Human Resource – Escape to the Wild

FINDINGS 1. 4 HR Activities Employee Relations When good employee relations are in place they can help to maintain a happy and motivated workforce. This function will be responsible for putting company policies and procedures in place regarding grievance/discipline, recruitment and selection, employee welfare, training and development, absence management/reporting and negotiating terms and conditions. Doing this will minimise conflict, ensure staff are treated fairly and creates rules that everyone is aware of. At Escape to the Wild there are no policies and procedures in place, there are inconsistencies in terms and conditions, inconsistencies in matters relating to recruitment and selection practises and staff are also overworked. Putting good employee relations in place will minimise/avoid all of these problems within the company. Recruitment and Selection Having a proficient recruitment and selection function within a company can help to select the right people for the job. To implement this the company should look to analyse what jobs need to be filled, what the job description should be, what qualifications the candidates should posses and an idea of the characteristics of the individual. Once this has been decided then the search for staff can begin, this can be done by looking to fill the position internally, use a recruitment agency or by advertising the position. Once all successful applicants have been chosen then appointments should be scheduled for interview and possible aptitude testing. A candidate will then be selected and any references or qualifications should be checked. Letters should be sent out to unsuccessful candidates an offer of employment letter to the successful candidate. Any qualifications and references should also be checked. At Escape to the Wild there are no recruitment and selection processes in place and this has caused problems as there is not enough staff, managers are currently responsible for recruitment so taking up time that could be spent on doing their job and by putting a proper recruitment and selection function in place it will alleviate this problem. Training and Development By making sure employees are properly trained and developed means a company will continue to thrive and make profits. Properly trained staff will improve their attitude and knowledge and help staff meet and perform given tasks properly, by doing this it will help motivate them to undertake higher-grade tasks. When putting this into place the company should be looking at what skills an employee already has, what skills they will require in the future and how to implement the training i. e. if it can be carried out by someone already proficient in the task within the company or if the training will have to be outsourced. An evaluation of the training will have to be done to see if it has been cost effective and whether the training possibly needs modifying. At Escape to the Wild they are having problems with the training being mostly ad hoc which means staff are leaving the company. If a proper training and development system was in place then this would minimise this. Pay and Reward To help motivate and retain good staff an appropriate pay and reward structure should be in place. Rewards should be meaningful and vary with the performance. To implement this a pay structure should be set up against job roles, administration of salaries be done, employee benefits should be implemented i. e. company canteen, creche facilities, free health care. Short-term and long-term incentives should be in place i. e. performance related pay rises each year, extra holidays after so many years service, option to join company pension scheme after so many years. At Escape to the Wild salary administration is outsourced, the Finance Director is having to deal with implementing salary increases. Implementing this function will stop these problems. 2. Diagram of recommended HR Department . Roles of HR Department HR Director The role of the Human Resource Director guides and manages the overall provision of HR services. The HR department and staff members are advocates for both the company and the people who work in the company and the HR Director will make sure this is being achieved. They will implement policies and programs for the whole c ompany, be responsible for performance management and improvement systems, organisational planning and development, policy development and documentation, employee relations, compensation and benefits administration, employee safety, welfare and health. The HR Director will report to the Board of Directors. Recruitment & Selection Officer The Recruitment and Selection Officer is responsible for delivering all operations of recruiting throughout the company. The need to keep up-to-date with recruitment practises and are responsible for making sure the company employ the best possible candidates. Their objectives should be to develop and execute recruitment plans, implement new recruiting ideas, create job descriptions, construct and implement good recruiting and interviewing techniques, fill positions efficiently, keep up-to-date with managers regarding recruitment effectiveness. They will also look to make sure proper induction procedures are in place for when new recruits join the company. They will report to the HR Director. Administrator to the Recruitment & Selection Officer They will maintain records of all applicant and interviewing information. Will assist in reference checking, writing letters of rejection, prepare and send offers of employment, deal with enquiries, keep up-to-date with media advertising costs and perform other duties as required. They will report to the Recruitment & Selection Officer. Training & Development Officer The Training & Development Officer will be responsible for conducting and supervising training and development programs for employees. They will look to seek measures in which to improve employee skills and look to prepare them for jobs within the company requiring greater skill, possibly for people that may be retiring. They will liaise with Line Managers to see what levels of skills employees already have and agree what they are looking to achieve from them. If technological changes are taking place then they will need to make sure employees get the proper training for any new programs/systems. They will need to evaluate training effectiveness and implement any changes if the outcome has not been affective. They are reportable to the HR Director Generalist Officer The Human Resource Generalist Officer manages the day-to-day operations of the HR Team. They will deal with the administration of policies, procedures and programs. They assist in advising managers about any Human Resource issues. They will be concerned with the Health & Safety of the workforce and the development of the workforce. This role will be responsible for staff records and any discipline and grievance issues. They will prepare and analyse reports that are necessary to carry out the functions of the department and company, prepare reports for management and they will assist in the implementation of the performance management system (PDP’s). They will report to the HR Director. Administrator for Generalist Officer and Training & Development Officer They will assist the Generalist Officer in all administration duties involved in their position. If any policies require changing, then once implemented they will have new documents printed for distribution. Keeping up-to-date administration of employee records will be essential. They will report to the Generalist Officer. The Administrator will be responsible for organisation of training, contacting outsourced companies for times, dates, costing information and then book as required. They will need to inform employees of any training taking place and deal with follow-up paperwork getting employees to evaluate what they learnt from the course to give to the Training & Development Officer. If internal training is being carried out then they will look to find out availability of space where training can be carried out and again book relevant dates, times. They will be responsible for making sure paperwork for any employee training is kept up-to-date in employee files. They are reportable to the Training & Development Officer. 4. Line Managers responsibilities The Human Resource responsibilities that will be carried out by the Line Managers will be to conduct Performance Development Plan/Appraisal interviews with the staff in their team. The managers have direct contact with their team so will know them better and it also lets the employee feel more at ease. They will evaluate the team in terms of what training needs they require and discuss with the Training & Development Officer, again as they work with their team on a day-to-day basis they have a better knowledge of what their team requires. They will approve holidays and submit paperwork to the Generalist Administrator to keep staff records up-to-date, along with any absenteeism, this means they can control when staff will be off so that there is no loss of productivity due to too many people being off at the same time. They will hold regular meetings with their team regarding any issues/concerns they may have and have regular meetings with all HR Advisors to report any issues/concerns. This helps to maintain good communication between employees and the company. 5. The Psychological Contract In any company there is a Psychological Contract, this is the mutual beliefs, perceptions and informal obligations between the employer and the employee. It is different from the formal written contract which only identifies mutual duties and responsibilities in a generalized form. Implementing a good psychological contract by introducing a HR Team within Escape to the Wild will be of benefit to the employees as at the moment there is lack of trust within the company as jobs like training and development are not being carried out correctly, there is not enough staff so employees are overworked and not being appropriately compensated. There are no clear policies and procedures so staff don’t know what they are supposed to be doing and are feeling let down. Implementing good practises and communication will help motivate them.

Cpk Case Essay

California Pizza Kitchen, Inc. (CPK) is a United States based dining restaurants chain. The company primarily offers a mixture of assortments of hearth-baked pizzas, a wide variety of unique appetizers, desserts, pastas, salads, soups and sandwiches. CPK operates across more than 253 locations in 32 states, the District of Columbia and 10 foreign countries. It owns 205 and 48 franchised restaurants across the world and is headquartered at Dover, Delaware. An external analysis of the California Pizza Kitchen reveals several challenges facing the business: Political, economical, social and technological changes to be specific. CPK’s communication strategy focuses on marketing the California Pizza Kitchen brand through many creative and non-traditional avenues. As one of the pioneers of premium pizza, they continue to benefit from national media attention featuring their co-founders and co-CEOs, Richard Rosenfield and Larry Flax, this is believed to provide CPK with a noteworthy competitive advantage. New restaurant openings, high-profile fundraisers and media events currently serve as the focal point of their public relations and media outreach efforts. As early as 2009 CPK landed a sponsorship agreement with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Los Angeles Kings to promote California Pizza Kitchen at Angel Stadium and STAPLES Center, respectively. In the same year their public relations efforts led to coverage on a national level in various outlets including the Business Week Magazine, ESPN the Magazine, Los Angeles Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, The View, FOX National News and CNBC Power Lunch. CPK’s objective is to expand its leadership position in the restaurant and premium pizza market by selling original, high quality pizzas in addition to creative salads, distinctive pastas and related products and by providing extraordinary customer service, thus building a high degree of customer loyalty, brand awareness and superior returns for stockholders. To reach these objectives, CPK plan to increase the market share by expanding their restaurant base in new and existing markets, leveraging their partnerships in non-traditional and retail channels and offering inventive menu items. CPK is pursuing a disciplined growth strategy that, to be successful, depends on the ability and the ability of franchisees and licensees to open new restaurants and to operate these new restaurants on a profitable basis. Successful growth depends on numerous factors including: the hiring, training and retention of qualified working ersonnel, especially managers; competition for restaurant sites; negotiation of favorable lease terms; timely development of new restaurants, including the availability of construction materials and labor; management of construction and development costs of new restaurants; securing required governmental approvals and permits; competition in our markets; and general economic conditions

Religion: And How it Has Changed My Life Essay

After thinking about it, I thought Wicca hasn’t really changed my life that much, at least not in concrete ways. I’ve always loved the Earth and thought of it as being beautiful and precious. I’ve always been fascinated at the beauty and mystery of the Moon and the starry sky. I’ve always found Nature to be healing in an all inclusive way that encompasses the physical, mental and spiritual realms. I’ve always believed that our minds have the power to accomplish amazing things. I’ve always thought that there is much more to this Universe than what we can see with our eyes and grasp with our minds. I rejected my family’s religion, Christianity, because despite many claims of it being filled with peace and love, I found their holy book to be filled with persecution and cruelty. I was certain that no single culture had a direct-line to the Divine, that there was no â€Å"One Truth†. I became interested in natural remedies. I celebrated the seasons in my own simple manner. In many ways, I am as I always was, and yet discovering Paganism has brought major changes to my life. When I realized that there was an actual religion whose beliefs so closely matched my own, I was filled with happiness and enthusiasm. I literally spent about a year and a half utterly consumed in learning all I could get my hands on: the lore, mythology, magick and ritual. It was fascinating, and all my spare time was devoted to gathering knowledge and attempting to incorporate what seemed true into my life. I know that I will always be learning and growing in my chosen philosophy, but it is more subtle now. I know the â€Å"basics† at a basic level. I am branching out, studying mythology to an even greater depth, using meditation and divination to know myself with ever greater understanding. I am certain that each individual’s path will be unique, but I consider Wicca to be a path more concerned with who I truly am and how I connect with this Universe. These are wonderful concepts to ponder, but how has Wicca actually affected my daily life? As I thought about the question I realized that it has affected me in subtle but myriad ways. It has become a deeply intertwined part of my life. I think it affects every aspect of my day to day existence. The small rituals, that are such a part of my daily routine now, enhance my life and make it more more meaningful and fulfilling. When I wake in the morning I step outside and greet the Sun. I feel a moment of thanks for its warmth and life-giving rays. I read a poem or a meditation about a Goddess/God. My evening routine is similar. I go out and welcome the Night, the Moon and the Stars. I acknowledge the mystery and magic that I find intrinsic in their beauty. I try to spend as much time as possible out in Nature because I realize that such time is necessary for me. I light candles and whisper heartfelt thanks and love to my Goddess and God. But these actions, while important and meaningful to me, are things I’ve added to my life as a form of worship. How has Paganism changed my everyday, mundane existence? As I mentioned earlier, I did not have much respect for Christianity when I was younger. Learning about many different religions has helped me to realize that Christianity can be a satisfying and fulfilling path for many people. It is only in the hands of extremists that it can become a path of hatred–just as with any other religion. Wicca has helped me to be tolerant of other people’s spirituality as long as they aren’t spewing prejudice and hatred for any other religion besides their own. This didn’t happen overnight. At first I was indignant about Christianity’s attempt to destroy Paganism, the cruelty of the â€Å"Burning Times† and the intolerance that some modern day Christians show toward other spiritual paths. As I read and learned and pondered the issues, I realized that even Christianity, with its horrible history and its modern day fanatics, is a valid and rewarding path for most of its adherents. For most it is a path of love and peace. I never was too concerned about keeping my room â€Å"spotless†. I’m a bit of a pack rat, and things tend to pile up. I’m also a procrastinator, it’s easy for me to put things off until I’m in the mood to do them. Now I try to keep it less cluttered and more organized. This is a direct result of Wicca, because I don’t want negativity to gain a foothold in my home. I realize that messiness can affect the feeling of my home if only in subtle ways. I’m far from perfect, but much better than I used to be and improving with time. I often had a terrible time making decisions, especially important ones, sometimes agonizing for days or even weeks over which choice to make. Now I’ve learned several different types of divination. These help me to know my own mind and make the best decision I can without second guessing myself or wondering if I should have chosen a different route. I hardly ever prayed before becoming Wiccan. I connected it with Christianity. Now prayer has become an important part of my life. This was something I didn’t plan. It just developed naturally. Prayer gives me peace of mind at times, gives me an instantaneous response to stressors and lets me have a spontaneous and intimate relationship with Divinity. I have always written poetry. I have become more prolific. Even if my words are only beautiful and meaningful to me, poetry adds a glorious dimension to my life. It is an amazing experience to begin writing and have the words flow onto the paper without any struggle, to realize that, in some very special moments, it is as if you are a conduit to Divinity and the words are a direct connection with God/Goddess. While I don’t believe anyone can know for certain what happens after death, I have accepted reincarnation as my personal philosophy. It just makes sense to me, and it gives me comfort and peace when I am faced with the death of others or my own mortality. I have become more calm and serene. I don’t let things bother me as much as I used to. I live more in the moment now than in worrying about the past or the future. I feel an even greater sense of gratitude for my life, the blessings that I have and the beauty and wonder of this amazing Universe. Meditation has given me much benefit, but the whole philosophy of life, that I’ve embraced in the past few years, gives my existence a deeper meaning and makes sense of things that I couldn’t understand before. I have learned spellcraft and use it to improve my life. I believe that much, of the changes that magick makes, is within ones self. It gives me a confidence and a surety that affects my whole life. I believe that to make outward changes, a person must first change their inner self. That is what magick is to me, the ability to change myself for the better, to live in harmony with those that I love and the natural world around me. It also lets me communicate my desires to the Universe, and if it be for the greater good, I know my wishes will be granted. Perhaps in a way I hadn’t anticipated, but granted nonetheless. Of course I realize I must do the mundane work, and I never ask for more than I truly need. I am not as shy as I used to be. I love writing, but just about 5 years ago, I would have been too reticent to submit my thoughts in this essay or any other something that other eyes might see. I’m in the process of created my own website, I have been for about 2 years. This was a gigantic step for me, but I felt an almost overwhelming urge to honor my Goddess and God in this way. I joined a Pagan message board about two years ago. That was another huge step for me. It took me several months of â€Å"lurking† to get up enough courage to join, but I wanted to be a part of a community of like minded people and join in on those discussions that I found so interesting. This would have been impossible for me without all the small steps I’ve taken in the last few years. You could say that most of these things would have developed anyway as I gain the experience and wisdom that comes from living more than seventeen years. That may be true, but then again it might not. I know others my age who are torn by angst, whose lives seem filled with a steady stream of problems, who are anxious and unhappy and ever searching for what will bring them contentment and fulfillment. Perhaps it’s a matter of personality or temperament. I really don’t know, but I do know that Wicca has been a catalyst for changes that have greatly improved my personal life. My spirituality gives me a satisfaction that I searched for and couldn’t find for a long time. Wicca is an intrinsic part of me now. It affects my every waking moment perhaps not consciously, but at a deeper, more profound level. Wicca answers an abiding need deep within the very core of my being. Because I have accepted and embraced its philosophy, my entire life has been affected. I am a totally different person than I was 7 or 8 years ago, yet I am the same in many ways. I know that’s a contradiction, but I know that it’s true also. We all change subtly with the passing of time. Hopefully we change for the better. Wicca has changed my life in both great and small ways. I believe I am a better person for it.

Case assn #3 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Case assn #3 - Essay Example The CVS Company is well known for its quality health care products. CVS Health Company operates at least 7700 CVS pharmacy and Long Drugs stores. It is the largest pharmacy healthcare provider in the U.S with approximately 200, 000 employees. With the increasing globalization, the company is regarded as one of the companies that are making a global mark in the drug stores industry. However, the company faces stiff competition from other pharmacy providers such as Express Scripts Holding (ESRX) and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT). In terms of market capitalization, CVS has a value of 93.50 billion compared to 54.28 billion and 245.91 billion for ESRX and WMT respectively. This shows how competitive the industry is. With the increasing competition in the industry, these firms have to design proper strategies in order to remain relevant and competition enough in the industry. Express Scripts Holding and Wal-Mart Stores Inc.-as the main competitors of the Wendy’s company-have some stre ngths and weakness that are worth noting. The main strength and weakness include: Express Scripts Holding and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. are among the known leaders in developing innovative drug stores. Express Scripts Holding and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. draw their strength from their brand image globally. Express Scripts Holding and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. have effectively marketed their products and in addition understand the importance of a quality services. They are continually improving their stores through enhanced technologies. Express Scripts Holding and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. important sustainable competitive advantage is their intangible assets, such as brand image and organizational culture. However, the CVS Company is taking these strengths as challenges to help them improve better. In this regard, the company is focusing on improving its brand globally to help it market its services in the global market. In addition, the company is

Dissussion Questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Dissussion Questions - Essay Example Mrs. Smith, by simply stating that she does not want to die may have revoked her DNR order. Her daughter may be the person in charge of the patient’s treatment and CPR decisions. If she is, then it is her right to determine what needs to be done in such a situation. The potential area of liability for the nurse is if she goes against the DNR order in place. Only a senior doctor, and no other person, can determine the right to CPR on the patient. This is keeping in mind that CPR only works to revive a patient temporarily, but may not determine the patient’s condition afterwards. The facility may face a lawsuit from the custodian, and that is the daughter, if they do not honor the conditions of the DNR order. Nobody may be in apposition to sue the nurse if she follows the DNR order. However, if the nurse decides to perform CPR, she may be doing so on her own accord and her actions may not reflect the actions of the facility. An individual can revoke a DNR by simply making their wishes known to doctors and nurses (Westrick & Dempski, 2008). DNR orders are ethically appropriate and are recognized in many quarters, for example religious and legal quarters. When a patient wants to leave a health care facility against medical advice, they might be exposing themselves to more problems. They run the risk of receiving inadequate medical treatment. This may ultimately lead to readmission in the health facility one left. There is an ethical issue that surrounds medical practitioners when it comes to leaving against medical advice. Doctors are torn between respecting the patient’s wishes, and acting with consideration to what is best for the patient (Pozgar, 2013). Some issues must be discussed before the patient leaves. This is done usually to avoid any potential lawsuits in the future. One of the issues that need addressing may be forms filled by patients who leave AMA. Under difficult circumstances, the

Trying to fit in Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Trying to fit in - Essay Example The outcome was successful and I completed all tasks as expected by the group members. Before I expressed my willingness to join the group, I first assessed the openness and closeness of the group. It understood that the group was interested in discussing topics that concerned me since I could hear their conservations while seated next to them during my break time. I introduced myself sincerely and openly by greeting all members and telling them my name. I asked them on how long they had been working together and make a positive statement about the group. I also made a positive statement about myself and expressed my willingness to join and fit in the group since I shared the same objectives with all the group members (Crisp and Turner 108). The main objective of joining and fitting in the group was to combine our unique talents, skills and knowledge in accomplishing our classroom work. At the formation stage, each member talked politely and outlined the duties and responsibilities o f each individual. For instance, the group members openly provided suggestions on the time schedules of the meetings and also number of hours for the meetings. The members had adequate time to adapt to the unique personalities of each group member. For instance, the members selected a common mode of communication which was official English language (Crisp and Turner 109). ... In the group work decisions, the group laid down a framework of clarifying the factual ideas and suggestions of the members towards the discussion including reviewing academic literature that is contained in classroom notes. In addition, any arguments during the discussion were based on opinions, ideas and not individual personalities (Crisp and Turner 110). The members had diversity of opinions and view points on the discussion topics and the discussion process was well organised. Showing my confidence and asking questions made the other members easily accept me in the group. I also played an additional role of note taking and organizing the meeting venues which made me an active and crucial member of the group. At the fitting stage, I exercised my listening skills and leadership skills which were critical for the attainment of the group objectives. In deed, some members suggested that I should take up the group leader role due to my self-confidence, decision making skills, assertiv eness and politeness while dealing with conflicts or countering opposing arguments and ideas. Sitting next to the group and making positive comments made me easily join and fit in to the group. I attained my outcomes of fitting in to the group since the group provided me an opportunity to share my ideas and opinions and also counter the arguments of the rest of the members. I understood that individuals have different cultural backgrounds, personalities and values thus it is essential that group members focus on ideas and not differing personalities. It is important that group members familiarize themselves with discussion materials and clearly understand the rules and

Starbucks Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4750 words

Starbucks - Case Study Example The first Starbucks store was established in the 1971 in Seattle by three friends Jerry Baldwin, Gordon Bowker and Zev Siegl. These three individuals were high school teachers of English and History. They got their inspiration to open their own coffee shop from a Dutch business man named Alfred Peet (Coffee, 2014). The Starbucks as we know today is quite different from what it was during the time of its inception. At first the store only sold raw coffee beans and coffee machines and equipments, which changed over a decade as the company also started to sell coffee drinks. A decade later the company appointed Howard Schultz as the head of retail operations. He was overwhelmed by the idea of espresso bars in Italy and asked the owners to apply the concept of coffee house in Seattle. This experiment was quite successful and it marked the beginning of the famous Starbucks coffee beverages. Howard found a company named Il Giornale, which later on acquired Starbucks (Starbucks, 2011). The acquisition of Starbuck was financially supported by a lot of local investors and the name of the company was officially changed to Starbuck Corporation. The company decided to make geographical diversification and opened up stores in Vancouver and Chicago. By 1987, the total number of Starbucks outlet was 17, which increased to 55 by 1989 and 84 in the next year. In the year 1992, the company went public and it was able to expand its business from the $27 million gathered from the stock prices (Grant, 2013).

Western heritage Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Western heritage - Assignment Example The ideal person is defined as one who is responsible, law abiding and reasonable, he does what is right throughout his life and is considered a valuable member of the human race. In Cliffs Notes on Homer’s The Iliad entitled, â€Å"The Hero and Homeric Culture,† the Homeric hero is one who abides by social and cultural norms of the community and has to preserve the social and religious rites of the society (Mathews and Platt 45). This hero accepts no responsibility for his actions as he is deemed to be controlled by the gods. This belief leads to him not acting in an ideal way. The hero is seen as a proud and angry person who sees his personal honor as the most valuable thing. The ideal person is selfless and upholds other people’s wellbeing. In Cliffs Notes on Virgil’s The Aeneid Aeneas, the hero must possess characteristics such as tolerance, obedience to the will of the gods, and reverence for ancestors as seen through Aeneas. The true representation of an ideal character is, therefore, one who acts, not for his own good, but for the good of society as a whole. He is humble, righteous according to the morals laid down by the community and takes responsibility for his actions regardless of the consequences. The ideal person looks, for friendly ways to resolve conflict without resulting to war. Joseph Campbell’s book entitled â€Å"The Hero with a Thousand Faces†, examines the mono myth theory as â€Å"A hero ventures forth from the world of common day, into a region of supernatural wonder. Forces are there encountered, and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man†. Campbell describes the stages in mono myth: the hero starts the journey in the ordinary world he is then called into the extraordinary land where he undergoes tests and trials where he discovers his hidden abilities, he then chooses whether to return to the ordinary world to use

Reducing Resistance to Change or Conflict Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 7

Reducing Resistance to Change or Conflict - Essay Example More specifically, seeking to define diversity in such obvious terms is ultimately counterproductive and goes against the very fabric of what diversity is intended to mean. Within such a manner, the future application of this information for this particular student encourages me to attempt to understand diversity from a more nuanced perspective that has traditionally been accepted and/or appreciated. Likewise, an understanding and appreciation that can be evidenced by discussion number two are with regards to the fact that certain barriers continually exist with regards to the diversity that can be appreciated by any group. Whereas it is oftentimes discounted within society that these barriers exist, they nonetheless do and can completely derail the potential of an individual to be taken seriously or to integrate further within the group in question. Within such a level of understanding, it is incumbent upon the leader to seek to promote diversity throughout the culture of the respec tive group/entity in question. Although this may seem as something of an obvious choice, diversity is more often than not viewed as something of a personal decision. Although it is beneficial for the individual to integrate with an understanding of diversity and means by which it can affect their own lives, seeking to promote this level of diversity throughout the culture of the organization and/or entity in question is equally important to engaging the needs of those in question. Furthermore, with regards to the third discussion, it can be stated that cultural intelligence and diversity cannot exist independent of one another. What is meant by this is the fact that cultural intelligence is ultimately required for level of diversity to be exhibited. As a means of applying this in the workplace, or within one’s own life, it must be understood that prior to making any level of decisions one must first consider the unique culture and background of those in question and how such changes and/or discussions might impact upon them in a different manner. Ultimately, this is the core of what multiculturalism represents. Rather than merely being a â€Å"touchy-feely† means of understanding, this approach allows for a heightened sense of realization within the minds of the stakeholders and decision makers of a given group. With regards to applying discussion number four to my own personal and professional life, it must be understood that the leader of any group, or the educator of any class, must be continually aware of the fact that even if the information being presented to this group is uniform, each of the participants will come away with their own unique understanding. Within such a level of analysis, it is necessary to consider some of the possible takeaways that individuals might have from any level of instruction they are given. Seeking to analyze this differentiation and understanding prior to presentation is a highly effective means of seeking to reduce any potential future disconnects that might, to prominence as a result of misunderstood or improperly presented information. Finally, with respect to the article â€Å"Reducing Resistance to Change or Conflict†, it can be said that my future leadership style will necessarily take these factors into consideration.     

Billie Holiday & Misuse of Drugs Essay Example for Free

Billie Holiday Misuse of Drugs Essay Billie Holiday was born Eleanora Fagan, on April 7, 1915 to a thirteen year old mother and a fifteen year old jazz guitarist, father. After a difficult early childhood, which included scrubbing floors at a brothel and singing in night clubs to make ends meet she was ‘discovered’ by the record producer John Hammond in around 1932. In 1933 she made her first recording of a song called ‘Your Mothers Son-In-Law’ and her career took off. Billie started leisurely use of marijuana as very early in her life, by some accounts when she was twelve years old. However it was the eventual use of heroin, which she was introduced to by the men in her life, which actually destroyed her (Clarke, 2000). She married trombonist Jimmy Monroe on August 25, 1941 and while married to him became romantically involved with trumpeter Joe Guy and became his common law wife. Joe Guy introduced Billie to drugs and was her dealer. It was during the forties that Billy had made some of her most well known recordings. This however was also the time period that her dependence on drugs grew. She started using heroin intravenously during the early forties. It is a well known fact that heroin gives the user a short-lived elation, which is succeeded by drowsiness. Long term effects of heroin are slowing of the heart rate, breathing and activity of the brain. It is also accredited with depressing appetite, thirst and the reflexes. When the effects of the drug begin to wear off, usually four to eight hours after the last dose, withdrawal symtoms set in. These include chills, sweating, runny nose, irritability, insomnia, tremors, and body pain. There comes a point when the user does not take the drug for pleasure but to relieave the pain that sets in as the effects of the drug start to wear off. Unfortunately, at the peek of her career, Billy was not only using heroin but cocaine and opium as well and in addition to alcohol and cigarettes. Her unchecked drug use and chronic depression brought her careen to a sudden halt. In 1947 Holiday was arrested for possession of illegal drugs and volunteered to be placed in drug-rehabilitation center for eight months. In order to revive her career after her release, her manager booked her at Carnegie Hall where she performed in front of a packed hall. However, this was a turning point in her career, as she could not get her cabaret license reinstated. Thus she was not permitted to perform in establishments that served alcohol (Dufty, 1956). With the passage of time, the excessive use of drugs and alcohol had a profound effect on her voice and her health in general, to the point that she had a difficult time making a living performing. In 1954 She toured Europe and performed at the Royal Albert Hall, but by this time her performances had weakened. Miles Davis remembered the last time he saw her was in 1959, when he was performing in Birdland and Holiday came to visit and ask for money to buy heroin. Miles claims he gave her about a hundred dollars (Davis, 1990). Billy Holiday’s last public performance was in 1959. She was forty four years old, and was in such poor health that she had to be escorted off stage only after two songs. Prior to her death on July 17th, 1959, Billy wrote her autobiography with the help of William Dufty and talked about her issues with drug abuse and growing up poor. When Billy died she was under house arrest undergoing treatment for kidney failure, due to drug and alcohol misuse. Use of alcohol, narcotics and tobacco exact a toll not only on the addict but society as well. Misuse of drugs, as seen in the case of Billy Holiday, can make a talented individual a burden on society. Medical treatment of these individuals consumes resources that can be more productively used elsewhere. Nearly 80% of prisoners in U. S. A. are incarcerated for drug related issues. Tobacco kills nearly 400,000 people, while alcolhol kills 80,000 and Cocaine and Heroin kills 4,500 people in a typical year (Drug Information, 1999). Works Cited Clarke, D. (2000). Wishing On the Moon. In D. Clarke, Wishing On the Moon (pp. 12 and 395-9). (1990). Miles: the autobiography. In M. Davis. Drug Information. (1999, June 1). Retrieved June 07, 2010, from www. a1b2c3. com/drugs/: http://www. a1b2c3. com/drugs/ (1956). Lady Sings the Blues . In W. Dufty, Lady Sings the Blues. New York: Doubleday.

Marfan Syndrome Disorder

Marfan Syndrome Disorder Marfan syndrome In the early centuries some people might have had Marfan syndrome. Most will ask â€Å"What is Marfan Syndrome?† or â€Å"Do I have Marfan syndrome?† But our scientists answer theses questions about Marfan syndrome. Marfan syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects the connective tissue. Some in what the connective tissue does or provides is substances that support tendons, ligaments, blood vessel walls, carilages, heart valves and many other structures. In 1896 Antoine Marfan, a French doctor, discovered Marfan syndrome when he had a patient. As a boy who was fourteen years old (the patient), wanted to always become a basketball champ or at least a player but his coach didnt like the way he looks so the fourteen year old boy went to see Dr. Marfan. The doctor first didnt see but then finally he saw the problem. The young boy was more than 6 and a half feet tall. He was really skinny and had long arms, legs, and fingers. He told the young man to avoid team sports because he might have a blood vessel problem too. After investigating the young boy Then soon the doctor then named this disorder Marfan syndrome, after himself. Over the years some scientists began experimenting about Marfan syndrome and how it affects the human body. Trying to look at all the people with it and how bad it has diagnosed everyone. They soon discovered that every child with a parent that has Marfan syndrome has a 50% chance of getting it passed on to them. Although Marfan syndrome affects one person in every five thousand all over the world it is really rare. A lot of people are diagnosed with Marfan syndrome but it isnt that much noticeable to many people. You may look at a friend that is tall and skinny but that doesnt mean that they have Marfan syndrome. They might of just grown up that way in how well they ate or how well they had activity in their young childhood. If you want to find out if you have Marfan syndrome you need to go to four different doctors. You must check in with the geneticist first, then a cardiologist, an ophthalmologist, and finally an orthopedist. The geneticist looks at your disorders from genes of the family that you came from. (To see if anyone else had the disorder). A cardiologist looks at your heart and tests it out to see if you have any problems.(making sure if you have a heart related disease)Then an ophthalmologist checks your eyes to see if you have any huge or an enlarged pupils. And finally you check into and orthopedist for your bones. During this procedure the doctor(s) will check your arms, legs, ribs, fingers, and back to catch any problems or aches. Children with Marfan syndrome need to go to many doctors every single year for a long time. Because kids change and grow so quickly they got to be healthy and clean. Children with Marfan syndrome that have heart included problems need to take medicines called beta blockers, which help their heart stay on function and not leak through. Some kids even need surgery if they have a serious problem that is including Marfan syndrome. Kids with lazy eye will mostly need to wear glasses, and children with scoliosis need to wear a special back brace to help their back grow straight. As you know that many children need to get used to doing this at a very young age. Do people with Marfan syndrome have a long life? People with Marfan syndrome dont have as much chances as normal people to live up to one hundred of years old. They can but they arent really able to move. They are not as healthy to live a long life. They can not live a long life because they cant do many activities that exercise your body well enough and their hearts can not function well enough. Most people that have Marfan syndrome can not play most activities like soccer, football, hockey, tennis, and more energetic sports. They might play some games that more come and not as energetic. Most doctors might even say that they should not except to play team games. This genetic disorder (Marfan syndrome) affects mostly all people all over the world. Although you may see most boys have it, girls get affected by it more harmfully. They stop breathing or even need surgery. Females and males still do get infected by this rare disease but they still like the way their lives are. Marfan syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by a mutation in the fibrillin gene. This Misshapen in the fibrillin produced from the mutation weakens the tendons, ligaments, and other connective tissues in the human body. Marfan syndrome is a dominant trait. Meaning that two out of four children have the disorder or disease. The baby is born with this disorder and it is unusual that you will get after you birth. Many people have been doing research on the history of Marfan syndrome and they think that Abraham Lincoln might have been affected by Marfan syndrome. They think that Abraham Lincoln had Marfan syndrome because he was very tall, had long fingers that were elongated. Today, Marfan syndrome has received attention in the media largely as a result of health problems and deaths among very tall athletes, such as most basketball players and volleyball players. In the United States, it has been estimated that 40,000 or more people have Marfan syndrome. From back then to right now people have been diagnosed badly with Marfan syndrome. Some lost lives, some got serious surgeries, and some just got hurt. Marfan syndrome has got around for ages and will still continue to the future until somebody finds a cure. Some scientists are finding new ways to help the people who have Marfan syndrome but some are just normally finding a cure. Only if this terrible disease didnt hurt the world championship players that have helped the world.