The meanings of words

The meanings of words Over time, means through which creatures have communicated with each other have evolved. From this, we now have words that supposedly carry meaning with them through which we are able to express our ideas and feelings to other. It is my opinion though, that we still do not have a means of communication through which we are able to accurately depict our feelings and ideas to each other because we are do not have the words to accomplish this with. We also have words whose meanings vary substantially from use to use based on the context of the word. Essentially, we are experiencing the symbol grounding problem that Descartes theorized with the way we associate ideas of objects and their representation.Theories about time and evolution have been floating around almost as long as time itself. Where we came from, who we evolved from, and the involvement of god has always plagued mankind.First figure of Wittgenstein's Tractatus Logico-Ph...Science attempted to answer this by tracing our anc estry through our mammalian brothers all the way back to the pre-biotic soup we emerged from. Religion explained it using the Garden of Eden and the creation of man in God's image.Whitehead had his own ideas about these issues just like all of us. As far as evolution, he essentially came up an alternative to scientific materialism, what he called a new doctrine of organism. Basically, everything in this world started out as 'stuff'. From 'stuff' came the pre-biotic soup and after a few more jumps in the chain, there were rats and other such creatures followed by a few more jumps to where we are now. He also felt that through creation, there is no more material now on the earth than there was in the beginning meaning that there is as much 'us' now as there...

History of the Caste System in India

History of the Caste System in India The origins of the caste system in India and Nepal are not fully known, but castes seems to have originated more than two thousand years ago. Under this system, which is associated with Hinduism, people were categorized by their occupations. Although originally caste depended upon a persons work, it soon became hereditary. Each person was born into an unalterable social status. The four primary castes are Brahmin, the priests; Kshatriya, warriors and nobility; Vaisya, farmers, traders and artisans; and Shudra, tenant farmers, and servants. Some people were born outside of (and below) the caste system. They were called untouchables or Dalits- the crushed ones. Theology Behind the Castes Reincarnation is the process by which a soul is reborn into a new material form after each life; it is one of the central features of the Hindu cosmology. Souls can move not only among different levels of human society, but also into other animals. This belief is thought to be one of the primary reasons for the vegetarianism of many Hindus. Within a single lifetime, people in India historically had little social mobility. They had to strive for virtue during their present lives in order to attain a higher station their next time around. In this system, a particular souls new form depends upon the virtuousness of its previous behavior. Thus, a truly virtuous person from the Shudra caste could be rewarded with rebirth as a Brahmin in his or her next life. Daily Significance of Caste Practices associated with caste varied through time and across India, but all shared some common features. The three key areas of life historically dominated by caste were marriage, meals, and religious worship. Marriage across caste lines was strictly forbidden. Most people even married within their own sub-caste or jati. At mealtimes, anyone could accept food from the hands of a Brahmin, but a Brahmin would be polluted if he or she took certain types of food from a lower caste person. At the other extreme, if an untouchable dared to draw water from a public well, he or she polluted the water, and nobody else could use it. In religious worship, Brahmins, as the priestly class, presided over rituals and services including preparation for festivals and holidays, as well as marriages and funerals. The Kshatrya and Vaisya castes had full rights to worship, but in some places, Shudras (the servant caste) were not allowed to offer sacrifices to the gods. Untouchables were barred entirely from temples, and sometimes they were not even allowed to set foot on temple grounds. If the shadow of an untouchable touched a Brahmin, the Brahmin would be polluted, so untouchables had to lay face-down at a distance when a Brahmin passed. Thousands of Castes Although the early Vedic sources name four primary castes, in fact, there were thousands of castes, sub-castes, and communities within Indian society. These jati were the basis of both social status and occupation. Castes or sub-castes besides the four mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita include such groups as the Bhumihar or landowners, Kayastha or scribes, and the Rajput, a northern sector of the Kshatriya, or warrior, caste. Some castes arose from very specific occupations, such as the Garudi- snake charmers- or the Sonjhari, who collected gold from river beds. The Untouchables People who violated social norms could be punished by being made untouchables. This was not the lowest caste. The person deemed untouchable- and their descendants- were condemned and completely outside of the caste system. Untouchables were considered so impure that any contact with them by a caste member would contaminate the member. The polluted person would have to bathe and wash his or her clothing immediately.  The untouchables historically did work that no one else would do, like scavenging animal carcasses, leather-work, or killing rats and other pests.  Untouchables could not eat in the same room as caste members and could not be cremated when they died. Caste among Non-Hindus Curiously, non-Hindu populations in India sometimes organized themselves into castes as well. After the introduction of Islam on the subcontinent, for example, Muslims were divided into classes such as the Sayed, Sheikh, Mughal, Pathan, and Qureshi. These castes are drawn from several sources: The Mughal and Pathan are ethnic groups, roughly speaking, while the Qureshi name comes from the Prophet Muhammads clan in Mecca. Small numbers of Indians were Christian from around 50 CE onward. Christianity expanded in India after the Portuguese arrived in the 16th century. Many Christian Indians continued to observe caste distinctions, however. Origins of the Caste System Early written evidence about the caste system appears in the Vedas, Sanskrit-language texts that date from as early as 1500 BCE. The Vedas form the basis of Hindu scripture. The Rigveda, however, which dates from around 1700–1100 BCE, rarely mentions caste distinctions and is taken as evidence that social mobility was common in its time. The Bhagavad Gita, which dates from around 200 BCE–200 CE, emphasizes the importance of caste. In addition, the Laws of Manu or Manusmriti, from the same era, defines the rights and duties of the four different castes or varnas. Thus, it seems that the Hindu caste system began to solidify sometime between 1000 and 200 BCE. The Caste System During Classical Indian History The caste system was not absolute during much of Indian history. For example, the renowned Gupta Dynasty, which ruled from 320 to 550 CE, was from the Vaishya caste rather than the Kshatriya. Many later rulers also were from different castes, such as the Madurai Nayaks (who ruled from 1559 to 1739 CE) who were Balijas (traders). From the 12th century to the 18th century CE, much of India was ruled by Muslims. These rulers reduced the power of the Hindu priestly caste, the Brahmins. The traditional Hindu rulers and warriors, or Kshatriyas, nearly ceased to exist in north and central India. The Vaishya and Shudra castes also virtually melded together. Although the Muslim rulers faith had a strong impact on the Hindu upper castes in the centers of power, anti-Muslim feeling in rural areas actually strengthened the caste system. Hindu villagers reconfirmed their identity through caste affiliation. Nonetheless, during the six centuries of Islamic domination (roughly 1150–1750 CE), the caste system evolved considerably. For example, Brahmins began to rely on farming for their income, since the Muslim kings did not give rich gifts to Hindu temples. This farming practice was considered justified so long as Shudras did the actual physical labor. The British Raj and Caste When the British Raj began to take power in India in 1757, they exploited the caste system as a means of social control. The British allied themselves with the Brahmin caste, restoring some of its privileges, which had been repealed by the Muslim rulers. However, many Indian customs concerning the lower castes seemed discriminatory to the British, so these were outlawed. During the 1930s and 1940s, the British government made laws to protect the Scheduled castes, untouchables and low-caste people. A movement toward the abolition of untouchability took place within Indian society in the 19th and early 20th centuries as well. In 1928, the first temple welcomed untouchables (Dalits) to worship with its upper-caste members. Mohandas Gandhi advocated emancipation for the Dalits, too, coining the term harijan or Children of God to describe them. Caste Relations in Independent India The Republic of India became independent on August 15, 1947. Indias new government instituted laws to protect the Scheduled castes and tribes which included both the untouchables and groups living traditional lifestyles. These laws include quota systems that help to ensure access to education and to government posts. Because of these shifts, a persons caste has become somewhat more of a political category than a social or religious one in modern India. Sources: Ali, Syed. Collective and Elective Ethnicity: Caste among Urban Muslims in India, Sociological Forum, vol. 17, no. 4, December 2002, pp. 593-620.Chandra, Ramesh. Identity and Genesis of Caste System in India. Gyan Books, 2005.Ghurye, G.S. Caste and Race in India. Popular Prakashan, 1996.Perez, Rosa Maria. Kings and Untouchables: A Study of the Caste System in Western India. Orient Blackswan, 2004.Reddy, Deepa S. The Ethnicity of Caste, Anthropological Quarterly, vol. 78, no. 3, Summer 2005, pp. 543-584.

See the uploaded file Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

See the uploaded file - Essay Example It is necessary to ask the person on his or her plans in the society once the prison life is over. Identifying the factors that led the offender to committing a crime is also required (Miller, 28). Before release, most offenders go through rehabilitation programs, which try to shape moral values in convicted people. Interviewing the rehabilitation officers is very important as they have very important information concerning the attitude of the offender. They recognize offenders who are remorseful about their criminal deed and also those who are ready to change. These people have a special manner in which they survey the offenders, and they can tell the individuals who have earned a chance to be released. It is also necessary to interview law enforcer who operates in the offender’s area of residence. These people have a good background concerning the behavior of the offender before he or she was imprisoned. They also provide important information about the factors contributing to criminal behavior in an offender. They give advice on how to eliminate the problem if it is possible. They also educate on how to deal with them in a situation where one has to live with the cause of the criminal activity. The offender’s previous employer will provide information relation to the person’s relationship with other people. His or her team building capacity can also be stated by the employer. This is if he or she holds such qualities. The employer can also tell how the offender interacts with other people and the help he or she is prepared to give the offender after his release. Close family members might also have important information concerning the offender. These are the people who have known the offender for the longest time and will provide meaningful information on the family background of the offender and his or her behavior when growing up. They also hold information concerning the environment in which the offender lived in before the prison life

Jeff Bezos Makes Another Push for Amazon Fashion. Will It Work Essay

Jeff Bezos Makes Another Push for Amazon Fashion. Will It Work - Essay Example Integral to this effort is Amazon Fashion, a section of main website that sells well-known brands the â€Å"contemporary† category. These are labels that do not carry the astronomical price tags of luxury fashion houses like Chanel and Prada. In 2013 the site also launched its first TV campaign looking forward to persuade shoppers that it can be relied on as a source of swanky merchandise. Moreover, this month, it hired Vogue editor Caroline Palmer to head up editorial duties at the site. Amazon also pushed websites shopbop and Zappos toward a higher-end aesthetic in order to attain its fervent desire for more affluent clothing customers. And for the very first time in New York, a menswear version of Fashion Week will come this summer. Bulbs will flash as photographers hustle to document best looks from the spectacle’s dapper attendees; most creative garments will be showcased on radiant catwalks. All this will be sponsored by Amazon; this announcement was made by the council of Fashion Designers of America earlier this month. Observers say that it is difficult to insert couture items under the Amaxon anner, which they claim to have long thrived on offering a practical, easy way to buy just about everything. Fashion is about experience, it is often impractical, dominated by unpredictable trends and personal teste. However, Amazon is known for being massive vending machine whose brand has only been about convenience and price, but instead they should be concerned with what is missing in the field of fashion, what can be improved upon so as to make their products a trend that everyone looks upon. They are forgeting that all that is done is to meet the customers’ needs, rather than their ambitious move in order to be a two-hundred-billion-dollar company by learning how to sell clothes and food products. If the brands are luxury, aesthetically appealing to the eyes and

Conform Essay Example for Free

Conform Essay In other cases being beautiful is very important to many people and some are willing to change to conform to everyone else’s perspectives to beauty. Others find themselves comfortable with just the way they are. Some people decide to go into painful plastic surgeries to fit in with the rest of the so-called beautiful people; others rebel against pleasing others and don’t put so much importance to it. They focus on being on what they really are. In â€Å"Barbie Doll† by Marge Piercy and â€Å"Lost Sister† by Cathy Song Girlchild and Sister struggle with their decision on whether to rebel or conform to what society expects. Girlchild from â€Å"Barbie Doll† chooses to conform to society’s expectations. Girlchild does not consider herself beautiful because she has large nose and chubby legs. Even though she is described as smart and in good conditions, the people around her only care of how she looks physically. The requirements to be beautiful are so limited and her good features are not one of them. Physically, Girlchild does not believe herself as beautiful. Barbie dolls are the ideal form of beauty, with the perfect body, big eyes, and perfect nose. Girlchild does not carry any features of a Barbie doll but that does not mean she is ugly. Instead of finding her own way of beauty Girlchild decides to fit in. So Girlchild loses weight, changes her look, and attitude to please others. Even like that people criticize her of being imperfect all they still see is â€Å"a fat nose on thick legs† (Piercy 11). She fails to find acceptance, even after all the hard work she puts into it. To conform to everyone else she finally decides to cut her nose and legs off. This decision to fit in causes her life to end. After that the undertaker fixes her up putting on a fake nose and fixing other imperfections. At her uneral now that she carries a different nose, the so-called perfect nose, everyone finally asks â€Å"Doesn’t she look pretty? † (Piercy 23). At last she succeeds to be accepted but now it doesn’t really matter, because she is dead. In the other hand sister from the poem â€Å"Lost Sister† did not conform instead she decides to rebel. Her culture expects women to be loyal, obedient, and t o stay at home and care for their family throughout all their lives. Sister is compared to a jade stone, because like the stone women are able to do so much, but are not able â€Å"to move freely† (Song 13). In Sister’s culture women are destined to take care of their family and are not capable to achieve anything else. They also have to go through a painful process of foot binding that didn’t allow them to walk comfortably. This foot binding procedure is for women to have small cute feet. It also enables them to move fast and far. Sister does not conform to this lifestyle unlike Girchild, Sister decides to seek opportunities and equality in America. Sister leaves to another country to find freedom. In America she does not have to go through painful procedures to be accepted. She now has the opportunity to â€Å"stride along with men† (Song 36). While this is what she wants, she is still not satisfied. In America she has no family. By rebelling she gets what she wants but she is unable to share this with her family. She is unable to understand the new language. The city is nothing like where she was born; in the city there is always light and the air is not the cleanest. She starts to miss China. She realizes it wasn’t so easy after all. Even though one decides to rebel and the other to conform at the end, ironically, they are both unhappy. Girlchild is lifeless unable to enjoy her accomplishment and Sister was unable to share her freedom with her family.

Free Scarlet Letter Essay: Secrets :: Scarlet Letter essays

The Secrets of The Scarlet Letter Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter is considered by many to be the greatest accomplishment of an author hailed as the master of the American short story. It is set in Salem, Massachusetts. In this strictly controlled Puritan town the inhabitants live by harsh laws and fierce prejudices. Hester Prynne, a young wife whose husband is presumed dead, is being publicly humiliated for the sin of adultery. The proof of her sin is her baby girl Pearl. She conceals the identity of Pearl's father to protect him from the harsh judgement of Puritan law. She however is doomed to spend the rest of her life marked as an adulterer by wearing a scarlet "A" on her chest. Hester's husband meanwhile has arrived in the colony and taken up practice as a doctor. He makes Hester promise that she won't reveal his identity to anyone. The book covers a seven year period during which the identity of the father becomes known. It is the Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale, who is renowned as an especially holy and pi ous man. Wracked by guilt he starts to show outward signs of serious illness. Hester's husband under the assumed name Roger Chillingworth moves in and begins taking care of Dimmesdale. Chillingworth soon discovers that the Reverend is Pearl's father. Dimmesdale however thinks that Chillingworth is simply a doctor. Chillingworth uses his influence to multiply the feelings of guilt in the minister while trying to keep him in physical health, as a form of emotional torture. At the climax of the story, Dimmesdale confesses and dies. Hester and Pearl leave the colony. Chillingworth whose whole purpose was to get revenge from Dimmesdale suddenly finds his life without purpose and dies within a year. Hawthorne used the settings in the book, not only to develop the story, but to make a statement about Puritan Society through the use of allegory. The Puritans were a people dedicated to perfecting themselves according to a certain set of values that were uniquely Puritan. On the individual level a Puritan would try to reach perfection by living out this series of values. If they did not succeed, as in Hester or Arthur Dimmesdale's cases, their punishment would be in the fact that they did not live up to the perfection they strived for. The prison, in The Scarlet Letter is proof that Salem is a society striving for self perfection, not only individuals dedicated to perfecting themselves.

Construction Case Study Essay

Resistance to organisational change is a natural reaction to those who want to protect their self-interests in the organisation. However, it is clear from the case study that the employees of XYZ Construction showed little resistance to the change implemented by the incoming managing director. The primary reason that change was welcomed was due to the former Managing Director’s management style which was not widely accepted in the organisation. Employees feared him and it was not acceptable to speak openly and honestly. Employees were aware that this behaviour was often counterproductive, and created a negative impression with the former Managing Director. As the newly appointed Managing Director had previously worked at the organisation, he was aware of certain of the issues and concerns of the employees. The experience gained from working at other companies, and the reputation he built from his career prior to returning to XYZ Construction ensured that the employees had faith in his leadership ability. The new Managing Director’s first step in developing relationships with managers and employees was to incorporate key employees into Senior Management Team activities. His actions made it clear that he was willing to retain the current workforce and promote from within the organisation. This created a positive environment which encouraged employees to work harder and produce results Employees and managers did not fear loss of employment with the new Managing Director, but rather felt included in the decision making process. The new Managing Director’s attitude and actions were clear and concise which addressed the problems within the organisation. His actions were collectively moving in the same direction, to achieve a clear goal of improving internal and external relations and improving the organisations performance. He correctly identified problem areas such as relationships, communication and the structure of the organisation. An incorrect diagnosis of the problems within an organisation may result in incorrect changes being implemented, which can lead the organisation into complete disarray. The new Managing Director identified two crucial activities to be performed in conjunction with each other to enable the transformation of the  organisation. The two activities identified were: To introduce new practices and techniques to improve service to customers and thus improve the organisation’s performance. To change the attitudes and behaviour of employees By identifying the two activities above, the new Managing Director identified crucial steps to improve its performance. Only through improving services to customers can the overall organisation’s performance improve. A satisfied customer is likely to return and recommend the organisation to others. This is directly linked to the growth of the organisation. The new Managing Director is aware that to provide better service to customers, the employees will have to develop and learn new practices and techniques to ensure superior service quality is provided to customers. The implementation of the second activity is critical to the success of the overall goal of improved customer relationships. The employees and managers attitudes and behaviours are to be transformed to ensure the best results are achieved. Employees and managers who were unhappy under the former Managing Director are more willing to adhere to the recommended changes. The willingness to adhere also stems from the approaches presented being feasible and there is no fear for loss of employment. The changes bring new opportunities for employees and managers to develop in their current roles and possibly grow into new roles. The potential positive outcomes as a result of these changes are a contributing factor in the lack of resistance experienced by the Managing Director. The cost effectiveness of the changes implemented also contributed to the lack of resistance from employees. The new Managing Director introduced a small-scale Kaizen programme. The programme was introduced with the four goals namely (Burnes, 2009, p. 162); ï‚ · Improvements could be achieved on a quick low cost/no cost basis Promote teamwork Build manager’s confidence such that they can delegate work Empower staff The goals above are all positive resulting in the support of employees and minimises resistance to change. An additional contributing factor was the Managing Directors’ communication regarding his commitment to this initiative. This eradicates any confusion regarding the implementation of this change, and strengthens the â€Å"buy-in† of employees and manager. 3 Introducing a new management style This section will discuss the following statement and to what extent I agree or disagree with the statement; â€Å"the new Managing Director has not changed the culture of XYZ Construction but has merely introduced a new management style†. 3.1 Organisational Culture To understand the statement clearly, the term organisational culture needs to be defined and understood. Organisational culture is defined as â€Å"the  collection of basic assumptions, values, norms and artefacts that are shared by and influence the behaviour of an organisation’s members† (Burnes, 2009, p. 600). Organisation culture is also commonly defined as â€Å"how organisations do things† (Watkins, 2013). 3.2 Management Style The management style of XYZ Construction changed from an autocratic management style to a participative style when the new Managing Director was appointed. The former Managing Director was feared by his colleagues, where open and honest relationships did not exist. Autocratic leadership is an extreme form of transactional leadership, characterised by a manager who makes decisions on his own without input from colleagues. This type of management style has the advantage that decisions can be made quickly and efficiently, however this approach is not suitable in all organisations and is limited in its application. The disadvantage of this approach is that it leads to high employee turnover, demotivated employees and poor performance (Unknown, 2013). The autocratic management style of the former Managing Director was not suitable for XYZ Construction and was identified by the parent company. The parent company’s view was that the company was underperforming due to the poor management and lack of cooperation within the organisation. Once the former Managing Director retired he was replaced by a new Managing Director with the primary objective to improve the overall managerial competency and improve the performance of the organisation. The new Managing Director displayed a Participative management style, which was required for the necessary operation, culture and structure changes in the organisation. A Participative management style is characterised by managers that â€Å"use various decision procedures that allow other people some influence over the leader’s decision† (Yukl, 2013, p. 115). This is clearly displayed in the New Managing Directors action of inclusion of key employees who were not directors to p articipate in Senior Management Team. This action has a significant impact on relationship building within the organisation and an impact on the structure. The organisation under former management was hierarchical conscious which hinders the development  of relationship and the sharing of information and ideas. The new approach in management style results in a culture change in the organisation. 3.3 Discussion I agree with the statement, with the effect that a culture change has taken place in XYZ Construction under the new Managing Director, however this was achieved by the change in the managerial style rather by changing the culture. The new Managing Director’s participative managing style, has allowed for a culture change. Employees and managers are able to speak openly and honestly changing the norms within the organisation. The transformation is a long-term change with initiatives rolled-out in intervals. This allows for employees and managers to acquire and develop the necessary skills and characteristics at each level before moving to the next step of the transformation. The new Managing Director’s management style requires that the attitude and behaviours to be changed of both employees and managers to meet the demands of the initiatives aimed at increasing the organisation’s performance. My agreement with the statement is not significant, as the new Managing Director has brought upon a new management style however the initiatives that he proposed require a change in culture. A culture change of the employees and managers supports that new Managing Director’s management style. 4 South African context South Africa as a country has been transforming during the post-apartheid regime. The most significant transformation that is currently taking place in organisations is the implementation of various BBBEE initiatives, one of which is to increase in females in the workplace. The BBBEE initiative focusses on reconciling indiscretions of the past and allowing for the workplace to be balanced based on race, gender and disabilities. There are many examples of organisations in South Africa where this transformation has taken place. An example of this transformation is in PPC Ltd. which  appointed Ketso Gordhan as the new CEO effective 1 January 2013 (Allix, 2012). Ketso Gordhan’s extensive experience in multiple industries such as his role as director-general in the Ministry of transport, serving in the Presidency and head of private equity in FirstRand makes him extremely capable and suitable for the position. His experience in the multiple he roles he has fulfilled has provided him with knowledge as to how to bring change to an organisation. The cement industry had faced a major fall in sales during the financial recession coupled with competitive forces. These factors had started to be addressed by the former CEO with the goal of growing the business and earning a significant portion of profits through operations in Africa (Allix, 2012). It was at this point that Ketso Gordhan was appointed with the crucial task of growing operations into Africa. The approach that was taken by Ketso Gordhan to achieve this goal is based on two key strategies of expanding business into Africa and to keep current operations in South Africa to operate efficiently (â€Å"keep the home fires burning†) (Allix, 2013). Ketso Gordhan made the goals and the direction taken very clear to ensure a collective drive from employees. His actions are the same actions taken by the newly appointed Managing Director of XYZ Construction. Ketso Gordhan made he’s commitment to PPC Ltd. clear through his actions as well as through the acquisition of PPC Ltd. shares summing a total of R30 million (Shevel, 2014). This action indicated internally and externally he’s commitment and faith in the organisation to achieve a significant improvement in the organisation’s performance (Hasenfuss, 2013). Ketso Gordhan’s management style has brought a culture change in the organisation. The culture change has included a more hands-on approach from the CEO with constant  interaction with employees and managers. This once again reinforces his ideas and motivation in the workplace. Earlier in 2014, Ketso Gordhan reduced his salary by R1m in an effort to  support the reduction of salary gap between the highest and the lowest paid employee in the organisation. He took grievances from the lowest paid employees and acted to resolve the items. He approached the top 60 managers, asking whether they would volunteer their increases to be distributed to the lowest paid employees. This approach enabled the organisation to increase 1 200 of the lowest paid employees salary by R10 000 per year and an interest related increase later in the year (Shevel, 2014). This initiative received great response from employees, which was primarily attributed to the feeling that grievances were heard and action was taken. The initiative allowed the CEO salary to reduce from 120 times the lowest paid employee to 48 times with the clear goal to reach 40 times in future. This was achieved through the decrease in the highest paid salary and the increase in the lowest paid salaries (Shevel, 2014). The initiative has an impact external to the organisation. In South Africa which currently is facing numerous problems, one clear problem in the large economic gaps that exists. The actions of Ketso Gordhan are an encouragement to fellow JSE-listed organisation’s CEO to follow suit and attempt to reduce the large salary gaps that exist in many organisations. Collective actions will enable the country to reach goals of social development at a faster rate. Ketso Gordhan is a participative leader which is clear through his engagement with the organisationâ€⠄¢s employees and through the initiative he has developed. He has initiated the â€Å"I Care, PPC Cares† programme coupled with the Kambuku philosophy in the organisation (PPC Ltd, 2014). This philosophy and initiative is aimed at addressing the following (PPC Ltd, 2014): Disparity between the cost of living and salaries of lower-level employees Substandard housing and access to housing for some employees Effectiveness of first-line managers and team members Individual development plans and organisational climate initiatives Improving the perception of employees in terms of job satisfaction The philosophy is aimed at not only improving the internal environment but also the external environment of the organisation, such as the assistance in providing housing for employees. The approach is very fitting in the South African context. References Allix, M., 2012. Ketso Gordhan to replace Paul Stuiver at PPC. [Online] Available at: http://www.bdlive.co.za/business/industrials/2012/10/11/ketso-gordhan-toreplace-paul-stuiver-at-ppc [Accessed 3 May 2014]. Allix, M., 2013. Safika deal to help PPC ‘keep the home fires burning’. [Online] Available at: http://www.bdlive.co.za/business/industrials/2013/08/08/safika-deal-to-helpppc-keep-the-home-fires-burning [Accessed 3 May 2014]. Burnes, B., 2009. Managing Change. 5th ed. Essex: Pearson Education Limited. Hasenfuss, M., 2013. PPC chief Ketso Gordhan splashes out on cement firm’s stock. [Online] Available at: http://www.bdlive.co.za/business/industrials/2013/09/12/ppc-chief-ketsogordha n-splashes-out-on-cement-firms-stock [Accessed 3 May 2014]. Investopedia, 2014. Definition of ‘Kaizen’. [Online] Available at: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/k/kaizen.asp [Accessed 16 April 2014]. PPC Ltd, 2014. Our People. [Online] Available at: http://www.ppc.co.za/about-us/our-people.aspx [Accessed 3 May 2013]. Shevel, A., 2014. Ketso Gordhan: Laying the foundations for a fairer workplace. [Online] Available at: http://www.bdlive.co.za/business/management/2014/03/23/ketso-gordhanlaying-the-foundations-for-a-fairer-workplace [Accessed 3 May 2013]. Stroh, U., 2005. Chapter 3: Approaches to Change Management, Pretoria: University of Pretoria etd. Unknown, 2013. Leadership Styles. [Online] Available at: http://ofd.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Leadership-Styles-1_11_13.pdf [Accessed 30 April 2014]. Watkins, M., 2013. What Is Organizational Culture? And Why Should We Care?. [Online] Available at: http://blogs.hbr.org/2013/05/what-is-organizational-culture/ [Accessed 30 April 2014]. Yukl, G., 2013. Leadership on Organizations. 8th ed. Essex: Pearson Education Limited.

English Learning Essay

This case study is based on Patricia, a Spanish national in her twenties who is in her last year studying an Economics degree course. She is also a student on the Elementary course at the British Language Centre. Patricia’s started learning English at the bi-lingual school she attended. She learnt English for 3 years but did not take any official examinations, but sees this as a possibility for the future. At school she learnt English because it was obligatory. The only other language she speaks is Spanish. She started attending the British Language Centre (which she still attends) to help her find a job in an international company and to prepare her for her visit to Eastbourne, East Sussex (UK) in July. She will be staying with a house family for one month and hopes to improve her English and use all of the language she has been learning to date. Her reasons for learning English are a combination of extrinsic and intrinsic ones. The main reason she is motivated to learn English is because she believes it will help her find a good job and earn loads of money, she also reads a lot about English culture and customs and watches films in English with subtitles for her own enjoyment. This can also be related to her learning styles. The results of her â€Å"multiple intelligences† questionnaire indicates that her learning style preferences are linguistic, spatial and interpersonal. Her conversations in English refer to things that she has read or heard, she enjoys solving mazes and other visual puzzles and considers herself to be a leader. 3 Problems and Possible solutions with Grammar The student enjoys English grammar, and generally finds it much easier than Spanish grammar. An example of this is the verb formations. She normally uses the correct tense when speaking in English but sometimes uses the infinitive form instead of the progressive. â€Å"I read† instead of â€Å"I’m reading†. Spanish often use an infinitive where English would use a progressive; this can be†¦

Outsiders locking in essays

Outsiders locking in essays In the United States something very odd happened during the period of time from the middle of the 1950's up to the impact of the crisis of the 1960's. For once in the storied history of the United States a majority of Americans accepted the same system of assumptions. This shared system of assumptions is known as the liberal consensus. The main reason there was such a thing as liberal consensus was because of the extreme economic growth we experienced in the U.S. during the post World War II era. However, the consensus didn't apply to one important group of people. These were the combat soldiers it the Vietnam War. Their experiences at home and abroad suggest that they were outsiders to the ideology that Godfrey Hodgson outlines in his book America In Our Time and that they were not motivated by the promises and values of the liberal consensus. To understand what makes these soldiers outsiders we must first understand what the liberal consensus was. Hogson argues that the social and intellectual world view of the 1950's and early 1960's was based on the ideology that "capitalism was a revolutionary force for social change, that economic growth was supremely good because it obviated the need for redistribution and social conflict, that class had no place in American politics." This is the reason for such a liberal consensus, but what is it really? First, the liberals consisted of the Democratic Party, middle class college students, the civil rights movement, and some members of the labor community. Also known as the Left, these groups of people shared a common belief in anti-communism, the rights of minorities, the willingness to accept the existence of the labor unions, and that the federal government had to play some role in the economic life of the U.S. capitalist system. "Since the consensus had made converts on the Right as well as on the Left, only a handful dissidents were excluded from the Big Tent: southern die...

Tips for Taking Great Cemetery Pictures

Tips for Taking Great Cemetery Pictures Pictures are a wonderful way to document cemeteries and graveyards, from scenic views of the cemetery, to inscriptions of individual tombstones. It isnt always as easy as it seems, however, to achieve sharp, clear photographs of stones that may be centuries old. That old stone may be easy enough to read when youre standing just a few feet away, but capturing its three dimensional carving and inscriptions on a flat picture sometimes takes a bit of work. What to Photograph Its not every day that you get to visit an ancestors cemetery, so take the time, if you can, to create a photographic record of the entire cemetery, rather than just a single tombstone: Take at least two shots of each headstone, one close up so that you can read the inscription, and one from a distance which identifies the markers location in the cemetery. If the gravestone is one of several in a family grouping, then you may also want to take a wide angle shot of the entire family plot (a tombstones position in relation to other family members may provide a clue to relationships).Take several pictures (from different angles) showing the entire cemetery, or at least as large a portion of it as you can fit in a single picture.Unless it is a small family plot hidden in the middle of a cornfield, the front gates or entrance of the cemetery makes another good view to record on film. What Time of Day is Best? Proper lighting is the most critical factor in achieving a good, high-definition tombstone photo. According to tradition, many older cemeteries have individuals buried facing East, which generally means that the inscriptions on the headstones also face East. For this reason, morning light is often the best option in which to obtain the best lighting for photographing tombstones. There are, obviously, many exceptions to this very general rule, however. Tombstones may be situated so that they face the road, a beautiful view, etc. Overhead trees and cloudy days can also make photographing tombstones a difficult task. For this reason, it is best to scout out the cemetery in advance in order to determine the best time of day for taking pictures.   Lighting the Tombstone When optimal lighting is not possible, several tools can be used to reflect light onto shadowy tombstones. Directing sunlight or other light diagonally across the face of a gravestone casts shadows in indentations which makes inscriptions more visible and easy to read: Mirror - A mirror is a common tool for reflecting sunlight onto shadowy tombstones. Mylar (plastic) mirrors are available at most home stores (no reason to risk travelling around with a glass mirror in your car) and can be easily equipped with a set of legs (like an easel) to aid in propping the mirror to effectively reflect sunlight where you need it. Larger mirrors can even be used to reflect sunlight from a distance to light up tombstones resting under shady trees. Collapsible Reflector - A common accessory used by many photographers, a collapsible light reflector can be purchased for about $30-$50. They typically fold up into a small 4-6 package, handy for traveling. Aluminum Foil - A low budget alternative, and handy for travel, aluminum foil makes a decent light reflector in a pinch. Youll either need a piece of cardboard to support the foil, or a partner to hold it for you. Enhancing the Inscription When good lighting isnt enough to bring out a badly eroded inscription, there are a few other methods employed by many genealogists: Water - Wetting down a tombstone with a spray bottle of fresh water can sometimes make carvings stand out much more than when dry. After wetting the stone, allow the surface to dry for a few minutes, leaving the indented lettering damp, which makes it darker and easier to read. Shaving Cream - A method used by many genealogists, shaving cream can do wonders at bringing out hard-to-read inscriptions. This practice is discouraged by most professional conservators, however, as shaving cream contains acidic chemicals and greasy emollients which make it hard to remove from the stone and damaging if left there over time.Black Light - Suggested by some, a black light bulb (75 watt or higher) can be used to make a worn inscription pop out. While an extension cord may be a problem in many cemeteries, you can find portable, battery-operated black light units in many party or novelty stores (they are especially popular around Halloween). Cast the light directly on the tombstone and the words j ust seem to pop right out at you. Black light works especially well when it is dark, but since cemeteries are not always the safest place to visit at night, try draping a large, dark blanket over both you and the tombstone while using the black light. This should create enough darkness for a very illuminating inscription.

The Influence of Global Economic and Political Environment on Airline Essay

The Influence of Global Economic and Political Environment on Airline Industry in China - Essay Example "Globalisation" was coined by Levitt (1983) who describes it as the shrinking of the world as brought about by the expansion of the reach of global media and the reduced cost of communication, resulting in the convergence in the tastes of consumers worldwide and the large-scale creation of global markets for standardised products. According to Giddens (2001), it is "the growing interdependence between different people, regions and countries in the world as social and economic relationships come to stretch worldwide". It is these economic and political relationships which have encouraged nations to reevaluate their political agenda and economic policies. According to Rosenberg (2000), "The term 'globalisation' after all, is at first sight merely a descriptive category, denoting either the geographical extension of social processes or possibly, as in Giddens' definition, 'the intensification of worldwide social relations'." Among the major economic changes in a more globalised world is the diminishing role of nation-sates and the increased significance of transnational corporations in the transformation of the economies in bothy the national and international scales. Business is at its primacy and transnational corporations which possess cross-border markets and production systems are the poster boys of an increasingly globalised planet. In business and industry, Bartlett and Ghoshal (1989), Hout et all.(1982), Campbell (1993), Keegan (1995), Bertrand (1994), Parker (1998) find that "Globalization [to business administration] is the set of transformations faced by companies as a consequence of the contemporary phenomenon typical of the post cold war which is constituted by: (1) the empowerment of transnational organizations; (2) the mass information technology evolution; (3) the increasing flows of capital, merchandise, people and data across national borders; and (4) the tendency of world market homog enisation." (Azevedo and Bertrand, 2000). Among the most dynamic economies of the 21st century is China. It has for the past five decades undergone numerous, often radical transformations, finally emerging from its cocoon to become among the most powerful and influential economic and political players in the Asian region and the global stage. In fact, China has opened its doors to the world, providing business investments in many parts of the globe especially among developing and underdeveloped nations. It has also adopted shifts in policy and governance, designed to attract robust invest6ments and businesses from abroad and bolster the vast potentials of its trade, commerce and other potentials of its economy. Like all other nations, China must reckon with the permeating effects and challenges of an increasingly globalised world. Like all other nations, China must reckon with the increasing role and dominance of transnational corporations and the diminishing roles of nation-states. From a highly centralised form of government, China must begin to not only delegate policy and decision-making to its corporations, but also encourage and develop its corporations into globally-competitive entities. This entails empowerment of its domestic corporations, gradually increasing their capability to undertake vital economic, operational and management decisions for both