The impact of the Global Economic Crisis on Developing States Essay

The impact of the Global Economic Crisis on Developing States - Essay Example This paper tries to evaluate the overall effects of the global financial crisis on developing countries. It analyzes the economic situations during the crisis in major developing states in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. Extraordinary financing, massive flow of remittance in developing states, and high commodity costs were the fundamental components of the economic boom in the developing countries between 2003 and 2007. The global financial crisis (GFC) initially trembled the banking systems in North America and Europe. The first developing states to face the crisis were those which had its majority of financial sectors linked with the global market. Next, it caused impact on domestic and international trade as prices and volumes of manufacturing and commodities felled across the world. Low workers like, street vendors, garbage pickers along with blue-collar workers affected mostly due to job-and pay-cuts. As remittances from migrant workers from the North America and Europe hit badly, large population in developing and poor states, which were highly dependent on it, was significantly affected. Due to the global financial crisis of 2007, developing and emerging economies in all over the world faced a drastic drop in output growth. The aggregate GDP growth decline in the newly industrialized and emerging Asian economies such as, Singapore (17.9%), Hong Kong (10.9%), Malaysia (9.9%), and Korea (9.2%) was larger compare to that in the developing economies of Central and Eastern Europe such as Russia (14%), Turkey (9.6%), Poland (7.3%), and Hungary (4.3%). Among the Asian countries, Singapore had the greatest GDP growth decline followed by Hong Kong and Malaysia.

Personal Development Report Essay Example for Free

Personal Development Report Essay This personal development report reflects upon my learning experiences and outcomes during my first year at Nottingham Trent University. It aims to document the ways in which I have developed and areas for further consideration as part of a continual learning process. The report will be structured around 5 main areas as shown below 1. Placing learning on BABM within the wider context of lifelong learning 2. Taking personal responsibility for career planning 3. Taking personal responsibility for the learning process 4. Valuing the importance of developing personal effectiveness 5. Demonstrating an enquiring mind I have also looked at how all this learning at university relates and fits within a wider context of lifelong learning. Conclusions and recommendations for what I am going to do to improve in the months from May 2001 to 2002 are based on the areas I have mentioned in the above. I will do this in the form of a Personal Development Plan using the smart objectives as follows: (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Related to overall life-long goals and set over a Time period). I have made conclusions of the development plans, which have concentrated both on Core Transferable skills and also some softer skills. Introduction 1.My Learning At University Within A Wider Context Of Lifelong Learning 1.1 The concept of lifelong learning The concept of lifelong learning is as relevant now as it has ever been, with the traditional job for life being replaced by shorter periods of work for different firms requiring essentially the same skills and qualities in employees. Therefore the ability for these skills to be transferable is very important. To develop these skills therefore is extremely important with many employers putting greater emphasis upon these core skills and less emphasis upon specific skills. These skills can be used in many different situations and circumstances to allow the employee to perform to the best of their ability. The concept of work is continuously changing. An individual not only has several jobs in a lifetime but may also have several careers. Therefore everybody needs continuous updating of skills and competence throughout their working life ERT report, 1989 The following skills are widely considered to be Core Transferable Skills  · Organisational Skills  ·Ã‚  Interpersonal/ Social Skills  · Analytic and Problem Solving Skills  · Teamwork  · Creativity  · Self Motivation  · Initiative and Leadership 1.2The learning curve It is these skills that have been particularly important to develop whilst at university and it is the experience of university both academically and socially that has provided the ideal environment for these skills to be developed. The combination of leaving home and adapting to a completely different environment both educationally and socially has meant that the learning curve especially in the first semester was very steep. To live away from home for the first time without any contacts in an unknown city is a life changing experience and forces oneself to adapt and mature quickly after leaving the security of the family home. Being entirely responsible for yourself is also a new experience requiring maturity and forward thinking as well as planning to enable yourself to function. The way in which these skills have been developed forms the backbone for lifelong learning, one which employers recognize and actively seek in graduates. 1.3Lifelong learning defined The concept of lifelong learning is complex and is not easily defined resulting in no unilateral definition, however its importance is widely agreed. The Development of human potential through a continuously supportive process which stimulates and empowers individuals to acquire all the knowledge, values, skills and understanding they will require throughout their lifetime and to apply them with confidence, creativity and enjoyment in all roles, circumstances and environment Longworth, 1996 p22 The need for a learning society to convert and compete is not just urgent, it is a matter of economic life and death. It is a matter of social success or disaster. It is a matter of survival Cann in Bradshaw, 1995 The development of these skills both as part of the BA Business Management Degree and the wider University experience is key to becoming an attractive employee This is particularly so as years two and three of the Degree are in company so the development of these skills and the pace at which these must be  developed is crucial. This report will aim to reflect upon my first year experience and where appropriate utilize activities , questionnaires and assignments in an attempt to build a personal development review and action plan for the proceeding 12 months in the form of a personal development plan. 2.Taking Personal Responsibility For The Learning Process The biggest contribution to taking responsibility for the learning process was the decision to further my learning at university. This decision has allowed myself the opportunity to further my learning both academically and socially in ways that I would be unable to had I not made the decision to attend university. Also the decision to accept my place on the BABM course was another way in which I have demonstrated my personal responsibility for learning. The course is intense for each of the three years, more so than most undergraduate courses and the decision to accept a place on this course rather than other courses where workload and intensity were less was important. The course aims to enrich individuals with far greater experience both academically and in terms of transferable skills therefore by choosing BABM I feel I have made the best possible choice to continue my learning in the most relevant way providing me with higher levels of transferable skills than other graduates may have. 2.1 Taking responsibility for myself To be able to take responsibility for the learning process I have had to take responsibility for myself and become more accountable to myself in terms of making myself work harder and setting aside time in which to work. .University work is very different to that I have encountered before in terms of deadlines are much longer, scope for research is much larger, less specific titles to assignments etc etc so being accountable for myself is very important. 2.2 Time management Because the work is very different to that experienced before I have had to manage my time in a much more responsible manner to enable me to fulfill my potential, progress, and attain the best possible marks for myself. Examples of where I have managed my time effectively are physically difficult to produce as the BABM timetable is extremely varied from week to week so to produce a timetable where work and free time could  be planned in advance was very difficult to do. Undoubtedly time management and grades are very much linked and my grades for semester 1 and those received thus far for semester 2 have been good and I feel this has been partly due to my good time management skills. My peer assessment feedback included 5 of 6 people stating that I was well organized and three out of 6 stating that I was disciplined. This is included in appendix 1. 2.3Taking responsibility for learning The DLBM debate where our topic was interviews are the most unreliable method of selection required ourselves to complete a large amount of research. Our group split into two and four with the latter researching that I was a part of. The grade we received for this was high 70% and showed the level of research the group had done and is typical of myself being keen to take responsibility for learning. Development of interpersonal skills I am a member of The Herefordshire Golf Club where in 2000 I was captain. In this role I was required to talk to people of different ages and backgrounds and I feel this role has allowed my interpersonal skills to develop and I have learned a lot from this position as it provides a different scenario from academic studies. This role also developed my leadership skills as well as my organizational skills. 3.Value The Importance Of Developing Personal Effectiveness As part of the Developing Learning for Business and Management module the group completed two sessions on personal effectiveness including ËÅ"assertiveness and ËÅ"effective communication/ active listening These sessions have allowed my awareness to the importance of assertiveness and communication skills to be greatly improved and have highlighted ways in which I can improve on these skills. My level of skills prior to the sessions was of a good level and I believe I have the basic fundamentals to allow myself to develop communication and assertiveness naturally. However my increased awareness brought about by the sessions has allowed myself to take a more proactive approach to developing personal effectiveness. 3.1Demonstrated active listening/ effective communication An example of where I have demonstrated both active listening/effective communication whilst  being assertive was in a role-play with Vanessa Knowles DLBM lecturer as part of a tutorial session. Vanessa played the part of the under performing employee and I played the part of the employer. Vanessa used several different behaviour characteristics in attempt to alter my opinions and decisions. I feel that I learnt a lot by this, the importance of clear communication and active listening whilst not letting some-ones behaviour alter my decisions. 3.2Development of self confidence The session also increased my confidence especially as the role-play was conducted in front of an audience and made me more willing to be assertive rather than passive which is a tendency I will sometimes withdraw to. In the peer assessment feedback session this was something people felt was maybe a weakness of myself. Ben Gasson for example said You should be more confident and forceful, often what you have to say is just as valid if not more so than other people, just say what you think sometimes This analysis is very true of myself and to be more assertive I must first become more confident within myself. 3.3Development of leadership skills In the Belbin peer assessment it was also said that I was sometimes fearful of conflict. This I agree is true sometimes when maybe I am unsure of all the facts or am not in a position to speak confidently, I sometimes let others dominate me when really their ideas are no better than my own. However I feel that the example as mentioned above (role-play) demonstrated my ability not to be fearful of conflict. I am not a person to cause conflict within a group but at the same time I would not say i am fearful of conflict and can be assertive when necessary. One area for development are my leadership skills. Although I feel that I have become much more confident this year and this has enabled me to take a more active or leadership role in certain situations. However I feel that I still have a long way to go to enable myself to be a natural leader and to do so would be a great achievement. To improve this area of personal effectiveness is a definite priority for the next 12 months. My job at Marks Spencers requires me to work on the customer service desk listening to customers complaints and dealing with their problems. This role requires me to have good active listening skills and not be fearful of conflict whilst maintaining good customer service. This shows that my personal effectiveness and assertiveness can when necessary be very prominent. 3.4Ability to effectively communicate My ability to effectively communicate has been demonstrated in many ways this year, presentations, debates, meetings, interviews etc. My peer assessment said that my presentation skills are good and I can speak in confidently at a good pace. This was highlighted in the DLBM debate where it was mentioned in the group mark sheet as well as the business simulation feedback sheets. 4.Work With Others To Achieve Goals The ability to work with others to achieve goals is another very important transferable skill that employers seek. The Belbin team role questionnaire included in appendix __ and states that predominantly I am a team worker co-coordinator. This opinion is held by both myself and my peer group showing that I view myself and my group views me as a team worker. 4.1Working with others in practice My ability to work with others to achieve goals, I believe is one of my biggest strengths. Much of the work on BABM is team orientated as this will be the case when in the workplace in years 2 and 3. Examples of this have included the business simulation module where I feel I made a good contribution to the team. Other examples have included the DLBM debate, the organizational behaviour presentation as well as the smaller group assignments we have be set. 4.2My role within groups The experience I have gained working in groups this year has developed many of my skills far more than a normal undergraduate course may have done. My skill within groups is one of analysis and reflection of what others have said and making rational and coherent arguments from debate. This ability has proved to be very useful this year however I feel than within group work I need to take a more pro active role  stimulating debate and discussion. As was stated in my peer assessment feedback I sometimes need to relax, say what I think, and be more confident and this is an area I need to work on in the next 12 months 4.3Teamwork outside the classroom During 2000 I have played golf for The Herefordshire Golf Club where much of the competition is in team format. Very different to university teamwork where communication is key, playing golf requires analysis of the situation and choosing the best course of action in a short time consulting your partner to achieve the best possible result. Again I feel I have learnt a lot from this sporting experience as often I am under pressure to make team decisions quickly at university and although in an entirely different situation the process is the same. 5.Demonstrate An Enquiring Mind An enquiring mind and to be interested in your work is essential to being successful, without this I feel would result in lack of motivation and a significant reduction in output. My educational background shows how my enquiring mind is diverse and heavily influenced the ËÅ"A level subjects I chose. I tried to choose subjects I was genuinely interested in and felt that I would be most motivated to work hard on. This at the time didnt include business studies but my work experience at Marks Spencers has led me to become interested in business. I wanted to know why decisions were taken at head office, what influenced them and how they took those decisions. My father works in business and as I have always been interested in his work and find it interesting. 5.1Examples of enquiring mind At university it is particularly important to have an enquiring mind as many of the subjects are only covered very briefly in the actual lectures therefore requiring me to be interested in them and to have an enquiring mind to allow myself to get a good knowledge of each subject. This is very different to ËÅ"A levels and I feel that I have improved greatly in this area since attending University. However I also feel that I still have a lot of room for improvement particularly in subjects that I find difficult and those that are maybe less interesting to myself. I should try to complete all the recommended reading rather than completing only that which I find interesting. I found the organizational behaviour module to be particularly interesting and read a lot of the textbook despite the fact that the essay I had to write was only a small proportion of the book. For the DLBM debate I was part of the research team as I enjoy finding information that can be used to form an argument. I enjoy reading national papers and try to do so as often as I can as I am interested in the wider scope of global business. My enquiring mind sometimes get the better of me and I find myself reading about completely irrelevant topics to that I am meant to be studying for and wasting time but I believe this reflects my enquiring mind For the information systems/ information technology module we could either build a website of produce a leaflet. Despite the fact I had never produced a website before I chose to do this as I enjoy using computers and felt that although this would be more difficult it would be more beneficial to myself in the long run. 6.Take a Personal Responsibility For Career Planning Taking responsibility for career planning is very important, and the BABM course demands that students do this much earlier than other students on other undergraduate schemes. Because of this career planning is very important specifically with regards to years two and three of the course to enable me to make the maximum of my interview and company opportunities. The first step in career planning for myself was my work experience at Marks Spencers that motivated me to choose the BABM course. Choosing to be on the BABM course itself also was of great importance to my future career with the uniqueness of the course enabling me to gain more experience earlier. 6.1Interview skills development Whilst on the BABM course I have had to take responsibility for my future career and have demonstrated this in a number of ways. Firstly interview technique was important to develop and the practice interview as part of the DLBM module gave good feedback as to my style and competencies. The feedback I got (see appendix 3) was generally good with areas to improve on including becoming more focused upon the process I went through when giving examples rather than the example itself. Also I tended to undersell myself when given the chance to impress but apart  from this the feedback was generally good 6.2C.V and application form enhancement My C.V and application form was also another area that required me to take personal responsibility. I read articles on the Internet and books from the library on how to write a C.V as well as attending lectures on C.Vs. I got feedback from my dad who takes part in selection processes as part of his job as well as Vanessa Knowles the DLBM lecturer. The feedback I got was very good highlighting areas that needed to be improved 6.3Increasing personal awareness of placements For the pre selection week I researched each company individually, sent off for their annual reports, looked at their web sites and read the national press to gain any knowledge I could before I attended the sessions. This gave me an insight not only into the companies that I was researching but also the industries they operated in. It also allowed me to view the types of placements offered to students such as myself and has increased my knowledge of the type of placement I am looking to secure. 7.Conclusions I feel that in the last 12 months I had developed tremendously as a person and feel that I have become much more confident, outgoing and assertive. My transferable skill base has improved greatly due to my experience on BABM and at university generally. I feel that my value as a person to an organization has increased greatly and I feel confident that the skills I have learnt this year will continue to be used long into the future not only just during the period in company. However I realize that my skills can and will be improved enormously by the experience I will gain whilst in company and that lifelong learning is a valid and very important concept. My personal development plan outlines areas I intend to improve over the next two years and contains ways in which I intend to monitor evaluate and measure myself and my development. I have tried as far as possible to make my targets Specific Measurable Achievable Relevant and Timescaleable to enable myself to develop myself in the most effective manner. The personal development plan will allow myself to continually review my progress and will hopefully prove a useful tool in the next two years whilst on the BABM course

Frankenstien And The Misanthrope Essay -- essays research papers

According to the American Heritage Dictionary, one meaning of "to rebel" is "to resist or defy any authority or any authority or generally accepted convention." With this definition in mind I consider Victor Frankenstein a rebel. In Mary Shelly's Frankenstein Victor Frankenstein rebels against divinity. Growing up, Victor was fascinated by all types of sciences. He began studying natural sciences while attending the University of Ingolstadt. Hoping that he could discover how to overcome death and decay, Victor began an intense course of study "discovering the cause of generation and life†¦[he] became capable of bestowing animation upon lifeless matter"(51). After years of effort his creating was complete, but ended up being a disaster. As soon as the creature comes to life and victor looks into its eyes, he is "Unable to endure the aspect of the being [he] had created, [he] rushed out of the room"(56). The consequences of this rebelli on had a major impact of the rest of Victor's life. His Creature kills his brother William, his dearest friend Henry Clerval, and the person he cares most for his wife Elizabeth Lavenza. "One by One my friends were snatched away; I was left desolate"(188). Alceste in The Misanthrope and Stephen Dedalus in A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man can also be considered rebels. In Joyce's novel, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Stephen Dedalus is a character ...

Gwen Harwood Essay Essay

Opportunities for an individual to develop understanding of themselves stem from the experiences attained on their journey through life. The elements which contribute to life are explored throughout Gwen Harwood’s poems, At Mornington and Mother Who Gave Me Life, where the recollection of various events are presented as influences on the individual’s perception of the continuity of life. Both poems examine the connections between people and death in relation to personal connections with the persona’s father or mother. By encompassing aspects of human nature and life’s journey, Harwood addresses memories and relationships which contribute to one’s awareness of life. Memories and meandering thoughts, related to personal experiences, are explored throughout At Mornington where the persona shifts between the past and present and dreams and reality. This is similar to Father and Child where Barn Owl is set in past test and Nightfall is set in the present, symbolic of appreciation and understanding of the complexities of life which the child learns. At Mornington opens with an evocation of an event from the persona’s childhood which establishes the temporary and ever changing nature of human life. Reflected through the shifts between past and present tense, the persona is attempting to use past experiences in order to appreciate the present and accept the future. The poem provides a reflective and personal point of view accompanied by the recurring motif of water which symbolises the persona’s transition from childhood to the acceptance of the inevitability of death. In the third stanza, the persona refers to a more recent past where she had seen pumpkins growing on a trellis in her friend’s garden. The action of the pumpkins is described as â€Å"a parable of myself† which allows the persona to reflect on the meaning and quality of her own life and existence. The metaphor between the pumpkin vine and the persona suggests that like the pumpkin, human life also ripens and matures before coming to a closure and returning to the earth. Supported by the phrase â€Å"candlelight for eyesight,† the reader is made aware of the transience of life that the persona has grown to accept and understand. In Father and Child, as the persona moves on from childhood, her father becomes elderly and is entertained by simple things in nature, â€Å"birds, flowers, shivery-grass. † These symbols of nature remind the persona of the inconsistency of life and the certainty of death, â€Å"sunset exalts its known symbols of transience,† where sunset represents time. Both poems are indicative of the impermanence of life and that the persona has managed to mature and grow beyond the initial fearlessness of childhood moving onto a sophisticated understanding of death. The connection between life and death is expressed in a different way through Mother Who Gave Me Life, a poem of mourning for the dead. The poem can be seen as a personal farewell to the persona’s mother where the dominant images of the poem show evolution and the passing of time. Father and Child also demonstrates the passing of time as the persona moves from the innocence of childhood to the sadness of her father’s advancing age and inevitable passing. In Mother Who Gave Me Life, the reference to Halley’s Comet, which appears only once every seventy-six years, tells the reader that the mother was unable to see it once more before surrendering to death. The direct speech of the Sister is reported without the use of quotation marks as in, â€Å"When she died she was folding a little towel. † This provides readers with the knowledge that the mother addressed in the poem is dead. Without quotation marks, the flow of the poem is maintained and is therefore more easily absorbed into the texture of the poem. The parallel image of the â€Å"fabric of marvels† being reduced to the â€Å"little towel† raises the notion that whilst death may have brought a physical end to the persona’s mother’s life she remains a marvel of creation as the persona’s memories of her live on. The poem ends with the ‘fine linen’ recalling the memories of a typical childhood scene where the persona’s mother is calling for her to have dinner â€Å"as darkness falls on my father’s house. † This biblical reference to the House of the Lord, combined with the coming of darkness, reminds the reader of the inevitable ending of life and the respective movement into heaven. As the second section of Father and Child draws to a close, it is evident that the persona has grown to understand that she has limited time left with her father. The significance of Nightfall as the title of the second section, when considering the daybreak setting of Barn Owl, reinforces this. Sunrise symbolises youth whilst nightfall, in comparison, suggests an ending which implies death, a concept that the adult persona is beginning to acknowledge it as part of life. A particular instance in life can conjure different memories of the past as in At Mornington where the persona is drawn into recollections of childhood experiences with her father while standing by the graveside of her friend’s parents. A positive image of the father and child relationship is conveyed throughout the poem as in, â€Å"secure in my father’s arms. † This image conveys safety, comfort and protection which assists the persona in moving on and accepting the cycle of life. It is the security which stems from this relationship that enables the persona to mature from the perceptions and thoughts maintained as a child. Insight into the relationship between the persona, as both child and adult, with her father is also demonstrated in Father and Child. The dominance of the father is suggested through his imperative tone, â€Å"End what you have begun. † Despite the power-play in their relationship, there is still a sense of closeness, â€Å"I leaned my head upon my father’s arms. † This connection has enabled the persona to mature and grow through experiences. This personal relationship is also evident in Mother Who Gave Me Life where the imagery of light shows the persona realises the importance of her mother as she walks â€Å"in the light of the living. † This suggests that the persona is able to walk amongst the living due to her mother. The affirming experiences and enlightenment provided by this relationship enables the persona to see the life-giving role of women as part of the cycle of life. All the poems comment on an individual’s relationship with their mother or father which is essential in maturing and evolving as an individual. The relationships conveyed enable the persona to gain an understanding of life whilst considering its value and accepting its cycle. Ultimately, the exploration of memory and relationships with the persona and their father or mother enables an individual to comprehend human nature and the links between life and death. Throughout the poems At Mornington and Mother Who Gave Me Life, Harwood shows the reader, through memories and comparisons, different aspects of life which contribute to what it means to be human.

Computer Engineering Degree Essay

Computer Engineering combines Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and deals with the design and application of computer systems. These computer systems can range from large super computers to tiny microprocessors that are embedded in all kinds of equipment, such as automobiles, appliances, cellular phones, medical devices, office equipment, etc. The goal of the Computer Engineering is to provide students with a practical, hands-on education that emphasizes applications. The Computer Engineering curriculum teaches students about computer hardware, software, integration, interfacing, and applications, with a strong emphasis on analysis and design. In their first two years, students obtain a solid foundation in mathematics and sciences. In their third year, students are introduced to a broad spectrum of computer engineering disciplines. In their senior year, students gain in-depth knowledge in elective areas of electrical engineering and computer science. In addition to solving technical problems, engineers must also be responsible and respected members of the community. Therefore, the curriculum includes a range of general education courses to round out the students university education. The Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering is a 132-unit degree. Major requirements comprise 99 units, including mathematics, chemistry and physics prerequisites. The remaining 33 units are in general education. Careers in Computer Engineering Graduates of Computer Engineering have a variety of exciting options available to them. Many get high-paying jobs in industry where they engage in the design, analysis, testing, manufacturing and servicing of electronic computer equipment and software. High technology companies in the fields of electronic and computer manufacturing, communications, robotics and control all hire computer engineers. The Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering also prepares the student for a continuation of studies in a variety of fields. Graduates can go on to obtain a MS or Ph. D. degree in an area of specialization in electrical engineering or computer science or they may decide to obtain a Masters in Business Administration, Law or Medicine.

Good Leaders Are Made, not Born!

Good Leaders Are Made, not Born! Free Online Research Papers Good leaders are made not born; if you have the desire and the will power you can become an effective leader. This simple sentence represents and explains what leadership is all. Goals, values and concepts are the core of great leadership qualities. This paper will describe what leadership styles are effective in organizations, how these styles assist in creating and sustaining a healthy organizational culture, and compare and contrast the leadership styles. A look at how Wal-Mart’s leadership styles impact the fortune 100 company will also be looked at. What is leadership? When examining this question it is important to understand what it means to be a leader within an organization. â€Å"A leader is someone who holds a dominant or superior position within his or her field and is able to exercise a high degree of influence over others† (Business dictionary, 2009). Bateman Snell (2009) states â€Å"An outstanding leader combines good strategic substance and effective interpersonal processes to formulate and implement strategies that produce results and sustainable competitive advantage.† Leaders serve people best when they help them develop their own initiative and good judgment, enable them to grow, and help them become better contributors (Bateman Snell). A leader comes to the forefront when a crisis occurs and is able to think as well as act in creative way during difficult situations (Business dictionary, 2009). â€Å"Leadership is an organizational role involving establishing a clear vision, communicating the vision with others so that others will follow willingly, providing information, knowledge, and methods to realize that vision, and coordinating and balancing the conflicting interests of all members or stakeholders† (Business dictionary, 2009). Unlike management leadership flows from the core of a personality and cannot be taught; although leadership can be learned and may be enhanced through coaching or mentoring. Leadership involves unique processes that are distinguishable from basic management processes (Bateman Snell, 2009). It is important for an organization to know when good leadership is needed. Spurgeaon and Cragg (2008) believe that the following times are when good leadership is most needed. These times are when there is a non-routine task requiring innovative thinking, when there is a need to inspire and motivate others in undertaking tasks, when there is a need to establish momentum and keep things moving in a new direction in order to be successful, when there is abilities that go beyond what is currently being done and involving developing a longer term vision, and when a task is required because the external environment is unstable and changing rapidly (Spurgeaon and Cragg, 2008). Leadership can be divided between supervisory leadership and strategic leadership in order to distinguish between the two (Bateman Snell, 2009). Supervisory leadership occurs when a leader possesses behavior that provides guidance, support, and corrective feedback for day to day activities. Strategic leadership occurs when a leader’s behavior gives purpose and meaning to an organization’s envisioning and creating a positive future. The leading function is about people within an organization; both individually and in groups. This function is organized to influence people to be high performers through motivation and inspiration. Leaders share their vision for the future of a company just as Sam Walton shares his vision for the future of Wal-Mart through his slogan; â€Å"saving people money so they can live better† (Wal-Mart, 2008). Since 1962 Walton has been proud of his vision of Wal-Mart and has passionately shared with all employees his success. Today, over 40 years later, Walton’s goals and dreams are still prominent within the organization and is posted on the corporate website (Wal-Mart, 2008). Walton not only talked of his vision he lived it himself which gained him creditability as a leader. Known as a penny pincher, Walton would arm wrestle his suppliers for the lowest price and, unlike most competitors, he would pass the savings on to customers. Walton was able to get his associates and managers on board with the idea that his vision was the way to go; although it was not easy. This was achieved because â€Å"Walton framed his cheapness as a crusade on behalf of the lowly consumer and as a quest for a better life for all American† (Frank, 2006). American really related to Sam Walton’s message. A leader â€Å"keeps people focused on moving the organization toward its ideal future, motivating them to overcome whatever obstacles lie in the way† (Bateman Snell, 2009). Leaders capture the hearts and minds of their employees and stir up a desire to be a part of something big. They clearly see the future of the organization, the changes that need to occur to get t here, and they sell the vision with such compelling belief that others begin to see and believe it as well. Good leaders are aware of their role and how they can benefit from helping an organization achieve its goals. Walton was very good at helping his associates see that working for Wal-Mart meant limitless opportunity while providing a great thing for the community. Mr. Walton had this to say about working for Wal-Mart (Frank, 2006) â€Å"It would, I’m sure, help you become a leader, it would help your personality develop, you would become more outgoing, and in time you might become a manager of that store, you might become a department manager, you might become a district manager, or whatever you choose to be in the company†¦ It will do wonders for you†. Walton was a very charismatic leader. He made it look so easy and people believed him and listened. There are many leadership styles that an organization can choose from depending on specific needs. What styles are chosen depends on which one will be most effective. The choose of leadership styles can make or break an organization and also is the determining factor on how a staff functions. Wal-Mart has chosen to use a charismatic leadership style. This type of styles involves the leader to inject huge doses of enthusiasm into a team (Mind tools, 2008). Wal-Mart also uses servant leadership. This style involves any person at any level within the organization to be a leader and lead simply by meeting the needs of the team (Mind tools, 2008). Wal-Mart management are not sitting behind a desk but rather walking around on the floor with their fellow associates. This happens both at stores and in distribution centers as well. Sam Walton had this to say about his chosen leadership style (2008) â€Å"In a way that creates wonderful morale to help the whole team accomplish an overall goal.† Management’s number one goal with their employees is to make working at Wal-Mart fun and rewarding. They even have their own cheer to boost associates morale and organizational spirit (Wal-Mart, 2008). â€Å"Who’s Wal-Mart? It is my Wal-Mart† (Wal-Mart, 2008). This is the type of leadership styles that all organizations need to use. This style makes employees want to come to work everyday and they feel secure knowing that they are working for a great organization. Wal-Mart is like one big family and like to make their associates feel like they are an important part of keeping the doors open (Wal-Mart, 2008). Another positive leadership technique Wal-Mart uses is they like to delegate responsibility amongst teams rather than lead from the front. Every associate’s opinion counts. Managem ent has an open door policy for associates to talk with management and are encouraged to do so. But the goal every associate within Wal-Mart has is that they want to serve their customers to the best of their ability (Wal-Mart, 2008). Different leadership styles support the creation and maintenance of a healthy organizational culture. At Wal-Mart different levels of styles work with different levels of the organization and in different situations. With front line workers both a democratic leadership solicits input from others and a autocratic style of leadership makes decisions and announces them to the group. These styles can work in a partnership to create a healthy culture. An example of a autocratic leadership is when a manager plans the number of hours required for coverage on the cash registers each day of the week. A democratic leadership style would then allow the cashiers to bid for the hours they would like to work. This can create a positive work environment because the hours are determined based on the stores needs and budget and the employees have imput on which hours they want to work. This concept can be taken one step further and support a feeling of greater democracy by allowing the employees with seniority to have first choice. Bureaucratic leadership works effectively in situations that require strict procedure adherence. â€Å" Bureaucratic leaders work by the book ensuring that their staff follow procedures precisely† (Leadership styles, 2008). This type of style is effective in situations such as collecting cash from the cashiers. A process would be identified and only certain levels of management would be trained on the process. The process also has no flexibility. Charismatic leadership is important for top levels of management in most organizations. Sam Walton had charisma as is evident in the way the early days of Wal-Mart were described (Frank, 2006). â€Å"Charismatic leaders are dominant, exceptionally self confident and have a strong conviction in the moral righteousness of their beliefs† (Bateman Snell, 2009). The confidence of the leader and their belief in his vision and ability to tie the vision into everyday activities supports a healthy culture as it gives the leader credibility and supports the employees believing in the vision of their leader and the future of the organization. When employees have confidence in their leader they have confidence in the future of the organization. In conclusion, Sam Walton had the confidence of his associates and he never lost connection with them. As Wal-Mart expanded Sam got his pilots license so he could fly to individual stores to reduce travel time. Walton’s reasoning for this was so he could personally visit his stores to keep in touch with associates (Frank, 2006). This was smart business and smart leadership. It is evident from Wal-Mart’s decades of success that Walton’s chosen techniques are effective. References Bateman, Thomas S., Snell, Scott A. (2009). Management: Leading and collaborating in the competitive world (8th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill/Irwin. Business Dictionary. (2009). Leadership. Retrieved January 05, 2009, from businessdictionary.com/definition/leadership.html Frank, T. (2006) A Brief History of Wal-Mart. Washington Monthly, Reclaim Democracy. Retrieved December 29, 2008 from: reclaimdemocracy.org/walmart/2006/history.php Mind Tools. (2006). Leadership styles, using the right one for your situation. Retrieved December 29, 2008 from mindtools.com/pages/article/newLDR_84.htm Spurgeon, P and Cragg, R. (2008). Is it Management or Leadership? Clinician in Management, 15:123-125. Email- j_landreman@yahoo.com Username- mrstripp Research Papers on Good Leaders Are Made, not Born!Bringing Democracy to AfricaOpen Architechture a white paperIncorporating Risk and Uncertainty Factor in CapitalThe Project Managment Office SystemThree Concepts of PsychodynamicRelationship between Media Coverage and Social andPETSTEL analysis of IndiaStandardized TestingMarketing of Lifeboy Soap A Unilever ProductAnalysis of Ebay Expanding into Asia

The Best States for Working Moms

The Best States for Working Moms Working moms have it rough. They never feel like they’re spending enough time at work, and they never feel like they’re spending enough time with their kids. And they’re in the majority. Over 70% of mothers with children under 18 are either working or looking for work in this country right now. In order to be a working parent, you need resources: some flexibility, a decent maternity leave, and a solid child-care system are only a few. These might seem like givens, but the fact is that  there are some geographical regions that are friendlier to the working mom’s particular needs- and some that are†¦ well, not friendly.We know most of you don’t have the flexibility to up and move to a place that might better suit your family life, but if you’re looking for a place to plant roots, or are wondering if your state perches at the top or sits at the bottom, read on.Who Has It Best?Weighing criteria like child care, professional opportunities a nd work-like balance, WalletHub analyzed a ton of research and data sets for all 50 states (and D.C.) and determined the best places for working moms to live. The study was scored on 13 different metrics including day-care quality and cost, gender pay gaps, families in poverty, commute times, and parental leave. And weighted so that things like child-care were weighted most.So where’s the best place to live if you’re a working Mom? Turns out? Vermont!This New England state ranked well among all of the different criteria, plus it boasts the highest number of pediatricians per 100,000 residents. It also boasts the 6th highest ratio of female to male executives- 61%! And unemployment for females is low, at only 3.1%. Vermont has good child care support and most people living there claim a pretty good work-life balance.Minnesota and New Jersey were next in line. Minnesota has excellent professional opportunities for women, while New Jersey scores high for its child care op tions.New York came in 9th- and came in first for day-care systems (though also one of the most expensive!!), and fifth for lowest gender pay gap. But other factors outrank it (mostly cost of living). Hawaii, notably, boasts the lowest gender pay gap around. And South Dakota, surprisingly, the highest female to male executive ratio.Who Doesn’t Have It So Great?Alabama, Louisiana, and Nevada sit at the bottom of the list. While female unemployment in Vermont rests at 3.1 percent, in Alabama it’s two times higher at 6.2 percent. Also, Alabama only has 7 pediatricians per 100,000 residents. And while Alabama and Louisiana are in the top 5 for â€Å"Lowest Child Care Costs,† they sit in the bottom 5 for â€Å"Worst Day Care Systems† and â€Å"Highest Gender Pay Gap.†Until government and employee policies are updated to reflect the changing needs of the working family, flexible work policies aren’t likely to improve dramatically, and many (if not most) American families will be left in the lurch. So if moving to Vermont just isn’t feasible, be aware of what your state does and does not offer, and work to lobby your representatives to represent your best interests.

Using the Different Forms of Pronouns

Using the Different Forms of Pronouns One of the basic parts of speech, a pronoun ​takes the place of a noun, often serving as a subject or an object in a sentence. Personal pronouns are important devices for making our writing both concise and coherent. A pronoun can be effective if we use an appropriate form (or case). Otherwise, it may distract or puzzle the reader. There are three common pronoun forms: subject pronouns, object pronouns, and possessive pronouns. We should try to be careful not to confuse one pronoun form with another. Subject Pronouns (Subjective Case) Subject pronouns are used as subjects of sentences and of subordinate clauses. The subject pronouns are italicized in the sentences below. I live for the summer. You remind me of a gray day in winter. He (or She or It) is heading for a fall. We are ready to spring into action. They never last longer than a season. Object Pronouns (Objective Case) Object pronouns are used as objects of verbs or of prepositions. The object pronouns are italicized in the sentences below. The sun never shines on me.Someday a planet will be named after you.Mona gave him (or her or it) a gold ribbon.She showed us the ring around the moon.The Coast Guard rescued them at dawn. Possessive Pronouns (Possessive Case) Possessive pronouns show who or what owns something. The possessive pronouns are italicized in the sentences below. My old guitar is in the pawn shop, but the drum set is still mine.* Your song was hard to understand, but I still enjoyed yours more than anyone elses. His (or Her or Its) music is too sweet, so we played hers (or his) instead. Our music may be old fashioned, but its still ours.The Simpsons left their children in the garage, but the McGraths took theirs home. Notice that you dont use an apostrophe with a possessive pronoun.  * Some grammarians make a distinction between possessive determiners (such as my in My old guitar) and possessive pronouns (such as mine in the drum set is still mine. Practice in Using Correct Pronoun Forms These exercises will give you practice in using the different forms of pronouns clearly and correctly: Using the Different Forms of Pronouns: Practice Exercise 1Pronoun Exercise: Recasting a Paragraph With Pronouns

Poverty Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 1

Poverty - Research Paper Example My research will point out the importance of certain functions in the Elizabethan history of poverty and its relevance to present world. Presence of poor people is evidently manifested around the globe. Changes in political and economic organizations result to re-distribution of wealth and in effect, the number of poor people increases, rate of poverty heightens, and in domino effect, crimes are manifested. Way back in the middle Ages in England, society has been defined into three categories, monarchy, nobility, and peasantry. These three elements of the society are considered to be interdependent between each other and in spite of the existing differences between the three when it comes to status and wealth, buffer have to be put on the side of the peasantry. Continuous trends of the monarchical policies led to the rise of unemployed people and subsequently heighten poverty and crime. With regard to resolving this issue, during the Elizabethan times, acts and laws were struggled and serve as the buffer between the monarchical and the peasant (Talbot, R. 2002). The population grows and as it grows, the pressure of sustenance to peoples needs is evidently manifested not only on the part of the government but as well as on the part of the general public. Acts have been promulgated and stretched that the poor people was belong to the community’s responsibility and every individual has a role to play in the society. Poverty is a state of material and social deprivation. People who experience poverty feel the deprivation of well-being, having not enough income to support the needs of the family when it comes to basic necessities such as food, shelter, and clothing. Child malnutrition is considered the closest manifestation of poverty among the poor families in a certain society. In Elizabethan society, the definition of poverty is also the same with regard to the universal definition, however, Elizabethan treatment to poor

Explore your favorite object Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Explore your favorite object - Essay Example The image is of particular interest because it reinforced my chemical knowledge of glucose as a compound of three elements. Being able to visualize the distinct elements also increased my interest in learning composition of other chemical compounds because of the reinforced notion that chemical composition of elements and compounds are not just theoretical aspects. Identifying the distinct elements of glucose also helped me to visualize possible chemical reaction mechanism as compounds interact, because of the ability to of the distinct elements to move across structures of involved compounds. The chemistry knowledge that the object reinforces, especially with visualization from the high leveled zooming, makes it the interesting object to me. Even though other chemical objects are available on the screen, glucose is a common substance, a factor that makes it outstanding to capture my interest (Scale of the Universe

Critical Analysis of the Article from both POSITIVE and NEGATIVE Essay - 2

Critical Analysis of the Article from both POSITIVE and NEGATIVE aspects - Essay Example The author therefore does not see products and services as two different acts but visualize it as a combination of complex processes that must be undertaken together in order to deliver something of value to the customers. The author has also provided a visual representation of the molecular model and how it can integrate with marketing processes to provide a comprehensive view of how marketers should view services and other aspects of marketing jointly. This approach therefore provides a visual picture of the different relationships and proportions of the elements. Further, author has attempted to consider services with evidence as it is the evidence only which can effectively provide a comprehensive understanding of how one can actually measure the effectiveness of the services. The author therefore provides modeling as well as blueprinting as two important methods that can effectively provide marketers an opportunity to design services in such a manner that it can offer relatively better opportunity to understanding marketing in larger context and design the overall offering in such a manner that achieve the objectives. It is however, critical to note that the author has fall short on different occasions. Services essentially are of perishable nature therefore effectively they cannot be dynamic as assumed by the author. The dynamic nature of the services can only be assumed when they are provided on the consistent basis and the customers have the ability and opportunity to provide effective feedback about the overall quality of the services. Further, services can be separated from the products as it depends upon the overall nature of the offering made by the firm. Since some products are delivered with minimal service promise therefore services essentially cannot be considered as important for designing an effective product. Lastly, the overall argument is not

Encouraging Employee Buy-in Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Encouraging Employee Buy-in - Essay Example Encouraging Employee Buy-in The company has more than twelve hundred employees. It is possible for line managers and the supervisors of the company to encourage employees’ engagement in an organization through positive campaign on the ban. The first important step towards encouraging employee buy-in is to critically run an evaluation of the parts of the system that impact on employee buy-in (Armstrong, 2008). Keeping employees engaged in the project to encourage smoking ban is a key element of encouraging staff buy-in. The objective of every employer is to employ staffs that are going to be a resource rather than a challenge (Armstrong, 2008). Is such an instance, the two directors should involve the employees in the company’s project from the initial stages of the system. Make familiarize the system in use to all the employees (Brief, 2008). Line managers have an easy job of setting the team together and defining the team’s direction. The challenge comes in getting the team to buy into the concept of working together for common objectives of supporting the ban (Boxall & Purcell, 2011). Emphasizing the positive benefits of working as a team to support each other is a way that may create employee buy-in to the project. The line manager should explain to employees the specific reason they have chosen to contribution to the job (Boxall & Purcell, 2011). In a way, the employee will feel proud to be associated in the business if the managers offer unbiased reasons for implementing the ban. Line managers and the supervisors should talk to employees about how to prioritize the team’s work within their regular duties.

Wirless22 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Wirless22 - Essay Example Even though I spend most of my time at home, whenever I go out for recreation, I make it a point not to take my cell phone along. Right now I need to carry two phones: even though I do not like phones, this is the only way I can make my life easier. One phone is used for business and family only, whereas the other is for friends, school and other acquaintances. The second phone is usually turned off, unless I want to go out, and even then I mostly turn it on just to check the voice mail to check if I have any appointments (with a doctor or at school, for instance). The only times I have used text messaging is to check my bank account balance by texting at the number the bank gave to me. Even when I receive a text message to which I have to reply, I do not text back. I prefer calling up people rather than sending them text messages. The Bluetooth feature on phones is something that I do appreciate, because it enables me to connect my cell phone with my computer or other devices and transfer data easily. However, I do not believe that cell phones are a necessity. Even in emergency cases I think I can manage very well without a cell phone. I consider cell phones and email to be the worst invention of the last century. For me, cell phones are a luxury, a luxury we can very well do without. Currently, I have T-mobile and AirVoice as service providers for my two cell phones. T-mobile is expensive when compared with AirVoice: I pay 70 dollars for T-mobile and 40 dollars for AirVoice per month. On both these service providers I pay by minute along with the contract. AirVoice offers me unlimited text messaging, both domestic and international, which I do not use at all. I use prepaid plans on both; T-mobile carries the unused minutes to the next month, however AirVoice does not provide this service, the minutes end with the month, whether you have used them or not. Both AirVoice and T-mobile, being 3G, are

Encouraging Employee Buy-in Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Encouraging Employee Buy-in - Essay Example Encouraging Employee Buy-in The company has more than twelve hundred employees. It is possible for line managers and the supervisors of the company to encourage employees’ engagement in an organization through positive campaign on the ban. The first important step towards encouraging employee buy-in is to critically run an evaluation of the parts of the system that impact on employee buy-in (Armstrong, 2008). Keeping employees engaged in the project to encourage smoking ban is a key element of encouraging staff buy-in. The objective of every employer is to employ staffs that are going to be a resource rather than a challenge (Armstrong, 2008). Is such an instance, the two directors should involve the employees in the company’s project from the initial stages of the system. Make familiarize the system in use to all the employees (Brief, 2008). Line managers have an easy job of setting the team together and defining the team’s direction. The challenge comes in getting the team to buy into the concept of working together for common objectives of supporting the ban (Boxall & Purcell, 2011). Emphasizing the positive benefits of working as a team to support each other is a way that may create employee buy-in to the project. The line manager should explain to employees the specific reason they have chosen to contribution to the job (Boxall & Purcell, 2011). In a way, the employee will feel proud to be associated in the business if the managers offer unbiased reasons for implementing the ban. Line managers and the supervisors should talk to employees about how to prioritize the team’s work within their regular duties.

How can management make nurses feel they are respected and needed when Research Paper

How can management make nurses feel they are respected and needed when money is managements main concern - Research Paper Example Some will be more interested in having their opinion considered, or may want their input to be included more in the running of things. A promotion or promise of more time off to spend with families also shows them that their interests are held valuable (IOM, 2010). Nurses are human, and they all display the human need to feel and be treated special. They need to be shown that their contribution to society is valued and appreciated (Graban, 2009). The management can appreciate nurses in non monetary ways that will motivate them. A study revealed that nurses feel like the martyrs in their organizations (IOM, 2010). They are always the last group to be furnished with information, the first to have a reduction of their training days and yet expected to be available always to ensure new initiatives work smoothly with minimal disturbance to patients’ safety and experience (IOM, 2010). Management can appreciate them by ensuring they get timely information alongside other healthcare workers, and scheduling enough time for their training for them to gain confidence. Nurses should not always be the group to take instructions, but need to be allowed to speak for themselves to management. A listening management encourages nurses to build their self worth, which works well to make them feel useful and appreciated (IOM, 2010). Most nurses do not speak out their monetary grievances in fear of losing their jobs (Kotter, 1996). Management should be liberal and allow them to speak. No one should be bullied or removed from the job for speaking for themselves or group in general. Another reason nurses do not speak out is because most of the time they will not be listened to, or no action will be taken (Graban, 2009). The management simply ignores their grievances. The Unions, hospital management and governing body need to act swiftly on complaints raised by nurses to give them an assurance that their presence is acknowledged even during

Critisism on Curleys Wife Essay Example for Free

Critisism on Curleys Wife Essay For Of Mice and Men is a Tragedy, a tragedy not in the narrow modern sense of a mere sad story (though it certainly is that), but a tragedy in the classic Aristotelian/Shakespearean sense of showing humanitys achievement of greatness through and in spite of defeat. Some people seem to believe that the function of literature is to provide vicarious happy endings, to provide in words a sugary sweetness we would like to have but cannot always get in real life. To such people, true literary tragedy is distasteful. But the greatest writers and the best readers know that literature is not always only mere sugar candy; it can sometimes be a strong medicine: sour perhaps — at least to the untrained taste — but necessary for continued health[.] Some readers may object to the books presentation of low class characters, vulgar language, scenes suggestive of improper sexual conduct, and an implied criticism of the social system. But none of this is presented indecently, or beyond the ordinary norms of contemporary literature. Compared to many modern works, (or to movies and TV) this book is tame indeed. Furthermore, these features are necessary in this book in two ways. First, they are part of the accurate precise reporting of the reality of a particular time and place and environment. Part of Steinbecks literary point is that this is true to life. As such, the dirty details are part of Steinbecks enlargement of the realm of Tragedy, the democratization of the tragic world. Traditionally, the subjects of Tragedies have been Kings and other Great Ones: Job, Oedipus, Lear. But Steinbecks point — a truly American point — is that all men are created equal: Tragedy exists even among the lowly of the earth; even the least of us — even a Lennie or a George — has the human potential for tragic nobility. Of Mice and Men is a tragedy in the modern tradition of The Hairy Ape and Death of a Salesman. Second, the grossness is a way of presenting briefly the complex turmoil of life. This book is not stereotype melodrama. It is not a simpleminded book. There are no purely bad people in it. Conversely, there are no purely good people in it either. All the characters are complex mixtures of good and bad, or rather of bad results from good intentions. They are all — in their ability and in their outlook — limited. And they live in a gross and dirty world. Given their position in that world, they are not able to achieve much. But they are trying to do the best they can; they are trying to be good people and to have good lives. They have good intentions. They have noble aims. The tragedy is that, limited as the characters are, the world they live in is even more limited; it is a world in which the simplest dream of the simplest man — poor dumb big Lennie — cannot come true. The best laid plans of mice and men gang oft a-glae [go oft a-stray], wrote Robert Burns in the poem which provides the books title and its theme. And Steinbecks story shows why: The best laid plans go oft astray because they come in confl ict with one another. The simplest good intention — simply to stay alive — of a simple mouse, a simple pup, a simple young woman, is thwarted by Lennies urge to pet something soft and beautiful. Lennies drive to touch beauty kills the things he loves. But his problem is the same problem that bothers Curley, the Bosss son, the closest thing to a villain in the book. Like Lennie, Curley doesnt know how to hold on to what he finds important: his young wife, his status as the Bosss son, his reputation as a man. He loses each by trying to hold on too tightly. Curleys aim to be a respected husband/boss/man is foiled by his own limited abilities. The similar but simpler aim of Lennie and George to have a small place of their own where they can live offa the fatta the lan is doomed to frustration also by their own limitations and the tragic chain of circumstance and coincidence that ends with Lennie dead by Georges hand. The point, of course, is that they all — we all — live in a too limited world, a world in which not all our dreams can come true, a world in which we — all of us some of the time and some of us all the time — are doomed to disappointment. The tragic dilemma is that for our basic humanity, for the goodness of our aims, we all deserve better than we get. But because of our human limitations, by our weaknesses of character, none of us is ever good enough to earn what we deserve. Some philosophers, seeing this dilemma, pronounce profound pessimism for humanity. Some religions promise for this worlds disappointments supernatural intercession and other-worldly compensations. The tragic viewpoint (the view of Shakespeare, the Greek tragedians, the Old Testament Job, and John Steinbeck) finds in it the chance for nobility of soul: even in the blackest of disappointments, a human can achieve individual greatness. One may be defeated physically — but one need not be crushed spiritually. One can remain true to ones dream and true to ones friend. We humans may die, but we can love one another. Friendship. Love. That too is what Of Mice and Men is all about. Lennie and George, disparate types, are, against all good reason, friends. They share a good dream. They love one another. They are too limited, too inarticulate, to know how to say it, but they do show it — or rather Steinbeck shows it to us readers. So the book treats the great themes of Dreams and Death and Love with simple powerful clarity. It does so with a classically elegant structure — another reason for using the book as a teaching tool: it allows a reader — especially an untrained or beginning reader of literature — to see (or be shown) how structure supports and presents content. Of Mice and Men has the classic situation/complication/twist/and/resolution plot structure uncluttered by diversions, distractions, or subplots. There is inevitableness, a starkness that makes the poi nt of the story unavoidable. The story has the classic unities of time and place and action. It begins in a small spot of beautiful nature, a secluded camp in the woods by a stream; it moves to the buildings of a California ranch, and ends back in the woods by the stream. The style is simple: clear, direct sentences of description and action, direct quotation of the speech of simple people. Few long words, no hard words. The action is simple: two poor and vagrant workers, big, dumb Lennie and small, clever George, take jobs at a large ranch. Lennie has trouble with the Bosss son, Curley. Lennie accidentally — more or less — kills Curleys wife. George kills Lennie to save him from the horrors of a lynch mob led by Curley, bent on revenge. The settings are simple in detail, and simply powerfully symbolic. The secluded spot in the woods by the stream is the uncomplicated world of Nature; the bunkhouse is the bleak home of hired working men trying to make sense of their lives and gain comfort in a limited environment; the barn is the place of working life, of seed and harvest, birth and death; the harness room with Crooks bunk symbolizes social constraints; the little place of our own about which George and Lennie dream and all too vaguely plan is the Paradise on earth we all hope for. The characters, too, are simple yet significant. Begin with an individual, and before you know it you find you have created a type, wrote F. Scott Fitzgerald; begin with a type, and you find that you have created — nothing. Steinbeck begins with individuals: clearly and sharply crafted characters, a whole set of individuals who are so clearly realized that each — without surrendering individuality — becomes a type, an archetype, a universal character: There is Candy, the old, one-arme d worker with no place to go, as useless as his toothless dog; there is Carlson, gruffly and deliberately unfeeling, who can coolly kill old Candys ancient dog simply because he stinks and he aint no good to you; and there is Crooks, the dignified proud and aloof but helpless and lonely victim of racial discrimination. There is Slim, calm, reasonable, compassionate, the real leader of men. And there is Curley, the arrogant but inept Bosss son. The man who could lead well does not have the position; the one who has the position and the authority is not a true leader. Curley hides his insecurities behind a mask of macho toughness. His competitive bravado makes him push too far and Lennie, after enduring much, is given permission by George to get him. Lennie in self-protection crushes Curleys fist in his own big hand, crippling Curley somewhat as Candy and Crooks have been crippled by the punitive harshness of life. Curley is also the one man who has a woman. But clearly he does not — does not know how to — relate to her as a person. She is to him a thing, a possession, a sex-object and a status symbol. For the men, in braggadocio, he flaunts the sexuality of the relationship; and yet, out of his own self-doubts he is intensely jealous of the mens awareness of her. The young woman has no name — she is merely Curleys wife. She knows she wants — and somehow deserves — something better than this. I dont like Curley, she says of her husband. She has grandiose ambitions of being a Hollywood star in the pitchers. She is a lost little girl in a world of men whose knowledge of women is largely limited to memories of kind old ladies and rumors of casual prostitution. All these men are afraid of Curleys wife, afraid and aware that her innocent animal appeal may lead them into temptation and trouble. In self-protection they avoid her. Only Lennie, in naive goodness, actually relates to her as a person to a person. She talks to him. For a little time they share in their aesthetic sense; they both admire beauty. Unfortunately, she is too naive, and Lennie is too strong and c lumsy. In trying — at her invitation — to pet her lovely hair he is panicked by her quick resistance, and ends by killing her. Just as he had earlier killed a puppy and a mouse. Curleys wife, a naive Romantic, wants love and tenderness in a harsh crude Naturalistic world; Lennie, big and ignorant, tries to give love. But he is too weak in the mind, too strong in the body. His tenderness is too powerful for weaker, unsuspecting creatures. We readers can identify with Lennie. We sympathize; we empathize. We care. We have — most of us — been in his position; not quite able to cope with the complexities of the world around us, wanting only security, peace, comfort, and something soft and beautiful to pet and love. Perhaps one reason that this book has evoked controversy and censorious action is that it is so simple and clear and easy to understand — and so painful! It hurts to read this book. And some people dont like their books to hurt them; they want soothi ng. But great Tragedy is meant to hurt. One neednt subscribe wholly to the Aristotelian doctrine of catharsis by Art to see that one function of literature is to help us deal with the pain of real life by practicing with the vicarious pains of tragic art. Of course Of Mice and Men contains unpleasant attitudes; there is brutality, racism, sexism, economic exploitation. But the book does not advocate them; rather it shows that these too-narrow conceptions of human life are part of the cause of human tragedy. They are forces which frustrate human aspiration. Lennie and George have a noble dream. They are personally too limited to make it come true, but they do try. They try to help each other, and they even enlarge their dream to include old one-handed Candy and crippled black Crooks. Theirs is the American Dream: that there is somehow, somewhere, sometime, the possibility that we can make our Paradise on earth, that we can have our own self-sufficient little place where we can live off the fat of the land as peaceful friends. What is sad, what is tragic, what is horrible, is that the Dream may not come true because we are — each and all of us — too limited, too selfish, too much in conflict with one another. Maybe ever-body in the whole damn world is scared of each other, says Slim. And George expresses the effects of loneliness, Guys that go around alone dont have no fun. After a long time they get mean. They get wantin to fight all the time. What is ennobling in this tragedy of mice and men is the Revelation of a way beyond that loneliness and meanness and fighting, a way to rise above our human limitations: Two men — Lennie and George — who have nothing else, do have each other. We kinda look after each other. says George. And they do have their Dream. And the Dream is there even in the final defeat. For in the end the one thing George can do for Lennie is to make sure hes happy as he dies. He has Lennie look acrost the river you can almost see [the place]. And as Lennie says, Lets get that place now, George kills him mercifully. Its a horrible thing to do, and George knows that. And we know that. But in this limited world in this limited way it is all that George can do for his friend. And he does it. That is the horror and the nobility which together make up Tragedy. The Tragic pattern closes. There is a sense of completeness, of both defeat and satisfaction. In Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck has shown us something about the pain of living in a complex human world and created something beautiful from it. In true great literature the pain of Life is transmuted into the beauty of Art. The book is worth reading for a glimpse of that beauty — and worth teaching as a way to show others how such beauty works.

Case Study of Management of Globalization at Ryanair

Case Study of Management of Globalization at Ryanair With increasing globalisation, numbers of companies are entering different foreign markets but some of them only attain success. This is because of their lack of knowledge about free markets advantages and limitations and role of enterprise within organisations (Brooke 1996). Firms that operate by assessing the impact of globalisation are much able to operate successfully rather than the firms that operate without analysing the impact of globalisation (Vittorio 2006). In this report all these aspects will be discussed with the help of a company, Ryan Air that is one of the oldest and most flourishing low-cost airlines of Europe (About Us 2011). This report will be completed by analyzing all previous researches or studies done in this field and its implications in real life. Different researchers and theorist have analysed free markets, globalisation and role of enterprise within organizations. With their analyses they have also given different theories and approaches that can be used in a workplace to maximise its opportunities. All these theories and approaches will be used to analyse that what extent free market conditions have allowed Ryan Air to grow and prosper (Iyer Masters 2000). As well it will also describe, at what extent the company had benefitted from free market conditions and to what extent it was constrained by limitations on this market. In addition to this, here it will also be analysed that how company and other markets are driven by enterprise led organisations. In the end, it will also be analysed that what extent the air travel market relies on globalisation and what is the importance of global expansion for Ryan Air. As well, in this report the importance of global markets in other industries will also be evaluated along with the analysis of importance of globalisation. Critical Evaluation of Ryan Airs Entry Ryan Air was established in the year 1985 and it entered low cost European air travel market as a low cost airline. The company attained huge success in Europe and it was all because of free market conditions (About Us 2011). The company success due to free market conditions can be understood effectively by critically evaluating it along with the discussion of its benefits and limitations. Significance of Free Market Conditions to Ryanair: Free market conditions refer to an economy or market in which buying and selling of products and services is done without any restriction related to price and valuation. European air travel market is also highly affected with free market conditions that in turn have also affected Ryan Air (Brooke 1996). The company is highly affected by free market conditions and it is an important reason of its growth and success. Due to the effect of free market conditions, the company along with its competitors has become able in allowing market forces to determine the price and values of air travel offered by them (Vittorio 2006). The free market concept was initially conceptualized throughout the First World War but in present it has become a reason of number of economies success. With the free market conditions of Europe, Ryan Air has derived various benefits like flexibility, freedom, and variety that in turn assist it in growing its business operations in Europe and in other foreign countries (Suneja 2000). With the free market conditions like deregulation and free market entry, Ryanair has been able to exploit the Irish and subsequently the European transport market (Brophy George 2003). With the free market conditions, the company has become able in switching its services on the basis of the widespread market conditions. For example, if there is demand on one route, the company is free to change its operations and other route so can take advantage of current profitable route or service (Iyer Masters 2000). The company is able to change its operations or process without undergoing the scrutiny of extreme government protocols. As well, the company management is also free to alter its services and their management according to their own suitability or accessibility for gaining a competitive edge (Rugman 2002). Benefits Limitations of Free Market Conditions to Ryanair: With the increasing free market conditions, Ryanair has attained several benefits in terms of increased freedom, flexibility and limited government controls or protocols. Free market conditions in Europe have allowed company to undertake activities that please them. Consequently, it can serve customers in a way it wants and sell services they think will help it in growing and prospering (Brophy George 2003). In this free market economy, the company also have freedom to change and alter their business operations. As well, government controls are very less to company operations that provide it with a benefit of increasing significantly at national as well as international level. Although there are some government guidelines to operate in air travel market that need to be followed by Ryanair but it has freedom to manage its operations in a way it feels appropriate or beneficial (Rugman 2002). The company have freedom to increase its number of flights and as well determine prices according to market forces or conditions. In condition of increased demand of air travels, the company is free to increase its number of flights so that more and more profits can be attained in comparison to existing competitors. The increased demand of customers can be satisfied significantly by undertaking diverse business decisions and increasing number of flights (Brophy George 2003). The free market conditions also present Ryanair with an advantage of serving its customers with innovative products and services. In regard to free market economy, the company have an advantage to determine what services it will render to its customers with diverse innovations so that they can be offered with best products and services (Vittorio 2006). In this way, it can be said that it is a tool through which Ryanair can easily attain competitive advantage and core competencies. In addition to significant extent of benefits, free market conditions have also presented Ryanair with several limitations like increased competition, high threat of new entrants, high bargaining power of customers etc (Iyer Masters 2000). In free market economy, there are number of low cost airline companies that operate in Europe and present customers with different innovative services. In this kind of environment, it becomes difficult to retain customers in long-run as well their bargaining power is also high as they have several choices available at a time (Rugman 2002). Threat of new entrants is also very high that several times have presented Ryanair with number of limitations. In starting, the company competitors were not as high as in present and due to this, it requires a more planned approach and business strategy (Ryan Air 2009). Free market conditions and economy have served company with number of benefits as well as with some limitations. Role of Enterprise in the Creation and Development of Ryanair In present the concept of an enterprise driven organization has emerged in which the whole organization is undertaken as an enterprise directed with continuous transformation and change. The emergence of this concept is due to uncertain market environment and rapid changes in consumers tastes. By creating and developing an enterprise driven organization, a businessman can significantly attain success (Box Byus 2007). Similar is the case with Ryanair that also made use of enterprise to become a successful low-cost European airline company. In the creation and development of Ryanair, enterprise played a substantial role that can be understood by critically reviewing its effect. Recognition of Ryanair as Enterprise Driven Organisation: Ryanair was started in the year 1985 with only 57 employees and with one 15 seater turboprop plane that used to carry 5000 passengers on one route. In subsequent year of its operations, the company employees increased along with the number of passengers it used to carry. In the year 1990-1991, the company passengers increased to 700,000 (Box Byus 2007). For attaining growth, the company made use of several marketing strategies. As well, the company also transformed its management team so that effective operations can be brought out in the company. The success attained by the company shows that from the time of company initiation, it was having potential of becoming market leader. It was all due to the effect of Michael OLeary as CEO who kept company recognised as enterprise driven organization (Wallace, Tiernan White 2006). Although, the company have confronted several troubles, but from starting its CEO assisted its entrepreneurs to establish and develop their company as an enterprise. This in turn assisted in the creation of an enterprise culture in Ryanair (Graham Nafukho 2007, p. 130). From beginning, the company and its managers have confronted number of problems mainly in concern to handling business operations, management and cost structures. All these troubles have been resolved by implementing different marketing strategies and transforming old strategies. It would not have been possible, if company CEO have not developed an enterprise culture (Mattila, Nandhakumar, Hallikainen Rossi 2009). By becoming an enterprise driven organization, Ryanair has become able in surviving in the present competitive market and growing in the marketplace (Box Byus 2007). Its enterprise-driven culture has facilitated it in implementing different marketing strategy and attaining different competitive advantages like online booking, one class travel, point-to-point flying, in house marketing, ticketless boarding, reduced turnaround times, corporate partnerships, bargaining power, new aircrafts etc (Ryanairs Competitive Advantage 2009). Due to its effective business operations that are directed with an enterprise culture, it is regarded as the most punctual airline between Dublin and London. It is also recognised as the second largest airline in United Kingdom and Europes largest low-fares airline. It operates with a network of more than 57 routes in 11 countries. It is also served by a fleet of 31 Boeing 737-200 and -800 aircraft with more than 1,400 employees. Its enterprise driven culture help it in constantly concentrating on driving its own costs and serve customers with lowest possible fares and as well as continuously remain profitable. Effect of Enterprise Driven Organizations on Other Markets: With the discussion of Ryanair and effect of enterprise driven organizations on its development and creation, it can be said that enterprise driven organisation does not only affect travel and tourism industry. Other markets and industries are also highly affected by enterprise driven organizations (Graham Nafukho 2007, p. 129). In present almost all industries are confronting significant competition and high market uncertainty. For resolving this type of market threats, it has become essential to adopt enterprise-driven organization as it assists marketers in managing their organizations in regard to emerging changes. By creating and developing an enterprise-driven organization, it becomes easy for different fields marketers to manage their survival as well as growth. They become able to manage changes related to market and customers trends (Mattila, Nandhakumar, Hallikainen Rossi 2009). As well, it also benefits companies with an advantage to create an all-inclusive culture in which everyone operates with coordination and collaboration so that business can be handled effectively (Kongol 2010). In modern era, numbers of markets are encountered with environmental uncertainty and they are trying to improve their organizational efficiency, and eventually performance. This problem can be resolved effectively by creating and developing an enterprise-driven organization as it will assist them in implementing standardized processes and practices throughout borders and their different divisions (Kongol 2010). A consistently enforced enterprise culture assists in the standardization of business processes. As well it also helps in fulfilling all needs of management control by managing all information into one system and making it available. Enterprise-driven organisation become able in a creating an integrated organisation structure that in turn assist managers in anticipating future trends and operate accordingly. In this way, it can be said that enterprise driven organizations does not only affect travel market as it make a positive effect on almost all markets (Mattila, Nandhakumar, Hallikainen Rossi 2009). By creating and developing an enterprise culture all organisations can attain different advantages according to their own success needs and requirements. Impact of Globalisation on Organisations Globalisation is a new concept that refers to processes through which different economies and societies of the world are integrating with the help of a global network. The practice of globalisation is increasing day-by-day as it serves companies with number of advantages like global expansion, significant growth and worldwide image. The significant advantages of globalisation are encouraging present organizations to globalise their business operations that in turn are affecting their overall business activities (Wallace, Tiernan White 2006). This can be understood effectively with the help of Ryanair and air travel market affect of globalisation on it. Reliance of Air Travel Market on Globalisation: Air travel market success basically depends upon the travelling needs of customers. In present almost all countries people like to travel other countries with some or other reason that imposes challenges for air travel marketers to globalise their operations (Hartungi 2006, p.730). Due to this increasing trend of travel and tourism, it has become essential for air travel marketers to globalise and this in turn also renders with several advantages related to high growth and worldwide success. This altering travel trend of people demonstrates that travel market substantially relies on globalisation. If, a travel company is not able to operate at international level it would not be able to tap international market opportunities. Travel industry connects two places that may be from a single nation or country or from different countries (Marquardt 2007). For success in travel market, it is essential to globalise and serve customers with different national as well as international routes. Significance of globalisation can also be understood by evaluating its affect on Ryanair and its business operations (Townsend, Yeniyurt Talay 2009, p. 540). In starting, the company used to operate at two routes, but subsequently, it focussed on increasing its routes to different European countries. With globalisation and the EU air transport deregulation, the company opened up new routes to Continental Europe and carried more than 3 million passengers to 18 different routes. As well, with the effect of globalisation, the company also tried to focus on global expansion and it also initiated services to Stockholm, Oslo, Paris and Brussels. In present, Ryanair operates on more than 1000 routes throughout Europe. As well, in the year 2008, the company also entered US market with an aim of global expansion. These different expansions done by the company and been planned evidences importance of global expansion for the company and its management. Importance of Global Markets in other Industries: In addition to travel industry, globalisation is also important for other industries like electronic equipments, pharmaceutical, agriculture, food beverage, oil and petroleum etc. In present almost all industries wants to operate with the help of global markets so that they can attain more profits and growth (Hartungi 2006, p.729). With increasing globalisation and free market economies different economies of the world are trying to integrate their industries so that they can take advantage of each others skills and practices (Ricks 2006). As well, it has also become a trend for companies to operate in global markets as with this they can attain a global recognition that in turn can be used to attract potential customers. In present customers prefer global brands rather than traditional brands as their lifestyles and way of living has changed and improved also (Cheng Mittelhammer 2008, p. 860). Consumers, whether they belong to low, medium or high income group prefers global brands as it gives them a sense of high living standard. This change in consumers taste and preferences encourages companies to operate at international level and serve different global markets (Townsend, Yeniyurt Talay 2009, p. 540). Almost all industries customers have similar trends towards global market. Food and beverage marketers are also affected by this and due to this different global food and beverage items are available in each country (Hartungi 2006, p.730). This is also the case with oil and petroleum industry as all countries does not have similar resources. Some of the countries have effective resources and this in turn is encouraging them to serve the need of different global markets and attain huge profit and growth (Puig, Marques Ghauri 2009, p. 693). In this environment of increased globalisation there are also some industries for whom it is critical to globalise as otherwise they would not be able to maintain their position and survival in the long run (Marquardt 2007). In this concern, one of the substantial industries is manufacturing industry. Manufacturing industry is an industry in which manufacturing is done and products are developed that almost all of us use in our daily life. If this industry has to survive it has to improve its production and operations strategies that cannot be done with traditional modes of manufacturing (Puig, Marques Ghauri 2009, p. 694). By globalizing this industry can take advantages of different means and advanced technologies. Previously, in India or other developing countries, manufacturing was done with the help of traditional methods but now as it has entered different global markets; it has also become able in making use of advanced manufacturing methods. In this way, it can be said that globalisation is critical for almost all industries to maintain their survival in the long-run. Conclusion and Recommendations With the help of above discussion, it can be said that free market conditions serve organizations with different advantages as well as limitations. Ryanair also attained different advantages with free market conditions like expansion to different European countries and continents and as well as limitation like increased competition, high threat of new entrants (Ryanairs Competitive Advantage 2009). All these threats can be handled effectively, if appropriate strategies like enterprise driven organisation is created and developed. By developing an enterprise-culture a firm can easily resolve its different operations and change management related issues as done by Ryanair (Graham Nafukho 2007, p. 129). In addition to an enterprise-driven organization, a firm can also attain advantages with the help of globalisation and entering different global markets. In present, it has become critical to attain success and long-term survival that can only be done with the help of globalisation (Cheng Mittelhammer 2008, p. 860). Ryanair has also attained several advantages by entering different global markets and due to this only; the company has become able in maintaining its leading position in industry and air travel market (Hartungi 2006, p.730). With the considerations of free market conditions, enterprise-driven organisation and globalisation a firm can easily attain assured success as attained by Ryanair.

Loyalty of Antony and Brutus in Julius Caesar :: William Shakespeare

The Loyalties of Antony and Brutus Antony and Brutus are both loyal, noble men and their loyalties shape their characters, drives their actions, and decides the very future of Rome. Brutus loves Caesar, but he loves Rome more. Antony has no need to choose between his country and best friend. Before Caesar's death both men are guarded and somewhat a secret to the reader. After Caesar's murder, however, their true personalities emerge. Antony and Brutus may seem the same, and that was they are in theory, from their positions, character traits, to the very friend's they keep they are alike almost to a point of absurdity. In practice, though, you will find them rather different due to the mistakes and decisions made by both parties. Was Julius Caesar truly ambitious? For if he wasn?t, then Brutus betrayed a man he loved in vain. He held that he was saving Rome form a tyrant when he plunged the knife into Caesar?s back, literally. It must be by his death: and for my part, I know no personal cause to spurn at him, But for the general. He would be crown'd: How that might change his nature, there's the question. ???????????????.. And then, I grant, we put a sting in him, That at his will he may do danger with. The abuse of greatness is, when it disjoins Remorse from power: and, to speak truth of Caesar, I have not known when his affections sway'd More than his reason (II.i.10-21). Brutus used his knowledge of Caesar to convince himself that it was the right choice he was making. He knew that the power would go to his friend?s head eclipsing his reason and putting his beloved Rome into the hands of a tyrant. Brutus had a choice to make, Rome or Caesar? In the end, his loyalty to Rome exceeded his faithfulness to his close friend. Which poses the question, if Antony truly believed that Caesar would be a horrible dictator, would he have joined the conspirators? From his actions and behavior in the play, he probably would have stood by his friend. When he says, "I shall remember. When Caesar says, ?do this,? it is performed" (I. i. 10-11 ). This sentence proves his devotion to Caesar, for if he did not love him he would not do his bidding with such enthusiasm. It is not inaccurate to say he most definitely would not join the conspirators. Another question is, if Brutus did not truly believe that Caesar was ambitious, would he have joined in plotting his death?

Applying Models of Health Promotion to Improve Effectiveness of Pharmacist-Led Campaign in Reducing Obesity in Socioeconomically Deprived Areas

Abstract This essay aims to determine how different models of health promotion can be used to improve effectiveness of pharmacist-led campaign in reducing obesity in socioeconomically deprived areas. The health belief, changes of stage and ecological approaches models are some models discussed in this brief. These models are suggested to be effective in underpinning pharmacist-led campaigns for obesity in the community. This essay also discusses the impact of obesity on individuals and the community and its prevalence in socio-economically deprived groups. Challenges associated with uptake of healthy behaviour are discussed along with possible interventions for obesity. It is suggested that a multi-faceted, community based intervention will likely lead to a successful campaign against obesity. Introduction Blenkinsopp et al. (2000) explain that health promotion is aimed at maintaining and enhancing good health in order to prevent ill health. Health promotion encompasses different issues and activities that influence the health outcomes of individuals and society. Health promotion involves the creation and implementation of health and social care policies that are deemed to prevent diseases and promote the physical, social and mental health of the people. Blenkinsopp et al. (2000) observe that pharmacists are perceived to have crucial roles as health promoters in the community. Since health promotion incorporates a range of actions that are aimed in promoting health, it is essential to understand the role of pharmacists in promoting health. In this essay, a focus is made on health promotion for individuals suffering from obesity in socioeconomically deprived areas. A discussion on the different models of health promotion will also be done. The first part of this brief discusses models o f health promotion while the second part critically analyses how these models can be used to underpin pharmacist-led campaigns in reducing obesity. The last part of this essay will summarise the key points raised in this essay. Models of Health Promotion Blenkinsopp et al. (2003) argue that, in the past, perspectives of pharmacists on ill-health takes the biomedical model approach to health. This model considers ill health as a biomedical problem (Goodson, 2009) and hence, technologies and medicines are used to cure the disease. Pharmacists are regarded as ‘experts’ in terms of their knowledge on a health condition and its cure. Hence, when the biomedical model is used, pharmacists’ response to a health-related query likely takes the disease-oriented approach to medical treatment and referral. This approach limits the care and interventions for the patients. Bond (2000) observes that while not necessarily inappropriate for pharmacy practice, the biomedical approach results to ‘medicalisation’ of health. This means that health and illness are both determined biologically. It should be noted that the primary function of pharmacists is to dispense medications. Hence, when making health-related advice to patients, this often involves information on medications appropriate to the health conditions of the patient. However, the role of pharmacists in providing medicines has expanded to include advice on the therapeutic uses of medications and information on how to maintain optimal health (Levin et al., 2008). Taylor et al. (2004) also reiterates that pharmacists are beginning to promote health through patient education that supports positive behaviour and actions related to health. This new approach is consistent with health models for individuals such as health belief model and stages of change. The health belief model teaches that individuals have to acknowledge the perceived threat and severity of the disease and how positive health behaviour can give them benefits (Naidoo and Wills, 2009). The benefits of the new behaviour should outweigh perceived barriers to the physical activity behaviours (Naidoo and Wills, 2009). This model requires that individuals have cues to action to help them adapt a new behaviour and gain self-efficacy. The latter is important since individuals suffering from chronic conditions need to develop self-efficacy to help them manage their condition and prevent complications (Lubkin and Larsen, 2011). It is well established that obesity, as a chronic condition, is a risk factor for development of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, orthopaedic abnormalities and some form of cancer (Department of Health, 2009). When individuals receive sufficient patient education on obesity and the risks associated with this condition, it is believed that they will take actions to manage the condition. While the health belief model has gained success in helping individuals take positive actions regarding their health, Naidoo and Wills (2009) emphasises that patient education alone or informing them on the severity and their susceptibility of the disease may not be sufficient in changing or sustaining behaviour. Although individuals are informed on the benefits of the health behaviour, there is still a need to consider how environmental factors help shape health behaviour. It should be considered that obesity is a multifactorial problem and environmental factors play crucial roles in its development. Public Health England (2014) notes that in the last 25 years, the prevalence of obesity has more than doubled. This rapid increase in overweight and obesity prevalence shows that in 2010, only 30.9% of the men in the UK have basal metabolic index (BMI) within the healthy range (Public Health England, 2014). In contrast, the proportion of men with healthy BMI in 1993 was 41.0%. Amongst women, proportion of women with healthy BMI in 1993 was 49.5% but this dropped to 40.5% in 2010. It has been shown that almost a third or 26.1% of UK’s population is obese. If current trends are not addressed, it is projected that by 2050, 60% of adults will be obese (Public Health England, 2014). The effects of obesity are well established not only on the health of individuals but also on the cost of care and management of complications arising from this condition (Public Health England). Managing obesity at the individual level is necessary to help individuals adopt a healthier lifestyle. It has been shown that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables (Department of Health, 2011) and engagement in structured physical activities (De Silva-Sanigorski, 2011) improve health outcomes of obese or overweight individuals. The stages of change model (Goodson, 2009) could be used to promote health amongst this group. This model states that adoption of healthy behaviours such as engagement in regular physical activity or consumption of healthier food requires eliminating unhealthy ones. The readiness of an individual is crucial on whether people will progress through the five levels of stage of change model. These levels include pre-contemplation, contemplation followed by preparation, action and maintenance (Goodson, 2009). Different strategies are suggested for each level to assist an individual progress to the succeeding stage. It has been shown that prevalence of obesity is highest amongst those living in deprived areas in the UK and those with low socio-economic status (Department of Health, 2010, 2009). Families with ethnic minority origins are also at increased risk of obesity compared to the general white population in the country (Department of Health, 2010, 2009). This presents a challenge for healthcare practitioners since individuals living in poverty belong to the vulnerable groups (Lubkin and Larsen, 2011). It is suggested that development of obesity amongst this group could be related to their diet. Energy-dense food is cheaper compared to the recommended fruits and vegetables. In recent years, the Department of Health (2011) has promoted consumption of 5 different types of fruits and vegetables each day. However, the cost of maintaining this type of diet is high when compared to buying energy-dense food. The problem of obesity also has the greatest impact on children from low-income families. R esearch by Jones et al. (2010) has shown a strong link between exposures to commercials of junk foods with poor eating habits. It is noteworthy that many children in low-income families are exposed to long hours of television compared to children born to more affluent families (Adams et al., 2012). The multi-factorial nature of obesity suggests that management of this condition should also take a holistic approach and should not only be limited to health promotion models designed to promote individual health. Hence, identifying different models appropriate for communities would also be necessary to address obesity amongst socio-economically deprived families. One of models that also address factors present in the community or environment of the individual is the ecological approaches model (Goodson, 2009). Family, workplace, community, economics, beliefs and traditions and the social and physical environments all influence the health of an individual (Naidoo and Wills, 2009). The levels of influence in the ecological approaches model are described as intrapersonal, interpersonal, institutional, community and public policy. Addressing obesity amongst socio-economically deprived individuals through the ecological approaches model will ensure that each level of influence is recogn ised and addressed. Pharmacist-led Campaigns in Reducing Obesity The health belief, stages of change and the ecological approaches models can all be used to underpin pharmacist-led campaigns in reducing obesity for communities that are socio-economically deprived. Blenkinsopp et al. (2003) state that community pharmacists have a pivotal role in articulating the needs of individuals with specific health conditions in their communities. Pharmacists can lobby at local and national levels and act as supporters of local groups who work for health improvement. However, the work of the pharmacists can also be influenced by their own beliefs, perceptions and practices. Blenkinsopp et al. (2003) emphasise that when working in communities with deprived individuals, the pharmacists should also consider how their own socioeconomic status influence the type of care they provide to the service users. They should also consider whether differences in socio-economic status have an impact on the care received the patients. There should also be a consideration if th ere are differences in the culture, educational level and vocabulary of service users and pharmacists. Differences might influence the quality of care received by the patients; for instance, differences in culture could easily lead to miscommunication and poor quality of care (Taylor et al., 2004). Bond (2000) expresses the need for pharmacists to examine the needs of each service user and how they can empower individuals to seek for healthcare services and meet their own needs. In community settings, it is essential to increase the self-efficacy of service users. Self-efficacy is described as the belief of an individual that they are capable of attaining specific goals through modifying their behaviour and adopting specific behaviours (Lubkin and Larsen, 2011). In relation to addressing obesity amongst socio-economically deprived individuals, pharmacists can use the different models to help individuals identify their needs and allow them to gain self-efficacy. For example, pharmacists can use the health belief model to educate individuals on the consequences of obesity. On the other hand, the stages of change model can be utilised to help individuals changed their eating behaviour and improve their physical activities. Uptake of behaviours such as healthy eating and increasing physical activities are not always optimal despite concerted efforts of communities and policymakers (Reilly et al., 2006). It is suggested that changing one’s behaviour require holistic and multifaceted interventions aimed at increasing self-efficacy of families and allowing them to take positive actions (Naidoo and Wills, 2009). There is evidence (Tucker et al., 2006; Barkin et al., 2012; Davison et al., 2013; Zhou et al., 2014) that multifaceted community-based interventions aimed at families are more likely to improve behaviour and reduce incidence of obesity than single interventions. Community-based interventions can be supported with the ecological approaches model. This model recognises that one’s family, community, the environment, policies and other environment-related factors influence the health of the individuals. To date, the Department of Health (2010) through its Healthy Lives, Healthy People pol icy reiterates the importance of maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle to prevent obesity. This policy allows local communities to take responsibility and be accountable for the health of its community members. Pharmacists are not only limited to dispensing advice on medications for obesity but to also facilitate a healthier lifestyle. This could be done through collaboration with other healthcare professionals in the community (Goodson, 2009). A multidisciplinary approach to health has been suggested to be effective in promoting positive health outcomes of service users (Zhou et al., 2014). As discussed in this essay, pharmacists can facilitate the access of service users to activities and programmes designed to prevent obesity amongst members in the community. Finally, pharmacists have integral roles in health promotion and are not limited to dispensing medications or provide counselling on pharmacologic therapies. Their roles have expanded to include providing patients with holistic interventions and facilitating uptake of health and social care services designed to manage and prevent obesity in socio-economically deprived individuals. Conclusion In conclusion, pharmacists can use the different health promotion models to address obesity amongst individuals with lower socioeconomic status. The use of these models will help pharmacists provide holistic interventions to this group and address their individual needs. The different health promotion models discussed in this essay shows that it is crucial to allow service users gain self-efficacy. This will empower them to take positive actions regarding their health. Finally, it is suggested that a multi-faceted, community based intervention will likely lead to a successful campaign against obesity. References Adams, J., Tyrrell, R., Adamson, A. & White, M. (2012). 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