the pulse, we can tell if patients eating habits are good, if they have a cold coming on, and if their energy is high or low. We can also take note of how your organs are functioning at that time. The tongue has a special relationship with the Heart, in that the Heart opens to the tongue. The tongue is said to be an offshoot of the Heart, or flowers into the Heart. The tongue, containing water, electrolytes, mucus, and enzymes, is a very sensitive organ and its appearance changes with many physical changes in the body. In Chinese medicine, the tongue is a map of the internal body. Like the face, the tongue is divided into five-element zones that correspond to your internal organ networks. The tongue reading it’s all about finding what areas are stagnated, which need to be nourished, which are getting too much circulation or too little circulation, too much energy or too little, and how to balance out the body so that everything is in harmony. When we use the tongue as a tool for analysis and diagnosis, we are looking at the shape, shadings, markings, wetness, texture and even the way someone sticks out her tongue. Having this knowledge can help describe the current state of a patient health, as well as his or her genetic tendencies. It is a diagnostic technique, and it can reveal an existing disease process and disclose many things about a person on many levels. All the organs and the entire body can be located on specific regions of the tongue. The beauty of tongue diagnosis is in its simplicity and immediacy. Benefits of tongue diagnosis include: assesses a person’s current health condition; informs the practitioner about the underlying cause of disease; is an accurate way of determining what is happening in the digestive system: liver, stomach, spleen, small and large intestines; reveals the stage and progression of a particular illness; reflects the quality of the circulation of blood, bodily fluids and essence; mirrors the condition of the bodily fluids, function of the organs, strengths and depth of the pathogenic factors in the  body; shows the quality of the individual’s energy production. A normal tongue should be pink, muscular without tooth marking or discoloration, and have a very thin clear coating that exhibits proper salivary secretions. Tongue diagnosis is more objective than pulse diagnosis, though pulse diagnosis takes a long time to master, while basic tongue diagnosis can be taught in a short period of time. Before examining the tongue for diagnosis, make sure the patient has not eaten pickles, cayenne pepper, curry and other hot things. They will temporarily turn the tongue red. It takes a few hours for the tongue to get its normal coat back after the person has scraped it as well. And smoking turns the coat yellow. From my personal experience in the clinic I can say it’s common to see thick tongues, purplish tongues, tongues with teeth marks in them and tongues with cracks in various places. I also have noted tongues with coats both white and yellow, sticky and thin. Primarily a preventive discipline, acupuncture, especially through pulse diagnosis, the acupuncturist can detect disturbances in the qi at the earliest possible stage, before disease develops and restores balance through acupuncture treatment and herbs. References : www.acupuncture.com www.yinyanghouse.com Walsh S. King, E. (2007) Pulse Diagnosis . Churchill Livingstone Chen, J.X. (2007) Chinese Medicine Study Guide: Diagnostics . Pulse Diagnosis .Dupler D. In: Krapp K, Long JL (eds.) Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale Group, 2001 Tongue Diagnosis in Chinese medicine by Giavanni Macciocia

Frank J. Horgan Filtration Plant :: essays research papers

Frank J. Horgan Filtration Plant Introduction The Frank J. Horgan Filtration Plant is located Southeast of Toronto on the shores of Lake Ontario (See map). Its purpose is to provide safe drinking water to our taps by filtering the water. The water is gathered from Lake Ontario. This plant has a production capacity of 455 million litres per day to supply the residents of Toronto with drinking water. Its average production of drinking water is 355 million litres per day. It is also the newest filtration plant in Toronto. History The Frank J. horgan Filtration Plant was built from 1974 to 1979 on property acquired from the city of Scarborough, It opened on May 22,1980. When it opened, it was not named Frank J. Horgan Filtration Plant but was names Easterly Filtration Plant. This was because the plant was on the eastern side of Toronto. The name seemed appropriate at the time. The name was changed to Frank J. Horgan Filtration Plant at 1990 by the commissioner of works for Metro Toronto. This plant cost about 57 million dollars to construct. About nineteen major contractors worked on this plant and were supervised by the Engineering firm of James F. Macharen Limited. Although it is the newest plant, it had it’s disasters. Their intake value exploded twice between 1980 and 1995 because of the extreme pressure and Wight of the water. these incidents cause a shutdown of the plant until they could repair it. Production The Frank J. Horgan Filtration Plant needs only one row materials to operate, which is water. The plant is right next to lake Ontario, collecting water to purify. The water enters the plant by means of two 114 and four 182 million litres per day pumps, sum 18 meters below sea level and 2960 meters off the shore. Since the pressure of the water at that depth is so strong, there is no need for any mechanical pumps. They just let pressure and suction to do the job. The water is now treated with chemicals which are aluminium sulphate (alum), lime and chlorine. Alum is used to stick dirt particles together, to make large clumps of dirty called "floc". A lot of chlorine is added to the water to kill the bacteria. If we were to drink it, you would die from chlorine poisoning. The Chlorine, by the end of the filtration, drops to a safe level. This is where the alum does its work. Coagulation is basically mixing the alum with the water. This is a achieved by high speed in-line mechanical blenders. Flocculation occurs right afterwards.

Intergrating Technology And Le :: essays research papers fc

The face of business has changed. Technology has taken over or enhanced traditional ways of communication such as face-to-face interaction and mail. It isn’t necessary to wait 7 business days to hear a reply from a customer anymore. In fact, it could take less than 7 minutes through the use of a phone, email, or fax. The Board of Trustees can have a video conference when they are 6,000 miles apart from each other. However, with the benefits of technology, has fundamentals such as leadership been overlooked? Leadership used to focus around personal interaction when meetings would be held in a conference room and tasks would be accomplished by people standing side by side to each other.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Leadership is a necessary component to the success of any business or organization. Leadership says, “I care about you'; to the customer. Used correctly, technology can enhance the practice of leadership in today’s businesses and organizations. It is necessary, though, that some personal interaction remain to show people that the business is still customer oriented.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Leadership can be divided into three categories: mentoring, risk-taking, and facilitating. Although there are many attributes and characteristics of a leader, these three are the most important in today’s business and organizations. Most other skills of a leader would fall under these three categories. For example, being trustworthy and loyal would fit under the mentoring aspect. Risk-taking would include courage. Being team-motivated and having the ability to make decisions would fall under facilitating. Technology can be applied to each of these categories to enhance the business or organization’s success. No business is complete without leadership and today, leadership is not complete without technology. Mentoring What is a mentor? In Homer’s Odyssey, Mentor was the teacher of Telemachus, the son of Odyssius. But Mentor was more than a teacher. He was half-god and half-man; half-male and half-female; believable and yet unreachable. Mentor was the union of both goal and path, wisdom personified. In today’s society, the same principles apply. Mentors teach and guide others. They inspire and convey a sense of vision to the people around them. Proverbs 29:18 reads that where there is no vision, the people perish. Effective leaders do not allow this to happen. They keep the team energized until the vision is no longer a dream, but a reality. Leaders walk the talk; and this creates the trust and respect necessary to achieve the team’s purpose.

Example of Mathematics Lesson Plan for Bearing Topic

LESSON PLAN Date: 23 October 2012 (Tuesday) Time: 2. 30p. m until 3. 30 p. m. Class: 5 Science 1 Number of Pupils: 29 Subject: Mathematics Topic: Bearings Learning Area: Bearings Previous Knowledge: The students have learnt the four main compass directions in Geography Subject. Thinking Skills: Identifying, Calculating and Drawing. Teaching-learning Resources: Manila Card. Learning ObjectivesPupils will be taught to†¦ | Teaching and Learning Activities| Learning OutcomesPupils will be able to †¦ Remarks| 1 Understand the concept of bearing. | Introduce the eight main compass directions. | Draw and label the eight main compass directions: a) north, south, east, west, b) north-east, north-west, south-east, south west. | Vocabulary north-eastsouth-eastnorth-westsouth-westcompass anglebearing| 2 Use the concept of bearing. | 1 Show and calculate the compass angle of any direction. Examples :State the bearing of point P. Answer : 48? Answer : 180? + 60? 240? Answer : 180? â€⠀œ 40? = 140? Answer : 270? + 20? = 290? Answer : The bearing of  A  from  B  is 065?. The bearing of  B  from  A  is 245?. 2 Discuss the use of bearing in real life situations. For example, in map reading and navigation. Example : In Diagram 8, P, Q and R are three points on a horizontal plane. R lies to the east of P. The bearing of Q from P is 072?. The bearing of R from Q is A 162? B 198? C 288? D 342? | 1 State the compass angle of any compass direction. Draw a diagram which shows the direction of B to A given the bearing of B from A. 3 State the bearing of point A from point B based on the given information. 4 Solve problems involving bearings. | Point to noteCompass angle and bearing are written in three-digit form, from 000? to 360?. They are measured in a clockwise direction from north. Due north is considered as bearing 000?. For cases involvingdegrees and minutes, state in degrees up to one decimal place. |

buy custom The Good essay

buy custom The Good essay This is a book written by Silas house. The books main character is Eli. In the natural and everyday life, a child is born in natural and good environment that has trust and order. But then there also comes a time when things change around for the young and children discover that life is confusing, messy and sometimes even becomes chaotic. Such a mishap causes the world for a child to look like it has tilted and happens to cause a lot of unsteadiness and also sense of frightening suddenly. At this point, the child experiences a sudden vertigo. In the book Eli the good such a moment happened to him in 1976 and Eli was ten years old. Eli narrates the story about himself and the family of how the family undergoes a transition. To speak the truth, the summer of 1976 was a period no man can forget and especially crow county of Kentucky where Eli lives. Eli does not seem to know the changes that he is facing but goes through them anyway. He spends most of days when young hanging out with his best friend Edie though she is a girl and snoops on his sister and the boyfriend. At his tender ages he discovers that all the people he associates with have secrets and one by one starts to unravel the truth. Eli realizes that life continues like the refuge river that flows near his house even if anything is thrown into it. He has a journal where he records everything every thing that is happens or goes on around him and is from these journal entries that he is able to narrate the story. Eli is depicted by the writer as being a very observant child that is able to pay attention and reason of how things are happening around him. He goes to an extent of realizing how much strong lov his father and mother have towards each other and he even becomes jealousy the his mother loves his father more than him. In addition to that, he notices the tenderness his sister holds for him despite the fact that her sixteen years old sister is angry at the world. He also notices the pain that his best friend Edie suffers when her parents separate. As if that is not enough, he takes note of the commitment that Nell, his aunt has towards her brother (Elis Dad). He looks too young to understand these things but he understands them anyway. He is also aware of the painful experiences of his dad while in Vietnam and also of how a wedge, things have destroyed the relationship with his father (Brennan 96). Time and again, Elis mother tries to smoothen things up and insist on that everything is fine, but little Eli is not a boy to joke with, he seeks to understands things much better the way they are happening. He also seems to get strength by observing trees, the sun and the river in order to live life despite all these challenges. The reader easily gets connected with this tale especially the understanding of the Vietnam War because it wasnt clear of what was happening. There was trouble in the oil industry as oil was becoming a currency and that alone would push the world economy and politics. But the pace then was slow. Then, there were no mobile phone and wire of telephone were crossing the streets, the rivers were clean and anybody interested would swim in any river and even drink water directly, and the neighbors knew each other so well. People used to grow slowly and life was natural because everything happened at the right time. Now this is the environment that is described as ending in the book Eli the good and slowly another culture is crippling in through this story. It is also important to note that within this tale, there is violence that shocks suddenly. However it is mean to unfold the story and also magnifies the kind of confusion that Eli undergoes and explains to the reader the reality that produces chaos at the root of confusion. Although there is no sex, it becomes a centre of attention in the tale. At that time, sex was so innocent and nobody would discuss that topic anywhere and it is amazing what the reader understands that the only fear of having sex then was only pregnancy whereas nowadays, there are so many fears associated with having sex the main one being the HIV/AIDS prevalence. Psychology also bounds this great tale of Eli the Good; it vividly explains that the Oedipus complexes are seen to be thicker than a July evening. Mythology is also used especially when the Wounded Warriors, the Goddess of homes described as stirring the world into action. Elis theology also leaks out of his life and the community in which he lives. Eli seeks to become a part of nature that is welcoming to him. There is also contrast in the tale while the father to Eli if a war vet dedicated in serving his nation in defense against Vietnam, his sister if a war protestor and criticized the war. According to the author, the family is the centre of the tale. The stability of the family, definition and direction will always enable an individual to develop naturally in terms of emotions, psychologically, theologically and in so doing, the family and the entire world will become a healthy place where people grow up with moral understanding. Buy custom "The Good" essay

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Essayss Essayss White Americans Males are ranked the second highest among other races in cigarette smoking in the United States. Statistics indicates that approximately 42 million of American populations are cigarette smoker as per the year 2013. However, 60 % of this population is adults with men being the most prevalence than women taking 66%. The research The Story of Progress: Women, African Americans and Industrial Workers from 1865 to 1938 Analisys The history of the United States is a story of progress. Over a relatively short period of time, the country passed almost all stages of growth and decline to create equally favorable life conditions for all population groups. The period between 1865 and 1938 in America was marked with numerous successes and failures. From the The Most Important Terminology in Investment Informative Introduction An investment is a monetary security purchased with the idea of creating more earnings in future or with the hope that the security will appreciate and be sold at a profit. The current paper will look at the most important terms in investment. Asset Allocation It is a term given to the investors’ investment The Culture Analysis of Aruba Analisys Cultural norms comprise stereotypes of perceptions inherent in the collective subconsciousness of a specific nation. Undoubtedly, stereotypes, bias, and prejudices are representing the misinterpretations, when the objective appreciation of reality is hindered by the subjective meanings that had been greatly influenced by cultural factors. These conceptions are often unjust and do not adequately reflect reality. Mahatma Gandhi Analisys The beginning of the twentieth century was marked by a string of events that have changed the course of the world’s history. In this respect, the World War I can be regarded as an event of extreme historical, cultural, political, economic, and social importance. The system of causes and effects associated with the WWI can Long Essay: Atlantic System Informative Introduction Atlantic System refers to the systematic network of trade established in 17000, which linked the three continent of Europe African and America. The trade relationship between the three parts of the continents was also referred to as the triangular trade. The European were the key player in the Atlantic system where they sell slaves Learning Theories and Technology Informative Abstract This paper discusses how different learning theories affect the process of learning. It discusses the theories and looks into how each theory impacts on online learning – the latest form of technological advancement in learning. The paper also looks at how each learning theory can be used to ensure maximum benefits of knowledge acquisition International and Domestic Political and Cultural Based Threats Introduction Dialectical thesis about the transition of quantitative changes into the qualitative   ones is fully applicable to the PRC. China has become one of the determining factors of global economic development, becoming an influential regional power in East and Central Asia, including the Korean Peninsula. It seeks to achieve the level of global political force Mythology and Religion Informative Mythology and religion are the subjects that have given people constant inspiration throughout the history. The need to illustrate the connection between myths and religion is to make people understand that there is no substantive difference between the worship of the god of Jews, Christians, and Muslims, as well as the cults of Egypt and Functional Classifications of Advertising Informative Introduction Advertising Advertising is simply a relatively low-cost strategy of conveying selling information to various prospective customers. It entails the process of buying benefactor-identified time or media space to promote an idea or product. In most cases, advertising can secure leads for intermediaries and salespersons by convincing readers to bid for additional information and identify Ethics: Monsanto vs. Francois Chemical Poisoning Ethical Scenario Analisys According to Harman, ethics or moral philosophy is a discipline in the social sciences that undertakes the persistent, systematic, and rational defence of the concept of right or wrong. Psychologists coined the word ethics from a Greek noun ethos, which means habit or the acceptable custom. In psychology, ethics examines the broad question of what Ethical Dilemma Nursing Introduction The contemporary world of nursing is full of the diversity of ethical issues, which tend to take its place in practice of every nurse. Experience makes it a mandatory step in the extension of knowledge and awareness on the various ethical issues, which can arise at any moment. It should become a goal of Effect and Reaction of Globalisation Analisys Abstract The paper deals with the analysis of globalization in the context of indigenous people of Central America, South Africa, and South India. The communities of San, Yanomami, and Toda are considered to be the elements of the global society representing its diversity as well as objects for cultural homogeneity. Incorporation of tribes into modern S534 Decision-Making Paper Law The current essay provides a general description of the group decisions of a successful and unsuccessful experience of applying this method to making decisions form a background for understanding the factors which have a direct and an indirect influence on effectiveness of this process. This Couples Therapy of Domestic Violence Introduction One of the most important features of domestic violence is that it is a recurring time incidents of multiple forms of violence, physical, sexual, psychological and economic. It is important to note the difference between family conflict and violence. The conflict is of an isolated local nature; violence is a systemic basis and consists Christianity: Becoming of Religion and Becoming Religious Analisys Scholars may debate on how religions emerge though it would be valid to state that any religion appears from a need in it. Often, new religious movements emerge and evolve in response to the changing social, economic or political environments or, even more often, during turbulent times on the threshold of epochs, clashes of worldviews,

Discuss the view that understandings of politics are always based on conceptions of human nature.

Discuss the view that understandings of politics are always based on conceptions of human nature. Understandings of politics have been greatly affected by different conceptions and models of human nature. Examples can be found in political ideologies such as socialism, liberalism and anarchism. Therefore human nature as a debate for discussion is very important.In this essay I will discuss what conceptions of human nature there are and how significant they are in relation to our understandings of politics. I will focus mainly on political ideologies and their different ideas of human nature and behaviour. This is because almost all political doctrines and beliefs are based upon some kind of theory of human naturePolitics in simplistic terms is the relationship between the individual and society because it involves the interaction of human beings among each other. Human nature is what is innate, inborn and natural in human life as opposed to social experience and environment. This is where some divisions occur in conceptions of human nature.Herbert Spencer (27 April 1820 - 8 Decem ber 1903) ...The question arises whether or not human nature is shaped only by biology or society as well (i.e. external forces). There are those who believe that humans can behave in ways that deny or contradict their 'true natures' and those who don't. It is important to note that models of human nature are normative, i.e. assumptions that cannot be scientifically proven such as what is 'human essence.'An important debate about human nature is what makes human 'natural'. Is it given or fixed by birth (biologically and genetically determined) or is it influenced and structured by social experience (i.e. experience of the world and growing up within a social environment). This put simply, is an argument between nature and nurture.Those who advocate the nature argument claim all aspects of human nature can be explained by biology. Charles Darwin, the founder of the theory of evolution, wrote...

An analysis of why strategic planning is important for FBI Research Paper

An analysis of why strategic planning is important for FBI Investigations - Research Paper Example According to Beinhocker (2006 pp 2), when preparing for strategic planning, the management should make sure that decisions made are in line with the strategy of the organization; hence, the management is able to respond effectively to challenges and also opportunities when they occur. An organization should also increase its innovativeness and an open mind to allow room for creative thinking. According to Hanna (1989, pp4), in his article, he emphasizes on the importance of strategic planning being flexible, selective and responsive, such that, it should increase creative thinking and understanding. In addition, managers must embrace the strategy and must aim at meeting the customer’s needs. The author further adds that the management should incorporate a clear mission, a well thought and communicated strategy, and the management drive, in which they are expected to be communicators and motivators to the rest of the staff. The federal bureau of investigation According to FBI ( 2007, pp5), the federal bureau of investigation (FBI) intelligence operations include the war against terrorism. The FBI priorities vary from protecting the United States against foreign intelligence operations and attacks via cyber and high tech crimes. ... Nevertheless, the threats on national security, for instance, the attempt on airline bombing during Christmas by the al Qaeda and the cyber intrusion at Google are some of the challenges that the FBI has had to deal with. Corruption cases are also numerous and so are health scams and ponzi schemes that affect the American citizens who rely on the FBI for justice. Why strategic planning is important for FBI Investigations According to Bryson (2004 pp 301), for an organization to be effective in its strategic planning, it needs to articulate the importance of strategic planning, whereby, they should highlight their competencies, changes, and the strategic issues that the organization is likely to face in the future. The organization should also be willing to commit resources such as money, time, and energy. The leaders should also emphasize that strategic planning will impact change that could be beneficial to the workforce. The management should also be to reward those participants th at contribute to creative thinking, as a way of motivating them for their contributions in creative ideas. Strategic planning is very important for any organization. In addition, it requires the consideration of both internal and external factors (Simerson, 2011 pp 16). Hence, it is evident that a strategic plan can be compared to a road map of an organization. The Strategic Planning Process Mission &   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Objectives  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Environmental  Ã‚   Scanning Strategy   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Formulation  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Strategy   Implementation  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Evaluation  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   & Control Source: http://www.quickmba.com/strategy/strategic-planning/ Strategic planning process

The Divine Command Theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Divine Command Theory - Essay Example The stronger version holds that moral behavior is good in itself, as such, we should live in a particular manner since God wills it. Similar to the weakest version, this entails the only religious believers need to concern themselves with moral accountability. The strongest version asserts that moral behavior is good because it is willed by God. ("Faithnet") The divine command theory is said to have been disproved by the Euthyphro dilemma, dubbed after Plato's dialogue, which goes: "Are morally good acts willed by God because they are morally good, or are they morally good because they are willed by God" ("Philosophy of Religion") If one accepts the first argument that morally good acts are willed by God because they are morally good, the independence problem arises. This means that the argument itself is inconsistent with the theory since moral value becomes independent of God's will. ("Philosophy of Religion") On the other hand, should one hold the second argument that morally good acts become such because they are willed by God, then problems pertaining to arbitrariness, emptiness, and repugnant commands are contended with? The arbitrariness problem stems from the argument that the divine command theory seems to attribute morality only on God's whims.  Ã‚  

Rousseanu Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Rousseanu - Essay Example The essence of discussing conjugal society is to distinguish it with that of political society. Locke sturdily distinguishes the two for the woman and man have the same power in their marriage, and neither one surrenders their natural freedom. Procreation as well leads to the persistence of the human race, so the obligation of parents is not just to produce children, but also to bring them up them. A woman may happen to be pregnant again even when she is bringing up her older kids, calling for the father’s constant presence, as well as the provision. God wanted the human marriage to last longer than that of other animals since through it they would be capable of making their lives better. Rousseau claims that Locke’s assertions are wrong since the innovation of conjugal society is the cause of women’s regular pregnancies and not an effect. (Rousseau et al. 217). Before the invention of conjugal society, women could take care of their kids without assistance from their husbands and the husbands lacked any proclivity to help them. When women and men start living together, more children are bored by women thus men develop a desire to assist in raising the kids up. In the family, as per Rousseau, it is the duty of a husband to provide since the women are always preoccupied with bringing up the kids. This is contrary to Locke’s claim that both parents should mutually provide the needs of the family. Contrary to Locke’s point of view, a man is usually detached from a woman after conception since he has already fulfilled his desires, and he does not care about his actions’ consequences. (Rousseau et al. 88). Rousseau’s perspective on the nature of the relationship amid women and men is based on the idea that men are stronger and thus more independent. They depend on women just because they have a desire for them. By contrast, women both desire and need men. As much as women are meant to submit to their husbands

Biology 2 (plant and society)a Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Biology 2 (plant and society)a - Assignment Example He discusses the totality of relevant aspects to undertaking this endeavor, from processing, and preparing the palm starch, how to transport and package it, and the organization of its distribution and production. The overall interpretations determined that the process of extraction, processing, and transport of the palm starch is a complex and involved. A process they may be performed differently dependent upon the culture, beliefs, and tools often used. 2)Is this an interdisciplinary study? Explain your answer. Yes, I would conclude that this is an entirely interdisciplinary endeavor. The research delves into botany, geography, biology, sociology, and ecology are all a part of the overall scope of all the elements needed. The extraction, packaging, and processing in multi-ethnic, multicultural areas could never be anything but an interdisciplinary project. 3)Why is the number of structural components of the extraction apparatus not necessarily a gauge of the complexity or efficienc y of the process? It can be extrapolated that the technology and physical equipment used in the process necessary to extract and process the palm starch is difficult to gauge its efficiency due a consistence of varying conditions. Simply meaning the environment, culture, and nature of where the extraction is being done may differ from one location to another. The hand press apparatus described uses, at least, 21 individual parts, which may increase to as many as 50-60 parts depending entirely on the number of troughs and conduits present. Who operates the apparatus, how often it is done, and in what manner the individuals operating the apparatus, and the whole of the extraction process, may differ entirely from another, dependent upon a number of social and cultural factors. Therefore, it can be harder to determine a single standard of total efficiency. 4)What basic principles had to have been known to develop the technology? In order to undertake such an endeavor it was necessary f or those involved to be aware of a many number of things. They would need to be aware of the local ecologies, but, also, the cultural and social values of the peoples that reside there. They would also, need to be aware of the potential consequences of their endeavor on an environmental level. As stated before this endeavor is clearly interdisciplinary, in order to accomplish the project all consideration would need to be addressed. 5)Why would this method of starch extraction not be applicable to sugar extraction? Obtaining sugar from the starch of the sago palm would require a several hour process of hydrolysis; with water at a temperature of, approximately, 190 degrees, therefore the process used in extracting the starch specifically would not lend itself to extracting sugars. The water used during the starch extraction is cool water, not hot. This stands out as the primary reason that this process would not be beneficial for extracting sugar. 6)Examine the location of Seram (for merly Ceram) in an atlas. What was its role during the years of the spice trade? Ceram, as it was once referred, along with Halmahera and Buru, make-up the three large islands in eastern Indonesia called the Moluccas. The Moluccas were, also, called the â€Å"spice islands;† a title they earned for good reason. These islands were the origin of, both, nutmeg and clove. In the 1500s the island were colonized by the Portuguese, who

Process Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Process Report - Essay Example Working with polarities/dualities -- body and mind, duty and pleasure, straight and gay -- very much set the mood of this and past sessions and has been very challenging for me. Challenging because it brought me back to the way I was processing some aspects of my life, when I felt it was safer to be at one side or another of the spectrum, rather than the middle where unpredictability would jeopardise my safety and make me feel anxious. In (2T), when I asked Andrew what type of medication he was taking, I learned how little he has revealed to the assessor and indeed to me in the previous sessions. For example, he has not revealed to anyone that he is going to therapy or his doubts about his sexuality, and his depressive condition. The latter makes me aware of some kind of similar narratives that I could encounter in other therapeutic alliances. I feel that with Andrew I am struggling to follow the rhythm and the pace he gave to the session. The ‘dance’ between us sometimes goes out of synch, as he unexpectedly stops and starts (with his silences and overwhelming recounts). This produces in me a constant vigilant state that makes the therapeutic relationship very tiring. However, there are also times in this unsynchronised dance where I am in and out of our therapeutic alliance; the ‘in time’ is when I am present and part of the client’s world and the ‘out’ is when I am the spectator of his world. During this time I move back into my own space where I can reflect and try to make sense of my, his and our world. I am realising more and more the wide river that runs through the client’s intellect and the solid bridge that we need to construct to be able to move freely from one shore to the other. Sometimes I feel that building that bridge is a huge task, and I wonder if we will succeed. The doubt is possibly to do with Andrew being my first client and the complex world

Biology 2 (plant and society)a Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Biology 2 (plant and society)a - Assignment Example He discusses the totality of relevant aspects to undertaking this endeavor, from processing, and preparing the palm starch, how to transport and package it, and the organization of its distribution and production. The overall interpretations determined that the process of extraction, processing, and transport of the palm starch is a complex and involved. A process they may be performed differently dependent upon the culture, beliefs, and tools often used. 2)Is this an interdisciplinary study? Explain your answer. Yes, I would conclude that this is an entirely interdisciplinary endeavor. The research delves into botany, geography, biology, sociology, and ecology are all a part of the overall scope of all the elements needed. The extraction, packaging, and processing in multi-ethnic, multicultural areas could never be anything but an interdisciplinary project. 3)Why is the number of structural components of the extraction apparatus not necessarily a gauge of the complexity or efficienc y of the process? It can be extrapolated that the technology and physical equipment used in the process necessary to extract and process the palm starch is difficult to gauge its efficiency due a consistence of varying conditions. Simply meaning the environment, culture, and nature of where the extraction is being done may differ from one location to another. The hand press apparatus described uses, at least, 21 individual parts, which may increase to as many as 50-60 parts depending entirely on the number of troughs and conduits present. Who operates the apparatus, how often it is done, and in what manner the individuals operating the apparatus, and the whole of the extraction process, may differ entirely from another, dependent upon a number of social and cultural factors. Therefore, it can be harder to determine a single standard of total efficiency. 4)What basic principles had to have been known to develop the technology? In order to undertake such an endeavor it was necessary f or those involved to be aware of a many number of things. They would need to be aware of the local ecologies, but, also, the cultural and social values of the peoples that reside there. They would also, need to be aware of the potential consequences of their endeavor on an environmental level. As stated before this endeavor is clearly interdisciplinary, in order to accomplish the project all consideration would need to be addressed. 5)Why would this method of starch extraction not be applicable to sugar extraction? Obtaining sugar from the starch of the sago palm would require a several hour process of hydrolysis; with water at a temperature of, approximately, 190 degrees, therefore the process used in extracting the starch specifically would not lend itself to extracting sugars. The water used during the starch extraction is cool water, not hot. This stands out as the primary reason that this process would not be beneficial for extracting sugar. 6)Examine the location of Seram (for merly Ceram) in an atlas. What was its role during the years of the spice trade? Ceram, as it was once referred, along with Halmahera and Buru, make-up the three large islands in eastern Indonesia called the Moluccas. The Moluccas were, also, called the â€Å"spice islands;† a title they earned for good reason. These islands were the origin of, both, nutmeg and clove. In the 1500s the island were colonized by the Portuguese, who

Critical analysis of assessment strategies and practice in the Essay

Critical analysis of assessment strategies and practice in the workplace - Essay Example The ability to pass that knowledge to other is extremely beneficial if the knowledge is to cause an impact. This calls for skilful verbal skills. This is because a student must have the ability to communicate with teachers, colleagues and clients or patients, (Banta, 2007, p57). There are moments that a direct discussion with a patient helps to make some procedures much easy, (Nicklin, and Kenworthy, 2000, p142). This should also be matched with the ability to consult is a verbal way freely and confidently. It therefore, becomes extremely necessary to find out whether the students know how to express themselves. Accuracy and precision is also extremely vital factor. This is because most of the complicated procedures are time bound and of a sensitive nature, (Neary, 2000, p124). This explains why a single delay can end up costing a lot. The student has to be able to work with the required time frame and also demonstrate accuracy and precision, (Banta, 2007, p57). This reveals the extent and reliability capacity of the student. The willingness to learn is demonstrated in a wide range of factors. A meritorious student should show the ability to learn new things, (Nicklin, and Kenworthy, 2000, p130). This includes asking the necessary questions and interacting with consultants, lecturers and other professionals who are way ahead. The student should also involve colleagues and fellow students so that they can exchange ideas, (Friedlander, 2004, p112). This too enhances understanding and learning process. It also shows that the student is willing to learn. The questions should be clear and should assess the subject matter with a sense of accuracy, (Neary, 2000, p124). The research questions and data collections methods in the assessment should be relevant and detailed, (Banta, 2007, p57). This is to make sure that crucial data is obtained from the student and give a precise assessment of the level of understanding and competence of the student,

Outliers the Story of Success Essay Example for Free

Outliers the Story of Success Essay Outliers: The story of success by Malcolm Gladwell is a very interesting book with realistic contents that I will be applying in my personal and professional life in years to come. I use the term interesting in a sense that not only it is a quick read but it actually provides a method behind the madness of success. The biggest point that the book makes and I don’t agree fully but to a certain degree that there is no such thing as a self made man. Right place, right time, right talent in my eyes are the powerful variables that influence as well as motivate the success of a human being. In order for the chemistry of these variables to work right one has to have a desire to capitalize on these variables in order to be successful. What I mean by desire is hard work and dedication, a relentless want to be perfect, to be successful, and to be an outlier. Like I mentioned above one has to be at the right place at the right time and a will to be successful. I have been in the financial industry for a little over fifteen years with the last seven years in a leadership position. The last few years have allowed me opportunities over time to acquire and develop talent. Over the years I have seen good talent go to waste because the individual would not capitalize on the time, place, and resources available to be successful. Majority of times these individuals would not put in the time to be successful. On the other side of the argument the talented individuals who are successful were the first ones in and last ones out. They were always willing to try new things, were flexible to support the business by embracing change, they were willing to work long hours, and had this enthusiastic drive to â€Å"GET BETTER† at all times and under all circumstances. I have to agree with the ten thousand hour rule that the author talks about especially when he uses the Beatles as an example. In my humble opinion the Beatles are a great example but they are one of many as the ten thousand hour rule is true for all the talent that is out there whether you look at entertainment, sports, corporate world, or entrepreneurship. In others words one has to pay their dues, they have to do their time, they have to stick it out and while doing so they have grow and get better but above all they have to learn from their mistakes and make adjustments as needed, the word strategy comes to mind. As per the National Federation of State High School Association one million high school kids participate in football, one out of seventeen play college football. As per the National Collegiate Athletic Association nine in ten housand high school senior football players eventually end up in the National Football League. In the 2012 National Football League Draft, out of the one million students who participated in high school football only two hundred and fifty three players were selected. As a kid they had dreams to play football and they achieve their dreams by working hard, sometimes studying hard as well, putting in the hours by practicing longer than anybody else around them, learning, understanding, and practicing new plays. As a teenager their lives revolve around football once the love for the game has been developed and it is deep enough for them to work hard at representing their high school with new dreams of playing for a good college or university. So essentially out of millions of kids in America who have a dream to play professional football, thousands make it to colleges and universities with football on their mind. They still have to put in the time, the hours, they have to pay their dues to be successful because the dreams just got bigger as in the National Football League. Out of these few thousand kids and their dreams only a few hundred will be selected to be a part of the National Football League. I can go on and on about any of the professional sports and the success stories behind them or the stories about the shattered dreams based on poor choices but I am not going to; instead I will agree with all the points the author makes in his book. If you don’t put in the time you are not going to be successful no matter what kind of talent you have. If you are than it has to be a pure stroke of luck. The one point that I will not agree with the author is his theory of the self made man. A self made man has the discipline and the drive to capitalize and maximize his potential, his opportunity, the time, the place, and the luck effectively and efficiently. This discipline and drive is what makes him a self made man. Case in point Troy Aikman versus Quincy Carter of the Dallas Cowboys. They both played for the same team at its peak, both of them were early draft picks; both of them had promising baseball careers before they chose football over baseball. One is a hall of famer worth millions and is still going strong in his post football career the other one is an independent coach with a long history of arrest records. Did Aikman put in more time than Carter or was Carter less talented than Aikman? I would agree with the later because Aikman capitalized on his natural ability to throw football with his drive to succeed and is still going on. Carter on the other hand did not capitalize to be successful by making poor choices and not learning from his mistakes or in words he did not embrace change or remember the word strategy mentioned above? Quincy Carter simply did not change his strategy in life. Finally I would rate the book as an eight on a scale of ten with ten being the best. In closing I would like to point out that you don’t have to be Jewish or an immigrant to be successful you have to have the drive, the desire, the need to be successful. In order to do so you have to maximize your potential and opportunity effectively and efficiently keeping in mind that it was your potential that granted you the opportunity. Be willing to change by embracing it and learning from it.

The Alignment Of Compensation And Business Strategies Commerce Essay

The Alignment Of Compensation And Business Strategies Commerce Essay Compensation is a key element in the success of any business. Although compensation plans were not always seen as a strategic business initiative, their huge impact on a companys bottom line, recruiting, retaining and motivating people has led to compensation design being considered an important element to achieving success (OConnell, 2007). The alignment of compensation business strategies It is essential that a fair, competitive and attractive compensation plan is created in order to ensure the future success of the company. If the compensation plan is carried out properly it can improve organisational effectiveness, support human capital requirements of a business, and motivate and reward achievement of key corporate strategic and financial goals (OConnell, 2007: 20). It is thus essential that compensation plans are well thought out and effectively designed. Compensation is the answer to attracting, retaining and motivating employees who have the necessary competencies to carry out the business strategy and handle greater responsibilities (Milkovich, Newman Gerhart, 2007). Managers must take note of the rewards that motivate their employees. If this is not done, it may result in a mismatch between the strategies being used by managers to motivate their employees and the motivational rewards that the employees prefer (Arnolds Venter, 2007). This mismatch, as well as failure on the part of managers and employees to reach common ground in the pursuit of organisational objectives, can result in firms failing to successfully implement their business strategies. Employees will perform at a low level, doing only what is least expected of them when the reward systems are not aligned to their needs. They will not be motivated to put in extra effort so that the organisations goals can be achieved (Arnolds Venter, 2007). It is therefore important for all firms to regularly assess the rewards that motivate employees. Different organisations have different compensation policies in place. Matching compensation policies to business strategy leads to greater organisational performance (Montemayor, 1996). Some organisations are quick to introduce a new compensation program based on what they have heard about it. The problem is that it may not fit with their organisations strategic direction. Only programs that can move the organisation further along its strategic path should be identified and implemented (Kaplan, 2007). Ultimately, compensation strategies seek to either decrease costs or increase revenues relative to competitors (Milkovich et al, 2007). Compensation professionals play an important role in helping organisations put their business strategies into effect by introducing appropriate compensation plans. Compensation experts need to be at the focal point where strategy, organisational effectiveness and human capital management converge (OConnell, 2007: 25). It is important that they have a clear understanding of the business, the organisational issues and the direction in which the company is headed. Organisational, employee and business needs must be balanced with the financial and strategic goals of the company. Only then can the right compensation strategy be developed to motivate, reward and sustain high levels of performance. When this balance is found, a company can effectively use compensation to execute and achieve desired business results (OConnell, 2007: 25). For example, if a companys strategy is to be innovative, the strategy will focus on new products and a short response time to market trends. The compensation strategy must be tailored to align with the business strategy. A supporting compensation strategy will thus place less emphasis on evaluating skills and jobs and more emphasis will be placed on incentives designed to encourage innovations (Milkovich et al, 2007). A cost cutting business strategy will focus on efficiency and doing more with less. To support the business strategy, the compensation policy will focus on competitors labour costs, variable pay will be increased and productivity will be emphasised (Milkovich et al, 2007). A company with a customer-focused business strategy will focus on pleasing customers and employees will be paid according to how well they do this. The compensation strategy will thus include customer satisfaction incentives (Milkovich et al, 2007). In order to do better than its competitors, a firm m ust come up with ways in which it can add value by matching its business and pay strategies. When business strategies change, pay systems must also change (Milkovich et al, 2007). Organisations want to see the returns that they are getting from paying incentives, benefits and even base pay. Companies are starting to realise that by sharing in the economic gains of achieving targets, they keep employees motivated to reach increasingly difficult goals. When there is a clear line of sight between work and reward, employees will work harder to achieve the goals and receive the rewards (Ulrich, 1997). It has been suggested that performance-based pay works best when there is success to share (Milkovich et al, 2007: 54). An organisation can pay larger bonuses and stock awards when their profits or market share is on the rise. By paying bonuses fairly, employee attitudes and work behaviours improve, which in turn improves their performance (Milkovich et al, 2007). One of the major challenges in managing total compensation is to understand how the pay system can add value and create a more successful organisation. Internal alignment Internal alignment refers to comparisons among jobs or skill levels inside a single organisation. Jobs and peoples skills are compared in terms of their relative contributions to the organisations business objectives (Milkovich et al, 2007: 19). Internal alignment is not only concerned with the pay rates for employees doing equal work, but also for those employees doing different work. One challenge that managers face is how to determine differences in pay for people doing different work (Milkovich et al, 2007). An employees decision to stay with the organisation, to become more flexible by investing in additional training, or to seek greater responsibility is influenced by the pay that they receive (Milkovich et al, 2007: 19). A compensation system should not stand in the organisations way of retaining talented and productive employees. One of the main causes of employee turnover is inadequate compensation (Grobler, Warnich, Carrell, Elbert Hatfield, 2006). Tensions will result if employees feel that they are not being treated equally and this may cause employees to reduce their future efforts, change their perceptions regarding rewards for their efforts or leave the organisation (Grobler et al, 2006). Managements goal is to minimise turnover and lost production due to feelings among employees that they are not being compensated equitably. In order to ensure greater equity among jobs, a process known as job evaluation may be embarked upon, whereby a systematic relationship between the pay scales for jobs within an organisation is created. Job evaluation is the systematic determination of the relative worth of a job within the organisation that results in an organisations pay system (Grobler et al, 2006: 404). When comparing jobs, the following factors are taken into account: the skills needed to complete the job, the efforts needed to perform the job, the responsibilities of the job holder, and the working conditions of the job (Grobler et al, 2006). Job evaluation is preformed in order to develop a system of compensation that employees will consider to be fair, and in this way internal consistency among jobs is obtained. Internal consistency thus refers to the relationship between the pay structure, the design of the organisation and the work (Grobler et al, 2006). It is important to design a pay system that supports the work flow, is fair to employees and directs their behaviours toward organisation objectives (Grobler et al, 2006: 404). Many organisations are dividing their employees and creating different compensation plans for the different employee groups. For example, the executive team will be compensated one way, while a different approach will be used for the sales team, and yet another set of rules will apply to those working in the admin department. In todays business environment, a one-size-fits-all approach is no longer effectiveness (OConnell, 2007). Compensation methods have undergone a number of changes over the years such as the use of performance pay and other contingent systems of reward, the flattening of pay scales with fewer but broader pay grades and flexible cafeteria-style benefit systems (Brewster, Carey, Grobler, Holland Warnich, 2008). This new approach to compensation is known as strategic pay and is much more suitable to todays changing organisational environments and structures. Strategic pay flows from and implements an organisations business strategy. The old methods of compensation were associated with job-evaluated pay structures, time and seniority (Brewster et al, 2008: 188). These old methods were appropriate for hierarchical organisations who operated in a stable environment. Internal pay structures must be designed in such a way that employees will be motivated to achieve the organisations objectives. There must be a clear line-of-sight between each job and the objectives of the organisation. It is also essential that the structure is fair to all employees (Milkovich et al, 2007). To motivate employees, management can build the following ideas into their strategic pay structure: increase the proportion of pay contingent on performance, increase the potency of variable pay by making base salaries only moderately competitive, broaden the range of incentive schemes to include linking pay to group and organisational performance as well as individual performance, identify new performance measures of business success, and introduce flexibility into compensation plans so that rewards extend beyond monetary ones to include prizes and recognition (Brewster et al, 2008: 188). Pay structures vary among organisations depending on the number of levels within the organisation, the pay differentials between the levels, and the criteria used to determine the levels and differentials i.e. work content and its value. People are usually paid more if their job requires more knowledge or skills than another job, if their working conditions are unpleasant, or if their job adds a great deal of value. One reason for pay differentials is to motivate employees to work towards promotion and a higher-paying level (Milkovich et al, 2007). Internal structures are shaped by both external and organisation factors. External factors include: economic pressures; government policies, laws and regulations; stakeholders; and cultures and customs (Milkovich et al, 2007: 75). Organisation factors include: strategy; technology; human capital; HR policy; employee acceptance; and cost implications (Milkovich et al, 2007: 75). With regards to economic pressures, one job is paid more or less than another because of differences in relative productivity of the job and differences in how much a consumer values the output (Milkovich et al, 2007: 76). It will only be worthwhile to employ an additional worker if they can produce a value equal to the value of their wage. This is referred to as marginal productivity (Milkovich et al, 2007). The supply and demand for labour, products and services all affect internal structures. Organisations are constantly forced to redesign their work flow and employees must continuously learn new skills in order to keep up with changes in competitors products and customers tastes. Unpredictable external conditions require pay structures that support agile organisations and flexible people (Milkovich et al, 2007: 76). Government policies, laws and regulations also have an impact on the internal pay structure. Our law gives everybody the right to fair compensation. This is also known as the right to a living wage. Laws have also been put in place to govern minimum wages (Brewster et al, 2008). Pay-related legislation tries to achieve social welfare objectives by regulating economic forces (Milkovich et al, 2007). The government has influenced compensation by legislating pay levels, hours of work, pay for overtime and holidays and non-discriminatory pay practices (Grobler et al, 2006: 187). The Basic Conditions of Employment Act has a direct impact on a companys compensation strategy. Unions, stockholders and political groups also influence the internal pay structure. In order to promote solidarity among members, unions generally prefer small differences among jobs and seniority-based promotions. Stockholders compare the salaries paid to executives with the salaries paid to others in the organisation. Stockholders are interested in this difference (Milkovich et al, 2007). If the pay structure is not aligned to the organisations strategy it can become an obstacle to the achievement of the organisations goals. Another factor that has an impact on internal structures is human capital. Human capital refers to the education, experience, knowledge, abilities and skills required to perform the work (Milkovich et al, 2007: 78). The technology used will influence the organisational design, the work that needs to be performed, and the skills or knowledge that is needed to perform the work (Milkovich et al, 2007). The organisations other HR policies also have an impact on the internal pay structure. The more levels an organisation has, the more promotions it can offer, but the pay differences between the levels may be smaller. It is believed that when promotions take place often, even if they do not include pay increases, employees develop a sense of career progress (Milkovich et al, 2007). Some companies develop talent from within the organisation. This also se rves to retain top talent. These candidates are promoted when job vacancies arise. The result is that they do not have to employ expensive talent from outside the organisation. It is also easier to manage these individuals as they are already aligned with the culture and business priorities of the organisation. This leads to a greater return on the companys investment (Barnes, 2009). Another important factor influencing the internal pay structure is whether or not the employees involved accept it. In order to assess the fairness of their pay, employees compare the pay that they receive to that which others receive for doing different jobs in the same internal structure. They also look at what others are paid for doing the same job at competing employers (Milkovich et al, 2007). The procedures for determining the pay structure must be fair as well as the pay structure itself. It has been suggested that employees and managers will accept low pay if they believe that the way in which the pay was determined is fair. It is likely that the pay procedures will be considered fair if they are consistently applied to all employees, if employees participated in the process, if appeals procedures are included, and if the data used are accurate (Milkovich et al, 2007: 80). Pay structures do not stay constant. They change in response to external factors. An organisation will achieve much better results if the structure is aligned. The structure must be perceived as fair by the employees and it must motivate them to achieve the organisations goals. If there is a big pay differential between an entry level job and the highest level job in an organisation, it can encourage employees to stay with the employer and increase their training and experience. It can also result in greater co-operation with co-workers and for employees to look for more responsibility within the organisation (Milkovich et al, 2007). External competitiveness External competitiveness refers to the level of pay that an organisation offers in comparison with its competitors (Montemayor, 1996). This has a huge impact on the attraction and retention of talent as well as on labour cost objectives. With a high pay level, the organisation will be better able to acquire a competent workforce. By increasing the pay level, total labour costs will increase but it may also result in improved labour costs per unit (Montemayor, 1996). The efficiency wage theory states that paying above market levels can promote employee motivation that would offset any increment in labour costs (Montemayor, 1996: 891). The pay systems of many organisations are market-driven i.e. based on what competitors pay. In the hope of attracting the best applicants, some organisations set their pay levels above that of their competitors (Milkovich et al, 2007). In order to compete with the external market, organisations must ensure that the pay that they are offering is sufficient to attract and retain employees. Employees are likely to leave an organisation if they believe that their pay is not competitive in comparison to what other employers are offering. Organisations must also ensure that they control their labour costs so that they can supply their products and services at a good price and remain competitive in the global economy (Milkovich et al, 2007). It is essential that when companies prepare their business strategies they decide how they are going to compete in the marketplace. For example, they can choose to compete on price, or they may prefer to differentiate themselves based on products or ser vices, they could even decide to segment the market and only focus on a particular group of buyers. Understanding the competition is key (Kaplan, 2007). Employers can better differentiate themselves from their competition by introducing learning and development programs and creating a fun and flexible work environment. These are also known as relational rewards. These initiatives will enhance employee commitment to the organisation (Kaplan, 2007). Employers that are highly-rated usually receive more employment applications as people want to work for the best organisation. The high ratings also result in improved retention of staff and greater profitability as committed employees usually provide better customer service (Kaplan, 2007). Job applicants who receive more than one offer will compare the offers and the pay scales. More weight is often placed on the salary being offered rather than on the other types of compensation, like benefits and intrinsic rewards (Grobler et al, 2006). In order to remain competitive within the local labour market, employers usually offer salaries that are similar to those offered by competitors. Employers thus need to know what the going rate is for jobs within the local labour market. Wage surveys as well as published market data can be used to determine the average salaries for various positions. These methods assist the organisation in maintaining external consistency with other organisations (Grobler et al, 2006). An important strategic decision must be made as to whether the organisation should mirror what its competitors are paying, or whether it should design its own pay structure that differs from its competitors but is aligned to the business strategy. The pay level can be set above, below or equal to that of competitors. The mix of pay forms must also be determined relative to those of competitors (Milkovich et al, 2007). The following three factors shape external competitiveness: labour market factors, product market factors and organisation factors. Together these factors influence pay-level and pay-mix decisions (Milkovich et al, 2007). As mentioned above, organisations usually claim to be market-driven. Looking at the demand and supply of labour gives one a greater understanding of how the markets work. The demand side deals with the actions of the employer i.e. the number of new employees they require, and what they are willing and able to pay them. The supply side deals with the potential employees i.e. their qualifications and the pay that they are likely to accept (Milkovich et al, 2007). The market rate is found at the point where the demand for labour meets the supply of labour. In the short run, the only way that an organisation can change its level of production is by changing its level of human resources. The other factors of production, such as technology, capital and natural resources are fixed in the short run. The marginal product of labour is the additional output associated with the employment of one additional person (Milkovich et al, 2007: 207). However, each additional employee hired will produce less than the previous employee due to the fact that the factors of production are fixed. Each employee thus has fewer resources to work with. The additional amount that each new employee produces is known as the marginal product (Milkovich et al, 2007). When the marginal product is sold, the money that is generated from the sale is known as marginal revenue. Employers will hire new staff until the marginal revenue generated by the last hire is equal to the costs associated with employing that person (Milkovich et al, 2007: 208). At this point the employ er is maximising their profits. Therefore, in order to determine how many people to employ, a manager must establish two things: the pay level that is set by the market forces and the marginal revenue generated by each new employee (Milkovich et al, 2007). This, however, is not so easy to do in reality. With regards to labour supply, the model assumes that many people are seeking jobs, that they possess accurate information about all job openings and that no barriers to mobility exists (Milkovich et al, 2007: 209). It is not so simple in the real world. For example, the supply curve slopes upward and shows that as pay increases more people will want to take jobs. In the case where unemployment is very low, supply may not increase with offers of higher pay as everybody has a job (Milkovich et al, 2007). The model provides a useful analytical framework but oversimplifies reality. In certain instances employers pay more than the market-rate. For example, if there are negative elements to a job such as very expensive training, small chances of success, weak job security and unpleasant working conditions, employers may decide to pay higher wages in order to compensate for the negative characteristics. This is referred to as compensating differentials (Milkovich et al, 2007). As mentioned above, in terms of the efficiency wage theory, high wages can in fact increase efficiency and lower labour costs. This can be achieved by attracting more qualified applicants and encouraging existing employees to work harder or smarter. It is assumed that the pay level determines effort (Milkovich et al, 2007). An organisations ability to pay is also an important issue. The greater an organisations profits in comparison with its competitors the more it is able to share with its employees. These organisations will usually pay more that their competitors and may even pay bonuses in line with their profitability (Milkovich et al, 2007). Employers can design their pay levels and mix in such a way that a signal is sent to both current and future employees as to the kinds of behaviour that they require. This is known as signaling. For example, if the organisations base pay is below the market-rate but they offer good bonuses, they may be sending a signal that employees who are risk takers are required. If the organisation pays the market wage and offers no performance-based pay, a different signal is sent and different people are attracted. Signaling helps to communicate expectations (Milkovich et al, 2007). There are also two theories that help us to understand employee behaviour. A job seeker will not accept a job offer if the wage is below a certain amount irrespective of the other benefits or job attributes. This is known as the reservation wage. It may be above or below the market-rate (Milkovich et al, 2007). The second theory is the human capital theory. In terms of this theory, those who have improved their productive abilities by investing in themselves through education, training etc will earn higher wages (Milkovich et al, 2007). The next factor that shapes external competitiveness is the product market and ability to pay. To a large extent, product market conditions determine what the organisation can afford to pay its employees. The organisations ability to change what it charges for its products and services is affected by the demand for the product and the amount of competition (Milkovich et al, 2007). An employer who increases their wage level will either choose to increase its prices, thereby passing the higher labour costs on to consumers, or it can choose to keep prices fixed and pay the increased labour costs out of their revenues. If an employer is operating in a very competitive market they will not easily be able to increase prices (Milkovich et al, 2007). Lastly, organisation factors include characteristics that are unique to each organisation and their employees such as: industry and technology, employer size, peoples preferences and organisational strategy (Milkovich et al, 2007). The industry in which an organisation competes influences the technologies used (Milkovich et al, 2007: 216). Lower wages are paid in labour-intensive industries than in technology-intensive industries. When new technology is introduced within an industry, pay levels are also affected (Milkovich et al, 2007). Large organisations generally pay more than small ones. In big organisations, talented people have a greater marginal value as they are able to influence more people and decisions resulting in larger profits for the organisation (Milkovich et al, 2007). Better understanding of employee preferences is increasingly important in determining external competitiveness (Milkovich et al, 2007: 217). It is, however, difficult to measure preferences. It has been found that pay is more important to people than they are willing to admit (Milkovich et al, 2007). With regards to organisation strategy, some employers compete by adopting a low-wage, no services strategy. These organisations, such as Nike and Reebok, often rely on outsourcing to manufacture their products. Other organisations may choose a low-wage, high services strategy or even a high-wage, high services approach (Milkovich et al, 2007). Employers will pay more than their competitors if the job has a direct impact on the success of the organisation. Pay levels will equal that of competitors in jobs that have less of an impact on the success of the organisation. Evidence shows that those organisations with higher-skilled workers who make use of high-performance work practices and computer-based technology also pay higher wages (Milkovich et al, 2007). The integration of internal alignment external competitiveness In order for a compensation strategy to be successful it must blend internal consistency with market competitiveness, and must be structured to recognise the credentials, knowledge and performance of the individuals involved (Martocchio, 2001). An appropriate compensation policy is designed around the organisational structure, competitive position, leadership style and the strategic plan of the organisation (Santone, Sigler Britt, 1993: 86). A mentioned above, one of the main causes of employee turnover is inadequate compensation. The competitiveness of pay will affect the organisations ability to achieve its compensation objectives, and this in turn will affect its performance (Milkovich et al, 2007: 221). It is common for organisations to match the rates paid by their competitors. If organisations fail to do so, the existing employees will be unhappy and the organisations ability to recruit will be limited (Milkovich et al, 2007). Such a policy will result in the organisations wage costs being similar to that of its product competitors and the organisations ability to attract new employees will thus also be similar to its labour market competitors (Milkovich et al, 2007). Job evaluation, whereby the worth of a job within an organisation is determined, is performed in order to develop a system of compensation that employees will find fair. In this way, internal consistency among jobs is obtained (Grobler et al, 2006). However, if a competitor is willing to pay an employee a higher wage to do the same work, the employee will leave their current job to earn better pay elsewhere. An employer must therefore not only consider what they are willing to pay for a particular job but also what the competitors are paying for the same job. This is important if they want to attract and retain quality workers. Conclusion It is important that companies ensure that their reward systems are aligned with their organisational goals, strategy and culture. Strategic compensation allows for employees to earn incentives if they accomplish company goals. Compensation has a huge effect on recruiting, retaining and motivating people. The compensation strategy of an organisation also has a direct impact on its performance. Internal alignment and external competitiveness should be integrated when forming the pay structure. Practical Core strategy details ABSA SARS Objectives -Attract and retain high quality individuals with the optimum mix of skills, competencies and values. -Motivate and reinforce superior performance. -Encourage the development of skills and competencies required to meet current and future objectives. -Employees should share in the success of the business. -Drive productivity, service quality and cost efficiency. -Enable employees to perform at their peak. -Build a skills inflow through the graduate and youth recruitment programme. Internal alignment -Remunerate people fairly and consistently according to their contribution. -Ensure that employees of equal value are remunerated more or less equally. -Parity in the immediate environment is the most important. -Fair remuneration. -Recognition system. -Employee development. -Talent management. Externally competitive -Set cost to company (CTC) at the market median. -Reads the market regularly to strategically position itself at mid-market for fixed remuneration packages with differentiation between employees via variable reward programmes. -Differentiates aggressively between levels of performance. -Emphasis on variable pay i.e. incentive and commission schemes. -Incentive system in place. Employee contributions Direct rewards (standard): Fixed remuneration (CTC), allowances, overtime, leave encashments, variable/ performance based pay (long and short-term incentives). Direct rewards (non-standard): Commission. Indirect reward: Recognition rewards (prestige awards, service heroes, long service awards). Bursaries for employees and employee dependants. Benefits: free banking, staff interest rates, disability support fund, leave. -Fixed remuneration, allowances. -Overtime. -Government subsidies. -Incentive pay. Management -Open and transparent communication. -Objective remuneration decisions. -Show genuine care and concern. -Create an enabling environment. Rewards/ compensation strategic map LOW HIGH Objectives Attraction and retention Superior performance Quality service Please see attachment Internal al

Keats and the Senses of Being: Ode on a Grecian Urn (Stanza V) Essay

Keats and the Senses of Being: "Ode on a Grecian Urn" (Stanza V) ABSTRACT: With its focus on the pathos of permanence versus temporality as human aporia and on the function — the Werksein — of the work of art genuinely encountered, John Keats’s Ode on a Grecian Urn is a particularly compelling subject for philosophical analysis. The major explications of this most contentiously debated ode in the language have largely focused, however, on various combinations of the poem’s stylistic, structural, linguistic, psychological, aesthetic, historical, symbolic, and intellectual-biographical elements. My paper articulates a bona fide philosophical approach to the ode’s famously controversial fifth stanza (the one containing the Urn’s declaration: "Beauty is truth, truth beauty"). I demonstrate how William Desmond’s metaphysics of Being-specifically his analysis of the univocal, equivocal, dialectical, and metaxological senses of being-affords the groundwork for a "hermeneutics of the between" that elucidate s the ode’s culminating stanza with all of the cogency and nuance that one would expect to derive from a systematic ontology. In what ways are philosophy and literature mutually elucidating? More specifically, how can a systematic metaphysics serve as a vehicle of insight into the way that literary art renders, in solution as it were, ontological truths that orchestrate our experience of the ideal? I’d like briefly to address these questions by considering the concluding stanza of John Keats’s "Ode on a Grecian Urn" in terms of four complementary ontological keys. These four senses of being — the univocal, the equivocal, the dialectical, and the metaxological—are the heart of a compelling ontology detailed by William Desmond in... ...n the unformed, undifferentiated, prelinguistic word [that] leaves the Du free and stands together with it in reserve where the spirit does not manifest itself but is. (I and Thou 89). Bibliography Buber, Martin. I and Thou. Trans. Walter Kaufmann. New York: Scribners, 1970. Desmond, William. Being and the Between. Albany: SUNY P, 1995. Heidegger, Martin. "The Origin of the Work of Art." Poetry, Language, Thought. Trans. Albert Hofstadter. New York: Harper, 1975. Keats, John. The Complete Poems. Ed. John Barnard. 3rd ed. London: Penguin, 1988. Stambovsky, Phillip. The Depictive Image: Metaphor and Literary Experience. Amherst, MA: U of Massachusetts P, 1988. ——— Myth and the Limits of Reason. Amsterdam and Atlanta: Rodopi, 1996. Stillinger, Jack, ed. Twentieth Century Interpretations of Keats’s Odes. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1968.

My Educational Philosophy :: Philosophy of Education Teaching Teachers Essays

My Educational Philosophy My true love for education began on the first day of first grade. I was selected to take the attendance sheet to the office. There was a problem. I did not know where the office was. After circling the entire elementary school four times, I opened a random door and walked in crying about my dilemma. The teacher, Mrs. Rohal, consoled me and gave me the best advice ever, â€Å"everyone makes mistakes, and it is okay because it is an important part of learning.† She then took me to where I needed to be and wished me luck. Right then and there she became my inspiration and soon after, my teacher. She, along with many other teachers, made learning fun and desirable. I have always enjoyed learning and the feeling I got when I was reinforced for doing a good job. I believe all students should feel this way, and I have a strong desire to instill these same experiences to the future generations of young elementary school students. My educational philosophy would be considered eclectic. It would be a combination of an idealist and a pragmatist. In order to be an effective teacher, I believe it is necessary to possess a teaching style that is both traditional and facilitated. Since I plan on teaching elementary school, I feel that it is imperative that it is teacher directed, and in a traditional way. On the other hand, I think that it is a comfortable environment when the students are arranged in small groups or in a circle arrangement like facilitated classrooms. I also intend on having a comfortable, encouraging classroom in which artwork and exceptional work are hung up as reinforcement for their efforts and success As an idealist, I believe that it is extremely important to be organized and know the content well in order to convey this knowledge to the students. I think that if the students know that they are valued as individuals in the classroom, they will be more willing to push themselves to learn even the difficult material, and it will build their self-esteem which is very important in the elementary school years.

A Performance Constraints of Thai Economy

It may be useful to put the discussion of performance constraints of the Thai economy briefly in perspective. Over the past 2 decades, the Thai economy has been one of the best performing economies in the world, characterized by sustained high growth rates, averaging 10. 3% 1985-90, and 8% in the years prior to the crisis (1990-96). This growth was accompanied by a dramatic decline in the incidence of absolute poverty, from 57% in 1962 to 14% in 1992, with per capita income increasing from $700 per annum in the late 1960s, to $2,700 in 1996. At the same time, rapid growth was accompanied by environmental degradation, resource depletion, and an increasingly unequal distribution of income and wealth. However, on balance a remarkable record of development. During this period of rapid growth and economic transformation, Thailand became increasingly integrated into the world economy through trade and investment flows, and production linkages. As the economy expanded rapidly and became more complex in structure, it posed more and new types of strains and challenges to economic management or â€Å"governance† systems at both the macro (i. . public policy) and micro (enterprise) levels. As the relative role of the private sector increased in the economy, the importance of enterprise management and performance correspondingly increased. Looking more deeply at Thailand†s performance, manufactured exports grew by about 23% per year between 1980 and 1995, almost doubling during 1992-1995. However, in 1996 export growth fell practically to 0 per cent, with labor-intensive exports usually identified as the main culprit. Certain factors are generally cited as responsible for this abrupt and dramatic decline: External factors cited included the emergence of new competitors, with the coming on stream of new production facilities in lower income/lower wage countries such as China, Indochina, Philippines, further complicated by the30% devaluation of the Chinese yen in 1994;  · Domestic factors cited generally relate to rising wage rates and overvalued exchange rates. Domestic wage rates during 1991-95 rose about 11%, on average or about 5% increase in real wages per year, cited as the key factor in the slowdown in growth of labor intensive exports. The real effective exchange rate of the baht is estimated to have appreciated by about 15% during 1995-97, primarily because of the linkage to the US$, which appreciated against the yen. While the above factors suggest that Thailand was losing its edge in low cost, labor intensive exports, these are at best partial explanations for the overall decline in export performance. The impact of rising wages should not have come this suddenly and pervasively, given that wages were rising for some time, with no significant impact on xport performance. For example, textiles, gems and jewelry, which are not particularly labor intensive declined significantly in the 1996 crunch, as did many technology intensive products. 5 Similarly, the timing and size of the real exchange rate appreciation is not sufficient to explain the sudden, dramatic drop in export performance. If the â€Å"usual suspects† are not sufficient to explain the export slowdown, then could this be primarily a â€Å"cyclical† downturn, e. g. the result of short-term, mainly external, adverse factors? There is some support for this being a factor. There was a global slowdown in world trade in 1996, with the growth rate of world manufactured exports dropping from 8. 6% p. a. during 1990-95, to 2. 1% in 1996 6 . All countries in Asia were hit, with Korea and Thailand the worst affected. If the basic problem of export performance could be seen as cyclical, then in terms of the main focus of this paper, the management of the economic crisis perhaps can indeed focus on the financial sector. That is, the â€Å"real sector† will realign itself, as the financial crisis begins to be resolved, and the â€Å"cycles† will at some point, begin their upswing though the global economic outlook looks less than optimistic at this time. Although cyclical demand factors seem to be relevant, they are only partly helpful in understanding the performance of the Thai (real) economy prior to the crisis. There seems to be more to the story. For example, industry-specific factors may have also been at work: a rapid rise in US sourcing of garments from Western Hemisphere producers such as Mexico, Honduras, and El Salvador, led to a relative loss of US market share by Asian exporters, including Thailand, among others. It is not clear whether this shift in sourcing is a â€Å"cyclical† factor, or a â€Å"structural† shift in the basis of competitive advantage (e. g. relating to NAFTA; relating to the increasing role of time or order cycle as a competitive actor, an issue touched on in section III). A fundamental question that emerges from the perspective of the present economic crisis relates to the performance of the corporate sector prior to the crisis, a performance which was then further aggravated by the financial devastation of corporates by the crisis. In particular, were there clear signs of deterioration in performance, especially at the micro (enterprise) level prior to mid-1997, masked by rapid (export) growth? If yes, then resolving the present crisis in terms of restoring the Thai economy†s performance is likely to require a focus on the â€Å"real sector† simultaneously with addressing the problems of the financial sector. This is likely to be especially important for Thailand†s economic renewal and sustainable growth, given expectations of a global economic environment over the medium term characterized by slow growth and increasing competition for both markets and capital.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Artificial Intelligence Essay

Human intelligence involves many skills such as problem solving, decision making, learning understanding and reflex actions. Many experts in AI have dreamt of creating machines that can imitate our human intelligence. This has led to many possibilities; however, the field of AI has to be understood from both sides of the coin. On the one hand, artificial intelligence has allowed the design of applications that can explore every part of the world that the human cannot visit. For example, in the field of space exploration, artificial intelligence’s machines explore universe parts that are totally hostile to human beings. Intelligent robots are programmed to excavation mining of fuel. These machines can also measure the depth of the oceans. Some of these sophisticated machines have replaced human beings in many fields that require manpower, time and money. Often, these tasks are harmful to humans and therefore programmed robots save people’s health in a big way. On the other hand, the establishment of ethics, moral values and standards is difficult when humans are dominated by machines. Any amount of automation cannot create intelligence; it is only a human feature. No machine can show dedication or emotion s at work and we as human beings cannot live in a world that is only surrounded by machines. For example, in hospitality industry, robots cannot replace the care or concern shown by the hospital staff. Therefore, beyond a point, the capabilities of lateral thinking can probably get delayed if the daily tasks are just made for power cycle machines. Thanks to artificial intelligence, it is possible that a machine can develop areas of knowledge very specific and complicated; making the machine can simulate processes which man performs. But we can highlight that it is not achieved yet a machine that can thing like a human. Indeed, this limitation is the fact that human beings are irreplaceable because human beings have an  own feature: common sense.

Introduction to Psychology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 3

Introduction to Psychology - Essay Example Solomon Asch: Group Pressure and Conformity Social psychologist Solomon Asch’s 1951 study of the impact of group pressure on decisions is noted as one of the most important and conclusive. The conduct of the study was fairly simple. Ache showed students in groups of eight to ten--all of whom except one in each group had been coached beforehand to pick the wrong answer on twelve of the eighteen cards. Each card had a group of three bar lines on the right, and one bar line. Students were asked to pick one bar from a series of three on the right that best matched the one bar on the left. Most subjects were told to deliberately give the wrong answer. Asch arranged the questioning so that most wrong answers would be given before the test subject in the group made his or her decision. The results were significant and according to Zimbardo and Gerrig (2010): â€Å"50 and 80 percent†¦conformed with the false majority estimate†¦a third†¦yielded to the majority’s wrong judgments on half or more of the critical trials† (p. 550). ... more complex psychological elements at work which according to Zimbardo and Gerrig (2010) may indicate impulses at play beyond our simple â€Å"desire â€Å"to be liked, accepted and approved† (p. 549). For instance, Asch noted that the fewer people who gave wrong answers the fewer test subjects did the same, indicating a strong mistrust element in the views of the few versus those of the majority. As might be concluded, a decided lack of independence and confidence was clear when it came to one’s rational judgment over that of the pack. Considering the often incomprehensible election habits of individuals, this becomes particularly relevant in terms of electorate behavior. The 25 percent who always conformed was roughly equal to the same percentage who never conformed (Zimbardo and Gerrig, 2010) indicating a possible polar aspect to the behavior. On the positive side, it should be noted that significant change in most aspects of life come from the minority generally c onsidered non-conformers. As Zimbardo and Gerrig (2010) found, â€Å"The conflict between entrenched majority view and the dissonant minority perspective is an essential precondition of innovation†¦Ã¢â‚¬  ( p. 551). As evidenced in the recent film, â€Å"The Social Network,† Facebook creator, Marc Zuckerman’s insistence on thinking independently ultimately produced a multi-billion dollar empire. For the others who conform even in the face of obvious evidence that they should not conform, there may very well be serious psychological disorders underpinning the behavior. The major disorders according to Zimbardo and Gerrig (2010) are categorized based their affect on the individual as follows: the individual experiences personal distress or dysfunction; behaves in ways that hinder goals and wellbeing or