Sustainability in BMW Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Sustainability in BMW - Assignment Example The organization provided social programs which include road safety teaching, programs against the HIV/AIDS and youngster and children education. The social programs serve as a marketing strategy because the organization creates awareness of the products to the public. Creation of road safety teaching promotes the economy and increases sales volume hence huge profit. BMW provides services to the community as well as promoting a business. The sustainability plan for BMW handles environmental, social and economic interest of the company. In respect to the environment, the organization receives supplies from trusted dealers. Economically, BMW is fives the employee best working condition in order to be productive. BMW also takes part in the social program and ensure that the customer does not have social problems. BMW is doing the best to meet people’s triple bottom line component. The organization provides a good working environment for the employees in order for them to give the best results (Feuchtmayr, 2011). BMW for economic purposes it sells the product and provides salary for the employee after making a profit. In short, it creates employment opportunity and contributes to the economic growth. In respect to the environment, BMW provides traffic education in the UK for people to minimize traffic jam and air pollution. It produces vehicles which do not pollute sound and air hence saving the environment. In respect to social, BMW provides education of HIV/AIDs to members of the public (Feuchtmayr, 2011).

Leadership journal 2- change Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Leadership journal 2- change - Essay Example Likewise, the response to evaluating the change in the work setting would necessitate including a change theory and detailing how the use of the theory did or would have helped the implementation of the change. The Change Transition in the Work Setting One is currently working as a registered nurse with a Nursing and Rehabilitation Health Care Facility. The change that currently occurred in this work setting is transitioning from manual or paper-based documentation to computer-based documentation system. Due to the fast paced-technological developments that ensued in the current century, the impetus for change to transcend from paper-based documentation to computer-based documentation through the electronic medical record (EMR) was deemed inevitable. Previous Paper-Based Documentation System The system that had been used to document crucial information, assessment, and interventions provided to patients were traditionally recorded through charting. This means that a patient’s chart is used to record all pertinent information since the patient’s entry in the health care setting for confinement. Several health care practitioners and professionals use the patients’ charts to document their observation, recommended intervention, and diverse health-related information to record the patients’ progress throughout the confined period. Several variables or factors paved the way for the paper based documentation system to exhibit inefficiencies in the health care setting. For one, the volume of patients that have significantly increased through time could not appropriately contain all the information through a patient’s chart. In addition, the number of diagnostic or laboratory tests, and recommended interventions by different health care professionals make recording tedious and complex. As such, there were evident disadvantages found to be related to paper-based documentation; including it being considered a â€Å"poor repository of p atient information†¦ also the tasks associated with such record keeping consume up to 38 percent of the physician's time associated with an outpatient visit† (Tang, LaRosa, & Gorden, 1999, par. 5). Likewise, it is prone to wear and tear; have greater tendencies for encountering difficulties in updating and keeping in file through time; missing information or record; as well as ineligble handwriting could significantly affect and influence the quality and accuracy of patient care that would be provided on a timely manner. Proposed Electronic or Computer-Based Documentation The change that is currently being implemented in using a computer-based patient record (CPR) or documentation system. According to previous studies, the objective or goal of the CPR is â€Å"supporting patient care and improving the quality of care as well as enhancing the productivity of the health care personnel while reducing the costs of health care delivery† (Rodriguez, Borges, Rodriguez, An garita, & Munoz, n.d., p. 1). The CPR therefore addresses all the weaknesses of the paper-based documentation system, particularly limiting or preventing errors in transcribing ineligible handwriting; preventing records being lost; and doing away with filing the patients’ records in repositories which could be destroyed or ineffectively maintained. The Manner by Which the Change was Received Several health car

Nigerian Construction Industry Performance

Nigerian Construction Industry Performance Chapter Two of this research comprises a comprehensive review of literature relating to the Nigerian construction industry and its performance, Value Management and its application in the construction industry. It is noted that much of the literature relating to Nigeria is dated, however this can only add to the value and relevance of primary data collected in this research and it provides a background and historic basis from which progress in the industry may be measured. 2.1 THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY The construction industry the world over is often perceived to be the life wire of its respective economy as it cuts across all aspects of human activities (Ayangade, 2009) and the Nigerian construction industry is not an exception to this. Its contribution ranges from enabling the procurement of goods and services to the provision of buildings and other infrastructure, thereby providing employment opportunities to its labour force while contributing immensely to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). According to Ayangade (2009), the contribution of the Nigerian construction industry is yet to measure up to those of the western world like the UK and Australia due to its developing nature among other reasons discussed below. As noted by the same researcher (Ayangade, 2009), whereas the construction industries of other developed countries are responsible for about 22% of their respective GDPs, the Nigerian case is different as it contributes slightly below 16% to its economy. However, this could be said to be complemented by the relatively higher employment (20%) it provides for its whooping 140 million citizens compared to the 12% as in the case of developed countries. Mbamali (2004) attributed this to relatively lower use of mechanization within construction in Nigeria and the high dependency of the Nigerian economy on the oil sector. Obiegbu (2005) noted that the construction industry, unlike other sectors, is a complex one and requires articulate professionals who are ready to live up to its clients expectations. Clients in the construction industry may either be private individuals including corporate bodies or public organisations which include the government. In Nigeria the federal government is often seen to be involved in the most complex projects with about 38.4% of the market (Ayangade, 2005). This is followed by the state government which is responsible for about 19.2% of the projects in the industry, though there is still some form of partnering between different classes of clients. The players in the industry are a disparate group of individuals often assembled into temporary teams and may comprise of quantity surveyors, architects, Engineers, Estate surveyors Valuers, project managers, contractors and sub-contractors, suppliers, labourers and artisans. Activities in the construction industry are carried out on a project basis and could be within an organisation or part of a programme (..reference). The Project Management Institute (PMI) (2004) defined a project as a temporary endeavour undertaken to create a unique product, service or result. The product, in the context of the construction industry, may be a building, services installation or other infrastructural project. Hence the relevant mix of professionals is often assembled together with the aim of achieving this goal. This group of professionals is expected to possess the relevant skills, knowledge, tools and techniques to achieve the project goals. The application of these variables, skills, knowledge, tools and techniques, with the aim achieving the required objective is referred to as project management (PMI, 2004). According to Obiegbu (2005), the contractual procurement strategy, which he defined as a basis for clients action in defining the procedure to be followed fr om the inception of the project to handover, plays an important role in the performance of the industry. Some of the contractual arrangements which are often referred to as procurement routes may include, but are not limited to, the following: Traditional procurement route Design and build Management contracts 2.1.1 Nature and Performance of the Nigerian Construction Industry the economic resources often wasted in cost and time overruns, substandard work and shoddy workmanship, client-contractor-practitioners acrimonious relationships and non-performance of projects as envisaged by clients and end users Olatunje (2009) The above quote highlights the perception of the Nigerian construction industry presented by Olatunje (2009) highlights issues researched by other authors such as cost and time overruns (Aniekwu and Okpala, 1998, Oyedele Tham, 2007, Dlakwa Culpin, 1990), project abandonment (Sonuga et al, 2002, Adams, 1997) and both client and contractor dissatisfaction (Olatunje, 2009). The quote also echoes findings from Egans (1998) research into the UK construction industry. The Egan report has been formative in the UK construction industry but also for the Nigerian industry, which is fashioned after the UKs (Mbamali, et al., 2005, Oyedele Tham, 2007). The Nigerian construction industry has similar contractual arrangements as the industry in Britain which has been found to be more unsuitable for developing industries like Nigeria than it is for its own industry (Edmonds Miles, 1983, Sonuga et al, 2002). The most common procurement route used in the Nigerian construction industry is the traditional route (Ayangade, 2009). This implies that much risk is placed on the Architect to deliver the project as he is left to advise, organise and lead other project consultants to conceive and develop the project design. This procurement route has faced a lot of criticism including the separation of the design stage from actual construction. Wells (1986) found that the divorce of design from construction and the use of competitive tendering, which is based on lowest cost, are noted constraints that affect the performance of the Nigerian construction industry. Aniekwu and Okpala (1988) referred to these as systemic issues in the industry which result from the application of contractual arrangements unsuited to the Nigerian industry. Some of these issues may be accommodated by appropriate conditions of contract but these factors are considered to be withholding the development of the industry. Aniekwu and Okpala (1988) also identified some of the structural issues affecting the industry to include access to finance and lack of proper communication among consultants, contractors and the client at the early stages the project and during construction. Oyodele and Tham (2005) noted that lack of proper communication in the industry, boosted by its high level of fragmentation, has left it awash it with delay, cost and time overruns in addition to the disturbing rate of fluctuation in the prices of materials offered by the economy. The findings of the Building Research Establishment associated more than 50% of the construction defects with mistakes in project drawings and documentation due to inadequate interaction among the proj ect professionals. This is in line with the recommendation of the National Economic Development Office (1987) on the need for more accurate designs in the industry as this is responsible for nearly two-thirds of poor quality work in the industry. 2.1.2 Project Management in the Nigerian Construction Industry Odusemi et al, (2003) found that Project Management is still in its early stages of development in the Nigerian construction industry. The service is offered but only alongside other consultancy services. This is not assisted by the fact that PM is learned experientially and is not represented by established professional bodies, although many consultants are members of the Association of Project Management (APM) and the Project Management Institute (PMI). This has left the industry struggling with the challenges of satisfying the needs of its clients and the public as a whole. As noted by Oyodale and Tham (2005), the complexities presented by the industry can only be tackled by its professionals. Aibinu and Jagboro (2002) concluded that, considering the contribution of the construction industry to its nations economy, improved services in the form of greater efficiency and timeliness would certainly yield a positive impact. The research called on the need for innovative research that will improve management skills and ability, buildability, design quality, integration and communication and client focus so as to deliver value for money. 2.2 VALUE MANAGEMENT 2.2.1 Value Concept Historically, value is viewed from an economic perspective, hence its expression as a ratio of costs to benefits (Kelly et al, 2004). The concept of value is based on the relationship between satisfying needs and the expectations and the resources required to achieve them (British Standard, 2000). The above statement implies that for value to be correctly defined there ought to be some needs that are desired to be satisfied; which are then weighed against the required and available resources to achieve them. This however does not equate reduced cost to enhanced value. For instance, as illustrated in figure 2.1 below, a project manager may decide to commit more resources in the short run (which would obviously increase cost) with an intention of increasing his revenue (improved value) in the long run. Value can thus be increased when the clients satisfaction increases and the cost in terms of resources either diminishes, or increases to a lesser extent (Tassinari (1985, p37). Figure 2.1 showing the relationship between resources and customer satisfaction. (Adapted from British Standard, 2000) A need is that which is desired or necessary to perform a particular function and will differ depending on the nature of the client or the perspective from which it is defined (British Standard, 2000). This explains why value is often seen to be a subjective term (Thiry, 1997). According to Kelly et al (2004) producers and dealers may both view value as the price of a physical object while the consumers or users would see value from its performance perspective which changes with time. McGeorge and Palmer (2002) illustrate this using a modern home which has a little battery operated radio in addition to internet, phone, and television. Of course, the small radio would be perceived to have little or no value until a snow storm cuts the house off from the electric power supply which will render the radio as the only source of communication. The above example by McGeorge and Palmer (2002) shows the effect time and innovation can have on a clients interpretation of value and how it can change given a particular situation. The small battery operated radio was initially of very high value when it was the only available option but diminished with the invention and/or acquisition of internet, phone and television by the household. However its appreciation changed when the situation change. According to Zimmerman and Hart (1982) as cited in Thiry (1997), if a design has not changed in 18 years, the product is either excellent or management has failed to improve it. However one knows that neither of these two conditions mentioned in the above statement is obtainable in the present construction industry due to its highly competitive nature. Most times clients interpretation of value is when it meets or exceeds their expectations. Kelly and Male (2007) described this using the Kanos model as shown in figure 2.3 below. Figure 2.2 Kanos Model, reproduced from Kelly and Male, 2007 As shown on Kanos model above, there are three levels of satisfaction factors; basic, performance and delighter, each having some effects on the quality characteristics including customers satisfaction. According to Kelly and Male (2007), Kanos model (figure 2.2) does not only portray the importance of achieving a clients immediate expectations from a project but also the need to go the extra mile to improve it beyond the clients expectations as this gives them a à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"delighter satisfaction. The possible benefit from this is that projects would not become obsolete within a short period of its completion as its performance would still exceed the customers demand, thereby assuring the client of continued good value for his money. Kanos model also creates room for improved projects through innovative services and products as what was once a à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"delighter over time goes down to à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"basic and forms a baseline below which the client becomes dissatisfied. Acc ording to Harty (2009) one of the driving forces behind the value management concept is that it encourages innovation through research which is in line with the recommendations of Egan (1998) to improve the performance of the construction industry. 2.2.2 Defining the Client Value System Clients in the construction industry have been described as a heterogeneous group made up of private or public organisations operating in different environments with diverse reasons for their existence (Kelly et al 2007). Some of these are multinational organisations competing at the global level who already have reputations to protect while some are small upcoming organisations who are still very much profit driven. Viewed from another perspective, some of these clients are more experienced than others irrespective of their sizes or the sector in which they operate. It then follows that clients are unique in their own ways and have individual, respective requirements which determine their needs and hence what is of value to them. This is referred to as the client value system. Harmonizing and prioritizing these diverse views of stakeholders in a particular project at the project briefing stage sets the clients value system and ensures that value for money (VfM) is achieved, (OGC, 20 07). The client value system is thus seen as a basis for making decisions as to the allocation and use of resources available for a project, thereby addressing the usual mismatch between the clients actual intent and his capability (Thiry, 1996). According to Kelly et al (2004, p157) one of the most important considerations of value management is the recognition of the uniqueness of each clients value system. This creates demand for the construction industry as it is focused on the customers by making explicit what value means to the each individual client. Sequel to this, Kelly et al (2004) identified some measurable criteria which form a typical construction client value system to include time, capital costs, operating cost, environment, exchange, flexibility, esteem, comfort and politics. 2.2.2.1 Time Refers to the period from when the project was conceptualized to the period when it is completed and absorbed into the clients organisation. Often time is assessed on a continuum from when it is of essence to the point where it could be compromised (Kelly et al, 2004). For instance a project to build a sports bar for the 2010 world cup delivered just a day past the commencement of the tournament, may drastically affect its value. Hence it is necessary to determine what time means to the client. 2.2.2.2 Capital expenditure (CAPEX) Are those costs associated with the capital cost of a project, measured on a continuum between the budget being considered tight and not able to be exceeded to there being flexibility in budgeting (Kelly et al 2004). Simply put, CAPEX is what it cost to put a project on ground, from inception to handover. However, Elinwa and Joshua (2001) stated that it is sometimes difficult to separate the capital costs of some projects from its operating costs due the platform on which it was procured. For example a primary health centre to be procured through PFI, it may not be so easy to pin point the capital costs as it forms part of the total lease package. 2.2.2.3 Operating expenditure (OPEX) Spending on construction projects is not one off expenditure as the building requires to be operated, maintained and repaired throughout the life span of the building. According to Kelly et al (2004), OPEX can be defined as those costs associated with operation and maintenance of a completed project as it becomes a part of the clients organization; measured by the extent to which it is minimized to its point of being flexible. This depends on the use to which a building is being put to. For instance where the building is for residential purpose, the operating costs may include utilities, cleaning, repairs, maintenance, caretaker and security. This may be expanded to include photocopying and internet facilities and other office services for a commercial development. 2.2.2.4 Environment This defines how important achieving an environmentally friendly project is to the client. Kelly et al (2004) defined environment as the extent to which the project results in a sympathetic approach to its immediate and extended physical environments in terms of energy consumed in putting it up and in operating it. The yardstick here is the level to which the project complies with the Kyoto Agreement and Agenda 21 issues including other environmental regulations. This explains a clients interest in having a sustainable development which is resources conscious. 2.2.2.5 Exchange or resale This refers to the monetary value of the project were it to be sold, rented or valued as part of an organisations assets. Where the project cannot be traded on the open market value or there is no intention to resell ab initio, this will be indicated in the organisations value system (Kelly et al, 2004). The continuum here is between the returns from the project being of importance to the returns being of not of much or no importance to the client. 2.2.2.6 Flexibility As recommended by Egan (1998), there is a need for construction projects to be at a par with improvements in technology and changes in market demand. Hence flexibility as a value criterion is the extent to which a project parameter has to reflect this ever changing environment at its design stage (Kelly et al 2004). For instance, the nature of the healthcare industry involves constant improvements in technology and hence healthcare facilities must be compatible with the incorporation of these changes. However, flexibility depends on the nature of the project and is measured between being very easy to change its function to being impossible. 2.2.2.7 Esteem This refers to the amount of immediate resources that a client wants to forgo for attributes like prestige, aesthetic and appearance rather than performance (Thiry, 1996). Some projects may not be viable based on other value criteria but of high value to the client on esteem grounds. For instance, some projects undertaken by some countries could be just aimed at creating awareness and putting the countrys name on the map as in the case of the worlds tallest building in Dubai. 2.2.2.8 Comfort In the context of a building this refers to the physical and psychological comfort of the building as a place for working and living with its influence on human performance (Kelly et al 2004). Simply put, it refers to the ease with which the project supports the business carried out in it or other uses to which it is being put. 2.2.2.9 Politics This is external to projects and refers to the level of resources that the client wants to commit to the community, popularity and good neighbour issues which often determines how important they are to him (Kelly and Male, 2007). This is measured by the motive to be popular with the local community or not having any concern with them at all. In a study conducted to determine clients assessment of architects performance in Nigeria in terms of delivering value for money, Lukmon et al (2007), identified a set of 28 similar but correlated criteria which they grouped under quality of project, buildability, client focus and management skills. 2.2.3 Historical Background of Value Management A project is defined as an undertaking aimed at achieving a specific objective usually measured in terms of performance, budget and schedule, (Morris and Hough 1987). Hence project is an investment undertaken to add value to the core business of a client (Kelly et al, 2004). Value Management, as a management technique, offers the most logical approach to delivering VfM to clients (Shen and Liu 2003); Kelly and Male, 2007). Its strength may be attributed to its approach of identifying and/or verifying a clients value system among the relevant stakeholders at an early stage of the project, so that these may be reflected in the project design. According to Thiry (1996) the origins of VM can be traced back to the 1940s in what he described as more for less in the USA manufacturing industry. During World War II Lawrence Miles, an Engineer with General Electric, was faced with some strategic problems in producing some components which were easily produced in the past. As a way around this Miles, who before then has been dissatisfied with the cost of production in the industry, came to realise that most times circumstantial innovations result in better performance and reduced cost. This prompted Miles to ask what function does this component perform and how else can we perform that function (Dallas, 2006). Miles questions gave rise to the concept of function analysis which was aimed at identifying and analysing the intended functions to determine if the materials for the proposed solution can be substituted with less expensive ones. Not long after, people started to adopt the technique of focusing on the intended function not the process which soon developed into what is today referred to as Value Analysis (VA). In many cases people perceived the technique as a cost reduction technique at the expense of improved functionality which is a total misconception of the technique (Kelly and Male, 1993). However, the technique was so successful that in less than 10 years it was adopted in the US Department of Defence to deliver VfM and from then on other industries in the USA have adapted it for application at different phases of their projects. Value Management (VM) as it came to be called, refers to a structured management of the total value equation throughout all stages of the project (Kelly et al; 2004). Figure 2.3 shows different stages and segments of the development of value management. Figure 2.3 The metamorphosis of Value Management, adapted from Dallas (2006) As illustrated in figure 2.3, Miles action in the 1940s was focused on getting alternative materials or components to perform the required function which was the beginning of value management. This was later perceived as a cost cutting technique before the adoption of a holistic structured approach to improving value (Kelly and Male, 1993). Following the development and positive impacts of value management in the US manufacturing sector, the technique was adopted into the US construction industry as a means of delivering VfM to its clients in the 1960s. Fong and Shen (2000) noted that VM was first introduced in the US construction industry in 1968 and its application in the Chinese construction industry is recorded to occur 10 years later (Shen and Liu, 2004). According to Kelly et al (2004), the value management technique was first used in the UK 30 years after it was introduced in the US manufacturing industry at the Xerox headquarters, an American company. From then on VM has grown to become widely accepted in different parts of the world as a logical means to achieve value for money (Fong, 2004; Kelly et al, 2004; Ellis et al, 2004) including in Africa (Bowen et al, 2008). 2.2.4 Benefits of Value management Value management is a proactive, problem solving service, which maximizes the functional value of a project through a structured team which makes explicit the clients value system and weights further decisions against the value system.(Kelly et al, 1998). VM aims to justify the place of a project in a clients organisation at an early stage and develops a strategic plan against which it is built on to deliver value for money. VM is often misconstrued to being a cost reduction exercise, hence seen to be synonymous with value engineering. According to Dallas (2006) cost reduction, which is an obvious output of a value management exercise, cannot after all be seen as its main motive. As illustrated in figure 2.4 below, VM incorporates value engineering and value analysis in its value definition exercise and so could be perceived to be a universal set for the three concepts. Figure 2.4 shows the relationship between Value Management, Value Engineering and Value Analysis, adapted from Connaughton and Green (1996) VM looks at a project from a holistic point of view (time, whole life cost and performance) in the context of its usage which properly fits in the definition of value for money (). Connaughton and Green (1996) identified the following benefits which a properly executed Value Management exercise can yield: The need for the project is made explicit and verified by available data. The project objectives are identified and discussed openly to reach a consensus. Rational, explicit and measurable decisions are guaranteed after alternatives have been considered. Project designs are developed from the agreed framework, which are evaluated on the basis of the agreed performance criteria. There is greater participation from stakeholders which guarantees their buy in. There is improved communication and teamwork spirit throughout the project. Improved innovation with better quality definition in the project. Unnecessary cost is eliminated which may lead to a reduction in cost. Properly executed, value management when employed at the early stages of a project can help eliminate unnecessary cost to the tune of 10% to 25% savings on the proposed capital cost of project (Ellis et al, 2004). This is considered to be reasonable compared to the actual cost of the VM exercise, which is estimated at about 0.5% to 1% of the projects cost (REF). 2.3 APPLICATION OF VALUE MANAGEMENT IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY Any construction project should be only commissioned following a careful analysis of needs since failure to think through project requirements will almost certainly cause problems for subsequent design and construction stages. For that reason, the Construction Industry Board recommends that value management be incorporated as an integral part of the construction process (Baldwin 1998). The value management approach may differ between countries depending on the nature of their construction industry or the chosen procurement route in a particular project. However, this does not dispute the fact that the VM technique can be gainfully applied at any stage of a construction project, as clients/contractors are often faced with the challenge of finding an optimum balance between cost, time, quality and performance criteria (Fong 2004). In the UK, the USA, Australia and other countries where the value management technique is well established, VM is applied through a process referred to as the value management study (British Standard, 2000) or value management process (Kelly et al; 1998) via a workshop approach facilitated by value manager or experienced team facilitator. A value management study, as defined in BS12947, involves the application of value management to a particular business case identified within a VM programme. Baldwin (1998, as cited in Kelly et al, 1998) noted that VM is not a question of brainstorming and problem solving, rather it requires a structured methodology in order to have the required outcome. Figure 2.5 overleaf depicts a simple VM study plan developed for the European Value Management standard (British Standard, 2000). Figure 2.5 shows a simple VM study plan, adapted from the British Standard (2000) The VM study plan represents a systematic approach to ensuring that appropriate techniques and skills are utilized in the value study. According to the British Standard (2000), as shown in the VM study plan above, a VM study should aim to achieve the following objectives; Identify the objectives and targets the intended study is set to achieve; as this may differ from the project objectives. Formulate the relevant approach needed to achieve the objectives, including team selection and training (where necessary). Identify the relevant functions which will lead to the achievement of the objectives. Identify some basis for measuring changes in performance and use of resources. Set targets for performance and use of resources for the above identified functions in a way peculiar to the organisations. Identify innovative ways of arriving at the targets through the application of the above methods. Evaluate the proposal for improvement. Implement the proposal which have been chosen by the decision makers Monitor and measure the outcomes in relation to the target. Feedback results for continuous improvement of VM programme. There are different approaches to value management studies in different countries with regards to team compositions and workshop procedure. For instance in the American construction industry, VM studies are typically carried out by an independent workshop team who will have to sell their ideas to the project team later on. This is different from the UK practice where the existing project team is fully involved in the study. In a benchmarking exercise carried by Kelly et al (1998), the use of an existing project team in conducting value management studies appeared to be the preferred approach due to the following advantages accruable to the project; Cost of the study is relatively minimized Time spent project briefing the study participants is reduced Waste of resources on previously considered but failed ideas are eliminated Offers better opportunity for developing project teams during the workshop More opportunity to explore all available options Implementation is more guaranteed as team members have already accepted ideas which they generated as a team, thereby reducing the development period. However, generic VM workshop strives to add value to a project by considering the project on its whole life basis. Kelly et al (1998) who were in support of this view identified the five key value opportunities at which VM technique can be employed to include pre-brief workshop, proper workshop, sketch design workshop, final working design and implementation workshop. 2.3.1 Pre-brief workshop The Value Manager or Facilitator meets with the project sponsor/client to clarify the place of the project in his organisation or programme. This will give the two parties a better understanding of the functional expectations of the project so as to help form a basis for the project briefing workshop and the clients value system. This may yield solution/s to the clients problem, for example, whether a new building is needed or renovation of existing one will achieve the same objectives. 2.3.2 Proper workshop Proceeds from the identified solution in the pre-brief phase and aims to identify the clients value system. This workshop offers an opportunity to facilitate the project team, understand their dynamics and guide them to achieve the desired goal. Though it is expected that the workshop has an agenda, this should not be too detailed, thereby making the timings tight, as this may divert the focus from achieving the objectives of the workshop to exhausting the items on the agenda. The tactical skills of the Facilitator are very much needed at this stage of the workshop if its participants are to be productive and should be as brief and focused as pos

Sigmund Freud Essay -- Biographies Biography Freud Psychologist Essays

Sigmund Freud Sigmund Freud was born May 6, 1856. He was born in a small, predominantly Roman Catholic town called Freiburg, in Movaria- now known as Czechoslovakia. He was born the son of Jacob Freud, a Jewish wool merchant, and his third wife, Amalia.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Jacob Freud and Amalia Nathanson were married in 1855. Freud was born of a singular and bizarre marriage. In contrast to his mother’s youth, twenty years of age, his father was middle-aged at forty years of age, and had two sons from a previous marriage, both of whom were older than his new wife. In fact, Phillip, the older of the two was himself a father of two children, John and Pauline, when Freud was born. Freud was born an uncle, but he was in fact a year younger than his nephew John, and just slightly younger than his niece Pauline, both of who were playmates of his childhood. This was to be Amalia’s first child, her darling, Sigmund.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When Freud was born in 1856, Jacob and Amalia Freud were hopelessly poor. They occupied a single rented room in a humble house. Jacob and Amalia were Jewish; however, the Catholic Church dominated the town of Freiburg. Aside from the church, the only attractions were a handsome market square and inviting surroundings that featured stretches of fertile farmland, dense woods, and gentle hills. At the time of Freud’s birth, the town had over 4,500 inhabitants, with only about 130 of them being Jewish. Similarly, at this time, to be Jewish meant to be a member of a highly visible and oppressed minority.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Before Freud was even two years old, in 1857, Amalia was pregnant with another child. Because his family assemblage was so unusual, to him, his mother seemed far better matched with his half-brother than his father, yet it was his father that shared his mother’s bed. Freud somehow came to believe that his half-brother Philipp had taken his father’s place as a competitor for his mother’s affection. He found these things to be very perplexing. His mind consisted of these things: his mother pregnant with a rival, his half-brother in some mysterious way his mother’s companion, and his benign father old enough to be his grandfather. This perhaps led to his preoccupation with sexual matters. Incidentally, Freud’s new rival, Anna Freud, was born in 1885.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Then, in 1859, perhaps due to the decline of the textile market coupled with an increase with ... ...he could not realize it might not be common to others. The immaturity if his ideas on the relations of men and women are astonishing, for nowhere in his writings is it possible to deduce he was aware of the passion, tenderness, poetry and beauty of love- nor all the shades of regard, affection and friendship which are not sexually motivated. Additionally, his idea that in dreams the incidents of childhood are relived again in the present also point to some ingrained characteristics of immaturity. Freud’s emotional attitudes in adulthood continued true to his childhood conditioning; they never changed.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Freud read himself into every aspect of his clinical practice. His case histories and psychological speculations centered upon himself. He was his own favorite patient. Freud’s confidence was often based on his capacity for self-hypnosis which tricked him into believing his thoughts were extremely brilliant, had occurred to no other before and tremendously enriched the world’s knowledge. Any opposition was a cruel departure from the adulation, which eventually became an indispensable need of his nature. In truth, all of psychoanalysis applied to Freud alone, and to no other.

Note Tasting Wine and Beer

note teasti1/ Morgan’s Bay Chardonnay _ Largely unoaked, this is intentionally crafted in an ‘approachable style' which translates into something light and easy going – in theory at least. In reality it's just a bit cheap tasting. 2/ Morgans Bay Shiraz Cabernet, S. E. Australia _ Classic Australian style, fruit forward easy drinking red 3/ Richmond grove bay of Stone, NV brut _ Freshness of fruit flavors and yeast complexity, are achieved by the inclusion of more than one vintage during assemblage (blending). Gentle pressing produced fresh clean juice with delicate fruit flavors.Harmonious aromas of fresh lemon citrus and red fruits. Intense lemon citrus flavors are balanced with rich creamy yeast characters that lead to a soft, clean finish. 4/ Long Gully Estate Brut Cuvee _Flavours from the classic varieties using a range of winemaking and oak management techniques, creating distinctive cool climate wine styles, marked by their complexity and aging ability. A po rtion of reserve base wine adds a touch of creamy complexity to what is essentially a zesty easy drinking Sparkling. 5/ Pettavel Evening Star Chardonnay 2008 (Geelong, VIC) Warm summer days and cool nights allow our Chardonnay grapes to retain vibrant and complex fruit flavours. After gentle pressing 35 percent of the juice was transferred to second fill French oak barrels for fermentation, the remaining juice was tank fermented to retain crisp youthful aromas and flavours. Upfront melon and peach flavours are enhanced with subtle oak characters and lingering tropical fruit with a citrus acid finish that ensures the wine will reward both immediate consumption or medium term cellaring. 6/ Heart of Stone Sauvignon Blanc 2009 (Marlborough, NZ) This is a punchy style of savvy with deliciously intense tropical fruit, capsicum and citrus flavours. It’s a weighty and juicy wine to taste – mango, passion fruit, red bell pepper and grapefruit with refreshing acidity and strong personality. 7/ Second Nature Sauvignon Blanc 2010 (Adelaide Hills, South Australia) _ Very pale, almost water white. A very fragrant bouquet of passionfruit, lemon peel and gooseberry. The palate follows through with more gooseberry, passionfruit and lemon peel before a lingering, zesty, mouth filling finish. Excellent crisp acidity made for drinking young and fresh alongside seafood, goat's cheese and sushi. Like you're really there. Bouquets of meadow, lemons and lime, grasses, racy and vital, so crisp that it goes crunch, crunch all the way down. Finishing dry and clean, chargrilled fishes are the perfect match! † -Wineweekly. com. au, â€Å"Blond and beautiful, bang for your buck, a whoosh of south seas fruit and green pastures awaken the senses for shrimp, shucked oysters and crustacea! † -Vinicraft. com 8/ Riesling Tahbilk Riesling 2009 (Nagambie Lakes, Central Victoria) _ Tahbilk’s style is more traditional but quite exotic, with aromas of cinnamon and ot her sweet spices, citrus and white peach.Concentrated, smooth and dry, it’s not as piercing as many young Rieslings but very satisfying. 9/ Neagles Rock Riesling 2010 (Clare Valley, South Australia) _ Expressive, lime-tinged, tangy Riesling whose zesty style is protected by screw-cap closure. 10/ Koonara Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 (Coonawarra, South Australia) _ 18 months in French & American barrels have developed a rich, chocolaty Cabernet full of deep mulberries & blackberries finishing with a long blackcurrants & cream palate. 1/ Angoves Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 (Varies Vineyards, South Australia) _ This wine is deep red in colour, with some purple hues. Complex aromas of red berry integrate with more savoury and red pepper notes and a gentle touch of oak. The palate is rich and mouth filling with flavours following through from the initial impression of berries and more complex capsicum family characters. 12/ Sedona Estate Shiraz 2008 (Yea Valley, Victoria) _ This Shiraz was matured for 20 months in a combination of French and American oak. Opaque dark red colour with deep dark brick red hue.The nose displays aromas of plum, dark chocolate and liquorice allsorts which are followed by some confectionary end notes, showing excellent intensity. Medium to full bodied with generous flavours of dark chocolate, mocha and confectionary with some spice on the back palate. Fleshy texture with fine grained soft tannins. Aftertaste of dark chocolate, confectionary and spice. 13/Water Wheel Shiraz 2008 (Bendigo, Victoria) _ A rustic red in the glass and with a delicious rhubarb and berry nose, the Shiraz exquisitely blends spice, plums and red berries with a regional touch of cinnamon.Fine tannins see the wine out without overstaying their welcome. A gorgeously well crafted wine from a vintage renowned for its big fruit flavours 14/ Oyster Bay Merlot 2009 (Hawkes Bay 2008, New Zealand) _ Ripe plum and currant, embraced by blackberry and subtle spice with lingering fine grained tannins. The philosophy of Oyster Bay is to produce fine, distinctly regional wines that are elegant and assertive with glorious fruit flavours. 15/ Gibbston Valley Gold River Pinot Noir 2008 (Central Otago, New Zealand) _ Svelte and sensous – a wine of true pleasure.This is a joyful, young, vibrant Pinot that delivers strong varietal flavours. Semi translucent mauve purple colour with mauve purple hue. Lifted nose, freshly macerated strawberry, spice and cherry showing very good varietal lift. Youthful palate flavours of spice and ripe strawberry over ripe joosy dark cherries. Soft and velvet smooth. Youthful and a delight for the short term. 16/ Sedona Estate Cabernet/Merlot 2008 (Yea Valley, Victoria) _The wine has a dense deep red hue with cedar and bramble aromas making up the bouquet. The palate is filled with flavours of plums, blackcurrant and persistent fine tannins.

Food security Essay

All efforts to bridge the gap between government estimates and the Sonia Gandhi-led National Advisory Council over the Food Security Act are coming up against a central concern posed by the Congress chief: How can the selection criteria ensure the poor and deserving don’t get left out? NAC members who interact with the government point out that Sonia repeatedly underlines her personal experience over the years during visits to deprived areas where she has found that the poor are simply not counted in any state survey and are denied any benefits. The Congress chief’s poser that the inability of the poor, particularly tribals and dalits, to access below poverty line cards needed to tap official welfare schemes will defeat the very objective of a law providing 35 kg food grain a month to the widest set of recipients is proving tough to answer. Here, even automatic inclusion parameters may not mean the severely disadvantaged groups will be assured a minimum level of food security, said sources familiar with the Congress supremo’s thinking. Sonia is keen the proposed law be effective in addressing needs of those who live on the brink and need state support and her conviction that exclusion criteria are applied in a bureaucratic manner and end up leaving the needy out in the cold tilts the scale towards universal eligibility which the government continues to baulk at. Several permutations have been considered including limiting universal public distribution system to districts with chronic poverty or looking for the right urban-rural ratios. But while some campaigners argue that government’s fears of having to maintain large stocks are misplaced as universal PDS will be accessed only by those who need it, the government is not quite convinced. The government feels that legal provisions stating population percentages to be catered for will mean it has to provide for adequate food grain for all intended beneficiaries. A law is mandatory and the optimum values have to be factored in. The tussle over selection of beneficiaries has seen populist politics pushing for dilution of criteria like pucca houses or income levels. But the Congress president’s core concern that expanding the net still does not necessarily mean that obvious beneficiaries are being catered for being tossed up and down the table in both formal and informal consultations. Food security act pledge in Prez’s address A national food security act to guarantee 25 kg of rice or wheat a month to BPL families, consolidation of rural employment and Bharat Nirman, a focus on terrorism and India’s neighbourhood, initiatives for urban employment and a promise to battle recessionary trends are likely to be part of President’s address to Parliament. The first meeting of the Union Cabinet after the conclusion of government-formation, scheduled for Saturday morning, may consider President Pratibha Patil’s speech to the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament. The speech, to be delivered on June 4, has been extensively worked on by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The President’s address is expected to highlight areas outlined by the PM like infrastructure and security. High on the government’s agenda are plans for a National Counter Terrorism Centre, modernisation of police forces through training and technology and diversified recruitment. It will also speak of pushing programmes like highways that have languished. Some legislations like the Unorganised workers’ social security bill and Right to Education Bill, National Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, expansion of the Rashtriya Swathya Bima Yojana and the National Child Labour Project, integrated development of minority concentration districts and approval of a National Tribal Policy are initiatives the government would like to speeden up. With economy and job losses very much a concern, the address will look to stress development of social and physical infrastructure along with specific plans like an urban employment safety net. The government will work on a comprehensive overhaul of public healthcare, restructuring Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), strengthening implementation of 11th and 12th plan power projects and attention on employment-generating small sector enterprises. The government is planning major efforts to decrease infant and mother mortality rates, bring about accountability in Primary Health Centres, initiate a household survey of the National Rural Healthcare Mission, besides approving rigorous oversight in ensuring dispensation of medicines before expiry dates. In the education sector, the main focus is likely to be on quality education by restructuring SSA, seen as a success story, and on guaranteeing education for all. The government is expected to  restructure SSA into a Mission for Quality Elementary Education to deal effectively with teacher absenteeism and drop out rates. The government has set up a target of adding 78,577 Mw of power generation capacity in the current 11th five year plan which has been raised to 1 lakh MW during the 12th five year plan. A major thrust on the micro small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector — hit badly by the global economic slowdown — to protect workers and artisans can be expected. Government may insist on use of handlooms and handicrafts in decor for government offices as well as for venues for the forthcoming At the start of UPA’s first term in office, the President’s address had reflected the commitments made in the common minimum programme and this time around, Congress’s manifesto is expected to be â€Å"foundation† of the speech. A nation-wide skill development programme and scholarship schemes for needy students and those from the minority communities are on the government’s check list. The electoral success in attracting minority votes could see the President refer to Congress’s poll promise of taking its minority reservation models in states like Andhra Pradesh, to the national level. The government feels that it has been the recipient of a rural feel-good with the agrarian economy benefitting from higher MPS, NREGA and the loan waiver. With an eye to consolidating its image as pro-farmer, the government is expected to work towards providing interest relief to all farmers who repay bank loans on schedule. The loan waiver has reached 3.68 crore families. In the power sector, operationalisation of the National Electricity Fund, infrastructure implementation in the north-east, faster implementation of flagship programmes and monitoring through third parties and capacity building are on the table. Sanghatana says Food Security Act will ruin farmers The Shetkari Sanghatana has come out strongly against the proposed Food Security Act of the UPA government terming it as anti-farmer and a measure that would fuel inflation, derail country’s economy and produce an army of lazy people who get food almost for free without need to work. â€Å"The proposed law is aimed at only garnering votes in 2014 elections by the ruling parties at the Centre. Providing subsidized food to 67% of country’s population or 81 crore people would cost the country Rs1,25,000 crore. It would have far-reaching implications on productivity and economy of the country and destroy dignity of labour,† said Ram Neole, spokesman of the Sanghatana. â€Å"Providing cheap foodgrains to the disabled, needy people can be seen as a noble gesture of a caring government in a welfare state. But the Food Security ordinance brought in a haste without waiting for a parliamentary clearance to cover an overwhelming majority of population is a cheap political gimmick,† said Neole. His Shetkari Sanghatana led by Sharad Joshi favoured free market economy with farmers getting adequate rates for their produce. â€Å"The Food Act would mean that farmers producing paddy, wheat and coarse grains like jowar would never get the right price as the government that controls pricing and procurement would never allow a hike so as to contain the cost of the scheme,† explained Neole. Under the new law those demanding the foodgrains would be given rice for Rs3, wheat for Rs2 and jowar for Rs1 a kg. â€Å"Of course, when faced with huge budgetary deficit that is bound to happen, the government would increase taxes on traders and salaried classes and businessmen and professionals burdening them further,† Neole apprehended. â€Å"All this will lead to loss of income for farmers, more taxes and non-availability of labour force for productive work at farms and factories,† he feared. Contradicting this viewpoint, Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti president Kishore Tiwari has jumped in support of the law. In a statement here, he said: â€Å"Only those ignorant of hunger and deprivation that kills lakhs of people in villages every year would oppose the law.† Such political parties and people would be taught a lesson in 2014 elections for opposing a pro-poor policy,† said Tiwari. â€Å"The poor have a right to food and the proposed law is the first step to acknowledge it,† he added. Food subsidy bill may touch Rs 75K cr on back of Food Security Act The proposed Food Security Act may not put additional burden on the government in the current fiscal year as the government can find the resources to fund the plan from the spending outlined for 2011-12, finance ministry officials said. However, the food subsidy bill could soar to as much as Rs 75,000 crore from the estimated Rs 60,572.98 crore for the 2011-12 fiscal year. Finance ministry officials said the government will provide the money for funding this exercise. The ministry has already asked various departments to  tighten their belts and not to undertake any new spending commitments as it sticks to its plan of meeting the fiscal deficit target of 4.6% of gross domestic product. The government is keen to stick to its deficit target as it has embarked on a drive to mend public finances. Earlier, the government had said it was ready to provide for any additional fuel subsidy as result of the spike in global crude oil prices and is confident of finding the resources from within the budget for the 2011-12 financial year. The government has an ambitious share sale programme in state run companies and plans to raise Rs 40,000 crore. Despite volatile stock market and global economic conditions, finance ministry officials are confident of achieving the target. It is also banking on other non-tax revenues to help it keep within it spending limits despite pressure points on the subsidy front. Sources said the ministry of food and consumer affairs was staring at a requirement of over 70 million tonnes of foodgrain to support the food security act. Given the trends in procurement and the need to maintain buffer stocks, it could pose a problem for the government and force it to import from the international market. Any plans to impose large quantities of grains could push up prices in the global market and widen the government’s subsidy burden. Some analysts say the food subsidy could touch Rs 1 lakh crore in two years. It remains to be seen how the government balances the demand for the food security act against the backdrop of a tight fiscal situation. Analysts say importing costly food to run the Food Security Act could blow a hole in public finances and reverse the trend in fiscal consolidation. Congress hopes to get food bill passed Conscious that the window to secure passage of the food security bill is narrowing as the scheduled end of the monsoon session of parliament nears, the Congress on Sunday expressed the hope that the landmark measure will get approved during the coming week. â€Å"We hope the food bill will be passed in parliament on Monday or Tuesday,† Congress spokesperson PC Chacko told IANS. The ongoing monsoon session of parliament is scheduled to end on August 30. Though the lower house functioned on Saturday, in lieu of a holiday last week, the food bill was not listed as opposition parties wanted it to be  debated on Monday. â€Å"The food bill will be taken up on Monday,† Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath had told reporters on Friday. If it gets passed in the lower house on Monday, the bill can be taken up in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. Politics scuttled Congress managers’ plans to get it passed for the entire week Aug 19-24 as the opposition did not let the house run over the issues of missing coal-block allocation files, statehood for Telangana and high prices of food items. The managers hope that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s statement in the Rajya Sabha on Monday would end the controversy over missing coal-block files. The speaker’s suspension on Friday of 12 anti-Telangana members, who had been disrupting the lower house, has sought to address the issue of endorsement for a new state. The Lok Sabha functioned Saturday for the first time since the session began Aug 5 and passed three bills – Governors (Emoluments, Allowances and Privileges) Amendment Bill, 2012, The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2012 and Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Second Amendment) Bill, 2012.

Free Essays on Surfacing

In â€Å"Surfacing,† by Margaret Atwood, the unnamed protagonist acquires a radical perception of reality that is developed through an intense psychological journey on the island that served as her childhood home. Truth can be taken from the narrator’s viewpoint, but the reader must explore the inner turmoil plaguing her in order to understand the basis of such beliefs. The narrator’s perception of reality can be deemed reliable once all of these factors are understood; however, throughout the novel Atwood develops many unseen connections that are essential to such and understanding. Once the reader is able to understand the basis of the narrator’s perception of reality, it is then possible to receive and accept Margaret Atwood’s stance on the role of women and nature and, thus, discover the underlying meanings of the novel. The narrator returns home to an unforgotten place that is gradually being taken over by the diseased culture of the â€Å"Americans.† At this point in the novel the narrator feels as if she has allowed herself to fall under the control of man and hence has, too, like nature, been a victim of the â€Å"American† culture. Although it is not yet clearly evident, it can be inferred when she makes first light of the situation. The baby was â€Å"my husband’s, he imposed it on me, all the time it was growing in me I felt like an incubator. He measured everything he would let me eat, he was feeding it on me, he wanted a replica of himself.† With this in mind, it is quite understandable why the narrator feels contempt towards the â€Å"Americans.† Perhaps, she relates her husband’s masculinity and need to control her to the â€Å"Americans† need to disrupt and manipulate nature. Thus, it is hypothesized, that as the novel progresses the narra tor’s perception of reality, and, consequently, Atwood’s main argument, is developed through the connection between both nature’s and women’s inability to resist dominat... Free Essays on Surfacing Free Essays on Surfacing In â€Å"Surfacing,† by Margaret Atwood, the unnamed protagonist acquires a radical perception of reality that is developed through an intense psychological journey on the island that served as her childhood home. Truth can be taken from the narrator’s viewpoint, but the reader must explore the inner turmoil plaguing her in order to understand the basis of such beliefs. The narrator’s perception of reality can be deemed reliable once all of these factors are understood; however, throughout the novel Atwood develops many unseen connections that are essential to such and understanding. Once the reader is able to understand the basis of the narrator’s perception of reality, it is then possible to receive and accept Margaret Atwood’s stance on the role of women and nature and, thus, discover the underlying meanings of the novel. The narrator returns home to an unforgotten place that is gradually being taken over by the diseased culture of the â€Å"Americans.† At this point in the novel the narrator feels as if she has allowed herself to fall under the control of man and hence has, too, like nature, been a victim of the â€Å"American† culture. Although it is not yet clearly evident, it can be inferred when she makes first light of the situation. The baby was â€Å"my husband’s, he imposed it on me, all the time it was growing in me I felt like an incubator. He measured everything he would let me eat, he was feeding it on me, he wanted a replica of himself.† With this in mind, it is quite understandable why the narrator feels contempt towards the â€Å"Americans.† Perhaps, she relates her husband’s masculinity and need to control her to the â€Å"Americans† need to disrupt and manipulate nature. Thus, it is hypothesized, that as the novel progresses the narra tor’s perception of reality, and, consequently, Atwood’s main argument, is developed through the connection between both nature’s and women’s inability to resist dominat...

Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington

Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington Arthur Wellesley was born in Dublin, Ireland in late April or early May 1769, and was the fourth son of Garret Wesley, Earl of Mornington and his wife Anne. Though initially educated locally, Wellesley later attended Eton (1781-1784), before receiving additional schooling in Brussels, Belgium. After a year at the French Royal Academy of Equitation, he returned to England in 1786. As the family was short on funds, Wellesley was encouraged to pursue a military career and was able to use connections to the Duke of Rutland to secure an ensigns commission in the army. Serving as an aide-de-camp to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Wellesley was promoted to lieutenant in 1787. While serving in Ireland, he decided to enter politics and was elected to the Irish House of Commons representing Trim in 1790. Promoted to captain a year later, he fell in love with Kitty Packenham and sought her hand in marriage in 1793. His offer was declined by her family and Wellesley elected to refocus on his career. As such, he first purchased a majors commission in the 33rd Regiment of Foot before buying the lieutenant colonelcy in September 1793. Arthur Wellesleys First Campaigns India In 1794, Wellesleys regiment was ordered to join the Duke of Yorks campaign in Flanders. Part of the French Revolutionary Wars, the campaign was an attempt by coalition forces to invade France. Taking part in the Battle of Boxtel in September, Wellesley was horrified by the campaigns poor leadership and organization. Returning to England in early 1795, he was promoted to colonel a year later. In mid-1796, his regiment received orders to sail for Calcutta, India. Arriving the following February, Wellesley was joined in 1798 by his brother Richard who had been appointed Governor-General of India. With the outbreak of the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War in 1798, Wellesley took part in the campaign to defeat the Sultan of Mysore, Tipu Sultan. Performing well, he played a key role in the victory at the Battle of Seringapatam in April-May, 1799. Serving as the local governor after the British triumph, Wellesley was promoted to brigadier general in 1801. Elevated to major general a year later, he led British forces to victory in the Second Anglo-Maratha War. Honing his skills in the process, he badly defeated the enemy at Assaye, Argaum, and Gawilghur.​ Returning Home For his efforts in India, Wellesley was knighted in September 1804. Returning home in 1805, he took part in the failed Anglo-Russian campaign along the Elbe. Later that year and due to his new status, he was permitted by the Packenhams to marry Kitty. Elected to Parliament from Rye in 1806, he later was made a privy councilor and appointed Chief Secretary for Ireland. Taking part in the British expedition to Denmark in 1807, he led troops to victory at the Battle of Kà ¸ge in August. Promoted to lieutenant general in April 1808, he accepted command of a force intended to attack the Spanish colonies in South America. To Portugal Departing in July 1808, Wellesleys expedition was instead directed to the Iberian Peninsula to aid Portugal. Going ashore, he defeated the French at Rolià §a and Vimeiro in August. After the latter engagement, he was superseded in command by General Sir Hew Dalrymple who concluded the Convention of Sintra with the French. This permitted the defeated army to return to France with their plunder with Royal Navy providing transportation. As a result of this lenient agreement, both Dalrymple and Wellesley were recalled to Britain to face a Court of Enquiry. The Peninsular War Facing the board, Wellesley was cleared as he had only signed the preliminary armistice under orders. Advocating for a return to Portugal, he lobbied the government showing that it was a front on which the British could effectively fight the French. In April 1809, Wellesley arrived at Lisbon and began preparing for new operations. Going on the offensive, he defeated Marshal Jean-de-Dieu Soult at the Second Battle of Porto in May and pressed into Spain to unite with Spanish forces under General Gregorio Garcà ­a de la Cuesta. Defeating a French army at Talavera in July, Wellesley was forced to withdraw when Soult threatened to cut his supply lines to Portugal. Short on supplies and increasingly frustrated by Cuesta, he retreated by into Portuguese territory. In 1810, reinforced French forces under Marshal Andrà © Massà ©na invaded Portugal forcing Wellesley to retreat behind the formidable Lines of Torres Vedras. As Massà ©na was unable to break through the lines a stalemate ensued. After remaining in Portugal for six months, the French were forced to retreat in early 1811 due to sickness and starvation. Advancing from Portugal, Wellesley laid siege to Almeida in April 1811. Advancing to the citys aid, Massà ©na met him at the Battle of Fuentes de Oà ±oro in early May. Winning a strategic victory, Wellesley was promoted to general on July 31. In 1812, he moved against the fortified cities of Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz. Storming the former in January, Wellesley secured the latter after a bloody fight in early April. Pushing deeper into Spain, he won a decisive victory over Marshal Auguste Marmont at the Battle of Salamanca in July. Victory in Spain For his triumph, he was made Earl then Marquess of Wellington. Moving on to Burgos, Wellington was unable to take the city and was forced to retreat back to Ciudad Rodrigo that fall when Soult and Marmont united their armies. In 1813, he advanced north of Burgos and switched his supply base to Santander. This move forced the French to abandon Burgos and Madrid. Outflanking the French lines, he crushed the retreating enemy at the Battle of Vitoria on June 21. In recognition of this, he was promoted to field marshal. Pursuing the French, he laid siege to San Sebastin in July and defeated Soult at Pyrenees, Bidassoa and Nivelle. Invading France, Wellington drove Soult back after victories at the Nive and Orthez before hemming the French commander in at Toulouse in early 1814. After bloody fighting, Soult, having learned of Napoleons abdication, agreed to an armistice. The Hundred Days Elevated to Duke of Wellington, he first served as ambassador to France before becoming first plenipotentiary to the Congress of Vienna. With Napoleons escape from Elba and subsequent return to power in February 1815, Wellington raced to Belgium to take command of the Allied army. Clashing with the French at Quatre Bras on June 16, Wellington withdrew to a ridge near Waterloo. Two days later, Wellington and Field Marshal Gebhard von Blà ¼cher decisively defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo. Later Life With the end of the war, Wellington returned to politics as Master-General of the Ordnance in 1819. Eight years later he was made Commander-in-Chief of the British Army. Increasingly influential with the Tories, Wellington became prime minister in 1828. Though staunchly conservative, he advocated for and granted Catholic Emancipation. Increasingly unpopular, his government fell after only two years. He later served as foreign secretary and minister without portfolio in the governments of Robert Peel. Retiring from politics in 1846, he retained his military position until his death. Wellington died at Walmer Castle on September 14, 1852 after suffering a stroke. Following a state funeral, he was buried at St. Pauls Cathedral in London near Britains other hero of the Napoleonic Wars, Vice Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson.

An Overview of MOVE and Black Lives Matter, and Their Impact in Philadelphia

An Overview of MOVE and Black Lives Matter, and Their Impact in Philadelphia Abstract The MOVE organization was a group formed for the purpose of freedom by activists who were all nature loving. The group consisted of mostly Black people in Philadelphia in the early 1970s and the beginning of the 1980s. The organization’s leader, John Africa, was silenced when the police dropped a bomb on their house on May 13, 1985. All members of the group adopted the Africa surname with its social workers preaching self-reliance, recognition of the environment and nature. The Black Lives Matter organization is also brilliant in its cry against racist police violence. The organization exploded into a wildfire that has probably engulfed the whole country today. Both the MOVE and Black Lives Matter organizations relate since the idea of black empowerment was, and is currently the motive of the social groups. A variety of academic sources such as journal articles and books describe the formation of the African empowerment group from Philadelphia as well as the Black Lives Matter group. There is sufficient evidence for the fact that both the two groups are empowering to Black culture and are essential to achieving equity in the United States of America. The Impact of MOVE on Philadelphia A. Scenes of Crime in Philadelphia after the 1985 Bombing that Targeted the MOVE Historical records indicate that there were several scenes of crime upon the formation of MOVE organization in Philadelphia. The first major crime scene was witnessed in Philadelphia when the police department dropped a bomb on the house occupied by members of the organization, using a helicopter. The bombing led to several deaths including the death of the group’s leader, John Africa. It is indicated that those who escaped, including children were shot by the police, a situation that led to a period of tension. Eventually, all the people and animals that were rescued perished. The police argued out that the MOVE organization had committed a crime by protesting against the existence of zoos and pet shops that were meant to take stray animals. Academic sources also illustrate that homeschooling and spreading the gospel of sacredness of life in the middle of a city that was too busy to listen was an offense (Coard, 2015). Evidently, it was a crime for the police department in Philadelphia to carry out shootings with claims that MOVE had empowered its members with automatic weapons for self-defense. Apparently, records show that no traces of such weapons were found in the ashes that were examined after the horrific fire. It was a worst situation in Philadelphia when children and some few adults who happened to be fleeing from the bombing site were also shot dead by the police. As reported by the fire department at the time, there were sounds of automatic fire when MOVE members were seeking for their safety after the bombing. Apparently, the incidence could have impacted the lives of other people who lived and worked in Philadelphia since there was uncertainty on when such an event could happen again. Moreover, the gunshots could have captured those who were trapped in the affected locations but were not members of the MOVE. Again, those who witnessed the inferno, as recorded in historical books, noted that bodies were being picked inside the property lines yet the people were outside the property lines of the interior of the bombed house. The movement of bodies could have been a motive by the police to seal off the crime scene during and after the inferno. B. An Atmosphere of War in Philadelphia It was unrealistic for an organization that was conscious and health minded to be bombed in the American city of Philadelphia. Despite the several infractions lobbed at the group via the courts over the past years, the MOVE had remained peaceful in the city. The bombing automatically created an atmosphere of war in the city of Philadelphia since there was the motive of revenge from the group. For instance, historical journals on the development of black movements in the United States note that the MOVE defended themselves through diatribes via loudspeakers that were attached to their rooftop (Volpe, 1989). The atmospheric war in Philadelphia was evidenced by several protests concerning the existence of zoos in the American city. Initially, the protests were peaceful since the MOVE was aiming to promote the aspect of respecting nature in the society. The protests later on turned to be violent since the police department in Philadelphia was involved. One incidence when an expectant was brutally beaten and kicked by the police is an evidence for the atmosphere of war in the city. Unfortunately, the beatings resulted in a miscarriage for the woman. Police attacks became rampant in the city, a show of lack of peace and dignity for humanity in the city. In another incidence, the police executed an attack against the MOVE members, killing a three-week-old baby. The police deliberately crushed the baby under his boots after throwing it from the mother’s arms. However, the courts never acknowledged the existence and murder of the baby, Lifa Africa, since there were no hospital records. The MOVE members had made it a trend to give birth at home, a situation that led to no records of the newborn babies being kept (Coard, 2015). The atmosphere of war had saturated the American city of Philadelphia and the black liberation movement. MOVE, for instance, felt pressured to defend themselves from the persistent police attacks that often led to deaths. The idea of defense resulted in the death of one police officer in 1978 when the police had carried out a raid of a house occupied by MOVE members. It is recorded that some MOVE members were charged in a court of law for the murder, and they were to serve life imprisonment, where some members still remain to date. The existence of the black liberation organization in Philadelphia also created an environment where justice was no longer carried out. For instance, in the case concerning the death of a police officer, evidence was overlooked yet the MOVE members were sentenced to life in prison. The composting by the MOVE in Philadelphia was seen as a sanitation problem to the city, the loudspeakers, an annoyance, and the campaign procedures a nuisance that the city officials wanted to eradicate. Moreover, the environment of war in Philadelphia led to the destruction of property in the city, a situation that was a threat the development of infrastructure in the American city. As noted, the bombing that was carried out earlier led to the destruction of city blocks and about 250 people were rendered homeless. There was also the incineration of six adults, five children as well as their animals (Wright Wagner-Pacifici, 1996). A film entitled â€Å"Let the Fire Burn† shows the chronology of years of tension between the police department in Philadelphia and the MOVE and its neighbors. The tragic ending of the tension is noted as the title of the film goes. The local authorities made a decision to let the fire during the bombing engulf the compound without intervention. The movie highlights an incident that was probably the stimulant of the fire inferno in Philadelphia. The killing of one police officer in 1978 when a confrontation between the police and the MOVE occurred unfortunately led to the imprisonment of 9 members of the MOVE. The film makes a presentation that explains the claim of the MOVE that the death of the police officer was due to a friendly fire. The MOVE later provoked the police by constructing a very intimidating, bunker-like structure on their roof, with holes to shoot out. A scene of the police carrying out massive operation aimed at removing the group from its compound is shown in the film, an indication of the intensity of the tension between the police department and the MOVE in Philadelphia (Let the Fire Burn, 2013). C. Philadelphia on a Move As quoted from John Africa, all living things on the planet are equally important. The MOVE, headed by John Africa, noted that human beings, domestic animals, wild animals, and natural resources such as rivers and lakes were equally significant and they to be taken by the authorities in the right manner. The group intended to create an atmosphere where healthy life could cycle to the next level. The vision of the MOVE was to see land, forests, rivers, and all wild nature flourishing; thus keeping Philadelphia on a move. The killings and resistance from the police, according to the group, was a true testament to the power of people who were simply rejecting a social structure. The natural world, according to the authorities in Philadelphia, could lead to disorganization in the society. In the contemporary society, freedom prevails whereby people can home-school their children, eat raw foods, and campaign for equality of human beings and not get bombed (Wright Wagner-Pacifici, 1996). Black Lives Matter The group is an up-to-the-minute movement that has apparently taken shape in the empowerment of the Blacks in the United States. The organization is a rallying cry of a new group for the police to put a stop to the violence against the African-American population. The group is sparkling in its simplicity in asserting the message that there has to be a stop in racism in the United States. The group that started as a small but fierce rebellion in a St. Loius has eventually taken a nationwide position in dealing with the issue of inequality. The social movement has been stable since even the police and democrats have been able to stop its operations. Occasionally, city authorities across the United States have accepted the challenge of business integration due to the operations by activists who promote equity in the society. In one incident, marchers in New York City repeatedly shut down most major bridges and tunnels while the police appeared to be powerless in bringing the situation t o control (Ransby, 2015). Relating MOVE and Black Lives Matter to the Idea of Black Empowerment Strong at its Beginning Shortly after the formation of the movement, it shattered what had remained a notion of the post-racial America, re-orienting the entire national conversation on anti-Black racism. The movement follows the tradition of the Black struggles in the United States whose impacts were felt more than the number of people involved in the struggles. For instance, in fighting for the empowerment of the Blacks in America, the movement uses the same criteria of protests and demonstration as was the case in the MOVE family. The MOVE cracked open the conservatism of the era that was associated by police brutality against the Blacks in Philadelphia. The impact created by the MOVE in Philadelphia was an inspiration of mass social change many decades later. Similarly, the strength of today’s Black Lives Matter movement is gauged in several ways that are comparable to the MOVE tactics in fighting racism. Militant Protests The movement Black Lives matter has been militant from its inception. The MOVE family also used military tactics to fight the police who appeared to be going against their rights for peaceful protests in the American city of Philadelphia. The peaceful protests eventually turned out to be chaotic and several deaths were reported during police operations to stop the campaigns. The current movement aimed at empowering the Blacks has been known for the recurrent city protests where activists match onto highways and disrupt traffic. The activists have in many cases linked arms across railroad tracks to stop trains, sat in public grounds to delay sporting events, and temporarily occupied shopping malls and city halls. The MOVE family fought to end racism by carrying out campaigns that were noted to be disrupting city activities by the city officials. In the modern society, the Black Lives Matter movement activists also claim that anti-Black racism is a systematic challenge to the society t hat ought to be confronted by disrupting work, business operations, traveling of commuters, and other daily operations of the US society. The disruptions are noted by the activists to be creating a sense of the intensity of the need for Black empowerment in the society (Volpe, 1989). As a matter of fact, the Black Lives Matter movement has continued to show its power and the chord that it has struck by carrying out as many Black Lives Matter protests in many cities as possible. News outlets have reported anti-Blacks protests in towns with few Blacks residents, some protests being multiracial in character. Activists have influenced students from high schools, middle school, and elementary schools across the United States to participate in the protests. Moreover, college students from campuses of all types have been captured participating in similar protests across the country. Most importantly, the activists from the Black Lives Matter movement have ensured that a day of action is organized for the medical students where a symbol of white coats for Black Lives is used nationwide. The military protests in the Black Lives Matter movement are also evidenced by its connection with other movements that support the empowerment of Black people in the United States of America. For instance, in its vision of eradicating racism in the United States, the Black Lives Matter Union has inspired the Palestine solidarity activists to participate in the protests, whereby organizations highlight the importance of police cooperation with the Israeli state. Television reports have indicated the intensity of the conflict that exists between the police and the Israeli state. Palestine solidarity activists have, therefore, been at the forefront in the anti-Black racism protests, to bring out the need for cooperation between the police and the Israeli state. Such influences were also rampant in the MOVE family, as recorded in historical books and journals. Children and women were reported to be among the people who were shot during police raids in the compounds occupied by the MOVE members, an indication of the growing influence to solve the challenge of black empowerment in the United States. The solidarity of the Black Lives Matter union has been extended beyond the United States. International news broadcasting television stations have reported the participation of activists from countries such as Hong Kong in the anti-Blacks racism protests. The activists have been noted to be matching in many occasions, with their hands up, a â€Å"don’t shoot† gesture, to show their solidarity while protesting. The internet platform has been significant in confronting the issue of police racism in the United States. The issue has caught global attention, and there have been many views that mostly tend to rebuke the ill motive of the police officers in the United States. The movement has other notable aspects of bringing out the idea of Blacks empowerment in the United States. The commitment by the Blacks Lives Matter movement has been indicated by the union’s idea of linking racism to other factors affecting the society at large. Reports indicate the movement has continually desired for the existence of a new generation of leaders who can fight Black liberation. The efforts of the union are indicated by the involvement of the women leadership and the LGBTQ community in the movement. The MOVE family also noted poor leadership in the city of Philadelphia, a factor that led to the resistance to changes that were proposed by the MOVE family. Addressing Racial Bias The Blacks Matter movement is keen on ensuring that policies and laws with disparate racial impact are revised to empower the Blacks as well in the United States. Careful data collection in police departments indicate sources of racial bias that ought to be solved as soon as possible. The movement takes a lot of time in following drug cases where the Blacks are involved. Members and supporters of the union are aware that the police have an option of transferring individuals arrested on drug and prostitution charges to social services rather than sending them deeper into the criminal justice system. Activists make follow ups on such cases to ensure fairness by the police department, on the deciding on which path to take with the Blacks who get arrested for minor offenses (Rodriguez, Geronimus, Bound Dorling, 2015) The MOVE union made similar attempts to ensure that the police provide fair trials to the Blacks who were arrested during protests. Activists who supported the MOVE were keen in making follow-ups for the Blacks cases in Philadelphia. Unfortunately, the authorities in the city were in support of the police even as they offered cruel options to the Blacks. The arrested MOVE members were often taken through the criminal justice system, where they would be sent to prison for violating the law. The Blacks Lives Matter have been vigorous in ensuring Blacks empowerment in the United States by starting up programs that ensure equality in schools and other public places where racism may be a challenge. Data reveals that several school districts have enacted new school disciplinary policies to help in reducing disparities in out-of-school suspensions and police referrals. The union has ensured that school-based arrests are cut by more than half; hence reducing cases of suspension, more so for Black students. In some schools such as the Los Angeles district school, there has been total elimination of police-issued truancy tickets and a new policy set in to replace the old rule that could trigger police racism in the school. The school currently has little reliance on its school police department. Under the new rule, it is upon the school officials to deal with students who happen to go against the schools set of rules (Ghandnoosh, 2014). The MOVE union in Philadelphia was also formed with the motive of reducing if not eradicating and revising laws with disparate racial impact. Historical records indicate that the MOVE family was not pleased with inequality in the American city of Philadelphia at the time the movement was formed. In ensuring the revision of laws with racial impact, the movement practiced home-based schooling for their children to reduce their chances of suffering inequality at school. Moreover, the union was interested in revising laws that would treat every living being in America in the same manner. Activists from the union made claims that it is the inequality in the treatment of living beings in America that promoted police racism in Philadelphia. According to the Union, the existence of zoos and other features restricting the movement of animals was a way of promoting inequality in the American society. The Blacks Lives Matter movement activists have noted, time and again that once Black people in the United States of America are arrested they are also likely to be charged more harshly than the whites. Once charged, people of color are also likely to be convicted, a situation that would see them face stiff sentences. According to the activists in the movement, it has become a trend for the police to account for relevant legal differences such as crime severity and criminal history of the Blacks who claim to be harassed by the police departments in the United States (Harris Terborg-Penn, 2006). Challenges Faced by the MOVE and Black Lives Matter in Making the Idea of Black Empowerment a Success The MOVE family was faced by several challenges even as they fought to ensure equity and respect to nature in the society. Historical records and films indicate an incident when a police officer was killed in Philadelphia as a result of the increase tension between the police department and the MOVE union. The killing of the police officer resulted in the imprisonment of nine members of the MOVE family. From the films that act the historical events, it is evident that the Black commitment was not protected by the law, another element of inequality in the American Society during the era. The police officers committed several crimes during their raid missions against the Blacks but they sealed off evidence that could be used against them in the court of law. A similar incident occurred when a police officer killed a newborn baby and an expectant mother, but the Blacks were viewed by the authorities to be the cause of the problems. The Black Lives Matter movement in the United States of America today faced a great challenge when two police officers were murdered in New York City during a protest by the movement. The movement was held responsible for the deaths as it is alleged that there was an incitement for violence in the streets even as the movement protested against police racism. After the reported deaths of police officers, it is reported that the police department has decided to threaten publicly and defy anyone who challenge its rights to carry on with systematically racist practices. The police in Philadelphia also carried on with their racist practices against the MOVE family after the incident of the murder of a police officer. The challenge of revenge has been real and extreme even as the two movements struggle to bring out the idea of equality in the society. For instance, the bombing and other scenes of crime that were executed by the police in Philadelphia came after the death of their colleague ; a sign that the police has the ill intention of proceeding with their brutality to the Blacks in the United States of America (Ghandnoosh, 2014). It can be argued that today’s movement Black Lives Matter activists have been a target for the police after the death of two police officers in the city of New York. It was reported that one unarmed Black man was shot dead by the police as he walked down the stairs in his home in Brooklyn. Several protests were witnessed as a sign that the Black Lives Matter movement had not been cowed by the police ill operations against the Blacks. Similar to the perseverance employed by the MOVE, the Black Lives Matter movement has been vigorous in its efforts to ensure Black empowerment even after the revengeful acts from the police. News headlines reported that several protests were experienced in most cities after the shooting of the Black man in his home. The protests have been ranging from small die-ins of several dozens to matches of thousands in the cities of New York, Philadelphia, where groups have blocked highways to antagonize the police. Organizations, political leaders, and lab or unions have recently joined the Black Lives Matter movement as a show of the growth of the union in its efforts to ensure the empowerment of the Blacks (Combs, 2015). Lack of clear leadership in the Blacks Lives Matter movement appears to be a major challenge in ensuring the empowerment of Blacks in the United States. Internet information indicate that Black stars love to support the message behind the Black Lives Matter movement, but many are not capable of helping in the shaping the movement to the right direction. Similar reports indicate that the Black stars only notice the clear lack of real direction and good leadership in the union. For instance, sources have it that Oprah Winfrey recently criticized anti-police brutality activists by claiming that their leadership skills have failed to articulate clear demands for their rights as it was the case in 1960 when the Civil Rights movement made precise and elaborate demands for their rights. The growing size of the Black Lives Matter union has been a major challenge since a set of clear leaders has not taken the responsibility of emerging and giving followers of the movement the right directions on what they ought to do to ensure the empowerment of the Blacks in the United States (Combs, 2015). Similarly, the MOVE family in the 1990s in Philadelphia lacked clear leadership after the death of John Africa in a bombing of the building where the group members had gathered. The lack of proper leadership in MOVE after the death of John Africa is evidenced by lack of historical quotes from other known leaders of the union. Apparently, historical records only noted down quotes from John Africa. John, at one point, stated that revolution refers to total change; a complete dissociation from everything that happens to be the cause of the problems the society is revolting. His known quotes reflected the qualities of a good leader who could come up with the required ideas in tackling daily challenges (Coard, 2015). The Black Lives Matter movement, in striving to ensure the empowerment of the Blacks in the United States, has had a focus that is too narrow to bring the dream to reality. The protests behind the Black Lives Matter have a restricted focus since they were sparked under unclear circumstances in the American history. The killing of an unarmed man was the major reason for the protests that have continued to exist. The protests carried by the MOVE also failed to focus on the deeply rooted issues at hand that impacted the Black community in Philadelphia. Conclusion The MOVE had several negative implications to the people of Philadelphia since the movement was not supported by the city authorities. The union led to a lot of tension in the American city, resulting in the displacement of many innocent residents. The war environment created by the movement in Philadelphia also led to the loss of lives even as the organization’s members strived to ensure equality in the United States. The Blacks Lives Matter movement has been significant in creating awareness on the existence of police racial discrimination in the modern society of the United States of America. The movement’s vision may be reached due to the increasing attention given to police racism; an issue of social concern.

Is an Indefinite Suspension for Just Cause Essay

Is an Indefinite Suspension for Just Cause - Essay Example 1). 2. What is the rule about off-duty conduct in regard to employee discipline? According to Koenig (2007), â€Å"the general rule is that an employer cannot discipline an employee for off-duty conduct† (1). The discourse specifically indicated that the employer have options to impose work rules that could penalize off-duty conduct, specifically in cases where the act of the employee would have significant effects and repercussions on the company, to wit: â€Å"reflects adversely on the employer, impairs relations with the public and customers, or creates friction within the work place† (Koenig, 2007, 1). 3. What type of evidence are the emails received from employees about Gates’ on duty behavior? Should the evidence be considered by the arbitrator? Why or why not? Fell (2008) indicated that emails are â€Å"a form of documentary evidence and can be admitted as evidence in court in the same way as can other forms of documentary evidence.   However, as with o ther forms of evidence, the reliability of e-mail evidence will be subject to scrutiny† (par. 2). In the case of Gates where employees were stated to have reported that â€Å"Gates was selling drugs to other persons in the plant, but are not willing to testify in the arbitration hearing† (Holley, Jennings and Wolters, 2008, 555).

Report Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Report Plan - Essay Example 3. Identify the Purpose of the Report The purpose of the report will be twofold. First, it will help the company increase its market share in third-world countries where the demand for laptops is increasing with every passing day but people have no other choice than to buy economical brands, such as, Samsung, Acer, and Fujitsu. The aim of the report is to help Apple, Inc. increase its market share in such countries by providing people with low cost laptops. People like to buy Apple products more than the products of any other brand. However, a high percentage of consumers cannot buy Apple products because their buying power does not let them do so. Therefore, if Apple Inc. manufactures low cost laptops particularly for third-world countries, I believe that both Apple Inc. and the consumers will benefited as the company will increase its chances of gaining competitive edge even in third world countries and the consumers will have an access to the top quality brand of the world. The se cond purpose of the report will be to make Apple Inc. play its role in reducing the problem of obesity in America. I think it is the responsibility of every major brand of the world to show corporate social responsibility by putting some efforts for solving social issues. I think putting efforts for reducing obesity is also a social cause for which Apple Inc. should play some role as popular brand. People like the products of Apple Inc. and when the company will take steps to create awareness among people about the severity of the disease, people will definitely listen to the advice with interest. Obesity is a disease for which level of awareness really matters in order for it to be reduced. Apple Inc. can create awareness about it through television ads, magazine ads, and social events. 4. Identify Potential Resources that will be needed for Support The potential resources that will be needed for support include commitment of top management towards change, financial resources to de velop low cost products, and employee support. All of these factors will work together to make the above-mentioned recommendations feasible for the company. 5. Identify Methods to be used to Gather Information To gather information about feasibility of the recommendations, surveys and questionnaires can be used. Distribution of online survey to the users of internet, particularly from third-world countries, can be a suitable choice to gather relevant data. Users of the internet will fill the survey form through which the company will know whether the idea to develop low cost laptops for the population of third world countries is feasible or not. Information about the need to work on the second recommendation about obesity can be collected through the statistics given on published journals. 6. Identify Criteria to be used to evaluate the Information Collected The collected information will be evaluated considering the age, qualification, and profession of people. For example, age of 18 to 40 years, qualification level of at least high school graduate, and job experience of at least 6 months will be considered. If a person fulfils any of the three criterions mentioned above, his/her filled survey will be considered for evaluation. The