The Internal and External business environment of BBA Aviation plc

This report is about BBA Aviation plc. The report will identify the company’s goals and objectives but will particularly focus its attention on the Challenges the company face both in its Internal and External Business Environment. The report will also cover both PEST and SWOT analysis to determine threats, opportunities and weaknesses and the role of the company’s Corporate Social responsibility (CSR) will also be examined. Factors such as the Porters five forces and the Dimension of Complexity will also be examined to better identify this Challenges faced by the company whilst the Dimension of Complexity will give a clearer nature regarding the Complexity of the company’s Environment at which it operates.Haven discovered these challenges the Mckinsey’s7S framework will monitor if there are any changes within the organisation that will require a change in its operations. BBA Aviation is a Global company which operates in 220 locations worldwide but only i ts operations in the UK will be examined in this report. However, haven said so; there are other factors such as the International and European Law that governs its operations. These also includes; The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). There are also National restrictions and legislation from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Department for transport. IntroductionBBA Aviation plc is an aviation services company that offers aftermarket services, flight support and system activities to the commercial and business aviation markets. Also, it offers the services to regional airline,  military and commercial aviation operators, including fixed based operator (FBO) services, such as; grand handling, fuelling, turbine engine repair, aviation component and overhaul, hydraulic system and landing gear. (The times 2006) The company’s operations are segmented into two business operation namely; Flight support and Af termarket services and systems. The flight support segment of the company engages in ground handling, offering refuelling, crew, passenger amenities, office rentals and hanger. (BBA Aviation, 2012)After services and systems business segments of the company engages in manufactures and supports engines and aerospace component, sub-systems and systems. The segment also comprises of engine repair and overhaul, legacy support and AP Precision hydraulics (APPH). The Engine repair and Overhaul segment is the Leading independent Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), the Signature Flight Support segment is the world’s largest and market-leading fixed based operator (FBO) network. The company’s Aircraft Service International Group (ASIG) is the world’s leading independent refueller. (BBA Aviation, 2012) BBAAviation is headquartered in London. The company employees are estimated at over 12,000 at over 220 locations on 5 continents where its operations are performed. The c ompany operates in twelve locations â€Å"airports† in the UK, Seven in England, four in Scotland and one in wales (BBA Aviation, 2012) Porter's five competitive forces model:Threat of New Entrants: (Low)BBA Aviation plc operates in market segments that have relatively high barriers to entry in the fixed based operator (FBO) business. However, it is possible to have more than one fixed based operator (FBO) operator at major business aviation airports, the airport landlord will still be cautious of issuing too many leases for fear of diluting its own returns from selling the leases. (Westhouse, 2010) Another aspect of the barrier to enter is the Non-financial considerations which also have an influence. Signature’s brand strength and quality service reputation make it much more difficult for price-driven competitors to enter and build repeatable volumes/market share.If end users were truly price-sensitive, they would not be using private aviation in the first place, thi s is to say end users do not switch to a cheaper alternative as the market itself is capital intensive and has no  room for cheaper alternatives. Also, tight credit markets reduce the risk of new entrants being successful at present, hence the smaller companies are falling plus they struggle with the fund needed to create any threat in the market. (Westhouse, 2010)Another deterrent to entry is the strong emphasis on safety and aircraft to remain legally airworthy in the aviation industry set by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for transport. The restrictions from this organisations acts as a barrier to entry by new companies without established track records. (Westhouse, 2010) Bargaining power of suppliers: (High)Signature’s Flight Support main operating cost is aviation fuel, which it sells on to its private jet operator customers with a mark-up. Although, Signa ture’s Flight Support has little bargaining power, the cost is a pass through. Whereas, on the Maintenance, Repair & Operations (MRO) side of the business, the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) do wield significant power in terms of their ability to dictate who can acquire licences to conduct maintenance work on their engines, given the strict safety and airworthiness regulations. (Westhouse, 2010)Given the analysis on the porter’s five, it is clear that threat of substitute is low. Also, the aviation market has a high level of barrier to entry and it’s also a high capital intensive market. The main challenge for Managers and leaders given the analysis overhead would be to main an already gained market share and provide a positive employee engagement by a way of specific and relevant job-related training and personal support. (BBA Aviation 2012) PESTEL Analysis:Political and regulatory factors (Law) – (Threats)Safe and dependable transport is essentia l to the UK society and the economy. (Department for Transport, 2012) Haven to meet the standard set by the aviation regulations, BBA Aviation ensures the company’s operations, meets and exceeds the regulations facing its Customers, these customers includes; regional airlines, business aviation, military and commercial aviation operators. (Relevant, 2012) The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) uses a mix of Domestic, European and international legislation to protect consumers.These  legislations ranges from the minimum safety standards set by the International Civil aviation organisation (ICAO), to EC legislation protecting passenger’s rights, also including the European legislation on safety and the domestic regulation on the use of airspace. (CAA, 2012) The legislations are not limited but also, include the safety of Customers, Aircrafts and its Airworthiness, Airlines and its flight standards, Airport and Airspace. (EASA, 2008) Overall, this is a threat to the company and they could lose their operating license should they fail to meet these regulations, hence employee’s needs to be better informed and trained in their individual roles. Economic factors (Weaknesses)The great challenge managers/leaders face in this context is the ability not to have the power to control or manipulate the economic factor such as the Interest rate and exchange rate. Exchange rate volatility is likely to continue to lead to some volatility in sterling profits, with most of the BBA Aviation earnings (and costs) in US dollars. (Westhouse, 2010)Foreign Exchange Risk:BBA Group has significant overseas businesses whose revenues, assets, cash flows and liabilities are mainly denominated in the currency in which the operations are located. BBA Aviation Group’s policy in relation to foreign exchange translation risk is not to hedge the income statement since such hedges only have a short effect. In relation to the balance sheet, the BBA Group seeks to denomina te the currency of its borrowings in US dollars in order to match the currency of its earnings, cash flows and assets which are principally denominated in US dollars. (BBA Aviation, 2012)Financial Risk Factors:The Groups activities expose them to a variety of financial risks: market risk (including interest rate and currency risk), liquidity risk and credit risk. Overall the Group risk management policies and procedures focus on the uncertainty of financial markets and seek to minimise and manage potential financial risks through the use of derivative financial instruments. BBA Aviation does not undertake speculative transactions for which there is no underlying financial exposure. (BBA Aviation, 2012)Under policies approved by the Board of Directors of BBA Aviation plc, risk management is carried out by a central treasury department. This department identifies, evaluates and hedges financial risks in close co-operation with the Group’s subsidiaries. The treasury policies cov er specific areas such as; interest rate risk, credit risk, foreign exchange risk, use of derivative financial instruments and the investment of excess liquidity. (BBA Aviation, 2012)Social and Environmental factor (Opportunity)BBA Group has benefited from the growing population (demography) trend in the United Kingdom, increased holiday makers and Migration into the country has also increased its Group’s revenue (Mark Easton, BBC NEWS, 2010) In light of this growth, the demand for aviation services thus increase, which makes BBA Group to expand in its operations. The expansion brings about employee information and training to accommodate these changes, it also enables its customers to respond effectively and efficiently to meet the new aviation demand.(Source: BBC NEWS, 2010)Current migration figures shows a surprising and high increase in the number of people from different nationals, ethnics, gender and age migrating to Britain, not only by foreign workers or family reunio n cases, but also by a big rise in the number of students coming to the United Kingdom. (Easton, M. BBC NEWS, 2010) Other reasons for migration to the United Kingdom includes; Business, Tourist, Holiday makers and also Political. Hence, the demand for inflow and outflow on aviation services in the United Kingdom seats on a rising trend. (Mark Easton, BBC NEWS, 2010)The more flying hours generated by its customers; the commercial, business, military and regional airlines the more beneficial this is to BBA Aviation. Haven said so, when a lower fuel price was taken into account in 2009, signature flight support revenue dropped 26%. (BBC NEWS, 2010) (Mark Easton, BBC NEWS, 2010)Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)BBA Aviation focuses on delivering a long-term and sustainable value that integrates a continuous improvement and reliability, thus, embedding Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in its vision. Health and Safety, Employee, Environment and Community are BBA Aviation plcâ€⠄¢s four key area of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). (BBA Aviation, 2012)Technological factors (Strength)Considering the strict safety restriction in the aviation industry Technological innovation is at its highest level with zero tolerance for error. BBA Aviation brandished its strength with the launch of the First support centre. BBA Aviation Engine Repair and Overhaul (ERO) unveiled its First Support global technical operations centre. The centre utilizes integrated satellite based tracking to deliver ultra-fast and efficient response to Aircraft on Ground (AOG). (Aviationpros, 2010) BBA Aviation believes this is a game changer for the engine support industry; First Support utilizes a highly integrated real-time system that can identify locations of field service technicians, mobile response vehicles, rental engines, and tooling at any given moment, any time of the day, around the United Kingdom and anywhere in the world. (Flightglobal, 2010)The support centre has the abil ity to track the precise status of every field service job as well as the availability of the company’s assets and personnel. It can also monitor air and land based traffic as well as the impact of airport delays and weather. Given an example; when a customer calls with an Aircraft on Ground (AOG) issue, the company can rapidly deploy solutions via the most efficient routes and means. BBA Aviation industry leading services enables them to deliver a step-function improvement over existing engine support services. (Flightglobal, 2010)The centre is staffed by highly skilled field service technical managers who are expert on all engine product lines serviced by. Staffing also includes; quality assurance, engineering, and logistics personnel. (Flightglobal, 2010) The Group also introduce the Aqua-save system that helps reduce the litres of waste water generated, this waste water are converted to new coolant or water that can be use for floor cleaning operations, whilst reducing op erational cost and improve  environmental performance. (MWP Advanced Manufacturing, 2010) Dimension of complexity:1. The environment at which the organisation operates is very complex. There are heavy penalty that could affect the organisation should they under perform in their operations. These regulations are set nationally by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Other complexity includes; the unpredictable changing demand in the Aviation industry, critical government policies, laws, regulations, taxes, interest. (Wensveen, J 2010) 2. BBA Group operations are Routine and Non-Routine. This also depends on the sector. Operation that requires baggage handling and de-icing are Routine, whilst the operation that providing landing gear, engine maintenance, supply’s of engine parts are non-routine. 3. BBA Group is diversified following its operations. The group is segmented into; Aftermarket services and systems:Legacy Support: Leading supplier of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) licensed legacy products. AP Precision hydraulics (APPH): Niche landing gear and associated hydraulic equipment provider. Providing integrated logistics support for landing gear and hydraulic systems Engine Repair & Overhaul: Leading independent Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) authorised engine Repair Company. (BBA Aviation, 2013)Flight Support: Aircraft Service International Group (ASIG): The leading independent refueller Signature flight support: Largest leading fixed base operation (FBO) i.e. Ground handling. (BBA Aviation, 2013)4. BBA Aviation group generates more revenue by the more flying time clocked by its customers. (BBC NEWS, 2010) The operating environment has made its operation hostile by refusing the government to expand airports in the United Kingdom, the nation’s economy will benefits from these expansions in the long-run if plans are passed for approval. But there have been challenges from the environmental advocates and public resistance which has objected to the expansion plans and the creation of new run -ways. (The Guardian, 2013)Chairman of the Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign  Brendon Sewill said: â€Å"When people begin to realise what is likely to hit them, there will be a tidal wave of public resistance.† He said there was no need for any new runway in the South East; Stansted Airport was less than half full, new larger aircraft were coming into use and there was sufficient airport capacity to last until 2050. (BBC NEWS, 2013) BAA Aviation proposed a short a second runway at Gatwick, extra runway at Heathrow, and two extra runways at Stansted.It said the first runway should be built as soon as possible, with land â€Å"safeguarded† at two other sites for future development. But it said the option of a  £9bn new airport at Cliffe in north Kent should be excluded from the government's final expansion scheme. While local residents and green groups will welcome the possible scrapping of the Cliffe pla n, campaigners in Heathrow, Stansted and Gatwick reacted with â€Å"dismay† to BAA's statement. (The Guardian, 2013)Given the analysis above, there are little challenges from competitors as the barrier to entry is high. However, there are Environmental Challenges, Social challenges, Community Challenges and Political Challenges. But the Group’s biggest challenge is its Operational Improvement. BBA Aviation Chairman announced that the Group continue to invest in its employees and their development and made some changes to their organisational management structure at the beginning of 2013 to accelerate its growth and operational improvement programme. (BBA Aviation, 2013)The Group believes that with high operational improvement it can strive to reduce environmental impact through the more efficient use of resources, encourage innovative developments in technologies that support its business objectives and can offer environmental, community and social benefits. (BBA Aviat ion, 2013)McKinsey’s 7S’ frame-work Structure:BBA Aviation is divided into Two major Group namely; Flight Support and Aftermarket services and system. There are also further division into the major groups. This idea is to decentralise the Groups operations to the appropriate organisation with relevant skills needed to carry out each and every specific task. All of these groups work under the umbrella of BBA Aviation plc. The creation of these groups divides task and further provide coordination. It decentralises to focus on its individual area of specialisation and centralise to achieve the Group’s sole aims, goals and objectives.Strategy: BAA Aviation divided its strategy into four sections; Vision, Goal, Value and Key performance indicator. Vision:BBA Aviation’s vision and overriding objective of growing exceptional long-term sustainable value for all stakeholders is shared by all Group’ operations which are individually and collectively focused on; continuously improving market-leading and innovative businesses, working together for greater gain through improved co-ordination and co-operation and being an employer of choice for empowered individuals in a safe and sustainable environment. (BBA Aviation, 2013) Values:BBA Aviation plc employees are also unified around a common set of values; these values are a vital and integral part of the way the Group do business. (BBA Aviation, 2013) Goals:Each year BBA Group’s Executive Management Committee sets a series of short and medium-term specific and measurable goals. These goals are then cascaded throughout the Group. Each Group’s business has actions aligned to the achievement of each of the short and medium-term goals and the execution of those actions is actively monitored by Group’s management. (BBA Aviation, 2013) Key Performance Indicators:The successful execution of BBA Aviation’s strategy is expected to be value creative for shareholders. Key Performance Indicators (KPI) is used to monitor progress and any challenges faced within the Group. (BBA Aviation, 2013)Systems: The Group decentralizes its operational system, given the decentralize nature of its business. Given this approach the procedure are different group differs, hence introducing the system of internal control that helps to identify risks and challenges faced by leaders and management.BBA Aviation  internal control is essentially an ongoing process embedded in the Group’s businesses for identifying, evaluating and managing the significant risks faced by the Group, including; social, ethical and environmental risk. The Group considers that it has adequate information to identify and assess significant risks and opportunities affecting its long and short term value. The Group’s system is designed to manage rather than eliminate the risk of failure to achieve its business objectives. The internal control system can provide reasonable but not abso lute assurance against material misstatement or loss; to the extent that is appropriate, taking account of costs and benefits. (BBA Aviation, 2013)Style:Business operations within the Group are routine and non-routine. Certain elements of the business are designed to accommodate the routine aspect of the group. The style here can be said to be flexible as there are specific way of carrying out its operations, changes in style would be said to be low. However, the style at the non-routine aspect of the Group’s operation will change from time to time given the uncertainty in the operations of its business. As the operation at the non-routine level can sometimes not be determined this will mean the style will always have a shift to accommodate any present situation.Staff:BBA Aviation is committed to investing in and empowering its staff through training and education and to providing them with opportunities for rewarding careers. The Group provide each of its employees with spec ific and relevant job-related training and personal support while, at Group level, BBA Aviation develop programmes for example; leadership and general skills training that can be implemented across all sites.The Company provides employees with various opportunities to obtain information on matters of concern to them and to improve their awareness of the financial and economic factors that affect the performance of the Company. These include â€Å"all hands briefings†, staff forums and meetings with trade unions that take place throughout the year. In 2012 a number of communication initiatives have been launched to foster effective two-way communication  around the organisation. (BBA Aviation, 2013)Skill: BBA Aviation is highly skilled in all area of it operations. The Group’s strategy is to acquire a company that specialises in a given area of the Aviation business rather than founding a total new company for that specific area. The level of its operational skill is identified below; Flight Support:Aircraft Service International Group (ASIG): Is the leading independent refueller. Signature flight support: Is the largest leading fixed base operation (FBO) for example; Ground handling. (BBA Aviation, 2013)Aftermarket services and systems: Legacy Support: Is the leading supplier of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) licensed legacy products. Engine Repair & Overhaul: Is the leading independent Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) authorised engine Repair Company. (BBA Aviation, 2013)Super-ordinate Goals:BBA Aviation uses a range of key performance indicators (KPI), allied to the BBA Aviation vision and mission, to monitor the Group’s progress against the goals set to support the delivery of our overarching objective to grow exceptional, long-term, sustainable value for all stakeholders. To acquire the Groups super-ordinate goals, BBA Aviation set up a remuneration policy. This policy is intended to ensure that the remuneration of execut ive directors and other senior executives properly reflects their duties and responsibilities and is sufficient to attract, retain and motivate high calibre senior management capable collectively of delivering the goals of the Company. (BBA Aviation, 2013)Haven critically gone through the company’s PEST Analysis, SWOT Analysis, Porter’s five forces, Complexity of Dimension, Corporate Social Responsibility and Mckensies 7S’ frame work. It is clear that the BBA Aviation is at a stable cruising leading point in the Aviation industry and their biggest challenge is the Operational Improvement to sustain this leadership position. For this to be achieved the employees need to undergo training events to understand the company’s vision, goals, aims, objectives and also to understand the internal and external challenges, hence empowering them with the understand of what is expected of them both as an individual or a group of teams.The Harrison’s learning whe el (eight-stage process) will be a better tool for employees to understand the company’s vision and challenges. The step-by-step process will equip the employees to a better understanding on how to achieve the skills and experience needed in other to be a partaker of the vision and to combat these challenges faced by the company.Training refers to the acquisition of specific skills and knowledge that will enable an employee to perform their job effectively. Relatively, staff development concerns activities that are directed to the future needs of the employee, which may themselves be derived from the future needs of the organisation. (Palmer, A & Hartley, B)Harrison’s learning wheel (The eight-stage process): Establish needs:This is to ascertain the individual, team, group or even management that needs training to better enhance them with the training needed to understand the company’s vision and challenges. Agree on purpose and objectives for the learning event :Having to understand the employee that needs the training process, it will be important for these employees to know the purpose and objective of the training. The training is usually based on the employee to understand the immediate challenges faced by the company. Identify profile of intended population:It is vital that the pedigree of the employee has to be established. The intrinsic and extrinsic profile of the employee has to be understood and a motivational reward to be put in place to incentivise the employee. Agree on strategy and the delivery of the learning event:A strategy on how to deliver the learning event should be made flexible. Planning and control process have to be monitored in the event where funding may have come from other group of the company. Select learner cohort and produce detailed specification for the learning event: At the point leaders and manager would select employee that they think is deemed necessary to attend the learning event given the challenge s faced in their department. Finalise strategy and design the learning event:Ones these employees have been selected a proper strategy on how the learning will be passed on will then be drawn. After this process, a transformation will then be expected of these employees after haven to complete the training process. The finalisation of the training process will then hand the employee the skills and knowledge to better performance hence reducing the challenges faced by the company. Monitor and evaluate the change:The evaluation process is a tool for leaders and managers to ascertain what has worked and what has not worked after the learning process. The evaluation process helps leaders and managers to tackle the remains of the challenges. Evaluation technique that will assist leaders and managers to acquire the learning outcome will range from interviews, questionnaires, briefings, practical test, written test and even the observation of behaviour will confirm an employee engagement. Haven gone through these techniques it will be clear to leaders and managers where lapses can be foreseen and a possible remedy to tackle the remains of the challenges uncovered after the evaluation technique process.Conclusion:The operations of BBA Aviation plc are complex at the industry at which it operates. Given this complexity, their main challenge is Operational Improvement. The company in its response created specific job related training for staff at different level. The training focuses more on staff training and staff development. The Group involve their employees personally in these efforts and invest in new technologies, equipment and training and development programmes where the Group believe they can make a difference.  The Group businesses have much in common and plenty to learn from each other and the Group encourage working together, sharing ideas and good practices.BBA Aviation plc is the leading aviation service provider in the United Kingdom compared to its co mpetitors namely; Goodrich Corporation, Mercury Air Group, Inc. and TIMCO Aviation Services Inc. BAA Aviation doesn't make the planes, but it does keep them flying. (BBA Aviation, 2013)

Belonging Related Texts Essay

What do you think the most powerful influences that impact on an individual’s sense of belonging? * Strictly Ballroom by Baz Lurhmann * The Red Tree by Shaun Tan * Who you are by Jessie J You will almost always find where you belong if you search for it. So ultimately a sense of belonging comes down to perception. This starts from places and/ or relationships, which potentially alter your understanding or you and the world around you, so you can accept the person you are and your individual identity by creating this sense of belonging. In strictly ballroom by Baz Lurhmann, The Red Tree by Shaun Tan and who you are by Jessie J the composers use a wide range of techniques to convey the ideas belonging through forcible authority, challenging authority and alienation. These are illustrated through the concept of belonging to a person or place. These three ideas demonstrate what the most powerful influences are that can cause someone to feel a part of something or not. Forcible authority is illustrated in the film ‘Strictly Ballroom’ by Baz Lurhmann. Forcible authority is when a person or group has the power to make you feel a certain way that you may not agree on and make you feel as though you do or don’t belong. This is conveyed in the film when Barry Fife the president of Australian Dance Federation (ADF) forces Scott Hastings to dance a particular way. The forcible authority is demonstrated in Strictly Ballroom with close ups and bright lighting on Barry’s face. This creates attention and power to the audience’s concept on Barry. Scott then feels isolated from the ADF as a result of Barry’s ideas for the ADF. Forcible Authority is also shown in ‘The Red Tree’ by Shaun Tan. This is conveyed through visual techniques of the little girl standing alone in many pages of the book. The concept of a powerful influence is a little red leaf with â€Å"without sense or reason† this demonstrates herself as a symbol of the ‘little red leaf’ with many factors contributing to that idea. E. g. ‘The little girl with the red hair’ The little girl becomes frustrated by society and not being able to find her place or where she feels she belongs without sense or reason. Here the most powerful influences that influence the little girl is her on mind set on other people and how she see’s everyone trying to conform and belong to a place she hasn’t been nor understands. Forcible authority is again conveyed in the song ‘who you are’ by Jessie J through the singers lyrics. Jessie illustrates a strong opinion on society’s sense of belonging when she states â€Å"forget how to fit the mold, yeah! † this informs the audience that society’s conception of belonging is based on a mould and she feels out casted because she doesn’t know how to find her place in society anymore. Jessie feels as though society has clung to a certain way of thinking and living, this is because of the forcible authority, which is the society as a powerful influence on Jessie’s sense of belonging. Challenging Authority is another idea shown in ‘strictly Ballroom’ this can be when you choose to do something about following other rules from a higher authority. This is illustrated when Scott is introduced to Fran’s grandmother Ya Ya. She explains that dancing comes from the heart. The close ups of Ya Ya’s hands beating the traditional rhythm of the Paso Doble on Scott’s chest gives both Scott and Fran the inspiration to dance their own moves which demonstrates to the Audience how they are challenging authority and now have somewhere to belong to. Challenging authority is illustrated in ‘The Red Tree’ when the little girl struggles to find herself in society; this becomes an issue throughout the whole book, always feeling as though she didn’t belong. The very last page is her standing in her room with a large Red Tree filled with lots of red leaves and you can see that she has accepted herself in the society. She has done this because she has a glowing smile on her face. Jessie demonstrates challenging authority in â€Å"Who you are† by giving advice to other people to be yourself instead of living a lie and following society’s rules. This is illustrated when Jessie sings â€Å"Don’t lose who you are in the blur of the stars! †Alienation is the estrangement of somebody who is forced or unforced to distance people from each other or of people from what is important or meaningful to them. Strictly Ballroom demonstrates many moments of alienation, one particularly is Scott feeling as though he doesn’t belong in the ADF because he doesn’t confine with the ballroom dancing rules. This is illustrated when himself and Fran dance their own steps and cause a stir in the ADF judging, this is a powerful impact on belonging because if you don’t follow the rules you are forced to feel neglected. Alienation is also illustrated in The Red Tree through pictures and descriptive language. The visual technique as quoted, â€Å"nobody understands†, It is raining and the brushstrokes are soft but distinctive nd the colours are dull and dark creating the audiences idea of how the girl is feeling. The girl is a seclusion to society showing her being an ‘outsider’, the visual techniques are a powerful influence to belonging and clearly demonstrate how the girl feels alienated by society. Jessie J also shows alienation in ‘Who you are’ b y the visual technique in the film clip, Jessie sings â€Å"Sometimes it’s hard to follow your heart. † In this particular part she is sitting in an empty bathroom with dim lighting, this demonstrates her feelings of loneliness and confusion. Jessie feels confused because she doesn’t know what the right thing to do is and this causes her alienation to the environment she is in, this particular songs provides proof with her excluding herself from society until she makes up her mind. Jessie being the most powerful influence as she is the only one making the decision to alienate herself. Strictly Ballroom by Baz Lurhmann , The Red Tree by Shaun Tan and Who you are by Jessie J all convey powerful influences such as authority to demonstrate people belonging and not belonging . This is conveyed through the techniques of forcible authority, challenging authority and alienation.

Abstinence Offers New Hope for Teenage Sexual Epidemic Essay

Abstinence Offers New Hope for Teenage Sexual Epidemic - Essay Example (Argument Rhetorical Mode, Draft Research Essay) Shawanna Moore American Intercontinental University Professor Judi Mobley ENG 105 Abstinence Offers New 2 Abstinence Offers New Hope for Teenage Sexual Epidemic Jennifer Davis's mother picked her up early from school, and they rush to make it to Jennifer's gynecology appointment on time. In the examination room, as the doctor approaches them, her mother's fears are confirmed. Jennifer has a STD. Jennifer thinks out loud, "How could this ever be any worse" The Doctor looks at Jennifer and solemnly announces that she is also six weeks pregnant. Jennifer stares at the floor as her mother wrings her hands, sore from arthritis and tired from the work it takes to be a single mom. These types of situations can happen at anytime. By creating well-rounded, highly effective abstinence programs, educators have succeeded in reducing teen pregnancy rates and lowering the incidence of STDs. This scene is tragically played out countless times daily in every corner of the country. Jennifer did not mean to get pregnant, and she tried to avoid it. It was "just an accident". She practiced the "safe" methods that she was taught in her sex education class. Unfortunately for Jennifer, there was one method that was not covered in her class, which was the method of abstinence. Though sex education classes often fail to adequately cover it, abstinence has experienced an upsurge in popularity with students, educators, and schools. By itself, abstinence is a difficult challenge to any teenager's raging hormones, but when used as part of a larger program package it has been... " The Doctor looks at Jennifer and solemnly announces that she is also six weeks pregnant. Jennifer stares at the floor as her mother wrings her hands, sore from arthritis and tired from the work it takes to be a single mom. These types of situations can happen at anytime. By creating well-rounded, highly effective abstinence programs, educators have succeeded in reducing teen pregnancy rates and lowering the incidence of STDs. This scene is tragically played out countless times daily in every corner of the country. Jennifer did not mean to get pregnant, and she tried to avoid it. It was "just an accident". She practiced the "safe" methods that she was taught in her sex education class. Unfortunately for Jennifer, there was one method that was not covered in her class, which was the method of abstinence. Though sex education classes often fail to adequately cover it, abstinence has experienced an upsurge in popularity with students, educators, and schools. By itself, abstinence is a difficult challenge to any teenager's raging hormones, but when used as part of a larger program package it has been met with considerable success. Everyone should agree that we need to reduce the epidemic levels of STDs and unwanted pregnancies among our teenagers. Likewise, no one can make the argument that abstinence is not the world's most effective method of birth control.

Law Enforcement in the USA Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Law Enforcement in the USA - Research Paper Example The aims of local law enforcement agencies include the uploading laws in the jurisdiction they are created, undertaking patrol and investigation of local crimes. State law enforcement agency: the jurisdiction of state law enforcement agency cover a state and aid the local law enforcement agency in investigating crimes that extend beyond the jurisdiction and resources of the local law enforcement agency. Highway patrol and statewide investigations are undertaken by state law enforcement agency and undertake investigations covering several localities but within the state. Investigations within the state are conducted by state law enforcement agency, and when they surpass their jurisdiction through covering more than one state, they are undertaken by federal law enforcement. Inclusive of the state law enforcement agency are government department enforcement divisions including state hospitals, water, environment, capital, and campus police to ensure law enforcement in these departments and have statewide jurisdiction and full police powers. County law enforcement agency: they exist in metropolitan counties, and their jurisdiction covers the whole county. Three categories of county law enforcement agency service exist including full service that entails the provision of all police services to the entire county including contractual security to the county’s special districts.

Marketing for Dell Computers Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Marketing for Dell Computers - Essay Example On account of promoting their printer business I am to describe their marketing management team the basic concepts of marketing related techniques to promote the sales of printers. Based on an overall analysis regarding past performances of the company, I adopted a systematic plan of marketing strategy for the promotion of company’s printer sales. I find this marketing strategy is worth for their management to achieve the objective within minimum time frame in an efficient and effective manner. On the basis of the case study on the company’s performance, and further analysis, I prepared a report incorporating various aspects and techniques of marketing management and submit to the Chairman-cum-CEO of the company. This report will definitely be a suitable guide for senior management team of M/s Dell Computers which would as I presume, rejuvenate the team for delivering their maximum efforts in a right perspective for achieving the goal. In this report the different stages of marketing, marketing approach, targeting, positioning and related relevant topics are explained. As a result to the efforts taken by me for the research and analysis , the best possible techniques and application of marketing management are narrated in this report and necessary recommendations compiled from the analysis are also mentioned at the end. The top management of the company must adhere to the guidance on account of rendering their best services to ensure improvement in sales of printers by reaching right customers across the difference parts of the world in right time. Here is a marketing related quote.† (Contardo 2004). Once Mr Peter Drucker, an eminent management thinker and the father of business consulting stated that "Because the purpose of business is to create a customer, the business enterprise has two--and only two--basic functions:

Gays should have the same rights as married couples Assignment

Gays should have the same rights as married couples - Assignment Example In America, gay rights have become a central battle in their culture because of the growing acceptance of homosexual relationships that has led to direct threat to dominant Christian norms regarding sex and sexuality. Many people accept marriage as being a union between heterosexuals and this begs the question to define sexes. There are those who define marriage as a religious rite, hence legalizing gay marriage will constitute sacrilege of some level and state intrusion to religious matter. It is untrue to state, and undemonstratable that gay marriage is harmful; on the contrary, gay marriage may benefit us in several ways. Arguments for and against Gay Marriage Marriage between two people who love each other is essential in providing physical and psychological benefits. Research was carried out and it found out that preventing gay couples from marrying might result in psychological problems. When these couples get married, they get access to social support that is essential in faci litating and strengthening heterosexual marriages with the help of psychological and psychical benefits that are associated with that support. Alternatively, gay unions accelerate assimilation of gay couples to a mainstream of heterosexual cultures, which can seize to exist if the gap resent between the experience witnessed between gay and heterosexual is reduced. There are varieties of means that has been used to suppress people who are against same sex marriage (Corvino and Gallagher, 2012). Marriage is therefore, summarized as a means of adopting heterosexual form of family while giving up gay families as well as gay cultures. Majority of gay couples insist the absence of a thing known as traditional marriage, and with the prevalence of both modern and ancient family examples that were nuclear, polygamous, community child rearing, concubines, mistresses, prostitution, etc. are among the unnatural evolutionary thoughts. In comparison, most marriages currently are threatened by hig h rates of divorce. Research carried out in 2008 suggested that 40% to 50% of marriages end up in divorce while 40.6% of babies currently born are born by single mothers; therefore, gay marriage should be banned to prevent weakening of marriage institution. The constitution, by trying to reinforce both equality and liberty to its citizens has given protection to gay couples. This was evident in 1974 when the case of Cleveland vs LaFleur where the verdict given by the court was to declared marriage as personal choice of a person. Vaughn Walker who was a US District Judge wrote on 4 August 2010 that Prop.8 in the state of California that bans gay marriage was not constitutional under the Due process Clause. Another argument against gay marriage is that it leads to slippery floor that will end up giving people polygamous, bestial, among other relationships that are not traditionally recognized an opportunity to marry one another. Glen Lavy, a senior counsel wrote on the 28th day of May 2008 about polygamy movement posing to take advantage of the success of homosexual relations to springboard de-institutionalization of marriage. Another reason gay couples demand their rights to have marital benefits similar to heterosexual couples is that by denying them the right to marry stigmatizes the gay families as being inferior as well as the act of discriminating these type of family as acceptable. Supreme Court

Second (2nd) narrow bridge collapse Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Second (2nd) narrow bridge collapse - Essay Example The cause of accidents in the construction of bridges has been attributed mainly to the error committed during the project design. The errors are caused by negligence in the side of the contractors. The fatalities in the construction industry are caused by failure to comply with the industry’s safety and health guidelines. It is important to adhere to safety and health directives and guidelines to avert future disasters such as the second narrow bridge accident. Wienand and Zunde (147-158) confirmed that the second narrow bridge was made of steel metals, timber and reinforced concrete. According to Akesson (124), the construction of new highway bridge in British Columbia began in November 1957. The second narrow bridge had six lanes and was a continuous truss bridge (in all 1992 meter long) with the main 335-navigation span. It was also a cantilever construction having two anchor spans, (142 m each). The second narrow bridge had lanes specifically for the pedestrians and bicycles. It was the second bridge constructed at the Second (east) Narrows of Burrard Inlet in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It was named the Second Narrows Bridge as it connects Vancouver to the north shore of Burrard Inlet, which includes the District of North Vancouver, the City of North Vancouver, and West Vancouver. It was constructed adjacent to the older Second Narrows Bridge, which is currently an exclusively rail bridge. The bridge was a steel truss cantile ver bridge, designed by Swan Wooster Engineering Co. Ltd. On June 17, 1958, the north anchor span through failure of the temporary truss, collapsed without warning and caused death of the sixteen workers and two engineers. Akesson (125) said that on the fateful afternoon of June 17, 1958, the crane was stretched to join the two chords of the arch that was under construction from the north side of the new bridge. Just before

Care of the Patient in the Surgical Environment Essay

Care of the Patient in the Surgical Environment - Essay Example It will also demonstrate skills to use equipment within the operating theatre and knowledge in associated dangers. Body The patient Patient Miss WC (not her real name) is an 82-year-old female who was having surgery after having fallen outside her house while waiting to cross the road during the morning hours. To safeguard her anonymity and confidentiality, she will be referred as Patient WC. Such confidentiality is being maintained in order to protect her identity and maintain her confidence in the nursing research and practice. She was diagnosed with a medial malleolus fracture in her right ankle and was scheduled to undergo an internal fixation of her fracture. She has been widowed for five years now, has two children, and a generally active social life. She is active in the local community social gatherings, joining her fellow senior citizens in various activities like ballroom dancing. In recent years since her husband’s death, she has minimized her involvement in the soc ial activities, mostly because she still feels saddened and lonely about losing her husband of 50 years. She also has limited her physical and social activities because she often feels easily tired and exhausted when engaging in her usual activities. She has no known medical problems, has had no previous operations, and no known allergies. Before her fracture, she has been independently mobile and has been generally carrying out her activities of daily living independently. At present, due to her injury, she has limited mobility and needs assistance in her daily activities. The initial assessment indicated that her BP was at 140/90; her height was 5 foot 4 inches and her weight was at 150 pounds placing her BMI at normal; heart rate at 75 bpm; breaths rate at 22 breaths per minute; and her temperature at 36.5 degrees Celsius. The fracture of her medial malleolus (right) is basically a fracture of her ankle. A medial malleolus fracture represents a fracture of the body processes in t he inner area of her ankle, known as the medial malleolus (Physio Advisor, 2008). The lower leg has the two long bones of the tibia and the fibula and the tibia has a bony process found in the inner aspect of the ankle, and such is known as the medial malleolus. In certain activities, stress is often placed on the tibia and the medial malleolus and this stress cause the medial malleolus to break (PhysioAdvisor, 2008). These breaks often occur in rolled ankles in instances of significant weight bearing forces. They may also be apparent during awkward landings from a jump, from falls following a direct blow to the front aspect of the ankle. It is a fracture common in running and jumping sports, usually with changes in direction in sports activities like football, soccer, rugby, and basketball (PhysioAdvisor, 2008). Patients with a medial malleolus fracture often express that they experience the sudden onset of a sharp and intense pain in the inner ankle or lower leg during their injur y (PhysioAdvisor, 2008). For some patients, limping is possible soon after their injury, but for some others, weight-bearing is often not possible, especially where their malleolus is misplaced. These patients may often experience swelling in their ankle, including bruising and pain on firm touching (PhysioAdvisor, 2008). Pain is often exacerbated by movements or with standing and walking.

Physical Education Lesson Plan Essay Example for Free

Physical Education Lesson Plan Essay 1. Grade level: Second Grade 2. Estimated level of developmental stage: predictable, self-paced (Hastie, 2012). 3. Number of students: Twenty 4. Fundamental skill (to be taught): Dribbling a soccer ball with their feet 5. State standard for Washington State (NASPE, 2008) a. Demonstrates locomoter skills in a variety of activities and lead-up games i. Example: Uses walking/jogging/running skills in soccer ii. Demonstrates manipulative skills with stationary targets 1. Example: Kicks a ball toward a goal iii. Demonstrates mature form in manipulative skills in a variety of activities 2. Example: Traps a ball in soccer Section 2: 1. Student objective: a. As a result of this lesson students will be able to demonstrate dribbling skills while both walking and then jogging. Students will also be able to demonstrate trapping a ball and kicking a ball towards a stationary object. 2. Lesson description b. During this activity students will practice dribbling a ball with their feet; first walking and then jogging. Students will maintain control of the ball using the inside of their foot while dribbling the ball between cones towards the pop-up goal at the end of the field. Once the student reaches the last cone they will then trap the ball with their foot and take aim at the goal. 3. Classroom management system and student grouping c. Students will be divided into five groups with four students in each  group; each student will receive a shape card and will then be grouped according to the shape displayed on the card. Students will be reminded at the start of class regarding the class rules and consequences. Students will be reminded to use kind words, respect others around you, listen carefully, use equipment properly, and if in doubt ask. Consequences and rewards will be handled on a case by case basis meaning praise will be given to individual students and actions will be corrected as necessary. Ultimately the goal is to keep all students involved and engaged while ensuring the safety of everyone. As an educator it is important to be consistent and fair to all students using positive reinforcement and encouraging students to stay on task. 4. Equipment needed d. Twenty soccer balls, twenty-five orange cones for setting up the obstacle course, five pop-up goals at the end of the course, and a large outside grassy field. Section 3: 1. Content: Write a script of what the teacher would say and include the following for each task/skill. a. Task #1: Dribbling while walking first in a straight line, then through the cones i. Introducing the task/skill 1. Our first objective is to practice dribbling our soccer ball while walking. Remember to use the inside and outside of your foot when moving the ball down the field. I want you to first walk down the field dribbling your ball next to the row of cones and then return dribbling the ball while walking through the cones. When the first student begins the return trip through the cones the second student in the group may begin dribbling their ball next to the cones. ii. Safety concerns, rules and protocols to follow during the task 2. Watch out for other students 3. Be careful not to overtake the student in front of you 4. If the ball gets away from you quickly retrieve it iii. Teaching the task/skill 5. Educator will demonstrate the task once at the beginning and then again if students have questions or need extra clarification. iv. Questions to ask during the task as a form of assessment 6. What part of our foot do we use to dribble a ball? 7. Do we want to keep the ball close or far away? b. Task #2: Dribbling while jogging; first in a straight line then through the cones v. Introducing the task/skill 8. Our second objective is to practice dribbling our soccer ball while jogging. Remember to use the inside and outside of your foot when moving the ball down the field. I want you to first jog down the field dribbling your ball next to the row of cones and then return dribbling the ball while jogging through the cones. When the first student begins the return trip through the cones the second student in the group may begin dribbling their ball next to the cones. vi. Safety concerns, rules and protocols to follow during the task 9. Watch out for other students 10. Be careful not to overtake the student in front of you 11. If the ball gets away from you quickly retrieve it vii. Teaching the task/skill 12. Educator will demonstrate the task once at the beginning and then again if students have questions or need extra clarification. viii. Questions to ask during the task as a form of assessment 13. Was it easier or harder to dribble while you were jogging versus when you were walking? 14. Does the change in speed from walking to jogging affect your ability to maintain control of the ball? 2. Culminating activity: c. Class, now we are going to combine our soccer skills together. We are going to have a relay race with each group being a team. The object of the game is for all students in each group to successfully kick their ball into the goal. The first student in each group will dribble their ball through the cones, trap the ball with their foot, and then kick the ball into the goal. Once their ball has successfully made it into the goal they will run back and tag the next teammate in line. The key to success in this game is maintaining control of your ball at all times. 3. Assessment: d. In order to assess the students in my class I would use observational skills to determine if they are meeting the lesson objectives. I would use a scale rating system; based on a scale of one to five, with five being perfect and one being unsatisfactory. I would rate the students based upon whether they could maintain control of a ball while dribbling, trap the ball with their foot, and accurately kick the ball towards a stationary object. Section 4: 1. Home/school connection: a. I would send out an email to all parents suggesting ways students can practice dribbling skills at home. In the email I would include ideas such as parents setting up an obstacle course for kids to dribble through. I would suggest that parents can use household objects such as soup cans for the â€Å"cones† and any round ball would work for dribbling. I would encourage parents to practice with their kids by first demonstrating the skill and then just participating. When parents are involved with their kids in a physical activity the child is more likely to stick with it longer and of course it is an excellent way for parents to bond with their child. 2. Modifications and adaptations b. Inclusion of a child with a physical impairment (e.g. a child confined to a wheelchair, or a child that requires the use of assistive technology). i. One way to include a child confined to a wheelchair would be to have them hold the soccer ball in their lap and maneuver their wheelchair through the cones; upon reaching the end they can throw the ball into the goal. A second way to include them would be to have them use a paddle to â€Å"dribble† the ball through the cones and ultimately hitting the ball into the goal. c. Inclement weather or an altered schedule forces you to change your location. Choose a different location to discuss (e.g. a smaller classroom as opposed to a gym). ii. Due to inclement weather the lesson would need to be moved indoors to the gym. Since the gym floor surface is much smoother than a grassy field I would have the student’s only practice dribbling while walking in order to maintain better control of their ball. d. Several children from a  different grade are temporarily joining this class for this particular lesson. iii. In order to include all students fairly I would disperse the children in groups using the shape cards, but if one group was disproportionately older students or younger students I would need to rearrange a bit. In order for the relay race to be fair each group would need an even mixture of older students versus younger students. References Hastie, P. (2012). Foundations of moving learning. San Diego, CA. Bridgepoint Education, Inc. NASPE (2008). Washington State K-12 state standards. Retrieved from http://www.k12.wa.us/HealthFitness/Standards-GLEs/HealthFitnessStateStandards.PDF.

Improve Concentration Essay Example for Free

Improve Concentration Essay It is mostly due to peer pressure. In such a situation, parents are often seen questioning the counsellors as what can be done to encourage their child to concentrate and also have good social skills at the same time. Well, here are a few answers. The key to having good concentration is being smart. The child should be smart enough to concentrate while having fun. This can be done in many ways. While in class, if he/she is finding it hard to concentrate, here are a few tips they can adopt in order to improve their concentration skills. . Sit in the front row. Sitting in the front row helps you steer away from distractions like speaking to your friends, whispering or even passing notes. The closer you sit to the teacher, the better you understand. 2. Participate in class. The people who concentrate, know that the key to good concentration is participation. Ask questions, start a discussion, debate with the teacher. It might sound to be geeky, but once you get the hang of it, its hard to get out. It is a lot of fun and you also learn extra. . Strategize your notes. Jotting down the points the teacher says is something which every child in class does. Dont be stereotypical. Dont make notes, instead make learning strategies. Its fun and at the same time itll make you stand out and you also will be entitled to think out of the box. 4. Turn off your phone. Having a phone is a major distraction. In class, make sure your phone is turned off. Dont cheat yourself by profiling it to vibrate or silent. Turn it off, be honest to yourself. Nothing will jar your concentration more than getting a text from your friend during a class. 5. Get some good breakfast. It can be really hard to concentrate when your stomach is growling away the hunger. Its hard to concentrate on what is being taught when youre raiding a buffet in your mind. Make sure you eat a healthy breakfast. But ensure that you dont fill your stomach to an extent where it will make you sleepy. 6. Have props while studying. Having a prop to play with while studying can make studying so much fun. For example : If you are studying about the earth, have a globe in your hand. Turn it around, see where the countries are located, play with the globe. This will make studying easier. 7. Use gadgets for studying. If you are bored of using the same old paper and books, use e-books. Buy an iPad or simply make notes on your laptop. 8. Have group study parties. Invite a bunch of friends over to your house and call it a study party. This not only sounds cool but is also beneficial. It will help you to study and will also improve your social status. But all you have to ensure is that you actually study with those friends and not just waste time in talking, dancing and playing around. 9. Exercise everyday. Yoga and meditation is the best way of improving ones concentration skills. Even 10 minutes of meditation will calm your mind and will help you concentrate with a clear mind. I have been practicing these tips for a long time. And it has helped me achieve a lot of things in my life. I suggest the readers to follow these guidelines and be successful in your life.

Comparison of Tolerance in Various Faiths

Comparison of Tolerance in Various Faiths Tolerance as a skill and an attitude to life has become essential for the very survival of humanity. One of the fallouts of the much discussed globalization process is the demand to meet, work and live with people of totally different culture,.. ethnicity and backgrounds. How one manages this heterogeneity of cultures and lire styles is very crucial for the survival of humanity. In 1995 when UNESCO declared the year as a year of Tolerance, the purpose indeed was to bring to light the high levels of intolerance manifested all over the world. UNESCO called for education for tolerance to counter the influences that lead to fear and exclusion of others. The most significant thing about the whole exercise was the acceptance of the fact that the diversity of our worlds many religions, languages, cultures and ethnicities is not a pretext for conflict, but is a treasure that enriches us aI1.(UNESCO,1995). Just as religion and various faiths have created intolerance, they also have the resources and the fundamental insights and practices to build a tolerant world. This paper is an attempt to highlight how various faiths and religions can contribute to the building of tolerance in the world at large. It will look at the context of the discussion, various religious faiths and search for commonalities that build tolerance. Distortions also need to be identified. The argument of the paper is that the core of any religious faith promotes tolerance and hence the struggle is to keep faithful to the core of religious faiths and practices. THE CONTEXT: A MULTI-RELIGIOUS SOCIETY India is known for its multiplicity of religions. It is in fact the cradle of world religions. Being the birth place of many religious traditions and an eternal source of spiritual inspiration and guidance, Indian is looked upon as a source of spiritual succour. It is interesting that everyone in India, barring a very small minority officially profess a religion, though they may not be practicing it. Table 1. India Land of Religions Hindus 80 per cent Muslims 14 per cent Christian 2.4 per cent Sikh 2 per cent Buddhists 0.7 per cent J ains 0.5 per cent Others 0.4 per cent Religion not stated 0.07 per cent It is only a minuscule section who does not publicly affirm any religious affiliation. It is still a regular experience that people from the West flock to India looking for spiritual guidance and fulfillment. At the same time, religious fundamentalism and consequent communal disharmony have become everyday experience too. Communal riots have become a regular feature, destroying the very peace that religion tries to build and maintain. There are claims that in three to five years there were 37,000 communal riots in the country (Hussain, 2002). The fact is that there is communal disharmony created by the fundamentalist groups in various religions and abetted by political interests. Religion by its very nature works for harmony. Can these religions regain their original inspiration for harmony and peace? Understanding Religion It is important to understand religion in its original meaning. Very broadly, religion is any specific system of belief about deity, often involving rituals, a code of ethics and a philosophy of life. This definition includes all of the great monotheistic religions, Eastern religions, neopagan religions, a wide range of other faith groups, spiritual paths, and ethical systems, beliefs about the existence of Gods and goddesses.(Glock and Stark, www.hewett.norfo/k.sch.uk/curric/soc/reliqion/re/1.htm) Five core dimensions of religion Five core dimensions of religion as listed by Glock and Stark (ibid.) are the following: The belief consequence The practice consequence ritualized worship The knowledge dimension information and knowledge about the beliefs The consequence dimension affecting behaviour The expectation experience Expectations regarding and experience or through prayer. Invariably every religious system contains these components of belief, rituals, information and knowledge, behavioural consequences and the expectations that guide the whole system. At the primordial level religions come together or are able to vibe with each other in the areas of expectations and experiences. At the belief levels, particularly the dogmatic articulations, the rituals, or the behavioural traditions, there are likely to be diversities. A brief look at major religions Hinduism: Hinduism is the worlds third largest religion, after Christianity and Islam. It claims about 837 million followers, i.e. 13 per cent of the worlds population. Geographically, it is the dominant religion in India, Nepal and among the Tamils in Sri Lanka. According to the Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches there are about 1.1 million Hindus in the U.S. A more accurate estimate may be 7, 66,000 Hindus in 2001 in the U.S. and in Canada 1,57,015. As the worlds oldest organized religion, Sanathana dharma, is best known for its tolerance. It is this religion which gave enough freedom for its followers to think on its basic principles. It even accepted and accepts the valuable concepts from other religions. The Rig Veda proclaims, Let the knowledge come from all the directions. It is this free thought and tolerance that allows the existence of many disciplines under this big tree each respecting one another. Hinduism is also the worlds largest pluralistic tradition. A multiplicity of spiritual paths and ways are recognized as valid in Hinduism. Hinduism is not based on the teachings of a single prophet or a single book. The teachings of many different sages and saints find home within Hinduism. God may be worshipped both in male and female forms. Hinduism has much in common with the earth based religious traditions ofthe world. Buddhism has the characteristics of what would be expected in a cosmic religion for the future. It transcends a personal God, avoids dogmas and theology. It covers both the natural and spiritual, and it is based on a religious sense aspiring from the experience of all things, natural and spiritual, as a meaningful unity. It teaches that all existence is suffering, that suffering is born of desire and that freedom from suffering, Nirvana, can be achieved by following the eightfold path that combines ethical behaviour, wisdom and mental discipline, including meditation. It has found followers in substantial number of people. Christianity as a religion focuses on the Fatherhood of God, and brotherhood of man. Jesus and his life form the basis for Christian faith. The life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are the means by which God saves the world. Christianity is a way of belief, worship and life characterized by love. With an estimated 2.1 billion adherents in 2001, Christianity is the worlds largest religion. It is the predominant religion in Europe, the Americas, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Philippine Islands, Australia, and New Zealand and is spreading widely in Asia, China and South Korea. Though Christianitys association with the colonization of the world has given it a different face, Christianity too like other religions carries a core of tolerance and love. Islam is a monotheistic religion which originated with the teaching of the Prophet Muhammad, a7th century Arab religious and political leader. Today, Islam is the second largest religion, and has about 1.4 billion followers, spread across the world. Islam emphasizes submission to the will of God. Etymologically it means peace, acceptance submission and total surrender of ones self to God. The divine revelation was communicated to the world through Muhammad, the prophet, the final one. The Koran, the traditions, Hadith and the manner of life of Muhammad, Sunna guide the life of a Muslim. For Islam, there is no god but God, Allah and Muhammad the prophet, is the apostle. Judaism propagates monotheism. The primordial experience of this community is the covenant election of Israel to be the bearers of this belief. Divine transcendence, God as the ground of all existence, ethical conception of God, concern for individual moral culture, universalism, election for service, and the unity of history in the purpose of God are some of the basic tenets of this ancient religion of the Jewish people. The practice of Judaism has been marked by the study and observance of the laws and commandments revealed by God and as written in the Torah, as well as those found in the Talmud. Around 14 million followers make Judaism the worlds eleventh largest organized religion. Seeking for the common and the Universal Religions have contributed to the peace of the world, but they have also led to division, hatred, and war. Religious people have too often betrayed the high ideals they themselves have preached. Thus people have felt obliged to call for sincere acts of repentance and mutual forgiveness, both personally and collectively, to one another, to humanity in general, and to Earth and all living beings.(UNESCO, 1994) It is true that religions can make a substantial contribution to an emerging culture of peace and harmony. The contribution the religions can make to an emerging culture of peace and harmony is to seek out what is common, or universal in all the religions. However, discovering a universal ground upon which the various religions could relate is problematic when it is attempted at the level of belief or ideology or in the doctrinal sphere. (Teasdale, Wayne and UNESCO, 1994) Religiosity divides, Spirituality unites In discussing religion as an instrument of peace and harmony, one needs to make this distinction between religiosity, which only can divide, and spirituality which can unite all believers. Religiosity focuses on the differences, whereas spirituality emphasizes what is common. Spirituality provides meaning to life and reality. It reveals the significance of life, making sense of situations and helping one to derive a purpose in life. Spirituality focuses on values, beliefs, standards and ethics one must cherish. Transcendence is the quality of spirituality, inviting the believer to move beyond the experienced. Spirituality connects, with the self, others, God and nature. Spirituality is also an invitation to become, to unfold life, reflecting and experiencing, ultimately leading to an experience of who one is and how one knows. In this sense, spirituality is more primary, primordial, numinous and a religious experience, and the emphasis is decidedly on experience, not on doctrine or b elief. Points of Similarity found in dialogue between spiritualities A close analysis of the various spiritualities reveals the following similarities which would really become a basis for building a culture of peace, harmony and tolerance 1. Experience of an ultimate reality, known by different names e.g. Allah, God, and Brahman and so on Ultimate reality cannot be limited by any name or concept Ultimate reality is the ground of infinite potentiality and actualization 4. Faith is opening, accepting and responding to Ultimate reality. Faith in this sense precedes every belief system 5. The potential for human wholeness- Enlightenment, Salvation, Blessedness, Nirvana etc. 6. Ultimate reality may be experienced not only through religious practices but also through nature, art, human relationships and service of others 7. As long as the human condition is experienced as separate from ultimate reality, it is subject to ignorance and illusion, weakness and suffering. 8. Disciplined practice is essential to the spiritual life; yet spiritual attainment is not the result of ones own efforts, but the result of the experience of oneness with Ultimate reality. Similarly there are some common practices too in all spiritualities. Practice of Compassion Service to others Practising moral precepts and virtues Training in meditation technique and regularity of practice Attention to diet and exercise Fasting and abstinence Relationship with a qualified teacher Repetition of sacred words( Mantra, Japa etc) 9. Movement and dance Formative Community. It is an amazing unity. There is so much common in the religious striving of humanity, in the common search for peace, harmony and ultimate satisfaction. Whereas fundamentalist and disruptive forces will focus on the religiosity and the differences, spirituality will seek for the commonalities and the harmonious. Agenda for the youth and Youth Animators. The social scenario in India and the world over demands an active youth population striving for peace and tolerance. In order to build a world of peace and harmony, tolerance as a skill and an attitude must precede. Hence the youth needs to take this agenda. And in this agenda for a harmonious world, where tolerance is the hallmark of every interaction, the youth must get involved in the following agenda: 1. Facilitate a change from religiosity to spirituality. Where there is so much of exhibitionism in religiosity, spirituality is quietly practicing peace, harmony and tolerance. 2. Confront the social and religious reality with insights from social sciences. Much of fundamentalism is fed on rumors, stereotypes and prejudices. This can be challenged with data and insights gathered from Social Science research. When factual data and critical analysis are combined, insights follow which will make a difference to practice. 3. Promote a new culture of spiritual activism. The society does witness substantial religious activism, the kind that divides and disrupts. A new culture of spiritual activism can and must be promoted to build a tolerant world, a world of peace and harmony. The commonalities in the spiritualities provide the basis for action. Conclusion There is far too much of communal disharmony in India and the world over. All of this is created by human being and much of it in the name of religion. The survival of humanity depends on the levels of tolerance that men and women are willing to develop and practice in their every day living. Religiosity has helped deepen this crisis. If communal disharmony is man made, communal harmony and tolerance also can only b e made by man. The only difference being that the latter needs to be built up as the result of a planned action towards a tolerant, just and humane society. As the paper argues, this can be facilitated by a focus on the spiritualities that unite. The youth and the youth animators can contribute to the building of a tolerant society by inculcating and training youth in healthy spirituality and by downplaying the difference creating religiosity. As UNESCO declared, We are aware of the worlds cultural and religious diversity. Each culture represents a universe in itself and yet it is not closed. Cultures give religions their language, and religions offer ultimate meaning to each culture. Unless we recognize pluralism and respect diversity, no peace is possible. We strive for the harmony which is at the very core of peace. References: 1. Hussain Syed Shanawaz. 2002. Reported in rediffmail. com 26 April 2. UNESCO. 1995. Various Papers in connection with the International Year of Tolerance 3. UNESCO. 1994. Declaration on the role of religion in the promotion of a culture of peace 4. Glock and Stark. Quoted in Sociology at Hewett. 5. www.hewett.norfolk.scl1.uk/curric/soc/religion/reI1.htm

The Banning of Harry Potter at Omaha Christian Academy Essay -- Censor

The Banning of Harry Potter at Omaha Christian Academy Imagine discovering that you’re not an ordinary person, but a wizard with magnificent, magical powers. Imagine attending a school where you’ll study transfiguration and charms instead of trigonometry and chem. Imagine the thrill of flying across the sky on a broomstick. These adventures and many others are waiting to be experienced in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by novelist J. K. Rowling. This fanciful and entertaining tale has taken the youth of the nation by storm, and its sales have only been surpassed by the book’s sequels, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Unfortunately, not all children are welcome to enjoy the magic of J.K. Rowling’s literature. Because the books discuss witchcraft and wizardry, some parents and teachers have assumed that the books do not reflect religious teachings and must, therefore, be banned. The Omaha Christian Academy in Omaha, Nebraska has recently banned the sale of Harry Potter books at its book fair and refuses to purchase copies for the classrooms or library. However, the administration at Omaha Christian Academy should not prohibit reading books in the Harry Potter series. Potter Gets Cold Shoulder On October 15, 1999 an article was published in the Omaha World-Herald that angered and agitated devoted fans of Harry Potter. Omahans already knew that the Harry Potter books had been challenged in South Carolina and a few other places across the nation. Now, the controversy over the fantasy stories by J. K. Rowling had hit their home town. Apparently, the administration at Omaha Christian Academy learned of the popularity of the books and... ...The kids who read Harry Potter will not grow up to be antireligious witches and warlocks. They will develop into well-adjusted young adults who have a better understanding of how to be a hero. In order to act in the best interest of their students, the administration at Omaha Christian Academy needs to introduce the Harry Potter books into their school as soon as possible. It’s time that Christian schools be made a safe haven for Harry Potter. Works Cited Bettelheim, Bruno. The Uses of Enchantment. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1976. Heuscher, Julius. A Psychiatric Study of Myths and Fairy Tales. Illinois: Charles Thomas, 1974. O’Connor, Michael. â€Å"Potter Gets Cold Shoulder.† Omaha World-Herald. 15 October 1999. â€Å"Save Harry Potter!† About.com. 29 October 1999.

Macbeths Mistakes in Shakespeares Macbeth Essays -- essays research

Macbeth’s Mistakes At times man is prone to call into states of disillusionment, whether it be their own fault, or that of others, and this may cause them to commit grievous errors. The character of Macbeth suffers from a delusional view of the world. The diluted ways in which he interprets many of the prophecies foretold by the witches brings forth a detrimental effect upon many of his peers and acquaintances and leads him to execute grave mistakes. It is Macbeth’s choice to interpret things in a more literal meaning, rather than a prophetic one, that becomes the downfall of many characters in the story. The meddlesome witches can not be left dry of blame, for it was their prophetic truths that led Macbeth to take such a literal stance on all of the forthcoming prophecies. â€Å"Men at times are masters of their own fates: the fault is not in the stars, but in ourselves.† It is however Macbeth at fault for pushing the prophecies further than fate would take them. At first encounter with the witches, Macbeth is foretold three prophecies. The witches call him Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and king hereafter. Macbeth at first dismisses the prophecies as fantastical. Then thoughts of the greater power seep into Macbeth’s mind. The â€Å"fiends that lie like truth† (Shakespeare) encourage Macbeth’s malice thinking by foretelling the truth that Macbeth does indeed become Thane of Cawdor without any extra effort on his part. Banquo, although at first charmed by the witch’s prophecy for him, tends to eventually dismiss it as a trick by the witches. â€Å"To win us to our harm, the instruments of darkness tell us truths, win us with honest trifles, to betrays in deepest consequence,† (Shakespeare) Once Macbeth has been named Th... ...y Macbeth, many of Macbeth’s mistakes led him into a delusional state of mind which in turn directed him to commit heinous murders against many characters, including his best friend and his cousin and king. It is evident that Macbeth’s main mistake was taking the witches’ prophecies to literal and listening too closely to his wife. Instead of letting fate run its course, he took it into his own hands, and lost sight of reality on the way. Lady Macbeth also played a big role in his mistakes, because he let him manipulate and persuade him to perform these atrocious tasks all in order to gain power. Works Cited Boyce, Charles. Shakespears A to Z. New York, NY: Roundtable Press, 1990. Foster, Edward e.. Masterplots. Englewood Cliffs: Salem Press Inc., 1949. Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. New York, NY: Washington Square Press, 1992.

Art and Language

The following paper will focus on cognitive science and its application to the modules of language structure with reference to functionalists theory.   The highlighting factors of the paper will delve into how language is processed through a frame of reference and developed in regards to cultural as well as empirical modes.   The way in which language is processed by the mind and how cognitive science extrapolates this complex function will be discussed as well as the applying the representational theory of mind. Language structures community.   It is a response to the emotions, the events, and the culture surrounding individuals and is tied into the concepts of cognitive science because it is a process that has to be translated by the brain to be understood.   Language is an innate expression of emotion, a deep need to convey oneself, to be understood, to find a connection with someone or a group of people: through this desire of communication is found sensory signals. A well-developed individual will use language not only for communication of simple tasks (directions, greetings, or general information), but more intrinsically, for the relaying of emotion and thus, the internal representations are used in order to perceive correctly what is trying to be communicated.   Through language there arises a sense of belonging through the brain’s ability to act and work like a computer the neural networks of the mind give off the impression of vocal integration of a species, and through this is found a preliminary common ground by which an individual may interpret signals and voice to demonstrate camaraderie. There is a common relationship when two people speak the same language and are further bonded through the expression of their thoughts.   A person’s conversations, exterior portrayal of a relationship, and personal injuries lie in Sausseure’s bilateral definition of langue and not parole. †¦Sausseure’s differentiation between langue and parole†¦ Langue is the formal grammatical system of language†¦Parole is actual speech, the way that speakers use language to express themselves. (455, Ritzer) It is correct to infer that when tourists are abroad, they have a grasp of langue but little idea of how to use parole effectively.   This differentiation between grammar and expression is the key component in the separation of tourist from native.   Sausseure’s system of language gives a view of exile, which, when deliberated with langue and parole, is defined as being in a state of homelessness purely by being without language.   Without the sense of intrinsic communication which bonds people, and which allows them to have a connection with the community around them, that innate expression or parole is lost and an exile is born. Without a relationship to the language being spoken, there can be no meaning behind the words, no emotion.   In the Representational Theory of Mind, the tie that binds is considered to be that of language and how language is processed and considered.   Through mental states, thoughts, beliefs, and desires as much as impressions and images, language is the tool used to demonstrate the importance of each point.   Language and RTM has at their base intentionality.   Sensory experience is denoted through language and expressed with that language to another person.   The sensory experience can be related to another person only through dialogue. Langue, then, can be viewed as a system of signs – a structure- and the meaning of each sign is produced by the relationship among signs within the system.   Especially important here are relations of difference, including binary oppositions†¦Meanings, the mind, and ultimately the social world are shaped by the structure of language.   Thus, instead of an existential world of people shaping their surroundings, we have here a world in which people as well as other aspects of the social world, are being shaped by the structure of language. (455, Ritzer) When tourists go on vacation, they usually end up spending their time with others from their own country in order to feel secure in unusual surroundings and to feel more at home.   With this in mind, tourists do not succumb to the ideas of culture shock, for they are forever surrounded with their own culture; if they were not, then the desperation of being in exile of language would overcome any sense of excitement in a new place. In Hoffman’s essay The New Nomads in Letters of Transit; †¦exile, and the pain of radical change, do not necessarily lead to a more radical personality structure or greater openness to the world.   On the contrary, upheaval and dislocation can sometimes produce some rather more conservative impulses of self-defense and self preservation. (54) In Freud’s New Introductory Lectures on Psycho-Analysis translated by W. J. H. Sprott, he states: The danger of mental helplessness corresponds to the stage of early immaturity of the ego; the danger of loss of object or of love corresponds to the dependence of the early years of childhood; the danger of castration to the phallic phase; and finally, fear of the super-ego, which occupies a special position, to the period of latency.   As development proceeds the old conditions for anxiety should vanish, since the danger-situations, which correspond to them, have lost their force owing to the strengthening of the ego.   But this only happens to a very incomplete degree. A great many people cannot overcome the fear of loss of love; they never become independent enough of the love of other people and continue their infantile behavior in this respect†¦There is no doubt that persons whom we call neurotic remain infantile in their attitude towards danger, and have not grown out of antiquated conditions of anxiety. (122,123) And as Ritzer states, A thinking, self-conscious individual is†¦logically impossible in Mead’s theory without a prior social group.   The social group comes first, and it leads to the development of self-conscious mental states. (207, Ritzer) In such a society, language becomes not a way of telling, but a hindrance, a barrier of self and society.   With the reflection of society, an individual receives feedback of their character, or reflections of who they are.   In Marx’s essay The German Ideology in Kaplan and Anderson’s Criticism, he states, Consciousness is, therefore, from the very beginning a social product, and remains so as long as men exist at all †¦ man’s consciousness of the necessity of associating with the individuals around him is the beginning of the consciousness that he is living in society at all. (317-318) Language then is an avenue by which RTM may be understood to be a symbolic representation of thought.   RTM then functions on a system of building blocks, because language is not implicit but empirical. Work Cited Hoffman, Eva. (1989).   The New Nomads.   In A. Aciman (Ed).   Letters of Transit (pp. 35-63).   New York:   The New Press. Marx, Karl.   (1846).   The German Ideology.   In C. Kaplan and W.D. Anderson (Eds.). Criticism Major Statements (pp. 310-318).   Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s. Ritzer, George.   (2000).   Modern Sociological Theory.   Boston:   McGraw-Hill Co., Inc. Sigmund, Freud. (1933).   New Introductory Lectures on Psycho-Analysis (W.J.H. Sprott, Trans.).   New York: W.W. Norton & Company, INC.         

How Cooking Frees Men †Article Essay

This article explains how the discovery in cooking foods has dramatically changed the way we live, and the amount of time freed up by spending less time chewing. Raw food takes much longer to eat than soft cooked foods. The discovery of cooking changed our social division of labor between men and women. The Hadza tribes are foragers; hunters and gathers, and now that cooking food is possible, the men hunt for meat, while the women forage the land for anything edible. When the men come back to the village, the women hope they have meat or honey to provide, but if they come empty handed, the women have the food they have gathered already prepared for the hungry men. The men and women share their food with one another, their children, and extended family. Even though my family and I are not foragers, this sounds very similar to the same way I was brought up. My father would make the money that paid for the food, while my mother would stay home to raise us children and cook. She always had dinner ready for my father whether he was coming home from work or home after looking for a job. Either way, we always had food on our table. There were even summers that we had to pick fruit with my mother on farmers land so we can have canned fruit stock our pantry. We would forage in the fall walnuts that have fallen off a walnut tree on the side of some road, so she can make banana nut bread. As a child I was put to work on several occasions to help my mother, and that was not the same way my brothers were raised, they would be allowed to go hunting or fishing with my father. Even though my family and I are not foragers we have a lot of similarities with the Hadza tribe and how they divide their labor based upon gender and age. Foragers follow the method of hunter and gatherer, to collect their food. They form small communities of mainly family; immediate and extended family. The men hunt for food while the women and children forage for edible plants. The tribes join occasionally to celebrate things; and they share their food. The Hadza believed if a single man provided the meat for the day, he would divide the food with his family first, and then divide it amongst the rest of the tribesmen. Foraging may have been the way to gather food in the beginning of man (several small tribes still live as foragers, like the Hadza tribe). Today, America and many other countries use intensive agriculture; we use machinery to irrigate and fertilize to increase our surplus. This is necessary because of our population; we are not only a few like the foragers. We are primarily controlled through a government, as apposed to moving about with a village. My first impression of this article was not too great; I felt the writer discussed the difference of chew time within too much detail. I understand the concept of â€Å"less time chewing = more time†. What I found most interesting, and gained insight from, was the knowledge that cooking food to make it soft, freed up the time of man. Without that simple action of cooking our food, man would be very different today. Not just time wise, but that was the start of division of labor within a family. This is still practiced within many American families and tribes that still live off the land. I think a big difference between us and them (which there are a few tribal foragers still today), they live creating little impact on their environment, while we seem to not care so much about the harm we do to ours. I feel because of more time, we not only have the means to relax and socialize, but we also abuse it. We are not as active, and to some people their social part of life is their most important. So because of more time, people are becoming obese, lazy, and gossipy. That pretty much sums up over half of the American population.

Gay marriage Essay

Homosexual marriage is one of the old but controversial issues around the world. Compared to the past, it seems to become a more open debate among people. At the same time, people seem to be more swayable than before, but towards the gay marriage, different voices have still been hovering in the air. Gay people and their supporters have been striving for their rights to get married legally, while others who against gay marriage have never stopped deterring it. Strongly against gay marriage is the central theme of Louis P. Sheldon’s article Gay Marriage â€Å"Unnatural†. According to the author’s views, gay marriage is ‘unnatural’, and it is contrary to the essence of the marriage. Meanwhile, it disobeys Americans social values as well as against their standards. In explaining his perspectives, the author has stated that â€Å"homosexual marriage† is rejected by main Americans according to the polls. In particular, he assumes that gay marriage is both culturally and physically incompatible since the gay people lack of reproduction capacity, to do so, third person has to be involved, which violates the nature of marriages. Drawing on to sustain his views, the author claims that the majorities’ wishes and values of their communities have been unconcerned by judges. Instead, the gay people start to gain more special rights from the judicial tyranny throughout America. Therefore, churches might have to face civil suit for failing to perform homosexual marriage. To reinforce his views, the author insists that it is a chosen behaviour rather than genetic because no reputable medical organizations have ever asserted that is biological. Finally, in the article, Sheldon has restated the poll that 80 percent of Americans are opposed to homosexuals marriage. How believable though, is his statements that according to every reputable public poll approximately 80 percent of Americans are against the same sex marriage? First of all, cogitation on the data, which the author draws on to  support his views, are required. The numbers he presented seem attractive and persuasive, but it is worth noting that no source has been provided for them, so readers do not know how trustworthy they are. In my view, it would be more convincing for example to try referencing the data in his claims like the quoted above as well as the gay people’s average income is twice higher than that of non-gay people in America, and his figures will not be questioned. The author of this article can therefore be criticised here for a lack of citation of sources to back up his views. Another questionable aspect of this article is its hidden premises. Although the author does not openly state that the marriage should be generational, otherwise they should get divorce, this could be understood from the authors’s statement that gay marriage is â€Å"not generational†. While marriage is not only about generating offspring but also means love. It is an insulting claim for the couples who in love but unfortunately could not have children might because fertility problems, health issues, over age, their chosen life style of Dink family, so do they have to separate with each other just because of that? Is it really the essence of marriage? I do not think so. In my view, whether to have kids or not in couples’ marriage lives, it is a matter that couples, including gay couples need to consider and judge not by other irrelevant people, and it should not be an excuse to despoil others rights to get married. Anyhow, the quality of this article has been deg raded due to the hidden premises. The author also commits the fallacy of unsubstantiated claims. He insists that â€Å"Homosexuality is a behaviour-based life-style.† However, there is no further explanations on why he asserts that can be found in this article. Besides, it seems that he also has no evidence to proof that is a chosen behaviour. Furthermore, he mentions that homosexuality people only take up 10 percent of the whole population in America, while the data he referred is not substantiated. Despite these shortcomings, Sheldon’s article still has some value and we need to judge it in terms of the author’s purpose in writing it. It is not intended to be a rigid piece of academic work, but is mainly focused on  arousing people’s attention as well as persuading them to against the legalisation of gay marriage. Therefore, the author has employed loaded words in this piece which have greatly improved the pothos of the article. For example, he uses â€Å"a dead – end street†, â€Å"hardware problem†, â€Å"judicial tyranny†, â€Å"cry the shrillest claim of victimhood†, â€Å"single out† and â€Å"sanitise†. These words could easily grasp readers emotions and lead them act immediately without further considered judgment. Finally reaches his purpose of writing this article. Personally, I think he has successfully applied loaded words in this article.

Coach Knight vs Coach Krzyszewski Essay

In the contemporary business world, there are many different styles of leaderships. All of them are approaches used by individuals, which are based on their values, preferences and beliefs but also on organizational culture and norms which encourage some styles and discourage others. Leadership styles work most efficiently if they are adapted to the demands of the situation, the requirements of the involved people and the challenges facing the organization. There is a difference in ways leaders approach their employees. In the analysis of Coach Knight and of Coach Krzyszewski’s leadership types, the authors sketch two successful leaders who were great achievers despite huge differences in their leadership styles. Couch Knight led through intimidation and tough discipline while Coach K. through positive reinforcement, trust and confidence. a) Describe Coach Krzyszewski’s leadership style. What are his basic assumptions about motivation, leading and human nature? Coach Krzyszewski had one rule, he and his basketball team followed: â€Å"Don’t do anything that’s detrimental to yourself. Because if it’s detrimental to you, it‘ll be detrimental to our program and to Duke University.† He believed that having too many rules keep leaders from making decisions, and instead of allowing them to be flexible and dynamic, they limit them. He is truly a leader with few simple rules which help him to build a successful team and become one of the famous trainers in the basketball history. As the West Point graduate he breathed the three main virtues: honesty, honor and discipline. And discipline was one of the basic traits every one of his team players had to learn. Being one of the best Coach Knight’s students, he never underestimated the importance of preparation. He also expected the same from each of his boys â€Å"(†¦) to do what they are supposed to do in the best possible manner at the time they are suppose to do†. Coach Krzyszewski assisted his team at each exercise and game; he studied and practiced with them any possible strategy. But he was more than just trainer of his team. He managed to establish an instant trust and common respect within the whole team. He invested time in â€Å"getting inside player’s head, understanding, where (the player) comes from and helping him get to where all need to be as a team†. His taught and practiced an open and close communication with and within his team; he didn’t use whistle and always looked straight into ones eyes when one was talking to him. This principle was lived by everyone in the team, including the Coach. This way he encouraged and enforced the honest communication. Yes – Coach K. was imprinted by honesty, another West Point virtue. His primary motivator was not fear but values, and the biggest among them were: friendship, family and love. Father to three daughters and a whole basketball team, as he used to joke, he didn’t shy away from showing his feelings for his players and the game. And as fathers are, although caring and advising, also just and punishing in the situations which required such actions. This Coach truly believed that people are good, self-motivated and they deserve being treated with respect, love and care – these were the values he learnt at home where â€Å"sharing with one another and caring for one another was all about it†. b) Describe Coach Knight’s leadership style. What are his basic assumptions about motivation, leading and human nature? Comparing to his student, the master Coach Knight was a so called: â€Å"tough guy†. He motto was: â€Å" follow the rules, do exactly what I tell you and you will not loose.† He did not accept any opposition and told his players often: â€Å"Boys, you have to listen to me!†. Coach Knight did not accept from his players anything but the best, and this – all the time. He was intense and passionate about all he did. He was never satisfied with their results, and he pushed them always more to the edge of their physical and mental capabilities. There was no place for a mistake, he had no understanding for imperfection; he used to say: â€Å"If a coach tolerates a mistake, kids will be satisfied with mistakes†. As a former West Point disciplinarian, Coach Knight never stopped to be a soldier and his passion for winning never left him. He led and won his little battles using his own team, thus probably often called by his fans: â€Å"General†. Very demanding, obsessed with hard work and preparation, he used punishment and threat as his primary motivator. His definition of discipline was: â€Å"to do what you have to do, and do it as well as you possibly can, and do it that way all the time.† The same motto, that one of his best students: Coach K. acquired and followed in his successful life as a basketball coach – how differently though! Father to two boys, he didn’t treat them differently than his basketball players – motivating them the same way by using harsh language, push-ups, shouting and intimidation. Being a tyrant, he still was a parent with the â€Å"tough love† approach. In his own special way, he took care of his â€Å"boys†, even if he didn’t show it openly. When one of his players got injured in an accident, he raised money to support him and his family. Even if very few of his students appreciated his way of showing the affection, many of them stayed in touch with him after they left school, what he considered as the best reward for being a coach. Many of them became great players and many years after, thanked him and credited him as one of the most important mentors they ever had. Coach Knight, the great achiever, believed that people can never be successful without being strictly supervised, threatened and pushed over their limits. c) Who is more effective? Why? It is easy to compare leadership styles of both coaches, Coach Krzyszewski and Coach Knight, since they are so different from each other. And it is hard to believe that one of them was the teacher of the other one. To answer the question which of these styles is more effective is not so easy and straightforward though. Both men are passionate about their jobs, very disciplined. Both care very much about their players beyond the basketball court. They are successful in their long carriers, have their followers and fans and are acknowledged not only as top basketball coaches but as leadership teachers. Both are authentic and equally effective as leaders, although there may be different situations when one or the other leadership style, they present, is preferred. d) Under what conditions would you hire Coach K? Coach Knight? I believe that the leadership style of Coach Krzyszewski would be much more appreciated in organizations where team work, creativity, openness, good communication and flexibility are encouraged. Organizations, which motivate and support their employee’s development, let them take the responsibility and decide the way to achieve it. Coach Knight would be a very good choice for companies with clear structures and centered responsibilities, where the compliance is rewarded and any signs of rejection are punished. He would be a perfect leader for groups where individual and highly performing work is preferred over team work and communication, as for example: in a sales team. In such groups, each member works against time and responsibility for the accomplished work is centered. Leaders in these types of organizations do not use feedback to encourage their employees, and motivation is based on threat and fear. Organizations, where one is respected and not necessarily liked, would very likely consider hiring Coach Knight.