Discussion 2.1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Discussion 2.1 - Essay Example For effective planning on such uncertainties both positive and negative, we must most importantly understand our environment and its extensions. These include the social circles, psychological domain, behavioral, just to mention but a few. In planning, a concrete and consistent model is only achieved when the personality of an individual is put into great consideration. This comes with basic constructs which must clearly be understood. For instance, an individual’s undertakings may often be dictated by taste, but if this is the trend then ultimately balance would miss. This is to say that one’s emotional desires shouldn’t solely dictate every future undertaking they chose to dwell in (Kimberly & Margie 2001). Time is a very significant parameter when planning for the life’s unexpected events. For instance, confronted by the expenses of a family to take care of, one would have to balance between their times for capacity building; in of case they that may be intending to jump the professional ladder. Without setting the priorities right, a balance may miss in settling family issues as well as attending to individual concerns that similarly amount to esteem (Kimberly & Margie

Management - Group Effectiveness Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Management - Group Effectiveness - Essay Example This paper aims at exploring various dimensions of team effectiveness and strategies. An example of a cross functional team will also be discussed to build a clear understanding of issues and problems in building effective teams from a practical approach. Formation of Group Formation of the group is the first and the most fundamental part of group effectiveness. The selection of the right size and the right members is of vital importance for the success of any group. My group was formed when my organization decided to launch a new product. It was line extension. My organization formed a cross functional team. Group members were selected from different departments according to the requirements of the project. My group consisted of eight employees from three different departments of the organization i.e. procurement and supply chain, production and marketing. The purpose or task of the group was the successful launch of the product. Like all work groups my group also passed through the four stages of group development after formation namely mutual acceptance, decision making, motivation and commitment, and control and sanction. When a group passes through these stages, a successful group becomes a mature group. According to the group development model any group has three major issues i.e. interpersonal issues, task issues, and authority issues. Group effectiveness can be increased by taking care of these three issues. The interpersonal issues include aspects like trust, personal comfort and security. The task issues include purpose of the group, what the group wants to achieve i.e. the expected outcomes and the methods utilized to achieve those outcomes. The authority issue deals with the hierarchy of power and role definition of every member in the group along with the chain of command. A clear and unambiguous definition of these issues helps improves effectiveness of the group (Debra L. Nelson, 2011). Group Effectiveness There are various external and internal factors that are responsible for group effectiveness. It includes group size, time, diversity in group in terms of gender, age, culture and interpersonal diversity, group cohesion, norms of the group etc. Our group had all these factors. There are many characteristics of a successful group such as an effective open communication possible through a relaxed, comfortable and informal atmosphere. The group task which was in our case was the successful launch of the product in the predetermined time lines, must be clear to all group members. Group members are not able to hold task open discussions about task related goals but are keen to listen to one another. Group cohesion and communication is so strong that people express both their feelings and ideas. Conflicts do happen as a healthy sign but they revolve around task, methods and ideas and not personalities. The group has a good understanding and is aware and conscious of its functions. Decisions are taken through mutual consensus. G roup assigns clear duties to each member with their consent. My group has all these characteristics of an effective group (Jane Goodman, 2006). Effective Group Communication The study of group dynamics in various theories and research revealed that enhancing group effectiveness requires complex skills, techniques and knowledge that creates choices, opportunities and success not only for the group but for the individual as well. Effective communication was identified as an effective tool in

Aphras Behns Oroonoko | Analysis

Aphras Behns Oroonoko | Analysis Aphras Behns Oroonoko tends to focus on the treatment of slavery and race, particularly Behns granting of heroic stature to an African prince (Pacheco 1). This highlights the notion of kinship, and reference to a legitimate monarch. Behns novella of an African slave who was once a king was published in 1688, the year that saw the bloodless deposition of King James II in England. This essay will try and explore and analyse the connections between matters of race and kingship in the novella. In his article George Guffey challenged such readings by asserting that the significance of Behns hero resides not in his African origins but in his royal blood, his enslavement, (Lore Metzger 3) according to Guffey, this presents a mirror image of the imminent deposition of the legitimate monarch, James II. One could interpret this as Behn, representing hierarchical principles, creating a royalist ideology; this is shown in Behns series of references to the execution of Charles I, this creates linkages to Oroonokos linear as a prince executed by racist men, inferior in hierarchy. The nostalgic imprint of the old order demonstrates the split in English culture caused by the civil wars aftermath; this notion of kingship is shown in Oroonoko when captors name him Caesar. The narrator and Oroonoko- Caesar have both received European educations, as Todd suggests accorded to privileged white men; both are victims and beneficiaries of socioeconomic systems that discriminate kings from commoners supporting the privileges of the nobility with profits of the slave- trade. Oroonoko is described as having captured and sold black slaves in African wars before he was himself enslaved by a Christian. The narrator not only belongs to a slave owning class but clearly supports the nationalistic colonising enterprise which fuelled and depended on the African Slave trade (Todd, 218). Behn uses lush description of gold-prospecting (45) to suggest desirability- in 1688, on the eve of William of Oranges accession to the British throne- Behn suggests tis bemoaned what his majesty lost by losing that part of America'(59). The narrator and a hero who are both victims of the slave trade, and by comparing both characters at different moments, to the Indians, Behn provides a perspective on the Conquest of America ( Todd 219) showing notions of imperialism and kingship. The renaming of slaves can be seen as destroying identity, slaves were renamed as soon as they arrived in foreign lands, removing identity and thus Oroonokos kingship, however one could argue the name Caesar given to the character still denotes kinship and creates a certain amount of respect. Throughout the narrative a kind of royalist discourse pervades Behns story of a prince who is beloved like a Deity (29). After Oroonoko is sold into slavery in Surinam, Behn foregrounds the royalist myth (Anita Dacheco). Trefy, who buys Oroonoko, knows he is no ordinary slave, he is at first richly dressed, according to his social position, he cannot hide the: Graces of his looks and Mein The Royal Youth appeard in spight of the slave, even by those who yet knew not that he was a prince ( p.39) Even though disguised, authority shines through, this is clearly shown when Oroonoko reaches the plantation, the response of the slaves to his presence make significance of his royal status clear: Live, O king, Long live, O king! And kissing his feet, paid him Divine Homage (41) The slaves worship Oroonoko as a god, as Pacheo emphasises It would be hard to imagine a more radical vindication, of the royal prerogative meaning the slaves serve as a function, a literary function, to solidify the rightness and sanctity of royal power. Trefry even reflects happily that Oroonokos Grandeur is confirmed by the Adoration of all the slaves (41). The royalist discourse essentially portrays royal power as a natural law, with divine purpose, residing the blood of the royal line. The text seeks to reinforce its royalist ideology with ruling class values, this can be seen by Oroonokos education, the emphasise on training as Pacheo mentions Oroonoko as a European aristocrat, with privileges European upper class-culture, the men who contribute to Oroonokos education are gentlemen such as Trefry, a person of great wit, and fine learning (38). The novella written at a time of great intense upheaval in social power relations, endorses the elitist values of the ruling class, va lidating the authority not only for the monarchy, but also of the upper classes that clutter around the throne, allied to it through a shared interest in preserving the distinction of hereditary power (496), SOMETHING SHOULD GO HERE. The matters of race are questioned in Oroonokos beloved, whom the English rename Clemene. As Todd suggests Imoinda is doubly enslaved- to the whites, male and female'(219) one could suggest even to her black husband. In contrast to the narrator, who stands in relation Oroonoko, as queen or Petraarchan lady-lord to a vassal- a Great mistress (46). As Todd states Imoinda is an uncanny amalgam of European ideals of European fantasties about wives of Oriental despots, she is therefore an image of ideal that race cannot challenge. Race is shown Behns portrait of her African prince, of both his physical appearance and his character, is profoundly Eurocentric: His face was not of that brown rusty Black, His nose was rising and roman, instead of African and flat, His mouth the finest shaped that could be seen: far from those great turned lips, which are so natural to the rest of the negroes ( p 8) The text is clearly eager to distinguish its hero from other blacks: his beauty generally and his individual features distance Oroonoko from what the narrator calls his gloomy Race (6) and identify him with European ideas of beauty. The phrase bating his colour makes his us feel Oroonokos African origins as a liability, a flaw in his race. When the novella comes to consider the heros equally extraordinary virtue. The account of Oroonokos upbringing stresses his natural inclination to Arms'( 6), his tutelage in Morals, language and Science (7). One could interpret this nature belonging not to primitivism but to royalism, for it is inseparable from exalted birth. We are told of Oroonokos native beauty and struck with an awe and reverence, even those that knew not his Quality (6), the word quality combines connotations of virtue and high birth, in this novella a royal birth, which reflects the prince beauty. Individual value is associated with birth, virtue with an inherited rank which is shown as a natural order. This is a concept of basic hierarchy, virtue as Pacheco states virtue is supposedly transmitted from one generation to the next'( 4), meaning power and Kingship is legitimised on the notion of worthiness, authority is presented as hereditary. Kingship is explored even further when onlookers are fortunate to witness royalty it inspires Awe and reverence, these choices of words establishes as deeply right a relationship between the prince and the rest of humanity. As Pacheco points out there is no mention here of the Doctrine of the divine right of kings this vitally important to the Stuart monarchs, but the sanctity of Kingship is implied as Oroonoko himself is invested with something akin to divine power.

lighthod Light and Dark in Conrads Heart of Darkness Essay -- Heart

Light and Dark in Conrad's Heart of Darkness In Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, the author adverts to the idea that the "entrapment of light by darkness [that] is continually suggested" (Bloom 46) is comparative to Marlow's personality and perspective of his expedition down the Congo River. Light symbolizes any object or concept that is positive while darkness represents anything that elicits malice. The way in which Conrad approaches the novel by using darkness constantly prevail over light shows a continual theme of foreboding and gloom. Everything that shows vibrancy is illuminated through Conrad's words. These symbolisms and representations have a undeviating effect on the personality and perspective of the protagonist, Marlow. Conrad's use of a frame tale is exceedingly important when the character that is sharing his recollections has an altered perception. One may scrutinize the perspective of the African landscape as a natural wonder and not a foreboding nightmare as Marlow illustrates. The altered percep tion of Marlow, as using darkness as a victor of light, exhibits that Conrad utilizes the frame tale as a scapegoat for his personal perspective. The accounts of the narrative are the actual happenings of Conrad's individual journey up the Congo River. The reader, through Marlow's speech, can visualize any given atmosphere described in the book. Unfortunately, there are not any existing neutral settings throughout the book. The landscapes are either overcome by darkness or light. The effect of this darkness or light has a direct corollary to the reader. Immediately the reader recognizes a contrast between the peaceful European setting and the disarray of t... ...a dream"(24.). Marlow suddenly becomes aware of his immediate listeners and speaks directly to them as individuals. These listeners are, in essence, the reader. Conrad realizes that at certain junctures in his story the reader may lose interest. As a repercussion, Conrad institutes particular statements that maintain the intellectual involvement of the reader. Once again when Marlow detects disinterest and fiercely responds to someone sighing he questions the integrity of the listener. He automatically assumes that the listener sighs because of the absurdity of what is being stated: "Why do you sigh in this beastly way, somebody?"(43.). As Marlow continues, the intermittent utterances regarding the reader's involvement play a pivotal role in developing the contrast between darkness and light as Marlow nears the actual "heart of darkness." lighthod Light and Dark in Conrad's Heart of Darkness Essay -- Heart Light and Dark in Conrad's Heart of Darkness In Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, the author adverts to the idea that the "entrapment of light by darkness [that] is continually suggested" (Bloom 46) is comparative to Marlow's personality and perspective of his expedition down the Congo River. Light symbolizes any object or concept that is positive while darkness represents anything that elicits malice. The way in which Conrad approaches the novel by using darkness constantly prevail over light shows a continual theme of foreboding and gloom. Everything that shows vibrancy is illuminated through Conrad's words. These symbolisms and representations have a undeviating effect on the personality and perspective of the protagonist, Marlow. Conrad's use of a frame tale is exceedingly important when the character that is sharing his recollections has an altered perception. One may scrutinize the perspective of the African landscape as a natural wonder and not a foreboding nightmare as Marlow illustrates. The altered percep tion of Marlow, as using darkness as a victor of light, exhibits that Conrad utilizes the frame tale as a scapegoat for his personal perspective. The accounts of the narrative are the actual happenings of Conrad's individual journey up the Congo River. The reader, through Marlow's speech, can visualize any given atmosphere described in the book. Unfortunately, there are not any existing neutral settings throughout the book. The landscapes are either overcome by darkness or light. The effect of this darkness or light has a direct corollary to the reader. Immediately the reader recognizes a contrast between the peaceful European setting and the disarray of t... ...a dream"(24.). Marlow suddenly becomes aware of his immediate listeners and speaks directly to them as individuals. These listeners are, in essence, the reader. Conrad realizes that at certain junctures in his story the reader may lose interest. As a repercussion, Conrad institutes particular statements that maintain the intellectual involvement of the reader. Once again when Marlow detects disinterest and fiercely responds to someone sighing he questions the integrity of the listener. He automatically assumes that the listener sighs because of the absurdity of what is being stated: "Why do you sigh in this beastly way, somebody?"(43.). As Marlow continues, the intermittent utterances regarding the reader's involvement play a pivotal role in developing the contrast between darkness and light as Marlow nears the actual "heart of darkness."

Information security Essay

Most organizations today are adopting and integrating technologies in their production with an aim of improving production, efficiency, profitability and the competitive advantage in the market. This has been accelerated by the increasing globalization and innovation of new technologies which pose a major competitive threat to many organizations. Also, formulation of environmental standards as well as increased expectation on the standards and quality of goods and services by both the government and customers has also necessitated adoption of new technologies to ensure this is met. New technologies in use today like the web 2. 0 and also the new internet as well as wireless technologies have led to increased efficiencies as well as increased productivity for most organizations. However, despite the advantages which accrue from introduction and use of new technologies in organizations, they pose major security threats to an organization. Data hijack by criminals as well as terrorism threats are some of the challenges that organizations are facing during new technology implementation processes (Bazelon, Choi & Canady, 2006). Security issues in regard to new technologies implementation in an organization Security is a top concern for most business since it may lead to destruction of a company’s reputation thus affecting the competitiveness of an entity. With increased globalization and increased terrorist threats, security risks have increased posing a major threat to most organizations. One of the major threats that companies face while implementing information technologies are the risk of losing or protecting sensitive data. Information technologies especially via internet and other wireless technologies are accessible globally which poses a major threat to an organization. Organizations hold private and sensitive information regarding their employees, production processes and also marketing strategies which are vital for competitive advantage. However, with technology implementation, and the dynamism in technology, such data may be accessed by unauthorized individuals causing a business great harm in terms of profitability. This also exposes the employees as well as an organization’s customers’ at risk of fraudulent activities via technologies. Information security experts insist that just like information networks operate or cross borders with no regard for the provincial and national boundaries, also security vulnerabilities and threats pass in the same way thus necessitating greater and stern security measures to ensure that the threats are minimized (Hinojosa, 2005). Another threat that organizations are facing is terrorist attacks and threats. Currently, there are many terrorist groups which operate globally and they employ high technologies to carry out their tasks and to harass businesses and employees as well as the customers. An increase in global terrorist organizations in the world that are connected via the new technologies poses a major security threats to most organizations in the world. Terrorists may not only be interested with soliciting the financial and production processes of an organization, but also the structural and day to days activities of an organization with an aim of identifying weak areas or points which could be used to attack an organization. This is made possible by new technologies which enable then to tamper the security measures taken by an organization to ensure that it is protected (Sussman, 2008). Phishing and data mining is also another information security risk that is faced by organizations during implementation of technologies in an organization. Phishing refers to the unauthorized use of personal information of another person which is obtained through networks. It also involves alteration of an individual’s computer software with an aim of obtaining the computer owner’s personal information by scrupulous individuals and for the purposes of defrauding the person or harming their reputation or career. With implementation of new technologies in an organization, the entity is enabled to sell its goods and services online and all the transactions are carried without having to meet the customer or the client. While making the payments, a client gives his private financial data depending on the mode of payment which he or she uses. Computer criminals have a way of tampering with or gaining access of such information which they can manipulate to make purchases while pretending to be the clients. The business thus faces a risk of being sued by a client on such grounds and for lack of adequate protection measures. This has increased the cost of implementing technology especially with different cases of security breach being reported today. Organizations are supposed to ensure that the private information of their clients and employees are well protected and that their privacy is upheld despite the cost this may involve (Ena, 2008). Risk of loss of important documents by an organization has also been a major security issue while implementing information technology. Apart from the risk of terrorist threats and phishing, an organization also faces the risk of losing vital information through dangerous programs such as the viruses which are transmitted via the internet and other networks. If such programs find their way to the computers and other technologies in a company, a company may risks losing most of its vital information as these programs corrupts the whole network system in an area. This could be dangerous for and organization as it may lead of reduced productivity, increased costs and reduced earnings (Blankespoor, 2005). With increased awareness of information security threats increasing in the world, the attackers have changed their tactics posing even a major threat to an organization. Most of the attackers are usually professional information technologists who invent new methods of accessing data from an organization despite the security measures taken. As mentioned earlier, technology is changing at a very high speed and so are the security threats to an organization. The dynamism of technology is a risk which cost organizations heavily as they try to keep pace with it. While implementing new technologies, organizations are also faced with the problem of testing the validity of the technology. Most of the cases involving security breach end up being the problem in an organization. IT companies exonerate themselves by arguing that lack of adequate security policies in an organization are the major causes of any cost that an organization may incur (Wallace, Lusthaus. & Kim, 2005). Conclusion Information technology is a major strategy that has enabled most of the businesses to perform well in terms of growth and expansion. New technologies have been on high demand in the recent past especially as most organizations go global which necessitates networking. Technology improves the efficiency, effectiveness and the overall productivity of an entity. However, it poses major threats to the privacy of a company as well as its clients and employees. Stern security measures should be taken to ensure that technology implantation in an organization does not turn out to be more costly. This can be done though formulation of technology security policies and procedures to ensure privacy is upheld.

Characterization in ‘House of Spirits’ and ‘Perfume’

In the books ‘house of spirits’ and ‘Perfume’ characterization is done by giving extra ordinary abilities to the protagonist. It uses its protagonist ‘Clara’ and ‘Grenouille’ as a medium of describing the people but in ‘house of spirits’ through the eyes of ‘Alba’ and ‘Esteban’ and in ‘Perfume’ through the narrator (third person narration) as he gives the reader two aspects both contrasting each other. ‘Perfume’ a book with sense of smell aided in creating a picture the author ‘Patrick Suskind’ put forth of the character in the book. Patrick has used many adjectives to describe Grenouille’s sense of smell ‘his gift and his sole ambition’ (Patrick, pg. 3) and some other are ‘†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ arrogance, misanthropy, immorality, or more succinctly, wickedness†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ † (Patrick,3) In house of spirits supernatural events make Clara’s character a strange mysterious person she has been called ‘Clara the clairvoyant’ (allende, 92) she has the power to read dreams and know the future she is said to be very organised ‘she was in the habit of writhing down important matters and after words, when she was in mute, she also recorded trivialities†¦ (Allende, 11) Magical realism, a major part of both the books. Allende and Susskind both use magical realism as a major theme and style of the book. Allende has used magical realism as a simple straight forward presentation of strange magical events. The character experiences it and accepts these un believable events with calm rationality. Allende uses foreshadowing as well. ‘ clara predicting the future and repetation by metioning names of people in the book over and over again. Susskind also uses foreshadowing as Grenouille has an unusall sense of smell and that whoever leaves dies the nest day. Susskind starts ‘playing with the readers’ as he keeps on contrasting waht he says about the characters in the book. He first said that Grenouie was important to the people but then he says that he was no one for them, he was not at all wanted in the world and that he again he was important as he created the world’s greatest perfume. Susskind also uses a tongue in cheek method as he laughs at Grenouie from within. He makes the readers also want to laugh. Both the methods tongue in cheek and playing with the readers are related. Susskind has portrait Grenouie in a way which goes against the church. He is insulting Jesus and the bible as well. ‘House of spirits’ and perfume have charatrized the protagonist ‘ clara’ and Grenoiue’ through magical realism and other styles. They are characterized in similar still different ways.

The Hudson River and PCB Pollution essays

The Hudson River and PCB Pollution essays The Hudson River and PCB Pollution The Hudson River is a body of water that stretches for 315 miles from the Adirondack Mountains to the Battery in Manhattan, reaching its deepest point of 216 feet in the Highlands near Constitution Island and West Point and reaches its widest point of 3 miles across at Havestraw. This river is one of the most beautiful and scenic of the Tri-State area. Unfortunately, it happens to be New Yorks most polluted river. The river has been influenced upon since the early 1600s, when Englishman Henry Hudson commanded the Dutch ship Half Moon on an exploration of the river, certain that he had discovered a trade route to China. It soon dawned that this was no Atlantic-to-Pacific passage but an Edenlike place of awesome potential-a river valley teeming with prospect and spirit that was worth fighting for. In the centuries that followed, the fight for the river and its commerce never stopped, and still continues to the present. Then during the Industrial Revolution, with the advent of hu lking manufacturing plants on the riverbanks, everything changed. The river became a sewer, cut off from the people around it by the electrification of the railroads. The 1825 completion of the Erie Canal instantly opened trade to the Midwest by linking Troy to Buffalo and established the Hudson River as the major commerce channel for New York City. Tycoons transformed the landscape in New York and across the country with the railroad, and the Hudson River valley became a hotbed for iron mining, limestone quarrying and clear-cutting. Toward the 19th century, when dynamite blasting was reducing the face of the Palisades to rubble, conservationists became alarmed that something was being lost to progress. In 1900, New York and New Jersey established the Palisades Interstate Park Commission to preserve the cliffs from further quarrying. Although conservation efforts continued into the 20th century, t...