Operations Review on Supply Chain Management, Logistics, and Inventory

Operations Review on Waste Reduction, Cost Reduction and Process This memo will discuss the efficient ways that Supply Chain Management, Inventory, and Logistics have been successfully implemented in the Intermountain Healthcare Supply Chain Center. Peggy Lee, Card Program Manager at IHC led the tour in the Supply Chain Center. The goal of IHC distribution center is reduce waste, cost and centralized the high volume supplies in one location and distribute across all their facilities. This gives Intermountain better control of their inventories and negotiation advantages.Using these methods has had a great impact in waste reduction, quality and cost savings. Supply Chain infrastructure is an important process at Intermountain Healthcare (IHC). They have learned that building strong relationships with their suppliers is critical and can help eliminate costs as well as allow them to share their savings. How IHC has achieved this, is by supplier involvement. IHC provides a mockup room sp ecifically designed for their suppliers to show off new products and equipment allowing doctors and clinicians to test the equipment at a no cost to the supplier.Suppliers then receive immediate feedback on their products and the hospital can test products before purchase. This is a valuable approach for IHC to see results, make improvements, and negotiate effective distribution for both the supplier and the hospitals. This is gain for both parties, and in particular to Intermountain since supplies are one of the highest expenses they incur. The distribution facility was built with the purpose to manage inventories more efficiently.This facility only holds 6,000 items out of 81,000 products that can be ordered. Only those items that are housed in this facility are the high volume items, with a fill rate of 98% and accuracy of 99%. IHC has a great control on their inventories by assuring that cost of obsolescence, deterioration, and loss are managed properly. The warehouse is equippe d with big fans that move the air around the facility reducing temperature fluctuations allows less than a 4Â ° deference from top to bottom in the warehouse.This prolongs the longevity of the products they house by reducing deterioration. Also, all the shelves are set up on a slope allowing older inventory to shift to the front. This is also known as the FIFO method, which ensures the older products are not aging on the shelves. Another method they use is barcoding. Barcoding is not a new invention, but IHC has taken advantage of this technology in the way they fill their internal orders by implementing some of their own inventory system, VoicePic.VoicePic is a voice activated inventory process where barcodes are placed on the container that will carry the order from one place to another around their facility. As the container moves along the conveyor belt, the person with that order hears the amount of items to be picked up in the current position and repeats the number via his v oice. Another quality check used for their inventory system is that once the level is placed in the container the system knows the weight that is to be at the end of the order. This provides a quality control measure.If the weight is correct then process continues. If the weight is off, the order gets rejected. This lets the operator know that there is an item that does not belong. By combining these two systems in their inventory, IHC has increased their accuracy in their orders by 60%. Logistics is another important part of IHC’s business processes they are trying to refine. The facility was strategically placed in a centralized location to allow moving supplies to all of their facilities since 80% are within a 50-mile radius.They also use their own fleet to distribute their merchandise among the hospitals and clinics, with the exception of the southern part of the state of Utah. The reason for this is they rather use a vendor for this location since the vendor is able to r eturn with a full trailer. This would not be the case for IHC. Another important point in the way their logistics is setup is how they receive and pick up shipments. These activities have a time set when they can be performed.They have divided morning to receive delivery from 4am to 12pm; all deliveries are done on a schedule, as well as pickups, pick up activities begin at 12pm. This is to increase efficiency of the location and the use of resources, thus reducing the chance of error and process flows. In addition, order placement is another key process. All IHC facilities must have their entire orders placed by 11:00 am every day to ensure order fulfillment. One other advantage at the supply chain facility is that it is built to allow shipments to be cross-docking.So, instead of products being housed they are immediately moved to another truck to deliver to the final destination. Logistics processes in this facility are designed to make resources more efficient and allow them to e liminate costs. IHC has increased their success by implementing new strategies on supply chain management, logistics and inventory. They have been able to cut costs and increase efficiencies in inventory on internal orders. Along with inventory, IHC has an added savings by testing for effectiveness of new products when negotiating with suppliers in the mock up room.By having this kind of interaction with supplies, ensures that the products will meet their needs and will contribute to their efficiency. They have also modified their logistics by reducing the number of trips needed to facilities by consolidating all the orders, to transport all necessary supplies in one trip. These are some of the many operational activities implemented in this facility. IHC has identified areas for improvement and made the necessary changes. With all the new improvements within their supply chain center, the facility will pay itself off in 8 years.

Compare the Ways in which John Steinbeck and Thomas Hardy Explore the Theme of Loneliness Essay

The two books have one clear element in common. The two authors, Steinbeck and Hardy, give us a great outlook on loneliness in its many forms. They communicate their ideas and thoughts to us in a very similar manner, despite being from very different times and walks of life. Of Mice and Men, is set and was written during the Great Depression of the United States of America in the early 1930’s, in the Salinas Valley of California, tells us the story of George Milton and Lennie Small. The two migrant workers, bound together by an unusual and sure friendship, are in pursuit together of the â€Å"Great† American Dream – their dream. They will have their own land, be their own masters and no longer have to answer to anyone, and finally live in peace. On the other hand we have The Withered Arm, set in the early 19th Century as one of Hardy’s Wessex Tales, where he lived all his life. Hardy tells us the tale of a young woman, Gertrude Lodge, as she begins her new life. However, things are not what they should have been as Gertrude is afflicted with an unknown blight, her happiness both threatened and later destroyed. She is not completely alone – her plight is intertwined with that of Rhoda Brook, who carries a great pain in her heart and a great power, or perhaps a curse, that not even she realises. The two texts are each set in the same rural environment as that of their authors, both bringing us the tale of so many people struggling through their lives as best they can. In Of Mice and Men we see that every man, and woman, has their own dreams, their own obsessions to pine away for, to imagine and envisage when they are so often so lonely – each has their own thoughts, their method, of escapism from the reality they live in. The Withered Arm, again, in a different manner shows characters angry, obsessed, with lives they could have had and the possibilities that they have lost or had taken away from them. Each are victims of circumstance, each yearn for lives that are no longer theirs, each for a chance now gone. In each difficulty we can see a parallel, and in both books we can see characters sharing the same basic challenges to overcome, and obstacles in their path. Both show us some of the many facets and characteristics of loneliness and trouble in this world – no matter how little they look for difficulty and dilemmas, people will always manage to find them, no matter how hard they strive against it. â€Å"The best laid schemes o’ mice and men Gang aft agley [Often go wrong] And leave us nought but pain For promised joy† Robert Burns As Of Mice and Men begins, we are shown the two migrant farm workers, George and Lennie, on their way to a new job, a new start, â€Å"bucking† barley at a Californian ranch; fleeing much undue upset in their last town, mostly thanks, despite his original intentions, to Lennie. It is late evening and they both spend the night by the Salinas River before continuing on to their new place of work the next morning. It is here that we first discover some of the main personality differences, and conflicts, between the two characters, and learn of their aspirations and their future. We immediately see much of their natures and that of their friendship as Lennie â€Å"flung himself down and drank from the surface of the green pool†¦snorting into the water like a horse.† Lennie dives headlong, dunking his head into the murky waters of the Salinas like an animal, all for a drink of water; George restrains him, attempting to keep him in line and to keep him safe. George and Lennie have struggled their way through life together, as an inseparable pair, not like all the other hopefuls out there, â€Å"Because I got you an’ you got me† – together they might just get somewhere. The way this particular phrase is repeated so much tells us a lot about their friendship and how they both so desperately need it to survive. â€Å"The first man was small and quick, dark of face, with restless eyes and sharp, strong features†¦every part of him was defined.† We see George as the sharp and able leader who gives Lennie his direction, blunt and bitter when it comes to his frustrations. All too often feeling taunted by the world, his life, and the problems they each throw at him – no matter how hard he tries and how much he accounts for it. Despite his quick temper and scathing reprisals, he holds a great care and affection for his travel-partner and the companionship he brings him – much more than is at first apparent. George feels responsible for Lennie, he has been Lennie’s guardian ever since the passing-away of his Aunt Clara, and no matter how hard he tries he always, and always will, feel that Lennie’s troubles, Lennie’s mistakes and faults are his own and that which he must resolve and reconcile – however much they may cause him yet more problems of his own. George feels a great loneliness inside, believing in his heart himself to be as worthless as every other like him, and as a result of this he gains his purpose – to become somebody, and he knows that is something he and Lennie must do and can only do together. Without Lennie he would be nothing, no more than every other man like him – alone and without hope. â€Å"Behind him walked his opposite, a huge man, shapeless of face, with large, pale eyes, with wide, sloping shoulders†¦he walked heavily, dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws†¦his arms did not swing but hung loosely at his sides.† Lennie, we can already see if very different to George, a slow simpleton, likened to an animal on two counts now, expressing his simple personality and impulsive nature. It is thanks to the pair’s great bond and need that we see Lennie as such a vital character in the book, for George is not the only man to whom Lennie brings a purpose, it is around him that so much of the story unfolds and revolves about. Despite the simplicity in his manner and unsure path throughout the story, Lennie brings certainty to all those around him. They are drawn to the raw and basic companionship that his presence brings – he is both consort and confidant for all their thoughts and feelings. He neither understands nor takes in much of what they say but, rather than wasting their breath, it seems even more a boon unto them. Lennie is like a wandering sheep and it is George that gives him his direction and his purpose, and as he takes his lead from George, Lennie in turn gains his own shape and dream. Lennie’s simple, cumbersome shape walks always in George’s shadow, always behind him wherever he may go, no matter what. For Lennie life is as simple as he is – it is that which seems to create so many problems for them both, in turn presenting the answers to so many others, and it is this which gives Lennie such a lasting effect on all those around him. The two are together in the pursuit of their own dreams, each finding both a purpose and the means in the other. George dreams of his own land, his own life, and it is much the same for Lennie, on his own basic level. Lennie wishes to care for his own creatures, his rabbits. He loves to hear every word of them that he can get, and George loves to tell them to him – so obsessed and incensed are they with merely the thought of what lies ahead for them with the success of their great plan. This form of â€Å"dreaming† and hoping that many of the characters of this story holds shows how everyone of them wishes to escape from the present world that they live in, where society demands everything of them when they have nothing to hold as their own, and nothing to give. Together these two continue their journey, their unique bond always apparent as they cross upon the lives of many others, all showing the properties of loneliness and all for different reasons, giving us an outlook on how so many in this world are alone and isolated, and how what George and Lennie have is so valuable. â€Å"Ain’t many guys travel together†¦maybe everyone in the whole damn world is scared of each other.† The pressure of the â€Å"American Dream† and the demands of that society’s doctrines and social structure to achieve are imposed upon everyone and anyone and this is why it becomes such a great feature and driving force behind so much of the loneliness of this book. Every common man goes to America to succeed and achieve something, but society inflicts quite the opposite upon them – projecting, forcing upon them, an image of how people should think and most certainly be resulting in loneliness and isolation, a dissatisfaction of themselves and those around them and the ongoing fear of amounting to absolutely nothing. It is ironic that this very society which sets out to have everyone achieve and succeed does quite the opposite, causing so many problems along the way. The nature of the â€Å"American Dream† that so many in this story hold in their minds is that very thing which isolates every one of them from each other, and dooms them to failure. Upon arriving at the ranch, they are met by an old man named Candy and his now old and scrawny dog. It is Candy who explains to them the ways of the ranch, first showing them around and then, as the story progresses, introducing the personalities of the other ranch hands to them. We learn much about Candy himself and who he is, seeing in the second chapter Candy caught listening in on George and Lennie’s words together, as George attempts to keep Lennie in check and keep him safe. Candy was listening simply to feel as a part of their conversation, to feel involved in something, for Candy craves conversation in any form, so alone does he feel. It can be seen that now for so much of his life Candy has been separated from the other men, isolated from all others. Since Candy lost his hand in an accident upon the farm he has been unable to work with the others, condemned to the menial tasks and solitary life during the day, and now thanks to his advancing years he is even more isolated. His only companion throughout all this time has been his pet dog, a source of consternation for the other men as it nears the end of its days, its presence being an eyesore to them all and odour a cause of much dismay. The animal had been his companion since its birth, and now old and suffering from rheumatism, the men convince Candy to allow them to put it out of its misery for him. As Candy grudgingly agrees, against a great sadness, he loses his oldest and closest friend, and again he feels truly alone. Having no one, he attaches himself to Lennie and George and to the dream they both share and makes himself a part of it, willing to offer all he has, his life’s work and savings, for it to be so. However, as that dream is again jeopardised, perhaps fatally, he still wishes to carry on and fulfil the dream – for it is all he has left. It this desperation of Candy’s to make his new dream, their dream, become so, that yet another man becomes tied up in the illusion and the hope that it brings. Crooks is a fellow worker upon the ranch, a stable buck, working to repair saddles, tools and to look after the horses, unable to do other work since he was crippled, kicked in the back by one of the horses he was working with. We have never heard much of Crooks, only chance phrases from the other men, snatches of comments in the middle of a conversation; he is not often talked about, and never talked to – Crooks is a Negro. We do not see him for the majority of the book for he is never with the other men, always separated from everyone, simply because of the discrimination, the ignorance and the prejudices of that time. As the only Negro in the area, he is completely alone, without anyone but himself for so much of his life, but it was not always so. Crooks used to have someone – he used to live with his family, they owned a farm, he was with his brothers, his parents – his family, and he was counted as someone; now he isn’t even counted. The â€Å"American Dream† tells us of equality, of everyone having a chance to attain their dreams, to have something to hold, be proud of and call their own – in America everyone and anyone can have just this and be somebody unless, of course, if they are black. â€Å"This is just a nigger talkin’†¦so it don’t mean nothing, see?† This contradiction and hypocrisy intermittent throughout the dream is that which causes Crooks to be just who he is – alone and isolated, helpless and unable to anything about it. When Lennie wanders into Crooks’ living area simply looking for company as the other men are all away in the town, Crooks shows outrage and indignation that a white man would presume it his right to simply walk into his room without leave. However, Lennie’s innocence wins through, despite Crooks’ irritation, â€Å"Crooks scowled, but Lennie’s disarming smile defeated him.† As Crooks begins to talk to Lennie, and discover the nature of his relationship with George, we see his jealousy that another man could have someone so easy to talk to, such a simple and easy friendship. Such is his bitterness and jealousy over the pair’s companionship that Crooks goes on to taunt and tease Lennie with the possibility that George is injured and is no longer going to be there. He tells Lennie that he too is alone and must look after himself and continue life knowing he had someone, had something, and lost it as Crooks did. Crooks wants Lennie to feel what his pain is every day, every hour, and make someone else feel how he does – and, in doing so, make himself feel less alone. â€Å"A guy goes nuts if he ain’t got nobody†¦a guy gets lonely and he gets sick†. As Lennie’s anger flares up, we see that perhaps Crooks isn’t so malicious after all, for he placates Lennie – he wants him to stay, despite him being a white man, one who took his life away from him, an enemy. So alone is he that any company will do, black or white – it doesn’t matter any more; and so â€Å"It was difficult for Crooks to conceal his pleasure with anger,† as Candy joins Lennie. He only has himself and what little company that he can find; he has been separated from others, alone for so long, simply because of the colour of his skin, so isolated thanks to an ignorant and naive prejudice, so much for a dream – when Crooks came to America he found an ongoing nightmare. There should be equality, and this is what America shouted aloud to the world – everyone in America has a dream to live out, and everyone who comes to America has a chance. However, this is not the case for Crooks – despite what people claimed, despite what the â€Å"American Dream† told them, he has nothing but material possessions, and to him they re nothing. Reading books is his only source of company, but â€Å"Books ain’t no good. A guy needs somebody – to be near him.† When Crooks first learns of their dream, not quite as they intended for it was their dream and nobody else’s’, he scoffs for has heard this kind of a story all before – he has seen hundreds of other hopefuls come through the ranch and continue on into nothing. He tells them this mockingly, and also to end their hopes for they too are going nowhere. However, as Candy justifies their hopes in defence, he subsides for he sees the possibilities himself, gets caught up in the trio’s aspirations and dreams, as Candy did, and pleads to be taken along, to join them – simply to be somewhere with others who might accept him for who he is and not for what. Crooks begins to open up, he finally believes himself to be an equal and to be counted, and he has been given back both his hope and a real chance. However, things are not to be as they hoped as the wife of Curley, the boss’ son, enters. As always the men are wary and bid her leave and in response her bitter temper rises. Crooks stands up to her, thinking outside his place in his newfound happiness, and she drills into him, makes him again realise just who he is, how little all he says and thinks is valued and how much power she holds over him. For a moment Crooks had become a man again and believed in his own freedom, but Curley’s wife put an end to that, to his open thought and his belief in all his hopes of being his own man again. â€Å"Crooks stared hopelessly at her, sat down†¦and drew into himself†¦Crooks had reduced himself to nothing, no personality, no ego†¦Everything that might be hurt drawn in†¦into the indomitable pride of the Negro.† Crooks the Negro presumed to think himself on the same level as Curley’s wife, to cap all the isolation and rejection from every other person on the ranch. So enraged is she that we see the malicious and bitter side of her nature born out of the oppression, the distress and torment of countless similar situations where no one ever listens, where she is always alone. She gives him no quarter as her scathing, bitter anger lashes into him. This conflict amongst and between the oppressed and repressed – first between Candy and Crooks, Crooks believing their dream to be as hopeless as all the rest, so demoralised has he become thanks to the life that American society has put him through, and then between Crooks and Curley’s wife, simply leads them in a circle, and right back to square one. Both are without freedom and hold little control over their own rights, and still they are brought into conflict by the ways in which society portrays the world and treats each of them, one putting the other’s hopes and liberty again into doubt, painting a wholly despondent and bleak future -all the more separated from each other, all the more isolated and alone. Curley’s wife always appears as a woman up to no good, spoken of hurriedly in whispered conversations. She is always out looking for trouble with the other men, always holding apparent bad intentions as she flaunts herself in a vain attempt to attract them to her, willing to do anything for companionship, and as a result getting quite the opposite. George had always recognised her danger, but Lennie is blind to every bit of it. However, we begin to see that she isn’t up to such wickedness as we are first led to believe, and her bitter tongue is simply born of a life of loneliness. The men always shy away from her fearing blackmail from a work mate or Curley’s wrath if they were to dare the stigma and go against the rules of society, and become friendly with another man’s wife. This fear of the bosses’ authority and their abuse of it is yet another barrier that stands between ever establishing some true ideals of equality. She has been alone and isolated by everyone for so long, not even her husband listens to her, simply telling her what he wants to say and never waiting for a response. Lennie, never vigilant nor wary for he has no reason to be, is the first person that hasn’t looked at her with fear in his eyes, for he is different; she has tried everything and seems doomed to failure – everyone is repulsed, everyone resists her, everyone bar Lennie, and she latches onto him because of this. One day she catches him on his own and without George always looking over his shoulder. He is like an open book to her, and instantly accepts her for exactly what she is. She delights in finally finding someone who is such a perfect companion, who no longer draws back away from her in fear, but talks to her as he would anyone else. Despite what is first apparent, she simply wants to be with someone who listens. We learn that she once had a life, once had a chance and could have been somebody, been somewhere and just perhaps have got somewhere in life, but had it taken away from her through no fault of her own, but the unjust and unreasonable actions of another – her own mother. To escape that, to escape a dead end and lonely life where one that should be so close to her takes her chances and dreams away from her, she married Curley and inadvertently runs into something much worse. She had a dream, found a chance and lost it thanks to a situation entirely out of her control, and things only go down hill from there. She is alone unable to do anything to escape the life that she now leads, no one is willing to talk to her, she is confined to the ranch and no longer has any chance of happiness, or simply of finding a friend. Yet again, a pursuer of the â€Å"American Dream† finds quite the opposite. She revels in Lennie’s companionship, temporarily feeling as if she were no longer alone in the world as Crooks did, and so tells him things that she has told no other, opening herself to him and finding that he accepts all that she says without doubt or uncertainty. However, as she learns of Lennie’s love for the touch and feel of soft things, she lets him closer without restraint or forethought, lets him touch and hold her hair. As she draws away in worry that her hair (and subsequently her looks) are being dishevelled, the one thing she believes herself to truly hold is mishandled, and so she pulls away, expressing her distress. Lennie panics and does the only thing that his simple mind can think of – resist, and so he grips hold of her tighter, unwilling to let go, he is confused and frightened and understands nought of what is happening. He fears that if George were to find out that he had made someone unhappy and done wrong by them he would abandon and discard him, fearing disapproval if his actions were ever discovered; and so he clamps his hand over her mouth, hoping that none would hear the noise. He grips even tighter as she struggles all the more desperately in the pain that his awesome strength is causing her, and he jerks and shakes her body in response, in an attempt to silence her. In this he succeeds, but to an extent that he never intended – he unwittingly breaks her neck. Yet again Lennie has caused great harm without ever realising it possible, and this time the outcome is greatly worse. She was always alone, always without somebody, even those closest to her appear to have wished against her happiness; John Steinbeck signifies this to us by never naming Curley’s wife – she was never important to the person, and the people, that she should have been. As soon as she finds someone that was conceivably different, perhaps wasn’t like all the others, she takes it all too far too soon, without thinking of the consequences. As a result she loses everything. The story ends in the pursuit of Lennie, George goes after him with the other men for he cannot let them get to him first and it is here that we are reminded of Candy’s words upon his own companion, his pet dog, â€Å"I ought to of shot that dog myself, George. I shouldn’t have let no stranger shoot my dog.† George finally catches up with Lennie at their meeting point where they stayed that first night before making their way onto the ranch. Lennie has been plagued by images and hallucinations from his past and his imagination, so distraught has he become over doing something so wrong and upsetting George in such a huge way, without ever intending to he managed to take away every hope the two had of achieving their dream all thanks to the pressure put upon him to do right by everyone, make no mistakes and allow none to hear of the rest, which leads to him causing more problems than ever before. George has Lennie imagine their dream once more, for that was always how Lennie was happiest – imagining his future, escaping from the present. It is in this moment that George puts the gun to the back of Lennie’s head, and, fighting off his shaking hand, pulls down upon the trigger. He never wanted to, but he had to – this was the only possible choice George could have made for the ultimately innocent Lennie, nothing he could do would have been easier, or better, for Lennie. George in doing so loses his one and only companion, every hope he ever had of being somebody and every hope of those around him that became a part of their dream – all in that instant every hope was lost. Such is the despair that Candy finds it difficult to let go, he wants to continue the dream and to finish it, despite all which has happened, but he knows that is never possible now. Lennie was the one that held everything, everyone, together and gave them all hope and a chance, and now he was gone. The Withered Arm tells us a story of the ordeal of Rhoda Brook, her son, Farmer Lodge and his newly married wife, Gertrude, as Thomas Hardy chooses to constantly switch your attention, not concentrating on single character’s loneliness and hardships, but that of four. We first meet Rhoda Brook working in the cow sheds, a milkmaid, and we instantly recognise how emotionally isolated and detached from others she is. As the other characters about her chat among themselves she chooses to remain apart, and uninvolved, from them all. We see how alone and different from the other simple farm hands she is, â€Å"He hasn’t spoken to her for years,† whilst they talk about her and the notorious love affair she had with the Farmer Lodge – and his recent marriage to a young lady not from nearby, but the city. She is one apart from the rest, not like them, and no longer does she care or worry over their words and thoughts of her. She remains impassive throughout the conversation and the others comments about her, â€Å"She knew she had slyly been called a witch.† Her physical loneliness and separation, probably much out of choice, is also elaborated upon as â€Å"She milked slightly apart from the rest,† as well as through the description of where she has chosen to live, â€Å"their course lay apart from the rest†. The truth about Rhoda and Farmer Lodge’s affair, now many years in the past, is widely known in the area. Long ago they were together and for unexplained reasons she was abandoned – perhaps upon the realisation of Rhoda’s pregnancy. The very thing meant to bring a couple closer together and bring with it happiness and companionship may have brought completely the opposite for Rhoda. However, Farmer Lodge has developed very materialistic views, adhering and conforming to those of the society he lives in. Rhoda was below his class, below him, and he could never have been seen in a permanent relationship with her because of that – society would never have accepted him. Another possible reason is that of Rhoda’s advancing years and waning beauty – her age is closer to that of Lodge’s and so his materialism again pushes him away from her as he chooses to marry a young and still beautiful girl not long out of her teen.This is what he feels he must have – the best. With the arrival of Gertrude Lodge the final brick is laid in the wall standing between Rhoda and her happiness, between her and Lodge and both of them and their son. We recognise instantly that Gertrude is neither country-born nor country-bred, and knows little of her new life and what lies ahead. From the beginning she is almost completely alone – she is a young lady, highborn, and not long out of her teens, lady-like and beautiful, and there are none like her that she can communicate with. Gertrude worries much over others’ opinions of her, as she desires so much to be readily accepted into her new community. However, things are not to be all she could hope for, as she soon realises how alone she is to be as society separates her from the majority of those around her, thanks to the strict taboos on cross-class relationships and of a lady socialising with those of the lower class. When Rhoda learns of Gertrude’s arrival she has her son discover ever detail and feature of the girl, sizing her up and comparing herself to Gertrude in her jealousy, for she believes that it should be she, not Gertrude, that Farmer Lodge should have married and is bitterly angry that he refuses to acknowledge their son and even what they both had between each other as anything but insignificant and irrelevant. The son that Rhoda and Lodge both had together is yet another great example of the loneliness that this story portrays as his mother’s loneliness and emotional feelings merely add to that of his own. Hardy chooses to give him no name, as did Steinbeck with Curley’s wife, emphasising how unimportant and worthless he is in the eyes of those that he should mean so much to. His father rejects him outright – barely ever acknowledging his presence, â€Å"He took no outward notice of the boy whatsoever,† and when he does it is only as an inferior and one of no consequence as the boy is described as â€Å"Just one of the neighbourhood.† Even his own mother, with whom he has lived for all his years, is unconcerned with him, so obsessed and incensed with her own dilemma that she simply uses him as ammunition, and justification, of her right over others to Lodge. He is used as a spy upon Gertrude and Lodge by his mother, if not that then he is always at work upon one household duty or another, and despite all that he does none of it seems to satisfy his mother. He is barely ever given any affection at all, seemingly only useful for errands and chores that Rhoda cannot bring herself to do. Despite her anger over Farmer Lodge’s total lack of acceptance of their son, she too does much the same, and never realises the frustrations that he hides underneath as a result of this all, â€Å"His mother not observing that he was cutting a notch with his pocket knife into the beech-backed chair.† The son has no father figure to follow, but certainly not a good example, and his mother tries to set him one no better – she doesn’t even make the effort. Rhoda develops an obsession with Gertrude whom she has neither met nor even seen. Such is her fixation that one night she is visited in a troubled dream by an image, the distorted and repulsive impression of Gertrude that Rhoda has built up in her mind through her bitter jealousy. â€Å"The figure thrust forward its left hand mockingly, so as to make the wedding ring it wore glitter in Rhoda’s eyes.† This thing that Rhoda believes Gertrude to be taunts her, thrusting the proof of her marriage to Farmer Lodge before her very eyes – the thing that Rhoda herself so covets and desires for herself. As the creature draws closer, Rhoda grips its arm in fright and hurls it to the floor. One day Gertrude visits Rhoda in her small house upon the hill, and Rhoda sees her for what she really is. Gertrude, in her loneliness in Lodge’s great manor house, comes to Rhoda for companionship, and in her she finds a friend. At first Rhoda is unresponsive, but slowly she begins to come round, to see through all the lies she has told herself all too often in her resentment at being alone. However, all is not to be so perfectly resolved, as we learn of Gertrude’s arm – the strange marks, like as that of fingers’, upon the flesh and over time they gradually worsen and deteriorate. â€Å"It looks almost like finger marks†¦as if some witch, or the devil himself, had taken a hold of me there, and blasted the flesh.† Gertrude’s other sorrow becomes apparent as she too has realised the faith that the farmer puts into face value and beauty – for she believes that he will begin to love her less if the arm does not heal as it should. As a result, over time, Gertrude begins to preoccupy herself and obsess about her arm as Rhoda did over Farmer Lodge and it continues to worsen. No one understands its nature, no one knows of a cure and Gertrude, stricken with worry and concern, turns again to Rhoda, following perhaps a maid’s, or a worker’s, advice, and the irony in this is how many would believe Rhoda to be the guilty party, the witch, cursing upon Gertrude and that she of all people would know her adversary best. Rhoda meanwhile says nothing upon the matter of the arm, merely inquiring upon it, hoping that it might recover. For Rhoda neither understands what effect she has had upon Gertrude, nor knows how she caused it – much of the time she vainly tells herself that it is nothing but a coincidence. All the same, Rhoda apprehensively leads Gertrude across the hills and fields one day to Conjuror Trendle, a man renowned for powers that other people believe in more than he. â€Å"He affected not to believe largely in his own powers and when warts that had been shown him for the cure miraculously disappear†¦he would say lightly, ‘Oh I only drink a glass of grog upon ’em†¦perhaps its all chance’, and immediately turn the subject.† Trendle lives many miles apart from other men, separated by their views and taboos of that society upon witchcraft and anything related. He has been cast away by their prejudices all because he has a talent that they neither possess nor understand, and they fear him for this. He merely uses what he has to help people as best he can, getting nothing but fear and aversion in return, and this he does for Gertrude too. Despite the rumours and whispers that people speak behind his back, he does what he knows to be best all the same – rejecting the constraints of society for his own freedom, and in turn having much of it taken away. He shows to Gertrude the image of an enemy, the only one capable of causing such a blight, and Rhoda’s fears are to be realised as, despite Gertrude never telling her who the image she saw was, she never spoke to Rhoda again, never mentioned the arm and never called around her house, simply looking for a companion, again – for now her unsee n assailant had a face, that of Rhoda. Over a very short period their friendship began to break down very quickly, almost instantly as realisation had dawned upon Gertrude, and so she never saw anything of Rhoda, or her son, again for many years and eventually the two both slipped out of the community and were never seen again – they were forced out by the fears of others, by Rhoda’s desires of things that were no longer hers to covet and by the entire community, for none really cared. Gertrude was now truly alone and without a single companion- her husband no longer even looked at her, such was his revulsion of the withering of her arm and displeasure at the fact that she had not even managed to produce him an heir in all their time together. Gertrude’s beauty was waning as the full anguish of the arm and being so alone in the world assailed her. She became obsessed with the arm and the search for cures, attempting every crackpot remedy that she could find in her maddened struggle – but none ever worked or had any effect. Driven into desperation by her husband’s and society’s demands for young ladies to be beautiful and perfect always, for Gertrude fears the rejection of her husband as Rhoda was rejected many years ago. In many ways this despair and incensed search for a cure drove even larger a void between Gertrude and her husband, for in the end it was both she and the arm driving him away, so obsessed did she become – much thanks to the pressures and expectations of the world around her. Again she goes to visit Trendle in the vain hope that perhaps he will be able to cure her at last, however, this time she makes the journey alone – showing just how much more lonely and separated from others she has become. Upon arriving she sees Trendle, now an old man and barely able to even leave his house – he has lost even that little bit of freedom that life had allowed him and has absolutely no one but himself to rely on, and no one to be there when he dies. In his last days, Trendle tells her simply what had to be done – he was too old to help now, she would have to cope alone with this task as always, but he could point her in the right direction. She agrees to all that he tells her, whatever it may be, such is her desire to again be beautiful for her husband again and to allow her to again conform to the views of those around her – much the opposite choice to that of Conjuror Trendle. Gertrude must touch the body of an executed man just cut down from a hanging – not dead for more than an instant so as to turn the blood of Gertrude and cure the withering of the arm. Finally, after many weeks wait the chance arrives and Gertrude’s prayers, driven to wishing upon the death of a fellow man, are answered and she strikes up a deal with the old, isolated hangman, separated from others by the nature of his trade, who was not wholly unused to requests of her sort. The condemned that is to become Gertrude’s saviour is a young man, charged of arson – the burning down of an old warehouse. The young man was apparently simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, but an example had to be made to satisfy the people. On the allotted night, Gertrude goes to the hangman as planned, and he then leads her to the open casket and she pulls back the covering and touches the figure beneath. To her horror she sees it to be Rhoda’s own son – the son of Farmer Lodge. Gertrude backs off in dismay and turns to discover both Rhoda and Lodge standing behind her. Rhoda shouts in anger and pushes Gertrude away from them both, for even now she still stands between the Farmer Lodge and their son once again – as always Gertrude comes between Rhoda and Lodge, always in the way of Rhoda’s hopes, desires and always keeping her completely alone. Gertrude screams in fear and falls to the floor, for the shock and extreme stress, together with the draining nature of the arm finally get the best of her, for she has died. Her blood had been turned, but all too far. Here the story concludes, as Rhoda moves farther away and separates herself from the local community entirely yet again, totally alone thanks to her own bitterness. Even after her son is lost still nobody goes to pay their respects or offer their company – she becomes even more alone than ever, all thanks to her own negligence. Farmer Lodge is also alone now, perhaps as he deserved, for his uncaring and selfish ways led to the grief of many and his dishonesty to the death of his wife for he broke his marriage vows that he made before God – â€Å"In sickness and in health.† His wife is dead and his son is lost forever and with him any chance of ever having an heir to all his estate. In his despair Lodge sells all his farm and land and moves away – only now do we realise how truly alone he has become, and all thanks to him, his materialism and conforming to what society dictates as to how he should live his life. He offers Rhoda an annual income, as an attempt at a final reconciliation but she never accepts it and none see her again. He loses everything and is doomed to die alone, leaving us later to discover that he has left all that is his to a reformatory for boys, showing how he did have thoughts and feelings regarding his son, but never had the strength to show them which is perhaps his greatest sin. Both Lodge and Rhoda isolated themselves from others and both are now even lonelier as a result of this. Gertrude’s vanity may have played a part in her own undoing, represented by the extremes to which she was willing to go as she even wished for the death of a fellow man, guilty or innocent alike, but it was Lodge, and those around her, that drove her to such desperation and in the end she dies alone, above all emotionally, as her husband stands apart from her with Rhoda. The young son meanwhile, brought to his end by Gertrude’s desperate wishing is always portrayed in Hardy’s novel as the innocent throughout, trapped between his two parents never being truly loved or cared for – always alone and always innocent. Towards the end we assume that perhaps he has got involved in a youth gang. This leads to his later arrest at the crime scene showing that no father figure and role model at all would have perhaps been better than that of a bad and unloving one who rejects him outright, he may have been innocent but he never had anyone who would stand up for him. This rejection by his father and ignorant negligence on his mother’s part leads to his tragic death, similar to that of Candy’s wife – who also remains unnamed as they are never important to those that they should be, leaving both of them completely alone and hopeless. The unfortunate tragedy that we see at the end of each novel is but one of the many similarities between these two novels. As we begin, each story features two central characters, George and Lennie, Rhoda and Gertrude, around which the story unfolds. As they live their lives we are introduced to many others, each with their own individual problems and dilemmas besetting them. These unlikely friendships between our central characters ultimately end in a tragedy, first with one unknowingly causing great problems for the other and finally one must put the other out of their misery, and at the same time condemn themselves to loneliness and hopelessness yet again. In Of Mice and Men we see at the root of everyones’ problems the desperation to achieve and become somebody – to find the American Dream. The society in which they have lived tells them that they are nothing without achievement, and they all agree for much of their sadness originates from this feeling of worthlessness. In George and Lennie’s case it drives them onwards, in search of their dream, but the others do not have the friendship that they each possess and have no hope of getting anywhere. Candy is old, crippled, with no hope of being able to work for something anymore and no hope of ever actually finding a companion as everyone deserts him each day. Crooks has nobody, he lost everything thanks to American society and the fact that the dream doesn’t work if you are black, he is hopeless for all time. Curley’s wife, a seemingly dangerous character of this story is isolated for just that. She has nobody bar her husband, who neither loves her nor listens, separated from others by both him and other peoples’ fear of the stigma that would ensure should they become her friend. She had her one chance at achieving something taken away from her many years ago. For Lennie the necessity to conform and do right by people is too much for him – he can never understand and in the end this leads to his death. His fear of disapproval forces him to take a life without ever intending to. It is upon George’s shoulders to end the story, for there is only one possibility – he must end all his hopes, condemn himself to being alone with his guilt, every chance that they had together and those around them found upon their arrival for he must take Lennie’s life to save him from misery. This pressure from American society and the unbending rules on what people should and shouldn’t be causes so much dissatisfaction and unrest, leaving everyone feeling hopeless and alone, that they have been brought up to believe. They thought they had a chance, and they found nothing. The Withered Arm, on the other hand, is set in a world of tradition, of British society and its harsh social structure. In everyone’s mind there is desperation to conform to the rules and agree that unless you are upper class, or in the case of the women – married, you are no one. Rhoda isolates herself from all others in her desperation to become someone, Farmer Lodge’s wife, and be counted and in doing so sentences herself to a life of loneliness, and starts much more for many others. For Gertrude there is a desperation to be what the materialistic views of those around her tell her to be, and in her search for this she ends up isolating her self even more than before. The young son, who nobody ever really looks to care for, there is isolation of a different kind and through no fault of his own. His parents never truly acknowledge him as their son and this ultimately ends in his tragic death. For Farmer Lodge, it is his materialistic conformism that causes many problems, and he isolates himself from all others in this story until the end, where it is he and Rhoda left and doomed to each be utterly alone for their sins.

Life Changing Moment Essay

Each and everyone of us has a story to tell and share to others, life stories that may serve as an inspiration to other people. Every individual may have a life experience or a moment in his or her life that somehow greatly affects his or her whole life. We often share our own triumphs and travails, our victories and defeats, our happiness and despair that bring alterations to the present life situations. My story began as an ordinary boy in the state of Ferndale, Michigan. I am the youngest of five siblings, a son of Sazelia and Marvin Johnson. My mother was a university woman who tries to acquire a bachelor’s degree in Business at the University of Michigan. My father was a Mechanical Engineer who is deeply fascinated with cars. My parents are intellectual and social creatures who passed down the essential values of hard work, education and religion to their children. They make sure that we are not deprived of the essential things that we need in our education. They also impart important attitudes and ethical standards needed in conforming well to our social environment. My siblings and I grew up in happy and complete family that upholds education as the main key to success. However, I was different from my siblings for they all went to college, specifically to University of Michigan, after graduating in high school. All of them went to the university, except for our oldest brother, the gifted one on all of us, who went straight to Naval Academy. The life changing moment in my life, happen when I decided that I want to join the military. I really want to be a part of the military reserves so I join the U. S. Navy, wherein I scored high on the entrance examination and I was offered to undergo the U. S. Navy Nuclear Engineering Program. The crucial eight months followed after I joined the program. I learned as much as I can about Chemistry, Math, Electronics, Physics, Reactor Science and other related field in nuclear engineering. I can compare this experience with the experience told in Stephen Crane’s, An Episode of War. Just like the lieutenant who is wounded in war, my own training in the program and in the camp gave me confidence and dignity. It revealed the essence of my existence and all of my mundane desires. It explicates the purpose of my being and my involvement and role in preserving the sovereignty of my own country (Crane 8). Luckily, I was not involved in any war conflicts or that will make my story more exciting. However, I was in preparation aspect of our defense system. However, I sympathize to those who are sent to foreign places to battle with brothers that were considered foes and rogues by the government. I know how hard it can be. Many of us hope that it finally ends. Just like on the poem of Czeslaw Milosz, hoping that the traumas, war and other forms of conflict and misunderstanding will finally meet its conclusion. Our history is characterized and embedded with tragic events and disputes that took many lives (Milosz 256). Read more:Â  Happiest Moments Essay Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace, vividly depicted the events in a war. How fertile lands became battlegrounds of two powerful forces. How innocent lives are drastically involved in the conflict. How children were separated to their parents and how the once happy and fruitful nation transformed into a futile land. After completing the learning prescribed by the program, I was assigned to a nuclear submarine, USS Kentucky SSBN 737. The submarine is an enormous structure that is similar to an underwater city. My training acquired from the program seems like an incomplete preparation to the task that I was assigned to. I was a nuclear plant operator that had a tremendous amount of responsibility. I have to make sure that the nuclear reactor was always safe and in good condition and running smoothly. My task is very crucial for it affects the safety of my comrades. Through the years that I have worked for the U. S. Navy, I got US$50,000 or so worth of proper science training and education in nuclear science and technology. It is more than anyone can ask for. It is such a blessing to anyone to be able to study free. Also, I have acquired credentials to work in most nuclear power plants in the nation. It is one of the prestigious works in the country to be able to work in a high-end facility like a nuclear power plant, wherein knowledgeable individuals are only capable of handling the specific task of maintaining the safety of the nuclear reactor. The education, training and working experience is a something big for me, an ordinary boy who only dream of being a G. I. Joe, inspired by my toy soldiers and toy guns. My experiences during my service to the military were really fruitful and fulfilling. I enjoyed most of my time under the submarine doing my task. It greatly alters and influences my present personality. I have traveled in many places and met many people all over the United States that contribute on my life’s journey. I significantly learned how to start and finish something. My service in the Navy ends, but I am more than ready to start a new journey in this life of mine. I try to acquire a bachelor’s degree in Architecture, one of the things that I wanted to accomplish. From Southwestern College, I transferred to USC this fall to complete my degree. The chapter of my life in the Navy, I will be able to look back and be proud to say that I was part of something special and noble.

Ethics Framework Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Ethics Framework - Research Paper Example In organizations, six sigma refers to the process of measuring quality, which works to beat perfection. This model aims at eliminating defects since it is a data-driven and a methodology on its own. Additionally, the model aims at achieving the organization’s initiatives using its tools and processes. These organizational initiatives include reduction of scrap and costs, an improvement on quality production, and reduction in market duration and cycle durations. Six Sigma has three main components that help to achieve the organizational initiatives. These include goals of Six Sigma quality, tools of six sigma, and processes of six-sigma model. Despite being part of Six Sigma components, quality is the least important component in this model. This is because most organizations focus on costs and schedules of the organization since their objective is to obtain the bottom line. This shows that Six Sigma is just one of the possible focuses. In most cases, each product has defects. However, each defect is a good opportunity for the organization. At this point, an organization can lay strategies to eliminate such defects in the future. This will enhance ethics of the organization since quality is achieved. On the other hand, six-sigma influences the already available tools. Since Six Sigma tools is another component of Six Sigma model, organizations have not been utilizing these tools to the fullest. Six Sigma focuses on getting these tools and putting them into action to achieve the set targets. Some of the six-sigma tools include means of analysis, variance analysis, confidence interval, contingency table among others. Organizations must integrate on these tools to make six-sigma an effective model (Ferrell, Fraedrich , and Ferrell, 2013). The third component of six-sigma is the processes. This includes putting the six-sigma tools into other frames so as to diversify the importance. Six-sigma model does not focus on learning how to use the tools only but incl udes applying them into necessary sequences to achieve better results.

Compare Chinese monster and American monster Essay - 1

Compare Chinese monster and American monster - Essay Example Although many Chinese still believe that Nian exists, it has never appeared in the community or to a human again. Today, many of the Chinese light fireworks, as well as beat drums and gongs to drive the monster away. Modern people living in major towns and cities are the most notorious with the annual Spring Festival in commemoration of Nian the monster (Wong 27). In addition, the day signifies what most Chinese consider the unprecedented breakthrough after some villagers successfully tamed a horrible, ferocious monster that intimidated, attacked or even killed innocent people. Incidentally, tribulations of the village and the ultimate breakthrough forms the basis of contemporary traditions and customs associated with beating of drums, wearing red outfit and lighting of fireworks. The two other articles focus on Momo, an American monster. Momo (also known as the Missouri Monster) is hairy and foul-smelling (Hamilton 16). In general, the key differences between Nian and Momo highlight the fundamental cultural variation between China and the United States of America. The Big Book of Missouri Ghost Stories (2013) by Troy Taylor examines and analyzes the circumstances leading to the discovery of Momo the Missouri Monster. Apart from Momo, the article analyzes various legends and ghostly tales of Missouri (Taylor 130). In addition, the article asserts that most of the legends and ghostly tales consist of a mystery, bloodshed, and tragedy. Taylor further states that copious other stories about Missouri have since been lost in time, hidden or remained secret. Although a number of legends seem to have significantly impacted villages, towns and states, Americans do not take them seriously unlike the Chinese (Taylor 130). Louisiana residents have never considered the day some residents purportedly saw Momo special in their cultural history. Nevertheless, a few have forgotten the mystery and tribulations surrounding the reports about sightings of the

Project Management 7 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Project Management 7 - Essay Example This may leave the organization trying to look for different consumers, which may not be an easy task. The severity of such changes might be tremendous. Information about poor products might spill over to the target market as consumers choose to voice their concerns about products from that organization. The project’s parameters may be affected negatively in the sense that the scope may be reduced as the changes take time to reach the target market. The schedule for release and sale of the products may have to be moved forward as the changes cannot be mended overnight. If there was the option of making these changes, the quality of the product may be affected as willingness and focus may be missing factors in the final production of the products (Dodds, 2003). In such a case, there are at least three possible courses of action. One might be to ignore the problems relayed by the product engineer while hoping for the best in terms of customer satisfaction. The second action might be to delay or re-schedule the shipping of the product to a later date. This might give the company time to make the needed changes and save face in the midst of all the adversity. The third action might be to inform consumers of the changes in the product. This is to avoid any confusion that may arise upon opening of the package. Each course of action mentioned may have its ramifications. Delaying shipping may result in the cancelling of subscriptions for the product. Announcing the changes in the package may result in a few disgruntled consumers who might have loved the product because of the initial look it had. Ignoring the problem might result in loss of a tremendous amount of consumers, and a recovery might seem unlikely. I would recommend having a delay in shipment to allow the changes to take place. Even though, a few consumers might be annoyed, it will still give the organization room to retain some of the loyal

Comparison of a Poem to a Song Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Comparison of a Poem to a Song - Coursework Example The poem â€Å"theme for English B† is a poem written at the peak of racial discrimination in the year 1951.  In the poem,  Ã¢â‚¬Å"theme for English B† Hughes talks about the differences between him and his class instructor (Bloom, pg 21). The poet talks about being the only colored person in his  class  and shows the  feeling  of his  likeness  to other races, solely â€Å" white† and yet different throughout the poem. Using his  community  (Harlem) as an  inspiration  Hughes manages to write a poem that depicts his  ethnic  affiliation. The class  instructor  gave a  precise  brief description of the  assignment  that is, go home, write a page tonight, and let the  page  be the  original  thoughts of students (Fetzer, pg 23). The persona in the  poem  remains  uncertain  on whether the task is that  easy  as portrayed by the class instructor.  Afterwards,  the student outlines the reasons substantia ting his  thought  that such an  assignment  could not be  easy. The speaker in the poem â€Å"theme for English B† is older compared to most white students in the English class. Secondly, the student gives the  route  he takes from  school  to his  residence  where the narrator sits  to do  his  assignment (Bloom, pg 46). The student perceives the  difficulty in writing true ideals or something that is only purported to be true. This judgment was at the discretion of the  white  class  instructor. The student plunges into listing what he likes, subsequently supposing that being colored does not make him different from the things he likes as other races.  The speaker in the  poem  is bothered  if his black identity  will make a difference in what he writes (Fetzer, pg 44). Secondly,  he wonders whether he will be able  to talk  with a white tutor  given that  he  is black. Despite these ill feelings, the speaker in the   poem  finally admits that both of them are part of each other. The speaker then delves into an  extremely  significant  conclusion  that as the black students learn  from the  white tutor, the  instructor  equally  learns from the  black student.  The tone of Langston Hughes in his poem befits the  description  of  mildly  ironical’ as he shows his difficulty in  earnestly  communicating  his own feelings at the  specifications  of his  white  tutor of English.  Irony is  manifest  in the  poem  where he commences by saying â€Å"I wonder if it is that simple,† but at the end of the poem, he succeeds in doing just that in a  remarkably  correct  manner. His actual inner being comprises of two distinguishing aspects; he is black and very different from the instructor of his class. Secondly, he is an American just like every other American inclusive of his tutor. The author of the poem embraces a conciliat ory tone that acknowledges the fact that the two races are part of each other. Nevertheless, the poem ends on a tone full of  regret  somewhat more  free. Besides poems, songs are also excellent mediums of creating awareness or sensitizing the  society. An example is the  song  we shall be  free  by Garth Brooks. The  song  Ã¢â‚¬Å"We Shall Be Free† is a song produced by American country music artist during the year 1992. The artist was born on February 7, 1962 in America. The artist in the release of this song collaborated with Stephanie Davis. In this song, an ordinary  man  conceives of a world in which human beings are free from earthly subjugations. Topics addressed in this

Marketing Foundations and Applications Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Marketing Foundations and Applications - Essay Example New product development often entails modifying an existing product or creating totally different offerings to satisfy a current need. In these product developments, business organizations may encounter hardships in identifying features which adds value to the customer. There are cases when current products cannot be enhanced because of shortage of ideas that can improve the offering. A good example of detergent soaps. Companies may be hindered in developing new detergent products which can boost the satisfaction of customer in this particular product. Next, product development can be unlikely because the business organization is operating in a fragmented market which implies that they need to aim their new products at smaller market segments thereby generating only meager profits and revenues. When developing new products, companies should take into account all of its current market and not just a segment of it. If not, the new product developed will completely change the positioning of the business organization in the industry and may also discourage their current customers in purchasing the new product. With the increasing clamor for being socially responsible, companies are often under the scrutiny and regulations of social organizations and the government. New product development can be critised because of the hazard that these products can bring to the consuming public. An example of this is the growing concern for obesity in the global arena which forces business organizations to modify their products and add only those which have more health benefits. Another criticism of product development is the large cost associated in the process which cannot be adequately provided for by the business organization. New product developments are investments which companies undertake. It should be noted that as investments, the greater the possible gain, the greater the risks which should be incurred. Product development can bring adverse financial impact to business organizations if gains are not realized. Another criticism of product development is the faster required development time which is needed in order to account for shorter product life cycle. It should be noted that the key to the success of a company is often linked to its ability of bringing products to the market at speed faster than its competitors. 2. What are the features and characteristics that differentiate business-to-business markets from consumer markets Illustrate your answers with examples. Since marketing deals with the identification and provision of customer needs, companies are intensifying their efforts in knowing their customers. Business organizations often cater to individual buyers which are collectively called consumer markets and other commercial

Technological Advancements and Its Impact on Human Intellectual Research Paper

Technological Advancements and Its Impact on Human Intellectual Development - Research Paper Example The intention is to prove that modern advances in technology affect the development of the human brain, especially children, whose brain development still ongoing. With this acknowledged, the next thing is to ascertain the impact of these changes. The question is to what extent does technology affect development, and does this effect make the person a better human being or more intellectual one than those whose intellectual development is not influenced by technology? On one part, technology is good, but on the other, not being so cultured does not necessarily mean that intellectual development is impaired. The best way to prove this argument is to contrast the development of children who are exposed to technological changes such as in urban areas, against children of the same age not as much exposed to technology, most likely in the rural areas (Society for Research in Child Development 2009). It has been indicated in various studies that the reason some people from certain regions and cultures do well or poorly in intellectual quotient tests is not because they are very capable or intellectually challenged, but because the tests do not reflect how their minds have been developed and hence, the subjects cannot identify with the challenges posed there in. The only predisposition towards the topic is concurrence with Michael Baylor (quoted in Patoine, 2008), the world knows too little about the effects of technology on human intellectual development than is necessary, hence the need for the study. On one part, changes in intellectual development caused by technological advancements work to better the affected and make them adjust faster to their environment, enabling them to survive in the new environment. On the other part, such changes do not make the affected better individual as compared to non affected persons. The paper will follow four basic planning steps namely: choosing of the topic which is

Final exam Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 4

Final exam - Essay Example On the subject of externality there is the aspect of Negative Externality and it involves both the consumer and the producer who collectively neglect the environment and what implications their activities have on the environment. It could also involve one of the two parties leaving the other out of consideration; for example when a producer releases a harmful product into the market and it results into the death of a consumer. This is one scenario that has been satisfied by the tobacco company. The health effects (lung cancer) of smoking to both the active and passive smokers cannot be over emphasized. The medical bills that the smoker incurs in the course of treatment is substantial and then there is the pain endured during ones illness and the ultimate price is the loss of life. Regardless of these hazardous effects, the cigarette industry continues to thrive over financial gains from the sale of its product. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has controlled the tobacco company through the regulation of their products. It has done this by: restricting the advertising and promotion of tobacco products and this has worked to promote healthy living since the public is less aware of the existence of the product. It has banned all tobacco products which are flavored like fruits and candy and this has made them less attractive to minors and individuals with refined tastes. The companies are barred from purporting any reduced risk products and this has played the role of reducing the number of new smokers or prospective ones. It requires the companies to fully disclose the health effects of their product, the contents and any changes they might have made; with this knowledge in the public eye, the consumers are empowered with information. The disadvantage that comes with these legislations is that the sale of the product is still legal so long as the relevant companies abide by them. The

A leader of your choice Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

A leader of your choice - Research Paper Example In this case, the sitting President of Uruguay will be the leader that this paper will reflect on according to Maxwell’s twenty-one irrefutable laws of power. Jose Alberto Pepe Mujica was born on 20 May 1935, and he is the sitting Uruguayan President. He had worn the 2009 presidential elections and took office on 1 March 2010. He employed guerilla tactics of warfare when he joined the Tupamos revolutionary movement that drew inspiration from the Cuban revolt. During his rebellious times, the military captured him four times and detained him under the rule of Jorege Pacheco Areco. He was a political prisoner who fought hard for the liberation of his native Uruguay. Incidentally, he got six gunshots in a failed coup attempt in 1973. Mujica witnessed a lot of torture and suffering in his rise to being president, as he sought democracy for his people. He is a leader with immense repute, as the world considers him the poorest president. Remarkably, President Mujica donates ninety p ercent of his salary and only takes home ten percent that he says is enough for him. Ideally, this President has shunned the luxurious lifestyle that presidents accord themselves for the life of an average citizen. Surprisingly, this President does not have a bank account to his name, as he claims to take home only what he needs and does not find much to save. Jose is a distinctive leader as no president has ever lived a life like his. In essence, he lives by the notion that what he gets is more than enough as there are people under his rule who earn less than what he earns and tend to do fine with that amount. On the contrary, his only valued possession is a rusty Volkswagen beetle, which is his primary mode of transport. Mujica became the first president that traced his roots to guerilla life. However, his rule has had its controversies as his government legalized the sale of Marijuana within state controlled measures in order to control substance abuse and drugs related offences. Mujica and Maxwell’s twenty-one laws of power John Maxwell is a full time motivational speaker, and a writer in all aspects of leadership. He has written over sixty books on leadership, and he is a minister of evangelism. His organizations have gained accreditation from all over the world for being the leaders in international leadership nurturing and cultivation. In one of his books, John Maxwell sought to bring out the true aspects and traits a leader portrays through the twenty-one laws of leadership. These laws serve as a basis in which a leader can rate themselves and ascertain whether their leadership is effective or not. The laws in this book are relevant and practical in modern day leadership, as it serves as an instruction manual that leaders can use to evaluate themselves on how to improve on their leadership styles. As per these laws of power, President Mujica applies these in the effective running of his country (Maxwell, 2007). For one, he applied the law of inf luence as he led people in his country to advocate for democracy and the liberation of their country from dictatorial rule. His perseverance in jail bore fruit, as he became the leader that he had desired to be. In addition, he grew progressively through his experiences as a guerilla fighter to being an admirable leader. In essence, his experiences shaped his destiny, as it was a gradual process. He did not become a leader overnight hence; he underwent a process, as he grew from an

The Empire In Transition Essay Example for Free

The Empire In Transition Essay 1. How did the relationship between the king and Parliament change during the early 18th century? During the early eighteenth century, the British Parliament established a growing supremacy over the King. The two German kings, George I and George II, were not used to English ways, and the Prime minister and his cabinet ministers became the nation’s real executives. They did not hold their control by the king’s favor, but by their ability to control majority in Parliament. So during this time the king and parliament were still together in overseeing the colonies, but they had different roles in governing and controlling them. 2. How did British officials in the colonies carry out (or fail to carry out) their duties, and what was the effect of their activities? The British officials in the colonies failed to carry out their duties given to them. Some of these appointed officials wanted to raise their incomes with bribes. For example, customs collectors waived duties on goods when merchants paid them to do so. The activities carried out by the officials lead American society to corruption. 3. How was England’s hold on the colonies weakened between 1700 and 1775? England’s hold on the colonies weakened between 1700 and 1775 because the administration of colonial affairs remained decentralized and inefficient. There was no colonial office in London. There was a mere advisory body that had little role in any actual decisions. Real authority rested in the Privy Council, the admiralty, and the treasury, but these agencies were responsible for managing laws at home as well as overseas; no one could concentrate on colonial affairs alone. The character of the royal officials in America also weakened England’s hold on the colonies because most of these officeholders were not able and intelligent. Appointments generally came as results of bribery or favoritism, not as a reward for distinction. 4. What factors helped promote colonial divisions during this period? The factors that helped promote colonial divisions during this period were growth of the colonial population, and the fact that the colonies were so far apart from each other that communication was rare between the colonies. 5. What was the Albany Plan, and what did it reveal about colonial unity? The Albany Plan was proposed by Benjamin Franklin, and this plan said that parliament would set up in America â€Å"one general government† for all the colonies. Each colony could have its own constitution, but would grant to the new general government powers like the authority to govern all relations with the Indians. The central government would have a â€Å"president general† appointed and paid by the king and a legislature elected by colonial assemblies. The Struggle for the Continent (103-107) 6. How did the French attempt to secure their hold on the vast areas they claimed in North America? The French attempted to secure their vast areas by being the Indian allies. They told the Indians to attack the British. 7. What caused the Great War for empire, and why is called by that name? It was caused because the French and Indians were mad because the British got more land; therefore, the Indians and French wanted more land for them. It was called the great war of empire because the English had more land than the French and Indians. 8. How did the Great War for empire become a â€Å"truly international conflict†, and how did Britain carry out its part of the struggle? It became a truly international conflict because of the French and Great Britain having many fronts and having wars on many places it became an international conflict. 9. What were the terms of the Peace of Paris of 1763? The terms were that this treaty ended the seven years war, also known as the French and Indian war. the French also lost Canada, which was dominated by the British side. In order for Spain to recover Cuba they had to give up Florida. The French gave up most of the east of Mississippi except New Orleans. The New Imperialism (107-113) 10. What dilemma faced London policymakers at the end of the Great War for Empire? The dilemma that faced London policymakers was how to fund the British administration and how to defend the North American colonies in long term. 11. What arguments were raised for and against the post-1763 â€Å"territorial imperialism†? How did this change British attitudes towards the colonies? After the American and French Revolutions the British were rendered speechless. The empire on which the sun had never set had fallen and faltered. They were virtually thrown out of America . They realized that they were not omnipotent and they began ruling with more of an iron hand policy. This resulted in worse conditions in the remaining colonies. 12. What initial policy changes occurred when George III ascended the throne, and what were the motives? George wanted to be in control of everything so removed Whigs’ who had previously governed empire for long time and replaced them with his own coalition that was very unstable 13. What was it about post-1763 British policy that caused colonists in every section to see the Disadvantages rather than the advantages of being part of the British Empire? The Proclamation of 1763 caused colonists in every section to see the disadvantages rather than the advantages of being part of the British Empire because it limited the colonists from western expansion beyond the Appalachian Mountains. From there, British started implementing taxes on the colonists to which the colonists did not agree. Stirrings of Revolt (113-121) 14. Why did the Stamp Act antagonize the American colonists so much? The Colonists were angered by the Stamp Act because they did not want to pay more taxes for other stamps. While Great Britain still needed to pay off the rest of their debt from the French and Indian War (Seven Years War) the Colonists had their own problems and wanted to be an independent country, they wanted to fend for themselves and not pay a tax. Stamp act imposed tax  on printed documents and was taxation without representation that they weren’t willing to pay. 15. Who sounded the â€Å"trumpet of sedition† in Virginia over the Stamp Act? Were there reasons other than those in the proposed resolutions? The Virginia House of Burgesses sounded the â€Å"trumpet of sedition† over the Stamp Act. The reason was to challenge the power of tidewater planters who dominated Virginia politics. 16. What role did Samuel Adams play in the American protests? Were his motives different from others? Samuel Adams was the leading figure in fomenting public outrage over the Boston Massacre. He was the most effective radical in the colonies. John Adams’s motives were different from others because he viewed everything in stern moral terms, since he was a member of an earlier generation with strong ties to New England’s Puritan past. 17. Why was the Tea Act seen by many Americans as a direct threat to themselves and their institutions? The Tea Act was seen by many Americans as a direct threat to themselves and their institutions because it meant that parliament had control over them instead of their own government. What were the Coercive Acts? How did the Quebec Act help unite the colonies with Boston in opposition to these acts? The Coercive Acts (known as the Intolerable Acts) were a group of acts that were passed to punish the colonists for the Boston Tea Party. These acts closed the port of Boston, reduced colonial self-government, allowed royal officers to be tried in other colonies or in England when accused of crimes, and provided for the quartering troops in the colonists’ barns and empty houses. The Quebec Act helped unite the colonies with Boston in opposition to these acts because many people in the thirteen English colonies considered it a threat. The passage of the Quebec Act convinced some of the m that a plot was afoot in London to subject Americans to the tyranny of the pope. Cooperation and War (121-125) 19. What role was played by the committees of correspondence in the American protests? The Committees of Correspondence organized protests and performed additional political functions. 20. What were the five major decisions made at the First Continental Congress, and what was their significance? Five major decisions made by the first continental Congress where they rejected a plan for colonial union under British authority, endorsed a statement of grievances, they approved a series of resolutions, recommending that the colonists make military preparations for defense against possible attack by the British, they agreed to non importation, non exportation, and non-consumption as means of stopping all trade with Great Britain, and they formed a â€Å"Continental Association† to enforce the agreements, and they agreed to meet the next spring. These five major decisions indicated that the Continental Congress was considered a continuing organization. 21. What British leaders spoke out in support of the American cause, and what were their reasons for doing so? The Howe brothers supported the American cause. 22. What were the circumstances that led to the fighting at Lexington and Concord? Patterns of Popular Culture (120) The battle of Lexington and concord battle was caused by a set of riots led by the British. Their purpose was to take the weapons and powder in the communities surrounding Boston. 23. How and why did taverns become a central institution in colonial American social life? Taverns became a central institution in colonial American social life because taverns were the place where everyone (men) met to discuss any political issues. The taverns were also known as the â€Å"public houses†. 24. What circumstances and events helped make taverns central to political life as well? The revolutionary crisis made taverns and pubs become the central meeting places for discussions of the ideas that fueled resistance to British policies. There were also few other places where people could meet and talk openly in public. Almost all politicians found it necessary to visit taverns if they wanted any real contact with the public.

Recruitment and selection methods and procedures of IBM

Recruitment and selection methods and procedures of IBM Increased globalisation coupled with enhanced customer expectations makes it very difficult for a firm to grow and succeed. Firms need to constantly change the way they react and adapt to this ever changing global environment. Attracting and retaining high quality individuals can lead a firm to have a competitive edge. One of the ways in which a firm can achieve competitive advantage is by attracting and retaining high quality individuals (Newell as cited in Bach, 2005). Telephone call centres today are part of the ever changing global environment (Callaghan and Thompson, 2002). In recent years there has been increased migration of call centre operations to Asia especially India due to comparatively less expensive labour, infrastructure and technology (Taylor and Bain, 2005). According to Mirchandani (2004), in the year 2003, there were approximately 800 call centres set up in India which employed more than 2 million Indians. This fast growth has caused increased attention from policy makers, the media and academics (Kinnie et al, 2000). Most of the research relating to call centres has been confined to countries like the UK and the US with a lot of focus on subject areas like work relations, labour processes and emotional labour (Callaghan and Thompson, 2002; Budhwar et al, 2006). On the contrary, a very limited research has been undertaken in the field of recruitment and selection Not much research has been carried out on the recruitment and selection practices and procedures in the Indian call centre context. Purpose of the research This research aims at evaluating the recruitment and selection methods and procedures of IBM Daksh, a rapidly growing call centre in India, in a critical way. The aim of this research is to critically evaluate the recruitment and selection practice and procedures in IBM Daksh, which is one of the fastest growing call centres in India. Company background IBM Daksh, which is one of the amongst the largest call centres in India, was used for the purpose of the report. IBM Daksh offers business performance improvement rather than just cost-savings and is a step closer to Business Transformation Outsourcing (BTO) (IBM Daksh website). IBM Daksh focuses on improving business through performance along with cost-savings and is closely moving towards business transformation outsourcing. In April 2004, IBM Corporation acquired Daksh e-Services to form IBM Daksh. IBM Daksh today serves as a global hub to manage business processes for clients across the world. With 25 service delivery centres in India and the Philippines, IBM Daksh is an integral part of IBMs Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) delivery network around the world. Today, IBM Daksh employs more than 30,000 people and has won several major awards for employee satisfaction, delivery excellence, innovation, and diversity and inclusivity (IBM Daksh website). IBM daksh today, acts an international hub for managing business processes for customers all over the world. It serves as an integral part to IBMs business process outsourcing network with 25 service centres in india and the Philippines. Research objectives: The following are the research objectives: RESEARCH QUESTION 1 What are the recruitment methods used in IBM Daksh? RESEARCH QUESTION 2 What are the selection methods used in IBM Daksh? RESEARCH QUESTION 3 What are the positive and negative aspects of the recruitment and selection process in IBM Daksh? Report Structure The next section of the report will conduct a literature review which will examine various academic perspectives. The third section of the report is the methodology which explains the various methods used and gives a justification for the choice of methods. The third section of the report describes the methodology, detailing the different methods used and gives a justification for the choice of methods. CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW This section examines the academic literature within the proposed research area. The aim of the literature review is to look at the various stages of the recruitment and selection cycle. Although all the sections within the literature review are interlinked it has been divided into sections and sub-sections to help guide the reader through the report. Section one will outline the significance of recruitment and selection. Section two will discuss the process of HR planning. Section three will examine the different stages in the systematic approach to recruitment and selection. Section four will explain how HRM contributes to recruitment and selection. Section 1 2.1 Significance of Recruitment and selection for businesses In most academic literature the terms Recruitment and Selection (RS) are used together, however it is necessary at the very onset to explain the difference between the two terms as recruitment and selection are entirely two different functions of HR as they are completely two different functions of HR (Taylor, 2005). According to dowling and schuler recruitment refers to Dowling and Schuler (1990), define recruitment as searching for and obtaining potential job candidates in sufficient numbers and quality that the organisation can select the most appropriate people to fill its job needs (cited in Beardwell and Holden, 2001:226). Whereas, Selection techniques are used to decide which of the applicants is best suited to fill in the vacancy in question (Taylor, 2005:166). The process of recruitment and selection is considered to be as one of the four fundamental functions of Human resource management; recruitment, training, compensation and employee relations (350). The process of recru itment and selection is considered to be amongst the four fundamental functions of human resource management; recruiting, training, compensation and employee relations. Hiring competent and proficient individuals is of utmost significance which, solely relies on the effectiveness of recruitment and selection procedures. Having the right people at the right time in the right place, willing and able to work effectively, at a cost that the organisation can afford, is something for which all managers strive for. The significance of this should not be over looked as incorrect RS decisions can lead an organisation to incur heavy losses in terms of productivity, clients, training and advertising related costs which sum up to almost 30% of an individuals first year earnings (Bach, 2005). The most important features of RS are that it should be effective, efficient and fair. Efficient relates to cost effective methods and sources (ACAS, 2010). It is necessary to decide the need for recruitment, the source and the media to be used and at what cost. The process of recruitment can lead to various expenses such as such as advertising, employee referral bonuses, a gency fees, staff travel, and relocation costs and recruiters salary. Thus, choosing a cost effective approach is dependent on factors specific to each organisation and the various kinds of vacancies (Marchington and Wilkinson, 2005).It should be effective in attracting a good number of quality of candidates (ACAS, 2010). Fair means ensuring that the decisions made during the process is based on merit alone (ACAS, 2010). In order to reduce the risks of discrimination lawsuits, organizations should make use of fair and legal procedures (tme). Also, it is essential to consider Legal issues when recruiting, particularly in the design and wording of adverts and in online channels (hrmaw).These three criteria are crucial for organisational success. Section 3 2.3 Systematic approach to Recruitment and Selection There seems to be a general agreement within the literature that the most popular approach to recruitment and selection is the systematic approach (Pilbeam and Corbridge, 2002; CIPD, 2009). According to Roberts (1997), a systematic approach to recruitment helps to streamline selection and help decrease cost. It also helps to better organisational performance and foster good employee relations (Pilbeam and Corbridge, 2002). In recent years, organizations are realizing that the failure to recruit employees systematically can impact their success (tme). Adopting a more systematic approach to recruitment and selection helps reduce bias and errors (Bach, 2005). The systematic approach is built on the concept that a system has inputs (candidates), processing units (RS methods) and outputs (effective employees or unsuccessful candidates). This system is subject to external influences such as labour market conditions, competitor activity and legal obligations (ibid, 2002). Within the system each stage affects and is co-dependent upon the others. For instance, a sophisticated selection tool is useless if the recruitment methods fail to supply a sufficient quality and quantity of applicants (ibid, 2002). The literature review will discuss the systems approach (Table 1.1) described by Pilbeam and Corbridge (2002) to provide a framework for the RS process. This approach is supported by various other research perspectives. Table 1.1 The recruitment and selection sub-systems Sub-systems Purpose Activities Attraction Attracting suitable candidates Pre-recruitment activity establishing a case for recruitment; consideration of the labour market Use of recruitment methods Responding to enquiries. Reduction Eliminating unsuitable candidates Filtering, screening and short listing. Selection Assessing, choosing and appointing a suitable candidate. Use of selection methods and techniques Making the appointment offer and Acceptance Transition Converting the successful candidate to an effective employee Pre-engagement process Induction and appraisal. Source: Pilbeam and Corbridge, 2002 2.3. STAGE 1: ATTRACTION Establishing a case for recruitment According to Plumbley (1985) any vacancy which is created either through resignation, dismissal or increased workload presents management an opportunity and with a choice. The opportunity is freedom to consider whether the job is necessary (and, hence, a chance to re-allot the work). The choice is between recruitment and other courses of action (such as internal promotion or temporary transfer) (ibid, 1985 pp:15). Job analysis, Job descriptions and Person specifications The next stage after the case for recruitment is established is the process of job analysis, writing up job descriptions and person specifications. According to Robert (1997), job analysis is the basis for effective recruitment and selection. Job analysis is imperative because it provides the information required for two documents: job description and person specification. Job analysis also looks at how each job fits into the organisation, what its purpose is, and at the skills and personality traits required to carry it out. A number of distinct methods such as interviews, questionnaires, diaries and observation are employed for gathering job analysis data (Taylor, 2005). As stated earlier, from the job analysis the job description and person specification is written. Job descriptions relate to the tasks to be undertaken, whereas person specifications outline the human attributes seen as necessary to do the job. Most employers in large organisations make use of job descriptions and person specifications to draw potential candidates (Taylor, 2005). Person specification can be drawn up using two well known frameworks, Rodgers Seven Point Plan (1952) and Frasers Five-point plan (1966). These frameworks however, include some categories which are inappropriate and potentially discriminatory, for example, categories relating to disposition or interests (Pilbeam and Corbridge, 2002). Therefore, the recruitment teams in call centres must have a clear understanding of anti-discrimination laws and equality laws before publishing any job description or person specification. Pilbeam and Corbridge, (2002) emphasise the significance of skills, aptitude and knowledg e included in the person specifications and should specifically relate to job needs. Competency-based approach Competency framework is the alternative approach to the job analysis process. This approach has overcome a number of drawbacks of the job analysis/ person specification/ job description process. Competencies were defined by Boyzatis (1982) as an underlying characteristic of a person which results in effective and superior performance in a job (Taylor, 2005: 156-157). The most significant advantage of the competency framework is its focus on the behaviours of applicants. There is therefore no need to make inferences about personal qualities that might underpin behaviour (Newell and Shackleton, 2001:26 as cited in Marchington and Wilkinson, 2005:169). In addition, the competencies can be related to specific performance outcomes rather than being concerned with potentially inappropriate processes, such as disposition or interests outside work (ibid, 2005). According to an Industrial Relations Survey (IRS) study the most commonly used competencies are team orientation, communication, peo ple management, customer focus, results-orientation and problem-solving (Rankin and Epstein, 2001). In call centres there is emphasis on social competencies which are essential to ensure an effective interaction between the employee and the customer. `It is this interaction that is crucial to customer satisfaction` (Newell, 2005 as cited in Bach, 2005:116). For example, a detailed case study of recruitment in a call centre was conducted by Callaghan and Thompson (2002) who found that competencies such as communication, customer focus, building relationships and problem solving were important. Despite the many advantages of this approach, critiques suggest that it could lead to a form of cloning where all new recruits tend to behave similarly to those already in the posts; hence diversity is lost (Taylor, 2005). Recruitment methods After all the preparatory work is complete, in terms of planning, forecasting and job analysis the stage of recruitment can begin. It is imperative that organisations analyse the costs involved in selecting the methods of recruitment (tme). There are a range of recruitment methods from which call centres must choose, these can be used exclusively or in combination. They are listed in Table 2.The objective of a recruitment method is to attract an appropriate number of suitable candidates at the least cost (Pilbeam and Corbridge, 2002). Table 1.2 Recruitment methods Recruitment Method Examples Internal methods Internal promotion, internal transfers, job rotation schemes, rehiring former staff Print media National newspapers, local newspaper, trade and professional journal, magazines Education liaison Careers services, career fairs, college tutors External agencies Job centres, outplacement consultants, head-hunters, employment agencies, recruitment consultants Other media Direct mail, local radio, internet, cinema Professional contacts Conferences, trade union referrals, suppliers, industry contacts Other methods factory gate posters, past applicant records, open days, word of mouth, poaching Source: Taylor (2005: 170) Recruitment can be internal, which attempts to fill vacancies from the pool of existing workers or external, which recruits individuals from outside, the choice and timing of which varies between organisations. Many organisations today attempt internal recruitment because it is cost effective (Taylor, 2005). Other advantages include building on existing staffs skills and training and providing opportunities for promotion and development (ACAS, 2010)acas 2009. There are disadvantages, however, of relying on internal recruitment as it can be potentially unfair and discriminatory, since it tends to perpetuate the existing workforce. It also prevents the organisation from bringing in new talent, which can only come through external recruitment (Bach, 2005). When existing employees are encouraged and rewarded for introducing suitable recruits it is termed as employee referrals (CIPD, 2009). The advantage of this method is that the new recruits are likely to have a better understanding of the organisations culture and values as well as the nature of work as compared to the average recruit. Call centres encourage this method as it is cost efficient (Bach. 2005). However, it is important that employers do not rely on this scheme as it limits attracting a diverse workforce (CIPD, 2009). Many Call centres attempt external recruitment because internal sources are often not sufficient enough to supply a suitable pool of applications (Newell, 2005 as cited in Bach, 2005). Table 2 lists the different types of recruitment methods. When there is pressure to fill in vacancies very quickly, often methods like employment agencies, job centres, and local papers that advertise positions on a daily basis can be used (Taylor, 2005). The external agencies already have a pool of potential applicants registered with them so they can provide a quick recruitment turn around time (ACAS, 2010). Since many call centres have to fill in vacancies within days they often rely on employment agencies (Kinnie, et al., 2000) who take over a larger part of the recruitment process by advertising, they also sift initial applicants and provide employers with a short-list of candidates (Taylor, 2005). According to IRS (1997) corporate websites and local newspapers are used universally to attract applicants (used by 75% of organisations) (CIPD, 2009). Job advertisements are quick way of attracting a large pool of candidates. When placing a job advertisement, there are many factors which should be considered like the content, the layout (example size, position and typeface) and the timing (example dates). Table 3 provides a suggested content checklist against which the advertisement used in IBM Daksh can later be measured. Table 1.3: Suggested content for Recruitment advertisements Content Organisations name and logo The job title and brief description of the job (duties involved and main aspects of the person specification, and main aspects of the person specification and any qualifications required) Where the job is based The salary (either the amount or scale) any allowances and facilities An equal opportunities statement Application procedures, the closing date (and interview date) Where to get further details Source: Taylor (2005) Other ways of attracting applicants include building links with local colleges, working with job centre and holding open days (CIPD, 2009). When deciding which method to use, Taylor (2005) suggests that organisations should consider how precisely the approach adopted will reach its target audience. Recruitment of the right people is the most important role of the recruiters in call centres (Townsend, 2005). Therefore it is of utmost importance to invest time and effort right from the outset of the recruitment process. STAGE 2 REDUCTION The attraction of applicants is succeeded by efforts to narrow down the total number of applications received to a pool of candidates that can be managed effectively in the more detailed assessment stage of selection process (CIPD, 2009). This can be done indirectly through the characteristics of the recruitment activity, and directly through using the person specification criteria. The processes involved are filtering, screening and short listing, by an assessment of the application form or CV (Pilbeam and Corbridge, 2002). Application forms and Curriculum Vitas (CV) The application form and the CV are principle tools for the applicant in the selection process. Many organisations use application forms which allow information to be gathered in a standardised way (Searle, 2003). Some studies have shown it is used in 98 percent of selection projects (Roberts, 2005). With the growth of the internet many organisations now use online applications especially for jobs that receive large volumes of applicants (Searle, 2003). Most employers make use of both CVs and application forms (Taylor, 2005). From the perspective of the employer there are advantages and disadvantages to both approaches. A CV is an opportunity for candidates to sell themselves and can thus tailor their application in their own way, however this can be a disadvantage as well as candidates could over sell themselves to a potential employer. They may also include irrelevant information in the CVs (ibid, 2005). Application forms, on the other hand provide the organisation with only the information it requests and hence aids the short listing and interview process (Pilbeam and Corbridge, 2002). Application forms have become so much a part of the process that it is wholly expected by the candidates and taken for granted by the recruiters. According to Roberts (2005: 103) `It is probably one of the most maligned and misused recruitment tools`. Much of the information it requests is for administration purposes which can be collected at a later stage. The application form should focus only on the job and its related selection criteria (Pilbeam and Corbridge, 2002). According to Taylor (2005), the application form should be designed clearly, use concise language and have a good layout. If it is designed carefully and administered sensitively and sensibly it can become an extremely effective part of the overall selection process (Plumbley, 1985). Short listing This process reduces the number of candidates proceeding to the selection stage by assessing the application form or CV. Research indicates that this process is often subjective, inconsistent and lacking focus (Roberts, 1997). There are a number of simple principles to guide the construction of a final shortlist. First, assessments should be made against the criteria using the person specification or competency framework and each application can then be rated according to these standards or a scoring system can be used (CIPD, 2009). Second, a shortlist should be of a manageable size in relation to the resources of the organisation and the selection methods being employed (Pilbeam and Corbridge, 2002). Third, contingency arrangements should be made to compensate for candidates who withdraw due to the time spent on short listing (ibid, 2002). STAGE 3 SELECTION The RS process can be made more systematic however it will unavoidably remain subjective. A structured RS system with rigour and consistency in the application of selection methods is highly desirable, but the appointment decision remains a matter of human judgement (Pilbeam and Corbridge, 2002:139). The selection choice is dependent on factors such as type and level of job, abilities of the manager involved, time required, accuracy demanded and cost (Torrington, et al., 1991). The process should be fair to selected and unsuccessful candidates with a degree of flexibility to ensure its the most appropriate means of selecting a candidate in question (CIPD, 2009). Wrong decisions not only affect the various individuals associated with them (employers, applicants, agencies) but also result to frustration, repetive training and low morale prior to the termination of the newly hired employee. Small organisations are affected more by such decisions, while large scale organisations can reta in or relocate the inappropriate placement, such a luxury can be very expensive for small scale organisations (tme). This section reviews selection methods which relate to those used in IBM Daksh. Many of the methods such as work sampling, assessment centres and graphology are not used by IBM Daksh due to the nature of the work. Hence this section examines interviews and ability tests in detail. Sound selection decisions ensure the organisations that their financial investments in the employees will pay off (tme). It is important to mention that no single method, regardless of how well it is designed and administered, is capable of producing perfect selection decisions that predict with certainty which individuals will perform well in a particular role. Employers are therefore use a combination of various methods (Marchington and Wilkinson, 2005). Ability tests Ability tests or aptitude tests focus on numeric, verbal reasoning, abstract reasoning and logical reasoning (Taylor, 2005). The aim of tests is to increase the quality of selection decisions (Torrington et al, 1991). According to Plumbley (1985) tests can help measure some attributes which are difficult to measure in an interview and thus reduce subjective judgement and of possible human error in the selection process as a whole. According to ACAS (2009) candidates for telesales/call centre work will almost invariably be asked to undertake a practical test for verbal reasoning. Tests scores should be used to supplement the interview. It is critical that those who administer the tests should be qualified to interpret them hence training for administrators is necessary (Torrington et al, 1991). The interview The purpose of the interview is two-fold. One is to find out if the candidate is suitable for the job, and second is to give the candidate information about the job and the organisation. There is a general agreement within the literature that traditional selection interviews are poor predictors of future job performance (Torrington et. al, (1999); ACAS, 2010; Plumbley (1985). The term traditional refers to unstructured interviews in which the interviewer may ask different sets of questions to different candidates (Taylor, 2005: 210). Quick judgements are a common pitfall in the use of interviews (Roberts, 2005). According to Webster (1964, as cited in Torrington et al, 1991) interviewers often decide whether to accept or reject a candidate within four minutes, and then look for evidence to justify their decision. Literature recommends that the interviewer spends adequate time in listening to the candidates (ibid, 1991). Another pitfall is the concentration span of interviewers, which tends to drop in the course of the interview and hence it is recommended that note taking helps in continued concentration (Roberts, 2005). Despite the problems associated with interviews, it is one of the most widely used selection techniques, and the validity of face-to-face conversation is high (Torrington et al, 1991). Recent studies by the CIPD have shown that interviews are used in 90 percent of selection processes (Roberts, 2005). Literature advocates the use of structured interviews rather than unstructured. Research by Barclay (1999, as cited in Pilbeam and Corbridge, 2002) found that structured interviews have recently gained popularity. A structured interview is designed to determine all the relevant information and assess the competencies of the applicant. This method focuses on the match between job and candidate (acas, 2009) which helps better selection decisions and better consistency and fairness in the treatment of candidates (Taylor, 2005). Job offer and Rejection It is important to inform all the applicants of the outcome as soon as possible, whether successful or unsuccessful. If the decision is delayed (acas 2009) the candidates should be advised. Unsuccessful candidates should be given feedback on any aspects they could reasonably improve for future success (ACAS, 2010). For the successful candidates the job offer and acceptance formalises the relationship between the employer and employee. An offer of employment is normally a written document which should include all the features of employment, for example job, hours, start date, pay and benefits (Pilbeam and Corbridge, 2002). Torrington et al. (1991) suggests that it is essential to send the offer letter to the candidate as soon as possible, as the best candidates may have offers elsewhere. STAGE 4 TRANSITION Induction Induction is used in the workplace context to help employees adjust and acclimatise to their jobs and working environment (CIPD, 2010). According to CIPD (2010) a good induction should consist of the following elements: Orientation (physical) describing where the facilities are. Orientation (organisational) explaining how the employee fits into the team and how their role fits with the organisations strategy and goals. Health and safety information Explanation of the terms and conditions Details of the organisations history, culture and values. A clear outline of the job/role requirements. A good induction is an important element in contributing to the successful transition from an applicant to an employee (Pilbeam and Corbridge, 2002). It is essential to have a well-designed induction programme to create a good first impression and make the employees feel welcome. It also helps increase employee retention (Taylor, 2005; CIPD, 2010). Section 4 The importance of HRM in Recruitment and Selection The human resource department of an organisation plays a vital role in the process of recruitment and selection (Browning et al, 2009). The entire setting of human resource function in hiring candidates is interconnected with the recruitment and the human resources strategy. Human resource managers play a significant role in the recruitment and selection process. It is essential to identify the appropriate candidate requirements and ways to attract them (Bach, 2005). Traditionally, human resource managers were required to administer the entire process of recruitment. The managers were accountable for managing the advertising and monitoring of vacancies, but the human resource managers were not much influential in the overall recruitment process. However, as the need for human resources in organisations is increasing, certain changes in the human resource strategy were incorporated. Human resource managers are delegated the entire responsibility of managing organisational personnel an d in such circumstances the process of recruitment and selection takes the first place. It is the basic and major role of any human resource department to hire competent candidates for the organisation (Budhwar and Boyne, 2004). Human resource activities are directly related to the productivity. Extensive recruitment and selection strategies can lead to an increase in the productivity. Moreover investments in the area of Human Resources are in align with the fiscal progress of the organisation such as training and development, Recruitment and selection (hrmrs). Generally human resource managers consider issues related to HR as significant to organizational success. It is necessary to include line managers in the decision making process with regards to human resources. However, the use of such practices differs from organisation to organisation (hrmrs). it has been found that the integration of HR into the firms strategies, is significantly related to outputs of turnover, productivity and financial performance (hrmrs). CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY This section describes the various methods that will be used in this report and will attempt to give a justification for the choice of methods. 3.1 Research Philosophy Research philosophy relates to the development of